Executive Summary EExxeeccuuttiivvee SSuummmmaarryy

Introduction

This document outlines the rationale and need for the proposed Meander irrigation project. Environmental issues associated with the construction, commissioning and operation of the dam are discussed and details of the commitments made by the proponent with regards to the avoidance, mitigation or management of each issue are provided.

The preparation of this document has involved a series of detailed desktop and field based studies to determine the feasibility of the project from an engineering, environmental and economic perspective.

Project Rationale

The main purpose of the Meander Dam proposal is to provide a reliable irrigation supply to agricultural users in the region. In September 2001, preliminary desktop studies were undertaken to identify and address issues with the potential to impact on the feasibility of the project. Alternative options for the design and location of the dam were assessed, as were alternatives for the avoidance or mitigation of environmental impacts of the proposed structure.

Pressure on water resources in the Meander Catchment currently limits further agricultural development and productivity in the area. Competition for this limited resource results in a virtual cessation of flow in the lower during the irrigation period and resultant water quality issues have a significant impact on the aquatic environment and on town water supplies.

A water management plan is currently under development and is expected to address environmental flow concerns through the implementation of more

DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal DRAFT Executive Summary i sustainable water management practices. However, increasing the environmental water allocation is likely to further limit agricultural production.

The dam project proposed in this document aims to increase the availability and reliability of water for irrigated agricultural use whilst protecting the environmental flow allocations required to maintain or improve ecological health in the Meander River.

Studies Completed During the Preparation of this Document

Four studies were commissioned to enable objective assessment of the feasibility of the proposed dam. This Development Proposal and Environmental Management Plan (DPEMP) has been prepared using information derived from these fours studies, the purpose and content of which is provided in the following sections.

Desktop feasibility review

This review involved an extensive investigation of existing literature including previous technical reports, scientific papers and existing management plans and strategies. It also included searches of all relevant government databases and the assessment of existing data relevant to the project. The purpose of this review was to:

! identify technical knowledge gaps and recommend further investigations required to address them. Issues identified during this review have been investigated further in the following three studies.

! identify changes to the existing environment since the previous studies.

! identify potential ‘fatal flaw’ issues affecting the feasibility of the dam. The identification of irreconcilable issues would have resulted in termination of the project.

Engineering feasibility studies

Engineering issues identified during the desktop review and subsequently investigated include:

ii Executive Summary DRAFT DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal ! a geological investigation into potential sources of clay and rock for alternative dam designs through desktop and field investigations;

! an investigation into the potential for landsliding within the area;

! a review of the latest hydrological information on catchment yield and flood hydrology using the latest analytical techniques;

! a review of the preferred type of dam construction designed to the current ANCOLD guidelines and incorporating the latest technology to minimise environmental impact;

! a review of the viability of a mini-hydro power-station associated with the dam given the changed renewable energy market legislation, and identification of possible transmission lines routes if required; and

! potential seepage through Huntsman saddle - this was investigated through a thorough review of the existing information.

Environmental feasibility studies

Environmental issues identified during the desktop review and subsequently investigated include:

! potential water quality issues. These were investigated through the implementation of a short-term monitoring program aimed at assessing water quality under typical spring flow conditions.

! lack of knowledge regarding aquatic species at the site and their environmental requirements was addressed through a program of fish and invertebrate monitoring and assessment.

! the environmental flow requirements of the Meander River downstream of the dam were not well understood. These were assessed using habitat based IFIM techniques involving extensive field surveys.

! the significance and value of the floral and faunal communities at the site required further assessment, particularly with regards to threatened species identified during the desktop review. Flora and fauna surveys were performed at the site according to DPIWE protocols.

! potential Aboriginal heritage values were identified during the desktop review and were further investigated through field surveys.

DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal DRAFT Executive Summary iii Economic feasibility studies

The economic feasibility studies identified a number of issues that required further investigation, including:

! the supply of water to the farm-gate required assessment to identify the water demand, and the capital and pumping costs required to get water to the irrigation areas and potential water losses. This was addressed through landholder surveys; and

! identification of the potential (expanded) irrigation area by assessment of land suitability and landholder acceptance of the project.

Dam Location

The site for the proposed Meander Dam lies in the upper reaches of the Meander River Catchment, in ’s central North. The site is approximately 50 km southwest of Launceston.

Figure 1 Location of proposed Meander Dam

iv Executive Summary DRAFT DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal The proposed dam site is to be located at 468342E 5384048N, in a narrow, steep- sided valley between Warners Sugarloaf and Archers Sugarloaf, at approximately 400 m asl, at the foot of the Conservation Area.

