EIS 161

AA055995

Proposed western development of South Bulli Colliery

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ENVRDNMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

MAY 1982 RNT D7 ~O m LDNGWDRTH & MCKENZIE PTY. LIMITED. I

CERTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT I IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 77(3) (d) OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT ACT 1979

I This Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared on behalf of the Bellambi I Coal Company Limited being the applicant making the Development Application for the Western Extensions of the South Bulli Colliery.

I The extensions comprise a single inclined drift to the coal measures, ventilation shaft, coal handling facilities, raw coal and product coal stockpiles, coal I preparation plant, workshop and stores, office and bathhoese, coal washery reject disposal emplacement and water treatment facilities. I This Environmental Impact Statement accompanies the Development Application I which relates to portion 22 and part of portions 53, 24, 25, 26 and 28 Wollondilly Shire and an area of the Metropolitan Catchment Area within Wollondilly Shire all I as shown on figure 2.2.1 and 2.3.1 of this Environmental Impact Statement.

The Contents of this Environmental Impact Statement, as required by Clause 34 of I the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 1980, are set forth in the I accompanying pages. This Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared by Edward T.C. I Johnstono B.A., M.A., M.I.M., M. AUS I.M.M., M.A.W.A.A., C. Eng. of 3 Eden Street, Crows Nest, N.S.W. and others as set out in Section 2.5 of the I Environmental Impact Statement Certificate.

I, Edward T.C. Johnstone of 3 Eden Street, Crows Nest, N.S.W. hereby certify that I I have prepared the contents of this Statement in accordance with Clause 34 and I 35 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 1980. I I I

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No.

LIST OF APPENDICES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF TABLES

1.0 SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL 1.1 Outline of Project 1.2 Summary of Company's Objectives 1.3 Importance of Proposal 1.4 Environmental Impact and Consequences of the Proposal 1.5 Conclusions

2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Background 2.2 Location 2.3 Objectives of Proposal 2.4 Scope of the Environmental ImpactStatement 2.5 Environmental Study Personnel

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF COAL RESERVES 3.1 Exploration 3.2 Site Geology 3.2.1 General 3.2.2 Bulli Seam 3.2.3 Balgownie Seam 3.2.4 Wongawilli Seam 3.3 Coal Reserves and Characteristics 5.4 Coal Market I I Page No.

I 4.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING MINING OPERATIONS 4.1 General I 4.2 Underground Mining Operations 4.3 Surface Facilities I 4.4 Coal Transport 4.5 Summary of the Problems Affecting the Existing Colliery 4.5.1 General I 4.5.2 Underground Conveyor System 4.5.3 Coal Preparation Plant I 4.5.4 Environmental 4.5.5 Profitability I 5.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL 5.1 General I 5.2 Underground Operations 5.2.1 Access to the Underground Workings 5.2.2 Mining Conditions 1 5.2.3 Mining Technique 5.2.4 Coal Conveyance 5.2.5 Ventilation 5.2.6 Number 6 Shaft I 5.3 Coal Handling and Coal Preparation Facilities 5.3.1 General I 5.3.2 Raw Coal Handling 5.3.3 Washed Coal Handling 5.3.4 Conveyor Type L 5.3.5 Stockpile Spray System 5.3.6 Coal Preparation Plant I 5.4 Surface Facilities 5.4.1 General I 5.4.2 Administration, Service and Amenity Buildings 5.4.3 Roadworks I 5.4.4 Electricity Supply 5.4.5 Water Management 5.5 Washery Reject Emplacement I 5.6 Construction I

Page No.

6.0 ALTERNATIVES 6.1 Remaining at the Existing Site 6.2 Site Selection 6.3 Reject Emplacement Areas

7.0 TRANSPORT OPTIONS 7.1 Background 7.2 Summary of Transport Routes 7.3 Truck to Port Kembla 7.4 Lend Lease Conveyor 7.4.1 Description of Proposal 7.4.2 Comments upon the Proposal 7.5 Conveyor back through the Mine 7.6 Regional Rail Transport 7.7 Private Road - Rail Link 7.8 Preferred Transport Option

8.0 THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 8.1 Background to the Study Area 8.2 Geology 8.2.1 Stratigraphy and Structure 8.2.2 Seismicity B..5 Soils 8.3.1 General 8.3.2 Soils Developed on Hawkesbury Sandstone 8.3.3 Soils Developed on Wianamatta Group Sediments 8.4 Climate 8.5 Hydrology and Drainage 0.5.1 Surface Water 8.5.2 Groundwater 8.6 Air Quality 8.7 Water Quality

Page No.

8.8 Landform and Scenic Quality I 8.8.1 General 8.8.2 Landform 1 8.8.3 Scenic Quality 8.9 Acoustic Environment 8.10 Vegetation 1 8.10.1 General 8.10.2 Description of Vegetation I 8.11 Fauna 8.11.1 Methodology I 8.11.2 Results 8.11.3 Discussion 1 8.12 Archaeology 8.13 Regional Characteristics 8.13.1 Town Planning and Land Use I 8.13.2 Workforce 1 8.13.3 Transport Network 9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS I 9.1 Air Quality 9.2 Water Management 1 9.2.1 General 9.2.2 Stormwater and Process Water 9.23 Sewage Treatment System 1 9.2.4 Construction Phase 9.3 Monitoring Program I 9.4 Noise 9.5 Vegetation I 9.5.1 West Bellambi Site and Reject Emplacement Area 9.5.2 No. 6 Shaft and Services Corridor 1 9.6 Fauna Protection 9.6.1 West Bellambi Site and Reject Emplacement Area 9.6.2 No. 6 Shaft and Services Corridor 1 9.7 Scenic Quality/Landform 1 9.8 Subsidence I 9.9 Archaeological I I Page No.

10.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND INTERACTIONS 10.1 General 10.2 Air Quality 10.3 Water Quality 10.4 Noise 10.4.1 General 10.4.2 Construction Phase 10.4.3 Operation of the Colliery 10.4.4 Reject Emplacement Operations 10.5 Vegetation 10.6 Fauna 10.7 Scenic Quality/Landform 10.7.1 West Bellambi Site and Reject Emplacement Area 10.7.2 No. 6 Mine Shaft and Services Corridor 10.8 Archaeology 10.9 Energy Statement 10.10 Regional Impacts 10.10.1 Employment 10.10.2 Land Use 10.10.3 Socio-Economic

11.0 REFERENCES I I I APPENDICES I A1.0 Air and Water Quality Monitoring Results A2.0 Leachate and Weathering Tests on the Reject Emplacement Material I A3.0 Biological Comments on the Various Species of Birds Seen in the Study I Area. I A4.0 Results of Archaeological Investigation (Restricted Curculation) I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I LONGWORTH & McKENZIE I TELEPHONE CONVERSATION RECORD Job No. Job Name . . Date . . . 1 From Phone No. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I LIST OF FIGURES

South Bulli Colliery Holding 2.1.1 2.2.1 Location Plan 2.3.1 Mining Purpose Lease Areas

3.2.1 Generalised Section through the Coal Measures

I 5.2.1(a) Longitudinal Section of Proposed Drift 5.2.1(b) Cross-Section of Proposed Drift 5.2.2 Extraction Plan for the Bulli Seam I 5.2.3 Location of the proposed No. 6 Shaft and Services Corridor 5.2.4 Longitudinal Section of No. 6 Shaft and Underground Storage Bin. I 5.3.1 Site Layout 5.3.2 Typical Elevation of Raw Coal Stockpile 5.3.3 Typical Elevation of Washed Coal Stockpile I 5.3.4 Plan and Elevations of the Coal Preparation Plant 5.3.5 Schematic of the Coal Preparation System I 5.6.1 Provisional Development Program I 7.2.1 Location of Transport Routes 8.2.1 Geological Sequence for Sydney Basin 8.4.1(a) Wind Roses for Picton 8.4.1(b) Wind Roses for Wilton 8.6.1 Location of Monitoring Locations 8.8.1 Observation points for Scenic Quality/Landform 1 8.8.2 Landform Characteristics 8.9.1 Location of Noise Monitoring Stations I 8.10.1(a) Vegetative Communities - West Bellambi Site 8.10.1(b) Vegetative Communities - No. 6 Shaft and Services Corridor 8.11.1 Locations of Trap Lines I 8.13.1 Zoning in the Vicinity of the Proposed Development

I 9.2.1 Schematic Diagram of the Water Pollution Control Scheme 9.2.3 Components of the Water Management Scheme L I 10.4.1 Estimated Noise Contours I I I I I I LIST OF TABLES

I 1.2.1 Components of the West Bellambi Development I 3.3.1 Coal Reserves 3.4.1 Projected Demand for Australian and New South Wales Black Coal I 3.4.2 Prospective Export Demand by Destination for Australian Black Coal

8.4.1 Mean Monthly Maximum and Minimum Temperatures (°C) Picton, I 1965-1975 8.4.2 Monthly Mean and Median Rainfall (mm) Picton (1880-1975) and Wilton I (1869-1967) 8.4.3 Maximum Monthly Rainfalls (mm) and Extreme Maxima (mm) for I Picton (1880-1975) and Wilton (1902-1967) 8.7.1 Laboratory Testing Report - Water Samples 8.9.1 Results of Ambient Noise Level Survey I 8.11,1 Bird Species Recorded in the Study Area 8.11.2 Bird Species Not Recorded but likely , to be present in the Study Area I 8.11.3 Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians recorded from the Site 0.11.4 Mammal Species not Recorded but likely to be present in the Study I Area 8.13.1 Average Daily Traffic Volumes, Trunk Road 95, 2 Axled Vehicles/Day I 10.3.1 Estimated Water Requirements 10.4.1 Estimated Noise Levels from Colliery Surface Operations I 10.4.2 Estimation of Noise Levels in Alkoomie Place from Colliery Pit-Top Operations I 10.4.3 Estimation of Noise Leves at Nit. Keira Road from Colliery Pit-Top I Operations I I I I I I 1.0 SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL I 1.1 Outline of Project The West Bellambi project is proposed as an extension of the existing I South Bulli Colliery to allow continued development of The Bellambi Coal Company's South Bulli Colliery Holding. The West Bellambi facilities, and reject emplacement area for the initial years of the I project, are proposed to be established on a site of approximately 100 hectares of freehold land owned by the Company. The site is considered I to be the best available with the least adverse effects on the I environment. The West Bellambi facilities will produce about 4 MTPA of raw coal I which after washing will provide some 3 MTPA of washed coking coal and fuel coal for the export market. The existing workforce, which at I present numbers more than 1,000 people, will continue to operate the mine when the new development is commissioned.

I The study does not include a definite proposal for the transport of product to the Port Kembla Coal Loader because a decision on this is I affected by proposals for a regional coal transport link currently under consideration by the NSW Government. Section 7 of this Environmental I Impact Statement describes the various transport options which are possible for the transport of product. I An Environmental Impact Statement (Ref. 2) was prepared in 1974 for the Bellambi Coal Company for a proposal to establish new facilities on I the proposed site. The report was prepared by Dames and Moore and has been used where it was considered relevant in the preparation of I this Environmental Impact Statement.

I 1.2 Summary of Company's Objectives I 1 he Bellambi Coal Company propose to establish a new mine entry, pit- top and coal handling facility rier Wilton. This is required essentially I for two reasons:- I I * to enable the Company to continue to efficiently extract coal from I the western part of the South Bulli Colliery Holding and thereby guarantee the continued employment of its existing workforce at I South Bulli Colliery. I * to enable the Company to construct a coal preparation and coal handling facility which will have the capability to produce washed coal of adequate quality and specifications for the export markets. I Meeting these requirements is proving increasingly difficult with the . existing coal washing plant at South Bulli and the changing quality of I the coal.

I The background to the Company's current problems and the details behind the objectives of the proposed Western Development are outlined n. in the following sections of this Environmental Impact Statement. Table 1.2.1 lists the main components of the project.

1.3 Importance of Proposal

I As discussed above, the Company is presently experiencing increasing difficulties in extracting coal from the western part of the South Bulli I Colliery Holding through the existing South Bulli pit-top, and in meeting the stringent quality requirements of its export contracts.

I Without developing a new facility such as that proposed here in the western extension area, the Company will face very serious djfficulties I and could become uncompetitive in the export coal market. If this were to happen, the Colliery's workforce of over 1,000 men would find their I employment threatened and the Company would be in serious financial difficulty. I For these reasons, it is imperative that the Company maintain an I efficient coal producing operation and this can only be achieved by developing a totally new facility such as that which is the subject of I this proposal. I I TABLE 1.2.1

COMPONENTS OF THE WEST BELLAMBI DEVELOPMENT

1. UNDERGROUND FACILITIES 3. SERVICES

Access Drift: Length 1800m, grade 1 in 4 Electricity Supply: 66 kV from Prospect County Council No. 6 Shaft: Depth 460m, diameter 5.Dm Water Supply: Ex. Cataract River at the Broughton Pass Underground Bin: 1500t capacity Water Services: Fire-fighting Dust-suppression 2. SURFACE FACILITIES Domestic use Mining Activities use Rotary Breaker: Capacity 1500 tph Surface Conveyors: Raw Coal Stockpiles: 2 x 75,000 t capacity 1 x 150,000 t capacity Length (m) Width (mm) Capacity (tph) Stacker 1500 tph capacity Reclaimer 1100 tph capacity 1090 900 100, 260, 600, 850 Coal Preparation Plant: 2 x 500 tph modules 2370 1200 650, 1100 Product Coal Stockpiles: 1 x 220,000 t capacity coking coal 1200, 1500 2 x 65,000 t capacity fuel coal Stacker 850 tph capacity Reclaim 1200 tph capacity Buildings: Workshop and Stores Demountable office and bathhouse Coal Preparation Plant bathhouse Electricity sub-station Drift conveyor drive house Main Storage Dam: Capacity x Ml. Sewage Stabilization Pond: 35 days retention Reject Emplacement Area: Capacity I 1.4 Environmental Impact and Consequences of the Proposal

The western extensions of the South Bulli Colliery have been designed with the aim of causing the least adverse impact upon the surrounding environment commensurate with the establishment of the mining facilities proposed. During the initial investigations for the I development changes have been made and additional facilities incorporated in the design in order to achieve this.

A number of potential air pollution sources have been identified as I arising during the construction and operation stages of the proposed development. The major pollutant will be dust and specific safeguards I have been incorporated into the design to minimise any potential impact. Safeguards provided include the sealing of access and site roads, early rehabilitation of earthworks and the reject emplacement I area, the use of an automatic water spray dust suppression system on the coal stockpiles and the use of fully enclosed conveyors.

The proposed water management scheme will ensure that generally all I water flow from the site of the surface facilities will be retained within the site for re-use. Sections of the proposed washery reject I emplacement area are located within the Metropolitan Catchment Area. Where this is the case drainage from the emplacement area will be diverted to flow into Allen's Creek. All drainage from the reject I emplacement area will be treated before discharging into the creek.

In the short term destruction of areas of vegetation will occur due to the necessary clearing of land for the development. In the long term I the effects will be minimal due to the proposed rehabilitation program. The study did not identify any rare or unusual plants within I the development area.

An extensive fauna survey has been carried out to confirm an earlier I survey (ref. 2) and has confirmed that no rare or endangered mammal, reptile or amphibian species were found in the area. Bird species of I restricted distribution were encountered on the site but none of these I L I

are as yet considered endangered. When viewed in the context of the I surrounding geography and the time scale involved any impacts on the fauna will be of short duration and there will be no major impacts.

Archaeological sites were indentified within Allen's Creek. These are I considered to be of some significance and worthy of preservation. As a consequence of this the proposed reject emplacement has been designed I to avoid any damage to the sites and they will be fully protected from any interference due to the activities of the Colliery.

I The present noise levels around the site are generally low with the exception of Mt. Keira Road (Trunk Road 95) which has intermittant I high noise levels due mainly to the passage of coal trucks travelling to Port Kembla from the Burragorang Valley Mines. With the exception of I a single house located near Alkoomie Place no other residences are located within two kilometers of the surface facilities. As a result it is k not envisaged that there will be any major impacts arising from the proposal.

U The western extensions to the South Bulli Colliery are necessary in order that mining operations be continued by The Bellambi Coal I Company. The Company presently directly employs over 1,000 people and in order to continue being a major employer in the area requires I increased development of the coal reserves contained within its South Bulli Colliery Holding. A consequence of the proposed development not I proceeding is that employment of this workforce could not be continued. Because the proposal involves the continued employment of I an existing workforce then ther will not be any pressures upon housing, schooling, recreation facilities water supply and other services within I the region. I I I I 1.5 Conclusions

From the work undertaken during the preparation of this Environmental Impact Statement it is concluded that the proposed western extensions for the South Bulli Colliery will not result in any significant adverse environment impacts. The operations of the Colliery will continue to provide employment for a significant workforce and will prevent any adverse sociological impact in doing so.

The environmental safeguards proposed will protect the surrounding areas from any significant adverse impacts. The adoption of monitoring programs will provide an essential feedback to assess the success of the safeguards and serve as indicators of any future need for modification of the Colliery's operations. I 2.0 INTRODUCTION I 2.1 Background

I The Bellambi Coal Company Limited has been involved in mining on the South Coast since 1888 and has operated from its present South Bulli I Colliery, located at Russel Vale NSW, since 1901. In the early 1960s an extensive modernisation of the mine took place including the I construction of much of the present coal preparation and coal handling facilities. I In 1969 the New South Wales Government allocated to the Bellambi Coal Company Limited a western extension to its South Bulli Colliery I Holding amounting to approximately 26 square kilometres. The locations of the Holding is shown on figure 2.1.1. After an exploration I license was obtained later in 1969, a programme of borehole exploration, to ascertain the quality and quantity of coal reserves, was I undertaken which was completed in 1972. This area is now held as a coal lease and is incorporated within the South Bulli Colliery Holding. I Currently the Colliery is working the western side of its South Bulli Colliery Holding, mining coal only from the Bulli seam. In order to I continue to economically mine the coal from its Holding it will be necessary for the Company to construct a new mine entry and coal I preparation facilities closer to the working areas of the mine.

I The main reasons which preclude the possibility of working the new lease area from the current mine entry and facilities include:- I - the long distance from the working face to the entrance portal (at I present over 14 kilometres);

- the existing coal preparation plant which is unsuitable for the I changing quality of the coal and which is also limited in capacity;

I - the proximity of the existing surface facilities to densely populated reidentiaI areas. I I 2.2 Location

The main study area is located near the town of Wilton and lies about 65 kilometres southwest of Sydney and 24 kilometres northwest of Wollongong. The study also extends to include the existing surface facilities of the South Bulli Colliery, the site of shaft number 6 and the alternative transport routes to the Port Kembla Coal Loader. Figure 2.2.1 shows the locations of the existing South Bulli Colliery and the proposed West Bellambi extensions.

I he proposed surface facilities for the mine extension, including the I portal and coal stockpiles, will be located to the west of Mt. Keira Road (Truck Road 95) on Company freehold land consisting of part portions, I 53, 24, 25, 26 and 28, and full portion 22. With the exception of a section of the proposed refuse emplacement all of the proposed I extensions lie within the catchment of Aliens Creek and outside of the Meropo1itnn Catchrnent Area.

The transport options discussed extend from the site to as far south as the Dombarton rail loop on the State Rail Authority's Moss Vale - Unanderra Line approximately 12 kilometres west of the Port,Kembia Coal Loader. Generally the transport options lie within the Metropolitan Catchment Area controlled by the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board.

2.3 Objectives of the Proposal

The objective of The Bellambi Coal Company Limited proposal is to establish a new coal preparation plant, and associated facilities, and a new access drift to the coal reserves in order to economically extract the coal from its Holding. The Company needs to establish these new production facilities to be able to continue to supply coal to the export market and to maintain employment for its current workforce. Three coal seams exist within the area, the Bulli, Balgownie and Wongawilli seams. The proposal is for extraction of the Bulli seam with possible extraction of the other two seams to maximise use of the reserves. Trial mining is proposed for the Wongawilli and Balgownie seams to investigate mining conditions and to establish the viability of extracting these reserves.

The mining proposal consists of:-

Longwall and continuous underground mining of the Bulli seam.

One new drift for both coal transport and materials access. The existing No. 4 shaft with associated bathroom and administrative facilities will continue to be used for man access until about 1992 when they may he replaced by the facilities at the West Bellambi site.

One new ventilation shaft, No. 6, initially as a downcast shaft and later as an upcast shaft.

Coal receival facilities capable of handling a maximum 1500 tonnes per hour.

Coal preparation plant with a maximum capacity of 4.5 million tonnes per annum of run of mine coal.

Stockpiles for both raw and washed coal.

Reclaim facilities from the washed coal stockpiles capable of handling up to 1200 tonnes per hour.

Loading bin facilities for either truck or rail transport of product.

Associated surface facilities.

Washery reject emplacement area. I

I Allowance for future expansion such as a coal preparation plant and stockpiles should the extraction of either the Balgownie or I Wongawilli seams prove feasible. I Construction is proposed to commence in 1983 with full development and production being reached in 1985.

I To allow for the construction of the proposed extensions, Mining Purposes Leases have been applied for a site of 100 hectares of land, I about 4 kilometres south of Wilton. Further Mining Purposes Leases have been applied for the proposed number 6 shaft and services corridor I and for the proposed coal transport and materials access drift. The proposed lease areas are shown on Figure 2.3.1. I Whilst the company is confident of implementing a successful mining venture, it acknowledges its statutory obligations, especially those I relating to environmental regulations. Consequently, the Company's proposal embraces a rational mining development with appropriate I environmental safeguards and obligations to undertake various I environmental monitoring and investigation programmes. 2.4 Scope of the Environmental Impact Statement I Longworth and McKenzie Pty Limited were commissioned by The Bellambi Coal Company Limited to prepare an Environmental Impact I Statement for the proposed western extensions of their South Bulli Colliery.

This Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared in accordance I with the requirements of the New South Wales Government's Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and Regulations. The I Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared to accompany a development application to Wollondilly Shire Council and as u requirement for the Department of Mineral Resources under the Mining I Act. I I I

The Statement examines the direct and indirect environmental impacts I which will be generated locally and regionally as a consequence of construction and of colliery operations. Preparation of this document I has been in close parallel with the preliminary design of the development ensuring that environmental considerations have been I incorporated into the project. Adoption of the environmental monitoring programme will ensure that the proposed environmental I safeguard3 are effective. I 2.5 Environmental Study Personnel The preparation of this Environmental Impact Statement for the I proposed West Bellambi Colliery has been undertaken by a team from Longworth and McKenzie Pty. Limited and their associated consultants. I The principal members of the study team and areas of investigation I were:

E.T.C. Johnstone Director of Environmental Planning, I Longworth & McKenzie Pty Limited B.A., M.A., M.I.M., M. Aust. I.M.M., 1 M.A.W.W.A. C. Enq. who is the author responsible for the statement within the I meaning of the Act. - Air and water pollution, noise assessment, I town planning

D.O. Johnson Senior Environmental Specialist I Longworth & McKenzie Pty Limited B.Sc., M.App. Sc. I - Geology, noise assessment

1 J.M. Parsons Environmental Engineer Longworth & McKenzie Pty Limited I Dip. Tech. (Civil)., B.E. (Civil)., M.W.P.F.C. - co-ordination of report preparation I - air and water pollution I M. Schell Landscape Architect, Longworth & McKenzie Pty Limited B.L. Arch., A.I.L.A. - Landscape, visual study, revegetation and vegetation

I.C. Shepherd Biologist, Longworth & McKenzie Pty Limited B.A. - Vegetation, botany, fauna

A.C. Hodson Lecturer, Department of Biology, Sydney University B.Sc., Ph. D. - Zoology, faunal protection

A.J. Press H ° - Zoology, faunal protection

A.R. McGill Ornithologist F.R.Z.S. N.S.W., F.R.A.O.U.

L. Haglund Consultant Archaeologist Dip. Prehist. (Lond.), M.A., Ph. D. - Archaeology

The study team would like to acknowledge the significant assistance given by the officers of The Bellambi Coal Company Ltd., in particular the assistance given by Messrs. K. Ross, N. Barraclough and R. Clover.

In addition discussions have been held with a number of organisations and groups whose help is gratefully acknowledged. These include:

M.T. McNamara Wollondilly Shire Council I

I 3.0 DESCRIPTION OF COAL RESOURCES

I 3.1 Exploration

I After the New South Wales Government allocated the West Bollambi Lease area, which is a western extension of the South bulli Colliery I Holding, to The Bellambi Coal Co. Limited in 1969 a comprehensive programme of borehole exploration was carried out. Geological assessment of the reserves is based on these boreholes and on the I results of boreholes adjacent to the Company's Coal Leases. Boreholes in the Western extension of the Holding were drilled to the base of the I Wongawilli Coal Seam and confirm the regional geology of the area. Strip sample analysis results were also used in coal quality assessment I for the Bulli and Balgownie seams. I 3.2 Site Geology I 3.2.1 General

The South Bulli Colliery Holding is located towards the southern I end of the Sydney Basin. Within the general area of the Holding the Illawarra Coal measures, of Permian age, dip gradually I towards the north-west with dips averaging .1 in 50. Overlyinq the Coal Measures are sediments of the Triassic, the Narrabeen I Group and Hawkesbury Sandstone. One major fault was proven by drilling in the north-eastern corner of the Holding and has an estimated displacement of 24 metres. Other major faulting is I considered unlikely. Regional geology is discussed in further I detail in Section 8.2. Three major seams of coal exist within this region, the Bulli, I Balgownie and Wongawilli seams. All are present within the lease area. A generalised section through the three coal seams I is shown on Figure 3.2.1. I I

I

I 3.2.2 Bulli Seam

I The Bulli Seam is the top-most member of the Illawarra Coal Measures and is present in economic thickness and quality H throughout most of the Holding. The seam thins in a westerly and south-westerly direction and together with the thinning I there is a gradual deterioration in coking coal characteristics. The thinning of the seam in the south-western corner of the I Holding may be a very local feature due to the occurrence of a drainage zone contemporaneous with sedimentation. With the exception of this area the thickness of the working section I varies between 1.65 and 2.7 metres.

