Main Roads Western Australia Report for Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan

March 2007 Contents

Executive Summary 1

1. Introduction 4 1.1 Project Description 4 1.2 Scope of Report 4

2. Existing Environment 7 2.1 Study Area 7 2.2 Climate 7 2.3 Geology, Soils and Topography 8 2.4 Hydrology 9 2.5 Reserves and Conservation Areas 10 2.6 Environmentally Sensitive Areas 10 2.7 Vegetation 10 2.8 Flora 11 2.9 Fauna 14 2.10 Acid Sulfate Soils 21 2.11 Contaminated Sites 21 2.12 Heritage 21 2.13 Surrounding Land Use 22 2.14 Noise and Vibration 23 2.15 Ambient Air Quality 23 2.16 Review of Shire Information 23

3. Results of Field Investigations 24 3.1 Methodology 24 3.2 Hydrology and Drainage 24 3.3 Vegetation 25 3.4 Fauna 30

4. Clearing of Native Vegetation 32 4.1 Assessment against the Clearing Principles 32

5. Management of Environmental Impacts 35 5.1 Vegetation 35 5.2 Risks to Fauna 36

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections i Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 5.3 Aboriginal Heritage 37 5.4 Visual Amenity 37 5.5 Construction Issues 38 5.6 Water and Drainage 39 5.7 Rehabilitation 40 5.8 Environmental Management 40

6. Requirement for Referral 41 6.1 Commonwealth Government 41 6.2 Western Australian Government 41

7. Conclusions 42

8. Report Limitations 44

9. References 45

Table Index Table 1 Conservation codes and descriptions for the DEC’s Declared Rare and Priority flora species. 12 Table 2 Significant flora present within the Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections of the Great Northern Highway as recorded by the DEC’s Rare Flora Databases. 13 Table 3 Threatened fauna occurring, or likely to occur, in the three study sections as indicated by the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool and the DEC’s Rare Fauna Database 15 Table 4 Vegetation types present along the Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections of the Great Northern Highway. 26 Table 5 Vegetation extent and status. 28 Table 6 Assessment against the Ten Clearing Principles. 33 Table 7 WA Museum Records (21•12•2006) • Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections of the Great Northern Highway 55 Table 8 Environmental Protection And Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Categories 59 Table 9 Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 Codes 59

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections ii Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Table 10 Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation Priority Fauna Codes (Species not listed under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, but for which there is some concern). 60 Table 11 Flora list for the Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections of the Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project. 63 Table 12 Fauna list for the Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections of the Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project. 70

Figure Index Figure 1 Locality map of the Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale sections of the Great Northern Highway. 48 Figure 2 Declared Rare and Priority Flora species within the vicinity of the Colourstone section of the Great Northern Highway. 49 Figure 3 Declared Rare and Priority Flora species within the vicinity of the Erskine section of the Great Northern Highway. 50 Figure 4 Declared Rare and Priority Flora species within the vicinity of the Ellendale section of the Great Northern Highway. 51 Figure 5 Aboriginal heritage sites within the vicinity of the Colourstone Section of the Great Northern Highway. 52 Figure 6 Aboriginal heritage sites within the vicinity of the Erskine Section of the Great Northern Highway. 53

Plate Index Plate 1 Juvenile Boab Tree (~2 • 3m) 75 Plate 1 Young Boab tree (~5 – 6m) 76 Plate 2 Medium sized, multi•stemmed Boab tree (~5 • 6m) 77 Plate 3 Medium sized Boab tree (~7 • 10m) 78 Plate 5 Large, multi•stemmed Boab tree (~15 m) 79

Appendices A Figures B Fauna

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections iii Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan C Heritage D Field Survey E Boab Trees

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections iv Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Executive Summary

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) was prepared by GHD Pty Ltd on Behalf of Main Roads Western Australia for three sections of the Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project. The three sections investigated were:

» Colourstone Section: SLK 2237.1 – 2250.1

» Erskine Section: SLK 2370.6 – 2381.8

» Ellendale Section: SLK 2415.3 – 2435.4 The following is a summary of the environmental aspects relevant to the project:

» No reserves or conservation areas are located within or near the vicinity of the study areas;

» A floodplain area is located within the Ellendale Section, and is associated with Mount Wynne Creek, which transects this section at approximately SLK 2431.0. Tributaries of the Little Logue River cross the Colourstone Section. These drainage lines and floodplains are ephemeral features and flow following heavy summer rainfall events.

» The Canning•Kimberley Groundwater Area covers the entire Kimberley sub•region. Where dewatering, obstruction of groundwater or modification of stream banks is required for roadworks and bridge construction, Main Roads will need to compete the relevant application forms available from the Department of Water.

» Construction works are likely to temporarily increase runoff and sedimentation. With appropriate management actions in place, surface hydrology and drainage is not considered likely to be adversely impacted by this project;

» No Environmentally Sensitive Areas are located within or near the vicinity of the study areas;

» The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System indicates that the following known Aboriginal heritage sites are located within two of the three study areas; o Colourstone Section: Nilli Bubbaca Well (Camp, Water Source); and o Erskine Section: Erskine Ranges (Artefacts / Scatter, Rockshelter).

» A field survey conducted in October 2006 delineated the following broad vegetation types for each of the study areas: o Colourstone Section: Pindan Woodland o Erskine Section: Hummock Grass Steppe o Ellendale Section: Pindan Shrubland

» The condition of vegetation within the study areas was generally homogenous and was assessed to range from Pristine•Excellent to Very Good. Recently burnt

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 1 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan vegetation present at a number of survey locations sites made rating the condition of the vegetation difficult;

» Each study area is wholly surrounded by continuous vegetation, with major disturbances being from fire or livestock grazing;

» Vegetation extent is considered to be intact with 100% of the pre•European extent of vegetation remaining. The vegetation is poorly conserved within conservation areas, but the considerable extent of the vegetation and the remote nature of the study areas limit the threats to these vegetation types;

» No Threatened Ecological Communities were recorded within the study areas;

» A total of 117 species from 36 families were recorded from the study areas. Vegetation within the study areas is considered moderately diverse;

» The flora survey was conducted outside the peak flowering season for flora in the Kimberley region. During this time annual plant species are typically absent, grass species senescent, and most perennial flora species have ceased flowering, reducing the capability for identification purposes and limiting the effectiveness of the flora survey;

» No Declared Rare or Priority Flora species were recorded within the study areas, however; there are culturally significant flora species (Adansonia gregorii, Boab) within each of the surveyed areas and individual plants should not be disturbed where possible.

» No threatened fauna species were recorded from the study areas. Field surveys did however observe evidence to suggest the presence of the Schedule 1 fauna species Petrogale lateralis (Black•footed Rock Wallaby (West Kimberley Race)) within the Erskine Section. Faecal matter observed within the rocky outcrops of the Erskine Ranges was noted to be distinctively different from Macropus spp. The Erskine Ranges is one of three known locations for populations of this wallaby. The project will not directly impact this species, however; care should be taken around the Erskine Ranges as it is likely that the wallaby would cross the highway at this point during foraging or when accessing a water point south of the road alignment. Any habitat disturbance should also be minimised within this section;

» Fauna habitat and linkages will not be significantly disturbed or disrupted by the works planned for these sections. It is not considered that the extraction of material for the highway upgrade will significantly alter the fauna habitat of the region. It can be considered that a disturbance will occur on a local scale, which is likely to impact on individual animals, rather than a population;

» Noise, dust and vibration from construction works are not likely to cause an impact, however these should be managed for the safety of road users and construction personnel;

» Appropriate fire and waste management should be undertaken to reduce the risk of disturbance to the environment adjacent to the proposed works; and

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 2 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan » There is a minor risk that the construction works will create temporary pollution as a result of fuel or chemical spills or mismanagement of construction materials. This can be controlled with appropriate risk management and mitigation actions.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 3 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 1. Introduction

Main Roads Western Australia (Main Roads) has commissioned GHD Pty Ltd (GHD) to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and prepare an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale sections of work for the Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project. This report can be used in the environmental assessment and approvals process. It can also provide the basis for discussion, with relevant environmental agencies, about the need to refer the proposal for statutory approval.

1.1 Project Description The proposed project incorporates the rehabilitation of the existing pavement overlay and widening of three sections of the Great Northern Highway to increase the existing sealed width from 6.8 metres to 8.0 metres wide, with two 1.0 metre unsealed shoulders. The three project sections are within the Shire of Derby / West Kimberley Region of the Perth to Darwin link of the National Highway system (Figure 1). Additional clearing widths outside the tabledrains will be required to construct a temporary sidetrack while construction is completed on the main alignment. Clearing will also be required for embankment fill borrow pits and to extend existing gravel pits.

1.2 Scope of Report The scope of work for this project is to prepare an EIA and EMP for three sections of the Great Northern Highway. The three sections are outlined below:

» Colourstone Section: SLK 2237.1 – 2250.1

» Erskine Section: SLK 2370.6 – 2381.8

» Ellendale Section: SLK 2415.3 – 2435.4 Specifically, the scope of work involved the following tasks:

1.2.1 Desktop Assessment

» Conduct an initial assessment to determine the key environmental aspects that may impact this project;

» Assess all environmental aspects likely to require referral of the project to the EPA;

» A review of the Department of Environment and Conservation’s (DEC) Rare and Threatened Flora database;

» A review of the DEC’s Threatened Fauna database;

» A review of local and regional significance of plant communities;

» A review of the Western Australian Museum database for threatened and endangered fauna;

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 4 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan » A review of the DEC’s Environmentally Sensitive Areas; and

» A review of the Department of Environment and Water Resources (DEWR) database for areas listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. A review of European and Aboriginal heritage within the study area including information from:

» The Western Australian Heritage Commission;

» The Australian Heritage Places Inventory;

» Records held on Municipal databases;

» National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT); and

» The Department of Indigenous Affairs. A consideration of the impacts on:

» Air quality;

» Dust;

» Fauna;

» European cultural heritage;

» Aboriginal heritage;

» Surface waters/drainage;

» Groundwater;

» Wetlands and waterways;

» Noise and Vibration;

» Visual amenity;

» Reserves and conservation areas; Construction issues such as traffic management; and

» Providing all necessary information to obtain permits or approvals under legislative provisions, including those required under the following Acts and Regulations: o Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; o Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004; o Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914; o Conservation and Land Management Act 1984; o Wildlife Conservation Act 1950; o Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990; and o Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 5 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 1.2.2 Consultation The following agencies were consulted to determine relevant environmental aspects associated with this project:

» Department of Environment and Conservation;

» Department for Planning and Infrastructure;

» Western Australian Heritage Commission;

» Australian Heritage Paces Inventory (State and Commonwealth);

» Department of Aboriginal Heritage Western Australia;

» National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT); and

» Shire of Derby / West Kimberley.

1.2.3 Flora and Vegetation Survey A flora and vegetation survey included:

» A site visit by a qualified GHD Botanist/Zoologist and Environmental Scientist;

» A description and condition rating of plant communities in the study area;

» An inventory of the vascular plant species in the survey area;

» An inventory of weed and introduced plant species;

» An inventory and GIS mapping of plant species considered to be rare and endangered;

» An inventory and GIS mapping of TECs; and

» An opportunistic observation of fauna.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 6 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 2. Existing Environment

2.1 Study Area The study area is located in the Kimberley region of the state’s northwest, along the Great Northern Highway between the townships of Broome and Fitzroy Crossing (Figure 1, Appendix A). Three sections along the Great Northern Highway were investigated. These are outlined below.

» Section 1 – Colourstone Section SLK 2237.1 – 2250.1 (Figure 2) o Assessment covered a 100 metre corridor on the southern side of the highway and a 250 metre corridor on the northern side of the highway. Two gravel pits located on the southern side of the existing road alignment were also investigated.

» Section 2 – Erskine Section SLK 2370.6 – 2381.8 (Figure 3) o Assessment covered a 100 metre corridor on the southern side of the highway and a 250 metre corridor on the northern side of the highway. This corridor is reduced in width to avoid the Erskine Range escarpment at the eastern end of this section, and extends out to approximately 350 metres to accommodate a campsite. A gravel search area extending for approximately 1000 metres either side of the highway over a distance of approximately 500 metres was also investigated.

» Section 3 – Ellendale Section SLK 2415.3 – 2435.4 (Figure 4) o Assessment covered a 100 metre corridor on the southern side of the highway and a 250 metre corridor on the northern side of the highway. Two existing gravel search areas on the southern side of the highway, with access haul roads approximately 1.5 km and 3.5 km long were also investigated.

2.2 Climate The Kimberley region of Western Australia has a tropical monsoon climate with two dominant seasons, separated by short transitional periods, broadly described as dry hot tropical and semi•arid with summer rainfall. Over the months of November to April, hot and humid conditions prevail, characterising the ‘wet’ season. The region receives approximately 90% of its rainfall during these months, as unstable low pressure systems dominate the weather patterns. From May to October, high pressure systems and a predominantly south easterly airflow from the continent's interior bring sunny days with cooler day time and night time temperatures. Rainfall during these months is markedly absent characterising this period as the ‘dry’ season.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 7 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan The closest Bureau of Meteorology weather stations located to the study areas are at Derby Airport and Fitzroy Crossing. Recorded climatic data is summarised below:

Derby Airport

Mean Daily Maximum Temperature: 30.5°C (June) – 37.9°C (Nov) Mean Daily Minimum Temperature: 15.0°C (July) – 26.3°C (Dec) Annual Rainfall: 622.1 mm (Dec to March) Mean Annual Rain Days: 46.7 days

(Source: BOM, 2004)

Fitzroy Crossing

Mean Daily Maximum Temperature: 29.6°C (June) – 40.5°C (Nov) Mean Daily Minimum Temperature: 10.7°C (July) – 25.1°C (Dec) Annual Rainfall: 541.2 mm (Dec to March) Mean Annual Rain Days: 49.8 days

(Source: BOM, 2004)

2.3 Geology, Soils and Topography The geology of the study areas has been mapped at a scale of 1:250 000 (Towner, 1981 and Griffin et al., 1993) and has been detailed for each section of the three project areas below: Colourstone Section

» Quaternary sediment deposits of • Sand, silt; minor gravel: alluvial and aeolian; Red sand, fine to medium; minor silt: aeolian; and Sand, silt clay; minor gravel: alluvial and lacustrine. Laterite; pisolitic or massive; pedogenic present within gravel pit search area. Erskine Section

» Laterite; pisolitic or massive; pedogenic and sand, silt; minor gravel: alluvial and aeolian.

