EIS 177 Vol 1 AA055950 Environmental Impact Statement for the Natural Gas Pipeline Killingworth to Kooragang Island

EIS 177 Vol 1

AA055950

Environmental impact statement for the natural gas pipeline

Killingworth to Kooragang Island NEW DEPT PRIMARP INDUSTRIES \\\\\Utt I AA0559 5 °

THE AUSTRALIAN GAS LIGHT COMPANY

I ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT for the I NATURAL GAS PIPELINE I KILLINGWORTH TO KOORAGANG ISLAND VOLUME I

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James B. Croft 8 Associates, Newcastle and Williams Brothers - CMPS Engineers, Sydney

F77 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ______EIE I L I I THE AUSTRALIAN GAS LIGHT COMPANY I I I I I ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT S TATEMENT

I for the I NATURAL GAS PIPELINE .KILLINGWORTH TO KOORAGANG ISLAND I I VOLUME 1 I I I I JANES B. CROFT & ASSOCIATES I Newcastle and I WILLIAMS BROTHERS - CMPS ENGINEERS Sydney I I I I I I I I I I I SUMMARY I I I I I I I I I I. I I I

SUNNAR I This Environmental Impact Statement presents the findings of the investigations for the I proposal by The Australian Gas Light Company to construct and operate a pipeline for the conveyance of natural gas from Killingworth I to Kooragang Island. I THE PROPOSED PROJECT

The objective is to enable natural gas to be supplied by pipeline to Newcastle in fulfilment of the requirements of the Government of New South Wales that natural gas be made available to Newcastle as part of the overall supply contracted by The Australian Gas Light Company for the Sydney region.

The proposed Permit Area containing the route favoured by the Company and established by this document to be the environmentally superior alternative is shown in Figure 1.

The Government has granted a licence to the Company to construct the buried pipeline from Plumpton, on the outskirts of Sydney, to the Barnsley/Killingworth area along the route shown in Figure 2. This proposal has been reviewed by an environmental inquiry and an environmentally acceptable route has been found. The Australian Gas Light Company will construct that section of the pipeline in accordance with the findings of the environmental inquiry along the route recommended.

The initial proposal provided for The Australian Gas Light Company to construct the natural gas pipeline from Plumpton to a Custody Transfer Station in the Barnsley/Killingworth area. The Newcastle Gas Company was to receive the gas at this location and via secondary distribution pipelines, which it was to construct, convey it through the West Wailsend area to Kooragang Island and the Newcastle Metropolitan Area. it was originally proposed that the Newcastle Gas Company would receive the gas at approximately 1034 kPa (150 psi), which at that time was sufficient to service its industrial and domestic customers. Since the time of the original proposal, a potential major gas consumer on Kooragang Island has indicated that it requires gas to be delivered to its plant on Walsh Point at pressures in excessof 4413 kPa (640 psi). To service the demands of this particular plant, and the other industrial and domestic needs of Newcastle, it is necessary to construct a high pressure pipeline up to 6895 kPa (1000 psi) to Walsh Point on Kooragang Island. Due to differing route requirements of a high pressure gas pipeline to that of a low pressure secondary main, the proposed pipeline route has had to be reconsidered.

The proposal in this report is basically an extension of the Sydney to Newcastle pipeline concept, which has been studied in great detail from an environmental and construction point of view. Whilst many of the aspects of this particular proposal are covered in the Environmental Impact Statement prepared by The Australian Gas Light Company in relation to the Plumpton to Newcastle pipeline, this Statement embodies the important features of that Statement and can be read independently of it.

Whilst The Australian Gas Light Company, for procedural and contracual reasons, is the proponent Company, it is intended that the ownership and control of the pipeline (together with the operating Licence and responsibilities) will be transferred to the Newcastle Gas Company once the pipeline is brought into operation.

The Company's proposal is to construct the pipeline along a route to enable high pressure natural gas to be supplied by pipeline to the Newcastle Industrial and Metropolitan Areas in fulfilment of the requirements of the Government of New South Wales.

The criteria for selecting the optimum route has been the lowest cost consistent with sound engineering practice, the protection of the environment, safe operating conditions, the interests of the consumers and to avoid conflict with existing and possible future development and areas of current coal mines or unexploited coal resources.

The route selected to best meet these criteria is as follows:-

* From the Custody Transfer point on the western outskirts of Killingworth along an alignment adjacent to the West Wallsend/Killingworth Road.

* Along an alignment adjacent to the abandoned West Wailsend Railway Reserve, across O'Donnelltown Road leaving the railway reserve at Cemetery Road and then generally following Lady Smith Road until reaching George Booth Drive, half-kilometre west of Seahampton.

* After crossing George Booth Drive generally following fire and timber cutter tracks crossing Stockrington Mine Road half-kilometre north of Seahampton then paralleling Stockrington Mine Road leaving it in a north-easterly direction and again following the fire and timber cutter tracks.

* Along fire and timber cutter tracks until crossing Stockrington Road (Dogholes Road), then more or less following the road heading east, then crossing Minmi/Thornton Roads swinging north across the Richmond Pelaw Main Railway Line, then through low lying land crossing underneath a water pipeline then back to the base of high land, near junction of Minmi/Thornton and Black Hill Roads.

* Keeping to higher ground beside Hexham Swamp and following the line of hills until south-east of Hexham.

Alternative Route to Above: After crossing Mini Road following high ground before entering the northern extremities of Hexham Swamp just south of the Hunter District Water Board Water Supply Line.

* Across the northern section of Hexham Swamp, through the heavy industrial lands crossing the Main Northern Railway and Pacific Highway in the Hexham industrial area adjoining and generally paralleling Old Maitland Road along the rear of houses fronting Old Maitland Road. - iv -

* Across the first of the south Hunter River channels onto Campbell Island crossing the channel again to Ash Island (now forming part of Kooragang Island) avoiding mangrove communities along high ground and then after adjoining the Kooragang Island Water Supply Pipeline parallel to it until reaching the Kooragang Island embankment. * Along the northern side of Kooragang Island Railway embankment and through the industrial areas to the terminal near Walsh Point.

The length of the pipeline from Killingworth to Kooragang Island is 33.5 kilometres. The proportion of various areas through which the pipeline passes is as follows:-

Semi-natural and Disturbed Bushlands 7.5 km - Pastureland 7.4 km Cultivated Land 3.4 km Cleared Land 4.7 km I Fresh Wetlands 2.8 km Estuarine Wetlands 5.2 km Open Water 0.7 km I Industrial Area 1.8 km I The significant features wFiich the pipeline crosses are:- Rail Crossings 2 Major Road Crossings 3 I Minor Road Crossings 10 Major Rivers 1 (Three arms) Streams or Creeks 4 I Minor waterways 9

1• ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS I The pipeline is to be laid below ground and constructed according to the best engineering practice to meet relevant codes and I specifications and to incorporate all modern, proved and tested safeguards to protect the pipeline and the environment through I which it passes.

Safety devices and contingency plans will be incorporated in the design, construction and operational practice to meet the unlikely I event of an accident. Environmental safeguards will include:-

I I

* The Company will carry out restoration of affected lands to original contours and condition, as far I as practicable. * Regeneration of the pipeline right of way with grass, shrubs, brush and small trees will be undertaken during restoration work, and natural re-growth will I be encouraged in bush areas. Rootstock retention will be used in natural areas where practicable. I * Routine access will not be required along the right of way, except at specific locations, such as valves and cathodic protection test points. * Rehabilitation will be achieved by replacement of topsoil, spreading of cleared brush over the right of way in bush areas and reseeding of agricultural I land. * All areas utilised in the construction will be returned to original condition as closely as possible and within the mandates of the pipeline code and the Licence.

Details of the safeguards proposed are presented in this document.

IMPACT OF THE PROJECT

The impacts which are detailed in this document are summarised as follows:-

Short Term * An increase in noise and road traffic due to construction activities. * Loss of vegetation and associated habitats in forest areas. * Disturbance to some wetland areas. * Negligible loss of crops and use of grazing land. Compensation will be made for any genuine losses. * Unavoidable loss of or disturbance to wildlife due to reduction in habitat, noise and the presence of man.

Long Term * Loss of building rights of the landowner on the right of way. - - I I I

* The Company will reserve right of access.

* Tree canopy profile will be lower over the pipe- I line in forested areas. Appropriate financial compensation will be made to cover these I aspects where applicable.

Aspects Not Affected by the Proposal

* Permanent disruption of residents, commerical or I industrial enterprises. * Existing land use and significant development I potential along the route. I * Future shallow depth underground mining. * Serious disruptions to road or rail traffic.

* Permanent loss of active or passive recreational facilities. * Permanent significant visual pollution or loss of I aesthetics. * Soils and natural water courses along the route. I * The proposal to establish a Nature Reserve on Kooragang Island.

ALTERNATIVES I Construction along four alternative routes has been considered and has been shown to be unsatisfactory due to the high level of I possible third party interference or to have greater impact on the environment due to the need to disturb more wetlands and bushland areas or conflict with future underground mining activities. I I CONCLUSION This Environmental Impact Study has established that the route proposed by The Australian Gas Light Company, and investigated in detail by this report, is the most satisfactory from the I point of view of safe operating conditions and the minimum I disturbance to the environment to convey natural gas from Killingworth to Kooragang Island. I I

I I I I CONTENTS I I I Li I I I H I I I El -viii-

I TABLE OF bONTENTS

Page

INTRODUCTION

1.1 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT 1 1.2 THE NEED FOR NATURAL GAS IN NEWCASTLE 2 1.3 SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND INVESTIGATIONS 4 1.4 CONTENTS OF THE DOCUMENT 5 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT AND THE SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT 2.1 THE COMPANY'S OBJECTIVE 7 2.1.1 The Project 7 2.1.2 The Proposed Route 7 2.2 GENERAL FEATURES OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ROUTE 10 2.2.1 Factors Considered in the Selection of the Route 10 2.2.2 Terrain 11 2.2.3 Mine Subsidence 13 2.2.4 Flooding 15 2.2.5 Planning Schemes 15 2.3 DESIGN OF THE GAS PIPELINE 16 2.3.1 Design Considerations 16 2.3.2 Codes for Design 18 2.3.3 Gas Pipe and Coating 18 2.3.4 Cathodic Protection 19 2.3.5 Sectioning Valves 20 2.3.6 Pipeline Facilities 21 2.3.7 Trunk Receiving Stations and Meter Stations 21 2.4 PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES 23 2.4.1 Construction Specifications 23 2.4.2 Construction Contractor 25 2.4.3 Width of Right of Way 25 2.4.4 General Construction Methods .30 2.4.5 Hunter River Crossing 32 2.4.6 Construction through Swamp Areas 34 2.4.7 Testing 35 2.4.8 Electrical Interference 35 2.4.9 Clean-up 36 2.5 SAFEGUARDS AND PROCEDURES TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT 37 2.5.1 During Construction and for Protection of the Easement 38 2.5.2 Safeguards in Operation, Maintenance and the Safety of the Pipeline 42 2.5.3 Emergency Procedures 45 2.5.4 Approvals of Authorities 47 2.5.5 Negotiation and Acquisition of Right of Way 48 Page

ANALYSIS OF THE INTERACTION OF THE PIPELINE WITH THE ENVIRONMENTOF THE PROPOSED ROUTE 3.1 PROCEDURES 52 3.2 SECTION 1 KILLINGWORTH 54 3.2.1 Description of the Existing Environment 54 3.2.2 Assessment of Impact 57 3.3 SECTION 2 : WEST WALLSEND 58 3.3.1 Description of the Existing Environment 58 3.3.2 Assessment of Impact 62 3.4 SECTION 3 : STOCKRINGTON 64 3.4.1 Description of the Existing Environment 64 3.4.2 Assessment of Impact 69 3.5 SECTION 4 CEDAR HILL 71 3.5.1 Description of the Existing Environment 71 3.5.2 Assessment of Impact 73 3.6 SECTION 5 HEXHAN SWAMP 75 3.6.1 Description of the Existing Environment 75 3.6.2 Assessment of Impact 78 3.7 SECTION 6 : HEXHAM INDUSTRIAL 79 3.7.1 Description of the Existing Environment 79 3.7.2 Assessment of Impact 81 3.8 SECTION 7 KOORAGANG ISLAND - RURAL 82 3.8.1 Description of the Existing Environment 82 3.8.2 Assessment of Impact 85 3.9 SECTION 8 : KOORAGANG ISLAND - ESTUARINE 86 3.9.1 Description of the Existing Environment 86 3.9.2 Assessment of Impact 91 3.10 SECTION 9 : KOORAGANG ISLAND - WALSH POINT 96 3.10.1 Description of the Existing Environment 96 3.10.2 Assessment of Impact 98 IMPACT OF THE PROJECT 4.1 IMPACT OF THE PIPELINE ON THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE FAVOURED ROUTE 100 4.2 ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF THE PIPELINE ON ALTERNATIVE ROUTES 107 4.2.1 Alternative 1 107 4.2.2 Alternative 2 108 4.2.3 Alternative 3 109 4.2.4 Alternative 4 109 4.3 JUSTIFICATION OF THE FAVOURED ROUTE 110 4.4 CONCLUSION 112 APPENDIX I 'THE SAFETY OF THE PIPELINE' - EXTRACT FROM FINDINGS OF THE COMMISSIONER, MOOMBA - SYDNEY PIPELINE i - iii APPENDIX II BOTANICAL SPECIES LIST iv - viii APPENDIX Ill-i AVIFAUNA SPECIES OCCURRING OR I EXPECTED TO OCCUR ALONG THE PROPOSED NATURAL GAS PIPELINE I ROUTE ix - xiii I Page

APPENDIX 111-il : FAUNA SPECIES OCCURRING OR EXPECTED TO OCCUR ALONG THE PROPOSED NATURAL GAS PIPE- LINE ROUTE xiv - xv I I I I I I I I INTRODUCTION I I I I I I I I I I I I -1-

INTRODUCTION

1.1 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

James B. Croft & Associates was commissioned by The Australian Gas Light Company to undertake the Environmental Impact Investi- gation in conjunction with its engineer-managers, Williams Brothers CMPS Engineers, for the construction and operation of a natural gas pipeline between Killinqworth and Kooragang Island.

The Newcastle Gas Company already reticulates gas in Newcastle I and suburbs and in areas of the Municipality of Lake Macquarie and proposes to replace naphtha as the feedstock for reforming by natural gas from the Cooper Basin Gas Field in South Australia. I Large industrial consumers will be supplied with straight natural gas.

Separate Environmental Impact Statements have been prepared for proposals to construct and operate pipelines for the conveyance of natural gas from Sydney to Barnsley/Killingworth by The Australian Gas Light Company and for liquid petroleum products from Sydney to Hamilton in Newcastle by Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty. Limited (see Figure 2). Attention was given to the report and findings of an Environmental Inquiry held into these proposals by the State Pollution Control Commission in preparing this document.

This report analyses the environmental implications of the project along the route favoured by the Company and various proposals to follow alternative routes.

Emphasis is given to the solution of environmental problems by the inclusion of appropriate safeguards in the engineering designs and management practice.

The management of The Australian Gas Light Company and the -2-

Newcastle Gas Company Limited has expressed its willingness to comply with the requirements of relevant authorities and to ensure that impacts of the project, revealed by the study or later drawn to the attention of the Company, are minimised.

1.2 THE NEED FOR NATURAL GAS IN NEWCASTLE

In requesting a Permit and Licence to construct and operate the natural gas pipeline from Killingworth to Kooragang Island, The Australian Gas Light Company are implementing the Government's policy in New South Wales to supply Newcastle with natural gas. This commodity will assure consumers of an efficient modern energy source with competitive economic advantages over alternative fuels and combustion characteristics fulfilling statutory Clean Air pollution control requirements.

Since its incorporation in 1866, the Newcastle Gas Company's gas making facilities have been modernized progressively to meet technological advances from coal carbonization, to naphtha reforming and now to reforming natural gas and the reticulation of natural gas direct to some industrial consumers.

The Company's franchise area in the City of Newcastle and the Municipality of Lake Macquarie services about 33,000 consumers including 1,100 commercial and industrial users. Many of Newcastle's large manufacturers depend upon gas as their principal energy source and are awaiting the supply of the natural product.

In recent years the Newcastle Gas Company has experienced increasing difficulties in maintaining its traditional service to consumers at economical levels due to escalating costs in procuring naphtha and manufacturing gas by the naphtha reforming process. As the raw material is a by-product of crude petroleum refining, due to the import parity situation, the price of naphtha will continue to increase. The Newcastle Gas Company has offset this disadvantage to some extent by changing in 1977 to use Liquified Petroleum Gas as a fuel in addition to naphtha. -3-

Liquid Petroleum Gas is cheaper than naphtha, but in the long- term is still tied to the oil escalation factors. The rate of increase however would be lower, and will contain the increases in gas prices to a certain degree until natural gas is available. At best, the consumers in Newcastle would be faced with the prospect of increasingly higher charges as gas prices move in sympathy with oil products.

By the introduction of natural gas, the Company will be able to expand operations, increase its share of the market, better control inflationary pressures on its product and offer consumers a competitively priced fuel when compared with alternatives.

An analysis of the demands of the Newcastle and Hunter Valley region was taken into account in the design of the pipeline and it will have the capacity to meet the natural gas needs of the region for the foreseeable future.

Provision for supply of gas with the appropriate take-off points, has been made at the following locations:-

Killingworth - Provision will be made at this location I for the future supply of natural gas to the southern areas of Newcastle, the major urban centre at the north I of Lake Macquarie and to other parts of the Lower Hunter region as the demand emerges.

Hexham - Secondary mains to supply the Hexham and Newcastle metropolitan area will take-off from the Meter and Regulator I Station at this location. Provision will also be made for future supply to areas to the north and west of Hexham.

Walsh Point, Kooragang Island - Provision will be made I at this location to supply the Kooragang Island general industrial area and the suburb of Stockton. I I H -4- I

I 1.3 SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND INVESTIGATIONS I Information describing the objectives for the project and the I operations proposed for Newcastle were provided by The Australian Gas Light Company and Newcastle Gas Company Limited.

The sections of the report concerned with the design and con- I struction of the pipeline and the safeguards to protect the environment were prepared by Williams Brothers - CMPS Engineers, Pipeline Consultants, who have been retained as engineer-managers I by The Australian Gas Light Company and Newcastle Gas Company Limited. i The environmental investigations along the route and the analyses I to determine the interactions of the project with the environment, subject to the proposed safeguards to minimise impacts, were I undertaken by James B. Croft & Associates. Mr. G. Bartrim B.Sc. (U.N.E.) and Miss A. Martin B.Sc. (U.N.E..) examined aspects associated with the natural environment, soils, physiography I and drainage, the socio-economic framework and the built environment and identified potential areas of impact. Dr. J. Croft, B.E. Ph.D, managed the study and the preparation of the report.

The project was discussed with the following Authorities:-

* State Pollution Control Commission I * Newcastle City Council * Lake Macquarie Municipal Council I * Cessnock City Council * Public Works Department I * Planning & Environment Commission and requests for modifications and improvements will be complied I with. The Company is also acquainting other Authorities,including the Hunter District Water Board, Department of Main Roads, I Public Transport Commission and the Electricity Commission in New South Wales with its proposals.

I The project has, or will be, discussed with all private landowners I I

I private companies, organizations and individuals who may be directly or indirectly affected by the construction of the I pipeline. It is the intention that this document be used as the basis for such discussion and to inform interested parties I of the Company's proposals.

The results of the environmental investigations presented in this report are not intended to represent the view of The I Australian Gas Light Company, the Newcastle Gas Company Limited, or of any interested person, group or organization but the independent conclusions drawn by the consultants from their I studies. I 1.4 CONTENTS OF THE DOCUMENT

I The contents of this Environmental Impact Statement is as follows : -

SUMMARY : at the beginning of the document presents I the findings of the study. SECTION 1 Introduction.

SECTION 2 : This section states the Company's objective I for the project, the actions to implement the objective and examines the component I activities as potential sources of pollution and the safeguards to be incorporated to I minimise impacts. SECTION 3 : Analyses the interaction of the project with I the environment of the proposed route.

SECTION 4 : This section summarises the potential impact due to the project, evaluates alternatives to I the proposed route and concludes as to the I I

I best course of action to implement the project with the minimum environmental I disruption. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I OBJECTIVES DESIGN I CONSTRUCTION SAFEGUARDS I I I I I

I I I -7- 1

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT AND THE SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

I 2.1 THE COMPANYS OBJECTIVE

. 2.1.1 The Project

The project involves the construction and operation of a pipeline I to convey natural gas between Killingworth and Kooragang Island along the route shown in Figure 1. The work is to be undertaken I according to current engineering practice for pipelines and to ensure the interests of people are considered and the environ- I Inent is safeguarded. The route to be followed between Plumpton in Sydney and Killingworth shown in Figure 2 was the subject of I an Environment Impact Study and a Public Enquiry.

2.1.2 The Proposed Route

For convenience in the environmental analysis in this document the route has been broken into nine sections which are shown in detail in Figures 12 38.

I I The proposed route to be traversed is- Section_1: KILLINGWORTH I The pipeline begins at the Custody Transfer point on the western outskirts of Killingworth. From there, the route heads northwards I Passing beside the Killingworth Electricity Substation on the western side, then along an alignment adjacent to the West Wallsend/ I Killingworth Road. The route through this section is mainly over old underground colliery workings.

Section 2: WEST WALLSEND AREA

From the Killingworth Road, the route then adjoins the abandoned I West Walisend Railway Reserve and crosses approximately 600 metres (m) of current underground mine workings. After crossing O'Donneltown Road, the route again traverses areas of West Wailsend Colliery old workings. The route diverges from the abandoned railway reserve crossing Cemetery Road and then heads northwards crossing George Booth Drive, half-kilometre west of Seahampton.

Section 3: STOCKRINGTON AREA After crossing George Booth Drive, the route leaves the West Wailsend Colliery holding and crosses the Seahampton/Stockrington I Collieries. The coal seams in this area are mainly worked-out. The route follows fire and timber cutter tracks crossing the I Stockrington Mine Road, half-kilometre north of Seahampton, then parallels this road for approximately one kilometre (km) leaving I the road in a north-easterly direction, again following fire and timber cutter tracks, and finally crossing old underground mine I workings in the Linton Borehole Colliery area.

Section 4: CEDAR HILL AREA After leaving the Linton Borehole Colliery area, the route heads generally east through open grazing land for two kilometres, crosses the Dogholes and Minmi/Thornton Roads and then immediately turns north, crossing the Richmond Pelaw Main Railway Line and low lying open grazing land for two kilometres. After crossing underneath a water pipeline and skirting a woodland area, the route follows below the line of higher ground on the western edge of Hexham Swamp.

Section 5: HEXHAM SWAMP The route continues in a northerly direction along the edge of Hexham Swamp, remaining in pastureland and cultivated land. The line then swings eastward entering the northern extremities of the Hexham Swamp currently used for turf farming and grazing.

Section 6: HEXHAM INDUSTRIAL AREA The route crosses the Hunter District Water Board Supply Pipeline then enters industrial zone lands and traverses an area recently I

approved for R.W. Miller & Company Pty. Limited to locate a road to rail coal transfer facility. The route then crosses I the Main Northern Railway Line and the dual carriageway of the Pacific Highway. From here the route crosses through lands zoned as heavy industrial. A regulating meter station to supply I low pressure gas to the Hexham and Newcastle metropolitan areas is to be located in this area. Potential sites which are the I subject of discussion with the respective owners include part of the property of Hexham Engineering Pty. Limited and a proper±y I of the New South Wales Department of Education. The route has been located so as to cause the minimum conflict to futue planning I in the area and has been located generally paralleling Old Maitland Road until it aligns with the rear of houses fronting Old Maitland I Road. The route then parallels the rear of these houses for approximately 300 metres to the river crossing.

Section 7: KOORAGANG ISLAND RURAL After crossing the Hunter River channels onto Campbell and Ash Islands, the route follows high ground along the southern portion of the Island until meetin the Hunter District Water Board Koora- gang Island Supply Line.