I 3.2.3 Baloownie Seam

I The Balgownie seam within the Holding thins in a westerly and northerly direction and together with this thinning there is an I increasing ash content. Along the northern boundary of the Holding a strip approximately 2 kilometres wide is unmineable because of the thinness of the seam. Throughout the rest of the I Holding the seam is present in mineable thickness, although the I thinness of seam makes mining difficult. 3.2.4 Wonnawilli Seam I The Wongawilli seam, within the Holding, has slight thickness I variations but averages about 9 to 10 metres thick. Of this thickness only the bottom 1.7 to 2.5 metres has any commercial I value. Trial mining from this seam is planned to investigate mining I conditions and to obtain a bulk coal sample for washability tests. The results from this trial will determine whether it will I be possible to mine the Wongawilli seam. I n I

k 3.3 Coal Reserves and Characteristics

I The total estimated in-situ reserves contained within the South Bulli Colliery Holding is 399.2 million tonnes. Of this total some 263.9 I million tonnes are recoverable with 200.3 million tonnes being saleable. Table 3.3.1 summarises the coal reserves contained within the I Holding.

The quality of coal contained within the reserves is variable. The Bulli I seam contains a mid range coking coal but both thickness and swelling number (a coking coal characteristic) deteriorate westward across the I Holding. Bulli seam in-situ reserves are approximately 117.1 million I tonnes with 77.1 million tonnes recoverable. The Balgownie seam has good coking coal characteristics but a high ash I content even after washing. It can be blended with Bulli seam coal to produce a saleable coking coal. In-situ reserves are approximately 74 million tonnes with 48 million tonnes recoverable and 43 to 45 million I tonnes saleable, depending on marketing availabilities.

I The Wongawilli seam has in-situ reserves of approximately 207 million tonnes with 139 million tonnes recoverable. The coal has good coking I coal characteristics but a high ash content and marketable reserves will depend on the market available. Marketable reserves are 84 million I tonnes if a coking coal fraction with 10.5% ash is separated first and 110 million tonnes if the preparation of a single stream product, with on I average ash content of 18.5%, is preferred.

At present the Company intends mining only the Bulli seam. Mining of I the Balgownie and Wongawilli seams depends upon further investigation I particularly regarding milling conditions. The proposed coal preparation plant has been designed to be able to I wash coal from all three seams. I I ------

TABLE 3.3.1 - COAL RESERVES (Ref: 4) (tonnes x millions)

BULLI SEAM BALOOWNIE SEAM WONCA WILL! SEAM IN SITU RECOVERABLE IN SITU RECOVERABLE IN SITU RECOVERABLE

EAST OF CATARACT RESERVOIR 2.2 1.0 21.9 14.9 46.2 33.2

UNDER CATARACT RESERVOIR 19.9 9.0 15.2 7.2 34.0 15.3

WEST OF CATARACT RESERVOIR 95.0 67.1 37.4 26.0 127.4 90.2

TOTALS: 117.1 77.1 74,5 48.1 207.6 138.7

TOTALS IN SITU 399.2

RECOVERABLE 263.9

SALEABLE 200.3

I

3.4 Coal Markets

It is estimated that the world use of coal will increase at an annual rate I of 4 to 4.5% at least to the year 2000 (Ref: 8). The Coal Resources Development Committee suggests in its recent report (Ref: 8) a demand I growth above these figures due to the increasing substitution of oil by coal. Table 3.4.1 shows projected demands for New South Wales and Australian black coal, indicating the likelihood of demand in the year I 2000 to be more than four times present demand. Table 3.4.2 shows that Japan should continue to be the major overseas consumer of I Australian coal, although it is expected that the developing countries in Asia, for example, the Republics of Korea and Taiwan, will purchase an I increasing proportion. A developing market will also emerge in the next few years from a number of ASEAN nations. European demand is also I expected to increase significantly. I The ranges in Tables 3.4.1 and 3.4.2 indicate a degree of uncertainty in the projections but also show the potential for development that exists if the competitiveness of the industry continues with an unrestricted I availability of capital, labour and infrastructure. The Coal Resources Development Committee suggests that in the longer term, international I consumers will look for alternative sources for energy, if restrictions on export occur.

I The South Bulli Colliery produces coal only for the export market. For I the financial year 1981/82 the estimated production of washed coal will be 1.5 million tonnes and this is for markets in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. I

The current coal specification for the export coal is for a coking coal I with an ash content of a maximum 11% and a swelling number of 5. Ash is the material remaining after the coal is burnt, while swelling number I is a characteristic used to specify coking coal. I I I

PROJECTED DEMAND FOR AUSTRALIAN AND NEW SOUTH WALES BLACK COAL (Million Tonnes)

Actual Projected 1979 1985 1990 1995 2000

Australian coal for: - export market 40.4 75 -110 115 -180 150 -235 180 -290 - domestic market 35 55 - 64 74 - 98 93 -133 113 -170 Total 75.4 130 -174 189 -278 243 -368 293 -460

New South Wales coal for: - export market 19.7 46 - 48 67 -108 85 -135 100 -160 - domestic market 23.8 35 - 39 44 - 55 52 - 73 63 - 95 Total 43.5 81 -107 111 -163 139 -208 163 -255

Source: New South Wales Coal Strategy Report, 1981 (Ref: 8)

TABLE 3.4.2

PROSPECTIVE EXPORT DEMAND BY DESTINATION FOR AUSTRALIAN BLACK COAL (Million Tonnes)

Actual Range of Prospective Demand 1979 1985 1990 1995 2000

Coal for Metalurgical purposes: - to Japan 25.8 30 - 36 33-43 35-50 40-60 - Other Asia (a) 3.9 9 - 12 14-21 17-30 20-35 - to Europe 4.6 7 - 9 9-12 12-15 15-20 - elsewhere 0.4 1 - 3 2- 4 2- 5 3- 5 Total 34.7 47 - 60 58 - 80 66 -100 78 -120

- to Japan 1.1 8 - 11 11-19 16-25 20-. 33 - Other Asia (a) 0.7 11 - 18 27-40 40-55 45-70 - to Europe 3.8 7 - 18 14-34 22-45 30-55 - elsewhere 0.1 2 - 3 5- 7 6-10 7-12 Total 5.7 28 - 50 57 -100 84 -135 102 -170

(a) Republic of Korea, Taiwan etc. Source: New South Wales Coal Strategy Report, 1981 (Ref: B) I

The present coal preparation plant is capable of producing only a single I stream of product. The proposed new preparation plant will be able to produce both coking coal and fuel coal and will also be able to meet a I wide range of specifications for each coal. Actual quantities and ratios of production for each product will depend upon prevailing market I conditions. I The proposed coal preparation plant will enable the Bellambi Coal Company to supply a wider market base than at present. It will allow for production of a fuel coal of which it is expected that demand will I increase at a hiqhor rate than coking coal as shown in Table 3.4.2. I I I I I I I I I I I I 11 I I 4.0 DESCRIPTION OFT HE EXISTING COLLIERY 4.1 General I An extensive redevelopment of the South Bulli Colliery took place in I the early 1960s including the basic construction of the present coal preparation plant and coal handling facilities. Many of the colliery I surface facilities, in their basic form, therefore date from this time. There have, of course, been changes and modifications made since this time but because of space restrictions and environmental problems the I developments necessary in order for the colliery to remain a viable L operation are becoming increasing difficult to implement. 4.2 Underground Mining Operations

The current milling operations at the South Bulli Colliery are based on I mining coal from the Bulli seam, The operation is structured around nine operating panels, seven continuous miners and two longwall units. Coal is transported from the working panels to the surface by a belt I conveyor system which presently extends for over 14 kilometres.

I The current balance of continuous miners and longwall units is necessary to ensure that development is riiaintained ahead of longwall I extraction (the continuous miners develop panels prior to their extraction by longwall units). Within two years it will be possible to I operate four longwall miners with a lesser number of continuous miners. Longwall units produce a much higher average per day compared with continuous miner units, (both having a similar manning I level) and so they greatly increase productivity. However, because of restrictions placed upon production by the existing conveyor system I these increases cannot be attained.

I The conveyor system is currently running at its maximum output and any increase in capacity could only be achieved by a new wider I conveyor. This in turn would require a wider roadway in which to house the conveyor because of width restrictions on the existing roadway. I I I

The existing roadway passes through old workings of the mines early I days and widening the roadway or driving a new roadway would be I impractical. 4.3 Surface Facilities I The existing surface facilities at the South Bulli mine include the I following:-

- administration block I - amenities building - workshop and stores I - coal stockpiles - coal preparation plant I - adjacent washery reject emplacement area I The performance of the Colliery operations, both underground and on the surface, have shown a steady trend of improvement over recent years and can be attributed to both higher unit outputs and excellent I employee relationships. The increase in production as well as being a response to increased market demand, has also been necessary to cover 1 the increasing fixed costs of production.

I The existing coal preparation plant is budgeted to treat an estimated 2.0 million tonnes in the financial year 1982/83. This is an increase of I almost 100% since the year 1974/75. This increase in washing capacity has been achieved by extensions and modifications made to the plant within the general confines of the existing walls. Any further increase I in washing capacity could be achieved only by extension of the plant outside of the existing walls. It is believed that there would also be I extreme environmental objections made to any proposal for plant extensions particularly as these would require additional stockpiling I facilities. I The gradual deterioration in the quality of coal as the mine extends westwards has meant that achieving the specification for the current I I I

export coking coal contracts has become increasingly difficult. The I preparation plant has to operate at very low specific gravities to achieve the ash specification and in doing so the higher ash fractions of I the coal are rejected. At the same time, operation at the low specific gravities required reduces the efficiency of the plant and hence some I low ash coal is also carried out as refuse. If a suitable preparation plant were available it would be possible to recover the higher ash fractions I as a fuel coal and overall recovery would be increased by as much as 13%.

Coal washery reject material is currently being emplaced in an emplacement area at Russel Vale to the north-east of the Colliery. I This emplacement area has sufficient capacity for another 5 years production of reject material. After this period additional reject I disposal areas need to be found to enable the mine to continue working. I 4.4 Coal Transport

Washed coal from the South Bulli Colliery is currently transported from I the mine to the Port Kembla Coal Loader by truck, the distance between the Colliery and the Coal Loader being 14 kilometres. This is I an irregular operation, which occurs during daylight hours only, with coal truck movements averaging 500 per day (there are two movements I per load of coal) with a peak of about 800 movements per day. Coal is loaded onto the trucks from the washed coal stockpiles from either a I loading bin, which is filled by a reclaim conveyor, or by earthrnoving equipment loading directly into the trucks.

I In order to meet the State Government's requirements, for the transport of coal to the Port Kembla Coal Loader, the Company is currently I proposing to replace the truck transport system with a conveyor/rail link to the coal loader. The proposal consists of providing a conveyor I from the South Bulli Colliery to transport coal to a loading bin and rail siding located on the main Illawarra line between Woonona and Bellambi I railway stations. I F I I I 4.5 Summary of the Problems Affecting the Existing Colliery 4.5.1 General I The following sections of the report summarise the difficulties I which the Company is meeting in its operations at the South Bulli Colliery. The problems are affecting the colliery's viability and will become increasingly difficult to overcome I should the surface facilities remain at their present site.

I 4.5.2 Underground Conveyor System

I The problems of the existing conveyor system from the working panels of the colliery to the surface are:- I - the conveyor has a limited capacity

I - the conveyor is over 14 kilometres long

I - the length of the conveyor results in high maintenance costs because of the manning level required to maintain the I roadway I inevitably there are faults and breakdowns in the conveyor, and the number of these is basically a function of the length of conveyor. This results in a high downtime and restricts I output.

I 4.5.3 Coal Preparation Plant

I The existing coal preparation plant presents the following problems:- I - it is limited to producing one product

I = it has a limit on capacity I I I I I

I - it cannot recover middlings

I - because of its age it has high maintenance costs and is I labour intensive - it cannot wash efficiently at a low specific gravity in order I to produce a higher grade coal from the reserves

- it is not suitable for the preparation of the projected I reserves which generally have an increasing ash content and I poorer coking characteristics as they progress westward. I 4.5.4 Environmental The main environmental problems involved with Operations at I the present site are:-

- the proximity of the colliery to densely populated urban I areas

I the limits on any expansion of the coal preparation plant and I stockpiling facilities - limited space available for washery reject disposal I 4.5.5 Profitability

I The operations at South Bulli at present are marginal in terms of profitability. The mine has high costs of production and I these are likely to increase, especially as mining extends I further westward. I I I I I I 5.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL 5.1 General r The development is proposed as an extension of the South Bulli Colliery I of The Bellambi Coal Company Limited to enable continued development of the Company's coal Holding. The proposal is for the Company to establish new facilities for coal preparation and stockpiling LI at the West Bellambi site to produce an average 4.0 million tonnes run I of mine coal per annum. It is initially proposed to mine coal only from the Bulli Seam but, should I it prove feasible, coal will also be mined from the Balgownie and Wongawilli seams. An additional coal preparation plant and separate I stockpiling facilities have been allowed for in the site layout to allow for exploitation of these two seams. If mining is feasible from these seams then their output would either form part of the 4.0 million tonnes I proposed for the Bulli Seam or be in addition to this depending upon the I prevailing market conditions. Once the West Bellambi mine is in operation then the existing coal I handling, and coal preparation facilities at South Bulli will be phased out. The activities that will continue at the present site will be I administration and maintenance which will remain within the existing administration and workshop buildings.

I The main features of the proposed development for the West Bellambi mine are discussed in the following sections. The development includes r stockpiles for raw and washed coal, a coal preparation plant, washery reject disposal areas, process and stormwater collection and treatment I systems, administration and ablution facilities and sewerage treatment system. I I I I I I 5.2 Underground Operations Access to the Underground Workings I 5.2.1 Access to the underground workings will be via an inclined drift I commencing from a portal adjacent to the proposed coal preparation plant and extending 1900 metres eastward to intersect the Bulli seam approximately 200 metres east of the I western boundary of the coal lease. The drift will have a gradient of 1 in 4 and a cross-section of 4.5 metres wide by 4.8 I metres high.

I The new drift will contain rail track haulage large enough for the transport of heavy mining equipment and a 1200mm wide I conveyor for coal transport. There is also sufficient space to accommodate an additional conveyor installation should there be extraction from a second seam. A longitudinal and cross I section view of the proposed drift are shown on Figures 5.2.1(a) I and 5.2.1(b). The drift will initially be used only for materials access and I coal conveyance with man access continuing to be via the established shaft winding facility and bathroom complex at No. I 4 shaft. Man access will continue to be via No. 4 shaft until about 1992 when extraction will have reached the approximate centre of the Holding. At this time man access facilities may I be transferred to the new site and the facilities there expanded.

I The drift haulage will be via a completely automatic 1200 kW single drum unit controlled by radio from a "Dolly" car on the I haulage The unit is suitable for both men and materials haulage. Slow speed facilities will cater for haulage of major J machinery and plant such as continuous miners and longwall components. H H I I L 5.2.2 Mmmci Conditions Roof and floor conditions in the Bulli seam of the Holding are I expected to be similar to those presently experienced. Dykes and associated cinder zones are also assumed to be similar in [I frequency and thickness to those found in the existing workings. An aerial magnetic survey generally confirms this. I The occurence of a small number of volcanic plugs is also likely.

The Wongawilli seam is up to 10 metres in thickness but I exploratory drilling has confirmed that only the lower portion of the seam has any commercial value. The roof of the workings I therefore would be banded coal and stone which provide a roof type which can vary greatly in strength from place to place. I Collieries in the area which are mining the Wongawilli seam confirm this with the seam at Avon Colliery providing a strong I roof requiring relatively little support while at Nebo and Kemira Collieries there are large areas where the roof I conditions are very difficult. Trial mining has been proposed for the Wongawilli seam to I investigate the likely mining conditions and also to obtain a bulk sample to confirm the washability of the coal. Trial mining will I establish the rates of development and output which should be obtained from continuous miner units and also will determine I the stability of the roadway roof, sides and floor and the amount of reinforcing necessary to support these. Trial mining I is expected to be completed during 1983. The Balgownie seam is a relatively narrow coal seam being fl approximately 1.2 metres in thickness, however it is of mineable thickness should mining conditions prove adequate. As I part of the trial mining of the Wongawilli seam an investigation of the mining conditions of the Balgownie seam will be made, I I 11

I I 5.2.3 Mining Technique Longwall retreat mining will continue to be the method of I extracting coal with continuous miners being used principally to maintain development for longwall extractions. Currently I seven continuous miners and two longwall units are operating. With the greater capacity of the proposed coal preparation I plant an additional two longwall units will be able to operate from July 1985. The proposed extraction plan for the Bulli I seam is shown on Figure 5.2.2.

It is planned that from January 1982 to December 1987 seven I continuous miners will maintain development for longwall extractions and main headings connection to the foot of the I drift from the new surface facilities. From January 1988 the number of continuous miners required to provide development I for longwall extraction and enlarge the main headings return airway will be reduced to 5 and that number will be retained for I the life of the mine. I 5.2.4 Coal Conveyance Conveyors will be used throughout the underground workings to I transport coal. Each longwall unit and continuous miner will deliver coal to a main trunk conveyor which in turn will take I the coal to a 1500 tonne surge bin at the base of Nd. 6 shaft. The underground surge bin is required for the regulation of coal I delivery onto the main conveyor to the surface.

Coal will be extracted from the surge bin via vibratory feeders I onto a 1200mm wide conveyor which will extend through the underground workings to the drift and then to the surface. The I capacity of the conveyor is 1500 tonnes per hour. I El H

5.2.5 Ventilation

Ventilation through the mine is currently supplied by centrifugal fans at the top of shafts Nos. 3 and 5. In order to maintain ventilation throughout the life of the mine a staged development is proposed. The development involves the following:-

The fan at No. 3 shaft will be removed converting it to a downcast shaft. Additional return airways will be driven to connect with the No. 5 upcast shaft.

The 2 centrifugal fans at No. 5 shaft will be supplemented by an additional fan.

Shaft No. 6 will be constructed, initially to serve as a downcast shaft.

The fans at No. 5 shaft will be removed and reinstalled at No. 6 shaft. Thus No. 5 shaft will become a downcast shaft and No. 6 an upcast.

The proposed final ventilation system will be sufficient for the mining of all the reserves in the colliery Holding.

5.2.6 Number 6 Shaft

The proposed No. 6 ventilation shaft is located centrally above the western extension of the South Bulli Colliery Holding in the Metropolitan Catchment Area controlled by the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board. A Mining Purposes Lease application has been lodged for the No. 6 shaft surface and services corridor. The services corridor will extend to the existing No. 5 ventilation shaft. The location of the proposed shaft and services corridor is shown on Figure 5.2.3. I

The shaft intersects the Bulli seam workings within the main I headings corridor. Its depth will be 460 metres with a diameter of 5 metres and it will be concrete lined. At the base of the I shaft will be the coal surge bin and drift connecting to the Bulli seam main services corridor. Figure 5.2.4 shows the proposed I shaft and coal surge bin. 1 5.3 Coal Handling and Coal Preparation Facilities

5.3.1 General

The coal handling and coal preparation facilities have been I designed to give considerable flexibility in product options to accommodate variations and trends in seam quality and changes I in market requirements. This flexibility is given both by the preparation plant, which can prepare both coking coals and fuel I coals of varying specifications, and also the proposed system of stockpiling which, as well as providing separate stockpiles for three different products, allows for blending on dispatch. I Figure 5.3.1 shows the site layout giving locations of stockpiles, coal preparation plant and conveyor systems.

5.3.2 Raw Coal Handling

Coal will be delivered from the drift at the rate of 1500 tonnes I per hour. It will pass initially through a 125mm apertUre rotary breaker to allow for initial removal of large stone and to protect the preparation plant from oversize fraqments. Reject I material from the breaker will be taken by conveyor to a 300 tonrie rejects bin. From the breaker coal will be conveyed to I one of three raw coal blending stockpiles via a luffing, 180 degree slewing, travelling stacker. Raw coal from the breaker I can also be fed directly to the coal preparation plant via a 300 tonne surge bin. I I I I

The 3 stockpiles have a total anticipated capacity of 300,000 I tonnes, the total consisting of two 75,000 tonne stockpiles and one 150,000 tonne stockpile. The stockpiles will be a nominal I 17 metres high and 45 metres wide with nominal lengths of 195 metres for the 75,000 tonne stockpiles and 400 metres for the 1 150,000 tonne stockpile. I Reclaiming from the stockpiles is by a scraper type reclaimer. From the reclaimer coal is conveyed to a 300 tonne surge bin and then via one of two independent 650 tonne per hour feed I belts into the washery. Figure 5.3.2 shows an elevation of the raw coal stockpiles showing the stacker and reclaimer.

5.3.3 Washed Coal Handling

Washed coal from the washery is fed into a sampling station by conveyor and then taken by conveyor to one of three separate product stockpiles. The three stacking areas have been physically spaced to permit product spreading in the event of I external influences necessitating the holding of large stocks. Figure 5.3.3 shows a typical elevation of a washed coal I stockpile.

1 Coking coal is elevated onto an overhead gantry system by conveyor and then transferred to a nominal 220,000 tonne I stockpile by a bifocated travelling tripper at a maximum rate of 850 tonnes per hour. The maximum free fall of coal onto the stockpile will be 4 metres. The stockpile will be a maximum 20 I metres high with nominal base dimensions of 35 metres wide and 150 metres long.

Two 'distinct types of fuel coal are able to be stockpiled in two I separate stockpiles, each with a nominal capacity of 65,000 tonnes. Coal is conveyed from the washery via conveyor to a I transfer tower at a maximum rate of 850 tonnes per hour. From here coal is taken by two separate conveyor systems to H I

I

d1tht' of the two stockpiles boti) of which will be fed by I overhead travelling bifocated tripper stackers. The maximum ' free fall of coal onto each stockpile will be 4 metres. Each stockpile will be a maximum 20 metres high with nominal base dimensions of 60 metres wide and 150 metres long. I Coal will be reclaimed from the washed coal stockpiles by I vibratory feeders, supplemented by dozing, loading onto conveyors located in tunnels beneath the stockpiles. The load- out conveyor will have a capacity of 1200 tonnes per hour and I will transfer coal to a loading bin located on the southern boundary of the site.

The loading bin will be suitable for either train or truck loading I depending upon the approved method for transporting coal to the Port Kembla Coal Loader. The transport options are I discussed in Section 7 of this report. It is envisaged that each type of loading bin would be constructed in concrete. A train loading bin would have a capacity of 2400 tonnes while a truck I loading facility will consist of 4 bins each with a capacity of approximately 500 tonnes.

5.3.4 Conveyor Type

All coal conveyor gantries around the site are totally enclosed I with spill trays underneath to contain all spillage and hose down water. Adequate controls and lighting will be provided.

5.3.5 Stockpile Spray System

An automatic stockpile area spray system will control dust from the stockpiles in all weather conditions.

The spray system will comprise a reticulation system of I underground pipes around the circumference of each coal stockpile together with above ground pipes located on the I I stacking gantries for the washed coal stockpiles. Agricultural- type knocker sprays will be used to direct water over the stockpiles. Water for the stockpile spray system will be supplied from the ?? megalitre holding dam. Sufficient quantities will be sprayed onto the stockpiles to ensure they remain damp at all times.

5.3.6 Coal PreDaration Plant

5.3.6.1 Coal Preparation Plant Building

The coal preparation plant will be housed in a structural steel framed building clad with steel sheeting. The building, including electrical annex and sampling station, will cover an area of approximately 4,600 square metres and have a maximum height of 31 metres. Administration offices for the plant will be contained within the electric annex. Figure 5.3.4 gives a plan and elevations of the proposed coal preparation plant.

5.3.6.2 Coal Preparation Description

The proposed West Bellambi Coal preparation plant consists of two identical modules which are basically independent each with a capacity of 500 onnes per hour and individual conveyor feed belts. The raw coal will be pretreated by screening and desliming to classify it into three size ranges for subsequent preparation operations. The three sizes produced are 25mm to 125mm, 0.5mm to 25mm and less than 0.5mm. A schematic diagram of the coal preparation system is shown on Figure 5.3.5. For the size range 25mm to 125mm the pretreated coal will pass to primary and secondary heavy medium baths, while the range 0.5mm to 25mm will pass to primary and secondary heavy medium cyclones. Fuel coal and rejects will be produced by the primary circuits, with an additional option of a coking coal, for production of a formed coal, from the primary bath. Fuel coal and coking coal will be produced from the secondary circuits. Prepared coal from all circuits will be washed and dewatered before being stockpiled. Magnetic, used as the separating medium, will be recovered by magnetic separation.

Fine coal, of size less than 0.5mm, will be recovered by flotation methods to give a coking coal plus tailings. Thickened tailings will be dewatered in solid bowl centrifuges and the solid bowl cake will be mixed with reject material to be disposed of in the reject emplacement.

Reject material from the coal preparation plant is elevated by conveyor to a 300 tonne rejects bin. Reject material will be conveyed from the bin to a reject emplacement area in trucks.

5.4 Surface Facilities

5.4.1 General

In addition to the coal preparation plant and coal handling facilities the other major surface features of the mine are:-

- administration, amenities and service buildings; - access road, site roads and car parks; - electricity supply works. - water management works

Figure 5.3.1 shows the locution of these surface facilities.