» The Erskine Section also passes through the Erskine Range, which has the following geological features: – Blina Shale • Mudstone, sandy mudstone, laminated to thin•bedded, ripple• marked, burrowed; minor fine sandstone; fossiliferous; brackish water; – Erskine Sandstone • Sandstone, very fine to fine; laminated to thin•bedded, cross•bedded, ripple•marks; minor clay pellet conglomerate; mudstone; plant fossils; deltaic; and

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 8 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan – Meda Formation – Sandstone, fine to coarse; granule to pebble conglomerate; poorly sorted; cross•bedded, ripple marked; fluvial. Ellendale Section

» Quaternary sediments of Colluvium and alluvium – partly consolidated silt, sand and gravel; cobble and boulder conglomerate; Black soil – clay and silt; Alluvium – unconsolidated silt, sand and gravel; Windblown sand – residual sand; Laterite, pisolitic ironstone, ferruginous sandstone; and Tertiary deposits of Warrimbah Conglomerate – poorly consolidated boulder and pebble beds.

2.4 Hydrology

2.4.1 Wetlands and Waterways Waterways and wetland areas within the Kimberley region are ephemeral, and typically flow or fill during seasonal rainfall events. A search of the Western Australian Wetlands Database (WetlandBase) did not identify any permanent wetland areas within the three study areas, however; the database does indicate an extensive floodplain area with the Ellendale Section, which is associated with Mount Wynne Creek. Mt Wynne Creek transects this section at approximately 2431.0 SLK. Tributaries of the Little Logue River also cross the northern parts of the Colourstone Section near Mt Jowlaenga Road. The EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool did not indicate the presence of any Wetlands of International Significance (Ramsar Sites) within, or close to, the three study areas.

2.4.2 Drainage The terrain of the study areas is typically flat, with the exception of the Erskine Ranges, which forms a ridge of upland area that transects the Great Northern Highway. Monsoonal rainfall is typical in the region and causes extensive sheetflow flooding over the flat landscape and often creates dendritic drainage lines and rivers with extensive floodplain areas. The often sandy nature of these drainage lines makes them susceptible to erosion from channelised runoff and grazing livestock. Surface water drains directly off road surfaces. High frequency and high intensity rainfall events during the wet season often causes flooding of the road surface in floodway areas and at river crossings.

2.4.3 Water Management Areas A search of the Department of Water (DoW) Geographic Data Atlas indicated that the three study areas are not within any Gazetted Public Drinking Water Source Areas, however; they do lie within the Canning•Kimberley Groundwater Area. The Canning• Kimberley Groundwater Area covers the entire Kimberley sub•region. It was proclaimed in 1997 under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 to ensure groundwater is abstracted sustainably.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 9 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan The Act gives the DoW the power to manage ground and surface areas and use of land that may impact upon these water sources. Permits are required to allow obstruction or interference with the bed or banks of a watercourse to which there is access by a public road or reserve, or to build or alter a dam on a proclaimed or prescribed watercourse or wetland.

2.5 Reserves and Conservation Areas No conservation areas or reserves are located within or adjacent to the boundaries of the project areas.

2.6 Environmentally Sensitive Areas A search of the Department of Environment and Conservation’s (DEC) Native Vegetation Viewer did not indicate that any Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are within, or adjacent to, the three study areas.

2.7 Vegetation

2.7.1 Vegetation Description The vegetation of the Kimberley Region has been surveyed, mapped and described by Beard (1979) and summarised in Wheeler (1992). Broad scale vegetation for the study areas has been summarised below:

» Pindan or pindan woodland, with both vegetation types dominated by Acacia species. Pindan woodland has an emergent tree layer characterised by Eucalyptus and Grevillea species, Gyrocarpus americanus, Erythrophelum chlorostachys, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii, Adansonia gregorii, Buchanasia obovate and Terminalia canescens;

» Low tree savannah where the grass layer is dominated by Chrysopogon species and the tree layer by Adansonia gregorii, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii, and species of Eucalyptus, Grevillea, Hakea and Acacia;

» Black cracking plains are grass savannas dominated by Astrebla, Dichanthium and Chrysopogon species;

» Fringing major rivers is riverine woodland of Eucalyptus camaldulenis with Terminalia platyphylla, Nauclea orientalis, Adansonia gregorii, Lysiphyllum cunninghamii, Planchonia careya and Melaleuca, Pandanus and Ficus species; and

» The Oscar and Napier Ranges, support a steppe of hummock grasses dominated by Triodia species with scattered herbs and very occasional shrubs and small trees of Adansonia gregorii, Cochlospermum fraseri, Ficus and Terminalia species.

2.7.2 Threatened Ecological Communities Ecological communities are defined as ‘naturally occurring biological assemblages that occur in a particular type of habitat’ (English and Blythe, 1997). Threatened Ecological

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 10 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Communities (TECs) are ecological communities that have been assessed and assigned to one of four categories related to the status of the threat to the community, i.e. Presumed Totally Destroyed, Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable. Some TECs are protected under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act, 1999 (EPBC Act). Although TECs are not formally protected under the State Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, the loss of, or disturbance to, some TECs triggers the EPBC Act. The Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA’s) position on TECs states that proposals that result in the direct loss of TECs are likely to require formal assessment. A search was undertaken for this area of the DEC’s Threatened Ecological Communities database and found no known occurrences of threatened ecological communities recorded within the boundary of the three study areas.

2.8 Flora

2.8.1 Significant Flora Any activities that are deemed to have a significant impact on species that are recognised by the Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, can trigger referral to the Department of Heritage and Water Resources. A search of the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool did not identify any federally protected flora species within the boundaries of the three study areas. In addition to the EPBC Act, significant flora in Western Australia is protected by the Wildlife Conservation Act (1950). This Act, which is administered by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), protects Declared Rare Flora (DRF) species. The DEC also maintains a list of Priority Flora (PF) species. Conservation codes for flora species are assigned by the DEC to define the level of conservation significance. PF are not currently protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act (1950). PF may be rare or threatened, but cannot be considered for declaration as rare flora until adequate surveys have been undertaken of known sites and the degree of threat to these populations clarified. Special consideration is often given to sites that contain PF, despite them not having formal legislatory protection. A description of the DEC’s Conservation Codes that relate to flora species is provided in Table 1.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 11 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Table 1 Conservation codes and descriptions for the DEC’s Declared Rare and Priority flora species.

Conservation Code Description

R: Declared Rare Flora – Taxa which have been adequately searched for and are Extant Taxa deemed to be in the wild either rare, in danger of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection, and have been gazetted as such.

P1: Priority One – Poorly Taxa which are known from one or a few (generally <5) Known Taxa populations which are under threat, either due to small population size, or being on lands under immediate threat, e.g. road verges, urban areas, farmland, active mineral leases, etc., or the plants are under threat, e.g. from disease, grazing by feral animals etc. May include taxa with threatened populations on protected lands. Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as ‘rare flora’, but are in urgent need of further survey.

P2: Priority Two – Poorly Taxa which are known from one or a few (generally<5) Known Taxa populations, at least some of which are not believed to be under immediate threat (i.e. not currently endangered). Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as ‘rare flora’, but are in urgent need of further survey.

P3: Priority Three – Poorly Taxa which are known from several populations, and the Known Taxa taxa are not believed to be under immediate threat (i.e. not currently endangered), either due to the number of known populations (generally >5), or known populations being large, and either widespread or protected. Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as ‘rare flora’ but are in need of further survey.

P4: Priority Four – Taxa in Taxa which are considered to have been adequately need of monitoring surveyed and which, whilst being rare (in Australia), are not currently threatened by any identifiable factors. These taxa require monitoring every 5 – 10 years.

A search of the DEC’s Rare Flora Databases and the Western Australian Herbarium (WAHERB) records was undertaken for the three study areas. These species are outlined in Table 2. The locations of these DRF and PF species have been mapped in Figures 5 to 7 (Appendix A).

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 12 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Table 2 Significant flora present within the Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections of the Great Northern Highway as recorded by the DEC’s Rare Flora Databases.

Species Conservation Code Description

Cullen candidum P1 Shrub, to 3 m high. Fl. white, Sep–Oct. Clayey sand.

Fimbristylis sieberiana P3 Shortly rhizomatous, tufted perennial, grass•like or herb (sedge), 0.25–0.6 m high. Fl. brown, May–Jun. Mud, skeletal soil pockets. Pool edges, sandstone cliffs.

Goodenia sepalosa var. glandulosa P3 Prostrate to sprawling herb, 0.03–0.3 m high. Fl. yellow, Jan–Dec. Red sand or loam.

Trianthema kimberleyi P1 Prostrate, much•branched annual, herb. Fl. white, pink, Mar. Schistous soils.

Nymphoides beaglensis P2 Aquatic annual, herb. Fl. white, pink, purple, Mar–Jun. In shallow freshwater. Edges of permanent waterholes or in seasonally inundated claypans & depressions.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 13 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 2.9 Fauna A search of the Western Australian Museum records (FaunaBase) was undertaken for the three study areas. The museum records show that 2 amphibians, 3 bird species, no fish species, 5 mammal species and 5 reptile species have been recorded in these areas. A list of these species is provided in Appendix B. The small number of species is indicative of the lack of formal surveys in the area, and does not represent the likely number of species present.

2.9.1 Significant Fauna The conservation of fauna species and their significance status is currently assessed under both State and Commonwealth Acts. The acts include the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950; Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice 2003, and the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. Significance levels for fauna within the EPBC Act are the same as those recommended by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). The WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 utilises a set of Schedules as well as some of the IUCN categories. These categories and Schedules, and the circumstances under which a project will trigger referral to the Department of the Environment and Water Resources (DEWR), are described in Appendix B. A listing of significant fauna from the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (2006) and Rare and Priority species from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) rare fauna database for the project area was obtained and is detailed in Table 3.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 14 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Table 3 Threatened fauna occurring, or likely to occur, in the three study sections as indicated by the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool and the DEC’s Rare Fauna Database

Conservation Status

Family Genus Species Common Name EPBC Act DEC

Birds

Maluridae Malurus coronatus coronatus Purple•crowned Fairy•wren (western) Vulnerable

Rostratulidae Rostratula australis Australian Painted Snipe Vulnerable Schedule 1

Accipitridae Haliaeetus leucogaster White•bellied Sea•Eagle Migratory, Marine Schedule 3

Hirundinidae Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Migratory, Marine

Charadriidae Charadrius veredus Oriental Plover, Oriental Dotterel Migratory, Marine

Glareolidae Glareola maldivarum Oriental Pratincole Migratory, Marine

Scolopacidae Numenius minutus Little Curlew, Little Whimbrel Migratory, Marine

Rostratulidae Rostratula benghalensis s. lat. Painted Snipe Migratory, Marine

Mammals

Macropodidae Petrogale lateralis Black•footed Rock•wallaby (West Kimberley race) Vulnerable Schedule 1

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 15 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Conservation Status

Family Genus Species Common Name EPBC Act DEC

Thylacomyidae Macrotis lagotis Bilby Schedule 1

Dasyuridae Dasycercus cristicauda Mulgara Vulnerable Schedule 1

Reptiles

Crocodylidae Crocodylus porosus Estuarine Crocodile, Salt•water Crocodile Migratory Schedule 4

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 16 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 2.9.2 Likelihood of Fauna Occurrence The habitat, behaviour and likely occurrence of significant fauna species within the study areas has been assessed below: Malurus coronatus coronatus (Purple•crowned Fairy•wren (western)

The purple•crown Fairy•wren occupies very restricted riverside vegetation across the Wet•Dry tropics of northern Australia between the 400 mm and 1000 mm isohyets. It does not occur north of the Roper or Victoria Rivers, on the Mitchell Plateau, (Western Australia), east of the Leichhardt River, or south of the Fitzroy and Gregory Rivers. The greatest impact to the species has been habitat loss and degradation of specific riverine vegetation that provides the birds with food, shelter and nesting sites (Rowley, 1993). This species prefers to live in the dense stands of northern canegrass (Mnesithea rottboellioides) and Pandanus species that frequently grow alongside waterways. One major reason for the decline of the purple•crowned fairy•wren is grazing and trampling of the riparian vegetation by cattle. Subsequent weed invasion alters their preferred habitat and causes changes to fire regimes (Watts & Vidler, 2006) Habitat for the wren is restricted to riverine environments. There is potential for habitat to exist for this species at Mount Wynne Creek and tributaries of the Little Logue River, where sufficient wet season rainfall sustains stands of canegrass. Rostratula australis (Australian Painted Snipe)

The Australian Painted Snipe is a migratory wetland bird that utilises the temporary or infrequently filled freshwater wetlands of the northwest, however; it is found to occur along the east coast of Australia from northeast Queensland to the Murray•Darling Basin. The Australian Painted Snipe nests on the ground amongst tall reed•like vegetation near water, and feeds near the water’s edge and on mudflats, taking invertebrates, such as insects and worms, and seeds. Decline in species numbers has been attributed to wetland alteration and loss, particularly in the Murray•Darling Basin (DEH, 2003). Potential habitat for the Snipe exists around rivers and creeks within the study areas and around dams that have been created for grazing cattle. Haliaeetus leucogaster (White•bellied Sea•Eagle)

White•bellied Sea•Eagles are a common sight in coastal and near coastal areas of Australia. Birds form permanent pairs that inhabit territories throughout the year. Their loud "goose•like" honking call is a familiar sound, particularly during the breeding season. Birds are normally seen perched high in a tree, or soaring over waterways and adjacent land. In addition to Australia, the species is found in New Guinea, Indonesia, China, Southeast Asia and India. The White•bellied Sea•Eagle feeds mainly on aquatic animals, such as fish, turtles and sea snakes, but it takes birds and mammals as well. It is a skilled hunter, and will

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 17 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan attack prey up to the size of a swan. Sea•Eagles also feed on carrion (dead prey) such as sheep and fish along the waterline. They harass smaller birds, forcing them to drop any food that they are carrying. Sea•Eagles feed alone, in pairs or in family groups (Australian Museum Online, 2003). The distance of each of the study sites from coastal areas would make it unlikely for the White•bellied Sea Eagle to be found in them. Hirundo rustica (Barn Swallow)