Section 8: KOORAGANG ISLAND ESTUARINE

The route parallels the Hunter District Water Board pipeline until I meeting the Kooragang Industrial Railway embankment. This embankment is followed on the northern side until the line and embankment turn south near Australian Fluorine Chemicals Pty. Limited. This section of the proposed route passes through mangroves and I associated estuarine and fresh wetlands. I Section 9: KOORAGANG ISLAND - WALSH POINT The route heads in a southerly direction from Australian Fluorine I Chemicals Pty. Limited towards Stockton Road, following Cormorant Road. Just prior to reaching Stockton Road, the route turns eastward, running beside the approach to Stockton Bridge. A I Meter Regulating Station will be located in this area on the eastern or western side of Cormorant Road, or opposite Australian I Fluorine Chemicals Pty. Limited on the southern side. The line turns south beneath Stockton Bridge crossing 2 access roads to -10- I

turns south beneath Stockton Bridge crossing 2 access roads to the bridge. It then parallels Greenleaf Road until entering the I property of Consolidated Fertilizers at Walsh Point. I 2.2 GENERAL FEATURES OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ROUTE I 2.2.1 Factors Considered in the Selection of the Route

Various alternative routes for the pipeline were considered by I the Company before the proposed route was decided; these are evaluated comparatively in Section 4. The criteria considered I most pertinent in the decisions as to the favoured route were:-

i. The least cost and construction expediencies to best service the gas consumers in the Company's franchise area.

ii. To minimise inconvenience to people and communities I due to short term construction activities causing noise, vibrations, dust, severence of usual access I and interference in usual business operations and traffic flows.

I To minimise further disturbance to the environment in areas of bushland and wetland which are already I under pressure due to development.

To meet Local Authority and statutory requirements concerning current and potential planning proposals.

V. To avoid problems due to ground instability and I subsidence in areas of known and proposed colliery workings at shallow depths.

vi. To avoid main roads other than to cross at right I angles. I

To avoid as far as possible, areas of current or future development, so as to minimise the risk of third party interference.

To ensure the development potential of land traversed is not obstructed or prejudiced.

To locate the route so that construction scars caused by trench excavation, pipe assembly and laying and spoil stockpiling can be rehabilitated to produce a corridor as unobtrusive as possible.

2.2.2 Terrain

The general physiography of the proposed pipeline route through the section covered by Figures 12 - 38 inclusive, is shown in Figures 3 and 4. At the time of the preparation of this document the levels along the route had not been surveyed and the longitudinal sections were estimated from large scale contour plans. figures should therefore be regarded as being illustrative Theof the terrain to be traversed and not accurate for scaling.

The terrain features of the land to be traversed are:-

0 - 4.5 km : Locally flattish and very gently undu- 1 lating.

4.5 - 5.5 km : Gently to steeply rising until the crest I of the ridge line is reached. 5.5 - 8.4 km : Route follows hill crests and flanks. I. Side slopes will be encountered at about 5.7 - 6.0 km, 6.4 - 6.8 km, 7.0 - 7.1 km and 7.3 - 7.4 km. I 8.4 - 9.3 km : Steeply to gently falling land. Side slopes will be encountered between I about 8.5 - 8.8 km. 9.3 -13.0 km : Gently falling undulating land and I pasture. 13.0 -33.5 km : Route passes through flat low-lying land and swamps, slightly elevated terraces and levees, creek and watercourses and I channels through to Kooragang Island. I - 12 -

The soil types along the route fall into two broad groups:-

Residual weathering products on parent rocks: The typical rock types are compact medium-grained sandstones in beds varying in thickness from about 0.3 to 1.5 metres and massive compact pebble conglomerates in strata up to many metres in thickness. The soils above the rocks are sands, silts and sandy and silty clays of low to medium plasticity. Profiles attain thicknesses of up to about 1.5 metres before hard competent rock is encountered.

Elluvial and alluvial soils: The elluvial varieties consist of sandy and silty clays of low to high plasticity occurring at the toes of slopes and in localised depressions in the bedrocks, along the channels, floodplains and terraces of creeks draining the hilly and undulating country and as valley and gully fillings.

The alluvial clays, silts and sands form part of the I extensive floodplains and estuarine mouth of the Hunter River and underlie the Hexham Swamp and the channels I of the River crossed on the route to Kooragang Island. On the Island the alluvial soils are mixed with wind- I blown sands. I The rocks and soils occurring along the route determine the ease of excavation of the pipeline trench. Along the segments shown in Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 the soils and parent rocks described 1 in i. above will normally be encountered and will be excavated by backhoe or blading with ripping in weathered rock and minor use I of explosives to loosen harder rock prior to excavation. Soft ground conditions will apply to the areas along creeks and flood- I plains and in local depressions. I In the sections of the route in Figures 3 and 4 shown as being covered in detail in Figures 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, harder rock I will be encountered at the surface. Drilling and shot firing will be required at places on side slopes and on the ridgeline.

After about the 11 kilometres point all excavation will be in soft ground and alluvial soils described in ii. will be excavated for the trench.

The most suitable methods of excavation at any place is to be left to the discretion of the contractor at the time who will comply with all statutory requirements and the procedures and safeguards outlined in the later sections of this statement.

2.2.3 Mine Subsidence

Whilst the route has been selected to avoid as far as possible, conflict with existing and future coal mines, the pipeline will pass through the Killingworth/Wallsend Mines Subsidence District. Extensive research and investigation has been carried out in conjunction with the Department of Mineral Resources and Develop- ment and the Colliery owners to identify potential problems. The pipeline will be designed to conform with all safety requirements specified by the Department and advised by the mine owners.

Figure 5 shows the parts of the route where underground mining operations have been taken into account.

Most of the line through mining areas is over completed workings I where expected subsidence has already occurred. In areas of possible future mining, predictions will be made of groundstrain I and subsidence profiles based on the depth of seam below surface,. the thickness of seam, and the methods of mining proposed by the I mining companies. I The subsidence profiles predicted will be used to calculate the additional stresses produced in the pipeline. These stresses produced as a result of ground movement are longitudinal bending I stresses due to the change in radius of curvature along the pipe axis, and longitudinal axial stresses due to friction forces I developed between the ground and the pipeline as the ground I 14 -

moves along the axis of the pipe.

Calculations done to date, based on estimated seam depth and thickness, indicate that mining subsidence caused by mining operations along the route of the pipeline should not induce stresses above those commonly accepted as safe. This conclusion is dependent on:-

i. Mining being restricted at locations where physical features would not allow the pipe to be sufficiently flexible to accommodate the ground movement, eg. at locations where the pipeline is restrained by bends, appurtenances, anchors, and geological faults and dykes.

Depth of seam, seam thickness, number of seams mined, pipe to soil friction forces and geological strata overlying the seam being consistent with the data I used for the calculations.

Consultation procedures will be established between the various bodies and Companies involved. These procedures will probably be similar to those used in the United Kingdom where detailed procedures have been developed for consultation between the National Coal Board and the British Gas Corporation. These procedures would include the calculation to predict the effect of the mining pattern on the ground surface prior to mining commencing and establish an appropriate monitoring procedure.

Advice on techniques for monitoring ground movements, both vertical and horizontal and on frequency requisite to ensure security of the pipeline is readily available from previous experience.

Procedures would also be developed for remedial action where subsidence measurements indicate the pipeline could be stressed beyond allowable limits. This could involve a dig-up of the pipeline, or a modification of the method and configuration of mining. - 15 - I I 2.2.4 Flooding

I The area of the Hexham Swamp and the islands and estuary of the Hunter River are prone to flooding. Accurate flood level I maps for the whole area are not avilable, but based upon data from the Department of Public Works and local investigations, I Figure 5 was prepared to indicate areas traversed by the pipeline affected. The precautions outlined later in this Statement I are to be taken to ensure the protection of the pipeline at times when the route is inundated. I

2.2.5 Planning Schemes

Planning in the Municipality of Lake Macquarie is based currently I on the Northumberland County District Scheme. The Scheme has been amended considerably over the years and a new planning I scheme is currently being prepared. I The Northumberland Scheme also applies in the City of Newcastle although the area to be traversed at Hexham is covered by a Draft Interim Development Order for Hexham and Sandgate being examined I at the present time.

The operative scheme in the City of Maitland is Interim Devel- opment Order No. 6.

A plan to guide development for the Hunter Region as a whole is I currently being prepared by the Hunter Regional Planning Committee for the New South Wales Planning and Environment Commission. I The areas to be traversed by the pipeline in the western parts of I Lake Macquarie and Newcastle are not planned for development in the foreseeable future, current thinking is that the elevated I and undulating wooded and wetland areas should be retained as I I I -16-

near as possible in their existing state. The route has been selected so as to avoid prejudicing cleared land above flood I levels by locating the pipeline adjacent to the boundaries of properties. When the constraints due to colliery ownership, I mine subsidence and flooding are taken into account there is little other land to be affected prior to Hexham.

The land to be crossed through Hexham is proposed for industrial use as shown in Figure 5. The route is not in conflict with this planning objective.

The current ownership of land to be crossed is shown in the Figures 12 - 38 and referred to in the text for each section.

The proposed route has been discussed with the Planning I Departments of the City of Newcastle and the Municipality of Lake Macquarie and no objections have been raised. I 2.3 DESIGN OF THE GAS PIPELINE

2.3.1 Desiqn Considerations

I The economic design of the pipeline is essentially a balance between the three factors, cost of line pipe, cost of construct- I ion and restoration and cost of compression.

The cost of line pipe depends upon the operating pressures, the I volume of gas to be transported and the grade of steel selected.

Construction cost is governed by the diameter of the line, the construction methods used and the terrain crossed, together with I the environmental safeguards necessary for the entire programme. I The cost of compression depends on the size and efficiency of compressors, on the cost of compressor fuel and the compression I ratio. I - 17 -

For a given volume of gas to be transported, a large diameter, pipe could be used with no initial compression or a smaller diameter pipe with compression. The parameters which influence the cost of gas transportation have been exhaustively studied in various combinations and an optimum solution has been determined for The Australian GasLight Company's proposed pipeline.

The main features of the engineering design for the line pipe between Killingworth and Kooragang Island are:-

• Killingworth to Hexham Pipeline Length : 19.5 km I Pipe Outside Diameter : 508 mm Pipe Wall Thickness : 5.31 mm I 5.89 mm 8.48 mm Pipe Steel Specification : API-5LX-X60 I Design Pressure : 6895 kPa

Hexham to Walsh Point Pipeline Length : 14 km I Pipe Outside Diameter : 356 mm Pipe Wall Thickness : 5.56 ruin I 6.35 mm 7.92 mm Pipe Steel Specification : API-5LX-X42 I API-5LX--X46 1 Design Pressure : 6895 kPa The pipeline will be buried over its whole length with a minimum I cover of 750 millimetres in soil and 450 millimetres in consolidated rock. The mainline will have block valves at maximum 32 I kilometres intervals but at more frequent intervals generally. The design and construction of the line will be to the require- I rnents of the New South Wales Minister for Energy who has the SAA Gas Pipeline Code AS1697-1975 for guidance. In the interests of safety and reliability, the design will exceed the Code require- I ments in several respects. I I

1 2.3.2 Codes for Design

The design of the line generally conforms to the SAA Gas Pipeline Code AS1697-1975, together with some additional specifications covering requirements specific to this line.

Other structural, civil, electrical or mechanical design will comply with the current SAA Codes.

In addition to the above general codes, the following specif 1- cations will be used with some reinforcements where needed for specific details of design:-

API-5LX--1975 - will be used with supplementary reinforcement to specify steel pipe requirements.

API-6D-1972 - will be used with supplementary reinforcement to specify pipeline valves.

ANSI-B16.5-1973 -,will be used to specify steel pipe flanges.

ANSI-B16.9-1971 - will be used to specify steel welding fittings.

V. ASTM-A234-1973 - will be used to specify material grades for welding fittings.

The following abbreviations apply:- I AS : Australian Standard API : American Petroleum Institute I ANSI American National Standards Institute ASTM : American Society for Testing & Materials

2.3.3 Gas Pipe and Coating

The type of pipe selected not only has the capacity to withstand I the pressure of the gas and carry the volumes required, but is I I - 19 - I also required to withstand normal construction handling stresses. One of the major factors in this regard is cold bending to suit I the contours of the ground.

The pipe is normally bent in the field to follow the general contour of the ground surface. The amount of bend that may be I placed in the pipe in the field is limited by construction codes. In the event that the terrain is too abrupt or the right of way I is too narrow to permit a field bend, shop made bends may be used to make the pipe conform to either condition. Should the trench I be required to be deeper than normal to accommodate the bends, the right of way may also require excavation to enable construction to proceed.

The pipe will be externally protected from corrosion by the I application of extruded polyethylene coating. The coating will be applied to the pipe length in a coating yard. The short I section of pipe that is left bare when welded in the field will be field coated by hand with the same material. The material to be applied is highly inert to soil chemicals and is expected to protect the pipe surface from corrosion for an unlimited time. The material is non-toxic and will not affect the normal growth of vegetation along the pipeline route. The construction contractor will be required to remove any waste coating and I wrapping materials from the right of way.

2.3.4 cathodic Protection

I The pipeline will he protected from external corrosion by cathodic protection. The method used (impressed direct current I or sacrificial galvanic cells) will be determined after:-

A cathodic protection survey of the pipeline route will be carried out.

Discussions will be held with the owner of other underground structures to determine the extent of interference from the other structures. I h - 20 - I The preferred methoft of protection (described below) is by I impressed direct current. The current will be supplied from the regional electric power distribution system through a rectifier. A rectifier system will be installed at points I along the route of the pipeline. A rectifier system is approximately 600 mm x 300 mm x 450 mm and may be pole mounted. I Groundbed leads will be located at right angles to the pipeline and about 180 to 300 metres away. Connection will be by buried I cable. The only above ground structure will be a green fibre- glass box about 450 millimetres high and 300 millimetres square I near the groundbed.

In country areas, cathodic protection test stations consist I essentially of a 50 millimetres steel pipe with a cast cap, standing approximately 1.2 metres above the ground, and whenever I possible on fence lines.

2.3.5 Sectioning Valves

I The pipeline system will be equipped with sectioning valves at Killingworth, Hexham and Walsh Point, and/or otherwise as I required by the Pipeline Code in accordance with the area class location.

I As this pipeline section is basically an extension of the Sydney to Killingworth pipeline system, the sectioning valves will form I an integral part of the overall design configuration.

These block valves will be equipped with automatic controls which will close the valves either side of a line break. Continuous monitoring of these valves will be carried out from a central control station which also has the ability to close any valve along the line remotely should this be required.

Inthe event of a line break, the valves will automatically close and stay closed until repairs have been completed and the actuators have been manually reset for automatic operation.

The blowdown piping and valves, together with their pressure vents I -21- I must be in a vertical position and open to the atmosphere above ground. The automatic actuators will also have exhaust piping which must be piped to the atmosphere. The exhaust piping will extend 1800 millimetres above the ground. Controls and sensing devices will not be placed in a pit where they could be subject to flooding and corrosion.

Electrical and instrumentation equipment will be installed in I a cubicle above ground and alongside the valve. 1 2.3.6 Pipeline Facilities

The pipeline will be provided with a communication network, I electrical facilities and markers. The communication will consist of continuous monitoring and remote control of block I valves and takeoff points.

Markers will be installed at railway, highway and stream crossings or any other place subject to construction work. I The markers will be as recommended by the SAA Gas Pipeline Code As1697-1975 and as required by the Pipelines Act 1967. I Their purpose is to warn third parties of the presence of a natural gas pipeline to minimise the possibility of external damage to the line. Markers also facilitate routine patrol of I the pipeline.

2.3.7 Trunk Receiving Stations and Meter Stations

As already desribed, there will be three major take-off points for the supply of gas to Newcastle comprising Trunk Receiving I Stations at Hexham and Kooragang Island and a Meter Station at Eastern Nitrogen Limited, Walsh Point, Kooragang Island. The sites for these stations are to be finalised. The Austral- I ian Gas Light Company will undertake the construction. The appearance of a typical station is shown in Figure 6 and it is I expected that the proposed stations will be similar.

General details of the stations are:- I -22-

• I Heharn Trunk Receiving Station: The trunk receiving station will have pressure reduction and metering facilities for supply of gas to Newcastle. This I station will be located within an 0.6 hectare (1.5 acres) site. Two sites are currently being considered. I Kooragang Island Trunk Receiving Station: This trunk receiving station will have pressure reduction and metering facilities for supply to Kooragang Island I industries. It will also have a secondary regulator station to supply gas to the Stockton area. This station will be located within an 0.6 hectare (1.5 I acres) site. Three sites are currently being considered. Eastern Nitrogen Meter Station: This meter station will measure the flow of high pressure gas to Eastern I Nitrogen Limited and will be located within their premises.

I The stations will consist of above-ground piping and equipment. A control building will be constructed on the site with roads and parking areas for maintenance vehicles. The relevant applications will be submitted to local authorities and I construction will be in accordance with their requirements.

Human activity will be limited to the minimum number of persons required to provide proper operation and maintenance of the I appurtenances and the site.

It is proposed that these stations will be located within I industrial areas, hence the locations will be under noise category R6 (area within predominantly industrial district I with extremely dense transportation) as per AS1055-1978. The stations will be so designed so that the noise level will I conform with the acceptable noise levels laid down by the Australian Standard 1055-1978 and Section 27 of the Noise I Control Act, 1975. Where necessary, so as to conform with the above requirements, acoustic shield walls, low noise I emission equipment, lagging and other appropriate safeguards will be employed so that the noise level at the boundary of the sites will conform with the specified standards. Equipment which is inherently noisy will, if necessary, be sited well away from the boundaries of the land in order to take advantage I of the attenuation of noise by distance. I I -23-

I The proposed Meter and Regulating Stations will be similar in design to those currently operated by the Australian Gas I Light Company in the Sydney area (see Figure 6). Sound levels of between 46 to 50 dE(A) have been measured at the boundaries H of operating stations and have been reduced to acceptable levels where required. I As soon as the sites for the stations in the Newcastle area are finalised, noise attenuation studies will be conducted to estab- h lish background levels and form the basis for designs. The studies will be undertaken according to the procedures specified I by the State Pollution Control Commission. The stations will I not be a source of noise nuisance. Plantingof trees around the perimeter of the site will also be carried out where necessary to help minimise any noise nuisance and to enhance the appearance of the stations.

2.4 PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES

2. 4. 1 Construction Speci fications

Construction work will be carried out by a contractor fully equipped to perform the work and experienced in other similar pipeline construction projects. He will be required to enter into a formal contract to perform the work in accordance with the general conditions of contract, technical specifications and drawings.

The General Conditions of Contract require the contractor to carry out all aspects of the work in accordance with the Laws I of the Land and the requirements of Government and Local Govern- ment bodies having jurisdiction over the work.

The technical specification sets out the performance standards required and where necessary, the method of performing the work. I In the following section the general procedures and requirements I I -24-

I for construction are briefly described.

The Licence under which the pipeline will be constructed requires the Company to submit prior to commencement of I construction, a statement to the Minister describing the characteristics of the environment along each particular I pipeline section and specifying the safeguards to be adopted so as to minimize the extent to which harm to the environment I maybe occasioned by the design, construction, operation, maintenance of the pipeline, and its ancillary facilities and I to ensure adequate erosion control and rehabilitation. The requirements of the Licence will be incorporated in the I contract specifications and the contractor will be contract- ually obliged to conform with these requirements.

The sections from Killingworth to Hexham will probably be I constructed by the contractor constructing the Plumpton to Killingworth Section and will basically be an extension of that line using conventional cross-country pipeline construct- I ion machinery and techniques. With construction commencing during the latter part of 1979, it would be anticipated that I construction through this section should proceed at approximately 1.5 kilometres per day. The section between Hexham and I Walsh Point, Kooragang Island, will probably be constructed by a smaller construction crew using specialist equipment with I regards to the Hunter River crossing and the construction areas adjacent to the northern side of the waterline and railway I embankment along Kooragang Island. Construction of this section may start prior to the completion of I the section to Hexham and it would be expected that construction would proceed at approximately 0.5 kilometres per day. A bar- I chart indicating the probable construction schedule is shown in Figure 7.

Each operation will be supervised by the owner's representative I on a continuous basis. 11-1 I - 25 - Li Inspectors involved will have had previous experience in such H work but will also be trained in the specific requirements of the project. Training school will be held prior to construction I commencing and an inspector's Manual will be issued to each inspector. This manual will contain instructions on methods of inspection, reasons for particular procedures and notes on the F requirements of the various relevant Statutory Authorities and I other interested parties. Environmental considerations form a major part of this training, I I and in past projects carried out by the Company, the environmental consultant played an important role in training schools. The I Inspector's Manual for this project will amplify the construction specifications which will be issued to the contractor and which will contain all the environmental safeguards contained in that I statement.

I 2.4.2 Construction Contractor

I The selection of the contractor, who will have the responsibility for the actual pipeline work, will be made on the basis of a H competitive tender to be submitted by qualified orqanizations.

The registration and evaluation of the contracting organizations I will take place before calling of tenders and will enable the Company and the Company's representatives to identify those I contractors who have the experience, the skills and the resources to enable the pipeline construction to be achieved during the I desired time span in a manner consistent with the high quality I required by the Company and the relevant Statutory Authorities. 2.4.3 Width of Right of Way I Urban Requirements

I In an urban environment, the land use is either well established or subject to planning proposals. In determining the pipeline I route, the Company takes into account existing and future land I - 26 -

use, and selects the best route on the basis of a set of criteria as follows:-

To avoid as far as possible, populated areas.

To avoid areas of property improvement, eq. orchards, buildings, etc.

To avoid locations which may be affected by future redevelopment. Although the possible redevelopment may be uncertain or undefined, alternatives are selected away from these areas, so that their future redevelopment will not be compromised.

To minimize the number of private (urban) residential properties traversed by the pipeline as far as possible.

V. The need to have a continuous line, bearing in mind the availability of space within normal service easements and road space.

To select a route to minimize disruption of normal traffic etc. during the construction period.

To select a route which would have the least impact, in respect to construction noises, dust and traffic, on private residences.

viii.To select a route which allows conservative engineering design.

ix. To select a route with minimum electrical interference.

X. To select a route with ready access for inspection and maintenance personnel.

xi. To select a route which has the least effect in the I -27-

event of pipeline failure and which allows the quickest and most effective restoration should I any unavoidable leakage occur.

xii. To avoid main trunk roads other than to cross at right angles.

I xiii.To select a position to minimize third party interference by unauthorised excavation over or adjacent I to the pipeline.

The fact that a Company can select a route through developed areas that have an established open space, ensures without the provision I of a wide easement that:-

* There is adequate access for construction and maintenance (either in parks or public roads).

* The distance between any building and the pipeline is adequate for safety considerations.

* The likelihood of third party interference except from other utilities is minimal (it is expected that personnel of the utilities would be sufficiently informed to recognize the pipelines from the marker tape and pipeline markers).

I * The damage resulting from a pipeline failure would be minimized.

Supplementing these considerations are the following aspects:-

* The cost of purchasing a wide easement in urban I areas at urban values. I * A wide easement for a pipeline would conflict with the requirements of other utilities.

I * The construction technique for laying pipe in urban I I -28-

I areas require significantly less right of way than cross country construction. However, the cost of I laying pipe in urban areas is approximately twice that for cross country construction.

It is for these reasons that a narrower easement width is accept- I able in urban or developed areas.

Non-Urban Requirements

In non-urban areas, the easement width is usually 24.385 metres (80 feet) . This is based on the requirements for cross country pipelineconstruction as established in the United States and Australia for large diameter pipelines. Figure 8-I indicates the layout of the easement for 508 mm natural gas pipeline which is in the large diameter classification. It is evident from the figure that 24.835 metres (80 feet) is the bare minimum if off- easement encroachment is to be avoided.

