EIS 1057 ABOI 9733 Management Strategy for Newnes Plateau Providing for Winning of Its Construction and Industrial Sand Resource

EIS 1057

ABOI 9733

Management strategy for Newnes Plateau providing for winning

of its construction and industrial sand resources. NSW EPI PRJMRy 1.OUS1RIEs

ABO1 9733 NEWNES PLATEAU

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MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR WINNING OF SAND Lu QA

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR NEWNES PLATEAU PROVIDING FOR WINNING OF ITS CONSTRUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL SAND RESOURCES

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SYDNEY DISCLAIMER

Any representation, statement, opinion or advice expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith but on the basis that the state of New South Wales, its agents and employees are not liable (whether by reason of negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any representation, statement or advice referred to above.

Cover photograph by Adrian Boss

CONTENTS I NTRODUCIION 1.1 Background 1.2 Objectives 1.3 Scope of Management Strategy 1.4 Planning Provisions 2 EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT ON THE NEWNES PLATEAU 1 2.1 Market and Demand 2.2 Existing Extractive Industry Output/Potential 2.3 Location of Existing Extractive Industry 3 POTENTIAL CONFLICTS ASSOCIATED WITH EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT 2 3.1 Surface Water 3.2 Landscape Protection and Environmental Conservation Issues 3.3 Transportation 3.4 Other Issues 4 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS 3

5 PLAN OF MANAGEMENT 3 5.1 Policy Indications 5.1.1 Exploration 5.1.2 Controls on Extraction 5.1.3 Staging of Extraction 5.1.4 Screening and Buffer Zones 5.1.5 Cessation of Sand Winning Use 5.1.6 Transportation

5.2 Specific Guidelines 5.2.1 Catchment Protection 5.2.1.1 In relation to runoff 5.2.1.2 In relation to sewerage and pollution control 5.2.1.3 In relation to erosion control 5.2.1.4 In relation to rehabilitation 5.2.2 Aesthetics 5.2.3 Archaeological Sites and Heritage Items 5.2.4 Biological Impact 5.2.5 Fire Hazard 5.2.6 Coal Sterilisation 5.2.7 Roads 5.2.8 Monitoring 5.2.9 Schedule of Works Appendices 7 Constraints and Specific Requirements Identified by Various Organisations Crown Lands Heritage Lands System of Reserves List of Constraints in the Various Catchments Department of Minerals and Energy's Exploration Licence Conditions Glossary of Terms Figures 20 Locality Map Existing Sand Extraction Locations Forestry Commission of NSW Interests in Newnes Plateau National Parks and Wild Life Service Interests in Newnes Plateau Electricity Commission of NSW Coal Interests in Newnes Plateau Areas of Least Constraints Vegetation of Dargans Creek Roads and Traffic Authority's Interests in Newnes Plateau Catch ment Areas Suggested Profile for Pit Department of Minerals and Energy's Coal, Seam Plan Department of Minerals and Energy's Nominated Sites Lithgow Heritage Land Reserves INTRODUCTION development/conservation conflicts in the context of the area's environmental constraints; and 1.1 Background identify areas in which exploration could proceed The Newnes Plateau is a large elevated tableland with a high probability that a prolect would be about 5km north-east of Lithgow and 100km north-west approved. of Sydney. The plateau covers an area of approximately It was decided that a management strategy be 300 sq.km and extends north from the escarpment of prepared for sand extraction. It was also decided that the Leff River Valley. It is bounded to the east by the land with the least environmental constraints is preferred Wollemi and Blue Mountains National Parks and to the for initial extraction. west by the Upper Coxs River and the Wolgan Gap (see figure 1). 1.3 Scope of Management Strategy Extensive deposits of deeply weathered, soft and The working party, relying on input from the various friable sandstone occur on the plateau. The Department government agencies, has some information regarding of Minerals and Energy has produced a report entitled the resource and environmental constraints on the "Construction and Industrial Sand Resources of the plateau at a macro level. Consequently, the Newnes Plateau" identifying the resource and six areas management strategy sets broad parameters for further it favours for initial investigatian. Figure 12 shows these investigations at the micro or site-specific level but, to areas. The Newnes Plateau is also the site of a large achieve the above objectives, places them in the number of co-existing and sometimes competing land context of the overall strategy. This is done through the uses, including forestry, water supply catchments, sand Plan of Management. Information to guide future extraction, coal mining, military usage and recreation. exploration and extraction is provided. Areas of least It also combines the elements of natural beauty, diverse constraint are mapped. flora and fauna and archaealagical remains. The area has very high natural environmental values and is partly 1.4 Planning Provisions o wilderness area in close praximity to the Sydney metropolitan area. The Newnes Plateau is within the City of Greater Lithgow. It is zoned Non Urban 1(a) under I.D.O. 1 The Newnes Plateau has been of interest to Shire of Blaxland. State Environmental Planning Policy environmental groups for some time because of its No. 11 is applicable to traffic aspects of development of unique topography, rare vegetation and aboriginal the sand resources. A new local environmental plan is history. The area is also of interest to the Department being prepared by the council. of Minerals and Energy because of the sand resource which could be utilised for the Sydney market. Extraction of the sand resource is subject to the The then Department of Mineral Resources consent of the council, and is designated development approached the Department of Planning with regard to under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act preparation of a regional environmental plan dealing 1979. As such, it requires an environmental impact with extractive industries. To consider this, the statement and consultation with the Director of Planning. Department of Planning convened a working party consisting of: 2 EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT the Greater Lithgow City Council ON THE NEWNES PLATEAU the Department of Water Resources the Department of Minerals and Energy 2.1 Market and Demand the Forestry Commission Once processed, the sand of the plateau is suitable for the Soil Conservation Service use in ready-mixed concrete, concrete products, filtration the Electricity Commission sand, mortar sand and numerous other applications. the Department of Main Roads (now Roads and The largest market for these products is the Sydney Traffic Authority) metropolitan area. It should be noted that construction the Department of Lands sand has been in short supply in the Sydney region for the National Parks and Wildlife Service some years. the Department of Planning At this time there is no assessment of the potential The Nature Conservation Council and Quarry demand. Howeveç as sand resources closer to the Masters' Association were invited to comment on the Sydney market are exhausted or sterilised by competing draft report and attended a working party meeting to land uses the market for Newnes Plateau sand will discuss the report. expand. The Department of Minerals and Energy is of the opinion that the Newnes Plateau is the most likely 1.2 Obiectives source of new supplies for this market. It was agreed that the working party's objectives with regard to sand extraction in the Newnes Plateau area are to: develop a coordinated approach to government decision making and help resolve potential 2.2 Existing Extractive Industries Coal mining interests on the Plateau are the existing Output/Potential Angus Place Colliery, Fernbrook Colliery, Clarence Colliery, proposed Kariwara Colliery, Austen and Butta There are at present three sand quarries located on the and various coal leases. These interests are shown on Plateau: Clarence Sand and Gravel Pty. Ltd., Kables figure 5 and figure 11. The interest of the Electricity Transport Pty. Ltd. and AMATEK Ltd. Commission in the area rests with its coal mine prolects The former has reserves of 30-1 80 million tonnes eg. Angus Place Colliery. and in 1986/97 produced 78,000 tonnes of processed Access to sites of interest for tourists is an important sand. Kables Transport Pty. Ltd. currently has reserves of issue. These sites include the Glow Worm Tunnel and 2.5 million tonnes but a recently approved extension potential educational sites such as Black Fellows Hand secures another 24 million tonnes. Kables produced Cave. 324,000 tonnes of processed sand (1986/97). AMATEK The National Parks and Wildlife Service has areas Ltd. has current reserves of 15 million tonnes and in 1985/86 produced 4000 tonnes. It is apparent special of interest (see figure 4) such as: circumstances have affected AMATEK'S production. Dargans Creek Nature Reserve proposal; Approximately 75% of the sand goes to the Sydney catchment protection in the Wollangambe, market. Bungleboori and Wolgan headwaters;

2.3 Location of Existing Extractive Industry possible additions to the Blue Mountains and Wollemi National Parks to rationalise boundaries; Figure 2 shows the location of Clarence Sand and Aboriginal sites; Gravel Pty. Ltd., Kables Transport Pty. Ltd. and AMATEK conservation of, and educational and recreational Ltd. opportunities for the historic precinct of the There are no other approved areas of extraction on Newnes Railway Alignment, Glow Worm Tunnel, the Newnes Plateau. the old Coach Roads and the Newnes historic These deposits are typical of friable sandstone ruins; and deposits on the Newnes Plateau and range from very scenic and wilderness protection of the Blue fine to very coarse. However, there is considerable Mountains and Wollemi National Parks, and Cob lateral and vertical variation in terms of grain size and Wilderness, including the Wollangambe section. sorting characteristics. The Newnes Plateau is within the Lithgow Heritage All of these operations are located within Lands as defined by the Department of Lands (see catch ments of the adlacent National Parks or Lithgow Appendix B and figure 13). The area has no value for City's water supply dam. future residential use, being too remote from services. One of them currently encroaches upon the At present there is limited rural residential development adloining National Park. There has also been an in the Dargans Creek area. instance of rupture of a tailings dam allowing spillage of tailings into the National Park. 3.1 Surface Water This experience with the existing operations casts The Newnes Plateau includes the headwaters of the doubt on the adequacy of current methods/standards Wollangambe Creek, Bungleboori Creek, Dargans and controls on operations. It would therefore be Creek, Wolgan River and Coxs River. The Wolgan River appropriate to establish a sound, consistent and Wollangambe and Bungleboori Creeks are environmental management record at the existing headwaters of the Cola River and hence are integral to Newnes Plateau operations which ensures public the Wollemi National Park and the Cola Wilderness. confidence in the guidelines for future operations. Reaches of the Coxs, Wolgan, Bungleboori and Wollangambe were identified as wild and scenic rivers 3 POTENTIAL CONFLICTS ASSOCIATED WITH in a consultants' study sponsored by the Department of EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT Water Resources.

