Macedon Gas Project Compliance Assessment Report
28 January 2016
Disclaimer
BHP Billiton Disclaimer
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Cover
Photograph on cover of report shows the Macedon Gas Plant
2
Contents Introduction 4
Project Status 6
Compliance with Ministerial Statement 844 7
Audit Table 10
Non-compliance and Corrective/Preventative Actions 17
Changes to the Compliance Assessment Plan 18
References 19
Appendix 1 20
3 BHP Billiton Introduction
Introduction
The Macedon gas project develops natural gas from the Macedon field in production lease WA-42-L for Western Australia’s domestic gas market. The project comprises a pipeline from subsea production wells to an onshore gas processing facility, located in the Ashburton North Strategic Industrial Area (ANSIA), approximately 17 kilometres southwest of Onslow. After the gas is processed, it is transferred via a sales gas pipeline to the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP, Figure 1).
Figure 1: Macedon Gas Project Location
The Macedon Gas Plant Lease area for the gas processing facility and associated infrastructure, including the ground flares and evaporation pond areas are shown in Figure 2.
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BHP Billiton Introduction
Figure 2: Macedon Gas Plant Lease (red line) and Layout
Purpose of the Compliance Assessment Report
The purpose of this Compliance Assessment Report (CAR) is to assess compliance at the Macedon Gas Plant with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Statement 844 dated 28 October 2010 in accordance with the Compliance Assessment Plan, approved on 18 March 2011.
The CAR 2015 covers activities undertaken during the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015.
Compliance Assessment Reporting Requirements
This report meets the intent of the compliance reporting requirements as defined in the Macedon Gas Project Compliance Assessment Plan (PMA-BHP-EN-EIA-0002).
Endorsement of CAR
This Compliance Assessment Report has been endorsed by Geraldine Slattery, General Manager Australia, BHP Billiton Petroleum.
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BHP Billiton Project Status
Project Status
Current Status of Project
The project is currently in the operational phase.
Project Activities covered by CAR
This CAR covers the following project activities undertaken in the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015:
1) Operations, 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015
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BHP Billiton Compliance with Ministerial Statement 844
Compliance with Ministerial Statement 844
Compliance with Conditions
Operation of the Macedon Gas Project is compliant with Ministerial Statement No. 844 as reported in Table 1.
Rehabilitation Monitoring
In March 2012, BHP Billiton Petroleum commenced rehabilitation of 285 hectares of an area approved for clearing for gas pipelines. Monitoring of the rehabilitation was required to demonstrate that, within three years of commencement of rehabilitation, the reinstated vegetation had at least 60 per cent of pre-clearing species diversity and weed coverage of no more than the pre-clearing levels (Condition 8 of Ministerial Statement 844).
The Macedon Gas Project rehabilitation of the onshore pipeline was completed in September 2015 and the rehabilitation monitoring report submitted to the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority (OEPA). A copy of the Macedon Rehabilitation Monitoring Report is attached at Appendix 1. In summary, the 2015 rehabilitation monitoring event found:
1) Overall species richness was more than 30 per cent higher in rehabilitated transects than in analogue transects; 2) Species diversity in rehabilitated transects exceeded 60 per cent of that found in paired analogues in 21 out of 23 pairs of transects. Forty per cent of transect pairs shared at least 60 per cent of species; 3) Weed cover in rehabilitated transects did not differ significantly between the 2010 and 2015 monitoring events, i.e. weed coverage was not significantly different to that of pre-cleared levels. Weed cover was not significantly different between rehabilitation and analogue transects; 4) When point in time comparisons were made, contrasts between weed cover in analogue and rehabilitation transects were not significant in 2015 or in any previous year; and 5) Distribution of weed species decreased between 2014 and 2015. Overall, weed cover in rehabilitated transects in 2015 was low (less than 3 per cent on average) and dominated by buffel grass. This weed is a valued pasture species and not a declared pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 nor a Weed of National Significance. It is considered of “low concern” by Parks and Wildlife (Department of Parks and Wildlife 2013). The results of September/October 2015 monitoring indicated that the two completion criteria in Condition 8-1 of Ministerial Statement 844 were satisfied: the overall species diversity of reinstated vegetation in rehabilitated areas was greater than 60 per cent of that in analogue areas. Weed cover did not differ significantly to that of pre- clearing levels (2010).
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BHP Billiton Compliance with Ministerial Statement 844
Greenhouse Gas
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Intensity
Macedon Gas Project GHG emissions for the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015 are illustrated in Figure 3 and detailed in Table 1. Annual GHG emissions for the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015 were 73,062 tonne equivalent of carbon dioxide (t CO2-e); carbon emissions intensity for the period was 6.9 t CO2-e per 1,000 barrels of oil equivalent production. Recorded emissions are lower than emissions predicted for 2015 in the Final Environmental Performance Standard EPS (85,000 t CO2-e); variance between predicted and actual emissions is due to higher production rates used to estimate carbon emissions in the EPS when compared to current operations.
6,000
e) 5,000 -
4,000
3,000
2,000
GHG Emissions (t CO2 Emissions GHG 1,000
-
Gas Compression Gas Power Generation Flaring (fugitive) Non-flared fugitive Other
Figure 3: Macedon Gas Project GHG Emissions (1 January 2015 - 31 December 2015)
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BHP Billiton Compliance with Ministerial Statement 844
Table 1: Macedon Gas Project GHG Emissions (1 January 2015 - 31 December 2015)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions (t CO2-e)
Emission Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total Source
Gas 5,180 4,484 5,148 4,800 5,285 5,178 5,180 4,138 4,800 5,462 5,252 5,387 60,294 Compression
Gas Power 684 756 541 819 660 646 595 1,688 644 321 370 671 8,397 Generation
Flaring 104 95 105 102 106 103 107 106 104 106 104 109 1,251 (fugitive)
Non-flared 229 222 234 231 255 258 251 255 246 234 248 244 2,908 fugitive
Other 21 18 20 24 23 16 14 13 19 15 14 13 212
Total 6,219 5,575 6,048 5,976 6,330 6,202 6,147 6,200 5,812 6,137 5,988 6,426 73,062
GHG Reduction Measures Investigated
Details of improvements in equipment, technology or procedures were investigated prior to development of the Macedon Project in 2010 through an energy optimisation study. The aim of the study was to identify cost effective projects, which would reduce energy and greenhouse gas emission across all operations of the Macedon Gas Project and incorporate these into the design of the Macedon Gas Project.
BHP Billiton Petroleum continues to identify and evaluate GHG reduction opportunities through internal processes designed to implement greenhouse gas abatement opportunities.
GHG Reduction Measures Implemented
Several improvements in equipment, technology and procedures identified in the Macedon Gas Project energy optimization study were implemented in design including:
• Low resistance internal pipeline coating; • Waste heat recovery; and • Equipment selection designed to minimise facility pressure drop.
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BHP Billiton Audit Table
Audit Table
Table 2: Audit Table
Audit Subject Action How Evidence Satisfy Advice Phase When Status Further Information Code (from Ministerial Statement 844) 844:M1.1 Implementation The proponent shall implement the proposal as Project implemented in Compliance Min for Overall C 2015 CAR (this documented and described in schedule 1 of this accordance with these criteria Assessment Report Env document) statement subject to the conditions and procedures (CAR) of this statement. 844:M2.1 Proponent The proponent for the time being nominated by the Min for Overall C Proponent remains BHP Nomination and Minister under sections 38(6) or 38(7) of the Act is Env Billiton Petroleum Pty Contact Details responsible for the implementation of the proposal. Ltd 844:M2.2 Proponent The proponent shall notify the CEO of any change Letter notifying CEO of any Letter notifying CEO of CEO Overall Within 30 days of C Updated January 2013 Nomination and of the name and address of the proponent for the change in proponent details any change in such change (letter dated 14.1.13) Contact Details serving of notices or other correspondence within proponent details No change since last 30 days of such change. notification 844:M3.1 Time Limit of The authorisation to implement the proposal Implement project Min for Overall Commence CLD Implementation Authorisation provided for in this statement shall lapse and be Env implementation by commenced in 2011 void five years after the date of this statement if the 27 October 2015 OEPA Desktop Audit proposal to which this statement relates is not report 31.08.2012 substantially commenced. 844:M3.2 Time Limit of The proponent shall provide the CEO with written Letter notifying CEO that Letter to the CEO CEO Overall Within one month of CLD Letter sent to CEO Authorisation evidence which demonstrates that the proposal has proposal has substantially demonstrating that the commencement dated 16.01.12 substantially commenced on or before the commenced proposal has OEPA Desktop Audit expiration of five years from the date of this substantially report 31.08.2012 statement. commenced 844:M4.1 Compliance The proponent shall prepare and maintain a CAP will be developed prior to CAP CEO Overall Prior to C OEPA accepted 18.3.11 Reporting compliance assessment plan (CAP) to the implementation and implementation and (updated 07.01.2015) satisfaction of the CEO. maintained ongoing 844:M4.2 Compliance The proponent shall submit to the CEO the CAP CAP will be developed prior to CAP CEO Pre- At least six months CLD OEPA accepted 18.3.11 Reporting required by condition 4-1 at least six months prior to implementation and submitted construction prior to the first the first compliance report required by condition 4-6, to CEO CAR required by or prior to implementation, whichever is sooner. Condition 4-6, or The CAP shall indicate: prior to the frequency of compliance reporting; implementation, the approach and timing of compliance whichever is sooner assessments; the retention of compliance assessments; the method of reporting of potential non- compliances and corrective actions taken; the table of contents of compliance assessment reports; and public availability of compliance assessment
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BHP Billiton Audit Table