The Catchment

The proposed dam will receive waters from the Meander River and a number of tributary creeks and rivulets flowing down from the sides of the Central Plateau. The dam has a catchment area of just under 16000 ha. In addition to the upper Meander River, the catchment waterways include Warners Creek, Sales Rivulet, Huntsman Rivulet and Dunning Rivulet.

Land use and tenure

The nearest centre is the town of Meander, some 4.5 km north of the proposed dam. The area is mainly used for agriculture, primarily cattle grazing, and forestry operations. Forestry operations during the 1980s saw a large percentage of the proposed inundation area clearfelled and subsequently regenerated. Parcels of land to the south of the inundation area are laid out in intensive eucalypt plantations. The dam is unlikely to affect forestry operations in their current form.

Much of the area is State Forest and Public Reserve (approximately 245 ha), with 87 ha of privately owned land to the west of the inundation area. The private land is laid out in pasture for grazing. Six residences are within half a kilometre of the proposed inundation, and of these only two are within 150 m of the likely new shoreline.

Responsibility for the land within the inundation area rests with four bodies. State Forest is managed by Forestry Tasmania, Public Reserve is under Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, and the private land is owned by the Rivers and Water Supply Commission and .

Site and public access There are two tracks that may be upgraded to form suitable access to the proposed dam site.

DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal DRAFT Executive Summary v Figure 2: Tracks within the inundation zone.

One track leads in from Warners Road, which enters the study area from the Jackeys Marsh vicinity. This track was originally well formed and gravelled but much of the track is now substantially overgrown and in need of maintenance. The track is likely to date from the clearfelling undertaken on the site during the 1980s. Close to the proposed site of the dam wall, the benching has suffered some erosion but is largely intact.

The second track extends from an access spur from Huntsman Road, entering the study area from the Meander township area. This track is in almost identical condition to the track entering from Warners Road, but also has two small bridges across creeks, both of which are currently in a very dilapidated condition.

vi Executive Summary DRAFT DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal The filling of the dam will have an effect on two major access roads- Huntsman Road and Bessels Road. Huntsman Road is the sole access road to a number of private dwellings and is also sole access for tourists wishing to visit the popular Meander Falls area. Bessels Road is less travelled, being used for access to the forestry operations in the hills to the south of the inundation area and as access to the Meander River itself for recreational purposes. Provisions will be made to maintain vehicle access for these roads through realignment to above the inundation zone of the dam.

Meteorology

The wettest months in the Meander Catchment are July and August. The driest months are January and February, both of which also display the highest rates of daily mean evaporation.

The average per annum rainfall for the catchment area is over 1 000 mm. This rainfall is irregularly distributed across the catchment, with higher altitude areas receiving more rain.

Physical characteristics

The region is underlain by Permian carbonate and silicaceous sedimentary rocks and Jurassic dolerite and tertiary block faulting has occurred. Further erosion, glaciation and transportation has resulted in blankets of talus and other colluvial material overlying in situ dolerite.

The Meander Catchment is generally made up of low altitude gently undulating hills and river flats given over to extensive agriculture. At the southernmost upstream reach of the catchment, the hills and valleys rise sharply from an average valley floor altitude of 250 m above sea level (asl) to meet the edge of the Central Plateau at over 1 000 m asl. The proposed impoundment is to be located in this transitional region, nestled in a flat-floored valley some 5 km from the northern edge of the Central Plateau.

There is a history of landslip activity upstream of the location of the proposed dam wall, particularly in the steep and largely unconsolidated slopes along the edge of the Great Western Tiers. As the landslips are caused by natural phenomena, it is likely that landslips of similar size will occur in the future.

DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal DRAFT Executive Summary vii Biological characteristics

The vegetation of the inundation area is a mix of disturbed and undisturbed dry sclerophyll, montane and riparian vegetation, with improved pasturelands in the western portion near Huntsman Rivulet. There are seven distinct forest and woodland communities within or close by the proposed inundation zone:

! Eucalyptus amygdalina forest on dolerite;

! Eucalyptus delegatensis wet forest;

! tall rainforest;

! riparian vegetation ;

! regenerating cleared land;

! improved pasture; and

! plantation.

These communities have been reported as being well represented within the state and reserve system, however the proximity of different communities due to environmental gradients does make the gorge area significant at a local level. There are several sites within the inundation zone which have been rated as being “good” fauna habitat areas. These include:

! the acacia/eucalypt mixed woodland in the south west corner of the site;

! the unlogged forest block in the centre west of the site;

! the area along the site’s northern boundary; and

! an area located immediately adjacent to the northern boundary, which is considered to be of particularly high quality forest.