5.4.2 Administration, Service and Amenity Buildi

5.4.2.1 Workshop and Stores

The workshop and stores facilities are located to the north of the drift portal. The workshops will be for the general mine and washery maintenance programmes but major overhaul and construction works will continue to be carried out at the Company's existing workshops at the South Bulli Mine. Access to the mine from the workshop and store will be via a rail track connecting to the drift portal.

The workshop and store will be constructed of a structural steel framework with a metal cladding and with reinforced concrete floors. A crib room and toilet facilities will also be provided in the workshop.

The supplies store yard will be served by a travelling, overhead 50 tonne crane with all stores being equally accessible to rubber tyred tractor/fork lift vehicles which will also be used for rail trolley handling within the store yard.

5.4.2.2 Coal Preparation Plant Amenities

Offices for the coal preparation plant are contained within the plant building. To the immediate south of the coal preparation plant is a single storey bathhouse of brick and metal sheeting construction. This bathhouse and adjacent carpark is for the use of the staff of the coal preparation plant. 5.4.2.3 Offices and Amenities Building

The office and amenities requirements for the coal handling, workshop and stores facilities will be provided by a building constructed to the south of the drift portal.

5.4.2.4 Provision for Future Buildings

Provision has been made within the site plan for the future construction of an administration and amenities building. By about 1992, at the projected extraction rates, the approximate centre of the Holding will have been reached. At this point it will be feasible to transfer the mine's man access from the existing facilities at No. 4 shaft to the proposed West Bellambi site. Should this transfer occur then the additional offices and amenities will be constructed.

5.4.3 Roadworks

The road system around the pit-top area is shown on Figure

I 5.3.1. Generally the roads consist of an access road from Mt. Kiera Road leading to the workshop offices and car-park and I from here roads connecting to the various components of the colliery.

The roads and car-parks generally will be sealed with kerbing and guttering and underground drainage. Access roads to the holding dam, irrigation areas and the refuse emplacement area will be sealed but will be constructed without kerbs and gutters.

5.4.4 Electricity Supply

The electricity supply will be from an existing 661

into the supply will 1)0 mode ot ?? ond from hero u trui isi nissi 011 line will extend to the proposed West Bellambi site.

5.4.5 Water Management

5.4.5.1 General

The philosophy of the water management scheme and details of its operation are given in Section 9.2. This section of the report sets out the broad principles of the collection systernn and the major components only. The main aim of the scheme has been to recycle water wherever this is possible.

5.4.5.2 Potable Water

Water will be pumped from the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board Weir at Broughton Pass. The water will be pumped to a reservoir situated in the south-east corner of the site.

The reservoir will consist of two concrete tanks. A large tank at ground level will provide the main storage capacity. Adjacent to the large tank will be a small elevated tank to act as a head tank for the surface facilities.

5.4.5.3 Plant Water Supply

Make-up water for the coal preparation plant will be supplied from the ? megalitre storage dam whenever possible. Should this dam be dry then plant make-up water will come from the main supply line from Broughton Weir. 5.4.5.4 Fire Fighting Services

The pit-top fire protection main will form part of the main site ring main which also will be used for dust suppression on the stockpiles. Fire hydrants will be installed in acccordance with Ordinance 70. The normal pump for the fire services will be an electric pump but, in the event of failure of the electric pump, there will be automatic changeover to diesel generation.

5.4.5.5 Stormwater - Pit Top Area

The new pit top site lies within the upper catchment of Allen's Creek and hence is a separate catchment without any necessity to divert any stormwater flows around the site. The site has been divided into designated "clean" and "dirty" areas each with separate collection and reticulation systems.

Runoff from designated clean areas of the site will be directed via surface drains and in-ground pipework to the storage dam. Overflow from the storage dam will be via a floating off take which controls the flow to a filter dam which drains into Aliens Creek.

The remainder of the site consists of "dirty" run-off areas. The dirty run-off areas have been further divided into two separate areas. One area consists of stormwater contaminated by coal dust only which is taken to the stockpile grit trap before flowing to the storage dam. The other area consists of stormwater contaminated by coal dust and oil which is taken to the workshop grit trap and then passes through an oil separation system.

5.4.5.6 Process Water

hDirtyu process water arises from two sources. These are:-

Washdown water from the workshop and store area.

Washdown water from the coal preparation plant building.

Both sources of contaminated water will be taken to the workshop grit trap and from here pass through an oil separator.

5.4.5.7 Sewage

Sewage will be treated in two ways. Effluent from all toilets will be 'treated by disposal into a septic system, and bathwater will be treated by retention.

All bathwater and waste water from sinks and the like will initially pass through grit traps before flowing, by either gravity lines or pumped lines, into lagoons with a nominal retention period of 35 days. After maturation the lagoon water will be disposed of by spray irrigation onto the areas being rehabilitated as part of the reject emplacement.

Should man-access facilities be transferred to the site then all sources of domestic waste water will be collected into sumps from where they will be pumped to an extended aeration sewage treatment plant. Overflow from the sewage treatment plant will be into twin lagoons of earth construction. The primary lagoon will have a nominal three-day retention period and the secondary lagoon will have a nominal twelve- day retention period. After maturation the water will be disposed of by spray irrigation.

5.5 Washery Reject Emplacement

5.6 Construction

Figure 5.6.1 shows the provisional development program for the western extensions of the South Bulli Colliery. A target date for the commissioning of the facilities has been set at July 1985 and this does not include any allowance for significant delays. The major factors which affect this schedule are:-

- The Environmental Impact Statement, Development Approval and Mining Purpose Lease approval which need to be obtained and approved by the end of December 1982.

- Commencement of site construction by January 1983.

- Commencement of the installation of underground conveyors by the start of April 1984.

- A decision to be obtained for the method of transport of product coal to the Port Kembla Coal Loader.

The construction workforce will range from 120 to 170 men over the period of the construction activities. This does not include an allowance for the construction of a transport link. The workforce will be recruited locally and it is not envisaged that a construction camp will be required. I

6.0 ALTERNATIVES

6.1 Remaining at the Existing Site

The continuation of the existing South Bulli Colliery surface facilities I at Russel Vale is one alternative to the development of the proposed West Bellambi site. The situation of the current South Bulli operation is I that an increased output is required to compensate for rising fixed costs. To attain this increased output some development must occur at the Colliery. However the problems in developing the existing site I make this option unsuitable for both economic and environmental i reasons. The major restrictions preventing an increased output from the present I site are:- I 1. the underground conveyor system has reached the limits of its capacity and this cannot be increased because of restrictions upon underground roadway size and the impracticality of driving new I roadways.

2. the lack of surface area on the existing site to allow for expansion of the coal handling and coal preparation facilities.

). the age of the existing coal preparation plant and its inability to wash the projected coal reserves.

4. the proximity of the colliery to densely populated urban areas I which would provide significant environmental problems for any expansion proposals.

Current projects show that unless the move is made to the West I Bellambi site, the economic life of South Bulli Colliery is between three and e iqh t years. I I I I I 6.2 Site Selection The possible locations for the extensions of the South Bulli Mine are I restricted because of the location of the South Bulli Colliery Holding beneath the Metropolitan Catchment. Area. Whilst some mining operations can be located with the Catchment Area, by the imposition I of certain safeguards, operations involving potential contaminents to the degree interred by coal preparation are virtually unacceptable. An I off-catchment site is therefore preferred and the closest option is the I proposed site south of Wilton. The site chosen for the site of the proposed extensions had to:- I permit the construction of the proposed extensions. I be large enough to hold the coal handling, coal preparation and coal I stockpile areas. allow for a reject emplacement area within a short distance of the I site.

I enable the proposed development of the underground mining operations to occur. I be able to be developed in an environmentally satisfactory manner.

I The proposed site fulfills all these requirements. It is reasonably flat and no undue ground problems are expected during construction. The U site is large enough to accommodate all the requirements for the extensions and also allows for the development of a reject emplacement I area to the north. I Several locations were considered for the location of the drift portal. The locations considered were within the Catchment Area and from here coal was to be conveyed to the stockpiling facilities via overland I conveyor. The adopted proposal has the drift portal located on the eastern boundary of the selected site which has the advantage of I locating all the proposed surface facilities within the one area. I 6.3 Reject Emplacement Areas

The requirements for reject emplacement areas are:-

the site should be close to the site.

transport of reject material should not intrude upon public roads.

the site should be capable of being developed with minimal adverse effects upon the environment of the area.

the site should provide safe foundations for the construction of an emplacement.

the final landform of the emplacement should not intrude upon the surrounding landscape and should be able to be re-used after emplacement has finished.

The selected northern emplacement area fulfills all these requirements.

To the north of the West Bellambi site there exist several small valleys, currently used for farmland, which are suitable for use as reject emplacement areas. However they offer no particular advantages over the selected site and have the disadvantage of resulting in a spread of the activities of the Colliery.

The proposed southern emplacement area, although it lies within the Metropolitan Catchment Area, is capable of being developed to fulfill the emplacement area requirements. Should the proposed development occur then it is not envisaged that this area will be required unless extraction occurs from the Balgownie or Wongawilli seams. I I 7.0 TRANSPORT OPTIONS I 7.1 Background The construction of the South Bulli Colliery extensions requires a I suitable transport route to take coal from the site to the export facilities at the Port Kembla coal loader. The Government has directed that road transport of coal to the Port Kembla coal loader be restricted I to 2 million tonnes per annum in the short term with the final aim being to eliminate all road transport. With this aim in mind The Bellambi I Coal Company has investigated several possible transport links I connecting the West Bellambi facilities to the Port Kembla coal loader. The aim of this part of the report is not to provide a comprehensive I environmental study of these transport links but only to describe the various options. The final selection of a transport route depends upon Goverment action regarding a regional coal transport route. Once a I decision has been reached then an environmental impact study for the k transport routes can be made, should 1 t be required. The Company is proposing to have the West Bellambi facilities in I production by the middle of 1985. A decision upon the final transport route would affect this proposal if it were not possible to program I construction of the route in time to meet this schedule. I 7.2 Summary of Transport Routes

Several options of transporting coal from the West Bellambi site are I possible. These are:-

I Via truck to Port Kembla.

I A conveyor system from a terminal near Wilton to the Port Kembla Coal Loader proposed by the Lend Lease Corporation.

I 5. Via conveyor back through the mine workings to a proposed 1 conveyor link to the main Illawarra Railway 1_inc. I

I 4. A regional rail transport link from Maldon to the Unanderra - Moss I Vale line at Dombarton.

5. A private road link to the Unanderra - Moss Vale rail line at Dombarton. I These transport routes are discussed in more detail in the following sections and are illustrated on Figure 7.2.1. I

7.3 Truck to Port Kembla

The proposed West Bellambi site is adjacent to the Mt. Keira Road I which is presently utilised as part of the route for coal transport between the Burragorang Valley mines and the Port Kembla Coal I Loader. However because of the New South Wales Government's declared policy of limiting the amount of coal carried on road to the Coal Loader the transport of coal via truck on public routes is not a I posible option for The Bellambi Coal Company. It has been included in this report because it is an economically viable method of transporting I coal to the Loader.

7.4 Lend Lease Conveyor

I 7.4.1 Description of Proposal

The description of the conveyor system contained in this section I is a summary of the information contained in a document I prepared by the Lend Lease Corporation Ltd. (Ref: 7). The Lend Lease Corporation have proposed the construction of I a conveyor system from a terminal near Wilton to the Port Kembla Coal Loader to act as a regional coal transport I system. The conveyor would be able to handle up to 15 million tonnes per annum initially, with a capability of being uprated at 1 a later date. I I I

The conveyor receival terminal would initially be able to accept I and dispatch 12 discrete products with the capability of being uprated to handle more as additional mines come into I production. Transport of coal to the terminal would be either by truck or by a combination of truck and rail. Transport by I rail requires the construction of a rail link between Maldon and the terminal.

I From the terminal the conveyor would extend overland, across the Metropolitan Catchment Area parallel to the Mt. Keira I Road to a transfer station located above the Illawarra escarpment. There are two preferred locations for the Transfer H Station, "Arigle Creek" and "Mini-Hollow", the selection of which depends upon the route selected from the escarpment top I to the Coal Loader. There are three possible routes from the escarpment top to the Port.

I These are:-

I Through a tunnel extending from Angels Creek to a I receival station located adjacent to the Coal Loader. Southwards from Angels Creek along the escarpment to I O'Briens Cap and then eastward to the port. The conveyor will generally be installed on the surface but would have a I section installed underground where it passe's through residential areas.

I From "Mini-Hollow" the conveyor would head down the escarpment heading generally eastwards to the vicinity I Towradgi railway station before turning and heading southwards to the Coal Loader. Construction would involve I a combination of surface and underground conveyors. I I I The preferred conveyor system is via surface conveyor from the terminal to a transfer station at Angel Creek and then by conveyor in a tunnel to the Coal Loader. This option is preferred because it is the most direct route to the loader which is the most efficient system for the construction and operation of conveyors. Construction of a tunnel from the top of the escarpment to the Loader also eliminates the environmental and social problems associated with constructing a conveyor system on the escarpment face and through the residential areas of Wollongong.

7.4.2 Comments upon the Proposal

Although the concept is considered technically feasible within the application of known and proven technology, a significant I quantity of additional data would have to be collected and I evaluated before the concept could be engineered in detail and a final commercial appraisal made (Ref: 7).

The tunneling operation required to pass the conveyor from the Illawarra escarpment plateau and under the City of Wollongong I to the Loader can only be accomplished at high capital cost if technically feasible. Such a condition must reflect in high transport costs to the users (Ref: 4). I

The conveyor system would not be owned and/or coitrollad by I the Government or the Coal Industry which is not considered desirable (Ref: 4).

7.5 Conveyor Back through the Mine

The current mode of transport of coal to the Port Kembla Loader from the existing South Bulli facilities is via truck. At the present time I there is a proposal to replace trucking of coal with a conveyor system connecting the existing mine to a new rail loading bin on the Main I Illawarra railway line. Following a public inquiry into this proposed I I I

development in October 1981, development consent has now been I issued. Should this conveyor and rail loading bin be constructed, it would be feasible to transport washed coal from the West Bellambi Coal I Preparation Plant through the underground mine workings to the existing site to connect into the proposed connection to rail.

This proposal would entail the construction of a new conveyor link

approximately 23 kilometres in length, from the West Bellambi site to I the existing South Bulli mine. The conveyor link would require stockpiling facilities at the existing South Bulli mine and would operate I up to 24 hours a day.

The construction of the conveyor link, through the underground workings, would mean that The Bellambi Coal Company would not be able to participate in the use of any subsequent regional coal transport

system.

Because the future economic viability of the South Bulli colliery depends on an increase in output, to effect mining costs and the capital required to develop the West Bellambi site, it follows that the proposed rail link would need to handle substantially increased tonnages to those projected in the original development application and accordingly would require a further Environmental Impact Statement and development

consent.

76 Regional Rail Transport

The NSW Government is currently sponsoring the Port Kembla Transportation Task Force which is investigating a Regional Transport Scheme for coal from the Southwestern and Western coalfields. One option for this scheme is for a rail link between the main southern railway at Maldon and the Unanderra - Moss Vale railway at Dombarton.

The rail link has been proposed after investigation by The Bellambi Coal Company and its consultants and the State Rail Authority and has been iieloctod after consideration of other possible rail links between Maldon and the Unanderra - Moss Vale rail line. I

I Connection of the West Bellambi facilities would be via a balloon loop directly onto the rail link which then heads south through the r Metropolitan Catchment Area. From the West Bellambi loading facility the proposed rail link heads southwards to cross the Cordeaux River on I a high level bridge. From here the line continues south along a ridge for approximately 7 kilometres and then runs for a further 10 kilometres along a south east ridge generally following the route of fire road No. I 6A. The line then turns east towards the Dombarton Loop including passing through a tunnel approximately 2.7 kilometres long. The lower I portal of the tunnel is located approximately 800 metres above the Dombarton crossing ioop and from here the line would continue parallel I to the existing line before connecting into the main line at Dombarton. The three sidings at Dombarton require lengthening to accommodate LI coal trains and it is possible to do this.

The total length of the proposed rail link from Maldon to Port Kembla is I approximately 49 km and comprises: (Ref. 5).

I 1. Main South Line to West Bellambi facilities: 11 km of new I construction West Bellambi to Moss Vale Line: 24 km of new construction I r Moss Vale Line: 14 km of existing construction The link would initially consist of a single line section with crossing loops at 10 kilometre spacings. Assuming trains with a net capacity of I 2,300 tonnes this would provide a capacity of 21 milllion tonnes per annum (Ref. 5). The Maldon to the upper portal of the tunnel section of I the line could be duplicated at a later date and this would give a capacity greater than any current projected coal traffic demand (Ref. I 5). I I I As a regional link the proposed rail transport corridor has the following advantages.

It provides a minimum length haul link between the Southwestern and Western coalfields and Port Kembla.

Stockpiles will only be required at mine sites and the Port Kembla Coal Loader.

It provides a single transport mode to Port Kembla for mines with rail access.

It by-passes major urban centres.

It provides an alternative rail link to the Illawarra line and could also be used for commodities other than coal.

Construction of the line can proceed in stages and can ultimately be upgraded in total capacity by line duplication.

The opportunity exists for joint financing of the link by government and industry.

No visually intrusive works will be required on the Illawarra e scar p uric n t.

It provides an opportunity to divert some of the projected coal traffic from the Sydney Metropolitan area and the Illawarra Line.

7.7 Private Road - Rail Link

The private road - rail link would consist of a truck loading facility at the West Bellambi site and a private road through the Metropolitan I Catchment Area to a rail loading facility located at Dombarton. The proposed road heads south from the site, crossing the Cordeaux River by I a low level culvert. From hero iheroad would rio to a ridge und than I I

I

head generally southwards, along the ridge, to connect into fire road I No. 6B. From here the road would utilize existing fire roads Nos. 6B, 6 and 6A to near the top of the escarpment above the Dombarton loop. I These fire roads would be upgraded to enable coal trucks to utlize them. I There are several options for transporting coal from the top of the escarpment down to the Dombarton Loop. These are:-

(a) from a gully above Dombarton and behind the escarpment, a drift would be driven to the base of the cliffs. The haul road would I deliver the coal to the top of the drift which would also contain a coal storage bin at its base. From the bin coal would be delivered I by conveyor to the Dombarton loading facility.

I (b) from a similar location atop the escarpment, the coal would be transferred to the Dombarton site via a chute system external to the cliff face.

(c) the haul road would be extended north along the escarpment to I the Kembla Lookout area and then down the escarpment along reconstructed existing trails to the Dombarton site. I (d) as with (c), the haul road would extend to the Kembla l_ookout I area. From here, the coal would be transported down the escarpment by a conveyor system to the Dombarton area.

These four options are shown on Figure 7.2.1.

I At the Dombarton Loop a new siding and a rail loading bin would be constructed. With options (b), (c) and (d), coal stockpiling facilities I would be required either on top of the escarpment or adjacent to the rail loading facility.

The preferred option would be the construction of a drift located in a gully behind the escarpment overlooking the Dombarton Loop. This I option has the least impact on the escarpment face, the N4etropolitan Catchment Area and the Dombarton Loop.

I The advantages of the proposed road-rail link are:-

The Bellambi Coal Company can arrange construction of the road to suit the coming on-stream of the proposed Coal Preparation Plant.

There is no intrusion of coal haulage trucks onto public roads.

The road bypasses all urban centres.

7.8 Preferred Transport Option

The transport option that is preferred by the Company is the construction of the private road to rail link. The main reasons for this preference are:-

Construction of the transport route could be controlled by the Company who would schedule its completion to match the commissioning of the West Bellambi facilities.

The regional rail link is supported by the Company but its construction might not be finished in time for the commissioning of the West Bellambi facilities.

Construction of the private road could be engineered to provide for sections of the road route to be used as part of construction of the regional rail link.

Thero would be no entry of coal trucks onto the public road system.

It could be constructed to cater for coal from companies other than The Bellambi Coal Company such as Clutha Development.

The proposed road follows generally the route of existing fire roads controlled and maintained by the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board and requires only minimal additional clearing for the road construction. 8.0 THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

8.1 Background to the Study Area

The site for the proposed western extensions for the South Bulli Colliery is mostly located within the catchment of Allen's Creek and is bordered to the west, south and east by the Metropolitan Catchment Area. Sections of the proposed extensions are located within the Catchment Area. The entire southern reject emplacement area is located within the Catchment Area. The proposed Shaft No. 6, which lies 5 kilometres east of the proposed pit-top area, is also located wholly within the Catchment Area.

The eastern portion of the site consists of grassland, formerly used for farmland, while the western portion is generally forested. The surrounding Metropolitan Catchment Area consists of mainly forested land while to the north, outside of the Catchment Area, the land is predominantly grassland, the use of which includes cattle grazing and horse breeding.

8.2 Geology

8.2.1 Stratigraphy and Structure

The study area is located within the broad sedimentary structure known as the Sydney Basin. This basin is comprised essentially of strata of Permian and Triassic age in a flat or gently-dipping sequence. The Permian sediments include several coal measures, which together contain most of the important coal reserves in New South Wales.

The geological sequence underlying the southern part of the

I Sydney Basin and the study area is shown in Figure 8.2.1 From this Figure it can be seen that there are four main stratigraphic groupings, down to and including the commercial coal deposits, I with a total vertical thlekness of approximately 550 metres. r L

I I The sediments consist predominantly of sandstones, with I interbedded claystones and siltstones increasing with depth.

I Over much of the proposed West Bellambi site, the subcropping material consists of the basal sediments of the Wianamatta I Group. These sediments consist mainly of dark grey-brown clay shales, with interbedded silt-stone and fine sandstone. The Wianamatta Group sediments are underlain by Hawkesbury I Sandstone at a depth of less than fifteen metres.

I Hawkesbury Sandstone occurs in outcrop or subcrop along Aliens Creek and the adjacent land and over most of the South Bulli I Colliery Holding. The Hawkesbury Sandstone consists mainly of crossbedded, medium to coarse grained, quartzose sandstone I beds with minor shales.

Underlying the Hawkesbury Sandstone are sediments of the I Narrabeen Group. These sediments, which consist mainly of lithic sandstones and clay shales, attain a thickness of 1 approximately 300 metres.

I The Narrabeen Group sediments overlie the Illawarra Coal Measures which consist of sandstones, shales and coal seams. I The coal to be mined occurs in the Bulli, Balgownie and Wongawilli seams at depths of approximately 450 to 490 metres I below the plateau level.

Structural interpretation based on drilling results and on the I distribution of the Wianamatta Group sediments indicates that the regional bedding of the sedimentary strata is relatively I uniform, and dips towards the north-northwest at about 1 degree. I No significant fold structures or faults are known in this area but the main sandstone beds exhibit a strong vertical joint I pattern. I I I

8.2.2 Seisrnicity

The seismic recording network in Australia includes several I recording stations in the Sydney Basin region. A report on these seimic records for 1959 to 1967 has been prepared by Doyle et I al. (Ref. 9). This report indicated that 181 tremors were recorded within or adjacent to the Sydney Basin during the I period.

The epicentres of most of the events were located near the I western boundary of the basin. The largest seimic event in the Sydney Basin during this period was an earthquake of magnitude I 5.5 (ML - Richter Scale) which occurred in May, 1961. The epicentre of this event was located 36 kilometres southwest of I the proposed West Bellambi site, just south of Bowral. Doyle et al. have postulated that this event and a subsequent series of I aftershocks were related to a northwest-trending fault system in the Bowral-Robertson area.

I Another significant earthquake occurred on March 10, 1973. This event which also had a magnitude of 5.5 was located near I the Burragorang Valley, approximately 53 kilometres northwest of the site. I 0.3 Soils I 8.3.1 General

I The soils developed on Hawkesbury Sandstone are noticeably different from the soils derived from the Wianamatta Group I sediments. Field mapping showed that the major forest type boundary is also the boundary between the two major soil types. 1 I I I I 0.3.2 Soilj Developed on Hawkesbury Sandstone

Soils on the Hawkesbury Sandstone are well to excessively I drained. During a survey conducted in May, 1974 (Ref. 2) most profiles were moist throughout, but the groundwater level was I not reached. Sandstone slabs, boulders and stones are common at the surface in flat to undulating areas. In steeper areas they occur more frequently, while sandstone benches are bare of soil. I

Soils on the steeper slopes are shallower than in flat to I undulating areas because of erosion of the surface soil. The depth of weathered sandstone is generally between 0.4m and I 0.8m on the plateau. In sloping areas this depth is rarely more than 0.3m.

Stoniness, shallowness, low water holding capacity and general infertility render these soils unsuitable for cultivation and the natural vegetation has for the most part been left untouched.

The soil profile is composed of an A horizon of 0.15m to 0.25m thick and an illuvial B horizon of 0.25m to 0.75m. The A horizon is differentiated in a dark brown (7.5 YR 3/3...4)* loamy sand to sandy loam A1 horizon overlying a brown (7.5 YR 4/4) to light brown (7.5 YR 5/6), loamy sand to sandy clay loam A2 horizon. The Bt horizon is a 1 ight brown (7.5 YR 5/6-8), sandy loam to sandy clay loam, which usually becomes increasingly gravelly with depth. Faint mottles are normal in the subsoil of the heavier textured soils. The contact with the underlying slightly weothered sandstone is 3harp. The soil reaction is actd throughout the profile.

Symbols for soil colour and type as used by Northcote (Ref: -)

I

In some places where soils are derived frorn sandstone with I intercalated shales the deeper subsoils are clayey and yellow or clayey and mottled yellow. These soils are transitional to the I soils on Wianamatta Group sediments.

On Sheet 3 of the Atlas of Australian Soils the soils on Hawkesbury Sandstone are mapped as NIb 2. In the study area the majority of the soils belonging to this mapping unit can be classified as acid leached yellow earths (Gn2.24) Minor occurrences of soils derived from sandstone and shale are classified as Gn2.3 and 0n2.7.