While 24.835 metres (80 feet) is determined by construction I requirements, it has also been justified as a permanent easement on the grounds that:-

i. It provides ample room for access for operation I and maintenance purposes.

In rural areas where there is potential for development, it acts as a barrier between the pipeline and the development, thereby reducing third party I interference.

iii. If duplication of the line becomes necessary, there is sufficient room with the 24.385 metres (80 feet) I easement (see Figure 8-1I)

I When pipelines are duplicated (looped), it is customary to lay the additional pipes 6.0 metres (20 feet) in from the opposite side I of the easement to the original lines. In this position it is possible to blast and excavate without disturbing the operation on I I -29-

the installed lines. The direction of the construction spread is reversed as shown in Figure 8-I1.

With a 24.385 metres (80 feet) easement, the Company can legally I protect the pipeline corridor by restricting development within the easement. The ability to duplicate pipelines when necessi- I tated by market expansion has been justified on many occasions, and a recent Australian experience would be the duplication of I the Natural Gas Pipeline from Sale to Longford. Rehabilitation of the Area outside the Permanent Easement

It is well established that cross country pipeline construction I utilises the full 24.835 metres (80 feet) right of way. This area is disturbed during construction and requires stabilization, I rehabilitation and maintenance for the full duration of the Licence. This is enforced under the Pipelines Act, 1967. If however, part I of the area is subject to a private agreement and not within the Licence Area, the long term responsibility for rehabilitation I becomes complex. - In the case of a private agreement outside the Licence Area, it I is assumed that once the landowner accepts the rehabilitation work and signs the Company Release Form, the agreement would be conclu- I ded and the Company would have no further responsibility or right of access to the agreement area. If for instance the rehabilitation I work fails in the long term due to poor grass selection, loss of soil fertility or adverse weather, that would then be the problem of the landowner.

In addition, a number of works are constructed across the right I of way to prevent erosion (i.e. drainage banks) to stabilize creek and river beds, and for slope stability in steep terrain. I These require constant maintenance which would not be possible in the agreement area. Unless the landowner maintains these works, I erosion could extend back across the easement, destroying rehabilitation on the easement, and endangering the stability of the I pipeline. The landowner moreover may choose to remove these works in the agreement area if they conflict with his proposed land use. I I -30- I The Concept of Pipeline Corridors and Future Planning

With the limited reserves in the Cooper Basin and the abandon- ment of the concept of a Trans-Australia--Pipeline, there is the future possibility of the establishment of a coal gasification plant in the low cost coalfields in the Hunter Valley. A similar case can also be argued for the establishment of a coal liquification plant.

Unless a 24.385 metres (80 feet) easement is established now, I it may be impractical in the future due to encroachments such as homes, factories, dams, etc. along a narrower easement (see I Figure 8-Ill) to construct the essential pipelines to convey the energy back to Sydney. I Access for Emergency Situations

In the event of a pipeline failure, the working space in a 24.385 metres (80 feet) easement would be required. The prospect of I negotiating entry agreements with landowners in this situation is undesirable, and could seriously delay public safety measures, I restoration of supply and clean-up. I 2.4.4 General Construction Methods

I The construction of the pipeline will follow a logical sequence of events broadly similar in all locations but differing in detail along the route to meet the specific engineering and environmental constraints. The general method of construction I is shown in Figure 9 and details of a typical trench in Figure 10.

I Construction involves the following component operations:- I 1. Acquiring and clearing of a permanent easement for use during construction.

ii. Trenching to bury the pipe, after any necessary I grading has been completed and topsoil over the I -31-

L trench and grading removed and stockpiled.

In areas where it is necessary to save topsoil either on the rightof way or along the ditch line, it will be removed prior to grading and ditching.

I iii. Stringing out the necessary lengths of pipes end-to-end on the site, bending them as required I and welding them together.

The pipes will be welded in strings above ground in convenient lengths. The welds will be examined visually during welding and by X-ray on completion to the standard laid down in Australian I Standard As1697-1975 "SAA Gas Pipeline Code". Repaired welds will be again X-rayed for acceptability. Any rejects will be I marked and cut out.

iv. The gaps in the protective coating at the weld joints will be covered by shrinking on a poiy- I ethylene sleeve. The continuity of the protective coating over the entire length of the pipe will be checked for damage and repaired if I necessary.

V. Lowering the pipeline into the trench on prepared bedding materials where required in a rock ditch.

vi. Adding a further rock-free layer of earth to the I top of the pipe followed by a backfill operation to fill the ditch leaving enough room for the I return of topsoil. The procedure to backfill the ditch varies between urban and I non-urban areas and according to the likelihood of third party interference. Figure 10 shows the general precautions which may I be taken including the protection of the pipe with a concrete slab, the positioning of a warning tape and the use of compacted backfill I material (roadbase) when required. I I - 32 - I vii. Restoration of topsoil, terracing of slopes, stabilisation of creek banks and other specialised restoration techniques where needed.

I viii.Closing the gaps in the pipeline at road, rail and river crossings where more specialised techniques are required.

Figure ilillustrates the construction procedures typically used for a stream crossing, cased and bored railway crossing and a I road crossing without casing. The crossing of the Hunter River is considered as a special case in Section 2.4.5. I ix. Hydrostatically testing each section of the completed pipe to rigid requirements ensuring that no leaks exist.

Where the roads are interfered with, all surfaces will be restored to the original or better condition. Any damage to the roads by I the equipment and related pipelaying activities will be fully repaired. I The construction of the pipeline will be a progressive operation. I The major disturbance caused by construction in any one area will generally only last about three weeks.

2.4.5 Hunter River Crossing

The crossing of the Hunter River channels involves two major and one minor submarine crossings. The pipe used in the river crossing will be 356 O.D. 7.92 mm wall thickness of grade API-5LX--X46. The pipe will have a protective coating covered by a coating of rein- forced concrete to give it the required negative buoyancy. The pipe will be cathodically protected. The pipe will be buried in the river bottom with the top of the pipe at a minimum depth of 1.2 metres below the river bottom. An analysis will be carried out to ensure that the pipeline remains buried below the maximum depth of scour which on preliminary information appears to be minimal. I -33-

The actual construction method used for the river crossing will depend to some extent on the contractor's preference within the I guidelines set down in the construction specifications. The method is, however, likely to involve the following operations:-

i. Concrete coating of pipe in an area accessable I by road (probably on the northern side).

Dredging of a trench in river bottom.

Make-up on the northern bank (two major crossings) and tow across.

iv. Backfilling of the trench.

I V. Pipe construction, tie-in and restoration of the river banks.

I Details of these operations are:-

Concrete Coating: Pipe will be supplied to the concrete coating area with the high density polyethylene coating I already applied. The concrete coating will be applied over this coating probably using a concrete spraying I process. The pipes will be stockpiled for a short period to allow coating to cure. I Dredging of Trench: The dredging of the trench will most likely be done using a barge and drag line arrangement. I The trench will be dug to the required depth with sides of the necessary slope to give stability prior to the pipe I being installed. The excavated spoil will be temporarily stockpiled on islands during operations and the stockpile I areas returned to their original condition at the completion of the work.

Pipe Make-up and Tow Across: Normal pipe welding and handling techniques will be used to assemble maximum length I of pipe. It is probable that pipe for all crossings will I I -34- I be made up in the same make-up area and delivered to each crossing prior to being towed across each river I section. Towing will most likely be done with a winch on the southern bank. Pontoons may need to be attached I to the pipe to give it sufficient buoyancy for towing. Inspection by divers may be required to ensure that the I pipe is correctly located at the bottom of the trench and also to ensure that it is supported evenly.

Backfilling of Trench: The trench will be backfilled with the excavated spoil possibly using a bottom dump barge on, I the major section, or with a drag line arrangement. The pipe section between the river area and the land section I of construction will be welded, installed and tied-in using normal construction techniques. Restoration work I will then be carried out on the river banks to ensure proper stability of the bank and to allow natural regen- I eration. I 2.4.6 Construction through Swamp Areas Special construction techniques will be employed through swamp I areas depending upon the conditions at the time of construction.

One seasonal fresh swamp along the route as shown in Figure 25 is affected by construction, and depending upon the degree of I inundation, special construction techniques may be required. This may involve the laying of rip-rap on the right-of-way to I allow for the access of the construction equipment and vehicles, however, no other special techniques are considered necessary. The pipeline will be laid with extra cover through swampy areas I and will be weighted so to ensure that it remains buried.

Upon completion of construction, the rip-rap would be removed and the area restored to its original condition.

Areas which may have been compacted due to construction activities, I will be thoroughly plowed and disked so as to ensure a return to original condition. I I -35-

I Where water flow may be created by the existence of the pipeline trench, sack breakers or polyurethane foam will be installed in the trench to prohibit the flow of water along the trench line.

Through the sensitive wetland areas on Kooragang Island, construction will be carried out off the water pipeline embankment and the I railway embankment. Construction through these areas will be carried out by specialist crews with machinery compatible to the type of construction required. Details are presented in Section 3.9.2.

1 2.4.7 Testing

Hydrostatic testing will be carried out progressively on sections of the pipe, before it is tied in. The length of each section I will depend on elevations and construction conditions.

The hydrostatic testing crew will fill the test section with water. Cleaning pigs will be sent through the line to remove any construction debris or dirt, and the water will be introduced immediately behind the cleaning pigs.

When the air is displaced and the line is completely filled with water, the pipe will be pressurised. The pressure will be held I for a 24 hour period using dead-weight testers and pressure and temperature recorders.

I When the hydrstatic test procedures have been successfully completed, the test headers will be cut off, and the section of pipe tied in to the pipeline. All water will be displaced from the pipe with pigs propelled by natural gas during commissioning I of the pipeline.

Water expelled from the pipeline will be controlled for quality to satisfy the standards of the relevant statutory authority.

2.4.8 Electrical Interference

I Where the pipeline may be located in close proximity to electrical I L -. 36 - I installations, such as the Killingworth Sub-station, special I precautions will be employed to ensure safety of both installations. Detailed studies will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Electricity Commission and the I relevant local electricity authority to establish soil resistiiity and potential grounding problems and the appropriate protective I measures such as grounding mats, insulating material, intersystem ground ties (containing series grounding cells) or lightning I arrestors may be used. I 2.4.9 Clean-up

Methods for clean-up will vary considerably in different areas. I In flat areas with little vegetation, the line will be graded back to its original contours and slight berms will be left over the trench to allow for possible settlement. Any remaining rubble and rubbish will be removed and disposed of any topsoil spread I lightly over the right of way.

Alternatively, the topsoil will either be carried back by the scrapers or bladed in by the graders and spread over the right of way. In natural areas the debris from vegetation clearing will be spread in part or completely back over the right of way to provide a seed source to assist regrowth, limit access on the right of way and provide habitats for fauna. Patrol markers, cathodic protection test leads and road crossing markers will be placed, permanent fences will be rebuilt and the area returned toits natural state as closely as possible. Work areas which have been compacted by traffic during the course of construction will be disked to break up the soil. Seeding where required will be carried out in the appropriate season.

In undulating timbered areas any brush that has been left by the clearing crews will be burned or spread over the right of way as specified and markers placed. The cuts will be put back to the original contour, topsoil replaced and the area returned to its original condition. All the fences will be rebuilt.

In hilly areas where side hill cuts or cuts over the crest of I - 37 - I hills have been made, excavated material will be put back to a stable condition. The topsoil will either be carried back by I the scrapers or bladed in by the graders and spread over the ditch line. On the slopes sack breakers will be installed to I prevent erosion wherever necessary and at a spacing as required by the steepness of the grade. After the sack breakers are I installed, the final grading is finished, contour drains will be cut to divert any rainfall runoff away from the ditch line and off the right of way. These drains will be spaced close enough together so that no great amount of water would ever be collected between them and so as not to allow any great amount of water to I run on the right of way or the original working strip. These and other appropriate erosion control procedures will be provided I where necessary.

In the event that any of the bitumen surface roads have been damaged during construction, repairs will be made. All natural watercourses and ditches will be cleaned up and rehabilitated to return them as closely as possible to their original state. Rock which is removed during the grading operations and not used in restoration work will be removed from the right of way. By agreement with property owners, this rock would be placed in gullies or washes caused by erosion, to assist towards erosion control.

Special restoration requirements will also be used where necessary.

The Company is conscious of the need to rehabilitate all disturbed areas. Considerable experience in this work will be called upon to ensure that the effects of construction are minimised.

2.5 SAFEGUARDS AND PROCEDURES TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONNT I Various environmental safeguards which have been incorporated into construction practice as a result of the experience gained in building pipelines were detailed in the preceding sections. I I -38- I Additional specific precautions to be taken and procedures to be followed are outlined in the following Sections 2.5.1 - 1 2.5.5.

I 2.5.1 During Construction and for Protection of. the Easement H Clearing: The proposed route has been selected, where I possible, to avoid areas of natural vegetation. In bushland areas, trees will only be removed when necessary for construct- I ion purposes and to protect pipes from root systems.

Cleared timber in bush areas will be pushed to the side of the I pipeline corridor and retained for later brush spreading. Stripped vegetation will not be burnt or allowed to accumulate I in creek courses to affect water flows and quality. Topsoil and excavated spoil will be kept separate from felled timber I and brush.

Topsoil Retention: Topsoil thickness varies along the proposedroute and is best developed on creek floodplains and in local depressions. TOpSOiIS formed in place tend to be thin, stoney and impoverished in nutrients.

During construction, every care will be taken to collect and retain topsoil for respreading. Where it is impractical to I collect topsoils, because of the thinness of the layer, the contractors will do the best possible rehabilitation job with I the materials at their disposal on the site. In general, topsoils will not be borrowed from elsewhere for spreading I in the easement.

Topsoils will be replaced as soon as practical, but not until traffic movements at a location have ceased and brush and I timber can be spread on the surface to inhibit erosion and I I -39- I and eventually provide a water retaining mulch.

Surplus Soil Disposal: Excavation in rock and the use I of artificial backfilling materials may result in the pro- duction of surplus spoil for disposal. This unwanted spoil I will be disposed of in a manner satisfactory to the landowner or relevant Authority, but so as not create erosion, silt- I ation problems or blockages in creeks or natural drainage courses or damage sensitive vegetation. For example, surplus rock or rubble may be used to upgrade farm tracks and surplus I soil may be placed and levelled off in areas required by the landowner in a manner compatible with property improvements I and the surrounding terrain.

Erosion Control: As described above, care will be taken toprevent erosion of stripped ground and spoil piles during construction and to repair the effects of water and wind action as they occur at later stages.

In undulating country the easements will be connected with I property contour and perimeter drains to redirect surface water flows to established creek and drainage courses. Long slopes will not be left undrained so as to precipitate I gullying. Where creek flows will be greatly increased beyond the existing rates of flow by redirected waters, channels, I banks and critical sections will be stone pitched to inhibit erosion. I Brush spreading will be practised to restrict erosion on I slopes and protect exposed earth until vegetation covers are established.

Revegetation: In bushland sections of the route revegetation will occur naturally by germination of seed stock in replaced I topsoil and by natural spread from adjoining undisturbed areas. The object will be to establish a shrub cover of indigenous species to protect the surface and eliminate as much as possible, LI I -40-

the construction scars. Trees which grow large will not be per.- mitted over the pipeline itself as their root systemsmay interfere with the pipes and hence a thinning of the tree canopy may result in places.

In other areas, including streets, vegetation unavoidably I interfered with during construction will be replaced with similar species. Existing grassed areas will be regrassed.

Slope Stabilization: Construction practice will ensure that instability is not introduced into soil slopes, banks and I cuttings.

With construction in steep gradients, cut slopes will be drained and supported during operation and the completed ground surface I drained and protected with rip-rap to prevent washouts and water scouring. I The pipeline will be entrenched below the channel bed in natural creek courses and protected so as to prevent scouring and expos- I ure of the pipe, alteration of the water flow characteristics or local damming resulting in siltation, channel widening, bank I scouring and failure.

Construction Activities: The principal sources of disturbance due to the pipeline construction activities will be noise, I vibrations, dust and inconvenience caused by operating plant and equipment. As already indicated, the minimisation of impacts from these sources was a major criterion in the decision as to the favoured route.

Sources of noise likely to occur at the construction site include operating bulldozers and backhoes and compressors and pneumatic I hammers. It is anticipated that most of the trench excavations will be in soft ground and that backhoes or bulldozers with or I without rippers will be adequate. When harder rock unsuitable for ripping is encountered, hand operated pneumatic tools or I minor popping with explosives will be used to loosen the ground I I - 41 -

I prior to excavation.

I The construction activities will be temporary. The noise sources will normally not remain near individual properties I for more than one day. Operations will be restricted to daylight working hours. Contracts will specify that modern I noise-suppressing plant be employed in any areas close to residences or where noise could interrupt the existing activities.

I Noise investigations for two operation D8 bulldozers showed a * sound level of 104 dB(A) measured 1 metre away. Allowing for I ground and distance attenuations, at 400 metres from the source, the sound level would be 50.5 dB(A). The Australian •Standard I states that daytime background for an area with low density transporation should be taken as 50 dB(A)#, hence only people I within 400 metres of the construction work are likely to experience a temporary increase in noise levels.

I Equipment manufacturers state that new compressors emit noise levels of about 72 dB(A) at 7 metres and pneumatic hammers I 82 dB(A) at 7 metres. Noise due to these items would also be I inaudible above background at distances beyond 400 metres. Explosives will not be used to assist in excavations in proximity I to any residences so there will be no disturbance to people due to this source. Where explosives are used in remote areas the I quantities required will be very small and the effects will be localised to the ground immediately adjacent to the trench within h the easement. The working place will be wetted with water in any locations I where the generation ofdust is likely to be a source of nuisance.

I Where trench excavation and pipelaying leads to the severance of usual access to residents' properties and business premises,

I * A D8 and D9 were measured in a coal mine in the Upper Hunter by James B. Croft & Associates in October, 1978. # Australian Standards Code of Practice for Noise Assessment in residential I areas, A.S. 1055 - 1978.

I • -42-

temporary means of access will be provided. People likely to be affected will be notified of the times at which construction U activities will be adjacent to their premises. Every effort will be made by contractors to minimise disturbance to people I and communities.

Depth of Burial: Normally the pipeline will be buried at a minimum depth of 750 mm. However, the actual depth at any location will depend upon the environmental and physical constraints and requirements, terrain, gradient and future develop- ments proposed for the area traversed.

In areas subject to flooding and inundation, measures such as I the use of buried concrete weights on the pipeline will be used to ensure that the buried pipeline is not disturbed.

Replacement and Repairs of Fences and Damage: All fences removed to facilitate pipeline construction will be replaced in their original positions and any damage caused by the operation repaired. Temporary gates will be installed in all fences crossed by the pipeline route so as to provide for necessarylivestock security and allow construction passage. Upon completion of construction, all fences will be restored to original condition.

Damage to drains, service lines, paved and sealed areas, gardens and landscaping will be repaired.

2.5.2safeguards in Operation, Maintenance and the Safety of the Pipeline

The proposed pipeline will serve a large industrial and residential market and any interruptions to supply due to a pipeline I failure would have far-reaching economic consequences. It is therefore essential to avoid failure and only the highest I engineering standards will be employed in design construction and operation. I I - 43 - I

I Danger of Explosions: The natural gas which the pipeline will convey consists almost entirely of methane and will only I support combustion when present in gas/air mixtures containing 5 to 15 percent gas. A flame completely surrounded by natural E gas would be extinguished. Should gas escaping from a hole in a pipe be ignited, it will burn outside the pipe but the flame I cannot burn back into the pipe itself since the gas in the pipe contains no oxygen. The fact that natural gas is about 60 percent less dense than air means that escaping gas rapidly disperses H into the atmosphere. The possibility of an explosion due to * leaking gas is considered to be most unlikely because of the LI combination of factors needed to produce the necessary conditions.

I Pipe Failure: When the pipe is manufactured in the pipe mill, it is subjected to rigorous inspection including use of ultra- I sonic equipment, fluoroscopy and radiography and high level hydrostatic mill testing of each length of pipe to detect flaws LI and weaknesses. The quality of the circumferential welding to connect pipes in H the field is also checked by X-ray examination to ensure the LI safety of the join. When the pipe is in place and the trench backfilled, sections I will be isolated and filled with water. Each section will be hydrostatically tested to identify any injurious defects which 1 may have been missed during inspection or introduced during construction. The high level hydrostatic testing procedure is a major safety feature which was introduced to the Australian I pipeline technology for the construction of the Moomba-Sydney k Natural Gas Pipeline. Corrosion Control: Most pipeline failures are caused either I by corrosion or by external interference. Major safety considerations are incorporated in design to eliminate corrosion. I Report F3 Findings of the Commissioner, Inquiry into the Proposal to Convey Natural Gas from Moomba (S.A.) to Sydney I (1973); Refer to Appendix I k I -44-

The gas which will be contained in the pipeline will be dehydrated in a treatment plant at Moornba to a water vapour I relative humidity of 60 percent at the lowest pipeline operating temperature. With these precautions condensation of I water in the pipe cannot occur and internal corrosion is avoided. I The pipeline is to be coated for protection against external I corrosion due to contact with the soil. An impressed current cathodic protection system will be in- I stalled as a further control to ensure complete protection. The protection voltage will be monitored at pre-determined I test points to detect leakage of current through the coating. Damage to the coating can be detected by the use of special instruments without excavation of the line.

Particular attention to corrosion control will be given to the pipeline in sections of the proposed route which may pass through areas filled with colliery wastes and coal washery rejects or I come in contact with mine waters, and emanations from abandoned mine workings. I Soil samples will be taken in areas of extra corrosion potential I and the sample analysed to determine the degree of effect upon the polyethylene coating. Where it is possible to remove the I offending material so as to avoid contact with the pipeline, this will be carried out, or if this is not practical, the cathodic protection measures will be upgraded to effectively I combat the problem.

Soil resistivity surveys will be carried out along the length of the pipeline and the cathodic protection system designed I accordingly. I External Interference: External interference from construction work in the vicinity of the pipeline is by far, the most common cause of pipeline failure. The pipeline route right of way has I therefore been selected to avoid areas of current or proposed U - 45 -

development activity. The route will be patrolled regularly to detect and stop any activity which might endanger the pipeline.

In the unlikely event of a pipeline failure, it is desirable to isolate the break as quickly as possible. Fully automatic block valves will be installed at intervals along the line and set to close if the flow through the valve exceeds a pre- determined maximum. The control and operating mechanisms of the valves will be checked at frequent intervals to ensure that they are ready to operate when required.

Maintenance: Maintenance of the pipeline system is divided into routine scheduled maintenance and emergency maintenance repairs.

The only portion of the right of way which will require open access for routine operations and maintenance will be the cathodic protection devices and automatic shutdown valves. All these appurtenances will be located at or near existing roads for ease of access.

Routine maintenance consists of regularly scheduled duties of checkson equipment, replacement of consumable items, repairing and painting.

I Emergency maintenance consists of repairs or replacements necessary due to a major breakdown of the system, such as pipe damage, and this will necessitate access to the right I of way whenever it is required. I I 2.5.3 Emergency Procedures I A comprehensive emergency operation procedure will be prepared before the pipeline is commisioned. The procedure will include I the responsibility of the various company executives and I - 46 -

personnel, the control and routing of the gas, the distribution of emergency information to the public, the repair procedure, and the surface restoration procedure.