Numerous indications of fauna activity, such as diggings and carcasses, were found in the area. For a full description of fauna in the project area, see Chapter 7.

viii Executive Summary DRAFT DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal Cultural heritage

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Sites Index (TASI) indicated 19 previously recorded sites within the search area (a 4 km square transect around the proposed inundation zone), 5 of which will be inundated.

Previous archaeological studies within the proposed inundation area have identified European historic sites. These include Huntsman Mill, which was built in 1918, and comprises the remains of the mill, a large sawdust heap and a steam engine, and another timber processing facility, featuring an old steam engine and nearby brick and sandstone foundations of a small building.

Development Proposal

Storage capacity

The chosen full supply volume of 43,000ML (full supply level RL 402m, surface area of approximately 362 hectares) was derived from an evaluation of the imbalance between the natural inflow and the requirements for irrigation (present and future) and environmental releases. The capacity is essentially a compromise between the risk of falling short of demand in dry years and the cost of a higher dam.

Water use

Of the average annual catchment yield of 189,000 ML, the dam is required to deliver, over the year, about 1,750 ML for existing water rights, 24,000 ML for projected additional irrigation demand (determined from a farmer survey), 60,000 ML for environmental flows and 1,050ML for municipal water supply.

Dam details Details of the dam are outlined in Table 1.

DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal DRAFT Executive Summary ix Table 1 Details of dam construction

Characteristic Details

CATCHMENT AREA: 159 km2

DAM TYPE: Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC)

HEIGHT: 48m approximately

CREST LENGTH: 170m

VOLUME OF DAM: 64000 m3

CREST LEVEL: S.L. 406.5m plus a 1.2m high crest wall

FULL SUPPLY LEVEL: S.L. 402.0m

DESIGN FLOOD LEVEL: S.L. 407.1m

FREEBOARD ABOVE DFL: 0.6m

GROSS RESERVOIR CAPACITY: 43000 ML

EFFECTIVE STORAGE CAPACITY: 41000 ML

TYPE OF SPILLWAY: Centrally located conventional spillway 28m wide with 4 Flowgate spillway gates which only operate at floods in excess of 1:400 AEP.

SPILLWAY CREST LEVEL: Concrete sill: S.L. 398.5m Top of gates: S.L. 402.0m

SPILLWAY CAPACITY: 1500 m3/s

TYPE OF OUTLET WORKS: Multilevel offtake built into the dam body with five intake valves and an emergency dewatering valve. A cone dispersion valve for irrigation releases.

A riparian flow valve.

PERIOD OF CONSTRUCTION: 18 months of site works

PERIOD OF INITIAL FILLING: August of second year.

Water Quality

Most previous water quality monitoring in the Meander Catchment has concentrated on the lower reaches of the Meander River, particularly in the vicinity of Deloraine. Water from above Warners Creek is of good, potable quality requiring only disinfection to meet drinking water guidelines. However, the quality

x Executive Summary DRAFT DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal of the water steadily declines further downstream, as catchment and riparian activities impact on water quality.

During studies undertaken as part of the environmental feasibility studies, water quality monitoring was carried out at the location of the proposed dam. Samples were collected approximately fortnightly over a 3 month period, and covered a wide range of flows. The results confirmed earlier studies showing the pristine nature of the water in this area, with very low suspended solids, turbidity and nutrient concentrations. As a result, nutrient loads entering the proposed dam are likely to be quite low and this, along with the high volume of water passing through the dam, makes algal blooms in the storage unlikely.

A number of potential issues were identified:

! the possibility of future landslips in the catchment upstream, which clearly have the capability of delivering massive loads of sediment to the dam during extreme rainfall events, leading to potential deterioration in water quality in the storage. The sediment trapping capacity of the dam will, however, have potential water quality benefits downstream of the wall during such events;

! the development of stratification in the deeper sections of the storage (near the dam wall), which will lead to the development of anoxia and the subsequent release of low oxygen/low temperature water and from the dam. These impacts will be avoided by the multi-level design of the offtake structure; and

! a potentially high organic carbon load as a result of the inundation of vegetative material at the site. This will be avoided by removing the bulk of the vegetation and all of the Hunstmans Mill sawdust heap prior to inundation.