The greater part of the area is dedicated as state forest 3.2 Landscape Protection and Environmental (Newnes State Forest No. 748) and accordingly Conservation Issues controlled and managed by the Forestry Commission. Most of the identified sand resources lie within the state The landscape quality of the Newnes Plateau has long forest. Discussions between the Forestry Commission been of concern. In this regard the pagodas and cliffs and the Department of Minerals and Energy indicate have been seen to be important. that sand extraction is possible in the state forests At present the malor landuses of the plateau are sublectto meeting certain requirements. recreation, forestry and sand winning. Minor landuses Features of particular management significance include army training and coal mining. include pine plantations, high quality mining timber The Dargans Creek Catchment contains a stands, Flora Reserves/Preserves, and known proposed Nature Reserve where there are rare plants distributions of certain rare flora and aboriginal sites. and Aboriginal sites. The National Parks and Wildlife There is significant recreational use. See figures 3 and 4 Service has information on this area (see Appendix A and figure 7). 2 The Wollangambe and Bungleboori Creeks are the 4 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL headwaters of streams flowing to the Blue Mountains CONSTRAINTS and Wollemi National Parks. The Wollangambe also Figure 9 shows the six subcatchments of the Newnes flows into the Colo \'Vilderness. Plateau. The three northern subcatchments of The Forestry Commission has under its care the Birds Wollangambe Creek, Bungleboori Creek and Wolgan Rock Flora Reserve and Snow Gum Forest Preserve. River flow to the north east while Dargans Creek, The Newnes Plateau above 1000m includes a Lithgow Water Supply Dams catch ment and Coxs River series of shrub/heath swamps. These scientifically flow to the south east. important high altitude shrub/heath swamps do not The constraints have been identified by the occur within the Blue Mountains or Wollemi National agencies represented on the Working Party on the best Parks. information available. The areas of constraint are areas The old Newnes Railway Alignment, Glow Worm on the plateau of interest or concern to one or more Tunnel, old Coach Roads and the Newnes historic ruins, agencies and where significant impact may occur as a as well as the Black Fellows Hand Rock and other result of sand winning activities. The constraints on Aboriginal sites, are items of significant value on the development of the sand resource have been mapped plateau. and the area of least constraints is identified in figure 6. In this area, exploration could proceed on the The Newnes Plateau has extensive views across expectation that if the resource is found then the project large areas of natural rugged scenery. The area is would be approved (subject to the local planning popular for bushwalkers, conyoners, rockclimbers and provisions and satisfaction of the Environmental Planning other people seeking a peaceful and natural setting for and Assessment Act requirements). their recreation. An important element of any development on the plateau is its effect on the adlacent 5 PLAN OF MANAGEMENT wilderness areas. As few sites have been explored to assess the extent 3.3 Transportation and nature of the resource, a plan of management for the extraction of sand on the Newnes Plateau cannot The Great Western Railway alignment passes along the be site-specific. However, there is a need to set southern margin of the plateau and is close to the area guidelines and parameters which could form a of least constraint located south of the railway. There is framework upon which exploration, assessment of a railway loop at the Clarence Colliery used exclusively viability, attachment of conditions and approval to for the loading of the colliery's product. develop can be based. Main Road 516 (Bells Line of Road) is to the south of The Plan of Management therefore consists of three the Newnes Plateau; State Highway 5 (Great Western sections: Highway) and Trunk Road 55 (Mudgee Road) are nearby (see figure 8). Long term planning for removing policy indications on control of exploration and heavy vehicles from the urban area of Lithgow, and for sand extraction in the area; eliminating the unsatisfactory road approach on the specific guidelines which developers could use in eastern side, could involve a deviation of Main Road assessing sites and which council would use as a 516 through the southern port of the study area. basis for considering any application; and There are a number of local roads on the plateau. samples of draft conditions which are relevant to Howeveç these are not of a high standard in relation to the Newnes area (appendix A). vertical and horizontal alignment or pavement strength. 5.1 Policy Indications 3.4 Other Issues 5.1.1 Exploration Relatively high exploration, project planning approval, infrastructure and establishment costs are likely to be The Government should foster exploration in the involved in obtaining use of new sand resources. areas of least constraint. (REASON: To avoid environmental conflicts, minimise costs and ensure The Australian Army has an occupation permit for that Newnes Plateau can start to supply the an ammunition demolition site issued by the Forestry Sydney market soon.) Commission of NSW. The boundaries of this permit extend onto the plateau and, although the site is not Exploration would be likely to face fewer presently in use, large amounts of unexploded constraints in the area generally south of the Old ammunition exist on the area, making it unsafe for public Bells Line of Road (see figure 6). (REASON: The use. environmental problems could be more easily managed in this area.) Two small water dams, originally built for railway use, are located on the western edge of the plateau. Exploration companies should be made aware One of the dams has also been used to augment the that very stringent conditions for exploration would Lithgow water supply during periods of drought. The be imposed. (REASON: The plateau has areas catch ments of these dams are within the area of least within which significant constraints are apparent.) constraint (figure 6). Also, their catchments are small and could be isolated. 3 Basic requirements to protect the environment will 5.1.6 Transportation be set for any exploration project. (REASON: To Appropriate contributions or works on council's indicate to the industry the minimum acceptable roads would be required from extractors. standard.) (REASON: To improve the quality and prevent For large scale exploration activities, where deterioration of roads used for sand movement. trenching or pitting is involved, similar safeguards For safety, any roadworks should also be to those given for extraction should apply. considered in the light of improving public access (REASON: To minimise adverse impacts of to the area.) exploration.) (ii) Council should monitor truck traffic. (REASON: To NOTE: It should be made clear to those granted rights ensure that major increases in truck traffic do not to explore that such rights in no way guarantee occur without approval and that consideration is consent to extract should economic resources be given at the appropriate time to transportation of defined. sand by rail.) Over a certain threshold level it may be a 5.1.2 Controls on Extraction requirement of consent that sand moved to the Sydney market be transported by rail. (REASON: (1) Extraction of sand in the Bungleboori and To preserve the condition and safety of roads.) Wollangambe Creek catchments would be subject to significant constraints. In particular, strict controls would apply to runoff. (REASON: As both 5.2 Specific Guidelines the Bungleboori and Wollangambe Creeks flow There is a need to demonstrate that proposals are into a national park. Also the visual impact of any compatible with the plan of management, and that they such development may be significant.) optimise the economically and environmentally (ii) Any pit in the Lithgow City's water supply acceptable extraction of sand from the Newnes catchment would also have strict controls over Plateau. runoff placed on it. A pit would have to be below the dam site. (REASON: Protection of the quality 5.2.1 Catchment Protection of Lithgow City's water supply and safety of the 5.2.1.1 In relation to runoff dam.) The water management system, including tailing dams, should allow for the retention of all flows up 5.1.3 Staging of Extraction to a 1 in 100 year storm frequency. (REASON: To Overall plans of development of a site would be prevent pollution of the downstream areas.) required with approvals given in stages. Water running onto the site should be diverted (REASON: In this way a more coordinated away from mining operations by diversion banks. approach would allow for new areas to be (REASON: To reduce overall impact, prevent opened up while previously worked areas are erosion and ensure progressive rehabilitation.) rehabilitated.) All runoff from disturbed areas should be directed Where extraction is proposed within a state forest to silt control structures. (REASON: To prevent silt consideration needs to be given to maturity of movement to adjoining lands.) trees. (REASON: So that maximum value can be obtained from the trees prior to sand winning.) A permanent, clean water, flood and silt retention structure should be constructed. This structure 5.1.4 Screening and Buffer Zones should not produce any runoff in dry times. (REASON: To take runoff from all disturbed areas.) All operations should be well screened from public view. This is particularly important where such No discharge of anoxic wastes should occur. operations are near roads or public areas such as (REASON: To maintain water quality.) national parks. (REASON: To protect the 5.2.1.2 In relation to sewerage and pollution control appearance of the area.) There is a need to demonstrate the suitability of Screening should be considered well in advance the site for septic tank utilisation. Effluent should be of sand winning. (REASON: Screen trees need to contained and used for revegetation. Sewage be planted and tended prior to sand winning so sludge from the tanks must be disposed of to a that a mature screen is in place.) suitable site away from Newnes Plateau. (REASON: Maintenance of water quality in 5.1.5 Cessation of Sand Winning/Future Use natural areas downstream.) Future use should be determined prior to approval of (ii) With regard to fuels, oils and chemicals, attention commencement of operations. (REASON: So adequate should be given to the location and structure of drainage can be put in place and pit faces graded to storage facilities. (REASON: To ensure that spills appropriate angles for safety in its future use.) and leaks are minimised.)

