Murra Warra Solar Farm RES Australia 07-Feb-2017
Murra Warra Solar Farm
Traffic Impact Assessment
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
Traffic Impact Assessment Murra Warra Solar Farm
Client: RES Australia
ABN: 55 106 637 754
Prepared by
AECOM Australia Pty Ltd Level 10, Tower Two, 727 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3008, Australia T +61 3 9653 1234 F +61 3 9654 7117 www.aecom.com ABN 20 093 846 925
07-Feb-2017
Job No.: 60516612
AECOM in Australia and New Zealand is certified to ISO9001, ISO14001 AS/NZS4801 and OHSAS18001.
© AECOM Australia Pty Ltd (AECOM). All rights reserved.
AECOM has prepared this document for the sole use of the Client and for a specific purpose, each as expressly stated in the document. No other party should rely on this document without the prior written consent of AECOM. AECOM undertakes no duty, nor accepts any responsibility, to any third party who may rely upon or use this document. This document has been prepared based on the Client’s description of its requirements and AECOM’s experience, having regard to assumptions that AECOM can reasonably be expected to make in accordance with sound professional principles. AECOM may also have relied upon information provided by the Client and other third parties to prepare this document, some of which may not have been verified. Subject to the above conditions, this document may be transmitted, reproduced or disseminated only in its entirety.
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
Quality Information
Document Traffic Impact Assessment
Ref 60516612
Date 07-Feb-2017
Prepared by Dean Hislop
Reviewed by Catherine Vick
Revision History
Authorised Revision Revision Details Date Name/Position Signature
A 10-Nov- Draft Report Frank Jaskiewicz 2016 Associate Director B 07-Feb- Final Report Frank Jaskiewicz 2017 Associate Director
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
Table of Contents Executive summary 1 1.0 Project description 1 2.0 Introduction 2 2.1 Background 2 2.2 Study objectives 2 2.3 Stakeholder consultation 2 2.4 References 2 3.0 Background documentation and policy review 3 3.1 Background document review 3 3.1.1 Murra Warra Wind Farm Traffic Impact Assessment – 2016 (Cardno) 3 3.1.2 Murra Warra Wind Farm Preliminary Traffic and Transport Assessment Report - 2016 (RES Australia) 3 3.1.3 Murra Warra Wind Farm: Flora and Fauna Inspection of Transport Route Intersections – 2016 (Biosis) 3 3.1.4 Horsham Rural City Council Integrated Transport Strategy – 2016 3 3.1.5 Horsham Rural City Council Road Register – 2015 4 3.1.6 Horsham Rural City Council Road Management Plan – 2014 4 3.1.7 VicRoads Heavy Vehicle Maps – 2016 (VicRoads) 4 3.1.8 Yarriambiack Shire Council Road Hierarchy, Version 8 – 2014 4 3.2 Policy and regulatory requirements review 5 4.0 Existing conditions 6 4.1 Location 6 4.2 Local road network 7 4.3 Existing traffic conditions 7 5.0 Proposed project 7 5.1 Overview 7 5.2 Traffic development during construction 10 6.0 Vehicle access and traffic impact 12 6.1 Vehicle access 12 6.2 Traffic impact 13 6.3 Intermodal option 14 7.0 Cumulative Solar and Wind Farm impacts 15 8.0 Proposed mitigation measures 15 9.0 Recommended operational conditions 16 9.1 Vulnerable road users 16 10.0 Summary 17 10.1 Findings 17
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 1 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
Executive summary The Murra Warra Solar Farm is a solar facility of up to 235MW providing 220kV power. It is estimated to generate 53,053 vehicle trips over the 18 month period of construction which corresponds to an average of 115 vehicle trips per day, broken into 94 light vehicle trips and 21 heavy vehicle movements. Access to the development area will be provided by Dimboola-Minyip Road and Ailsa Wheat Road via either the Henty Highway or Stawell-Warracknabeal Road. Individually, this project will have minimum impact of the surround traffic and road network. If built in conjunction with the adjacent proposed wind farm, Dimboola-Minyip Road may need to be widened west of the Henty Highway to allow passing manoeuvres, while the unsealed Ailsa Wheat Road may also need widening and restoration works post construction to return its previous condition. A large portion (over 80%) of trips are also estimated to be light vehicles, while the majority of movements to and from the development area will be truck and dog, semi-trailer and other standard articulated vehicles with two RAV trips to follow the appropriate route identified from the Port to development area. Additional RAV trips for the transportation of transformers will not be required as the Solar Farm will utilise the Murra Warra Wind Farm transformers. An intermodal option for delivery utilising rail to the terminal in Dooen has also been identified although may not always be suitable. Contractors responsible for transport of oversized components will prepare a Traffic Management Plan for the movement of these components from the port of disembarkation to the development area to the satisfaction of Council and VicRoads prior to the movement being undertaken. Operational traffic will be predominantly light vehicle movements to and from the development area via the Henty Highway with infrequent heavy vehicles required for maintenance.