Flora

The vegetation of the Meander Catchment is very diverse, with over half of the described vascular plants in Tasmanian represented, and with a large proportion of these being endemic. A botanical survey of the vegetation within the proposed area of inundation was performed in October 2001. This survey included preliminary desktop studies followed by a field investigation of the natural vegetation within the

DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal DRAFT Executive Summary xi potentially affected area. Seven distinct communities were identified at the site (six terrestrial communities and the riparian community), with regrowth vegetation occupying much of the area due to extensive clearing in the past.

A number of potential issues were identified during these surveys:

! a threatened plant species, Epacris aff. exserta (Union Bridge), listed under State and Commonwealth legislation will be inundated. It is possible that downstream stands of the species may also be impacted upon by altered flow regimes given its riparian habitat. The extent, nature and mitigation measures will be studied in the project outlined in the Hydrology and Flow Regulation section. However, as 83% of the known Epacris aff. exserta (Union Bridge) plants are either in the inundation area and construction site or downstream of the dam site there is potential for impact on this species.

! a stand of Pomaderris phylicifolia subsp. phylicifolia (classified as rare under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995) was found during field surveys and will be inundated by the project. No other recorded occurrences of this species were indicated in the Meander Catchment by the database searches, though field surveys did not extend beyond the immediate boundaries of the dam site.

! Podocarpus lawrencei was found within the inundation area during the surveys. This species is considered significant due to its presence outside its expected range. P. lawrencei is normally associated with subalpine shrubberies and not generally expected at such a low altitude location. The species was found on the east bank on the Meander River, approximately 50 to 75 m upstream from the proposed dam wall location.

! the project may result in a reduction in the riverine transport of plant propagules.

A number of avoidance and mitigation strategies are available for the impacts of inundation on these species, and a commitment to the ongoing monitoring and preservation of the remaining stands of these species in the area may offset the loss. The proponent will consult with DPIWE to develop an ongoing management strategy that includes facilitating the movement of plant propagules through the site. Mitigation strategies may include planting these species on Rivers and Water Supply Commission land and the manual spreading of propagules.

xii Executive Summary DRAFT DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal As species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 will be inundated by the project, the proponent will refer the matter to the Commonwealth Environment Minister for determination.

Fauna

A number of species of conservation significance that may potentially have occurred at the site were identified from database searches. Of these, only two species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 were observed to occur within the proposed dam site:

! spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyuris maculatus) (listed on EPBC Act); and

! eastern barred bandicoot (Parameles gunnii) (listed on EPBC Act).

A species not listed on the EPBC Act or on the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995, but considered of conservation significance is the eastern quoll (Dasyuris viverinnus) which is also present at the site.

Of the species listed, field data indicate that the spotted-tailed quoll is the species most likely to be impacted upon by the project. It was concluded that the impact on the spotted-tailed quoll populations would be of significance at the local, regional and state levels, with potential for impacts of national conservation significance.

Although the species is not easily re-locatable, a number of potential avoidance or mitigation strategies will be explored. As this species and the eastern barred bandicoot are listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the proponent will refer the matter to the Commonwealth Environment Minister for determination.

Fish Passage

Field surveys have indicated that there are no impediments to fish passage within the area to be inundated by the dam, hence there is no potential for the spread of exotic fish species by the inundation of barriers. There are three made-made barriers to fish passage below the proposed dam site:

DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal DRAFT Executive Summary xiii ! Trevallyn dam has been retro-fitted with an elver ladder to facilitate annual eel migration;

! an existing weir at Deloraine, which presently has no proper facilities for fish passage. This structure does, however, have a flatter section that may allow the passage of fish under some conditions; and

! a small weir at Westbury that may prevent passage of some less mobile species.

Surveys have indicated that the only fish species whose ecology is likely to be impacted upon by the project is the short-finned eel (Anguilla australis). The proponent will develop a program in consultation with the Inland Fisheries Service to facilitate passage of this species

Hydrology and Flow Regulation

Stream flow is variable in the catchment on both an annual and a seasonal basis. Flows are dependent on seasonal rainfall patterns and display generally natural characteristics. This reflects the present absence of any major storages within the catchment. However this seasonal pattern of flows is itself subject to cyclic variation due to the effects of the El Nino and La Nina phenomena that influence the hydrological regime of many waterways throughout Eastern Australia.

The proposed dam would be fed by the headwaters of the Meander River, Huntsman’s Rivulet, Warner’s Creek, Sales Rivulet and Dunning Rivulet. The flow in these waterways is driven by the natural catchment hydrology. Downstream of the Meander township natural flows are modified by abstractive use, flow redirection, erosion and by hydrological changes.

