HydroHydro EnvironmentalEnvironmental Environmental ReportReportReport

98 ’sAustralia’s PremierPremier RenewableRenewable EnergyEnergy BusinessBusiness TheTheThe Hydro’sHydro’s EnvironmentalEnvironmental Environmental PolicyPolicy Clean, Renewable Energy

We want future generations to enjoy the benefits of a Sustainable Development clean and healthy environment and we operate our business with that objective in mind.

Responsible environmental We are leaders in environmental management in the management industry.

We are committed to: • continuous improvement in environmental management practices • integration of environmental considerations into planning and operations • careful management of our land and water resources • wise and efficient use of energy • prevention of pollution and minimisation of waste.

Compliance with As a minimum standard, we ensure our activities environmental legislation comply with relevant environmental legislation.

Open and effective We work closely with the Tasmanian community on communication matters of environmental interest and concern.

We ensure that our staff have the necessary Environmental expertise expertise to fulfil their environmental responsibilities.

Reviews of environmental We conduct regular reviews of our environmental performance performance through processes such as environmental auditing. An annual environmental performance report is made available to members of the public. ContentsContents

Message from the CEO...... 2

Company profile ...... 3

Clean renewable energy ...... 4

Environmental management system ...... 7

Aquatic environmental management ...... 11

Land and vegetation management ...... 14

Environmental expertise and external work ...... 18

Contact and feedback ...... 20

1 MessageMessageMessage fromfrom the thethe CEO CEOCEO

The Hydro is gaining increasing recognition as a leader in

environmental management…

The Hydro-Electric Corporation is Australia’s premier renewable energy The Hydro’s aquatic environment program was strengthened in 1998. business. With 27 hydro-electric power stations and a wind farm on An important milestone was the formulation and approval of an Aquatic King Island, it produces over half of the nation’s clean, greenhouse- Environmental Policy for the Hydro. This policy demonstrates our friendly electricity. As the world strives to find solutions to global commitment to the sustainable management of our waterways. environmental problems such as the Greenhouse Effect, the value of Land and vegetation management continues to be an important part renewable energy resources will increase. The Hydro plans to build on of the Hydro’s environmental program. Major land rehabilitation goals its present position and increase investment in renewable energy sources. were achieved in sensitive areas surrounded by World Heritage We will be looking at opportunities in both Australia and New Zealand wilderness, such as the Strathgordon and Scott’s Peak rehabilitation and our vision is to be Australasia’s pre-eminent renewable energy programs. business. Environmental objectives and targets are built into all the programs This is the Hydro’s fourth annual environmental report. It documents described in this report. Where specific targets for 1998 were described our environmental performance during 1998 and outlines some of the in the previous year’s report, we have outlined our progress against steps we are taking in 1999 to ensure continuous improvement in these targets. environmental management. As Australia’s leading renewable energy producer, excellence in environmental management is at the core of We are proud of our progress and hope you find this report useful and our business. Through the achievements and directions outlined in this informative. We also welcome suggestions on ways to improve our report the Hydro is gaining increasing recognition as a leader in reporting and environmental performance. environmental management in and Australia, throughout the electricity industry and in the wider community.

The certification of the Hydro’s ISO 14001 Environmental Management System by Bureau Veritas Quality International has been a major achievement in 1998. Since the first release of our Environmental Policy Geoff Willis in 1992, the Hydro has been steadily working towards incorporating Chief Executive Officer best practice environmental management across all aspects of its planning and operations. The ISO 14001 certification gives recognition to a system that has been developed and operating over several years.

During 1998 three separate businesses were created from the “old” Hydro. With the strong foundation of the Environmental Management System, developed for generation, transmission and distribution/retail, the new businesses were in a good position to start their operations with high environmental standards. The “new” Hydro continues to provide consulting support and environmental expertise to Pty Ltd (the new transmission business) and Pty Ltd (the new distribution / retail business).

2 CompanyCompanyCompany ProfileProfileProfile

Activities

The Hydro-Electric Corporation generates electricity in Tasmania from responsible for the transmission, distribution and retail of electricity 27 hydro-electric power stations, three wind turbines on King Island, in Tasmania. Two new companies, Transend Networks Pty Ltd (new two diesel-powered stations on King and Flinders Islands, and an oil- transmission business) and Aurora Energy Pty Ltd (new distribution / fired thermal station at Bell Bay. Total installed generation capacity retail business) operated from that date. This report covers the calendar exceeds 2,500 megawatts, and energy production in 1997/98 was year 1998 and focuses principally on the activities of the “new” Hydro- 9,675 gigawatt hours. Prior to July 1 1998 the organisation was also Electric Corporation.