8.3.3 Soils Deveioed on the Wianamatta Group Sediments

The soils developed on the basal sediments of the Wianamatta Group are moderately well drained. Most profiles were moist throughout during the survey. The groundwater level was closer to the surface in some depressions and above the surface on the valley bottom of Aliens Creek. The surface is free of stones and gravel.

The depth to weathered shale is usually between 1.0m and 1.5m with an average of 1.25m. In 25% of the auger holes the shale was not reached before 1.5m, but from the random distribution of these holes it is concluded that the maximum depth of bedrock is 2.0m. The soil is quite suitable for grazin land and most of the forest in the study area has been cleared for this purpose.

The natural soil profile has an A1 horizon of about urn thick i I and an A2 horizon of 0.2m to 0.3m thick. In ploughed areas the top layer of 0.25m has been mixed to form an A horizon. The p I A1 or A horizon is a black brown (7.5 YR 3/2) loam to clay loam overlying a brown (7.5 YR 4.4) clay loam A2 horizon. The I Bt horizon is a heavy clay the colour of which changes downwards from light brown (7.5 YR 5 /6) with distinct red and I I

I

rey mottles to brownish grey (5-7.5 YR 6 /2) with prominent I red and yellow mottles. The depth where grey becomes the dominant colour averages 0.75m, but in the somewhat poorer I drained soils this depth is 0.5m, while in the better drained soils grey remains a minor colour down to the level of the weathered I shale. Some angular gravel may occur in the lower part of the B horizon. The boundary between the soil and the underlying I shale is sharp. The soil reaction is slightly acid in the topsoil and acid in the subsoil.

In areas where the cover of Wianamatta Group sediments wedges out the texture becomes sandier, the depth to bedrock decreases and the drainage improves. These soils are transitional to the clayey soils on Hawkesbury Sandstone and occur in a zone inside the soil boundary of up to 100m wide.

Soils on the Wianamatta Group are mapped as Pb 12. In the study area soils of this mapping unit are classified as Dy3.41.

8.4 Climate

The description of the climate for the proposed West Bellambi development is based on information collected at Wilton and Picton by the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology. The stations are close to the site and both are included because Picton, which lies 14 kilometres northwest from the site, has more extensive data, with information being kept for rainfall, temperature and wind speed and direction, while only rainfall data is collected at Wilton, 4 kilometres to the north of the site.

The site of the proposed development lies 22 kilometres inland from the coast and at an elevation of approximately 300 metres. Thus the moderating influence of the Tasman Sea is less apparent than in Sydney or Wollongong and so the extremes of temperature experienced are greater. Mean monthly maximum and minimum temperatures for

Picton are 33 shown in Table 8.4.1. TABLE 8.4.1 MEAN MONTHLY MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES (°c) PICTON, 1965 - 1975

J F M A M J J A S 0 N D Ann

MAX.28.3 28.0 26.7 24.3 19.8 17.3 16.8 17.9 20.8 23.6 25.0 27.2 23.0 MIN. 14.9 15.5 12.9 8.6 5.1 3.3 0.9 2.9 5.1 8.8 10.9 13.4 8.5

Ground frosts are common from May until September, and during July and August they may be severe. The lowest recorded temperature since records began in 1965 is - 10.00 C which was recorded in July 1970.

Maximum temperatures occur from middle to late summer, with the extreme maximum in the period since 1965 recorded as 42.80 C in February 1968.

Rainfall for both Wilton and Picton is given in Table 8.4.2.

TABLE 8.4.2

MONTHLY MEAN AND MEDIAN RAINFALL (mm) PICTON (1880 - 1975) and WILTON (1869 - 1967)

Picton J F M A M J J A S 0 N D Ann

Mean 90 85 85 72 58 68 54 45 44 62 68 75 806 Median 75 66 65 52 31 44 27 26 35 47 53 56 757

Wilton J F M A M J J A S 0 N D Ann

Mean 70 83 73 72 67 67 62 41 38 56 62 69 760 Median 57 52 54 51 29 41 41 24 27 41 46 57 742

The relatively larger differences between mean and median values from May through to August reflect the less frequent but larger rain episodes which occur during this time of the year and particularly in May and June. Maximum monthly rainfalls and the extreme maxima ever recorded are shown in Table 8.4.3 for both Picton and Wilson. P1

TABLE 8.4.3

I - MAXIMUM MONTHLY RAINFALLS (mm) AND EXTREME MAXIMA (mm) FOR PICTON (1880 - 1973) and WILTON (1902 - 1967)

I J F M A M J 3 A S 0 N D Extreme Max

Picton 393 482 411 237 303 419 328 232 183 340 462 239 1723 Wilton 250 401 285 309 332 456 411 237 131 252 257 228 1365

A joint windspeed-wind direction frequency analysis is available, from the Bureau of Meteorology, for Picton. The analysis is available for both 0900 hours and 1500 hours local time for each month of the year. I The information is summarised in the wind roses, shown on Figure 8.4.1(a), which are given for the middle month of each season, that is I January, April, July and October.

At 0900 hours LST calms are present more than 35 percent of the time I in all seasons while during the months February to July calms occur over 50 percent of the time. In winter winds are predominantly from I the west to southwest and for the remainder of the year blow mostly from the southeast to southwest.

At 1500 hours LST there are calms on over 15 percent of the time I except for the months November to February when the calm days drop as low as 8 percent. The wind directions are more variable than at 0900 hours with winds from the south to southeast being common tlroughout I the year with northeast to northwest winds being significant during summer months and west to northwest winds being significant during I spring and autumn.

Additional windspeed - wind direction information is available from the C.S.l.R.O. fruit fly testing station which is approximately 1.5 km north- I east of the study area. Wind roses from two years of continuously recorded anemometer records for the station have been prepared and are presented on Figure 8.4.1(b). I

I I the information for the C.S.I.R.O. station indicates that calms are less I frequent at all times and are a a rare occurance at 1500 hours LST. Winds are predominantly south to south-east throughout the year at I both 0900 hours and 1500 hours. As well northerly winds are common throughout the year at both 0900 hours and 1500 hours.

8.5 Hydrology and Drainage

8.5.1 Surface Water

The West Bellambi site and refuse emplacement area form the top portion of the catchment area for Aliens Creek. The I surface drainage of the site can be broadly divided into two types depending upon whether the soil has developed from the I Wianamatta shales or the Hawkesbury sandstone.

In the area developed on Hawkesbury sandstone, which generally I lies in and on either side of Aliens Creek, surface absorption of water is rapid due to the sandy soils. However, the underlying I sandstone strata are only slightly permeable and after prolonged rainfall the surface soil becomes saturated and surface runoff I occurs. Ponding is not extensive and is relatively short-lived because of the generally steep surface relief. I In the area underlain by the Wianamatta Group sediments, which forms the greater part of the site, the soils are I moderately well drained and the surface slopes are gentle. This results in generally slow drainage and ponding can occur but I only after prolonged periods of rainfall.

I 8.5.2 Groundwater (Ref. 2)

I From geological observations it appears that the near surface groundwater situation is complex. Groundwater probably occurs in numerous small, unconnected or "perched" zones separated by I layers of low permeability. I 1, I

I Exploration drilling in the project area commonly results in the loss of drilling water circulation at a depth of approximately I 100 metres in the Hawkesbury sandstone. Apart from this horizon, which is apparently consistent and extensive, the other I near-surface sediments appear to have very low or moderately low permeability. The joints are generally broadly spaced and clay coated so that they would not contribute greatly to I permeability of the rock mass.

I Apart from a shallow, disused bore adjacent to one of the small dams on the proposed site, groundwater is not utilised in this I area. It is unlikely that there is any potential for significant groundwater development, unless more substantial aquifers are I present at depths below the coal seams.

8.6 Air Quality I

There is little data available on air quality for the Wilton area. A I number of dust gauges have been located around the proposed development and reject emplacement which will provide information I relative to the site area. Figure 8.6.1 shows the location of the dust gauges.

There is a large volume of truck traffic at present utilising Mount Keira Road mainly to transport coal from mines in the BurragorangValley to Port Kembla. This gives rise to some dust along the road which comes rmiinly from the trucks running onto the unsealed road shoulder.

The C.S.I.R.O. fruit fly station, which is located approximately 1.5 km I to the north-east of the proposed new surface facilities, represents a specialised land use. The fruit fly under investigation is susceptible to I dust and a significant increase in dust deposition could adversely affect the research program. I I I I Most coal mines in the Picton area begin trucking coal to the Port I Kembla area in the early hours of the morning. At this time, the percentage of days with calm winds and stable atmospheric conditions is large. It seems likely then, that hydrocarbon concentrations in the air near the road could be quite high for several hours on each calm day 1 between 0600 and 0900 hours. However, at the present time there are no measurements to support this opinion (Ref. 2).

8.7 Water Quality

Dames and Moore in their original report (Ref: 2) conducted a program of sampling and testing to investigate the water quality of the area. I The results of this investigation are reproduced in Table 8.7.1. These results generally indicated that the water sampled was of good quality, I which is to be expected as both Cascade Creek and the Cordeaux River lie within the Metropolitan Catchment Area while Aliens Creek drains a I low intensity farming area.

A program of water sampling has been commenced to establish the I current water quality of Aliens Creek and Cascade Creek both of which are watercourses which may be affected by the proposed I developments. The locations of the sampling locations, are shown on Figure 8.6.1. Appendix ? gives the results of the first series of tests. I the results of the tests have indicated that the waters in Cascade and Aliens Creeks are of good quality.

The locations of the sampling positions were as follows:-

AlIens Creek - below the stock tank dam on the site AlIens Creek - 800 metres downstream from the site

AlIens Creek - east of the Township of Wilton

Cascade Creek - western tributary northeast of the site

Cascade Creek - eastern tributary northeast of the site Cordeaux River - south of the site Cordeaux River - near the confluence with the Avon River, northwest of the site I I

I TABLE 8.7.1 LABORATORY TESTING REPORT *(REFZ) I WATER SAMPLES Sample pH Cl- SO4 Total Fe Susp. C.O.D. Grease (mg/i) (mg/i) (mg/i) Solids Dichr. Extract I (mg/i) (mg/i) (mg/i)

I la 5.3 31 2.9 0.22 0.6 6 1.7 lb 5.4 31 2.8 0.22 0.5 6 1.2 I 2a 5.4 41 2.8 0.23 0.5 6 LT 1 2b 5.4 40 2.8 0.21 0.5 7 LT 1 3a 6.3 56 4.5 1.05 1,8 17 LT 1 I 3b 6.3 56 4.6 1.10 2.8 18 LT 1 4a 5.7 28 4.4 0.44 0.4 13 LT 1 I 4b 5.6 28 5.2 0.44 0.6 12 LT 1 5a 5.5 31 3.3 0.66 1.8 15 LT 1 I 5b 5.5 31 4.0 0.66 1.1 14 LT I 6a 5.6 16 2.7 0.44 1.3 12 LT 1 I 6b 5.7 16 2.6 0.46 1.4 15 LT I 7a 5.9 16 2.3 0.42 1.0 14 LT 1 I 7b 5.9 16 2.0 0.42 1,0 13 LT 1 I I J iriIic;t.i 1cns than * Sampling and testing conducted by Water and Trade Wastes Consultants 1 Pty. Ltd. 1974. I 88 Landform and Scenic Quality I 8.8.1 General The existing scenic quality and landform have been evaluated I using maps of the region at a scale of 1:25,000, aerial photographs from the coastline at Buili to the Hume Highway at I Bargo and local observation from the positions shown on Figure 8.8.1. I I I The proposed site is located on the plateau originating at the Illawarra escarpment forming part of the Sydney Basin. The land surface on the plateau is a combination of gently rolling hills, with slopes ranging from 1:40 to 1:10, and steep sided valleys, some with exposed cliff faces from 20 to BOrn in height. Surface elevations range from 250 to 325 metres over the site and from 215 to 380 metres over the western extension of the South Bulli Colliery Holding.

The majority of the region surrounding the site falls within the Metropolitan Catchment Area, and remains essentially in its natural state. With the exception of the Tower Colliery Site located duo north of the proposed site and the Wilton township, the remaining land surface has been selectively cleared and devuloped for agricultural use.

8.8.2 Landform

The proposed development area for the surface facilities exhibits three different landform characteristics, these are as follows and are illustrated in Figure 8.8.2.

The eastern half of the site has a northern aspect with slopes ranging from between 1:10 and 1:60. This portion of the site forms part of the ridgeline which carriesMt. Keira Road. It is mostly cleared and at present contains one !arge and four small dams.

The south western quarter contains the upper reaches of AlImis Creek. This section has an even gradient of 1:20 and an aspect which ranges from north east through to north west. The vegetation has been partially cleared in this area and there are some moist areas associated with depressions in the land surface. I

3. The north western portion contains the Allans Creek bed I which when observed hnd only small poois of still water. The landform associated with the creek bed differs from I the remainder of the site in that average slopes range from 1:35 to 1:4 with sections along the creek containing cliffs LI of up to 4m in height and some small caves formed from overhanging rock. I There are also many rock outcrops on the steeper slopes and in the creek bed. The vegetation is more diverse than I the remainder of the site which is a result of the distance from the cleared areas along the ridgeline and proximity to I the intermittent water course. Aspect ranqos from north east through to north west. I 4. The services corridor for No.6 shaft passes through a series 1 of small valleys and ridges. The ridges run north-south and therefore aspects are predominantly east and west. Slopes range from gentle on the ridge tops up to 1:60 to quite I steep on the valley sides with a maximum of 1:6. I Sandstone outcrops are common in these steep areas. 8.8.3 Scenic Qualit I 8.8.3.1 West Bellambi Site and Reject Emplacenient Area I The scenic quality of the site and surrounds have been doocnihod uccordiriq to R. Burton I.. i tton Jr' I recommendations for assessment of the aesthetic dimensions of the landscape. The basis for the study I is the classification and definition of the visual environment so that it can be assessed as a resource, I and enable more accurate predictions of the visual effects of lariduse on the environment. For this study I the views from observor positions shown on Figure 8.8.1 were analysed. The locations of observer I I I

positions were determined primarily by an analysis of I the views most often seen and most likely to be changed with the proposed change in landuse. Some I of these positions are very close to each other in relation to the site and therefore have essentially I similar views. For this reason the number of different landscape types is much less than the I number of observer positions. Also views from those observer positions which contained no view of the site I were not analysed. I The landscape types observed were:- LANDSCAPE as seen from I observer positions numbers 1 and 2. The landscape is characterised by a complete absence I of enclosure; an almost level horizon line; a mozaic of different colours associated with k waterbodies, vegetation, buildings, fences and roadways; a strong unity between, and repetition of, vegetative elements; features in the form of I small vertical intrusions on the horizon. The following two landscapes are contained within I the panorama and could be regarded as details of I same. CANOPIED LANDSCAPE, observer position I numbers 4,5,7,8 and 9. Characterised by an open ground plane; minimum horizontal enclosure; varied vertical enclosure; dominance of vertical I elements in the form of tree stems; contrast in colour and texture between ground plane, I vertical elements and canopy. It should he noted the degree of visibility into this landscape is I dependant upon speed of observation. If the observer is stationery or moving slowly, visibility I I extends to the horizon, as observor speed increases, the vertical elements start to join, visibility decreases to the immediate surrounds and the sense of horizontal enclosure increases.

3. ENCLOSED LANDSCAPE, observor position number 10. Characterised by concave landform; sense of horizontal and vertical enclosure; variety of enclosing elements each dominating at different sections; variety in colour and features; and contrast in texture between ground plane, vegetation, and rock outcrops. Views in these landscapes are limited by the gradient and shape of enclosing elements.

Observer position No.3 is located in the Wilton recreation area. The view from this position was inspected as this is the closest public reserve to the site. However, the site is hidden from view by the township and the hill immediately south of the township.

8.8.3.2 No. 6 Shaft and Services Corridor

There are two landscape types to be viewed in this area.

Panoramic as seen from ridges. Again there is an absence of enclosure, a strong horizontal element. However the absence of any landuse is evident in the absence of colour and textural variation.

Enclosed landscape which is viewed from valleys and slopes. This view is completely dominated by vegetation, with textural variety exhibited in the form of rock outcrops. 8.9 Acoustic Environment

The existing acoustic environment in the area of the proposed West Bellambi facilities is affected by noise from the following sources:

Traffic using Mt. Keira Road adjacent to the site, including coal trucks, other large trucks and commercial vehicles, and smaller passenger vehicles and motor bikes.

Traffic travelling between Maldon and Appin.

Noises associated with a rural/bushland environment, including birdsong, insect noises, occasional farm equipment, equipment operating at the Wilton CSIRO Experimental Station, farm animals.

Noises assocated with adjacent residences, including dogs barking, people talking, mowing of lawns.

Aircraft passing overhead, predominantly small propeller-driven craft, occasionally jet aircraft.

The predominant noise sources are from near and distant traffic, birdsong and insects.

A noise level survey was undertaken from April 13-15 1982 to evaluate the existing acoustic environment in the study area. Readings were taken using a Bruel and Kjaer Precision Sound Level Meter, Type 2218, fitted with a Model .1613 Octave Filter Set. The meter was calibrated and checked using a Bruel and Kjaer Sound Level Calibrator Type 4230 before each set of readings.

I I Weather conditions were fine during the survey period. Light north- easterly winds were encountered between noon and 7.00 p.m. on April 13. A very light southerly wind blew at 7.00 a.m. on April 14. Calm to I very slight wind conditions prevailed at all other times. Only one reading, between 12.40 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. on April 13, as indicated in I Table 8.9.1 was affected by wind noise. Temperatures ranged between 150 C and 260 C, cloud cover varied from clear to 30% high cloud.

Sound levels were measured at nine locations at and around the I proposed West Bellambi facilities and at one location neal' the proposed No. 6 shaft and associated services corridor line. These locations are described in Table 8.9.1 and shown in Figure 8.9.1. The resulting noise I levels obtained in the survey represent Background Level, Lqo, defined as the level exceeded 90% of the time. Lqo readings do not include I effects of non-continuous events such as intermittent passing traffic and bird calls.

I Results of the background noise level survey are given in Table 8.9.1. I Background noise levels recorded ranged from 25 dBA to 50 dBA, with the majority between 32 dBA and 45 dBA. Lowest levels, 25 dBA, were recorded at midnight in the area of the proposed surface facilities. I Highest levels, 0 dBA, were recorded during the day adjacent to Mt. Keira Road, resulting from near-continuous traffic flow at the time of I recording. Peak instantaneous levels were recorded as follows:

94 dBA -- Truck at Location 3 82 dBA - Motor bike at location 6 61 dBA - Aircraft over location 6 50 dBA - Birdcall at location 8 I I [1 I I — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — TABLE 8 .9.1 RESULTS OF AMBIENT NOISE LEVEL SURVEY All Values are L901s expressed in dBA

13.4.82 13,4,82 13.4.82 14.4.8 14.4.82 14.4.82 15.4.82 15.4.82 15.4.82 15.4.82 12.40 - 4.45 - 9.30 - 6.40 - 12.40 - 3.00 - 12.05 - 8.05 - SAMPLE POINT 2.00 pm 6.00 pm 1030 pm 7.30 am 2.30 pm 5.00 pm 1.05 am 9.50 am 10.50 am 5.00 pm

1. Near remains of house 40 44 34 43 36 35 25 36 OR 892 045 *

2. On Fire Road No. 11 38 45 34 42 34 35 25 33 OR 888 038 * WIND

3. On Mt. Kiera Road 50 50 33 42 38 33 31 50 OR 895 049 *

4. End of Alkoomie Place 33 38 40 45 33 35 32 36 GR 892 049 *

5. Near house 35 38 - 45 - 38 - 35 OR 895 061 *

6. Near CSIRO Research 33 50 29 45 40 33 33 32 Station OR 900 064 *

7. On Lisa Road 36 40 37 41 34 33 33 33 OR 891 072 *

8. On Lisa Road 36 35 38 39 33 36 30 36 OR 891 072 *

9. Near house at Wilton 35 32 36 40 36 40 - 36 OR ±

10. Intersection of road 33 35 and proposed transmission line 0R953 036 /1 NOTE: Grid References refer to * 1:25,000 Topographic Bargo 9029 - 111 - N + 1:25,000 Topographic Picton - IV - S # 1:259000 Topographic Bulli - 11 - N I LONGWORTH & McKENZIE

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I 0.10 Vegetation

8.10.1 General I Vegetative communities associated with the proposed I development, are shown in figures 8.10.1(a) and 8.10.1(b). The communities are classified according to height, structure, species, composition and diversity.' Boundaries of the I communities shown in the figures were determined by 'K aerial photo analysis and detailed adjustments made after the I site was traversed. The list of composite species, detailed in the appendix, was compiled from specimens collected from I plots taken in areas exhibiting the most diverse formations. I The West Bellambi site is located in a region characterised by Open Forests, and Closed Scrub. Clearing of the site to accommodate various landuses has given rise to the formation I of additional communities. These are Woodlands, Shrublands and Grasslands. Understorey composition defines these I communities further and as can be seen in figure 8.10.1(a) usually reflects topographic, drainage and aspect variations on I site. The influence of recent management fires is reflected in the regeneration of Acadia spp & Eucalypt spp. I 8.10.2 Description_of Veetatjon

I 8.10.2.1 West Bellambi Site arid Reject Emplacement Area

I Open Forests

I These communities are predominant in undisturbed areas of the region. They are characterised by I trees with an average height of 20-25m. There is I J. R.M. Spccht Classification. Developed in Dept. of Botany University of Old. I I I

no distinct shrub layer, and the ground surface is I covered with leaf litter, some native grasses and rock outcrops in areas of shallow soils.

Areas shown on the figure as Open Forests are I dominated by Eucalyptus haemastoma with a canopy density of 30-35%. Other trees found in I these communities are Casuarina torulosa and Eucalyptus gummifera. Recent management fires have given rise to some regenerating trees of the I same species.

yered Open Forests

These communities reflect changes in the soils of the area. They are generally associated with soils I derived from the Wianarnatta group. The average height and density of the tree formation in this I category is the same as for Open Forests, however they are distinguished by a layered structure, an increased diversity and a variation in the dominant I species. Three areas are described within these communities.

Area 1. I This area has a tree layer dominated by I Euqyptus pniculata. Other tree species well distributed throughout these areas are Luçytus globoldea, Lucoly rudiatu, I Eucalyptus moluccana and Eucalyptus punctata. The shrub layer is up to 2.5m in I height, fairly dense in parts but has an average cover of 35-40%. This layer is dominated by I Acacia decurrens and obovatum. The groundcover is dominated by I I and two forms of bracken Culcita dubia and Pteridium esculenturn. These ground covers are well distributed throughout the area, but Lomandra IoDgjLolia becomes less dominant and the vine, Kennedia rubicenda is common on the slopes down to the creek bed.

Area 3

These areas exhibit much the same charater- istics as area 1 but the dominant tree species are Eucalyptus seiberi and Eucalyptus gummifera Casuarina torulosa is regenerating in these areas and at present forms part of the shrub layer.

Low Layered Open Forest

This section of the study area exhibits the same species and structure as area 1 of layered open forest, but is distinguished by the reduced height of the tree layer. Here the trees do not exceed lOm in height. The reason for this could be excessive clearing, in which case it is regenerating and if left undisturbed should become a layered open forest. It should be noted that borer infestation of this area has led to the distortion and death of many Acacia spp. in these layered open forests.

Grassy Open Forests

These communities form a transition between grassy woodlands and open forests as they are defined by the canopy density, i.e. 30-35%, an absence of any shrub layer, and a dense ground cover dominated by grasses. Dominant tree species in these areas are Eucalyptus moluccana and Eucalyptus paniculata. Other trees in these formations are Eucalyptus globoidea and Eucalyptus radiata.

The grass layer is dominated by Therneda australis and Cynodon dactylon with Erigeron bonariensis (fleabane) being widely distributed. Other grasses include Axanopus affinus, Paspalum diIatatu, Eragrostis leptostachya and Sporobolus elongatus.

Woodland Communities - Grassy Woodland

Grassy woodlands are distinguished from grassy open forests by an obvious reduction in canopy cover. The dominant tree species are the same, i.e. Eucalyptus moluccana and Eucalyptus paniculata, however the average canopy cover in these areas, does not exceed 20%. Average tree height is 30m. Grass species are again the same,

.n. U!ii. imArfilk tind CY!Qi2i1 dijuftvloll. Fleabane is also present in these areas.

Gyjpen Woodland

A further reduction of canopy cover to below 10% can be seen in these communities. Again there is no obvious change in species in either the grass or tree layer and the tree height is approximately the same. Shrubby Woodland

Shrubby woodlands form a transition from open scrub to layered open forest. Species composition is the combination of the two, i.e. Eucalyptus moluccana and Eucalyptus paniculata dominating the tree structure at 20-.25m height, and pp. dominating the intermediate layer, with grasses and vines on the ground surface. Canopy density in this area is 20%

C ross land

The grassland areas have been defined by an absence of any continuous tree or shrub formation and an increase in the density of the grass species. Again these areas are dominated by Themeda australis and Cynodon 4çflon. Lolium perenne and Paspalum dilatatum appear to be sown. These all combine to form a coverage of 60%. The density of weeds is also increased in these areas with fleabone Erigeron bonariensis and flatweed Hypochoreris radiata widely distributed. The north-western section of this grassland contains an area dominated by fleabane.