Barn Swallow is restricted to northern Australia, where it is an uncommon visitor to areas away from the coast (Higgins & Peters 2006, in DEC, 2006). Swallows commonly occur in open areas like grassland, farmland and woodland, in association with a water body (Marchant & Fullagar 1983, in DEC, 2006). Swallows hawk for insect prey from the air or from above lakes and ponds, which are also used for drinking and as a mud supply for nest construction (Gorenzel & Salmon 1994, in DEC, 2006). Structures such as buildings, bridges and agricultural structures have increased the number of sites on which nests can be placed (e.g. Marchant & Fullagar 1983, in DEC, 2006). Wherever irrigation water and buildings are found together, suitable breeding conditions are likely to exist (Gorenzel & Salmon 1994, in DEC, 2006). The lack of permanent water supplies near most of the study areas would restrict the habitat of the Barn Swallow and the swallow is an uncommon visitor to inland areas. It is therefore unlikely that this species would be found within the study areas, unless permanent water supplies for cattle stations exist nearby. Charadrius veredus (Oriental Plover, Oriental Dotterel)

The Oriental Plover has a habitat preference in Australia for inland grasslands and is also known to roost on beaches or muddy margins of terrestrial wetlands. Oriental Plovers are a summer migrant to northern Australia including the Kimberley, with a few travelling further to the Pilbara. They return to the northwest in September. This social bird is found in both small and large flocks, often these flocks are greater than 10,000 (DEH, 2005). The migratory oriental Plover is unlikely to occur within the study areas due to their distance from the species preferred coastal habitats. Glareola maldivarum (Oriental Pratincole)

The Oriental Practincole is a wader in the Practincole family. These birds are migratory and often spend the northern hemisphere winter in the northern parts of Australia. The Practincole is typically seen near open waters where they feed on insects, however they also are known to hunt for food on the ground. There is some possibility that the oriental Practincole would be found within the study areas, particularly where areas of open water form in the wet summer seasons.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 18 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Numenius minutus (Little Curlew, Little Whimbrel) The Little Curlew is widespread in the north of Australia. The Curlew may gather in large flocks on coastal and inland grasslands and black soil plains in northern Australia, near swamps and flooded areas, where it feeds on mainly insects, as well as seeds and fruits. The Curlew is also known to feed on playing fields, paddocks and urban lawns. The migratory nature of the Curlew suggests that it would most likely be found within the study area during the northern hemisphere winter, however; it is likely that this bird species would be restricted to areas closer to coastal regions and more permament water sources. Rostratula benghalensis s. lat. (Painted Snipe)

The Painted Snipe has a scattered distribution in Australia. This species occurs mainly along the east coast from north Queensland to the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, including the majority of Victoria and NSW. Scattered records indicate that it may also occur in western Queensland, throughout Western Australia and the Northern Territory (Marchant & Higgins 1993). The Painted Snipe inhabits inland and coastal shallow freshwater wetlands. The species occurs in both ephemeral and permanent wetlands, particularly where there is a cover of vegetation, including grasses, Lignum and Samphire (Smith, 1991). Individuals have also been known to use artificial habitats, such as dams and waterlogged grassland (Marchant & Higgins 1993). The Painted Snipe nests on the ground amongst tall vegetation, such as grass tussocks or reeds. The Painted Snipe has been recorded at Derby and Kununurra (WA), but there are no records for the Victoria River area. All breeding records are from south of 28°S latitude (Blakers, et al., 1984, Barrett, et al., 2003). Some areas of suitable habitat for the Painted Snipe were located within the project area, and there is a possibility that this species may occasionally use ephemeral wetlands and rivers as habitat during wet summer months. Petrogale lateralis Black•footed Rock•wallaby (West Kimberley race)

The Black•footed Rock•wallaby (West Kimberley race) in only known from the Edgar Range, Erskine Range and possibly the Grant Range and nearby areas of the west Kimberley of Western Australia. The Erskine Ranges lie north and south of the Erskine Section and are characterized by having granite outcrops and scree slopes in ranges with hummock grassland and occasional fig trees and low shrubs and caves. The wallaby is a shy and wary animal, feeding at night in open areas of grass and sheltering from hot daytime temperatures in caves within the Ranges (Burbidge, 2004). It is very likely that the Black•footed Rock•wallaby would be found within the Erskine Section study area as the Department of Environment and Conservation records indicate trapping of this species in this area. The Erskine Ranges transect the study area and provide ideal habitat for the species.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 19 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Macrotis lagotis (Bilby) The Bilby distribution in Western Australia is restricted to the northern parts of western Australia. They are found within the Gibson and Great Sandy deserts, eastern Pilbara and the southern edge of the Kimberley. The Bilby usually spend the daytime in burrows, often built against termite mounds, spinifex hummocks or shrub. After dark they leave their burrows to feed and populations are known to move long distances when current habitat ranges become unsuitable. Bilbies are largely solitary, widely dispersed and found in low numbers. They are comparatively slow moving but have superb hearing. The species has a large habitat range from grassland on clayey and stoney soils or sandplains to mugla scrub and woodlands on red earths. Predation from foxes and feral cats is limited in the Kimberley region, however; destruction of habitat by feral animals (i.e. Camels) and inappropriate fire regimes continue to impact their population numbers (Burbidge, 2004). It is likely that the Bilby may be found within the study areas due to the presence of suitable habitat and the relative lack of threat from predators. Dasycercus cristicauda (Mulgara)

The Mulgara was formally a widespread species in sandy desert areas, but is now rare and patchily distributed in Western Australia in the Pilbara, Gascoyne, Murchison, the north eastern Goldfields, the Central Ranges and the Carnarvon Basin. The Mulgara constructs burrows in spinifex (Triodia) hummock grassland. This small, solid and muscular marsupial feeds on small vertebrates and larger invertebrates and lives in relatively long•unburnt habitat. The primary cause of this species decline is attributed to predation by cats and foxes, and inappropriate fire regimes (Burbidge, 2004). The rare nature of this species and its current range suggests that it would not be found within the study areas. Crocodylus porosus (Estuarine Crocodile, Salt•water Crocodile) The areas of the Kimberley inhabited by Crocodylus porosus differ markedly from most of the Northern Territory, where the species is much more widely distributed. The Kimberley coastline and hinterland are chiefly composed of steep, rugged, ancient, deeply faulted sandstones. Access up many rivers is blocked to crocodiles by waterfalls and their associated gorges. There are few areas of floodplain and very few freshwater swamps; hence breeding habitat is scarce, however; the species is still found within this region (Burbidge, 1987). Suitable habitat for the Salt•water crocodile is not found within the three study areas investigated. The creeks and streams that do intersect the areas are not suitable for sustaining populations of these species. It is very unlikely that the Salt•water crocodile would be found within these study areas.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 20 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 2.10 Acid Sulfate Soils The Department of Environment and Conservation describes acid sulfate soils (ASS) as naturally occurring soils and sediments containing sulfide minerals, predominantly pyrite (an iron sulfide). In an undisturbed state below the watertable, these soils are benign and not acidic. However if the soils are drained, excavated or exposed by lowering of the water table, the sulfides will react with oxygen to form sulfuric acid. Inappropriate disturbance of these soils can generate large amounts of sulfuric acid and leaching of contaminants naturally occurring in soils. Flushing of acidic leachate to ground•water and surface waters can cause off site impacts including:

» Ecological damage to aquatic and riparian ecosystems;

» Effects on estuarine fisheries and aquaculture projects;

» Contamination of groundwater with arsenic, aluminium and heavy metals;

» Reduction in agricultural productivity through metal contamination of soils; (predominantly by aluminium); and

» Damage to infrastructure through the corrosion of concrete and steel pipes, bridges and other sub•surface assets. Mapping of ASS by the Western Australian Planning Commission has been prepared for the Perth Metropolitan Region and the southwest region of the state, where the impact of ASS has been assessed as being more significant. No mapping for the Derby and Fitzroy crossing areas has been prepared, however; the study areas do not occur in low•lying wetlands, salt marshes or tidal flats. It is therefore considered that ASS would not pose an environmental constraint to construction or materials excavation.

2.11 Contaminated Sites A search of the DEC’s Contaminated Sites Database provided no record of contaminated sites or potentially contaminated sites within the three study areas.

2.12 Heritage

2.12.1 European Heritage A search of the Australian Heritage Database, the Australian Heritage Inventory and the Heritage Council of Western Australia databases did not indicate any heritage sites within the immediate vicinity of the study areas.

2.12.2 Aboriginal Heritage The Aboriginal Site Register is held under Section 38 of the State's Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. It protects places and objects customarily used by, or traditional to, the original inhabitants of Australia. Where an activity disturbs an Aboriginal site or object an application for permission to disturb those sites needs to be submitted under Section 18 of theAboriginal Heritage

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 21 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Act (1972). Where a site of previously unknown Aboriginal heritage is to be disturbed, it is advised that a detailed anthropological and archaeological heritage survey is undertaken to find if there are any sites or objects of significance in that area, as it is an offence to disturb all Aboriginal Heritage sites, even those not contained on the Aboriginal Heritage Site Register. In the event that Aboriginal archaeological or ethnographic sites are discovered during construction, there will be a need to meet the requirements of the Aboriginal Heritage Act (1972). A search of the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System indicates that the following Aboriginal heritage sites are recorded within two of the three study areas:

» Colourstone Section: Nilli Bubbaca Well (Camp, Water Source); and

» Erskine Section: Erskine Ranges (Artefacts / Scatter, Rockshelter). Aboriginal heritage sites have been mapped in Figures 8 and 9 (Appendix A). Search results from the Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System are provided in Appendix C. It should be noted that a search under the DIA database does not comprise of a full assessment under the Aboriginal Heritage Act WA (1972). This would require consultation with Aboriginal people with knowledge of the area (usually, but not necessarily Native Title Claimants), and an archaeological survey.

2.12.3 Native Title

» The following native title claims exist over the Colourstone and Erskine Section study areas:

» Nyikina and Mangala (Active) WC 04/6

» Rubibi Community #17 (Active) WC 99/25 Although native title claims exist over these areas, native title has been extinguished over these areas under the Native Title Act 1993 as “the act extinguishes the native title in relation to the land or waters on which the public work concerned (on completion of its construction or establishment) was or is situated”. Previously undisturbed areas which may be excavated for gravels, however, should be considered under the Act. Consultation with the claimants is generally undertaken as part of the requirements under the Aboriginal Heritage Act.

2.13 Surrounding Land Use Land within the region is predominately pastoral land used for cattle grazing. Smaller sections of land along the Great Northern Highway that are not leased remain as vacant crown land. The impact of the highway upgrade will have minimal effect on the current land use within the region. Cattle grazing on pastoral leases is often on unfenced properties and stray cattle represent a potential hazard to plant and machinery being used during construction, particularly where land away from the highway is being accessed for gravel within potential borrow pit sites.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 22 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 2.14 Noise and Vibration There are no nearby residents in close proximity of the proposed works who will be impacted by noise or vibration generated during construction. Noise and vibration from traffic occurs at present, however; the volume of traffic is low and is not likely to change as a result of the proposed works.

2.15 Ambient Air Quality As traffic volumes are not expected to increase as a result of the proposed works, air quality is also not likely to change. The sandy soils of the project areas may create a potential for the generation of dust during construction and rehabilitation, especially at the proposed borrow pits sites, however; the surrounding project area is not populated and it is therefore considered that dust generated will not cause a significant environmental constraint.

2.16 Review of Shire Information The Shire of Derby / West Kimberley did not indicate that there were any additional municipal heritage or environmental constraints for the project area.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 23 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 3. Results of Field Investigations

GHD undertook a field survey to examine and further describe the vegetation, flora, and fauna within the project area. The methodology and results are detailed below.

3.1 Methodology

3.1.1 Vegetation and Flora The vegetation and flora in the study area was mapped and described according to the process described below:

» An experienced qualified field botanist undertook a flora and vegetation survey from the 24th to the 27th of October 2006. The survey was conducted in accordance with the Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia –Guidance Statement No. 51, EPA, Perth;

» Vegetation was rated according to the vegetation condition scale commonly used in the Perth Metropolitan Region (Government of WA, 2000);

» The presence of potential Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) in the area was assessed and mapped where applicable;

» The Department of Environment and Conservation’s (DEC’s) Declared Rare and Priority Flora database, and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Protected Matters Search Tool was searched to identify expected significant flora and fauna for the area; and

» Suitable habitat for DRF and Priority Flora species was searched during the survey to determine the presence of previously unrecorded threatened flora.

3.1.2 Fauna A reconnaissance survey was undertaken in conjunction with the botanical survey by a qualified ecologist from the 24th to the 27th of November 2006, in accordance with the Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia –Guidance Statement No. 56, EPA, Perth. An assessment of the likelihood of significant fauna, opportunistic records of fauna species, fauna habitat values, and fauna linkage corridors was undertaken.

3.2 Hydrology and Drainage Minor creeklines were observed near the Colourstone Section and the Mount Wynne Creek crossed through the Ellendale Section of the Great Northern Highway. All waterways are ephemeral, undefined, and no permanent pools were observed close to the road reserve during the field survey. Floodway sections carry wide expanses of shallow water after heavy rainfall. These two observed drainage lines did have defined channels, and obvious variation in vegetation composition.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 24 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan The natural terrain of the survey area is relatively flat. Surface water drains directly off the surface of the road and into the adjoining sandy soils. Due to high rainfall during the wet season, substantial amounts of water may flow across or along the road verge, however; there was no evidence of long•term inundation or scouring in areas close to the highway.

3.3 Vegetation A description of vegetation present along each section is given below in Table 4. These include an examination of the vegetation community present, vegetation condition rating, dominant families and genera, flora lists and details of any Declared Rare and Priority Flora or weed species present. Vegetation types have not been mapped, as they are homogeneous across each section of the highway. Vegetation condition also does not vary considerably along each section and has not been mapped.

3.3.1 Vegetation Condition The condition of the vegetation varies between Excellent and Very Good. The greatest influence on vegetation condition in the region is from the grazing of livestock and wild fires. Each of the investigated sections had patches of recently burnt vegetation, which reduced the ability to rate vegetation condition.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 25 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Table 4 Vegetation types present along the Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections of the Great Northern Highway.