Environmental management expenditure

Expenditure on environmental management in the 1997/98 financial year for the Hydro ENVIRONMENTAL EXPENDITURE 95/96 TO 99/2000 totalled $4.9 million. This exceeded the target figure by $200,000. The figure does not include expenditure on vegetation and land management in distribution and 5 transmission line corridors. Major areas of expenditure in 1997/98 included land 4 rehabilitation and remediation, aquatic environment programs (research, investigations and capital works), oil 3 containment and continued implementation of the Environmental Management System. 2

Following disaggregation in July 1998, $ Millions environmental expenditure refers only to the operations of the “new” Hydro (ie , 1 power stations, system control and water management). Expected environmental 0 management expenditure in 1998/99 is 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/2000 $3.1 million. In 1999/2000 expenditure is estimated at $3.9 million, with a decline in the areas of land rehabilitation and remediation and increases in the areas of aquatic environment and environmental impact assessment. 3 Clean,Clean,Clean, renewablerenewable renewable energyenergyenergy

As Australia’s premier renewable

energy business the

Hydro is in a strong position to make a

major contribution to helping the

nation meet its greenhouse targets

Meadowbank . Australia’s international obligations to help address the global problem King Island Wind Power Project associated with the Greenhouse Effect have led to Federal Government recognition of the importance of renewable energy. A program of In February 1998 the Hydro commissioned three 250 kilowatt turbines measures announced by the Prime Minister in late 1997, included a on King Island. They have operated successfully since that date, mandatory additional 2% renewable energy target to be achieved by contributing an average of 20% of the island’s electricity needs and

2010. This translates to an increase in present renewable energy saving approximately 2,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum. The production of approximately 9,000 gigawatt hours per annum by that requirements of the comprehensive environmental impact assessment date. It represents an increase in present production levels of over 50% and management plan associated with the development have also been - nearly the same output as the Hydro and approximately twice that of largely achieved. A monitoring program designed to measure impacts the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority. on bird-life continues. No bird deaths or injuries have been recorded.

As Australia’s premier renewable energy business the Hydro is in a strong Wind Power Feasibility Study position to make a major contribution to helping the nation meet its In late 1998 the Hydro commenced a major feasibility study into wind greenhouse targets. We have a growth philosophy and will be actively energy potential in western Tasmania. As part of that project a detailed seeking opportunities to develop and operate hydro and wind energy assessment of possible environmental impacts is underway. facilities in Australia and New Zealand. is an important part Given appropriate outcomes to the various aspects of the feasibility of that philosophy. It will open up new markets on the mainland for study, it is hoped that Tasmanian wind energy will soon be making a our premium, clean, green and renewable energy. It will also provide significant contribution to Tasmania’s and possibly mainland Australia’s new development opportunities in Tasmania, particularly in the area electricity requirements. of wind energy.

King Island Wind Turbines. 4 Greenhouse Challenge

The Hydro signed a cooperative agreement with the Commonwealth Government in November 1997 to participate in the Greenhouse Challenge. This agreement included a commitment by the Hydro to, where cost-effective, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from current and future business operations. The “new” Hydro remains strongly committed to continued participation in the Greenhouse Challenge program.

1999 objectives 1998 objectives 1998 targets 1998 Progress / targets

To develop and implement To achieve the Programs completed On-going, with a review of programs aimed at requirements detailed in successfully. They are listed the program in mid 1999. reducing the amount of the Hydro’s Greenhouse below and include those greenhouse gases produced Challenge agreement with described in the following as a result of Hydro the Commonwealth two objectives. operations and activities. Government on an annual basis.

Reducing energy losses Development of Implementation of the The transmission and associated with the quantified targets in Energy Management distribution system now generation, transmission association with the System completed. the responsibility of and distribution of completion of Greenhouse Transend and Aurora Generation system electricity by the Hydro. Challenge investigations, respectively. efficiency study by July 1998. commenced in late 1998. Program to be reviewed in mid-1999.

Reducing energy use Development of quantified Opportunities identified in Targets to be identified in associated with Hydro targets in association with two completed reports: mid-1999 review. operations (eg Hydro the completion of “Energy Management offices and vehicles). Greenhouse Challenge Plan”, and “Greenhouse investigations, by July Gas emission study of the 1998. HEC Vehicle Fleet”.