1.0 Project description The project will consist of either a fixed array Solar PV facility of up to 235MW AC or tracker arrays of up to 150MW AC. The arrays consist of approximately 900,000 1mx2mx0.05m PV panels mounted on steel or aluminum racking. The PV modules for a fixed array are arranged to face north, however, for a tracker array, the modules are arranged north to south with the panels tilting around a centre rail to follow the sun’s trajectory throughout the day. There will be a number of seven metre wide graded tracks across the development area to allow all weather access for construction and operational maintenance. There will be a small control building and warehouse / maintenance building at the entrance to the development area. Power from the panels will be inverted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) and then transformed to 33kV and fed back to a central collector point located in the northwest of the development area close to the location of the control building and maintenance facilities. Power will then be carried along a double circuit overhead line by poles spaced approximately every 200 metres. The line runs north then west (2km in total) of the solar farm to the development area of the proposed Terminal Station for Murra Warra Wind Farm. There will be a metering point and some reactive power plant at the terminal station. Power will then be exported to the grid via the wind farm 33kV to 220kV transformer. The project will also include an Energy Storage Facility of approximately 300MW rated capacity which will be provided by banks of Lithium-Ion Batteries. These will be housed in a purpose built building. The project may include some stock proof fencing of up to two metres in height and CCTV camera depending on the Solar Farms Insurance requirements. There will be up to three temporary construction compounds across the development area which will house laydown areas, offices etc. These facilities will be removed once work has been completed and the land rehabilitated.
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 2 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
2.0 Introduction AECOM Australia Pty Ltd (AECOM) have been commissioned by RES Australia to produce a Traffic Impact Study (TIA) to consider, plan for and mitigate traffic and transport issues during the construction of the proposed Murra Warra Solar Farm. Before commencing construction activities a TMP is required to assess, plan for and mitigate any unnecessary traffic impacts associated with the movement of people and goods to / from and around the development area.
2.1 Background The Murra Warra Solar Farm (MWSF) is proposed to consist of approximately 900,000 solar panels and associated infrastructure to be located in the land bounded by Ailsa Wheat Road, Dimboola- Minyip Road, Excells Road and an unnamed road to the south (see Figure 3). The development area is to be adjacent to the proposed wind farm which is understood to have a planning permit pending with the responsible authorities. A Traffic Management Plan previously prepared by Cardno in July 2016 has been used as the basis for the preparation of this report, and this report allows for the construction of both projects concurrently. This Traffic Impact Assessment is specifically for the solar farm, although it does take into consideration the possibility of overlapping construction periods with the adjacent wind farm. This assessment has also been undertaken for the fixed array of up to 235MW option, which would present the worst case transport impacts.
