Metro Mining Appendix H2 - Metro Mining Community and Metro Mining Metro Mining Social Responsibility Policy Chapter 5 - Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology Bauxite Hills Project Environmental Impact Statement
Environmental Impact Statement
Table of Contents
5 Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology ...... 5-1 5.1 Project Overview ...... 5-1 5.2 Regulatory Framework ...... 5-1 5.2.1 Commonwealth ...... 5-2 5.2.2 State ...... 5-2 5.3 Objectives and Performance Outcomes ...... 5-8 5.3.1 Protection Objectives...... 5-8 5.3.2 Performance Outcomes ...... 5-8 5.4 Assessment Method ...... 5-8 5.4.1 Nomenclature...... 5-8 5.4.2 Desktop Assessment ...... 5-9 5.4.3 Vegetation and Terrestrial Flora Assessment ...... 5-10 5.4.4 Terrestrial Fauna Assessment ...... 5-14 5.4.5 Freshwater Ecology Assessment ...... 5-19 5.5 Desktop Assessment Results ...... 5-21 5.5.1 Project Area Context ...... 5-21 5.5.2 Habitat Connectivity ...... 5-22 5.5.3 Environmentally Sensitive Areas ...... 5-23 5.5.4 Regional Ecosystem Mapping ...... 5-27 5.6 Existing Environmental Values – Field Survey Results ...... 5-28 5.6.1 Terrestrial Flora ...... 5-28 5.6.2 Terrestrial Fauna Values ...... 5-36 5.6.3 Aquatic Ecological Values ...... 5-54 5.7 Potential Impacts ...... 5-63 5.7.1 Direct Impacts – Terrestrial Ecology ...... 5-63 5.8 Cumulative Impacts ...... 5-75 5.8.1 Cumulative Impact Assessment ...... 5-77 5.9 Management and Mitigation Measures ...... 5-80 5.9.1 Management of Direct Impacts ...... 5-80 5.9.2 Management of Indirect Impacts ...... 5-85 5.9.3 Matters of State Environmental Significance and Matters of National Environmental Significance ...... 5-87 5.9.4 Summary ...... 5-95 5.10 Offsets ...... 5-96 5.10.1 Objectives ...... 5-96 5.10.2 EPBC Act Environmental Offsets Policy ...... 5-97 5.10.3 Environmental Offsets Act 2014 ...... 5-97 5.10.4 Significant Impact Assessments ...... 5-99 5.10.5 Offset Delivery Evaluation ...... 5-101 5.10.6 EPBC Act Offset Requirements ...... 5-103 5.10.7 Queensland Offset Requirements ...... 5-103 5.10.8 Next Steps ...... 5-106 5.11 Qualitative Risk Assessment ...... 5-107 5.12 Summary...... 5-109 5.13 Commitments ...... 5-111 5.14 ToR Cross-reference ...... 5-112
i Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
List of Figures
Figure 5-1 Project area location, protected areas and Strategic Environmental Areas ...... 5-7 Figure 5-2 Terrestrial vegetation and flora survey sites ...... 5-13 Figure 5-3 Terrestrial fauna and aquatic ecology survey sites ...... 5-18 Figure 5-4 Wetlands ...... 5-24 Figure 5-5 BPA mapping - corridors ...... 5-25 Figure 5-6 Environmentally Sensitive Areas mapping...... 5-26 Figure 5-7 Revised Project area RE mapping ...... 5-32 Figure 5-8 Groundwater dependent-ecosystems in the Project area ...... 5-59 Figure 5-9 Expected vegetation clearing ...... 5-67 Figure 5-10 Significant development projects surrounding the Project area ...... 5-76 Figure 5-11 Waterway stream order and riparian buffer zones ...... 5-86
List of Tables
Table 5-1 Fauna survey site locations and dominant vegetation ...... 5-14 Table 5-2 Fauna trapping methods ...... 5-15 Table 5-3 Total survey effort (trap nights) for Bauxite Hills Project and SRBP fauna ecology surveys ...... 5-17 Table 5-4 Aquatic ecology assessment indicators ...... 5-19 Table 5-5 Aquatic ecology site assessment descriptions ...... 5-20 Table 5-6 Current certified mapped REs of the Project area ...... 5-27 Table 5-7 Project vegetation community descriptions ...... 5-30 Table 5-8 Potential for listed flora species to occur within the study area ...... 5-33 Table 5-9 Likelihood of occurrence of conservation significant and migratory fauna ...... 5-39 Table 5-10 In situ surface water sampling results (Feb 2015) ...... 5-61 Table 5-11 Projected clearing of remnant vegetation ...... 5-64 Table 5-12 Total clearing of remnant vegetation (DNRM, 2015) ...... 5-65 Table 5-13 Project MSES ...... 5-87 Table 5-14 MSES significant impact criteria: Beach Stone-curlew and Estuarine Crocodile...... 5-88 Table 5-15 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid...... 5-90 Table 5-16 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Black-footed Tree-rat ...... 5-92 Table 5-17 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Palm Cockatoo ...... 5-94 Table 5-18 Impacts to MSES as a result of clearing ...... 5-100 Table 5-19 Potential offset actions ...... 5-104 Table 5-20 Qualitative risk assessment - terrestrial and freshwater ecology ...... 5-107 Table 5-21 Commitments – terrestrial and aquatic ecology ...... 5-111 Table 5-22 ToR cross-reference – flora and fauna ...... 5-112
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5 Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
This chapter identifies and describes the existing terrestrial flora and fauna values within and surrounding the Bauxite Hills Project (the Project) area. Potential impacts on terrestrial ecological values are identified, management measures have been identified and a qualitative impact assessment has been undertaken. The full terrestrial ecology assessment, conducted by Amec Foster Wheeler, is provided in Appendix B1 and should be read in conjunction with this chapter. 5.1 Project Overview
Aldoga Minerals Pty Ltd (Aldoga), a 100% owned subsidiary of Metro Mining Limited (Metro Mining), proposes to develop the Project located on a greenfield site on the western coastline of Cape York, Queensland, approximately 35 kilometres (km) northeast of Mapoon. The Project will include an open cut operation, haul roads, Barge Loading Facility (BLF), Roll on/Roll off (RoRo) facility, transhipping and will produce and transport up to 5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of ore over approximately 12 years. The mine will not be operational during the wet season.
The Project is characterised by several shallow open cut pits that will be connected via internal haul roads. The internal haul roads will be connected to a main north-south haul road that will link with the Mine Infrastructure Area (MIA), BLF and RoRo facility located to the north of the pits on the Skardon River. Bauxite will be screened in-pit and then hauled to the product stockpile using road train trucks.
Bauxite from the Project is suitable as a Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) product (i.e. ore is extracted and loaded directly to ships with no washing or tailings dams required). Bauxite will be transported by barge via the Skardon River to the transhipment site, approximately 12 km offshore, and loaded into ocean going vessels (OGVs) and shipped to customers. No dredging or bed-levelling for transhipping is proposed as part of this Project.
OGVs of between 50,000 to 120,000 tonne (t) each will be loaded at the transhipment anchorage site. Vessels will be loaded and bauxite will be transported to OGVs 24 hours per day with barges having an initial capacity of approximately 3,000 t to meet early production volumes, increasing up to 7,000 t as the Project reaches a maximum production volume of 5 Mtpa.
The construction of the mine is due to commence in April 2017 and is expected to take seven months to complete. The first shipment of bauxite is planned for October 2017. The Project will be 100% fly-in fly-out (FIFO) due to its remote location. The Project will operate over two 12 hour shifts per day for approximately eight months of the year and is expected to employ up to 254 employees during peak operations. In addition to the workforce, it is expected that the Project will result in the employment of additional workers through local and regional businesses servicing the accommodation camp and the construction and operation of the mine. 5.2 Regulatory Framework
This section provides an overview of the statutory framework relevant to the identification and management of terrestrial ecological values within the Project area.
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5.2.1 Commonwealth
Commonwealth legislation and policy relevant to the terrestrial ecology values of the Project area include:
. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act); and
. EPBC Act Environmental Offsets Policy 2012 (EPBC Offsets Policy).
5.2.1.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
The EPBC Act regulates activities that may have an impact upon Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES). The Project has the potential to impact upon MNES including listed threatened species, communities and migratory birds and, therefore has been designated as a Controlled Action under the Act. This chapter does not assess the potential impacts on MNES as prescribed under the EPBC Act. As per the Project Terms of Reference (ToR) impacts to MNES are described separately in Chapter 7 within this EIS.
5.2.1.2 EPBC Act Environmental Offsets Policy 2012
The EPBC Offsets Policy outlines the position of the Commonwealth Government with respect to the use of environmental offsets under the EPBC Act.
Offsets will only apply to projects that are determined a controlled action, and that have a ‘significant’ impact on a MNES (as defined in the Significant Impact Guidelines Version 1.1, 2013). Offsets are required to compensate for any residual significant impact to a MNES such as vegetation clearing. The policy sets out principles for the provision of offsets to compensate for impacts on MNES.
The information provided in this section sets out the MNES that are known to occur, or likely to occur, within the Project area and how impacts on MNES can be avoided or minimised, and any proposed mitigation strategies. However, impacts to MNES are assessed under the Significant Impact Guidelines in Chapter 7 – MNES within this EIS.
5.2.2 State
5.2.2.1 Environmental Protection Act 1994
The Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) has a broad objective of achieving sustainable development within Queensland. The subordinate EP Regulation defines Category A and Category B environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs). Category A ESAs include national parks, marine parks, the Great Barrier Reef region and the wet tropics area. Category B ESAs include some classes of protected areas, endangered regional ecosystem (RE) types, declared fish habitat areas and areas subject to international conventions.
5.2.2.2 Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009
The EP Act also regulates wetlands in wetland management areas under the subordinate environmental protection policy (EPPs) including the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009 (EPP (Water)). The EPP (Water) establishes a process for identifying EVs to be protected and states standards for water quality in support of those values.
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The EPP (Water) provides a framework for:
. Identifying EVs and management goals for Queensland waters;
. Stating water quality guidelines and objectives (WQOs) to protect or enhance the EVs;
. Providing a framework for making consistent, equitable and informed decisions about Queensland waters; and
. Monitoring and reporting on the condition of Queensland waters.
Section 7 of the EPP (Water) specifies the hierarchy of guidelines that are used, to identify water quality objectives in aquatic habitats. The hierarchy (in the order of use) of water quality guidelines for the Project are:
. Queensland Water Quality Guidelines (QWQG) (EHP, 2009); and
. Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) and Agriculture and Resources Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (ARMCANZ) Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality 2000 (herein referred to as the ANZECC guidelines).
5.2.2.3 Nature Conservation Act 1992
The Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) provides for the protection and management of native wildlife and habitat that support native species with particular regard to:
. The clearing of plants protected under the NC Act;
. A clearing permit or an exemption under the NC Act;
. Activities that may cause disturbance (tamper, damage, destroy, mark, move or dig up) to animal breeding places; and
. The taking of fauna.
Subordinate legislation lists protected species and areas to which the regulatory provisions of the NC Act apply including:
. Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006: this Regulation lists terrestrial and aquatic plant and animal species presumed extinct, endangered, vulnerable, rare, common, international or prohibited. It recommends management objectives for the protection and maintenance of these species in Queensland, as appropriate; and
. Nature Conservation (Protected Plants) Conservation Plan 2000: this Plan provides protection and management of native flora.
5.2.2.4 Vegetation Management Act 1999
The Vegetation Management Act (VM Act) establishes Queensland’s vegetation management framework and classifies remnant vegetation in Queensland as endangered, of concern, or least concern REs. REs are vegetation communities that are consistently associated with a combination of geology, land-form and soil in a bioregion. Descriptions of an RE from the Regional Ecosystem Description Database (Queensland Herbarium, 2015) and classifications assigned under the VM Act have been used as the basis for assessment of remnant vegetation communities in the Project area.
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It should be noted; however, that mining activities approved by the grant of an environmental authority (EA) under the EP Act prior to 2014 are exempt from vegetation clearing regulations under the VM Act and Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (SP Act).
5.2.2.5 Fisheries Act 1994
The main purpose of the Fisheries Act 1994 is to provide for the use, conservation and enhancement of the fish resources and habitats as a way to apply and promote the principles of ecologically sustainable development. It regulates the taking and possession of specific fish, removal of marine vegetation, the control of development in areas of fish habitat and lists noxious fish species. An approval is likely to be required to remove mangroves for the construction of the barge loading facility under this Act.
5.2.2.6 Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
The Land Protection Act provides for the declaration of Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 pest plant and animal species. Under Section 77 of the Land Protection Act, a landowner must take reasonable steps to keep land under their control free of Class 1 and Class 2 pests. The definition of landowner under the Land Protection Act includes the lessee for a mining lease granted under the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (MR Act).
Under the Land Protection Act it is an offence to introduce, keep or supply a declared pest, feed a declared pest animal, or take a declared pest for commercial use. It is also an offence to:
. Supply anything containing reproductive material of a Class 1 or Class 2 pest prescribed under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Regulation 2003; and
. Transport a vehicle or thing containing soil or other organic material, which contains the reproductive material of a declared pest plant.
Refer to Chapter 8 – Biosecurity for further information on the introduction of pests and the existing pests.
5.2.2.7 Environmental Offset Act 2014
The Environmental Offsets Act 2014 (EO Act), Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014 and the Queensland Government Environmental Offsets Policy provides a streamlined framework for environmental offset requirements. Offsets are required where there is an unavoidable impact on significant EVs. In addition, an environmental offset can only be required if impacts from a prescribed activity constitute a significant residual impact as identified through the following guidelines:
. The State guideline that provides guidance on what constitutes a significant residual impact for Matters of State Environmental Significance (MSES);
. The Commonwealth Significant Impact Guidelines for what constitutes a significant residual impact on MNES; and
. Any relevant local government significant impact guideline for Matters of Local Environmental Significance (MLES).
To avoid duplication with offsets required under the EPBC Act, the policy provides that the administering agency must consider other relevant offset conditions which for the same or
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substantially the same prescribed impact. If duplicating conditions are imposed it allows Metro Mining to remove the duplication.
5.2.2.8 Cape York Regional Plan
The Cape York Regional Plan was made publically available in 2015 and aims to facilitate appropriate economic development in the region by identifying strategic land use classifications to manage economic and environmental state interests.
The plan identifies and interprets the state’s interests in land use planning and development, as described in the State Planning Policy 2014, for the Cape York region. The plan achieves this through evaluating and balancing competing state interests in a regional context. It provides more detailed regional guidance for some state interests to ensure they are addressed in a coordinated fashion across the region within local government planning schemes.
The plan achieves this purpose through a combination of:
. Regional policies;
. Regional land use categories;
. Regional interest mapping; and
. Supporting information about other matters relevant to land use planning in the region.
The key drivers for preparing the plan are the Queensland Government’s intentions to:
. Improve and grow the region’s economic development and diversity;
. Balance economic development with the protection of areas with important natural and cultural values;
. Replace the land use aspects of the Wenlock Basin, Archer Basin, Stewart Basin, and Lockhart Basin Wild River Area declarations;
. Reduce potential land use conflict and improve land use certainty for landholders and investors;
. Attract and secure resource sector development and investment;
. Facilitate and grow tourism pursuits across all areas of the region;
. Provide investment certainty for towns, businesses and regional communities;
. Identify regional infrastructure outcomes that will support economic and community growth and avoid the introduction of additional, unnecessary regulation; and
. Recognise and respect the role of local government to plan for their local area.
The regional plan allows for the allocation of land in the region into the following regional land use categories:
. Strategic Environmental Areas (SEAs); and
. National Parks.
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These regional land use categories establish the broad policy framework for achieving the regional vision and provide the context for the specific regional policies outlined in the Cape York Regional Plan.
Strategic Environmental Areas SEAs are areas where high ecological values may occur due to the collocation of multiple biodiversity features in conjunction with the landscape’s topographical and hydrological features. In addition, SEAs can be areas that are recognised for specific Indigenous cultural heritage values of regional significance. SEAs allow for development where the proposed uses can co-exist and do not risk irreversible or widespread impacts to the continuation of the area’s integrity or cultural values. Activities that risk irreversible or widespread impacts to the ecological integrity of the attributes detailed in Schedule 1 will not be allowed. Designated Precincts within SEAs are areas of significant biodiversity value and/or areas of high cultural heritage significance exist and should be afforded the highest level of protection in the SEA.
The Project area is not wholly or in part located within an SEA or Designated Precinct. The closest SEA is located approximately 30 km to the southwest of the Project at the convergence of the Wenlock and Ducie Rivers to the southeast of Mapoon (refer Figure 5-1).
National Parks National Parks provide for the conservation and protection of the area’s natural and cultural resources and conditions within the region. National Parks can also provide opportunities for recreational, educational and commercial activities that do not undermine their nature conservation values. Making up about 15 per cent of the Cape York region, National Parks act as a natural asset that can increase economic opportunities in the region. Areas in and around national parks can facilitate appropriate commercial opportunities such as eco-tourism, short-term accommodation, recreation trails, camping and nature-based experiences. Development in these localities will need to align with the management principles of National Parks generally and the particular values of the relevant national park area. The Project area is not wholly or in part located within a National Park. The Jardine River National Park located 60 km to the northeast of the Project area, Batavia National Park located approximately 150 km to the south of the Project area, and Iron Range National Park located 150 km southeast of the Project area are the nearest National Parks to the Project (refer Figure 5-1). Priority Agricultural Areas and Priority Living Areas The additional areas of regional interest, for the purposes of the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 (RPI Act), are identified in the Cape York region:
. Priority Agricultural Areas (PAA); and . Priority Living Areas (PLA). PAAs contain significant clusters of what are considered to be the region’s high value, intensive agricultural land uses, and are identified on a regional scale. The Project area is not wholly or in part located within a PAA, with the nearest PAA to the Project being the Lakeland Downs PAA located over 500 km to the southeast of the Project area.
A PLA is an area that includes the settlement area (urban residential, business, township and mixed- use zones and areas for future urban growth), rural residential areas associated with the settlement area and generally a two kilometre buffer area around the settlement within which only those resource activities that are acceptable to the community may locate. The Project area is not wholly or in part located within a PLA, with the nearest PLA to the Project being Mapoon located approximately 16 km to the southwest of the nearest Project area boundary.
5-6 600000 650000 8750000 8750000
Jardine River National Park
E L I HBOY RIVER O DOUG T C
R
E E
K Heathlands Resources Reserve
R VE RI N O S K C R J A E IV R C O N C K O A S T K O C O A C J R EE K
SK AR D O N RIV 8700000 ER 8700000
DULH ER UNT Y RIV
RTH A NO LICE CREEK R
E
V I R IE C DU DU C IE R W IV E ENL Legend R
OCK Barge Loading Area
Watercourse RIV
ER Pit Extents
Haul Road R E Mine Lease Boundary IV K R OC Strategic Environmental Area L N E
National Park W
Resource Reserve
8650000 Forest Or Shrub 8650000
Mangrove
Rainforest
600000 650000
Details Date R ©COPYRIGHT CDM SMITH DISCLAIMER This drawing is confidential and shall only be DESIGNER CLIENT Figure 5-1 1 Details 23/02/15 used for the purpose of this project. CDM Smith has endeavoured to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data. CDM Smith assumes Project area location 2 Prepared for EIS 15/03/16 DESIGNED MD CHECKED - / no legal liability or responsibility for any decisions , protected 0241 - - or actions resulting from the information contained - DRAWN MD CHECKED - areas and Strategic Kilometres within this map. - - - Scale @ A3 - DATA SOURCE APPROVED - DATE 22/03/16 1:284,515 Environmental Areas MEC Mining 2015; - - - GCS GDA 1994 Zone 54 QLD Government Open Data Source; Notes: DRG Ref: BES150115-008-R1_LOCATION - - - Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology. F:\1_PROJECTS\BES150115_Bauxite_Hill\GIS\DATA\MXD\FINAL\ERA\TER FW ECOL\BES150115-008-R1_LOCATION.mxd Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
5.3 Objectives and Performance Outcomes
5.3.1 Protection Objectives
As per the ToR the protection objective is to ensure that the:
. Activity is operated in a way that protects the environmental values of land including soils, subsoils, landforms and associated flora and fauna;
. Choice of the site, at which the activity is to be carried out, minimises serious environmental harm on areas of high conservation value and special significance and sensitive land uses at adjacent places;
. Location for the activity on a site protects all environmental values relevant to adjacent sensitive land uses;
. Design of the facility permits the operation of the site, at which the activity is to be carried out, in accordance with best practice environmental management; and
. Avoids significant residual impacts to matters of national and state environmental significance; mitigates impacts where they cannot be avoided and offsets any residual impacts.
5.3.2 Performance Outcomes
The performance outcomes are:
. The Project activities are managed so that adverse effects on terrestrial and freshwater ecology are minimised;
. The long term maintenance of the ecology of aquatic biotic communities;
. Fauna species are able to utilise retained habitats adjacent to the Project area post- development;
. No unplanned or unapproved disturbance/clearing of flora and fauna; and
. Compliance with the Project’s EA conditions. 5.4 Assessment Method
The description of terrestrial and freshwater ecological flora and fauna values are based on desktop assessments and ecological studies completed in the Project area in the late dry season of 2014 and early wet season of 2015. The following sections provide a description of the desktop and field assessments. The technical reports informing the following information are located in Appendix B1 and B2.
5.4.1 Nomenclature
Flora nomenclature within this chapter follows taxonomy accepted by the Queensland Herbarium and Queensland Museum. Fauna nomenclature follows the Birdlife Australia Rarities Committee checklist (for birds) and EHP’s WildNet database taxonomy (for all other fauna), unless otherwise noted. All flora and fauna in this chapter will be referred to initially by both their common and scientific names and then for ease of reading only by the common name.
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5.4.2 Desktop Assessment
Desktop studies were undertaken prior to field assessments. The desktop review was used to obtain background information relating to the potential presence and distribution of species and ecological communities (including connectivity across the regional landscape), particularly those listed under the VM Act and NC Act. Desktop studies involved database searches and review of:
. Current RE mapping and sensitive area mapping (DNRM);
. Commonwealth EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (Department of the Environment (DotE)) (to confirm current legislative status of listed species);
. Queensland Herbarium’s Herbrecs database;
. EHP’s WildNet (Wildlife Online) database and Species Profile Search results;
. Birdlife Australia New Atlas Database;
. Queensland Museum Zoology database;
. Mapping for the Protected Plants Trigger Survey Map;
. Aquatic conservation assessments for the riverine and non-riverine wetlands of Cape York catchments (EHP 2012a, 2012b);
. Biodiversity Planning Assessment (BPA) for Cape York Peninsula (EHP 2012c);
. Wetland mapping to determine the classification, extent and significance of referable wetlands within the Project area (EHP);
. Ecological reporting for the adjacent Skardon River Bauxite Project (SRBP) EIS; and
. Data provided by EHP following site visits in 2015 by EHP personnel as part of the SRBP site visit.
Database searches were undertaken over a 25 km radius using the central portion of the Project area as a reference point. The EPBC protected matters search tool, whilst based on some species records, primarily relies on modelling of suitable habitats (with mapped boundary constraints accounted for) and is as such largely a predictive tool. Wildlife Online and Birdlife Australia database records are based on records of species from a wide variety of observers and although the records are generally accurate in terms of spatial location, not all records have been verified. Queensland Museum database records are based on actual specimens. The EPBC Protected Matters search results and EHP’s Wildlife Online search results for fauna and flora species are provided as an Appendix within the Terrestrial Ecology Technical Report in Appendix B1.
5.4.2.1 Biodiversity Planning Assessment
EHP has prepared a Biodiversity Planning Assessment (BPA) for a number of Queensland bioregions in order to provide broad scale ecological data to advise a range of planning and decision-making processes. The BPA process employs the Biodiversity Assessment and Mapping Methodology (BAMM) (Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2002) to determine the relative biodiversity significance of habitats using seven diagnostic criteria: habitat for significant taxa, ecosystem value, tract size, relative size of RE, condition, ecosystem diversity, and context and connection to determine the relative biodiversity significance of habitats and landscapes.
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This is based largely on remnant vegetation mapping data generated under the VM Act, significant flora and fauna records, and expert panel determinations. The BAMM assigns three levels of Biodiversity Significance:
. State Significance – areas assessed as being significant for biodiversity at the Bioregional or State scales. They also include areas assessed by other studies/processes as being significant at national or international scales;
. Regional Significance – areas assessed as being significant for biodiversity at the sub- bioregional scale. These areas have lower significance for biodiversity than areas assessed as being of State significance; and
. Local Significance and Other Values – areas assessed as not being significant for biodiversity at State or Regional scales. Local values are of significance at the local government scale.
The BPA also establishes a list of ‘priority’ fauna and flora species for each bioregion. Priority species are selected by ‘expert panels’ from those species not already listed under State or Commonwealth legislation but considered to be of conservation significance in the subject region.
5.4.2.2 Aquatic Conservation Assessment
Aquatic Conservation Assessments have been carried out in a number of areas within Queensland including that in which the Project area occurs. Aquatic Conservation Assessments have been developed using the Aquatic Biodiversity Mapping Method with the intent of identifying conservation values of wetland areas. It provides a robust and objective conservation assessment using criteria, indicators and measures that are founded upon a large body of national and international literature.
The criteria, each of which may have variable numbers of indicators and measures, are naturalness (aquatic), naturalness (catchment), diversity and richness, threatened species and ecosystems, priority species and ecosystems, special features, connectivity and representativeness. The results are used to aid decision-making processes for a range of applications such as: prioritising land protection and rehabilitation, local and regional water resource planning, and development impact assessments.
5.4.2.3 Stygofauna and Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Desktop Review
No stygofauna surveys have been carried out for the Project. A review of the occurrence of stygofauna is presented based on the results of a preliminary stygofauna assessment carried out for the SRBP.
A desktop review of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems has been carried out by CDM Smith and is summarised in Section 5.6. The detailed assessment is provided in the Groundwater Technical Report located in Appendix E1.
5.4.3 Vegetation and Terrestrial Flora Assessment
A number of ecological field surveys were undertaken for the Project to ground-truth desktop information and identify any additional flora and fauna values not identified through the desktop study. Field surveys for the fauna studies were led by Mark Sanders (dry season) and Richard Floyd (wet season) and flora studies were led by David Fell, on behalf of Amec Foster Wheeler.
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Field surveys comprised:
. Detailed late dry season flora, fauna and aquatic ecology survey between 4 to 11 November 2014 by Amec Foster Wheeler staff; and
. Detailed early wet season flora, fauna and aquatic ecology survey from 31 January to 6 February 2015 by Amec Foster Wheeler staff.
Surveys were designed to encapsulate seasonal variation in species’ detectability, and survey sites were selected in representative locations in the key vegetation communities and habitat types present. Strong, hot, and humid east to east south east winds between 20 and 30 km/hr were observed during the late dry season surveys, along with a moderate downpour from a localised thunderstorm encountered during the afternoon of 6 November; however, this was not considered a significant rainfall event. Hot and humid conditions were experienced during both survey periods, with daily temperatures in excess of 35 °C.
Extensive and concurrent surveys for the adjacent SRBP assist with the local ecological understanding for this area. Where considered appropriate information from these surveys has been referred to in this chapter. Flora and fauna survey species lists are presented in Appendix B1.
5.4.3.1 Terrestrial Vegetation Assessment
Field surveys were conducted over six days in November 2014, and six days in January/February 2015. The primary objective of these surveys was to identify and describe vegetation communities and terrestrial flora values, and ground-verify DNRM RE mapping for the Project area. Surveys were carried out in accordance with the Queensland Herbarium’s Methodology for the Survey and Mapping of Regional Ecosystems and Vegetation Communities in Queensland, Version 3.2 (Neldner et al., 2012).
Survey sites were selected based on certified DNRM RE mapping and available aerial imagery. Mapping was reviewed, and locations of threatened flora sourced from targeted searches of relevant databases. When considered in the context of the supplemental SRBP terrestrial flora surveys (that were conducted in late April 2010, late June 2010, late April 2011 and February 2015) (RPS, 2015a), broad coverage across the seasons and vegetation communities has been collectively achieved within the area.
Baseline field data on vegetation structure and floristics was recorded in a format consistent with Queensland Herbarium quaternary and secondary site level intensity (Neldner et al., 2012). Information on landform, geology, and vegetation structure were recorded together with species lists and abundance of vascular flora species. Incidental flora observations recorded during field traverses complemented the formal survey sites. Flora species unable to be identified in the field were collected and pressed on site for subsequent identification in the laboratory with assistance from the Queensland Herbarium where adequate material could be collected.
Where discrepancies were identified in the field between existing RE mapping and field observations, areas were traversed by foot to confirm the extent of the change. Field surveys used standard floristic survey methods to describe vegetation type, structure and composition are outlined below. The locations of flora assessment survey sites are shown on the existing DNRM RE mapping in Figure 5-2.
Secondary Assessments
Secondary assessments involve sampling plots of at least 50 m by 10 m in size, within each defined vegetation community. This methodology was; however, subject to the size of the vegetation community, with additional sites surveyed in vegetation communities covering large areas, and a
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reduction in the number of sites surveyed in small communities. A total of eight secondary sites were carried out over the two site surveys (Figure 5-2).
Quaternary Assessments
Quaternary site assessments were used to rapidly assess REs and vegetation communities, using linear transects. Data were collected at regular intervals along each transect and where REs and vegetation communities change in structure and composition. Eighty-three quaternary sites were assessed in the dry season survey period and a further twenty-nine sites were assessed during the wet-season survey period (Figure 5-2).
Biocondition Assessments
BioCondition assessment involves a rapid assessment of vegetation condition at the property scale for different REs. It is a site-based, quantitative procedure that provides a score from ‘functional’ through to ‘dysfunctional’ condition from a biodiversity perspective (Eyre et al., 2011), and is used for comparative purposes when assessing potential properties for offsetting purposes. The score is based on a comparison between measured site-specific attributes, and benchmark values for each of those attributes, specific to a particular RE. No bioregion specific BioCondition benchmark data was available and therefore scoring was not possible. However, the BioCondition assessment was used to quantitatively assess key vegetative attributes. A total of eight BioCondition sites were assessed during the ‘wet season’ survey. These BioCondition sites are not discussed further in this document, but are provided for reference in the Terrestrial Ecology Technical Report (Appendix B1).
Field Data Analysis
Ground-truthed data along with contemporary aerial imagery were used to determine:
. Presence/absence of Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs);
. Known or potential habitat for listed species (NC Act and EPBC Act);
. Accuracy of RE mapping (VM Act); and
. Potential presence of pest flora species (LP Act).
5-12 610000 615000 620000 625000 3.2.25/3.2.3/3.2.6a 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.1.6 3.1.6 3.1.6/3.1.3 3.1.6/3.1.3 3.5.7x2a/3.3.49b 3.1.6 3.2.10c 3.5.10 3.1.6
3.3.5a 3.1.6 3.1.6 Barge Loading Area 3.5.10/3.7.3 3.1.6 3.1.1a/3.1.6/3.1.3 3.2.5a/3.3.42b/3.2.3 3.2.5a/3.2.3/3.3.49b/3.2.10c ^_ 3.5.10
3.1.1a/3.1.6/3.1.3 3.1.6 3.1.6 3.12.33a Haul Road 3.3.60a/3.1.6/3.5.22c 3.1.6 3.3.49b 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.1.6 ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ 3.2.10c ^_ ^_ ^_ 3.1.6 3.1.6 ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ 3.3.60a/3.1.6/3.5.22c ^_ ^_^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ 3.5.10/3.7.3 ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ BH1 MLA boundary 3.3.50 (MLA 20676) ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_^_ ^_ ^_ ^_^_ ^_ 3.5.2 ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ 3.1.6 3.2.5a/3.2.3/3.3.49b/3.2.10c ^_ ^_ 3.3.14a/3.3.22a ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_^_^_ ^_3.7.3/3.3.49b ^_^_ ^_ 8695000 ^_ ^_ ^_ 8695000 3.3.49b/3.3.22a/3.3.64 3.5.2 ^_ BH6 West ^_^_ ^_ MLA boundary (MLA 20689) ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_^_
3.3.64/3.3.14a/3.3.12 Haul Road ^_
3.2.7a 3.3.50 ^_ 3.3.50 Legend ^_ 3.3.49b/3.3.9 3.2.10c ^_ ^_ Vegetation Survey Site (Wet Season) 3.5.2 ^_ Camp ^_ Vegetation Survey Site (Dry Season) Access Watercourse ^_^_^_^_ Road ^_ Barge Loading Area ^_ ^_ ^_ Pit Extents 3.5.2 3.3.50 ^_ Haul Road 8690000 ^_ ^_ 8690000 ^_ ^_ Accommodation Camp Metro Mining Mine Lease Area ^_ ^_ BH6 East MLA boundary DEHP Mapped Vegetation ^_ (MLA 20688) ^_ Of Conccern ^_ ^_ ^_ 3.3.14a/3.3.22a ^_ Of Least Concern Accommodation Camp 3.3.50/3.3.14a
610000 615000 620000 625000
R Details Date ©COPYRIGHT CDM SMITH DESIGNER CLIENT This drawing is confidential and shall only be used DISCLAIMER Figure 5-2 1 For Information Purposes 16/07/15 for the purpose of this project. CDM Smith has endeavoured to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data. CDM Smith assumes Terrestrial vegetation and flora survey sites 2 Updated Pit Extents 03/05/16 / no legal liability or responsibility for any decisions DESIGNED MD CHECKED - - - 0 250 500 1,000 or actions resulting from the information contained Metres within this map. - DRAWN MD CHECKED - - DATA SOURCE Scale @ A3 - 1:45,000 - - APPROVED - DATE 03/05/16 MEC Mining; GCS GDA 1994 MGA Zone 54 QLD Government Open Source Data; - - Notes: Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric (Geofabric) PRODUCT SUITE V2.1.1 - - DRG Ref: BES150115-001-R1_TERR_ECOL_F_SITES F:\1_PROJECTS\BES150115_Bauxite_Hill\GIS\DATA\MXD\FINAL\ERA\TER FW ECOL\BES150115-001-R1_TERR_ECOL_F_SITES.mxd Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
5.4.4 Terrestrial Fauna Assessment
A detailed dry season fauna assessment of the mine area was carried out over six days between 4 and 11 November 2014. A wet season assessment, was carried out over five days between 31 January and 6 February 2015. A total of eight trapping sites were established over the two survey periods.
Trapping sites were selected based on RE mapping, the Project impact footprint and the integrity of the habitat to support local fauna species. Eight trapping sites were established including Elliott, pitfall and funnel trap arrays. Trapping was carried out over three nights at each site during both survey periods (a total of six nights at each site). Observational assessments (including habitat searches), microbat recording, harp trapping and camera traps were carried out at several additional sites within the study area. Locations of survey sites are depicted in Figure 5-3 and descriptions of the trapping sites are provided in Table 5-1. Further details of survey methodology techniques are provided in Table 5-2. Opportunistic observation sites are also included in Figure 5- 3.