There are currently no major storages in the Meander Catchment. The total number of permitted in the entire Meander Catchment as at 8 October 2001 was 560 (wims.dpiwe.tas.gov.au), ranging up to a maximum capacity of 3 400 ML. The total storage capacity of the permitted dams in the Meander Catchment at 8 October 2001 was 23 432 ML.

A key issue in the catchment is the stress placed on the Meander river by irrigation, which results in significantly reduced flows in the lower Meander River during the

xiv Executive Summary DRAFT DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal irrigation season with resultant ecological stress. Previous studies have identified the flow requirements of these lower reaches.

Habitat based assessments of environmental flow requirements for the river reach between Warners and Leiths Creeks have been performed during preparation of this document. Minimum monthly environmental flow releases have been calculated, providing seasonal flow variation. The maintenance of flows at the levels determined by these studies will result in only moderate risk to brown trout populations during a short period each year and a ‘no risk’ scenario for all other aquatic species within the reach.

The catchment wide effects of flow regulation on downstream geomorphology, riparian vegetation and the environmental flow are unclear at this stage. A catchment wide flow modelling study is underway and will encompass:

! Catchment wide environmental flows and how they will interact with irrigation and mini hydro flows,

! Fluvial geomorphology flow requirements,

! Riparian flow requirements, particularly as it relates to Epacris aff. exserta (Union Bridge),

! A linking of these aspects to the draft Water Management Plan and in including the irrigation flows,

! A flow regime and dam management approach that will implement the other aspects.

The methodology for this study will be agreed with DPIWE and independent experts. The results of the study, including a proposed flow regime will be made available to the Board of EMPC prior to their final assessment of the proposal.

Geology and Geomorphology

The region is underlain by Permian carbonate and silicaceous sedimentary rocks and Jurassic dolerite. Tertiary block faulting has occurred leading to large block talus and tilted block zones. Further erosion, glaciation and transportation have resulted in blankets of talus and other colluvial material overlying in situ dolerite.

DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal DRAFT Executive Summary xv There are no known areas of karst within the vicinity of the dam site or inundation zone, although calcareous interbeds have been identified in the Huntsman Saddle area.

The main dam site is underlain by very strong dark grey dolerite. This is commonly seen at the surface in the foundation area where it forms cliffs, turrets and broad planar surfaces amongst a discontinuous cover of large blocks and remnant mantle of smaller angular colluvial debris. Coarse unconsolidated quaternary glaciofluvial and fluvial sediments containing boulders and cobbles dominate the riverbed and central area of the inundation zone. Immediately downstream of the dam site there is less outcrop and the surface is mantled with block deposits. Further downstream the terrain changes abruptly from steep rough ground to broad, relatively flat tributary valleys either side of the river.

Huntsman Saddle lies below the base of an old landslide to the east and Permian strata including possibly some cavernous limestone to the west. Elongated zones of seepage have been observed on the western side of the saddle where the geology comprises Permian siltstone and sandstone of the Poatina Group. The saddle represents a potential location for seepage loss from the dam storage area. The sedimentary deposits of this sequence can be divided into two zones. The upper zone varies in thickness between 25 m and 40 m and consists of calcareous beds and occasionally cavernous limestone.

Issues associated with the regional geology and geomorphology include:

! the effect of landslips in the upper catchment on the ecology, water quality and life expectancy of the storage. It is important to note that these landslips are a symptom of the geological activity of the area and can be expected to occur on a sporadic basis. The proposed dam may have beneficial impacts on downstream water quality by trapping and retaining sediments when landslips occur;

! the impact of the project on karst areas. No karst areas have been found to exist within the area to be inundated, hence direct impacts are not expected. The proponent will take every reasonable precaution to ensure that Karst areas are not impacted upon by infrastructure associated with the irrigation scheme or irrigation activities. This will include the use of pipes to convey water, rather than open channels; and

xvi Executive Summary DRAFT DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal ! no sites of geoheritage value exist within the area to be inundated by the dam.

Aboriginal Heritage

Previous studies identified a number of Aboriginal heritage sites in and around the region to be inundated by the proposed Meander Dam (Kee, 1988; Thomas, 1989). A search of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Sites Index indicated 19 previously recorded sites occurring within the search area (a 4 km square transect around the proposed inundation zone), 5 of which would be inundated. There are no sites of aboriginal cultural significance listed or interim listed on the Register of the National Estate which may be affected by the proposed development.