It should be noted that there are isolated examples of Eucalyptus moluccana and Eucalyptus radiata which are outstanding because of their increased height, over 40m and striking habit. These are obviously remnants of a layered forest formation and the increased height and broader canopy structure could be a result of clearing which removed competition for light, water and soil nUtrients Grassy Tall Shrub land

Leptospermum flavescens Hakea spp and over mature Acacia - decurrens dominate this community. The average height is 3.5m and density or canopy cover 25%. Grass species are the same as for grassland, but the weed content reduced to less than 1%.

Tall Shrubland

This community exhibits the same characteristics as grassy tall shrubland described above with a marked reduction in the density of grass and in the occurrence of Hakea and Acacia species.

Tall Open Shrubland

Again hpoIermum flavescens, dominates this community, averaging 3.5m in height, however the density is markedly reduced to below 10%.

Scrub - Closed Scrub

This community differs in formation from shrublands in both density and composition. Acacia decurrens average height 3m dominates and covers 85% of the area. gp_~,jn Scrub

This formation occurs in a small pocket surrounded by Shrubby Woodland and Layered Open forest. Again there is no tree cover but a layer of Leptospermum spp at 3-4 m in height. Density varies from 30% at the road to 65% on the forest and woodland borders. I

I 8.10.2.2 No. 6 Shaft and Services Corridor I Oren Forest (1)

The vegetation associated with this area is similar I to that classified as layered open forest on sandstone, (area 2) in the pit top study area. Here I the canopy density is 40%, tree formation up to 25m in height. Species domination and structure is I the same, i.e. Eucalyptus haemastorna and Casuarina Lorulosa in the tree formation; A080iH I spp and Leptospermum species dominating the upper shrub formation; lower shrubs dominated by I Hakea spp Banksia spp, Acacia spp and Lambertia for iii Os a

I Shr uhj yOpe n Forest \) n This area has no upper shrub formation, the tree formation is the same as the preceeding and the I lower shrub formation has the same species composition but density increased to 60%,

I Foiist(2)

I Open Forest 2 is distinguished by variable dominance, composition and cover. It appears as a P transition between open forests and woodlands

I iyPLaod Ia r

Differs from that in the pit top area as this is on I sandstone. Canopy density is no greater than .15%. Euca1yus Hoemastorna and EucaIys I botryoides dominate the tree formations and shrubs are the same species and density as for shrubby I fots. 1 Open Fleatl

This area is characterised by a total absence of tree cover and a 50% ground cover of Banksia Xanthorreahea, Epacris, Leptosperum and Acacia species at im and below in height.

It should be noted that no exotic plants were observed in the area of No. 6 shaft and services corridor.

8.1.1 Fauna

8.11.1 Methodology

A daytime ornithological survey of the site was conducted on April 6, 1982. Birds were identified by sight and call, using field-glasses and tape recorder, during traverses of the pioposud pittop and reject ernplaconient areas.

The mammal fauna of the site has previously been surveyed by Hodson in 1974 (Ref. 2) To establish whether significant I changes have taken place in the intervening period, a survey of mammals, reptiles and amphibians was carried out from April l 23 to April 26.

The methods of identification employed were as follows:

a) "Elliot Type A" mammal traps were used to capture small ground-dwelling mammals. One 25 trap line was set in open forest in the area of the proposed southern reject emplacement. A second 25 trap line was set in open forest in Allens Creek in the area of the proposed Colliery holding dam, to the east of an existing galvanised iron shed. The locations of the trap lines are shown in Figure 8.11.1. The traps were set on 23rd April and cleared on the mornings of the 24th and 25th and at night on the 2 5th. I The area of proposed pit top facilities and reject I emplacement was traversed during the daytime in search of animals, their tracks, scats and other signs. Loose I rocks, fallen timber, pieces of iron, pools and dams etc. were inspected for reptiles and amphibians.

I Spotlighting at night for large ground dwelUng and arboreal mammals was carried out along the road in the I vicinity of the proposed vent shaft and transmission line on 24th April and, in the proposed pit top and reject I emplacement areas on 25th April. I 13.11.2 Results

Weather conditions during the original survey by Hodson were I poor, to a degree limiting the extent of the survey. Conditions during both the present surveys were fine, favouring I observation of all fauna.

I Fifty species of birds were recorded during the ornithological survey, with an additional six birds added during the survey for I other vertebrate species. This total is significantly lower than that expected for this area, considering the fine weather conditions. This can be attributed to a number of probable I factors, including:

I a) An April survey seldom reaches a species aggregate comparable to one in spring or summer, as breeding I usually ceases for most species around February. As result many migratory species have commenced moving I northwards, and resident types have ceased nesting activity, feeding of young, and territorial behaviour. Birds call far less frequently in Autumn because of this LI lull in their annual life cycle, increasing the difficulty of I observing various kinds reluctant to expose themselves. Lii H Most of the surveyed area consists of dry open forest, dense in parts, and little grazed grassland. There is limited surface water apart from a few dams and small pools along AlIens Creek, very little heathiand, no extensive swampy areas, and no rainforest. This lack of diversity of habitat may account for a corresponding lack of diversity of birds.

An autumn flocking and feeding movement of insectivorous and nectarivorous birds is well known. On a few occasions during this survey such activity was clearly evident in the open forest areas. For very short periods many small birds appeared in the tree tops, some calling, but mostly silent, then moving on quite rapidly. When this occurred more obvious species, such as sittellas, because of their tree-trunk feeding, and fantails, because of their gyrating flight, drew the attention of the observers away from other species present in the feeding flocks. In this way thornbills, warbiers, pardalotes, silvereyes, honeyeaters and many other small birds almost certainly present were probably missed.

Bird species and numbers recorded are given in Table 0.11.1. I Birds not recorded, but considered likely to occur on the site are listed in Table 8.11,2. Biological comments on the species I recorded are included in Appendix.....

Fourteen species of mamrnls, representing terrestrial and I arboreal species, were identified during the present study, with Hodson identifying two additional species definitely, as well as I indeterminate species of bats. Two species of amphibians and four species of reptiles were recorded. Mammal, reptile and I amphibian species recorded in both the previous and present surveys are given in Table 8.11.3. Mammal species not. I encountered, but likely to he found in the study area are listed in Table 8.11.4 I I I

Thermeda australis which averages 700 mm in I height, there are. some distinct patches of dense Lornandra multiflora and Pter idium I esculenteum. Adiantium spp. occurs over the entire area but the density is low with a I coverage of only 10%.

[1 Area 2 [1 This area extends along the creek line is located on soils derived from sandstone and exhibits a greater diversity in shrub and ground cover I layers but has only Eucalyptus haemastoma and Casuarina torulosa in the tree layer. Average I tree height is 30-35 m and canopy density 50%.

I There are two intermediate layers; the upper layer, averaging 3,5m in height is dominated by I Acacia decu rrens and Lep tprmum flavescens. The lower layer, averaging 1,5m in height exhibits such a variety of shrubs, there is I no single dominating species, however Banksia pJoulosa Acacia suaveolens Lambertia formosa 1 Hakea salicifolia and Acacia tern_inalis are widespread. Rubus vulgaris (blackberry) has I invaded this layer to a limited extent, and there is one example of Cyathea australia, (tree fern) I which is possibly a remnant of a closed forest for in at ion.

I The ground covers are also many and varied, with examples of vines, grasses and ferns I combining to form a dense cover, with an average height of 300mm. In the creek bed I Lomandra longifolia dominated patches of ferns, Adiantum aethigpurn and Blechnurn Spp, I I Mammal species recorded in the area of the proposed vent shaft and associated transmission line were: Greater Glider, Petauroides volans, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Macropus gjganteus, Swamp Wallaby, Wallabia bicolo, Wombat,

Vombatus ursinus Fox, Vulpes vulpes and Rabbit, Dyctolagus cuniculus. - I TABLE 8.11.1 BIRD SPECIES RECORDED IN THE STUDY AREA

IONYTIMEN NUMBER I r-

/\rdeanovnehollandiae White-faced Heron 1 I Chenonetta jubata Maned Duck 2 Acçjrfascintus Brown Goshawk 1 I Falco longipennis Little Falcon 1 Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel 2 I Turnix varia Painted Button-Quail 4 Fulica atra Eurasian Coot 3 I Streptopelia chinensis Spotted Dove 2 pelia placida Peaceful Dove 2 Phaps Brush Bronzewing 1 I Crested Pigeon 6 Caflocpha!onfimbriatum Gang Gang Cockatoo 3 I Platycercuselegans Crimson Rosella 2 Platyorcu3 eximius Eastern Rosella 35 I Cuculus pyrrhophanus Fan-tailed Cuckoo 1 Daceloegneae Laughing Kookahurra 1 I Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow 25 Petrochelidon nigricans Tree Martin 6 Anthus novaeseelandiae Australian Pipit 7 I Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckooshrike 5 Eopsaltriaaustralis Eastern Yellow Robin .1 I Microeca ±ohaea Jacky-Winter 1 khpidurafuliçjJnosa Grey Fantail .16 I Rhipidura leucgjrs Wiiiie-Wagtail 6 Pachycephala pis Golden Whistler 1 I Eichaia rufiventris Rufous Whistler 2 Malurusyeus Blue Wren 1 Acanthizalineata Striated Thornbi!l 6 1 Acanthizagloides Buff-rumped Thornbill 5 Climacteris leucophaea White-throated Treecreeper 5 I C1irnacti8pJcumnu3 Brown Treecreepor 2 H I Neos itt a chrysoptera Orange-winged Sittella 6 Pardalotus pçtatus Spotted Pardalote 15 Pardolutus ornatus Red-tipped Pardalote 1 Zosterpps lateralis Grey-backed Silvereye B Meliphaga chrysops Yellow-faced Honeyeater 25 Meliphaga leucotis White-eared Honeyeater 2 Meliphaga melanops Yellow-tufted Honeyeater 45 Melithreptus lunatus White-naped Honeyeater 4 Manor ma melanocephala Noisy Miner 150 Emb Ic ma temporalis Red-browed Finch 25 Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling 75 Oriolus sagittatus Olive-backed Oriole 1 Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-Lark 12 Corcorax mel an orb phos White-winged Chough 20 Artamus cyanopterus Dusky Woodswallow I CracUcus torquatus Grey Butcherbird 2 Gymnorhina Ob i cen Black-backed Magpie 11 Strcpera cmiculinn Pied Currawong 8 Corvus coronoides Australian Raven 4 Barn Owl 2 * 1 Podar_qus_ striqoides Tawny Frogmouth Caly * Funereal Cockatoo 3 Psophodes olivaceus * Eastern Whipbird 1 Sericornis frontalis * White-browed Scrub-wren 1 Cincicisorna_punctatum * Spotted Quail-Thrush 4

Recorded during mammal survey I n I I 1 I I TABLE 8.11.2 I BIRD SPECIES NOT RECORDED, BUT LIKELY TO BE PRESENT IN THE STUDY AREA I MIGRATORY SPECIES

Eurystornus orientalis Dollarbird Merops ornatus Rainbow-bird

Gerygone olivacea White-throated Warbler Halcyon sancta Sacred Kingfisher Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Flycatcher k/lyiagra ruhecula Leaden Flycatchei Mzotnela sanquinolenta Scarlet Honeyeater

Petrochelidon ariel Fairy Martin Ljye sueurii White-winged Triller

Coracina tenuirostris Cicada bird

('1rc1ottL.trTIuis Iiat.IeA18i Rufous Sonqiark

(As well as uL least our Cuckoo species)

COMMON SPECIES OF RESTRICTED HABIT, TYPICAL OF THE AREA I Colloricincla harmonica Grey ilirush Yellow-rumped Thornbill

I Acanthiza pusilla Brown Thornbill

Acanthiza nana Yellow Thornbill I Smicrornis brevirostris Weebill Popplabichenovii Double-barred Finch I Emblema quttata Diamond Firetail Elanus notatus Black-shouldered Kite I Cacatua Sulphur-crested CocI

Psephotus haematonotus Red-i-urriped Parrot 1 Cacatua roseicapilla Gal ah Forest Bronzewing I Petroica rosea Rose Robin

UI I I I çjpao1itaria Rock Warbler Coracina robusta Little Cuckooshrike I Malurus lamberti \/ariegated Wren I Dicacurn hirundinaceum Mistletoe bird I (As well as many other nomadic honeyeaters, and various water frequenting birds) I I I I 1 I I I I 1 I I I I I I ------TABLE 8.1.1.3 MAMMAL J REPTILES_AND AMPHIBIANSRECORDED FROM THE SITE

METHOD OF IDENTIFICATION Direct observation Spotlighted Captured in Sign - scat, Observed by Recorded by during daylight Elliot trap track etc. Others A.C. Hodson (Ref.2)

MARSLWIALS

Macropus rufIus X X X Red-necked Wallaby

Macropus giganteus X Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Wallabia bicolor X X X Swamp Wallaby

Trichosurus vulpecula X X Brush-tailed possum

Pseudocheirus peregrinus X X Common Ring-tail possum

Petaurusceps X X X Sugar Glider

Petauroides volans X Greater Glider

Perameles nasuta X Long-nosed Bandicoot

Vombatus ursinus X X X Common Wombat

Antechinusstuartij X X Brown Antechinus

PLAGENTALS

Canis familiaris X X Domestic Dog ------4ETHOD - OF- IDENTIFICATION ------Direct observation Spotlighted Captured in Sign - scat, Observed by Recorded by during daylight Elliot trap track etc. Others A.C. Hodson (Ref.2)

Feis catus X X x Feral c a t

Orvctolacus cuniculus X X X Rabbit

Vuloes vulpes X Fox

Mus musoulus X Feral house-mouse

Rattus fuscipes Bush rat

Bats of indeterminate species

REPTII_ES Pseudnaa textilis Brown Snake

Pseudechis porphyriacus X Red-belied Black Snake

Sphenornorphus quoyi X Water Sink

Amphibolurus muricatus X iacky Lizard

AMF-IIBIA NS Litoria phyllochrea X Leaf Orson Tree Frog

Pseudoohrvne bibroni N Brown Tcadlet I I TABLE 8.11.4 I MAMMAL SPECIES NOT RECORDED, BUT LIKELY TO BE PRESENT IN THE STUDY AREA I MARS UP IA L S

I inthopsLs murina Common Antechinus Antechinus swainsonil Dusky Antechinus I Phascogale tapaotafa Brush-tailed Phascogale Acrobates pyqrnaeus Pigmy Glider I Cercartetus nanus Pigmy Possum I MC) NOIRE M ES

I Echidna FachYql0SSUSaCUle2tUS I 13.11.3 Discussion I The study site as a unit represents a transitional area between forest and induced grassland. In the context of the surrounding I area it represents a small part of similar land bordering the extensive open forests of the Cordeaux Dam catchment area. I Two main environmental factors of importance to fauna of the I region and pertaining to the site exist. First, previous annual firing, by the M.W.S. & D.B. of the I grassland in the eastern portion of the site and its subsequent burning some distance into the open forest on the site has created a vegetation sequence of Open forest, with variable I mid-storey vegetation and ground cover, Grassy Open Forest, and Grassland. This has significantly aflected both the I numbers and distribution of certain fauna species in the area I as fuhlows: I I I Birds The romovol of shrubby undorstoroy vegetation by burning, and the maintenance of an extensive grassland area bordering the open forest areas and smaller isolated copses, has resulted in colonization by a large population of Noisy Miners, Manorina melanocephala, generally in the area to the east and some areas south of Aliens Creek. Because of the territorial nature and aggresive habits of Noisy Miners, smaller birds, with no protective shrub layer, are driven from the area. As a result very few small birds were evident in these areas of grassy open forest and woodland. The birds most commonly seen in areas dominated by the Noisy Miners were generally of similar or greater size, and included: Eastern and I Crimson Rosellas, Crested Pigeons, Kookaburi'as, Pied Currawongs, Black-backed Magpies and White-winged I Choughs.

Mammals The fire management regime has had a beneficial effect on grazing mammals in the area. Wombats with burrows in the forest areas adjoining the grassland, graze both in the grassy forest and woodland areas, and in the grassland bordering them. Larger numbers of macropods, mainly Eastern Orey Kangaroos, Macropus anteus and Red-necked Wallabies, Wallabia bicolor than would be expected are found in the area. They appear mostly to be lying up during dayime some distance into the adjoining forests of the catchment area, moving into the study site at night to feed in the induced grassy open forest and grassland. Regrowth of eucalypts and other species, including acacias, after burning has provided a food supply for arboreal mammals, particularly possum and gliders. An unusually large number of Sugar Gliders was recorded in the area in both the original and present survey. I

A "wild life corridor", the second environmental factor of I importance to fauna, begins in the study area and continues north to the Nenean River and its tributaries. A continuum of I forest vegetation from the Cordeaux catchment area begins in the western portion of the site, and follows Aliens Creek I northwards, providing a corridor of movement for migratory birds and terrestrial and arboreal fauna. The significance of I this corridor is discussed in section 9.6.1.

Bird species of restricted distribution or some degree of rarity I encountered on the site include: Painted Button-Quail, Peaceful Dove, Brush Bronzewing, Gang Gang Cockatoo, Fan- I tailed Cuckoo, Eastern Yellow Robin, Jacky-Winter, Buff- rumped Thornbill, Brown Treecreeper, Orange-winged Sitella, I White-eared Honeyeater, Olive-backed Oriole, White-winged Chough and Spotted Quail-thrush. None of these foregoing 14 I species are as yet considered endangered, but several are cnrLninly zipproachiny that AnLe.

No rare or endangered mammal, reptile or amphibian species were recorded on the site.

8.12 Archaeology

Archaeological investigations of the area for the proposed West Bellarnbi facilities and reject emplacement area and the proposed No. 6 Shaft and services corridor were carried out during April 1982. The aim of the investigations was to locate, identify and assess visible Aboriginal sites and relics, to recommend suitable management measures for any sites found, to access the probability of further sites being present within the area and to assess the need for further archaeological investigations.

Several significant Aboriginal sites were identified and recorded as a I result of these investigations. Details of the sites are given in Appendix M.D of this report which has a restircted circulation. I I I

I 8,13 Regional Characteristics

I 8.13.1 IgWn_Pig_ and LapdU I The proposed West Bellambi site and reject emplucement area lie within Wollondilly Shire the main towns of which are Warragarnba, Picton and Tahrnoor. The town of Appin, which I lies approximately 11 kilometres to the northeast, forms part of the Macarthur Growth Area which comprises the three I towns of Camden, Campbelltown and Appin. New surburban developments are planned for the Appin vicinity. I The land in the immediate vicinity of the proposed I development with the exception of the village of Wilton, is either zoned rural 1A.1, rural A2 or is dedicated as the Metroplitan Catchment Area. rigure 8.13.1 shows the existing

I Zoning. Lisa Road approximately 2,5 kilometres north of the site is a small subdivision, with blocks of generally 10 hectares I or larger. Advice from Wollondilly Council has indicated that there are no plans for any change in the current zoning I situation. I Suburban residential development is noticeable to the north along the Appin-Picton Road and in the Township of Wilton. in general, however, land uses to the north and northiest of the I site are primarily agricultural while in other directions the I land is within the Metropolitan Water Catchment Area. Agriculture in this region is concerned mainly with cattle I raising, dairying and poultry and egg production. Elsewhere in Wollondilly Shire fruit growing is important. A small winery I (MacArthur Estate - Wilton Vineyards) exists 2.8 kilometres north of the coil i cry site. I I I I A special kind of land use exists 1.8 kilometres north-east of I the proposed colliery at the C.S.l.R.O. Entomology Research Station. This research station, with orchards comprising about I 10 hectares, is situated within the Metropolitan Water Catchment Area on land leased from the Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board. The station is the head- I quarters and centre of the C.S.I.R.O. research effort into fruit flies. It has existed since the early 1960's and is expected to I operate for at least the next decade. The site was chosen as an ideal place for this research because of its climate and I relative isolation from urban areas and commercial fruit growing districts. I The Metropolitan Water Catchment Area almost surrounds the proposed colliery site. The Metropolitan Catchment Area I provides a part of Sydney's arid Wollongong's water supply and is almost entirely native forest land, long closed to public I access. Within the catchment area are four reservoirs, the Cataract, Cordeaux, Avon and Nepean, with a total storage I capacity of 403,660 megalitres of water and covering a total area of over 3,000 hectares. At each of the dams, picnic and I sightseeing areas are provided by the Metropolitan Water, Sewerage arid Drainage Board for public use.

I Park and recreation areas are not extensive in the site vicinity. Aside from the picnic areas at the Water Board I dams, the only dedicated recreation area within ten kilometres is a small recreation reserve at Wilton. The Water Board dams I and picnic areas are popular regional tourist attractions receiving heavy use on weekends and holidays. Many visitors I are undoubtedly engaging in scenic drives along roads through the area and find the dams and picnic areas focal points of I interest and convenient rest stops along the way. l:)leasmire dr iv incj and siqh tseeiriq, especially on weekends and I holidays in the region must bp considered an important non- cociuuriiptive or passive recreational use of the region. 1 I

Mining is a regionally important base of employment and nearby mines include Appin, Tower, Westcliff and Cordeaux Collieries. Mount Keira Road is also an important transport link for coal mines in the Burragorang Valley to Port Kembla.

8.13.2 Workforce

The workforce at the existing South Bulli Colliery generally live east of the Illawarra escarpment with 95 percent residing along the coastal strip from as far south as Albion Park to the north at Heiensburgh. The remaining 5 percent live to the west of the escarpment. At present the bulk of employees travel by bus or car to the No. 4 shaft facility and this will not change after commissioning of the new development. It is estimated that only 64 people will work at the West Bellambi site.

The current workforce is about 1,015 people of which 725 people work from the existing No.4 shaft with the remainder being employed at the existing South Bulli facilities.

13.13.3 Tragport Network

The existino road and railway systems in the region are shown on figure The nearest railway line to thesite is at Douglas Park 10 kilometres to the north. This is the Main Southern Railway from Sydney to Melbourne.

Access to the area of proposed mine surface facilities is

I presently by way of unsealed tracks from the Mt. Keira Road (Trunk Road No.95). Trunk Road No. 95 is a single carriageway with one traffic lane for each direction, carrying I a moderately high volume of traffic as follows: I I I I I Commuters between the Picton - Camden area and I W oil ong on g,

I Trucks and other vehicles associated with existing mine sites in the area, I Traffic from the Sydney Western region using the Hume Highway and more recently the F5 South-Western I Freeway, opened in December 1980.

I Traffic conditions on Trunk Road No.95 adjacent to the site - were measured from 14th i25trA.-il, 1980 using a Stevens I PPR 11 PrintPunch Traffic Recorders. The recorder was set to measure Idie number of 2-axied vehicles, as measured by the I N.S.W. Department of Main Roads. The location of the traffic recorder is shown in figure 8.13.2.

I The Average Daily Traffic volume, A.D.T., measured over the study period, is given in Tobie 8.13.1 together with the 1974 I and 1978 Annual Average Daily Traffic volumes, A.A.D.T., for D.M.R. stations 07460 and 07462, the locations of which are I shown in flgure 8.13,2. More recent A.A.D.T. figures for the area are not available. I

TABLE 8.13.1 I AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC VOLUMES TRUNK ROAD 95 I 2 - AXLED VEHICLES/DAY 1978 14-15 April, 1982 I 1974 AA[)T DIv1R 07460 1910 2120 I AADT DMR 07462 1640 2190

I A[)T Adjacent to site I I I

I

L Lowest average traffic volume recorded during the study was between 1.00 a.m. and 4.00 a.m and comprised less than 20 2- I axied vehicles per hour.

/\verage hourly traffic volumes between 200 and 300 2-axled I vehicles per hour occur between 7.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m., with the peak average level of 291 2-axled vehicles occurring I between 10.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m, I I I I I I I I [1 F] I I I I I 9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS

9.1 Air Quality I A number of potential air pollution sources, which may occur during the construction and operational phases of the mine, have been identified. I Specific safeguards have been provided for these.

During the construction phase a number of safeguards will be implemented. The area to be disturbed at any one time will be kept to a minimum to contain the dust nuisance. Stockpiles of material from excavation works, such as drift construction, will be located in suitably sheltered areas and subjected to water spraying as required to minimise dust problems. The access roads and car parks will be sealed at an early stage to eliminate localised dust emission caused by construction traffic. All unsealed roads will be regularly watered.

The processing of coal produces a number of dust sources generally

uSuoc i it.rl wit.11 the hur idling rind move rnent of coal. All conveyor gantries will be totally enclosed with full width spilitrays underneath.

The stockpiles have been orientated on a east-west axis which presents a minimal face area to westerly winds which are one of the dominant wind directions. The maximum face area is presented to southerlies and northerlies which are the other dominant winds. To minimise any dust problems an agglomerating agent will be sprayed onto all washed coal prior to its placement onto the stockpiles. All stockpiles will have an automatic dust suppression system, with manual override, which will be activated by an on-site meteorological station.

Reject material will be moist upon leaving the coal preparation plant and during emplacement. In addition during emplacement operations provision will be made to apply further water as required for purposes of dust suppression. I At the proposed No. 6 Shaft air quality can only be affected by dust as a I result of construction of the shaft and the emplacement of the excavated material. To minimise the dust nuisance the area disturbed I at any one time will be kept to a minimum and any working areas will be subject to water spraying as required.

I 9.2 Water Management

9.2.1 General

The site of the proposed West Bellambi extensions lies within the upper catchment of Allen's Creek. Careful attention has I been given to site water management and water pollution control with the aim of re-using all waters wherever possible. Environmental safeguards include: the collection of all run-off I within the site; treatment of dirty water run-offs and the treatment of all domestic waste waters. A schematic diagram I outlining the water pollution control scheme is shown on figure 1 9.2.1. 9.2.2 Stormwater and Process Water 1 There are multiple reticulation systems for handling stormwater run-off and process water flows from the colliery. The division I of the site into "dirty" and "clean" areas, together with the general direction of water flows, is shown on figure -9,2.2. The I sources of water flows are:-

Clean water (roof water etc.) reticulated to the main storage dam.