Dean Delaney (Hydro) and Cam Douglas (Aurora) examine a hydro-electric powered car. 5 The following activities were completed or underway during 1998:

• wind energy initiatives including commissioning of the 750 kW wind farm on King Island to substitute for diesel generated electricity, assessment of the feasibility of large-scale wind power on mainland Tasmania, and development of a corporate strategy which supports wind power as a future energy option;

• actions to increase the output of renewable energy from the existing hydro system including initiation of a new cloud seeding program, continued refinement of a sophisticated energy management system to get the best possible efficiency out of generating equipment, and investigations into infrastructure, plant and operational improvements in the generation system;

• energy audits and development of an energy management program for the Hydro’s own sites;

• study of opportunities to decrease greenhouse emissions from the Hydro’s vehicle fleet; and

• provision of technical support and information on state energy policy issues, such as Basslink and the Tasmanian Electricity Market, and Federal initiatives including the 2% Mandated Renewables Target.

Other achievements in the first part of 1998, and which are now the responsibility of Transend or Aurora, are: The Hydro has prepared a Greenhouse Challenge Annual Report for the Australian Greenhouse Office, which covers the period November • an efficiency improvement program as part of transmission 1997 to the end of 1998. system development; The diagram below shows the Hydro’s greenhouse gas emission record • a sales program to convert thermal fuel uses at customer sites and projection at the end of 1998. The increase in 1999 is due to the to hydro-electricity; projected operation of the Bell Bay oil-fired power station during the • maintenance and promotion of energy efficiency consultancy maintenance shutdown of the Poatina hydro-electric power station. services to government, business and industry; and

• an investigation into the benefits of influencing end user energy management (demand side management).

Greenhouse Emission Record & Projections 1998

140kt

) 1990=560kt 2 120kt 1991=768kt Total ‘static efficiency’ emissions 100kt

80kt With measures

60kt

40kt

20kt

Annual Emissions (ktCO 0kt 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

The Hydro’s greenhouse gas emission record and projection at the end of 1998.

The increase in 1999 is due to the projected operation of the Bell Bay oil fired power station during the maintenance shutdown of the Poatina hydro-electric power station.

6 EnvironmentalEnvironmental Management ManagementManagement SystemSystemSystem

“there is abundant evidence of continuous

improvement since the the system was certified

last July.”…BVQI

BVQI CEO Tony Craven presents Roger Gill, General Manager Generation, with the Hydro’s ISO 14001 certificate. Certification to ISO 14001

A major highlight of 1998 was the certification of the Hydro’s EMS is one of the most advanced and obviously functioning systems Environmental Management System (EMS) to the international that we have audited,” they said. environmental standard ISO 14001. In late July all three businesses were presented with ISO 14001 The Environmental Management System has been developed and certification by BVQI. In early 1999 the Hydro’s first surveillance audit implemented entirely by and within the organisation over a period of was completed. Again, BVQI was positive in its assessment, stating that two and a half years. It has an area / activity based focus and was readily “there is abundant evidence of continuous improvement since the adaptable when the “old” Hydro was split into three new companies in system was certifed last July.” July 1998. Environmental Performance Reporting In May 1998 Bureau Veritas Quality International (BVQI) commenced a major assessement process prior to certification. Audits and inspections National Code of Environmental Practice were carried out at an array of sites including King Island, Gordon, The Hydro is a signatory to the national electricity industry Code of Liapootah, Tullah, New Norfolk, St Leonards, Bell Bay, Georgetown, Environmental Practice. In 1998 its Environmental Auditor, Andrew Trevallyn, Hadspen, Creek Rd, Moonah and Hobart. The Hydro’s EMS Scanlon, commenced management of an Electricity Supply Association was found to comply with all requirements of the standard, and in of Australia project to develop national auditing and performance some areas surpassed these requirements. The auditors reported that reporting protocols against the requirements of the Code. they were impressed with the Hydro’s professional approach and the The Hydro’s EMS incorporates the requirements of the national Code knowledge and commitment of individual work groups. “The Hydro’s of Environmental Practice.

1999 objectives 1998 objectives 1998 targets 1998 Progress / targets

The development and An operational Hydro, Transend and Successful on-going implementation of an environmental Aurora presented with ISO operation of the system. environmental management system 14001 certification by BVQI Continued external management system and certified to ISO 14001 by in July 1998. surveillance audits. its certification to ISO June 1998. First surveillance audit 14001. A major internal review of completed in early 1999. the system in late 1999.

7 Reporting Environmental Performance to the Environmental incidents reported to DPIWE in 1998 Hydro Board

The Environmental Auditor continued to provide quarterly environmental performance 10 reports to Board Environment, Health and Safety Committee in March and June 1998. 5 The Committee structure is under review

following the establishment of the three Incidents Number of new businesses and, in the interim, the 0 Jan 98 - June 98 Jan 98 - June 98 July 98 - Dec 98 Environmental Auditor has reported directly Hydro network business unit Hydro generation business unit Hydro to the Hydro Board. Quarterly reports were (now Aurora and Transend) provided in September and December 1998 Low Medium High and March 1999. e.g. Small oil spill on land, e.g. Oil or chemical spill of e.g. Oil or chemical spill of no contamination of surface moderate extent with minor large extent with potentially or ground water. contamination of surface or significant environmental Environmental Incidents and ground water. impact. Emergency Response

The Hydro’s Environmental Management System has a procedure for reporting environmental incidents to the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (DPIWE). A conservative approach is adopted and minor incidents, such as a localised oil spill, are reported.

