Redevelopment of Land at Caboolture: Aquatic Ecology Investigations for the Proposed Northeast Business Park
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Report to: Northeast Business Park Pty Ltd Redevelopment of Land at Caboolture: Aquatic Ecology Investigations for the Proposed Northeast Business Park November 2007 Redevelopment of Land at Caboolture: Aquatic Ecology Investigations for the Proposed Northeast Business Park November 2007 Report Prepared for: Northeast Business Park Pty Ltd Post Office Box 1001 Spring Hill, Qld, 4004 Report Prepared by: The Ecology Lab Pty Ltd 4 Green Street Brookvale, NSW, 2100 Phone: (02) 9907 4440 Report Number – 44/0405B Report Status – Main Report Version 5, Final, 27/11/2007 © 2007 This document and the research reported in it are copyright. Apart from fair dealings for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without written authorisation. Direct all inquiries to the Director, The Ecology Lab Pty Ltd at the above address. Northeast Business Park – Aquatic Ecology Investigations November 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS Glossary & Acronyms ..........................................................................................................................i Executive Summary............................................................................................................................iv Table ES1: Terms of Reference Addressed in this Report ........................................................xii Table ES2. Summary and Analysis of Aquatic Environmental Values................................xxi 1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Aims and Objectives of this Investigation.............................................................................2 1.3 Terms of Reference (ToR) for Preparation of the EIS...........................................................2 1.3.1 Preparation of the Specialist Report on Aquatic Ecology ............................................2 1.3.2 Content of the Specialist Report on Aquatic Ecology ...................................................3 1.3.2.1 Accredited Process for Controlled Actions under Commonwealth Legislation 3 1.3.2.2 Matters in the ToR Addressed in this Specialist Report........................................3 2.0 Existing Information on the Aquatic Environment..................................................................4 2.1 Overview of the Project Site ....................................................................................................4 2.2 Moreton Bay and the Caboolture River .................................................................................4 2.2.1 Geographical and Hydrological Setting .........................................................................4 2.2.3 Water Quality Issues and Ecological Health..................................................................6 2.2.3.1 SEQ Regional Water Quality Management Strategy .............................................6 2.2.3.2 Acid Sulphate Soils .....................................................................................................8 2.2.3.3 Coastal Algal Blooms (CABs)....................................................................................9 2.2.3 Aquatic Habitats.................................................................................................................9 2.2.4 Flora and Fauna................................................................................................................10 2.3 Areas and Species of Conservation Significance ................................................................12 2.3.1 Fish Habitat Areas............................................................................................................12 2.3.2 Threatened Species Legislation......................................................................................12 2.3.2.1 Queensland Legislation............................................................................................13 2.3.2.2 Commonwealth Legislation ....................................................................................13 2.3.3 Threatened Aquatic Species Relevant to the Proposal ...............................................13 2.3.4 Other Listed Species ........................................................................................................13 3.0 Field Investigations of the Aquatic Environment...................................................................14 3.1 Field Methods..........................................................................................................................14 3.1.1 Study Area and Dates of Sampling ...............................................................................14 3.1.2 Mapping the Location and Extent of Aquatic Habitats..............................................14 3.1.3 Water Characteristics.......................................................................................................14 3.1.4 Sediment Characteristics.................................................................................................16 3.1.5 Benthic Macroinvertebrates (Benthos) ..........................................................................16 3.1.7 Fish .....................................................................................................................................17 3.2 Results.......................................................................................................................................18 3.2.1 Site Descriptions...............................................................................................................18 3.2.1.1 Caboolture River .......................................................................................................18 3.2.1.2 Project Site..................................................................................................................18 3.2.1.3 Caboolture Weir ........................................................................................................19 3.2.1.4 Existing Developments.............................................................................................20 3.2.1.5 Foreshore Erosion and Degradation.......................................................................20 3.2.2 Water Quality ...................................................................................................................20 3.2.2.1 Caboolture River .......................................................................................................20 3.2.2.2 Project Site..................................................................................................................23 The Ecology Lab Pty Ltd – Marine and Freshwater Studies Northeast Business Park – Aquatic Ecology Investigations November 2007 3.2.3 Sediment Characteristics.................................................................................................23 3.2.4 Benthic Macroinvertebrates (Benthos) ..........................................................................24 3.2.4.1 Caboolture River Channel .......................................................................................24 3.2.4.2 Caboolture River Bank .............................................................................................24 3.2.5 Fish and Crustaceans.......................................................................................................25 3.2.5.1 Tidal Channels...........................................................................................................25 3.2.5.2 Caboolture River .......................................................................................................25 3.2.6 Additional Studies in the Navigation Channel................................................................26 3.2.6.1 Sediment Grain Size......................................................................................................26 3.2.6.2 Benthic Macroinvertebrates.........................................................................................26 3.2.6.3 Fish ..................................................................................................................................26 4.0 Synthesis of Aquatic Environmental Values...........................................................................28 5.0 Assessment of Environmental Effects on Aquatic Habitats and Biota................................31 5.1 Aspects of the Project Design Relevant to Aquatic Ecology .............................................31 5.1.1 NEBP Project Site .............................................................................................................31 5.1.2 Capital Dredging in the Navigational Channel of the Caboolture River.................34 5.1.3 Maintenance Dredging in the Navigational Channel of the Caboolture River.......34 5.2 Construction Issues.................................................................................................................35 5.2.1 Impacts Associated with Development of the Project Site.........................................35 5.2.1.1 Construction of the Marina Basin ...............................................................................35 5.2.1.2 Flood Mitigation Works ...............................................................................................36