In total 15 survey locations across the Project area have been surveyed using a combination of survey techniques to provide adequate spatial coverage across the representative REs and the wider Project area. This included eight trapping locations, two separate locations for harp traps and anabat, and five observation sites which were selected outside of the dominant REs, based on presence of preferred habitats for targeted fauna species.
Although the fauna assessment program is considered robust, Metro Mining have adopted a conservative approach when considering conservation significant fauna species within the impact assessment for this Project. Not all habitats within or near the Project area could be sampled at the time of the surveys. Not finding a particular species does not mean that species does not occur at the site. As such, a precautionary approach has been adopted to the assessment and assumed that species with the high potential to occur in the Project area have been accepted to be present unless evidence exists to suggest otherwise.
Further details of survey methodology techniques used to target conservation significant fauna identified from the desktop review are provided in Threatened Species Assessment and Table 5-1.
Table 5-1 Fauna survey site locations and dominant vegetation Site Latitude Longitude Vegetation Community Trap sites TR01 -11.817518 142.044447 TR02 -11.835055 142.052516 TR03 -11.860237 142.032273 TR04 -11.797384 142.087641 Eucalyptus tetrodonta and Corymbia nesophila tall woodland on TR05 -11.803296 142.087132 deeply weathered plateaus and remnants – RE 3.5.2. TR06 -11.797275 142.100672 TR07 -11.797164 142.122321 Camp -11.850118 142.037398 Observational sites OBS01 -11.801292 142.047161 E. tetrodonta and C. nesophila tall woodland on deeply weathered plateaus and remnants – RE 3.5.2. OBS02 -11.757861 142.071177 Closed forest of Rhizophora stylosa ± Bruguiera gymnorhiza. Occurs as outer mangroves/Ceriops tagal ± Avicennia marina low closed forest on intertidal areas – RE 3.1.1/3.1.3. OBS03 -11.821375 142.05872 E. tetrodonta and C. nesophila tall woodland on deeply weathered plateaus and remnants – RE 3.5.2. OBS04 -11.795721 142.036032 Sedgeland of Eleocharis sp. with scattered freshwater couch – RE 3.3.65.
5-14 Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
Site Latitude Longitude Vegetation Community OBS05 -11.816402 142.063685 Sparse herbland or bare saltpans. Associated with salt plains and saline flats – RE 3.1.6. Camera traps CAM01 -11.817193 142.044235 CAM02 -11.83485 142.052533 CAM03 -11.860706 142.032188 CAM04 -11.801198 142.047125 E. tetrodonta and C. nesophila tall woodland on deeply weathered CAM05 -11.797643 142.087025 plateaus and remnants – RE 3.5.2. CAM06 -11.797549 142.100758 CAM07 -11.797402 142.122428 CAM08 -11.80306 142.08738 Anabat ANA0511 -11.817228 142.044519 ANA0611 -11.857445 142.036804 E. tetrodonta and C. nesophila tall woodland on deeply weathered ANA0711 -11.803249 142.087467 plateaus and remnants – RE 3.5.2. ANA0811 -11.797637 142.087678 ANA0911 -11.797445 142.122329 Harp trap HP0511 -11.860705 142.032393 Baloskion tetraphyllum subsp. meiostachyum open sedgeland in HP0711 -11.809744 142.131805 drainage swamps in dunefields – RE 3.3.64. HPB0811 -11.810287 142.13173 HPA0611 -11.821379 142.05873 E. tetrodonta and C. nesophila tall woodland on deeply weathered HPA0811 -11.802943 142.087497 plateaus and remnants – RE 3.5.2. HPB0611 -11.834563 142.052745
Table 5-2 Fauna trapping methods Target Listed Species as Identified Survey Method Description in Desktop Surveys Trap sites (all) 20 Elliott traps located 10 m apart along a single transect at each site. Traps baited with peanut butter, oats, honey and . Chestnut Dunnart; and Elliott trapping macadamia oil mixture (Elliott A). . Black-footed Tree-rat Trapping carried out at eight sites comprising 960 trap nights. A pitfall line at each site comprising 4 x pitfall buckets (20 cm high x 40 cm deep), 40 cm high drift Pitfall/funnel trapping fence arranged in a ‘T’, and 6 x funnel traps paired . Chestnut Dunnart; and array at each end of fence line. . Herpetofauna. Trapping carried out at eight sites comprising 48 trap nights. General methods (across Project area including trap sites) Cage trap baited with chicken necks and macadamia oil poured on ground surrounding Baited cage traps and cage. Single infrared camera set facing cage trap . Northern Quoll; and infrared camera approximately 1 m above ground. . Black-footed Tree-rat Trapping carried out at eight sites comprising 48 trap nights. Bird surveys at each trap and observation site and opportunistically throughout study area. Surveys Diurnal bird census carried out at dawn and late afternoon – . All bird species. approximately 120 minutes per site. Birds identified by direct observation and/or by call.
5-15 Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
Target Listed Species as Identified Survey Method Description in Desktop Surveys Searches for small mammals, frogs and reptiles under leaf litter, debris, logs and rocks. Carried out . Chestnut Dunnart; and Diurnal searches at each trap site and throughout study area where . Herpetofauna. appropriate habitat factors occurred. Passive recording of microbat calls overnight using Anabat recording system. Also overnight use of paired harp traps to capture species. Survey Anabat microbat call locations dependent on appropriate habitat recording and harp structure, particularly for harp traps. . Bare-rumped Sheathtail Bat. trapping Anabat surveys carried out over 24 nights (over two seasons) at 5 sites across Project area. Fifteen (over two seasons) nights of harp trapping at 6 sites.
Minimum ½ hour (hr) spotlighting in early evening . Northern Quoll; Spotlighting surveys (2 people) at each site for nocturnal mammals and . Spectacled Flying-fox; and herpetofauna. Also surveying tracks at night. . Black-footed Tree-rat. Fauna observations were ongoing throughout the Incidental records N/A site and survey period.
5.4.4.1 Survey Limitations
During the late dry seasons, general access to and around the individual survey areas was good, allowing traps and survey sites to be scattered as required through dominant vegetation types in most areas likely to be impacted by mining operations. However, travel distances between the base camp and MLA 20676 were in excess of one hour, and to ensure compliance with animal ethics requirements, the survey method was modified, resulting in three trapping night’s effort at both MLA 20676 and MLA 20688/20689. This is not considered to compromise the survey data, as additional survey sites were established in areas with limited previous survey effort (particularly in MLA 20676). Surveys undertaken in MLA 20688/20689 and adjacent properties for the SRBP provides additional baseline knowledge of the terrestrial fauna of the survey areas.
During the late dry season surveys, of the two nights dedicated to spotlighting, the first night (6 November) took place during a light shower with dense cloud cover. The second night (8 November) was conducted the night prior to a full moon with very limited cloud cover increasing visibility. The early wet season surveys also coincided with the full moon. During the early wet season surveys, spotlighting was not possible in BH1 due to safety reasons relating to wet weather and potential presence of dangerous fauna (e.g. crocodiles).
5.4.4.2 SRBP Fauna Surveys
Fauna trapping surveys have also been carried out for the SRBP including:
. September/October 2014 targeted surveys for threatened species including intensive camera trapping surveys (50 cameras active for at least 10 days), bat call recording surveys and opportunistic searches for threatened birds and Spectacled Flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) roosts (note six cameras malfunctioned and did not return data); and
. February 2015 wet season general fauna trapping surveys carried out over six days.
A summary of the survey techniques and respective effort employed in each habitat during the early wet season surveys is presented in Table 5-3. The results from these surveys have been used as
5-16 Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
supplementary data to inform this chapter. Further detail on the survey methods and results is provided in Appendix B1.
Table 5-3 Total survey effort (trap nights) for Bauxite Hills Project and SRBP fauna ecology surveys No. of Elliott Pitfall/ Cage SM2/ Harp Junction Remote Habitat Trap Trap Funnel Trap Anabat Traps Camera Camera Sites E. tetradonta woodland 15 1,385 150 54 43 14 12 320 Open sedgeland in drainage 2 2 30 swamps in dunefields Casuarina woodland 30 Mine Camp 1 40 6 Moist eucalypt woodland 4 300 75 6 15 2 12 52 Fringing woodland to 1 240 24 4 4 54 wetland and swamps South of Namaleta Creek 2 40 48 2 2 2 SRBP Port area 1 1 1 Skardon River 1 3 1 Mine Camp 1 10 Total 26 2,015 303 63 66 19 30 488
5.4.4.3 Species Assessments - Likelihood of Occurrence
Four categories were used to classify the likelihood of a threatened flora and fauna species being present within the Project area based on the desktop research and on-site observations. Categories were defined as:
. Known (confirmed during field assessments);
. Likely (suitable habitat observed during field assessments and/or known distribution);
. Potential (possibility of suitable habitat or limited records of the species occurring within or around the Project area); and
. Unlikely (no suitable habitat or not known to occur within the local region).
5-17 610000 615000 620000
Barge Loading Area
Haul Road
21 !(
20 BH1 MLA boundary !( (MLA 20676) 22 !(
19 OBS04 AQ01 !( _^(! ANA0811 CAM05 TR06 CAM06 ANA0911 CAM07 18 _^,%_^TR04 ,%_^ ,%_^TR07 25 !( !( 1 CAM04 !( _^OBS01 _^ 2 HPA0811 !( CAM08 ,%_^ANA0711 23 8695000 TR05 !( 8695000 16 3 24 !( !( !( BH6 West MLA boundary 15 17 HP0711 AQ03 (MLA 20689) !( !( 14 _^(!HPB0811 !(
OBS05 ANA0511 CAM01 _^4 _^,%_^TR01 !( Haul Road HPA0611 OBS03 _^
13 !(
5 !( 6 8!( !( 7 9!( !(
HPB0611 CAM02 ,%_^_^TR02 Camp Access AQ02 (! Road
12 Legend !( CAMP 10
8690000 Barge Loading Area ^_ Fauna Survey Sites 8690000 !(_^ Watercourse %, Fauna Trapping Site
BH6 East Haul Road !( Opportunistic Fauna Observation Site ANA0611 MLA boundary _^ (MLA 20688) Pit Extents (! Aquatic Ecology Site 11 CAM03 Accommodation Camp Accomoodation Camp !( _,^%_^HP0511 TR03 Metro Mining Mine Lease Area
610000 615000 620000
R Details Date ©COPYRIGHT CDM SMITH DESIGNER CLIENT This drawing is confidential and shall only be used DISCLAIMER Figure 5-3 1 For Information Purposes 16/07/15 for the purpose of this project. CDM Smith has endeavoured to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data. CDM Smith assumes Terrestrial fauna and aquatic ecology survey sites 2 Updated Pit Extents 03/05/16 / no legal liability or responsibility for any decisions DESIGNED MD CHECKED - - - 0 250 500 1,000 or actions resulting from the information contained within this map. - DRAWN MD CHECKED - Metres - DATA SOURCE Scale @ A3 - 1:45,000 - - APPROVED - DATE 03/05/16 MEC Mining; GCS GDA 1994 MGA Zone 54 QLD Government Open Source Data; - - Notes: Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric (Geofabric) PRODUCT SUITE V2.1.1 - - DRG Ref: BES150115-002-R1_FAUNA_SURVEY_SITES F:\1_PROJECTS\BES150115_Bauxite_Hill\GIS\DATA\MXD\FINAL\ERA\TER FW ECOL\BES150115-002-R1_FAUNA_SURVEY_SITES.mxd Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
5.4.5 Freshwater Ecology Assessment
5.4.5.1 Survey Timing
Aquatic ecology surveys were undertaken between 4 and 11 November 2014, corresponding to the late dry season. Follow-up surveys were undertaken between 31 January and 6 February 2015, corresponding to the early wet season. The timing of dry season surveys was considered ideal for assessing the persistence of water in the aquatic ecosystems across the Project area and the communities they supported. Wet season surveys were undertaken following a period of heavy rainfall. The timing of the wet season surveys was dictated by likelihood of reduced access to the sites and increased safety risks associated with higher likelihood of Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) dispersal across the Project area later in the wet season. The decision for this timing was made in consultation with EHP.
5.4.5.2 Site Selection
A desktop review of available relevant literature and investigation of aerial photography and topographic maps suggested that little freshwater habitat will be present across much of the Project area during the late dry season. In addition, the majority of aquatic habitats in close proximity to the Project are classed as marine/estuarine and are therefore not assessed in this scope of works. Based on this review, three sites were selected for this survey period; two within wetland systems and one on an ephemeral stream (Figure 5-3). It should be noted; however, that the paucity of suitable freshwater aquatic ecosystems within the Project area results in limited survey findings.
During the wet season sampling was restricted due to the potential for Estuarine Crocodile to be present in the area (i.e. unable to enter the water physically). Even when no crocodiles or evidence of crocodiles (e.g. slides) were observed, the fringes of the pools were generally vegetated with Native Couch or Water Chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis), which may have obscured observations. In addition, the pools present at sites AQ01 and AQ02 during the dry seasons had attracted feral pigs, cattle and wetland birds, all of which are preyed upon by crocodiles. As personal health and safety was the highest priority, the restriction on access to some wetland habitats during these surveys was supported by Metro Mining.
5.4.5.3 Survey Techniques
Surveys were designed and implemented in general accordance with relevant guidelines, including:
. EHP’s Monitoring and Sampling Manual 2009 Version 2 (EHP, 2013); and
. Queensland AusRivAS sampling and processing manual (DNRM, 2001).
Key aquatic ecological indicators assessed at each survey site are provided in Table 5-4.
Table 5-4 Aquatic ecology assessment indicators Assessment Indicators Aquatic habitat Rapid assessment techniques were used to provide a description of habitat type and quality at each site. Field assessment protocols were consistent with Queensland AusRivAS (2000) for this component, as these represent a commonly used standard and will be required for the interpretation of macroinvertebrate and fish results. Aquatic and Qualitative surveys of aquatic and riparian flora were done for each site reach. Aquatic flora riparian flora were identified in the field, and as required collected and submitted to the Queensland Herbarium to validate identification of suspected near threatened species, under the NC Act.
5-19 Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
Assessment Indicators Water quality In situ physico-chemical water quality data (temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity) was recorded to assist with the interpretation of ecological data. Macroinvertebrates Field macroinvertebrate surveys were undertaken following AusRivAS protocols. Following these conventions, a composite macroinvertebrate sample was collected at each site using a standard 250µm mesh dipnet. Samples were “live picked” on site to strict protocols and the animals collected preserved in 70% alcohol. Macroinvertebrates were identified to family taxonomic level (where applicable) and enumerated. Data analysis included: abundance, taxonomic richness, community composition, and plecopteran, ephemeropteran and trichopteran (PET) richness (disturbance intolerant taxa). Macrocrustaceans Macrocrustaceans were surveyed using the macroinvertebrate sampling techniques as well as with fish sampling techniques. Visual inspections were also made for macrocrustacean remains and burrows. Fish Cast netting, box trapping and active dip netting were the primary fish survey techniques used in the end-of-dry season surveys. All native fish caught were identified and measured. Turtles and other Aquatic turtle surveys were undertaken at sites with suitable habitat using baited cathedral aquatic vertebrates traps. Targeted sampling of other aquatic vertebrates was not undertaken although any incidental sightings or signs (scats, tracks and other traces) were recorded.
The availability of standing water during the dry season limited the sampling methods able to be employed. Three sites were chosen for aquatic ecology sampling and are described in Table 9-4. The potential presence of crocodiles in the area, particularly in the wet season also resulted in restricting access to sites. However, information derived from the surveys as well as that from aquatic ecology surveys for the SRBP are considered sufficient to describe the freshwater ecology values of the Project area.
Table 5-5 Aquatic ecology site assessment descriptions Site Description Photograph AQ01 A large Melaleuca swamp system (Big Footprint Swamp) that is seasonally inundated to a depth of several metres. During the dry season survey, only a single senescing pool remained. Large numbers of wild cattle and pigs were observed watering. The outer margins of the open swamp area were covered with desiccating Water Chestnut, with the area surrounding the water hole covered in Native Couch grass (Paspalum sp.). There was limited soil disturbance associated with feral pig activity. Wet season extent of pool encompassed surrounding
Melaleuca forest limiting sampling techniques. No additional Dry season – November 2014 aquatic macrophytes recorded in wet season. AQ02 A large Melaleuca swamp system that is seasonally inundated to a depth of several metres. Water Chestnut observed in dry season only. Large numbers of feral pigs observed in dry season and waterhole heavily disturbed. In the wet season only the littoral habitat was sampled due to concerns with the potential presence of crocodiles. The margins were shallow (approximately 20-40 cm deep) with extensive areas of recently inundated terrestrial grasses.
Wet season – February 2015
5-20 Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
AQ03 Stream site with dominant vegetation was Melaleuca with grass understorey. The site was completely dry for at least 400 m both upstream and downstream in the dry season. Some soil disturbance associated with pig activity in areas that would have contained the last standing pools of water. The site was flowing strongly during the wet season survey with the dominant instream habitat consisting of runs.
Wet season – February 2015
Surveys of freshwater aquatic ecology were carried out for the SRBP between 5 and 10 March 2015 (RPS, 2015b). The surveys consisted of six sites, four of which were located on Namaleta Creek to the south of the Project area. Two further sites were located on wetland areas including one on Big Footprint Swamp and another on a smaller wetland area located on the southern boundary of the Project area (BH6) called Lunette swamp (RPS, 2015b) (refer Figure 5-3). Survey techniques were generally similar to those used for the Project aquatic surveys. Fish survey methods were enhanced through the use of a multi-panel gill net and electrofishing. The results of these surveys have been used to enhance the findings of the aquatic ecology assessment in this chapter. 5.5 Desktop Assessment Results
5.5.1 Project Area Context
5.5.1.1 Location and Climatic Conditions
The study area is located largely on the Weipa Plateau subregion of the Cape York Peninsula Bioregion and occupies part of the Skardon River catchment draining westward into the Gulf of Carpentaria. A small portion of the Project area lies within Jardine-Pascoes Sandstones subregion. The region experiences a hot climate where the majority of rainfall occurs during a pronounced wet season between November and April (Specht et al., 1977; Godwin, 1985). Mean annual rainfall for the nearest Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) station at Weipa airport is 2,071.8 mm (BoM, 2014).
5.5.1.2 Land Tenure
Land tenure is largely mining/mineral leases and indigenous held freehold land. Traditional owners are represented in communities throughout Cape York Peninsula and Queensland, with high local representation in Mapoon, Napranum and Weipa, and at New Mapoon in the Bamaga area. Mining and cattle grazing are the predominant post-European settlement land uses in the immediate vicinity of the Project. The Project tenements lie within the Aboriginal Freehold Land (Lot 11 on SP204113 and Lot 13 on SP204113) held by the Old Mapoon Aboriginal Corporation (OMAC).
5.5.1.3 Land Zones and Landforms
The distribution of land zone subdivisions within the study area, includes:
. Land zone 1 - quaternary estuarine deposits and tidal beaches. Found in all areas subject to tidal influence, and particularly extensive fringing the Skardon River. This land zone is attenuated inland along tidal creeks and forms some extensive flats on areas of infrequent tidal inundation; . Land zone 3 - quaternary alluvial deposits. Alluvial landforms are restricted to swampy drainage depressions including those associated with sinkholes, and alluvial sand sheets associated with broad drainage depressions. Swamp habitats are subject to seasonal inundation and are considered palustrine wetlands; and
5-21 Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
. Land zone 5 - remnant tertiary surfaces. Tertiary surfaces cover the aluminous laterite deposits of the Weipa Plateau, and extend eastwards across the erosional surface of the Merluna Plain. Land Zone 5 covers all landforms demonstrating a deeply weathered profile including exposed clay soils on the eroded margins of the Weipa Plateau.
The Project area has a limited diversity of geological features, and as such the array of habitat types is limited. The current mine footprints (BH1 and BH6) comprise only one RE (3.5.2), and are elevated compared to the surrounding terrain. Areas in the north and west of BH1, and far north, west and east of BH6, slope down towards tributaries of the Skardon River catchment.
Remnant vegetation remains extensive in the wider area with over 97% remnant vegetation cover in the Weipa Plateau subregion, and over 98% cover in the adjacent Jardine-Pascoe subregion (EHP, 2012c).
5.5.1.4 Drainage, Waterways and Wetlands
The Project area is located in the Skardon River catchment, or drainage sub-basin, which covers approximately 439 km2. While the Skardon River is perennial, many associated watercourses within the Project area are ephemeral and flow only after sustained or intense rainfall. Stream flows are highly variable, with flows typically occurring during the wetter months (November to April), with low to no flow the rest of the year. The Skardon River catchment is part of the broader Skardon River-Cotterell River wetland aggregation, which is listed under the Directory of Important Wetlands of Australia (DIWA). It covers a total area of approximately 632 km2, of which approximately 211 km2 (or ~33 %) comprise DIWA nationally important wetlands. In total 309 lacustrine/palustrine wetlands have been mapped throughout the aggregation; however, as the majority of the aggregation occurs north of the Skardon River (and hence north of the Project area), so do the majority of DIWA wetlands.
Wetlands associated with the Skardon River-Cotterell River aggregation do occur within the Project area and MLAs, and overlap some of the infrastructure footprint; however, they do not overlap the mining footprints of BH1 and BH6 (Figure 5-4). In the west of MLA 20689 (within which is the BH6 mining footprint) there are several palustrine wetlands, and coastal and sub-coastal floodplains. In the east of MLA 20688 (within which is the BH6 mining footprint) there are estuarine wetlands. A drainage channel of the Skardon River and estuarine wetland system occurs in the west of MLA 20676 (within which is the BH1 mining footprint), while estuarine and palustrine wetlands also occur in the north and south of MLA 20676.
5.5.2 Habitat Connectivity
Habitat connectivity within the Project area is linked to riparian corridors associated with the Skardon River and contiguous areas of terrestrial vegetation across the mining lease areas. The Skardon River-Cotterell River Aggregation, to the north of the Project area, is considered a riparian corridor of regional significance under the Cape York Biodiversity Planning Assessment (BPA) (EHP, 2012c). Contiguous tracts of remnant vegetation to the south of the Project area have links to the Port Musgrave Aggregation. The Port Musgrave Aggregation is also listed under the DIWA, comprises the Ducie and Wenlock Rivers and Namaleta Creek, and comprises regionally significant riparian corridors and a state significant riparian corridor along the Wenlock River (Figure 5-5).
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5.5.3 Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) mapping identified a Category B ESA within the Project area. This Category B ESA comprises marine plant communities. The Project area also comprises Category C ESA as part of a Coastal Management District (Figure 5-6).
5-23 605000 610000 615000 620000 625000 630000
SK A W4 R DON >! R IV ER
W5 SW02 >! >!
8700000 W3 8700000 >! Barge Loading Area
W2 Haul Road >!
W1 ! BH1 MLA boundary > (MLA 20676) AQ01 (! SW03 >!
8695000 BH6 West AQ-BF01 8695000 MLA boundary (! AQ03 SW01 (MLA 20689) >!( SP01 >! Legend SRBP Aquatic (! Survey Site Bauxite Hills Aquatic (! Sampling Site Haul Road Surface Water >! Sampling Location Barge Loading Area AQ02 (! Watercourse Camp Haul Road Access
8690000 Road Pit Extents 8690000 BH6 East MLA boundary Accomoodation Camp (ML 20688) S10 AQ-LU01 Metro Mining Mine Lease Area >!(! Directory of Important Wetlands Accommodation Camp Wetland Class Riverine
S6 AQ-NA04 Esturine >! NA (! MA AQ-NA03 LE Palustrine A CR T LET E E K (!>! AQ-NA01 A A S9 C M (! R Lacustrine A S1 AQ-NA02 E N E >!( K Marine
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Details Date R ©COPYRIGHT CDM SMITH DISCLAIMER This drawing is confidential and shall only be DESIGNER CLIENT Figure 5-6 1 Details 23/02/15 used for the purpose of this project. CDM Smith has endeavoured to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data. CDM Smith assumes Environmentally 2 Prepared for EIS 15/03/16 DESIGNED MD CHECKED - / no legal liability or responsibility for any decisions 00.81.60.4 - - or actions resulting from the information contained Sensitive Areas mapping - DRAWN MD CHECKED - Kilometres within this map. - - - Scale @ A3 - DATA SOURCE APPROVED - DATE 31/03/16 1:100,000 MEC Mining 2015; - - - GCS GDA 1994 Zone 54 QLD Government Open Data Source; Notes: DRG Ref: BES150115-005-R1_ESA - - - Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology. F:\1_PROJECTS\BES150115_Bauxite_Hill\GIS\DATA\MXD\FINAL\ERA\TER FW ECOL\BES150115-005-R1_ESA.mxd Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
5.5.4 Regional Ecosystem Mapping
Assessment of current DNRM RE mapping identified 16 REs occurring on four land zones within the Project area: tidal creeks and saltpan areas (land zone 1), alluvial river and creek flats (land zone 3); remnant tertiary surfaces (land zone 5); and Cainozoic duricrusts (land zone 7) (Neldner et al., 2014). The majority of the Project area is composed of remnant vegetation. Table 5-6 provides a brief description of all REs considered to occur within the Project area and current DNRM mapping is shown in Figure 5-2. A single RE is listed as Of Concern under the VM Act (RE 3.3.12). There are no Endangered REs in the Project area and no communities listed as a TEC under the EPBC Act. There are no TECs predicted to occur in the wider area by the Online Protected Matters Search Tool (refer Appendix B1).
Table 5-6 Current certified mapped REs of the Project area RE VM Act EP Act Description Status Status 3.1.1a Least Concern No Concern Closed forest of Rhizophora stylosa ± Bruguiera gymnorhiza. Occurs as outer mangroves. 3.1.3 Least Concern No Concern Ceriops tagal ± Avicennia marina low closed forest. Extensive on intertidal areas. 3.1.6 Least Concern No Concern Sparse herbland or bare saltpans. Associated with salt plains and saline flats. 3.3.9 Least Concern No Concern Lophostemon suaveolens open forest. Occurs on streamlines, swamps and alluvial terraces. 3.3.12 Melaleuca quinquenervia open forest. Associated with scattered Of Concern Of Concern coastal swamps. 3.3.14a Least Concern No Concern Melaleuca saligna ± M. viridiflora, Lophostemon suaveolens woodland on drainage swamps. 3.3.22a Least Concern No Concern Corymbia clarksoniana or C. novoguineensis woodland on alluvial plains. 3.3.49b Least Concern No Concern Melaleuca viridiflora low open woodland on low plains. 3.3.60a Least Concern No Concern Themeda arguens, Dichanthium sericeum closed tussock grassland on marine plains. 3.3.64 Least Concern No Concern Baloskion tetraphyllum subsp. meiostachyum open sedgeland in drainage swamps in dunefields. 3.5.2 Least Concern No Concern Eucalyptus tetrodonta, Corymbia nesophila tall woodland on deeply weathered plateaus and remnants. 3.5.10 Least Concern No Concern Eucalyptus tetrodonta, Corymbia nesophila woodland on sandy gently undulating rises and low hills. 3.5.11 Least Concern No Concern Eucalyptus tetrodonta, Corymbia nesophila woodland on lower slopes of plains and rises. 3.5.14 Least Concern No Concern Melaleuca viridiflora ± Acacia spp. ± Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa low woodland on scattered coastal sand plains. 3.5.22c Least Concern No Concern Corymbia clarksoniana and Erythrophleum chlorostachys and Corymbia spp. and Eucalyptus spp. woodland on plains. 3.7.3 Least Concern No Concern Eucalyptus cullenii ± E. tetrodonta woodland on erosional escarpments and plains.
5-27 Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
5.5.4.2 Threatened Flora Species
Database searches indicate the potential presence of seven threatened flora species within the Project area and surrounds. This includes four species listed as MNES predicted to be present by the EPBC Protected Matters report. These species and their potential to occur are summarised and discussed in Section 5.7.1.
5.5.4.3 Threatened Fauna Species
The results of the database searches indicate that 13 fauna species listed as Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened (EVNT) (under the NC Act and/or EPBC Act) potentially occur within the Project area and surrounds. A further 21 species are listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act. These species and their potential to occur are summarised and discussed in Section 5.6.2.
5.5.4.4 Declared Weed Species
According to the EPBC protected matters search tool, Gamba Grass (Andropogon guyana) – a Weed of National Significance, has the potential to occur in the Project area.
Database searches of the wider area encountered records of 32 introduced species within a 25 km radius of the Project area. Of these a single species, American Rat’s Tail Grass (Sporobolus jacquemontii) is listed as a declared Class 2 species under the State LP Act.
The results of relevant database searches are provided in Attachment 1 of Appendix B1. 5.6 Existing Environmental Values – Field Survey Results
5.6.1 Terrestrial Flora
The vegetation of the Project area is a complex mosaic of open forest, woodland, extensive swamplands, gallery forests on perennial streams and rivers, closed forest and mangroves. The lateritic surface of the Weipa Plateau is characterized by Eucalyptus and Corymbia woodlands with the deep aluminous laterites of the Weipa area supporting the best development of Darwin Stringybark (E. tetrodonta), Melville Island Bloodwood (C. nesophila) and Cooktown Ironwood (Erythrophloeum chlorostachys) dominant tall woodland and open forest on Cape York Peninsula. Areas of shallow silty soils with impeded drainage characteristics are scattered across the lateritic surface, supporting low woodland communities with dominant eucalypt and Melaleuca species. Shallow drainage depressions provide a seasonal wetland habitat and are dominated by woodlands and open forests with characteristic Melaleuca, Lophostemon, Xanthostemon and Asteromyrtus species. These swamp forests display a complex variety of vegetation communities on their margins, compositionally zoned in response to local variations in the persistence of water through the dry season.
The majority of the Project area was found to support remnant Darwin Stringybark and Melville Island Bloodwood tall woodland (RE 3.5.2) which is consistent with current RE mapping. Darwin Stringybark predominates forming a distinct but discontinuous canopy with Melville Island Bloodwood present as a sub-dominant canopy species. The very sparse to sparse sub canopy and shrub layers are dominated by Eucalyptus and Acacia spp., and Bushman's Clothes Peg (Grevillea glauca). The ground layer is usually sparse to medium density and dominated by native grasses.
5-28 Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
5.6.1.1 Regional Ecosystems
Thirteen REs were ground-truthed within the overall Project area boundary including several communities not included in current DNRM mapping. Of these, two communities are listed as Of Concern under the VM Act. There are no communities listed as a TEC (under the EPBC Act) or as Endangered under the VM Act. The vegetation communities present are described in Table 5-7 and include the known extent of each community within the Cape York Peninsula Bioregion. These REs were used as the basis for the assessment of terrestrial flora values of the Project area.
Eight of the 16 EHP certified REs mapped for the Project area were recorded during the field survey. Five REs not previously mapped for the Project area were also recorded and are included in the ground-verified RE mapping (Figure 5-7).
5-29 Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
Table 5-7 Project vegetation community descriptions RE DNRM Description VM Act EP Act Project Area Description 3.1.1 Closed forest of Rhizophora Least No Mangrove vegetation is restricted to the saline estuarine muds and clays fringing the estuary stylosa ± Concern Concern of the Skardon River. Incorporated in this land type are well-developed open forests of the Bruguiera gymnorhiza as outer outer tidal margins dominated by R. stylosa in association with numerous species such as B. mangroves gymnorhiza, and Avicennia marina, and woodland and shrubland formations characteristic of intertidal areas. Mangrove communities in the Weipa area represent the highest structural and floristic development of mangroves in Australia. 3.1.3 Ceriops tagal ± A. marina low Least No Mangrove vegetation is restricted to the saline estuarine muds and clays fringing the estuary closed forest on intertidal Concern Concern of the Skardon River. Incorporated in this land type are well-developed shrublands and low areas. closed forests of the outer tidal margins dominated by C. tagal and with scattered A. marina. 3.1.6 Sparse herbland or bare Least No Saline estuarine clay pans are associated with tidal areas of the Skardon River, being generally saltpans associated with salt Concern Concern bare due to scalding associated with hyper saline conditions. Vegetation development is plains and saline flats. restricted to sparse herblands with a few salt tolerant species. Typical species recorded by Godwin (1985) are Arthrocnemum leiostachyum, A. halocnemoides var. pergranulatum and Xerochloa imberbis. This community may also be particularly sensitive to disturbance owing to the possibility of acid sulphate soils. This community is remote from the bauxite deposits and will not be directly impacted. 3.3.12 Melaleuca quinquenervia open Of Of Woodlands and open forests of M. quinquenervia occupy restricted areas within the large forest associated with Concern Concern drainage swamp (Big Footprint Swamp) in MLA 20689 and on the margins of mangroves in scattered coastal swamps linear patterns often no more than several metres wide. They often occur in association with M. saligna and M. leucadendra. M. quinquenervia swamps are disjunctive within the northwest peninsula area. They are impacted by wildfire events late in the dry season and by the foraging of feral pigs. A minor area of this RE is impacted by the proposed Project haul roads. 3.3.14 M. saligna ± M. viridiflora, Least No This RE comprises a woodland to tall shrubland occupying alluvial clay deposits on narrow Lophostemon suaveolens Concern Concern alluvial flats and at the upper limits of saline influence. Where it adjoins mangrove vegetation woodland on drainage swamps. there is a potential for Dendrobium johannis to occur. 3.3.22 Corymbia clarksoniana or C. Least No This RE occurs on alluvial flats often forming part of the transition between 3.5.2 of the novoguineensis woodland on Concern Concern bauxite plateau surface and Melaleuca woodlands. C. novoguineensis is dominant and alluvial plains. typically with a sub-canopy or shrub layer of M. viridiflora. It may also occur on the outer margins of drainage swamps.