III A strategy for dealing with spills and leaks shall 5.2.1.4 In relation to rehabilitation be instigated to minimise the affected area and to Note: Soils are of low fertility and sublect to rapid remove contaminated material. A strategy for leaching. Initial application of fertilisers will be dealing with smaller scale spills and leaks from necessary for revegetation. However, it is likely that this mobile sources should also be formulated so that application will not cause any long term effects on the contaminated material can be removed from the surrounding areas. It will be necessary for the Soil area to a suitable disposal site. (REASON: To Conservation Service to be consulted in the preparation ensure proper procedures are in place to deal of the rehabilitation and maintenance program. with spills.) Permanently stable and battered embankments Sewage from on-site facilities should have either will be required. All disturbed areas should be an appropriate treatment system or a pum pout reduced to 1 in 4 (V:H) or flatter where vegetative and removal system. (REASON: To prevent stabilisation is proposed. High walls are polluted water flowing downstream.) acceptable in in situ rock materials at near vertical Plant, equipment and structures are to be angles provided that no flows are allowed to run maintained. Any unused, damaged or worn out over the batters or embankments (albeit sublect to plant, equipment and structures are to be removed height limits and public safety). Run-on water without delay, and any scrap metal is to be should be diverted into stable drains away from removed from the site. (REASON: To minimise any high walls. (REASON: To permit revegetation, corrosion.) prevent erosion and maintain water quality.) Progressive rehabilitation will be required. By 5.2.1.3 In relation to erosion control implementing progressive rehabilitation fresh An erosion and sediment control plan is required. topsoil will generally be available. Use of fresh Such a plan should consist of a comprehensive topsoil materials significantly decreases explicit set of instructions for controlling erosion revegetation problems. Immediate temporary and sediment during site preparation and cover should be established on areas to be production. (REASON: Erosion and sediment revegetated by sowing the appropriate species. control is necessary due to presence of sandy soils (REASON: To ensure rapid revegetation, maintain susceptible to erosion.) soil stability and reduce range of impacts.) The control plan would need to include erosion Permanent fencing should be provided at the and sediment control practices both for disturbed boundary to control grazing of revegetated areas areas on site and for runoff at the perimeter of the by native fauna and for public safety. (REASON: site. Drainage upslope of the disturbed areas must To protect the rehabilitation work.) be diverted properly around or through the A maintenance program should be established. disturbed areas. (REASON: To minimise the (REASON: To ensure the success of rehabilitation quantity of any polluted waters to be contained works and structures such as diversion banks and on site.) silt control structures.) Prior to clearing for construction, sediment traps Essential features of the maintenance program are:- and basins must be installed. Revegetation - exclusion of stock practices would need to allow for seasonal - control of noxious weeds and pests including considerations, as autumn and spring are the best rabbits time for planting shrubs. (REASON: To ensure - maintenance of drainage and water control works structures are in place and well vegetated prior to to ensure their continued operation commencement of operations.) - control of wild fire in rehabilitated areas Maintenance must not be overlooked. Particular - grassed and tree planted areas will require attention should be given to inspection and refertilisation to ensure persistence of species. maintenance of water handling structures, The extractor must ensure proper rehabilitation of sediment traps and basins. Sediment should be the site after completion of sand winning. The removed from these structures at regular intervals ultimate aim of rehabilitation may be to return the to maximise their operational capacity. Their site to indigenous species. Alternatively, structural stability should also be regularly consideration could be given to retaining a checked and remedial measures carried out disused pit for long-term waste disposal, where necessary. (REASON: Proper performance depending on land management oblectives and of control structures.) drainage or other constraints. (REASON: To Consistent with mining constraints, the minimum ensure site is compatible with its surroundings or possible surface area should be disturbed at any that it is suitable for an identified need.) time. Natural drainage lines should remain The proponent should submit to the Greater undisturbed as long as possible. A mining Lithgow City Council, at least two years prior to sequence should be established to allow closure of the pit, a report outlining proposals for progressive rehabilitation of mined areas. its closure including the removal of all structures (REASON: To reduce overall impacts, prevent and rehabilitation of the site. (REASON: Ensure erosion and ensure progressive rehabilitation.) proper close down procedures are undertaken.) (vii) Before a new pit opens or a new stage begins, a depths of the coal (200-400m), it will, in general, be rehabilitation plan and value of bank guarantee is possible for sand and coal extraction to proceed in the to be agreed on. (REASON: To ensure that the same locations with a minimum of mutual interference. bank guarantee at all times matches the current Nevertheless, sand extraction should be conducted cost of rehabilitation, and to ensure that the so as to avoid the permanent sterilisation of any extractor meets all the costs of progressive and underlying coal resources. Surface structures should final rehabilitation.) therefore be located or be designed to ensure that they are capable of withstanding expected levels of 5.2.2 Aesthetics subsidence due to coal mining. Permanent water The visual quality objective which the development storage areas - such as dams, ponds, or final mine should be related to is that of "partial retention" as voids - should be located so as to avoid the defined by the US Forest Service. Most activities should sterilisation of coal resources. (REASON: Coal is an remain visually subordinate to the plateau landscape. important resource and mining may take place under Where visual modification becomes necessary, the parts of the plateau.) respective structures should follow naturally established form, line, colour and texture. These are to be subject to 5.2.7 Roads the approval of the Greater Lithgow City Council. The proponent should enter into a Deed of Agreement Should local guidelines become available these are to with the Greater Lithgow City Council or meet licence be substituted for the above. conditions in accordance with the relevant authority to The minimum visual impact from vantage points in contribute to: the neighbouring National Parks and State Forest the construction and/or reconstruction of roads to Areas needs to be demonstrated. (REASON: be utilised by the prolect; and These are important recreation areas and should not be marred by development.) the maintenance of such roads. It is important that the boundary be accurately Where possible, separate roads or haulage lines located. A buffer strip of at least 20 metres should should be considered. (REASON: To minimise the burden on the council or relevant authority and to aid in be maintained undisturbed within the property. protection and expansion of the tourist potential of the This buffer strip should retain as much as possible of the existing vegetation and tree cover. area.) (REASON: For aesthetic protection and soil 5.2.8 Monitoring erosion control.) A comprehensive monitoring program for the project is The pit working face should be concealed behind to be agreed with the Greater Lithgow City Council. an undisturbed hill slope. (REASON: To protect the (REASON: To generally ensure that operations are appearance of the area. See figure 10.) environmentally acceptable.) 5.2.3 Archaeological Sites and Heritage Items 5.2.9 Schedule of Works An archaeological and heritage study would be The proponent shall provide for the approval of the required from the proposed extractor. (REASON: All Greater Lithgow City Council a proposed schedule of archaeological and heritage items shall, as far as extraction and rehabilitation works setting out the practical, be conserved and none shall be destroyed proposed phasing of those works, before any new work without permission from the National Parks and Wildlife commences and/or for any continuing work within 24 Service and/or Heritage Council and/or Greater months of these guidelines being adopted. Lithgow City Council.)

5.2.4 Biological Impact Areas of significant vegetation and animal habitat shall be preserved. Significant vegetation communities shall be taken into account before undertaking any changes to drainage patterns, and such changes shall be minimal. (REASON: To minimise biological impact and preserve the essentially natural character of the area.)

5.2.5 Fire Hazard Appropriate fire fighting systems will be required. (REASON: Newnes Plateau is a bush fire prone area.)

5.2.6 Coal Steritisation Most of the areas on the Newnes Plateau identified as having potential for sand extraction are underlain by coal resources. Howeveç in view of the substantial APPENDIX A measures to be taken in conlunction with the proposed designated development to protect the CONSTRAINTS AND SPECIFIC environment and an assessment of the likely REQUIREMENTS IDENTIFIED BY effectiveness of those measures; VARIOUS BODIES (gi) details of energy requirements of the proposed development and measures to be taken to Note: Responsibility for the following text is with the conserve energy; nominated body. Policies may change as more any feasible alternatives to the carrying out of the information on a particular site becomes available. proposed designated development and reasons DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING for choosing the latter; and consequences of not carrying out the proposed Removal of the sands is an extractive industry which is development. designated development under Schedule 3 of the Regulation to the Environmental Planning and The EIS must also take into account any matters Assessment Act. The proponent is required to request required by the Director of Planning pursuant to clause the Director's requirements for the preparation of an 35 of the Regulation. environmental impact statement which must support the The EIS must bear a certificate as required by development application to the consent authority (the clause 26(1)(b) of the Regulation. Council of the City of Greater Lithgow). The consent authority is required to publicly exhibit ADVICE ON THE PREPARATION OF AN the development application and the environmental ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) impact statement. Oblections received to any FOR AN EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY* development application are referred to the department A definition of extractive industry may be found in for consideration. The department has 21 days in which paragraph (n) to Schedule 3 of the Environmental to advise the consent authority if the Minister proposes Planning and Assessment Regulation 1980 (as to order an Inquiry. In the absence of the department's amended). These industries are operations undertaken advice the consent authority may proceed to determine for the purpose of winning sand, gravel, clay, turf, soil, the development application. rock, stone or similar substances. The definition of The department's advice for preparation of an extractive industry specifically excludes coal, petroleum environmental impact statement current at December or minerals which are prescribed under the Mining Act 1988 is as follows: 1973. Extractive industries may take the form of dredging operations, quarrying operations, turf farms or STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR various forms of land excavation etc. Processing of ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS extracted material on the same site as the winning of the material may also constitute an extractive industry. In accordance with Part IV of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, an environmental impact Extractive industries have prompted considerable statement (EIS) must meet the following requirements: public controversy in the past since, among other things, they affect the appearance of the landscape, generate Pursuant to clause 34 of the Environmental Planning heavy vehicle movement, raise dust and cause and Assessment Regulation 1980, as amended, the disturbance through noise and blasting. This is the prime contents of an EIS shall include the following matters: reason for designation of extractive industries under the full description of the designated development Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. proposed by the development application; The purpose of this paper is to outline various issues a statement of the objectives of the proposed relevant to the preparation and consideration of an EIS designated development; for extractive industries. It is intended to assist the a full description of the existing environment likely preparation of the EIS. However, it is the applicant's to be affected by the proposed designated responsibility, in complying with the requirements for EIS development, if carried out; preparation, to identify and address as fully as possible the matters relevant to the specific development identification and analysis of the likely proposal. environmental interactions between the proposed designated development and the environment; The matters nominated in this paper are not intended to identify all issues which may arise in respect analysis of the likely environmental impact or of an extractive industry. Some of the issues nominated consequences of carrying out the proposed may not be relevant to a specific proposal. On the designated development (including implications for use and conservation of energy); *This lustification of the proposed designated is general advice, prepared before the working development in terms of environmental, economic party deliberations, and in no way derogates from the and social considerations; guidelines in this report. With guidelines and site-specific information available, the department would provide detailed Director's requirements.