Highway Section Vegetation type Description Vegetation Condition

Colourstone Section 1. Pindan WoodlandAcacia tumida (Pindan Wattle), Acacia ancistrocarpa (Fitzroy Wattle) Acacia 1/2 • 3 monticola, Atalaya variifolia (Wingleaf Whitewood), Corymbia cadophora, Corymbia aspera, Eucalyptus jensenii (Wandi Ironbark), Adansonia gregorii (Boab), Owenia reticulata (Native Walnut) over Grevillea pyramidalis (Caustic Bush), Hibiscus leptocladus, Trachymene microcephala, Goodenia armitiana, Indigofera linnaei (Birdsville Indigo) over senscent grasses. Occurrences of Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) and Melaleuca argentea (Silver Cadjeput) around ephemeral streambeds

Erskine Section 2. Hummock Grass Steppe of hummock grasses dominated by Triodia species, with occasional shrubs of 1/2 Steppe Euphorbia australis, Hibiscus leptocladus, Tephrosia virens, Acacia oligoneura and small trees of Hakea arborescens (Common Hakea), Hakea lorea (Witinti), Eucalyptus confertiflora, Corymbia opaca (Bloodwood) Corymbia cadophor and Atalaya hemiglauca (Whitewood). Occurrences of Ficus platypoda (Rock Fig) on outcropping rocks of Erskine Range

Ellendale Section 3. Pindan Scrubland Acacia tumida (Pindan Wattle), Acacia eriopoda (Broome Pindan Wattle), Acacia 1/2 • 3 elecantha, Eucalyptus jensenii (Wandi Ironbark), Atalaya hemiglauca (Whitewood), Adansonia gregorii (Boab), Erhrtia saligna (Native Willow), Acacia victoriae (Bramble Wattle) over Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass), Euphorbia myrtoides, Ptilotus calostachyus (Weeping Mulla Mulla), Austrida sp., Triodia sp. and other senescent grasseses. Occurrences of Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum), Acacia farnesiana (Mimosia Bush) Melaleuca argentea (Silver Cadjeput) along streams and creekbeds

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 26 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 3.3.2 Vegetation Extent and Status A vegetation type is considered underrepresented if there is less than 30 percent of its original distribution remaining. From a purely biodiversity perspective, and not taking into account any other land degradation issues, there are several key criteria now being applied to vegetation in States where clearing is still occurring (EPA, 2000).

» The “threshold level” below which species loss appears to accelerate exponentially at an ecosystem level is regarded as being at a level of 30% of the pre•European/ pre•1750 extent of the vegetation type;

» A level of 10% of the original extent is regarded as being a level representing Endangered; and

» Clearing which would put the threat level into the class below should be avoided. Such status can be delineated into five (5) classes, where:

» Presumed Extinct: Probably no longer present in the bioregion

» Endangered*: <10% of pre•European extent remains

» Vulnerable*: 10•30% of pre•European extent exists

» Depleted*: >30% and up to 50% of pre•European extent exists

» Least Concern: >50% pre•European extent exists and subject to little or no degradation over a majority of this area.

* or a combination of depletion, loss of quality, current threats and rarity gives a comparable status Native vegetation types represented in the study areas, their regional extent and reservation status are drawn from Shepherd, et al. (2002), and Shepherd pers. comm. These are shown in Table 5. The extent of the vegetation in the study areas is considered intact, with 100% of the pre•European extents of each vegetation type remaining. The vegetation is however, poorly conserved, with only one vegetation type (vegetation type 2) present within ICUN Class I•IV Reserves.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 27 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Table 5 Vegetation extent and status.

Vegetation Pre• % IUCN Vegetation Current Association Association Description European % Remaining Class I•IV Type Extent (Ha) Number Extent (Ha) Reserves

1. Shrublands, pindan; Acacia eriopoda & A. tumida 751 shrubland with scattered low Eucalyptus confertifolia over 16,045.284 16,045.284 100.00 0.0 curly spinifex

2. Hummock grasslands, low tree steppe; bloodwood over 746 96961.979 96961.979 100.00 11.1 Triodia wiseana

3. Shrublands, pindan; Acacia eriopoda & A. tumida 764 shrubland with scattered low bloodwood & Eucalyptus 53248.072 53248.072 100.00 0.0 setosa over ribbon & curly spinifex

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 28 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 3.3.3 Threatened Ecological Communities No Threatened Ecological Communities were recorded within the study areas.

3.3.4 Flora Vegetation within the study areas is considered moderately diverse. A total of 117 species from 36 families were recorded from the study areas. Three taxa could only be identified to family due to lack of flowering parts or fruiting bodies. Two taxa also remain as unknowns. The number of taxa recorded for each study area is summarised below:

» Colourstone Section: 65 taxa

» Erskine: 69 taxa

» Ellendale: 56 taxa

Dominant families recorded included:

» Poaceae 21

» Mimosaceae 12

» Myrtaceae 11

» Amaranthaceae 7

» Asteraceae 6

» Papilionaceae 5

» Proteaceae 5

Dominant genera recorded from the survey areas included:

» Acacia 10

» Corymbia 5

» Atalaya 3

» Eucalyptus 3

» Gomphrena 3

» Ptilotus 3

» Terminalia 3

» Triodia 3

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 29 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan A full list of flora species present in each of the sections is provided in Table 11, Appendix D.

3.3.5 Limitations of Flora Survey It is considered best practice that vegetation and flora surveys be undertaken in the season following greatest rainfall, maximising the likelihood of sampling species at peak flowering. This allows for greatest ease of species identification and the greatest likelihood for collecting a representative sample from sites surveyed. The field survey for this project was undertaken during late October 2006; with annual plant species typically absent from the flora list, grass species senescent, and with most perennial flora species having ceased flowering, reducing the capability for identification purposes and limiting the effectiveness of the flora survey. The flora list is indicative of the perennial plant species present within the survey area. This survey was, however, conducted in a location where few rare flora species are considered likely to occur, and as such the likelihood of overlooking rare taxa is considered to be low.

3.3.6 Declared Rare and Priority Flora Species No Declare Rare Flora or Priority Listed flora species were recorded, although Adansonia gregorii (Boab) is a culturally significant species to the Aboriginal people and individual plants should not be disturbed where possible. A number of Boab trees where observed within the vicinity of each of the study areas. The Boab (Adansonia gregorii) is a distinctive deciduous tree of the Kimberley with its root like branches sprouting from the top of its thick trunk. It occurs along waterways and on sandplains where the watertable is shallow. It is a calendar plant because when its large white flowers appear, it means the wet season is about to begin. The Boab is traditionally of great importance to Aboriginal people. Various parts of the tree provide food, medicine, fibre, glue and shelter. The gourd like fruit is rich in protein and Vitamin C and carved as an ornament. The bark of the tree is used for making twine and the gum as glue (DoE, 2004). Management of this significant flora species is discussed further in Section 5.1.2.

3.3.7 Weeds and Introduced Species Only four weed species were observed within the study areas, representing only 3.4% of the total flora observed. The relatively weed•free nature of the study areas provides for an excellent opportunity to use topsoil in the rehabilitation of the road reserve.

3.4 Fauna Reconnaissance fauna surveys at the within the three study areas recorded 44 bird species, four mammal species and four reptile species. A full list of observed fauna is provided in Appendix D.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 30 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 3.4.1 Significant Fauna The Schedule 1 and EPBC Act protected mammal, the Black•footed Rock Wallaby (Petrogale lateralis) (West Kimberley Race), is un undescribed species, noted to occur at in the Erskine Range/Done Hill Area, Grant Range and Edgar Range in the southwest Kimberley. Field investigation of the Erskine Ranges, which runs through the Erskine Section study area, showed evidence for existence of this wallaby (faecal remains) at this site. Daytime sightings of the wallaby are rare, as the species shelter within rock caves and outcrops during the heat of the day, venturing out during the cooler night hours to forage for food in the surrounding vegetation of hummock grasslands and Acacia scrubs. The population of wallabies has been monitored occasionally, and has been observed to persist in good numbers following large fires in the Erskine Range area (Burbidge, 2004). As this species is very likely to occur in this section, care should be taken, particularly during night•time hours and at dawn and dusk, to avoid or minimise the impact of the highway rehabilitation on the wallaby. Management of this significant fauna species is discussed further in Section 5.2.

3.4.2 Fauna Habitat It is not considered that the extraction of material for the highway upgrade will significantly alter the fauna habitat of the region. It can be considered that a disturbance will occur on a local scale, which is likely to impact on individual animals, rather than a species. Each study area is wholly surrounded by continuous vegetation, with major disturbance by fire and/or livestock grazing. The majority of the study areas surveyed do not contain vegetation or habitat zones that are not present within the surrounding areas, with the exception of the Erskine Range, which transects the eastern end of the Erskine Section. The Erskine Range forms a distinctive habitat zone, known to provide habitat for the Schedule 1 Black•footed Rock Wallaby (Petrogale lateralis) (West Kimberley Race). Disturbance to fauna habitat close to the Erskine Ranges should be controlled as to minimise the impact of material extraction, construction machinery and the possible campsite on this Vulnerable wallaby species.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 31 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 4. Clearing of Native Vegetation

4.1 Assessment against the Clearing Principles Main Roads Western Australia was issued with a statewide vegetation clearing permit (Purpose Permit CPS 818/2), granted under section 51E of the Environmental Protection Act (1986), on the 1st February 2006 by the Department of Environment and Conservation. The Purpose Permit allows Main Roads to clear native vegetation for project activities. Any clearing of native vegetation must be assessed against the ten clearing principles outlined in the permit. This project has been assessed against the ten clearing principles below in Table 6. The project has been assessed to be not at variance with the clearing principles.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 32 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Table 6 Assessment against the Ten Clearing Principles.

Principle Principle Assessment Outcome Number

(a) Native vegetation should not be cleared if it The remnant native vegetation is considered to Clearing not at variance with principle. comprises a high level of biological diversity. contain a moderate level of biological diversity. Study areas mainly contained monotypic Pindan scrubland and woodland. Some areas of bushland were burnt which limited the capability of environmental assessment.

(b) Native vegetation should not be cleared if it The current extent of the native vegetation within Clearing not at variance with principle. comprises the whole or a part of, or is each study area is considered to remain identical in necessary for the maintenance of, a significant extent to that existing in the pre•European condition. habitat for fauna indigenous to Western Australia. The vegetation type (pindan) forms a similar habitat across a large areal extent of the north of Western Australia and is the project area is not considered significant habitat.

(c) Native vegetation should not be cleared if it No Declared Rare or Priority flora were recorded Clearing not at variance with principle. includes, or is necessary for the continued during this survey. existence of, rare flora.

(d) Native vegetation should not be cleared if it The native vegetation within the survey area does not Clearing not at variance with principle. comprises the whole or a part of, or is comprise of the whole or part of, nor is necessary for necessary for the maintenance of, a threatened the maintenance of a TEC. ecological community.

(e) Native vegetation should not be cleared if it is The native vegetation recorded within the study areas Clearing not at variance with principle. significant as a remnant of native vegetation in is not considered to be under•represented, with 100% an area that has been extensively cleared. of the pre•European vegetation extents remaining.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 33 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Principle Principle Assessment Outcome Number

(f) Native vegetation should not be cleared if it is An extensive floodplain area is located within the Clearing not at variance with principle. growing in, or in association with, an Ellendale Section, which is associated with Mount Wynne environment associated with a watercourse or Creek. Tributaries of the Little Logue River also cross the wetland. northern parts of the Colourstone Section. Waterways and wetland areas within are ephemeral, and typically flow or fill during seasonal rainfall events, and vegetation within the study areas is not considered to be wetland dependant, due to the ephemeral nature of the rivers and creeks within the study areas.

(g) Native vegetation should not be cleared if the The clearing of remnant native vegetation for the purposes Clearing not at variance with principle. clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause of this project will not cause appreciable land degradation, appreciable land degradation. with topography within the study areas being relatively flat. Appropriate management plans may mitigate potential impacts.

(h) Native vegetation should not be cleared if the The remnant native vegetation is not associated with any Clearing not at variance with principle. clearing of the vegetation is likely to have an adjacent or nearby conservation areas. impact on the environmental values of any adjacent or nearby conservation area.

(i) Native vegetation should not be cleared if the The potential clearing of remnant native vegetation is not Clearing not at variance with principle. clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause likely to cause deterioration in the quality of surface or deterioration in the quality of surface or underground waters. underground water

(j) Native vegetation should not be cleared if the The clearing of native remnant vegetation for this project Clearing not at variance with principle. clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause, or is not considered to be likely to cause, exacerbate, the exacerbate, the incidence or intensity of incidence or intensity of flooding events. flooding.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 34 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 5. Management of Environmental Impacts

A range of environmental impacts are possible during construction works at the project area. The potential impacts and their management requirements are detailed below.

5.1 Vegetation Construction works are not considered likely to impact on Declared Rare or Priority species and no vegetation in the project area is of particular significance.

5.1.1 Management of Vegetation Impacts The following management commitments will be adhered to:

» Clearing will be kept to the minimum necessary for the soil extraction and access tracks;

» Access tracks, vehicle parking and temporary materials storage will be located on existing cleared areas or on grassy sites which incur minimum loss of trees and shrubs; and

» Once the pits are exhausted, the disturbed areas will be rehabilitated as soon as possible.

5.1.2 Boab Trees

» Boab trees hold cultural significance to Aboriginal people disturbance to Boab trees will be avoided wherever possible; and

» A series of photographs (Appendix E) of representative Boab trees within the three study areas has been taken to help identify these trees so that damage to this species can be minimised and in most cases avoided.