5-30 Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
RE DNRM Description VM Act EP Act Project Area Description 3.3.32 M. viridiflora +/- M. saligna Least No Occurs in alluvial drainage swamps and depressions which may be inundated for several woodland in sinkholes and Concern Concern months. Forms seasonal wetlands with inundation to depths of 1 to 2 m for several months of drainage depressions. the year. It comprises a medium to low open shrubland and woodland complex with M. viridiflora, L. suaveolens, Asteromyrtus symphyocarpa and Calycopeplus casuarinoides, and favours poorly drained margins of sinkholes and alluvial flats. The communities provide a low potential habitat for threatened Dendrobium species. During the late dry season, these habitats are heavily impacted by feral pigs and may be subject to high intensity wildfires. 3.3.42 Low woodland of M.viridiflora Least No Occurs on alluvial flats often forming part of the transition between 3.5.2 of the bauxite +/- emergent C. clarksoniana. Concern Concern plateau surface and Melaleuca woodlands. C. novoguineensis is an occasional emergent typically with a sub-canopy or shrub layer of M. viridiflora. It may also occur on the outer margins of drainage swamps. 3.3.49 M. viridiflora low open Least No Woodlands of M. viridiflora occur on alluvial plains more extensively on MLA 20676. woodland on low plains. Concern Concern 3.3.51 M. acacioides +/- Hakea Of Of A restricted RE found on MLA 20676 where it manifests in linear communities fringing the pedunculata tall shrubland on Concern Concern outer margins of estuarine deposits and mangroves. Godwin (1985) recorded the vulnerable marine plains. listed D. johannis in closed M. acacioides scrub in strips within seasonally flooded estuarine plains. 3.3.65 Ephemeral lakes and lagoons Least No The lowest parts of the alluvial depressions within MLA 20689 provide surface water to the on alluvial plains and Concern Concern end of the dry season. Sedgelands of Eleocharis sp. And grasslands of Paspalum vaginatum depressions. are restricted habitats which are unique wetland habitats within the study area and are heavily impacted by feral pigs and by feral cattle grazing. 3.5.2 Eucalyptus tetrodonta, C. Least No Tall woodland and open forests, generally dominated by Darwin Stringybark (E. tetrodonta), nesophila tall woodland on Concern Concern Melville Island Bloodwood (C. nesophila) and Cooktown Ironwood (Erythrophleum deeply weathered plateaus and chlorostachys) are widespread on well-drained lateritic land surfaces on the Merluna Plain remnants. and the Weipa Plateau. Threatened flora species that may be present in this community are Heterachne baileyi which has previously been collected in close proximity to the Project area. 3.5.22 C. clarksoniana, Erythrophleum Least No Occurs on the margins of the bauxite deposits of the plateau surface. Provides potential chlorostachys and other Concern Concern habitat for H. baileyi, which has previously been collected in close proximity to the broader eucalypt woodland on plains. Project area.
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3.1.6 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.1.1a/3.1.3 Water 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.1.6 3.1.6/3.1.3 3.1.6/3.1.3 3.1.6 3.2.10c 3.5.10 3.2.5a/3.3.42b/3.2.3 Water 3.1.6 3.5.7x2a/3.3.49b 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.1.1a/3.1.3 Barge Loading Area SKARDO 3.3.5a N Water RIV 3.1.6 3.1.6 ER 3.1.6 3.1.1a/3.1.6/3.1.3 3.5.10/3.7.3 3.2.5a/3.2.3/3.3.49b/3.2.10c 3.1.1a/3.1.6/3.1.3 3.5.10 3.3.49b 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.12.33a 3.1.6 3.1.6
Water 3.2.10c 3.1.6 3.5.2 3.5.2Haul Road 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.1.6 3.5.2 3.1.6 3.1.1 3.1.1 3.5.2 3.3.14 3.1.1 3.1.1 3.1.1 3.1.6 3.3.51 3.5.2 3.1.6 3.3.12 3.3.51 3.3.51 3.1.3 3.1.6 3.1.3 3.1.6 3.3.51 3.1.6 3.1.6 3.3.49b 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.3.32 3.3.60a/3.1.6/3.5.22c 3.3.42 3.1.6 3.5.4 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.1.6 3.3.64 3.2.5a/3.2.3/3.3.49b/3.2.10c 3.1.1a/3.1.3 BH1 MLA boundary 3.3.14 3.1.6 3.5.2 3.3.50 (MLA 20676) 3.3.14a/3.3.22a 3.5.10/3.7.3 3.1.1 3.5.2 3.3.65
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3.3.65 3.3.42 3.1.6 3.3.12 3.7.3/3.3.49b 3.3.12 8695000 3.1.6 8695000 3.3.22 3.3.51 3.3.22 3.1.3 3.1.1 BH6 West 3.3.14 3.1.6 3.3.22 3.1.6 3.3.22 3.3.22 MLA boundary Water 3.1.3 3.5.2 3.5.2 (MLA 20689) 3.3.22 3.1.6 Water 3.1.1 3.1.6 3.1.1 3.1.1 3.1.3 3.1.3 3.7.3/3.3.49b 3.1.1 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.3.22 3.3.42 Water 3.5.2 3.1.3 Water 3.3.22 3.1.6 3.1.3 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.1.1 3.7.3/3.3.49b 3.1.1 3.1.1 3.1.6 3.1.3 non-rem 3.1.6 3.1.3 3.1.3 3.3.64/3.3.14a/3.3.12 3.5.2 3.1.6 3.3.22 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.3.12 3.1.6 3.3.49b/3.3.22a/3.3.64 3.5.2 3.5.2 3.5.2 3.5.2 Haul Road 3.1.6 3.1.6 3.3.50 3.3.12 3.3.50
3.3.14 3.3.14 Legend 3.3.49b/3.3.9 3.3.22 Barge Loading Area 3.3.32 Watercourse 3.5.2 3.3.14 3.3.14 Haul Road 3.3.14 3.1.1 Water 3.3.32 Camp 3.1.1 Pit Extents Access Accomoodation Camp Road 3.1.1a/3.1.3 3.3.14 3.3.12 3.3.50 3.1.6 Metro Mining Mine Lease Area 3.5.2 8690000 Extent of Ground-truthed 8690000 3.5.2 3.5.2 3.1.6 vegetation mapping 3.5.2 3.5.2 BH6 East Mapped Vegetation MLA boundary 3.3.49b/3.3.9 Of Concern (MLA 20688) 3.3.12 3.3.22 Of Least Concern 3.3.49b/3.3.9 3.5.2 3.3.14 Accommodation Camp 3.3.14a/3.3.22a non-rem Water 3.3.50/3.3.14a
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R Details Date ©COPYRIGHT CDM SMITH DESIGNER CLIENT This drawing is confidential and shall only be used DISCLAIMER Figure 5-7 1 For Information Purposes 16/07/15 for the purpose of this project. CDM Smith has endeavoured to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data. CDM Smith assumes Revised Project area RE mapping 2 Updated Pit Extents 03/05/16 / no legal liability or responsibility for any decisions DESIGNED MD CHECKED - - - 0 345 690 1,380 or actions resulting from the information contained within this map. - DRAWN MD CHECKED - Metres - DATA SOURCE Scale @ A3 - 1:45,000 - - APPROVED - DATE 03/05/16 MEC Mining; GCS GDA 1994 MGA Zone 54 QLD Government Open Source Data; - - Notes: Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric (Geofabric) PRODUCT SUITE V2.1.1 - - DRG Ref: BES150115-009-R1_GROUND_REs_CL F:\1_PROJECTS\BES150115_Bauxite_Hill\GIS\DATA\MXD\FINAL\ERA\TER FW ECOL\BES150115-009-R1_GROUND_REs_CL.mxd Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
5.6.1.3 Threatened Flora Species
Surveys identified 227 plant species within the Project area (refer Attachment 2 of Appendix B1). No flora species listed as Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened under the NC Act were observed within the study area during field assessments. However, a number of species were identified as having some potential to occur. Orchid species were identified during surveys outside proposed clearing areas. The observed specimens were likely to be Dendrobium trilamellatum; however, this species shares similar habitat and has similar habit to the vulnerable flora species D. johannis. These orchids were found in riparian and wetland habitats outside of proposed impact areas, their locations are illustrated within Figure 5-7. No suitable flowering material was present at the time of survey and species level identification was not possible. Further targeted surveys will be undertaken during optimal flowering periods between March to July (DotE, 2015). Surveys failed to detect the presence of the Australian Arenga Palm (Arenga australiasicum) (Vulnerable NC Act) although the species has been found to the south of the Project area during surveys for the Pisolite Hills Project near the Wenlock River (Worley Parsons, 2011).
Habitat requirements for flora species listed under the NC Act and/or EPBC Act were considered during the flora surveys. Species that were identified through desktop searches and their potential to occur within the Project area based on mapped vegetation types and field surveys are listed in Table 5-8. The assessment identified one flora species listed as vulnerable (NC Act and EPBC Act) as likely to occur in the Project area. A further four threatened flora species have some potential to occur in the broader Project area.
Table 5-8 Potential for listed flora species to occur within the study area Scientific Status Name NC EPBC Preferred Habitat Potential to Occur in Project Area Act Act Unlikely. The species has not been recorded during surveys for the Project or SRBP. There are no records in proximity to the Project. The nearest record is located approximately 225 km southeast of the site. Cajanus Perennial herb found in At Musgrave, C. mareebensis has been E E mareebensis grassy woodlands. photographed and collected from the verges of the Peninsula Developmental Road, where the creeper appears to favour edge situations on quartzose sandy or gravelly surfaces (Greencap, 2015). There are some areas of similar habitat in the vicinity of the existing haul road adjacent to the Project lease area. Small tree occurring in vine Unlikely. No suitable habitat in Project area. Atlas Calophyllum forest generally associated of living Australia shows no records in proximity to V V bicolor with springs on edge of the Project. The nearest record is located lateritic escarpments. approximately 60 km south of the site. Orchid species that grows in humid areas of open Potential. The species is only known from the forest and low lying areas eastern side of Cape York. Cepobaculum LC V subject to periodic carronii The Project site does contain suitable habitat of inundation. It often grows low-lying swamps of Melaleuca that are on the papery bark of periodically inundated. Melaleuca viridiflora.
5-33 Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
Scientific Status Name NC EPBC Preferred Habitat Potential to Occur in Project Area Act Act Orchid which occurs at altitudes between 0–400 m above sea level (Jones, Potential. Species have not been recorded during 2006; Queensland surveys for the Project or SRBP. Suitable habitat Herbarium, 2008). It grows occurs in the Project area in association with on trees and rocks with Melaleuca swamps and fringing habitats adjacent Dendrobium moderate light intensity in to the Project area. bigibbum a range of habitats There are records of the species near Aurukun. (also listed as including coastal scrub, Vappodes V V streambank vegetation, Cooktown orchid is relatively well represented in lithicola and monsoon thickets, and coastal dune country in Cape York Peninsula, and is Vappodes gullies in open forest and also found in large numbers in the dune vegetation Phalaenopsis) woodland where fire west and outside the Project area. The species is cannot penetrate (Lavarack most probably in more mesic vegetation types on & Gray, 1985; Dockrill, land zone 2 (sand) such as beach scrubs (Greencap, 1992; Lavarack et al., 2000; 2015). These habitats do not occur in the Project Jones, 2006). It rapidly area. recolonises disturbed sites (Jones, 2006). Likely. During recent surveys individual orchids of similar habit to this species were identified in fringing paperbark woodlands and mangrove margins. However all specimens were infertile at the time of survey. It is likely these orchids are The A common orchid species Three Lamellas Dendrobium (D. trilamellatum) Chocolate of open, humid habitats which has recently been split from Chocolate Tea Tea Tree and is often found on trees Tree Orchid (D. johannis). To confirm the species growing in or close to Orchid V V identification flowering material in needed from Dendrobium swamps and in pockets of March-July period (DotE, 2015). johannis monsoon forest (Queensland Herbarium Given the similarities in these species it is likely 1997). Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid occurs within wetland and fringing habitats within the broader Project area. All orchid species observed were located outside of proposed disturbance areas. Therefore no impacts to threatened orchid species are predicted. Potential. The species has not been recorded during surveys for the Project or the SRBP. The Lepturus nearest record is located approximately 60 km NT A grass of swamp forests. geminatus southwest of the site. Project site contains suitable habitat associated with swamps including Big Footprint Swamp. The species has been Potential. The species has not been recorded identified on seasonally during surveys for the Project or the SRBP. It is Paspalum inundated, cracking clay known from two collections from the Aurukun area multinodum V plains with sedges and of Cape York. Areas of potential habitat are located mangrove or near-coastal outside of proposed disturbance areas for the affiliated plants (Greencap, mine. Except for some minor areas associated with 2015). MIA and haul roads.
5.6.1.4 Special Least Concern Flora Species
Special least concern restricted plants are horticultural species that are not considered sufficiently rare to be classified as threatened species; however, may be subject to harvest and trade to an extent that if unregulated would pose a threat to the species. As such, to ensure that populations of these species do not become threatened, their removal is regulated under the NC Act.
5-34 Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
Special least concern species recorded during the surveys included:
. Chielanthes/Lip ferns (Cheilanthes sp.);
. Bush lily (Crinum uniflorum);
. Drosera lanata;
. Sundew (Drosera sp.);
. Bladderwort (Utricularia sp.);
. Wallum Fringe (Nymphoides exiliflora);
. Blue Lily (Nymphaea violacea);
. Tea Tree Orchid (Dendrobium canaliculatum);
. Fragrant Tea Tree Orchid (Dendrobium trilamellatum);
. Bottlebrush Orchid (Dendrobium smillieae);
. Dendrobium califorme;
. Elegant Hyacinth-orchid (Dipodium elegantulum);
. Tropical Hyacinth-orchid (Dipodium stenochilum); and
. Triggerplant (Stylidium sp.).
5.6.1.5 Declared Weed Species
Surveys undertaken at the already disturbed sites of Skardon landing and the abandoned Skardon Kaolin Project recorded robust populations of introduced flora including Mint Weed (Hyptis suaveolens) and Stylo (Stylosanthes hamata). Surveys found no major weed issues in the undisturbed bushland or existing access roads and tracks with a total of five introduced species recorded. None of these are listed as Weeds of National Significance or under the LP Act. However, there remains potential that intact habitats could be degraded by exotic species occurring in the already impacted area of Weipa.
Gamba grass is a highly invasive tall robust tussock grass that is known to out compete native grasses in similar woodland vegetation in the Northern Territory. It has been introduced to the Cape York as a pasture grass and is known from a number of locations such as Kalinga Holding (Stanton and Teece, 1996), in the far north around Bamaga, at Andoom and on Sudley Station (Fell pers. obs. 2014). The latter occurrence is particularly troublesome given its close proximity to the Project area and the fact that it infests roadsides near the Batavia – Weipa Development Road junction. It is a vigorous and highly robust grass species that occurs in dense tussocky stands to 3 m in height and can dramatically increase fuel loads to produces intense, late dry season fires that seriously damage native vegetation communities. It has the greatest potential to invade soils with higher fertility and higher water holding capacities although it will establish in any degraded areas providing soils have reasonable drainage. Habitats that are at the greatest risk include the stringybark woodlands of RE 3.5.2.
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Other weeds known from the Weipa locality outside of the Project area with the ability to completely dominate and severely alter the ecosystems that they invade include the following (refer Appendix B1 for more information):
. Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia);
. Panicle Joint Vetch (Aeschynomene paniculata); and
. Prickly Croton (Croton hirsutus).
5.6.2 Terrestrial Fauna Values
A total of 214 species of terrestrial vertebrate are known or predicted to occur within a 25 km radius of the study area, comprising 10 frogs, 26 reptiles, 154 birds and 34 mammal species (refer Attachment 1 in Appendix B1 for database searches). A total of 100 terrestrial vertebrate species were recorded during the field surveys for the Project, including 8 frog, 18 reptile, 64 bird and 10 mammal species. A full list of species recorded, including by habitat type, is provided in Attachment 2 in Appendix B1. The faunal community observed appears typical for the region.
Onsite fauna studies have also been carried out for the adjacent SRBP in June 2010, September- October 2014 and February 2015 (RPS, 2015a). The SRBP studies encompass lands located directly south of MLA 20689, and located between and to the north of MLA 20689 and MLA 20688. A total of 122 species of terrestrial vertebrate were recorded from the study area, comprising 13 frogs, 20 reptiles, 66 birds and 23 mammal species. The surveys recorded Black-footed Tree-rat (Mesembrionys gouldi rattoides) (Vulnerable – EPBC Act) (Appendix F in Appendix B1), Estuarine Crocodile (Vulnerable – NC Act; Migratory - EPBC Act) and Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) (Special Least Concern – NC Act). Three bird species listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act were also recorded. These results are discussed in the following sections along with the results of surveys for the Project.
5.6.2.1 Terrestrial Fauna Assemblage
A total of 151 fauna species have been encountered in the study area in fauna surveys for this Project and the SRBP including 15 frog, 23 reptile, 89 bird and 24 mammal species. The limited diversity of flora species and vegetation communities, and relatively uniform landform topography and substrate in the Project area supports a moderate diversity of fauna species.
Herpetofauna Nine amphibian species were recorded during the surveys, four during the late dry and five during the early wet season. Only one species, Cane Toad (Rhinella marina), was recorded during both surveys. One species, Slender Frog (Austrochaperina gracilipes) is listed as of bioregional significance under the BPA for the Cape York Peninsula bioregion. Fauna surveys associated with the SRBP identified 13 species of frog including a further seven species not recorded during surveys for this Project. All species found in both surveys are considered as Least Concern under the NC Act.
Fifteen reptile species were recorded during the surveys, 14 during late dry season surveys, and nine (some previously recorded) during early wet season surveys. Two species, Eborac Island Gecko (Nactus eboracensis) and Carlia sexdentata, are listed as priority species under the BPA for the Cape York Peninsula bioregion. A further nine species of reptile were identified during fauna surveys for the SRBP. Estuarine Crocodile was observed in the Skardon River and Namaleta Creek (south of the Project area) during wet season surveys.
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Birds The bird fauna assemblage observed during the surveys is typical for the region. One bird species, Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), listed as near threatened (under the NC Act) and Vulnerable (under the EPBC Act) was recorded during Project fauna surveys. Palm Cockatoos were recorded infrequently in the tall woodland dominating the site. Surveys for the SRBP also sighted Palm Cockatoos in riparian and wetland habitat.
Nine bird species listed as migratory under the EPBC Act (also Special Least Concern under the NC Act) have been recorded. Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) and Great Egret (Ardea alba) were recorded in low abundance on Big Footprint Swamp during fauna surveys for both Projects in the area. The Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is a migratory wader, typically associated with estuarine mudflat and sandbank habitats. It roosts at night in mangrove vegetation and was only recorded on the Skardon River. Two of the recorded bird species, Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus) and Black-backed Butcherbird (Cracticus mentalis), are listed as non-EVNT priority species under the BPA for the Cape York Peninsula bioregion.
Mammals
In general, mammals were scarce within the Project area during the Bauxite Hills surveys. The Agile Wallaby (Macropus agilis) was the only macropod recorded in the Project area during the Project fauna surveys. Wet season surveys for the SRBP also recorded Antilopine Wallaroo (Macropus antilopinus) (RPS, 2015a). No other native terrestrial mammals were recorded during trapping surveys for the Project, although rodents were commonly observed during the wet season survey. Elliott trapping and baited infrared cameras employed for the SRBP surveys recorded further species including the Black-footed Tree-rat (Mesmbriomys gouldi), listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act, Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) and Cape York Melomys (Melomys capensis) which is listed as a non-EVNT priority species under the BPA for the Cape York Peninsula bioregion.
Three introduced mammal species were recorded in the Project area during the surveys. These included Dingo (Canus lupus dingo), feral Cat (Felis catus), and feral Pig (Sus scrofa). There is potential these species are in some capacity impacting the densities of native fauna and flora species present within the Project area and broader region. Pigs are likely to have impacts to native fauna through foraging competition, the spreading of weeds and creating erosional and water quality issues, particularly within habitats such as Big Footprint Swamp and mangrove habitats. Feral cats cause direct predation pressure on small native fauna, and can respond in large numbers to fluctuations in prey abundance placing pressure on native faunal assemblages.
Four arboreal mammals were recorded during the Project surveys, all during the late dry season survey. These included, Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps), Black Flying-fox (Pteropus alecto), Little Red Flying-fox (Pteropus scapulatus), and Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Analysis of microbat call recording results from the Project surveys could only definitively confirm the presence of two species in the area with a further six considered likely to occur. However, results from the SRBP identified a total of seven species including Forest Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus adamsi) which is listed as a non-EVNT priority species under the BPA for the Cape York Peninsula bioregion.
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5.6.2.2 Conservation Significant Species Observed
A total of 151 fauna species have been encountered in the study area in fauna surveys for the Project and the SRBP. Five fauna species are listed as significant under the NC Act and/or EPBC Act, as outlined in:
. Beach Stone-curlew (Esacus magnirostris) (Vulnerable NC Act);
. Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) (Near Threatened NC Act, Vulnerable EPBC Act);
. Estuarine Crocodile (Vulnerable NC Act, Migratory EPBC Act);
. Black-footed Tree-rat (Vulnerable EPBC Act); and
. Echidna (Tachglossus aculeatus) (Special Least Concern NC Act).
A further nine recorded bird species are listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act:
. Eastern Osprey (Pandion cristatus) (Special Least Concern NC Act, Migratory EPBC Act);
. Great Egret (Ardea alba) (Special Least Concern NC Act, Migratory EPBC Act);
. Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus) (Special Least Concern NC Act, Migratory EPBC Act);
. Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) (Special Least Concern NC Act, Migratory EPBC Act);
. Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) (Special Least Concern NC Act, Migratory EPBC Act);
. Gull-billed Tern (Geochelidon nilotica) (Special Least Concern NC Act, Migratory EPBC Act);
. Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) (Special Least Concern NC Act, Migratory EPBC Act);
. Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) (Special Least Concern NC Act, Migratory EPBC Act); and
. Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons) (Special Least Concern NC Act, Migratory EPBC Act).
Descriptions of the above species are provided in the following sections, and locations of observations are provided in Figure 5-7.
CDM Smith has approached the predicted occurrence of conservation significant fauna species using a conservative approach. As such, analysis of impact has been based on the assumption that significant fauna species which may exist in the study area are present unless evidence to the contrary exists. An additional 15 conservation significant species listed under the NC Act and/or EPBC Act are considered to have potential to occur within the study area (Table 5-9).
5.6.2.3 Exotic Fauna Species Observed
Six introduced terrestrial vertebrate species were recorded within the Project area and surrounds including: Cane Toad (Rhinella marina); Asian House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus); Feral Cattle (Bos sp.); Cat (Felis catus); Dingo (Canis lupus dingo) and Pig (Sus scrofa). Three of these species (Feral Cat, Dingo and Pig) are declared Class 2 pest species under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002.
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Table 5-9 Likelihood of occurrence of conservation significant and migratory fauna Species Status Habitat Preference Likelihood of Occurrence NC EPBC Act Act Known Widespread throughout northern Australia. The Port Musgrave area, and in particular, the Wenlock River, is Known. Observed during surveys for the SRBP and was also confirmed recognised as containing significant habitat for the in waterways, dams, wetlands and the Skardon River around the site Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus Estuarine Crocodile with one of the largest breeding (RPS, 2015a). Estuarine Crocodiles are likely to occur in estuarine V M porosus) populations in Queensland (Greencap, 2015). Suitable areas associated with the Skardon River, tributaries and wetlands habitat includes mangroves, but they also commonly within and adjacent to the Project site. The Skardon River is a known occur in freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes and breeding area for Estuarine Crocodiles (DPI, 2002). swamps. Known. Detected during surveys for the SRBP. Suitable habitat occurs Generally occurs in coastal areas, but is sometimes Eastern Osprey (Pandion throughout the Project area. Wildnet database records. Nearest ALA S M known to travel inland along major rivers in northern cristatus) record located approximately 60 km of the site located to the Australia. southwest. Known. Widespread and common species. Detected on a semi- Shallow wetland habitats, including manmade dams ephemeral swamp during surveys for the Project. Suitable habitat Great Egret (Ardea alba) S M and ponds and moist grasslands (Marchant and occurs throughout the Project area. Wildnet database records. Two Higgins, 1990). ALA records within 10 km of the site located to the west and southwest. Known. Detected on a semi-ephemeral swamp during surveys for the Grasslands, wetlands, pasture and crops. Strongly Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus Project and SRBP. Suitable habitat occurs throughout the Project area. S M associated with grazing animals (Pringle 1985; and coromandus) No database records. Nearest ALA record located approximately 60 Marchant and Higgins, 1990). km of the site located to the southwest.
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Species Status Habitat Preference Likelihood of Occurrence NC EPBC Act Act Known. This species was recorded on the northern bank of the Skardon River during surveys for the SRBP. Beach stone-curlews are Usually found on open, undisturbed beaches, islands, found exclusively along the coast, on a wide range of beaches, islands, reefs, and estuarine intertidal sand and mudflats, reefs and in estuaries, and may often be seen at the edges of or near Beach Stone-curlew (Esacus preferring beaches with estuaries or mangroves mangroves. V magnirostris) nearby. However, this species also frequents river Suitable habitat for the species occurs to the north of the Project mouths, offshore sandbars associated with coral atolls, along the Skardon River and in vicinity of the MIA and loading facility reefs and rock platforms, and coastal lagoons. in mangrove and tidal flat areas. However its primary habitat is associated with beaches and adjacent lagoons and river mouths therefore it is not likely to utilise habitats adjacent to the Project site. Found on the intertidal mudflats of sheltered coasts. It Known. Detected on the Skardon River during surveys for the Project. is also found in harbours, lagoons estuaries and river Suitable habitat occurs in mangrove areas adjacent to the Skardon Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) S M deltas, often those with mangroves, but also open, River. Wildnet database records. One ALA record within 10 km of the unvegetated mudflats. site located to the west. Utilises a wide range of coastal wetlands and some Known. Detected during surveys for the Project. Suitable habitat Common Sandpiper (Actitis inland wetlands, with varying levels of salinity, and is occurs throughout the Project area. Wildnet database records. S M hypoleucos) mostly found around muddy margins or rocky shores Nearest ALA record located approximately 40 km of the site located to and rarely on mudflats. the southwest. Widespread species that may forage over fresh or Gull-billed Tern (Geochelidon Known. Recorded during surveys for SRBP. Location not stated, S M saltwater environments and open grassy habitats. May nilotica) although most likely utilising Skardon River estuary. occur a long way inland. Known. Detected during surveys for the Project. Suitable habitat Inhabit sheltered coastal environments, including occurs throughout the Project area. Potential habitat is associated lagoons, estuaries, river mouths and deltas, lakes, bays, with estuaries of the Skardon River and wetlands. However their Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) S M harbours and inlets, especially those with exposed preferred habitats are associated with coastal environments such as at sandbanks or sand-spits, and also on exposed ocean the mouth of the Skardon River. Two ALA records within 10 km of the beaches. site located to the west.
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Species Status Habitat Preference Likelihood of Occurrence NC EPBC Act Act Known. Detected during surveys for this Project and SRBP. The Project area provides potential foraging and breeding habitats in the woodland areas. Nests may be found in the larger hollow bearing Closed tropical forest and adjacent savanna and Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger trees. The species is also likely to utilise Melaleuca woodlands within NT V paperbark woodland on Cape York Peninsula. This aterrimus) and adjacent to the Project site associated with Big Footprint Swamp species nest in large tree hollows, trunks or stumps. and riparian vegetation of the Skardon River. One ALA record within 10 km of the site located to the southwest.
Open or lightly timbered areas, shrublands, farmland, Known. Wide spread and common species. Detected in Project area Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops cleared land, mangroves and rainforest edges. Also during site surveys. Wildnet database records. ALA shows numerous ornatus) S M disturbed areas that have exposed bare soil in banks records within 10 km of the site located to the north, west and east.
for breeding (Higgins, 1999). Known. This species was detected in the Big Footprint Swamp area Generally occur in dense vegetation, mainly in during surveys for the SRBP. The Pisolite Hills IAS survey identified this Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rainforests, but also in wet sclerophyll forests and species within mangrove habitat at the port development area. rufifrons) S M other dense vegetation such as mangroves, drier Wildnet database records. Atlas of living Australia shows two records sclerophyll forests, woodlands, parks and gardens within 10 km of the Project site located to the west. (Higgins et al., 2006).
Occurs throughout Australia in almost all terrestrial Known. Recorded adjacent to Project area by RPS in October 2014 Short-beaked Echidna habitats except for intensively managed farms. It during intensive infrared camera trapping targeting quolls. No S (Tachyglossus aculeatus) shelters in logs, crevices, burrows and leaf litter database records. Widespread and common species. (Menkhorst and Knight, 2004; Augee, 2008). Known. Recorded adjacent to Project area by RPS in October 2014 Habitats for the species consist of open eucalypt during intensive infrared camera trapping targeting quolls for the woodland and forests with a proximity to watercourses SRBP. Possible habitat, including denning habitat consisting of and low lying vegetated areas. Denning habitat consists Black-footed Tree-rat (North E. tetrodonta woodlands and tree hollows exist within the Project area of tree hollows and sometimes dense foliage such as Queensland) (Mesembrionys LC V and the SRBP area. The species may also utilise adjacent Melaleuca Pandanus spp. Limited information is available on this gouldii rattoides) swamps to the Project such as Big Footprint Swamp. No database sub-species however it is known to be arboreal and records. The nearest ALA record lies approximately 60 km southeast of forage on the ground for fruits and seeds, some the Project area. invertebrates and grasses (Greencap, 2015).
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Species Status Habitat Preference Likelihood of Occurrence NC EPBC Act Act Likely (no terrestrial or freshwater aquatic species are considered likely to occur in the Project area). Refer to Chapter 7 – MNES for marine species that are likely to occur in the Project area. Potential Found on the coast and island of most of Australia, but Potential. Not detected during surveys for the Project; however Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta especially on the Queensland coast. Lives on beaches, suitable habitat exists within the Project area in the form of tidal S M sacra) rocky shores, tidal rivers and inlets, mangroves and rivers, inlets and mangroves. Records of the species are from the exposed coral reefs. mouth of the Skardon River. Potential. Although unlikely within the Project area, may occur in the Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel) S M Typically marine, but frequents coastal areas. region. Wildnet database record and one ALA record within 10 km of the site is located to the west. Potential. Eucalypt forest and woodlands adjacent to the Skardon River in the Project area afford foraging and potentially breeding habitat. This species was not detected during the surveys for the Project or SRBP. Surveys did not identify any Red Goshawk nests which are distinctive large stick nests. Endemic to northern and eastern Australia in coastal There is the potential for Red Goshawks to forage within the and subcoastal areas with large home ranges of up to woodlands of the Project area, but their primary habitat is tall trees Red Goshawk (Erythrotriorchis 200 km2. Occurs in woodlands and forests and prefers E V within 1 km of permanent water. Therefore primary habitat would be radiatus) mosaic habitats that hold a large population of birds associated with the Skardon River and fringing riparian vegetation. and permanent water. Riparian areas are heavily The Project will have minimal impact on riparian vegetation and favoured (Marchant and Higgins, 1993). habitat for Red Goshawk. Large areas of riparian vegetation and foraging woodland for the species are being retained on site. No database records. EPBC online search only. Several ALA records in wider region but nearest record is approximately 100 km to the southeast. Potential. Suitable habitat occurs within and to the north and west of Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago Occurs on swamp and marsh margins and in wet the Project area. EPBC Online search only. No database records or S M hardwickii) pasture (Pringle, 1987). records from previous studies. EPBC Online search only. The nearest ALA record is approximately 80 km to the southeast of the site.
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Species Status Habitat Preference Likelihood of Occurrence NC EPBC Act Act Potential. Suitable habitat occurs to the north and west of the Project Most commonly associated with sheltered coasts, area associated with Skardon River and associated mudflats. However Eastern Curlew (Numenius especially estuaries, bays, harbours, inlets and coastal CE M the primary habitat is more associated with the mouth of the Skardon madagascariensis) lagoons, with large intertidal mudflats or sandflats, River and coastline which is downstream of the mine area. Two ALA often with beds of seagrass. records within 10 km of the Project area located to the west. Potential. Suitable habitat occurs to the north and west of the Project area associated with Skardon River and associated mudflats. The Typically prefers sheltered coastal habitats, with large primary habitat is more associated with the mouth of the Skardon Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris) S M intertidal mudflats or sandflats. This includes inlets, River and coastline which is downstream of the mine area. The bays, harbours, estuaries and lagoons. nearest ALA record is approximately 50 km to the southeast of the site. Occurs in all types of wetlands and has a wide Potential. Not detected during surveys for the Project; however distribution. They are common throughout summer. suitable habitat exists in the Project area in mangrove swamps Common Greenshank (Tringa The species is found both on the coast and inland, in S M associated with the Skardon River and other wetlands such as Big nebularia) estuaries and mudflats, mangrove swamps and Footprint Swamp. Atlas of living Australia shows that the species has lagoons, and in billabongs, swamps, sewage farms and been observed at the mouth of the Skardon River. flooded crops. Known to inhabit tropical and subtropical sandy and Potential. Not detected during surveys for the Project; however Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus coral coasts and estuaries. Breeds in subtropical coastal suitable habitat exists in the north of the Project area, in proximity to S M bengalensis) parts of the world from the Red Sea across to the the proposed barge loading site. Atlas of living Australia shows that western Pacific Ocean and Australia. the species has been observed at the mouth of the Skardon River. Widespread in coastal regions from southern Gulf of Carpentaria to the Torres Strait and along the east Potential. Not detected during surveys for the Project; however coast. Found in sheltered coastal areas (harbours, suitable habitat exists within proximity to the Project associated with Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) S M lagoons, inlets, bays, estuaries and river deltas), the Skardon River and estuarine wetlands. Atlas of Living Australia particularly those with sandy or muddy margins. Also shows that the species has been observed at the mouth of the occur on near-coastal or inland terrestrial wetlands, Skardon River. waterholes, reservoirs, rivers and creeks.
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Species Status Habitat Preference Likelihood of Occurrence NC EPBC Act Act Potential. The Project area does provide some suitable habitat in the woodland areas, including tree hollows for nesting. No recent records Occurs in sclerophyll forests and woodlands often near exist for this species from western Cape York. The species has not Masked Owl (northern) (Tyto grassy open areas. Generally roosts in tree hollows V V been recorded on the Weipa Plateau despite recent surveys. novaehollandiae kimberlii) (although sometimes caves or dwelling are used) and feeds on mammals (Debus, 2012). The Action Plan for Australian Birds (Garnett et al., 2011) species account shows a single record occurring near Aurukun. No database records. EPBC Online search only. An aerial non-breeding summer visitor, may occur over Potential. May be occasional aerial visitor to the study area in the Fork-tailed Swift (Apus pacificus) S M any habitat type, including cleared land and summer months. No database records. EPBC Online search only. The infrastructure. nearest ALA record is approximately 40 km to the east of the site. Utilises open country with water or low moist green Potential. Although unlikely within the Project area, may occur in the vegetation, such as pastures and farm crops, near region due to occurrence of suitable habitat. No database records or Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) S M margins of wetlands and human settlements. The records from previous studies. The nearest ALA record is species usually avoids densely populated areas approximately 50 km to the southeast of the site. Potential. There is a possibility that this species may occur on the Satin Flycatchers are mostly found in eucalypt forest, Satin Flycatcher (Myiagra fringes of the Project area and the SRBP area. However, it is unlikely S M favouring wet forests, moist gullies and watercourses cyanoleuca) that the species occurs across the majority of the Project area. During (Higgins et al., 2006). autumn/spring migrations but generally migrates along coastal areas. Potential. Has not been detected in studies for this Project or the SRBP. Suitable foraging habitat for this species occurs within the region, however there is limited suitable denning habitat. There are three ALA records (1980s) located approximately 22 km south of the site near Mapoon. Populations of this species have been recently Formerly occurred in a variety of habitats across found in the Weipa area at Scherger Air Base (RPS, 2015a) and for the northern Australia and Queensland including: eucalypt Amrun Project (McGoldrick, 2013). Northern Quoll (Dasyurus forest and woodlands, rainforests, sandy lowlands, C V hallucatus) shrublands and grasslands. Now most common in rocky On the basis of this rediscovery, it is possible for northern quolls to eucalypt woodland and open forest within 200 km of recolonise their historical range, which includes the Project area the coast (Menkhorst and Knight, 2004). (Greencap, 2015). The Project site has an absence of complex rocky outcrops for denning habitat. The species is known to generally forage in areas proximate to these rocky areas. The Project site does contain suitable foraging habitat across the Project site in eucalypt woodlands. As the species has a large foraging range there may be some limited potential the species will utilise the Project site.