A typical situation in response to a failure could be as follows:-

1. A failure occurs;

Control centre notes location of failure as related to any two adjacent mainline valves and also determines the open-close status of each valve;

Control centre advises Chief Despatcher who in turn advises the Manager of Operations; Chief Despatcher also advises customer of impending problems;

Manager of Operations advises the Maintenance Superintendent;

V. Maintenance Superintendent alerts the nearest radio I equipped Maintenance Vehicle to proceed to examine the extent of the failure and report back; the I report is to include the damage to outside parties;

During the time lapse between notification and site examination, all available maintenance personnel are directed to report to the maintenance centre, where vehicles fully equipped to handle emergency repairs are kept in readiness;

The necessary personnel and equipment are despatched to the failure site upon receipt of report of the extent of the failure;

viii.The Maintenance Superintendent advises the Manager of Operations as to the extent of the failure;

ix. The Manager of Oprations notifies the affected customer(s) , the local Law Enforcement Agency I - 47 - U informs the public communications media that the I pipeline has failed and advises them if an emergency or dangerous condition exists;

I X. Following the repair, the Maintenance Superintendent directs the air purge from the pipeline and returns I the pipeline to service;

I xi. All affected parties are advised by the Manager of Operations that the pipeline is back in service and I instructs them regarding matters pertaining to the restoration of gas service to them.

I 2.5.4 Approvals of Authorities

I Approval to the pipeline proposals will be sought from the I following authorities:- * Energy Authority of New South Wales I * Department of Mineral Resources and Development * Mines Subsidence Board * State Pollution Control Commission I I * Planning & Environment Commission of New South Wales * Public Works Department I * Department of Main Roads * Department of Lands I * Hunter District Water Board * Newcastle City Council I * Lake Macquarie Municipal Council * Cessnock City Council I * Public Transport Commission * Shortland County Council * Aberdare County Council I * Electricity Commission of New South Wales * Maritime Services Board I * Telecom Australia * Soil Conservation Service P * National Parks & Wildlife Service * State Fisheries Department. k 1 -48-

2.5.5 Negotiation and Acquisition of Right of Way

In addition to obtaining approvals from the relevant Authorities, the Company will negotiate with each of the landowners affected by the pipeline to minimize the impact on their properties.

The basic procedures are as follows:-

Objectives

The objective of the procedures adopted by the Company are:-

to maintain adequate liaison with the Government and all holding interests in the lands traversed by the pipeline;

to satisfy the requirements of the Pipelines Act, 1967;

iii.to ensure that the pipeline will be built with due concern for all interests involved.

Pipelines Act

The Act requires an extensive operation covering searching, office and field activities leading up to applications for Pipeline Permit and Licence.

For the Permit it was necessary to search local Government Councils Property Maps, and the Mines Department. Legal searching was carried out at the Registrar General's Department and Lands Department.

At the same time, visits to all properties in the Permit Area ensured that the Company would be able to deliver notice to all owners, occupiers and Statutory Bodies as required by the Act.

Meticulous care was requiredto check that all properties and all parties had been accounted for and included in the application I -49-

I or subsequent notices.

Following the grant of a Permit, the Company will apply for a Licence. The Act requires that the Company must obtain, if I possible, the Agreement of all registered interests, and give particulars in the Licence Application. Where there is lack I of agreement, the Company must provide evidence to support the Application's request for compulsory acquisition.

The Field Operation

The necessity for adequate contact and liaison demands the use of a well controlled team of experienced personnel. Some of the I functions of this group are:-

Consent to Survey: Despite the statutory facility offered by the Permit, every effort I is made to ensure that landowners voluntarily give permission for survey and are happy with the conduct of operations arising from that I consent. Notwithstanding the best efforts, damage may be caused, and the landowner must I be compensated. The written Consent to Survey gives an indemnity against such damage.

Re-entry to survey parties is preceded by adequate I notice to the landowner.

Right of Way Inventory: Right of way agents travel the pipeline route and note carefully the I conditions such as fences, crops and improvements. iii. Line List: A line list will be prepared as an I instruction to the construction contractor. This list, when read in conjunction with an alignment I sheet, will note every property, road and other features and, in addition to technical detail, I ensures that the contractor is made aware of all the facts and requirements relating to the property I - 50 -

of any landowner.

Compensation

Compensation will be paid to the landowner (and indeed, any holder of a supportable interest) so that they will not lose by the passage of the pipeline through their property.

The first item requiring compensation is the easement. The Act requires compensation to be paid and in the event of dispute, the Land and Valuation Court is the arbiter. Under such conditions, the landowner may be assured that fair compensation will be paid according to the Valuation Principles up-held by the Court.

In order to ensure a high professional standard, the Company has retained a Registered Valuer who is a member of the Australian Institute of Valuers, who advises the appropriate compensation to be offered to each landowner. The valuation takes into account all potential use and the degree of detriment imposed by the pipeline easement.

It is the intention of the Company to pay all reasonable expenses incidental to the acquisition of the easement including legal advice to the landowner in connection with the signing of the Agreement.

The next item of compensation is for damage caused during construction. With expert advice, including that of the Depart- ment of Agriculture and of other Departments, schedules will be prepared for the guidance of Agents. These schedules will cover crops, pastures and the multitude of operations on the land and in more closely settled areas.

After construction and clean-up, the landowner will be consulted I as to the adequacy of restoration and the degree of residual restoration still required. The Company will undertake all practicable measures necessaiy to restore the right of way, perhaps in some cases over an extended period. I I - 51 - I The third main head of compensation is that concerning subsequent damage arising from maintenance of the pipeline. On I occasions it may be necessary to enter the property to attend to erosion or other matters. The Company undertakes in its I agreement with the landowner to pay for any damage which may be caused by it to the landowner's property.

The Company is anxious to maintain a harmonious relationship with the landowners. it is using principles well established by law and fair practice and is maintaining adequate liaison with the landowners in order that there should be no misunder- I standing of its intentions throughout the life of the pipeline. I I I I H H I I I I I I I I INTERACTION ANALYSIS I - 52 - I ANALYSIS OF THE INTERACTION OF THE PIPELINE I WITH THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE PROPOSED ROUTE 111

I 3.1 PROCEDURES [1 The recognition of topographical and land use similarities has I allowed the proposed route to be subdivided into the 9 sections outlined in Section 2.0 of this document. Also for ease of field I study and description, the favoured route was subdivided into 27 sub-sections of equal length. Figures 12 to 38 show the details of the individual sub-sections, each being named according to a prominent feature within it or its position within the I section. In the following pages, the characteristics of the existing I environment and the impact assessment is presented for each of the 9 major sections. The figures for each section need to be I referred to closely when the text is being read. I The document 'Principles and Procedures for Environmental Impact Assessment in New South Wales' formed the basis for the I investigations and analyses. During the investigation of the 'existing environment' attention I was given to physiography, geology, hydrology, microclimate, fauna, ' flora and ecology, land use and aspects of sociological, socio- economic, historical, cultural and visual interest. In order to avoid unwarranted duplication and presentation of irrelevant I information, the description of the environment in each section has been restricted to the aspects pertinent to that section. I All information is integrated into the text rather than presented under separate headings as is usual in statements concerned with specific localities as opposed to a line of route as is the case with pipelines, roads, transmission lines, etc. I - 53 -

Considerable and detailed attention has been given to the study of vegetation along the route. This was considered essential because the pipeline is to pass through bushland and wetland areas which are under pressure due to development in the Lower Hunter Valley and are not receiving the amount of study and management attention they warrant.

It is accepted that the wildlife studies are incomplete but this reflects the time required for such studies and hence the constraints on investigations rather than a lack of appreciation of this fact by the study team.

Vegetation mapping was undertaken according to alliances outlined in Specht (1974)*. Plant communities dominated by Melaleuca species were named as 'Melaleuca dominant' with the structure described according to Specht's structural definitions. The conservation status of the alliances recognised along the route was also recorded following Spech•t's report which outlines the state of reservation of vegetation types in present National Parks and Nature Reserves.

All plant species identified are listed in Appendix II. All species of birds and animals recorded along the route and likely to occur in the areas are given in Appendix Ill-i and Appendix Ill-li, respectively. These lists are based on observations along the route, existing habitat types and records for the specific areas or the region.

The possibility of aboriginal sites and artefacts occurring along the proposed route was investigated in the field and by examination of records of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

*Specht, R.L. et al. "Conservation of Major Plant Communities in Australia and Papua New Guinea." Melbourne: CSIRO, 1974. - 54 - I I 3.2 SECTION 1 : KILLINGWORTH

I 3.2.2 Description of the Existifl9 Environment The KillingWOrth Section of the route is covered by the two I Figures 12 and 13. The route commences at the proposed Custody Transfer Point to the west of KillingWOrth village I and moves in a northerly direction.

The land to be traversed is over the various colliery holdings of Coal & Allied Industries Limited within portion 34, parish of Teralba.

The Custody Transfer Point is to be located close to an engineering workship now occupying buildings of the old West Walisend No. 1 Mine.

Because of the extent of natural woodlands in this Section, the botany of the areas to be crossed was considered in sufficient detail to determine its potential value.

A number of vegetation types were identified as shown in Figures 12 and 13 and combined into broad alliances. The first encountered is the Red Gum Open-forest Alliance dominated by red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Red Mahogany (E. resinifera) and Spotted Gum (E. maculata). The mid-underStOreY is up to 6 metres high. Ground cover is 40 percent and consists of grasses (e.g. Themeda australis, Boronia polygalifolia, Hibbertla scandens and other species.

The second alliance encountered is also Open-forest but is classified as the Spotted Gum/Ironbark Alliance. I Close to the red gum area, the dominants are Red Mahogany (E. resinifera) and Spotted Gum (E.macul). Stringybark species, such as Narrow-leaved stringybark I (Eucalyptus oblonga) and Bastard Mahogany (E.umbra subsp. carnea) are also common. There is very little middle uriderstorey. Two plants to be found are Bursaria I spinosa and CallistemOn linearis. The ground cover is almost 100 percent and consists mainly of grasses with occasional climbers such as Hirdenber9ia violacea and I shrubs such as AcaciauliCifOlia. 11 1 55 I Northern Grey Ironbark becomes a dominant just north of the first powerline easement while other areas I of the alliance tend to be dominated by Spotted Gum (Eucalyptus rnaculata), Northern Grey Ironbark (E. siderophloia) , Narrow-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra), Red Bloodwood. (Eucalyptus gummifera) and I Rusty Gum (Angophora costata) . in the latter areas, there is a scattered shrub understorey of 2 metres of such species as Tick Bush (Helichrysum diosmifolium) , I Hill Banksia (Banksia collina) and Grass Tree (Xanthorr- hoea_sp.) . Ground cover is approximately 50 percent and consists mainly of Kangaroo Grass (Themeda I australis) with scattered herbs and vines such as Grass Trigger Plant (Stylidium graminifolium) , and False Sarsparilla (Hardenbergia violacea) . The portion near the first powerline easement has very I little understorey except for juvenile eucalypts and ground cover consists of clumps of Kangaroo Grass I (Therneda australis) and other grasses.

Open Melaleuca scrub occurs in damper areas, the I Melaleuca trees generally being up to 7 metres high.

Some of the vegetation along the route has been cleared and regeneration has resulted in a low open forest of the Spotted Gum/Ironbark Alliances. Within the easement areas, vegetation consists of dense regenerating I tree and shrub species such as eucalypts, Melaleuca and Leptosperrnum species and Pine-leaved Callistemon (Callistemon pinifolius)

Figure 12 shows the starting point of the pipeline just north- west of the village of Killingworth. The closest existing houses are 250 metres distant and one house under construction is within 170 metres.

The route moves north and crosses Burkes Creek (or Sandy Creek) which, at the time of the study, consisted of a series of pools I 30 to 60 centimetres deep in a sandy bed. The creek banks are up to 2 metres high. Vegetation along the banks contained rairiforest elements, such as Lillypilly (Acmena smithii) and I Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aethiopicum).

In the vicinity of Burkes Creek, the route enters the Red Gum Open-forest Alliance and then passes into the Spotted Gum/ I Ironbark Open-forest Alliance as the land slopes upwards. I I - 56 - I After this the route crosses a powerline easement, two bush I. tracks and parallels a straight excavated drainage channel as shown in the figures. North of the powerline easement the vegetation has been disturbed and recently burnt. Much of it is regenerating and is about 10 metres in height. Birds seen were the Sacred Kingfisher (Halcyon sancta), Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus), Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cuculus pyrrhophanus) and Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike (Coracina I novaehollandiae)

Figure 13 shows the route following almost parallel to the Killingworth/Wallsend Road on the western side. The route crosses a shallow gully and associated drainage channel in the area of the large powerline easement to the west of the electricity sub-station. This channel drains into a swampy area and then flows eastward into Burkes Creek. The swamp is classed as seasonal fresh swamp (Goodrick, 1970)* and consists of open water and Bullrushes (Typha sp.).

The pipeline enters the Spotted Gurn/Ironbark Open-forest Allianceagain near the swamp and continues in this alliance for the rest of the Section.

The proposed route crosses one bush track and one large powerline easement shown in Figure 13. Killingworth Electricity Sub-station is situated on the eastern side of Killingworth I Road approximately 150 metres from the proposed route. To the I north-west of the route is the Wailsend Rifle Range. The only wildlife species observed in the eucalypt forests I was the Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops). As the vegetated areas have been isolated from the forested

I areas by roads, tracks and powerline easements, diverse wildlife populations would not be expected. However, cover in the form of regenerating vegetation does occur adjacent to the I described areas and may facilitate some movement of animals

*Goodrick, E.N. (1970). "A Survey of Wetlands of Coastal New South Wales." Tech.Mem.No. 5, CSIRO., Wildl. Res. 36 pp. - 57 -

into these sectors. The seasonal fresh swamp would be expected to provide habitat for some waterfowl and amphibious species.

3.2.2 Assessment of Impact

The natural gas will be received from the Killingworth to Sydney pipeline at the Custody Transfer Point from where it will pass into the proposed pipeline which is the subject of this document. There will be no impact due to noise resulting from the gas transfer operation.

Figure 12 indicates that a number of houses will be located within 400 metres of the station and the pipeline in the vicinity of Killingworth. There will therefore be temporary impact due to the noise of construction and vehicle movements while the pipeline is being laid.

The construction safequards described in Section 2.5 of this document will be adequate to ensure that Burkes Creek will be protected as the pipeline passes through. Some permanent alteration to the creek vegetation may occur as there are sensitive rainforest elements along its course. It is likely that the indigenous species will be replaced by weeds which colonise the bare or disturbed ground.

According to Specht (1974), there is no reservation of the Red Gum Alliance. There will be an impact due to the pipeline passing through this vegetation area resulting in a permanent loss of some large Forest Red Gums. However, shrubs and small treeds indigenous to the area will be encouraged to regrow to rehabilitate construction scars. The portion of land crossed within this alliance is also comparatively small, approximately 200 metres in length.

The Spotted Gurn/Ironbark is in an excellent state of reservation I -58- I and clearing of the easement in this area will not result in I a significant disturbance. I The clearing of this alliance shown in Figure 13 is also not considered to be a significant impact as considerable disturbance already exists in the western parts and the species of the eastern parts are well represented in the region and in I reserves. Disturbance to all of the vegetated areas will result in an I unavoidable impact on wildlife species and individuals which depend on these areas for food and cover. The encroachment I of exotic weeds is also another probable undesirable effect.

No impact is expected between the pipeline and the electricity I sub-station and powerlines because of the precautions which are detailed in Section 2.4.8.

The impacts in the Killingworth section of the route can be I summarised as a temporary effect on residents in the village due to construction noise, a minor impact on vegetation and I an unavoidable impact on wildlife through displacement and by the disturbance and loss of individual's habitats. I

3.3 SECTION 2 WEST WALLSEND I 3.3.1 Description of the Existing Environment

The West Walisend Section is covered in Figures 14 and 15. The I route first runs parallel with the Killingworth Road and then an old colliery railway embankment. It leaves the embankment I at West Wallsend and crosses pastureland, entering forested areas at the foot of sloping land which is described in Section I 3. I I -59- [1 All land in this Section consists of colliery holdinqs of I Coal & Allied Industries Limited; Portions 65, 78, 77 and 98 Parish of Teralba are crossed. Most of the route is on old I underground mine workings but where it meets the old railway embankment, it crosses existing workings for approximately I 0.6 The soii types are basically sands. The beds and banks of I watercourses are well sorted sands. Topography varies between gently sloping land at the beginning of Figure 14 to virtually I flat land for the rest of the route until the end of the Section (Figure 15). Three flowing creeks and two smaller I drainage courses are crossed. I The vegetation alliances are as follows:

The Red Gum Open-forest and Woodland Alliances are I the predominent type of vegetation cover in Figure 14. Dominant tree species vary, with Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) occurring mainly close to the watercourses. There is typically a Melaleuca I understorey of species such as Ball Honey-myrtle (Melaleuca nodosa) and Snow-in-Surmner (Melaleuca linariifolia) to 7 metres and other mid-understorey I species such as Leptospermum sp., Lillypilly (Acmena smithii) and Fern-leaf Wattle (Acacia filicifolia). Scattered Red Bloodwoods (Eucalyptus gurnmifera) occur I in the dominant stratum. Eucalypt height is typically 13 to 17 metres and percentage cover 40 percent in .open-forest areas. Woodland sections have been partially cleared and the percentage cover is less I than 30 percent. The mid-understorey is still present and the ground cover tends to consist of dense grasses.

Areas of Red Gum Alliances dominated by Ironbarks contain Northern Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus siderophloia), I Narrow-leaved Ironbark (E._crebra) , Red Bloodwoods and stringybark species, up to 17 metres in height and with 40 to 50 percent canopy cover in the open forest. A mid-understorey similar to that beneath the Forest Red I Gums is present. There is a low understorey with heath components in parts. Species include Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea sp.), Bloodroot (Haemodorum planifolium)., I Baeckia ramosissima and Prickly Moses (Acacia ulicifolia). Ground cover species include False Sarsparilla (Harden- bergia violacea) , Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis) I and an orchid (Microtis parviflora). I I

Some sections of the Red Gum Alliance are dominated by stringybark species, mainly Narrow-leaved Stringybark (Eucalyptus oblonga) . Most of these areas have been I cleared and grazed and the trees are either immature with about 60 percent canopy cover, or mature and scattered with a 30 percent cover or less. Scattered individuals of ironbarks, bloodwoods and gums may occur. I The mid-understorey consists only of scattered immature eucalypts or shrubs such as Blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa) and there is a grass ground cover. Species include I Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrica var. major) , Bracken Fern (Pteridium esculentum) and False Sarsparilla I (Hardenbergia Another alliance shown in both Figures 14 and 15 is the Spotted Gum/Ironbark Open-forest Alliance, which occurs on the higher land sloping away from the watercourse I areas. Spotted Gum (Eucalyptus maculata), Northern Grey Ironbark (E. siderophloia) and Rusty Gum (Angophora costata) are the most common trees. Bloodwoods also I occur in the areas shown in Figure 14.

Proceeding along the route, the pipeline enters the Spotted Gum! Ironbark Alliance in Figurel4. Coming down onto flatter ground I at an angle leading slightly towards the Killingworth Road, the route passes through a small section of the Sandstone Complex Open-forest. This consists of stringybarks, Grey Gum (E.punct- I ata) and Rusty Gum to 17 metres with a 40 percent canopy cover. Sieber's Paperbark (Melaleuca sieberi) and Melaleuca sp. form a I mid-understorey to 10 metres. Ground cover is made up of predominantly Blady Grass with other scattered species such as I Glycine Pea (Glycine clandestina) and Feather Honey-myrtle (Melaleuca thymifolia).

The pipeline then crosses a dirt track leading to the West I Wailsend Rifle Range, a small drainage channel and powerline easement in succession. The easement has regenerating eucalypts and Melaleucas plus a ground cover of Blady Grass, Fireweed I (Senecio lautus), Glycine Pea, White Clover (Trifolium repens) 1 and Whiteroot (Pratia Thereafter, the route continues following the Killingworth Road I passing through the Red Gum Open-forest Alliance, Forest Red Gum dominating around a small watercourse. The latter has been I subject to disturbance by roadwork operations involving culvert I -61- •

construction and the route crosses this disturbed section. The watercourse itself contained shallow stagnant pools at the time I of study, is approximately 3 metres wide and drains eastward into Flaggy Creek.

After leaving the Red Gum Alliance, the pipeline enters a section of Melaleuca Low Open-forest, dominated by Ball Honey- I myrtle (Melaleuca nodosa) and Melaleuca sp. to 10 metres. Canopy cover is up to approximately 40 percent. A few scattered specimens I of ironbark, stringybark and Rusty Gum occur. There is little understorey and a 40 to 50 percent ground cover of species such I as Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis) , Feather Honey-myrtle, Dianella sp. and Prickly Moses. The whole area has been burnt I and was still regenerating at the time of field investigations.

The proposed route re-enters the Red Gum Open-forest Alliance, I with ironbark dominant, and traverses a cleared patch of land before crossing another dirt track and joining the disuséd I railway embankment. The route parallels this, continuing in the Red Gum Alliance with Forest Red Gum dominating. After I crossing another cleared powerline easement, ironbark dominates until the route crosses Flaggy Creek. Stringybarks and occasional I Rusty Gums occur within this Section and there is a dense mid- understorey of Ball Honey-myrtle and Sieber's Paperbark to 7 metres. The Native Cherry (Exocarpus cupressiformis) is also present, as well as Willow Bottle-brush (Callistemon salignus).

Flaggy Creek contained water up to 1 metre deep in pools at the time of inspection. The width of the channel is approximately I 3 metres where the route crosses and the banks are 2 to 3 metres high. Both the banks and stream bed are very sandy. Ironbarks I are still dominant on the southern bank and mid-understorey species, including Snow-in-Summer, Broom Teatree (Leptospermum scoparium), Fern-leaf Wattle and Callicoma serratifolia grow along both banks. Clumps of Gahnia sp. and Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aethiopicaum) are also common beside the creek. This I creek-bank community exhibits rainforest elements amongst the I species. North of the creek, stringybarks again predominate with some - 62 -

Rusty Gums occurring. The route then passes into cleared land, crossing a trotting track, then O'Donneltown Road and Cemetery Road, which are both unsealed. Between the 2 roads, the land has been partially cleared for grazing and red gums dominate the resultant woodland. Melaleucas are also common. Just before Cemetery Road, the route crosses a small watercourse surrounded by the Swamp Mahogany Open-forest Alliance. There is a Melaleuca understorey and wetland ground species such as Polygonum decipiens, Frogmouth (Philydrum lanuginosum) and Water Buttercups (Ranunculus inundata) . The entire area is very small, as indicated in Figurel5.

The proposed route continues in pastureland until the land I slopes upwards, crossing another small creek. This also contained water when investigated but all vegetation has been I cleared from the banks in the vicinity of the route crossing.

Most fauna species observed alon9 this section of the route were small avifauna species. These included the Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops) , Superb Blue Wren (Malurus cyaneus), Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus) and the Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen). The Eastern Whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus) was heard along Flaggy Creek and a Tawny Frogmouth (Podorgus strigoides) with young was observed in the watercourse area before Cemetery Road.

Signs of Red-necked Wallabies were found in the Section along the old railway embankment. Rabbits also occur in this area.

3.3.2 Assessment of Impact

Impacts will be mainly related to the clearing of vegetation for the pipeline easement. Much of the line passes through the Red Gum Alliance which is not reserved anywhere at present. However, as the route generally follows Killingworth Road and the old railway embankment for much of the Section, the impact will be minimal as access will be along these easements. There will be an unavoidable loss of mature trees, although other vegetation will be allowed to regenerate naturally from brush I -63-

I placement over the route. The loss of trees will mean a permanent reduction in habitat for arboreal species and there I will be a temporary loss for other species.

The disturbance of the first small watercourse will be negligible as vegetation has already been removed, by the roadworks activ- I ities and banks will be stabilised by sandbags after pipeline construction. I Flaggy Creek may suffer from the disturbance as the more sensitive rainforest elements present may not return. Clearing of the creek banks will be likely to encourage weed growth. The habitats of this section of the creek may therefore be I permanently altered.

The impact in pastureland will be insignificant and the final watercourse will have its banks stabilised to control erosion.

There will be a small impact on the water channel near Cemetery Road due to clearing of this section of the Swamp Mahogany Alliance. However, the alliance itself has already been partially cleared and is moderately well conserved in the State. There will be no permanent impact on the watercourse

itself. Crossing of all the dirt tracks and fences is considered only I of nuisance value as passage through these areas will be rapid and the tracks are little used by traffic. Temporary structures I will control stock during construction and the roads and fences will be completely restored.