Process dirty water from the workshop and coal preparation plant buildinq.

3. flttui-oI (hrty willu'r fi-orn wound the pli-lof) uro itiluchiiuj the stockpiles. I . Leachate or other contaminated water from the reject I emplacement area.

I The process dirty water from the workshop and coal preparation plant arises from water used to washdown these areas. These flows together with genera] stormwater runoff from the I workshop area will be reticulated to flow to the workshop grit: trap. From here the water will flow into a sump before being I pumped to an oil separation system. During periods of prolonged rainfall water will overflow from the sump, through I an oil baffle, into the main storage dam. The underflow from the oil separator will be stored in a sump for use in the I stockpile spray system or if not required will be pumped to the retention ponds forming part of the sewage system. oil separated by the system will be stored in a tank which will be

I pumped out periodically and the oil reclaimed.

I Runoff from the stockpiles will be directed by a gravity drainage system to a filter dam, constructed with a permeable I wall, then to the main grit trap from where it will overflow into the main storage dam. I The main storage dam has a capacity of xx megalitres and is designed to retain all water from the site catchment area for a I ?____! ---- * storm. The main storage dam water will be used to

supply make-up water for the coal preparation plant, and to I supply water for dust suppression including the stockpile sprays.

I The main storage darn will not generally overflow. However, during periods of heavy prolonged rainfall the dam will overflow I via a surface skimmer to a filter lagoon through which water will pass before discharging to Aliens Creek. I The refuse emplacement area ...... I I I I 9.2.3 Sewage Ireatment System

All sources of domestic waste water will be collected, treated I and disposed of on site. There will be no direct discharge of any effluent into Allen's Creek. A detailed engineering design has not been carried out for the system but the final system will I generally be as described. Initially a workforce of 64 men will be based at the site and for this number of men the following I system of treatment will be adequate.

Sewage frorn toilet facilities in the coal preparation plant, coal preparation plant bathhouse, office buildings and the workshop I will be reticulated to a septic tank system. I All remaining sources of domestic waste water, generally comprising bathwater from the coal preparation plant bathhouse and bathwater from the demounteble facilities, will be I conveyed to twin lagoons of earth construction after first passing through grit traps. Retention in the lagoon system will I be for a minimum 35 days before final disposal in a spray irrigation area.

If it is decided to man access to the underground workings to I the West Bellambi site then the workforce will increase to a total of 964 persons working three shifts. Should this transfer occur then the sewage treatment system will be completely re I developed. All sources of domestic waste water will be conveyed to in.*ground concrete sumps, acting as flow I equalisers, from where the effluent will be pumped to an extended aeration treatment plant. Overflow from the plant I will be into a twin lagoon system with the primary lagoon providing a 3 day retention and the secondary lagoon providing a I 12 day retention. After maturation the treated effluent will be (I iposed of via sprey I rriijation. I I I I I 9.2.14 Construction Phase Prior to the commencement of each construction phase, I adequate catch drains and silt traps will be installed to service each sector of the construction works. The catch drains will be I located to collected any "dirty" water run-off from the site and direct these flows to silt traps. During the initial period of

construction the main storage darn will be built. All water I flows from the site will be directed to this dam which, as well

as providing a further safeguard to any contaminated flows I entering Aliens Creek, will provide water 'for dust suppression I purposes during construction. Sewage...... I 9.3 Monitoring Program

I As part of the initial investigation for the West Bellambi development a monitoring program for both air and water quality has been I inpiemented. Dust gauges have been installed at seven locations surrounding the proposed site and reject emplacement. These will be I collected on a monthly basis to provide both existing fallout data and to monitor the effects of the proposed development should it proceed. I Water samples have been collected at 5 locations, two in Aliens Creek,

two in Cascade Creek and one in in existing large farm dam'ioeated to I the north of the proposed development. Samples will initially be

collected on a r'nonthly basis to provide adequate background I information and then at a more irregular period to monitor the effects I of the development should it proceed The location of the monitoring points are given on figure 8.9.1. I I I I I 94 Noise

The site selected for the location of the colliery surface facilities is I particularly suitable from the point of view of possible noise impact. Although one house is located just north of Alkoomie Place at a

distance of 1.3 km from the pittop, the only other residences occur at I distances of more than 2.0 km in a northerly direction.

However, in order to ensure that noise reaching the boundary of the Company's property is at acceptable levels, all coal handling facilities

will be designed to incorporate adequate noise attenuation measures.

The proposed safeguard measures for minimisii-iq noise generation

include the following:-

* The major noise sources such as the coal breaker and preparation

plant building will be fully enclosed;

* All conveyors, drive units and coal transfer stations will be fully

enclosed;

Pilling of overhead coal storage bins will employ a method whereir impulsive noise from coal striking bin walls is avoided;

* Within the preparation plant, all items of equipment will be considered individually for acoustic treatment and where necessary vibration mounts, enclosures and screens will be used to control

internal noise to hearing protection levels as required under

Government regulations.

The loading and transportation of coal by rail (or by trucks on a I separate haul road) will occur to the south of the colliery facilities and therefore cause little noise impact on the houses to the north.

The colliery site is remote from any form of residential development to the west, east and south, these areas all being part of the undeveloped I Metropolitan Catchment Area.

17 I I

I The West Bellambi facilities and associated proposals will require approval under the Noise Control Act (1975) and Regulations. Any I limits or conditions imposed under the approval by the State Pollution Control Commission will be met by the Company.

I 9.5 Vegetation

I 9.5.1 West Bellambi Site and Reject Emplacement Area

I The proposal affects the vegetation in the following manner:- I Clearing of land, which reduces the vegetation's resistance to invasion of weeds and exotic plants, and increases the I possibility of erosion of topsoil.

Dust generation can reduce plant growth and regeneration I rates.

I Raising of the land surface level in emplacement areas, will alter the natural drainage and effect the vegetation I immediately adjacent to the emplacement.

The safeguards implemented to reduce these threats to the I vegetation are:-

I Minimisation of cleared areas and immediate revegetation surrounding the West Bellambi facilities and on the reject I emplacement areas upon completion. I Where possible, all vehicular movement will be confined to existing roads and tracks, thereby reducing possible cleared areas and confining the area affected by dust generation 1 and erosion. I I I I

15. Seeding and planting of all disturbed areas including new tracks, surface facilities and reject emplacement areas and their peripheral verge with the same species as shown in the Open Forests list of species in the Appendix. This will arrest any dieback by replacing existing vegetation.

4. Mulching of the area using existing vegetation will seal the soil surface prior to the germination of seedlings and therefore reduce the time available for weed invasion and erosion. The mulch of existing vegetation will also promote natural regeneration of seeds contained within the mulched material. This will reduce any possibility of genetic pollution of the vegetation, arising from the introduction of seeds and plants not produced in the area which although genetically and specifically identical, could possibly be genetically different. Natural regeneration will nullify any effect of this process.

The stockpiling and reuse of displaced topsoil will prevent I introduction of weeds, fungus and disease that can be transmitted by the use of imported topsoil. I 95.2 No. 6 Shaft and Services Corridor

The building works associated with No. 6 Shaft will involve clearing of the vegetation. Upon completion of the vorks the I vegetation will be restored using the same method as outlined in Clause 3 and 4 of the preceeding section.

The vegetation cleared for the services corridor, will not be 1 replaced. It is envisaged that natural regeneration will occur to cover the ground surface. The isolation of this corridor from any developed areas and public roads eliminates the problern of I weed invasion, and the relatively infrequent use will not hinder regeneration in any way. As this area is surrounded on all sides I by undisturbed vegetation, the introduction of nursery grown I I I plools or seeds collected from areas outside the region, could I produe a genetic variation previously unknown in the region. For this reason, regeneration is best left to natural forces as I the impact will then be negligible.

9.6 Fauna Protection I

9.6.1 West Bellambi Site and Reject Emplacement Area

Although some of the birds recorded on the site are becoming I increasingly less common, none as yet are considered rare or endangered. Further, as no unique habitat, with respect to a I avifauna, exists on the site, no specific environmental safeguards are proposed. There is no reason to believe that the species recorded are not represented in the surrounding forests I of the Cordeaux catchment and extensive pastureland to the north and north-west. As the rehabilitation program proposed I involves the planting of native species with the object of re- establishing a natural open forest community type, it is I probable that in due course the site will be recolonized by most of the species which are now there. Construction of water I dams on the site will certainly attract water frequenting and other species of birds.

Emplacement of reject material is planned to effect only relatively small areas at any one time. As far as pQssibie the stuqud rejoct emplacement and subsequent i'evecjotnti on will be programmed in such a way as to ensure a continuity of protective vegetation. However, in terms of the proposal it is not possible to guarantee that the wildlife corridor along Aliens Creek will not be disrupted during some stages of construction and operation. However undesirable this may be it must be viewed in the overall context of the surrounding area and the duration of the disruption. Corridors of similar size also running north-south exist to the west and east, with the Cordeaux catchment to the east of the site forming both an LX1cUUiV0 i'cfugo and corridor 10 northern regions. In terms of time, the disruption will only be temporary, insofar as that the section of the corridor destroyed will ultimately be reformed as a result of the revegetation program. Such short-term disruption will have no long-term effect on the effectiveness of the Aliens Creek corridor.

Fauna will be protected during the construction phase by the erection of a two metre high fence around the proposed pit top area. As no rare or endangered mammal, reptile or amphibian species were recorded, no safeguards other than those already described are planned.

9.6.2 No. 6 Shaft and Services Corridor

The area to be effected by construction of the proposed Vent Shaft and associated services corridor line is minor, and is noL expected to significantly effect fauna in the area. No specific fauna safeguards are proposed for this area.

9.7 Scenic Quality/Landform

The scenic quality and existing landform will be safeguarded by the following measures:-

Emplacement areas will be contoured and revegetatedto match existing.

The existing ridgoline will be extended by the emplacement and the highest level will not exceed the existing high level of R.L. 325.

The view of the pit top area from Mt. Keira Road (Trunk Road 95) observer positions 7, 8 and 9 will be screened by supplementary I planting of advanced stock, in the road verge area.

Where possible, existing tall trees will be retained in the pit top area. I 11 Cleared vegetation will be replaced as soon as practicable with forest species.

The broad views of the pit top area from observor positions 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 will be screened by planting of advanced stock on the northern boundary of the emplacement

Restoration of vegetation surrounding the No. 6 Shaft.

Minirnisation of width of the services corridor between No. 5 Shaft and No. 6 Shaft.

9.8 Subsidence

9.9 Archaeological

As a result of the location of several Aboriginal sites within the area under consideration for the development safeguards have been incorporated into the proposed development plans. These safeguards involve the redesign of sections of the proposed development to ensure that the archaeological sites will not be affected by the proposal. In addition a buffer area has been provided between the mining activities and the sites to provide further protection. 10.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND INTERACTIONS

10.1 General

This section discusses the predicted short and long term environmental consequences of carrying out the western extensions to the South Bulli Colliery. The environmental impacts are assessed with due regard to the environmental safeguards proposed.

10.2 Air Quality

As a result of the air quality safeguards detailed in Section 9.1 dust emanating from the site will be kept to a minimum.

Winds in the area vary throughout the year but are predominantly from the south-east through to north depending upon the season. Of these winds only those from the south-east to south will direct dust towards inhabited areas. The other winds tend to direct dust over areas of the Metropolitan Catchment Area.

The nearest residence is located approximately 1.0 kilornetres north I of the proposed surface facilities but it is adjacent to the proposed reject emplacement area. This residence is likely to be affected by I dust arising from the mining activities although this will only occur during south winds and generally only during the initial construction I stages of the reject emplacement area. I The C.S.I.R.O, resoach station is carrying out çesearch on fruit flies which are susceptible to dust fallout. The station is located about 0,8 kilometres from the closest part of the Colliery activities, comprising I the reject emplacement, and 1.7 kilometres from the surface facilities. For dust to be dirccted towards the station the wind would I have to be from the south-west which occur mainly during winter. It is not expected that with the proposed dust mitigation work proposed I that the West Bellambi development will have any major impact on the C.S.l.R.O, research.

I 0 I Minimal increases in the area's dust deposition rates are likely to I occur due to the presence of the mine. The dust monitoring program, as outlined in Section 9.3, will enable the effectiveness of the I proposed safeguards to be ascertained and will indicate if any further mitigation works are necessary. I 10.13 Water Quality

I The proposals for safeguarding water quality outlined in Section 9.2 will ensure that there will be no adverse effect upon Aliens Creek as I a result of the proposed development. Generally there will be no discharge of water into the creek from the site. Table 10.3.1 shows I the estimated water usage on the site and shows that the Company will be a net importer of water. 1 10.4 Noise

1 110.4.1 General

The establishment and operation of any major colliery development will involve the generation of noise from a I number of sources. The individual noise sources can be designed, attenuated and operated to minimize the noise I produced, but impact on the acoustic environment of the immediate surrounds is unavoidable.

The main aspects of the iresent proposal which will lead to noise generation will occur either as part of the short-term I construction period or the long-term operational phase of the colliery. Accordingly, the likely noise impacts have I been assessed below for each of these phases of the colliery's development. I In this acoustic assessment it is assumed that the mode of transport of product coal from the site will be by way of the I rail spur or haul road system described in Section 7. This I I I I I I To I Action Required I Subject: I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

\ I \

I I I repot does not jflClLjde the assessment of noise along the I total length of the road or railway line. It is restricted at this stage to an examination of the likely noise impact from I the operation of the colliery facilities including the loading and movement of trains on the rail loop. Similar or lower I noise levels would result from a truck loading facility and the movement of coal trucks at this point.

Section 8.9 describes the existing acoustic environment in the study area and identifies traffic on the Mt. Keira Road as the single major source of noise currently affecting the area. The closest residence to the proposed colliery is the house immediately to the north of Alkoomie Place, some 1.3 km north of the proposed surface facilities. Alkoomie Place also represents the boundary of the Company's landholding and for these reasons it is considered to be the most critical point for the assessment of noise impact.

10,4.2 Construction Phase

During construction of the Colliery facilities, noise will result from four main areas of activity:-

Earthworks (including excavation of drift, drilling, clearing, levollirrg and gerreral site preparation);

Construction of buildings and erection of coal handlinq fa cii ties;

Blasting of drift entry; and,

Traffic using the Mt. Keira Road, access road and

general surface area.

This period of construction will extend for approximately 30 months and will include a wide variety of both type and magnitude of noise produced from these activities. A summation of individual noise levels from typical surface excavation and construction activities suggests a maximum effective level of 90 dBA at 15m could occur on a semi- continuous basis during the hours of construction. Allowing for attenuation with distance, it is considered that construction noise at the site could therefore produce daytime noise levels of up to 50 - 55 dBA in the vicinity of Alkoomie Place.

These noise levels during the construction phase are unlikely to cause any major disturbance in the vicinity of Alkoomie Place as peak levels of up to 55 dBA were observed here during the background noise survey. These levels occur commonly during the day (and less frequently at night) from traffic, particularly trucks, using the Mt. Keira Road.

Similarly, the effects of blasting at the site will not result in any major disturbance at nearby residences. Blasting will probably be carried out twice per day during construction of the drift, and at pre-determined times. The levels of charge to be used will depend on the contractor's equipment and the rock conditions but the contractor will be required to ensure that blasting is carried out within specified limits. Any blasting effects felt at residences will be well within the State Pollution Control Commission limits of 115 dB (linear) and 7 mm/s for impulsive noise and vibration respectively.

The additional traffic on the Mt. Keira Road and in the colliery surface area is not expected to significantly add Lo noise levels during the construction period.

10.4.3 Operation of the Colliery

As discussed in Section 10.4.1 above, the major permanent noise sources at the Colliery will be the coal preparation plant and the breaker. However, many other features of the coal handling system will also generate noise and these include conveyors, transfer points, coal bins, stockpiling operations, loading facilities, trucks and possibly train I' I I movements. In addition to these operations which will occur at the colliery pit-top, some noise will result from the trucking, placement and compacting of washery rejects in I the emplacement areas.

I The main noise sources and their expected maximum noise levels are listed in Table 10.4.1. I TABLE 10.4.1 I ESTIMATED NOISE LEVELS FROM COLLIERY SURFACE OPERATIONS

Maximum Noise Level I at 1.5m (dBA)

I Lontiriunus of Near-Continuous Sources

Conveyors (several) including drive and I transfer stations 67 Bin Loading 70 I Coal Breaker 75 Coal Preparation Plant 75 Raw Coal Stacker/Reclaimer 72 I Product Stacker 67 I Intermittent Sources

I Refuse Loading 72 Refuse Truck Movements 78 I Rail Loading ) 73 ) If appropriate I Locomotive ) 78 Refuse _Enpcement Operations (intermittent) I Truck Movements 80 I Truck Dumping 76 Bulldozer 82

I NOTE: Those noise lovels wore estimated from rfleauui'eiflents taken previously of similar equipment and installations. I I I As stated above, the nearest residence is off Alkoomie I Place, some 1300m north of the pit-top. The only other houses in the area are also located to the north and include I those in Lisa Road, the "Alkoomie" stud property and at the CSIRO Research Station. All these are at distances of 2 km or more from the proposed pit-top and most are not I intervisible with the site.

I Because Alkoomie Place represents the limit of the Company's land ownership in this direction and because it is I close to the nearest residence, it is considered to be a critical point for estimating future noise levels. I The likely noise impact of the Colliery at locations such as Alkoomie Place has been estimated by taking the maximum I noise levels of the individual sources and considering their distances and any effects of shielding by other structures. I Standard attenuation rates are then used and the levels added to give a total noise level resulting from Colliery I operations at the point in question.

I Table 10.4.2 shows the way in which total noise levels at Alkoomie Place are estimated, and indicates a possible maximum continuous noise level here of 43 dBA, or 44 dBA I if intermittent, events are included. These numbers compare with present background levels here of around 33o 40 dBA I during the day and as low as 32 dBA at night (from Table 8.9.1). It is therefore considered that some impact will I occur at Alkoornie Place where pit-top operations will cause noise levels up to several dBA higher than current: I background levels. This would almost certainly cause a minor level of disturbance to occupants of the only house which is a further 250rn north (and at a slightly lower level), R particularly under conditions of temperature inversions or a I southerly breeze. I I TABLE 10.4.2

ESTIMATION OF NOISE LEVELS IN ALKOOMIE PLACE

FROM COLLIERY PIT-TOP OPERATIONS

'TEJVI OR Max Level Distance to Shielding Max Level at SOURCE at 15m Alkoornie Place (dBA) Alkoomie Place (dBA) (dBA)

Conveyors 67 1000 rn + - 36

Bin Loading 70 1100 m 2 32

Coal Breaker 75 1000 m 3 37 (Continuous)

Preparation Plant; 75 1200 rn 3 39

Stacker/Reclaimer 72 IIJOO rn - 36

Sub Total (Continuotlis Noise) 43

Refuse Loading 72 1100 m S 32

Refuse Trucks 78 1100 m 6 36 (Inter in itt en t) Rail Loading ) If 73 1350 m 7 29

L.ncomotive ) appropriate 78 1350 m S "ii

TOTAL 44 dBA I Similar estimates have been made for noise propagation in I other directions from the Colliery and Table 10.4.3 gives the levels which could be expected at Mt. Kiera Road, some I 500m east of the pit-top. Levels here for continuous and intermittent noise are 49 dBA and 53 dBA respectively. These are not expected to cause any concern as no I residences occur in the area east of the colliery and while background levels vary from 33 to 50 dBA during the day and I as low as 31 dBA at night, passing traffic on this road commonly causes levels in excess of 80 dBA. I Estimates based on calculations such as those in Tables I 10.4.1, 10.4.2 and 10.4.3 have been used to produce a series of noise contours as shown in figure 10.4.1. These contours represent maximum operational noise levels arising from the I Colliery pit-top facilities but do not include noise from the I reject emplacement operations which are discussed below. The noise contours indicate that other residences to the north such as those in Lisa Road could expect noise levels of up to about 35 dBA. This is in the order of current I background noise levels (from Table 8.9.1) and therefore unlikely to cause any disturbance.

I 10.4.4 Reject Emplacement Op__erations

I It is important to note that the noise levels predicted above do not include the effects of reject disposal operations other I than the loading and movement of trucks in the Colliery area. I Reject emplacement will be carried out at different times over a very large area, as indicated in figure .... The I transport of reject material from the coal handling area and clumping at the active emplacement zone will be carried out I Lit. all hours ucinq special 20 tonne capacity trucks with extra silencers and without tail gates. Other operations at the n emplacement site, including compac Lion, level! ing and covering of refuse using bulldozers will take place only I itj day !IJ it. 1 I I I TABLE 10.4.3 ESTIMATION OF NOISE LEVELS AT MT. KEIRA ROAD I FROM COLLIERY PIT-TOP OPERATIONS

ITEM OR Max Level Distance to Shielding Max Level at SOURCE I at 15m Mt. Keira Road (dBA) Mt. Keira Road (dBA) I (dBA) I Conveyors 67 500 m - 42 Bin Loading 70 500 m - 40 Coal Breaker I 75 500 m 2 43 (Continuous) Preparation Plant 75 500 m - 45

I Stacker/Reclaimer 72 600 m - 41

I Sub Total (Continuous Noise) 49

I Refuse Loading 72 500 in 4 38

Refuse Trucks I 78 500 m 3 45 Rail Loading ) If 73 540 m - 43 1. ocornotive I ) appropriate 78 440 m - 49 I TOTAL 53 CIBA I I I I I I I The reject emplacement operations could produce noise I levels at locations close to an active area of emplacement which are higher than those occurring at that point from the central Colliery facility. For example, when emplacement I is occurring at only 200m from Alkoomie Place, maximnm

intermittent daytime noise levels here could be in the order I of 60 dBA.

I No other houses tall within 1.0 kin of the proposed area of emplacement and therefore would not be subjected to I intermittent day time noise of more than 45 to 47 dBA, even when the emplacement operations were at their closest point. This would result in only very minor disturbance for a I short period of time, as these houses are also subject to U intermittent traffic noise 'from Mt. Keira Road. I 10.4,5 Ventilation Shaft The proposed development includes the sinking of an I additional shaft (No. 6) in the position shown in figure 5.2.3 for mine ventilation purposes. This will replace the current I ventilation shaft (No. 5) as an upcast shaft and the twin fans and motor drives from the No. 5 shaft will be transferred to I No. 6. It is not considered that this will result in any no-se impact I as both the existing No. 5 shaft and the proposed No. 6 shaft are within the Metropolitan Catchment Area and remote I from any residences or areas of public use. The installation, and the noise it produces (about 50 dBA at 50m), will simply I be transferred from one point to another. The new location is approximately 3 km to the east of the nearest point on the I Mt. Keira Road. I I ru 10.5 Vegetation

The proposals impact on the surrounding vegetation will be minimised in the short term and neglible in the long term providing the environmental safeguards outlined in the preceeding text are implemented.

Short term impacts will include:-

Reduction of vegetative area on site due to building and road works associated with Colliery operations. On completion of building works, the land immediately surrounding the roads and buildings will be revegetated thereby restabilising the land and rosi3ttnq potentiil weed invasion.

Reduction of vegetative area and diversity in refuse disposal locations. The proposed staging method of refuse disposal, working from the extremities of the site back towards the Colliery with associated on going revegetation means that at any one time, no more than a total of one third of the area of that stage will be without any vegetative cover. Vegetative diversity will be reduced in those areas on the perimeter of the forests and woodlands until such time as the seeded areas become established and the process of natural revegetatiori recommence d.

Surface dust movement will be minimised therefore the impact rninimised. However in the short term dust effected vegetation will exhibit retarded growth rates and reduced regeneration rates. The vegetation most likely to be effected in this way will located to the north, north east and east of coal stockpiles as these reflect the prevailing winds.

Reduction of vegetation around Shaft No. 6 and services corridor until natural regeneration and limited planting becomes established. Long term impacts on vegetation will be negated as a result of the following precautions:-

Minirnisation of cleared areas.

The immediate restabilisation of land using indigenous vegetation.

The use of cleared vegetation as protective mulch, which will assist in natural regeneration.

Surface dust movement has no long term impact as the dust generation will cease when the Colliery operations cease.

10.6 Fauna

' It is evident that clearing of the site the surface facilities and reject emplacement will effect some ovifouno species of restricted ' (lI3tI1I)litIun ui ruiIty In IJLJIiibvrLii listed Iii )uot,Ion 13.1.05. iuniu individuals and small groups using the site year-round may find difficulty in resettling if the surrounding areas of forest and I grassland, although extensive, are already "saturated". If unable to resettle these individuals or small groups will be lost. The most susceptible will be the nine smaller bird species of the fourteen, I which will probably be subjected to even greater pressure than at ' present when the existing Noisy Miner population is., displaced westwards. The impact on birds in the area disturbed by mining operations will only be temporary. With the eventual maturation of I open forest resulting from the revegetation of the area, most effected species, represented in the forest and grassland around the I site, will move back. As previously stated, the dams associated with the mine will in fact attract birdlife.

The avian population of any similar tract of forest and grassland around the Sydney area contains most of the species already I mentioned in the actual count, the migratory kinds away during April I I

and those certainly present at other times of the year. Changing of habitat has been going on and will continue to do so for some time. Some birds are able to adapt to change readily whilst others never really survive. Mine buildings and the consequential changes connected with them probably do no more harm than the clearing of land and erection of farm buildings for grazing or agricultural purposes. However, some species such as the Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii, Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsi, Painted Honeyeater Grantiella and Speckled Warbler Chthonicola sagittat, somewhat common some years ago are now either extinct or nearing extinction in both the Counties of Cumberland and Camden.