2.2 Study objectives The objectives of this Traffic Impact Assessment are as follows: Provide a safe environment for all persons working on, and traffic travelling along, roads Minimise impact of the works required for the solar farm on the road network and adjacent landowners / occupiers Minimise delays to bus services (and where possible, give priority to public transport), and minimise interference with people’s ability to access buses Cater for the needs of all road users Communicate the arrangements for, and impacts of, any activities affecting traffic. This report aims to set out the requirements and methods required to achieve these objectives, through appropriate traffic management methods.
2.3 Stakeholder consultation VicRoads Yarriambiack Shire Council Horsham Rural City Council Stakeholder consultation with these bodies is ongoing with the wind farm currently being reviewed and comments or conditions provided by these bodies for the wind farm submission likely to impact the Solar Farm submission.
2.4 References Murra Warra Wind Farm - Cardno (2016)
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 3 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
3.0 Background documentation and policy review
3.1 Background document review 3.1.1 Murra Warra Wind Farm Traffic Impact Assessment – 2016 (Cardno) This report analyses the traffic impact of the proposed Murra Warra Wind Farm during construction, operation and decommission. The construction phase was identified most likely to have the largest negative impact in comparison to operation and decommission. At peak construction activity, an additional 402 vehicles per day are expected on Dimboola-Minyip Road between Henty Highway and Ailsa Wheat Road which would require the following upgrades: Increase Dimboola-Minyip road capacity from one sealed lane width to two sealed lane widths on the1.2 kilometre section of road between the Henty Highway and Ailsa-Wheat Road. Local unsealed roads to be upgraded to two-lane capabilities to allow for traffic movement in both directions but will remain unsealed. 3.1.2 Murra Warra Wind Farm Preliminary Traffic and Transport Assessment Report - 2016 (RES Australia) The development of a 116 turbine Wind Farm will require the following road network upgrades based on a ‘worst case’ scenario: Upgrade to the intersection of Dimboola-Minyip Road and Ailsa-Wheat Road Upgrades and widening of approximately 25 kilometres of minor council roads to be used during construction and operation (to remain unsealed) Pavement maintenance agreement for the section of Dimboola-Minyip Road between Ailsa- Wheat Road and the Henty Highway Pavement maintenance agreement with VicRoads for use of ‘C’ classification roads Consideration given to rehabilitation of the road surface at the intersection of Henty Highway and Dimboola-Minyip Road. 3.1.3 Murra Warra Wind Farm: Flora and Fauna Inspection of Transport Route Intersections – 2016 (Biosis) This report determined that movement of Wind Farm infrastructure will require minor, temporary modification to four intersections and that there was no risk to removal of native vegetation. The intersections identified to require minor modification are: Stawell-Warracknabeal Road and Dimboola-Minyip Road Donald-Murtoa Road and Thomas Road Wimmera Highway and Stawell-Warracknabeal Road Ailsa-Wheat Road and Dimboola-Minyip Road. 3.1.4 Horsham Rural City Council Integrated Transport Strategy – 2016 This study identifies that traffic volume on the Henty Highway north of Horsham consists of approximately 3,600 vehicles per day with heavy vehicles making up 11 percent (396 vehicles).