I A number of houses in Section 2 fall within the 400 metres radius, which is described in Section 2.5 as being prone to I disturbance due to noise. In Figure 14 the worst case exists for those homes along the intersection of Margaret Street and I Fairley Road. The theoretical noise level estimations for these houses is 56 dB(A).

Again in Figure 15 certain houses would be within 400 metres of I I - 64 -

I the construction activities. The worst case would be for the homes at the intersection of Bridge Street and Killingworth I Road where the theoretical noise level will be 65 dB(A).

In summary, the impacts in the West Wailsend Sectjon 2, will be due to the clearing of the vegetation, and hence the I disturbance to wildlife, and the temporary impact on residents due to construction noise. The impact due to depletion of 1 vegetation itself is only of minor significance as rehabilitation and regeneration will greatly remove the scars. I I 3.4 SECTION 3 : STOCKRINGTON

1 3.4.1 Description of the Existing Environment I The Stockrington Section is covered in Figures 16, 17, 18 and 19. The route passes through a large forested area to the north- east of Seahampton.

Coal & Allied Industries is the principal land holder. The I boundary between the Company's and a farmer's land is marked in Figure 19. The portions crossed are 53 and 61 Parish of I Teralba, and 96 and 95 Parish of Stockrington.

I Sandstones underlie much of the route and outcrop in prominent elevated areas. The soils are typically sandy. I The one watercourse is crossed in Figure 16 and is shallow, I intermittent and eventually flows into Flaggy Creek to the south. Details of the vegetative communities and other significant I aspects of Section 3 are now considered along the route.

Vegetation around the drainage course in Figure 16is distinctive from other vegetation in Section 3. and consists of Melaleuca I T,ow Open-forest. The major species are Prickly-leaved Paperbark I I

(Melaleuca stypheloides), generally growing to 10 metres and Snow-in-Summer (Melaleuca linariifolia) reaching 7 metres. I Canopy cover is approximately 60 percent overall. Other tree species include Cheese Tree (Glocheidion ferdinandi), Sandpaper I Fig (Ficus coronata) and Callicoma (Callicoma serratifolia) , indicating rainforest elements. Shrub species include Coffee I Bush (Breynia oblongifolia) , Prickly Moses (Acacia ulicifolia) and Leptospermum sp. Ground cover is dense and consists of such I species as Ivy-leaf Violet (Viola hederacea) , Common Maiden- hair Fern (Adiantum aethiopicum) and Bracken Fern (Pteridium esculentum) . Introduced weeds such as Blackberry (Rubus I vulgaris) and Tobacco Bush (Solanum mauritianum) also occur.

The Melaleuca area to the south of the watercourse area consists mainly of Sieber's Paperbark (Melaleuca sieberi) to 7 metres, I with a canopy cover of 40 percent. There are some stringybarks intermixed with the Melaleuca. Ground cover is generally grassy. I The pipeline route crosses the edge of this vegetation.

The majority of the vegetation through which the pipeline passes I in this section consists of the Sandstone Complex (Specht, 1974) Stringybarks, including Red Mahogany (Eucalyptus resinifera), I Blue-leaved Stringybark (E. agglomerata), Narrow-leaved Stringy- bark (E. oblonga) and Bastard Mahogany (E. umbra ssp. carnea) I are dominant with Rusty Gum (Angophora costata) also prevalent. There are scattered Red Bloodwoods (Eucalyptus gummifera), and I Spotted Gums (Eucalyptus maculata) increase in numbers towards the north. The proposed route enters this alliance towards the I beginning of the Section and again to the north of the watercourse. Here, the topography alters as the ground rises towards the ridgeline near Seahampton. Slopes are gentle at first, then I rise more sharply to a spur which the pipeline follows to George Booth Drive at the northern side of Figure 16.

Approaching the road, the pipeline crosses an old railway track I mound and next to the road, an area used for the dumping of, household rubbish. I I • -66-

There is one more steeper rise before the road. This corresponds with a change in vegetation type to an open forest of I the Spotted Gum/Ironbark Alliance, which continues across George Booth Drive. Spotted Gum (Eucalyptus maculata), Narrow- I leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra), Northern Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus siderophloia) , stringybark species, Red Mahogany I (Eucalyptus resinifera) and Grey Gum (Eucalyptus punctata) predominate and there are occasional Rusty Gums. Tree height is typically 17 to 20 metres south of the road and up to 15 I metres north of the road and along the ridge. There is no mid- understorey below George Booth Drive and there is a 60 percent I ground cover of species such as Yellow Buttons (Helichrysurn apiculaturn) , Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrica, var. major) , I Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis) and Guinea Flower (Hibbertia sp.). Scattered Gymea Lilies (Doryanthes excelsa) also occur.

George Booth Drive itself is a sealed road and is fairly heavily trafficked. Actual flows are not available. On the southern side, there is a narrow strip of almost flat land, while a steep cutting 3 to 5 metres high rises from the northern side of the road.

Fauna observed during investigations include the Indian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea), Kookaburra (Dacelo gigas), Black-faced I Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina novaehollandiae) , Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) , white-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos), I Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotis punctatus) , Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata), Yellow Thornbill (Acanthiza nana) , Yellow-rumped Thorn- bill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa) and the Red-bellied Black Snake I (Pseudechis porphyriacus). The latter was seen in the dry watercourse channel.

Domestic cattle are grazed in the area.

For the rest of this section in Figures 17, lB and 19, the route I follows logging and bush tracks through a number of vegetation alliances.

I The Spotted Gum/Ironbark Alliance of open-forest (12 metres high I I - 67 - I and 40 percent cover) occurs to the east of the track coming I off George Booth Drive in Figure 17. It is dominated by White Mahogany (E. acmenioides) , Spotted Gum (E. maculata), Grey Gum (E. punctata) , Narrow-leaved Ironbark (E. crebra) and Northern I Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus siderophloia). There is little mid- understorey. The ground cover consists of juvenile eucalypts and a variety of shrubs and vines including Kennedia rubicunda, Eustrephus latifolius, Macrozarnia sp. and Blady Grass (Imperata I cylindrica var. major)

I The other side of the track although having the same dominants is regarded differently due to its reduced height and cover. I It has been heavily logged. The ground cover is much the same as above.

The area at the top of the hill is similar except that it has a very thick understorey. This is largely the result of dense l growth of the shrub Lomatia silaifolia.

I Moving downslope in Figure 17, the route passes through the two types of Spotted Gum/Ironbark Alliance and again into the Sand- stone Complex. This is dominated by Bastard Mahogany (E. umbra ssp. carnea), Red Bloodwood (E._gurnrnifera), Spotted Gum (E. maculata) , Grey Gum (E. unctata) and Ironbarks (E. crebra and I E. siderophloia). The saplings are up to 12 metres high and I present 50 percent cover. The route then moves down the slope estimated to be about 10 i I degrees, to Stockrington Mine Road in Figure 18. This is a sealed road. Some distance along the eastern side of the road I the route enters a further form of the Spotted Gum/Ironbark Alliance - the woodland with a dense understorey. The dominant I trees are the same but their cover has been reduced to 10 to 20 percent in parts. The mid-understorey is dense consisting of juvenile eucalypts, acacias and others. This alliance continues I through part of Figure 18.

The only bird seen in the area was the Sacred Kingfisher (Halcyon sancta). I I In Figures 18 and 19 the route closely follows Stockrington I Mine Road then bush tracks. Just after the powerline easement in Figure 11 the ridge drops away to the east at an angle I estimated to be between 10 and 20 degrees. The route leaves the Spotted Gum/Ironbark Woodland Alliance then I crosses alternating patches of two other alliances.

I The Spotted Gum/Ironbark Openforest Alliance is dominated by Spotted Gum (E. maculata) , stringybark species, Grey Gum (B. I punctata) and Ironbarks (E. siderophloia and B. crebra). A specimen of the Grey Ironbark (E. paniculata) was also found.

The mature trees are up to 20 metres tall and are generally scattered amongst regenerating eucalypts. Ten to 13 metres is I the usual height of these saplings. Young eucalypts and Acacias make up a large part of the mid-understorey. Recent fires have I encouraged the growth of Blady Grass (Irnperata cylindrica var. major) . Other ground cover plants include Prickly Moses (Acacia I ulicifolia), Wombat Berry (Eustrephus latifolius) , Kangaroo Grass and Macrozamia sp.

I The other alliance traversed is the Spotted Gum/Ironbark Closed- forest Alliance. It is dominated by Spotted Gum, stringybark I species, ironbark and some Grey Gum. The trees are up to 20 metres tall and present a cover of over 60 percent. The mid- I understorey is sparse consisting of young eucalypts and Forest Oak (C'asuarina torulosa) . Ground cover plants include Blady I Grass, Macrozamia sp., Kangaroo Grass, Running Postman (Kennedia rubicunda) and the introduced Blackberry (Rubus vulgaris). Three I birds were seen in this area - the Sacred Kingfisher (Halcyon sancta) , the Barking Owl (Ninox connivens) and a raptore.

The birds observed throughout this Section would represent only a small proportion of those species that would utilise the area. I Reptiles and mammals such as macropods, possums and gliders would also be expected - see Appendixfll-I±.Throughout the area there is I evidence of recent fires. I 1 -69-

Most of the area has been logged for pit props. The vegetation described above is largely regeneration after logging.

Old colliery workings occur underneath most of the pipeline I route in this Section. Recently a small amount of subsidence has occurred near the proposed route to the west of the power- I line easement in Figure 19. Apart from the two sealed roads, the route crosses a number of I bush tracks used by timbercutters and two powerline easements.

No people live within close proximity to the proposed route.

I Old wire rope fences are crossed in a number of places along the route.

3.4.2 Assessment of Impact

In Section 3 the route is mainly in bushlands and the potential impactsare associated with the disturbance of the vegetation and the possible loss of wildlife.

In the clearing of the easement only the surface away from the trench is to be disturbed and natural regeneration will occur I rapidly from rootstock. The proposed rehabilitation techniques including the use of brush matting will ensure the return of vegetation to stripped areas. There is ample evidence for I successful regeneration in the continuous replacement of logged timber by young trees. It is believed that the construction of I the pipeline through the area of Figures 16, 17, 18 and 19 will result in no significant impact on vegetation. There will, I however, be an unavoidable impact on wildlife from loss of habitat or disturbance as a result of the work.

The excavation of the trench along the ridge top with sandstone I outcrops will probably necessitate the use of explosives to loosen the ground. As there are no houses within close proximity to potential blasting areas, there will be no impact due to noise I or ground vibrations. The precautions described in Section 2.5 I I -70- I will contain any effects to the easement.

It is estimated that crossing George Booth Drive in Figure 16 will result in the interruption of the usual traffic flows over I a period of about a day. While the road is cut, the traffic will either be diverted on a temporary track constructed on the I southern side, or the trench will be crossed with steel plates. In general traffic flows will not be significantly impeded.

The trench will be approximately 6 metres deep in the cutting on the northern side of George Booth Drive. The excavation I will be suitably restored to maintain the stability of the cut face. For all work associated with the road crossing, I precautions will be taken to inform oncoming traffic of the hazard. I The precautions to be taken in crossing Stockrington Mine I Road in Figure 18 will be similar to those described above and will ensure that there is no impact due to disturbance or I inconvenience.

The safeguards described for the construction of the pipeline and the rehabilitation of the route in Sections 2.4.4, 2.4.9 and2.5.1 will ensure that all disturbance to the surface is repaired and soil erosion is controlled in the steeper areas.

Creeks will also be protected by the procedures described in the safeguards. I Precautions will be taken to ensure the security of the overhead I The Company is aware of the potential problems associated with I pipelaying in a subsidence area and the procedures outlined in Section 2.2.3 will be employed to monitor any changes due to I settlement of the surface and take appropriate corrective measures. I The main impact in Section 3 will be associated with the initial I I -71-

clearing of vegetation. The safeguards proposed will be adequate to ensure that this impact is of minimal significance. I There is likely to be an unavoidable impact due to the disturbance and loss of wildlife. The construction techniques to be I employed to combat erosion on disturbed slopes and cross sealed roads will minimise impact due to these activities.

I 3.5 SECTION 4 CEDAR HILL

3.5.1 Description of the Existing Environment

Figures 20 and 21 cover the route segments in the Cedar Hill Section 4. The proposed route descends from the ridgeline of I the high hill country onto undulating lowlands and then skirts the edges of the Hexham Swamp. I Most of the area is under pasture and consists of small farm holdings. Portions crossed are 95,Parish of Stockrington, and I 7,Parish of Hexham. The land is held by private owners and Coal & Allied Industries Limited as shown in the figures.

The soils are mainly sands and silts and one small intermittent I watercourse is crossed. I The basic botany of the areas crossed by the route is as follows: The few forested areas in this section consist of either Spotted Gum/Ironbark Woodland, Open-forest I or Closed-forest Alliances. The Open-forest Spotted Gum/Ironbark Alliance is dominated by Spotted Gum (Eucalyptus maculata) and Northern Grey Ironbark I (E. siderophloia) . It possesses a mid-understorey of mainly young eucalypts. The ground cover consists of predominantly grasses including Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrica var. major). There is a dense I infestation of mistletoe (Amyema pendulum) on the eucalypts in the southern sector. I The closed forest areas are similar but have a canopy cover of approximately 20 percent or more, while the woodland has a cover of. approximately 20 percent with I a sparse mid-understorey of shrubs such as Tick Bush (He1içjysum_diosmifolium) and Fern - leaf Wattle I I -72-

(Acacia filicifolia). Grey Gum (Eucalyptus punctata) andRusty Gum (Anyophora costata) also occur.

Pasture species include Paspalum sp., Shivery Grass (l3riza minor) , Plantago sp.., Couch (Cynodon dactylon), Quaker Grass (Brizamaxima) and Fireweed (Senecio lautus) . Scattered eucalypts also occur.

Figure 20 shows the proposed route passing from the Spotted Gum/Ironbark open-forest Alliance into open pastureland. This areais being considered for the development of a housing subdivision.

At the edge of the bushland beehives have been set up. The route then moves through a fenceline into a paddock of improved pasture. One section has been cultivated at some time.

I At the northern end of the paddock, the route crosses a broad watercourse with no distinct channel. It is intermittent and contained no water at the time of study. A fenceline, then Stockrington (or Dogholes) Road is crossed close to the boundary between Newcastle City Council and the Greater Cessnock I City Council areas. About 200 metres to the west of the crossing is a farmhouse.

The pipeline moves through a fenceline and skirts a reed swamp I which contains open water, Phragmites australis and other aquatic plants. It then follows undulating pastureland and Spotted Gum/ Ironbark Woodland in Figure 21 until reaching the Mmmi Road. I This is crossed approximately 150 metres from the railway. The road is sealed and used extensively by heavy traffic and is in I a poor condition.

Leaving the roadway, the proposed route again crosses pastureland, traversing 2 small gullies containing fresh meadow vegetation such as Water Buttons (Cotula coronopifolia) and Couch (Cynodon dactylon) . It then crosses the railway line between sections of Melaleuca and reed swamps and moves approximately 60 metres away from a house in use at weekends.

The rest of the route continues through pastureland, above Hexham Swamp and around the base of low hills. A number of - 73 -

I fencelines are crossed. There is a powerline on both sides of LI the railway easement. L Fauna species observed in the Section consisted predominantly I of bird species. Bell Minor (Manorina melanophrys), the Yellow- faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops) and Mistletoe bird I (Dicaeum hirundinaceum) were recorded in the southern forested areas, while Swamphens (Porphyrio porphyrio), White-faced Herons (Ardea novaehollandiae) and a Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphen- I urus) were seen in or above the swamp.

k Birds seen in the pastureland area were the Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) , Sacred Kingfisher (Halcyon sancta) I Kookaburra (Dacelo gigas) , Eastern Rosella (Platycercus exirnius), Silver Eye (Zosterops lateralis), Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike I (Coracina novaehollandiae) , and Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides) . Cattle utilise the area. P A bearded dragon (Amphibolurus barbatus) was found near the Stockrington Mine Road. There is no doubt that a great many [I more fauna species would utilise the area, particularly those parts that are forested. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) also I occur in the pastureland and domestic horses and cattle are 1 grazed. I Embankments along the railway are generally weed infested. 3.5.2 Assessment of Impact

I As in the previous sections logging has reduced the value of forested areas and clearing of the easement will only result Iii in a minor impact. Similarly, dependent fauna are likely to I be affected. Construction will cause only a brief disruption to pastureland as the pipelaying team will be able to excavate the trench through these areas underlain by soils at a rate of about 1.5 I kilometres per day. The lerel of the soil surface will be returned to its original height and appropriate seeds sown to I 1 -74-

return the pasture.

Fences will be disturbed but temporary structures will control stock during pipeline construction and the original fences I will be replaced after completion of the work. Care will be taken not to disturb the reed swamp close to the Stockrington I Mine Road when construction is being carried out in nearby pastureland. Areas of fresh meadow crossed by the route are I considered insignificant. The pipeline should have no significant impact on the gully to I be traversed as its bed and banks are grass covered. The pipeline will be more than 1 metre below the bed and rapid revegetation and erosion controls will be used to stabilise the slopes.

I One day will be required for the pipeline to cross Stockrington Mine Road. The construction procedures already described will I be followed. One lane will be kept open and as this is not a busy road the impact will be minimal.

The farmhouse 120 metres from the pipeline route in Figure 20 will experience theoretical noise levels of the order of 63 dB(A).

Construction across Mmmi Road will be completed within 1 day I and the impact will be minimised by the procedures already outlined. I There will be no interference with the Richmond Pelaw Main Colliery Railway as the pipeline trench will be bored beneath I itaccording to the standard procedures.

Weekend residents of the house close to the route in Figure 21 willnot be disturbed as construction will take place during the week. The pipeline does not cross any gardens or yards belonging to the house.

The overall impact on this Section is considered to be of minor I significance. The main impScts will be of a temporary nature. The disturbance to vegetation will only be significant as far I I - 75 -

I as wildlife are affected. Because of the precautions to be taken and safeguarded procedures, the impact due to the road r crossings will be minimal. One house will experience a temporary impact due to increased noise levels for less than I one day. Minor damage to properties will be repaired and I owners will not be disadvantaged or their activities prejudiced. I 3.6 SECTION 5 : HEXHAM SWAMP

I 3.6.1 Description of the Existinq Environment

I Figures22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 cover this Section of the proposed route which enters the fringes of the Hexham Swamp at the I Richmond Pelaw Main Railway Line. The route keeps mostly to pastureland, crossing same periodically cultivated land, drain- k age channels and intermittent watercourses.

The land immediately to the north of the Richmond Pelaw Main I Railway Line consistsof privatelyowned smallfarms. Most of the balance of the Section is in 2 large holdings. East of the I Hunter District Water Board pipeline near Hexham in Figure 26, the route crosses a site recently approved for a road to rail I coal transfer facility. To the north-west is an area presently I being evaluated for a regional commuter airport. The route passes through Portions 7, 4 and 21, and lots 25, 26, I 23, 27 and 28, Parish of Hexham.

The soils traversed are the alluvial sands, silts and clays of I the Hexham Swamp.

I The existing land use is predominantly agricultural. Horses and cattle utilise the Swamp itself and the adjoining pastureland. 1 Some areas are cultivated. I Higher ground above the route in Figure 24 is planned for development as a horse trotting complex and subdivision. Much I I - 76 -

I of the pastureland in the swamp is used for the collection of turf for landscaping. This activity results in large rectangular I portions of bare earth which is later recolonised by surrounding Couch. Approximately 1 kilometre of the route across the Swamp I is within the proposed Hexham Conservation Area.*

The essential features of the vegetation in the Section are as follows: I The general pattern of wetlands in Hexham Swamp is a gradation from pastureland to fresh meadow, seasonal fresh swamp and then semi-perment fresh swamp towards the centre. Pasture species include White Clover I (Trifolium repens) , Kikuyu Grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) , Couch (Cynodon dactylon) , Love Grass (Eragrostis sp.) , Fireweed (Senecio lautus) , Quaking Grass (Briza I maxima) , Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) and the Common Thistle (Onopordum acanthium). I Most areas which have been cultivated were not being worked at the time of the field study. The main crops are generally clover and sorghum.

I Fresh meadows are typically covered by water during the wet season or a heavy rainfall period, but most of the year have no water (Goodrick, 1970). Yellow Buttons I (Cotula coronopifolia) were predominant at the time of study but vegetation tends to alter with water levels and seasonal conditions. Water Buttercups (Ranunculus I inundatus) were also prevalent. Seasonal fresh swamps, like fresh meadows, alter in plant speciation with seasonal changes but typically I contain water for longer periods. Most areas of this swamp type contained water to at least 30 centimetres. One sedge species was dominant and areas of open water I were covered with Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). Water Couch (Paspalum paspeloides) predominates in the I areas where the water levels have dropped. In Figure 22 the proposed route moves from pastureland into I cultivated land, crossing a water pipeline within the cultivated area. it then proceeds beside a track leading towards Mmmi I Road and passes through a section of seasonal fresh swamp containing water at the time of study.

After reaching pastureland at the edge of the swamp, the pipeline I follows the line of hiciher ground passing mainly through * National Trust (1974). "Hunter River Estuary, Hunter 2000 Supplement." I I - 77 - I previously cultivated ground in Figure 23 . Houses shown in this figure are on the higher ground and out of sight of the I pipeline route where it passes closest to them.

I Figure 24 shows the route passing again through pastureland, still following the edge of higher land and crossing one small I intermittent watercourse which drains into the swamp. From then on, the route passes mainly through areas of pastureland I and fresh meadow and transitional stages between them.

There is one portion of seasonal fresh swamp along the route I shown in Figure 25. This was soggy at the time of investigation and contained mainly Water Couch. Standing water was apparent I to the south in the same section of swampland. Within the seasonal fresh swamp, the pipeline crosses a constructed drain- I age channel, approximately 1 metre across and containing 30 centimetres of water. Water Ribbons (Triglochin procera) are I the main aquatic vegetation, with sedges, Water Buttons and Paspalum sp. along the edges. The spoil embankment beside the I channel is about 45 centimetres high and has been colonised by weed species as well as Water Buttons.

I . Figure 26 shows the route crossing a section of cultivated land. Most of this has been previously cultivated and is weed-infested I with species such as Fireweed, Plantago (Plantago sp.) and Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea) . The pipeline then crosses fresh I meadow, pastureland and more cultivated land, passing within approximately 150 metres of a farmhouse. Beyond this, the route I passes beneath a water pipeline, crosses another water channel and re-enters cultivated land.

I Hexham Swamp provides valuable habitat to many waterfowl species. The fresh meadows and seasonal fresh swamps to be crossed by the I route are of high value (Goodrick, 1970). Avifauna species observed utilising these areas during the study include the Black I Duck (Anas superciliosa), Masked Plover (Vanellus miles), White- faced Heron (Ardea novaehollandiae) , White-necked Heron (Ardea I pacifica), Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), White This (Threskiornis molucca), Large Egret (Egretta alba), Royal Spoonbill (Platalea I - 78 -

regia), Kookaburra (Dacelo gigas), Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis) , Straw-necked This (Threskiornis spinicollis) , Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) , Fairy Martin (Cecropis ariel), Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) and the Mudlark (Grallina cyanoleuca) . Numerous other species utilise the area particularly in periods of inundation and dry periods inland.

Other types of fauna inhabiting the area are mainly wetland adapted. Numerous individuals of the Long-necked Tortoise (Chelodina longicolis) were observed and were thought to be breeding in the highlands adjacent to the swamp. A number of frog species would be expected to occur although only one, the Dwarf Tree Frog (Litoria fallax) was located.