other hand, there may be other issues - not included 3. Analysis of Environmental Impacts - that are appropriate for consideration in the [IS. Environmental impacts usually associated with extractive Information provided should be clear, succinct and industries are listed below. Where relevant to the objective and, where appropriate, be supported by specific proposal, these should be addressed in the [IS, maps, plans, diagrams or other descriptive detail. The taking into account the adequacy of safeguards purpose of the [IS is to enable members of the public, proposed to minimise them. the consent authority (usually the council) and the the flow of any affected rivers or watercourses Department of Planning to properly understand the the effect of the extraction on the sediment environmental consequences of the proposed transport rate of any affected rivers or development. watercourses the bed and bank stability of any affected river 1. Description of the proposal during and after completion of the operations The description of the proposal should provide general any possible siltation, sedimentation or background information on the location and extent of downstream effects of the operation the works proposed, an indication of adlacent any likely cumulative effects of the proposed development, and details of the site, land tenure, zoning operation when considered together with other and relevant forward planning proposals and any other operations in the vicinity land use constraints. details of floods and any likely effects of the operation on flood liability of surrounding lands The [IS should address the compatibility of the the possible effects of flooding on the operation proposal with any regional strategy for extractive effects on flora and fauna industries in the area and with the provisions of the local the agricultural viability of the landholding environmental plans for existing and proposed likely noise/vibration disturbance caused by the development. operations, including transport operations, on This section should provide specific information on nearby residences the nature, intent and form of the development. It other impacts of trucking movements, including should, as far as possible, include such details as the access over railways and onto highways processes involved (highlighting any proposed crushing dust nuisance likely to be caused or blasting), disposal of wastes, landscaping and site effects on water quality of nearby watercourses rehabilitation. A description should also be provided of disposal of waste material associated operations such as the transport of materials effects on the visual environment and use of the end product if it is likely to have any likely effects on sites of Aboriginal environmental implications. archaeological or European heritage value if Particular details that may be relevant include: located in the vicinity of operations characteristics and economic significance of the In addition, any potential for hazard or risks to public resource safety and any proposals to monitor and reduce possible availability of alternative resources environmental impacts should be included. quantity of materials to be extracted methods of extraction/plans of operations 4. Contact with relevant Government details of any blasting and/or crushing Authorities effects of vibrations In preparing the [IS, it is suggested that authorities - type of machinery and equipment to be used such as those listed below - should be consulted and expected life of the operation their comments taken into account in the [IS. number of persons to be employed the State Pollution Control Commission in regard hours of operation to aiç water and noise impacts and relevant details of necessary stockpiling pollution control legislation requirements; access arrangements - truck routes, truck numbers etc the Soil Conservation Service regarding site drainage and erosion controls appropriate erosion control and rehabilitation proposals for rehabilitation procedures; the Department of Agriculture, if prime agriculture 2. Description of the Environment land may be affected by the proposal; and This should provide details of the environment in the the Heritage Council of NSW if the proposal is vicinity of the development site and also of aspects of likely to affect any place or building having the environment likely to be affected by any facet of the heritage significance for the State; proposal. In this regard, physical, natural, social, the National Parks and Wildlife Service if archaeological and economic aspects of the Aboriginal places or relics are likely to be environment should be described in so far as they are affected. necessary for assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed development. It is the responsibility of the person preparing the [IS to determine those departments relevant to the proposed development. FORESTRY COMMISSION This produced an inventory and classification of wild, scenic and recreafional river reaches and advocated a Development would be unacceptable within a state process for managing these reaches based on limiting forest, if it encroached upon any Flora Reserve or human changes to a defined acceptable level. This Preserve, or upon established long-term research plots. management concept was supported by a working Similarly, disturbance of known areas of rare flora or of group established by the previous government to advise Aboriginal sites should be avaided. Otherwise, subject on wild and scenic rivers. However, the report is yet to to the balance of economic considerations and overall be formally endorsed by the present Government. environmental effects, preference, in general, would be given to any proposal avoiding areas of higher The major constraints on mining activities in the investment or productive potential. subcatchments relate to land use compatibility and the need for water quality protection. For this reason, the Any operations proposed for a state forest would department is likely to encourage a stringent "no generally be required to meet the Forestry Commission's discharge" policy which encourages re-use of water for requirements. In particulaç the proponent would be any extractive industry mine approved within the required: - catchment of wild and scenic rivers and is likely to to carry out any relevant road or bridge object to any intrusions in the viewscape of the river. In construction or improvements within the state forest the Newnes Plateau this would apply from the river to to a designated standard acceptable to the the first ridgeline. Access associated with exploration Commission, and to maintain that standard; activities would be included in this. to develop and work the pit or quarry in accordance with a plan - including provisions for Groundwater Protection/Management safety, drainage, stabilisation and rehabilitation - The areas of friable sandstone on Newnes Plateau are acceptable to the Commission. indicated in figure 3 of the report "Construction and All such relevant maffers would be required to be Industrial Sand Resources of the Newnes Plateau". addressed to the Commission's satisfaction before Most of the areas fall within the Newnes State Forest. owner's consent would be given to an application to The friable sandstone forms part of the Narrabeen Lithgow City Council for development consent. Group of sedimentary rocks of Triassic age. These rocks generally contain good quality groundwater (less than Upon development consent being granted and 100 mg/L of salinity) and yields to bores generally lodgment of such guarantees as may be required, range from 0.1 to 0.9 litres/second. There are 14 bores operations would be authorised by a Forest Materials within the friable sand areas, 12 of which occur in a Licence issued under the Forestry Act 1916. Such licence small area of Clarence. The rest of the area is would incorporate conditions consistent with any practically devoid of bores. relevant conditions of tender, the environmental impact assessment and conditions of development consent. The groundwater resource in the Narrabeen Group of rocks is generally useful for stock and domestic THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER purposes. The permeability of rocks is low. The quarrying of the sandstone is unlikely to have much RESOU RCES impact on the groundwater resource. The only concern Introduction is pollution of the resource from oils, fuels, garbage or The Department of Water Resources was created on the refill material as a result of the quarrying operation. 1st January 1987 with a charter to ensure that the Safeguards are needed to prevent this. Other than this, State's water resources are managed and used to groundwater resources present no specific constraints. provide maximum long-term benefit to the State, General groundwater management guidelines consistent with environmental requirements. The require: - department has indicated the protection and continued access to the groundwater contained in enhancement of the aquatic and related environment, the fractured and porous sandstone formations at in co-operation with other agencies, as a key depth; performance area in fulfilling this charter. Other major interests of the department relate to water allocation protection of groundwater recharge areas (i.e. and supply, flood mitigation and control and the exposed sandstone) against pollution; and maintenance and improvement of water quality for the developer to maintain a monitoring program full range of beneficial uses. (perhaps for the existing bores and close to the The department sees the main constraints to sand quarrying operations) to ensure no resource winning on Newnes Plateau as the need to protect degradation is occurring. heath swamp areas, protect urban water supply and protect wild, scenic and recreational river values. The department would also require safeguards to protect surface and groundwater quality from exploration and extraction activities. In 1987 the department sponsored a consultant's report on the State's wild, scenic and recreational rivers.