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 4 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
3.1.5 Horsham Rural City Council Road Register – 2015 The registrations of public roads within the Horsham Rural City Council surrounding the Solar Farm are shown in Table 1. Table 1 Register of public roads relevant to Murra Warra Solar Farm (Cardno, 2016)
Road Section Length Type Class Dimboola-Minyip Road Dogwood - Henty 8,460m Sealed NA Ailsa Wheat Road Dimboola-Minyip – Old Minyip 3,345m Unsealed Minor Rural
3.1.6 Horsham Rural City Council Road Management Plan – 2014 This report outlines public road classes and their functions. Based on the use of the road, expected standards of road quality and maintenance are defined and can be used to determine the required works for road use changes. The following road classifications are relevant to the Solar Farm development area: Ailsa Wheat Road is classified as Minor Rural 3.1.7 VicRoads Heavy Vehicle Maps – 2016 (VicRoads) The following roads relevant to the transport of Solar Farm materials were identified as approved for B-Doubles and Heavy Mass Limit heavy vehicles: Henty Highway Dimboola-Minyip Road Ailsa Wheat Road The Henty Highway between Horsham and the Wimmera Highway is also an approved route for high performance freight vehicles (HPFV) however the HPFV approved route does not connect to the solar farm development area. 3.1.8 Yarriambiack Shire Council Road Hierarchy, Version 8 – 2014 These documents define the function of different road classifications, their construction standard and inspection requirements for roads in the Yarriambiack Shire Council: Road Hierarchy, Version 8 – 2014 Road Management Plan – 2012 Roadside Management Strategy - 2006
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 5 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
3.2 Policy and regulatory requirements review The development area is located mostly in the Horsham local government area and consists entirely of Farming Zone as shown in Figure 1 with the proposed solar farm development area approximately
Figure 1 Planning Scheme – Local Provision
outlined in red. (Source: Victorian Government – Planning Schemes Online) The development area is a section 2 use with the Farming Zone (Clause 35.07) subject to meeting the requirements of Clause 52.42. Relevant traffic and access matters under this Clause are to be provided in the application and include:
An access plan showing roads to and within the development area The effect of traffic to be generated on the surrounding roads An environmental management plan for construction.
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 6 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
4.0 Existing conditions
4.1 Location The proposed Murra Warra Solar Farm is located approximately midway between Horsham and Warracknabeal, west of the Henty Highway approximately 32km north of Horsham. The development area is located in the Horsham municipality; however the municipality of Yarriambiack is also partly responsible for Dimboola-Minyip Road, which represents the border between the two municipalities. The development area covers approximately 370 hectares and consists of flat, open land used predominately for broad acre cropping with a triangular patch of trees in the north-east corner. Figure 2 displays the development area location and the insert shows the access to the development area which is provided via the Henty Highway and Dimboola-Minyip Road. Figure 2 Murra Warra Solar Farm location
Development area
Scale 0km 10km 20km
(Source: Google Maps)
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 7 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
4.2 Local road network The Henty Highway and the two-lane sealed section of Dimboola-Minyip Road (east of the Henty Highway) provide immediate access within 5km of the development area. West of Henty Highway, Dimboola-Minyip Road is a single lane width sealed carriageway with unsealed shoulders. Ailsa Wheat Road also runs along the west border of the development area from Old-Minyip Road to north of Dimboola-Minyip Road. Table 2 Local road summary Road Section Sealed/Unsealed Dimboola-Minyip Road Henty Highway –Ailas Wheat Road Sealed Ailsa Wheat Road Dimboola-Minyip Road – Old Minyip Road Unsealed
4.3 Existing traffic conditions The current volume of traffic observed on the section of Henty Highway between Horsham and Warracknabeal is estimated to be 3,600 vehicles per day, with 11% of those (396) classed as heavy vehicles (Horsham Rural City Council Integrated Transport Study 2016). There is estimated to be limited traffic volume on relevant local roads surrounding the Solar Farm given that access is their primary function. Dimboola-Minyip Road connects the towns of Minyip and Dimboola however there is not a significant volume of traffic associated with this movement. VicRoads traffic volume information indicates that volumes on the Henty Highway at Dooen are 1,610 vehicles per day with 310 (19% heavy vehicles).