3.6.2 Assessment of Impact

I The impact of the pipeline through pastureland and cultivated land is considered negligible as construction will be fast and the surface will be restored to the original condition. As the pipeline will be approximately 1.5 metres below the surface, it I will not interfere with cultivation of paddocks. Turf collection activities will also be possible over the pipeline when the I grass species return naturally. I There should be no permanent alteration in swamp vegetation over most of the route as no major changes in microtopography will be made. The ground surface over the pipeline will be compacted and I returned to the original level and any excess spoil will be spread thinly in surrounding areas.

Impact on waterfowl will be negligible as periods of inundation I and therefore high concentration of birds will be avoided for pipeline construction.

The seasonal fresh swamp along the route in Figure 15 will suffer some unavoidable disturbance due to upgrading of the nearby track I for access.

Temporary disturbance to fencelines will occur but all damage will I I -79-

be repaired and temporary structures employed to control stock during the pipeline construction.

The pipeline passes within 150 metres of one house in Figure 26. I Noise levels of 60 dB(A) would be experienced as the construction team moves past. The houses in Figures 22 and 23 should not I experience any noise problems as they are on a ridge above the route and out of sight.

I The conservation value of the Hexham Swamp is fully appreciated by the Company and particular attention is to be given to mini- I mising any impact during construction. The study team preparing this report are very experienced in the ecology of the Hexham I Swamp, having completed investigations for a number of projects in and around the swamp areas. Careful study of the proposed route has not revealed any potential conflicts likely to lead I to significant impacts. The route has been chosen to avoid any viable and little disturbed natural areas, and the project is not likely to contribute to any further degradation or irrevers- ible damage to the wetlands in part or in whole. Any disturbance I to the wetland fauna will only be temporary and of negligible significance. I

I 3.7 SECTION 6 : HEXHAM INDUSTRIAL I 3.7.1 Description of the Existing Environment

Figures 27 and 28 cover the route of the pipeline as it moves across Section 6 from farming land through industrial and residential areas over the Hunter River to Kooragang Island.

The route passes through land owned by R.W. Miller & Company Pty. Limited, Hexham Engineering and the Crown. Lots 27 and 28 of the Parish of Hexham, and Portions 182 and 181 of the parish of Newcastle are to be traversed.

All of the land crossed is flat and te soils are alluvial silts, sands and clays.

The area in Figure 27 bordered by the water pipeline and railway line which is represented as cultivated land, disturbed land and reed swamp is the site of a proposed coal storage and handling facility.

After crossing the Great Northern Railway the route moves through a small area of land near a Department of Main Roads Depot and over the Pacific Highway. The traffic count for this section of Highway is 36,380 vehicles per day (D.M.R. estimation).

The route then follows a minor road onto a disused area of land shown in Figure 27 which is a possible site for the Meter Station.

The route then passes behind a carpark over a road and into the I grounds of the old Hexham School which is proposed as an alternative site for the Meter Station.

Crossing Old Maitland Road in Figure 28 the route veers towards Campbell Island and then runs parallel to Old Maitland Road and behind a group of houses on the eastern side of it.

The vegetation passed through here is predominantly Salt Water Couch (Paspalum vaginatum) and Samphire (Salicornia quinqueflora). The Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina) predominates closer to the River.

Campbell and Hexham Island have both been cleared and consist of pastureland bordered by mangroves on the shores. The remnants of a building on Hexham Island indicates human activity in an earlier time. Both islands have been recommended as parts of a "Hexham Conservation Area" (National Trust, 1974).

Three water crossings in Figure 28 are 20 metres wide, 100 metres wide and 75 metres wide respectively. The first is an estuarine channel and the second and third are arms of the Hunter River. I 81

The predominant soils are alluvial silts, clays and riverine I muds. 3.7.2 Assessment of Impact

The impact: of the proposed pipeline route on Section 6 is assessed as being negligible. All of the land crossed before Old Maitland Road has industry on it or will be developed for industry in the future.

Both the Railway and Highway easements will be bored according I to the proceedings in Section 2.4.4. Encasing the pipeline within the easements will ensure no damage to the structures I or inconvenience to the rail and vehicular traffic above. I The Meter Station site which is to be the sub jectof a special noise study when it is selected (Section 2.3.7), will be designed so that the noise level will conform with the acceptable levels I laid down by the Australian Standard 1055 - 1978 and Section 27 of the Noise Control Act 1975.

Crossing of the three roads according to the standard safeguarded I procedures, using the open trench method will cause only minor inconvenience for the short time necessary for construction.

The effect of pipeline construction on the remnants of native I vegetation is considered minor. Only a small nurrther of mangroves will be disturbed. The effect on the islands will also be minor as, in time, the pastureland will re-establish and the mangroves I will regenerate on the stabilised banks.

All the residents of Hexham should experience an increase in noise levels as the construction team moves through. For those I on the eastern side of Old Maitland Road noise levels could approach 71 dB(A). Because of the soft ground conditions the I pipelaying process will be quick and any inconvenience to the residents temporary.

The river crossings (see Section 2.4.5) will disturb the six I I -82-

I banks and increase the turbidity of the water. Appropriate measures will be taken to ensure stabilisation of the banks. I The temporary increase in turbidity will be low when compared with flood times and will not be significant.

Sincethe pipeline is in an industrial and populated area the possibility of third party interference has been taken into account. The possibility of pipeline failure is very small but it was also considered in locating the route to the rear of the houses in Old Maitland Road.

The Company believes that the route can pass through the Hexham Industrial area and cross the Hunter River with negligible impact. Many of the procedures and safeguards outlined in Section 2 of this document apply to the segments of the route illustrated in Figures 27 and 28.

3.8 SECTION 7 : KOORAGANG ISLAND - RURAL

3.8.1 Description of the Existinq Environment

Figures 29, 30 and 31 cover Section 7, in which the pipeline route joins Kooragang Island, moves south, then south-east across the island and joins the western part of Moscheto Channel towards the end of the Section.

The whole of Kooragang Island is owned and controlled by the Public Works Department. The inhabitants of the island lease the land from the Department. Rural land use predominates with both horses and cattle grazed in the area. Greyhound racing is also conducted.

The portion of the island in Section 7 is relatively flat; its height is generally 1 to 2 metres above high water level.

Soils are typically alluvial silts, sands and clays forming riverine muds. I -83-

The watercourses crossed are tidal estuarine channels. The route also passes over low-lying swampy areas that drain into I the channels.

Four unsealed roads and a number of fences are to be crossed.

I The main features of the vegetation of Section 7 are as follows: Virtually all of the route crosses pastureland. Species included here are Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) Couch (Cynodon dactylon) , Fireweed (Senecio lautus) Annual Bear Grass (Polypogon rnonspeliensis) , Blackberry (Rubus vulgaris) , White Clover (Trifolium repens) and Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) . Specimens of I Swamp Oak (Casuarina glauca) stand within the pastureland. Portions of fresh meadow also occur and are dominated by Yellow Buttons (Cotula coronopifolia). Scattered throughout the pastureland are remnants of the original forest. I Rainforest remnants occur in parts; species include Podocarpus elatus and Parsonsia straminea. Lantana (Lantana camara) has also invaded these areas.

I The route crosses some wetland areas interspersed with the pastureland. A seasonal fresh swamp in Figure 29 contained predominantly Water Ribbons (Triglochin procera) I at the time of study while the vegetation of the salt flat in Figure 30 consisted mainly of Samphire (Salicornia quinqueflora) . Areas of salt meadow were generally intermixed with pastureland and contained Salt Water Couch (Paspalum vaginaturn). Grey Mangroves (vicennia marina) grow in and along the I estuaries in the three figures and are densely packed. The mangroves are up to 6 metres high and there are many I seedlings growing.

Figure 29 shows the route crossing onto Kooragang Island close j to dredging siltation ponds, traversing one dirt road and a number of very small drainage channels. A line of mangroves I extends along the nearby Hunter River Channel from a point just south of the crossing.

The route turns south and moves through pastureland, close to I clumps of remnant rainforest. Just prior to crossing the tip of a small seasonal fresh swamp, the route leads south-east, passing approximately 60 metres behind a house. It continues through pastureland, crossing a dirt track and by-passing a I I I dog race track. Two dirt roads are then crossed and the route I passes within 100 metres of one house and 40 metres of another. The route then crosses a small section of salt flat and re-enters I pastureland, keeping close to a dirt road in Figure 30. Close to the Hunter River, the line crosses a small channel approximately I 5 to 10 metres wide and densely lined with Grey Mangroves.

About 250 metres further on, in Figure 31, the route crosses the western end of Moscheto Channel which is approximately 30 to 40 metres wide and lined with Grey Mangroves. The route follows the direction of the channel keeping within pastureland and fresh meadow until it crosses another dirt track, enters the mangrove stand and moves through it for approximately 230 metres. The Hunter District Water Board Kooragang Water Supply Pipeline runs parallel to the route to the south.

After leaving the mangrove stand, the proposed gas pipeline route continues to the south-east, following the line of the water pipeline embankment.

Throughout the Section the only wildlife were avifauna species. Birds observed in mangrove areas at the beginning of the Section included the Grey Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa), Superb Blue Wren (Malurus cyaneus) and the Brush Cuckoo (Cuculus variolosus) The wren was also seen in the nearby rainforest remnants. Welcome Swallows (Hirundo neoxena) , Fairy Martins (Cecropis ariel) and the Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) were all recorded in pastureland close by. Black Ducks (Anas superciliosa) were observed in the small seasonal fresh swamp in the pastureland.

Birds seen in the vicinity of the salt flat and seasonal fresh I swamp in Figure 30 were the Pied Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), White-fronted Chat phthianura albifrons), Masked Plover I (Vanellus miles) , White-faced Heron (Ardea novaehollandiae), Willy Wagtail (Rhipidura 1eucophry) and Royal Spoonbill I (Platalea regia). I I -85- I 3.8.2 Assessment of Impact

The impact on pastureland along the route can be considered negligible. The soil will be returned to its original level I and pasture grasses encouraged to return as described in Section 2.5.1. All fences that need to be passed through I will be replaced and livestock will be prevented from moving through temporarily broken fence lines.

Open trenches will be used across the roads to enable pipelaying. Any inconvenience will last for less than a day and I during this period access will be provided.

Because of the speed of the operation, the disturbance to the nearby residents through noise should be of short duration. I However, the closest house, 40 metres from the pipeline will be subject to approximately 72.5 dB(A) during construction, and a I level of 68 dB(A) can be expectea for the house 60 metres distant. I The impact on the small seasonal fresh swamp in Figure 29 is considered negligible since care will be taken to return the soil to its original level thus encouraging the return of the I appropriate water plants rather than weeds.

The clearing of tracts of mangroves through the estuaries traversed will result in a temporary loss of a small amount of I habitat and estuarine productivity. Once the pipeline is installed the mangroves will regenerate although considerable I time will be necessary before they return to their present height and form. Care will be taken to maintain the original soil levels to ensure that the existing ecological conditions are I maintained.

The crossing of Moscheto Channel near the Hunter River will be carried out according to the procedures described for the River I in Section 2.4.5 and there will be no permanent impact.

I The investigations in Section 7 of the route have shown that with the exception of the temporary increase in noise levels I I I at several houses, there will be negligible impact due to the I passage of the pipeline. I 3.9 SECTION 8 : KOORAGANG ISLAND - ESTUARINE I 3.9.1 Description of the Existina Environment Li Section 8 includes the part of Kooragang Island to the north of the Hunter District Water Board pipeline and the Industrial I Railway and is covered by Figures 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36. For the most part, the Section consists of tidal channels lined LI with mangroves and associated wetlands including mangrove mud- flats. The area is generally flat, with man-made embankments I forming the only higher ground. The soils are typically silts, clays and sands present as riverine muds. El All the land is owned and controlled by the Public Works Depart- I ment.

The area south of the Industrial Railway has been greatly altered I from its original condition as an estuarine system. Much of it has been filled or is undergoing reclamation works. As a result, I there are large areas of dead or dying mangroves and deep water channels which will eventually be filled. The major channel on I the northern side of the railway is Moscheto Channel. I There has been comparatively litde disturbance in the areas around the water pipeline embankment and north of the railway. Most of the portion of the island north of the embankment and I the railway is part of the proposed Kooragang Island Nature Reserve. The pipeline embankment has a rough vehicle track on I the northern side and a higher bank on the southern side. It runs in a south-easterly direction at the beginning of the I Section until it goes beneath the Industrial Railway where the latter curves to run almost east.

I The railway embankment is generally 2 to 3 metres above the level I I -87- I of the surrounding wetlands. There is a vehicle track approx- I imately 6 metres wide running along the southern side of the railway track and along some parts of the railway embankment on the northern side there is an easement just above the level I of the adjoining swamp.

The important features of the vegetion in Section 8 are as follows:

.I Mangrove stands are the major form of tree cover and consist mainly of Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina) to 10 metres. The smaller River Mangrove (Aegiceras I corniculatthm) is common around the edges of the Grey Mangrove stands. The areas in which these occur are tidal, the main occurrence being along Moscheto Channel and connecting channels. There are typically I mudflat areas associated with the mangroves.

All of the vegetation is dependent on very small I changes in ground levels affecting salt concentrations in the soil. There is therefore generally a transition from mangroves to salt flats, salt meadows, Juncus I swamp, fresh swampland and then to pastureland. Salt flats are dominated by Samphire (Salicornia quingue- flora) and are subject to tidal inundations. Salt Water Couch (Sporobolus virginicus) predominates in I areas of salt meadow and other species include Salt Couch (Paspalum vaqinatum) , Sarnolus repens and Rhagodia sp. These areas are slightly higher than I the salt flats and are inundated to a lesser degree. Juncus swamps are only inundated periodically and .consist mainly of Salt Rush (Juncus maritimus). I A few small stands of Swamp Oak (Casuarina glauca) occur within the Section at a level slightly higher than that of the Juncus Swamp. Salt concentrations in the soil are thus lower, although still relatively high I in comparison with concentrations in normal soils.* A few areas of semi-permanent fresh swamp and fresh I meadow interspersed with pastureland are present along parts of the section mainly in the area shown in Figure I 24. Bullrushes (Typha orientalis) dominate the semi- I permanent fresh swamps with sedge species also occurring. Patches of open water were evident within the swamp at the time of study.

I Pastureland species include Kikuyu Grass (Pennisetum clandestinum), Couch Grass (Cynodon dactylon) , Fireweed (Senecio lautus) , Scarlet Pimpernel (Anaqallis arvensis) I and Scotch Thistle (Onopordum acanthium).

Areas that have been disturbed within the mangrove and I salt-marsh areas, resulting in raised soil levels, tend

* Rothenhani, E.R. et al (ed) (1975). "Flowers & Plants of New South Wales I ?. Southern Queensland."A.II. & A.W. Reed, Sydney. I -88-

to have been colonised by the introduced Bitou Bush! Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides moniliferum) and other I weed species.

Figure 32 shows the proposed route running close to the northern side of the water pipeline. For much of the way, the route is in a semi-permanent fresh swamp which contained water at the S time of study. The pipeline then crosses portions of pastureland/fresh meadow and a small reed swamp containing the Common I Reed (Phragmites australis) . Just before reaching the railway embankment, the route crosses a salt flat and then continues 5 around beside the railway through an area of regenerating mangroves (Grey Mangrove) 0.5 metre to 5 metres high. There is one water channel, in the vicinity of these mangroves, which I the pipeline crosses and then recrosses approximately 300 metres further on in Figure 33. This channel becomes shallower with I progression eastward. There are taller mangrove trees, 5 to 7 metres in height, in this area. There is a raised easement below I the railway embankment in this segment. I After traversing a small section of salt flat, the route re- enters an open regenerating mangrove swamp, crossing another 2 shallow channels within this area. The pipeline then crosses I alternating salt flats and mangroves in Figure 34 until it nears Moscheto Channel, passing through a vigorous stand of Grey I Mangroves to 10 metres with numerous seedlings at ground level. There are 2 small disturbed areas within this mangrove stand I which the route traverses before actually crossing Moscheto Channel. I The Channel itself, shown in Figures 34 and 35, is approximately 5 60 metres wide at high tide. The pipeline is to cross diagonally over about 80 metres of channel. The mangrove stand on the eastern side is healthy and dense with mature Grey Mangroves 10 5 to 13 metres high and young River Mangroves in parts.

Figure 35 shows the proposed route passing through these mangroves, across a small salt flat and a patch of semi-permanent fresh swamp I and back into mangroves. Another small salt flat and a track are I I -89-

I traversed just past the point where a track joins the railway embankment from the north. There are also small disturbed I portions in this area.

The pipeline re-enters mangroves and then crosses a stretch of open water approximately 240 metres wide. On the eastern side I of this channel the proposed route enters a swamp dominated by the Salt Rush (Juncus maritimus) and continues through this I for over 0.5 kilometres before crossing a dirt track towards the centre of Figure 36.

The Juncus Swamp has open channels of water towards the centre, which vary in extent according to climatic conditions. Dense I clumps of the Salt Rush predominate with scattered large speci- merits of the introduced rush, Juncus acutus, occurring mainly on I locally raised areas. The construction of the Industrial Railway has disturbed this swamp area, resulting in encouragement of I weed species Biton Bush and Pennywort (Hydrocotyle bonariensis) along the embankment edge. There is one small Cabbage Tree Palm (Livistonia australis) surviving within this area. A fringe of j semi-permanent fresh swamp occurs along some of the present southern extremity of the Juncus Swamp and is also probably I related to disturbance from the railway construction. Maximum extent of the semi-permanent swamp into the Juncus Swamp is I approximately 40 metres. Feral Pigs (Sus scrofa) have uprooted patches of the swamp mainly in the western part, but the eastern I areas appear in good condition.

After crossing the track, the route passes through a semi- I permanent fresh swamp. This had open patches of water at the time of study which were supporting Red Azolla (Azolla filicu- I bides var. rubra) . Around the edges are Water Buttons and Umbrella Sedge. The route then follows a narrow stand of Grey I Mangroves, after crossing a man-made drainage channel.

I On the eastern side of the railway embankment is the Australian Fluorine Chemicals Plant. Waste products from the plant empty I into the open water to the north of the buildings and all surrounding vegetation is dead. I I Avifauna species were abundant in Section 8 during the field studies. Appendix Ill-i shows that 45 species were observed in the estuarine habits, of which 20 were waterbird species. The number of species expected to occur or possibly utilising I these wetlands would be far higher as Kooragang Island is a favoured habitat for large numbers of waterfowl and migratory I waders. *

Black Swans (Cygnus atratus) and Chestnut Teals (Anas castanea) were most common in the mangrove channel areas and utilised large areas of open water to the south of the railway. The most significant portion of mangroves and open water existing on the northern side is the Moscheto Channel area. Species I observed in the vicinity of the Channel were the Little Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos) , Black Cormorant (P. I carbo), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) and the Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis). Chestnut Teal were also seen in I channels east of Moscheto Channel and the mangrove area at the western end of the railway.

Other species recorded in the latter area were the Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa), Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), Little Pied Cormorant and the Grey Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa).

A number of species were observed in salt meadows and salt flats, particularly in the western part of this Section. An I adult Jabiru (Xenorhyncus asiaticus) and one young were recorded in this sector, as well as the Australian Magpie Lark (Grallina I cyanoleuca) , White This (Threskiornis molucca) and the Large Egret (Egretta alba). I A Jabiru was also observed in the Juncus Swamp towards the eastern end of the section. The greatest number of avifauna I species were seen within this habitat during the study. Species recorded were the Jabiru, Black Duck (Anas superciliosa) , Grey I Teal (A. gibberifrons) , Chestnut Teal, Large Egret, White This Pied Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Masked Plover (Vanellus miles)

*Kendall, T. and F. Vm Gessel (1972). "The Birds of Kooragang Island - Preliminary Report." Hunter Natural History. I - 91 -

Swamphen, Little Pied Cormorant, Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia) and the Golden-headed Cisticola. I Bird species such as the Willy Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) I White-fronted Chat (Ephthianura aibifrons) and the Superb Blue Wren (Malurus cyaneus) were seen in a number of different areas I and the Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) was common over much of the route.

I Although no non-avial wildlife species were observed during the study a few, particularly reptiles and amphibians, occur in the I area and would be expected along parts of the route. These include such species as the Swamp Snake (Hemiaspis signata) , I Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis phorphyriacus) , White's Skink (Egernia whitii) and the Green and Golden Bell Frog I (Litoria

3.9.2 Assessment of Impact

As the proposed route through Section 8 is located entirely within sensitive wetlands and also passes along the southern 1 boundary of the proposed Kooragang Island Nature Reserve, the Company intends adopting special precautions and construction procedures. These are intended to minimize the impact of the I pipeline during construction and prevent long-term changes in the ecology affecting vegetation patterns. I

Construction of the pipeline will be carried out off the railway I embankment in the northern edge of the service corridor as shown in Figure 11. The following construction techniques will be I employed:

The trench centre-line will be approximately 7 metres out from the toe of the embankment and will be dug by dragline/backhoes operating I from the embankment.

ii. Trench spoil will be placed on the embankment side of the trench and not allowed to disperse I -92-

I north of the trench line.

iii. The pipe will be strung, welded and lowered in off the embankment. I. iv. The trench will be backfilled with the excavated I trench spoil and the area levelled off.

V. The railway embankment will be cleaned up upon completion of construction and left in an I appropriate condition. I The following precautions to minimise any long term impact on the wetlands will be employed:-

1. The minimum amount of mangroves will be disturbed and the construction activities will be subject I to strict supervision.

ii. The natural ground level will be restored accurately upon completion of backfill so as to maintain the I existing water level and water flows. This will ensure that the conditions of the recolonisation of indigenous species are recreated and that no I suitable habitats for encroachment of weed species 1 are left. ii!. Strict precautions will be employed so as to ensure I no exotic soil types containing seeds of weeds or plant species foreign to the local wetland environ- I ment are introduced to the area. I iv. Every effort will be made to undertake the construction outside the bird breeding seasons.

The Company is prepared to undertake the proposed construction in this area in consultation with representatives of responsible I environmental groups. The Company's biologicial consultants will monitor changes during and as a result of construction and advise - 93 -

as to any remedial measures to be taken.

It is accepted that, despite all precautions, there will, be an unavoidable temporary impact on the swamp vegetation from clearing operations. The most obvious impact will be the removal of mangroves over the trench line, mainly towards the western end of the railway embankment and around Moscheto Channel. The latter section involves approximately 0.7 kilometres of mangroves. The northern side of the pipeline trench will also be likely to be subject to some clearing and disturbance for 2 to 3 metres resulting from the use of backhoes. Maximum width of the trench will be approximately 4 metres. The total disturbed area will therefore be in the order of 12 metres from the toe of the railway embankment. This will be closer to 7 metres of disturbance in sectors where there is an easement off the embankment.

The impact on the Juncus swamp, which is a unique habitat on Kooragang Island*, should be minimal as there is a fringe of Bullrushes (Typha orientalis) bordering the railway embankment I which will be subject to most of the disturbance. The Company's intention to avoid construction during the breeding season should I also help to minimise the impact on wildlife.

The proposed restoration processes and the special precautions mentioned above will allow mangrove areas and all other vegetation types encountered to regenerate naturally. However, associated with the temporary loss in all vegetation types, there will be a loss in wildlife habitats and therefore an unavoidable loss in individuals of wildlife species inhabiting these areas.

While acknowledging the sensitive nature of the swamp on the northern side of the railway, it has been considered by the Company as their only practical route for the pipeline.