The Aurora / Transend incidents, reported in the first half of 1998, related to minor oil spills from electrical equipment. All were effectively contained and cleaned up. The medium rated incident was a minor oil spill that entered Browns River, Kingston, after a pole mounted transformer ruptured during the January bushfires. Booms were deployed and the area cleaned up. Soil sampling at King Island Power Station. Four Hydro incidents were reported in 1998. During 1998 the Hydro continued to comply Three were ranked as medium severity. They with its requirements under the national PCB were an oil spill detected during the removal of (polychlorinated biphenyls) Management underground fuel tanks at King Island Power Plan. A program of removing scheduled and Station, a high E. coli reading in the village water non-scheduled PCB waste continued. supply at , and a very small alkaline PCB sampling is carried out as part of the discharge to the Tamar during demolition work Hydro’s incident response to oil spills at . The first two required involving electrical equipment and in significant investigative and remedial work. remediation projects on sites where electrical Contaminated soil at the King Island Power equipment has been stored or used. In 1998 Station was bioremediated and extensive no instances of PCB soil contamination were sampling, including testing of groundwater, detected. A detailed review of the Hydro’s PCB carried out. When sampling detected the E. coli inventory will be completed in the first half of problem at Tarraleah, residents were advised 1999. to boil water while the source of the problem During 1998 work continued on the revision was investigated. Consultants reported soon and development of site emergency plans and after that water testing showed the water supply manuals. Progress will be assessed during the was safe for human consumption. Problems planned internal review of the Environmental have persisted with the chlorination plant, Management System in the second half of 1999. however, and it is being redesigned. The discharge at Bell Bay and the fourth incident, a minor spill of hydraulic oil at King Island Power Station, were effectively contained and cleaned up.

8 1999 objectives 1998 objectives 1998 targets 1998 Progress / targets

Effective management of No environmental Achieved. As for 1998. and reduction in numbers protection notices or of environmental prosecutions during 1998. incidents. Less than 15 reportable Achieved. Less than 5 reportable incidents, all effectively incidents. Nine incidents reported. managed and of minor consequence, during 1998.

Compliance with the Ongoing. Achieved. As for 1998. national PCB management Detailed inventory review plan. early 1999.

Completion of emergency New plans and manuals Work continuing. Objective as for 1998 with plans and manuals for all completed for all sites by target date deferred until major hydro sites. June␣ 99. December 1999.

A review of progress in the second half of 1999.

Environmental impact assessments

The Hydro’s environmental management system requires that potential environmental impacts are assessed for all new projects, and also for upgrades, modifications and maintenance with potential to adversely affect the environment. Environmental impact Hydro environmental consultants. assessments (EIAs) and management plans undertaken for such projects also fulfil the requirements of external planning processes.

In 1998 more than 20 EIAs were undertaken Cloud Seeding for a variety of large and small projects. The Hydro’s environmental management In May 1998 the Board of the Hydro accepted a An EIA was undertaken, and environmental system provides a procedure, checklist and business case to resume cloud seeding management requirements identified. guideline to assist project managers when operations over Hydro catchments in the years These included details on disposal of undertaking preliminary environmental 1998 to 2002. As part of this process an contaminated soil from the site, requirements reviews. This helps them to identify when environmental impact assessment has been for erosion and sediment control, and protection specialist environmental expertise is required. carried out. It addressed the effects of silver of a threatened plant species known to grow in iodide, downwind impacts and persistent effects the local area. These management measures were EIAs were undertaken for various projects, of cloud seeding. The EIA recommended the translated into action through the contractor’s including cloud seeding, a major maintenance incorporation of an environmental monitoring Environmental Management Plan. program associated with a hydro-electric power program into the cloud seeding program to station, the drawdown of a reservoir for verify the expected lack of significant negative inspection, the installation of communications environmental impacts. towers, switchyard redevelopments, new distribution lines, and major transmission Butlers Gorge Switchyard Upgrade infrastructure projects. Transmission and The upgrade of the Butler’s Gorge Power distribution infrastructure EIAs are now the Station switchyard was aimed at removing old responsibility of Transend and Aurora equipment, replacing it with more modern respectively. Examples of projects where EIAs equipment, and improving the oil have been undertaken, and the management containment at the site. As such, the project measures implemented, are described below. had net environmental benefits. The location of the switchyard adjacent to a river meant that there was the potential for water pollution from runoff of contaminated soil during Threatened plant species Pomaderris elacophylla construction works. at Butlers Gorge. 9 Environmental Assessment GIS (EAGIS)– to these data for the Hydro’s environmental a Support Tool consultants, project managers and planners.