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Species Status Habitat Preference Likelihood of Occurrence NC EPBC Act Act Potential. Detected as possibly occurring from bat call pass files recorded from the Project area, although not considered to be a positive identification. Studies for the SRBP confirm the presence of Occurs primarily in tropical eucalypt woodland and both S. flaviventris and S. mixtus in the local area. Although no E. possibly rainforest in the coastal lowlands of north- platyphylla woodlands are present within the Project area, suitable eastern Queensland and the Top End of the Northern foraging habitat occurs throughout the Project area as well as larger Territory. It prefers open woodlands, particularly Bare-rumped Sheathtail Bat hollow bearing eucalypts including E. tetradonta which the species has E CE Poplar Gum (E. platyphylla) woodland, and tall open (Saccolaimus nudicluniatus) been associated with in other areas of Australia such as the Northern forest. The small number of confirmed roosts located Territory. in Australia has been in tree hollows. Most roosts are located in hollows at 10-15 m in height with a roost There are no confirmed records from the western Cape York. The entrance 6 to 7 m above the ground. nearest confirmed record is from Iron Range National Park ~ 130 km southeast of the Project area. Churchill (2008) does not have this species’ known range covering the western half of Cape York Peninsula; however, other field guides have mapped this area. Potential. Species is rarely encountered and has not been recorded during this or previous studies in the Project area or surrounds. Known Endemic to Cape York Peninsula and Papua New to prefer and has previously been trapped in RE 3.5.2 (which occurs in Chestnut Dunnart (Sminthopsis NT Guinea. Has previously been encountered in Eucalyptus the Project area). Research suggests that populations are naturally in archeri) tetrodonta, Corymbia nesophila vegetation. low abundance (Greencap, 2015). Wildnet database records. There are two ALA records located approximately 22 km south of the site near Mapoon. Unlikely Found in coastal sandflats, mudflats, estuaries, inlets, Unlikely. While within the overall distribution for the species, it is harbours, coastal lagoons and bays. Rarely found on unlikely that the Project area hosts the bar-tailed godwit due to lack of Bar-tailed Godwit S M inland wetlands or in areas of short grass. The species suitable habitat. The species has not been recorded in the area and prefers foraging on tidal estuaries and shallow water the closest suitable habitat is at the mouth of the Skardon River and and roost on sandy beaches and sandbars. coastal areas. Preference for tropical savanna woodland. During the Unlikely. Currently two populations on Cape York Peninsula are dry season, the choice of habitat appears to be based known associated with a pastoral lease (Artemis Station, Musgrave) Golden-shouldered Parrot E E on the grass seed availability. Nesting appears to be and protected estate (Staaten River NP) to the south of the Project (Psephotus chrysopterygius) more successful where grass has been invaded by area. The nearest ALA record is approximately 100 km to the woodland. southeast of the site.
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Species Status Habitat Preference Likelihood of Occurrence NC EPBC Act Act
Unlikely. No suitable habitat exists within the Project area. The Found in grassland areas where they feed on insects. Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis Darwin Stringybark woodlands are not likely to provide sufficient open S M Vagrant to Australia and breeds in open hills within daurica) habitats and grasslands for foraging. The closest record of the species southern Europe and Asia. is on Thursday Island – some 130 km north of the Project area.
Both species generally occur mostly in dense Black-faced Monarch (Monarcha vegetation, mainly in rainforests, but also in wet Unlikely. Lack of suitable habitat in the Project area. No database melanopsis) S M sclerophyll forests and other dense vegetation such as records or records from previous surveys. The nearest ALA record is Spectacled Monarch mangroves, drier sclerophyll forests, woodlands, parks approximately 50 km to the southeast of the site. (Symposiarchus trivirgatus) and gardens (Higgins et al., 2006). Unlikely. No records from surveys and no database records. EPBC Online search only. Lack of suitable habitat in the Project area and Spectacled Flying-fox (Petropus V V Restricted to tropical rainforest areas. surrounds and no roost sites recorded during surveys for the Project conspicillatus) or SRBP. The nearest ALA record is approximately 110 km to the east of the Project area.
One of the largest microbat species in the world. Occur Unlikely. Suitable habitat for foraging occurs throughout the Project in a wide range of habitats from rainforest, monsoon area. However, suitable roosting habitat does not occur in the Project and vine scrub, to open woodlands in arid areas. These area such as caves and deep rock fissures. This species was not Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas) V habitats are used for foraging, while roost habitat is detected during the surveys for the Project or SRBP. more specific. Favoured roosting sites of the ghost bat There are no records in close proximity to the Project. The nearest are undisturbed caves or mineshafts which have ALA record is approximately 225 km southeast of the site east of several openings (Churchill, 2008). Coen. Unlikely. Nearest known population occurs near Proserpine on the Known to utilise both intertidal and freshwater central Queensland Coast, although suitable mangrove and saltpan Water Mouse (Xeromys habitats. Most records have been from mangrove V V habitat occurs on the margins of the Project area. Has not been myoides) forests, saltmarsh, sedgelands, clay pans and observed in previous studies in the region although species is difficult freshwater Melaleuca wetlands. to detect. EPBC Online search only. *Status abbreviations: NC Act - C = Least Concern, S = Special Least Concern, NT = Near Threatened, V = Vulnerable, and E = Endangered; EPBC Act - Ex = Extinct, M = Migratory, V = Vulnerable, and E = Endangered, CE = Critically Endangered.
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5.6.2.4 Conservation Significant Species Profiles – Threatened Species
Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid (Dendrobium johannis)
Status: Vulnerable – NC Act, and Vulnerable - EPBC Act
Occurrence in the study area: During dry season vegetation surveys in November 2014 a number of suspected Dendrobium orchid species were identified on the edge of Big Footprint Swamp and on the northern boundary of MLA 20676 (Figure 5-7) in Melaleuca and mangrove fringing communities. All Dendrobium specimens were infertile at the time of survey therefore future identification will need to be confirmed during flowering periods. Based on the habit and form of the individuals encountered it is considered more likely these species were the common Dendrobium trilamellatum.
Distribution and habitat: The species is known to occur on Cape York Peninsula from around Coen north to the tip. It prefers open, humid habitats and is often found on trees growing in or close to swamps and in pockets of monsoon forest (Queensland Herbarium 1997). It has been recorded growing on Broad-leaved Tea-tree (M. viridiflora) in Melaleuca floodplain woodland and semi- evergreen vine thicket on a stabilised sand dune.
Threats: Threats include habitat degradation and collection by orchid enthusiasts.
Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus macgillivrayi)
Plate 5-1: Palm Cockatoo
Status: Near Threatened – NC Act, and Vulnerable - EPBC Act
Occurrence in the study area: Recorded infrequently during dry season fauna surveys (November, 2014) throughout the Project area refer Figure 5-7. Also observed during SRBP surveys in fringing woodland immediately to the north of Namaleta Creek and in Darwin Stringybark woodland. The species has been recorded in low numbers from one individual up to three in a flock. The Darwin Stringybark woodlands and fringing Melaleuca forests on the Project site and surrounding area provide foraging and nesting habitat for this species. Hollow bearing trees provide nesting sites for this species.
Ecology and habitat: Palm cockatoos in Australia are conventionally accepted as a distinct subspecies to those found in Papua New Guinea. The species inhabits closed forest and riparian systems, and open woodlands adjacent to these habitats. Pairs are thought to occupy permanent
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breeding territories (Murphy et al., 2003). They feed mostly on the hard seeds of fibrous and woody fruits of woodland, littoral and closed forest species, taken from the canopy and the ground (Wood, 1988; Storch, 1996).
Distribution and breeding: This subspecies is distributed across the north of Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, from north of Pompuraaw on the west coast to Saltwater Creek, Princess Charlotte Bay on the east coast (Storch, 1996; Higgins, 1999). Palm cockatoos breed all year round, although a peak of egg-laying occurring in September has been found in Iron Range National Park (Murphy et al., 2003). Nest preparation is known to usually start between August and November, during the peak breeding period (September). Nests are mostly in large hollow trees, primarily large eucalypts in woodland, with an average distance of 320 m to rainforest (Murphy et al., 2003). However, there have also been observations of nests in smaller trees, which may be related to limitations in the availability of hollows at certain times (Murphy, 2006).
Threats: Threats include land clearing for mining projects, inappropriate fire regimes which impact nesting habitat by destroying nest hollows or allowing rainforest to encroach on woodland habitat, and cyclones which also destroy nest hollows (Garnett et al., 2011).
Beach Stone-curlew (Esacus magnirostris)
Status: Vulnerable – NC Act.
Occurrence in the study area: This species was recorded on the northern bank of the Skardon River during surveys for the SRBP.
Ecology and habitat: The Beach Stone-curlew generally occurs singularly or in pairs, and occasionally in small groups. The species inhabits sandy beaches, especially where sandflats, mudflats or reefs are exposed at low tide, and are often around river mouths. They are mainly nocturnal or crepuscular and adult birds appear to be sedentary. The species feeds predominately on crabs and other marine invertebrates in the intertidal zone (Clancy, 1986; Marchant and Higgins, 1993).
Distribution and breeding: Beach Stone-curlews are exclusively coastal, found around eastern and northern Australia from Ballina in New South Wales to Broome in Western Australia.
Pairs lay a single egg in a scrape in the sand, often in the same area year after year. Once hatched, young are dependent on adults for approximately 7-12 months (Clancy, 1986; Marchant and Higgins, 1993). Eggs have been found from mid-July to mid-November (Freeman, 2012).
Threats: This species can still be found in coastal locations where human activity is high. However, the lack of young birds in such areas suggests that reproduction is being affected by human disturbance (Freeman 2003). Breeding success may also be significantly reduced from predation by cats, dogs and feral pigs (Garnett et al., 2011).
Black-footed Tree-rat (north Queensland) (Mesembriomys gouldii rattoides)
Status: Vulnerable – EPBC Act.
Occurrence in the study area: Recorded on a camera trap during intensive surveys for Northern Quoll in September/October 2014 for SRBP (Appendix F in RPS, 2015a). Not recorded otherwise despite extensive trapping across the area. The exact location of the record was not given. The nearest record to the Project area appears to be a 2004 EHP record located approximately 30 km east of Weipa.
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Ecology and habitat: Little information is available on this nocturnal species. It is recorded mostly from eucalypt woodlands and dens mostly in tree hollows and sometimes in dense foliage (particularly of Pandanus species). It forages on the ground and in trees for a diet of fruit, seeds, invertebrates, flowers and grass (Rankmore and Friend, 2006). Individuals in the western subspecies have been recorded moving at least 500 m from den sites (Friend et al, 1992).
Distribution and breeding: Its distribution is poorly known and has been mostly recorded around Mareeba (Burnett, 2001). It has been sparsely recorded elsewhere in Cape York. Breeding may occur throughout the year, but was found to peak in August-September in the western subspecies (Friend 1992).
Threats: This species is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, inappropriate fire regimes and feral cat predation. Lesser threats include habitat degradation due to livestock and invasive grasses (DotE, 2015).
Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
Status: Vulnerable – NC Act, Migratory – EPBC Act.
Occurrence in the study area: Observed during surveys for the SRBP and was also confirmed in waterways, dams, wetlands and the Skardon River around the Project area (RPS, 2015a).
Ecology and habitat: Their habitat includes marine habitats such as mangroves, but they also commonly occur in freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes and swamps. Crocodiles have wide and varied diets which differ between habitats. Prey size increases with the size of the crocodile, with the diet of juveniles consisting of smaller prey such as insects, crustaceans and occasionally small mammals such as rats. Larger crocodiles feed on fish, crabs, turtles, birds and mammals including large prey items such as wallabies, pigs, water buffalo, cattle and horses.
Distribution and breeding: Widespread throughout northern Australia and its range includes all of the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Queensland east coast south to the latitude of approximately Gladstone. The Port Musgrave area, and in particular, the Wenlock River, is recognised as containing significant habitat for the Estuarine Crocodile with one of the largest breeding populations in Queensland (Abrahams et al., 1995; Read et al., 2004). The Skardon River is a known breeding area for Estuarine Crocodile (DPI, 2002). Studies from the Northern Territory indicate the species breeds in the wet season from November to May (DotE, 2015).
Threats: The Estuarine Crocodile was threatened by hunting pressure prior to its protection in the 1970s. Many populations have now recovered but the species is still threatened by drowning in fishing nets (Ehmann 1992).
5.6.2.5 Conservation Significant Fauna Species Profiles – Other Species (Special Least Concern – NC Act; Migratory – EPBC Act)
Great Egret (Ardea alba) and Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus)
Eastern Cattle Egret and Great Egret were recorded within the Project boundary in low abundance on Big Footprint Swamp, in groups of six and two respectively. Both recorded in same area during surveys for SRBP (RPS, 2015a).
Great Egret is a common widespread species that may be found in most shallow, coastal and inland wetland habitats, both estuarine and freshwater and including man-made dams, ponds and moist grasslands (Marchant and Higgins, 1990; Pizzey and Knight, 2007). This species hunts for fish, frogs and aquatic insects by wading slowly and waiting for prey (Marchant and Higgins, 1990). Breeding
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takes place mostly in summer, but also extends into autumn, with nests built in trees fringing or flooded by water, often in colonies (Marchant and Higgins, 1990; Pizzey and Knight, 2007).
Eastern Cattle Egrets inhabit grasslands, wetlands and wooded lands, often foraging away from water in damp grassland, pasture and crops. The species is strongly associated with grazing animals in Australia, but also forages at garbage tips, follows machinery, and feeds independently. As with Great Egret the species breeds in summer, tending to nest in colonies and over water (Pizzey and Knight, 2007). Occurs in higher rainfall areas of pastoral Australia (McKilligan, 2005).
Eastern Osprey (Pandion cristatus)
Recorded during surveys in February 2015 for the SRBP (RPS, 2015).
The Eastern Osprey is found along the entire Australian coastline and may occur far inland on rivers and lakes, particularly in wet years (Debus, 2012). This species feeds on fish, foraging in rivers, lakes, estuaries and inshore coastal waters. Breeding pairs require nesting sites near suitable foraging areas, and nesting sites include tall trees and artificial structures such as power poles and towers (NPWS, 2002).
The Eastern Osprey population in Australia has decreased since European settlement but has been recovering in recent years (Olsen, 1998). They are threatened by loss of existing and suitable replacement breeding trees, disturbance at the nest site, reduction in quality and quantity of fish stocks, collision with or electrocution by power lines, and the use of pesticides (NPWS, 2002).
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) and Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
Both species detected during surveys for the Project with Whimbrel observed on the Skardon River.
Both species are summer migrants following breeding in the northern hemisphere. Whimbrel is largely a coastal species preferring estuarine areas and may occur around the entire Australian coastline. It is often found on the intertidal mudflats of sheltered coasts as well as harbours, lagoons, estuaries and river deltas, often those with mangroves, but also open, unvegetated mudflats. It also used saltflats with saltmarsh, or saline grasslands with standing water left after high spring-tides, and in similar habitats in sewage farms and saltfields (Higgins & Davies, 1996). The Whimbrel is one of a small group of shorebird species that regularly roost in mangroves and other structures flooded at high tide. They often roost in the branches of mangroves around mudflats and in estuaries and occasionally in tall coastal trees. The greatest threat to the species is habitat loss (DotE, 2015).
Common Sandpiper utilises a wide range of coastal wetlands and some inland wetlands, with varying levels of salinity, and is mostly found around muddy margins or rocky shores and rarely on mudflats. The Common Sandpiper has been recorded in estuaries and deltas of streams, as well as on banks farther upstream; around lakes, pools, billabongs, reservoirs, dams and claypans, and occasionally piers and jetties. The species is often associated with mangroves, and sometimes found in areas of mud littered with rocks or snags (Geering et al. 2007; Higgins & Davies, 1996). Both species are threatened by habitat loss such as coastal land and wetland reclamation (DotE, 2015).
Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) and Gull-billed Tern (Geochelidon nilotica)
Little Tern was detected during surveys for the Project. Gull-billed Tern was recorded during surveys in February 2015 for the SRBP (RPS, 2015a).
Within Australia, the Little Tern occurs along the coastal regions of eastern Australia, south to Tasmania, and across northern Australia, west to northern parts of Western Australia (Higgins and Davies, 1996). It is gregarious and usually occurs in small flocks, although it often roosts in large
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flocks. The species is found along a variety of coastal areas, including lagoons, estuaries, river mouths, lakes, bays, harbours and inlets, especially those with exposed sandbanks.
Nests are generally located in elevated areas five metres from the high water mark and consist of a scrape in the substrate. In south-eastern and eastern Australia this species has suffered serious declines as a result of beachgoers, dogs and vehicles intruding on beach nest sites (Pizzey and Knight, 2003). Little Terns are also threatened by nest predation by rats, gulls, ravens, foxes and feral pigs, and by degradation of estuaries, pesticide residues in fish, and oil-fouling of both birds and beaches (Garnett et al., 2011).
Gull-billed Tern was added to the list of Migratory species under the EPBC Act in 2015. This is a relatively common and widespread species that is largely coastal in distribution but may also occur a well inland over larger freshwater bodies. It occurs on a variety of freshwater and saline wetlands including estuaries, mudflats and beaches. It is a colonial nesting species with nesting consisting of a lined scrape on offshore islands and sometimes elevated spits in lakes.
Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)
Recorded near Big Footprint Swamp adjacent to the Project area boundary during surveys for the SRBP (RPS, 2015).
The Rainbow Bee-eater is widely distributed throughout Australia and eastern Indonesia. The species occurs mainly in open forests and woodlands, shrublands, and in various cleared or semi- cleared habitats, including farmland and areas of human habitation (Higgins, 1999). It usually occurs in open, cleared or lightly-timbered areas that are often, but not always, located in close proximity to permanent water.
In Australia, the breeding season extends from August to January (Boland, 2004; Higgins, 1999). The nest is located in an enlarged chamber at the end of a long burrow or tunnel that is excavated, by both sexes (DotE, 2015), in flat or sloping ground, in the banks of rivers, creeks or dams, in roadside cuttings, in the walls of gravel pits or quarries, in mounds of gravel, or in cliff-faces (Higgins, 1999). The species is distributed over much of mainland Australia and several near-shore islands.
Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons)
Recorded near Big Footprint Swamp adjacent to the Project area boundary during surveys for the SRBP (RPS, 2015a).
Rufous Fantails occur in moist habitats, including closed forests, coastal scrubs, mangroves and along watercourses and gullies, and urban/rural areas during mid-year migration (Pizzey and Knight, 2007; Higgins et al., 2006). They predominantly feed on small insects within the understorey (Higgins et al., 2006). The species occurs across Northern Australia from the Kimberley to Cape York and down the entire eastern coast (Pizzey and Knight, 2007). The eastern races migrate to the north in early autumn and return in early spring to breed (Pizzey and Knight, 2007; Higgins et al., 2006).
Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) – Special Least Concern only
Recorded adjacent to the south of the Project area on a remote camera during surveys for the SRBP (RPS, 2015a).
The Short-beaked Echidna is, with the Platypus and the Long-beaked Echidna (Zaglossus bruijni) of New Guinea, the only three extant species of monotreme, a group of mammals believed to have diverged early in the evolution of mammals, possibly about 200 million years ago (Augee, 2008). The Short-beaked Echidna is specialised for feeding on ants, termites and beetle larvae. It occurs in
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almost all terrestrial habitats except for intensively managed farms. The species is active both by day and night and shelters in logs, crevices, burrows and leaf litter (Menkhorst and Knight, 2004; Augee, 2008). This species occurs throughout Australia and can be expected in all well forested areas. Mating takes place in July and August with juveniles seen from September (Augee, 2008). Short-beaked Echidnas are killed by dingoes/dogs and motor vehicles.
5.6.2.6 Habitat Values for Terrestrial Fauna
Habitat type is a significant factor in the composition of the fauna species assemblage of a given area. Two habitat components are especially important: physical structure and resource availability.
Structure refers to the abundance and complexity of the vegetation, debris and substrate. Habitats with thick ground cover, abundant shrubs and many large trees are complex in vertical structure and provide abundant sheltering sites in dense leaf litter, dense foliage, under loose bark and in tree hollows. Horizontal habitat complexity refers to characteristics such as the presence of ground plant species, open areas, fallen timber and rock crevices that provide sheltering opportunity for terrestrial species. Habitats with higher vertical and horizontal complexity (generally with a diverse plant species assemblage) tend to be more structurally complex due to the different growth forms of different species. In addition, the availability and variety of resources (food, water and mates) affect the number and type of vertebrate species inhabiting an area. Habitats with abundant and variable resources tend to support more species, while the presence of preferred dietary items will facilitate the presence of particular taxa. However, habitat usage will be variable with certain species utilising habitats dependent upon seasonal conditions or in response to a specific event such as recent rainfall or mass flowering events.
Plate 5-2: Darwin Stringybark-Melville Island Bloodwood woodland
The majority of fauna trapping sites were located in the dominant habitat within the Project area of Darwin Stringybark and Melville Island Bloodwood tall woodland. Fauna habitat features within the canopy and sub-canopy of this habitat included numerous trees with hollows, loose and decorticating (i.e. falling off) bark, sparsely scattered food trees (flowering and fruiting), perching opportunities and large cracks. The shrub layer was sparse providing limited coverage and habitat value. During the late dry season surveys, ground layer habitat appeared to have been reduced by fires and contained sparsely scattered logs, including some with hollows, moderate leaf litter
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coverage, and termite mounds scattered sparsely at approximately 4 per hectare. During the early wet season surveys, the ground layer contained moderate to dense coverage of vegetation.
Several drainage lines, waterways and wetlands occur within and in close proximity to the Project area. These include Big Footprint Swamp, which is a large alluvial swamp system comprising a broad drainage depression located outside the western margin of MLA 20689, to the west of the proposed mining footprint. This is a palustrine (forested) wetland which is inundated to 1 to 3 m depth during the wet season, before drying out as the dry season progresses. The lowest depression of the wetland comprises a significant area of grassland and sedgeland of Freshwater Couch (Paspalum vaginatum) and Water Chestnut surrounded by woodland and open forests dominated by Melaleuca species and Swamp Box. The grassland/sedgeland provides seasonal habitat to a range of water birds. Flocks of Magpie Geese (Anseranas semipalmata) are known to feed on Water Chestnut bulbs throughout the dry season, and species such as Brolga (Grus rubicunda) and Black-necked Stork (Epphippiorhynchus asiaticus) are also likely to frequent this wetland. As with the majority of wetlands in the broader Project area, the swamp provides suitable habitat for Estuarine Crocodile.
The outer margins of the wetland system are less regularly inundated and support excellent examples of open swamp forest habitat. Groundcover vegetation was sparse with occasional clumps of sedges with dry season cover of a range of annual and perennial grasses and herbs. Leaf litter formed the dominant ground cover. Structural woody ground habitat was present throughout, although more common in denser patches of Swamp Box. Hollows were sparse to occasional within larger trees and decorticating bark was a feature of the dominant Melaleuca and Swamp Box. These species also provide abundant nectar resources during flowering for bird and bat species. Water remained within the lowest part of the wetland (observed during the November 2014 site survey) towards the end of the dry season period. Wetlands around the fringes of MLA 20676 were observed to have similar habitat characteristics.
Plate 5-3: Outer margin of Big Footprint Swamp (February 2015)
Although wetlands provided important late season resources for native fauna, many in the broader Project area have been impacted by foraging of feral pigs and grazing of small herds of feral cattle. Observations made at Big Footprint Swamp indicated that the margins were impacted by recent late season fires. Large hollow bearing swamp box and paperbarks were particularly affected by fire incursion, therefore reducing hollow availability of old growth trees.
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Wetlands within the Project area and proximity, particularly those that remain inundated throughout the year, provide potential breeding habitat for wetland bird species. Tree hollows also represent important breeding habitat for a range of arboreal species including birds, possums and bat species. Hollows were common within the dominant Darwin Stringybark woodland and areas fringing wetlands and floodplains.
5.6.2.7 Migratory Bird Habitat
For waterbirds, the most important habitat area in proximity to the Project area is Big Footprint Swamp where Great Egret and Cattle Egret were recorded in low numbers. The swamp may also provide local breeding habitat for these species. Mangroves in the surrounding area may also provide roosting habitat for Migratory shorebird species such as Whimbrel as well as foraging habitat for Rufous Fantail.
As defined under the Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 (DotE, 2013), an area may be classified as an ‘important habitat’ for a migratory species if the area contains:
. Habitat used by a migratory species occasionally or periodically within a region that supports an ecologically significant proportion of the population of the species;
. Habitat that is of critical importance to the species at particular life-cycle stages;
. Habitat utilised by a migratory species that is at the limit of the species range; and/or
. Habitat where the species is declining.
It is considered very unlikely the area can be considered as ‘important habitat’ because:
. All species were observed in low numbers and there is no evidence suggesting the region supports an ecologically significant proportion of the populations of any of these species;
. Given the widespread distribution of all of the species observed and the lack of observed breeding/nesting within the Project area, there is no evidence to suggest the habitat is of critical importance at particular life-stages for these species; and
. The Project area is not at the limit of any of the species range or is it known to be habitat where any of the species is declining.
In addition, the Project area is very unlikely to serve as a significant ‘staging’ site (resting place and feeding ground) for migratory shorebirds travelling via the East Asian Australasian Flyway.
5.6.3 Aquatic Ecological Values
5.6.3.1 Desktop Results
The diversity of aquatic flora and fauna within the Project area is heavily influenced by the regions climatic conditions. Extended dry periods followed by monsoonal rains and flash flooding limits the availability of aquatic habitat, therefore restricting species diversity and abundance. A description of local climate including rainfall patterns is described in Chapter 3 – Climate. While from a regional perspective, the permanent water bodies of the Skardon River catchment, and the Skardon River- Cotterell River Aggregation, offer significant diverse habitat, the Project area is largely devoid of permanent standing water.
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The Project area is located in the Skardon River catchment, or drainage sub-basin, which covers approximately 439 km2. The Skardon River watercourses within the Project area are ephemeral and flow only after sustained or intense rainfall. Stream flows are highly variable, with flows typically occurring during the wetter months (November to April), with low to no flow the rest of the year.
Wetlands associated with the Skardon River-Cotterell River aggregation occur within the Project area and MLAs, but not within the footprints of BH1 and BH6 (Figure 5-4). Within MLA 20689 (which includes the western portion of BH6 mining footprint), there are several palustrine wetlands (largely in the southern half of the MLA) coastal and sub-coastal floodplains.
Big Footprint Swamp is a large wetland area located adjacent to, but outside of, the western boundary of the MLA (Figure 5-4). The swamp is dependent on rainfall, runoff and groundwater recharge. In the dry season it is limited to a remnant, shallow pool and in some years it may dry up completely. Big Footprint Swamp is recognised as a wetland of High Ecological Significance (HES). Wetlands considered to be HES are also considered to be MSES (refer Section 5.8).
Along the eastern boundary of MLA 20688 (which includes the eastern portion of the BH6 mining footprint) there are estuarine wetlands (mangroves and saltpans) associated with an un-named drainage channel of the Skardon River. Similar estuarine communities occurs along much of the boundary of MLA 20676 (which comprises the BH1 mining footprint) (Figure 5-4). These communities are also mapped as HES wetlands.
The vegetation of the Project area is a complex mosaic of open forest, woodland, and extensive swamplands, gallery forests on perennial streams and rivers, closed forest and mangroves. The lateritic surface (i.e., Laterites are soil types rich in iron and aluminium, formed in hot and wet tropical areas) of the Weipa Plateau is characterized by eucalypt woodlands. Areas of shallow silty soils with impeded drainage characteristics are scattered across the lateritic surface, supporting low woodland communities with dominant Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Melaleuca species. Shallow drainage depressions provide a seasonal wetland habitat and are dominated by woodlands and open forests with characteristic Melaleuca, Lophostemon, Xanthostemon and Asteromyrtus. These swamp forests display a complex variety of vegetation communities on their margins, compositionally zoned in response to local variations in the persistence of water through the dry season.
The coastal environment of the Mapoon Plain adjoins the study area to the east. The plain features an extensive system of coastal sand dunes, and a complex of grasslands and herblands, Casuarina dominated woodlands, vine thickets, Melaleuca forests and Corymbia woodlands. Poorly drained swales provide seasonal wetland habitats dominated by Melaleuca species, and mangrove communities occur along estuarine areas associated with the Skardon River and Namaleta Creeks. The vegetation communities associated with the wetlands in the area (freshwater and estuarine) are described in Table 5-7 and depicted in Figure 5-7.
Nationally Significant Wetlands - Skardon River-Cotterell River Aggregation
The Skardon River catchment is part of the broader Skardon River-Cotterell River wetland aggregation, which is listed under the DIWA. The Skardon River–Cotterell River Aggregation consists of the estuaries and wetlands of five small rivers within the Skardon River catchment. The aggregation covers a total area of approximately 632 km2, of which approximately 211 km2 (or ~33 % of the total area) comprise DIWA wetlands. These include approximately 115 km2 of estuarine, 95 km2 of palustrine, and 2 km2 of riverine wetlands. In total 309 lacustrine/palustrine wetlands have been mapped throughout the aggregation; however, the majority of the aggregation occurs north of the Skardon River (and hence north of the Project).
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The mining lease areas of the Project adjoin the Skardon River. The inclusion of this aggregation as a nationally important wetland is based on it being:
. A good example of a wetland type occurring within a biogeographic region in Australia;
. A wetland which plays an important ecological or hydrological role in the natural functioning of a major wetland system/complex;
. A wetland that is important as a habitat for animal taxa at a vulnerable stage in their life cycles, or provides a refuge when adverse conditions such as drought prevail; and
. A wetland that supports a diversity of native flora and fauna or communities which are considered endangered or vulnerable at a national level.
The Port Musgrave Aggregation includes Namaleta Creek and is located to the south of the Project area and is also listed in the DIWA. The Port Musgrave Aggregation consists of the enclosed bay, estuaries and wetlands of the Wenlock and Ducie Rivers, and contains one of the largest known breeding populations of Estuarine Crocodiles in Queensland.
Aquatic Conservation Assessment
The Aquatic Conservation Assessment (EHP, 2014b) for the riverine and non-riverine wetlands of the Cape York catchments identified 26 freshwater fish and two freshwater crustaceans as priority species. The majority of these species are not found in close proximity to the Project area, or would be unlikely to persist in the aquatic habitat available therein. There may; however, be suitable habitat within the Project area for Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus), which is listed as a priority species in Cape York catchments due declining abundance related to fishing pressure.
Threatened Aquatic Fauna and Flora
Several threatened aquatic fauna species listed as potentially present in the Project area through database searches (such as sawfish species) are not solely reliant on freshwater and are considered in Chapter 6 – Marine Ecology. Estuarine Crocodiles have been recorded in the Skardon River and it is a known breeding area (DPI, 2002).
The only true freshwater species listed as a Back on Track species for the Cape York NRM region is the Waterhole Yabbie (Cherax cartalacoolah). The Waterhole Yabbie has been recorded on the east coast of Cape York; however, is unlikely to be present within the Project area due to lack of suitable year-long habitat.
One flora species, Lycopodiella limosa, listed as Near Threatened under the NC Act, has previously been recorded 50 km to the east of the Project (Worley Parsons, 2011b). Habitat for Lycopodiella limosa includes wetlands and swamps on soft organic mud /organic sands substrate. The species was considered to have a moderate likelihood of occurrence as there is suitable habitat for this species within wetland areas adjacent to the Project.
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems
A desktop analysis of groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) in Project area surrounds has been carried out by CDM Smith. The results of this assessment are summarised in the following section. The full Groundwater Technical Report is located in Appendix E1.
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The assessment is based on publically available information including:
. Australian groundwater dependent-ecosystem (GDE) toolbox (recently published by the National Water Commission) (SKM, 2011); and
. The National Atlas of GDEs.
The National Atlas of GDEs (GDE Atlas, www.bom.gov.au/water/groundwater/gde/) presents the current knowledge of ecosystems that may depend on groundwater across Australia. A search of the Atlas has revealed a number of areas where ecosystems potentially have some reliance on groundwater. These areas are shown in and include the following ecosystem types:
. Coastal/sub coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamps;
. Coastal/sub coastal floodplain tree swamps (Melaleuca and Eucalyptus); and
. Riverine/riparian.
GDEs are classified based on the role of groundwater in maintaining biodiversity and ecological condition. The following describes each GDE classification; note that only Type 2 and Type 3 GDEs occur in the Project area:
. Type 1 Aquifer and cave ecosystems where groundwater-inhabiting ecosystems (e.g. stygofauna) reside. These ecosystems typically include karst aquifer systems and fractured rock groundwater environments;
. Type 2 GDEs dominate the Project area. These are ecosystems dependent on the surface expression of groundwater include wetlands, lakes, seeps, springs, and river baseflow systems; and
. Type 3 GDEs are dependent on subsurface presence of groundwater and include terrestrial vegetation which depends on groundwater on a seasonal, episodic or permanent basis in order to prevent water stress and generally avoid adverse impacts to their condition.