VOA Water Quality Protection an adequate monetary return is obtained for The major threats to water quality from sand winning extraction; and operations in this area include increased turbidity, the resultant landscape is the best achievable in siltation, fuels and oils, products of metal corrosion, the long-term public interest. sewage and sullage containing bacteria and plant With regard to the techniques of extraction, nutrients. Sewage, fuels and oils have already been pollution control and rehabilitation, the Department of discussed under groundwater. Lands would rely upon the advice of the specialist authorities (Minerals and Energy, SPCC, NPWS and Licensing Soil Conservation Service). In applying for a water entitlement the majority of factors which need to be addressed are referred to THE DEPARTMENT OF MINERALS above and, specifically, in 5.2.1 Catchmerit Protection. AND ENERGY Any application should give full details of the plans and strategies to protect water quality and groundwater. There is some potential locally for sand extraction to Other details required are covered by forms available interfere with the establishment of coal pit top facilities from the Department (Application under Section 10 of but it should generally be possible to avoid such conflict the Water Act 1912, fora licence and application fora by proper planning of future extraction areas and bore licence under Part V of the Water Act 1912). consultation with colliery operators. Any discharge should have a SS (suspended Depth restrictions are imposed on coal mining sediment) level of less than 20 mg/L and a pH in the leases under Section 62(6) of the Coal Mining Act range 6.3 - 9.0. (1973) in order to prevent damage to the surface. As such it is a condition/restriction on the coal lease which The tailings dam should be maintained to ensure no limits the depth for any other mining title over the some anoxic waters with a pH in the range 6.3 - 9.0 are area. In most instances the depth restriction is not less discharged. than 20 metres, and as long as it does not prevent the The tailing dam would not normally require a colliery from mining the available coal resources, it can licence under the Water Act. Howeveç this could be be whatever depth is appropriL (i.e. 50m, lOOm, required if the catchment area is proclaimed under the 200m). In the case of areas where sand extraction is Act. Under the authority of the Clean Waters Act, the proposed above the coal bearing land, the depth State Pollution Control Commission may direct special restriction should be devised to afford full recovery of conditions to guard against dam failure. the coal, extraction of the sand, and a separation of at least 20 metres between the two titles of operations (eg THE DEPARTMENT OF LANDS depth restriction of 50 metres for the coal lease and a It appears that there are no Crown lands directly depth restriction of 30 metres for any sand winning). affected by extraction proposals in the Wolgan and An arrangement of this nature gives a sufficient barrier West Coxs River catchments and only a small section of between the two operations and permits the recovery of the Bungleboori Creek catchment is contained within the available resources, allowing for variations in the Crown lands. topography of the region. Any development application over Crown areas The Department of Minerals and Energy's standard requires the Department of Lands' consent before exploration licence conditions are included in lodgment. Also, the Department of Lands will need to be Appendix D. satisfied with the conditions of development approval before it grants a Permissive Occupancy (P0) for COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF extraction. The conditions of the P0 should be GREATER LITHGOW consistent with those of the development application for Detailed below are the broad areas considered to be the sake of efficiency. constraints to the future development of sand winning on The Department of Lands would seek an automatic the Newnes Plateau of specific interest to the Council. condition in any development approval which required its regular consent to each stage of the project and, in Lithgow Water Supply particular, consent to: The area of land comprising the Lithgow Water Supply amount of bank guarantee; Catch ment (see figure 9) is considered a malor progress and approaches to land rehabilitation; constraint to any development. The integrity of this and water supply must be maintained to ensure a high quality domestic water supply to the people of Lithgow variations in Crown royalties and other City and the residents of Dargan. It is therefore compensation sought by the Department. recommended no development be permitted within the In essence, the Department of Lands is the land Lithgow City water catchment area and that at no time owner where Crown land is concerned and has an is runoff from disturbed areas to be directed into the obligation to ensure: said catchment.

10 Rural Roads on the Plateau and Arterial Roads All construction is to be carried out layer by layer Serving Lithgow Generally to obtain good compaction (i.e. clay is to be evenly spread in approximately 0.1m layers and The roads serving the Plateau are of a gravel or similar not dumped into the bank or spilled over the standard and the effect of increased traffic movements, back); particularly large haulage vehicles, will quickly result in a deteriorating surface. No logs, large rocks, trees or debris to be left in constructed wall; This will have implications for the adloining sensitive environment (soil erosion) and also for Council's road Natural vegetation to be left undisturbed, maintenance program. particularly below spillway and in-flow areas. A properly designed spillway should be provided on The length and quality of access roads servicing permanent structures; extracting sites is of particular concern. Major arterial The spillway and spill outlet must be level in routes such as the Bells Line of Road and the Great cross-section; Western Highway may also be a malor constraint on the location of a development area. Any development All disturbed areas, not within storage area, to be site that includes haulage routes that pass through immediately sown with an appropriate seed urban areas will need close investigation. Where a mixture and fertiliser; development proposes to use local roads for haulage All batters should be 1:3 (V:H) orflaffer; and purposes, Section 94 contributions will be imposed to upgrade the road to a minimum pavement width of Structures to be lined with an impermeable 7.2m with a stabilised pavement. The extent of such membrane or sealed with Bentonite to ensure work will be assessed at the development application water holding capacity. Rate of Bentonite stage. It may be decided that alternative haulage application to be determined by laboratory routes need to be built to preserve the quality of the testing. existing residential and community area. Protected Lands Tourism The Soil Conservation Act 1938 requires owners, The potential impact of sand winning and related occupiers and holders or grantees of timber rights to development on the existing and future tourist potential make application to the Catchment Areas Protection of the Newnes Plateau area is of major concern to Board for an authority before destroying or injuring trees Council. growing on protected land. The potential for increased traffic problems "Protected land" means land mapped by the (beiween tourist vehicles and large haulage vehicles) Catchment Areas Protection Board as having slopes should be considered a constraint on development. generally in excess of 18 degrees from the horizontal; land within or within 20 metres of the bed of any river, The selective location of pit sites - invisible, or stream, lake, lagoon or swamp mapped or listed by the suitably screened, from items of tourist, scientific or Board; or land mapped by the Board as being heritage interest - is considered to be a constraint on environmentally sensitive, or affected by or liable to the location and size of pit sites. erosion, siltation or degradation. SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE The Soil Conservation Act 1938 provides that, unless the authority of the Catchment Areas Protection Areas of concern for the Service relate principally to the Board has been obtained, a person shall not: mitigation of land degradation. It is involved with land ringbark, cut down, fell, poison or otherwise use planning, land management and rehabilitation of destroy, or cause to be destroyed; degraded lands applicable under the Soil Conservation top, lop, remove or injure or cause to be injured, Act 1938. any tree (tree includes saplings, shrub and scrub) on The principal statutory controls relevant to the protected land. Newnes Plateau are those relating to the management of Protected Lands under the Soil Conservation Act Maps showing protected land in the vicinity of the Newnes Plateau are deposited in the office of the 1938; and the rehabilitation of mined lands under the Coal Mining Act 1973 and Mining Act 1973, in the District Soil Conservationist at Lithgow and may be inspected by any person during normal office hours context of coal mining on the Newnes Plateau. without payment of a fee. Construction techniques to be used on water and Protected land maps are also available for silt detention structures are as follows:— inspection at the local offices of a number of other (i) Site to be cleared and all topsoil stripped and departments, including the Department of Lands and the stockpiled for replacement of the downstream Forestry Commission. batters of the wall and all batters above Top Water Level; With regard to the areas of friable sandstone on The President, Newnes Plateau (indicated in figure 3 of the report Australian Association "Construction and Industrial Sand Resources of the of Consulting Archaeologists, Newnes Plateau") most of the areas fall within the Box 214, Holme Building, Newnes State Forest and some privately owned lands. SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 2006. There appears, subject to field checking, to be areas of protected land on the plateau coinciding with the Rare, endemic and threatened plants and mapped resources. animals and their habitats - in particular, swamps above 1000m. Application forms for permits to clear can be obtained from any Soil Conservation Service office, The shrub swamps above 1000m contain which will accept the completed applicaions on behalf rare species which do not occur in Blue of the Catchment Areas Protection Board. Mountains or Wollemi National Parks. Therefore, the swamps on Newnes Plateau Any person contravening these provisions of the Soil are highly significant for scientific purposes. Conservation Act is liable to a fine of up to $10,000 for Preservation of examples of such areas intact each offence. is necessary for scientific research into past It is recommended that all matters relating to soil environmental changes. conservation issues be referred to the Soil Conservation Any sand winning proposals would require a Service before development consent by council. flora and fauna survey to ascertain the NATIONAL PARKS significance of the communities present. AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Advice can be sought from the: The National Parks and Wildlife Service has National Parks and Wildlife Service, responsibility for:— Blue Mountains District Office, Heritage Centre, the protection of native flora and fauna in NSW; Govetfs Leap Road, the protection of Aboriginal sites in NSW; BLACKHEATH 2785 Ph. (047) 878877. the conservation and management of national parks, nature reserves, State recreation areas, Conservation of the historic precinct of the Aboriginal areas and historical sites; and Newnes Railway alignment, Glow Worm providing appropriate recreational opportunities in Tunner, the Old Coast Road and the these reserve systems. Newnes Ruins. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has various These historic resources make the Newnes interests in the Newnes Plateau: Plateau very significant. The historic roads on the plateau provide access for tourists to (a) Areas of interest:- historic sites. Before any malor development Dargans Creek Nature Reserve proposal. takes place an assessment of the significance of historic sites would be Proposed additions to Blue Mountains and required and the impact of the proposal on Wollemi National Parks for boundary the tourist and recreational use of the area. rationalisation. Catchment protection within Blue Mountains Catchment protection for the Wollangambe, and Wollemi National Parks and Pantoneys Bungleboori and Wolgan headwaters. Crown Nature Reserve. Access suitable for tourists to the Glow The rivers that flow into the National Parks Worm Tunnel in Wollemi National Park and have high water quality and should not be potential educational Aboriginal sites such disturbed. Therefore any proposals for sand as Black Fellows Hand Cave. mining should ensure that stringent sediment (b) Areas of responsibility:— control structures are designed and Aboriginal sites. All Aboriginal sites are maintained to ensure the catchments are protected under the National Parks and protected. Wildlife Act 1967. No sites can be Scenic protection of the Blue Mountains and destroyed without the consent of the Director Wollemi National Parks and Pantoneys of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Crown Nature Reserve. The Newnes Plateau is the focus of malor The Newnes Plateau is known for its prehistoric Aboriginal habitation in the Blue outstanding spectacular views of rugged Mountains. Any sand mining proposals will natural scenery. A key consideration in any require an archaeological survey to be development proposal is its effect on one of carried out by a qualified archaeologist. the largest wilderness areas in NSW and an A list of consultant archaeologists can be area of rugged beauty used by bushwalkers, obtained from: campers and car tourers.