Throughout 1998, the Hydro, and The EAGIS will allow users to access useful data (subsequently) Aurora Energy, have continued regarding land and vegetation communities, to support the development of a desktop rare and threatened species, community groups, computer-based tool for environmental heritage sites, rivers and lakes, landforms and assessment. The EAGIS project aims to many other parameters. This electronic consolidate existing environmental information does not replace specific information, collected by various agencies and ground surveys, but can provide a first pass the Hydro, and provide quick and easy access assessment from the desktop, and indicate information gaps.

Drawdown of Wayatinah Lagoon for Tunnel Inspection

An EIA and management plan were completed for a short term drawdown of Wayatinah Lagoon in the Derwent River system. The drawdown was required to allow manual inspection of the tunnel leading to the power station. The lagoon is a wildlife sanctuary and Conservation Area, and key environmental issues associated with the drawdown included exposed banks, potential turbidity issues, potential impacts on platypus, trout and other fauna in the lagoon, as well as public access.

The EIA and management plan investigated these issues, and provided management measures to reduce risks. Input was sought from wildlife and fish experts regarding potential impacts. The short duration of the drawdown (2 days), and previous research indicating that fish retreated to the natural river bed, meant that potential impacts were low risk, and manageable. Important management measures included good communication with the public and concerned agencies, and careful monitoring during the exercise.

1999 objectives 1998 objectives 1998 targets 1998 Progress / targets

Successful completion and On-going. EIA’s completed or On-going. implementation of underway for a variety of environmental impact projects. assessments and environmental management plans for new Hydro projects.

Development and An operational Data sets captured, use of Full development of system implementation of environmental system for various projects, by July 1999. GIS-based environmental information system by prototype being used by information system. December 1998. project staff.

10 AquaticAquaticAquatic environmentalenvironmental environmental managementmanagement

An important milestone during the year was the publication of an Aquatic

Environmental Policy

The Hydro’s aquatic environmental program was expanded during 1998 The water quality procedure in the Environmental Management System and will be a major focus of activity in 1999. The main components of was rewritten and now covers the broad range of aquatic environmental the program are: issues.

• waterway health monitoring program; Waterway health monitoring program • water management plans; This component of the aquatic program aims to assess the health of • biological studies program (fish migration, threatened and exotic Hydro influenced lakes and rivers. It includes regular sampling of Hydro species assessments); lakes and rivers to allow water quality, biological and physical condition • erosion and turbidity studies; and assessments. Highlights in 1998 included obtaining equipment that will enable continuous recording of water quality data (e.g. temperature, • baseline review documents on Hydro aquatic environmental issues. dissolved oxygen) downstream of power stations. Sampling of rivers An important milestone during the year was the completion of an for macroinvertebrates and algae is conducted in coordination with Aquatic Environmental Policy for the Hydro. This policy can be viewed the Inland Fisheries Commission and other sections of the Department on the inside back cover of this report. The policy describes the Hydro’s of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (DPIWE). position regarding environmental management of its waterways in six key areas. These are: sustainable development, responsible environmental management, compliance with environmental policy and legislation, water management decisions, reviews of performance, and environmental expertise and availability.

1999 objectives 1998 objectives 1998 targets 1998 Progress / targets

The development and The strategy to be Strategy complete, On-going implementation implementation of a new operational by July 98. monitoring program of the strategy. aquatic environmental underway. monitoring strategy.