Based on the review of site specific data and available information, the following potential groundwater dependent areas have been identified within the study area, which are potentially sensitive to changes in the hydrogeological regimes:
. Skardon River, including its tributaries, and the riparian zone. The Skardon River is a perennial river, receiving groundwater discharge (baseflow). Aquatic ecosystems associated with the river are therefore likely to be seasonally dependent on discharge of groundwater that maintains flow during the dry season (Type 2). Vegetation within the riparian zone is supported by rainfall and surface flows as well as groundwater, either via surface expression (Type 2), particularly during the wet season, or proximity of the water table to the plant root zone (Type 3) e.g. groundwater from the alluvial aquifers (Valley Fill Deposits);
. Big Footprint Swamp, which is a freshwater swamp located near the northwest boundary of BH6. According to the GDE Atlas, the swamp is classified as a coastal/sub-coastal floodplain tree swamp (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) that has a high potential to rely on surface expression of groundwater, and is registered in the Queensland DIWA;
. North to south trending drainage line (Lunette Creek) to the west of Big Footprint Swamp, which is identified in the GDE Atlas as having a high potential to rely on surface expression of groundwater. Discharge of groundwater along the drainage line occurs during the wet season;
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. Lunette Swamp, located adjacent to the southern boundary of BH6. According to the GDE Atlas, there is a moderate potential for groundwater interaction at Lunette Swamp i.e. discharge of groundwater is possible, at least temporarily, as the water table rises during the wet season; and
. Namaleta Creek and the riparian zone, located to the south of Lunette Swamp and BH6. The GDE Atlas identifies a low lying wetland along the east-west trending portion of the creek with a high potential for groundwater interaction, relying on surface expression of groundwater (Type 2).
No perennial spring complexes have been identified within the study area.
Terrestrial vegetation experiences seasonal variations in root zone moisture content. At the onset of the wet season, infiltration and surface water inundation replenishes the soil moisture. As the water table rises, it reaches the root zone and, in some places, the ground surface providing a source of water to surface and subsurface GDEs temporarily. As the water table declines soil water left within the unsaturated zone is likely to be accessed by terrestrial vegetation i.e. terrestrial vegetation is likely to be more reliant on soil water that is seasonally replenished by the high water table rather than direct extraction from the water table.
Big Footprint Swamp has an area absent of any tree species directly surrounding the areas of standing water. While the surface inflow and rising water table replenishes the soil moisture and provides a temporary source of water to surface and subsurface GDEs, the seasonal decline of the water table and reduction in the size of standing water during the dry season are also critical for root zone aeration (aerobic soil condition) that maintains the population of Melaleuca trees within Big Footprint Swamp.
5-58 610000 615000 620000 625000
Barge Loading Area RDON SKA RIV E R
Haul Road
BH1 MLA boundary (MLA 20676) 8695000 8695000
BH6 West MLA boundary (MLA 20689)
Haul Road
Legend Barge Loading Area
Watercourse
Haul Road
Pit Extents Camp Access Accomoodation Camp 8690000 8690000 Road Metro Mining Mine Lease Area Groundwater Dependence BH6 East MLA boundary High potential for GW interaction (MLA 20688) Moderate potential for GW interaction
Accommodation Camp Low potential for GW interaction
610000 615000 620000 625000
R Details Date ©COPYRIGHT CDM SMITH DESIGNER CLIENT This drawing is confidential and shall only be used DISCLAIMER Figure 5-8 1 For Information Purposes 16/07/15 for the purpose of this project. CDM Smith has endeavoured to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data. CDM Smith assumes Groundwater dependent-ecosystems 2 Updated Pit Extents 03/05/16 / no legal liability or responsibility for any decisions DESIGNED MD CHECKED - - - 0 250 500 1,000 or actions resulting from the information contained Metres within this map. - DRAWN MD CHECKED - - DATA SOURCE Scale @ A3 - 1:45,000 - - APPROVED - DATE 03/05/16 MEC Mining; GCS GDA 1994 MGA Zone 54 QLD Government Open Source Data; - - Notes: Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric (Geofabric) PRODUCT SUITE V2.1.1 - - DRG Ref: BES150115-007-R1_GDEs F:\1_PROJECTS\BES150115_Bauxite_Hill\GIS\DATA\MXD\FINAL\ERA\TER FW ECOL\BES150115-007-R1_GDEs.mxd Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
Stygofauna
No sampling of stygofauna has been carried out for the Project. However, a pilot survey of stygofauna sampling has been carried out for the adjacent SRBP as per the Guideline for the Environmental Assessment of Subterranean Aquatic Fauna (DSITIA, 2014). Ten bores were sampled in April 2015, five of which lie within, or directly adjacent to the Project area. Of these, six bore samples were found to contain a single individual of stygofauna, either a segmented worm (Oligochaete) or freshwater mite (Acarina) (frc environmental, 2015). This low representation of stygofauna species is not unexpected as the Type 1 aquifer and cave ecosystems where groundwater-inhabiting ecosystems (e.g. stygofauna) preferentially reside were not identified within the Project area. These ecosystems typically include karst aquifer systems and fractured rock groundwater environments.
Of the two types of stygofauna that were identified in the area, Oligochaetes are found in a range of fresh (surface and groundwater) and marine habitats and are tolerant of degraded habitats. They perform important ecological functions where they occur as stygofauna such as consuming bacteria and microalgae between sediment layers. Acarina are also found in fresh and marine waters and in terrestrial habitats as well. They often have a patchy and limited distribution.
There are several environmental factors known to influence the diversity and abundance of stygofauna communities:
. Higher stygofauna diversity is found where the water table occurs less than 10 m below ground level (Hancock and Boulton, 2008). Aquifers in the Project area are within this range;
. It is considered that stygofauna prefer the electrical conductivity (EC) of water to be below 5000 µS/cm. Water quality results from the Project area groundwater bores indicate suitable EC readings, largely below 110 µS/cm;
. Stygofauna diversity is highest where pH ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 although they can tolerate pH as low as 4.5 (Hancock and Boulton, 2008). Water quality results found local groundwater pH ranged from 4.83 to 5.15, being more acidic than stygofauna generally prefer; and
. In eastern Australia stygofauna diversity and abundance is greater in alluvial or sand dominated groundwater ecosystems (Hancock and Boulton, 2008). Clay-dominated geological systems such as that which dominate the Project area and surrounds provide relatively poor habitat for stygofauna due to the small size of pore and void spaces within the substrate (frc environmental, 2015).
The project area is dominated by a clay substrate providing generally unsuitable habitat for stygofauna. In addition, the groundwater in the Project area was found to be relatively acidic (low pH) and outside the range of diverse stygofauna habitats. Given only two taxa were sampled in very low numbers it appears the site provides poor habitat for stygofauna.
5.6.3.2 Field Results
The key physical habitat features of each aquatic ecology site (refer Figure 5-3) are summarised in the Aquatic Ecology Technology report (Appendix B2). The substrate at all sites were dominated by silt/clay with small amounts of sand, although the stream site (AQ03) substrate comprised approximately 10% of bauxite cobbles. The riparian vegetation at all sites was dominated by a Melaleuca species overstore with a predominant grass ground layer.
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Water Quality
Water quality could only be sampled from one site (AQ01) during the dry season survey. During dry season surveys the water in the remnant pool at AQ01 was slightly acidic (pH 6.21) with a relatively low conductivity (291 μS/cm). The low conductivity in the dry season survey suggests that there is little uptake of salts from the local geology. The water was highly turbid with a relatively low dissolved oxygen content (10.1%). High turbidity may be attributed to the watering of wild cattle and feral pigs.
Water quality readings from the wet season survey were characterised by acidic water with low conductivity and low turbidity (Table 5-10). For a more detailed analysis of local surface water quality refer to Section 9.5.5 in Chapter 9: Water Quality. The low turbidity is likely due to the undisturbed nature of the surrounding landscape as well as recent inundation. The acidity is likely due to tannic and humic acids in the recently inundated vegetative matter. While the low conductivity would be related to increased inundation of water entering the system relative to evaporation rates. The higher dissolved oxygen concentration at AQ03 is likely due to mixing in the water column from inflows. Inflows are not as pronounced at the wetland sites, AQ01 and AQ02.
Table 5-10 In situ surface water sampling results (Feb 2015) Parameter Site AQ01 AQ02 AQ03 Water temperature (°C) 28.78 28.85 29.04 pH 5.24 4.85 4.34 Electrical conductivity (µS/cm) 50 37 24 Dissolved oxygen (% saturation 53.6 46.8 76.8 Turbidity (NTU) 4 5 5
Aquatic Flora
Melaleuca forest was the dominant vegetation at all sites. At the time of the late dry season surveys only two aquatic/semi aquatic plant species were recorded in the understory of AQ01 and AQ02; Native Couch and Water Chestnut. Neither of these species are of conservation significance. During the wet season surveys Native Couch had developed large beds at AQ01, but Water Chestnut had been flooded and was yet to re-establish in the recently inundated conditions. No aquatic/semi- aquatic macrophytes were recorded at site AQ03 in the dry season. In the wet season, several specimens of Small Water Ribbons (Triglochin dubia) had emerged from the stream substrate.
Aquatic Macroinvertebrates
During the late dry season surveys macroinvertebrate sampling was restricted due to limited presence of standing water and only visual observations were made. During the wet season surveys, 24 families/taxa of macroinvertebrates, and three families/taxa of microcrustacean were recorded either within, or immediately adjacent to the Project area (Table 8 of Appendix B2).
The highest diversity and abundance of aquatic fauna was recorded at AQ02, suggesting that of the sites surveyed, it may have been inundated the longest. A total of 74 macroinvertebrate individuals were recorded from 16 family/taxa groups. In addition, two family/taxa of microcrustaceans (cladocera and copepod) were recorded.
The second highest diversity and abundance of aquatic fauna was recorded at the other wetland site, AQ01. Here, 40 macroinvertebrate individuals from 10 different family/taxa groups were identified. Three family/taxa of microcrustaceans (cladocera, copepod and ostracoda) were also recorded at AQ01. The lowest diversity was recorded at the stream site, AQ03, where 28 individuals
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were recorded from six macroinvertebrate family/taxa. This suggests that this site had only recently been inundated, meaning that colonisation was later than at the other aquatic sites.
The macroinvertebrate communities recorded in wet season surveys are considered typical of those found in ephemeral systems across Cape York following recent inundation.
Many of the macroinvertebrates recorded during the surveys are likely to be widespread across the region and tolerant of a range of water quality conditions. Two genus of malacostraca in western Cape York are currently poorly understood and therefore may be susceptible to significant changes in the environments around them. These are crayfish (Cherax spp.) and freshwater crabs (Austrothelphusa spp.).
The crayfish in western Cape York (family Parastacidae) are morphologically similar to the Orange- fingered Yabby (Cherax depressus), but are thought to represent a different species complex (Robert McCormack pers. comm.). Genetic and morphological studies are currently in progress to clarify the taxonomic status and geographical ranges. A single crayfish specimen was recorded at site AQ02.
Freshwater crabs contain many undescribed species (Peter Davie, pers. comm), several of which are recorded only from Cape York Peninsula. Several specimens of a small freshwater crab were recorded at sites AQ01 and AQ03, with another specimen collected in a non-targeted assessment downstream from AQ03. Adults were comparable with a species collected from south of Weipa in similar habitat. The species is currently being described by the Queensland Museum and was identified during surveys for the Amrun Project (formerly named the South of Embley Project) (Rio Tinto Alcan, 2011) from the Winda Winda Creek catchment (from three separate sites). This species appears to be closely associated with bauxite deposits, suggesting that it may be excluded from other types of aquatic habitats due to specific water chemistry requirements (Ross Smith pers. comm). A voucher specimen was provided to the Queensland Museum, with its identification yet to be confirmed. Another specimen was captured during aquatic surveys for the SRBP. The crab was sent to the Queensland Museum and identified as an unknown species of juvenile Austrothelphusa.
Aquatic Vertebrates
There was little suitable habitat for aquatic vertebrates at AQ01 and AQ02, and no standing water at site AQ03 during the dry season surveys. The early wet season surveys were conducted following a number of significant rainfall events that had resulted in creek flows and there was substantially more water at all sites compared to the dry season surveys. No vertebrate species were recorded at the wetland site (AQ01 or AQ02) in the wet season surveys. Box traps captured eight specimens of Empire Gudgeon (Hypseleotris compressa). A school of 12 Checkered Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia splendida ssp. inornata) were observed in one pool with a fine mesh cast net used to capture two individuals and verify the species identification.
Similarly no fish species were captured at the two wetland sites during surveys for the SRBP aquatic surveys. Seven species were captured at two sites on Namaleta creek. All were common species and comprised Eastern Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia splendida), Sailfin Glassfish (Ambassis agrammus), Boney Bream (Nematalosa erebi) and Archer Fish (Toxotes chatareus). The catchment of Namaleta Creek lies outside the Project area.
5.6.3.3 Threatened Aquatic Fauna and Flora Species
Of the species listed with a threatened status (refer to Table 5 of Appendix B2), the Largetooth Sawfish (Pristis microdon) is the only one that may be present in the broader Skardon River (freshwater) aquatic environment; however, there is insufficient freshwater habitat across or
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adjacent to the Project area to support juveniles of the species (Peverell, 2005). This species is considered further in Chapter 6 – MNES.
The Estuarine Crocodile is the only fauna species of State significance known to occur within or adjacent the Project area and is discussed in Section 5.6.2.
The only true freshwater species, listed as a Back on Track species for the Cape York NRM region, was Waterhole Yabby (Cherax cartalacoolah). The waterhole yabbie has been recorded on the east coast of Cape York and is unlikely to be present within the Project area due to lack of suitable year- long habitat.
One flora species, Lycopodiella limosa, listed as near threatened under the NC Act, has previously been recorded 50 km to the east of BH1 (WorleyParsons, 2011b). The species has not; however, been previously recorded within the Project area. Databases searches found no listed aquatic flora species within a 25 km radius of the Project area (refer Appendix B2).
Two species of aquatic macrophytes (plants) were listed in the BoT (although not of critical or high conservation importance); Aponogeton cuneatus and A. queenslandicus. A. cuneatus is found in permanent creeks and rivers, often in shaded areas (Jacobs et al., 2006), and as such is not considered likely to occur on or adjacent the Project area. A. queenslandicus grows in temporary freshwater bodies but is unlikely to be present as all known records occur further south than the Project area (Stephens and Dowling, 2002). 5.7 Potential Impacts
The Project comprises a number of components and operational activities, including open cut mining areas and development of associated infrastructure such as the MIA, haul roads and barge landing as described in Chapter 2. Each of these components and activities has the potential to have direct and indirect impacts on MSES, including threatened vegetation communities and marine vegetation, as well as other ecological values.
Throughout the construction, operation and decommissioning phases, the Project has the potential to impact on these ecological values through the following activities:
. Removal of remnant vegetation for the MIA, open-cut mine pits, road corridors and barge landing;
. Topsoil stripping;
. Construction of above ground buildings and facilities;
. Day and night time operation of bauxite mining activities;
. Stockpiling and transportation of the coal resource; and
. General transportation movements.
5.7.1 Direct Impacts – Terrestrial Ecology
5.7.1.1 Vegetation Clearing
The Project will require the clearing of remnant vegetation for construction of the MIA, open-cut mine pits, road corridors and barge landing. Remnant vegetation may also provide habitat for fauna and flora listed as threatened under the NC Act and/or EPBC Act. The layout of the proposed mine,
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associated infrastructure and the existing remnant vegetation on the site is depicted in Figure 5-9. The projected extent of vegetation clearing for each component and relevant REs within the Project including potential impacts to threatened fauna and flora species is presented in Table 5-11. Only those species considered ‘likely’ or ‘known’ to occur are considered.
Table 5-12 details the total projected clearing for each RE within the Project area and the remaining extent of each RE within a 20 km radius of the Project area and within the Cape York Bioregion based on current DNRM mapping.
Table 5-11 Projected clearing of remnant vegetation VM Act Clearing MSES and Habitat for Threatened Project Component RE Status Area (ha) Fauna/Flora BH1 – Pit Extraction Area Potential habitat for: Palm Cockatoo (Near Threatened NC Act, 3.5.2 LC 664.39 Vulnerable EPBC Act) Black-footed Tree-rat (Vulnerable EPBC Act) BH6 East – Pit Extraction LC Potential habitat for D. johannis (Vulnerable 3.3.14 7.9 Area NC Act and EPBC Act) 3.5.2 LC 284.3 Potential habitat for: BH6 West – pit 3.5.2 LC Palm Cockatoo (Near Threatened NC Act, 394.65 extraction area Vulnerable EPBC Act) Mine infrastructure area 3.5.2 LC 6.05 Black-footed Tree-rat (Vulnerable EPBC Act) Camp accommodation 3.5.2 LC 11.41 Camp access roads 3.3.14 LC 0.62 Potential habitat for D. johannis (Vulnerable NC Act and EPBC Act) 3.5.2 LC 0.74 Potential habitat for: Palm Cockatoo (Near Threatened NC Act, Vulnerable EPBC Act) Black-footed Tree-rat (Vulnerable EPBC Act) Barge loading area 3.1.1a/3.1.3 LC 0.25 Marine plants 3.5.2 LC 0.03 Potential habitat for: Palm Cockatoo (Near Threatened NC Act, Vulnerable EPBC Act) Black-footed Tree-rat (Vulnerable EPBC Act) Roll on/ Roll off facility 3.1.1a/3.1.3 LC 0.15 Marine plants 3.5.2 LC 0.04 Potential habitat for: Palm Cockatoo (Near Threatened NC Act, Vulnerable EPBC Act) Black-footed Tree-rat (Vulnerable EPBC Act) Northern haul road 3.1.1 LC 7.89 Marine plants 3.1.1a/3.1.3 LC 2.83 Marine plants 3.5.2 LC 36.43 Potential habitat for: Palm Cockatoo (Near Threatened NC Act, Vulnerable EPBC Act) Black-footed Tree-rat (Vulnerable EPBC Act) Southern haul road 3.1.1 LC 1.85 Marine plants 3.1.1a/3.1.3 LC 7.49 Marine plants 3.1.6 LC 0.25 Marine plants 3.3.12 OC 0.6 Of Concern RE Potential habitat for D. johannis (Vulnerable NC Act and EPBC Act) 3.3.22 LC 0.43 3.3.49b/3.3.9 LC 7.22 Potential habitat for D. johannis (Vulnerable NC Act and EPBC Act) 3.5.2 LC 20.43 Potential habitat for: Internal haul roads 3.5.2 LC 10.99 Palm Cockatoo (Near Threatened NC Act, Vulnerable EPBC Act) Black-footed Tree-rat (Vulnerable EPBC Act)
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Table 5-12 Total clearing of remnant vegetation (DNRM, 2015) Within 20 km radius of Within Cape York RE VM Act Status Clearing Area (ha) Project (ha) Bioregion (ha) 3.1.1 LC 9.74 133.0 (3.1.1a) 7,247.5 (3.1.1a) 3.1.1a/3.1.3 LC 10.72 5,501.1 24,114.3 3.1.6 LC 0.25 1,118.5 22,048.88 3.3.12 OC 0.6 0 219.5 3.3.14 LC 8.52 0 6,355.0 (3.3.14a) 3.3.22 LC 0.43 0 2541.5 (3.3.22a) 3.3.49b/3.3.9 LC 7.22 491.9 1,530.9 3.5.2 LC 1,429.46 44,280.9 528,862.4 Total 1,466.94
The extent of REs in Table 5-12 are based on ‘pure’ REs, or vegetation polygons in which only one RE appears, and may not reflect the actual extent of less common communities. The majority of areas identified for clearing within the Project area have been ground-truthed, whereas vegetation within the 20km radius has been sourced from the higher level State RE mapping that may not have identified all of the applicable communities. For instance, the Of Concern RE 3.3.12 was not originally identified for the Project in the State RE mapping and was only identified following ground-truthing surveys, and is also contained within two large mixed polygons covering approximately 1,000 ha and located directly west of the study area, several small tracts to the east of BH6 East and in Big Footprint Swamp.
Of the REs to be cleared, one is listed Of Concern under the VM Act (RE 3.3.12), while the remainder are listed as least concern. There are no Endangered REs or listed Threatened Ecological Communities in the Project area or surrounds. RE 3.3.12 is impacted by the southern haul road with approximately 0.60 ha expected to be cleared. Where possible, the area of disturbance will be minimised through reducing the haul road width or making adjustments to their location. Additional impacts to remaining vegetation communities will be minimised wherever practicable.
Direct residual impacts on habitat within the Project footprint will be expected to arise as a result of the loss of vegetation communities (including mangrove communities) or individual threatened species during clearing.
Other effects of land clearing may include:
. Encroachment on riparian vegetation associated with Skardon River and Skardon River- Cotterell River Aggregation (refer Figure 5-9) by Project activities which potentially may be subject to degradation through edge effects;
. Loss of habitat, loss of connectivity between habitat areas and associated diminished fauna movement;
. Erosion which then results in sediment runoff into adjacent wetlands and creeks and a reduction in water quality; and
. Loss of land stabilisation and riparian filtration functions.
5.7.1.2 Habitat Loss
Clearing of vegetation will result in loss of habitat for terrestrial flora and fauna including threatened species (refer Table 5-11). Habitat loss has been limited to the mine and minor infrastructure areas. Residual impacts on habitat within the Project footprint will be expected to arise as a result of removal of fauna breeding and resting habitat, such as tree hollows and coarse woody debris, from within mine and infrastructure footprints.
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Impacts on Threatened Flora Values
The potential occurrence of threatened flora species, habitat associations and impacts are summarised in Table 5-8 and Appendix B1
No nationally significant EPBC Act listed flora species were confirmed within the disturbance footprints of the mine areas during the surveys. It is considered Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid, listed as Vulnerable under EPBC Act and NC Act is likely to occur. The species is known from the broader area and the Project site contains suitable habitat for the species. Potential records of the Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid were encountered within wetland habitats proximate to the study area; however, individuals were not in flower and not able to be positively identified. Orchid species were detected in Melaleuca swamps adjacent to proposed mining operations and are unlikely to be impacted by the proposed mining operations. A minimum buffer width of 300 metres is currently provided between proposed operations and the site of the records.
Clearing for the Project will remove 7.8 ha of Melalaeuca dominated habitat (RE 3.3.49 and 3.3.12). These areas will be subject to an inspection by a qualified environmental specialist prior to clearing. Where individuals are identified they will be translocated to similar habitat elsewhere, where possible within the Project area boundary.
5-66 610000 615000 620000
S KA Barge Loading Area R DON RIVER
Haul Road
BH1 MLA boundary (MLA 20676) 8695000 8695000
BH6 West MLA boundary (MLA 20689)
Haul Road
Camp Access 8690000 Road 8690000 Legend BH6 East Watercourse MLA boundary (MLA 20688) Area to be cleared
Accommodation Camp Metro Mining Mine Lease Area
610000 615000 620000
R Details Date ©COPYRIGHT CDM SMITH DESIGNER CLIENT This drawing is confidential and shall only be used DISCLAIMER Figure 5-9 1 For Information Purposes 16/07/15 for the purpose of this project. CDM Smith has endeavoured to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data. CDM Smith assumes Expected vegetation clearance 2 Updated Pit Extents 03/05/16 / no legal liability or responsibility for any decisions DESIGNED MD CHECKED - - - 0 250 500 1,000 or actions resulting from the information contained within this map. - DRAWN MD CHECKED - Metres - DATA SOURCE Scale @ A3 - 1:45,000 - - APPROVED - DATE 03/05/16 MEC Mining; GCS GDA 1994 MGA Zone 54 QLD Government Open Source Data; - - Notes: Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric (Geofabric) PRODUCT SUITE V2.1.1 - - DRG Ref: BES150115-009-R2_GROUND_REs_CL F:\1_PROJECTS\BES150115_Bauxite_Hill\GIS\DATA\MXD\FINAL\ERA\TER FW ECOL\BES150115-009-R2_GROUND_REs_CL.mxd Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
Impacts on Threatened Terrestrial Fauna Values
Impacts to threatened terrestrial fauna will result from land clearing, habitat loss and fragmentation. The potential occurrence of threatened fauna species, habitat associations and impacts are summarised in Table 5-9 and Appendix B1. Only species considered as known or likely to occur are considered to be impacted for this assessment.
Palm Cockatoo (Near Threatened NC Act; Vulnerable EPBC Act) has been observed on the site on several occasions during studies for the Project and SRBP. Habitat for the species includes RE 3.5.2 which is the dominant woodland vegetation in the region and will be subject to the most clearing (1,429 ha over the life of the Project). The species nests in large tree hollows. Therefore it is anticipated that impacts to this species will occur including a reduction in the quality and quantity of foraging and breeding habitat.
Black-footed Tree-rat (Vulnerable EPBC Act) has been recorded on a remote camera trap during a SRBP survey in September 2014. Habitat for this species also includes RE 3.5.2 although it may prefer eucalypt habitat closer to waterways. The species is also known to utilise tree hollows as daytime roost sites. Impacts to this species include a reduction in the quality and quantity of foraging and breeding habitat.
Estuarine Crocodile is known from the area and is listed as Vulnerable (NC Act) and Migratory (EPBC Act). This species is considered in detail in Chapter 6 – Marine Ecology.
Suitable habitat for most of the migratory and marine avian species known to occur, or likely to occur within the Project area includes coastal, wetland, riverine and riparian habitats. It is predicted approximately 30.2 ha of these moister habitats will be impacted by the proposed development layout through clearing for infrastructure (RE 3.1.1, 3.1.3, 3.1.6 and 3.3.14). Impacts to these species are mainly concentrated in mangrove habitat and are considered minor given the extensive similar habitat in the area and region. The area of disturbance will be minimised to the greatest extent possible.
There will be potential indirect impacts to the palustrine wetland Big Footprint Swamp as a result of the Project. The swamp provides foraging and nesting habitat for a number of water birds. However, as the impact may result in a rise in wetland height levels (of approximately 0.15 m) this may increase the amount of available wetland habitat for these species.
Impacts to migratory avifauna which utilise drier habitats such as the rainbow bee-eater or dollar bird were not considered significant either given the extent and quality of habitat supported within the wider region and their ability to adapt to impacts (e.g. persist in urban and cleared environments).
5.7.1.4 Habitat Fragmentation and Connectivity
Connectivity across the broader Project area has been considered in terms of habitat connections and broader corridors with regional linkages beyond the boundaries of the Project area (Attachment 6 in Appendix B1). Within the Project area connectivity is strongly linked to riparian corridors associated with the Skardon River and its tributaries, as well as contiguous tracts of woodland in BH1 and BH6. The Project site is dominated by eucalyptus woodlands that transition to Melaleuca forests and wetlands through to estuarine mangrove forests fringing tributaries of the Skardon River. Vegetation within the site has contiguous linkages to large tracts of eucalypt woodlands in the south and west that then transition to coastal vegetation communities.
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The primary areas of impact on connectivity within the Project area as a result of the Project, include:
. Loss of connectivity within the band of terrestrial vegetation in MLA 20676 associated with the establishment of the BH1 mine area. This would result in the remaining woodlands becoming narrower and more isolated from large, contiguous tracts of vegetation to the east of the Project area. However there will be fringes of woodland retained along the boundary of BH1 to allow fauna to move through these woodlands to riparian vegetation along the Skardon River tributaries to similar habitats in the east;
. Loss of connectivity between riparian corridors and wetland areas in the south of MLA 20676, and between MLA 20676 and riparian and wetland habitats to the west; and
. Reduced connectivity of riparian corridors along the lower Skardon River associated with the construction of mine areas and haul roads. Fauna movement along this corridor and access for less mobile species to aquatic habitats would be restricted. The haul roads also increases the potential for interaction between vehicles and fauna.
5.7.1.5 Edge Effects
A key impact associated with the clearing of vegetation and construction of infrastructure and mine area is the creation of smaller patches of vegetation, with a greater edge-to-surface-area ratio. Impacts associated with this increase in edge area are known as ‘edge effects’ and include increased exposure to weed invasion, light and wind penetration (which can alter microclimate features). Plant communities may become susceptible to disease and an overall decrease in health; over time community structure and composition may change as a result. The quality of associated fauna habitats may deteriorate as a result and some species are known to avoid disturbed habitats.
The impacts of edge effects are difficult to quantify as these effects occur gradually over time. Therefore, direct impacts such as vegetation loss and fragmentation are used to determine impacts. Rehabilitation of disturbed areas and the provision of buffers around undisturbed areas of remnant vegetation will help to minimise edge effects. Similarly, adopting other measures described throughout this assessment will help to lessen the impact of edge effects over the life of the Project.
5.7.1.6 Direct Fauna Mortality
Direct mortality of native fauna may occur as a result of the Project during habitat clearing (particularly where large tree hollows occur), through vehicle collisions and excavations. Mortality during habitat clearing will be managed through the presence of a qualified fauna spotter. It is anticipated that vehicle collisions may pose a long-term risk to local native fauna.
5.7.1.7 Impacts on Surface Water
Potential impacts to surface waters arising from the Project with the potential to impact aquatic values of the Project area include, water quality and alteration of surface water inflows to the swamps and wetland associated with the Skardon River. Surface flow modelling has been undertaken to determine surface water flows of the Project area. The modelling is detailed in the Surface Water Technical Report (Appendix E2) including appropriate management and mitigation measures which are summarised in this section.
During mining, minor drainage channels supplying water to the Skardon River and associated swamps and wetlands will be disrupted, potentially altering flows to these watercourses. Surface water flows from areas associated with the Project may carry pollutants including, sediments,
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hydrocarbons and other chemicals. These will negatively impact water quality of aquatic environs, and lead to significant impacts of aquatic values.
5.7.1.8 Impacts to Groundwater
Groundwater resources are present within the Project area and have been assessed in Chapter 10 – Water Resources and Appendix E1. An assessment of the groundwater resources in the Project area has been completed and potential impacts to groundwater discussed. One potential area of impact is due to clearing of vegetation required and lowering of the ground surface during mining this has the potential to temporarily increase recharge rates.
Numerical groundwater modelling predicts that groundwater discharge rates to Big Footprint Swamp and Skardon River (including the tributaries and estuary) may increase during mining. The quality of recharge water is expected to remain unaffected and relatively small additional volumes of groundwater discharged to the Skardon River are not expected to adversely affect aquatic or riparian ecosystem function.
Numerical groundwater modelling for the Project predicts that groundwater discharge rates to Big Footprint Swamp will have a minor net increase during and post mining activities. Using baseline information gathered for Big Footprint Swamp, the groundwater modelling predicts that with, and without, the Project, pool level fluctuations between wet and dry seasons would be very similar. With mining a maximum increase in pool level of 0.35 metres (m) above the pre-disturbance baseline may occur, although the maximum predicted increase in the peak pool level, at the height of the wet season, would be 0.15 m.
5.7.1.9 Dust
Increased dust resulting from excavations, topsoil stripping, vehicle movement, open-cut mining activities and construction of infrastructure has the potential to impact flora and fauna within the Project area throughout construction and operation. Dust generation has the potential to smother plants, reducing photosynthesis and resulting in decreased vegetation condition or the death of vegetation. Increased dust can result in respiratory issues in fauna, adverse impacts on plant photosynthesis and productivity (Chaston and Doley, 2006), changes in soil properties ultimately impacting plant species assemblages’ (Farmer, 1993), and mortality and/or decrease in aquatic health on aquatic communities from the toxicity of poor water quality. In contrast, recent research on threatened flora in a semi-arid environment in Western Australia found no significant impact on plant health as a result of a range of dust accumulation loads (between 20 and 77 mg/m2) caused by vehicle movements (Matsuki et al., 2016).
Project activities likely to generate dust include mining, waste rock stockpiling, vehicle movements, stockpiling (e.g. topsoil, spoil, product bauxite), and bauxite transport (e.g. haul trucks, etc.). A deposition rate of 500 mg/m2/day is considered sufficient to have a detrimental effect on plant health.
Air quality modelling for the Project (refer Chapter 12 – Air Quality) shows the highest daily dust deposition will occur at the mine village (located 300 m from operational areas on the Project site), with a total deposition of 58.7 mg/m2/day. This is approximately half of the recommended Air Quality Objectives set under State legislation and is not anticipated to significantly impact fauna and flora within the study area.
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5.7.1.10 Noise
Understanding of the impacts of noise on fauna is limited. There are no current government policies or guidelines that recommend thresholds or limits in relation to fauna. Noise may adversely affect wildlife by interfering with communication, masking the sound of predators and prey, causing stress or avoidance reactions, and in some cases may lead to changes in reproductive or nesting behaviour. Excessive noise may lead some species to avoid noisy areas, potentially resulting in the fragmentation of species habitat.
Radle (2007) states the general consensus that terrestrial fauna will avoid any industrial plant or construction area where noise or vibration presents an annoyance to them. Additionally, many animals react to new noise initially as a potential threat, but quickly ‘learn’ that the noise is not associated with a threat (Radle, 2007). Increased noise from operation of machinery and vehicle traffic has the potential to disturb terrestrial fauna species and impact on feeding and breeding behaviour. In general, increased activity levels are likely to result in reduced fauna activity around work areas.
Noise will be generated by the Project through the use of machinery, plant, vehicles, and blasting. The generation of construction and operational noise will be in areas surrounded by intact woodland and wetlands. Fauna species that occur on the site are expected to leave the immediate area of noise impact. During operation the species may become habituated to adjacent habitat following completion of construction disturbance.
5.7.1.11 Light
During the dry season it is proposed that mining operations will be continuous operating 24 hours a day. Therefore lighting will be required at night associated with the mine areas, associated infrastructure such as MIA and accommodation camp, and haul roads. Headlights and flashing lights associated with vehicle movements will also contribute. Combined, these sources would also be expected to result in ‘sky glow’ or the general lightening of the night sky.
Light spill has the potential to impact on nocturnal terrestrial fauna species by disrupting feeding or breeding behaviour and reducing effective ranges. This is likely to be more pronounced in open woodland than light near mangroves as they are denser and light cannot penetrate. Though there are few studies on the impacts of artificial lighting on Australian fauna, research has shown behavioural changes in most faunal groups, for example sugar gliders, amphibians, sea turtles and birds (Ogden, 1996; Longcore and Rich, 2004).
Conversely, increased light will attract insects which may be beneficial for some species. Bats are solely nocturnal, highly mobile (i.e. more likely to come into contact with artificial lights) and forage at a height where light spill is most likely. As such, this group of mammals may be disproportionately affected by artificial lighting. Some species, which are not light adverse, would benefit from lighting due to an associated increase in insect abundance. Other species are light averse, and in some cases even small amounts of light may impinge on activity. Studies done in urban areas has shown that responses to artificial lighting by bats is species specific.
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5.7.1.12 Traffic
The traffic generation associated with the Project has the potential to impact terrestrial flora and fauna in the following ways:
. Mortality resulting from vehicle collision;
. Dust generation, which has the potential to smother roadside plants thereby affecting vegetation condition and reducing available habitat and food resources; and
. Noise disturbance which can disrupt fauna behaviour.
Direct fauna mortality associated with vehicle movement on haul roads and access roads has the potential to impact on a number of fauna species. Reptile species are most at risk as they may use road verges as habitat, or look to cross haul roads therefore are susceptible to collision as they are less mobile than other species. Vehicles will also be using haul roads at night in the dry season therefore collision with nocturnal species may occur.