5.0 Proposed project
5.1 Overview The power generating portion of the development area is to be made up of the following: The development area consists of 1,195 solar blocks A block consists of three rows A row consists of three tables A table consists of 84 panels Therefore the development area consists of 903,420 solar panels. Along with the infrastructure required to mount the panels, there will need to be 40 kilometres of alternating current (AC) cables laid underground, 10,000 metres of direct current (DC) cables laid underground and 1,500 metres of overhead line. Also required will be a building to be used for a switching station and as a facility to conduct operations on-site. Total compound area is estimated to be 66,985m2. These facilities may be constructed as part of the Wind Farm in which case they will not be located on the Solar Farm development area and the impact of their delivery on surrounding traffic and roads will be covered in the Wind Farm Traffic Impact Assessment. A number of internal access roads will be constructed while some public roads will also be upgraded. The total length of internal roads to be created is estimated to be up to 30 kilometres with a width of seven metres. During the 18 month construction period the development area will also require port-a-cabins, a waste facility, a crane, a concrete batching plant, a water tank and an Energy Storage Facility. Water is assumed to be sourced on-site or from the Grampians-Wimmera–Mallee (GWM) pipeline that runs adjacent to Dimboola-Minyip Road. The proposed Murra Warra Solar Farm layout is shown in Figure 3 and the location of the Energy Storage Facility is displayed in Figure 4.
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 8 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
Figure 3 Proposed Murra Warra Solar Farm layout
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 9 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
Figure 4 Energy Storage Facility site plan
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 10 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
5.2 Traffic development during construction Additional to the infrastructure outlined previously, traffic trips are proposed be generated to and within the development area from an estimated maximum of 120 employees working on-site during construction. Although water is proposed be sourced from on-site and concrete also to be mixed on- site, the materials for concrete, road pavement and hardstand will require continuous truck movements through the construction process. The origin of the materials to be used for sub base is likely to be the quarry located adjacent to the Wind Farm. The 18 month construction period can be broken up into phases to determine an estimate for the number of vehicle movements. These phases (and the vehicle types used) consist of: Development area set up and demobilisation (semi-trailer and low loader) Road and hardstand material construction equipment delivery (truck and dog and low loader) General equipment delivery (low loader and semi-trailer) AC cable installation (semi-trailer and low loader) Overhead line (semi-trailer, low loader and RAV) Sub-station (concrete agitator, low loader, semi-trailer and truck) Other - Employee movements, waste, consumables etc. (light vehicle, van and truck). RES Australia estimates that the number of movements during this period is 53,053 as shown in Table 3, which corresponds to an average of 115 vehicle trips per day assuming six operating days per week and seven public holidays. Table 3 Estimated one-way vehicle movements by construction stage
No. of Phase Purpose Vehicle Type Movements
Port-a-cabin delivery and removal Low loader 8 Skip delivery and removal Low loader 4 Development area Set-Up Generator delivery and removal Semi-trailer 2 and De- Concrete batching Semi-trailer 12 mobilisation Crane mob and demob Low loader 8 Water tank delivery and removal Truck 2 Delivery of imported capping for roads, Truck and dog 4,057 laydowns and crane hardstands Roads and Delivery of sediment fences, surveying, Truck 12 Hardstands culverts, riprap and other materials Plant delivery and removal: excavators, Low loader 16 compactors, bulldozers, drill rig Tool container delivery and removal Low loader 2 Module deliveries Low loader 3,005
Generating Storage battery deliveries Low loader 88 Equipment Mounting structure and pile deliveries Semi-trailer 1,073 PCU deliveries Low loader 200 DC cabling, trays and combiner boxes Semi-trailer 250
AC Cable AC Cable delivery Semi-trailer 25 Installation Backfill material delivery Dump Truck 240
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 11 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
No. of Phase Purpose Vehicle Type Movements Plant delivery and removal: Telescopic handler Low loader 8 and excavator Conductor delivery Semi-trailer 5 Pole deliveries RAV 2 Overhead Line Pole dressing delivery Semi-trailer 2 Plant delivery and removal: Telescopic handler Low loader 8 and excavator Concrete deliveries Concrete agitator 20 Switchroom delivery Low loader 4 Sub Station O&M and workshop deliveries Low loader 8 Electrical equipment deliveries Semi-trailer 16 Employee vehicle movements Light vehicle 43,800 Monitoring equipment, fibre, SCADA servers Truck 12 etc. Other Waste collection Truck 104 Consumables (oil, petrol etc.) Truck 36 Light vehicle Miscellaneous deliveries 108 (Vans) Total 53,053
Table 4 displays the number of estimated movements made by each vehicle type, with over 80% estimated to be light vehicle movements and approximately half of the heavy vehicle movements to be empty return movements. Table 4 Number of one-way vehicle movements by vehicle type
Vehicle No. of one-way movements Light vehicle 43,800 Truck 166 Truck and dog 4,057 Dump Truck 240 Low loader 3,359 Semi-trailer 1,385 Concrete agitator 20 RAV 2
This table outlines that the majority of movements will be vehicle classifications which do not require specific access arrangements with only two Articulated Vehicle movements for over-sized components (pole deliveries) which are proposed to use the same primary route as wind farm vehicles. Low loader movements will comprise delivery of containers shipped via the Port of Melbourne which will be below weight limits which would trigger additional controls.