An alternative considered was to locate the pipeline on the southern side of the railway embankment, but still within the same service corridor. After investigating possible locations, the conclusion was reached that the construction of the high

*VaIl Cessel, F. (1978). Pers. Comm. - 94 - n

I pressure gas transmission pipeline in the spaces available would be impractical in terms of engineering and hazardous to I workers employed on the project. The factors obstructing I economic and safe construction would be:- 1. A 33kv powerline is already located adjacent I to the southern side of the embankment for approximately 4 kilometres of the route (see I Figures 33 - 36). This powerline is located 2 metres from the southern toe of the railway embankment. A mechanically jointed (above- P ground) 573 millimetres water pipeline embankment is located a further 7.5 metres out from I the powerline for approximately 2 kilometres as shown in Figures 33 and 34. I The area south of the railway is generally I under water except for the area shown in Figure 36 and construction of the natural gas pipeline within the available space is impractical. I The only practical manner in which to construct the gas pipeline would be to work off the embank- I ment and this is precluded for most of the section due to the presence of the 33kv powerline and the k dangers in working in close proximity to it. The relocation of the powerline would impose onerous I constraints on the project if there was an alternative place to put it, which there is not. I Burial of the pipeline in areas which have been backfilled with blast furnace slag will endanger I the protective coatingand precipitate corrosion I and potential failure. Any major activity within the available space will L almost certainly disturb the water pipeline which, being mechanically jointed, would be endangered by I the slightest movement. I I - 95 -

I Account also has to be taken of the fact that the part of the service corridor on the southern side of the railway embank- I ment was initially intended to accommodate the existing 33kv transmission line, the existing mechanically jointed water I pipeline, a future water pipeline, a secondary gas main, and a further transmission line. I This proposal, however, was drawn up without consultation with Newcastle Gas Company Limited and was not considered practicable I by them at that time. The possibility of moving the allocation for the secondary main north of the existing water main was L considered. However, even in the event of approval to this proposal, it would have been a most undesirable location for I the construction of the secondary main and completely impractical for the alignment of a larger diameter high-pressure trunk main. I The need for the secondary main has now been obviated by the requirement to service Kooragang Island with high-pressure gas L and the area, although being completely unsuitable for either a secondary main or a high-pressure trunk main, will now be I available for other services which may be more suitabley con- I structed within the area. Other possible routes considered by the Company required the I pipeline to be laid on the southern side of the railway outside of the service corridor in land being reclaimed by the Broken I Hill Proprietary Company Limited, or in waterfront areas with development potential. In either case the presence of the pipeline would restrict the future use of these areas and its I location would be opposed by the current landholders. Another option to locate the route further to the north of the embank- I ments would be likely to interfere with the proposed Nature Reserve to a greater extent than the favoured route as well as k producing the undesirable situation of duplicating the service corridor. I On consideration of the alternative routes, the Company considers I the line beside the railway errJankmentat the northern edge of I I -96-

the existing service corridor to be the most practical option from economic and construction viewpoints and be the least I disturbing in terms of prejudicing future development options on Kooragang Island. The Company also believes that it can I maintain adequate safeguards and implement construction techniques so as to minimize the short-term impact and ensure the I return of the original vegetation and wildlife habitats. The presence of the pipeline below the ground in the proposed position will not prejudice the proposal to establish a Nature I Reserve on the northern side of the Railway.

It is also acknowledged that there is a possibility of a high voltage transmission line being located through the area subject I to the requirements of further industry on Kooragang Island. However, as this is a preliminary proposal and the pipeline I construction is to be completed by 1980, further consideration will need to be given to the transmission line route when I appropriate.

3.10 SECTION 9 KOORAGANG ISLAND - WALSH POINT I 3.10.1 Description of the Existing Environment

Figures 37 and 38 cover the final section of the proposed route I which moves southward from Australian Fluorine Chemicals, turns eastwards then southwards again to cross beneath Stockton Bridge and continues down to the property of Consolidated Fertilizers I Pty. Limited. It should be noted that the figures in this Section are read from right to left. Most of the land has been I reclaimed and heavy industrial development occurs at the southern part of the Section.

As with the rest of Kooragang Island (Sections 7 and 8) all I land is under the ownership and control of the Public Works Department. From the northern end of the Section to Stockton Bridge, the land continues as part of the proposed Kooragang Island Nature Reserve. The topography is typically flat with I I -97-

some raised embankrnents for roads and railways and a few small risesin recently reclaimed areas. Soils for the most part are sandy with a high shell content, indicative of their origin as river dredgings.

A large portion of land in this Section consists of bare ground I colonised by weed species, or mown grassland, also colonised by weeds. Common weeds are Bitou Bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera) I and Evening Primrose (Oenothera sp.) . Mangrove areas are dominated by the Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina) . Some regeneration I of juvenile mangroves in disturbed sectors is apparent. Fresh swamps occurring in Section 8 are dominated by the Common I Reed (Phragmites australis) and are classed as reed swamps (Goodrick, 1970).

Figure 37 shows the proposed route continuing beside the railway embankment to the east of Australian Fluorine Chemicals. It passes through a section of dead mangroves and enters a stand of healthy mangroves. The route then crosses a small reed swamp I and moves across reclaimed land parallel with Cormorant Road until reaching the approaches of Stockton Bridge. This area is I the preferred site for a Trunk Receiving Station. An alternative site is opposite this on the western side of Cormorant Road or I to the south of Australian Fluorine Chemicals. The station will be located within a 0.6 hectare site and will have a secondary I regulator station. I From the preferred Station site, the line moves eastward across reclaimed land passing beside an access road from Stockton Bridge. The route turns south-east, crosses this road, passes beneath the I bridge and crosses another access road to the bridge.

Figure 38 shows the pipeline turning south and paralleling Greenleaf Road until the route terminates in the property of I Consolidated Fertilizers Pty. Limited. A Meter Regulating Station will be located within this area. All of this length of the route I passes along a mown footpath. There are planted shrubs on the western side of the footpath outside the property of Greenleaf I I -98-

Fertilizers Pty. Limited.

I Greenleaf Road itself is approximately 20 metres in width while the two access roads crossed are less than 10 metres wide. The I footpath is approximately 5 to 6 metres wide between the road and planted shrubs. I I 3.10.2 Assessment of Impact The proposed route in Section 9 will have little impact as the I reclaimed land will be restored to its original condition following restoration processes as in Section 2.5.1. However, I there will be an unavoidable temporary loss of mangroves in the area near Australian Fluorine Chemicals shown in Figure 37. An associated loss of habitat and individual birds inhabiting the mangroves will also occur.

The reed swamp will also suffer a temporary reduction of cover but both this and the mangrove areas will eventually regenerate I after the completion of rehabilitation works.

There will be a temporary impact on the access roads to and from Stockton Bridge as the pipeline crosses these. This impact is considered of nuisance value only as passage across each road will be completed in one day and all the safeguards proposed for road crossings will be employed.

Greenleaf Road will be partially closed while construction is I carried out along the footpath. This is necessary to accommodate construction vehicles and allow construction room, which I is insufficient on the footpath itself. This will also ensure that the planted shrubs are not disturbed. As the road is very I wide and traffic only light, partial closure should be of little significance.

I Once the site for the Meter Regulating Station is selected a detailed noise study will be undertaken as a basis for design. I The operating noise levels at the boundary of the property will I conform with the Australian Standard 1055 - 1978 and Section 27 of the Noise Control Act 1975. There will be no permanent impact due to noise. IMPACT OF PROJECT 1 -100- I IMPACT OF THE PROJECT I This section is presented to enable the Determining Authority and interested I persons and organizations to appreciate fully the environmental impacts of The I Australian Gas Light Company's proposal. The impacts which the construction activities and the operation of the pipeline I will have on the environment of the favoured route are stated.

Potential impacts resulting from the I laying of the pipeline along alternative routes are considered and compared with the favoured route and the course of U action proposed by the Company to irnple- ment its objectives is justified. I

4.1 IMPACT OF THE PIPELINE ON THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE I FAVOURED ROUTE I The potential impacts of the proposed project can be summarised I as follows:- I i. Disturbance to Residents An important feature of the favoured route is that I there are few houses in proximity to it and that residents' property, business and personal interests I and safety will not be prejudiced or threatened. Residents in houses along the Killingworth and West• I Wailsend Sections (1 and 2) will experience increased noise levels due to construction. This impact will I last for no more than one day in any locality and therefore cannot be regarded as being unreasonable. I Possible blasting in the Stockrington segments will only be on a minor scale and in any case will be too I far removed from residents to be a source of disturbance. Other houses passed in the Cedar Hill Section in I Figures 20 and 21, around Hexham Swamp, at Hexham and on Kooragang Island will also experience a short- I term noise disturbance due to moving plant and excavations. However, progress will be so rapid in I the soft alluvial soils in these areas the impact cannot fairly be regarded as significant.

The operation of a possible Custody Transfer/Regulator Station near the village of Killingworth will not be a I source of disturbance. The regulator stations proposed near Hexham and on Kooragang Island are to be the sub- I ject of special noise studies once the sites are finalised and will be designed so that the background I noise levels are not exceeded at the boundaries of the properties.

I The trotting track near West Walisend in Figure 15 will be closed for a short period, amounting to several I days, and access to the dog track on Kooragang Island in Figure 29 will also be interrupted only temporarily.

I The construction and operation of the pipeline along the favoured route will not be significant sources of I impact on people or their property. Conservative predictions rate the chance of an accidental I explosion as being very low and with the route being displaced from residences, the safety of the area is I not seen to be endangered by the pipeline.

Roads and Access

. The Pacific Highway and seven other sealed roads are I to be crossed by the route. Passage for the pipeline will be bored underneath the Pacific Highway at Hexham. I Standard and safeguarded procedures are to be employed so as not to endanger the road structure or be a source I of inconvenience to traffic. Road crossings at George Booth Drive, Stockrington I Mine Road, Dogholes Road, Mmmi Road, Old Mait.land Road and at the two access roads at Stockton Bridge I will be by open trench. The inconvenience to traffic will be minimised by the construction procedures proposed.

Numerous dirt roads and bush tracks are to be I crossed, particularly in the forested areas. Only in the cases of the cutting of the roads leading to the rifle range and cemetery, and O'Donneltown Road at West Wailsend, is minor inconvenience likely and temporary access will be provided if it I is required.

The construction of the pipeline will have negligible effect on traffic movements and cannot be regarded as a significant source of impact.

iii. Watercourses and the Hunter River

All water crossings will follow the standard and safeguarded practice which ensures that the stability and hydraulic characteristics of the channels are not endangered in either the short or long terms.

The significant watercourses to be crossed are Burkes Creek (Sandy Creek) , Flaggy Creek, an unnamed creek near West Wallsend, Moscheto Channel and the Hunter River.

In the case of Sandy Creek and Flaggy Creek the only impact of importance is the permanent loss of the rainforest elements growing on their banks. The unnamed creek may have the structure of its banks altered, but the change will not be significant.

Turbidity will be increased in the Hunter River but this will only be temporary. The crossings of Moscheto Channel in Section 7 will mean a loss of mangroves. Crossing Moscheto Channel near the I - 103 - I railway line in Section 8 will mean temporary increased turbidity and changes in the mud layering on either side. The long term effects should not be significant as there is evidence to show that I recolonisation will occur.

Appropriate design and construction procedures will be employed to ensure the safety of the pipeline in areas prone to flooding.

iv. soils

The disturbance to the soils along the route will have no long term effect. Topsoils will be respread and erosion control works will be undertaken to allow vegetation regrowth and prevent soil loss. No soils unnatural to an area will be introduced. Excess spoil will be disposed of safely. There will be no significant impact on soils.

V. Aqricultural Land

The construction stage will impose only minor restrictions on grazing and agricultural activities. Once the pipeline is bured and the trench backfilled, the land can be cultivated or pasture grasses resown for grazing to enable the original farming activities to be continued.

All fence crossings will be restored and temporary arrangements made to contain stock where necessary during construction.

All impacts will be compensated. The project will not affect the viability during construction or the long term prosperity of farming properties.

vi. Industrial Land

I Access may be restricted to industrial premises for a short period at Hexham and on Kooragang Island. -104- I I Temporary arrangements will be provided if required.

I The passage and operation of the pipeline in the . industrial areas along the route will not prejudice U the future use of any land intended for industrial development. The availability of natural gas will U be a positive benefit for industry. U vii. Open Space The pipeline will not affect the open space character- I istics of the areas traversed. In wooded areas it is unavoidable that the easement will remain noticeable. I In cleared areas the presence of the pipeline will not be detectable.

viii.Planning Schemes

The proposed route does not conflict with any existing or forecasted planning schemes in the City of Newcastle, I Municipality of Lake Macquarie or City of Maitland. I ix. Mining The proposed route does not conflict with any existing I or future coal mining development. The Company is well aware of the requirements for crossing subsidence areas I and this aspect is to be controlled during construction and strictly monitored in the future. The proposed procedures to be employed are outlined in this document.

Instability of the surface along the route is not seen I to be a potential cause for concern. The safeguards proposed will protect the pipeline in U any areas containing washery rejects or mining spoils likely to produce chemically active waters by leaching.

X. Native Vegetation -

The clearing of vegetation along the route results in I - 105 -

an unavoidable disturbance to native flora. Whereas grasses, shrubs and small trees will be allowed to regenerate, the regrowth of large trees will need to be restricted over the pipeline where the root system could endanger the pipes. This restriction prevents the complete re-establishment of the indigenous vegetation alliances. However, in most cases the narrow width of the easement will not significant affect the ecological viability of the forested zones. This is especially so in areas which have been extensively logged for pit props where natural regeneration has continued in spite of the continuous thinning which has proceeded for many years.

The general conclusion from the botanical investigation is that the forest areas will be able to withstand the clearing of the easement and that their permanence will not be threatened by the pipeline corridor. It has to be acknowledged, however, that the pipeline makes yet another intrusion into the forested areas which are a feature of the Lower Hunter. A coherent managment plan is urgently needed to ensure that the inroads are restricted to projects such as this which are obviously necessary and that indiscriminate clearing is controlled.

The vegetation along some sections of the route has been shown to be of importance. Whereas, the forest areas tend to be resilient, the wetlands of the Hunter Estuary and on Kooragang Island are sensitive to change, slow to recover from disturbance and can be damaged irreversibly. In Sections 6, 7 and 8 a number of mangroves have to be removed and although regeneration will occur the process is slow. A factor favouring natural revegetation is that the parts of the route where clearing is to occur are little fre- quented by people and the re-establishing vegetation should be little disturbed. I - 106 -

I The disturbance to the wetlands in Section 8, in particular the Juncus swamp to the north of the railway embankment, probably represents the most significant potential impact along the route. I There are valid reasons for locating the pipeline at the northern edge of the existing service I corridor on Kooragang Island and the decision was not made without careful consideration of all the I alternatives.

The conclusion was reached that the pipeline should be laid on the northern side of the embankment as proposed, but that the use of this strip demanded particularly stringent safeguards. These are outlined in Section 3. 9.2. The Company believes that the work can be conducted in this sensitive location without a permanent impact and has indicated its willingness to collaborate with responsible persons knowledgable in this area to ensure that this objective is achieved.

The pipeline will not threaten the proposal to establish a Nature Reserve on Kooragang Island.

xii. Fauna

The clearing and disturbance to the vegetation along the route must unavoidably result in the loss of wildlife until the easement habitats regenerate. Species requiring large trees will be permanently lost from the area above and immediately adjacent to the pipeline.

In a short investigation such as this it has been impossible to attempt to survey or census the species and populations likely to be affected. In the absence of quantitative information it is necessary to resort to experience and opinion. I - 107 - I The best conclusion that can be reached is that I a reduction of available habitat, coupled with the disturbance due to the construction activities, I will lead to the displacement and loss of some individual animals. Little can be done to remedy this situation and it remains as an unavoidable I impact due to the project. The most important area affected will be the mangroves and wetlands I in Section 8 on Kooragang Island.

xiii.Aboriginal Relics

I The pipeline will not interfere with any known aboriginal archeological sites. However, the National Parks & Wildlife Service will be requested I to carry out a detailed study along the proposed route. Modifications to the route may be made if I any presently unknown valuable archeological sites are discovered.

xiv. Economic Advantage

The introduction of natural gas will be a major advantage to Industry and Residents in the Lower I Hunter Valley. I 4.2 ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF THE PIPELINE ON ALTERNATIVE I ROUTES

I Four routes, with variations along them, were considered as alternatives to the favoured route. These are shown in Figure 39. I Each proposal used the same route after crossing onto Kooragang Island and Alternatives 1, 2 and 3 join at Wallsend.

42.1 Alternative I

I I -108-

The total length of this alternative is 29 kilometres of which 15.7 kilometres are through lands used for commercial, resi- I dential or recreational purposes on a high density basis.

The route basically runs east from Barnsley adjoining the abandoned railway easement and then follows it north to I Frederick Street passing through housing development along Frederick Street. It continues north crossing Main Road. It I then turns north-east paralleling powerline easements, crossing Lake Road and again paralleling powerlines to Jubilee Street, passing through residential land, recreational areas and close I to a Public School. The route then parallels Cowper Street through the Wallsend business area and again close to residential I housing. It then turns north, passing to the rear of morehousing development and the Wallsend Cemetery, and then moves eastward I crossing Sandgate Road and the proposed Motorway 23. After joining and paralleling the University boundary, the route passes I underneath the Chichester water pipeline, thence through B.H.P. Golf Links and again enters University land until meeting with the Great Northern Railway Line, which it crosses and then I follows a spur line onto Kooragang Island paralleling the railway line on the northern side. From the junction of the Water Board I pipeline with the railway line this alternative follows the proposed route.

4.2.2 Alternative 2

The route follows Wallsend Road north until it meets the Lake I Macquarie Waratah No. 2 132 kv electricity line. It then runs parallel to this powerline in a north-east direction 8 kilometres until Charlotte Street Wallsend is reached, then moves east along I Charlotte Street and eventually joins Alternative 1 at the intersection of John and Cowper Streets. The total length of l Alternative 2 is 26 kilometres.

I Again, the advantage of this route is its long straight runs with its associated quick, simple and cheap construction I techniques, also the utilisation for a large percentage of this route of the existing easements available. I I - 109 -

I The serious disadvantage of this alternative is the disruption to the future mining potential of the land that the route passes I through west of Walisend.

As in Alternative 1, this route is also undesirable due to the necessity to locate a high pressure gas transmission line through I public streets and developed or developing areas where it would be subject to a high level of third party interference.

4.2.3 Alternative 3

This route has an overall length of 26 kilometres which is one of the shortest alternatives considered. Initially the route I heads north along Walisend Road then east through Barnsley and north-east towards Young Wailsend passing into Main Road and I heading east towards the Crossroads. One variation is to continue along Main Road until Alternative 1 is met at Frederick Street. The main Alternative 3 route branches northwards from Main Road until joining with the electricity easement discussed in Alternative 2. I

The route borders the easement for a short distance and then I again heads east until an old railway easement is intersected. It then follows the railway easement until it meets Alternative I 1 just north of Wailsend Park.

I Advantages of the route are its relative shortness and its use of easements that are already in existence, thus minimising the impact on natural bush. I

Again, the serious disadvantages of the Alternative 3 route is I the disruption to the future mining potential of land west of Wailsend. As in Alternatives 1 and 2, this route is also I undesirable due to the necessity to locate the high pressure gas transmission line through public streets and developed or I developing areas where it would be subject to a high level of third party interference.

4.2.4 Alternative 4 I This alternative has an overall length of 29 kilometres of which 10 kilometres is through wetlands.

The Alternative 4 route initially heads north, then east through I Barnsley until Cockle Creek is reached. The route follows Cockle Creek until just east of Young Wallsend. It then heads I north across Main Road and along an abandoned colliery railway easement in a north-easterly direction until just west of Wallsend. One variation is to join Alternative 1 by following I the electricity easement north of Main Road used by Alternative l. The other variation is to join the proposed route just north I of Wallsend Park. Otherwise the Alternative 4 route continues north through suburban streets of Wallsend and eventually runs I along the western bank of Ironbark Creek, joins the Great Nor- thern Railway and moves south-east along the railway until the I branch line to Kooragang Island is reached. It turns north parallel to this line until finally meeting the proposed route. I Advantageous aspects of this alternative are its use of existing easements to minimise the impact of construction on the natural I bush, and its closer proximity to existing gas reticulating mains.

Of more serious detrimental consequence is the restrictive influence the route has on the future mining potential west of I Wallsend. Another serious disadvantage is the amount of wetland traversed by the route, especially the construction fringing I Ironbark and Cockle Creeks, and crossing Hexham Swamp. Construct- ion in these areas would result in loss of habitat for native fauna, and the aesthetic loss of generally undisturbed natural I environments.

Once again the route would have to traverse areas of existing or potential urban development with the undesirable aspect of I third party interference. I 4.3 JUSTIFICATION OF THE FAVOUPED ROUTE I Table 1 compares the alternative routes with the favoured route I I

I in terms of the existing land uses to be traversed. I I TABLE 1 (Distances in kilornetres) 1 Proposed Land Use Altern.l Altern.2 Altern.3 Altern.4 I Route Industrial 10.4 7.9 7.9 7.9 1.8 Cleared or Grazing 4.0 3.8 3.4 2.8 15.5 I Recreational 0.6 0.4 0.4 0 0 Residential 4.7 3.2 5.5 3.9 0 Natural/Semi- I natural Bush 6.6 7.9 6.8 4.4 7.5 Wetlands 2.4 2.5 2.2 10.1 8.7 I TOTAL 28.7 28.6 26.2 29.1 33.5 I

I The major disadvantages of the four alternative routes are I summarised as follows:- I Alternative 1 The unavoidable impact on the residential and business areas I and the undesirability of a high pressure transmission main in public streets. I Alternatives 2 and 3

I Potential disruption to future shallow underground mining west I of Wallsend. I Alternative 4 Similar to 2 and 3 and also the impact on wetlands along Cockle I Creek and through the Hexharn Swamp. I I -112- I The analyses have shown that the route favoured by the Company I is the best compromise available subject to the constraints described above and the locations of the starting and terminal I points at Killingworth and Kooragang Island.

4.4 CONCLUSION I I The Company believes that this Environmental Impact Statement adequately demonstrates that the natural gas pipeline can be constructed and operated along the route proposed with minimal I impact on the natural environment and with negligible disturbance to people, their activities and properties. It is maintained I that the few disadvantages are more than compensated for by the I benefits of natural gas. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I APPENDICES I I I I I I I I I I I I I I APPENDIX I

'THE SAFETY OF THE PIPELINE'- EXTRACT FROM FINDINGS OF THE COiISSIONER, I MOOMBA - SYDNEY PIPELINE I Before a licence to construct a pipeline is issued under the Pipelines Act, it is necessary to satisfy the Minister for Mines that the proposal meets I the requirements of public safety.

Rigid adherence to the principles of modern gas pipeline technology will I produce a safe pipeline, but one which is nevertheless vulnerable to external interference. External interference from construction work in the vicinity of the pipeline is by far the most common cause of pipeline I failures. The route of the pipeline therefore must be chosen to minimise the possibility of interference of this kind, and the pipeline must be patrolled regularly to detect and stop any activity which might endanger I it. Another cause of pipeline failure is corrosion, but this too can be combatted by insulating and cathodically protecting the pipe, and by monitoring the 1 protection current to detect deterioration of the coating.

Corrosion of the inside of the pipe is not likely, since the gas will be I dehydrated at Moomba to a water vapour relative humidity of 60% at the lowest pipeline operating temperature.

Earth tremors recorded to date in the Gunning area, the centre of the highest I recorded intensity along any of the proposed pipeline routes, have not been of sufficient intensity to suggest concern for the safety of the pipeline.

' The Possibility of Explosion

Natural gas mixed with air can explode under certain conditions. These conditions are dependent upon pressure, temperature, and the ratio of air to natural gas. It is most unlikely that a slow leak could form an explosive mixture in the open air. In case of accident it is possible that the escaping I gas could be fired by sparks, but it would be most unlikely to explode, due to the very limited range of mixtures of gas and air which are explosive. Also, while the gas can burn outside the pipe, the flame cannot burn back I into the pipe itself, since the gas in the pipe contains no oxygen.

The only time that explosive conditions could be present in the pipeline system would be during loading or purging of the pipeline after the system had commenced operation, and then only if proper procedures were not adopted.

The pipeline system will be tested with water, which displaces the air I originally in the pipe. The test water will be displaced after the test by a displacement scraper (pig) which travels ahead of the incoming column of natural gas. Air and natural gas will therefore not be in contact with I each other. d k I Problems can conceivably arise from maintenance during operation, and the pipeline repair procedures must set out safety precautions which will ensure I that an explosive mixture of air and gas cannot occur.