11 Water management plans Biological studies

The development of water management plans is a key part of the State’s The biological studies program focuses on threatened species and fish proposed new water management legislation. This will involve working migration issues in Hydro waterways. The aims are to develop management with DPIWE on a range of scientific studies and community and options which will minimise Hydro operational impacts on threatened stakeholder consultation. Different Hydro catchments will be addressed species and native migratory fish, and to restrict the spread of exotic species. in succession in a program stretching over a number of years. These options will be assessed and factored into the water management Community and specialist perceptions of water management issues will planning program outlined above. be canvassed, and a program of issues investigations designed and During 1998 draft overview reports were prepared on threatened species implemented. and fish migration issues in Hydro controlled waterways. A specialist The Hydro is committed to ensuring that the management of its workshop, involving a variety of scientists from different agencies and waterways is carried out in an environmentally sustainable manner. universities, was held in early 1999 to further identify issues and examine Significant changes have already occurred with the negotiation in recent options and strategies. years of various lake level agreements with the Inland Fisheries The Hydro continued to be involved in the Tasmanian Galaxiid Recovery Commission. In 1998 a new lake level agreement for was Team meetings. The water supply at Strathgordon is being prepared negotiated with the Parks and Wildlife Service. The purpose of this as an alternative habitat for threatened galaxiid fish, and revegetation agreement is to mitigate shoreline erosion problems. In early 1998 the work in the surrounding areas is progressing well. Hydro also agreed to implement recommendations on environmental flows resulting from a major cooperative study on the environmental A highlight of the work during 1998 and early 1999 in this component health of the Mersey River and its tributaries. The release valve at of the biological program was the planning and completion of works Parangana Dam is to be automated at a cost of $100,000 and an associated with the Canal fish barrier. The Hydro has environmental flow established. The annual cost of the latter is constructed this barrier to prevent the spread of redfin perch, 20 gigawatt hours of lost energy, or approximately $700,000. an introduced species, into the World Heritage Area to the west. Redfin perch are also present in Lake Gordon, and a velocity barrier is maintained in McPartlans Canal, to prevent their spread to Lake Pedder.

Works on the flume from to .

Liawenee Canal fish barrier.

12 Erosion and Turbidity Chlorophyll-a values recorded at lagoon of islands studies 1997 and 1998

This component of the aquatic environment 60 Historic max 100µg/L program is aimed at addressing erosion and (Feb 1990) ) 50 turbidity issues in Hydro lakes and waterways. 1997 g /L

For example, intensive monitoring of µ 40 1998 ammonia and chlorophyll-a in the Lagoon of Islands showed elevated levels in 1998. 30 This prompted the development of a response strategy, including an increase in monitoring, 20 works on the flume from Arthurs Lake to 10 Great Lake to allow diversion of water into Chlorophyll-a ( the headwaters of Ripple Canal, and 0 implementation of a new water management 0-Jan 30-Jan 1-Mar 31-Mar 1-May 31-May 1-Jul 31-Jul 31-Aug 30-Sep 31-Oct 30-Nov 31-Dec strategy for the lake. The new water management strategy, in combination with Ammonia values recorded at lagoon of islands good rainfall in February 1999, saw an 1997 and 1998 improvement in water quality. Water diversion 0.6 from the flume has not been required. 0.5 Another example of erosion and turbidity ) 1997 studies is the monitoring of turbidity in Dee 0.4

mg /L 1998 Lagoon, conducted through the IFC Biological 0.3 Consultancy. It is planned to excavate a new trout spawning channel at the entrance to the 0.2 Previous max 0.5 mg/L Lagoon, to avoid excessive turbidity during (July 1991) 0.1 times of spill down the Dee River channel. Ammonia N (

0 0-Jan 30-Jan 1-Mar 31-Mar 1-May 31-May 1-Jul 31-Jul 31-Aug 30-Sep 31-Oct 30-Nov 31-Dec

Baseline review documents

Throughout 1998 work has continued on development of environmental review documents for each of the Hydro’s six major catchment areas. These reports will provide a comprehensive overview of aquatic environmental issues related to the Hydro’s operations. They will be regularly updated, and enable the Hydro to prioritise and strategically plan work in its catchments. A number of draft Diagram from the South Esk-Great Lake documents had been completed in early 1999. Environmental Review.

1999 objectives 1998 objectives 1998 targets 1998 Progress / targets

The development of Completion of the Aquatic Environmental Review and incorporation threatened species, fish strategies by December Policy completed and of the strategies into the migration and 1998. published. development of water environmental flows management plans. Draft strategies completed strategies for the Hydro. by December 1998. On-going.

13 LandLandLand andand and vegetationvegetation vegetation managementmanagement

A major highlight was the million

dollar land rehabilitation

program in the Strathgordon and

Derwent Valley

areas

Tarraleah students involved in the rehabilitation programs. The Hydro has continued to support strong land and vegetation management programs during 1998. Central to these programs have been the principles of full stakeholder involvement and biodiversity conservation. Many of the Hydro’s old construction sites are in areas having important wilderness values, so the involvement of the Parks and Wildlife Service has been important in ensuring appropriate outcomes. Land rehabilitation

A major program in 1998 was Generation South’s million dollar land rehabilitation project, focussed on the Strathgordon / Scotts Peak and Derwent Valley areas. It involved the rehabilitation of approximately 140 hectares of land that was degraded by Hydro construction activities in the past. Over 71,000 native grass seedlings, and over 2,600 native Before tree seedlings were planted. In addition, direct seeding with native and exotic pasture species was undertaken, to ensure the successful regeneration of stable vegetation communities.