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 12 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
6.0 Vehicle access and traffic impact
6.1 Vehicle access Vehicle access can be provided through the following; Externally sourced materials will access the development area via Dimboola-Minyip Road from either the Henty Highway or Stawell-Warracknabeal Road On-site materials will be transported using newly constructed internal roads or the existing Ailsa Wheat Road Vehicle access to the Energy Storage Facility shown in Figure 4 will be provided by Ailsa Wheat Road north of Dimboola-Minyip Road and an internal road which may need to be constructed extending west of Ailsa Wheat Road Primary heavy vehicle access from the Port of Geelong is shown in Figure 5. Alternatively, the Western Highway can be followed to Horsham before changing onto the Henty Highway for standard sized loads Sub-base for the internal roads is likely to be sourced from the quarry located adjacent to the Wind Farm or potentially the Charlton Quarry shown in Figure 5 if needed. Quarry development areas are Tuckers Hill Quarry (North of Ararat), Mt Drummond Quarry (north-west of Stawell), Dunneworthy Quarry north-east of Ararat) and Charlton Quarry (east of Charlton). Figure 5 Heavy/oversized vehicle development area access route and materials source locations
Solar Farm Site
(Source: Cardno, 2016)
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 13 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
6.2 Traffic impact The key traffic impacts associated with this project include; An extra 115 vehicle trips per day Increase on normal traffic volume however within capacity of Dimboola-Minyip Road classification (sealed local road) Widening of Dimboola-Minyip Road to 6.6 metres (two-lane) to allow passing manoeuvres may be necessary Additional traffic volume on the Henty Highway, Stawell-Warracknabeal Road and Dimboola- Minyip Road east of the Henty Highway is unlikely to be significant. Pending consultation with VicRoads and Council, movement of smaller delivery vehicles which would comprise a large proportion of solar farm movements could use alternative routes such as via Horsham. Subject to approval, movements such as the solar panel component containers could move along this route without significant impact on the road network due to their standard size and weight configurations. Figure 6 shows this alternate route. Figure 6 Alternative route to the development area for light vehicles and container trucks
Development area
(Source: Google Maps)
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 14 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
6.3 Intermodal option It may be possible to transport some of the infrastructure required during the construction phase by train to the Wimmera Intermodal Terminal located approximately 10 kilometres north-west of Horsham. Vehicles would then be required to transport the cargo from the terminal to the development area as shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 Intermodal development area access
Development area
Wimmera Intermodal Terminal
(Source: Google maps)
Only standard sized 20ft or 40ft shipping containers would likely be suitable for transport by train to the Intermodal terminal from the Port of Melbourne. Availability of trains and suitable collection times would be required for this transport method to be adopted for shipping containers carrying components.