reports. 844:M4.3 Compliance The proponent shall assess compliance with Prepare Compliance CAR Min for Overall When requested by C 2011 CAR, 2012 CAR, Reporting conditions in accordance with the CAP required by Assessment Report (CAR) Env the CEO 2013 CAR, 2014 CAR, condition 4-1. 2015 CAR (this document) 844:M4.4 Compliance The proponent shall retain reports of all compliance CAR to include compliance CAR CEO Overall Annual C 2011 CAR, 2012 CAR, Reporting assessments described in the CAP required by assessments (audit table), 2013 CAR, 2014 CAR, condition 4-1 and shall make those reports available retain CAR for the life of the CAR 2015 (this when requested by the CEO. project in electronic and hard document) copy format 844:M4.5 Compliance The proponent shall advise the CEO of any Advise CEO of potential non- Log of phone call, CEO Overall Within seven days C No non-compliances Reporting potential non-compliance within seven days of that compliance in writing email or letter of that non- non-compliance being known. compliance being known 844:M4.6 Compliance The proponent shall submit to the CEO the first CAR will be issued CAR CEO Overall Annually by 28 C 2011 CAR, 2012 CAR, Reporting CAR fifteen months from the date of issue of this January each year 2013 CAR, 2014 CAR, Statement addressing the twelve month period from Make CAR publicly available with the first CAR 2015 CAR (this the date of issue of this Statement and then in accordance with ‘Proposal due 28 January document) annually from the date of submission of the first Implementation Monitoring 2012 CAR. Branch – Draft Fact Sheet 1 – Making Documents Publicly The CAR shall: Available – April 2010’ be endorsed by the proponent’s Managing Director or a person delegated to sign on the Managing Director’s behalf; include a statement as to whether the proponent has complied with the conditions; identify all potential non-compliances and describe corrective and preventative actions taken; be made publicly available in accordance with the approved CAP; and indicate any proposed changes to the CAP required by condition 4-1. 844:M5.1 Non-Indigenous Prior to mobilisation of vessels and submersible Revise and obtain approval of IMP MP CEO DoF Pre- Prior to mobilisation CLD Letter of Approval from Marine Species equipment for the construction of the Macedon Gas Introduced Marine Pest construction of vessels and CEO of EPA received Project marine pipeline and umbilical, the proponent Management Procedure (IMP submersible 28.11.11 shall update the Introduced Marine Pest MP) equipment for the Management Procedure contained in Appendix Q of construction of the the Final EPS to be consistent with the Macedon Gas Commonwealth and State guidelines approved and Project marine published at that time, to the satisfaction of the CEO pipeline and on advice from the Department of Fisheries. umbilical 844:M5.2 Non-Indigenous The proponent shall implement the updated Offshore pipelay and Inspection of IMP MP Min for Overall For the construction C IMP MP implemented Marine Species Introduced Marine Pest Management Procedure for maintenance implemented in vessel risk Env and maintenance of during construction the construction and maintenance of the Macedon compliance with IMP MP assessments, the Macedon Gas phase Gas Project marine pipeline and umbilical. certificates of vessel Project marine Pipeline maintenance cleanliness pipeline and survey completed in umbilical accordance with IMP MP
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BHP Billiton Audit Table
844:M6.1 Marine Fauna The proponent shall not cause physical damage to Implement Marine Turtle Implementation of MTI Min for Construction During construction C Shore crossing turtles, disrupt turtle nesting behaviour or cause a Impacts Management Protocol MP, Marine Fauna Env complete, no impacts to change to hatchling orientation in waters and/or (MTI MP) Observer logs marine turtles recorded beaches adjacent to the pipeline shore crossing during construction. 844:M6.2 Marine Fauna If the pipeline shore crossing is to take place Prepare MTI MP Approval of MTI MP CEO DPAW Construction Prior to undertaking CLD Letter of Approval from between 1 November and 30 April the proponent the shore crossing, CEO of EPA received shall prepare a MTI MP to the satisfaction of the if the pipeline shore 31.10.11 CEO on advice from the DEC prior to undertaking crossing is to take the shore crossing. The protocol shall include: place between 1 1. employment of a suitably qualified marine fauna November and 30 observer; April 2. indicators for determining if and when there is potential for impacts on turtle nesting or hatchling emergence; 3. management responses to evidence of turtle activity; and 4. triggers for stopping construction activities pending further consultation with the DEC; and 5. when resumption of activities can take place, on advice of the DEC. 844:M6.3 Marine Fauna The proponent shall implement the MTI MP if Implement MTI MP Marine Fauna Min for Construction If undertaking the CLD Pipeline shore crossing undertaking the pipeline shore crossing between 1 Observer logs Env pipeline shore complete. MTI MP November and 30 April. crossing location implemented for shore between 1 crossing November and 30 April 844:M6.1 Pipeline Route – Subject to complying with the separation distances Install pipeline in corridor Pipelay vessel logs, Min for Construction During offshore CLD Pipeline installed within A State waters in condition 7-1, the pipeline within State waters delineated in Schedule 2 as-built survey of route Env pipeline corridor shall be laid/constructed within the corridor construction delineated by the coordinates specified in Schedule 2. 844:M7.1 Benthic Primary The proponent shall undertake all works in a Maintain separation distance Pipelay vessel logs, Min for Construction During offshore CLD Letter of Approval from Producer Habitat manner that ensures that the loss of Benthic during offshore pipelay as per as-built survey of Env pipeline CEO of EPA received Primary Producer Habitat (BPPH) within the Local Condition 7-1 route, BPPH survey construction 23.09.13 Assessment Area, as defined in Figure 3, does not and loss calculations exceed 1% for any habitat type and is minimised by maintaining the following separation distances during construction of the marine pipeline and umbilical : (1) pipeline to primary feature – 700 metres; (2) pipeline to secondary feature – 600 metres; (3) vessel movement/anchor to primary feature – 200 metres; and (4) vessel movement/anchor to secondary feature – 100 metres.
Note: “loss” is loss that does not recover within 5
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BHP Billiton Audit Table
years, “primary feature” and “secondary feature” are as defined in Figure 18 of the Final EPS and not a feature for which proposed impacts are described in section 8.4.4.5 of the Final EPS. 844:M7.2 Benthic Primary The proponent shall survey the direct loss of BPPH Survey and calculate loss of Post construction as Min for Overall Commencing within CLD Letter of Approval from Producer Habitat against the criteria in condition 7-1 starting within BPPH built survey of route, Env one month of CEO of EPA received one month of completion of the marine pipeline and BPPH survey and loss completion of the 23.09.13 umbilical. calculations marine pipeline and umbilical 844:M7.3 Benthic Primary Notwithstanding condition 7-1, if monitoring detects Develop strategies for Post construction as- CEO Overall If monitoring C No excedance of loss Producer Habitat that construction activities have contributed to a recovery and rehabilitation of built survey, strategies detects that >1% in any habitat type loss of greater than 1% in any habitat type within BPPH construction the management unit, as defined in Figure 3, the activities have proponent shall notify the CEO of the strategies to contributed to a be implemented to enhance recovery and loss greater than rehabilitate the impacted BPPH. 1% in any habitat type within the management unit, as defined in Figure 3 844:M8.1 Terrestrial Within two months following completion of Undertake rehabilitation of Rehabilitation CEO DPAW Overall Commence C Rehabilitation has been Vegetation construction of the gas plant and associated temporarily cleared areas (gas monitoring reports, rehabilitation within completed of temporary pipelines, the proponent shall commence plant and pipelines) as per rehabilitation two months disturbed areas. rehabilitation of the temporarily cleared areas of the Condition 8-1 completion criteria: following site that are no longer being utilised to achieve re- - Species diversity completion of 2015 Rehabilitation establishment of vegetation, such that the following greater than construction of the report concludes that criteria are met across the distribution of the 60%of pre- gas plant and rehabilitation criteria of disturbance footprint within three years of disturbance associated Condition 8-1 have been commencement of rehabilitation: - Weed coverage pipelines and meet achieved. (1) Species diversity is not less than 60 percent of less than pre- criteria within three the known original species diversity; disturbance years of (2) Weed coverage is equal to or less than that of levels commencement of pre-cleared levels. rehabilitation
Note: The original species diversity and weed coverage must be determined prior to clearing or from analogue sites approved by the CEO on advice from the DEC. 844:M8.2 Terrestrial In liaison with the DEC, the proponent shall monitor Monitor rehabilitation success Rehabilitation CEO DPAW Overall Appropriately timed C Third monitoring survey Vegetation progressively the performance of rehabilitation for a against rehabilitation monitoring report, after rain on an conducted in 2015 range of sites against the criteria in condition 8-1 completion criteria, conduct rehabilitation annual basis (Appendix 1 of this based on appropriately timed surveys after rain, surveys in accordance with completion criteria: unless otherwise document). until the completion criteria are met. The surveys Condition 8-2 - Species diversity agreed by the CEO shall be conducted annually unless otherwise greater than until the completion agreed by the CEO. 60%of pre- criteria are met disturbance - Weed coverage equal to or less than pre-
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BHP Billiton Audit Table
disturbance levels Correspondence with DPAW 844:M8.3 Terrestrial The proponent shall include a rehabilitation Submit rehabilitation Rehabilitation Min for Overall Commencing from C Appendix 1 of the 2015 Vegetation monitoring report in the CAR referred to in condition monitoring report monitoring report, Env the date CAR (this document) 4-6 commencing from the date rehabilitation was rehabilitation rehabilitation was commenced. The report shall address in the report completion criteria: commenced and the following: - Species diversity on an annual basis 1. The progress made towards meeting the criteria greater than required by condition 8-1; and 60%of pre- 2. Contingency management measures in the event disturbance that the criteria required by condition 8-1 are - Weed coverage unlikely to be met. equal to or less than pre- disturbance levels 844:M9.1 Terrestrial Fauna The proponent shall prevent the death of fauna that Fauna clearing person(s) to Employment of fauna Min for Construction Until all trenching is CLD Trenching complete becomes entrapped in the onshore pipeline remove fauna from open clearing person(s), Env completed and no trenches by employing a fauna clearing person or pipeline trench daily logs open pipeline persons to remove trapped fauna from any open trenches remain pipeline trench. 844:M9.2 Terrestrial Fauna The length of open trenches shall not exceed a Clear open trench within Employment of fauna Min for Construction Until all trenching is CLD Trenching complete length capable of being inspected and cleared by a identified timeframes specified clearing person(s), Env completed and no fauna clearing person within the time frame in Condition 9-4 daily logs open pipeline specified in condition 9-4. trenches remain 844:M9.3 Terrestrial Fauna Fauna refuges providing suitable shelter from the Fauna refuges installed in Daily logs Min for Construction Until all trenching is CLD Trenching complete sun and predators for trapped fauna shall be placed open trench at intervals < 50m Env completed and no in the trench at intervals not exceeding 50 metres. open pipeline trenches remain 844:M9.4 Terrestrial Fauna Inspection and clearing of fauna from trenches by a Clear open trench within Employment of fauna Min for Construction Twice daily and not CLD Trenching complete fauna clearing person shall occur twice daily and identified timeframes clearing person(s), Env more than half an not more than half an hour prior to the backfilling of daily logs hour prior to the trenches, with the first daily inspection and clearing backfilling of to be undertaken no later than 3.5 hours after trenches, with the sunrise, and the second inspection and clearing to first daily inspection be undertaken daily between the hours of 3:00 pm and clearing to be and 6:00 pm. undertaken no later than 3.5 hours after sunrise, and the second inspection and clearing to be undertaken daily between the hours of 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm 844:M9.5 Terrestrial Fauna In the event of rainfall, the proponent shall, Pump out significant pooled Daily logs Min for Construction In the event of CLD Trenching complete. No following the clearing of fauna from the trench, water in open trench Env rainfall, following loss of fauna during pump out significant pooled water in the open the clearing of pipeline construction.