The Possibility of Propagating-Type Failures

The modern steel making methods used in the manufacture of the steel specified for this pipeline produce a steel which is not only stronger, but very much I tougher than conventional steels. This is achieved by very careful control of the constituents of the steel and of the morphology (the grain structure) of the steel, together with the manufacturing procedures used.

I A gas pipeline under pressure holds a considerable amount of stored energy; the larger the pipe, and the higher the pressure, the greater the stored energy. Despite all precautions, there is the possibility that some accident I may rupture the pipe. The requirement for extreme toughness in the steel arises from the necessity to ensure that such a rupture does not propagate I along the pipe under the stress produced by the stored energy. Before the toughness requirements were fully understood, cases did occur of pipeline fractures propagating for considerable distances. However, following research by the Battelle Institute the problem is understood and measures can I be taken to minimise the likelihood of such occurrences.

The "Great Lakes" Gas Pipeline Failures

The two failures in the pipeline of the Great Lakes Gas Transmission Company I commonly referred to as the "Great Lakes Failures" occurred on December 27, 1968, and January 10, 1969, at locations about three miles apart in Michigan, U.S.A.

I The pipe was 36" O/D x 0.375" wall, Grade X65, and was hydrostatically tested after construction to pressures in the approximate range 1350-1450 psig, which corresponds to between 100% and 108% of the specified minimum yield strength I of the steel from which the pipe was manufactured. By comparison the main sections of the Moomba to Sydney pipeline are 34" OlD x 0.327" wall, Grade X65, and will be hydrostatically tested to a pressure not less than 100% SMYS and I not higher than 115% SMYS. The first failure occurred at an estimated pressure of 930 psig and the second at 859 psig. Both failures resulted in fractures propagating longitu- I dinally along the pipe in the shear mode. In the first case the total fracture length was 853 feet and in the second case the total length was 380 feet.

I Examination after the failures showed that each of the fractures originated at a point where, subsequent to the hydrostatic test, the pipe had received severe mechanical damage in the form of gouging, abrasion and galling on the I outside. The surface damage in the form of hardening and embrittlement of the material, and the resultant cracking, was more serious than the reduction in wall thickness due to the gouging.

I Metallurgical examination and physical testing showed that the pipe had not deteriorated, and its properties had not changed since manufacture.

I I I The all-heat average for the 2/3 size transverse Charpy impact tests at 320F, taken during manufacture, was 15.2 ft lb. Samples taken from fractured pipes I after the failures gave values ranging from 12 to 20 ft lb. The first fracture arrested in pipes in which the Charpy values were 14 ft lb. (east end) and 20 ft lb. (west end). The second failure arrested at the east I end in a pipe having the value of 15 ft. 1b, but the west end of this pipe was damaged by fire and no value was obtained. I By present standards, based on the work of the Battelle Institute on fracture propagation, these fracture toughness values are very low, and present practice would call for values approximately double these. The greater these values the greater the likeJihood that a failure will not propagate beyond the I damaged length.

The pipe specification for the Moomba to Sydney pipeline requires that the I all-heat average for full-size Charpy tests at 320F will be not less than 50 ft lb. I The Affects of a Rupture of the Pipeline

If the pipeline should fail from external damage the escaping gas may catch I fire. The length of time this fire would continue is dependent upon the size of the rupture, the pressure in the line at the time of the rupture and the distance between mainline valves on either side of the rupture. I These valves will automatically close in the case of rupture and close off any additional gas from entering the damaged section of the pipeline system I Data presented to the Inquiry by E.A.P.C. suggests that the time of burning would be relatively short, as evidenced by the following estimates of the . time to depressure a twenty mile section of 34 inch pipeline through holes I various sizes. Hole Size Time 1211 x 41" 15 minutes I 12" x 14" 45 minutes 12" x 5" 2 hours I 12" x 21,,2" 4 hours

In considering the likelihood of ignition of gas escaping from a ruptured pipe, it is important to recognise that natural gas, being lighter than air, disperses rapidly. There must also be a source of ignition nearby. I I I I I I - iv - I APPENDIX II I BOTANICAL SPECIES LIST

I SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME PTE RI DOPHYTA ADIANTACEAE I Adiantum aethiopicum L. Common Maidenhair Fern LI NDSAEACEAE Ii Pteridium esculentum (Forst.f.)Cockayne Bracken Fern

GYMNOSPERMAE PODOCARPACEAE Podocarpus elatus R.Br.ex Endi. Plum Pine ZAMIACEAE U Macrozamia sp. Burrawang

ANGIOSPERMAE APOCYNACEAE Parsonsia straminea (R.Br.) F.Muell I ASTE RACEAE Chrysanthemoides monilifera (L.)T.Norl* Bitou Bush/Boneseed Cotula coronopifolia L. Waterbuttons Helichrysum apiculatum (Labill.)D.C. Yellow Buttons I H. diosmifolium Sweet Tick Bush . Onopordum acanthium Common Thistle Senecio lautus Forst.ex Wilid. Fireweed I Taraxacum officinale Weber * Dandelion BIGNONIACEAE Pandorea pandorana (Andr.) Steen Wonga Wonga Vine I CACTACEAE Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. * Prickly Pear I CAMPANULACEA.E Wahienbergia gracilis (Forst. et f.) Native Bluebell CASUARINACEAE I Casuarina glauca Sieb.ex Spreng Swamp Oak C. torulosa Alt. Forest Oak CHENOPODIACEAE I Rhagodia sp Salicornia guinqueflora Bunge.ex Urgen- Samphire/Glasswort Sternberg CONVOLVULACEAE I Ipomea sp. Polymeria calyrcina R.Br. Australian Bindweed CUNONIACEAE I Callicoma serratifolia Andr. Black Wattle CYPERACEAE - I Gahnia sp. DILLENIACEAE Hibbertia pedunculata R.Br. Stalked Guinea Flower I r

APPENDIX TI (cont'd)

SCIENTIFIC NAME CO1ON NAME

Hibbertia scandens Gilg. Climbing Guinea Flower I EIJPHORBIACEAE Breynia oblongifolia J. Muell. Coffee Bush Glochidion ferdinandi Forst. et f. Cheese Tree I FABACEAE Glycine clandestina Wendi. Glycine Pea Hardenhergia_violacea (Schneev.) Stearn False Sarsparilla I Kennedia rubicunda Vent. Running Postman Mirhelia rubiifolia (Andre.) G. Don Heathiand Mirbelia Oxylobium ilicifoliurn (Andre) Domin Prickly Oxylobium Pultenea polifolia A. Cunn. Dusky Bush-pea I Trifolium repens L. White Clover Vicia angustifolia L. Narrow-leaved Vetch

I GENTIANACEAE Centaurium crythraea Refn. * Common Centaury GOODENIACEAE I Goodenia sp. G. heterophylla Smith Variable Goodenia I HAEMODORACEAE • Haemodorum planifolium R.Br. Strap-leaf Bloodroot JUNCACEAE Juncus acutus L. * I J. maritimus Lam.. var. Salt Rush aus tra 11 ens rsBuchen JIJNCAGINACEAE I Triglochin procera R.Br. Water Ribbons LAURACEAE * Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Nees Camphor Laurel I LILIACEAE çaesia vittata R.Br. Blue Grass-lily Eustrephus latifolius R.Br. Wombat Berry l Dianella caerulea Sims. Paroo Lily Doryanthes excelsa Corr. Gymea Lily Thysanotus tuberosus R.Br. Common Fringe-lily I Tricoryne sp. LOBELIACEAE Lobelia gibbosa Labill. Tall Lobelia I Pratia purpurescens (R.Br.)E.Wimm. White-root LORANTHACEAE Amyema pendulum (Sieb.exSpreng.)Teigh Drooping Mistletoe Lysaniana exoca (Behr.exSchlecht.) Mistletoe on Casuarina I - Teigh subsp.tenuis (Biakely) Barlow MIMOSACEAE I Acacia filicifolia Cheel. et Welch Fern-leaf Wattle A. longifolia (Andre.) Willd, Coast Wattle A. myrtifolia Willd Myrtle Wattle I A. ulicifolia (Salisb.) Court Prickly Moses

I r I APPENDIX ll(cont'd)

I SCIENTIFIC NAME CO1ION NAME MO RACEAE Pious coronata Spin Sandpaper Fig Ficus henneana Miq. Deciduous Fig I F. ruhioinosa Desf.ex Vent Port Jackson Fig MYRSINACEAE I Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco River Mangrove

MYRTACEAE I Acmena smithil (Pior.)Merrill et Lillypilly Perry Angophora costata (Gaertn.) Druce Rusty Gum A. floribunda (Sm.) Sweet. Rough-barked Apple I Baeckia ramosissima A. Cunningham Rosy Heath—myrtle Callistemon linearis de Candolle Narrow-leaf Bottle-brush C. salignus (Sm) D.C. Willow Bottle-brush I Eucalyptus acmenioides Schau. White Mahogany E. agglomerata Maiden Blue-leaved Stringybark E. capitellata Sm. Brown Stringybark F E. crebra F.Meull. Narrow-leaved Ironbark E. globoidea Blakely White Stringybark E. gummifera (Gaertn.)Hachr. Red Bloodwood E. maculata Hook . Spotted Gum F E. oblonga D.C. Narrow-leaved Stringybark E. paniculata Sm. Grey Ironbark E. punctata D.C. Grey Gum I -resinifera Sm. Red Mahogany rohusta Sm Swamp Mahogany E. siderophloia Benth. Northern Grey Ironbark I tereticornis Sm. Forest Red Gum umbra ssp. carnea (R.T.Baker) Bastard Mahogany L. Johnson Leptospermum attenuatum Sm. Paper-bark Tea-tree I L. flavescens Smith. Tantoon Tea-tree L. scoparium Forst.et f. Broom Tea-tree sp. I Melaleuca linariifolia Smith Snow-in-Summer nodosa Smith Ball Honey-Myrtle M. quinguenervia (Cav.)S.T.Blake Broad-leaved Paper-hark I M. sieberi Schauer Sieber's Paper-bark M. stypheloides Sm. Prickly-leaved Paper-bark H. thymifolia Smith Feather Honey-myrtle I Syncarpia glomulifera (Sm.) NiedenzuTurpentine ONAG RACEAE I Oenothera st. Evening Primrose ORCHI DACEAE Calochilus sp. 11 Microtis iarviflora R.Br. Slender Onion-Orchid PALMAE I Livistonia australis (R.Br.)Mart. Cabbage Tree Palm Pill LYDRACEAE I Philydrumlanuginosum Gaertn. Frogmouth APPENDIX II (cont'd)

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

PITTOSPORACEAE Bursaria spinosa Cay. Blackthorn

PLANTAGINACEAE Plantago sp. P. lanceolata L.* Ribwort

POACEAE Briza maxima L.* Quaking Grass B. minor L.* Shivery Grass Cynodori dactylon (L.) Pers. Couch Eragrostris Love Grass Imperata var. major (Nees) Blady Grass C.E. Flubbard Lolium rigidum Gaud. Wimmera Ryegrass Paspalum dilatatum Poir Paspalum P. paspaloides (Michx.) Scribn. Water Couch P. vaginatum Swartz. Salt-water Couch Pennisetum ciw-idestinum Hoscht.ex Chiov. Kikuyu Grass Phragmitesustralis (Cav.)trin.et.Steud. Common Reed Sporohoiusvirginicus (L.) Kunth. Salt Couch/Sand Couch Themeda australis (R.Br.) Stapf. Kangaroo Grass

POLYGONACEAE Cerm. Polygonum decipiens R.Br. Slender Knotweed P. monspeliensis (L.) Des. * Grass Weed

PONTEDERIACEAE Eichhornia crassipes (Hart.) Solns.* Water Hyacinth

PORTULACACEAE Portulaca oleracea (L.) * Pig Weed

PRIMULACEAE Anagallis arvensis L. * Pimpernel Samolus repens Persoon. Creeping Brookweed

PROTEACEAE Grevillea sp. Hakea gibbosa Cavanilles Peeling Hakea Lomatia silaifolia (Sm.) R.Br. Crinkle Bush Persoonia levis Persoon. Broad-leaved Geebung P. linearis Andr. Narrow-leaved Geebung

RANIJNCULACEAE Clematis aristita R.Br. ex D.C. Traveller's Joy Ranunculus inundatus R.Br. cx D.C. Water Buttercups R. sceleratus L. * Poison Buttercup

ROSACEAE Rubus vulgaris Weihe et Nees* Blackberry APPENDIX II (cont'd)

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NNVIE

RUTACEAE Boronia polygalifolia Smith Waxy Boronia

SANTA LACEAE Exocarpus cupressiformis Labill. Native Cherry

SAP INDACEAE Dodonaea triguetra Wendi. Hopbush Guoia semiglauca (F.MuelljRadlkf

SOLONACEAE Solanum mauritianum Scop. * Wild Tobacco Tree S. nigrum L. * Blackberry-Nightshade

STYLIDACEAE Stylidium graminifolium Swartz. Grass Trigger-plant

TYPHACEAE Typha orientalis Pers. Builrush/Cumbungi

UMBELLIFERAE Hydrocotyle bonariensis Lam.* Pennywort

VE RBENACEAE Avicennia marina (forsk.)Bierh.var. Grey Mangrove australasica (Walp.) Moldenke Lantana camara L. * Lantana Verbena bonariensis L. * Purple Top

VI OLACEAE Hybanthus sp. Viola hederacea Labill. Ivy-leaf Violet

XANTHO RPJ-IOEACEA Lomandra longifolia Labill. Spiky Mat-rush L. obligua Macbride Twisted Mat-rush L. multiflora Britten Many-flowered Mat-rush Xanthorrhoea sp. Grass Tree

KEY: * = introduced species

NOMENCLATURE ACCORDING TO: Beadle, N.C.W., O.D. Evans F R.C. Carolin (1963). Flora of the Sydney Region. A.H. & A.W. Reed, Sydney. Galbraith, Jean (1977). Wildflowers of South-east Australia. Collins, Sydney - London.

ADDITIONAL SPECIES: MY RTACEAE Callistemon pinifolius D.C. Pine-leaved Callistemon PROTEACEAE Banksia collina R.Br. Hill Banksia APPENDIX III i

AVIFAUNA SPECIES OCCURRING OR EXPECTED TO OCCUR ALONG THE PROPOSED NATURAL GAS PIPELINE ROUTE

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME HABITAT TYPES Forested Pasture Fresh Estuar- Mangrove Areas Land Wet- me Areas lands Wetland

Pelecanus conspiciliatus Australian Pelican E E E Aiihinga melanogaster Darter E E E Phalacrocorax carbo Black Cormorant E X X P. varius Pied Cormorant X X P. sulcirostris Little Black E E H Cormorant P. melanoleucos Little Pied E X X Cormorant Tachybaptus novaeholl- Little Grebe E E E andiae Ardea pacifica White-necked Heron X E E A. novaehollandiae White-faced Heron X X E Butorides striatus Mangrove Heron E Ardeola ibis Cattle Egret E E Egretta alba Large Egret X X E E. garzetta Little Egret E X X E. intermedia Plumed Egret E E Nycticorax caledonicus Nankeen Night Heron E E E Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern E Xenorhynchus asiaticus Jabiru X Threskiornis molucca White This E X X T. spinicollis Straw-Necked This E X X Platalea regia Royal Spoonbill X X P. flavipes Yellow-billed Spoon- E E bill Cygnus atratus Black Swan E X Anas superciliosa Black Duck X X A. gibberifrons Grey Teal E X A. castanea Chestnut Teal E X X Chenonetta lubata Wood DuclC E I

APPENDIX III- i (cont'd) I SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME HABITAT TYPES Forested Pasture Fresh Estuar- Mangrove I Areas Land Wet- me Areas lands Wetland I Elanus notatus Black-shouldered E E E X Kite Haliasturphenurus Whistling Kite X X X Hieraaetus morphnoides Little Eagle E Aquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle E B E I Haliacetus leucogaster White-breasted E X Sea-Eagle I Circus aeruginosus Swamp Harrier E X Falco peregrinus Nankeen Kestrel X F. berigora Brown Falcon E E Gallinula tenebrosa Dusky Moorhen X X X Porphyrio porphyrio Swamphen X X X I Fulica atra Coot E E \Taneh1s miles Masked Plover I Numenius madagascarien- Eastern Curlew X sis N. phaeopus Asiatic Whimbrel E Himantopus himantopus Pied Stilt E X Larus novaehollandiae Silver Gull E X E I Chlidonias hybrida Whiskered Tern B E Hydroprogne caspia Caspian Tern E X I Geopelia striata Peaceful Dove X E Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon E E Glossopsitta pusilla Little Lorikeet E Calyptorhynchus funereus Yellow-tailed E Black Cockatoo I Callocephalon fimbriatum Gang-Gang Cockatoo E posmictus scapularis King Parrot E I Platycercus elegans Crimson Rosella E P. eximius Eastern Rosella X X X I Cuculus variolosus Brush Cuckoo X C.. pyrhophanus Fan-tailed Cuckoo X I Eudynamys scolopacea Indian Koël X I I -xi -

APPENDIX III - I (cont'd) I SCIENTIFIC NAME COMNON NAME HABITAT TYPES Forested Pasture Fresh Estuar- Mangrove Areas Land Wet- me Areas lands Wetland

Schythrops novaehollandiae Channel-billed B I Cuckoo Ninox connivens Barking Owl X I N. novaeseelandiae Boobook Owl E Tyto alba Barn Owl B I Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth X Hirundapus caudacutus Spine-tailed Swift E B B 1 Ceyx azureus Azure Kingfisher E Dacelo novaeguineae Kookaburra X X Halcyon sancta Sacred Kingfisher X X E X Eurystomus orientalis Dollar Bird E E Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow X X X X I Cecropis nigricans Tree-martin E C. ariel Fairy Martin X X X Anthus novaeseelandiae Australian1lichard's X X X Pipit Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo X X I Shrike Pomatostomus temporalis Grey-crowned E I Babbler Cisticola exilis Golden-headed X X Cisticola I Acrocephalus stentoreus Clamorous Reed- B X Warbler Malurus cyaneus Superb Blue Wren X E X I N. lamberti Variegated Wren E B E Gerygone olivacea Mangrove Warbler B I Acanthiza lineata Striated Thornbill E A. nana Yellow Thornbill X A. pusilla Brown Thornbill E E A. chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill I Sericornis frontalis White-browed Scrub- B wren I Eplithianuraalbjfrons White-fronted Chat X X I I

I APPENDIX III- I (cont'd) I SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME HABITAT TYPES Forested Pasture Fresh Estuar- Mangrove I Areas Land Wet- me Areas lands Wetland

Eopsaltria australis Eastern Yellow X I Robin Phipidura fuliginosa Grey Fantail E X I R. leucophrys Willie Wagtail FA X Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher E I M. rubecula Leaden Flycatcher E Monarchamelanopsis Black-faced Fly- E catcher I Pachycephalapectoralis Golden Whistler E P.rufiventris Rufous Whistler E I Colluricinclaharmonica Grey Shrike-thrush X Falcunoulusfrontatus Crested Shrike-tit E I Psophodesolivaceus Eastern Whipbird X Climacterisleucophaea White-throated Tree- E creeper I Dicaeumhirundinaceum Mistletoe Bird X Pardalotuspunctatus Spotted Pardalote X I P.striatus Striated Pardalote E Zosteropslateralis Silvereye B X X I Lichmeraindistincta Brown Honeyeater X Myzomelasanguinolenta Scarlet Honeyeater X I Meliphagalewinii Lewin Honeyeater E Lichenostomuschrysops Yellow-faced Honey- X E eater I L.melanops Yellow-tufted Honey- E eater Meiithreptuslunatus White-naped Honey- E I eater Philemoncorniculatus Noisy Friar-bird X I Phylidonyrisnigra White-cheeked Honey- B eater Acanthorhynchustenui- Eastern Spinebill B I rostris - Manorinamelanophrys Bell Miner X I M.nielanocephala Noisy Miner X I I

I APPENDIXIII - i (cont t d) I SCIENTIFIC NANE CO'1ON NANE HABITAT TYPES Forested Pasture Fresh Estuar- Mangrove I Areas Land Wet- me Areas lands Wetland

I Emblema temporalis Red-browed Finch E Passer domesticus House Sparrow I Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch X X Sturnis vulgaris Common Starling E X X I Oriolus sagittatus Olive-backed Oriole E Grallina cyanoleuca Australian Magpie E X X Lark I Corcorax melanorhamphus White-winged Chough X Strepera graculina Pied Currawong X X I Cracticus nigrogularis Pied Butcher-bird E E Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie X X X. I Corvus coronoides Australian Raven X X X

I KEY: X = recorded during the study I E = expected to occur*

I NOMENCLATURE ACCORDING TO: Interim List of Australian Songbirds-Passerines (1975). Royal Australian Ornithologists Union. I Condon, H.T. (1975). A check-list of the Birds of Australia - Part I, I non-passerines. Royal Australian Orni thologists Union I I I I I I

I APPENDIX III- ii I FAUNA SPECIES OCCURRING OR EXPECTED TO OCCUR ALONG THE PROPOSED NATURAL GAS PIPELINE I ROUTE

HABITAT TYPES SCIENTIFIC NAME I COMMON NAME Forested Pasture- Fresh Estuarine Areas land Wet- Wetlands lands

I MAMMALS Macropus giganteus Eastern Grey Kangaroo E M. rufogriseus Red-necked Wallaby X X I Wallabia bicolor Swamp Wallaby X Trichosurus vulpecula Brush Possum E Pseudocheirus peregrinus Common Ringtail E Petaurus breviceps Sugar Glider E I P. norfolcencis Squirrel Glider E Acrobatespygmaeus Pygmy Glider E Isoodon obesulus Short-nosed Bandicoot E I Perameles nasuta Long-nosed Bandicoot E Antechinus flavipes Yellow-footed Antech- inus E I A. stuartii Brown Antechinus Rattus fuscipes Southern Bush-rat E E B R. lutreolus Eastern Swamp-rat E E E I Tachyglossus aculeatus Echidna E EXOTIC SPECIES Equus cabollus Horse X X X X I Bos taurus Domestic Cow X X X Vulpes vulpes Red Fox X E E X Felis catus Feral Cat X I Sus scrofa Feral Pig E X Oryctolageus cuniculus Rabbit X X Rattus rattus Black Rat E E E E I Mus musculus House Mouse E B B B REPTILES Amphibolurus barbatus Bearded Dragon E X I A. muricatus Jacky Lizard E Physignathus lesuerii Eastern Water Dragon E E E Ctenotus robustus E I C. treniolatus Copper-tailed Skink E Egernia whitii White's Skink E X Pseudechis porphyriacus Red-bellied Black X X E B Snake I Pseudonaja textilis Eastern Brown Snake E E Hemiaspis signata Black-bellied Swamp Snake E E E I Chelodina longicollis Long-necked Tortoise X X I I I - xv

I APPENDIX III - ii I HABITAT TYPES SCIENTIFIC NAMP COMMON NAME Forested Pasture- Fresh Estuarine I Areas land Wet- Wetlands lands

I AMPHIBIANS Litoria aurea Green E Golden Bell Frog X I L. fallax Dwarf Tree Frog X I

I KEY: X = recorded along the route I E = expected to occur I NOMENCLATURE ACCORDING TO:

I Barker, John and Gordon Grigg. (1973). A field guide to Australian frogs. Rigby Ltd., Aust.

I Cogger, H.G. (1975). Reptiles E Amphibians of Australia. A.H. F A.W. Reed, Sydney. I Frith, H.J. (1973). Wildlife Conservation. Angus F, Robertson, Sydney. Ryde, W.D.L. (1970). A guide to the native mammals of Australia. I Oxford University, Press, Melb. I I I U I I THE 4USiR.LIi.N ES LHT COMPANY E!g 177 N8tur1 - K1I1jnirth vI I to Koorono IsInd