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754 AECOM Murra Warra Solar Farm 15 Traffic Impact Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence
7.0 Cumulative Solar and Wind Farm impacts If the proposed Solar Farm was to be constructed in conjunction with the proposed Murra Warra Wind Farm, then significantly more vehicle trips can be expected in total. Estimated vehicle trips per day during the construction phase of the proposed Wind Farm is 402 trips per day (Cardno, 2016), meaning that if both projects were to be undertaken the estimated vehicle trips per day is 517 trips per day. The access route shown in Figure 5 will remain appropriate for the increase traffic volume; however the alternative access option via Horsham may not.
8.0 Proposed mitigation measures As outlined in the Murra Warra Wind Farm Traffic Impact Assessment, to ensure Dimboola-Minyip Road remains a high quality road it is recommended the section of road west of the Henty Highway is widened to 6.6m to Ailsa Wheat Road. The upgrade would be consistent with the 6.6 metre width section of Dimboola-Minyip Road east of the Henty Highway and in accordance with the Type A Rural Link Road cross section detailed in the Yarriambiack Shire Council Road Management Plan guidelines. It may also be necessary to seal the entranceway into the development area from Dimboola-Minyip Road for approximately 20 metres to avoid damage to the shoulder of the road where heavy vehicles are departing. Upgrading Ailsa Wheat Road to a width of 6.0 metres may also be required to allow for passing movements and restoration works may be required post construction to return the road to pre- construction condition. Should construction of the solar farm follow construction of the adjacent wind farm, many of these upgrades will have already been completed prior to construction of the solar farm and it may not be necessary to undertake any improvements. Without the additional heavy transports of the wind farm turbine components, it is unlikely that the road condition would not be suitable to accommodate the proposed container movements without upgrade, however condition assessments should be undertaken to confirm this.
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9.0 Recommended operational conditions An operational condition that is likely to be required during construction is a prohibition of oversized vehicle movements during school bus hours on school bus routes. The school bus routes on the local roads surrounding Horsham and the proposed Solar Farm development area are shown in Figure 8. Also shown is the primary heavy vehicle route with a dashed red line displaying sections of road in which the school bus and heavy vehicle routes overlap. It is recommended that the construction schedule considers a heavy vehicle ban on the overlap sections of road during school busses operating hours. Figure 8 School bus and heavy vehicle route comparison
Development area
Dimboola-Minyip Road
Stawell-Warracknabeal Road
Legend Vehicle route School bus route Overlap area
(Source: Google maps and Cardno)
9.1 Vulnerable road users With reference to swept path analysis conducted for the traffic impact assessment for the proposed Wind Farm (Cardno, 2016), heavy vehicles are likely to avoid encroaching onto pedestrian areas when performing manoeuvres. When road space is limited, it is recommended that vehicles encroach onto areas not used by other road users such as the inside of a roundabout. It is important to note that there are very limited oversized vehicle movements proposed as part of the solar farm, comprising just two overhead line pole deliveries. These consignments will be considerably shorter than the blade movements and will follow the oversized primary route and will have minimal impact on road and traffic conditions.
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10.0 Summary
10.1 Findings Based on the information provided above, the majority of movements to and from the development area will be truck and dog, semi-trailer and other standard articulated vehicles. The predominant goods moved are bulk materials from the nearby quarry development area to create access roads and foundations. The other major movements will be 40ft containers from the Port of Melbourne to the development area. There are a number of delivery options available to the development area which would be suitable for this movement as well as possibly moving the containers by rail for the majority of the trip to Dooen. It is not always possible to move containers by rail so at this stage the options are included as possible alternatives. The two oversized articulated vehicle movements to the development area will follow the primary route identified in the previous wind farm application and will have minimal impact on traffic or the road network. The application will have a minimal impact on the surrounding road network with a low level of traffic and limited number of over-sized vehicles. Contractors responsible for transport of oversized components will prepare a Traffic Management Plan for the movement of these components from the port of disembarkation to the development area to the satisfaction of Council and VicRoads prior to the movement being undertaken.
07-Feb-2017 Prepared for – RES Australia – ABN: 55 106 637 754