5.1.3 Treatment of Cleared Vegetation and Topsoil Any vegetation or soil removed as part of the works will be treated so as not to damage remaining vegetation or alter surface drainage. The majority of seeds present within topsoil are held within the top 100 mm of soil. Where vegetation has been cleared (trees and shrubs removed), the top 100 mm of soil from these areas will be stripped and stored in stockpiles no more than 1 m in height. Management of topsoil stockpiles is imperative to maintaining the value of the stored material, as topsoil represents a valuable tool for revegetation and rehabilitation. The storing of topsoil for extended periods of time is also known to decrease the viability of the soil seed reserves, which results in depressed levels of recruitment once the soil is re•spread. Topsoil should therefore be removed in stages representative of the progress of the highway rehabilitation. Topsoil should then be re•spread evenly at the completion of the roadworks to a depth of 75 to100 mm over disturbed soil surfaces.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 35 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan The following management actions will apply:

» Cleared vegetation will be retained on•site for use in site rehabilitation and erosion control;

» Cleared vegetation will not be burnt on•site;

» Stripped topsoil will be retained adjacent to the temporary side tracks, pits, and other disturbed area for use in rehabilitation;

» Any removed topsoil should be used as soon as possible following works;

» Materials and topsoil stockpiles will be located so as not to restrict or interfere with existing drainage; and

» Any spoil produced will be used to fill borrow pits or spread evenly over cleared or thinly vegetated areas to ensure that sheet flow drainage is not adversely impacted by windrows or stockpiles.

5.2 Risks to Fauna There are unlikely to be any detrimental impacts to fauna species present in the project area. Individual animals of terrestrial native species are likely to move from the areas disturbed by construction activities, but should return once the works are complete and the land rehabilitated. Risks and management options for specific significant fauna species are discussed below:

» It is unlikely that the threatened bird species, Malurus coronatus coronatus (Purple• crowned Fairy•wren (western) and Rostratula benghalensis australis (Australian Painted Snipe) will be impacted by this project. The Fairy•wren prefers permanent water sources and dense riparian vegetation,and no permanent creeklines with suitable vegetation were observed within the study areas. The preferred habitat of the Painted Stipe, a wader bird, is inland wetlands, and only one waterhole containing a substantial amount of water was observed within the Ellendale Section. The ‘Birds Australia’ website states that “most records of Australian Painted Snipe are from temporary or infrequently filled freshwater wetlands and although they have occurred at many sites, no site can be identified in which they are resident or regular in occurrence” (Birds Australia, 2004). A number of waterways in the surrounding project area are considered to be ephemeral. Any works undertaken should occur when waterways are dry.

» The Macrotis lagotis (Bilby) could possibly occur within the study areas as its habitat extends to the southern region of the Kimberley and suitable habitat was noted during field surveys.

» Known populations of the Petrogale lateralis (Black•footed Rock•wallaby (West Kimberley race)) exist within the Erskine Section study area, and inhabit the Erskine Ranges, which transect the eastern end of this study section. Field investigations confirm this site as suitable habitat for the wallaby, which inhabits the rocky

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 36 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan escarpment during day time hours, venturing out into the surrounding areas at night time to forage for food. To minimise the impact of the highway rehabilitation on the wallaby the following actions should be taken around the base of the Erskine Ranges and where the escarpment transects the road section:

» Minimise or restrict movement and use of plant and vehicles at dusk and dawn and during night•time hours; and

» Establish campsites away from the base of the Erskine Ranges, or in alternative areas, to minimise the possible impact of campsite activities on wallabies in the area (i.e. rubbish / litter disposal, vehicle movements). During the works in all areas the following management actions should apply:

» No pets, traps or firearms will be allowed on the project site; and

» Any animals disturbed by the works should be allowed to leave the site before further work occurs.

5.3 Aboriginal Heritage Although there are no known Aboriginal heritage sites in the project area, there is a small possibility that material of significance to Aboriginal people is discovered or uncovered during the project. Requirements for management of such items are bound by the Aboriginal Heritage Act as follows:

» If any human skeletal material is uncovered, work shall cease within 20m of the material and it shall be reported to the Police as soon as possible;

» If any artefacts or material of apparent Aboriginal origin is discovered, work shall cease within 20m of the material and the Project Manager shall acquire the services of a qualified archaeologist to investigate the material and take the appropriate actions.

5.4 Visual Amenity There will be no visual impact from the establishment of borrow pits for the Great Northern Highway rehabilitation project. Current borrow pits are at such a distance from the current highway alignment as to have surrounding bushland obscure the view of the pits from motorists. The new borrow pit sites are also at such a distance from the road that visual amenity of the landscape will not be impacted. Machinery storage areas, stockpiling of soils and campsite establishment during works will be a temporary source of visual impact. To minimise the longer term visual impact the following should occur:

» No spoil heaps or other materials will be left in view of the road;

» Rehabilitation will be carried out as soon as possible following completion of works in each area.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 37 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 5.5 Construction Issues A range of construction impacts are predicted or possible. These include:

» Noise and vibration;

» Dust production;

» Pollution through the use of fuels, chemicals or from general construction litter; and

» Traffic management requirements. The management of these impacts will include the following general actions.

5.5.1 Noise and Vibration Construction noise will occur due to earth works, road rehabilitation works and vehicle movement along Great Northern Highway and the access tracks. As there are no residents in close proximity, noise and vibration will not pose a social or environmental constraint.

5.5.2 Dust Reduction and Mitigation Dust may be generated from the clearing of vegetation, earthworks, spillage of soil material and vehicle movements along sealed and unsealed roads. The following methods of dust management will be used:

» Water tankers will be available at all times to wet down exposed surfaces on works areas, laydown sites, spoil dumps and topsoil and materials heaps;

» Dust lift will be monitored through visual and other means and all complaints responded to rapidly; and

» Dust from movement of vehicles will be managed at all times. This will include wetting down, road sweeping, and the implementation of suitable speed limits.

5.5.3 Pollution and Litter There is a minor risk that the construction works will create temporary pollution as a result of fuel or chemical spills or mismanagement of construction materials. This will be managed through the following general actions:

» Any bulk fuel and oil stores will be bunded and managed in accordance with Australian Standards;

» If vehicle or machinery servicing is to occur on site it will occur in designated servicing areas which are supplied with adequate spill trays and spill response equipment; and

» All litter and construction waste will be contained in lidded bins and removed regularly to an approved landfill.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 38 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 5.5.4 Access and Traffic Management Increased traffic volumes arising from the movement of construction and transport vehicles may result in some localised short•term adverse impacts on local and regional traffic movements. The following potential impacts have been identified:

» Risk of injury to road users due to construction vehicles operating at the sites; and

» Potential damage to roads and spillage of carted materials, particularly sand. Management strategies to be employed will include:

» The use of appropriate personal safety and traffic management signs;

» Advance notification of construction activities, particularly to local residents of the Derby / West Kimberley Region; and

» Any significant amounts of material spilled from construction vehicles will be cleaned up on occurrence.

5.6 Water and Drainage Drainage impacts during construction works are issues in respect to maintaining existing surface water flows. As the majority of drainage on the surveyed areas is intermittent and poorly defined the risks of significant impacts to surface water flows are low. Rehabilitation works will interfere with the defined drainage lines of Mount Wynne Creek (Ellendale Sections) and a tributary of the Little Logue River (Colourstone Section). These creek lines are ephemeral and will flow only following heavy rainfall in wet months (December – February). The following impacts are likely to occur:

» Works on the floodway zone have the potential to provide extra material for downstream deposition;

» There are minor risks of erosion in the pit areas; and

» Pit excavation has the potential to create temporary pools following rainfall.

5.6.1 Drainage Management In order to mitigate any drainage impacts that may occur, the following management measures will be initiated:

» Existing natural drainage paths and drainage channels along road reserves will not be unnecessarily blocked or restricted by material stockpiles; and

» Any material that is found to block drainage will be removed. Rehabilitation works carried out on road edges have the potential to temporarily impact on local drainage flows through scouring and subsequent silt deposition. The following management will be applied:

» Vegetation and soil disturbance will be minimised around works; and

» Disturbed areas will be compacted and stabilised as soon as possible.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 39 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 5.6.2 Water Extraction and Waterways Impacts Where dewatering, obstruction of groundwater or modification of stream banks in major waterways is required for roadworks, Main Roads will need to compete the relevant application form as indicated below. Application forms are available from the DoW website:

» For dewatering – ‘Application for a 5C Licence to take Groundwater’ (Form A); and

» For modifying beds and banks – ‘Application for a 5C licence to take surface water / Application for a 11/17/21 A permit to modify bed and banks / Application to amend a 11/17/21A permit to modify bed and banks’ (Form C).

5.7 Rehabilitation Rehabilitation of the project area is important to ensure that any visual and environmental impacts of the works are short term. The following rehabilitation procedures will be carried out during and after construction works:

» Pits will be shaped and contoured to ensure that the likelihood of water ponding is reduced;

» Any compacted ground will be ripped or scarified where revegetation is required;

» Cleared topsoil and vegetation will be respread over disturbed areas;

» All rubbish, materials heaps or other debris will be removed; and

» Access tracks will be deep ripped and blocked off where possible.

5.8 Environmental Management

5.8.1 Inductions and Training

» Construction personnel should be made aware of the issues and actions in this Management Plan so that they do not unnecessarily damage the environment during the works phase.

» Emergency training in relation to fires, chemical spills or other risks shall be carried out early in the construction phase.

5.8.2 Management of Environmental Incidents The process that will be followed in the event of an environmental incident occurring will include:

» Reporting of the incident in an incident log;

» Time limits for incident reporting and response;

» Assessment of the significance of each incident;

» Discontinuation of the work which gave rise to the incident;

» Reporting incidents to regulatory authorities and stakeholders; and

» Satisfactory and timely remediation/mitigation of impacts.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 40 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 6. Requirement for Referral

6.1 Commonwealth Government A review of the Department of Environment and Water Resources (DEWR) online database was conducted as part of preparing this EIA. There are no environmental impacts or issues considered as having a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance, which would render the project a “Controlled Action” or invoke the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999. Formal referral of this project to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment is not considered warranted.

6.2 Western Australian Government

6.2.1 Environmental Protection Authority The proposed project incorporates the rehabilitation of the existing pavement overlay and widening of three sections of the Great Northern Highway. The Main Roads Purpose Permit (812/3) which been granted to Main Roads under section 51E of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, allows the clearance of native vegetation for this project activity. However, this Permit does not authorise the clearance of native vegetation for project activities where:

» The clearing may be seriously at variance with the clearing principles; or

» Those project activities are incorporated in any proposal that is referred to and assessed under Part IV of the EP Act by the EPA. An assessment of the proposed rehabilitation works was completed and the project was not found to be at variance with these principles. It is anticipated that this project will not require formal referral to the Environmental Protection Authority under the WA Environmental Protection Act 1986.

6.2.2 Department of Environment and Conservation The project has been assessed to be not at variance with the ten clearing principles. Following the requirements of the Main Roads Purpose Permit (812/3), an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been prepared; in addition, an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) relevant to the project has also been prepared. An application for a clearing permit from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is not required, however; the requirement for a clearing permit should be considered in relation to the Main Roads Purpose Permit regional clearing limits. The maximum annual clearing limit for the Kimberley region is 200 hectares.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 41 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 7. Conclusions

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted for the Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project indicated that no direct environmental constraints associated with the proposed works were recorded for the locations surveyed. In summary, the following conclusions on environmental aspects are made:

» No reserves or conservation areas are located within or near the vicinity of the study areas;

» An extensive floodplain area is located within the Ellendale Section, and is associated with Mount Wynne Creek. The creek transects this section at approximately 2431.0 SLK. Tributaries of the Little Logue River also cross the northern parts of the Colourstone Section. These features are ephemeral and flow following summer monsoonal events;

» The Canning•Kimberley Groundwater Area covers the entire Kimberley sub•region. Where dewatering, obstruction of groundwater or modification of major stream banks is required for roadworks and bridge or culvert construction, Main Roads will need to compete the relevant application form as indicated below: o For dewatering – ‘Application for a 5C Licence to take Groundwater’ (Form A); and o For modifying beds and banks – ‘Application for a 5C licence to take surface water / Application for a 11/17/21 A permit to modify bed and banks / Application to amend a 11/17/21A permit to modify bed and banks’ (Form C);

» Works will temporarily increase runoff and sedimentation. With appropriate management actions in place, alteration to hydrology and drainage is not considered likely to be adversely impacted by this project;

» No Environmentally Sensitive Areas are located within or near the vicinity of the study areas;

» A search of the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System indicates that the following known Aboriginal heritage sites are located within two of the three study areas; o Colourstone Section: Nilli Bubbaca Well (Camp, Water Source); and o Erskine Section: Erskine Ranges (Artefacts / Scatter, Rockshelter);

» A field survey in October 2006 delineated the following vegetation types for each of the study areas: o Colourstone Section: Pindan Woodland; o Erskine Section: Hummock Grass Steppe; and o Ellendale Section: Pindan Shrubland;

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 42 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan » Vegetation condition was assessed to range from Pristine•Excellent to Very Good, however; the recently burnt status of a number of sites made vegetation condition rating difficult. Each study area is wholly surrounded by continuous vegetation. The major disturbances impacting vegetation in the region are fire and livestock grazing;

» Vegetation extent is considered to be intact with 100% of the pre•European extent of vegetation remaining. The vegetation is however poorly conserved within conservation areas, but the considerable extent of the vegetation and the remote nature of the study areas limit the threats to these vegetation types;

» No Threatened Ecological Communities were recorded within the study areas;

» A total of 117 species from 36 families were recorded from the study areas. Vegetation is considered moderately diverse. It should be noted that the flora survey was conducted outside the peak flowering season for flora in the Kimberley region. Limited plant species could be identified, as annuals are typically absent, grass species senescent, and most perennial flora species have ceased flowering;

» No Declared Rare or Priority Flora species were recorded within the study areas. The culturally significant flora species Adansonia gregorii (Boab) occurs commonly within each of the surveyed areas. Individual plants should not be disturbed if at all possible;

» No threatened fauna species were recorded from the survey areas, however; evidence indicating the presence of the Schedule 1 fauna species Petrogale lateralis (Black•footed Rock Wallaby (West Kimberley Race)) was recorded in the Erskine Ranges. Faecal matter observed within the rocky outcrops of the ranges was distinctively different from Macropus spp. The Erskine Ranges is also one of three known locations for populations of this wallaby. The project will not directly impact this species, however, care should be taken in the Erskine Section around the Erskine Ranges as it is likely that the wallaby would cross the highway at this point during foraging or when accessing a water point south of the road alignment. Habitat disturbance should also be minimised within this section;

» Fauna habitat and linkages will not be significantly disturbed or disrupted by the works planned for these sections. It is not considered that the extraction of material for the highway upgrade will significantly alter the fauna habitat of the region. It can be considered that a disturbance will occur on a local scale, which is likely to impact on individual animals, rather than a population;

