EIS 832
ABOI 9543
An environmental impact statement for proposed quarrying of
clay/shale at Bunnygalore near Bowral, New South Wales I L/O/3 I SW DEPT PRIMATY IRDUSTRIES AB019543 H
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I AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT I FOR I PROPOSED QUARRYING OF CLAY/SHALE AT BUNNYGALORE I NEAR BOWRAL, NEW SOUTH WALES I I Prepared by I I R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ElS 832 BOWRAL BRICKWORKS PTY LIMITED
AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
FOR
PROPOSED QUARRYING OF CLAY/SHALE AT BUNNYGALORE NEAR BOWRAL, NEW SOUTH WALES
Prepared by: On behalf of:
R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited Bowral Brickworks Pty Limited Geological & Environmental Consultants Kiama Street P.O. Box 80 BOWRAL N.S.W. 2576 ORANGE N.S.W. 2800
Telephone: (063) 62 5411 Telephone: (048) 61 1333 Facsimile: (063) 61 3622 Facsimile: (048) 61 4156
January 1990 Report No. 141/1 I I 44J:1'
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT ACT, 1979 I SECTION 77 (3) (d) I ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
This Statement has been prepared on behalf of Bowral Brickworks Pty Limited being I the applicant making the development application referred to below.
I The Statement accompanies the development application made to Wingecaribee Shire Council in respect of the development described as follows: I Quarrying of clay/shale at Bunnygalore I The development application relates to the land described as follows: Parish Belanglo County Camden Lot 2, D.P. 630269
L The contents of this Statement, as required by Clause 34 of the Environmental I Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1980, are set forth in the accompanying pages.
Name, qualifications and address G.J. Summerhayes, B.Sc.,M.Env.Sc. I of person who prepared the P.O. Box 80 I Environmental Impact Statement: ORANGE NSW 2800
Certificate I,Gregory Joseph Suinmerhayes, of P.O. Box 80, Orange, N.S.W., hereby certify that I have prepared the contents of this Statement in accordance with Clauses 34 and 35 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1980.
Signature
I Date I I
RW. CORKERY & CO. FTY LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
SUMMARY 1
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 SCOPE 4
1.2 FORMAT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 4 1.3 BACKGROUND OF PROPOSAL
1.4 THE PROPONENT AND THE MARKET 5
1.5 SHALE - ITS PROPERTIES AND USES 6
1.6 MANAGEMENT OF THE INVESTIGATIONS 6
SECTION 2: DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
2.1 OUTLINE OF PROPOSAL 8
2.2 LAND DESCRIPTION 8
2.3 THE SHALE RESOURCE 8
2.3.1 Reserves 8 2.3.2 Quality a
2.4 QUARRYING OPERATIONS 9
2.4.1 Quarring Sequence 9
2.4.2 Quarrying Equipment and Blasting 11
2.4.3 Progressive Rehabilitation and Erosion Sedimentation Controls 11
2.5 QUARRYING RATE AND WORKING HOURS 12
2.6 QUARRY LIFE 12
2.7 SERVICES 12
2.8 TRANSPORTATION 12
2.8.1 Haulage Frequency 12
2.8.2 Haulage Route 13
2.9 EMPLOYMENT 13
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SECTION 3: DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
3.1 TOPOGRAPHY 14
3.2 DRAINAGE 14
3.3 GEOLOGY 15
3.3.1 Regional Setting 15
3.3.2 Project Area Geology 15 3.4 SOILS 17
3.4.1 Soil Description 17
3.4.2 Erosion Potential 17
3.4.3 Value for Rehabilitation 17
3.5 METEOROLOGY 18
3.5.1 Source of Data 18
3.5.2 Temperature 18
3.5.3 Rainfall 18
3.5.4 Temperature Inversions 19
3.5.5 Wind 20
3.6 WATER RESOURCES 20
3.6.1 Surface Water 20
3.6.2 Groundwater 21
3.7 BACKGROUND NOISE LEVELS 21
3.8 FLORA AND FAUNA 23
3.8,1 Introduction 23