12 APPENDIX B APPENDIX C CROWN LANDS HERITAGE LANDS LIST OF CONSTRAINTS IN THE SYSTEM OF RERSERVES VARIOUS CATCHMENTS In its Heritage Lands System of Reserves, the Crown Wollangambe Creek Lands Office administers regional land management. Identified Constraints are: The Department of Lands is adopting a more active Catch ment protection of waters flowing to Blue approach to the planning and management of the Mountains National Park remaining Crown Estate. In the Central West Region, which includes the Newnes Plateau, the Department of Scenic, wilderness and recreational values Lands is developing a coordinated system which Shrub/heath swamps affempts to address management of those Crown lands Tourist roads which do not fit the NPWS or Forestry models. Forestry interests Multiple/sustainable use is the emphasis of this "Heritage Lands" system - land is retained for public Coal reserves purposes such as resource conservation, outdoor Historic roads and areas recreation and landscape enhancement. Economic uses Aboriginal relics such as agriculture and resource extraction are permiffed within some Heritage Lands, so that income Department of Lands requirements can be derived for their operation and state (see Appendix B) development needs are met. Any extraction is sublect to stringent environmental conditions being met. Bungleboori Creek In preparing management plans and strategies for Identified Constraints are: the Heritage Lands system, advice is sought from the Catch ment protection of waters flowing to various specialist authorities such as NPWS, Forestry Wollemi ard Blue Mountains National Parks Commission, Mineral Resources, Soil Conservation Scenic, wilderness and recreational values Service etc. Where extraction is to occur within Shrub/heath swamps Heritage Lands, the Department of Lands would prefer to see it operate to an approved environmental Tourist roads management and restoration plan. Such a plan would Forestry interests have the endorsement of all the relevant specialist Coal reserves authorities and a bond or bank guarantee would be sought from the developer. Usually the bond would be Historic roads and areas adlusted annually so that, should the developer default, Aboriginal relics it equates with the current cost of restoration. Figure 13 shows the areas relevant to Newnes Wolgan River Plateau which have been established as part of the Identified Constraints are: Lithgow Heritage Lands Reserves. Catchment protection of waters flowing to the Wollemi National Park Scenic wilderness and recreational values Shrub/heath swamps Tourist roads Forestry interests Coal reserves Historic roads and areas Aboriginal relics

Coxs River Identified Constraints are: Scenic, wilderness and recreational values - in particular the Zig Zag Reserve. Extractive activity should not have an impact on the visual quality of the Scenic Hill drive and Zig Zag Reserve outlook or disturb the formulation of the historic routes (Bells Line of Road and Old Newnes railway) and their curtilage/buffer area 2. Shrub/heath swamps

13 Tourist interests APPENDIX D Forestry interests DEPARTMENT OF MINERALS AND CdaI reserves ENERGY'S EXPLORATION Aboriginal relics LICENCE CONDITIONS*

Lithgow Water Supply NOTE: These conditions are for minerals and are Identified Constraints are: included for reference purposes only.

Catchment protection of City Water Supply A. Standard Conditions** Shrub/heath swamps (included in all licences) Aboriginal relics 1. Protection for Shafts and Excavations Forestry interests Operations shall be conducted in a manner which does not cause any danger to persons and stock and the Dargans Creek registered holder shall, to the satisfaction of the Minister, provide and maintain adequate protection around each The Dargans Creek catchment has been identified by excavation opened up or used by the registered holder. some agencies as being important. To determine the significance of the constraints on development, the 11. (a) Any topsoil which may be disturbed Department of Lands and National Parks and Wildlife shall be removed separately for Service should accelerate the land assessment of the replacement, as far as practicable, and catch me nt. as work progresses all other residues shall be returned to the excavations Constraints include: made and all worked ground shall be Catchment protection for rare and endangered levelled off and the topsoil previously plants removed shall be replaced and levelled Rare and endangered plants and sides of the cut shall be battered to a safe low angle. All depressions The area represents the limit of distribution of shall be effectively drained and such eastern and western plants filling, levelling, battering, and draining Scenic and recreational value. There is a need for shall be done to the satisfaction of the more detailed assessment of Heritage and other Minister. Crown lands leading to a reserve management (b) The registered holder shall plant or strategy. This would incorporate: sow such grasses, shrubs or trees in the - analysis of recreation potential of old railway replaced topsoil as may be considered dams plus surrounding recreation and necessary by the Minister to control conservation buffers; erosion. - repair works needed/potential for extraction Upon the expiration or prior determination of within existing disturbed areas; the authority the registered holder shall - potential for exchange of Crown and freehold remove all machinery and buildings and the lands to obtain more rational boundaries; and subject area shall be left in a clean and tidy condition to the satisfaction of the Secretary. - protection of the visual quality of the area, as viewed from: The registered holder shall ensure that runoff from any worked area, including the Chifley Road; overflow from any depression or ponded Railway; area, shall be discharged in such a manner Lookouts from Crown Reserves at Mt York that it will not cause erosion. and Hassans Walls; and All trees, shrubs and undergrowth which the - zoning of areas of high nature conservation registered holder cuts down, removes or value plus production of a strategy for their damages for the purpose of the operation management which meets NPWS requirements. shall be disposed of by the registered holder Aboriginal sites as directed by and to the satisfaction of the High altitude shrub/heath swamps Secretary. Catchment contains large undisturbed areas Upon completion of operations or the prior determination of this authority, the registered Proximity to residential development holder shall rehabilitate any areas disturbed to the satisfaction of the Minister.

* Reproduced with permission of Department of Minerals and Energy **Numbers refer to Conditions of Authority 1986

20. Roads, Tracks, Fences, Transmission and hand of the Town or Shire Clerk of the Local Telephone Lines Council or the Secretary for Lands, the The registered holder shall not Commissioner for Western Lands or the excavate within 15 metres of the Commissioner for Main Roads or the person boundaries of any road unless with for the time being acting as such Clerk. approval of the Minister first had and The registered holder shall not interfere with obtained and subject to such or impede the use of any track on the conditions as he may stipulate. subject area or endanger its stability in any The registered holder shall not conduct way by reason of the operations carried out. any operations under any road at a The registered holder shall not interfere in depth less than twenty metres from the any way with any fences on or adjacent to surface thereof unless with the the subject area unless with the approval in approval of the Minister first had and writing of the owner thereof or the Minister obtained subject to such conditions for first and obtained and subject to such the prevention of damage to the conditions as the Minister may stipulate. surface of any road as may be 25. The registered holder shall so conduct the considered necessary by the Minister. operations as not to interfere with or impair Notwithstanding that the registered the stability or efficiency of any telephone or holder shall have complied with this power transmission line traversing the subject condition, the registered holder shall area. pay to the local Council, the 27. The registered holder shall restrict the use of Department of Lands, the any road or track within the subject area Commissioner for Western Lands or the during wet weather to prevent any damage Commissioner for Main Roads, the cost to such road or track. incurred by such Council or Department or Commissioners of 35. The registered holder shall conduct making good any damage to any road operations in such a manner as not to cause caused by operations carried on by or or aggravate soil erosion and the registered under the authority of the registered holder shall observe and perform any holder or any person claiming through instructions given or which may be given by or under the registered holder. the Secretary with a view to minimising or preventing soil erosion. AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER HEREBY COVENANTS with the said 52. Prohibition of Firearms Council that the registered holder will The registered holder shall not allow any pay to the said Council of making firearms to be brought onto the subject area. good any such damage caused as 56. (a) The registered holder shall provide and aforesaid and the registered holder maintain to the satisfaction of the hereby covenants with the said Minister efficient means to prevent the Commissioners that the registered contamination, pollution or siltation of holder will pay to the said any stream or watercourse or Commissioners the cost incurred by the catchment area or any undue said Commissioners of making good interference to fish or their environment any such damage caused as and shall observe any instruction given aforesaid. or which may be given by the Minister AND IT IS HEREBY AGREED AND with a view to preventing or minimising DECLARED that the amount to be paid by the contamination, pollution, or the registered holder under the provisions of siltation of any stream, water course, or this clause shall include in addition to the catch ment area or any undue cost of all necessary labour and materials, interference to fish or their environment. all costs and expenses reasonably incurred 62. The registered holder shall not keep nor in and about the making of surveys and permit to be kept on the subject area any preparations of plans and specifications and dog unless chained up or kept under proper estimates, the supervision and inspection of control. the works, and all administration and overhead costs and expenses of the Council 82. The registered holder shall observe any or the Department of Lands or the instructions which may be given by the Commissioner for Western Lands or the Secretary with a view of minimising or Commissioner for Main Roads as the case preventing public inconvenience or damage may be, related or attributable to the works to public or private property. undertaken to make good any damage caused to any road. A certificate under the

