Further Details for Each of These Matters, Including Proximity to the Project and Potential for Impact to Be Realised, Are Provided in the Following Sections
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Further details for each of these matters, including proximity to the project and potential for impact to be realised, are provided in the following sections. The output of the Protected Matters Search Tool is provided in Appendix B. Commonwealth Marine Areas The NPZ cable corridor is located within the following Commonwealth Marine Areas: y Exclusive Economic Zone and Territorial Sea; and y Extended Continental Shelf. The Protected Matters search identified three KEFs within the cable corridor 10 km buffer, including: y Canyons on the eastern continental slope; y Tasman front and eddy field; and y Norfolk ridge. Canyons on the eastern continental slope As described in the matters of envrionmental significance section, the canyons of the eastern continental slope are considered to be a unique sea-floor feature with ecological properties of regional significance (DSEWPaC, 2012). They contribute to the overall habitat diversity of the benthic environment by providing hard substrate in depth zones where soft sediment habitats prevail. The cable corridor does not pass through any of the mapped canyons (Figure A-20). The closest mapped canyon feature is located approximately 10 km to the north of the cable corridor. Given the narrow project corridor, low impact nature of the activity and geographical extent of this KEF, no impact is expected. Detailed impact assessment supporting this conclusion is provided in Appendix C. Tasman front and eddy field The Tasman Front and eddy field is considered to be an area of high productivity, noted for aggregations of marine life, resulting in high biodiversity and endemism (DSEWPaC, 2012). The Tasman Front separates the warm, nutrient poor waters of the Coral Sea from the cold, nutrient rich waters of the Tasman Sea. The cable corridor will pass through the Tasman Front and eddy field KEF (). Given the narrow project corridor, low impact nature of the activity and geographical extent of this KEF, no impact is expected on this KEF. Detailed impact assessment supporting this conclusion is provided in Appendix C. Norfolk ridge The Norfolk Ridge is considered to be an area of high productivity, noted for aggregations of marine life, resulting in high biodiversity and endemism (DSEWPaC, 2012). The ridge consists of remnant volcanic arcs, plateaux, troughs and basins. Productive seafloor habitats within the Norfolk Ridge support species densities higher than surrounding areas (DSEWPaC, 2012). The cable corridor will pass through the northern section of the Norfolk Ridge (Figure A-20). Given the narrow project corridor, low impact nature of the activity and geographical extent of this KEF, no impact is expected on this KEF. Detailed impact assessment supporting this conclusion is provided in Appendix C. GHD | Report for Hawaiki Submarine Cable - Hawaiki Submarine Cable, 21/25477 | 47 Commonwealth Marine Reserves The cable corridor will traverse the Temperate East Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network which is recognised as an area of global significance for a number of protected marine species. Several significant seamount ridges run parallel to the coast in this region which support hundreds of species. It covers 383,352 km2 and includes eight separate Commonwealth Marine Reserves which include Lord Howe and Norfolk Commonwealth Marine Reserves of relevance to the Hawaiki Cable (DoE, 2016). Further detail is provided on each following. Lord Howe Commonwealth Marine Reserve The Lord Howe Commonwealth Marine Reserve covers an area of more than 110,000 km2 and encompasses the former Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) and the former Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Nature Reserve. Key features of the Lord Howe Commonwealth Marine Reserve include (DoE, 2016): y Biologically important areas for protected humpback whales and a number of migratory seabirds; y A major seabird breeding area, with 14 species found on the islands masked boobys, grey ternlets, red-tailed tropic birds, black-winged petrels and Kermadec petrels; y Key location for the black cod (Epinephelus daemelii); y Due to the convergence of warmer tropical and cooler temperate waters in the area of the reserve, the Lord Howe Commonwealth Marine Reserve represents the northern or southern extent of some species range; y Examples of the ecosystems of the Lord Howe Province and the Tasman Basin Province provincial bioregions; y Representative seafloor features including: basin, plateau, saddle, seamount/guyot and deep ocean valley; and y Three prescribed key ecological features: – the Lord Howe seamount chain (high productivity; aggregations of marine life; biodiversity and endemism). – Elizabeth and Middleton reefs (aggregations of marine life; biodiversity and endemism). – Tasman Front and eddy field (high productivity; aggregations of marine life; biodiversity and endemism). The cable corridor will be intersecting the Lord Howe Commonwealth Marine Reserve south of Lord Howe Island within the Habitat Protection Zone (IUCN IV). Please refer to Figure A-20. The cable will be laid on the seabed, traversing through the Tasman front and eddy field key ecological feature. Norfolk Commonwealth Marine Reserve The Norfolk Commonwealth Marine Reserve covers an area of more than 188 000 km2. Key features of the Norfolk Commonwealth Marine Reserve include (DoE, 2016): y Biologically important areas for protected humpback whales and a number of migratory seabirds; y The Tasman Front is a region of intermediate productivity that separates the warm, nutrient-poor waters of the Coral Sea from the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Tasman | GHD | Report for Hawaiki Submarine Cable - Hawaiki Submarine Cable, 21/25477| 48 Sea. It supports high productivity; aggregations of marine life; biodiversity and endemism in the region; y Benthic habitats thought to act as stepping stones for faunal dispersal, connecting deep- water fauna from New Caledonia to New Zealand; y Examples of the ecosystems of the Norfolk Island Province; y Representative bank/shoals, basin, canyon, deep/hole/valley, knoll/abyssal- hills/hills/mountains/peak, pinnacle, plateau, ridge, saddle, seamount/guyot, shelf, slope, trench/trough; and y One prescribed key ecological feature: – Norfolk Ridge (high productivity, aggregations of marine life; biodiversity and endemism) The cable corridor will be intersecting the Norfolk Commonwealth Marine Reserve north of Norfolk Island within the Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI). Please refer to Figure A-20. The cable will be laid on the seabed, traversing through the Norfolk Ridge key ecological feature. GHD | Report for Hawaiki Submarine Cable - Hawaiki Submarine Cable, 21/25477 | 49 BRISBANE S S P Z Lord Howe Island NEWCASTLE GOSFORD NS SYDNEY PZ S S P Z LEGEND Hawaiki Cable alignment Seamount Chain Canyon on the eastern Commonwealth Marine Reserves Exclusive Economic Zones World Heritage Area continental slope Marine National Park Zone (IUCN II) NSPZ Wetlands of International Shelf Rocky Reef Recreational Use Zones (IUCN II and IV) SSPZ Importance (RAMSAR) Habitat Protection and Conservation Park Zones (IUCN IV) Special Purpose Zones (IUCN VI) Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI) Paper Size A4 Hawaiki Submarine Cable Job Number 21-25477 0 25 50 100 150 Hawaiki Cable - Australia Revision 0 Date 04 Aug 2016 Kilometres Map Projection: Transverse Mercator Horizontal Datum: GDA 1994 Matters of National Environmental Grid: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55 o Figure A-20 Significance - NPZ 145 Ann Street Brisbane QLD 4000 Australia T 61 7 3316 3000 F 61 7 3316 3333 E [email protected] W www.ghd.com G:\21\25477\GIS\Maps\MXD\21-25477_004_rev0.mxd © 2016. Whilst every care has been taken to prepare this map, GHD, GA, DE, GE and Hawaiki make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and cannot accept liability and responsibility of any kind (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) for any expenses, losses, damages and/or costs (including indirect or consequential damage) which are or may be incurred by any party as a result of the map being inaccurate, incomplete or unsuitable in any way and for any reason. Data source: Hawaiki: Cable Location (2016); GA: Populated Places (2007); DE: Seamount Chain, Key Ecological Fatures, World Heritage Area, RAMSAR Wetlands (2005); GE: Imagery extracted 20/06/2016. Created by: AJ Norfolk Island LEGEND Hawaiki Cable alignment Commonwealth Marine Reserves Exclusive Economic Zones Marine National Park Zone (IUCN II) Seamount Chain Habitat Protection and Conservation Park Zones (IUCN IV) Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI) Paper Size A4 Hawaiki Submarine Cable Job Number 21-25477 0 25 50 100 150 Hawaiki Cable - Australia Revision 0 Date 04 Aug 2016 Kilometres Map Projection: Transverse Mercator Horizontal Datum: GDA 1994 Matters of National Environmental Grid: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55 o Figure A-20 Significance - NPZ 145 Ann Street Brisbane QLD 4000 Australia T 61 7 3316 3000 F 61 7 3316 3333 E [email protected] W www.ghd.com G:\21\25477\GIS\Maps\MXD\21-25477_005_rev0.mxd © 2016. Whilst every care has been taken to prepare this map, GHD, GA, DE, GE and Hawaiki make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and cannot accept liability and responsibility of any kind (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) for any expenses, losses, damages and/or costs (including indirect or consequential damage) which are or may be incurred by any party as a result of the map being inaccurate, incomplete