The highest risk of direct fauna mortality is likely to be associated with vehicles travelling along the haul road to the barge load out facility. This risk is heightened due to its proximity to riparian corridors and wetlands associated with the Skardon River. Reduced speeds on all haul roads should be implemented to minimise the risk of vehicle collision. Provision of directed lighting onto the road also increases visibility for the driver and reduces the risk of startling animals crossing the road at night.
5.7.1.13 Increased Fire Risk
The Project has the potential to increase fire risk associated with the operation of vehicles, and activities undertaken by site personnel (e.g. welding, inappropriate discarding cigarette butts). Uncontrolled fires have the potential to alter ecosystem characteristics and directly and indirectly impact on ecological values in the Project area. Vegetation communities such as Melaleuca wetlands are sensitive to fire and wildfires should be avoided.
Appropriate management systems should be put in place to prevent accidental ignition of fires. A fire break around the accommodation camp should be put in place and fuel loads managed within retained bushland around infrastructure and in wetland areas to minimise the risk of a hot bushfire occurring. Haul roads and access tracks can be used as fire breaks and to assist in managing fire. Fire regimes and management measures will be documented in a Project-specific Fire Management Plan that takes into consideration safety needs but also the needs of each vegetation community and habitat attributes such as tree hollows.
5.7.1.14 Pest Fauna and Weeds
See Chapter 8 – Biosecurity for the impacts associated with the spread of pest fauna and weeds.
5.7.1.15 Aquatic Habitats
The mining footprints of BH1 and BH6 do not overlap wetland habitats within the Project area. The two designated haul roads and barge loading facility do overlap habitat mapped as HES wetlands associated with tributaries of the Skardon River (refer Figure 5-9). These areas are wholly restricted to mangrove communities (RE 3.1.1 and 3.1.3) and marine saltpans (RE 3.1.6).
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Impacts on Surface Water
Potential impacts to surface waters arising from the Project with the potential to impact aquatic values of the Project area include, water quality and alteration of surface water inflows to the swamps and wetlands associated with the Skardon River.
During mining, the drainage channels supplying water to the Skardon River and associated swamps and wetlands may be disrupted, potentially altering flows to these watercourses. Surface water flows from areas associated with the Project may carry pollutants including, sediments, hydrocarbons and other chemicals. These have potential to negatively impact water quality of aquatic environs, and lead to significant impacts of aquatic values.
Similarly any contamination of groundwater due to Project activities may impact surface waters through groundwater baseflows to these environments.
Erosion and Sediment Runoff
Land clearing will occur during the construction and operation phases of the Project as a result of clearing of mining areas, and construction of ancillary infrastructure (e.g. haul roads, barge loading facility etc.). Clearing of remnant vegetation will be required across the mining footprint and will occur in a staged process as the mine progresses. The effects of land clearing relevant to the aquatic ecological values of the Project area may include:
. Increased erosion of soils and runoff to adjacent environs;
. Loss of land stabilisation and riparian filtration functions; and
. Loss of habitat, loss of connectivity between habitat areas and associated diminished fauna movement.
Dust
The Project is located in close proximity to wetland areas such as Big Footprint Swamp which may be impacted by elevated dust levels. Dust generation has the potential to enter aquatic habitats, impacting water quality, and reducing photosynthesis of aquatic plants and riparian vegetation. Project activities likely to generate dust include mining, waste rock stockpiling, vehicle movements, stockpiling (e.g. topsoil, spoil, product bauxite), and bauxite transport.
Light and Noise
The majority of activities that generate increased noise do not occur in close proximity to significant aquatic ecology values, it is expected that potential impacts will be minimal.
Light spill is not likely to impact on aquatic species and light spill should be outside of aquatic ecosystems such as Big Footprint Swamp. There may be potential for light spill in proximity to mangroves along the Skardon River along the northern haul road. This is likely to be less of an impact due to the density of mangroves; however, there is still the potential for impacts to nocturnal species that utilise these mangrove habitats.
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Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems
Groundwater modelling has been carried out to assess the potential impact of Project activities on Big Footprint Swamp and surrounding aquatic ecosystems (refer Appendix E1). Numerical groundwater modelling for the Project predicts that groundwater discharge rates to Big Footprint Swamp will have a minor net increase during and post mining activities.
The size of the standing pool of water present at Big Footprint Swamp in the dry season will naturally vary significantly with different year-on-year climatic conditions. The predicted temporary increase in groundwater discharged to Big Footprint Swamp during mining is unlikely to significantly alter the overall aquatic flora diversity. As with most ecosystems associated with variable and perennial inundation, aquatic and terrestrial ecology values are likely to be tolerant of significant changes in abiotic conditions and available habitats. Species colonising these areas can generally tolerate a range of conditions.
Currently Big Footprint Swamp has an area absent of any tree species directly surrounding the area of standing water during the dry season. If the size of standing water during the dry season significantly increases in area, and does not recede over several years, it is possible for Melaleuca trees to be impacted by anaerobic soil conditions. The modelling results indicate this to be highly unlikely due to the negligible effect on the extent of the inundation zone and connectivity of the swamp with groundwater. As recharge and groundwater discharge are expected to reduce following rehabilitation, any area of the swamp affected temporarily will likely be recolonised by Melaleuca trees post-mining.
The Skardon River receives baseflow and ecosystems (particularly the aquatic ecosystems) depend on this discharge. Additional volumes of groundwater introduced temporarily are predicted to be small (an increase of up to 5%), affecting only the peak discharge, and any changes are likely to be well within natural ranges of ecosystem resilience and resistance. The quality of recharge water is also expected to be unaffected as the mined pits are backfilled with in-situ material. Therefore, potential small increases in groundwater discharge rates to the Skardon River are not considered to adversely affect aquatic or riparian ecosystem function.
The quality of recharge water is expected to remain unaffected and the relatively small additional volumes of groundwater predicted to be discharged to the Skardon River are not expected to adversely affect aquatic or riparian ecosystem function.
Stygofauna
Two stygofauna taxa were sampled from the Project area and surrounds in low numbers with a total of six individual specimens collected in 10 bore samples (frc environmental, 2015): Oligochaete (segmented) worms and Acarina (freshwater mites). The extent to which to the species occurs in the surrounding region is unknown. The potential impacts of the Project to the stygofauna community are considered low and includes the following: . Vegetation clearing; . Contamination from above-ground pollutant sources; and . Physical disturbance of groundwater ecosystems through: • Removal of top soil, sub soils, and bauxite mining • Drawdown of water tables • Compaction of shallow aquifers below haul roads (frc environmental, 2015).
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5.8 Cumulative Impacts
Cumulative impacts on terrestrial ecological values were assessed by considering impacts on vegetation communities and significant species from past, current and (reasonably foreseeable) proposed developments within the broader bioregion. The scope of the cumulative impact assessment included: . Projects within 150 km of the proposed development; . Projects in the broader bioregion; and . Known major infrastructure projects (e.g., power stations or water infrastructure) that are seeking approval or have obtained development approval other than through an EIS. One operational and several proposed mine developments were identified in the broader bioregion (Figure 5-10), and include: . SRBP - Gulf Alumina Limited are progressing approvals for the Project, approximately 100 km north of Weipa. The Project includes three MLAs - MLA 40082, 40069 and 6025 covering a total area of 3,925 ha. These MLAs surround and dissect those of the Project (refer inset Figure 5-10). The Project involves the construction and operation of an open cut bauxite mine with an expected life of ten years. The Project’s EIS was publically released from 2 November 2015 to 11 December 2015, information from which has already informed sections of this chapter; . Weipa and Amrun (formerly South of the Embley) developments - Rio Tinto Aluminium Limited have mined and shipped bauxite from the Weipa mine (north of the Embley River) since 1963. This development has long been the only operating bauxite mine in Queensland, and one of the world’s largest. The bauxite reserves at the Weipa mine are gradually depleting; however, Rio Tinto Aluminium Limited recently secured approval (subject to conditions) to expand the development to include MLAs south of the Embley River (the Amrun Project); . Hey Point Project - Green Coast Resources Pty. Limited proposes to develop a bauxite mine approximately 10 km south of Weipa. A site-specific application for an EA was lodged with EHP in July 2013. Due to the relatively minor scale of the proposed development the EHP deemed that an EIS was not required; however, further information was requested pertaining to land values (rehabilitation), surface and groundwater, and biodiversity impacts. The requested supporting information was submitted to the EHP in November 2014; and . Aurukun development - On August 19 2014, Glencore was selected by the Queensland government as the preferred developer of the Arukun Bauxite Resource, and the Development Agreement was finalised in December 2014. Glencore are currently progressing a feasibility study for the development. The proposed development is approximately 100 km south east of Weipa on Archer Bay, between the Ward and Watson Rivers. Other significant developments in the area include the Urquhart Point Minerals Sands Project, Archer River Quarry, the existing Port of Weipa, and a proposed port development on the Embley River. It is noted Cape Alumina (now known as Metro Mining) were progressing approvals for the Pisolite Hills Project, approximately 50 km north east of Weipa. The ToR for the EIS were released by the Queensland Government in December 2012. However, Metro Mining have since directed their attention to the Project. The EIS was not completed and the ToR has now lapsed. The area of the proposed Project has now been designated a Strategic Environmental Area and will now not be subject to any future development.
5-75 141°30'0"E 142°0'0"E 142°30'0"E
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Details Date R ©COPYRIGHT CDM SMITH DISCLAIMER Figure This drawing is confidential and shall only be DESIGNER CLIENT 1 Details 28/01/16 used for the purpose of this project. CDM Smith has endeavoured to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data. CDM Smith assumes - - - DESIGNED MD CHECKED TK / no legal liability or responsibility for any decisions Significant development projects 015 020 - - or actions resulting from the information contained - DRAWN MD CHECKED TK Kilometres within this map. surrounding the Project - - - Scale @ A3 - DATA SOURCE APPROVED - DATE 29/03/16 1:660,000 MEC Mining 2015; - - - GCS GDA 1994 QLD Government Open Data Source; Notes: DRG Ref: 003-R1_SURROUND_PROJ - - - Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology. F:\1_PROJECTS\BES150115_Bauxite_Hill\GIS\DATA\MXD\FINAL\ERA\SOCIAL\003-R1_SURROUND_PROJ.mxd Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
5.8.1 Cumulative Impact Assessment
Of the developments currently operating or proposed for the area, the SRBP is expected to have the greatest cumulative impact on terrestrial ecological values when considered in conjunction with the Project. The SRBP is directly adjacent to the Project, is due to commence construction at a similar time and operations will also occur during the dry season. The SRBP is also the most likely to proceed as environmental studies have been completed, the EIS has been released, and public consultation completed. The most relevant impacts to be considered for terrestrial flora species relate to the area of remnant vegetation and REs to be impacted, associated loss of fauna habitats and corresponding impacts relating to habitat fragmentation and threatening processes.
5.8.1.1 Cumulative Impacts on Vegetation Communities and Threatened Flora Species
The loss of remnant vegetation cover will occur as a result of construction and operation of the Project and SRBP. Direct impacts on vegetation will occur as a result of staged vegetation clearing for the pit mine areas, and to accommodate the Project infrastructure. For the Project approximately 1,467 ha of remnant vegetation is required to be cleared and the SRBP will result in a total of approximately 1,374 ha. The total combined area of clearing is 2,841 ha. Over 95% of the total clearing will impact RE 3.5.2 (E. tetrodonta and C. nesophila tall woodland on deeply weathered plateaus). This is the most widespread vegetation community in Cape York Table 5-12 and supports a range of flora and fauna species.
Both Projects will result in minor clearing to the Of Concern RE 3.3.12 (M. quinquenervia open forest associated with scattered coastal swamps). The Project and SRBP will impact 0.6 ha and 0.2 ha respectively, giving a total of 0.8 ha. While this RE is locally restricted in its distribution to small patches or linear strips associated with palustrine wetlands and riparian systems, there are two large patches of mixed vegetation polygons containing RE 3.3.12 to the west of the Projects under current DNRM vegetation mapping. RE 3.3.12 comprises 10% of the mapped area. It is associated with a coastal dune wetland system and the polygon is approximately 1,000 ha in area. This patch of RE 3.3.12 is outside of any proposed development footprint. There are no impacts to TECs or Endangered REs as a result of the two bauxite mine Projects.
Flora ecology surveys for both projects have not confirmed the presence of any threatened flora species under the EPBC Act or NC Act. Surveys for the Project potentially recorded D. johannis within wetland habitats proximate to proposed mining areas. The vast majority of known and potential habitat for threatened flora species identified as likely to occur in the broader Project area do not fall with the areas proposed for mining. These habitats are generally associated with buffers protecting riparian or wetland areas and the impact of the Project on these species was not considered significant under the EPBC Act Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 (DotE, 2015) (refer Chapter 7 - MNES).
Orchid species were detected in Melaleuca swamps and mangrove edges adjacent to proposed mining operations and are unlikely to be impacted by the proposed mining operations. A minimum buffer width of 300 m is currently provided between proposed operations and these records. If these orchids are recorded at a later date in the SRBP area they are also likely to be located in vegetation communities outside of proposed disturbance areas. Should an orchid species be recorded within an area required for clearing the species also has the ability to be translocated to suitable adjacent habitats.
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5.8.1.2 Cumulative Impacts to Wetlands
Both this Project and SRBP do not expect direct impacts on the two palustrine wetlands; Big Footprint Swamp and Lunette Swamp. The two wetlands are outside of proposed mining and infrastructure areas however it is noted that the Projects will be undertaking some clearing and mining in close proximity to these wetland areas. Therefore there is potential for indirect impacts to wetlands through changes to hydrology, potential for increased pest animals and plants and altered fire regimes. Both Projects have stated there is likely to be potential for changes to surface water runoff and groundwater levels in these wetland systems. It is expected there will be a small increase in the peak water table in parts of the area due to enhanced recharge, and other parts of the area a decrease in the peak water table due to discharge in the mine pits.
In the vicinity of Big Footprint Swamp, Ewan Wilson Consulting (2015) identifies two time periods when changes to the water table are most extreme:
. Year 2022 when the peak water table to the north of Big Footprint Swamp is predicted to decrease by 0.1 m and the peak water table to the south is predicted to increase by 0.1 m; and
. Year 2026 when the peak water table in the south of Big Footprint Swamp is predicted to increase by 0.1 m.
At these times the Project groundwater modelling is showing small to negligible increases in peak pool level. In year 2026 the peak pool level is predicted to increase by less than 0.1 m. Therefore, a combined peak pool level is no more than 0.2 m. It could be viewed that the predicted drawdown by Skardon River in year 2022 will be offset by the predicted increase in pool level by the Project. Further information in relation to the groundwater modelling is provided in the SRBP EIS Chapter 13 and Appendix E1 – Groundwater Technical Report.
It is not expected the minor changes to pool level and subsequent potential increase in the inundation zone for a period of the year, will have a significant impact on the wetlands ecological function and biodiversity. The wetlands are resilient to changes in water level and duration of inundation due to natural conditions being quite dynamic between wet and dry seasons and also monsoons. The wetlands will still provide habitat for aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna.
5.8.1.3 Cumulative Impacts to Threatened Fauna Species
Direct impacts to threatened fauna known or potentially occurring in the area would result from vegetation clearing required to accommodate the mine and infrastructure footprints for the Project and SRBP. This will in turn result in a loss of foraging and breeding habitats for some species. The largest impact will be to the E. tetrodonta woodlands and those species that utilise these habitats for foraging, nesting and breeding. This may include threatened species such as the Palm Cockatoo and Black-footed Tree-rat and ground-dwelling mammals and reptiles that reside in fallen logs and leaf litter. Both Projects will result in a large loss of E. tetrodonta woodland in the order of 2,841 ha, that will be cleared in stages over approximately 10 years. The clearing represents approximately 6.4% of the extent of this RE within a 20 km radius of the Project and 0.005% of the total extent of this RE in the bioregion.
There will be large areas of E. tetrodonta woodland that will be retained adjacent to those areas cleared within the MLAs, and in the local region and bioregion. Therefore the loss of foraging habitat is not likely to be significant, also including consideration that a number of species are highly mobile and will forage over large areas. Therefore the most significant cumulative impact is likely to be the loss of breeding places such as hollow-bearing trees and fallen logs.
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Species Management Plans and a Vegetation Clearing Plan will be prepared prior to disturbance. These plans will identify specific mitigation measures that will be in put in place to reduce impacts to fauna species and associated habitats and breeding places. Specific mitigation measures will be put in place to minimise the loss of hollow-bearing trees through:
. Retention in-situ where possible;
. A small number of large, hollow-bearing trees will be selectively felled ahead of general clearing and relocated (e.g. cemented in place) within the rehabilitation areas to provide immediate breeding and nesting locations for some species, and act as ‘tall points’ for bird perching within the otherwise cleared areas, whilst rehabilitation is establishing;
. Use of fauna spotters during clearing to ensure hollow bearing trees are identified and measures taken to encourage fauna to exit the hollow, or the spotter will check for fauna once the tree is down and relocate the species to suitable habitats away from clearing; and
. Installation of appropriate nest boxes in adjacent intact habitat that are designed for particular species requirements.
Migratory birds recorded or likely to occur in the Project areas predominantly utilise estuarine habitats such as mangroves, tidal flats and bays associated with the Skardon River and mouth of the Skardon River. Migratory species such as Great Egret and Eastern Cattle Egret have been recorded in close proximity to Big Footprint Swamp and may use this as a foraging area in the wet season. The SRBP will not require clearing in any wetland REs and the Project estimates wetland impacts up to 20.5 ha largely of mangrove habitat. While there are some predicted changes to hydrology of the Big Footprint Swamp and Lunette Swamp in proximity to the two mines, these changes are not expected to have a negative impact on the ecological function or biodiversity values of these swamps. Groundwater modelling is predicting a small increase in pool level and area of inundation which may benefit Migratory bird species by providing a larger foraging area for potentially a longer duration. Therefore it is not expected the Projects will have a cumulative impact on Migratory birds or their habitats.
5.8.1.4 Cumulative Impacts to Connectivity and Threatening Processes
The development of both the Project and SRBP will result in some fragmentation of remnant vegetation and flora and fauna habitats in the local area. Potential for the largest impact to connectivity is between the southern arm of the Skardon River and Big Footprint Swamp. The Project is proposing a haul road directly adjacent to the river and the SRBP is proposing to conduct open pit mining. There is an existing haul road and the Project proposes an open cut pit up to the proposed buffer to the Big Footprint Swamp. Therefore connectivity from the Skardon River southern arm west towards the swamp and coast will be limited for those species that are less mobile. Other areas of habitat loss in the east of the Project area (BH1) will retain connectivity as the riparian areas adjacent to the Skardon River in the north are being retained with buffers to the mine, and remnant tracts of woodland are retained to the east and south of the BH1 pit. Riparian vegetation along Namaleta Creek will also be retained by the SRBP and connectivity to Big Footprint Swamp and Lunette Swamp from the west will not be impacted.
Combined mitigation measures by both projects are anticipated to be considered and implemented to reduce the overall impact to connectivity. These measures include ensuring adequate buffers between Big Footprint Swamp and Lunette Swamp from development, retaining adequate riparian buffers along Skardon River and Nameleta Creek to allow fauna to move through these riparian systems and looking to retain one or two east-west corridors between the southern arm of the Skardon River and Big Footprint Swamp and further south in proximity to Lunette Swamp.
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5.9 Management and Mitigation Measures
The proposed management and mitigation processes outlined within this document will be provided within the Project Environmental Management Plan (EMP). In addition to the Project EMP, Significant Species Management Plans will be prepared for significant terrestrial flora and fauna known or predicted to occur on the site.
5.9.1 Management of Direct Impacts
5.9.1.1 Land Clearing
General mitigation measures to be implemented to reduce the impacts of vegetation clearance and habitat loss include:
. Vegetation clearing will be conducted in the dry season (probably May to August). This is outside the breeding season for a number of species. For example Palm Cockatoo is known to start nest preparation between August to November during the peak breading period, although the species may breed all year round;
. A Significant Species Management Plan should be put in place prior to Project construction and clearing and include the potential presence of threatened species known or likely to occur: Black-footed Tree-rat and Palm Cockatoo. The Plan should outline measures such as translocation processes (during vegetation clearing) and maintain a register of threatened species records for the Project area and surrounds;
. Prior to vegetation clearing an ecological pre-clearance survey will be undertaken by an experienced environmental professional/fauna spotter. Results of the surveys will then inform additional measures that need to be taken either prior to, or during clearing. The surveys will include:
• Identify and mark any hollow bearing trees with a particular focus on potential breeding hollows used by threatened species (such as Palm Cockatoo), nests or other fauna breeding places
• Identify any available seed which can be collected where possible for future rehabilitation
• Identify any listed flora or fauna species that may not have been recorded previously
. During clearing fauna spotters will be present to identify any fauna or fauna breeding places, relocate fauna where possible, and ensure measures are taken to minimise impacts on fauna and their breeding places during clearing;
. The on-site Environmental Representative will be notified of any injured native fauna;
. Clear delineation of areas of native vegetation requiring removal to equipment operators and supervisors before any clearance to ensure disturbance is minimised;
. Use of some fallen logs, rocks will be put into adjacent habitats to retain fauna micro-habitats;
. Speed restriction will be imposed on the haul roads for safety reasons, which will also contribute to limiting fauna road mortality;
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. Maintenance of retained areas of existing vegetation to assist in providing a source of seed for mine rehabilitation works; and
. Where practicable, minimise the total area of disturbance at any particular time and implement progressive rehabilitation.
5.9.1.2 Rehabilitation Management Plan
Metro mining will develop and prepare a site Rehabilitation Management Plan which incorporates rehabilitation monitoring and use of native species for rehabilitation (refer Section 4.8.3 of Chapter 4 – Land for more detail). Rehabilitation will be carried out progressively across the site as the Project progresses. Flora species used for rehabilitation will be based on the results of Biocondition assessments already carried out during site surveys (refer Attachment 6, Appendix B1) and will be monitored. The Rehabilitation Management Plan will incorporate the following:
. Monitoring of rehabilitation success to be conducted at locations representative of the range of conditions on the rehabilitating areas. Reviews will be conducted of monitoring data to assess trends and monitoring program effectiveness;
. A seed bank will be maintained/sourced from adjacent undisturbed habitat and prior to clearing of Project impact areas;
. Use of fallen logs, rocks will be put into rehabilitation areas to retain fauna micro-habitats; and
. A small number of large, hollow-bearing trees will be selectively felled ahead of general clearing and will be relocated (e.g. cemented in place) within the rehabilitation areas to provide immediate breeding and nesting locations for some species, and act as ‘tall points’ for bird perching within the otherwise cleared areas, whilst rehabilitation is establishing.
5.9.1.3 Habitat Loss
Impacts on habitat and associated fauna will be minimised by:
. Minimising vegetation clearance along drainage features in order to maintain bank stability, habitat connectivity and movement corridors for terrestrial fauna species and a habitat refuge for fauna seeking shelter and water including the use of alternate citing for haul roads;
. No clearing of riparian vegetation, or if riparian clearing is required, minimising this to the greatest extent possible and implementing appropriate management and/or mitigation measures;
. Having a qualified spotter-catcher available when clearing in habitat areas; and
. Progressive rehabilitation of mined areas to incorporate the provision of nest hollows and microhabitat features such as trees and logs.
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5.9.1.4 Habitat Fragmentation
These site-scale impacts on connectivity are not considered to have a significant impact on regional- scale connectivity or the value of state-significant biodiversity corridors to the south. Mitigation measures mentioned in the previous sections such as progressive rehabilitation and minimising clearing along drainage features will alleviate potential habitat fragmentation. Other measures for reducing impacts of connectivity are:
. Retain buffers of at least 100m from mine pits to sensitive environmental areas such as wetlands and riparian vegetation as this will reduce edge effects and assist to maintain connectivity; . Construct fauna crossings to assist movement of fauna between habitats (e.g. culverts at creek crossings so fauna can continue to move safely through these areas); and . Fauna crossing structures to assist arboreal fauna to move safely across haul roads, where practicable. 5.9.1.5 Dust
Construction and operation activities will use appropriate dust suppression techniques, which will aid in limiting impacts of dust on vegetation and fauna including:
. Regular watering of active mining areas, stockpiles areas and haul roads that are subject to frequent vehicle movements; . Where possible, erect physical barriers such as bunds and or wind breaks around stockpiles or areas where earth moving is required; . After initial extraction, all overburden material will be placed back within the mined area; and . Overburden will be revegetated progressively. Refer to Chapter 12 – Air Quality for more detailed management and mitigation measures related to air quality including dust suppression and avoidance measures.
5.9.1.6 Noise
Refer to Chapter 13 – Noise and Vibration for further details on proposed noise attenuation measures.
5.9.1.7 Light
Lighting will be required for the construction and operational activities associated with the Project. The current mine plan is based on a two 12-hour shifts for mining, therefore land-based lighting at night time will be required. The following lighting impact management measures will be employed for the Project:
. Direct lights away from adjacent bushland areas including installation of light shields and place lights back from retained bushland areas where possible; . Lighting will be limited to only that which is essential during both construction and operational periods; . Look at using lights that have a reduced light spill effect; . Ground-level path lighting will be used, where practicable; and . Intense lights, or cluster of light, will be avoided, where practicable.
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5.9.1.8 Traffic
The highest risk of direct fauna mortality is likely to be associated with vehicles travelling along the haul road to the barge loading facility. This risk is heightened where the corridor is in close proximity to riparian corridors and wetlands associated with the Skardon River. Reduced speeds will be implemented to minimise the risk of vehicle collision with fauna. Provision of lighting also reduces the risk of startling animals crossing the road at night.
The on-site Environmental Representative will be notified of any injured native fauna and will be trained to treat these animals accordingly. Given the remote nature of the mining operations, veterinary assistance may not be available, in which case a site procedure for humane euthanasia of critically injured fauna will be developed.
5.9.1.9 Increased Fire Risk
Appropriate management systems will be put in place to prevent accidental ignition of fires. Vegetation retained on site will be managed for fuel load and appropriate fire regimes will be put in place to maintain biodiversity values while minimising the risk of bushfire. Fire regimes and management measures will be documented in a site-specific Fire Management Plan that will be developed in coordination with the Mapoon Land and Sea Rangers, and any neighbouring management plans.
5.9.1.10 Weeds
Refer to Chapter 8 – Biosecurity for weed management.
5.9.1.11 Pest Fauna
Refer to Chapter 8 – Biosecurity for pest fauna management and mitigation measures.
5.9.1.12 Aquatic Habitats
The Project alignment was created to incorporate both an efficient design whilst positioning infrastructure where possible to minimise environmental harm. The MLA 20689 boundary was reduced during the design phase to offer additional protection to Big Footprint Swamp, a large alluvial swamp system comprising a broad drainage depression to the west of the BH6 mining footprint. Reducing the extent of the MLA boundary ensures the buffer between this habitat and the mine footprint will be maintained, with a commitment that the buffer will be maintained to at least 100 m.
Buffer zones around watercourses will be in accordance with relevant guidelines, and comprise:
. 50 m for stream order 1 or 2 watercourses;
. 100 m for stream order 3 or 4 watercourses; and
. 200 m for stream order 5 or greater watercourses.
Impacts on Surface Water
Management of potential impacts to water quality within aquatic environs may include:
. Implementing a site-specific Surface Water Management Plan;
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. Preparation of a site Erosion and Sediment Control Plan which incorporates rehabilitation monitoring and trials;
. Sediment containing stormwater from mining operations will be directed to sediment ponds;
. Sediment removal devices will be incorporated in the watercourse crossing design, where appropriate, to reduce sediment loads entering the system; and
. Implementing suitable spill containment around hydrocarbon, chemicals and other harmful substance stores.
A Receiving Environment Monitoring Program (REMP) will be developed and periodically updated as required throughout the life of the Project. The REMP will be implemented through the EMP and will incorporate water quality monitoring to be undertaken up and down stream of the mine site, and in all Project affected waterbodies and watercourses on-site.
Refer to Chapter 9 – Water Quality for additional detail and management and mitigation measures associated with potential impacts to surface water.
Erosion and Sediment Runoff
Clearing of vegetation will occur in stages as mining progresses. General mitigation measures to be implemented to reduce the impacts of vegetation clearance and habitat loss on aquatic values include:
. Maintain a buffer around riparian vegetation;
. Preparation of a site Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (refer to Appendix A3 – Erosion and Sediment Control Plan) and progressive vegetation rehabilitation plan including monitoring and trials; and
. Monitoring of rehabilitation success to be conducted at locations representative of the range of conditions on the rehabilitating areas. Reviews will be conducted of monitoring data to assess trends and monitoring program effectiveness (refer Section 4.8.3 of Chapter 4 – Land for more detail).
5.9.1.13 Impacts to Groundwater
The quality of recharge water is expected to remain unaffected and the relatively small additional volumes of groundwater predicted to be discharged to the Skardon River are not expected to adversely affect aquatic or riparian ecosystem function. A Groundwater Monitoring and Management Plan will be established. Ongoing monitoring and analysis will refine the understanding of the hydrogeological regime of Big Footprint Swamp and the Skardon River and the sensitivity of the associated ecosystems to small variations in pool levels/groundwater discharge rates. If the outcome of further monitoring and investigation identifies unacceptable risks, direct intervention, such as redirection of excess water, may become necessary i.e. minimise the extent of the dry season inundation zone to facilitate aeration of the root zone and maintain the existing extent of Melaleuca trees. Further information is provided in Section 5.8.1.16 and in detail in the Groundwater Technical Report (Appendix E1) regarding Big Footprint Swamp and potential impacts from hydrology changes.
Refer to Chapter 10 – Water Resources for management and mitigation measures associated with potential groundwater impacts.
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5.9.2 Management of Indirect Impacts
Given the unpredictable nature of potential impacts to Big Footprint Swamp, a REMP will be developed with consideration of EHP’s Receiving Environment Monitoring Program Guideline - For use with Environmental Relevant Activities under the EP Act (2014). The REMP will include annual monitoring of Big Footprint Swamp. Where significant changes in the swamp are observed, suitable mitigation measures will be developed and undertaken if necessary.
5.9.2.1 Management of Impacts on Riparian Habitat Values
The area of direct disturbance to riparian vegetation will be minimised to the greatest extent possible. Buffer zones to watercourses (Figure 5-11) will be in accordance with the defined distances as stipulated under the Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy for the Cape York Peninsula Bioregion and comprise:
. 25 m for stream order 1 or 2 watercourses;
. 50 m for stream order 3 or 4 watercourses; and
. 100 m for stream order 5 or greater watercourses.
Impacts on remnant watercourse vegetation will be avoided or minimised through:
. Reducing the width of haul roads/internal roads where they cross watercourses;
. Maintaining adequate buffers where possible from the Skardon River riparian corridor, and providing appropriate scour and erosion protection to maintain the integrity of vegetation and ecological function; and
. Maintaining adequate buffer distances from watercourses not directly impacted by mining.
5.9.2.2 Management of Impacts on Aquatic Habitats
Modelling of impacts to Big Footprint Swamp resulting from changes in groundwater levels indicates a potential average rise in seasonal water levels. The REMP will include annual monitoring of Big Footprint Swamp. Groundwater levels monitored in the vicinity of the swamp and pool levels monitored within the swamp (including the dry season extent of standing water) will enable ongoing refinement of the understanding of the hydrogeological regime of the swamp.
If the outcome of further monitoring and investigation identifies unacceptable risks, direct intervention, such as redirection of excess water, may become necessary i.e. minimise the extent of the dry season inundation zone to facilitate aeration of the root zone and maintain the existing extent of Melaleuca trees.
5-85 605000 610000 615000 620000 625000 630000
ER IV R N O ARD SK 8700000 8700000
Barge Loading Area
Haul Road
BH1 MLA boundary (MLA 20676)
8695000 BH6 West 8695000 MLA boundary (MLA 20689) Legend Barge Loading Area
Watercourse
Haul Road Haul Road Pit Extents
Accomoodation Camp
Metro Mining Mine Lease Area
Directory of Important Wetlands Camp DIW - Buffers Access Directory of Important Wetlands 8690000 8690000 Road 100m Buffer BH6 East MLA boundary Stream Order - Buffers (MLA 20688) 5 - 400m
4 - 300m Accommodation Camp 3 - 200m
2 - 100m
605000 610000 615000 620000 625000 630000
R Details Date ©COPYRIGHT CDM SMITH DESIGNER CLIENT This drawing is confidential and shall only be used DISCLAIMER Figure 5-11 1 For Information Purposes 16/07/15 for the purpose of this project. CDM Smith has endeavoured to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data. CDM Smith assumes Waterway stream order and buffer areas 2 Updated Pit Extents 04/05/16 / no legal liability or responsibility for any decisions DESIGNED MD CHECKED - - - 0 500 1,000 2,000 or actions resulting from the information contained within this map. - DRAWN MD CHECKED - Metres - DATA SOURCE Scale @ A3 - 1:70,000 - - APPROVED - DATE 04/05/16 MEC Mining; GCS GDA 1994 MGA Zone 54 QLD Government Open Source Data; - - Notes: Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric (Geofabric) PRODUCT SUITE V2.1.1 - - DRG Ref: BES150115-056-R1_BUFFER_AREAS F:\1_PROJECTS\BES150115_Bauxite_Hill\GIS\DATA\MXD\FINAL\ERA\BES150115-056-R1_BUFFER_AREAS.mxd Bauxite Hills Project Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecology
5.9.3 Matters of State Environmental Significance and Matters of National Environmental Significance
The MSES (including MNES) that are applicable to the Project under the Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy (SoQ, 2014a) and as it applies to the Project EVs are compiled in Table 5-13.
It is noted that Palm Cockatoo is listed as Near Threatened under the NC Act and is not treated as an MSES species under the Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy (SoQ, 2014a). Palm Cockatoo was listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act in October 2015. As the Project was listed as a Controlled Action in September 2015 the species is not required to be assessed. Nevertheless the species is assessed under the EPBC Act Significant Impact Guidelines (DotE, 2013) in Chapter 7 – MNES.
Table 5-13 Project MSES Category Description Project Applicability
Protected area estates Includes all classes of protected area There are no declared protected areas within or (except nature refuges and near the Project area. The nearest area is coordinated conservation areas). Heathlands Resource Reserve approximately 45 km to the east and will not be impacted.
Marine Parks Includes state marine park zones. There are no State Marine Park zones declared for the Gulf of Carpentaria. Not applicable.