» Noise, dust and vibration from construction works are not likely to cause an impact, however, should be managed for the safety of road users and construction personnel;

» Appropriate fire and waste management should be undertaken to reduce the risk of disturbance to the environment adjacent to the proposed works; and

» There is a minor risk that the construction works will create temporary pollution as a result of fuel or chemical spills or mismanagement of construction materials. This can be controlled with appropriate risk management and mitigation actions.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 43 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 8. Report Limitations

This report presents the results of a vegetation and flora assessment undertaken in November 2006 for the purpose of this commission. The data and advice provided herein relate only to the project and structures described herein and must be reviewed by a competent scientist/botanist before being used for any other purpose. GHD accepts no responsibility for other use of the data. Where previous reports, flora surveys and similar work have been performed and recorded by others the data is included and used in the form provided by others. The responsibility for the accuracy of such data remains with the issuing authority, not with GHD. An understanding of site conditions depends on the integration of many pieces of information, some regional, some site specific, some structure specific and some experience based. Hence, this report should not be altered, amended or abbreviated, issued in part or incomplete in any way without prior checking and approval by GHD. GHD accepts no responsibility for any circumstances that arise from the issue of the report that has been modified in any way as outlined above.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 44 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 9. References

Australian Museum Online (2003) Australian Museum Online Fact Sheets: White• bellied Sea•Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) Available at: http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/white_bellied_sea_eagle.htm [02•01• 2007] Barrett, G. et al. 2003. The new atlas of Australian birds. Shannon Books. Beard, J.S. (1979) The Vegetation of the Kimberley Region. Vegetation Survey of Western Australia. Blakers M, SJJF Davies and PN Reilly. 1984. The atlas of Australian birds. Melbourne University Press, Melbourne. BOM (2004) Climate Averages for Australian Sites – Derby Aero, Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology. Available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_003032.shtml [31•11•2006] BOM (2004) Climate Averages for Australian Sites – Fitzroy Crossing Comp., Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology. Available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_003006.shtml [31•11•2006] Burbidge, A. A. (2004) Threatened Animals of Western Australia, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Kensington, WA. Burbidge, A.A. (1987). Crocodile Management in Western Australia. pp 125•127. "Wildlife Management: Crocodiles and Alligators". In Webb, G.J.W., Manolis, S.C. and Whitehead, P.J. (Eds). Surrey Beatty and Sons: Sydney. Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) (2003) Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) Management Plan for Western Australia 2004•2008, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth WA. Available at: http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/trade•use/sources/management• plans/crocodile•wa/pubs/wa•crocodile•plan.pdf [02•01•2007] Department of Environment (DoE) (2004) The Importance of Western Australia's Waterways. Available at: http://portal.environment.wa.gov.au/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/DOE_ADMIN/OTHER _REPOSITORY/TAB1185076/WA_WATERWAYS_IMP.PDF [02•01•2007] Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) (2006) Prevention and Control of Damage by Animals in WA. Available at: http://www.naturebase.net/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/ gid,275/mode,view/ [02•01•2007] Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) (2005) Background Paper to the Wildlife Conservation Plan for Migratory Shorebirds, Department of Environment

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 45 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan and Heritage. Available at: http://www.shorebirds.org.au/projects/background.pdf [02•01•2007] Department of Environment and Heritage (2003) Australian Painted Snipe (Rostratula australis) • Nationally Threatened Species and Ecological Communities Information Sheet, Department of the Environment and Heritage. Available at: http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/painted•snipe.html [22•12•2006] English, V and Blythe, J. (1997). Identifying and Conserving Threatened Ecological Communities in the South West Botanical Province. Unpublished report for the Department of Conservation and Land Management to Environment Australia. Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) (2000). Environmental Protection of Native Vegetation in Western Australia. Clearing of native vegetation, with particular reference to the agricultural area. Position Statement No. 2. December, 2000. EPA, Perth. Griffin, T.J., Tyler, I.M. & Platford, P.E. (Compliers) (1993) Lennard River Western Australia 1:250 000 Geological series explanatory notes Sheet SE 58•8 International Index (3rd ed.) Geological Survey of Western Australia, Perth. Higgins P.J. and Peters J.M. (Eds) (2006) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Marchant S. and Higgins P.J. (Eds) 1993. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds Volume 1: Ratites to Ducks, Part A Ratites to Petrels. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Marchant S. and Fullagar P.J. (1983) Nest records of the welcome swallow, Emu, Vol 83: 66•74. Rowley, I. (1993) The Purple•crowned Fairy•wren Malurus coronatus. I. History, Distribution and Present Status, Emu, Vol. 93,220•234 Shepherd, D.P., Beeston, G.R. & Hopkins, A.J.M. (2002) Native Vegetation in Western Australia: Extent, type and status. Resource Management Technical Report 249. February 2000. Department of Agriculture, Government of Western Australia. Smith P.J. 1991. The Biology and Management of Waders (Suborder Charadrii) in NSW. Species Management Report Number 9. NPWS, Hurstville. Towner, R.R. (Compiler) (1981) Derby Western Australia 1:250 000 Geological series explanatory notes Sheet SF 51•10 International Index (2nd ed.). Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra. Watts , J. & Vidler, S. (2006) “Under Pressure – Flora and Fauna Threatened By Invasive Plants”; Co•operative Research Centre for Australians Weed Management Factsheet. Available at: http://www.weeds.crc.org.au/documents/fs44_threatened_species.pdf [22•12• 2006]

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections 46 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Appendix A Figures

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan 500000 550000 600000 650000 700000 8100000 8100000 8050000 8050000 8000000 8000000

Ê

500000 550000 600000 650000 700000 LEGEND SCALE CREATED BY CHECKED APPROVED 7.5 0 7.5 15 22.5km MD Sections of Road to Survey 1:750,000 at A3 HORIZONTAL DATUM:GDA 94 PROJECTION: MGA ZONE 50

LOCALITY MAP HEIGHT DATUM: NA METADATA RECORDED:100%

DATE FILE LOCATION 23.10.2006 N:\61\18564\GIS\MXDS\6118564•G1.MXD GREAT NORTHERN HIGHWAY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ! DERBY REVISION DRAWING NO

BROOME FITZROY 0 6118564•G1 ! CROSSING ! COPYRIGHT Figure 1 THIS DOCUMENT IS AND SHALL REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF GHD PTY LTD THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS COMMISSIONED Survey Localities NOTE THAT POSITIONAL ERRORS CAN BE > 5M IN SOME AREAS Kimberley AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT FOR THE COMMISSION 510000 515000 520000 525000 530000 535000 8055000 8055000

MT JOWLAENGA ROAD 8050000 8050000

GREAT NORTHERN HWY

Gravel Pit 41732

Gravel Pit 47655 8045000 8045000

Ê

510000 515000 520000 525000 530000 535000 LEGEND SCALE CREATED BY CHECKED APPROVED 750 0 750 1,500 2,250m MD

Survey Area (defined by maps provided by MRWA) 1:75,000 at A3 HORIZONTAL DATUM:GDA 94 PROJECTION: MGA ZONE 50

Gravel Pits (defined by maps provided by MRWA) LOCALITY MAP HEIGHT DATUM: NA METADATA RECORDED:100%

DATE FILE LOCATION 23.10.2006 N:\61\18564\GIS\MXDS\6118564•G2.MXD GREAT NORTHERN HIGHWAY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ! DERBY REVISION DRAWING NO

BROOME FITZROY 0 6118564•G2 ! CROSSING ! COPYRIGHT Figure 2 THIS DOCUMENT IS AND SHALL REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF GHD PTY LTD THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS COMMISSIONED Section 1: SLK 2237.1 • 2250.1 NOTE THAT POSITIONAL ERRORS CAN BE > 5M IN SOME AREAS Kimberley AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT FOR THE COMMISSION 635000 640000 645000 8030000 8030000 8025000 8025000

Ê

635000 640000 645000 LEGEND SCALE CREATED BY CHECKED APPROVED 500 0 500 1,000 1,500m MD

Survey Area (defined by maps provided by MRWA) 1:50,000 at A3 HORIZONTAL DATUM:GDA 94 PROJECTION: MGA ZONE 50

LOCALITY MAP HEIGHT DATUM: NA METADATA RECORDED:100%

DATE FILE LOCATION 23.10.2006 N:\61\18564\GIS\MXDS\6118564•G3.MXD GREAT NORTHERN HIGHWAY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ! DERBY REVISION DRAWING NO

BROOME FITZROY 0 6118564•G3 ! CROSSING ! COPYRIGHT Figure 3 THIS DOCUMENT IS AND SHALL REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF GHD PTY LTD THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS COMMISSIONED Section 2: SLK 2370.6 • 2381.8 NOTE THAT POSITIONAL ERRORS CAN BE > 5M IN SOME AREAS Kimberley AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT FOR THE COMMISSION 675000 680000 685000 690000 695000 700000 8020000 8020000

Gravel Pit

ELLENDALE RD 8015000 8015000

Gravel Pit

CALWYNYARDAH•NOONKANBAH RD 8010000 8010000 Ê

675000 680000 685000 690000 695000 LEGEND SCALE CREATED BY CHECKED APPROVED 750 0 750 1,500 2,250m MD

Survey Area (defined by maps provided by MRWA) 1:75,000 at A3 HORIZONTAL DATUM:GDA 94 PROJECTION: MGA ZONE 50

Gravel Pits (defined by maps provided by MRWA) LOCALITY MAP HEIGHT DATUM: NA METADATA RECORDED:100%

DATE FILE LOCATION 23.10.2006 N:\61\18564\GIS\MXDS\6118564•G4.MXD GREAT NORTHERN HIGHWAY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ! DERBY REVISION DRAWING NO

BROOME FITZROY 0 6118564•G4 ! CROSSING ! COPYRIGHT Figure 4 THIS DOCUMENT IS AND SHALL REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF GHD PTY LTD THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS COMMISSIONED Section 3: SLK 2415.3 • 2435.4 NOTE THAT POSITIONAL ERRORS CAN BE > 5M IN SOME AREAS Kimberley AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT FOR THE COMMISSION 1140000 1155000 1170000 1185000 8040000 8040000

Gravel Pit 41732 *#

Gravel Pit 47655 *# 8025000 8025000 Ê

1140000 1155000 1170000 1185000 LEGEND SCALE CREATED BY CHECKED APPROVED 1,500 0 1,500 3,000 4,500m NT

Survey Area (defined by maps provided by MRWA) Declared Rare & Priority Flora 1:150,000 at A3 HORIZONTAL DATUM:GDA 94 PROJECTION: MGA ZONE 50 Gravel Pits (defined by maps provided by MRWA) *# (R) Declared Rare Flora • Extant Taxa LOCALITY MAP HEIGHT DATUM: NA METADATA RECORDED:100% *# Priority 1 • Poorly Known Taxa DATE FILE LOCATION GREAT NORTHERN HIGHWAY 13.04.07 N:\61\18564\GIS\MXDS\6118564•G5.MXD *# Priority 2 • Poorly Known Taxa ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ! DERBY REVISION DRAWING NO

*# Priority 3 • Poorly Known Taxa BROOME FITZROY 0 6118564•G5 ! CROSSING ! Figure 5 COPYRIGHT *# Priority 4 • Rare Taxa THIS DOCUMENT IS AND SHALL REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF GHD PTY LTD Colourstone • Section 1: SLK 2237.1 • 2250.1 THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS COMMISSIONED NOTE THAT POSITIONAL ERRORS CAN BE > 5M IN SOME AREAS Kimberley AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT FOR THE COMMISSION Declared Rare & Priority Flora 1260000 1275000 1290000 1305000 8025000 8025000

*# 8010000 8010000

Ê

1260000 1275000 1290000 1305000 LEGEND SCALE CREATED BY CHECKED APPROVED 1,500 0 1,500 3,000 4,500m NT

Survey Area (defined by maps provided by MRWA) Declared Rare & Priority Flora 1:150,000 at A3 HORIZONTAL DATUM:GDA 94 PROJECTION: MGA ZONE 50 Gravel Pits (defined by maps provided by MRWA) *# (R) Declared Rare Flora • Extant Taxa LOCALITY MAP HEIGHT DATUM: NA METADATA RECORDED:100% *# Priority 1 • Poorly Known Taxa DATE FILE LOCATION GREAT NORTHERN HIGHWAY 13.04.07 N:\61\18564\GIS\MXDS\6118564•G6.MXD *# Priority 2 • Poorly Known Taxa ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ! DERBY REVISION DRAWING NO

*# Priority 3 • Poorly Known Taxa BROOME FITZROY 0 6118564•G6 ! CROSSING ! Figure 6 COPYRIGHT *# Priority 4 • Rare Taxa THIS DOCUMENT IS AND SHALL REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF GHD PTY LTD Erskine • Section 2: SLK 2370.6 • 2381.8 THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS COMMISSIONED NOTE THAT POSITIONAL ERRORS CAN BE > 5M IN SOME AREAS Kimberley AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT FOR THE COMMISSION Declared Rare & Priority Flora 1305000 1320000 1335000 1350000 8010000 8010000

Gravel Pit

Gravel Pit 7995000 7995000

Ê

1305000 1320000 1335000 1350000 LEGEND SCALE CREATED BY CHECKED APPROVED 1,500 0 1,500 3,000 4,500m NT

Survey Area (defined by maps provided by MRWA) Declared Rare & Priority Flora 1:150,000 at A3 HORIZONTAL DATUM:GDA 94 PROJECTION: MGA ZONE 50 Gravel Pits (defined by maps provided by MRWA) *# (R) Declared Rare Flora • Extant Taxa LOCALITY MAP HEIGHT DATUM: NA METADATA RECORDED:100% *# Priority 1 • Poorly Known Taxa DATE FILE LOCATION GREAT NORTHERN HIGHWAY 13.04.07 N:\61\18564\GIS\MXDS\6118564•G7.MXD *# Priority 2 • Poorly Known Taxa ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ! DERBY REVISION DRAWING NO

*# Priority 3 • Poorly Known Taxa BROOME FITZROY 0 6118564•G7 ! CROSSING ! Figure 7 COPYRIGHT *# Priority 4 • Rare Taxa THIS DOCUMENT IS AND SHALL REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF GHD PTY LTD Ellendale • Section 3: SLK 2415.3 • 2435.4 THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS COMMISSIONED NOTE THAT POSITIONAL ERRORS CAN BE > 5M IN SOME AREAS Kimberley AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT FOR THE COMMISSION Declared Rare & Priority Flora 1147500 1155000 1162500 1170000

MT CLARKSON

MT JOWLAENGAROAD 8040000 8040000

NILLI BUBBACA WELL.