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BHP Billiton Audit Table
trench (with the exception of groundwater) and fauna from the Small losses due to discharge it to adjacent vegetated areas in a trench groundwater flooding in manner that does not cause erosion. trenches. 844:M10.1 Emissions to Air The proponent shall install equipment and manage Install equipment as detailed Approved AEBPR, Min for Overall Construction and C ongoing operations such that best practice for a in Air Emissions Best Practice CAR Env ongoing operations Equipment identified in petroleum gas/condensate facility in respect to Report (AEBPR) and manage AEBPR installed and volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen ongoing operations operated. emissions is achieved. Emission testing demonstrates effective management of VOC and NOx 844:M10.2 Emissions to Air The proponent shall provide reports showing the Prepare AEBPR for selection Approved AEBPR, CEO Overall Prior to applying for CLD Approval of AEBPR basis on which ‘best practice’ was determined, to of equipment and ongoing CAR a Works Approval received from CEO of the satisfaction of the CEO, as follows: management of operations (for plant and EPA in letter dated 1. for plant and equipment – prior to applying for a equipment) and 07.07.11 Works Approval under Part V of the Act; and prior to applying for 2. for ongoing management of operations – prior to a Part V licence (for applying for a Licence under Part V of the Act. ongoing management of operations)
844:M11.1 Greenhouse Gas For the life of the project, the proponent shall CAR to include GHG CAR Min for Operation For the life of the C 2015 CAR (this Abatement include in the CARs referred to in Condition 4-6 the emissions and intensity Env project document, see Section following: (including comparison to 3.3) 1. annual greenhouse gas emissions and intensity annual emissions predicted in resulting from the operation of the project in the Final EPS and reasons for comparison to the annual emissions predicted in any variance) and proposed the Final EPS and reasons for any variance; and implemented GHG 2. details of improvements in equipment, reduction methods technology or procedures investigated by the proponent that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and 3. details of improvements in equipment, technology or procedures implemented by the proponent that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 844:M12.1 Decommissioning At least six months prior to the anticipated date of Submit Final Approval of Final CEO Operation At least six months NR closure, the proponent shall submit a Final Decommissioning Plan Decommissioning Plan prior to the Decommissioning Plan designed to ensure that the anticipated date of site is suitable for future land uses, for approval of closure the CEO. The Final Decommissioning Plan shall set out procedures and measures for: 1. removal or, if appropriate, retention of plant and infrastructure; and 2. remediation or rehabilitation of all disturbed areas to a standard suitable for the agreed new land use(s). 844:M12.2 Decommissioning The proponent shall implement the Final Implement Final Decommissioning and Min for CEO Decommissi From the date of NR Decommissioning Plan required by condition 12-1 Decommissioning Plan rehabilitation Env oning closure until such
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BHP Billiton Audit Table
from the date of closure until such time as the monitoring reports time as the Minister Minister determines, on advice of the CEO, that the determines, on proponent’s decommissioning responsibilities have advice of the CEO, been fulfilled. the proponent’s decommissioning responsibilities have been fulfilled 844:M12.3 Decommissioning The proponent shall make the Final Make Final Decommissioning Final CEO Overall Within two weeks NR Decommissioning Plan required by condition 12-1 Plan publicly available Decommissioning Plan of receiving publicly available in a manner approved by the available as directed approval for the CEO. by CEO final Decommissioning Plan
Note: - Phases that apply in this table = Pre-construction, Construction, Operation, Decommissioning, Overall (several phases) - This audit table is a summary and timetable of conditions and commitments applying to this project. Refer to the Minister’s Statement for full detail/precise wording of individual elements - Code prefixes: M = Minister’s condition; P = Proponent’s commitment; A= Audit specification; N= Procedure - Any elements with status = “Audited by proponent only” are legally binding but are not required to be addressed specifically in compliance reports, if complied with - Acronyms list:- Min for Env = Minster for the Environment; CEO = Chief Executive Officer of OEPA; OEPA = Office of the Environmental Protection Authority; EPA = Environmental Protection Authority; DEC = Department of Environment and Conservation (Now Department of Parks and Wildlife); DMP = Department of Mines and Petroleum; DoH = Department of Health; DoF = Department of Fisheries - Status: C – Compliant (implementation of the proposal has been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the audit element); CLD – completed (A requirement with a finite period of application has been satisfactorily completed); NR – Not required at this stage. - Abbreviations: MTI MP - Marine Turtle Impact Management Plan; IMP MP - Introduced Marine Pest Management Plan; AEBPR - Air Emissions Best Practice Report;
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BHP Billiton Non-compliance and Corrective/Preventative Actions
Non-compliance and Corrective/Preventative Actions
The Operation has been fully compliant during the reporting period.
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BHP Billiton Changes to the Compliance Assessment Plan
Changes to the Compliance Assessment Plan
The following changes are proposed in the Compliance Plan: 1. Change key contact to Darryl Nottingham – Field Manager; 2. Change key contact to Tim Cooper – Environmental Supervisor; and 3. Change Authority to Endorse to Geraldine Slattery – General Manager Australia.
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BHP Billiton References
References
BHP Billiton Petroleum 2010, Macedon Gas Project Environmental Protection Statement, July 2010 – Final. BHP Billiton Petroleum, Perth. BHP Billiton Petroleum Macedon Gas Project – Compliance Assessment Plan, (PMA-BHP-EN-EIA-0002). Department of Parks and Wildlife 2013, Weed Prioritisation Process for DPaW (formerly DEC) – “An Integrated Approach to Weed Management on DPaW-Managed Lands in WA”, Government of Western Australia, Perth. Australian Weeds Committee 2012, Weeds of National Significance 2012, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.
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BHP Billiton Appendix 1
Appendix 1
Macedon Rehabilitation Monitoring Report
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Macedon Gas Development Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring September/October 2015
Prepared for BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd
Report Reference: 3930-15-BISR-1Rev1_160120
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Macedon Gas Development Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring
Prepared for BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd
Job Number: 3930-15
Reference: 3930-15-BISR-1Rev1_160120
Revision Status
Rev Date Description Author(s) Reviewer S. Stapleton A 03/11/2015 Draft Issued for Client Review R. Archibald A. Gove S. Stapleton B 24/11/2015 Draft Issued for Client Review M. Stalker A. Gove C 23/12/2015 Draft Issued for Client Review A. Gove R. Archibald
D 08/01/2016 Draft Issued for Client Review A. Gove R. Archibald
0 11/01/2016 Final Issued for Information A. Gove R. Archibald
1 20/01/2016 Final Issued for Information A. Gove R. Archibald
Approval
Rev Date Issued to Authorised by
Name Signature
A 03/11/2015 Jill Regazzo S. Pearse
B 24/11/2015 Jill Regazzo S. Pearse
C 23/12/2015 Jill Regazzo S. Pearse
D 08/01/2016 Jill Regazzo S. Pearse
0 11/01/2016 Jill Regazzo S. Pearse
1 20/01/2016 Jill Regazzo S. Pearse
© Copyright 2015 Astron Environmental Services Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. This document and information contained in it has been prepared by Astron Environmental Services under the terms and conditions of its contract with its client. The report is for the clients use only and may not be used, exploited, copied, duplicated or reproduced in any form or medium whatsoever without the prior written permission of Astron Environmental Services or its client.
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 Abbreviations
Abbreviation Definition BHP Billiton BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Department of Environment and Conservation (more recently known as the DEC Department of Parks and Wildlife) DBNGP Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline EPA Environmental Protection Authority ha Hectare km Kilometre m Metre mm Millimetre MS 844 Ministerial Statement 844 Parks and Wildlife Department of Parks and Wildlife PERMANOVA Permutation-based Multivariate Analysis of Variance The project Macedon Gas Development °C Degrees Celsius % Per cent
Page | ii BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 Executive Summary In March 2012, BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd commenced rehabilitation of 285 hectares of an area that had been approved for clearing for gas pipelines. These pipelines are associated with the Macedon Gas Development near Onslow, Western Australia. Monitoring of this rehabilitation is required to demonstrate that, within three years of commencement of rehabilitation, the reinstated vegetation has at least 60 per cent of pre-clearing species diversity and no more than the pre- clearing levels of weed cover (Condition 8 of Ministerial Statement 844).
Post-rehabilitation monitoring was commenced in May 2013, involving the assessment of 56 20 metre line-intercept transects. Thirty-one of these transects were installed in the rehabilitated pipeline corridor, with the remaining 25 transects acting as analogue sites in nearby vegetation located outside of the clearing footprint. These transects were again monitored in July 2014 and September/October 2015.
The 2015 monitoring showed:
• Overall species richness was more than 30 per cent higher in rehabilitated transects than in analogue transects. • Species diversity in rehabilitated transects exceeded 60 per cent of that found in paired analogues in 21 out of 23 pairs of transects. Since 2013, two analogue transects have been destroyed due to development for another project. • Rehabilitation transects shared 66 per cent of those species found in analogue transects. Forty per cent of transect pairs shared at least 60 per cent of species. • There was no significant difference in weed cover between 2010 and 2015 in the rehabilitation transects. • When point in time comparisons were made, contrasts between weed cover in analogue and rehabilitation transects were not significant in 2015 or in any previous year (Table 4). • Between 2014 and 2015, weed species distribution decreased.
Overall, weed cover in rehabilitated transects in 2015 was low (less than 3 per cent on average) and dominated by buffel grass. This weed is a valued pasture species and not a declared pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 nor a Weed of National Significance. It is considered of “low concern” by Parks and Wildlife (Department of Parks and Wildlife 2013). The results of September/October 2015 monitoring indicated that the two completion criteria in Condition 8 of Ministerial Statement 844 were satisfied: the overall species diversity of reinstated vegetation in rehabilitated areas was greater than 60 per cent of that in analogue areas. Weed cover does not significantly exceed pre-clearing levels of 2010.
Page | iii BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 Table of Contents 1 Introduction ...... 1 1.1 Project Background ...... 1
1.2 Scope and Objectives ...... 2
2 Environmental Context ...... 4 2.1 Climate ...... 4
2.2 Geology and Soils ...... 5
2.3 Vegetation and Flora ...... 5
3 Methodology ...... 6 3.1 Monitoring Design and Field Assessment ...... 6
3.1.1 Data Collection ...... 7
3.1.2 Timing and Field Team ...... 7
3.2 Data Analysis ...... 7
3.3 Limitations ...... 8
4 Results and Discussion ...... 9 4.1 Rainfall (2010 - 2015) ...... 9
4.2 Native Vegetation ...... 10
4.2.1 Diversity (species richness) ...... 10
4.2.2 Diversity (cover) ...... 11
4.2.3 Diversity (similarity of composition) ...... 13
4.3 Weeds...... 13
5 Conclusions ...... 16 5.1 Short-term Progress of Rehabilitation ...... 16
5.1.1 Native vegetation ...... 16
5.1.2 Weeds ...... 16
5.2 Medium-term Outlook ...... 16
5.3 Completion Criteria ...... 16
6 References ...... 17
Page | iv BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 List of Figures Figure 1: Survey area location ...... 3
Figure 2: Climate data for Onslow Airport (Station 5017). Mean annual rainfall and mean maximum temperature data has been calculated from 1940 to 2015 (Bureau of Meteorology 2015)...... 4
Figure 3: Long-term mean monthly rainfall and total monthly rainfall for Onslow Airport between January 2010 and October 2015 (Bureau of Meteorology 2015). Arrows indicate monitoring events...... 9
Figure 4: Percentage difference in species richness in rehabilitated transects compared with species richness in paired analogue transects. Red borders indicate that the 60% species richness rehabilitation target has not yet been met...... 11
Figures 5: (a) Changes in species richness in line-intercept length, (b) in 1 m strip transects, and (c) the length of transects intercepted by native species in different habitats. Mean + Standard Deviation...... 12
Figure 6: Comparisons of species composition between paired rehabilitated and analogue transects. The number of transects that showed less that 0.6 (60%) overlap in shared species are indicated by red borders. Data utilised is from the 1 m wide transects...... 13
Figure 7: Changes in weed cover in different habitats. (a) All weed species, (b) buffel grass only. Error bars represent one standard deviation...... 15
List of Tables Table 1: Ministerial Statement 844; Condition 8 ...... 1
Table 2: Distribution of monitoring sites within geomorphic units, current as at October 2015...... 6
Table 3: Summary of native species richness in analogue and rehabilitated transects...... 10
Table 4: Summary of statistical analysis comparing weed cover over treatment and sites, using PERMANOVA (P-value in parenthesis)...... 14
Table 5: Summary of per cent of transect length intercepted by weeds in analogue and rehabilitated transects...... 14
List of Appendices Appendix A: Transect Locations Appendix B: Transect Photographs Appendix C: Statistical Analysis Supporting Documentation Appendix D: Flora Species List (2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015)
Page | v BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
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Page | vi BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 1 Introduction
1.1 Project Background
The Macedon Gas Development (‘the project’) is a BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd (BHP Billiton) natural gas development project. The subsea Macedon Gas Field is located 100 kilometres (km) west of the Pilbara coastal town of Onslow. The key components of the project consist of:
• a subsea pipeline and umbilical to bring gas ashore • a 15 km buried wet gas pipeline to transport gas from the shoreline crossing to the gas treatment plant • a single train domestic gas treatment and compression plant plus gas storage facilities at Ashburton North, 17 km south-west of Onslow • a 67 km buried domestic gas sales pipeline connecting the gas treatment plant to the existing Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP).