A survey performed for the purpose of this document found that the existing sites within the inundation area had been significantly degraded by previous land use activities. No new sites were identified. The proponent will continue to consult with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community regarding this issue and will seek to obtain a permit for the concealment of the sites within the inundation area.

Historical Heritage

Two sites within the proposed inundation zone were listed as being of historic heritage value on the Tasmanian Heritage Places Index, both recorded by Kee (1988). On the northern bank of the Meander River, an extensive sawdust heap and a steam engine are the surviving remains of Huntsman Mill (THPI 8214-002). This sawmill was originally built in 1918, and was rebuilt after a fire in 1942. The site was abandoned after a second fire in 1964, and operations were relocated to Meander. A second steam engine and the brick and sandstone ruins of a small building (THPI 8214-003) were located close to Huntsman Rivulet, in a cleared paddock about 1 km northwest of the Huntsman Mill site.

The proponent will seek to obtain the relevant licences and/or permits required under the Historic Cultural Heritage Act 1995 for the inundation of the heritage listed brick and sandstone footings. The proponent will also seek permits allowing an appropriate historical heritage organisation to salvage the steam engines for public display.

DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal DRAFT Executive Summary xvii Transport and Access

As most of the materials used in the construction of the dam (with the exception of cement) will be produced on site, transport of materials and equipment will occur mostly in the early stages of the project and at the completion of construction. This will occur mostly on primary and secondary roads and is not expected to result in an appreciable increase in transport related impacts.

Access to the construction site will be via Warners Road, a Forestry Road. The proponent will upgrade this road to meet the necessary safety and environmental standards.

Reserves

At the time of writing, no areas within the vicinity of the proposed dam site have been:

! reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act (as at 8 February 2001) or the Crown Lands Act for the purposes of protection of natural values;

! declared a RAMSAR wetland or important wetland;

! nominated for protection as a part of the Regional Forest Agreement Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative (CAR) reserve system; or

! protected as a formal forest reserve.

Aesthetic and Visual

The Meander Valley region is characterised by a range of natural areas, rural townships and areas of agricultural production, with only a small proportion attributed to urban town centres. Both the natural and agricultural settings provide particular vistas that contribute to the overall landscape values of the municipality.

The proposed dam would alter the existing scenic qualities of the project area, both during construction and operation, from a limited number of vantage points, including:

xviii Executive Summary DRAFT DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal ! Mother Cummings Peak;

! Projection Bluff;

! Meander Falls Road;

! Huntsman Road;

! Warners Track; and

! Meander Forest Reserve.

Visual impacts associated with construction activities will be short-term (18 months), arising during the construction phase of the project and include activities such as direct construction of the dam wall itself, machinery access and movement, and the visibility of works from public viewing sites and public roads. Most of the construction-related activities would take place within the gorge between Archers and Warners Sugarloafs. Upgrading works on the access roads to the dam site are likely to be conspicuous from some areas.

Due to the general aspect of the land, the construction of the dam wall will not be visible from public open space or private or public recreation areas. Relegating the visual impact of the dam from high altitude areas such as Mother Cummings Peak and Meander Forest Reserve (both bushwalking areas) will be difficult due to the aspect of the land and the distance of the vantage point.

Potential longer-term visual impacts include the effect of the permanent aboveground infrastructure, alteration of local landform and drainage patterns, redistribution of prominent weed species, and removal of some vegetation to improve access. Where visible, the dam’s appearance as a monolithic, lightly coloured, and engineered structure contrasts strongly with the vegetated rough terrain of the natural hills.

In order to minimise the visual impact due to changes in the water levels of the completed dam, the proponent will ensure that all vegetation likely to be submersed is removed prior to inundation (see Chapter 6). Any further visual effects as a result of extended mud flats are a necessary implication of an operating dam and cannot be mitigated. However, these impacts are not considered significant as they will only be visible from a few vantage points.

DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal DRAFT Executive Summary xix Recreational Values

The principal recreational activities associated with the Meander River and tributaries are angling, swimming and passive/aesthetic appreciation. There are several walking trails that climb up from the valley floor to the top of the Western Tiers (eg Mother Cummings Peak track and Split Rock track) and the Meander Picnic Ground is located about 3km upstream of the full supply level of the proposed storage. Some white water sports may currently occur on the river, but the extent of their popularity is unknown.