GREAT NORTHERN HWY

Gravel Pit 41732

Gravel Pit 47655 8032500 8032500 Ê

1147500 1155000 1162500 1170000 LEGEND SCALE CREATED BY CHECKED APPROVED 750 0 750 1,500 2,250m NT

1:75,000 at A3 HORIZONTAL DATUM:GDA 94 PROJECTION: MGA ZONE 50 Aboriginal Heritage Site LOCALITY MAP HEIGHT DATUM: NA METADATA RECORDED:100% Survey Area (defined by maps provided by MRWA) DATE FILE LOCATION Gravel Pits (defined by maps provided by MRWA) GREAT NORTHERN HIGHWAY 13.04.07 N:\61\18564\GIS\MXDS\6118564•G8.MXD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

! DERBY REVISION DRAWING NO

BROOME FITZROY 0 6118564•G8 ! CROSSING ! Figure 8 COPYRIGHT THIS DOCUMENT IS AND SHALL REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF GHD PTY LTD Colourstone • Section 1: SLK 2237.1 • 2250.1 THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS COMMISSIONED NOTE THAT POSITIONAL ERRORS CAN BE > 5M IN SOME AREAS Kimberley AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT FOR THE COMMISSION Aboriginal Heritage Sites 1270000 1275000 1280000 1285000 8015000 8015000

ERSKINE RANGES. 8010000 8010000

Ê

1270000 1275000 1280000 1285000 LEGEND SCALE CREATED BY CHECKED APPROVED 500 0 500 1,000 1,500m NT

1:50,000 at A3 HORIZONTAL DATUM:GDA 94 PROJECTION: MGA ZONE 50 Aboriginal Heritage Site LOCALITY MAP HEIGHT DATUM: NA METADATA RECORDED:100% Survey Area (defined by maps provided by MRWA) DATE FILE LOCATION GREAT NORTHERN HIGHWAY 13.04.07 N:\61\18564\GIS\MXDS\6118564•G9.MXD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

! DERBY REVISION DRAWING NO

BROOME FITZROY 0 6118564•G9 ! CROSSING ! Figure 9 COPYRIGHT THIS DOCUMENT IS AND SHALL REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF GHD PTY LTD Erskine • Section 2: SLK 2370.6 • 2381.8 THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS COMMISSIONED NOTE THAT POSITIONAL ERRORS CAN BE > 5M IN SOME AREAS Kimberley AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT FOR THE COMMISSION Aboriginal Heritage Sites Appendix B Fauna

WA Museum Records EPBC Act 1999 Fauna Categories WA Wildlife Act 1950 Conservation Codes DEC Priority Codes

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Table 7 WA Museum Records (21•12•2006) • Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections of the Great Northern Highway

Conservation Status

Family Genus Species Common Name EPBC DEC

Amphibia

Myobatrachidae Uperoleia talpa Mole Toadlet

Hylidae Litoria caerulea Green Tree Frog

Birds

Pachycephalidae Pachycephala rufiventris rufiventris Rufous Whistler

Psittacidae Pezoporus occidentalis Night Parrot Endangered Schedule 1

Passeridae Erythrura gouldiae Gouldian Finch Schedule 1

Fishes

No records

Mammals

Macropodidae Macropus agilis Agile wallaby

Macropodidae Macropus obustus erubescens Biggada

Northern Nailtail Macropodidae Onychogalea unguifera Wallaby, Karrabul

Black•footed Rock• Macropodidae Petrogale lateralis lateralis Vulnerable Schedule 1 wallaby

Muridae Pseudomys delicatulus Delicate mouse

Reptiles

Agamidae Ctenophorus nuchalis Central Netted Dragon

Elapidae Pseudonaja nuchalis Western Brown Snake

Gekkonidae Diplodactylus stenodactylus Sand Plain Gecko

Northern Knob•tailed Gekkonidae Nephrurus sheai Gecko

Scincidae Lerista simillima

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan EPBC Act Fauna Conservation Categories

Listed threatened species and ecological communities An action will require approval from the Environment Minister if the action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on a species listed in any of the following categories:

» extinct in the wild,

» critically endangered,

» endangered, or

» vulnerable.

Critically endangered and endangered species An action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on a critically endangered or endangered species if it does, will, or is likely to:

» lead to a long•term decrease in the size of a population, or

» reduce the area of occupancy of the species, or

» fragment an existing population into two or more populations, or

» adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species, or

» disrupt the breeding cycle of a population, or

» modify, destroy, remove, isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat to the extent that the species is likely to decline, or

» result in invasive species that are harmful to a critically endangered or endangered species becoming established in the endangered or critically endangered species' habitat*, or

» interfere with the recovery of the species. *Introducing an invasive species into the habitat may result in that species becoming established. An invasive species may harm a critically endangered or endangered species by direct competition, modification of habitat, or predation.

Vulnerable species An action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on a vulnerable species if it does, will, or is likely to:

» lead to a long•term decrease in the size of an important population of a species, or

» reduce the area of occupancy of an important population, or

» fragment an existing important population into two or more populations, or

» adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species, or

» disrupt the breeding cycle of an important population, or

» modify, destroy, remove or isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat to the extent that the species is likely to decline, or

» result in invasive species that are harmful a vulnerable species becoming established in the vulnerable species' habitat*, or

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan » interferes substantially with the recovery of the species. An important population is one that is necessary for a species' long•term survival and recovery. This may include populations that are:

» key source populations either for breeding or dispersal,

» populations that are necessary for maintaining genetic diversity, and/or

» populations that are near the limit of the species range. *Introducing an invasive species into the habitat may result in that species becoming established. An invasive species may harm a vulnerable species by direct competition, modification of habitat, or predation.

Listed migratory species An action will require approval from the Environment Minister if the action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on a listed migratory species. Note that some migratory species are also listed as threatened species. The criteria below are relevant to migratory species that are not threatened. An action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on a migratory species if it does, will, or is likely to:

» substantially modify (including by fragmenting, altering fire regimes, altering nutrient cycles or altering hydrological cycles), destroy or isolate an area of important habitat of the migratory species, or

» result in invasive species that is harmful to the migratory species becoming established* in an area of important habitat of the migratory species, or

» seriously disrupt the lifecycle (breeding, feeding, migration or resting behaviour) of an ecologically significant proportion of the population of thespecies. An area of important habitat is: habitat utilised by a migratory species occasionally or periodically within a region that supports an ecologically significant proportion of the population of the species, or habitat utilised by a migratory species which is at the limit of the species range, or habitat within an area where the species is declining. Listed migratory species cover a broad range of species with different life cycles and population sizes. Therefore, what is an ecologically significant proportion of the population varies with the species (each circumstance will need to be evaluated). *Introducing an invasive species into the habitat may result in that species becoming established. An invasive species may harm a migratory species by direct competition, modification of habitat, or predation.

The Commonwealth marine environment An action will require approval from the Environment Minister if:

» the action is taken in a Commonwealth marine area and the action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant effect on the environment, or

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan » the action is taken outside a Commonwealth marine area and the action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant effect on the environment in a Commonwealth marine area. An action has, will have or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment in a Commonwealth marine area if it does, will, or is likely to:

» result in a known or potential pest species becoming established in the Commonwealth marine area*, or

» modify, destroy, fragment, isolate or disturb an important or substantial area of habitat such that an adverse impact on marine ecosystem functioning or integrity in a Commonwealth marine area results, or

» have a substantial adverse effect on a population of a marine species or cetacean including its life cycle (eg breeding, feeding, migration behaviour, and life expectancy) and spatial distribution, or

» result in a substantial change in air quality** or water quality (including temperature) which may adversely impact on biodiversity, ecological integrity, social amenity or human health, or

» result in persistent organic chemicals, heavy metals, or other potentially harmful chemicals accumulating in the marine environment such that biodiversity, ecological integrity, social amenity or human health may be adversely affected.

*Translocating or introducing a pest species may result in that species becoming established.

**The Commonwealth marine area includes any airspace over Commonwealth waters.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Table 8 Environmental Protection And Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Categories

Conservation Category Definition

Extinct Taxa not definitely located in the wild during the past 50 years

Extinct in the Wild Taxa known to survive only in captivity

Critically Endangered Taxa facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future

Endangered Taxa facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future

Vulnerable Taxa facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium•term

Near Threatened Taxa that risk becoming Vulnerable in the wild

Conservation Dependent Taxa whose survival depends upon ongoing conservation measures. Without these measures, a conservation dependent taxon would be classified as Vulnerable or more severely threatened.

Data Deficient (Insufficiently Know) Taxa suspected of being Rare, Vulnerable or Endangered, but whose true status cannot be determined without more information.

Least Concern Taxa that are not considered Threatened

Table 9 Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 Codes

Conservation Code Description

Schedule 1 “…fauna that is rare or likely to become extinct, are declared to be fauna that is in need of special protection.”

Schedule 2 “…fauna that is presumed to be extinct, are declared to be fauna that is in need of special protection.”

Schedule 3 “…birds that are subject to an agreement between the governments of Australia and Japan relating to the protection of migratory birds and birds in danger of extinction, are declared to be fauna that is in need of special protection.”

Schedule 4 “…fauna that is in need of special protection, otherwise than for the reasons mentioned [in Schedule 1 – 3]”

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Table 10 Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation Priority Fauna Codes (Species not listed under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, but for which there is some concern).

Conservation Code Description

Priority 1 Taxa with few, poorly known populations on threatened lands.

Priority 2 Taxa with few, poorly known populations on conservation lands. Taxa which are known from few specimens or sight records from one or a few localities on lands not under immediate threat of habitat destruction or degradation, e.g. national parks, conservation parks, nature reserves, State forest, vacant Crown Land, water reserves, etc.

Priority 3 Taxa which are known from few specimens or sight records, some of which are on lands not under immediate threat of habitat destruction or degradation.

Priority 4 Rare taxa. Taxa which are considered to have been adequately surveyed and which, whilst being rare (in Australia), are not currently threatened by any identifiable factors. These taxa require monitoring every 5 – 10 years.

Priority 5 Taxa in need of monitoring. Taxa which are not considered threatened but are subject to a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the species becoming threatened within five years.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Appendix C Heritage

Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry Results

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Register of Aboriginal Sites

Search Criteria

1 sites in a search box. The box is formed by these diagonally opposed corner points:

MGA Zone 51 Northing Easting 8043746 517534 8050534 530950

Disclaimer

Aboriginal sites exist that are not recorded on the Register of Aboriginal Sites, and some registered sites may no longer exist. Consultation with Aboriginal communities is on-going to identify additional sites. The AHA protects all Aboriginal sites in Western Australia whether or not they are registered.

Copyright

Copyright in the information contained herein is and shall remain the property of the State of Western Australia. All rights reserved. This includes, but is not limited to, information from the Register of Aboriginal Sites established and maintained under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA).

Legend

Restriction Access Status Coordinate Accuracy

N No restriction C Closed I Interim register Accuracy is shown as a code in brackets following the site coordinates.

M Male access only O Open P Permanent register [Reliable] The spatial information recorded in the site file is deemed to be reliable, due to methods of capture.

F Female access V Vulnerable S Stored data [Unreliable] The spatial information recorded in the site file is deemed to be unreliable due to errors of spatial data capture and/or quality of spatial information reported.

Spatial Accuracy

Index coordinates are indicative locations and may not necessarily represent the centre of sites, especially for sites with an access code “closed” or “vulnerable”. Map coordinates (Lat/Long) and (Easting/Northing) are based on the GDA 94 datum. The Easting / Northing map grid can be across one or more zones. The zone is indicated for each Easting on the map, i.e. '5000000:Z50' means Easting=5000000, Zone=50.

© Government of Western Australia Report created 10 Nov 2006 10:52:53. Identifier: 295256. Page 1 Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Register of Aboriginal Sites

Site ID Status Access Restriction Site Name Site Type Additional Info Informants Coordinates Site No. 12631 I O N Nilli Bubbaca Well. Camp, Water *Registered Informant 518037mE K02573 Source names available from 8049461mN DIA. Zone 51 [Unreliable]

© Government of Western Australia Report created 10 Nov 2006 10:52:53. Identifier: 295256. Page 2 Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Register of Aboriginal Sites

Legend

Highlighted Area

Town

Map Area

Search Area

Copyright for base map information shall at all times remain the property of the Commonwealth of Australia, Geoscience Australia - National Mapping Division. All rights reserved.

Copyright for Native Title Land Claim, Local Government Authority, Mining Tenement boundaries shall at all times remain the property of the State of Western Australia, All rights reserved.

For further important information on using this information please see the Department of Indigenous Affairs’ Terms of Use statement at http://www.dia.wa.gov. au/terms.aspx

© Government of Western Australia Report created 10 Nov 2006 10:52:53. Identifier: 295256. Page 3 Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Register of Aboriginal Sites

Search Criteria

1 sites in a search box. The box is formed by these diagonally opposed corner points:

MGA Zone 51 Northing Easting 8024382 633854 8029372 645659

Disclaimer

Aboriginal sites exist that are not recorded on the Register of Aboriginal Sites, and some registered sites may no longer exist. Consultation with Aboriginal communities is on-going to identify additional sites. The AHA protects all Aboriginal sites in Western Australia whether or not they are registered.

Copyright

Copyright in the information contained herein is and shall remain the property of the State of Western Australia. All rights reserved. This includes, but is not limited to, information from the Register of Aboriginal Sites established and maintained under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA).

Legend

Restriction Access Status Coordinate Accuracy

N No restriction C Closed I Interim register Accuracy is shown as a code in brackets following the site coordinates.

M Male access only O Open P Permanent register [Reliable] The spatial information recorded in the site file is deemed to be reliable, due to methods of capture.

F Female access V Vulnerable S Stored data [Unreliable] The spatial information recorded in the site file is deemed to be unreliable due to errors of spatial data capture and/or quality of spatial information reported.