15 100. The registered holder shall take all (b) results of such surveys and other precautions against causing an outbreak of operations and conclusions reached by fire and shall comply with the provisions of the registered holder on the basis any regulations under the Bush Fires Act, thereof as to the economic mineral 1949, as amended and shall not burn off potential of the subject area. any grass, foliage or herbage unless with The registered holder shall forward to the the consent of the owner or occupier and Secretary such further reports on surveys and the local fire authority. other operations as the Minister may from 106. The minimum number of tracks shall be used time to time require. for access from one site of operations to The registered holder shall forward with another and such tracks shall be positioned every report all such maps, plans and data as for as may be practicable so that they do as are necessary to satisfactorily interpret not cause any unnecessary damage to the and evaluate the report. land. The registered holder shall furnish such 107. The registered holder shall not interfere with notifications and particulars and preserve the flow of water in any stream or watercourse and shall conduct operations so such cores and samples as required by Section 42B of the Mines Inspection Act that they cause no pollution of any stream or 1901, as amended. watercourse. 115. Where the registered holder proposes to 108. The registered holder shall not deposit any drill a drillhole or borehole he shall ensure: refuse except in properly constructed containers which shall be regularly removed all cored holes are accurately surveyed by the registered holder from the subject and permanently marked so that their area and the registered holder shall maintain location can be readily ascertained; the area in a clean and tidy condition at all all holes whether cored or otherwise times. are sealed so as to prevent collapse of 109. Any gates within the subject area or any the surrounding surface; other gates used by the registered holder all flowing drillholes or boreholes are shall be closed or left open in accordance permanently sealed with cement plugs with the requirements of the owner or to prevent surface discharge of occupier. groundwaters; 110. The registered holder shall not carry out any that where any drillhole or borehole ...... on the subject area encounters natural or noxious gases, it unless with the approval of the Minister first is plugged or sealed so as to prevent had and obtained and subject to such their escape; conditions as he may stipulate. that where any drillhole or borehole 111. The registered holder shall lodge with the encounters an artesian or sub-artesian Secretary within 14 days after the expiration flow that it is sealed effectively to of each six (6) months of the term of the prevent contamination of aquifers. licence a written report to the satisfaction of the Minister containing particulars of: Unless otherwise directed by the Minister, the registered holder shall expend an all surveys and other operations amount of $ . on operations conducted including expenditure thereon carried on the area during the term of the authority, out by the registered holder during of which not less than $ shall be each six months of the term of the expended during the first twelve months of licence; such term. the proposed exploration to be Where the registered holder intends to conducted during the remainder of the conduct any operations authorised by the term of the licence. authority in or adjacent to any river, stream, 112. The registered holder shall forward to the creek, tributary, lake, dam or reservoir, the Secretary upon the expiration or prior subject of a proclamation under the Fisheries determination of the licence a and Oyster Farms Act 1935, relating to or comprehensive written report to the prohibiting the taking of species of fish, the satisfaction of the Minister containing full registered holder shall not less than seven (7) particulars of: days before commencement of such (a) all surveys and other operations operations give notice in writing to the local including expenditure thereon carried Inspector of Fisheries seffing out details of out by the registered holder during the such operations and the river, stream, creek, period of the licence or the last tributary, lake, dam or reservoir that shall or may be affected thereby. renewal thereof as the case may be; 16 Upon abandonment or completion of any 134. (a) A security in the sum of $ . shall drillholes within any site the registered holder be lodged with the Minister by the shall fill in or suitably plug such drillholes and registered holder for the purpose of shall leave the site in a clean and tidy ensuring the fulfilment by the registered condition to the satisfaction of the Secretary, holder of his obligations under this and the registered holder shall comply with authority. If the registered holder fails any instructions given or which may be given to fulfil any one or more of such by the Minister regarding the rehabilitation obligations, the said sum may be of the land. applied at the discretion of the Minister The registered holder shall not drill not towards the cost of fulfilling such obligations. For the purpose of this permit to be drilled any hole in excess of clause the registered holder shall be 200 millimetres in diameter unless with the deemed to have failed to fulfill the approval of the Secretary first had and obligations of this authority if he fails to obtained and subject to such conditions as comply with any conditions or he may stipulate. provision hereof, any provision of the 127. (a) The registered holder shall not Act or regulations made thereunder, or knowingly destroy, deface, or damage any condition or direction imposed or any Aboriginal relic or other item of given pursuant to a condition or archaeological significance within the provision hereof or of any provision of subject area and shall take every the Act or regulations made precaution in drilling, excavating or thereunder. disturbing the land against any such (b) The registered holder shall provide the destruction, defacement or damage. security required by sub-clause (a) The registered holder shall within hereof in one of the following forms: iwenty-four (24) hours notify the cash Director of National Parks and Wildlife an interest-bearing deposit in the Service of the discovery of any such name of the Minister in such form relic or other item referred to in and with such institution as may paragraph (a) of this condition. from time to time be approved by The registered holder shall not continue the Minister any operations likely to interfere with (Hi) a banker's certificate or bond in or disturb any such relic or other item such form and given by such without the concurrence of the Director surety as may from time to be of National Parks and Wildlife Service, approved by the Minister provided that such concurrence must be given or refused within sixty (60) days of the notification referred to Variations to Conditions above. Depending on the particular exploration methods to be employed, and other specific circumstances, deletions 131. (a) Where a Regional Mining Engineer is or additions may be made to the standard exploration of the opinion that any condition of this licence conditions. Common variations which may be authority relating to the working of the relevant to the Newnes Plateau include the following: subject area or any provision of the Mining Act, 1973, relating to the Pining, Costeaning, Trenching, Line Clearing and Track working of the subject area is not Construction being complied with by the registered Add Schedule EL Condition 6: holder, he may, in writing, direct the 6. The registered holder shall not open up more registered holder: than one hectare of the surface of the to cease working the subject subject area at any one time unless with the area in contravention of that approval of the Minister first had and condition or Act; and obtained and subject to such conditions as to carry out within a specified he may stipulate. time works at the expense of the registered holder necessary to rectify or remedy the situation. (b) Where the Engineer issues any direction to the registered holder pursuant to paragraph (a) of this condition the registered holder shall comply with the direction.

17 Bulk Sampling If the registered holder is using or about to Add Conditions of Authority No. 126, Schedule EL use any process which in the opinion of the Minister is likely to cause contamination of Condition 8: the waters of the said catch ment area/s the 126. In the event that the registered holder shall registered holder shall refrain from using or win mineral from the subject area during bulk cease using as the case may require such sampling operations, the registered holder process within twenty four (24) hours of the shall pay to the Minister a royalty at such as receipt by the registered holder of a notice in is, at the time the minerals are won, writing requiring the registered holder so to prescribed for the purposes of Section 97(1) do. of the Mining Act, 1973, in respect of a mining lease, and the royalty shall be The registered holder shall comply with any payable in accordance with the provisions regulations now in force or hereafter to be in of the Mining Act 1973 and the Regulations force for the protection from pollution of the thereunder. said catch ment area/s.

Schedule EL-8 The registered holder shall restrict the size of bulk samples taken from the subject area to not more than sixty cubic metres of material per annum unless with the approval of the Minister first had and obtained and subject to such conditions as he may stipulate. Caldweld Drilling (Large diameter drilling) Delete conditions of Authority Nos 119 and 120 and add the following conditions: Operations shall be conducted in such a manner as not to cause any danger to persons and stock, and the registered holder shall provide and maintain adequate protection to the satisfaction of the Minister around each drill hole or excavation opened up or used by the registered holder. At least fourteen days prior to commencing any drillholes in excess of 200 millimetres in diameter, the registered holder shall notify the Regional Mining Engineer of his intention so to do and shall supply such information as may be required by the Regional Mining Engineer in order to determine the precise location of the proposed drillholes. All drillholes in excess of 200 millimetres in diameter shall be rehabilitated by (a) removing the casing, (b) returning the residues and (c) replacing the topsoil, and the registered holder shall observe any direction in this regard which may be given by the Minister. The registered holder shall not drill, nor permit to be drilled, any hole in excess of 1,000 millimetres in diameter unless with the approval of the Minister first had and obtained and subject to such conditions as he may stipulate. The registered holder shall not open up more than five (5) Caldwell drillholes at any one time.

Catchment Areas Add Conditions of Authority Nos. 53a, b. 53. Catch ment Areas (a) Operations and/or works shall be carried out in such a manner as not to cause any pollution of the Catch ment Area/s.

IE APPENDIX E GLOSSARY Anoxic waste - material lacking in oxygen Consent Authority - in relation to a development application is the Council of the City of Greater Lithgow. Designated Development— any class or description of development that is declared pursuant to section 29 or 158 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. Extractive Industry - the winning of extractive material not being coal, petroleum or any mineral within the meaning of the Mining Act 1973. In situ rock - in its original place. Partial Retention - management activities remain visually subordinate to the characteristic landscape when managed according to the partial retention visual quality oblective. Puffing - method of testing for grade of material. Site rehabilitation - action during the duration of the development to ensure the land is in a stable state for the proposed future use of the land.

LOCALITY MAP

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A composite map entitled "Newnes Plateau Sand Winning Management Strategy' at a scale of 1:25 000 of the information shown on the following maps is available for purchase from the Information Centre , Department of Planning.

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MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR WINNING OF SAND INTRODUCTION WHY WAS THE STRATEGY PREPARED?

Newnes Plateau is a large, elevated tableland about The Management Strategy was prepared both to 100km north-west of Sydney near Lithgow. It is well establish guidelines for the winning of sand resources known for the spectacular views of the cliffs and and also to prevent damage to the environment. A escarpmenf complexes surrounding the plateau. The number of government bodies, industries and plateau is an environmentally sensitive area with rare organisations have different, and sometimes conflicting, vegetation, untouched natural features and a unique interests in the plateau. As a result there needs to be a archaeological history. It also contains extensive and framework for decision making: the Management valuable sand resources which will play an important Strategy establishes this framework and will enable a role in supplying the Sydney region's future construction balance to be achieved between conflicting interests and industrial sand requirements. and uses.