In all rehabilitation sites, specifications were carefully developed to prevent the introduction and spread of exotic weeds or soil borne diseases such as Phytophthora cinnamomi. Native seed was collected locally, so that new seedlings will be adapted to the local conditions, and local genetic pools maintained.

Essential to the rehabilitation program in the South-West Wilderness area was the cooperation of the Parks and Wildlife Service. Discussion and site visits were held during development of site specifications to enable all parties to have input into the final results. Some of the rehabilitation works were in, or surrounded by, World Heritage Areas, and the Parks and Wildlife Service provided and hand broadcast local, native seed in these areas.

After McPartlans Canal, Strathgordon.

14 Land remediation

Land contamination assessment and remediation activities continued for sites around the state in 1998. Several former garages, service station sites, workshops and old tip sites in the Derwent Valley were remediated. The works usually consisted of a site assessment and development of specifications, then clean up works and verifications.

The main contaminants at sites requiring remediation have been oil, petrol and diesel, and in the case of King Island, bioremediation of contaminated soil was carried out at the site. Underground fuel tanks are still being removed, particularly from old villages such as Tarraleah and Wayatinah. In some of the Drilling groundwater monitoring bore at oldest sites, scrap metal, drums and rubbish old tip site in Strathgordon. are also being picked up and disposed of properly. Before Land divestment

The Hydro has had a substantial set of land divestment programs during 1998. All these programs have undergone an internal environmental issues review process, aimed at identifying potential issues for discussion with relevant stakeholders. Investigations in the Central Highlands region included archaeological assessments, botanical surveys, contamination assessments, and land management reviews. Where these investigations have revealed issues such as the presence of artefacts or rare or threatened After species, measures have been built into the divestment process to ensure important sites are properly managed in the future.

Revegetation trial near Great Lake.

1999 objectives 1998 objectives 1998 targets 1998 Progress / targets

Effective rehabilitation and On-going. As outlined. Continued implementation remediation of Hydro land of effective programs. prior to divestment and sale On-going. and where required for land to be retained by the Hydro.

15 Vegetation management

The Hydro has been a strong supporter of WeedPlan, and the Tasmanian Weed Management Committee. In addition to supporting initiatives by community groups, the Hydro has undertaken weed management activities on its own land, particularly around workshops and office complexes. A management program in the Mersey Forth region aims to trial different control methods for Spanish Heath around the Gowrie Park complex.

Prior to disaggregation in July 1998, vegetation management under powerlines was an important aspect of the Hydro’s activities. Vegetation management contractors were assisted in developing their own Environmental Management Plans, in accordance with the Hydro’s Environmental Wayne Boutcher, Management System. weed management program, Mersey Forth region.

Introduced pest control Riparian zone management

The Hydro has provided support to a Parks and Riparian zone management has received Wildlife Service rabbit eradication program in increasing attention from the Hydro in 1998. the Strathgordon area. This particular rabbit Weed and streambank erosion problems on population is isolated, and therefore an Hydro land along Brumbys Creek, from the eradication program has some chance of commencement of the success. Discussions were held with Hydro staff tailrace to the Brumbys Creek / Macquarie and local residents, since strong local support River junction were documented during 1998. will be needed to ensure the program is A report was prepared on the findings, and it successful. This program aims to eliminate a identified several areas requiring bank pest population in the World Heritage Area, stabilisation treatment. Willow and other weed and ease browsing pressure on the extensive management measures are required along the areas of land rehabilitation. waterway, and will be tackled over a period of several years. Landholders in the area There is little likelihood of eliminating and other relevant stakeholders were consulted feral cats from the Strathgordon area, since throughout the project. they are spread throughout the south-west of Tasmania. However, the Hydro staff at Strathgordon are active in keeping some control on their numbers around the village.

Streambank erosion, Brumbys Creek. 16 Rehabilitation following construction of new distribution line,

Mt Nelson

1. Immediately after the construction of the new disribution line.

2. Following surface stabilisation and treatment of the site.

3. Initial cover crop adds stability and organic matter.

17 EnvironmentalEnvironmentalEnvironmental expertiseexpertiseexpertise and andand externalexternalexternal workworkwork

Environmental expertise In addition to ongoing training, the Hydro’s Environmental Services group has expanded to meet the demand, both within the Hydro and Environmental expertise across the Hydro has been enhanced in 1998 externally, for specialist advice. A team of 20 environmental specialists through a continued program of general awareness and specific skills provides advice and project management across several disciplines to training. The Environmental Management System identifies awareness hydro asset managers, planners and field staff. Members of this team and training needs for staff having specific environmental are also involved in consulting work for clients external to the Hydro, responsibilities, and training programs are built into regional including Aurora and Transend. environmental plans.

Dr Helen Locher. Lady Knight and Jo Hess.