The project was assessed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Ministerial approval for the project was granted on 28 October 2010. The EPA recognised that, although there would be an ongoing requirement for a pipeline access and maintenance track, the majority of vegetation cleared during pipeline installation would be rehabilitated. The EPA’s advice to the Minister for Environment therefore stated that the objective for flora and vegetation would be met provided that adequate rehabilitation was commenced at the earliest opportunity. Requirements for Condition 8 of the Macedon Gas Development Ministerial Statement 844 (MS 844) are outlined in Table 1.
Table 1: Ministerial Statement 844; Condition 8
Condition 8 – Terrestrial Vegetation Within two months following completion of construction of the gas plant and associated pipelines, the proponent shall commence rehabilitation of the temporarily cleared areas of the site that are no longer being utilised to achieve re-establishment of vegetation, such that the following criteria are met across the distribution of the disturbance footprint within three years of commencement of rehabilitation: 8-1 (1) Species diversity is not less than 60 percent of the known original species diversity; (2) Weed coverage is equal to or less than that of pre-cleared levels. Note: The original species diversity and weed coverage must be determined prior to clearing or from analogue sites approved by the CEO on advice from the DEC1. In liaison with the DEC, the proponent shall monitor progressively the performance of rehabilitation for a range of sites against the criteria in condition 8-1 based on appropriately timed surveys after 8-2 rain, until the completion criteria are met. The surveys shall be conducted annually unless otherwise agreed by the CEO. The proponent shall include a rehabilitation monitoring report in the compliance assessment report 8-3 referred to in condition 4-6 commencing from the date rehabilitation was commenced. The report shall address the following: (1) The progress made towards meeting the criteria required by condition 8-1; and Contingency management measures in the event that the criteria required by condition 8-1 are (2) unlikely to be met.
1DEC (Department of Environment and Conservation) is more recently known as the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
Page | 1 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 The pipeline installation was completed in March 2012, at which time pipeline rehabilitation commenced. This involved the ripping of the compacted areas and spreading of stockpiled topsoil over the disturbed surfaces.
Both the wet gas pipeline and the sales gas pipeline are assessed as part of the rehabilitation monitoring. The wet gas pipeline between the shoreline crossing and the gas processing plant required the clearing of a 30 metre (m) wide and 15 km long corridor, with 60 hectares (ha) of vegetation clearing approved. The sales gas pipeline between the gas processing plant and the DBNGP connection required the clearing of a 30 m wide and 67 km long corridor, with 225 ha of vegetation clearing approved (Figure 1).
1.2 Scope and Objectives
Astron was commissioned by BHP Billiton to undertake annual vegetation rehabilitation monitoring, to be conducted over a three year period. The first survey was conducted in May 2013, with subsequent monitoring for 2014 conducted in July. Monitoring for 2015 occurred in September. The scope of the rehabilitation monitoring addresses the following objective:
• Using methodology outlined in the BHP Billiton Macedon Gas Project Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (Astron Environmental Services 2012), measure spatial and temporal changes of rehabilitated vegetation. Specifically, monitoring is required to demonstrate that the reinstated vegetation has at least 60 per cent (%) of pre-clearing or analogue diversity levels, and no more than the pre-clearing or analogue levels of weed cover.
Page | 2 250000 300000 350000
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Gas Plant Site UAROO " Y A Macedon Gas Pipeline Easement N R E Y R O Parks and Wildlife Managed Lands A D NYANG ROAD WAY L HIGH TA AD Coastline AS RIE R O CO UAROO GLENFLOR ST GLEN FLORRIE WE " RTH NO " BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring Figure 1: Survey Area Location
Author: A. Gove Date: 11-01-2016 Datum: GDA 1994 - Projection: MGA Zone 50 Km Drawn: W. An Figure Ref: 3930-15-BIDR-1Rev0_160111_Fig01_Locn 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 ± BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 2 Environmental Context
2.1 Climate
The climate of the Pilbara region of Western Australia is classified as arid tropical with two distinct seasons: a hot wet summer (October to April) and a mild dry winter (May to September). Much of the annual precipitation for this region results from local thunderstorms and cyclonic events, with high rainfall variability often occurring across relatively small distances (Van Vreeswyk et al. 2004).
Based on long-term climatic data from the nearest weather station at Onslow Airport (Station 5017), which is approximately 15 km north-east of the survey area, the mean annual rainfall since 1940 is 319 millimetres (mm) (Bureau of Meteorology 2015). Mean maximum daily temperatures range between 25.4 degrees Celsius (°C) and 36.4°C, and range above 30°C for much of the year (Bureau of Meteorology 2015) (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Climate data for Onslow Airport (Station 5017). Mean annual rainfall and mean maximum temperature data has been calculated from 1940 to 2015 (Bureau of Meteorology 2015).
Page | 4 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 2.2 Geology and Soils
The Macedon Gas Development is located over sedimentary rocks of the Northern Carnarvon Basin and Ashburton Basin. The area is dominated by an extensive coastal floodplain. Sandplain areas have low relief and are characterised by longitudinal north trending dunes. Numerous bare clay pans and circular grassy depressions occur on the clay plains (Payne, Mitchell, and Holman 1988).
The Macedon Gas Development is mapped over four different soil landscape zones. These soil zones are described as:
• Zone 201 – Onslow Plain (Exmouth Province) – coastal mudflats, with some sandplains and coastal dunes, on coastal deposits over Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of the Carnarvon Basin. Tidal soils with calcareous deeps sands and some red deeps sands, red/brown non- cracking clays and salt lake soils (Tille 2006). • Zone 202 – Cane River (Exmouth Province) – alluvial plains and sandplains, with some floodplains and gravelly plains, on Cainozoic deposits over Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of the Carnarvon Basin. Red deep sandy duplexes with red/brown non-cracking clays, red loamy earths and some red deep loamy duplexes, red sandy earths and self-mulching cracking clays (Tille 2006). • Zone 203 – Yanrey Plains (Exmouth Province) – sandplains and alluvial plains, with some flood plains, on Quaternary deposits over Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of the Carnarvon Basin. Red deep sands with red/brown non-cracking clays, red deep sandy duplexes and some hard cracking clays (Tille 2006). • Zone 296 – Stuart Plains and Hills (Ashburton Province) – hills, ranges, stony plains and sandplains on sedimentary rocks, with some granite, of the northern Ashburton Basin and Gascoyne Complex. Stony soils and red deep sandy duplexes with red loamy earths, red shallow loams and some red sandy earths (Tille 2006).
2.3 Vegetation and Flora
Vegetation of the Onslow area is a mosaic of saline alluvial plains with samphire and saltbush shrublands, snakewood (Acacia xiphophylla) scrub on clay flats, and tree to shrub steppe over hummock grasslands on and between red sand dune fields (Kendrick and Mau 2002).
Vegetation of the survey area was described and mapped by Astron Environmental Services (Astron) (2009) and largely reflects the combination of vegetation described above. Previous surveys undertaken in the Onslow area have identified a diverse suite of native flora, as well as a number of introduced flora species (Astron Environmental Services 2009; Biota Environmental Sciences 2010; ENV Australia Pty Ltd 2011; Mattiske Consulting Pty Ltd 2013).
Page | 5 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 3 Methodology
3.1 Monitoring Design and Field Assessment
In 2010, 56 line-intercept transects were established and assessed to provide baseline monitoring data. Thirty-one of the transects were originally established within the 30 m wide pipeline construction corridor, with the remaining 25 transects located outside the pipeline corridor. Each transect, 20 m in length, was installed perpendicular to the pipeline construction corridor and permanently marked with a fence dropper at each end (0 m and 20 m). Transects were spaced across eight geomorphic units, along the length of the wet gas and sales gas pipeline. The distribution of transects among the geomorphic units is summarised in Table 2.
The 31 transects established within the 30 m wide pipeline construction corridor were removed during pipeline installation, however all of these transects were re-established as close to their original locations as possible during the 2013 monitoring visit (Appendix A, Figures A1 and A2). These transects are referred to as ‘rehabilitation transects’.
The remaining 25 transects located outside the pipeline corridor are considered to be analogue, or control, transects (Appendix A, Figures A1 and A2). These were established within intact vegetation types that best matched the vegetation of the transects located within the pipeline construction corridor approved for clearing. They provide an undisturbed ‘reference’ to monitor the progress of rehabilitation against.
In 2013, an additional 1 m x 20 m fixed-point strip transect was monitored for each transect to ensure uncommon species were detected, particularly in the rehabilitated transects which often have considerable bare ground. This strip transect was positioned along the left side of each line- intercept transect, from the 0 m start point, and has been monitored during each subsequent monitoring survey.
Since the 2014 monitoring visit, all of the rehabilitation transects and 23 of the analogue transects have been monitored. In 2014, two analogue transects (BHPPA-08 and BHPPA-09) were removed due to the construction of an unrelated project’s pipeline. Both of these transects were located within the floodplain geomorphic unit of the Onslow land system. The current distribution of transects among geomorphic units is summarised in Table 2.
Table 2: Distribution of monitoring sites within geomorphic units, current as at October 2015.
Broad habitat types Number of Number of Geomorphic unit used for statistical rehabilitation analogue analysis transects transects Clay pans Clay pan/floodplain 4 4 Floodplain, depressions and wide drainages Clay pan/floodplain 5 2 and river banks (combined) Lower (stony) plains Open plain 4 3 Undulating sandy plains Open plain 2 1 Near level sandy/loamy plains Open plain 5 3 Mid and lower sandy slopes Sand dune 10 9 Crests and upper slopes of inland sand dunes Sand dune 1 1 TOTAL 31 23
Page | 6 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 3.1.1 Data Collection
Monitoring was conducted using line-intercept transects, each with an additional adjacent 1 m x 20 m fixed-point strip transect extending the length of the transect. The following data was collected at each transect:
• flora species – all vascular plant species present along the transect and within the 1 m x 20 m fixed-point strip transect (including weed species) • transect intercept length – the length of intercept for each flora species present along the transect • photographs – two photographs were taken of each transect, one from each end (0 m and 20 m) oriented along the length of the transect (Appendix B).
3.1.2 Timing and Field Team
Two Astron ecologists conducted the monitoring from 30 September to 4 October 2015. Linda Vaughan (Environmental Scientist) and Samantha Stapleton (Environmental Scientist) both have considerable experience in monitoring and botanical surveys in the Pilbara. Linda Vaughan also participated in the 2013 monitoring survey. Plant specimens that were not identified in the field were identified in Perth by botanist Johan Hurter, who has extensive experience with flora of the Pilbara region.
3.2 Data Analysis
The term “species diversity” in MS 844 Condition 8-1 (1) is not defined and can have several different interpretations in ecology. The two most commonly used definitions are:
1. species richness or total number of species 2. similarity of composition (species and their relative abundance or cover: species diversity in the ecological literature (Magurran 1988)).
The first definition is adopted for this project because species diversity is used interchangeably with species richness by regulators. However, the similarity of composition was also examined to supplement results based only on the number of species.
Data on weed cover and species diversity were analysed using permutation-based multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) (Anderson, Gorley, and Clarke 2008) in Primer v6 (Clarke and Gorley 2006). Detailed descriptions of statistical data analysis can be found in Appendix C.
Statistically significant differences amongst treatments were defined by associated P values which were less than 0.05. This is standard convention and indicates that the observed differences in treatments would have less than a 5% probability of occurring purely by chance. When comparing rehabilitation success with pre-cleared or analogue conditions, non-significant differences are desirable. These will be indicated by p-values higher than 0.05. P-values below 0.05 would indicate a significant statistical difference between rehabilitation and analogue or pre-clearing conditions, and therefore a breach condition 8-1.
Page | 7 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 3.3 Limitations
The following limitations should be considered when interpreting the data presented in the report:
• Disturbance – fire history, weed infestation and cattle grazing have impacted large areas of the pipeline easement. These disturbances may have some influence on the presence and abundance of both native and introduced species. • Recent fire history – one analogue transect had been burnt since the last monitoring visit (BHPPA-28). Since it was a very recent burn, no vegetation was recorded within the transect. This disturbance may have some influence on the analysis of species diversity. • Timing – due to the late timing of the survey, conditions were dry with limited annual and ephemeral flora species present.
Page | 8 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 4 Results and Discussion
4.1 Rainfall (2010 - 2015)
Long-term rainfall data indicates that Onslow receives the majority of its rainfall between December and March, and May to June each year, with rainfall generally peaking in February and March (Bureau of Meteorology 2015). Since the commencement of monitoring in 2010, the following significant rainfall events have occurred:
• significantly below-average rainfall for 2010 • above-average rainfall for 2011, with peak rainfall recorded in February (284.2 mm in comparison to the long-term average of 62.3 mm) • significantly below-average rainfall for March 2012, 2013 and 2014, with 6.0 mm, 0 mm and 0.4 mm recorded, respectively, in comparison to a long-term average of 70.4 mm • above-average rainfall for June 2013, with 118.4 mm received • above-average rainfall for 2015, with a significant rainfall event in March in which 287.2 mm was received.
A total of 386 mm was recorded at Onslow Airport (station 5017) in the 12 months preceding the 2015 annual monitoring. This is 66.5 mm above the long-term average of 320 mm at this site (Bureau of Meteorology 2015). A significant rainfall event was received during the month of March 2015, with 287.2 mm recorded, which is more than three times the average March rainfall. In the four months preceding the monitoring however, only 18 mm of rainfall was recorded, in comparison to the long-term average of 75 mm for the same period (Bureau of Meteorology 2015) (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Long-term mean monthly rainfall and total monthly rainfall for Onslow Airport between January 2010 and October 2015 (Bureau of Meteorology 2015). Arrows indicate monitoring events.
Page | 9 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 4.2 Native Vegetation
4.2.1 Diversity (species richness)
In 2015, 141 species of native flora were recorded across all monitoring transects (Table 3 and Appendix D). Eighty-three species were recorded in analogue transects and 110 species were recorded in rehabilitated transects (Table 3). Rehabilitation transects shared 66% of those species found in analogue transects. The number of species in line-intercept transects increased from 31 species in analogue and 37 species in rehabilitated transects in 2010 to 57 and 84 species, respectively, in 2015. Therefore, since 2010, species richness has increased by 127% in rehabilitated transects, and by 83% in analogue transects.
Table 3: Summary of native species richness in analogue and rehabilitated transects.
Total Average1 SD2 Range (min – max)3 Line-intercept transects only Analogue 31 2.4 1.4 1 – 6 2010 Rehabilitated 37 3.0 1.4 1 – 6 Analogue 29 2.4 1.2 1 – 6 2013 Rehabilitated 61 4.3 2.7 0 – 9 Analogue 36 2.8 1.7 0 – 6 2014 Rehabilitated 61 3.8 2.8 0 – 12 Analogue 57 4.3 2.5 1 – 11 2015 Rehabilitated 84 5.9 3.1 0 - 15 Line-intercept transects and 1 m wide fixed-point strip transect Analogue 45 3.2 1.7 1 – 8 2013 Rehabilitated 101 8.6 4.8 1 – 20 Analogue 69 5.6 2.3 1 – 9 2014 Rehabilitated 123 9.8 5.3 1 – 23 Analogue 83 6 3.4 2 – 15 2015 Rehabilitated 110 8.4 3.9 2 - 17 1 average number of species per transect 2 standard deviation around the average number of species per transect 3 the minimum and maximum number of species per transect
Records of annual species has increased from two in analogue transects and zero in rehabilitation transects in 2010, to 24 and 39 species, respectively in 2015. In the same period, analogue transects have increased in perennial species from 29 to 59 and in rehabilitation transects from 37 to 71 species.
In 2015, species richness was more than 30% higher in rehabilitated transects than in analogue transects. In contrast, prior to disturbance and rehabilitation in 2010, the total and average species richness per transect (that is, the number of species) did not differ greatly between the analogue and rehabilitation transects (Table 3).
The general pattern of increased species richness from 2010 to 2015 was also observed when the rehabilitated and matched analogue transects were compared at each site. In 2010, species richness (inclusive of both annual and perennial species) was similar between the rehabilitated and matched
Page | 10 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 analogue transects in each transect pair (Figure 4: green bars). In this graph, 100% species richness means that species richness in the rehabilitated and matched analogue transects is the same, while less than 100% species richness means that there are fewer species in the rehabilitated transects than in the matched analogue transect. There was no difference in species richness in 12 pairs of rehabilitated and analogue transects in 2010.
After disturbance and rehabilitation, species richness in rehabilitated transects decreased to less than 60% of the matched analogue transects in five transect pairs in 2013, and four transect pairs in 2014 (using 1 m strip transects) (Figure 4: purple and blue bars with red border). In 2015 only two transects (21 and 29) did not achieve the target of 60% of analogue transect species richness.
Figure 4: Percentage difference in species richness in rehabilitated transects compared with species richness in paired analogue transects. Red borders indicate that the 60% species richness rehabilitation target has not yet been met.
When changes in species richness were compared between different habitats, there were no clear differences between habitats (Figures 5a and 5b). Also, the mean species richness did not change greatly between years (except for clay pan/floodplain habitat; Figure 5a).
4.2.2 Diversity (cover)
Between 2010 and 2013, the intercept length of native vegetation tended to decrease in both rehabilitated and analogue transects (Figure 5c). The decrease was much greater in rehabilitated transects than in analogue transects. The disturbance and rehabilitation resulted in almost no cover of native vegetation in clay pan/floodplain habitat in 2013. Cover has generally increased in the period to 2015.
Page | 11 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Figures 5: (a) Changes in species richness in line-intercept length, (b) in 1 m strip transects, and (c) the length of transects intercepted by native species in different habitats. Mean + Standard Deviation.
Page | 12 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 4.2.3 Diversity (similarity of composition)
In 2015 60% of rehabilitated-analogue transect pairs showed a species overlap of 60% or more (Figure 6). In 2010, prior to disturbance and rehabilitation, 48% of transect pairs shared 60% of species or greater between the rehabilitated and matched analogue transects (Figure 6: green bars). In 2013, after the disturbance and rehabilitation, the paired rehabilitated and analogue transects tended to have disparate species composition, and less than 10% of transect pairs shared 60% of species or greater (Figure 6: mauve bars). In 2014, species composition became even more disparate between the rehabilitated and matched analogue transects: no transect pairs shared 60% of species or greater (Figure 6: pale blue bars). While rehabilitation has so far not re-established vegetation that is equivalent to vegetation prior to disturbance, individual transects do show more similarity with analogue transects than in 2010, prior to disturbance. These results indicate that disturbance and rehabilitation has transformed vegetation in terms of species composition.
Figure 6: Comparisons of species composition between paired rehabilitated and analogue transects. The number of transects that showed less that 0.6 (60%) overlap in shared species are indicated by red borders. Data utilised is from the 1 m wide transects.
4.3 Weeds
There was no significant difference for the change in weed cover between 2010 and 2015 when rehabilitation transects were compared with analogue transects (PERMANOVA, year x treatment interaction, F1,104= 1.8, P=0.22). Additionally weed cover in rehabilitation transects had not increased from 2010 to 2015 (PERMANOVA, t = 1.78, P = 0.064). When point in time comparisons were made, contrasts between weed cover in analogue and rehabilitation transects were not significant in 2015 or in any previous year (Table 4).
Values for total and mean weed cover in the rehabilitation transects in 2015 were low (< 3%) but higher (not significantly) than in 2010 (0.7%) (Table 5; Figure 7). Changes in weed cover between 2010 and 2015 are described for each transect in Appendix A, Figures A1 and A2. Weeds are generally found at the eastern-most transects (29-31; Appendix A, Figure A2) and throughout the western transects, where some of the biggest increases in buffel grass cover were evident (Appendix A, Figure A1). From 2014 to 2015 both cover and distribution of weeds (calculated as the number of transects in which weeds occur) has decreased (Table 5). Decreases in weed cover were
Page | 13 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 observed for rehabilitation sites in the open plain habitat, but increases were observed in clay pan/floodplain, and to a lesser extent sand dune habitat (Figure 7a). These patterns in total weed cover were principally driven by cover of buffel grass (Figure 7b), which has long been a favoured pasture species. Since construction of the pipeline, at least one fire is known to have occurred in the area and this is likely to have facilitated the spread of buffel grass. Ongoing grazing is also likely to have contributed to the spread of this weed. Pastoralism is the predominant landuse activity around the pipeline and the spread of buffel grass will improve the grazing potential of the area.
Table 4: Summary of statistical analysis comparing weed cover over treatment and sites, using PERMANOVA (P-value in parenthesis).
Treatment Year Site (analogue vs. rehabilitated)
2010 F1,25 = 0.003 (0.92) F24,25 = 2.25 (0.057)
2013 F1,19 = 0.15 (0.71) F26,19 = 1.65 (0.21)
2014 F1,22 = 3.12 (0.090) F23,22 = 1.35 (0.21)
2015 F1,20= 2.29 (0.14) F21,20 = 6.83 (0.011)
Table 5: Summary of per cent of transect length intercepted by weeds in analogue and rehabilitated transects.
Total 1 2 Year Treatment Average Range (min – max) Number of sites with weeds (%) Analogue 0.8 0.8 0 – 19.0 4 2010 Rehabilitated 0.7 0.7 0 – 8.3 1 Analogue 0.8 0.7 0 – 10.0 4 2013 Rehabilitated 0.6 0.6 0 – 4.7 12 Analogue 0.4 0.3 0 – 8.0 4 2014 Rehabilitated 3.0 3.0 0 – 21.7 18 Analogue 0.6 0.7 0 – 13.3 2 2015 Rehabilitated 2.6 2.7 0 – 28.3 13 1 average intercepted length as percentage of transect length 2 the minimum and maximum percentage of intercepted transect
Three weed species were recorded in monitoring transects in 2015: buffel grass (*Cenchrus ciliaris), birdwood grass (*C. setiger) and mimosa bush (*Vachellia farnesiana). All three species are permitted under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, are not Weeds of National Significance (Australian Weeds Committee 2012) and are considered of “low concern” by Parks and Wildlife (Department of Parks and Wildlife 2013). Buffel grass is considered naturalised in Western Australia, and a valued pasture species. All three species were recorded in the general project area prior to the construction of the pipeline (Astron Environmental Services 2009).
Changes in the weed species by number and type of transects from 2010 to 2015 are as follows:
• In 2015, buffel grass was recorded in two analogue transects (transects 10 and 29) and 13 rehabilitated transects. The distribution of buffel grass in disturbed (rehabilitation) sites is
Page | 14 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 described in Appendix A, Figures A1 and A2. In 2010 buffel grass was recorded in three analogue transects and three rehabilitation transects. • Birdwood grass was recorded in four rehabilitation transects (transects 1, 09, 23 and 31) in 2015. It was recorded in 2013 and 2014, but not in 2010, or in analogue transects during any field visit. It is morphologically and ecologically similar to buffel grass. • Mimosa bush was recorded in two rehabilitated transects in 2010, while it occurred in one of these transects in 2015 (transect 09). It has not been recorded in analogue transects.
Figure 7: Changes in weed cover in different habitats. (a) All weed species, (b) buffel grass only. Error bars represent one standard deviation.
Page | 15 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 5 Conclusions
5.1 Short-term Progress of Rehabilitation
5.1.1 Native vegetation
• In general, rehabilitation has increased species richness of both native annual and perennial species compared with the matched analogue. • Rehabilitation transects shared 66% of those species found in analogue transects.
5.1.2 Weeds
• There was no significant difference for the change in weed cover between 2010 and 2015 for rehabilitation transects, both alone and when compared to the analogue transects. When point in time comparisons were made, contrasts between weed cover in analogue and rehabilitation transects were not significant in 2015 or in any previous year In 2015 weed cover was low (< 3% on average). • Weed distribution and overall cover decreased from 2014 to 2015 in both analogue and rehabilitation transects. • Buffel grass was the most abundant weed species in transects. It is not a declared pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 nor a Weed of National Significance (Australian Weeds Committee 2012) or Parks and Wildlife weed of high concern (Department of Parks and Wildlife 2013), and is considered a valued pasture species. • No new weed species were recorded in 2015. Birdwood grass was not recorded in 2010, but was recorded in the general project area prior to the construction of the pipeline (Astron Environmental Services 2009). Mimosa bush was found in two rehabilitation transects in 2010 and only one in 2015. The low-level presence of these weeds and their trends in abundance and distribution from 2010 to 2015 does not represent a threat to rehabilitation success nor represent a failure to meet the completion criteria specified in Ministerial Statement 844.
5.2 Medium-term Outlook
On the basis of monitoring results to date, the following tentative predictions can be made:
• Species richness is likely to fluctuate over time, especially in rehabilitated transects, due to idiosyncratic appearance and disappearance of annual species in response to between-year variation and seasonal changes in rainfall. • Distribution and cover of weed species may increase over time because of the likely presence of a seed bank in the broader environment. • Pastoralism is the predominant landuse activity around the pipeline and the spread of buffel grass will improve the grazing potential of the area.
5.3 Completion Criteria
The results of September/October 2015 monitoring indicated that the two completion criteria in Condition 8 of Ministerial Statement 844 were satisfied: the overall species diversity of reinstated vegetation in rehabilitated areas was greater than 60% of that in analogue areas. Weed cover does not significantly exceed that of pre-clearing levels.
Page | 16 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015 6 References
Anderson, MJ, Gorley, RN & Clarke, KR 2008, PERMANOVA+ for PRIMER: Guide to software and statistical methods, Primer-E Ltd., Plymouth, UK. Astron Environmental Services 2009, BHPB Macedon Gas Development Flora and Vegetation Survey (Phase 1 and 2), unpublished report to URS Australia Pty Ltd. Astron Environmental Services 2012, BHP Billiton Macedon Gas Project - Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, unpublished report to URS Australia Pty Ltd. Australian Weeds Committee 2012, Weeds of National Significance 2012, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra. Biota Environmental Sciences 2010, A Vegetation and Flora Survey of the Wheatstone Study Area, near Onslow, unpublished report to URS Australia Pty Ltd. Bureau of Meteorology 2015, Climate Data Online,
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Appendix A: Transect Locations
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280000 290000 300000 310000
CA N R E D R IV W E E R VI SE A
A.1
A S H
B
U
R
T O
N
R
7600000 I V
E R
A.2
15
)" 10 11 )" )" )" 4 0.05 A )" )" ")") S 1 2 " )" H )" 3 ) B 41 89 U 4 7 R 5 6 T 11 O
N R )" IV 4 E URALA RD R 12 )" 14 )" RD O A L 11 LL 7590000 D U 13 EDAM O W - PE ") LO N ONS S 3.5 L OW 15 ") ") ") RD 16 ") 9 8 17 )" 0.35 18 )" 19 )" 20
Legend Weed Cover (%) )" 21 Roads ONSLOW RD Tracks )" River 22 Gas Plant Site Macedon Gas Pipeline Easement Other (2010) 2 )" Transect Location Other (2015) 7580000 23 Note: D )" Rehabilitation and Analogue Buffel (2010) R N Numbers associated with each graph indicate I H ") C Rehabilitation Buffel (2015) T the % cover of buffel grass in 2015 I
W
T BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring Datum: GDA 1994 - Projection: MGA Zone 50 Kilometres Figure A.1: Transect Locations and Trends in Weed Cover for Rehabilitation Transects: 2010 to 2015 0 1 2 3 4 5 ± Author: A. Gove Drawn: W. An Date: 11-01-2016 Figure Ref: 3930-15-BIDR-1Rev0_160111_FigA1 310000 320000 330000 340000
CA N E R IV E R
A.1
A S H
B
U
R
T O
N
R
I V
E R
A.2
)" 24
ONSLOW RD
") 25 7570000
M
)" T
.
M I
26 N
N
I
E
S
T
A
T
I
O
") N
R 27 D
)" 28 3 )" 29 1 7560000 )" Weed Cover (%) 5 Legend 30 ") Roads 31 Tracks Gas Plant Site Macedon Gas Pipeline Easement Other (2010) Note: Transect Location Other (2015) Numbers associated with each graph indicate the % cover of buffel grass in 2015. )" Rehabilitation and Analogue Buffel (2010) Lack of bars at a transect location indicates ") Rehabilitation Buffel (2015) 0% weed cover.
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring Datum: GDA 1994 - Projection: MGA Zone 50 Kilometres Figure A.2: Transect Locations and Trends in Weed Cover for Rehabilitation Transects: 2010 to 2015 0 1 2 3 4 5 ± Author: A. Gove Drawn: W. An Date: 11-01-2016 Figure Ref: 3930-15-BIDR-1Rev0_160111_FigA2 BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Appendix B: Transect Photographs
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BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Table B. 1: Rehabilitation and analogue transect photographs
Transect: BHPPA-01 (A) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Clay pans
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 283534 Northing (0 m): 7592268 Easting (20 m): 283534 Northing (20 m): 7592252 Transect: BHPPD-01 (R) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Clay pans
0 m 20 m
Easting (0 m): 278303 Northing (0 m): 7592913 Easting (20 m): 278305 Northing (20 m): 7592896 Transect: BHPPA-02 (A) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Clay pans
0 m 20 m
Easting (0 m): 278672 Northing (0 m):7592831 Easting (20 m): 278662 Northing (20 m): 7592814 Transect: BHPPD-02 (R) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Clay pans
0 m 20 m
Easting (0 m): 278684 Northing (0 m): 7592879 Easting (20 m): 278670 Northing (20 m): 7592863
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Transect: BHPPA-03 (A) Land System: Littoral Geomorphic Unit: Clay pans
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 279808 Northing (0 m): 7592694 Easting (20 m): 279797 Northing (20 m): 7592676 Transect: BHPPD-03 (R) Land System: Littoral Geomorphic Unit: Clay pans
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 279826 Northing (0 m): 7592738 Easting (20 m): 279816 Northing (20 m): 7592724 Transect: BHPPA-04 (A) Land System: Littoral Geomorphic Unit: Clay pans
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 281952 Northing (0 m): 7592437 Easting (20 m): 281940 Northing (20 m): 7592419 Transect: BHPPD-04 (R) Land System: Littoral Geomorphic Unit: Clay pans
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 281965 Northing (0 m): 7592490 Easting (20 m): 281963 Northing (20 m): 7592470
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Transect: BHPPA-05 (A) Land System: Dune Geomorphic Unit: Clay pans
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 283534 Northing (0 m): 7592271 Easting (20 m): 283537 Northing (20 m): 7592253 Transect: BHPPD-05 (R) Land System: Dune Geomorphic Unit: Crests/upper slopes of inland sand dunes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 283529 Northing (0 m): 7592321 Easting (20 m): 283522 Northing (20 m): 7592305 Transect: BHPPA-06 (A) Land System: Dune Geomorphic Unit: Clay pans
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 284704 Northing (0 m): 7592395 Easting (20 m): 284707 Northing (20 m): 7592376 Transect: BHPPD-06 (R) Land System: Dune Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 284703 Northing (0 m): 7592347 Easting (20 m): 284715 Northing (20 m): 7592330
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Transect: BHPPA-07 (A) Land System: Dune Geomorphic Unit: Clay pans
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 286541 Northing (0 m): 7592535 Easting (20 m): 286536 Northing (20 m): 7592516 Transect: BHPPD-07 (R) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Floodplain depressions/wide drainage
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 286478 Northing (0 m): 7592492 Easting (20 m): 286468 Northing (20 m): 7592475 Transect: BHPPA-08 (A) – transect no longer exists. Has been removed due to adjacent pipeline installation. Transect: BHPPD-08 (R) Land System: Nanyarra Geomorphic Unit: Floodplain depressions/wide drainage
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 287555 Northing (0 m): 7592577 Easting (20 m): 287548 Northing (20 m): 7592558
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Transect: BHPPA-09 (A) – transect no longer exists. Has been removed due to adjacent pipeline installation. Transect: BHPPD-09 (R) Land System: Nanyarra Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 287687 Northing (0 m): 7592585 Easting (20 m): 287685 Northing (20 m): 7592565 Transect: BHPPA-10 (A) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Crests/upper slopes of inland sand dunes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 289230 Northing (0 m): 7593855 Easting (20 m): 289228 Northing (20 m): 7593836 Transect: BHPPD-10 (R) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 289198 Northing (0 m): 7593901 Easting (20 m): 289216 Northing (20 m): 7593890 Transect: BHPPA-11 (A) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 294303 Northing (0 m): 7592388 Easting (20 m): 294298 Northing (20 m): 7592369
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Transect: BHPPD-11 (R) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 293798 Northing (0 m): 7592338 Easting (20 m): 293797 Northing (20 m): 7592319 Transect: BHPPA-12 (A) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 297024 Northing (0 m): 7591488 Easting (20 m): 297031 Northing (20 m): 7591506 Transect: BHPPD-12 (R) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 296942 Northing (0 m): 7591296 Easting (20 m): 296929 Northing (20 m): 7591284 Transect: BHPPA-13 (A) Land System: Dune Geomorphic Unit: Floodplain depressions/wide drainage
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 302313 Northing (0 m): 7589813 Easting (20 m): 302300 Northing (20 m): 7589796
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Transect: BHPPD-13 (R) Land System: Dune Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 302352 Northing (0 m): 7589883 Easting (20 m): 302345 Northing (20 m): 7589864 Transect: BHPPA-14 (A) Land System: Dune Geomorphic Unit: Floodplain depressions/wide drainage
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 298881 Northing (0 m): 7590837 Easting (20 m): 298877 Northing (20 m): 7590813 Transect: BHPPD-14 (R) Land System: Dune Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 298799 Northing (0 m): 7590685 Easting (20 m): 298787 Northing (20 m): 7590673 Transect: BHPPD-15 (R) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 302763 Northing (0 m): 7589168 Easting (20 m): 302753 Northing (20 m): 7589164
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Transect: BHPPD-16 (R) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 303221 Northing (0 m): 7588680 Easting (20 m): 303206 Northing (20 m): 7588665 Transect: BHPPD-17 (R) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Near level sandy/loamy plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 303612 Northing (0 m): 7588247 Easting (20 m): 303601 Northing (20 m): 7588234 Transect: BHPPA-18 (A) Land System: Dune Geomorphic Unit: Floodplain depressions/wide drainage
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 303970 Northing (0 m): 7587732 Easting (20 m): 303956 Northing (20 m): 7587718 Transect: BHPPD-18 (R) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Near level sandy/loamy plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 304048 Northing (0 m): 7587760 Easting (20 m): 304038 Northing (20 m): 7587748
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Transect: BHPPA-19 (A) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Floodplain depressions/wide drainage
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 304421 Northing (0 m): 7587249 Easting (20 m): 304412 Northing (20 m): 7587231 Transect: BHPPD-19 (R) Land System: Onslow Geomorphic Unit: Near level sandy/loamy plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 304436 Northing (0 m): 7587320 Easting (20 m): 304432 Northing (20 m): 7587302 Transect: BHPPA-20 (A) Land System: Giralia Geomorphic Unit: Floodplain depressions/wide drainage
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 305056 Northing (0 m): 7586326 Easting (20 m): 305039 Northing (20 m): 7586316 Transect: BHPPD-20 (R) Land System: Giralia Geomorphic Unit: Near level sandy/loamy plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 305113 Northing (0 m): 7586339 Easting (20 m): 305102 Northing (20 m): 7586329
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Transect: BHPPA-21 (A) Land System: Giralia Geomorphic Unit: Floodplain depressions/wide drainage
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 306946 Northing (0 m): 7583418 Easting (20 m): 306925 Northing (20 m): 7583411 Transect: BHPPD-21 (R) Land System: Giralia Geomorphic Unit: Near level sandy/loamy plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 306992 Northing (0 m): 7583465 Easting (20 m): 306986 Northing (20 m): 7583446 Transect: BHPPA-22 (A) Land System: Giralia Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 308722 Northing (0 m): 7581767 Easting (20 m): 308707 Northing (20 m): 7581757 Transect: BHPPD-22 (R) Land System: Giralia Geomorphic Unit: Near level sandy/loamy plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 308753 Northing (0 m): 7581829 Easting (20 m): 308743 Northing (20 m): 7581814
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Transect: BHPPA-23 Land System: Giralia Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 310680 Northing (0 m): 7579965 Easting (20 m): 310663 Northing (20 m): 7579949 Transect: BHPPD-23 (R) Land System: Giralia Geomorphic Unit: Near level sandy/loamy plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 310693 Northing (0 m): 7580026 Easting (20 m): 310681 Northing (20 m): 7580010 Transect: BHPPA-24 (A) Land System: Uaroo Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 324359 Northing (0 m): 7572037 Easting (20 m): 324352 Northing (20 m): 7572018 Transect: BHPPD-24 (R) Land System: Uaroo Geomorphic Unit: Near level sandy/loamy plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 324437 Northing (0 m): 7572060 Easting (20 m): 324428 Northing (20 m): 7572043
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Transect: BHPPD-25 (R) Land System: Uaroo Geomorphic Unit: Near level sandy/loamy plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 326911 Northing (0 m): 7570292 Easting (20 m): 326903 Northing (20 m): 7570273 Transect: BHPPA-26 (A) Land System: Uaroo Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 329727 Northing (0 m): 7568156 Easting (20 m): 329716 Northing (20 m): 7568139 Transect: BHPPD-26 (R) Land System: Uaroo Geomorphic Unit: Lower (stony) plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 329764 Northing (0 m): 7568214 Easting (20 m): 329760 Northing (20 m): 7568195 Transect: BHPPD-27 (R) Land System: Uaroo Geomorphic Unit: Lower (stony) plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 332180 Northing (0 m): 7566205 Easting (20 m): 332173 Northing (20 m): 7566188
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Transect: BHPPA-28 (A) Land System: Stuart Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 338649 Northing (0 m): 7561624 Easting (20 m): 338638 Northing (20 m): 7561607 Transect: BHPPD-28 (R) Land System: Stuart Geomorphic Unit: Lower (stony) plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 338709 Northing (0 m): 7561652 Easting (20 m): 338704 Northing (20 m): 7561632 Transect: BHPPA-29 (A) Land System: Stuart Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 339668 Northing (0 m): 7560530 Easting (20 m): 339663 Northing (20 m): 7560510 Transect: BHPPD-29 (R) Land System: Stuart Geomorphic Unit: Lower (stony) plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 339711 Northing (0 m): 7560604 Easting (20 m): 339703 Northing (20 m): 7560590
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Transect: BHPPA-30 (A) Land System: Stuart Geomorphic Unit: Mid and lower sandy slopes
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 340703 Northing (0 m): 7559306 Easting (20 m): 340696 Northing (20 m): 7559287 Transect: BHPPD-30 (R) Land System: Stuart Geomorphic Unit: Lower (stony) plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 340706 Northing (0 m): 7559391 Easting (20 m): 340699 Northing (20 m): 7559379 Transect: BHPPD-31 (R) Land System: Stuart Geomorphic Unit: Lower (stony) plains
0 m 20 m Easting (0 m): 341811 Northing (0 m): 7558474 Easting (20 m): 341800 Northing (20 m): 7558458
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
Appendix C: Statistical Analysis Supporting Documentation
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Section 1 - Transect Data Included in Analyses
In the following, transect data are specified by the site number (between 1 and 31), A (= analogue) or R (= rehabilitated) and year. For example 15R 2010 specifies the following: site 15, rehabilitated transect and data collected in 2010.
PERMANOVA
For permutation-based multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) (Anderson, Gorley, and Clarke 2008), data from transects 8R 2014 & 2015, 9R 2014, 2015, 15R 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2015, 16R 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2015, 17R 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2015, 25R 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2015, 27R 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2015, 28R 2015 and 31R 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2015 were excluded from all analyses because these transects did not have matched analogue transects.
Figure and Table Formulation
For generating Tables 2 and 4, all transects were used.
For the analysis for generating Figures 4 and 5b, data from transects 15R 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2015, 16R 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2015, 17R 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2015, 25R 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2015, 27R 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2015, 28R 2015 and 31R 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2015 were excluded because these transects did not have matched analogue transects. 8A 2014 and 9A 2014 were also excluded because these transects had been destroyed by disturbance since the 2013 field visit.
For the analysis for generating Figure 5a, sites 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 25, 27, and 31 were excluded because these sites had only rehabilitated transects.
Section 2 – Detailed Descriptions of Data Analysis
Whether the management targets have been met was examined by differences between rehabilitated transects and analogue transects and between 2010 and 2015 for rehabilitated transects only. Two response variables were used in the analyses: 1) species diversity (i.e. the number of species) and 2) total length of transect intercepted by all weed species. For species diversity, the test was whether the number of species in rehabilitated transects was greater than or equal to 60% of the number of species in analogue transects in each year. For the total length of transects intercepted by all weed species, the tests were whether the intercept length in rehabilitated transects was less than or equal to that in analogue transects in each year and whether the length intercepted in rehabilitated transects in 2010 differed from values in 2015. A 2010-2015 comparison was not applied to the species diversity data, as overall temporal variation was controlled for by comparing the 2015 analogue and rehabilitation transects, with respect to the 60% species diversity criteria.
The PERMANOVA was used to examine whether the two rehabilitation management targets have been met. The two response variables did not meet the normality assumption of analysis of variance, and hence the analysis using the usual analysis of variance was not appropriate. PERMANOVA allows one to analyse data that do not meet the normality assumption. For analysis of the two response variables, the same statistical model was used: analysis of variance for randomised block design with the fixed-factor treatment (rehabilitation vs. analogue) and sites as the random factor block. Each year was analysed separately. Analysis of variance for randomised block design is the most appropriate way to analyse data for this project because at each site, each rehabilitated transects has a matched analogue transect. Therefore, the site in this project is equivalent to the block in randomised block design. The analysis using randomised block design allows one to
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
differentiate between treatments (i.e. rehabilitated vs. analogue) after factoring out variation between blocks (i.e. sites). Additionally, a similar design was used to compare 2010 and 2015 weed cover amongst both analogue and rehabilitation transects simultaneously. The treatment x year interaction term was used to test for a significant effect which would indicate that weed cover in rehabilitation and analogue transects has changed at different rates. An additional PERMANOVA test was carried out on the rehabilitation transects only to test for a difference between the 2010 and 2015 weed cover values.
Prior to analysis using PERMANOVA, the number of native species and total length of transect intercepted by all weed species in each transect were converted into similarity/distance matrices by calculating pairwise similarity/distance between all transects. For the number of species, the similarity between each pair of transects was calculated using Gower distance. The Gower distance is a flexible distance measure that can be applied to continuous or categorical variables (Legendre and Legendre 2012). The number of species is a count which can be considered as being in-between continuous and categorical variables. For the intercept data, the similarity between each pair of transects was calculated using Euclidean distance.
Section 3 – Detailed Descriptions of Results of Data Analysis
Species diversity
Results of statistical analysis using PERMANOVA (Table C.1) were generally consistent with the results in Figure 4 and Table 2. The number of species in the rehabilitated transects was significantly different from 60% of the number of species in matched analogue transects. Mean species diversity was higher in the rehabilitated transects than analogue transects.
Weeds
There was no significant difference for the change in weed cover between 2010 and 2015 when rehabilitation transects were compared with analogue transects (PERMANOVA, year x treatment interaction, F1,104= 1.8, P = 0.22). Additionally, there was no difference in rehabilitation transects only in 2015 compared to 2010 (PERMANOVA, t = 1.78, P = 0.064). When point in time comparisons were made, contrasts between weed cover in analogue and rehabilitation transects were not significant in 2015 or in any previous year (Table C.1). However, when the results were examined carefully, the difference was not significant at all in 2010 and 2013 (as indicated by P-values that were close to 1), while in 2014 and 2015, the difference had become closer to significant, as indicated by smaller P values).
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Table C.1: Summary of statistical analysis using PERMANOVA (P-value in parenthesis). Analysis of species diversity is based on the 1 m wide transects.
Treatment Year Site (analogue vs. rehabilitated)
Species diversity
2010 F1,25 = 52.73 (0.0001) F24,25 = 5.33 (0.0002)
2013 F1,20 = 41.63 (0.0001) F25,20 = 0.96 (0.55)
2014 F1,22 = 26.96 (0.0001) F25,22 = 0.79 (0.72)
2015 F1,20 = 13.87 (0.001) F21,20 = 1.35 (0.25)
Intercepted length: weed
2010 F1,25 = 0.003 (0.92) F24,25 = 2.25 (0.057)
2013 F1,19 = 0.15 (0.71) F26,19 = 1.65 (0.21)
2014 F1,22 = 3.12 (0.090) F23,22 = 1.35 (0.21)
2015 F1,20= 2.29 (0.14) F21,20 = 6.83 (0.011)
References
Anderson, MJ, Gorley, RN & Clarke, KR 2008, PERMANOVA+ for PRIMER: Guide to software and statistical methods, Primer-E Ltd., Plymouth, UK.
Legendre, P and Legendre, L 2012, Numerical Ecology, 3rd English edition, Elsevier, Amsterdam.
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Appendix D: Flora Species List (2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015)
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Table D.1: Flora species list (2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015).