With regard to other vertebrate groups, clearing for construction and reject emplacement will result in the local extinction of the animals in that area if they are unable to relocate in adjoining areas. Recolonisation of the affected area will depend on several factors:-

The availability of coloniser, i.e. the presence of the same animals in surrounding habitats,

The ability to colonise, dependant on the existence of a continuum of covering vegetation or wildlife corridor between the effected area and adjoining habitats, and

c) The suitability of the effected site in terms of availabfo habitats, I including: sufficient ground cover for small mammals; bushes and tress for possums and gliders; leaf litter, rocks and logs for I snakes and lizards; and water and shelter for amphibians.

I The proposal for the area will affect different groups in different ways and to different degrees as follows:- I - Arboreal mammals: Destruction of large trees, shrubs and regenerating eucalypts will reduce or eliminate the large I populations of possums and sugar gliders present on the site. As

I I the atugod reVogetatiOn of the reject emplacement proceeds and I develops, these mammals will recolonise these sites after large trees and understorey are established. Brush-tailed Possums I require nesting sites, such as hollows in trees, and may not live permanently on these sites until larger trees are mature. If nesting sites are available in close proximity to sufficiently I advanced regenerating areas these animals may use these sites for I feeding. Small ground dwelling mammals: The Bush Rat, Brown Antechinus I and House Mouse were recorded at the site. The House Mouse is an introduced species and is of no conservational import. The two I native small mammals were present at low densities. These animals will be most affected by the destruction of ground cover within the oucalypi forests and will most certainly become locally I extinct. Where it is possible to maintain a continuum of bushiand vegetation from surrounding areas to revegetated areas these I animals will be able to recolonise. The presence of leaf litter and a certain amount of ground cover appear to be important for these I species, permanent populations dependant on them.

I Crazing mammals: Wombats, Swamp Wallabies, Red-necked Wallabies and Grey Kangaroos. These species appear to be utlizing the open grassland and grassy forest and woodland, I emerging from the surrounding forests to feed. Destruction of this artificially induced system will most certainly reduce the I numbers of Wombats, Red-necked Wallabies and Grey Kangaroos on the site. Other areas of pasture exist to the north west of the I site and are available to these animals with dispersive powers greater than the smaller species previously discussed, Swamp I Wallabies present along Aliens Creek will be displaced by the reject emplacement, but, together with the other large grazing mammals, they will probably utilize the regenerating vegetation, I especially in the early stages. Ii I I Introduced species: Dogs, cats, foxes and rabbits. The three mobile predators will probably be little affected by operations at the site. Because they are such a destructive force on native fauna, steps could be taken to reduce their numbers. This in turn may aid recolonization of disturbed areas by native fauna. Rabbits are a never ending problem.

Reptiles and Amphibians: Because of their size and relatively low dispersal powers, the reptiles and amphibians on the site will probably become locally extinct in areas cleared for construction and reject emplacement. There is no reason to believe that they, like the other fauna, will not return to the site as revegetation progresses and suitable habitat is reformed.

As discussed in Section 9, the wildlife corridor along Aliens Creek I will possibly be disrupted at some stage or stages of construction and mine-working. When viewed in the context of surrounding geography I and the time scale involved, this disruption will only be temporary and result in no major impact. I The scale of disturbance in the area of the proposed vent shaft and the associated service corridor line is sufficiently small as to have an I insiqnificant impact on fauna in the area.

No mammals, reptiles or amphibians considered endangered or rare and requiring specific safeguards were recorded on the site..,

10.7 Scenic Quality/Landform

10.7.1 West Bellambi Site and Reject Emplacement Area

The reject emplacement area, as previously discussed, has been designed using existing topographic features. The only significant change in the landform will be obvious from observation points 4 and 5. The landform here will change to a steeply gcded rise. The impact of which will be significant to the landform, until the reveqetation planting has become established. I

The overall impact on the landforrn will be minimal except I during the initial clearing and emplacement operations.

I The impact of the proposal at the pit top area on the scenic quality of the region, was assessed by locating balloons at I specified heights above ground level in 5 positions on site, see figure 88.1. I Pit top area, at the expected level of the highest LI building. [1 Coal stockpile at three levels. [1 Western extremity of the coal stockpiles. Southern emplacement area at 25m above ground level. I Northern emplacement, at 25m above ground level.

I The balloon heights were varied in positions B, C, and D to indicate a scale and allow for those times before and after I revegetation. The stockpiles and conveyor gantries will not exceed 25m above ground level, but because of the existing I vegetation these were never visible. Ballons were set at heights greater than this to indicate the extent of area 1 which would be visible upon clearing of the site.

Photos were taken of the site from all observor positions and I results tabulated in Appendix.....

I The views from observation points 1 and 2 showed only the highest balloons in the stockpile areas, and the southern I emplacement area. The pit top area was clearly visible but the view to the northern emplacement was screened by the 1-1 dense vegetation surrounding AlIens Creek. I I

I This leads to the conclusion that the panoramic landscape I will not change in definition at all. The initial impact will be the addition of a vertical extrusion above the horizon line I in the pit top area; introduction of new colours to the landscape, i.e. dark colours of the stockpiles and I emplacement areas prior to rehabilitation; and the additional textures of building structures and stockpiled areas. As the present landscape exhibits variety in all these I aspects, and with the growth of proposed vegetation the initial contrast will diminish, the overall impact is therefore I judged to be slight.

I The canopied landscape will be significantly altered when viewed from observer positions 4 and 5, as the canopy I density seen here is lower than in views from 7, 8 and 9. Again the impact will diminish when planting on the northern boundary has become established. I

The canopied landscape from positions 7, 8 and 9 will be I altered to a focal landscape with the observers eye being drawn to the pit top workings. The rehabilitation of this I view, by supplementary planting will restore the character and reduce the impact of the surface workings to a minimal I level.

The enclosed landscape as seen from observatioftpoint No. I 10 will undergo significant change. Although the landform and vegetation will be replaced in the formation and I rehabilitation of the emplacement, the features, i.e. rock outcrops, overhangs and cliffs cannot be reproduced. I However this view is seen only from this observation position. It cannot be seen from any other observation I points discussed and therefore, although the visual quality has been significantly changed, the impact on the visual environment is minimal. 1 I 10.7.2 No. 6 Shaft and Services Corridor

Initially the impact on the visual environment will be significant as the clearing of vegetation will create a concave formation on the horizon line of the panoramic landscape. The enclosed landscape will again be degraded as the sense of enclosure will be destroyed until such time as the vegetation regenerates. However, this area cannot be seen from anywhere but inside the catchment area, which is not open to the public. So the regional impact is negligible.

The lonyterm impact will be minimal as the regeneration of I vegetation will cover the mine shaft. The removal of the transmission line at completion of operations from the I services corridor, will leave only a narrow unsealed road to be used as a fire trail, which are common throughout the catchment, and therefore have no effect on the visual 1 environment.

10.8 Archaeology

The proposed western extensions of the South Bulli Colliery will not have an impact upon the Aboriginal sites located within the area. fhe I development plans were revised to ensure that any known archaeological sites would not be disturbed as a result of the Colliery!s operations. I 1 10,9 Energy Statement The proposed development will require energy to power the I equipment and plant necessary for the mining and processing of the coal. I The site energy statement is summarised in Table 10.9.1 with the different forms of prime energy used, stated in equivalent electrical I terms.

I

I The main form of energy inputs are electricity and diesel fuels. Energy consumption has been established for an average annual production rate of 3.0 x 106 tonnes of washed coal based on:

applying the appropriate diversity and load factors to the connected loads of each area.

conversion of diesel fuel usage into the electrical energy equivalent assuming a specific energy of 10 kW hrs. per litre.

Not included in the table are relatively small amounts of energy used for transporting coal to market and for road transport of personnel to and from the site.

The energy value of the coal produced is assumed at 2.4 kW hrs. per kilogram based on the use of the coal in thermal power stations with an overall efficiency of 33%.

An estimated 122.4 x iO MW. hrs of power will be consumed annually in the production of coal which has an equivalent electrical energy of 7.2 x 106 MW hrs. giving an annual output to input ratio of approximately 60 to 1.

TABLE 10.9,1 SITE ENERGY STATEMENT

1. ENERGY USAGE

a) Mining Operations

Total connected load includes: 4 Longwall units 5 Continuous rninrs Underground conveyors Drift Conveyor and hauler

I lit) I I t1Iirl)I)l 115.7 x 10 5 t'vlVv'. I TABLE 10.9.1 cont.

Coal Handlinci and Precaration

Total connected load includes: Preparation plant Raw coal handling Washed coal handling Reject handling

Estimated annual usage 60.2 x 103 MW. hrs

Surface Operations

Total connected load includes: Ventilation fans Office and bathroom Workshop Lighting MIscellaneous

Estimated annual usage 12.3 x 103 MW. hrs

Petroleum fuels

(total annual consumption based on present usage)

Annual consumption: 421,000 litres

rctuivulorit o!.,;tricujL energy: 4.2 x MW. hrs

3 TOTAL ANNUAL_ENERGY CONSUMPTION: 122.4 X 10 MW. hrs. 1 I TABLE 10.9.1 cont. I I

I 2. EQUIVALENT ENERGY OUTPUT

I (Based on 3.0 x 106 tonnes of washed coal at 2.4 kW hrs/kg)

I TOTAL ANNUAL ENERGY OUTPUT: 7.2 x 106 MW. hrs I I Construction and Indirect Consuption Construction will initially require diesel powered equipment however, I after a short period, electricity will be available on site to power most of the equipment in use. During the construction period I relatively small amounts of energy will be used. I Energy in significantly larger amounts will be required indirectly in the manufacture of equipment and material for the project. This would occur at the initial purchase or a a regular consumable item or 1 replacement part.

I Quantification of these forms of energy has not been attempted

I Equivalent Energy Sterilised I The equivalent electrical energy of the coal sterilised over the life of the mine due to either high ash content or inherent in mining I operations is estimated to be 96 x 106 MW. hrs. 1 I I I I 10.10 Regional Impacts

10.10.1 PJ2PI

I The proposed West Bellambi development is an extension of the existing South Bulli Colliery and the existing workforce I will be transferred to the new facilities should the proposed development proceed. Consequently no direct additional I employment will be generated as a result of the developments. It is considered that the apprentice training I scheme presently conducted by the Company will continue to meet the Company's tradesmen requirements. Accordingly, it is not envisaged that additional skilled I tradesmen will need to be recruited.

During the construction phase contractors will be employed for the works. The site is located on the fringe of the I Sydney region and it is envisaged that the required workforce will be recruited without requiring the location of I a temporary workforce in the area. I The South Bulli Colliery workforce generally live to the east of the Illawarra escarpment with 95% living along the coastal strip between Albion Park and Helensburgh. The I remaining 5% live wost of the escarpment. Initially only 64 men will be involved in the transfer to the West Bellambi I facilities with the remaining continuing to work from No. 4 shaft which is located 17 km by road from the proposed I site. Prior to the establishment of No. 4 shaft all the workforce was employed at the South Bulli Colliery. With I the establishment of No. 4 shaft, a workforce of 725 was relocated from South Bulli to work from the shaft and with this shift in work place there was not a shift in housing. I Consequently it is not anticipated that the proposed ' development will have an impact on the population distribution of the region. I I I

I 10.10.2 Land Use

The proposed West Bellambi extensions will directly affect I the land use of the land required for the surface facilities and reject emplacement area. However, no significant I effects are expected to occur on nearby land uses and 1 recreation activities. Construction of the electricity service to the site will be I provided by the Prospect County Council and will generally be constructed within existing easements. Consequently no I major effects are anticipated. 1 Water supply ...... I 10.10.3 Socio-Econornic The City of Wollongong and many of the smaller I communities in the South Coast and Southern Tablelands are very much tied to the fortunes of the coal mining industry. The proposed West Bellambi extensions will not introduce a I major new injection of revenue into the region, with the exception of the construction activities, but will enable both I the existing workforce to be maintained and work contracts I to be let to local industries. Wages paid to the existing workforce amounted to $?? in the I financial year 1980-81 and expenditure on outside industries and services amounted to $.....in the financial year 1980- 81. The greater part of these amounts would have been I injected into the local economy and form a significant I amount. In addition taxation revenues arising from the Colliery's I activities results in benefits to the monetary resources of all Governments from local councils through to the I ColTlrnonwealth governrneiit. I I I I 11.0 REFERENCES New South Wales Oovernment, I Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulations August 1980

I The Bellambi Coal Company Limited Environmental Impact Investigation - Proposed Coal Mine and Washer I Development WiltonN.S.W. I Dames and Moore Nov. 1974 The Bellambi Coal Company Ltd. I pjentaryReport - Environmental Impact Investigon - Washery Refuse Disposal Proposed West Bellambi Colliery I Dames and Moore May 1975

The Bellambi Coal Company Limited I Proposed Western Development of South Bulli Colliery - Summary I November 1981 The Bellambi Coal Company Limited I West Bellambi Coal Washery Transportation Options Gutteridge Haskins & Davey Pty. Ltd. July 1981

I Public Transport Commission of New South Wales Coal Haulaqe to PortKembla - RailOptonsStu I Gutteridge Haskins & Davey Pty. Ltd. June 1980

I Lend Lease Corporation Ltd. L.erid Lease Regional Coal Transport System I Port KemblaN.S.W. Technical and Environmental Reports May 1980 I Coal Resources Development Committee, New South Wales Coal Strategy I April 1981 I I I I

I 9. Doyle H.A., Everingham I.B., and Sutton D.J. ScinILof the Australion Continent 3ournal of the Geological Society of Australia, I Vol. 15, No. 2 pp. 295-312 (1968) I I I I I I I I I I I I I I [I I I I I I I I I I I APPENDIX A3.0 I BIOLOGICAL COMMENTS ON THE: VARIOUS I SPECIES OF BIRDS SEEN IN THE: STUDY AREA I I I I I I I I I I I I BIOLOGICAL COMMENTS ON THE VARiOUS

SPECIES OF BIRDS SEEN IN THE STUDY AREA

I White-faced Heron: The familiar "Blue Crane' is very widespread and relatively common, and must have surface water or swampland to exist. No doubt the I property dams in the vicinity provide better facilities than any on the lease-site.

Maned Duck: Our best-known waterfowl inhabitant of small dams. Two flew from j the one darn visited on the site. Widespread and common, it is better known as "Wood Duck" or its previous "official" name of "Maned Goose", but its habits are duck-like.

Brown Goshawk: A bold raptor of forested terrain, and there is little doubt a pair has territorial "claim" over this extensive woodland area. Only one noted, hawking at a safe distance. As it at times raids chicken farms it gets harsh treatment and probably is the bird that gives most hawks a had name with people who are unable (but should be able) to separate the various species. Fairly common or id w idesp read.

Little Falcon: A small bold hunter that is somewhat rare but widespread. The one bird seen in the study area was identified as it attacked a Jacky Winter under I observation singing at the top of a very tall dead tree. Like the Goshawk a pair no doubt has territorial claim to this patch of woodland for food, I Nankeen Kestrel: Probably our best-known hawk in open forest and grassland. Any clearing of heavy timbered areas would be to its liking. Its main food is mice and larger insects. Widespread in range. Recently "re-named' Rufous Kestrel.

PaintedButton-Quail: Although not a "true" quail, but a hemipode, it is nevertheless our only quail-like species of forested country. The four seen (no I doubt a family party) were flushed from the roadside after the car was stopped rind the observers walked buck - they wore not seen whilst driving past a,id I apparently all squatted very near the wheels of the car and would only flush by human intrusion. It is restricted in range and is by no means common. It is a bird that must move elsewhere, or succumb to predation, when any part of its haunts I are cleared of timber. I

Eurasian Coot: Common arid widespread, the three noted were all on a dam adjoining the mine-site. Clearing of land would have little effect on its biology.

Spotted Dove: An introduced species that usually and readily accepts close settlement, at the expense often of our more valuable native pigeons.

Peaceful Dove: Widespread, but becoming rarer around the Sydney area. This is in strange contrast to its great increase in northern Queensland towns and cities. Its preferred habitat is open-timbered country and there is little doubt it falls prey often to domestic and feral cats, because of its trustful nature and small size.

Brush Bronzewing: Rather rare and somewhat restricted in range, this attractive pigeon needs protection. Whilst watching for birds that may come late to a water pool in Allen's Creek, one flew in low, but veered when it spotted the observers, making it alight further away than intended. Its rusty upperparts distinguished it specifically. As thickly forested parts is not its preferred habitat it no doubt came some way to drink.

Crested PJeon: Usually abundant inland, it is only within the past 20 years that it I has reached central coastal parts, and is increasing noticeably. All six were at the site where the ranger's hut once stood. If given protection it will continue to I increase - unusual for a somewhat large and endemic pigeon in Australia.

I CaniricjCckatoo: The type of habitat on the lease-site is excellent for this attractive cockatoo, which has a restricted range, but appears to be increasing. I As its nothern range limits are not far north of the Sydney area, it requires sound protection. Their wailing calls were picked up a few times on the tape recorder and a pair was seen in flight. However the heavy forested country around should I give ample protection and good breeding sites.

Eastern Rosella: Lightly timbered terrain suits this species admirably. Despite persecution by orchurdists it continues to remain common, although its range is I not extensive. Some liqht opening up of its timbered haunts would not affect it. Li I I

Crimson Rosella: No doubt at times of the year this would be equally abundant as I its near relative, but only one pair suggests a movement away in Autumn. It requires much denser forest than its Eastern "cousin", and the Water Board's I extensive area would provide excellent feeding and nesting haunts. Known to non- ornithologists simply as "Lowry", its range is fairly extensive and remains a I common arid confiding bird.

lan-tailed CUckoo: None seen, but its call was picked up a few times in tape I recordings. It is a solitary and extremely quiet bird, which haunts every type of forested country, so no doubt quite a few are dispersed through large patches of I bushland such as the surveyed area. It is our only non-migratory cuckoo around Sydney.

I LiilKookaburra: Too well known and common, although somewhat restricted in range, to merit further comment. It haunts every type of habitat. Although only one was noted, this indicates a much quieter attitude during Autumn.

/elciSwallow: Common and confiding, it has become a commensal of mann, so no eflect: on its ecology could be expected with any change in the environment.

Tree Martin: A migrant that remains a little later than most, and the one flock I noted was in flight fairly high above Allen's Creek and no doubt migrating north. It is our one member of the swallow family that requires trees for habitat and in I which to locate breeding hollows.

AusjianPpit: Recently united specifically with the New Zealand bird and perhaps conspecific with various forms that extend right to Africa, so its range is very extensive. An inhabitant of grassland everywhere.

Black-faced Cuckooshrike: Perhaps our most widespread Australian bird, which occurs in every type of habitat. No change in status or numbers can be expected with any alteration to the environment. Familiarly known as "Blue Jay", an incorrect name.

Ea8tecn Yellow Robin: A confiding small flycatcher that is somewhat common in all types of forested country. Creeksides appear to be its most favoured haunt, and a! though only one was hoard calling it no dor iht is somewhat: common in ut cli favoured habitat. Jacky-Winter: This popular title has been accepted for our Australian Brown Flycatcher. As it frequents usually more open country and is quiet and confiding it remains a general favourite. However its penchant for singing on exposed high perches, as well as fence posts, makes it a prime target for predatory hawks and pugnacious larger birds. It appears, however, to be on the decline numerically in the general Sydney area. Its range is somewhat restricted.

GryiI: The familiar "Cranky Fan" could hardly be missed in all types of forested habitat, and it seems an essential component of autumnal mixed foraging flocks of small birds. Generally common and widespread.

jiegl: Too well-known for any ecological comment. It remains common despite constant attacks by domestic and feral cats, and haunts all types of country.

Golden Whistler: A bird that breeds in rain--forest usually and in Autumn and I Winter retreats to thickly-timbered open forest areas. The sole individual noted during the survey was surprising as the lease-site appears excellent habitat, but no I doubt the adjoining Water Board country is more inviting.

Rufous Whistler: A well-known and common migrant, whose jubilant song heralds the corning of Spring. A few remain over Autumn and Winter, but they are then much subdued in voice. A widespread and common bird in all timbered parts, if the foliage is not too dense. -

Blue Wren: Although still relatively common, with a restricted south-eastern Australian range, this bird is too well known and accepting of human habitation to necessitate discussion on whether it is holding its own or, like most small birds, receding in numbers. Its "cousin", the Variegated Wren Malurus lamberti, was not observed or heard, so may have already disappeared from the area.

Striated Thornbill: A very small bird of the dense upper foliage that is often hard to detect except when calling. A few small flocks, however, were located. The timbered areas of the lease--site provide excellent cover and feeding requirements. it is limited in range but: remains fairly plentiful. I

Buff-tailed Thornbill: Unlike the proceeding bird, this is a ground feeder, and the ' understorey of forested country provides good foraging and nesting opportunities. One small flock only was noted, which indicates already a dropping off in numbers. Its range is somewhat restricted and is certainly nowhere common.

White.-throated Treecreeper: Like the two species following, it is a bird that gets I its food from tree-trunks, so forested terrain is necessary for its survival. However it is still relatively abundant with a somewhat wide range.

BrownTreecreeper: Its ecological requirements are similar to the preceding close relative, but it prefers drier and more open scrublarìd. In consequence it occurs I much farther inland in range. Heard calling twice but not seen.

I Orange-winged Sittella: The five kinds of sittella in Australia have been made conspecific in recent classifications, although they might better be kept distinct. I However, this is the only type in eastern New South Wales, where it is somewhat restricted in distribution but remains fairly common. Like the treecreepers it I requires forested localities for both feeding and nesting.

potted Pardalote: A certain component of flocks of mixed insectivorous small I birds that move through forested country in Autumn in good numbers. It has a fairly wide range and remains somewhat common numerically, despite its ground- I nesting activities.

One of a group of small pardalotes that many consider belong to four species, whilst others believe are all conspecific. The sole bird recorded was by call, notwithstanding it wide range and relative abundance.

çir'--backed Silvereye: in Autumn this bird is a nomad, at times following it's preferred feeding trees in great numbers. However, gardens, orchards and parkland are visited equally, so its choice of habitat and relative abundance ensures it being widespread and able to withstand habitat change.

Yellow-I aced yeater: This and its White-napod relative travel widely in Autumn and it is not unusual to record literally thousands in a day's observation a nid some pro ferred forested habitat. AlthOU(J11 small numbers were, passing through during the time of survey they were well below what might be expected. I

I WhiLe.eared Hon eater: Somewhat of a lore:r" among honeycaters, which mainly flock in large numbers. One was observed in each of two different parts of I the survey area. Its range is restricted and nowhere is it exactly abundant.

Yellow-tufted Honeyeater: The two remaining members of the Meliphagidae occur in colonies and are strictly resident. It is ofterì quoted as entirely I dependent on places where the Forest Red Gum Eucalyptus tereticornis occurs, as it appears to feed a good deal on the sap from its trunk, but this association was I not evident on the site. However, the lease-site forested terrain supports a sorriewhat large colony and any destruction would certainly cause it to die out or I move. It is somewhat restricted in distribution but relatively common. Jy Miner: A bird shunned mostly by ornithologists as it does not tolerate birds I smaller than itself where it has set up loosely-defined colonies. Much of the tree- studded portion of the lease-site has been taken over by this species, arid that no I doubt partly accounts for the small number of other species observed. Cutting down of its habitat will not eradicate it, but would mean the colony moving on to I other forested parts nearby at the expense of smaller birds already resident there. In habits it behaves like its near-relative, the Bell Miner ("Belibird") Manorina melangpji,y, but being larger is more pugnacious. Not really I widespread but an abundant species.

Red-browed Finch: A small bird usually found in low shrubs and more open terrain. A few small parties were confined to the roadside edge that, runs along I the Water Board fence. Its range is not large and nowhere is it common, although usually found iii small flocks.

COMMOrl StarlJg: An introduced pest that requires no biological comment, except that it is already far too common and a pest among our native tree- I breeding birds. It is good to know its relative and equally abundant introduced pest, the Common Myna Acridotheres tristis apparently has not reached the area, I but it will as soon as human habitations began to appear!

I Olive-backed Oriole: The lone bird passing through was the only record. It is an inhabitant of all types of forested country, widespread but nowhere really I I

I

I Magpie-Lark: The well-known "Peewee' is able to adapt itself to any change, being nowadays almost a commensal of man. Open timbered areas and grassland I are preferred.

Whfte-ng_ed h: One flock of 12 birds and another of 8 were noted. The I type of forest terrain within the lease-site is its selected habitat and one can visualise many such flocks scratching amid the fallen bark and undergrowth I throughout the wide marginal forest country to the east and south.

I Dusky Woodswallow: Although only one was observed flying high over the Allens Creek area, no doubt others were around, as it flocks a good deal in Autumn. I Rather widespread in range but nowhere really common, it is still by far the best known of our six species of woodswallows. A bird of open forest-lands.

Tawny oh: One heard calling at night. Prefers timbered country, the open forests of the site and surrounds suiting its needs.

Barn Owl: Two heard calling at night in the open forest in the south of the site. I Widespread, ranging over forests and woodlands, and grasslands with stands of timber.

Funereal Cockatoo: A recent name change, it is far better known as the Yellow- tailed Black Cockatoo. Found in temperate rainforests, mountain and coastal I eucalypt forests and woodlands, coastal heaths, and plantations of introduced pines.

Eastern Whipbird: Somewhat of a favourite because of its unusual call-notes. Dense undergrowth, mainly in damp situations, is necessary for existence, so clearing of its habitat in any way either forces it to move or eliminates it.

White-browedScrubwren: A common small bird of well forested country. Ground cover is essential both for protection and breeding. I

Spotted Quail-thrush: Its main haunt is amidst rock-strewn hillsides. The four I seen were in grassy open forest in the south of the site. A shy and retiring bird considered somewhat rare. it is a ground-dwelling and ground-nesting bird that I cannot compete when the countryside is cleared.