The Department of Planning convened an interdepartmental working party whose oblectives are to develop a coordinated approach to government decision making in the Newnes Plateau area and to WHAT ARE SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY help resolve development and environmental issues. CONFLICTING USES AND ISSUES? As a first step the working party has prepared a Management Strategy for Newnes Plateau, which In addition to the sand resources, much of the Newnes provides for the winning of the construction and area has been set aside for prospecting under the Coal industrial sand resources within the context of protecting Mining Act and there are already significant coal mining the important qualities of this environmentally sensitive activities underway. Also, state forests are being location. Other issues may be considered by the harvested for hardwood stands of timber. On the other working party at a later stage. hand, the area also contains Aboriginal relic sites, areas of rare flora, historic buildings and scenic landscapes. This brochure answers questions likely to be raised about the Management Strategy copies of which are available from the Department of Planning's head office, 175 Liverpool Street, Sydney. It will also be HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE SAND available from the Greater Lithgow City Council and the Department of Minerals and Energy, 8-18 Bent RESOURCES? Street, Sydney. The Newnes Plateau contains very large and extremely You are invited to make comments on any part of the valuable resources of sand suitable for a wide range of Management Strategy. Written submissions should be construction and industrial uses. These deposits are forwarded to: already an important source of construction sand for the Sydney region, particularly for use in the manufacture of The Secretary concrete products such as tiles and masonry blocks. Department of Planning They are also the principal source of construction sand P.O. Box 3927 GPO for the Blue Mountains and Lithgow regions. SYDNEY 2001

If you have any enquiries, please contact the department on 266 7111. WHAT IS THE DEMAND FOR SAND RESOURCES?

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING

WINNING OF SAND INTRODUCTION WHY WAS THE STRATEGY PREPARED?

Newnes Plateau is a large, elevated tableland about The Management Strategy was prepared both to 100km north-west of Sydney near Lithgow. It is well establish guidelines for the winning of sand resources known for the spectacular views of the cliffs and and also to prevent damage to the environment. A escarpment complexes surrounding the plateau. The number of government bodies, industries and plateau is an environmentally sensitive area with rare organisations have different, and sometimes conflicting, vegetation, untouched natural features and a unique interests in the plateau. As a result there needs to be a archaeological history. It also contains extensive and framework for decision making: the Management valuable sand resources which will play an important Strategy establishes this framework and will enable a role in supplying the Sydney region's future construction balance to be achieved between conflicting interests and industrial sand requirements. and uses.

The Department of Planning convened an interdepartmental working party whose objectives are to develop a coordinated approach to government decision making in the Newnes Plateau area and to WHAT ARE SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY help resolve development and environmental issues. CONFLICTING USES AND ISSUES? As a first step the working party has prepared a Management Strategy for Newnes Plateau, which In addition to the sand resources, much of the Newnes provides for the winning of the construction and area has been set aside for prospecting under the Coal industrial sand resources within the context of protecting Mining Act and there are already significant coal mining the important qualities of this environmentally sensitive activities underway. Also, state forests are being location. Other issues may be considered by the harvested for hardwood stands of timber. On the other working party at a later stage. hand, the area also contains Aboriginal relic sites, areas of rare flora, historic buildings and scenic landscapes. This brochure answers questions likely to be raised about the Management Strategy copies of which are available from the Department of Planning's head office, 175 Liverpool Street, Sydney. It will also be HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE SAND available from the Greater Lithgow City Council and the Department of Minerals and Energy, 8-18 Bent RESOURCES? Street, Sydney. The Newnes Plateau contains very large and extremely You are invited to make comments on any part of the valuable resources of sand suitable for a wide range of Management Strategy. Wriffen submissions should be construction and industrial uses. These deposits are forwarded to: already an important source of construction sand for the Sydney region, particularly for use in the manufacture of The Secretary concrete products such as tiles and masonry blocks. Department of Planning They are also the principal source of construction sand P.O. Box 3927 GPO for the Blue Mountains and Lithgow regions. SYDNEY 2001

If you have any enquiries, please contact the department on 266 7111. WHAT IS THE DEMAND FOR SAND RESOURCES?

The reserves of construction sand from currently available sources in the Sydney region are limited and cannot meet demand. Substantial additional resources will need to be made available for extraction to meet future requirements. CAN THE SAND RESOURCES BE FOUND it is the western limit of the Sydney Basin ELSEWHERE? environment, beyond which significantly different natural systems operate; and There are only a small number of resources which could it is an important social, cultural,recreational and conceivably be developed to supply the Sydney educational resource for Sydney's population. region's future needs. However most of these resources are subject to severe environmental and land use constraints which may restrict or even prevent future extraction. In addition, none of these deposits has the type of sand obtainable from the deposits on the Newnes Plateau. Therefore, as the existing sources become depleted or sterilised Newnes Plateau will play WHAT DOES THE STRATEGY DO? an increasingly important role in supplying the Sydney region's construction sand requirements. The strategy summarises the environmental constraints and identifies areas where sand winning activities will have the least impact. This information is incorporated into a Plan of Management which consists of:

WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTALLY policy indications for the location and control of SENSITIVE AND SIGNIFICANT FEATURES exploration and sand extraction in the area;

OF THE PLATEAU? specific guidelines for site assessment; and

the clifts and escarpment complexes surrounding constraints and specific requirements identified by the plateau various bodies, including the Greater Lithgow City Council. archaeological sites

rare endangered or restricted plant communities or species including high altitude open heath, high altitude woodland above 1050 m and high HOW WILL THE STRATEGY BE altitude shrub-swamps. IMPLEMENTED?

Also, the integrity of adjacent national parks (Wollemi It is intended that the strategy will provide a framework and Blue Mountains) and the natural landscape features for decisions by the various State and local bodies in the other surrounding areas are of great importance. involved in managing the plateau. The strategy is not a statutory plan under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Initially, it will be applied as an interim measure by the various bodies. Following the exhibition and consideration of submissions, WHY IS THE NEWNES PLATEAU Government endorsement of the strategy will be sought. ENVIRONMENTALLY IMPORTANT?

it represents one of the highest elevated areas in the Sydney Basin and is the largest plateau remnant in the Blue Mountains;

it includes major portions of the headwater of the Wolgan, Bungleborri and Wollangambe streams which flow into adjoining national parks;

it has an Aboriginal history which can be traced back for thousands of years and represents a major focus of prehistoric Aboriginal habitation in the Blue Mountains;

it contains many natural features in remarkably good condition; LOCALITY MAP

NEW SOUTH WALES Singleton

Maitland

Newcastle

CAPEREE NEWNES PLA EAU 2

BLUE

, 7—K/ Livqrpool SYDNEY

, Picton 7'eI id

Wollongong 411

N.S.W. SYDNEY - ? kilometres NEWNES7 PLATEAU

DISClAIMER Any representation, statement, opinion or advice expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith but on the basis that the State of New South Wales, its agents and eriiployees are not liable (whether by reason or negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any representation, statement or advice referred to above.

Cover photograph by Adrian Boss CAN THE SAND RESOURCES BE FOUND it is the western limit of the Sydney Basin ELSEWHERE? environment, beyond which significantly different natural systems operate; and There are only a small number of resources which could it is an important social, cultural,recreational and conceivably be developed to supply the Sydney educational resource for Sydney's population. region's future needs. However most of these resources are sublect to severe environmental and land use constraints which may restrict or even prevent future extraction. In addition, none of these deposits has the type of sand obtainable from the deposits on the Newnes Plateau. Therefore, as the existing sources become depleted or sterilised Newnes Plateau will play WHAT DOES THE STRATEGY DO? an increasingly important role in supplying the Sydney region's construction sand requirements. The strategy summarises the environmental constraints and identifies areas where sand winning activities will have the least impact. This information is incorporated into a Plan of Management which consists of:

WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTALLY policy indications for the location and control of SENSITIVE AND SIGNIFICANT FEATURES exploration and sand extraction in the area;

OF THE PLATEAU? specific guidelines for site assessment; and

the cliffs and escarpment complexes surrounding constraints and specific requirements identified by the plateau various bodies, including the Greater Lithgow City Council. archaeological sites

Also, the integrity of adlacent national parks (Wollemi It is intended that the strategy will provide a framework and Blue Mountains) and the natural landscape features for decisions by the various State and local bodies in the other surrounding areas are of great importance. involved in managing the plateau. The strategy is not a statutory plan under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Initially, it will be applied as an interim measure by the various bodies. Following the exhibition and consideration of submissions, WHY IS THE NEWNES PLATEAU Government endorsement of the strategy will be sought. ENVIRONMENTALLY IMPORTANT?

it represents one of the highest elevated areas in the Sydney Basin and is the largest plateau remnant in the Blue Mountains;

it includes major portions of the headwater of the Wolgan, Bungleborri and Wollangambe streams which flow into adjoining national parks;

it has an Aboriginal history which can be traced back for thousands of years and represents a major focus of prehistoric Aboriginal habitation in the Blue Mountains;

it contains many natural features in remarkably good condition; LOCALITY MAP

NEW SOUTH WALES S Singletori.2-

7 / Maitlond

Newcastle

CAPER EE re, NEW

BATHURS/ G

NATIONAL J / ( ) f) \\ Oberon L_ Vnft- mh WESTERN.— Hornsby

2-7/'/ Livqrpool SYDNEY

Picton

Wollongong

CIO

DNEY

NEWNES7 PLATEAUS) kilometres

DISCLAIMER Any representation, statement, opinion or advice expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith but on the basis that the State of New South Wales, its agents and employees are not liable (whether by reason or negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any representation, statement or advice referred to above.

Cover photograph by Adrian Boss