Spatial Accuracy

Index coordinates are indicative locations and may not necessarily represent the centre of sites, especially for sites with an access code “closed” or “vulnerable”. Map coordinates (Lat/Long) and (Easting/Northing) are based on the GDA 94 datum. The Easting / Northing map grid can be across one or more zones. The zone is indicated for each Easting on the map, i.e. '5000000:Z50' means Easting=5000000, Zone=50.

© Government of Western Australia Report created 10 Nov 2006 10:58:43. Identifier: 295276. Page 1 Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Register of Aboriginal Sites

Site ID Status Access Restriction Site Name Site Type Additional Info Informants Coordinates Site No. 14330 I O N Erskine Ranges. Artefacts / Scatter Rockshelter 643637mE K00762 8025661mN Zone 51 [Unreliable]

© Government of Western Australia Report created 10 Nov 2006 10:58:43. Identifier: 295276. Page 2 Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Register of Aboriginal Sites

Legend

Highlighted Area

Town

Map Area

Search Area

Copyright for base map information shall at all times remain the property of the Commonwealth of Australia, Geoscience Australia - National Mapping Division. All rights reserved.

Copyright for Native Title Land Claim, Local Government Authority, Mining Tenement boundaries shall at all times remain the property of the State of Western Australia, All rights reserved.

For further important information on using this information please see the Department of Indigenous Affairs’ Terms of Use statement at http://www.dia.wa.gov. au/terms.aspx

© Government of Western Australia Report created 10 Nov 2006 10:58:43. Identifier: 295276. Page 3 Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Register of Aboriginal Sites

Search Criteria

0 sites in a search box. The box is formed by these diagonally opposed corner points:

MGA Zone 51 Northing Easting 8012658 675697 8020788 694003

Disclaimer

Aboriginal sites exist that are not recorded on the Register of Aboriginal Sites, and some registered sites may no longer exist. Consultation with Aboriginal communities is on-going to identify additional sites. The AHA protects all Aboriginal sites in Western Australia whether or not they are registered.

Copyright

Copyright in the information contained herein is and shall remain the property of the State of Western Australia. All rights reserved. This includes, but is not limited to, information from the Register of Aboriginal Sites established and maintained under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA).

Legend

Restriction Access Status Coordinate Accuracy

N No restriction C Closed I Interim register Accuracy is shown as a code in brackets following the site coordinates.

M Male access only O Open P Permanent register [Reliable] The spatial information recorded in the site file is deemed to be reliable, due to methods of capture.

F Female access V Vulnerable S Stored data [Unreliable] The spatial information recorded in the site file is deemed to be unreliable due to errors of spatial data capture and/or quality of spatial information reported.

Spatial Accuracy

Index coordinates are indicative locations and may not necessarily represent the centre of sites, especially for sites with an access code “closed” or “vulnerable”. Map coordinates (Lat/Long) and (Easting/Northing) are based on the GDA 94 datum. The Easting / Northing map grid can be across one or more zones. The zone is indicated for each Easting on the map, i.e. '5000000:Z50' means Easting=5000000, Zone=50.

© Government of Western Australia Report created 10 Nov 2006 11:09:55. Identifier: 295281. Page 1 Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Register of Aboriginal Sites

Legend

Highlighted Area

Town

Map Area

Search Area

Copyright for base map information shall at all times remain the property of the Commonwealth of Australia, Geoscience Australia - National Mapping Division. All rights reserved.

Copyright for Native Title Land Claim, Local Government Authority, Mining Tenement boundaries shall at all times remain the property of the State of Western Australia, All rights reserved.

For further important information on using this information please see the Department of Indigenous Affairs’ Terms of Use statement at http://www.dia.wa.gov. au/terms.aspx

© Government of Western Australia Report created 10 Nov 2006 11:09:55. Identifier: 295281. Page 2 Appendix D Field Survey

Field Flora List Field Fauna List

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Table 11 Flora list for the Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections of the Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project.

Section

Family Genus Species Common Name Status Colourstone Erskine Ellendale

?Adiantaceae Unknown ?(dead) x

Amaranthaceae Aerva javanica Kapok Bush * x

Amaranthaceae Gomphrena ?leptoclada (dead) x

Amaranthaceae Gomphrena canescens ssp. canescens x

Amaranthaceae Gomphrena sp. (nf) x x x

Amaranthaceae Ptilotus ?exaltatus x x x

Amaranthaceae Ptilotus calostachyus Weeping Mulla Mulla x

Amaranthaceae Ptilotus aff. calostachyus x x x

Apiaceae Trachymene microcephala x x x

Apocynaceae Carissa lanceolata x x x

Asclepiadaceae Sarcostemma viminale x x x

Asteraceae ?Podotheca sp. (nf) x x x

Asteraceae Blumea integrifolia x x x

Asteraceae Pluchea tetranthera x x x

Asteraceae Pterocaulon sp. (dead) x x

Asteraceae Stemodia sp. (dead) x x x

Asteraceae Streptoglossa odora x

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Section

Family Genus Species Common Name Status Colourstone Erskine Ellendale

Bombacaceae Adansonia gregorii Boab x x x

Boraginaceae Erhrtia saligna Native Willow x x x

Boraginaceae Heliotropium pachyphyllum x x x

Boraginaceae Heliotropium sp. (nf) x x x

Boraginaceae Trichodesma zeylanicum x

Caesalpiniaceae Bauhinia cunninghamii x x x

Caesalpiniaceae Senna ?notabilis x x x

Capparaceae Cleome viscosa Tickweed x x x

Caryophyllaceae ?Polycarpaea sp. #1 (dead) x

Caryophyllaceae ?Polycarpaea sp. #2 (dead) x

Chenopodiaceae Salsola tragus Roly•poly x x

Combretaceae ?Terminalia sp. (nf) x

Combretaceae Terminalia ?hadleyana x

Combretaceae Terminalia carpentariae Wild Peach x

Combretaceae Terminalia platyphylla Wild Plum x

Convolvulaceae Bonamia media x x x

Cyperaceae Cyperus blakeanus x x x

Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia australis x x x

Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia myrtoides x x

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Section

Family Genus Species Common Name Status Colourstone Erskine Ellendale

Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus exilis x x x

Goodeniaceae Goodenia armitiana x x x

Goodeniaceae Velleia sp. (dead) x x

Lamiaceae Hyptis suaveolens x x

Lauraceae Cassytha sp. (nf) Dodder x x

Loranthaceae Dendrophthoe acacioides x

Malvaceae ?Gossypium sp. (nf) x

Malvaceae Hibiscus leptocladus x x

Malvaceae Sida aff. arenicola x x

Malvaceae Sida sp. (nf) * x x

Marsileaceae Marsilea sp. (dead) Nardoo x

Meliaceae Owenia reticulata Native Walnut x x

Mimosaceae Acacia ?elachantha x

Mimosaceae Acacia ?farnesiana Mimosa Bush x

Mimosaceae Acacia ?saligna x x

Mimosaceae Acacia ancistrocarpa Fitzroy Wattle x x

Mimosaceae Acacia eriopoda Broome Pindan Wattle x

Mimosaceae Acacia monticola x x

Mimosaceae Acacia oligoneura x

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Section

Family Genus Species Common Name Status Colourstone Erskine Ellendale

Mimosaceae Acacia sp. (nf) x

Mimosaceae Acacia tumida Pindan Wattle x x

Mimosaceae Acacia victoriae Bramble Wattle x x

Mimosaceae Dichrostacys spicata Chinese Lantern x

Mimosaceae Neptunia ?dimorphantha x

Moraceae Ficus ?platypoda Rock Fig x

Myrtaceae Calytrix brownii x x

Myrtaceae Corymbia ?opaca Bloodwood x x

Myrtaceae Corymbia aspera x x

Myrtaceae Corymbia cadophora x x

Myrtaceae Corymbia dampieri x

Myrtaceae Corymbia confertiflora x

Myrtaceae Eucalyptus camaldulensis River Red Gum x x

Myrtaceae Eucalyptus jensenii Wandi Ironbark x x

Myrtaceae Eucalyptus sp. #1 (nf) x

Myrtaceae Eucalyptus sp. #2 (nf) x

Myrtaceae Melaleuca argentea Silver Cadjeput x x

Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia sp. (dead) x

Papilionaceae Indigofera aff. pratensis x x

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Section

Family Genus Species Common Name Status Colourstone Erskine Ellendale

Papilionaceae Indigofera linnaei Birdsville Indigo x

Papilionaceae Rhynchosia minima Rhynchosia x

Papilionaceae Tephrosia leptoclada x

Papilionaceae Tephrosia virens x

Poaceae ?Aristida sp. (nf) x

Poaceae ?Astrebla squarosa x

Poaceae ?Cynodon dactylon Couch * x

Poaceae ?Sorghum plumosum x

Poaceae Aristida ?holathera / ?contorta x

Poaceae Aristida latifolia x

Poaceae Austrida sp. (nf) x

Poaceae Chloris virgata Feathertop Rhodes Grass * x

Poaceae Chrysopogon fallax x

Poaceae Elytrophorus spicatus Spikegrass x

Poaceae Eragrostis ?xerophila Knotty•butt Lovegrass x

Poaceae Eragrostis falcata Sickle Lovegrass x

Poaceae Eriachne ciliata x

Poaceae Eriachne mayor x

Poaceae Sporobolus australasicus Fairy Grass x

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Section

Family Genus Species Common Name Status Colourstone Erskine Ellendale

Poaceae Themeda triandra Kangaroo Grass x x

Poaceae Triodia ?inutilis x

Poaceae Triodia sp. #1 (nf) x x

Poaceae Triodia sp. #2 (nf) x

Poaceae Unkown #1 ? x

Poaceae Unnown #2 ? x

Portulacaceae ?Calandrinia sp. (nf) x

Proteaceae Grevillea ?wickhamii x x

Proteaceae Grevillea pyramidalis Caustic Bush x

Proteaceae Hakea arborescens Common Hakea x x

Proteaceae Hakea lorea Witinti x

Proteaceae Persoonia falceata Wild Pear x

Sapindaceae Atalaya hemiglauca Whitewood x x

Sapindaceae Atalaya sp. (nf) x

Sapindaceae Atalaya variifolia Wingleaf Whitewood x

Scrophulariaceae Buchnera linearis Blackrod x

Scrophulariaceae Stemodia lathraia x

Scrophulariaceae Striga curviflora x

Solanaceae Solanum ?diversifolium x

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Section

Family Genus Species Common Name Status Colourstone Erskine Ellendale

Solanaceae Solanum lucani x

Sterculiaceae Waltheria indica x

Violaceae Hybanthus aurantiacus x

Unknown #1 ? ? x x

Unknown #2 ? ? x

* Denotes weed / introduced species nf Not flowering

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Table 12 Fauna list for the Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections of the Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project.

Conservation Status

Family Genus Species Common Name Status EPBC Act DEC

Amphibians

No records

Birds

Accipitridae Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite

Accipitridae Hieraaetus morphnoides Little Eagle

Accipitridae Milvus migrans Black Kite

Alcedinidae Alcedo azurea Azure Kingfisher

Anatidae Dendrocygna eytoni Plumed Whistling Duck

Ardeidae Ardea alba Australian (White•faced) Heron

Artamidae Artamus cinereus Black•faced Woodswallow

Artamidae Artamus leucorynchus White•breasted Woodswallow

Campephagidae Coracina novaehollandiae Black•faced Cuckoo•shrike

Charadriidae Elseyornis melanops Black•fronted Dotterel

Columbidae Geopelia striata Peaceful Dove

Columbidae Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon

Columbidae Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzwing

Corvidae Corvus orru Torresian Crow

Cracticidae Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Conservation Status

Family Genus Species Common Name Status EPBC Act DEC

Cuculidae Cuculus pallidus Pallid Cuckoo

Dicruridae Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie•lark

Dicruridae Myiagra inquieta Restless Flycatcher

Dicruridae Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail

Falconidae Falco ?berigora Brown Falcon

Halcyonidae Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher

Laridae Sterna albifrons Little Tern

Maluridae Malurus melanocephalus Red•backed Fairy•wren

Meliphagidae Lichenostomus virescens Singing Honeyeater

Meliphagidae Melithreptus gularis Black•chinned Honeyeater

Meropidae Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee•eater Migratory

Motacillidae Anthus novaeseelandiae Richard's Pipit

Muscicapidae Colluricincla harmonica Striped Shrike•thrush

Pachycephalidae Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler

Petroicidae Petroica cucullata Hooded Robin

Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Black Cormorant

Psittacidae Aprosmictus erythropterus Red Winged Parrot

Psittacidae Cacatua roseicapilla Galah

Psittacidae Cacatua sanguinea Corella

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Conservation Status

Family Genus Species Common Name Status EPBC Act DEC

Psittacidae Calyptorhynchus banksii Red•tailed Black•Cockatoo

Psittacidae Trichoglossus haematodus Rainbow Lorikeet

Threskionithidae Threskiornis spinicollis Straw•necked Ibis

Threskiornithidae Platalea regia Royal Spoonbill

Fishes

No records

Mammals

Bovidae Bos taurus Brahmin Bull +

Equuidae Equus caballus Wild / Feral Horse *

Macropodidae Macropus sp.

Macropodidae Black•footed Rock Wallaby (West Kimberley Petrogale lateralis Race)** Vulnerable Schedule 1

Reptiles

Agamidae ?Amphibolurus sp.

Agamidae Diporiphora ?magna

Agamidae Diporiphora lalliae

Scincidae Ctenophorus ?isolepis

Scincidae Ctenotus pantherinus calx Leopard Ctenotus

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan + Denotes introduced species * Denotes feral species ** Species not directly observed, however; faecal matter observed on the Erskine Ranges is distinctively different from Macropus spp and was recorded as evidence for presence of the Black•footed Rock Wallaby. Erskine Ranges is one of three known locations for populations of this wallaby.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Appendix E Boab Trees

The following provides a series of photographs to help identify Boab trees (Adansonia gregorii) within the three study areas.

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Plate 4 Juvenile Boab Tree (~2 • 3m)

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Plate 5 Young Boab tree (~5 – 6m)

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Plate 6 Medium sized, multi•stemmed Boab tree (~5 • 6m)

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Plate 7 Medium sized Boab tree (~7 • 10m)

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan Plate 8 Large, multi•stemmed Boab tree (~15 m)

61/18564/63923 Great Northern Highway Rehabilitation Project: Colourstone, Erskine and Ellendale Sections Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan