Gascoyne Alliance Report for Onslow Road - Twitchen Road Intersection Upgrade Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment
April 2012
This “Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment”(“Report”): 1. has been prepared by GHD Pty Ltd (GHD) for Gascoyne Alliance; 2. may only be used and relied on by Gascoyne Alliance; 3. must not be copied to, used by, or relied on by any person other than Gascoyne Alliance without the prior written consent of GHD; 4. may only be used for the purpose of preliminary environmental impact assessment (and must not be used for any other purpose). GHD and its servants, employees and officers otherwise expressly disclaim responsibility to any person other than Gascoyne Alliance arising from or in connection with this Report. To the maximum extent permitted by law, all implied warranties and conditions in relation to the services provided by GHD and the Report are excluded unless they are expressly stated to apply in this Report. The services undertaken by GHD in connection with preparing this Report: x were limited to those specifically detailed in section 1.4 of this Report; x did not include any field surveys or assessment of Heritage issues The opinions, conclusions and any recommendations in this Report are based on assumptions made by GHD when undertaking services and preparing the Report (“Assumptions”), including (but not limited to): x Government and scientific websites utilised in preparing this Report are assumed to be accurate and have not been verified by GHD; x Third party datasets utilised in preparing this Report are assumed to be accurate and have not been verified by GHD. x GHD expressly disclaims responsibility for any error in, or omission from, this Report arising from or in connection with any of the Assumptions being incorrect. Subject to the paragraphs in this section of the Report, the opinions, conclusions and any recommendations in this Report are based on conditions encountered and information reviewed at the time of preparation and may be relied on until 2016, after which time, GHD expressly disclaims responsibility for any error in, or omission from, this Report arising from or in connection with those opinions, conclusions and any recommendations.
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Contents
1. Introduction 1 1.1 Purpose 1 1.2 Background 1 1.3 Project Area 1 1.4 Scope of Works 2 1.5 Limitations 2
2. Desktop Assessment Methodology 4 2.1 Environmental Aspects Considered 4 2.2 Information Sources 6
3. Existing Environment 7 3.1 Climate 7 3.2 Existing Land Use 7 3.3 Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Conservation Reserves 7 3.4 Geology and Soils 8 3.5 Wetlands and Watercourses 9 3.6 Contaminated Sites 9 3.7 Matters of National Significance 9 3.8 Vegetation 10 3.9 Flora 14 3.10 Fauna 17
4. Assessment of Aspects and Impacts 22
5. Clearing of Native Vegetation 24 5.1 Avoiding, Minimising and Reducing the Impact of Clearing 24 5.2 Assessment Against the Clearing Principles 24
6. Environmental Approvals 28 6.1 Commonwealth Approval 28 6.2 State Approvals 28
7. References 29
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Table Index Table 1 Environmental Aspects Considered for the Project 4 Table 2 Information Sources 6 Table 3 Project Area Vegetation Type Descriptions (after GHD, 2011a) 11 Table 4 Regional Assessment of Vegetation Extent 12 Table 5 Vegetation Condition Scale (after Keighery, 1994) 13 Table 6 Results of the DEC Database Searches for Conservation Significant Flora Within the Vicinity of the Onslow Road 15 Table 7 Weed Species Recorded Along the Onslow Road (after GHD, 2011a) 17 Table 8 Conservation Significant Fauna Indicated from Database Searches to Occur within the Vicinity of the Project Area 19 Table 9 Environmental Aspects and Potential Impacts Associated with the Project 22 Table 10 Assessment of the Project Against the Ten Clearing Principles 25 Table 11 Conservation Categories and Definitions for EPBC Act Listed Flora and Fauna Species. 34 Table 12 Western Australia Wildlife Conservation Act (1950) Conservation Codes 35 Table 13 DEC Priority Fauna Codes (Species not listed under the WC Act 1950, but for which there is some concern) 35 Table 14 Conservation Categories and Definitions for the WC Act Listed Flora and DEC Listed Priority Flora Species 36 Table 15 Fauna Species recorded from NatureMap and the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (DSEWPaC) within 10 km of the Project Area 38
Figure Index Figure 1 Locality Map 31 Figure 2 Environmental Constraints 31
Appendices A Figures B Conservation Categories
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1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose Gascoyne Alliance is an alliance between Main Roads Western Australia (Main Roads) and MACA Civil Pty Ltd. Gascoyne Alliance is currently undertaking works to realign the Onslow Road. As part of this upgrade, the Alliance is proposing to upgrade the intersection of Onslow Road and Twitchen Road (the Project). Main Roads Western Australia (Main Roads) requires a Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (PEIA) for the Project. This report will be used in the environmental assessment and approvals process and will assist in identifying the need for, and scope of, field investigations. The report will also provide a basis, if required, for discussion with environmental agencies about the need to refer the proposal for statutory approval.
1.2 Background The Onslow Regional Hotspots Land Supply Update (Western Australian Planning Commission, 2011) states: “Onslow Road requires upgrade to support increase in heavy vehicle traffic anticipated as participated as part of development of resource and other infrastructure projects in Onslow”. Main Roads is currently undertaking works to upgrade the Onslow Road. GHD Pty Ltd (GHD) undertook a vegetation and flora assessment of sections of the Onslow Road in April 2011 (GHD 2011a) and associated material pits in September 2011 (GHD, 2011b). The assessment of the Onslow Road survey alignment (a 400 m corridor, 200 m either side of the road centre line) covered a majority of the current Project area, as indicated in Figure 1 (“previously surveyed area”). Part of the overall upgrade of the Onslow Road includes an upgrade of the intersection at Twitchen Road. The proposed upgrade will involve straightening of approximately 600 m of the road and the creation of a new intersection approximately 350 m south of the existing intersection.
1.3 Project Area Previous environmental investigations have been undertaken along the Onslow Road, including for a portion of the proposed intersection upgrade. However, a portion the proposed intersection upgrade falls outside this previously surveyed area. As such, the Gascoyne Alliance requires environmental information to determine the significance of this additional area. The Project Area is located in the northern Carnarvon region of Western Australia, within the Shire of Ashburton. The Project Area is 17 km south of Onslow and is situated on the Onslow Road. The area assessed in this PEIA is defined in Figure 1 (“study area”). Gascoyne Alliance has supplied the works footprint for this Project, which is mapped in Figure 1 as “clearing area”. This “clearing area” is 2.75 ha, but it
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should be noted that this includes the existing cleared area on Onslow Road, Twitchen Road and the cleared gas pipeline site. The actual amount of clearing required will be significantly smaller than the maximum 2.75 ha used in this report. Gascoyne Alliance has advised GHD that the actual clearing of native vegetation (outside of the existing road alignment, road maintenance zones and proposed gas pipeline clearance corridor) is estimated as a maximum of 1.000 ha (i.e. 400 m x 25 m).
1.4 Scope of Works GHD has been commissioned to undertake a PEIA for the Project. The PEIA includes:
an examination of any existing relevant environmental reports;
an initial assessment to determine the key environmental aspects for the road proposal;
assessment of the project against the Environmental Protection Act 1986 10 Clearing Principles (Schedule 5);
assessment of environmental aspects likely to require referral of the project and advise whether the project should be referred to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA);
assessment of matters of National Environmental Significance that may require referral of the project and advise whether the project should be referred to the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC); and
determination of clearances required under other legislative provisions, as required. The PEIA does not include an assessment of existing heritage issues (Indigenous or Non-Indigenous) as these have been assessed separately to this report.
1.5 Limitations This report presents the results of desktop data searches undertaken in 2012 for environmental aspects linked to the Project. The conclusions of this report were based on the information gathered during these investigations and thus reflect the environment of the Project area at the time. This report also includes information from the Onslow Road flora and vegetation field survey (GHD, 2011a and 2011b) which was undertaken as a Level 1 flora and reconnaissance fauna survey. The conclusions of this report were based on the information gathered during these investigations and thus reflect the environment of the areas surveyed at the time of the field assessment. GHD accepts no responsibility for any variation in the flora present in the survey area due to natural and seasonal variability. The GHD field survey was carried out during only one season, and in one year. Complete surveys require multiple surveys, at different times of year, and over a period of a number of years, to enable full survey of all species present. Some flora species,
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such as annuals, are only available for collection at certain times of the year, and others are only identifiable at certain times (such as when they are flowering). Additionally, climatic and stochastic events (such as fire) may affect the presence of plant species. Species that have a very low abundance in the area are more difficult to locate, due to above factors. The data and advice provided herein relate only to the Project described herein and must be reviewed by a competent scientist before being used for any other purpose. GHD accepts no responsibility for other use of the data. Where reports, searches, any third party information and similar work have been performed and recorded by others, the data is included and used in the form provided by others. The responsibility for the accuracy of such data remains with the issuing authority, not with GHD. This report has not considered any potential Heritage (Indigenous or Non-Indigenous) issues or impacts.
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2. Desktop Assessment Methodology
2.1 Environmental Aspects Considered Environmental aspects considered for the project are outlined in Table 1.
Table 1 Environmental Aspects Considered for the Project
Environmental Aspects Yes No Comments
Biophysical
Vegetation - Clearing ¥ Vegetation clearing has been assessed using the Ten Clearing Principles.
Vegetation - threatened species ¥ Threatened species and and communities communities have been assessed within section 3.8 and section 3.9.
Vegetation-Weeds ¥ Weeds occurring within the area have assessed in section 3.9.3.
Vegetation-dieback and other ¥ Dieback and other disease or pathogens were not considered for diseases or pathogens this project. Dieback is generally restricted to areas in the southwest of the State or in wet areas, and was not considered a significant issue in this area.
Fauna ¥ Fauna occurring within the area were assessed in section 3.10.
Surface Waters / Drainage ¥ Surface water and drainage were assessed in section 3.5. (watercourses, erosion, stormwater, disposal, water quality, salinity)
Wetlands ¥ Wetlands were assessed within section 3.5.
No impacts on groundwater are Groundwater ¥ expected from the Project works.
¥ No Public Drinking water supply Public Drinking occurs within the vicinity of the Water Supply works area (section 3.5.1).
Reserve and Conservation No conservation areas will be Areas impacted by the proposal (section ¥ 3.3).
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Environmental Aspects Yes No Comments
Acid Sulphate Soil ¥ Acid Sulphates soils were assessed within section 3.4.1.
Pollution ¥ Vehicle maintenance issues are considered to be the only source of pollution with regards to this Project. GHD recommends that any vehicle maintenance activities occur in a designated hardstand area away from wetlands or watercourses.
Air Quality ¥ The air quality for the proposed works is not likely to have an impact, because there are no sensitive receptors in the vicinity of the Project.
Dust ¥ Refer to Section 4.
Noise and Vibration ¥ Noise and vibration for the proposed works is not likely to have an impact, because there are no sensitive receptors in the vicinity of the Project.
Contaminated Sites ¥ Contaminated sites were assessed in section 3.6.
Use of Hazardous Substances ¥ Refer to Section 4.
Social Surroundings Not applicable.
Heritage issues were not assessed European Heritage ¥ as part of the PEIA.
Aboriginal Heritage ¥ Heritage issues were not assessed as part of the PEIA.
Visual amenity is not likely to be impacted as there are no sensitive receptors in the vicinity of the Visual Impacts ¥ Project.
EPA Assessment Against the ¥ Refer to Section 5.2 Ten Clearing Principles
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2.2 Information Sources GHD queried a number of desktop sources to assess the existing environment present at the Project Site. The information sources queried for this PEIA are provided in Table 2.
Table 2 Information Sources
Aspect Information Source
Regional setting Bureau of Meteorology: http://www.bom.gov.au/
Matters of Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 National (EPBC Act) Protected Matters Search Tool: Environmental http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/pmst/index.html Significance. With 10 km buffer around Project site.
Land use Shire of Ashburton Local Planning Scheme No. 7.
Reserves and Environmentally Sensitive Areas: Department of Environment and Conservation Conservation (DEC) Native Vegetation Map: Areas http://maps.dec.wa.gov.au/idelve/nv/index.jsp
Geology, soils Geology and Regolith: GeoView WA website: and contaminated http://mapserver.doir.wa.gov.au/GeoVIEW2/Run.htm?Title=GeoVI sites EW.WA Acid Sulphate Soils: Landgate: https://www2.landgate.wa.gov.au/bmvf/app/waatlas/ CSIRO Australian Soil Research Information System (ASRIS): http://www.asris.csiro.au/index_ie.html Contaminated Project Sites Database: http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/5627/2295/
Wetlands, GeoView WA website - inland waters data set. watercourses and Native Vegetation Viewer - inland waters dataset. water reserves Department of Water Geographic Data Atlas: http://www.water.wa.gov.au/idelve/dowdataext/index.jsp
Flora and Fauna GHD (2011) Report for Onslow Road: Vegetation and Flora Survey. Prepared for main Roads Western Australia. DEC databases EPBC Protected Matters Search: http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/pmst/index.html With a 10 km buffer around Project site.
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3. Existing Environment
3.1 Climate The northern Carnarvon region experiences an arid-tropical climate with two distinct seasons; a hot summer from October to April and a mild winter from May to September. Cyclonic activity is a significant aspect of the weather in the region generally occurring between November and April. The closest Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) weather station to the Project Site is located at Onslow Airport (Station number 5017). A summary of the climatic data (BoM, 2012) for this weather station is summarised below: The mean average rainfall is approximately 320 mm with the most rainfall occurring in the summer months. Temperatures range from:
0 0 Mean Maximum: 36.4 C in January to 25.3 C in July; and
0 0 Mean Minimum: 24.9 C in February to 12.9 C in July.
3.2 Existing Land Use The Project Area is currently zoned “rural” in the Town Planning Scheme No. 7 (Department of Planning, 2010) and is surrounded by pastoral land. The Project Area covers both pastoral land adjacent to the existing roads, a leased reserve associated with a proposed gas pipeline and road reserve. The Western Australian State Government announced in 2008 the establishment of the Ashburton North Strategic Industrial Area to the north and west of the Project area. This development of this industrial area includes a multi-user access and infrastructure corridor directly north of the Project area. A gas pipeline corridor runs through the Project Area. This pipeline is yet to be constructed as part of the recently commenced Wheatstone Project. Chevron Australia is in the process of finalising approvals for the pipeline corridor. Any works undertaken on the Onslow Road and Twitchen Road intersection will likely occur prior to pipeline construction. In addition, BHP Billiton has constructed a gas pipeline that connects the Macedon Domestic Gas Processing Facility with the Dampier-Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline. The BHP Billiton gas pipeline passes through the works area and will have a cleared width of approximately 30 m. This gas pipeline is yet to be commissioned.
3.3 Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Conservation Reserves Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are subject to definition under Section 51B of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and may include areas requiring special management attention to protect important scenic values, fish wildlife resources, historical and cultural values, and other natural systems or processes.
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DEC’s Native Vegetation Map Viewer was used to determine the location of any ESAs within the vicinity of the Project area. This search did not indicate the presence of any ESAs within the vicinity of the Project Area. According to the Native Vegetation Map Viewer there are no DEC managed reserves within the vicinity of the Project area.
3.4 Geology and Soils The Project Area falls within the biogeographical subregion Carnarvon 1 (CAR1 – Cape Range subregion) which is described as being composed of quaternary alluvial, Aeolian and marine sediments overlying Cretaceous strata (Kendrick and Mau, 2002). The mapping tool GeoVIEW.WA (Department of Mines and Petroleum, 2012) identifies the following geology within the Project area: “Alluvial, shoreline and aeolian deposits”. The state regolith within this dataset is identified as “Sandplain areas which are mainly Aeolian and include some residual deposits”.
3.4.1 Acid Sulphate Soils The DEC (2009) describes Acid Sulphate Soils (ASS) as naturally occurring soils and sediments containing sulphide minerals, predominantly pyrite (an iron sulphide). In an undisturbed state below the water table, these soils are benign and not acidic. However if the soils are drained, excavated or exposed by lowering of the water table, the sulphides will react with oxygen to form sulphuric acid. Inappropriate disturbance of these soils can generate large amounts of sulphuric acid and leaching of contaminants naturally occurring in soils. Flushing of acidic leachate to ground water and surface waters can cause off site impacts including:
Ecological damage to aquatic and riparian ecosystems;
Effects on estuarine fisheries and aquaculture Projects;
Contamination of groundwater with arsenic, aluminium and other metals;
Reduction in agricultural productivity through metal contamination of soils; (predominantly aluminium); and
Damage to infrastructure through the corrosion of concrete and steel pipes, bridges and other sub-surface assets. A search on the online CSIRO Australian Soil Resource Information System (ASRIS) program indicated that the Project Area occurs in an area that has low probability of ASS occurring, but with a very low confidence level of the accuracy of this statement due to a lack of surveys in the area. The Government of Western Australia’s electronic Shared Land Information Portal (SLIP) indicates that the majority of the Project area has not been assessed (‘no known risk’) for ASS (<3 m from the surface). The DEC mapping of ASS risk has been included in Figure 2 and indicates that the waterbodies on the north-eastern boundary of the Project Area have a moderate to low risk of ASS. This area is considered unlikely to be impacted by the proposed works.
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3.5 Wetlands and Watercourses No defined watercourses occur within the vicinity of the Project Area. A number of water bodies occur within the vicinity of the Project Area. WetlandBase defines these as:
Lakes
Settling Ponds (associated with the Dampier Salt Operations); and
Saline Coastal Flat. None of these wetland areas are listed on the Register of the National Estate in the Directory of Important Wetlands or as a Ramsar listed internationally recognised wetland of importance. Two waterbodies have been mapped to the north and west of the Project Area. The waterbodies are on the opposite side of the Twitchen Road to the proposed works and will not be directly impacted by this Project. The works will result in the new intersection being further away from these waterbodies.
3.5.1 Sensitive Water Resources The Department of Water’s Geographic Data Atlas was examined to determine whether the Project Area supported, or was adjacent to, any significant groundwater areas, areas proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, including public drinking water source areas or areas proclaimed under the Waterway Conservation Act 1976.
The Project Area is within the Pilbara Groundwater Plan Area and the Pilbara Surface Water Area, proclaimed under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. A licence is required to take water from a watercourse or groundwater aquifer in these proclaimed areas.
3.6 Contaminated Sites The presence of contaminated sites in the Project Area was determined by examining DEC’s contaminated sites database, which provides a record of known contaminated sites. A search of this database found that there are no recorded contaminated sites occurring within the Project Area.
3.7 Matters of National Significance A query of the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (DSEWPaC, 2012) (with a 10 km buffer around the Project area) identified:
World Heritage Properties: None.
National Heritage Places: None.
Wetlands of International Significance (Ramsar Wetlands): None.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: None.
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Commonwealth Marine Areas: None.
Threatened Ecological Communities: None.
Threatened Species: 2
Migratory Species: 11 The Threatened and Migratory Species identified in the search are discussed further in Section 3.10.2.
3.8 Vegetation
3.8.1 Vegetation Associations The Project Area is situated within the Eremaean Botanical Province (Beard, 1975) and occurs within the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) regions: Carnarvon; subregion - CAR1 Cape Range. The Carnarvon CAR1 IBRA sub-region consists of a mosaic of saline alluvial plains with samphire and saltbush low shrublands, Bowgada low woodland on sandy ridges and plains, Snakewood scrubs on clay flats and tree to shrub steppe over hummock grasslands on and between red sand dune fields (Kendrick and Mau, 2002). Limestone strata with Acacia startii/bivenosa shrublands outcrop in the north, where extensive tidal flats in sheltered embayments support mangroves. The flora of the area is known to be very rich for an arid area (Kendrick and Mau, 2002). Beard (1975) mapping indicates that the Vegetation Association 670: Hummock grasslands, shrub steppe; scattered shrubs over Triodia basedowii occurs across the Project Area. The previous field flora and vegetation survey along the Onslow Road corridor (GHD, 2011a) derived vegetation types from an examination of site vegetation within transects conducted across the site, a drive-by, and an examination of aerial photography. The section of the Project Area that was included in the previous survey is mapped in Figure 1 (“previously surveyed area”). Within this previously surveyed area two vegetation types were mapped (GHD, 2011a). These vegetation types are described in Table 3.
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Table 3 Project Area Vegetation Type Descriptions (after GHD, 2011a)
Vegetation Description Example Photograph Type
Consolidated High Open Shrubland of Grevillea Sand Dunes eriostachya, G. stenobotrya, over Mixed Shrubland to Low Open Shrubland of Acacia stellaticeps, Dicrastylis cordifolia, Alyogyne pinoniana, Scaevola parvifolia with Senna notabilis, Ptilotus gomphrenoides, Scaevola sericophylla in burnt areas over Very Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia schinzii, with Open Tussock Grassland of Aristida holathera on consolidated Sand Dunes.
Disturbed High Open Shrubland of Acacia Flats/Plains tetragonophylla, *Vachellia farnesiana, Sesbania cannabina, over Open Shrubland of Aeschynomene indica, Acacia synchronicia, Low Open Shrubland of Scaevola spinescens, Neptunia dimorphantha, over Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris, *Cynodon dactylon over Herbs of Ipomoea coptica, Marsilea sp.
3.8.2 Vegetation Extent and Status A vegetation type is considered to be underrepresented if there is less than 30% of its original extent remaining. From a biodiversity perspective, and taking no account of any other land degradation issues, there are several key criteria applied to vegetation where clearing is still occurring (EPA Position Statement No. 2, December 2000):
The threshold level below which species loss appears to accelerate exponentially at an ecosystem level is regarded as being at a level 30% of the pre- European extent of the vegetation type. Vegetation communities where less than 30% of the original vegetation extent remain are referred to as Vulnerable; and
A level of 10% of the original vegetation extent is regarded as being a level representing an Endangered community. Clearing which would put a vegetation type into this category should be avoided. Such vegetation community status can be delineated into five classes, where
Presumed Extinct: Probably no longer present in the bioregion
Endangered*: < 10% of pre-European extent remains
Vulnerable 10-30% of pre-European extent exists
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Depleted* > 30% and up to 50% of pre-European extent exists
Least Concern > 50% pre-European extent exists and subject to little or no degradation over a majority of this area.
*or a combination of depletion, loss of quality, current threats and rarity gives a comparable status An examination of the Statewide Vegetation Statistics (DEC, 2012) indicated that the Vegetation Association within the Project Area is considered to be of Least Concern at all scales (Table 4).
Table 4 Regional Assessment of Vegetation Extent
Vegetation Pre-European Current Extent % Status Association Extent (Ha) (Ha) Remaining
670 State: State: State: State: Least 147,897.10 147,794.60 99.93 Concern IBRA: IBRA: IBRA: IBRA: Least 147.808.02 147,791.95 99.99 Concern Sub-IBRA: Sub-IBRA: Sub-IBRA: Sub-IBRA: 147.808.02 147,791.95 99.99 Least Concern LGA: 130,267.09 LGA: LGA: LGA: Least 130,164.59 99.92 Concern
3.8.3 Threatened Ecological Communities Ecological communities are defined as ‘naturally occurring biological assemblages that occur in a particular type of habitat (English and Blythe, 1997). Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) are ecological communities that have been assessed and assigned to one of four categories related to the status of the threat to the community, i.e. Presumed Totally Destroyed, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable. Some TECs are protected under the EPBC Act. Although TECs are not formally protected under the State Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WC Act), the loss of, or disturbance to, some TECs trigger the EPBC Act. The EPA’s position of TECs states that proposals that result in the direct loss of TECs are likely to require formal assessment. Possible TECs that do not meet survey criteria are added to the DEC’s Priority Ecological Community (PEC) Lists under Priorities 1, 2 and 3. These are ecological communities that are adequately known; are rare but not threatened, or meet criteria for Near Threatened. PECs that have been recently removed from the threatened list are placed on Priority 4. These ecological communities require regular monitoring. Conservation Dependent ecological communities are placed in Priority 5.
An EPBC Act Protected Matters Search was undertaken for the Project Area (DSEWPaC, 2012). No EPBC Act listed TECs were indicated to occur within the search area.
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A DEC TEC databases search for the Onslow Road (and a 150 m buffer) indicated that no TECs are likely to occur within the area (GHD, 2011a). The DEC search indicated that there is one listing for a PEC within the general vicinity, which is approximately 25 km from Onslow Road. This PEC is the ‘Priority 1’ ecological community – ‘Peedamulla (Cane River) Swamp Community’. This community will not be impacted by the proposed Project. No TECs or PECs were identified in the field flora and vegetation survey of the Onslow Road (GHD, 2011a) or the Onslow Road Material Pits (GHD, 2011b).
3.8.4 Vegetation Condition The vegetation in the section of the Project Area previously surveyed along the Onslow Road was given a condition rating based on the vegetation conditions ratings scale (after Keighery, 1994). Condition is based on:
Completeness of structural levels;
Extent of weed invasion;
Historical disturbance from tracks and other clearing or dumping; and
The potential for natural or assisted regeneration. Vegetation condition consists of six rating levels as outlined in Table 5.
Table 5 Vegetation Condition Scale (after Keighery, 1994)
Assigned Classification Description Number
1 Pristine No obvious signs of disturbance.
2 Excellent Vegetation structure intact, disturbance affecting individual species, and weeds are non-aggressive species.
3 Very Good Vegetation structure altered obvious signs of disturbance.
4 Good Vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple disturbance retains basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate it.
5 Degraded Basic vegetation structure severely impacted by disturbance. Scope for regeneration but not to a state approaching good condition without intensive management.
6 Completely The structure of the vegetation is no longer intact and Degraded the area is completely or almost without native species.
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The mapping for vegetation condition (GHD, 2011a) along the Onslow Road shows that the vegetation is generally in Degraded condition; however, sections are in Good condition and it would be expected that further from the two roads the vegetation condition would improve.
3.9 Flora
3.9.1 Significant Flora Flora species considered to be under threat are listed under the EPBC Act and/or the WC Act. Any activities that are deemed to have a significant impact on species that are recognised by these can trigger referral to the EPA and/or the DSEWPaC. A description of conservation categories delineated under the EPBC Act is detailed in Table 11, Appendix B. These are applicable to threatened flora and fauna species. A search of the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (DSEWPaC, 2012) did not identify any Commonwealth listed flora species within the vicinity of the Project Area. In addition to the EPBC Act, significant flora in Western Australia is protected by the WC Act. This Act, administered by the DEC, protects Threatened Flora (Declared Rare) species. The DEC also maintains a list of Priority Flora species. Conservation Codes for flora species are assigned by the DEC to define the level of conservation significance (Table 14, Appendix B). Priority Flora taxa are not currently protected under the WC Act. Priority Flora may be rare or threatened, but cannot be considered for declaration as rare flora until adequate surveys have been undertaken of known sites and the degree of threat to theses populations have been clarified. Special consideration is often given to sites that contain Priority Flora, despite them not having formal legislatory protection. A search was undertaken through the DEC Threatened (Declared Rare) Flora Database, the DEC Declared Rare and Priority List and the Western Australian Herbarium (WAHERB). A total of five Priority Flora species were indicated to occur, or potentially occur within the vicinity of Onslow Road (Table 6).
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Table 6 Results of the DEC Database Searches for Conservation Significant Flora Within the Vicinity of the Onslow Road
Species Conservation Description Flowering Preferred Habitat Data Likelihood of Code Time Source Occurrence
Abutilon Priority 1 Prostrate perennial, herb, 0.2- - Red sand. Flat plain. DR & PF Possible – occurrence uncinatum ms 1 m high, grey foliage, spined List known from vicinity of pods Project Area. WAHERB
Eremophila Priority 3 Much-branched shrub, ~1 m August Sandplain WAHERB Likely – occurrence forrestii subsp. high. Flowers are pink, cream known from the Onslow viridis Road Project Area (GHD, 2011a).
Helichrysum Priority 1 Erect annual herb, to 0.25 m August - Red clay. Alluvial WAHERB Possible – occurrence oligochaetum high. Flowers Yellow. November plains. In disturbed known from vicinity of locations Project Area.
Triumfetta Priority 3 Prostrate shrub, to 0.3 m high. August Red to red-brown WAHERB Likely - occurrence echinata sandy soils. Sand known from the Onslow dunes. Road Project Area (GHD, 2011a).
Vigna sp. Central Priority 2 Prostrate annual with yellow June - Brown sands on WAHERB Possible – occurrence (M.E. Trudgen flowers on long upright October sand plains, with known from vicinity of 1626) pedicels, with trifoliate leaves. occasional limestone Project Area. Grows up to 0.1 m x 0.65 m hardpan.
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Results of 2011 Field Flora Surveys The biological field survey undertaken by GHD for the upgrade of the Onslow Rd (GHD, 2011a) and the Onslow Road Material Pits (GHD, 2011b), which included a section of the Project Area (“previously surveyed area” - Figure 1) did not record any Threatened (Declared Rare) Flora in the area. The field survey did record two Priority Flora species (Eremophila forrestii subsp. viridis and Triumfetta echinata) within the Onslow Road reserve. These species were found approximately 800 m to 1 km north of the current Project Area (Figure 2), respectively. Eremophila forrestii subsp. viridis occurs on sandplain and Triodia grasslands (Chinnock, 2007) and Triumfetta echinata occurs on red sandy soils associated with sand dunes (GHD, 2011a). The GHD ecologists that undertook the field survey of the Onslow Road have assessed the Project area at Twitchen Road and have determined that this area is unlikely to support these Priority Flora taxa due to lack of preferred habitat.
3.9.2 Other Significant Flora Significant flora may include habitat of rare, uncommon or restricted flora species and/or species outside or at the limit of their range. The previous field survey of the Onslow Road (GHD, 2011a) recorded a number of species beyond their currently known range. One of these species, Ipomoea coptica was recorded on the southern edge of the current Project area. The closest record of this species on FloraBase (DEC, 2012) is approximately 100 km to the north-east. While this is a range extension this species is widespread and not considered to be under threat. The location of this taxon will not be impacted by the proposed works
3.9.3 Invasive Flora Species The EPBC Act Protected Matters Search (DSEWPaC, 2012) indicates that there are species or species habitat that may occur within the vicinity of the Project Area:
*Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel-Grass);
*Parkinsonia aculeata (Parkinsonia); and
*Prosopis species (Mesquite). Buffel Grass is indicated by FloraBase to occur within the vicinity of the Project Area. This taxon was widely recorded in and adjacent to the Project Area by GHD (2011a; 2011b). Mesquite is a Weed of National Significance and is also classified as a Declared Plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 with control categories: P1, P2 and P4. GHD’s field survey of Onslow Road recorded eight exotic and two (native) ornamental flora taxa along the Onslow Road (GHD, 2011a). The most dominant weed species recorded across the project Area was *Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass).
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Table 7 Weed Species Recorded Along the Onslow Road (after GHD, 2011a)
Genus Species Common Name
*Aerva javanica Kapok Bush
*Flaveria trinervia Speedy Weed
*Stylosanthes hamata Verano Stylo
*Vachellia farnesiana Mimosa Bush
*Cenchrus ciliaris Buffel Grass
*Chloris virgata Feathertop Rhodes Grass
*Cynodon dactylon Couch
*Portulaca oleracea Purslane
Weed species within the Project Area are not considered to have an impact on the status of weeds in the local area due to the fact that weed species are considered to be common in the local and regional area due to disturbance from the development and maintenance of the Onslow Road and associated activities on the adjacent pastoral stations.
3.10 Fauna
3.10.1 Existing Fauna Records A search on NatureMap Records (sourced from the DEC and records of the Western Australian Museum) and a query of the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (DSEWPaC, 2012) was undertaken for the Project Area inclusive of a 10 km buffer (Table 15). It should be noted that some species that appear in the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool are often not likely to occur within the specified area, as the search provides a general guidance to matters of national significance that require further investigation. The records from the DEC searches of threatened fauna provide more accurate information for the general area; however some records of sightings or trappings can be dated and often misrepresent the current range of threatened species. These records indicate that 52 bird, 21 mammal, four amphibian and 55 reptile species have been officially recorded or are likely to be present within the search area (Table 15).
3.10.2 Significant Fauna The conservation of fauna species and their significance status is currently assessed under both State and Commonwealth Acts. The Acts include the Commonwealth EPBC Act and WC Act. The significance levels for fauna used in the EPBC Act are those recommended by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). A description of Conservation Categories delineated under the EPBC Act and the circumstances under which a project will trigger referral to the DSEWPaC are described in Table 11, Appendix B.
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The EPBC Act also protects migratory species that are listed under international agreements (see Appendix B) and marine species on Commonwealth lands and waters (not relevant to this project). The WC Act uses a set of schedules, but also classifies species using some of the IUCN categories. These Schedules are described in Table 12. In Western Australia the DEC also produces a supplementary list of Priority Fauna, these being species that are not considered Threatened under the Western Australian WC Act but for which the Government feels there is a cause for concern. These species have no special legislatory protection, but their presence would normally be considered. Such taxa need further survey and evaluation of conservation status before consideration can be given to declaration as threatened fauna. Levels of Priority are described in Table 13.
The fauna species listed in the NatureMap Records and the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (see Section 3.10.1 above) included 16 significant species, detailed below (Table 8).
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Table 8 Conservation Significant Fauna Indicated from Database Searches to Occur within the Vicinity of the Project Area
Type Family Genus Species Common Name Status Source
Mi (EPBC Act) EPBC Search Birds Accipitridae Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea Eagle S3 (WC Act)
Mi (EPBC Act) EPBC search Birds Apodidae Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift S3 (WC Act)
Birds Ardeidae Ardea alba Great Egret Mi (EPBC Act) EPBC search
Mi (EPBC Act); EPBC search Birds Ardeidae Ardea ibis Cattle Egret S3 (WC Act)
Mi (EPBC Act) EPBC search Birds Charadriidae Charadrius veredus Oriental Plover S3 (WC Act)
Mi (EPBC Act), EPBC search Birds Glareolidae Glareola maldivarum Oriental Pratincole S3 (WC Act)
Mi (EPBC Act) EPBC Search Birds Hirundinidae Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow S3 (WC Act)
Mi, Ma(EPBC Act); EPBC search Birds Lariidae Sterna benghalensis Lesser Crested Tern S3 (WC Act)
Mi (EPBC Act) NM/EPBC search Birds Molluginaceae Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater S3 (WC Act)
Birds Otidiidae Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard P4 NM
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Type Family Genus Species Common Name Status Source
Vu (EPBC Act); EPBC search Mammal Dasyuridae Dasycercus cristicauda Mulgara S1 (WC Act)
En (EPBC Act) EPBC search Mammals Dasyuridae Dasyurus hallucatus Northern Quoll S1 (WC Act) NM Mammals Dasyuridae Sminthopsis longicaudata Long-tailed Dunnart P4 NM Mammals Muridae Leggadina lakedownensis Short-tailed Mouse P4 NM Western Pebble-mound P4 Mammals Muridae Pseudomys chapmani Mouse
Reptiles Agamidae Pogona minor subsp. minima Dwarf Bearded Dragon S1 (WC Act) NM
*Abbreviations:
Mi Migratory
En/Vu Endangered/Vulnerable (Table 11)
S1/S3 Schedule 1/Schedule 3 (Table 12)
P4 Priority 4 (Table 13)
EPBC Search EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (DSEWPaC, 2012)
NM NatureMap search (10 km buffer)
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Results of 2011 Field Fauna Surveys Two Priority 4 fauna species were recorded within the Onslow Road and the Onslow Road Material Pits surveyed areas (GHD, 2011a; 2011b):
Ardeotis australis (Australian Bustard); and
Falco hypoleucos (Grey Falcon). Both Priority Fauna species are considered to utilise a wide range and are considered unlikely to be impacted by the proposed project. These species are highly mobile and expected to move away during Project activities. Neither species was recorded within the vicinity of the Twitchen Road intersection.
3.10.3 Exotic Fauna The desktop searches indicated that four exotic fauna species have previously been recorded within the vicinity of the Project Area (Table 15). These include:
*Capra hircus (Feral Goats);
*Bos taurus (European Cattle);
*Felis catus (Feral Cat);
*Oryctolagus cuniculus (Rabbit); and
Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox).
3.10.4 Habitat Value The vegetation present within the Project Area is believed to be widespread and common in the general area. Additionally, the Project Area is adjacent to existing roads so is subject to disturbance impacts. The Project Area is not likely to have significant habitat values. The amount of clearing required, a maximum of 2.75 ha, is not considered to impact on the habitat value of the Project Area.
3.10.5 Habitat Linkage Habitat linkages are important as they provide fauna as a means of moving between areas. Furthermore such linkage also provides a habitat for all ground and aerial fauna for resting and reproduction. It is important to maintain these habitat linkages in areas where extensive clearing has occurred. The Project Area is not considered to have significant value as habitat linkage as it is surrounded on two sides by roads, which reduce the significance of the vegetation as a habitat linkage. The surrounding areas have greater significance as habitat linkages than the Project Area.
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4. Assessment of Aspects and Impacts
Environmental aspects associated with the Project and an evaluation of potential impacts is provided in Table 9. The environmental constraints are mapped in Figure 2.
Table 9 Environmental Aspects and Potential Impacts Associated with the Project
Aspect Evaluation of Potential Impacts
Surrounding Land The Project is not likely to have a significant impact on the current land use. The Use area to be impacted is very small, and is close to existing roads.
Acid Sulphate Soils The Project area has a low probability of ASS. Adjacent to the Project, to the north of the existing road, are waterbodies with moderate – low risk of ASS but this area should not be directly impacted by the Project. The risk of ASS exposure is expected to be low for the construction and operation of this Project as no significant excavation is anticipated during project works.
Contaminated Sites No contaminated sites were identified within the Project Area and it is unlikely that any such site will be encountered during construction. It is assumed construction activities will require the use of fuels and other hazardous materials. To manage the risk of soil and water contamination from the storage and use of these substances appropriate management measures should be developed and implemented.
Vegetation – The maximum clearing area will be 2.75 ha. Clearing1 An assessment of this Project against the “Ten Clearing Principles” based on the findings of this desktop PEIA is detailed in Section 5.2.
Matters of National The desktop searches revealed no Matters of National Environmental Environmental Significance have been recorded in the vicinity of the Project Area, except Significance threatened and migratory fauna species, which have been discussed at section 3.10.2.
Significant Flora / No recorded TECs or PECs were identified as occurring within the Project Ecological Area. Communities
Weeds and Minor weed invasion and disturbance has already occurred within the Project Pathogens Area, particularly along the edges of the existing access roads. Construction activities have the potential to introduce or spread weeds within the Project Area.
It is recommended that standard weed control/hygiene management measures are undertaken during construction.
1 Calculations are based upon a recommended 10 m wide single carriageway (Main Roads WA design guide) (BG&E 2008)
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Aspect Evaluation of Potential Impacts
Reserves / There are no reserves, conservation areas or environmentally sensitive areas Conservation areas/ within the vicinity of the Project. Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Fauna The Project Area is within an existing disturbed area, adjacent to existing roads, and the project will require limited clearing of vegetation. The Project is not expected to have a significant impact on fauna species. Potential impacts to fauna may occur during the construction phase of the project, including direct death or harm to fauna. Appropriate management measures should be implemented to minimise impacts on fauna during construction.
Surface and Appropriate management measures should be implemented to minimise impacts Groundwater to surface and groundwater during construction. If dewatering, abstraction of groundwater or the taking of surface water is required for road works, the Gascoyne Alliance will need to liaise with the Department of Water and seek relevant approvals.
Dust Dust may be generated from the clearing of vegetation, earthworks and vehicle movements along sealed and unsealed roads. Given the distance to the nearest sensitive receptors, any dust generated during construction and operation is unlikely to have adverse impacts. However, it is still recommended that dust emissions be visually monitored during construction and standard dust management procedures, such as wetting of disturbed surfaces, be implemented as required.
Visual amenity The Project is in a remote area away from population centres and is unlikely to pose a significant impact to visual amenity of the surrounding region.
Salinity The clearing of vegetation is not considered likely to significantly alter the hydrological balance and cause a change in the salinity either on - or off-site.
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5. Clearing of Native Vegetation
Any clearing of native vegetation requires a permit under Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, except where an exception applies under Schedule 6 of the Act or is prescribed by regulation in the Environmental Protection (Clearing Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Main Roads has been granted a state-wide vegetation clearing permit (Purpose Permit CPS 818/6), under section 51E of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The Purpose Permit allows Main Roads to clear native vegetation for project activities. This Project is being conducted by Gascoyne Alliance, which is an alliance between Main Roads and MACA Civil Pty Ltd. Based on advice from the Gascoyne Alliance, vegetation clearing for the project will be undertaken using the Main Roads Purpose Permit. Any clearing of native vegetation must be assessed against the Ten Clearing Principles outlined in the permit. Native vegetation describes all indigenous aquatic and terrestrial vegetation (living or dead). The term does not include vegetation that was intentionally sown, planted or propagated unless it was required under a statutory condition. There are a number of current or expired clearing permits on and around the Project area including:
3165/4 – Chevron Australia: Geotechnical investigations: Application under Assessment
3485/1 - BHP Billiton Petroleum: Geotechnical Investigation: Granted; Duration: 28 Feb 2010- 26 Nov 2010
3846/1 – Chevron Australia: Geotechnical Investigations and Associated Works: Granted; Duration 30 January 2012 – 30 January 2019
5.1 Avoiding, Minimising and Reducing the Impact of Clearing In accordance with the current Main Roads State Purpose Permit CPS 818/6, the following measures are recommended in order to avoid, minimise and reduce the impact of clearing associated with the Project:
All efforts should be made during clearing activities to avoid any unnecessary impacts to native vegetation (e.g. marking of clearing lines, parking of machinery in already cleared areas etc.);
Cleared vegetation should be mulched and respread in redundant cleared areas in order to help prevent weed establishment and land degradation as well as provide habitat and encourage natural regeneration of the redundant areas;
5.2 Assessment Against the Clearing Principles Clearing permit applications are assessed against the Ten Clearing Principles outlined in Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. An assessment of this Project against the Ten Clearing Principles are based on the information presented in Sections 3 and 4 and detailed below in Table 10. The assessment found that the Project is unlikely to be at variance with the clearing principles.
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Table 10 Assessment of the Project Against the Ten Clearing Principles
Principle Principle Assessment Outcome Number
(a) Native vegetation should not be cleared The vegetation structure within the Project area has been Not at variance with if it comprises a high level of biological impacted by disturbance from weeds and pastoral activities. clearing principle. diversity. The vegetation associations found within the Project area are known to occur widely throughout the surrounding region. No TECs and PECs are expected to be present in the Project area.
(b) Native vegetation should not be cleared The desktop assessment and previous field survey (GHD, Not at variance with if it comprises the whole or a part of, or 2011a; 2011b) in the area does not suggest the native clearing principle. is necessary for the maintenance of, a vegetation to be cleared will be a significant habitat necessary significant habitat for fauna indigenous for the maintenance of fauna indigenous to Western Australia. to Western Australia.
(c) Native vegetation should not be cleared No Declared Rare Flora species have been recorded in the Not at variance with if it includes, or is necessary for the vicinity of the proposed alignment options. clearing principle. continued existence of, rare flora. Priority Flora taxa have previously been recorded in the vicinity of the Project Area but no species were recorded within the study area. Field surveys have not been undertaken for the whole Project Area; however, consultation with the Ecologists that undertook previous surveys in the area indicates that the Project Area does not contain the landscape or habitat type likely to support the known Priority Flora taxa.
(d) Native vegetation should not be cleared There are no known TECs or PECs within the vicinity of the Not at variance with if it comprises the whole or a part of, or Project Area. clearing principle. is necessary for the maintenance of, a threatened ecological community.
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Principle Principle Assessment Outcome Number
(e) Native vegetation should not be cleared The areas requiring clearing only represent a small amount Not at variance with if it is significant as a remnant of native (maximum of 2.75 ha) of the native vegetation present in the clearing principle. vegetation in an area that has been surrounding region. Vegetation types within the Project area extensively cleared. are well represented with approximately 99% of pre-European vegetation extent remaining.
(f) Native vegetation should not be cleared There are no mapped watercourses or wetlands within the Not at variance with if it is growing in, or in association with, Project Area. Two mapped waterbodies occur north of the clearing principle. an environment associated with a Project Area but no clearing should be required in this area.
watercourse or wetland.
(g) Native vegetation should not be cleared The risk of land degradation as a result of the clearing is not Not at variance with if the clearing of the vegetation is likely expected. The area to be cleared is small (2.75 ha) and is clearing principle. to cause appreciable land degradation. located within an area with existing disturbance factors (i.e. Appropriate management existing roads). plans should mitigate any Potential adverse impacts should be able to be mitigated potential impacts. through the implementation of appropriate management measures.
(h) Native vegetation should not be cleared There are no conservation areas within the vicinity of the Not at variance with if the clearing of the vegetation is likely Project Area. clearing principle. to have an impact on the environmental values of any adjacent or nearby conservation area.
(i) Native vegetation should not be cleared The amount of clearing required for this Project is small and is Not at variance with if the clearing of the vegetation is likely not expected to impact significantly on the water flows in the clearing principle. to cause deterioration in the quality of general area. Appropriate management surface or underground water. Incorporation of engineering controls should be included in the plans should mitigate any design of the proposed alignment option to mitigate impacts on potential impacts. the quality and flow of surface or underground water.
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Principle Principle Assessment Outcome Number
(j) Native vegetation should not be cleared The clearing of native vegetation is not expected to cause, or Not at variance with if the clearing of the vegetation is likely exacerbate the incidence or intensity of flooding. The clearing principle. to cause, or exacerbate, the incidence landscape will be altered by the proposed works, but this will Appropriate drainage or intensity of flooding. not alter the risks of flooding. design should mitigate any potential impacts.
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6. Environmental Approvals
6.1 Commonwealth Approval
6.1.1 Referral to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities Referral to DSEWPaC under the EPBC Act is triggered if a proposed action has/or potentially has a significant impact on Matters of National Environmental Significance. Referral to DSEWPaC under the EPBC Act is not considered necessary at this time as no significant impacts are likely to occur to any Matters of National Environmental Significance.
6.2 State Approvals
6.2.1 Referral to the Environmental Protection Authority Environmental impacts are not considered significant to warrant referral of the Project to the EPA under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
6.2.2 Department of Environment and Conservation On the basis of this assessment, the Project was found ”not at variance” with any of the Ten Clearing Principles (Table 10). It is therefore considered that clearing of native vegetation will be in accordance with the Main Roads Purpose Permit CPS 818/6. The main conditions of the Permit are:
Avoiding and minimising clearing impacts;
Not exceeding any of the annual regional clearing limits;
Preparing a PEIA (assessing clearing impacts against the “Ten Clearing Principles”);
Undertaking stakeholder consultation (where variance with the “Ten Clearing Principles” occurs);
Provision of offsets (where variance with the “Ten Clearing Principles” occurs);
Preparing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (may be done instead of PEIA) (where variance occurs);
Preparing an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) (where variance occurs);
Preparing a revegetation plan for temporary clearing (and submit to DEC if temporary clearing is >0.5 ha);
Implementing weed and dieback management;
Recording;
Auditing and/or reporting; and/or
Upholding regional limits on the amount of clearing.
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7. References
Beard, J.S. (1975). Vegetation Survey of Western Australia, 1:1,000,000 Series. Pilbara: The Vegetation of the Pilbara Area. University of Western Australia Press, Nedlands.
Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) (2012) Climate Statistics for Australian Locations http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_005017.shtml Accessed 23/03/12. Chinnock, R. J. (2007) Eremophila and Allied Genera: A Monography of the plant family Myoporaceae, Rosenberg Publishing, Dural Deliver Centre, NSW. Department of Environment and Conservation (2012) Florabase: the Western Australian Flora Online at: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/ Accessed 27/03/12
Department of Environment and Conservation (2012). 2011 Statewide Vegetation Statistics (formerly the CAR Reserve Analysis) – February 2012: accessed online at: https://www2.landgate.wa.gov.au/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=bbf8b148-8ad4-4c39-bb3f- 7a960372858d&groupId=10136 Department of Mines and Petroleum, (2012) Interactive Geological Map (GeoVIEW.WA) http://mapserver.doir.wa.gov.au/GeoVIEW2/viewer.htm?Title=GeoVIEW.WA Accessed 26/03/12 Department of Planning (2010) Shire of Ashburton Town Planning Scheme No. 7 Incorporating the Entire District of the Shire of Ashburton Prepared by the Department of Planning, Original Town Planning Scheme Gazettal Date: 24 December 2004. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Community (SEWPaC) (2012) Enviornment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 Protected Matters Report. Canberra: Federal Government of Australia. Report created 27/03/12 12:05:47 English, V and Blythe, J. (1997). Identifying and Conserving Threatened Ecological Communities in the South West Botanical Province. Unpublished report for the Department of Conservation and Land Management to Environment Australia Environmental Protection Authority (2000). Environmental Protection of Native Vegetation in Western Australia. Clearing of native vegetation, with particular reference to the agricultural area. Position Statement No. 2. Environmental Protection Authority, Perth.
GHD Pty Ltd (2011a). Report for Onslow Road: Vegetation and Flora Survey. Prepared for Main Roads Western Australia, September 2011 GHD Pty Ltd (2011b). Report for Onslow Road Material Pits: Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan. Prepared for Main Roads Western Australia, November 2011. Keighery, B.J. (1994). Bushland Plant Survey: a Guide to Plant Community Survey for the Community. Wildflower Society of WA (Inc.), Nedlands.
Kendrick, P and Mau, R (2002) A Biodiversity Audit of Western Australia’s 53 Biogeographic Subregions in 2002: Carnarvon 1 (CAR1 – Cape Range subregion) Department of Conservation and Land Management, 2002.
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Western Australian Planning Commission (2011) Onslow Regional Hotspots Land Supply Update. November 2011
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1: 15,000 (at A3) Gascoyne Alliance Job Number 61-27970 Revision 0 0 80 160 320 480 640 800 Gascoyne Alliance PEIA Onslow & Twitchen Rd Date 02 Apr 2012 Metres Map Projection: Transverse Mercator Horizontal Datum: Geocentric Datum of Australia Grid: Map Grid of Australia 1994, Zone 50 o Locality Map Figure 1 G:\61\27970\GIS\Maps\MXD\6127970_G004_Fig1_Rev0.mxd 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth WA 6004 Australia T 61 8 6222 8222 F 61 8 6222 8555 E [email protected] W www.ghd.com.au © 2012. Whilst every care has been taken to prepare this map, GHD, GA, DEC, MRWA and the Gascoyne Alliance make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and cannot accept liability and responsibility of any kind (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) for any expenses, losses, damages and/or costs (including indirect or consequential damage) which are or may be incurred by any party as a result of the map being inaccurate, incomplete or unsuitable in any way and for any reason. Data source: GHD: Study Area - 20120306, Previously Surveyed Area - 20110412, Clearing Area - 20120402; Landgate - Travellers Atlas 2004. Created by: bflorczak, erice
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Appendix A Figures
Figure 1 Locality Map
Figure 2 Environmental Constraints
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Appendix B Conservation Categories
EPBC Act Conservation Categories WC Act Conservation Categories DEC Conservation Categories
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EPBC Act Flora and Fauna Conservation Categories
Listed Threatened Species and Ecological Communities An action will require approval from the Environment Minister if the action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on a species listed in any of the following categories:
Extinct in the wild,
Critically Endangered,
Endangered, or
Vulnerable.
Critically Endangered and Endangered Species An action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on a critically endangered or endangered species if it does, will, or is likely to:
lead to a long-term decrease in the size of a population, or
reduce the area of occupancy of the species, or
fragment an existing population into two or more populations, or
adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species, or
disrupt the breeding cycle of a population, or
modify, destroy, remove, isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat to the extent that the species is likely to decline, or
result in invasive species that are harmful to a critically endangered or endangered species becoming established in the endangered or critically endangered species' habitat*, or
interfere with the recovery of the species. *Introducing an invasive species into the habitat may result in that species becoming established. An invasive species may harm a critically endangered or endangered species by direct competition, modification of habitat, or predation.
Vulnerable Species An action has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on a vulnerable species if it does, will, or is likely to:
lead to a long-term decrease in the size of an important population of a species, or
reduce the area of occupancy of an important population, or
fragment an existing important population into two or more populations, or
adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species, or
disrupt the breeding cycle of an important population, or
modify, destroy, remove or isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat to the extent that the species is likely to decline, or
result in invasive species that are harmful a vulnerable species becoming established in the vulnerable species' habitat*, or
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interferes substantially with the recovery of the species. An important population is one that is necessary for a species' long-term survival and recovery. This may include populations that are:
key source populations either for breeding or dispersal,
populations that are necessary for maintaining genetic diversity, and/or
populations that are near the limit of the species range. *Introducing an invasive species into the habitat may result in that species becoming established. An invasive species may harm a vulnerable species by direct competition, modification of habitat, or predation.
Table 11 Conservation Categories and Definitions for EPBC Act Listed Flora and Fauna Species.
Conservation Category Definition
Extinct Taxa not definitely located in the wild during the past 50 years
Extinct in the Wild Taxa known to survive only in captivity
Critically Endangered Taxa facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future
Endangered Taxa facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future
Vulnerable Taxa facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term
Near Threatened Taxa that risk becoming Vulnerable in the wild
Conservation Dependent Taxa whose survival depends upon ongoing conservation measures. Without these measures, a conservation dependent taxon would be classified as Vulnerable or more severely threatened.
Data Deficient (Insufficiently Taxa suspected of being Rare, Vulnerable or Endangered, but whose Known) true status cannot be determined without more information.
Least Concern Taxa that are not considered Threatened
The EPBC Act also protects migratory species listed under the following international agreements:
Appendices to the Bonn Convention (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals) for which Australia is a range state under the Convention;
The Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the Protection of Migratory Birds and their Environment (CAMBA);
The Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of Australia for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Birds in Danger of Extinction and their Environment (JAMBA);
The Agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Australia for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Birds in Danger of Extinction and their Environment (ROKAMBA) and
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Listed migratory species also include species identified in other international agreements approved by the Commonwealth Environment Minister.
Table 12 Western Australia Wildlife Conservation Act (1950) Conservation Codes
Conservation Code Description Schedule 1 “…fauna that is rare or likely to become extinct, are declared to be fauna that is in need of special protection.”
Schedule 2 “…fauna that is presumed to be extinct, are declared to be fauna that is in need of special protection.”
Schedule 3 “…birds that are subject to an agreement between the governments of Australia and Japan relating to the protection of migratory birds and birds in danger of extinction, are declared to be fauna that is in need of special protection.”
Schedule 4 “…fauna that is in need of special protection, otherwise than for the reasons mentioned [in Schedule 1 – 3]”
Table 13 DEC Priority Fauna Codes (Species not listed under the WC Act 1950, but for which there is some concern)
Conservation Code Description
Priority 1 Taxa with few, poorly known populations on threatened lands.
Priority 2 Taxa with few, poorly known populations on conservation lands. Taxa which are known from few specimens or sight records from one or a few localities on lands not under immediate threat of habitat destruction or degradation, e.g. national parks, conservation parks, nature reserves, State forest, vacant Crown Land, water reserves, etc.
Priority 3 Taxa which are known from few specimens or sight records, some of which are on lands not under immediate threat of habitat destruction or degradation.
Priority 4 Rare taxa. Taxa which are considered to have been adequately surveyed and which, whilst being rare (in Australia), are not currently threatened by any identifiable factors. These taxa require monitoring every 5 – 10 years.
Priority 5 Taxa in need of monitoring. Taxa which are not considered threatened but are subject to a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the species becoming threatened within five years.
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Table 14 Conservation Categories and Definitions for the WC Act Listed Flora and DEC Listed Priority Flora Species
Code Conservation Definition Category
X Presumed Taxa which have been adequately searched for and there is no reasonable Extinct Flora doubt that the last individual has died, and have been gazetted as such (Declared Rare (Schedule 2 under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950). Flora – Extinct)
T Threatened Taxa which have been adequately searched for, and are deemed to be in Flora (Declared the wild either rare, in danger of extinction, or otherwise in need of special Rare Flora – protection, and have been gazetted as such (Schedule 1 under the Wildlife Extant) Conservation Act 1950). Threatened Flora are further ranked by the Department according the their level of threat using IUCN Red List criteria:
CR: Critically Endangered – considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild;
EN: Endangered – considered to be face a very high risk of extinction in the wild; and
VU: Vulnerable – considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
P1 Priority 1 – Taxa that are known from one or a few collections or sight records Poorly Known (generally less than five), all on lands not managed for conservation, e.g. Taxa agricultural or pastoral lands, urban areas, Shire, Westrail and Main Roads WA road, gravel and soil reserves, and active mineral leases and under threat of habitat destruction or degradation. Taxa may be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and appear to be under immediate threat from known threatening processes
P2 Priority 2 – Taxa that are known from one or a few collections or sight records, some of Poorly Known which are on lands not under imminent threat of habitat destruction or Taxa degradation, e.g. national parks, conservation parks, nature reserves, State forest, vacant Crown land, water reserves, etc. Taxa may be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and appear to be under threat from known threatening processes.
P3 Priority 3 – Taxa that are known from collections or sight records from several localities Poorly Known not under imminent threat, or from few but widespread localities with either Taxa large population size or significant remaining areas of apparently suitable habitat, much of it not under imminent threat. Taxa may be included if they are comparatively well known from several localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and known threatening processes exist that could affect them.
P4 Priority 4 – Rare. Taxa that are considered to have been adequately surveyed, or for Rare, Near which sufficient knowledge is available, and that are considered not Threatened and currently threatened or in need of special protection, but could be if other taxa in present circumstances change. These taxa are usually represented on need of conservation lands.
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Code Conservation Definition Category
monitoring Near Threatened. Taxa that are considered to have been adequately surveyed and that do not qualify for Conservation Dependent, but that are close to qualifying for Vulnerable.
Taxa that have been removed from the list of threatened species during the past five years for reasons other than taxonomy.