I Grey Butcherbird, Black-backed Magpie, Pied Currawong, Australian Raven: All four remaining species can be discussed together, as they are among the I largest of the world's 5,000 Passerines (loosely termed "Perching Birds"), and certainly, as far as Australian species are concerned, the more successful in I distribution and habits, as well as pugnacity. They are the four, besides Kookaburras, hawks, parrots etc (which are not Passerine birds), that dominate forest country mainly at the expense of smaller types. Any habitat change would I affect them little, except of course the necessity of trees for breeding. These need not be in thickly-forested country, as lone ornamental trees in grassland are I often preferred. In any environmental change all four would be able to adapt, but their presence may show a decided decrease in the smaller insectivorous birds. 1 I I I I I I I n I I I I I I I I I I I 1 RESULTS OF ARCHAEOLC)GICAL INVESTIGATION I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CONTENTS

A4.1 INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY

I A4.2 BACKGROUND

A4.2.I Environment 1 .A42.2 Prehistory

I A43

A4.4 DISCUSSION

A4.5 RECOMMENDATIONS

I A4.6 SITE DESCRIPTIONS I A4.7 REFERENCES I I I I I I I I I 1 A4.1 INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY

Two areas of the proposed development were initially surveyed and are shown on Figure A4.1. Area A, on the headwatecs of Aliens Creek, is the area for the proposed West Bellarnbi facilities and washery reject emplacement area. Area B, on and adjacent to Lizard Creek further southeast, is the proposed location for No. 6 ventilation shaft and a transmission line with service road linking this with the existing No. 5 shaft. The ground surface would be affected within the area of the shaft and by the road within the services corridor.

In response to the results of the survey of Area A, the Company requested a survey for comparative archaeological sites in an area downstream from this, Area C. The latter is not the subject of any development proposal.

The investigations were carried out in April, 1982. The study of Area A was hampered by poor light due to dull weather and rain. The aim of the I investigation of Areas A and B was to locate, identify and assess visible Aboriginal sites and relics, to recommend suitable management measures I for any sites found, to assess the probability of further sites being present within the areas, and to assess the need for further archaeological I investigations. The survey of Area C was undertaken simply to establish whether Aboriginal art sites were present downstream from Area A and to I compare sites in the two areas.

The areas were surveyed as follows:-

a) SampleQ

The area of Aliens Creek was inspected in detail from the stretch of horizontal rockbed at the head to the northern border of the study area. As vegetation is dense in parts of the creek bed it was not possible to inspect all rock surfaces. All shelters and overhangs in the cliff faces were visited. All examples of Aboriginal art visible in the light available were sketched and as many as possible photographed, generally so that the photographs overlap. Plans and sections of the si Lu wore drawn. The areas of flat land bordering the creek were traversed, the amount of coverage given depending on the degree of surface visibility available. Parts of the forested area are crossed by logging tracks. These and any large old trees seen were inspected. The cliff edges above the gorge and rock bars in minor tributaries were also inspected.

Sample Area B:

The borders of the proposed vent shaft area were followed and the vent shaft area traversed twice. The narrower easement was followed from west to east, but the inspection extended well outside this easement in the area of Lizard Creek.

Sample Area C:

Creek banks and cliff faces within AlIens Creek and its tributaries were searched and any rock shelters or overhangs inspected for examples of Aboriginal art or the presence of an archaeological deposit. Any such occurrences were recorded as in Area A.

Note that neither the upper cliff edges nor rock bars in the creek bed were systematically inspected.

A4.2 BACKCROIJN{)

A4.2.i Environment

Area A extends over most of an area between Mt. Keira Road to I the east and a fire road to the west, reaching approximately within half a kilometre of a transmission line to the north and an I abandoned landing ground to the south, Allens Creek cuts through the northwest quarter. Access to the northern part is via 1 Alkoomie Place and to the southern part via a fire road, both running from the Mt. Keira Road. I I I L:L 1' J.

Area B consists of the vent shaft area between Wailandoola Creek and Fire Road No. 8 and a services corridor easement running I eastwards from this across Lizard Creek to Shaft No. 5 on Fire Road No. 8H. Access is via Fire Road No. 8 entering at the I Corrimal Colliery Bins.

Area C extends from the northern border of Area A to the Wilton I - Appin Road. It includes the valley or gorge of Aliens Creek and of tributaries for as far as they are deeply incised and could I contain rock shelters with Aboriginal art.

Areas A and C are located within a belt of Hawkesbury Sandstone (quartz sandstone with some shale) generally overlain by shale of the Wianamatta Group. The sandstone is exposed within Aliens Creek and its tributaries. The shale has weathered to a fine grained soil, sometimes of considerable depth. In cleared parts this has a thick grass cover, in forested parts generally a dense cover of low shrubs (banksia, grevillea ete). Some large old trees are still standing, mostly in the damp area at the head of the creek, but there has been much logging and a considerable amount of secondary growth.

The sandstone generally appears uneven in texture and poorly consolidated. The creek starts as a seepage over a bed of sandstone, cutting down rapidly to form a stretch of gorge, some 3110m long, at the northern end of Area A. Throughout Area C short stretches of gorge alternate with steep-sided rocky banks. The creek bed has stretches of flat rock floor with large water- holes alternating with boulder strewn stretches or with an incised stream with grassy banks.

Area B crosses Hawkesbury Sandstone and a small amount of Wianarnatta Shale. The forest is relatively open except in the areas of shale outcropping, but there is a thick ground cover of shrubs and/or grasses. Some heath and swarrip areas ae treeless. Sandstone outcrops hero and there on slopes and in the bed of Lizard Creek. The outcrops seen were generally small and severely weathered, I

In terms of modern land use the study areas are situated in a I border zone. The land surface around Wilton to the north is undulating and has been cleared and grazed or cultivated for I generations. To the east and south the sandstone areas are covered with open forest and cut by numerous gorges and gullies. I Much has been left undisturbed as part of the Metropolitan Catchment Area, the main interference being linked with mining I activities. Flora and fauna of the type that sustained the prehistoric Aborigines is still present.

A4.2.7 Prehistory

Aborigines are known to have inhabited the present coastal area for at least 22,000 years, e.g. at Burrill Lake on the south coast. Dates of a similar magnitude have been claimed for sites in the Blue Mountains, e.g. the Kings Table site. The lack of comparable dates from the area in between may indicate lack of research rather than absence of prehistoric inhabitants. (For a discussion, see Attenbrow (Ref: Md) Johnson (Ref: A4.2).

Early archaeological research in N.S.W. concentrated on coastal sites and on rock shelters in the mountain areas. Recent research has shown that the coastal hinterland was used by the Aborigines to a greater extent than had been thought (Attenbrow 1981 Ref: A4.1). Several systematic surveys have been carried out within and near the Metropolitan Catchment Area (involving the Nepean, Avon, Cordeaux and Cataract Rivers and associated darns). The Sydney Prehistory Group has studied areas near Carnpbelltown and Minto (Ref: A4.10). Surveys for the Natural Gas Pipeline came close to the study areas (Haglund Ref: A4.4, Sim Ref: A4.9). The Illawarra Prehistory Group has surveyed much of the Woronora area (Ref: A4.5) (report in preparation).

From such studios it is clear that rock shelters with art and/or I archaeological deposit can be expected wherever there are sandstone gorges, and that: grinding grooves and enqravinqr; can he I expected or) exposures of homogeneous sandstone. Archaeological deposits occur outside shelters, but are generally difficult or rripossible to find, due to the vegetation cover. A few are found by chance when this cover has been disturbed, the disturbance generally affecting also the archaeological deposit. Occasional examples of scarred trees and stone arrangements occur in areas where there has been little or no clearing and cultivation. Four sites were known in the immediate neighbourhood of the study areas prior to the investigations. These are listed in the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Site Register as sites 52-2-1.1, 52-2-12, 52-2-227 and 52-2-576. Three of these are art sites, the fourth consists of axe-grinding grooves.

Recent research has shown that some tribal names and borders published in earlier accounts of Aborigines in N.S.W. at the time I of European settlement need to be changed or cannot be verified. Aborigines living in the study area at that time probably I belonged to Llio (andangaru or Ohurawal groups, depending on whether their links were mainly with the inland to the west or I with the coast. As few of the sites in the relevant areas have been excavated there is little evidence for technological links

I between the areas. Analysis of Aboriginal art in the region may give better evidence, but such analysis is still in its infancy, though many sites have been recorded (see Section A4.4). I I A4.3 RESULTS

A description of individual sites is given in Section A4.6. A full I photographic record is to be submitted to the National Parks and Wildlife Service. i a) Area A:

I Four sites were recorded, and the presence of three potential sites noted. The Four sites all contain examples of Aboriginal art. Two of I the sites have Flat floors with deposits likely to contain archaeological material, though none was seen. The character and condition of the I rt is discussed below in section /\4.4. I

I i b) Area B: No sites were located. The probability of sites being present within I the area is fairly low. Large old trees are generally hollow and badly burnt. The rock bed in the creek was extremely pitted and irregular I and covered in rust-coloured silt. Rock outcrops seen were badly weathered, and too small for shelters.

The presence of water could have led to the use of flattish areas nearby, particularly rock ledges, as open camp sites, but only few and small ledges were seen in the dense underqrowth.

c) Area C:

Four sites were identified, three within the creek gorge, one in a tributary. Two of these contain a small amount of art, a third what appears to be traces of Aboriginal art modified by later visitors. The two definite art sites and a lnrqo shelter without art have flat floors with deposits in which artefacts were noted. In addition two promising potential sites were noted and several which may have archaeological potential.

A4.4 DISCUSSION

The few stone artefacts seen in the sites recorded contribute little to the evaluation of the sites. They consist of plain flakes, blades arid chips of I chert or milky quartz. This would be consistent with any stage of the Bondajan, the technological tradition typical of eastern N.S.W. during the I last 3 - 4 millenia of Aboriginal prehistory.

I Assessment of the Aboriginal art present is complicated due to the patchy recording and still rudimentary analysis of art sites in the general region I (see Clegg 1981 Ref: A4.3).

The art consists of: I I I I - charcoal drawings, in outline and often filled with black lines, parallel I or overlapping

I - drawings and solid figures in red ochre

- stencils in white pigment. I

The motifs are mainly animals (especially ! wombat, macropods, ! lizard, I tortoise), humanoid, or apparently abstract complexes of crossing lines. Amongst the charcoal drawings some of the most faded appear to differ in I style from the rest. The red ochre drawings could not be intrepreted as to motif, but a solid red figure was identified as ! platypus. The white stencils I are all of hands. I NOTE: The ! in front of a motif indicates that the label given is a matter of interpretation, not necessarily what was in the mind of the artist (Cleqg 1981 Rel: A4.3)

The motifs are generally fairly small, rarely as much as half a metre long. I Some are well preserved, some of the charcoal drawings looking almost fresh. A few of the latter, however, are partly obliterated by later 1 deposition of minerals from water dripping on to the rock. Drawings are frequently superimposed, sometimes on motifs executed in a different I technique and/or style. Some appear to continue under a green deposit on the rock face. It was not clear whether this was lichen or of mineral I

The art appears to compare well to what was found in the Campbelltown - I Minto area: mainly drawings in dry pigment, relatively few handstencils and the use of charcoal, red ochre and white clay as pigments. The motifs I are generally figurative, predominantly human figures and animals (Sydney Prehistory Group 1979 Ref: A4.10). I Some of the sites recorded by the Illawarra Prehistory Group appear to compare as well or better (especially some charcoal drawings and the solid I red figures). Several of these sites are located on the Cordeaux and the I I I Avon. On the other hand, site 52-2-1.1, in the vicinity of the study area, is I an important and complex site with some unusual features echoed in Aliens I Creek Site 1. Clearly the sites on Aliens Creek cannot be fully assessed until we know I more about adjoining areas. I A4.5 RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations have as a basis the significance of the sites I to the study of prehistory and to the public in general. This involved I considerations of: - the size, richness, complexity and state or preservation of individual I sites and of the sites as a complex I - whether their content is known to be equally well represented elsewhere

- what a study of the sites would contribute to Australian prehistory at 1 the present stage or in the future.

1 Note that the significance to the Aboriginal community would have to be I established prior to any request for a permit to destroy the sites. The recommendations are: I That the proposed development in Area A be modified so as not to Li cause damage to the four art sites within the Aliens Creek Oorcje. As repeated vibration, coal dust and increased numbers of people in I the area could all cause damage, there would be a need for a buffer I zone, a screen of vegetation and strict control over visitors. That, if it proves impossible to modify the present plans for I development, and if economic and social arguments lead to the ul)i)I'oval of thoso pinfl9 the ni ten he properly recorded nod utudie(1 I I ' )I. If) 'InOrtirtioll. I The study would involve insoection ond sketching during different light conditions, tracing on polythene sheets, photography using different lighting and filters to reveal faint or partly obliterated motifs, detailed verbal descriptions of the motifs and detailed plans of their location in relation to each other arid to the floor. It would also involve comparative analysis of art in adjoining areas.

In addition sites and potential sites with deposits on the floor would have to be tested by excavation and extensively studied if found to contain archaeological material.

A4.6 SITE DESCRIPTIONS

Four archaeological sites were identified within Area A and another four within Area C. These are described below. Grid references are listed in Table A4.6.1.

TABLE A46.1 GRID REFERENCES FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES Maps tJsed: Wolloncjonq 51/56-9 1:250,000 B = Bargo 9029-I11--N .1:25,000 C = Picton 9029-IV-S 1:25,000

Site No. M a p 1:250,000 Map 1:251000

AC/1 A 3702 7675 B 8850 0608 AC/2 A 3702 7675 B 8855 0607 AC/3 A 3702 7672 B 8860 0593 AC/4 A 3702 7672 B 8862 0597 A 3704 7693 B 8807 0734 AC/6 A 3704 7703 C 887 082 AC/7 A 3704 7700 C 8881 0791 AC/B A 3701 7701 C 8842 0799

Airpliotu uhed:

'Noliongonq 1:60,000, NSW 2877:116, run 4, 8.8,80 I

Site AC/i:

Art site in shallow, open overhang with a northeast aspect, continuing as a I deeper rock shelter to the south, the latter with an eastern aspect (Photo 1). I Dimensions: Overhang: c.21m long by 1.5m deep at the most, and about I

Shelter: urn long by about 3m deep and just over 2m I high.

I The lower half of the backwall is generally vertical with some shallow concave panels. Charcoal drawings occur along 14m of the overhang and I over 0.5m in the shelter. Some are much faded and the original extent of drawings may have been larger. Deposition from dripping water obscures I some drawings. I The art consists of charcoal drawings of animal, humanoid and abstract motifs (Photos 2 ), At least two styles appear to he represented, ' apparently different also in age. Apart from a group of parallel vertical lines, all are between 20 - .50cm long. The apparently older drawings also appear somewhat more regular and forrrialized. Some graffiti occurs I although not over a drawing: The graffiti being A M Crichter 29 7 1971 10 years", I The floor in the shelter is covered with rock fall, leaving few and narrow I areas of flat floor with deposit. In the overhand the narrow floor area slopes steeply from south to north, leaving only a sn-iall area of flat floor with sandy deposit in its northern half. In both areas the deposit present is I pale and apparently shallow. No stone artefacts were noted. The deposit appears to come from relatively recent weathering of seams of rock within I the backwall. There could be some archaeological deposit underneath this, particularly in the shelter part. I I I The shelter is set a few metres below the cliff edge at the top of a steep slope to the creek bed below. The latter is full of large boulders separating water-holes (Photo 7).

Site AC/2

Art site in rock shelter with a southwest aspect (Photo 8).

Dimensions: c. urn long by 2.61-n deep by up to 6m high at dripline.

The backwall is almost vertical. Traces of charcoal drawinqs occur in several slightly concave panels in the centre. There are also traces of graffiti (illegible) in charcoal and in white pigment. The drawinqs appear to be mainly abstract patterns althouqh there are remains of what may have been an animal (Photo 9). The upper part was on a thin layer of harder rock which has broken off. The drawings are faint, showinq up mainly on areas of pale sandstone. Some occur on darker qrey rock and a greenish deposit (lichen ?) appears to hove invaded areas of drawings.

ftc floor is flat and covered with a sandy deposit, mainly the result of cavernous weathering at some stage. At present much of the shelter is stable. The deposit appears to be held in by rocks along the dripline and may be more than 25cm deep in parts. The deposit was markedly darker grey towards the dripline, especially in the northern part, but no artefacts were seen. The shelter is set at the same level as and almost opposite site AC/i. On either side of the shelter, there is another of sirnilarsize but without obvious archaeological material.

Site AC/3:

Art site in long shallow overhang of northeastern aspect (Photos 10 - ii).

Dimensions: about 30rn long by up to 4m deep and about 2.5 - 3m high at the dripline. I The southern half consists mainly of slopinci rockshelf with little vertical I backwall. Further north there is about IBm of mainly vertical backwall, broken up into a series of panels. Charcoal drawings are found in several of L these (Photos 12 15). The motifs are mainly animals or abstract, but several humanoids occur. Most of the drawings are between 10 - 40cm long I though some appear to combine into groups of greater dimensions. Most appear relatively fresh and black. in several places a later deposit from I dripping water has obliterated part of a motif.

The narrow floor area slopes south to north and the northern end is only a I couple of metres above the creek. There was no visible trace of flooding to this level. Near the northern end there is a small patch of a couple of I square metres, of flat floor with a deposit. This appears to derive from cavernous weathering of a part of the backwall and appears sterile of I archaeological material.

The siteis at the upper end of the gorge, which here is shallow, and the I overhang occupies the major part of the cliff face. There are several waterholes nearby and, immediately to 'the south, a stretch of flat rock I floor in the creek.

I Site AC/4: I Art site in a shelter formed by cavernous weathering of the eastern cliff face in the gorge. The northern part is open and light, the southern has I mainly low ceiling (Photo 16).

Dimensions: About 27m long by 4.5m deep at the deepest. It is about 71-n I high at the dripline but mostly 2.5m or less inside.

I Several different techniques in Aboriginal art are represented here: 1 - charcoal drawings (outline and sometimes infill) I - red ochre outline and solid figures I white pigment stencils, I I

Most motifs can be recognized as animals, though only the charcoal I drawings are naturalistic (Photos 17 - 18). The stencils are of hands. The red ochre drawings could not be interpreted in the light available. There I appear to be some abstract motifs. The charcoal drawings are generally 20 - 60cm long, the red ochre ones somewhat smaller. Many motifs are super- I imposed. There appear to be differences in age as well as style. Some motifs appear to disappear in under a green deposit (lichen ?). Most motifs I are poorly preserved.

The floor slopes gently. The underlying rock shows at the back and at the I two ends. On parts of the floor there is a pale, sandy deposit, apparently from cavernous weathering of the shelter. A band of poorly consolidated I rock can be seen in the backwall. The depth is generally less than 10cm but in parts of the centre it may exceed 25cm. No artefacts were seen but the I presence of an archaeological deposit is likely.

The shelter is set about half way up the cliff face, c. 5m above the creek, I about 50m from Site

I Site AO/5:

I Aboriginal art and archaeological deposit in a small rock shelter with a western aspect (Photo 19). I Dimensions: about 16m long (but usable area 8m long) by 3m deep by I 1.8m high at the dripline and over the usable part.

The ceiling is generally horizontal but over one part very low, not even I providing squattinq room. Parts of the backwall are vertical but divided

into 'panels'. Traces of a faint red stencil (a rounded shape), and of I drawings in red ochre and charcoal occur within some of these.

1 At the northern end, on a free-standing but sheltered rock, there are three axe-grinding grooves (Photo 20). Two parallel grooves, aligned NNE - SSW, measure 33 by 8 by 2.2cm and 20 by 6 by 1cm. A third, aligned N - 5, I measures 25 by 9 by 1.2cm. The latter appears more weathered. I I I

Stone artefacts were noted on and near the dripline: a pointed flake (22 by I 6mm) of milky quartz and two rounded flakes (18 by 17mm and B by 11mm) of grey chert, as well as several small chips. The floor of the shelter is I fairly flat and has a grey sandy deposit, probably 10 15cm deep over most of the floor but possibly deeper in parts. It is likely to contain more I archaeological material. I The shelter is set just below the top of the creek bank in a narrow band of rock. There is a steep, rubbly slope down to the creek some ten metres below. The valley broadens somewhat just here. There are water-holes and k areas of flat rock bed nearby as well as short stretches of low flat creek I hank. Site AC/6: I Art site with a probable archaeological deposit in a low shelter with a I western aspect (Photo 21). (This continues as a shallow low overhang).

Dimensions: The usable part is 14.5m long by 4m deep but only 1.7m high 1 at the dripline and less inside (squatting room only).

I The art consists of a charcoal drawing of a ! bird plus some faint lines drawn on a pale part of the almost horizontal ceiling. The motifs are about I 35cm long. A couple of initials in charcoal (F, P) can be seen on vertical rock face outside the dripline. The drawings are however similar to I Aboriginal drawings from art sites in the general area, including some in Sites AC/i. and AC/3-4. Although the charcoal has faded, the lines in the I bird are quite distinct.

The floor of the shelter is a rock ledge which shows at the dripline and in I parts of the interior. Some areas have a soft powdery deposit of yellow sediment derived from cavernous weathering of the shelter. A band of soft I rock in the backwall appears to be actively weathering. The deposit could be more than 30cm deep near the dripline. I I I U Some pieces Of milky quartz seen on the dripline appear to be artefacts. I The presence of an archaeological deposit below the yellow sediment is probable. I The shelter is set at the foot of a long vertical cliff face flanking the east I side of the creek. The latter runs about 10m away and about 4m below the shelter. The intervening stretch is flat just here, allowing easy access to I the creek. The water flow appears to be considerable. a I Site AC/7: Rock shelter with archaeological deposit. The shelter is light and open I with an east-south-east aspect (Photo 23). H Dimensions: About 15m long by 4.2m deep by circa 3.5m high at the dripline

I The floor consists mainly of rock shelf, descending in steps to a small flat area formed by deposit held in by a low wall of large blocks or rock. Here 1 the depth of deposit probably exceeds 15cm. There are other patches of deposit resting on rock shelf, and in most cases these are 5 10cm deep. n Artefacts were noted within the main flat area which is just outside the I dripline. The deposit here is sandy and gravelly but apparently derived mainly from cavernous weathering of the shelter. The main flat area is a natural balcony suitable as a working area and is likely to have most I archaeological material. The deposit inside the dripline retains more small I particles and may contain further artefacts. Artefacts noted were flakes and chips of green or ochre-coloured chert or I milky quartz (Photo 25), from 3mm to 21mm long. The shelter is set in a vertical cliff face, just below the top of the cliff edge and extending to I about 3 - 4m above the creek. There is a large water-hole just below its southern end (Photo 24) mind several more a little further south. I I I

P.

I Art site in open overhang with a northern aspect (Photo 26).

Dimensions: The overhang is 6rn long by 2m deep by about 3m high at the I

The ceiling slopes gently. Parts of the back wall are vertical or have I vertical panels. Three of these contain faint traces of Aboriginal art plus later additions (Photo 27).

Panel A contains one crescent shaped outline and one charcoal circle with a I line through it. Both are up to 15cm long and the charcoal appears very fresh. Both may he recent. I Panel B consists of faded charcoal lines and a curve over which is scratched a stick figure with a large round head. There are several more scratches I including one incomplete stick figure. The main figure is 40cm tall by 55cm wide. The charcoal lines are probably drawn by Aborigines, but the I scratched lines may he recent additions.

I Panel C consists of two charcoal outlines of hands, probably recent drawings, and one faint charcoal stick figure with a crescent over its head I and holding an object in the left hand, probably drawn by Aborigines. Two scratched copies of this figure are probably recent.

I The floor is flat and has a deposit. It consists of coarse sediment from weathered sandstone. Although no artefacts were seen, it appears likely to I contain archaeological material.

I The shelter is located on a more shallow and dry tributary to AlIens Creek. The banks contain few suitable shelters. There is a series of wide I but shallow rock holes less than 70m upstream. H I I I I I At0 A4J /\ttenbrow, V. 1931Mre CreekDarn lvaçe Ext:avation I RLojeçt. A report for the NPWS of NSW, I A4.2 Attenbrow, V. and T. Negerevich 1981 Lucas Heights Waste Disposal Depot Pro2d Extensions: AborigLnat Sites in Bardens Creek Valley. A report to the Metropolitan I Waste Disposal Authority.

I A4.3 Clegg, J. 1981 Notes Towards Mathesis ARt. Clegg Calendars, I Balmain. A4.4 Haglung, L. 1973 Progress report on archaeological survey of the I Natural Gas Pipeline dneo Goulburn section. A report to the NPWS of NSW.

I A4.5 Il!rvarrn Prehistory Group (in prep). Report on survey of 1 Ahonginal Art Sites in the Woronora area A/4.6 Johnson, I. 1979 tt c~la _ca se studyjrom the recent I industries of Australia. Unpublished PhD thesis, ANU, Canberra. I A4.7 NPWS of NSW Aboriginal Site Register.

I A4.8 National Parks and Wildlife Service 1980 Theiinegof New I South Wales. A reprint from Parks and Wildlife, Vol. 2 (5). 4L.9 I Sim, 1. 1964 Aboriginal Drawings near Wilton. Oceania 35 (1):58-65 A4.10 Sydney Prehistory Group 1979 In search of Cobrakalls: A surveIof I Aboriqinal sites in the Cainpbelltownaregsouthof ydney. Manuscript report to NPWS of NSW. I I I I F'BELLAMBI COAL CO PTY LTD ElS 161 posedwestern deveIopent of vol 1 cuth Bull! colliery

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