The dam project is expected to result in the loss of some recreational values, particularly those associated with aesthetic appreciation of the site. Other recreational values, such as the riverine trout and blackfish fisheries and swimming in the Meander River are not expected to be significantly impacted and may actually be improved by environmental flow releases. A number of new recreational opportunities are likely to be created by the development, including a new recreational (lake) fishery, opportunities for boating and the potential for increased white water activities.

Greenhouse and Ozone

Greenhouse emissions during the construction phase will come from diesel fuel generated from the construction machinery and vehicles. The conversion of vehicles to other fuel types that cause less greenhouse gas emissions would be costly and are not commonly used by the construction industry. During the construction phase, the use of vehicles will be minimised and vehicles will be well maintained in order to minimise emissions.

The amount of land to be cleared for the project is 350 hectares. When land is cleared much of the stored carbon is converted back into carbon dioxide. In 1989 the proposed site was cleared in preparation for dam construction, therefore, any clearance for this proposal will not involve clearance of old growth forest. The

increase in atmospheric CO2 as a result of the project can be offset against an increase in plant production through increased irrigation in the region.

The Tasmanian Greenhouse Statement (1999) estimated that agricultural activity accounts for 30% of the State’s 1995 greenhouse gas emissions. There could be an

xx Executive Summary DRAFT DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal increase in emissions as a result of increased livestock numbers if the number of dairy operations increase.

The Meander Dam supports the National Greenhouse Strategy’s adaptation strategies for climate change. The proposal will assist the region to cope better with climate change and the effect of increased climate variability in the region. The Meander Dam will make water available for sustainable agriculture and will mitigate the effects of climatic variations such as the timing and quantity of rain

Social and Economic

The Meander Dam project will deliver both direct and indirect benefits to the local community and to Tasmania. Direct benefits include:

! the creation of temporary employment directly or indirectly associated with construction activities;

! increased availability and surety of irrigation supply is expected to result in a boost to the local agricultural sector;

! creation of permanent employment on farms;

! the installation of a mini-hydro generator, increasing Tasmania’s renewable power generation potential;

! the provision of environmental flows without the need to reduce irrigation; and

! new recreational opportunities as a result of the storage.

Indirect benefits of the project include:

! a more robust agricultural sector due to the increased production and value- added opportunities provided via irrigation;

! indirect and local benefits of increased employment;

! security of town water supplies and a seasonal improvement in water quality;

! potential flood mitigation; and

DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal DRAFT Executive Summary xxi ! prospects for additional employment in the service industries associated with agriculture.

Disbenefits of the project may include:

! the impacts of short-term water quality decline during construction and commissioning on potable supplies and recreational users;

! short-term issues associated with the movement of heavy vehicles and plant into and out of the site; and

! the loss of flora and fauna habitat within the inundation area.

Public Health

The key issues with regard to public health are:

! the impacts of the project of water for domestic supplies. The availability of water for this purpose is assured, and town supplies will be given high priority. Short-term increases in turbidity may result from the dam construction works, though this impact will be minimised by the implementation of best practice techniques at the construction site.

! the impacts of upstream landuse and recreational activities on water quality in the storage will be addressed through the development and implementation of guidelines for recreational use. Upstream forestry practices are required to comply with the Regional Forest Agreement best practice for forestry, hence protecting water quality and public health.

Waste and Hazardous Materials

Control of hazardous materials will aim to minimise the quantities used and to use those with least potential risk.

Liquid fuels such as diesel and petrol, lubricating and hydraulic oils, and coolants will be used with most construction machinery, power generators and general vehicles. Where possible, construction vehicles will be refuelled and maintained off site. Some temporary storage of these chemicals may be necessary on site. These activities may result in spillage to, and subsequent contamination of, land or water and increased fire risk.

xxii Executive Summary DRAFT DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal Compliance with the appropriate Australian Standard for storage of the material. Storage and handling of fuels and lubricants will comply with AS 1940-1993. In addition, storage areas will be located away from operating areas, drainage routes and waterways and transport of hazardous materials will be in compliance with appropriate legislation (see Chapter 20). Minor quantities of other chemicals such as concrete additives may be used on site and, while generally non hazardous, will require handling in a similar manner as more hazardous materials. Where there are no alternatives to the use of hazardous materials, management procedures and emergency response plans will be developed to control risk to the environment from these materials. In general, the measures outlined in the Quarry Code of Practice (DPIWE 1999) shall be adopted.

Explosives will be used to excavate and provide broken rock for the dam wall construction. It is expected that these will be of the ANFO type with the constituents (ammonium nitrate and fuel oil – diesel) stored separately and mixed as required. Storage will be in accordance with the required standards. The main impact due to explosives arises from blasting effects rather than the materials themselves. These include impacts to sensitive fauna, noise disturbance to communities near the route, and possible damage to buildings and infrastructure from vibration and debris. These are discussed in the relevant chapters.