Fish habitat areas Includes areas declared as Fish Nearest declared Fish habitat area is Pine River habitat area A, or fish habitat area B Bay in the Weipa area approximately 80 km to under the Fisheries Act 1994. the south. This area is already subject to Also includes protected marine substantial local disturbance. No impacts plants. expected from the Project activities. The Project will require some clearing of protected marine plants. Threatened Species Includes flora and fauna species There are several terrestrial fauna and flora listed as Special Least Concern, species listed as Vulnerable or Special Least Vulnerable, or Endangered under the Concern under the NC Act (including bird species NC Act and includes habitat that listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act) that supports a listed fauna species (e.g. occur in the study area. foraging roosting or breeding There are nine marine fauna species listed as habitat). Endangered or Vulnerable that are likely to occur in the study area. Refer Chapter 7 – MNES. Regulated vegetation Includes REs classified as There are REs classified as Of Concern, and ‘endangered’ or ‘of concern’, ‘High regulated vegetation intersecting a watercourse value regrowth’ areas containing that may be impacted by the Project. ‘endangered’ or ‘of concern’ REs and REs classified as ‘watercourse’. Wild rivers (high Include the ‘high preservation area’ At the time of writing the wild rivers legislation preservation areas) in the wild river declaration for the has been repealed and therefore does not apply. area.
High conservation value Includes: There are wetland areas considered as of ‘High wetlands Wetlands assessed as ‘High Ecological Significance’ that may be impacted by Ecological Significance’ on the map of the Project. referable wetlands; or High ecological value freshwater and estuarine areas declared under the
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Category Description Project Applicability
Environmental Protection (water) Policy 2009. Legally secured offset Includes offset areas legally secured There are no secured offset areas on or near the areas under a registered covenant, Project area. Not applicable. easement, conservation agreement or development approval condition.
5.9.3.1 Habitat for Threatened Fauna (MSES Species)
Section 5.6.2 describes the likelihood of occurrence of threatened (listed under the NC Act and/or EPBC Act) fauna. Species that are considered unlikely or with potential to occur are not considered further and will not be subject to significant residual impacts from Project activities. There are two fauna species listed as Vulnerable under the NC Act which are considered as likely or known to occur in the Project area or immediate surrounds:
. Beach Stone-curlew; and
. Estuarine Crocodile (also listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act).
Under the Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy: Significant Residual Impact Guideline (SoQ, 2014b) the residual impact criteria for assessing the potential impact of a project’s activities are essentially the same as that for Vulnerable MNES fauna under the EPBC Act Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 (DotE, 2013) (refer Chapter 7 – MNES). The significant impact criteria assessment for each of the threatened species listed above is presented in the following table.
Table 5-14 MSES significant impact criteria: Beach Stone-curlew and Estuarine Crocodile Beach Stone-curlew Estuarine Crocodile Assessment Criterion Assessment Against Significance Criteria Lead to a long-term decrease in the The species occurs sparsely along The Project will require the removal size of a local population of the coastal areas and was recorded at of approximately 20 ha of mangrove species the mouth of the Skardon River (RPS, habitat. There is substantial 2015). The Project will not impact mangrove habitat in the surrounds this area and will not impact the that will remain undisturbed. A preferred coastal habitat. The buffer zone is proposed for Big Project will not lead to a long-term Footprint Swamp which lies outside decrease in the size of a local the Project MLA. The Project will not population. lead to a long-term decrease in the size of a local population. Reduce the area of occurrence of the The Project will not impact the The Project will require the removal species preferred coastal habitat. The of approximately 20 ha of mangrove Project will not reduce the area of habitat. There is substantial occurrence of the species. mangrove habitat in the surrounds that will remain undisturbed. A buffer zone is proposed for Big Footprint Swamp which lies outside of the Project MLA. The Project will not reduce the area of occurrence of the species. Fragment an existing population The species occurs sparsely along The Project is not of an extent that coastal areas and the Project will not will fragment an existing population. impact this habitat. The Project will not fragment an existing population. Result in genetically distinct Project design and location within surrounding landscape is unlikely to result populations forming as a result of in habitat isolation of any species. habitat isolation
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Beach Stone-curlew Estuarine Crocodile Assessment Criterion Assessment Against Significance Criteria Result in invasive species that are A Pest and Weed Management Plan (PWMP) (refer Chapter 8 – Biosecurity) harmful to a vulnerable species to control the introduction and spread of weed species across the Project becoming established in the species area. The PWMP will be in place for the life of the Project, and will minimise habitat the potential for weed invasion and may in the long-term improve habitat condition within vegetation communities located adjacent to Project infrastructure. The Project is considered very unlikely to result in invasive species becoming established in the Project area to the detriment of any threatened species’ habitat. Introduce disease that may cause The Project will incorporate the management of invasive species (refer the population to decline Chapter 8 – Biosecurity) which will assist in the prevention of pest plant introduction and associated diseases resulting from Project activities. Project equipment sourced from overseas will be quarantined as required under State and Commonwealth legislation. The Project is considered unlikely to introduce disease that may cause a population of threatened species to decline. Interfere with the recovery of the The extent of the Project area impact on suitable habitat for these species is species non-existent (Beach Stone-curlew) or negligible (Estuarine Crocodile) and no substantial population of either of the threatened species have been found on the Project site. With mitigation of potential Project impacts any potential impact on a threatened species, should it occur in the Project area, will be very minor and is considered unlikely to interfere with the recovery of the species. Cause disruption to ecologically The species occurs sparsely along The Project will require the removal significant locations (breeding, coastal areas and the Project will not of approximately 20 ha of mangrove feeding, nesting, migration or resting impact this habitat. The Project will habitat. There is substantial sites) of a species not disrupt any ecologically mangrove habitat in the surrounds significant locations. that will remain undisturbed. The Project will not disrupt any ecologically significant locations to more than a minor degree. Assessment of potential for No significant residual impacts No significant residual impacts significant residual impacts expected. expected.
From the significant impact assessment guidelines for habitat for MSES fauna no species are considered to have significant residual impacts as a result of Project activities and as a result will not be subject to the Project biodiversity offsets plan.
5.9.3.2 Matters of National Environmental Significance - Significant Impact Assessment
Assessment of impact significance has been completed as per DotE Significant Impact Guidelines (2013) for those species listed as MNES. These include criteria for species listed as Vulnerable at the time the Section 75 decision for this Project was made (September 2015), including Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid (Table 5-15) and Black-footed Tree-rat (Table 5-16). As stated previously Palm Cockatoo was listed as Vulnerable in October 2015 and as such is not required to be addressed for the Project. Nevertheless this species has been addressed in Table 5-17.
The vulnerable species assessments commence with an evaluation of the likely importance of the population, as defined within the significant impact criteria for vulnerable species:
‘An important population is a population that is necessary for a species’ long-term survival and recovery. This may include populations identified as such in recovery plans, and/or 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.
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Given the specificity of the above definition and the scarcity of information and records available for most listed species and populations in the region (and Australia), it is difficult to determine: 1) attributes such as breeding and dispersal behaviour and whether the particular population is a ‘key source’ and 2) the genetic diversity of individuals inhabiting a population or sub-population. Given the paucity of information available, significance of impacts to threatened species has been based on experience of the assessment team and the latest available information.
Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid
The Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid is known to occur in Cape York and prefers open, humid habitats and is often found on trees growing in or close to swamps and in pockets of monsoon forest (Queensland Herbarium, 1997). Vegetation surveys have confirmed suitable habitat for the species does occur in the broader Project area, such as the lower melaleuca wetlands and fringing habitats. Given these suitable habitats occur within and proximate to the Project area and Dendrobium species were found within these habitats, it is likely this species could occur. The specimens were noted as likely to be The Three Lamellas Dendrobium based on their habit and form. As surveys were conducted at a time when the species is not flowering, it has been classified as “likely to occur”. No orchids have been identified in the proposed clearing footprint of the Project. Pre-clearance surveys will be undertaken by suitably qualified ecologists prior to clearing. Any orchids identified in proposed disturbance areas will be recorded and relocated to suitable habitat away from any potential disturbance. The species flowering period is March to July and if flowering individual orchids are found a sample will be taken for confirmation from the Queensland Herbarium. The area lies well within the known range of the species and an ‘important population’ is not considered likely to occur.
Table 5-15 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid Criterion Assessment Against Significance Criteria (Vulnerable) Lead to a long-term decrease All orchids identified during surveys were not within the proposed disturbance areas in the size of an important for the Project. A number of orchid specimens were identified within fringing population of the species melaleuca and mangrove communities adjoining the proposed impact areas. The proposed action is not expected to result in a decrease to individual or orchid populations as no orchids were found within the proposed impact areas, and a minimum of 300 m buffer is proposed to these records. The proposed action will only result in minor impacts to habitat for these species such as wetlands including melaleuca and mangrove fringing communities. Approximately 37 ha of potential habitat is anticipated to be cleared to accommodate Project infrastructure. Should any threatened orchids be confirmed within the impact areas prior to clearing, they will be translocated where practicable into adjacent, suitable habitats that are outside of any potential impacts. Therefore no short term or long term decrease to the orchid populations are expected. Reduce the area of The proposed action is not expected to result in a decrease to individual or orchid occupancy of an important populations as no orchids were found within the proposed impact areas. The population proposed action will only result in minor impacts to suitable habitat for these species such as wetlands including melaleuca and mangrove fringing communities. Approximately 37 ha of suitable habitat is anticipated to be cleared to accommodate Project infrastructure. Areas of melaleuca wetlands and mangroves are being retained on site and there are also large areas of suitable habitat for the orchid species in adjacent areas to the Project that will support populations. The Project is not expected to reduce the area of occupancy of important orchid populations.
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Criterion Assessment Against Significance Criteria (Vulnerable) Fragment an existing The Project will not fragment existing orchid populations. Where orchids were important population into found, and suitable habitat areas, all occur within the wetland areas of melaleuca two or more populations and mangrove communities. These habitats are connected to the Skardon River and associated tributaries. Large areas of these habitats will be retained on site and are connected to adjacent habitats in the north, south and west of the Project. Adversely affect habitat All orchids identified during surveys were not within the proposed disturbance areas critical to the survival of the for the Project. A number of orchid specimens were identified within fringing species melaleuca and mangrove communities adjoining the proposed impact areas. The proposed action is not expected to result in a decrease to individual or orchid populations as no orchids were found within the proposed impact areas, and a minimum of 300 m buffer is proposed to these records. The Project will not adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of the species. Disrupt the breeding cycle of It is considered the proposed action will not disrupt the breeding cycle of any an important population existing important populations. The orchid species habitats are within wetland areas of melaleuca and mangrove communities. These are connected to the Skardon River and associated tributaries. Large areas of these habitats will be retained on site and adjacent areas therefore reproduction will not be impacted. Modify, destroy, remove, All orchids were detected outside proposed Project impact areas within fringing isolate or decrease the melaleuca and mangrove communities. These specimens were noted as likely to be availability or quality of Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid based on their habit and form; however, there is habitat to the extent that the potential for some of these specimens to be Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid which is a species is likely to decline very similar species (these species were recently known as the same species and referred to as Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid). No flowering material was present at the time of the survey. Therefore identification could not be confirmed. The proposed action will only result in minor impacts to habitat for these species such as wetlands including melaleuca and mangrove fringing communities. Approximately 37 ha of suitable habitat is anticipated to be cleared to accommodate Project infrastructure. Should any threatened or least concern orchids be confirmed on site within proposed clearing areas they will be translocated to suitable adjacent habitats that are not subject to disturbance. Although the action will result in the removal of up to 37 ha of potential habitat for the species, there are still large areas of suitable habitat being retained on site. Also large areas of suitable habitat exist in the broader region which support these orchid populations, therefore the species is unlikely to decline as a result of the Project. Result in invasive species that Ecological surveys found minimal weed incursion within areas of remnant vegetation. are harmful to a vulnerable Weeds observed were generally restricted to areas surrounding existing disturbances species becoming established such as the existing camp facility at Skardon Mine. in the vulnerable species The Project will implement a PWMP to control the introduction and spread of weed habitat species across the Project area. The PWMP will be in place for the life of the Project, and will minimise the potential for weed invasion and may in the long-term improve habitat condition within vegetation communities located adjacent to Project infrastructure. The Project is considered unlikely to result in invasive species becoming established in this species’ habitat. Introduce disease that may The Project EMP will incorporate the management of invasive species which will assist cause the species to decline in the prevention of pest plant introduction and associated diseases resulting from Project activities. Project equipment sourced from overseas will be quarantined as required under State and Commonwealth legislation. The Project is considered unlikely to introduce disease that may cause the species to decline. Monitoring of any confirmed threatened orchids will also occur during operation of the Project to identify if any impacts are arising from disease
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Criterion Assessment Against Significance Criteria (Vulnerable) Interfere substantially with All orchids were detected outside proposed Project impact areas within fringing the recovery of the species melaleuca and mangrove communities. The proposed action will only result in minor impacts to habitat for these species such as wetlands including melaleuca and mangrove fringing communities. Approximately 37 ha of suitable habitat is anticipated to be cleared to accommodate Project infrastructure. Should any threatened or least concern individual orchids be confirmed on site within proposed clearing areas they will be translocated to suitable adjacent habitats that are not subject to disturbance. The action is not likely to interfere with the recovery of this species. No areas identified as priority recovery areas or offsets for this species are known from the Project area or adjoining lands.
Black-footed Tree-rat
The subspecies of Black-footed Tree-rat found in north Queensland was listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act in June 2015. It was recorded on a camera trap in unspecified habitat (although likely to be Darwin Stringybark woodland) during intensive surveys for Northern Quoll in September/October 2014 for the SRBP (RPS, 2015). It was not recorded on any other occasion despite extensive small mammal and remote camera trapping and spotlighting over several surveys.
The nearest record to the Project area appears to be a 2004 EHP record located approximately 30 km east of Weipa. Current records hold the species at various locations on Cape York Peninsula including Mareeba, Piccaninny Plains and Mungkan Kandju National Park (Greencap, 2015). The species current potential distribution is the entire Cape York Peninsula where extensive tracts of undisturbed woodland remain and the species may well go undetected. The density of individuals in the area is uncertain; however, it is noted that the species was not detected during any other surveys for this Project or the SRBP. It is considered unlikely an important population occurs in the area.
Preclearance surveys will require the presence of a fauna spotter to check tree hollows for resident fauna prior to clearing and be present when clearing takes place. Should any individuals be located during tree clearing they will be relocated to suitable adjacent habitats by a qualified environmental practitioner/fauna spotter. A SSMP would be put in place prior to Project construction and clearing and include the potential presence of this species. The Plan would outline measures such as translocation processes (during vegetation clearing) and maintain a register of individual records which will also add to the knowledge of the extent of the species occurrence in the area.
Table 5-16 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Black-footed Tree-rat Criterion Assessment Against Significance Criteria (Vulnerable) Lead to a long-term decrease It is unlikely an important population exists in the area. The Project requires the in the size of an important clearing 1,429 ha of Darwin Stringybark woodland (RE 3.5.2). This habitat remains population of the species widespread in the surrounding region with a further 44,280 ha located within a 20 km radius of the Project area. The habitat the species is considered more likely to occur in (eucalypt woodlands close to watercourses/low-lying areas) will remain largely undisturbed by clearing and will remain connected to similar vegetation beyond the Project’s boundary. Tree clearing activities will require the presence of a fauna spotter to check tree hollows prior to clearing. Should any individuals be located during preclearance activities they will be relocated to suitable adjacent habitats by a qualified environmental practitioner/fauna spotter. The Project is unlikely to lead to a long-term decrease in the size of an important population.
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Reduce the area of It is unlikely an important population exists on the site. The Project requires the occupancy of an important clearing 1,429 ha of Darwin Stringybark woodland. This habitat remains widespread population in the surrounding region. There is 44,280 ha of the same habitat within a 20 km radius of the site and over 520, 000 ha within the Cape York Bioregion. The habitat the species is considered more likely to occur in (eucalypt woodlands close to watercourses/low-lying areas) will remain largely undisturbed by clearing and will remain connected to similar vegetation beyond the Project’s boundary. The Project is not expected to reduce the area of occupancy of an important population (should such a population occur on the site) by more than a very minor extent. Fragment an existing The Project requires the clearing 1,429 ha of Darwin Stringybark woodland in three important population into separate areas. This habitat remains widespread in the surrounding area (44,200 ha two or more populations in a 20 km radius) and Cape York Bioregion. The habitat the species is considered more likely to occur in (eucalypt woodlands close to watercourses/low-lying areas) will remain largely undisturbed by clearing and will remain connected to similar vegetation beyond the Project’s boundary. The Project will not fragment an existing important population of this subspecies. Adversely affect habitat The Project requires the clearing 1,429 ha of Darwin Stringybark woodland in three critical to the survival of the separate areas. This habitat remains widespread in the surrounding area (44,200 ha species in a 20 km radius) and Cape York Bioregion. The habitat the species is considered more likely to occur in (eucalypt woodlands close to watercourses/low-lying areas) will remain largely undisturbed by clearing and will remain connected to similar vegetation beyond the Project’s boundary. The Project is unlikely to adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of the subspecies. Disrupt the breeding cycle of It is unlikely an important population occurs in the area or at what population an important population density. It is unknown at what time of year the species may breed in the region. Clearing of vegetation will occur in the dry season and will largely avoid areas where the species is more likely to occur (eucalypt woodlands close to watercourses/low- lying areas). Tree clearing activities will require the presence of a fauna spotter to check tree hollows prior to clearing and present when clearing. The Project is unlikely to disrupt the breeding cycle of an important population. Modify, destroy, remove, The Project requires the clearing of 1,429 ha of Darwin Stringybark woodland. This isolate or decrease the habitat remains widespread in the surrounding region with a further 44,280 ha availability or quality of located within a 20 km radius of the Project area. The habitat the species is habitat to the extent that the considered more likely to occur in (eucalypt woodlands close to watercourses/low- species is likely to decline lying areas) will remain largely undisturbed by clearing and will remain connected to similar vegetation beyond the Project’s boundary. The Project will not decrease the availability or quality of habitat to the extent that the species is likely to decline. Result in invasive species that Ecological surveys found minimal weed incursion within areas of remnant vegetation. are harmful to a vulnerable Weeds observed were generally restricted to areas surrounding existing disturbances species becoming established such as the existing camp facility at Skardon Mine. The area was already found to have in the vulnerable species populations of pest fauna including feral pigs and cattle. habitat The Project will implement a PWMP to control the introduction and spread of weed species across the Project area. The PWMP will be in place for the life of the Project, and will minimise the potential for weed invasion and may in the long-term improve habitat condition within vegetation communities located adjacent to Project infrastructure. The Project is considered unlikely to result in invasive species becoming established in this species’ habitat. Introduce disease that may The Project EMP will incorporate the management of invasive species which will assist cause the species to decline in the prevention of pest plant introduction and associated diseases resulting from Project activities. Project equipment sourced from overseas will be quarantined as required under State and Commonwealth legislation. The Project is considered unlikely to introduce disease that may cause the species to decline. Monitoring of any confirmed threatened orchids will also occur during operation of the Project to identify if any impacts are arising from disease
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Interfere substantially with There is no State or Commonwealth recovery plan for this species. With appropriate the recovery of the species mitigation measures applied, any potential impact on Black-footed Tree-rat will be minor and is considered unlikely to interfere with the recovery of the species.
Palm Cockatoo
This subspecies is distributed across the north of Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, from north of Pompuraaw on the west coast to Saltwater Creek, Princess Charlotte Bay on the east coast. The species inhabits closed forest and riparian systems, and open woodlands adjacent to these habitats. They feed mostly on the hard seeds of fibrous and woody fruits of woodland, littoral and closed forest species, taken from the canopy and the ground. It was recorded infrequently during dry season fauna surveys (November, 2014) in groups of one to three individuals throughout the Project area and observed during SRBP surveys in fringing woodland immediately to the north of Namaleta Creek and in Darwin Stringybark woodland.
The Project will impact potential breeding habitat where large nest hollows may occur; however, this is unlikely to present primary foraging habitat which will remain largely undisturbed. Vegetation clearing for the Project will be conducted in the dry season (probably May to August). This is outside the breeding season for Palm Cockatoo which is known to start nest preparation between August and November during peak breeding period, although the species breeds all year round. The species is well within its known range and an important population is considered unlikely to occur.
Preclearance surveys will require the presence of a fauna spotter to check tree hollows for resident fauna prior to clearing and be present when clearing takes place. A SSMP would be put in place prior to Project construction and clearing and include the potential presence of this species.
Table 5-17 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Palm Cockatoo Criterion Assessment Against Significance Criteria (Vulnerable) Lead to a long-term decrease It is unlikely an important population exists in the area. The Project requires the in the size of an important clearing 1,429 ha of Darwin Stringybark woodland (RE 3.5.2). This habitat remains population of the species widespread in the surrounding region with a further 44,280 ha located within a 20 km radius of the Project area. Vegetation clearing for the Project will be conducted in the dry season (probably May to August) outside of the known breeding season for Palm Cockatoo. Should any individuals be located during tree clearing they will be allowed to leave the area before any works commence. The Project is unlikely to lead to a long-term decrease in the size of an important population. Reduce the area of It is unlikely an important population exists on the site. The Project requires the occupancy of an important clearing 1,429 ha of Darwin Stringybark woodland. This habitat remains widespread population in the surrounding region and is unlikely to comprise primary foraging habitat for the species. There is 44,280 ha of the same habitat within a 20 km radius of the site and over 520,000 ha within the Cape York Bioregion. The Project is not expected to reduce the area of occupancy of an important population (should such a population occur on the site) by more than a very minor extent. Fragment an existing The Project requires the clearing 1,429 ha of Darwin Stringybark woodland in three important population into separate areas. This habitat remains widespread in the surrounding area (44,200 ha two or more populations in a 20 km radius) and Cape York Bioregion. The Project will not fragment an existing important population of this subspecies. Adversely affect habitat The Project requires the clearing of 1,429 ha of Darwin Stringybark woodland. This critical to the survival of the habitat is unlikely to comprise primary foraging habitat for the species and remains species widespread in the surrounding region with a further 44,280 ha located within a 20 km radius of the Project area. The Project will not adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of the species.
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Disrupt the breeding cycle of It is unlikely an important population occurs in the area. Vegetation clearing for the an important population Project will be conducted in the dry season (probably May to August) outside of the known breeding season for Palm Cockatoo. Should any individuals be located during tree clearing they will be allowed to leave the area before any works commence. The Project is unlikely to disrupt the breeding cycle of an important population. Modify, destroy, remove, The Project requires the clearing of 1,429 ha of Darwin Stringybark woodland. This isolate or decrease the habitat remains widespread in the surrounding region with a further 44,280 ha availability or quality of located within a 20 km radius of the Project area. habitat to the extent that the The Project is unlikely to adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of the species is likely to decline subspecies. Result in invasive species that Ecological surveys found minimal weed incursion within areas of remnant vegetation. are harmful to a vulnerable Weeds observed were generally restricted to areas surrounding existing disturbances species becoming established such as the existing camp facility at Skardon Mine. The area was already found to have in the vulnerable species populations of pest fauna including feral pigs and cattle. habitat The Project will implement a PWMP to control the introduction and spread of weed species across the Project area. The PWMP will be in place for the life of the Project, and will minimise the potential for weed invasion and may in the long-term improve habitat condition within vegetation communities located adjacent to Project infrastructure. The Project is considered unlikely to result in invasive species becoming established in this species’ habitat. Introduce disease that may The Project EMP will incorporate the management of invasive species which will assist cause the species to decline in the prevention of pest plant introduction and associated diseases resulting from Project activities. Project equipment sourced from overseas will be quarantined as required under State and Commonwealth legislation. The Project is considered unlikely to introduce disease that may cause the species to decline. Interfere substantially with There is no State or Commonwealth recovery plan for this species. With appropriate the recovery of the species mitigation measures applied, any potential impact on Palm Cockatoo will be minor and is considered unlikely to interfere with the recovery of the species.
From the significant impact assessment guidelines for MNES fauna no species are considered to have significant residual impacts as a result of Project activities and as a result will not be subject to the Project biodiversity offsets plan.
5.9.4 Summary
The potential impacts to terrestrial and aquatic ecology as a result of the Project include:
. The clearing of remnant vegetation such as 0.6 ha of an Of Concern vegetation community and 1,429 ha of Darwin Stringybark woodland providing potential habitat for resident native fauna and flora including threatened species;
. Reduction in local connectivity between habitats for less mobile species;
. Fauna mortality during vegetation clearing and vehicle movements;
. Erosion resulting in sediment runoff into adjacent wetlands and creeks and a reduction in water quality;
. Potentially altered flows to drainage channels supplying water to the Skardon River and associated swamps;
. Surface water flows and groundwater from areas associated with the Project may carry contaminants including, sediments, hydrocarbons and other chemicals;
. Groundwater hydrology impacts are modelled to create a minor maximum increase to wet season wetland levels at Big Footprint Swamp;
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. Dust accumulation from traffic movements, construction and operation activity may have deleterious impacts on vegetation health;
. Increased noise and lighting may impact fauna activity;
. Increased fire risk; and
. Increases in the occurrence of weed and pest species.
The majority of these impacts will be mitigated under measures incorporated and monitored within the Project Environmental Management Plan. The greatest cumulative impact associated with the joint development of the Project and Gulf Alumina’s SRBP arises from the clearing of Darwin Stringybark woodland and the associated value to native fauna and connectivity. The cumulative impact of this clearing is fully incorporated in the assessment shown in Section 5.10. 5.10 Offsets
Biodiversity offsets will be required for the Project to compensate for any significant, residual impacts to MNES and biodiversity values listed as MSES. Offsets for the Project are required to be assessed and delivered under the EPBC Offsets Policy and EO Act. To fully address the Projects offset requirements a Biodiversity Offsets Strategy Report has been prepared by Amec Foster Wheeler (Appendix C). This report evaluates both MNES and MSES offset requirements, including a Significant Impact Assessment for MSES using the Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy: Significant Residual Impact Guideline (SoQ, 2014) to determine the extent of offsets required. Offset delivery options are then considered (e.g. direct offsets, financial contributions, in-direct offsets) as applicable under relevant policies and timing of offset delivery.
This section identifies the MNES and MSES offset requirements and extent of the impacts to be offset and evaluates suitable offset delivery options based on the findings of the following technical reports:
. Terrestrial Ecology Assessment Report (Amec Foster Wheeler, 2016a) (Appendix B1);
. Aquatic Ecology Assessment Report (Amec Foster Wheeler, 2016b) (Appendix B2);
. SRBP Terrestrial Ecology Report (RPS, 2015a); and
. Marine Ecology Report (Ports and Coast Environment, 2016) (Appendix B3).
5.10.1 Objectives
As evident in the aforementioned sections Metro Mining is seeking to avoid, minimise and mitigate environmental impacts to the greatest extent possible when planning for, and operating the Project. Where possible, infrastructure will be located away from significant biodiversity areas, clearing of native vegetation will be minimised where possible and mitigation measures such as those in Section 5.12 will be implemented. Where a significant residual impact (after management and mitigation measure has been implemented) to MNES or MSES has been determined, these are proposed to be offset. An overall objective is to integrate Commonwealth and State offset requirements to avoid duplication. This is also an intended purpose of the EO Act.
It is recognised the Project’s bioregion and landscapes are unique, and present some challenges to the typical approach of offset delivery. A more flexible approach is needed. The Cape York Peninsula Bioregion is highly vegetated and remote. Threats from vegetation clearing and fragmentation in
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the bioregion are low. Threats to biodiversity are recognised from altered fire regimes, pest animals and plants, and grazing. Challenges to offsetting are evaluated in this report including land tenure, and recommendations to deliver offsets in a way that will provide the greatest conservation gains and involvement of local traditional owners to provide social benefits are recommended. Offset delivery options tailored to this Project are discussed further in Section 5.13.
Post approvals Metro Mining will undertake further analysis and consultation to finalise the offset delivery options which will be detailed in an Offset Delivery Plan. The Offset Delivery Plan will be submitted to the relevant assessment agencies for approval prior to Project commencement, including any vegetation clearing on site.
5.10.2 EPBC Act Environmental Offsets Policy
The EPBC Act Environmental Offsets Policy outlines the Commonwealth Government’s approach to the use of environmental offsets. Offsets are viewed as the third strategy to reduce potential impacts to MNES after avoidance and mitigation, which are generally referred to as on-site measures. Offsets are defined as measures that compensate for the residual adverse impacts of an action on the environment. This policy provides flexibility in delivering ‘good environmental outcomes’. For example, the enduring protection and management of a threatened species’ habitat can be achieved through a variety of methods, including through conservation land management by rural landholders, or in partnerships with Indigenous communities.
The Offsets Assessment Guide accompanies this policy, to give effect to the requirements of this policy, utilising a balance sheet approach to measure impacts and offsets. It applies where the impacted protected matter is a threatened species or ecological community. An offset can comprise a combination of direct offsets and other compensatory measures and should align with conservation priorities for the impacted protected matter. Offsets that deliver social, economic and/or environmental co-benefits are encouraged.
5.10.3 Environmental Offsets Act 2014
A new offset framework was introduced in Queensland in July 2014. This includes:
. Environmental Offsets Act 2014;
. Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014; and
. Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy 2014.
The above framework replaces all previous State offset policies. The Queensland Offset Framework establishes an ‘avoid, mitigate, offset’ hierarchy for development. Where it is demonstrated that impacts cannot be avoided or mitigated, and there is a ‘significant’ residual impact to a prescribed environmental matter, then an offset is required.
Under the Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy (QEOP) to avoid duplication between jurisdictions, State governments can only impose an offset condition on a prescribed activity, if the same, or substantially the same impact and the same, or substantially the same matter, has not been subject to assessment under the EPBC Act for an activity declared as a controlled action. Therefore it is proposed where a MSES is also listed as MNES and impacts have been assessed, that outcome will also apply to the MSES value.
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A proposed offset delivery package needs to be approved by EHP for MSES and MNES. A draft Offset Delivery Plan is required to be submitted and approved prior to disturbance. Three primary options (or a combination of options) are provided for offset delivery. These are detailed below:
Financial Settlement Offsets
A financial settlement payment can be used to meet an offset requirement for MSES impacted by a development. It must be calculated using the Financial Settlement Offset Calculation Methodology set out in the QEOP. A financial settlement must be paid to the offset account administered by EHP prior to Project commencement. Financial payments are made up of costs associated with on- ground land management, administration and landholder incentive payment.
Land-based Offsets
This is referred to as a type of proponent-driven offset. The offset is to achieve an equivalent environmental outcome. It must be of a size and scale proportionate to the significant residual impact on MSES. Land-based offsets are to provide environmental values as similar as possible to those being lost and may consist of remnant or non-remnant vegetation. The size of a land based offset can be determined through use of the Land-based Offsets Multiplier Calculator or using a rapid assessment which caps the offset at a ratio of 1:4.
The offset must be legally secured for at least the duration of the impact. The policy provides a number of options for legal security, specifically:
. Voluntary declaration under the VM Act;
. Nature refuge or other form of protected area under the NC Act; or
. Statutory covenant for environmental purposes under the Land Act 1994 or Land Title Act 1994.
Direct Benefit Management Plans
Proponent-driven offsets can also be delivered through priority actions identified in a direct benefit management plan (DBMP). DBMPs are pre-approved packaged investments that outline priority actions to address threats to, and provide substantial benefits for MSES. Substantial benefits are achieved by providing landscape scale benefits for those matters, or if the matter is localised, improved outcomes compared to a traditional land-based offset. Research and education can be included but form no greater than 10% of the package, unless otherwise agreed. Examples of DBMP actions are:
. Enhancing, restoring and establishing key habitat across multiple tenures or properties;
. Protecting and restoring significant freshwater, marine or estuarine ecosystems;
. Threat mitigation activities such as weed or feral animal control on a landscape or multiple property scale;
. Research programs that are consistent with published recovery plans, conservation advice statements or government/community established programs; and
. Landscape scale fire management activities.
In electing to provide an offset (or part of) through a DBMP, the proponent will need to include the approved DBMP that relates to the MSES, in an offset delivery plan outlining how the actions will be
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implemented and demonstration of how proposed actions are additional to existing activities, are cost effective, and will provide a conservation outcome.
5.10.4 Significant Impact Assessments
This section summarises the analysis that has been completed to determine the MSES that are known and likely to occur in the Project site, and whether the Project will have a ‘significant, residual impact’ to MSES. MSES are prescribed environmental matters defined in Schedule 2 of the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014. This section summarises the significant impact assessments that have been completed to identify whether the Project will have a significant, residual impact to MNES or MSES, which are then required to be offset.
5.10.4.1 MNES Confirmed within the Project Area
An assessment of the impacts to MNES has been carried out using the Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 (DotE, 2013). The results of the assessment are located in Chapter 7 – MNES and summarised in Appendix C. The assessment of impacts to MNES is as follows:
. No TECs listed under the EPBC Act have been identified within or adjacent to the Project site;
. No listed flora species were confirmed, however one orchid species, Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act is identified as likely to occur within the Project site;
. Two terrestrial threatened fauna species listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act have been recorded during surveys or are likely to occur within the Project site – Palm Cockatoo (Australian) and Black-footed Tree-rat (north Queensland). Palm Cockatoo was listed under the EPBC Act in October 2015. The Project was listed as a ‘controlled action’ by DotE in September 2015 prior to the listing of Palm Cockatoo and as such, the species is not required to be considered further;
. One terrestrial threatened fauna species listed as Vulnerable under the NC Act (Migratory under the EPBC Act) known to occur within the Project site – Estuarine Crocodile;
. Nine marine threatened fauna species listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable under the NC Act and/or EPBC Act have been recorded during previous surveys or are considered likely to occur within the Project site:
• Five threatened marine turtle species
• Australian Snubfin Dolphin and Australian Humpbacked Dolphin
• Three sawfish species and Speartooth Shark
. Dugong (Refer Chapter 6 – Marine Ecology)Nine avian species listed as Migratory under the EPBC Act have been recorded, or are likely to occur, in the Project area (refer to Table 5-9);
. Two marine fauna species listed only as Migratory under the EPBC Act have been recorded, or are likely to occur, in the Project area (refer Chapter 6 – Marine Ecology).
Under the assessment for potential significant impacts to MNES (refer Chapter 7 - MNES) no significant residual impacts have been predicted on matters of MNES and therefore no offsets are proposed under the EPBC Act.
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5.10.4.2 MSES Confirmed within the Project Area
This section summarises the analysis that has been completed to determine the MSES that are known or likely to occur in the Project area, and whether the Project will have a ‘significant, residual impact’ to MSES. MSES are prescribed environmental matters defined in Schedule 2 of the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014. An assessment of the impacts to MSES fauna known or likely to occur on the site under the Significant Residual Impact Guideline is presented in Section 5.9.3.1 (SoQ, 2014).
The remaining MSES impacts have then been assessed for significance in detail in the Biodiversity Offsets Strategy (refer Table 4-3, Appendix C) guided by the Significant Residual Impact Guideline, 2014. Table 5-18 summarises the predicted impacts to MSES of the Project.