2010 2013 2014 2015 Family Species Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Aizoaceae Trianthema pilosum X X X
Aizoaceae Trianthema triquetra X X X X
Aizoaceae Trianthema turgidifolium X X X X X
Amaranthaceae Amaranthus undulatus X X X X
Amaranthaceae Gomphrena canescens X X X X
Amaranthaceae Ptilotus appendiculatus X
Amaranthaceae Ptilotus astrolasius X X
Amaranthaceae Ptilotus axillaris X X X
Amaranthaceae Ptilotus fusiformis X X X
Amaranthaceae Ptilotus gomphrenoides X
Amaranthaceae Ptilotus latifolius X X X
Amaranthaceae Ptilotus macrocephalus X X
Amaranthaceae Ptilotus murrayi X
Amaranthaceae Ptilotus nobilis X X X X X
Amaranthaceae Ptilotus polystachyus X X X X
Amaranthaceae Ptilotus villosiflorus X X
Araliaceae Trachymene pilbarensis X X
Asteraceae Operculina aequisepala X
Asteraceae Pluchea dunlopii X
Asteraceae Pluchea rubelliflora X X
Asteraceae Pterocaulon sphaeranthoides X
Asteraceae Streptoglossa bubakii X X X X
Asteraceae Streptoglossa decurrens X X X
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
2010 2013 2014 2015 Family Species Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Asteraceae Streptoglossa odora X
Boraginaceae Heliotropium crispatum X X X X
Boraginaceae Heliotropium curassavicum X
Boraginaceae Heliotropium glanduliferum X X X
Boraginaceae Heliotropium inexplicitum X
Boraginaceae Trichodesma zeylanicum X X X
Caryophyllaceae Polycarpaea corymbosa X X
Chenopodiaceae Atriplex sp. Indeterminate X
Chenopodiaceae Dysphania kalpari X X
Chenopodiaceae Dysphania rhadinostachya X X
Chenopodiaceae Dysphania sp. X
Chenopodiaceae Maireana planifolia X X
Chenopodiaceae Maireana sp. Indeterminate X X X
Chenopodiaceae Marsilea hirsuta X X
Chenopodiaceae Neobassia astrocarpa X X
Chenopodiaceae Salsola australis X X X X X X
Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena burbidgeae X
Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena costata X
Chenopodiaceae Tecticornia auriculata X
Chenopodiaceae Tecticornia halocnemoides X X X X
Tecticornia halocnemoides subsp. Chenopodiaceae X X tenuis Chenopodiaceae Tecticornia indica X X X X X X X X Convolvulaceae Bonamia alatisemina X
Convolvulaceae Bonamia erecta X X X X X X
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
2010 2013 2014 2015 Family Species Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Convolvulaceae Cressa australis X X X
Convolvulaceae Evolvulus alsinoides X
Evolvulus alsinoides var. Convolvulaceae X X X X villosicalyx Convolvulaceae Ipomoea coptica X X
Convolvulaceae Ipomoea muelleri X X X X
Convolvulaceae Ipomoea polymorpha X
Convolvulaceae Ipomoea sp. Indeterminate X
Convolvulaceae Polymeria ambigua X X
Convolvulaceae Polymeria lanata X
Cucurbitaceae Cucumis maderaspatanus X
Cyperaceae Bulbostylis barbata X X X X
Cyperaceae Cyperaceae ?sp. X
Cyperaceae Cyperus bulbosus X X X
Adriana tomentosa var. Euphorbiaceae X X X X X tomentosa Euphorbia Euphorbia australis X
Euphorbia Euphorbia boophthona X
Euphorbia Euphorbia coghlanii X X
Euphorbia Euphorbia myrtoides X X
Euphorbia Euphorbia sp. Indeterminate X X
Euphorbia Euphorbia tannensis X
Fabaceae *Vachellia farnesiana X X X X
Fabaceae ?Goodenia microptera X
Fabaceae Acacia ancistrocarpa X X X X X X X X
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
2010 2013 2014 2015 Family Species Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Fabaceae Acacia bivenosa X X X X X X X X Fabaceae Acacia coriacea X X X X
Fabaceae Acacia gregorii X
Fabaceae Acacia inaequilatera X X X X X X
Fabaceae Acacia sclerosperma X
Fabaceae Acacia stellaticeps X X X X X X X X Fabaceae Acacia synchronicia X X X X X X X
Fabaceae Acacia tetragonophylla X X X X X
Fabaceae Acacia trachycarpa X
Fabaceae Acacia xiphophylla X X X X X
Fabaceae Aenictophyton reconditum X X
Fabaceae Crotalaria cunninghamii X X X X
Fabaceae Crotalaria medicaginea X X X
Fabaceae Crotalaria ramosissima X X X
Fabaceae Cullen cinereum X X X X X
Fabaceae Cullen leucanthum X X X
Fabaceae Cullen martinii X X X
Fabaceae Desmodium ?filiforme X X
Fabaceae Indigofera ?boviperda X
Fabaceae Indigofera boviperda X X X X X
Fabaceae Indigofera colutea X X X X X
Fabaceae Indigofera linifolia X X X X
Fabaceae Indigofera linnaei X
Fabaceae Indigofera sp. X
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
2010 2013 2014 2015 Family Species Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Fabaceae Isotropis atropurpurea X X X X
Fabaceae Lotus cruentus X X
Fabaceae Petalostylis cassioides X X X
Fabaceae Prosopis sp. X
Fabaceae Rhynchosia minima X X X X X X
Senna artemisioides subsp. Fabaceae X oligophylla 'thinly sericeous' Fabaceae Senna notabilis X X X
Fabaceae Sesbania cannabina X X
Fabaceae Swainsona ?kingii X X
Fabaceae Swainsona kingii X X
Fabaceae Swainsona pterostylis X X X X X
Fabaceae Tephrosia uniovulata X X
Fabaceae Tephrosia sp. X
Tephrosia sp. B Kimberley Flora Fabaceae X X X (C.A. Gardner 7300) Frankeniaceae Frankenia pauciflora X X X X X X X
Gentianaceae Schenkia clementii X X
Geraniaceae Erodium cygnorum X
Goodeniaceae Goodenia forrestii X X X X X
Goodeniaceae Goodenia microptera X X X X
Goodeniaceae Goodenia tenuiloba X X X X X
Goodeniaceae Scaevola parvifolia X X
Goodeniaceae Scaevola sericophylla X X X X X
Goodeniaceae Scaevola spinescens X X X X
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
2010 2013 2014 2015 Family Species Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Haloragaceae Haloragis gossei X X X
Lamiaceae Dicrastylis cordifolia X X X X X X X X Lamiaceae Quoya paniculata X X X X X
Lauraceae Cassytha capillaris X X
Lauraceae Cassytha sp. X X X X X X
Malvaceae ?Triumfetta sp. X
Malvaceae Abutilon lepidum X X X X
Malvaceae Abutilon otocarpum X
Malvaceae Abutilon sp. X X X
Malvaceae Alyogyne pinoniana X
Alyogyne pinoniana var. Malvaceae X pinoniana Malvaceae Corchorus laniflorus X
Malvaceae Corchorus sidoides X X X X X X
Malvaceae Hannafordia quadrivalvis X X
Malvaceae Hibiscus brachychlaenus X
Malvaceae Hibiscus sp. Indeterminate X X
Malvaceae Hibiscus sturtii X X X
Malvaceae Hibiscus sturtii var. platychlamys X X
Malvaceae Lawrencia viridigrisea X X
Malvaceae Melhania oblongifolia X
Malvaceae Sida arsiniata X
Malvaceae Sida cardiophylla X X
Malvaceae Sida fibulifera X X X
Malvaceae Sida rohlenae subsp. rohlenae X X X
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
2010 2013 2014 2015 Family Species Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Malvaceae Sida sp. X X X X
Malvaceae Sida sp. ?intricata X
Sida sp. Pilbara (A.A. Mitchell PRP Malvaceae X X X X 1543) Malvaceae Triumfetta ramosa X X X
Molluginaceae Mollugo molluginea X X X
Myrtaceae Corymbia hamersleyana X X X X X
Myrtaceae Eucalyptus ?victrix X
Myrtaceae Eucalyptus victrix X X X X X
Myrtaceae Eucalyptus xerothermica X
Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia coccinea X X
Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia sp. Indeterminate X
Nyctaginaceae Bonamia alatisemina X
Phyllanthaceae Phyllanthus maderaspatensis X X
Plantaginaceae Stemodia grossa X X
Poaceae *Cenchrus ciliaris X X X X X X X X Poaceae *Cenchrus setiger X X X X
Poaceae Aristida contorta X X X p
Poaceae Aristida holathera X X
Poaceae Aristida holathera var. holathera X X X X X
Poaceae Atriplex codonocarpa X
Poaceae Brachyachne prostrata X X X X
Poaceae Chloris pumilio X X X X X
Poaceae Chrysopogon fallax X
Poaceae Cleome uncifera X
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
2010 2013 2014 2015 Family Species Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Poaceae Dactyloctenium radulans X X X
Poaceae Dichanthium sericeum X X
Poaceae Enneapogon caerulescens X X
Poaceae Eragrostis ?sp. Indeterminate X X
Poaceae Eragrostis dielsii X
Poaceae Eragrostis eriopoda X X X
Poaceae Eragrostis pergracilis X X X X X X
Poaceae Eriachne ?sp. Indeterminate X X
Poaceae Eriachne aristidea X X X X X
Poaceae Eriachne benthamii X X p X X
Poaceae Eriachne obtusa X X
Poaceae Eriachne pulchella var. pulchella X X
Poaceae Eulalia aurea X X X X X
Poaceae Grass ?sp. Indeterminate X
Poaceae Iseilema vaginiflorum X X X X
Poaceae Panicum decompositum p
Poaceae Paractaenum refractum X X
Poaceae Paspalidium clementii X X
Poaceae Paspalidium sp. Indeterminate X X
Poaceae Setaria dielsii X
Poaceae Sorghum plumosum X X X
Poaceae Sporobolus australasicus X X X X
Poaceae Sporobolus mitchellii X X X X X p X
Poaceae Triodia ?epactia/pungens X X
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
2010 2013 2014 2015 Family Species Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Analogue Rehabilitated Poaceae Triodia ?lanigera X
Poaceae Triodia ?schinzii X X
Poaceae Triodia epactia X X X X X X X X Poaceae Triodia lanigera X X X X X X X X Poaceae Triodia schinzii X X X X X X
Poaceae Triodia wiseana X X X X X X
Poaceae Yakirra australiensis X X
Polygalaceae Polygala isingii X
Portulacaceae Calandrinia sp. Indeterminate X
Portulacaceae Calotis porphyroglossa X X
Portulacaceae Cassytha capillaris X
Portulacaceae Portulaca oleracea X X X X
Proteaceae Grevillea eriostachya X X X X X
Proteaceae Grevillea stenobotrya X X X X X X X X Sapindaceae Diplopeltis eriocarpa X X X X X X X X Solanaceae Nicotiana occidentalis X
Solanaceae Nicotiana rosulata X X X
Solanaceae Solanum horridum X
Solanaceae Solanum lasiophyllum X X X X X X
Zygophyllaceae Tribulus hirsutus X X
Zygophyllaceae Tribulus sp. Indeterminate X X
Zygophyllaceae Zygophyllum retivalve X
* = Introduced species (weeds)
BHP Billiton Petroleum Australia Pty Ltd Macedon Gas Development – Pipeline Rehabilitation Monitoring, September/October 2015
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