Explosives present a major safety hazard to the workforce and general public if not transported, stored and handled carefully. Transport, storage, and handling of explosives will be compliant with relevant legislation and Codes. Only appropriately trained and licensed operators will handle explosives, in compliance with the legislation. On site storage of explosives will be in licensed magazines, and in compliance with AS 2187.1 1998. Magazines will be secured (i.e. under lock and key) and stored away from direct heat and ignition sources. Liaison with landowners and communities near the site will be maintained so that they are made aware of any blasting requirements in their areas.

Maintenance and Operation

Ongoing operations fall broadly into two categories:

! day-to-day flow monitoring and discharge control. It is assumed that the daily regulation of outflows will be performed remotely, but in view of varying demand and weather conditions, as well as seasonal environmental requirements, this control cannot be pre-programmed and automated; and

! routine environmental management with regards environmental flows, water quality, flora and fauna.

DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal DRAFT Executive Summary xxiii Dam maintenance activities fall into two broad categories:

! routine maintenance and repairs consisting of frequent checks on the correct operation of valves and inspections of the intake trashracks for accumulated debris. The choice of concrete as the main material renders the dam virtually maintenance-free, but there will be occasional repairs to walkways, galleries, valves, etc and very infrequent painting of the spillway gates (approximately every 15 to 20 years). The access roads will be unsealed, and will require occasional cleaning of culverts and trimming of vegetation. The proposed type of spillway gates cannot be tested, however, thorough annual inspections will ensure that the mechanisms will function as designed.

! safety inspections will be performed according to the ANCOLD guidelines on dam safety management at a twice-weekly frequency for checks by maintenance staff, yearly for inspections by dam engineers, and five-yearly for comprehensive safety reviews. Work associated with these inspections would include monitoring and review of piezometer readings and annual deformation surveys. Possible additional studies might arise from exceptional floods or earth tremors.

In the event of significant repair works outside of normal maintenance programs, the proponent will prepare an environmental management plan for the works in consultation with DPIWE.

Mitigation and Monitoring Summary

A full list of commitments regarding the mitigation and monitoring during all phases of the project is provided in the full DPEMP document.

Reporting

Reporting on the conformance of the project against the identified performance requirements will take three forms:

! ongoing annual reports including discussion relating to the performance of the project against commitments and performance requirements, an outline of the activities proposed before the next report, details of stakeholder consultation and a summary of mitigation commitment implementation.

xxiv Executive Summary DRAFT DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal ! bi-monthly reports during the preconstruction, construction and commissioning stages of the project. These will describe progress since the previous report, data collected under the monitoring program performance of the project against commitments and performance requirements, an outline of the activities proposed before the next report, details of stakeholder consultation and a summary of the progress and/or status of mitigation commitment implementation.

! unscheduled reports to DPIWE outlining any failure to meet performance requirements should this occur. The reports will detail the reasons for and nature of the non conformance, extent of impacts, measures taken to remediate impacts and measures taken to prevent re-occurrence.

Review Process

Where it is identified that an avoidance or mitigation strategy fails to meet performance requirements that strategy will be immediately reviewed. Where a deviation from the activities outlined in this document is required, DPIWE will immediately be consulted.

During the preconstruction, construction and commissioning phases of the project, a complete review of all mitigation commitments will be performed on a bi-annual basis.

During the operation and maintenance phases of the project, the avoidance and mitigation commitments outlined in this document will be completely reviewed after the first 12 months of normal operation and every three years thereafter.

Conclusions

The project will allow the sustainable expansion of agricultural productivity in the Meander Valley, whilst protecting PEV’s associated with environmental flows and water quality in the Meander Valley.

The key environmental issues associated with the proposed Meander Dam development are:

! the inundation of Epacris aff. exserta (Union Bridge);

DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal DRAFT Executive Summary xxv ! impacts on local spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) and eastern barred bandicoot populations.

! significant potential for impacts on the fluvial geomorphology and catchment flow regimes below the dam wall;

! potential impacts of cold water release from a stratified storage

! the potential for up-stream landslip events to impact on the ecology and water quality of the storage;

! inundation of sites considered by the Tasmanian Aboriginal community to be of heritage value; and

! impacts on the aesthetic amenity of the area.

xxvi Executive Summary DRAFT DPEMP - Meander Dam Proposal