Table 5-18 Impacts to MSES as a result of clearing VM Act or NC Act Direct Impact MSES Trigger Status Area of Estimated Disturbance Endangered and OC REs OC RE 3.3.12 OC 0.6 ha (Southern Haul Road) Watercourse REs (within a defined distance
from a Strahler stream order) Stream Order 2 (25m Buffer) RE 3.1.1 - 0.06 ha (Southern Haul Road) Stream Order 2 (25m Buffer) RE 3.1.1a/3.1.3 - 0.39 ha (Southern Haul Road) Stream Order 2 (25m Buffer) RE 3.3.22 - 0.28 ha (Southern Haul Road) Stream Order 3 (50m Buffer) RE 3.1.1a/3.1.3 - 0.05 ha (Barge Loading Facility) Stream Order 3 (50m Buffer) RE 3.1.1a/3.1.3 - 0.03 ha (Roll on/Roll off Facility) Total 0.81 ha Connectivity The connectivity tool was run and the result stated there is no significant impact to - 0 connectivity. Waterways barrier works – estuary Major category - 5 - 9.23 ha (Northern Haul Road) Major category - 5 - 9.64 ha (Southern Haul Road) Major category - 5 - 1.00 ha (Barge Loading Area) Major category - 5 - 0.15 ha (Roll on/Roll off Facility) Major category - 5 - 4.25 ha (Mooring Area) Total 24.27 ha Waterways barrier works – stream Category 1 - Low - 107.65 m Total 107.65 m Mapped essential habitat None - - Fish habitat areas None - - Queensland protected flora trigger area None - - Strategic environmental areas None - - Vegetation management mapped wetlands None - -
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Wetland Areas HES Wetland Management Area (HES) - 0.15 ha (Roll on/Roll off Facility) Wetland Management Area (HES) - 9.57 ha (Southern Haul Road) Wetland Management Area (HES) - 9.23 ha (Northern Haul Road) Wetland Management Area (HES) - 0.25 ha (Barge Loading Area) Total 19.20 ha Wetland protection area trigger None - - Endangered and Vulnerable fauna species Assessed as MNES (refer Chapter 7). No Black-footed Tree-rat V (EPBC Act significant residual impacts have been confirmed. Assessed as MSES (refer Table 5.14). No Beach Stone-curlew V significant residual impacts have been confirmed. Assessed as MSES (refer Table 5.14). No Estuarine Crocodile V significant residual impacts have been confirmed. Endangered and Vulnerable flora species Assessed as MNES (refer Chapter 7). No Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid V significant residual impacts have been confirmed. Marine plants
RE3.1.1 Closed forest of Rhizophora stylosa ± 7.89ha (Northern Haul Road) Bruguiera gymnorhiza. Occurs as outer 1.85ha (Southern Haul Road) mangroves. Total: 9.74 ha 0.25 ha (Barge Loading Area) RE3.1.1/3.1.3 Closed forest of Rhizophora 0.15 ha (Roll on/Roll off Facility) stylosa ± Bruguiera gymnorhiza. / Ceriops 2.83 ha (Northern Haul Road) tagal ± Avicennia marina low closed forest. Extensive on intertidal area. 7.49 ha (Southern Haul Road) Total: 10.72 ha RE3.1.6 Sparse herbland or bare saltpans. 0.25 ha (Southern Haul Road) Associated with salt plains and saline flats Seagrass communities 0.0 ha# Total 20.75 ha Existing offset areas None - #To be confirmed as existing mapping shows no seagrass. Detailed surveys for the presence of seagrass within the proposed BLF footprint are yet to be undertaken.
5.10.5 Offset Delivery Evaluation
Based on the biodiversity values required to be offset an evaluation of the factors that influence the preferred offset delivery approach has been undertaken. The following describes key considerations that have been taken into account:
. The Project is within the Cape York Peninsula bioregion, and Weipa Plateau sub-region. The subregion is highly vegetated with 97.4% consisting of remnant vegetation. Vegetation is predominantly eucalypt and Melaleuca woodlands with Darwin Stringybark as the dominant species. This is also the dominant ecological community on the Project site. Offsetting with non- remnant or regrowth vegetation is highly constrained. A land-based offset is likely to consist of
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remnant vegetation, where the vegetation contains the biodiversity attributes required to be offset, and conservation gains are achieved through improved land management practices to increase habitat quality and reduce threats (e.g. weed management, pest animal management and fire management). . The range of biodiversity values required to be offset include of concern RE consisting of Melaleuca wetlands, estuarine wetlands, riparian vegetation and marine plants including mangroves, saltflats and seagrass. Across the Cape York bioregion and Weipa Plateau sub- region land clearing is a minor threat to the longevity of these values. In particular there are extensive areas of estuarine wetlands including mangroves in the local area (approximately 732 km2 within the Weipa Plateau subregion) (Wetland Info, 2016) that are not under threat from development and are in good ecological condition. . Key natural resource management issues in Cape York include introduced pest fauna species, weeds and fire. Feral pigs are of particular concern in the region due to their impacts on riparian and wetland vegetation, and on turtle nesting sites. Feral pigs are responsible for high levels of nest-predation of some marine turtle species, such as Flatback Turtle (Natator depressus), with 90% of nests predated in west Cape York (Cape York Turtle and Dugong Taskforce, 2013). Four pest fauna species were recorded during ecology surveys for the Project, including feral pig, feral cat, feral dog/dingo and cane toads. . Therefore the offset package needs to take into consideration for each offset value, what are the key threatening processes and the scale, intensity and duration of the impact. Then propose offset measures that can reduce those threats, and deliver a conservation outcome that improves or maintains the viability of the offset value. . Approximately half of the bioregion is used for pastoralism. Land tenure in Cape York is either leasehold land, owned by traditional owner groups or under mining leases. In the Project area land is owned and managed by Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council. Therefore legally securing land on the title for offsets would need to be supported by the landowner or lease-holder. . Offsetting marine plant communities, such as mangroves, can present challenges when looking at direct, land based offsets. These communities are in tidal areas and predominantly under State ownership and management. In these remote regions they also have limited impact and under few threats. Therefore flexibility in offset actions needs to be granted through use of compensatory measures that have a positive impact on these estuarine ecosystems and species they support. . There are significant opportunities to deliver social and environmental co-benefits with offsets for this Project. Indigenous people play a vital role in managing large proportions of the land and sea on Cape York. There are a number of existing natural resource management programs being implemented in the local region. Some of these are administered by government and others by Traditional Owner groups. The Cape York NRM Group has prepared a ‘Cape York NRM Regional Investment Strategy 2013-2018’. This resulted in an overall program logic for five themes, (fire, water, soils, livelihoods and integrated pest management). Metro Mining wants to ensure that resources and funding invested towards biodiversity offsets for the Project are maximised by supplementing existing programs where possible.
. Metro Mining is currently in consultations with the Mapoon Land and Sea Rangers. The Mapoon Land and Sea Rangers started in 2008/2009. The team has a ranger coordinator, senior rangers and seven rangers - three women and four men. The Ranger Base is located at the Jean Jimmy Centre next to the Council in Mapoon. The Rangers look after 183,000 ha of traditional lands including 70 km of coastline and three main river catchments. Metro Mining is committed to working with this group and providing them with support to achieve improvements to natural resource management outcomes in the Mapoon region.
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5.10.6 EPBC Act Offset Requirements
The Project has been identified through the environmental impact assessment process as not having a ‘significant’ impact on MNES including marine and terrestrial species and communities (refer to Chapter 7 – Matters of National Environmental Significance, Appendix B1 - Terrestrial Ecology Technical Report, Appendix B2 - Aquatic Ecology Technical Report and Appendix B3 - Marine Ecology and Coastal Processes). Therefore no offsets are proposed under the EPBC Act Environmental Offsets Policy, Oct 2012. However, it should be recognised the proposed offset delivery approach for MSES will provide significant conservation benefits for MNES, including marine and migratory species.
5.10.7 Queensland Offset Requirements
Three primary options are provided for offset delivery. These are:
. Financial settlement offsets;
. Land-based offsets; and
. Direct benefit management plans.
Further information on the offset delivery options is presented below.
5.10.7.1 Financial Settlement
All MSES proposed to be offset can be acquitted by a financial settlement. The online financial payment calculator has been applied based on the MSES required to be offset, and extent of impact with a final calculated figure of approximately $4.5 million. The breakdown of the estimated financial payments are summarised in Appendix A of the Biodiversity Offsets Strategy (Appendix C).
5.10.7.2 Land-based Offsets
Land based offsets are generally a vegetated area that contains the prescribed MSES to be offset, is legally secured on title, and actively managed to improve condition and reduce threats. This is an option being explored by Metro Mining. However as noted previously the loss of vegetation is not a major threat in the region. Threats are primarily from feral animals, weeds, fire and land use that reduces habitat quality and impacts on a species ability to breed such as feral pig predation on turtle eggs and a loss of hollows from fire.
Legally securing areas will also require the landowner’s consent.
Where the biggest conservation gains can be achieved is through the reduction of threatening processes at a broader landscape scale that will provide a direct, tangible benefit to the offset values. It should also involve local Traditional Owners who currently manage vast areas of this region to support them and increase their participation in these conservation measures and outcomes. The land based offset measures not only would look to reduce threats but improve condition of ecosystems and increase species survival rates. The offset package could include a combination of land-based offsets and in-direct compensatory measures.
Direct Benefit Management Plans
Metro Mining are exploring this offset delivery option. The DBMP will provide greater flexibility to use a combination of direct and compensatory measures in an offset package. It will describe the environmental programs and actions proposed to be implemented (supported in-kind or funded)
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by Metro Mining for the life of the Project and what conservation benefits they will achieve. The information to be provided will be guided by the EHP ‘DBMP Checklist.’
Further consultation will occur with regulators and stakeholder groups during the EIS public consultation period to discuss the DBMP approach and discuss the suitability of the proposed actions, funding and roles and responsibilities that would be required.
The intent is that these programs will focus on the biodiversity values required to be offset (e.g. Of Concern RE 3.3.12, riparian vegetation, wetlands and mangroves/saltpans) and where possible enhance existing environmental programs to maximise conservation gains that can be achieved, and support local Traditional Owner groups such as the Mapoon Land and Sea Rangers. Key biodiversity issues include feral animal control (including reducing predation on marine turtle eggs), fire management, conserving migratory bird habitats and ghost nets. Initial recommendations are outlined in Table 5-19.
Table 5-19 Potential offset actions MSES Offset Value Offset Approach
Of Concern RE 3.3.12 Metro Mining are evaluating any available land based offset provisions for Of (M. quinquenervia open forest Concern RE 3.3.12. If available, the offset would need to be approximately 2.4ha (1:4 associated with scattered ratio) and located outside of any MLAs. Management would include weed coastal swamps) management, feral animal control program and fire management. Palustrine wetlands of HES To supplement this land based offset Metro Mining are proposing to actively manage and conduct ongoing ecological monitoring of Big Footprint Swamp. This palustrine wetland includes an area of Of Concern RE 3.3.12 of 19ha in size. Management for the duration of the Project will include eradication of weeds, feral animals particularly targeting feral pigs, implement an appropriate fire regime and an ecological monitoring program. Discussions with Old Mapoon Aboriginal Council will be held regarding these proposed measures and the area over which they will occur. The purpose of these management actions will be to maintain and enhance the condition of vegetation and habitats, reduce threatening processes, and learn more about the flora and fauna species that reside in these wetlands. A monitoring program for Big Footprint Swamp will include monitoring groundwater, native vegetation extent, diversity and condition (through BioCondition assessments), fauna species present, and seek to identify any changes that occur over time.
HES Wetlands and Metro Mining would like to work in collaboration with the Mapoon Land and Sea Watercourse vegetation Rangers to conduct a landscape scale fire management and feral animal control program to enhance the conservation and regeneration of native vegetation communities and also reduce the likelihood of hot damaging wildfires. This will also have a conservation benefit for fauna and flora species, as it will protect fire sensitive communities such as Melaleuca from damaging hot fires, and protect old hollow bearing trees in which fauna species nest. This will include wetlands and riparian areas within and adjacent to the Project site (e.g. Big Footprint Swamp and vegetation adjacent to Skardon River). Feral pig control will reduce degradation of riparian vegetation and wetlands and improve water quality. Controlling foxes and feral cats will also reduce predation on native animals. This action would result in conservation outcomes for a much larger area, than limiting the offset to only a small area of riparian vegetation and wetlands.
Mangroves It is proposed that some flexibility be provided when looking to offset impacts to mangroves. There are large areas of mangroves remaining in the Skardon River and broader region in good condition that are not under threat predominantly due to the remoteness of this region.
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MSES Offset Value Offset Approach Therefore Metro Mining are looking to put their offset investment into providing a conservation outcome for marine turtles which utilise the estuarine environments in the Project’s local area. Marine turtles are under significant threat from issues such as nest predation and ghost nets. Metro Mining are investigating supporting the following programs: . Support Mapoon Land and Sea Rangers Annual Turtle Camp: Mapoon Land and Sea Rangers complete an annual Turtle Camp on Flinders Beach working with EHP staff. Flinders Beach is a remote beach 25km in length that runs from Janie Creek to Pennefather River on western Cape York. Rangers spend approximately 3 weeks on the beach removing Ghost Nets and Ropes, foreign timbers, marine debris and monitoring turtle nest predation. In 2014 over 500 nests were recorded and monitored. Data collected included, predation rates and what the predators were, hatchling emergence rates as well as egg numbers and size. Two Olive Ridley turtles were tagged with satellite trackers to follow their journey from Mapoon to their feeding grounds. Mapoon Turtle Camp has been operating for many years and a large amount of coordination and resources are needed to ensure the success of the camp. Metro Mining are investigating providing support in the way of hosting rangers in accommodation, providing meals, allowing access through the mine lease, as well as support to barge vehicles etc. Additional resources may also be made available. . Provide an annual financial contribution to the Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance (WCTTAA) Nest to Ocean Turtle Protection Program: The alliance was formally established in May 2013 following 12 months of regional discussions for the future of turtle management on Cape York. Land and Sea Managers recognised that local coordination led to effective outcomes for turtle conservation and would be further enhanced by regional coordination. WCTTAA’s vision is “to seek to efficiently manage threats to coastal habitats and enhance opportunities for nesting marine turtle populations of the Western Cape”. The mission of WCTTAA states they are “a partnership of on ground land and sea owners and managers, formed to set priorities, seek solutions and share knowledge to maximise the use of resources for coastal management on Western Cape York.” The Queensland and Commonwealth governments have each committed matching funds of up to $3.5 million over the next four years to the ‘Nest to Ocean Turtle Protection Program’ to help reduce the threat of feral predation on marine turtle nests. Approximately $5 million remains for investment in predator control programs that will develop collaborative partnerships across governments and the community to enhance the incubation success of turtle eggs in Queensland. An opportunity exists for Metro Mining to contribute financially or in kind to this scheme.
Salt pans It is proposed that some flexibility is provided when looking to offset impacts to salt pans. There are large areas of saltpans in the local area that are in good condition and not under significant threat predominantly due to the remoteness of this region. Therefore Metro Mining are looking to put their offset investment into conserving shorebirds which utilise salt pans for foraging and breeding habitat. Metro Mining are investigating supporting the following program: . Support nomination for East Asian – Australasian Flyway Site Network Mapoon Shire Council is working to have a migratory shorebird area nominated in the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Site Network. The area extends from Skardon River in the north, south to Pennefather River and takes in Port Musgrave. This is an important shorebird area containing extensive areas of migratory bird habitats. This is a non-legal, collaborative project involving over
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MSES Offset Value Offset Approach 90 sites across thirteen countries. The Flyway Site Network has been operating since 1996 and it is now supported by the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership. The Flyway Site Network represents a unique opportunity for Site Managers in the Flyway to work together to achieve more effective conservation and protection of migratory waterbirds. The Network provides for internationally important sites to be included in a broad-based conservation arrangement across the Flyway. Through the Flyway Site Network, national governments, site managers and local stakeholders can work cooperatively to achieve positive conservation outcomes to protect migratory waterbirds. Site Managers are expected to ensure that the waterbird values of their site are maintained and enhanced where possible. Recognising that waterbird values are one of the range of management objectives for a site, managers are expected to encourage the adoption of sustainable land use practises at the site with the range of stakeholders including local communities, industries and governments. Opportunities to work with other Site Managers in the conservation of shared species will also be an important aspect of the management of the site.
Sawfish and Speartooth Shark While offsets are not required, Metro Mining are exploring the potential to contribute to a broader project in the region that will support the sawfish and Speartooth Shark. Whilst not confirmed, these species may occur in the Skardon River and they are an important group of species in the region in which the Project will be operating. Further evaluation for this Project will be explored during the EIS assessment phase.
5.10.8 Next Steps
During the Project’s EIS public consultation phase further consultation with stakeholders and government agencies will occur to discuss the possibility for an offset package to consist of a combination of direct and compensatory measures. These natural resource management programs will be conducted in the local region in collaboration with local indigenous groups and traditional owners to provide both conservation and social outcomes.
Following endorsement of the Biodiversity Offsets Strategy and Project approvals being issued, Metro Mining will prepare a DBMP and Offsets Delivery Plan that sets out the proposed offset actions for approval by EHP. The documents will be approved by EHP prior to Project commencement.
Metro Mining is seeking that the Project’s EA conditions will include that significant, residual MSES impacts be offset. A condition of approval will be to submit a DBMP and Offset Delivery Plan to the Chief Executive at least three months prior to Project commencement.
For further details on this assessment refer to the Biodiversity Offsets Strategy Report (Appendix C).
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5.11 Qualitative Risk Assessment
A qualitative risk assessment associated with potential terrestrial and freshwater ecological impacts is summarised in Table 5-20. An analysis of initial risk, without mitigation, was considered for terrestrial and freshwater ecology. The residual risk considers the mitigation and management measures developed for this element and put forward in this assessment.
Table 5-20 Qualitative risk assessment - terrestrial and freshwater ecology
Potential Impacts Management and Mitigation Measures
Initial Initial Initial
Likelihood Risk Initial
Residual Risk Residual
Consequence
. Minimise vegetation clearance along drainage features; . Have a qualified spotter-catcher available for clearing activities (prior to and during); . Site Environmental Representative will be notified and keep records of all fauna encountered during clearing and Land clearance and Almost injuries; Moderate Extreme High habitat loss Certain . Establish Rehabilitation Management Plan for progressive rehabilitation of mined areas; . Seed sourced for rehabilitation locally; and . Rehabilitation and adjacent undisturbed habitat to incorporate the provision of nest hollows and microhabitat features. . Avoid regional-significant biodiversity corridors to the south and north; . Minimising clearing of riparian vegetation as much as possible where unavoidable (haul roads); Habitat fragmentation Minor Unlikely Low . Retain buffers to riparian vegetation; Low and . Fauna crossing structures to assist movement of fauna between habitats including culverts and arboreal fauna structures where practicable. . Establish Significant Species Management Plan and incorporate translocation processes for clearing; . Have a qualified spotter-catcher Fauna mortality from available during clearing activities; land clearing and Moderate Possible High Medium . Implement speed limits; vehicle collisions . Fauna crossing structures to assist movement of fauna between habitats where practicable; and . Avoid riparian corridors and wetlands.
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Potential Impacts Management and Mitigation Measures
Initial Initial Initial
Likelihood Risk Initial
Residual Risk Residual
Consequence
. Minimise construction activities after Change in feeding and nightfall; breeding behaviours of . Operational procedures introduced to nocturnal fauna as a Minor Possible Medium Low reduce noise; and result of increased noise . Refer to Chapter 13 – Noise and Vibration. . Lights directed away from bushland where practicable; . Lighting will be limited to only that Disrupted fauna which is essential; feeding behaviour due Moderate Unlikely Medium Low . Ground-level path lighting will be used, to light spill where practicable; and . Intense lights, or cluster of light, will be avoided, where practicable. . Dust suppression methods implemented including regular watering of active mining areas, Smothering plants due Minor Likely Medium stockpiles, overburden and haul roads; Low to increased dust . Appropriate management of overburden; and . Refer to Chapter 12 – Air Quality. . Retain vegetation on site for fuel load and conduct appropriate fire regimes; Altered ecosystems as Major Possible High and Medium a result of fires . Develop and implement a site specific Fire Management Plan. . Develop and implement a site specific Weed and Pest Management Plan; Introduction and . Monitor management measures; spread of weeds and Moderate Possible High Low . Appropriate disposal and management introduction of pests of wastes; and . Refer to Chapter 8 – Biosecurity. . Apply buffer zones to watercourses; . Implement suitable spill containment around potential pollutant stores; . Prepare a site Erosion and Sediment Reduced water quality Control Plan (ESCP); and surface water . Stormwater from mining operations inflows to the swamps Minor Possible Medium directed to sediment ponds; Low and wetland associated . Implement a site Surface Water with the Skardon River Management Plan; . Implement a Receiving Environment Monitoring Program (REMP) including water quality monitoring program; and . Refer to Chapter 9 – Water Quality.
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Potential Impacts Management and Mitigation Measures
Initial Initial Initial
Likelihood Risk Initial
Residual Risk Residual
Consequence
. Develop a REMP; and . Monitor Big Footprint Swamp annually; Change in water levels and and impacts Minor Unlikely Low . Where unacceptable risks are identified Low downstream as a result of Project activities apply direct intervention/s in an adaptive management program (within REMP). . Establish Groundwater Monitoring and Impacts on Minor Possible Medium Management Plan; and Low groundwater . Refer to Chapter 10 – Water Resources. . Project will not operate during the wet season; . Maintain a buffer around riparian Erosion and sediment Moderate Unlikely Medium vegetation in accordance with relevant Low runoff guidelines; and . Prepare an ESCP which incorporates rehabilitation monitoring and trials. 5.12 Summary
The study area is located largely on the Weipa Plateau subregion of the Cape York Peninsula Bioregion and occupies part of the Skardon River catchment draining westward into the Gulf of Carpentaria. A small portion of the Project area lies within Jardine-Pascoes Sandstones subregion. Mining and cattle grazing are the predominant post-European settlement land uses in the immediate vicinity of the Project, however the majority of the Project area and surrounds retains extensive remnant vegetation cover.
The Project area is located in the Skardon River catchment, or drainage sub-basin. While the Skardon River is perennial, many associated watercourses within the Project area are ephemeral and flow only after sustained or intense rainfall. The Skardon River catchment is part of the broader Skardon River-Cotterell River wetland aggregation, which is listed under the DIWA. The majority of the aggregation occurs north of the Skardon River and Project area, however wetlands associated with the aggregation do occur within the Project area and MLAs, and overlap some of the infrastructure footprint (haul roads and barge loading facility).
The Project area supports a relatively low diversity of vegetation communities and terrestrial flora and fauna species. The Project is predicted to clear approximately 1,466 ha of remnant vegetation. Clearing is dominated by least concern RE 3.5.2 (approximately 97.5% of all clearing). While two REs listed as Of Concern under the VM Act were mapped in the Project area, only RE 3.3.12 will be impacted by the Project with an impact of 0.6 ha. No Commonwealth-listed Threatened Ecological Communities occur in or near the Project area.
Other key areas of remnant and riparian vegetation associated with the Skardon River, and Skardon River-Cotterell River Aggregation occur in the Project area, but not within the mining footprints. Remnant vegetation in the Project area has linkages to recognised regionally significant biodiversity corridors. Intact landscape-scale linkages will remain around the Project area.
One threatened flora species, Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid, listed as Vulnerable (under the NC Act and EPBC Act) is considered likely to occur in the Project area. The Project will have negligible impact
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on suitable habitat for this species as its preferred Melaleuca swamp habitat lies outside of the Project footprint for the most part
Listed fauna species observed in the Project area and surrounds during site surveys for the Project and the adjacent SRBP include Palm Cockatoo and Black-footed Tree-rat (both listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act), Beach Stone-curlew and Estuarine Crocodile (both listed as Vulnerable under the NC Act) and several bird species listed as Migratory (under the EPBC Act). Suitable habitat for Palm Cockatoo and Black-footed Tree-rat occurs within the Darwin Stringybark woodland that will be most impacted by the vegetation clearing. This community is widespread in the local region with more than 44,000 ha occurring within a 20 km radius of the site. With abundant similar habitat surrounding the Project and appropriate mitigation measures applied to the Project significant impacts are not expected to these species.
Key habitat resources for fauna identified through the assessment include permanent water sources associated with riparian corridors and wetlands of the Skardon River-Cotterell River Aggregation, and large tracts of contiguous remnant vegetation to the south and east of the Project area. In particular wetland areas to the north and west of the Project area (including Big Footprint Swamp) were observed to support a relatively high diversity of fauna species, when compared to the dominant Darwin Stringybark community.
Key habitat for aquatic fauna identified through the assessment include permanent water sources associated with riparian corridors and wetlands of the Skardon River-Cotterell River Aggregation - in particular Big Footprint Swamp located adjacent to the west of the Project area presented perennial wetland conditions. The Project area supports a relatively low diversity of aquatic flora and fauna species, largely due to the ephemeral nature of the watercourses within the Project area. No threatened aquatic species were recorded during the surveys and none are predicted as likely to occur within the Project area.
The Project will result in no removal of permanent water sources but will result in minor areas of riparian habitat being removed and up to 21 ha of mangrove and intertidal areas being lost to accommodate haul roads and the proposed barge loading facility on the Skardon River. Big Footprint Swamp will be potentially impacted by an increase of groundwater flows during mining operations, followed by a possible very slight decrease of groundwater flows following mining operations. During mining activities the size and depth of water in Big Footprint Swamp is likely to increase, returning to close to baseline conditions at the completion of mining.
The mitigation measures proposed as part of the Project will minimise additional indirect impacts to terrestrial fauna and flora communities within and surrounding the Project area from construction and operational activities. These measures include fauna crossing infrastructure to minimise fauna traffic collisions along the transport corridor and a detailed ecological monitoring program to monitor the health of vegetation and fauna communities adjacent to the Project for indirect impacts such as dust and surface water contamination. With control measures in place indirect impacts to fauna and flora are not expected to be significant. Buffer zones will be placed around sensitive areas including riparian habitat and Big Footprint Swamp. Surface water flows and water quality will be the subject of a Project-specific Receiving Environment Management Plan that includes annual monitoring of Big Footprint Swamp.
To fully address the Projects offset requirements a Biodiversity Offsets Strategy Report that details the Project’s estimated extent of significant, residual impacts to MNES and MSES has been prepared and is included as Appendix C.
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5.13 Commitments
In managing potential impacts to terrestrial and aquatic ecology Metro Mining’s commitments are provided in Table 5-21.
Table 5-21 Commitments – terrestrial and aquatic ecology Commitments To the extent possible, minimise all disturbance associated with the Project. A site Rehabilitation Management Plan will be developed which incorporates rehabilitation monitoring and trials and use of native species for rehabilitation. Monitoring results will be reviewed to assess trends and rehabilitation effectiveness. A Significant Species Management Plan will be put in place prior to Project construction. A Vegetation Clearing Plan will be prepared prior to the commencement of construction. A Receiving Environment Monitoring Program will be developed and implemented and will incorporate measures to monitor water levels and quality and Big Footprint Swamp (including the monitoring of management measures to mitigate impacts from prolonged inundation of melaleuca sp.). Develop and implement a Surface Water Management Plan. Develop and implement a Project-specific Fire Management Plan. Develop and implement a Project-specific Erosion and Sediment Control Plan. The conceptual ESCP is included at Appendix A3. Develop and implement a Project-specific Pest and Weed Management Plan. . Submit a Project Biodiversity Offsets Plan to EHP a minimum of three months prior to Project commencement. The Biodiversity Offsets Strategy Report is included at Appendix C. Vegetation clearing for the Project will only be carried out in the dry season. Prior to any vegetation clearing an ecological pre-clearance survey will be undertaken, and during clearing fauna spotters will be present to identify any fauna, breeding places, or relocate fauna where possible. Where clearing of riparian vegetation or within identified wetland areas cannot be avoided, this will be minimised to the greatest extent possible including investigation of alternate siting of haul road crossings. Include fauna crossing structures (such as culverts) in Project construction design where practicable to assist movement of fauna between habitats and reduce road mortality. The on-site Environmental Representative will be notified of any injured native fauna and will be trained to treat these animals accordingly. Large, hollow-bearing trees will be selectively felled ahead of general clearing and will be relocated within the rehabilitation areas to provide immediate breeding and nesting locations for some species. Use of fallen logs and rocks will be put into adjacent habitats to retain fauna micro-habitats in the surrounding area. The total area of disturbance will be minimised at any particular time and progressive rehabilitation will be implemented over the life of the Project. Maintenance of retained areas of existing vegetation surrounding Project activities to assist in providing a source of seed for mine rehabilitation works. Speed restrictions will be imposed on the haul roads. Buffers zones to watercourses have been mapped in accordance with the defined distances as stipulated under the Environmental Offsets Policy 2014 for the Cape York Peninsula Bioregion. Buffers will be retained on designated sensitive environmental areas including: . 50 m for stream order 1 or 2 watercourses; . 100 m for stream order 3 or 4 watercourses; and . 200 m for stream order 5 or greater watercourses. It is proposed that a minimum 100m buffer width is maintained between mining pits and designated wetlands (i.e. Big Footprint Swamp). Project lighting will be assessed to minimise potential impacts on native fauna, including being directed away from adjacent bushland areas and will include installation of light shields where required.
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5.14 ToR Cross-reference
Table 5-22 ToR cross-reference – flora and fauna Terms of Reference Section of the EIS 8.2 Land, Flora and Fauna (critical matter) Objectives and performance outcomes The environmental objectives to be met under the EP Act are that the: . activity is operated in a way that protects the environmental values of land including soils, subsoils, landforms and associated flora and fauna . choice of the site, at which the activity is to be carried out, minimises serious environmental harm on areas of high conservation value and special significance and sensitive land uses at adjacent places . location for the activity on a site protects all environmental values relevant to adjacent sensitive use Objectives and outcomes have been listed in Section . design of the facility permits the operation of the site, at which the activity is to 5.4 as per the ToR be carried out, in accordance with best practice environmental management . avoids significant residual impacts to matters of national and state environmental significance; mitigates impacts where they cannot be avoided and offsets any residual impacts. The performance outcomes corresponding to these objectives are in Schedule 5, Tables 1 and 2 of the EP Regulation. The proponent should supply sufficient evidence (including through studies and proposed management measures) that show these outcomes can be achieved. Information requirements – Flora and Fauna 8.2.12 Describe the likely impacts on the biodiversity and natural environmental Section 5.7- All and see values of affected areas arising from the construction, operation and specific sections listed below decommissioning of the project (where known), in accordance with the EHP's EIS for each dot point information guidelines relevant to terrestrial and aquatic ecology5. Take into account any proposed avoidance and/or mitigation measures. Section 5.9 - All The assessment should include, but not be limited to, the following key elements: Section 5.6.1.3, 5.6.2.2, 5.6.2.4 and 5.10.4 . matters of state environmental significance and national environmental significance Chapter 7 – Matters of National Environmental Significance . terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (including groundwater-dependent Section 5.6.3 and 5.6.2 ecosystems) and their interaction . biological diversity including listed flora and fauna species and regional Section 5.5.4, 5.6.1 and 5.6.2 ecosystems . the integrity of ecological processes, including habitats of threatened, near- Section 5.5.2, 5.6.2.6 and threatened or special least concern species, movement corridors and fish 5.6.3 passage . the integrity of landscapes and places, including wilderness and similar natural Section 5.6 places Chapter 4 – Land Chapter 18 – Hazard and . chronic, low-level exposure to contaminants or the bio-accumulation of Safety contaminants Chapter 19 – Coastal Environment . impacts on marine, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and associated native EIS Chapter 6 – Marine flora and fauna due to wastes and pollutants at the site, particularly those Ecology for impacts to marine related to any form of toxicants in: ecosystems
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Terms of Reference Section of the EIS . surface water and groundwater Section 5.7.1.7, 5.7.1.8 and 5.7.1.15 for terrestrial and . natural water courses aquatic ecosystems . stormwater run-off . surface run-off . run-off from any bunded areas holding chemicals and/or sewage treatment plant . run-off from surface spoil o likely impacts (noise, strikes, habitat disturbance) on estuarine and marine EIS Chapter 6 – Marine fauna due to shipping/barge movements and/or piling programs for Ecology for impacts to marine jetties/wharfs etc. ecosystems EIS Chapter 6 – Marine o likely impacts of light spill on adjacent terrestrial and marine ecosystems Ecology for impacts to marine and fauna ecosystems Section 5.7.1.11 o a description of alternative options for the location and construction on Section 2.5 of Chapter 2 – haul roads and barge landing that reduce impacts to marines plants and Description of the Project fisheries resources. 8.2.13 Describe any actions of the project that require an authority under the Table 5-18 Nature Conservation Act 1992, and/or would be assessable development for the purposes of the Vegetation Management Act 19996, the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014, the Fisheries Act 1994 and/or the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. 8.2.14 Propose practical measures for protecting or enhancing natural values, and Section 5.9.1.1, 5.9.1.2, 5.11 assess how the nominated quantitative indicators and standards may be achieved and Section 4.8.3 of Chapter 4 for nature conservation management. - Land In particular, address measures to protect or preserve any threatened or near- Section 5.9.1 threatened species. 8.2.15 Specifically address any obligations imposed by State or Commonwealth Section 5.6.2.2 and 5.6.2.4 legislation or policy or international treaty obligations, such as the China–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement, Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement, or Republic of Korea–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement. 8.2.16 Assess the need for buffer zones and the retention, rehabilitation or planting Section 5.9.1.3, 5.9.1.4 and of movement corridors, and propose measures that would avoid the need for 5.9.2.1 waterway barriers, or propose measures to mitigate the impacts of their construction and operation. The measures proposed for the progressive rehabilitation of disturbed areas should Section 5.9.1.2 and Section include rehabilitation success criteria in relation to natural values that would be 4.8.3 of Chapter 4 - Land used to measure the progress. 8.2.17 Describe how the achievement of the objectives would be monitored and Section 4.8.3 of Chapter 4 - audited, and how corrective actions would be managed. Land Section 5.9.1.2 and 5.9.1.3 Proposals for the rehabilitation of disturbed areas should incorporate, where Section 4.8.3 of Chapter 4 – appropriate, provision of nest hollows and ground litter. Land Offsets 8.2.18 Where Queensland legislation or a specific-issue offset policy requires an Section 5.10 and Appendix C - offset for a significant residual impact on a particular natural environmental value, Offsets the offset proposal(s) shall be presented in a form consistent with relevant legislation and policy. 8.2.19 The proposed offsets should be consistent with the requirements set out in Section 5.10 and Appendix C - any applicable legislation or specific-issue offset policies. Offsets
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