P5 Priority 5 – Taxa that are not threatened but are subject to a specific conservation Conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the taxon becoming Dependent threatened within five years. Taxa
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Table 15 Fauna Species recorded from NatureMap and the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (DSEWPaC) within 10 km of the Project Area
Type Family Genus Species Common Name Status Source NM Amphibian Hylidae Litoria rubella Desert Tree Frog NM Amphibian Hylidae Cyclorana maini Sheep Frog NM Amphibian Limnodynastidae Neobatrachus aquilonius Northern Burrowing Frog NM Amphibian Limnodynastidae Notaden nichollsi Desert Spadefoot NM Birds Accipitridae Circus assimilis Spotted Harrier NM Birds Accipitridae Elanus caeruleus Black-shouldered Kite
Birds Accipitridae Haliaeetus leucougaster White-bellied Sea Eagle Mi (EPBC Act) EPBC Search S3 (WC Act) NM Birds Accipitridae Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite Ma (EPBC Act) NM Birds Accipitridae Haliastur indus Brahminy Kite NM Birds Accipitridae Hamirostra melanosternon Black-breasted Buzzard NM Birds Aegothelidae Aegotheles cirstatus Australian Owlet-nightjar NM Birds Alaudidae Mirafra javanica Horsfield's Bushlark
Birds Apodidae Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift Mi, Ma (EPBC Act); EPBC search S3 (WC Act)
Birds Ardeidae Ardea alba Great Egret Mi, Ma (EPBC Act) EPBC search
Birds Ardeidae Ardea ibis Cattle Egret Mi, Ma(EPBC Act); EPBC search S3 (WC Act) NM Birds Artamidae Artamus cyanopterus Dusky Woodswallow NM Birds Artamidae Artamus leucorynchus
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Type Family Genus Species Common Name Status Source NM Birds Campephagidae Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Ma (EPBC Act) NM Birds Casuariidae Dromaius novaehollandiae Emu
Birds Charadriidae Charadrius veredus Oriental Plover Mi, Ma(EPBC Act) EPBC search S3 (WC Act) NM Birds Cinclosomatidae Psophodes occidentalis Western Wedgebill NM Birds Columbidae Geopelia cuneata Diamond Dove NM Birds Columbidae Geopelia plumifera Spinifex Pigeon NM Birds Columbidae Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon NM Birds Corvidae Corvus orru Torresian Crow NM Birds Cracticidae Cracitcus nigrogularis Pied Butcherbird NM Birds Cuculidae Chrysococcyx basalis Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo Ma (EPBC Act) NM Birds Discruridae Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie Lark NM Birds Discruridae Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail NM Birds Estrillidae Emblema pictum Painted Finch NM Birds Estrillidae Taeniopygia guttata Zebra Finch NM Birds Falconidae Aquila audax Wedge-tailed eagle NM Birds Falconidae Falco cenchroides Australian Kestrel Ma (EPBC Act) NM Birds Falconidae Falco longipennis Australian Hobby
Birds Glareolidae Glareola maldivarum Oriental Pratincole Mi, Ma (EPBC Act), EPBC search S3 (WC Act)
Birds Hirundinidae Hirundo nigricans Tree Martin NM
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Type Family Genus Species Common Name Status Source
Birds Hirundinidae Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Mi, Ma(EPBC Act) EPBC Search S3 (WC Act)
Birds Lariidae Sterna benghalensis Lesser Crested Tern Mi Marine; Marine EPBC search (EPBC Act); S3 (WC Act)
Birds Maluridae Malurus lamberti Variegated Fairy-wren NM
Birds Maluridae Malurus leucopterus White-winged Fairy-wren NM
Birds Meliphagidae Certhionyx niger Black Honeyeater NM
Birds Meliphagidae Epthianura tricolor Crimson Chat NM
Birds Meliphagidae Lichenostomus virescens Singing Honeyeater NM
Birds Meliphagidae Lichmera indistincta Brown Honeyeater NM
Birds Molluginaceae Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater Mi, Ma (EPBC Act) NM/EPBC search S3 (WC Act)
Birds Otididae Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard P4 NM
Birds Phasianidae Coturnix pectoralis Stubble Quail NM
Birds Podicipedidae Tachybaptus novaehollandiae NM
Birds Psittacidae Cacatua roseicapilla Galah NM
Birds Psittacidae Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella NM
Birds Psittacidae Melospittacus undulatus Budgerigar NM
Birds Psittacidae Nymphicus hollandicus Cockatiel NM
Birds Sylviidae Cincloramphus cruralis Brown Songlark NM
Birds Sylviidae Cincloramphus matthewsi Rufous Songlark NM
Birds Threskiornithidae Threskiornis spinicollis Straw-necked ibis Ma (EPBC Act) NM
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Type Family Genus Species Common Name Status Source
Birds Turnicidae Turnix velox Little button-quail NM
Mammal Bovidae Bos taurus European Cattle * NM
Mammal Bovidae Capra hircus Feral Goat * EPBC search
Mammal Canidae Vulpes vulpes Red fox * EPBC search
Mammal Dasyuridae Dasycercus cristicauda Mulgara Vu (EPBC Act); EPBC search S1 (WC Act)
Mammal Dasyuridae Dasykaluta rosamondae Little Red Kaluta NM
Mammals Dasyuridae Dasyurus hallucatus Northern Quoll En (EPBC Act) EPBC search S1 (WC Act)
Mammals Dasyuridae Ningaui timealeyi Pilbara Ningaui NM
Mammals Dasyuridae Planigale ingrami Long-tailed Planigale NM
Mammals Dasyuridae Sminthopsis longicaudata Long-tailed Dunnart P4 NM
Mammals Dasyuridae Sminthopsis macroura Striped-faced Dunnart NM
Mammals Dasyuridae Sminthopsis youngsoni Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart NM
Mammals Felidae Felis catus Domestic cat * NM/ EPBC search
Mammals Leporidae Oryctolagus cuniculus European Rabbit * EPBC search
Mammals Macropodidae Macropus robustus Euro NM
Mammals Muridae Leggadina lakedownensis Short-tailed Mouse P4 NM
Mammals Muridae Mus musculus House Mouse NM
Mammals Muridae Notomys alexis Spinifex Hopping-mouse NM
Mammals Muridae Pseudomys chapmani Western Pebble-mound Mouse P4 NM
Mammals Muridae Pseudomys delicatulus Delicate Mouse NM
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Type Family Genus Species Common Name Status Source
Mammals Muridae Pseudomys desertor Desert Mouse NM
Mammals Muridae Pseudomys hermannsburgensis Sandy Inland Mouse NM
Reptile Agamidae Ctenophorus caudicinctis Ring-tailed Dragon NM
Reptile Agamidae Ctenophorus caudicinctis subsp. NM caudicinctis
Reptile Agamidae Ctenophorus fermoralis Dune Dragon NM
Reptile Agamidae Ctenophorus isolepis Crested Dragon NM
Reptile Agamidae Ctenophorus isolepis subsp. isolepis Central Military Dragon NM
Reptiles Agamidae Ctenophorus nuchalis Central Netted Dragon NM
Reptiles Agamidae Ctenophorus rubens Red Dragon NM
Reptiles Agamidae Pogona minor NM
Reptiles Agamidae Pogona minor subsp. minima Dwarf Bearded Dragon S1 (WC Act) NM
Reptiles Agamidae Pogona minor subsp. minor NM
Reptiles Boidae Antaresia stimsoni Stimson's Python NM
Reptiles Boidae Antaresia stimsoni subsp. stimsoni NM
Reptiles Boidae Aspidites melanocephalus Black-headed Python NM
Reptiles Carphodactylidae Nephrurus levis NM
Reptiles Carphodactylidae Nephrurus levis subsp. occidentalis NM
Reptiles Diplodactylidae Diplodactylus conspicillatus Fat-tailed Gecko NM
Reptiles Diplodactylidae Lucasium stenodactylum NM
Reptiles Diplodactylidae Rynchoedura ornata Beaked Gecko NM
Reptiles Diplodactylidae Strophurus strophurus NM
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Type Family Genus Species Common Name Status Source
Reptiles Elapidae Demansia psammophis Yellow-faced Whipsnake NM
Reptiles Elapidae Furina ornata Moon Snake NM
Reptiles Elapidae Pseudechis australis King Brown Snake NM
Reptiles Elapidae Pseudonaja nuchalis Gwardar NM
Reptiles Elapidae Simoselaps anomalus Desert Banded Dragon NM
Reptiles Elapidae Suta punctata Spotted Snake NM
Reptiles Gekkonidae Gehyra pilbara Pilbara dtella NM
Reptiles Gekkonidae Gehyra punctata Spotted dtella NM
Reptiles Gekkonidae Gehyra variegata Tree dtella NM
Reptiles Gekkonidae Heteronotia binoei Bynoe's Gecko NM
Reptiles Pygopodidae Delma nasuta Sharp-snouted delma NM
Reptiles Pygopodidae Delma tincta Excitable delma NM
Reptiles Pygopodidae Lialis burtonis Burton's legless lizard NM
Reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus grandis Grand Ctenotus NM
Reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus grandis subsp. titan NM
Reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus hanloni Nimble ctenotus NM
Reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus iapetus North West Cape Ctenotus NM
Reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus maryani Maryan's ctenotus NM
Reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus pantherinus Leopard Ctenotus NM
Reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus pantherinus subsp. ocellifer NM
Reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus rufescens Rufous fine snout Ctenotus NM
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Type Family Genus Species Common Name Status Source
Reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus saxatilis Rock Ctenotus NM
Reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus saxatilis Rock Ctenotus NM
Reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus schomburgkii NM
Reptiles Scincidae Eremiascincus fasciolatus Narrow-banded Sand Swimmer NM
Reptiles Scincidae Lerista bipes Two-toed Skink NM
Reptiles Scincidae Lerista clara NM
Reptiles Scincidae Lerista onsloviana Onslow broad-blazed slider NM
Reptiles Scincidae Menetia greyii Common dwarf skink NM
Reptiles Scincidae Tiliqua multifasciata Central Blue-tongue NM
Reptiles Typholidae Ramphotyphlops ammodytes NM
Reptiles Typholidae Ramphotyphlops grypus NM
Reptiles Typholidae Ramphotyphlops hamatus NM
Reptiles Varanidae Varanus brevicauda Short-tailed Pygmy Monitor NM
Reptiles Varanidae Varanus eremius Pygmy Desert Monitor NM
Reptiles Varanidae Varanus tristis subsp. tristis Racehorse Monitor NM
Abbreviations:
Mi Migratory En/Vu Endangered/Vulnerable (Table 11) S1/S3 Schedule 1/Schedule 3 (Table 12) P4 Priority 4 (Table 13) * Introduced Species EPBC Search EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (DSEWPaC, 2012) NM NatureMap search (10 km buffer)
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