Achievement Awards

Senior Environmental Consultant, Dr Helen Locher, won the prestigious Environmental Consultant, Jo Hess, won the Hydro’s Sir Allan Knight national Young CRC Water Scientist of the year award for her work on Scholarship. She will further her knowledge of threatened species and the environmental effects of mining and hydro-electric generation on fauna issues by visiting power companies and tertiary institutions in the rivers that flow into Macquarie Harbour. the USA and Canada.

1999 objectives 1998 objectives 1998 targets 1998 Progress / targets

Ensure Hydro staff are Each area of the Hydro to Programs continuing. As for 1998. appropriately trained to identify and implement A review of progress is carry out their appropriate environmental planned for the second half environmental training programs on an of 1999. responsibilities. annual basis.

18 External work

In 1998, environmental staff were involved in external projects in Tasmania, mainland Australia and South-East Asia. Some examples of this work are given below. Services are generally provided through HECEC Australia Pty Ltd or the joint venture between HECEC and the New York-based environmental engineering company Malcolm Pirnie.

Environmental Management System development and implementation

A number of companies in Tasmania and on Christina Giudici and the mainland have used HECEC consultancy Wayne Petrass services to assist them in the development and discussing implementation of ISO 14001 environmental environmental issues with local residents, management systems. These services have Lao PDR. included project scoping, procedure development and staff training.

PCB audits San Roque Multipurpose Project Hydro-electric scheme review, Lao PDR

HECEC has been providing an external Hydro staff have been involved in the Hydro staff conducted an environmental and consulting service to Tasmanian businesses in environmental approvals process and social due diligence review of a hydro-electric 1998 and 1999 by conducting site audits and management of construction of a large power development in southern Laos, developing PCB inventories and management multipurpose dam in North Luzon, on behalf of a prospective investor. plans. This assists clients in complying with Philippines. This work involved updating The assessment included checking compliance the Scheduled Wastes Management Program an Environmental Impact Assessment for with environmental commitments and initiated in November 1996 by the Australian the development, guiding the client regulations, benchmarking the project against and New Zealand Environment and consortium through the environmental international best practice standards and Conservation Council (ANZECC). compliance requirements of the Philippines developing a strategy for addressing Government, and developing a comprehensive outstanding environmental issues. Shack sites project Environmental Management Plan to secure the DPIWE commissioned HECEC to undertake necessary Environmental Compliance environmental and engineering assessment of Certificate. 50 shack sites on Crown Land at Cramps Bay, Hydro staff were involved in extensive Great Lake in the Central Highlands of stakeholder consultation with local Tasmania. A particular challenge was the government officials and project-affected provision of environmentally sustainable communities. Their role also extended to on- wastewater management in a sensitive sub- site environmental monitoring of noise, dust alpine area subject to severe site constraints. and water quality, and ensuring that The project team undertook sub-surface contractors complied with the environmental investigations to assess site suitability and management requirements. developed a range of options to suit the diverse nature of the site.

19 ContactContactContact andandand Feedback FeedbackFeedback

This the Hydro’s fourth annual

environmental report.

Feedback is welcome on its content and any aspect of the

Hydro’s environmental performance.

Please Contact:

Andrew Scanlon

Environmental Auditor

Telephone: (03) 6230 5522

Facsimile: (03) 6230 5933

E-mail: [email protected]

This report and others are

available on our web site at

www.hydro.com.au

20 TheTheThe Hydro’sHydro’s AquaticAquaticAquatic EnvironmentalEnvironmental Environmental PolicyPolicy Clean, Renewable Energy

We recognise that water is central to our business, Sustainable Development and needs to be managed so that future generations can enjoy the benefits of a clean renewable energy source which is environmentally and economically sustainable for Tasmania.

Responsible Environmental We recognise the modifications our assets and Management operations have made to the State’s natural wetlands, and the multiple uses of lakes and rivers in the Hydro system. We operate our business in a manner which takes into account community views and values, and aims to maintain healthy functioning aquatic ecosystems.

Compliance with We are committed at a minimum to compliance and Environmental Policy co-operation with legislative and policy and Legislation developments relating to environmental management of the Hydro’s waterways.

We work co-operatively with other government Water Management agencies and members of the community to find Decisions practical solutions to water management issues. We are committed to decision-making based on good scientific information, and involvement and consultation with relevant stakeholders.

We investigate the influence of our operations on Reviews of Environmental affected lakes and rivers in a systematic manner, and Performance report on our performance in an open and transparent fashion.

Environmental Expertise We ensure that our staff have the necessary and Availability expertise to fulfil our commitments to management of aquatic environmental issues, and that these staff are available to the community and other agencies to address relevant issues as they arise. Hydro-Electric Corporation ARBN 072 377 158