3,8.2 Flora 24
3.8.3 Fauna 25
3.9 LAND USE AND LAND OWNERSHIP 29
3.9.1 Land Zoning 29
3.9.2 Land Use 29
3.9.3 Land Ownership 30
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3.10 EVIDENCE OF ABORIGINAL CULTURE 30
3.11 SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS 30
3.11.1 Introduction 30
3.11.2 Population 30
3.11.3 Employment and Services 32
3.11.4 Housing 33
3.12 TRANSPORTATION NEThVORK 33
3.13 VISUAL ASPECTS 34
3.14 SERVICES 34
SECTION 4: OPERATIONAL SAFEGUARDS
4.1 INTRODUCTION 35
4.2 AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS 35
4.3 NOISE LEVEL CONTROLS 36
4.3.1 Equipment Operation 36
4.3.2 Blasting 36
4.4 EROSION/SEDIMENTATION CONTROLS 36
4.4.1 Progressive Rehabilitation 36
4.4.2 Revegetation 37
4.4.3 Drainage/Sedimentation Structures 38
4.4.4 Final Landform 39
4.4.5 Existing Quarry 39
4.5 VISUAL CONTROLS 40
4.6 SAFETY AND BUSH FIRE CONTROL 40
4.7 TRANSPORTATION 40
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SECTION 5: THE PROJECT'S IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT 5.1 TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE 41 5.2 WATER RESOURCES 41 5.3 SOILS 42 5.4 AIR QUALITY 42 5.5 NOISE IMPACTS 43 5.5.1 Introduction 43 5.5.2 Criteria for Noise Assessment 43 5.5.3 Predicted Noise Levels 44 5.5.4 Effects of Meteorology on Noise Levels 45 5.6 IMPACTS OF BLASTING 46 5.6.1 Introduction 46 5.6.2 Assessment Criteria 46 5.6.3 Predicted Blast Levels 47 5.7 ECOLOGICAL STATUS 48 5.8 ARCHAEOLOGY AND PREEUROPEAN HISTORY 48 5.9 SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS AND SERVICES 49 5.10 VISUAL IMPACT 49 5.11 TRANSPORTATION 49
SECTION 6: EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT 6.1 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION 51 6.1.1 Environmental Considerations 51 6.1.2 Economic Considerations 51 6.1.3 Social Considerations 52 6.2 CONSEQUENCES OF NOT PROCEEDING WITH THE PROJECT 52
R.W. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMiTED I V. I Page I SECTION 7: ENERGY STATEMENT 7.1 BACKGROUND 53 7.2 OPERATIONAL ENERGY REQUIREMENTS 53 7.2.1 Quarrying 53 7.2.2 Transportation 53
7.3 JUSTIFICATION FOR FUEL USAGE 54 I REFERENCES 55 I TABLES I Table 2.1 Quarrying Equipment 11 Table 3.1 Generalised Stratigraphic Column for Sydney Basin 15 Table 3.2 Interpretative Stratigraphic Column for Illawarra Coal Measures 16 I Table 3.3 Mean Daily Temperatures - Moss Vale Post Office 18 Table 3.4 Mean Monthly Rainfall - Moss Vale Post Office 19 I Table 3.5 Fog Frequencies - Moss Vale Post Office 19 Table 3.6 Frost Frequencies - Moss Vale Post Office 20 Table 3.7 Background Sound Level Measurements in the Vicinity of the I Project Area 22 Table 3.8 Mammals Expected to Occur in or near the Sites to be Disturbed During Quarrying 26 I Table 3.9 Ust of Birds Recorded during Fieldwork at the Proposed Quarry Site 27 Table 3.10 Reptiles Recorded during Fieldwork and Additional Species I which may Occur in the Study Area 28 Table 3.11 Frog Species which may Occur in the Study Area 29 Table 3.12 Population and Housing - Bowral and Moss Vale Districts 31 1 Table 3.13 Age by Population - Bowral and Moss Vale Districts 31 Table 3.14 Employment - Bowral and Moss Vale Districts 32 I Table 4.1 Operational Safeguards 35 Table 5.1 Predicted Noise Levels - Quarrying Operations 45 I Table 5.2 Recommended Criteria for Blasting 47 Table 5.3 Predicted Airblast Overpressure and Ground Vibration 48 I fl RW. CORKERY & CO. FlY LIMITED vi.
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FIGURES
Figure 1.1 Locality Plan 5 Figure 1.2 Local Setting 5 Figure 2.1 Site Layout 9 Figure 2.2 Proposed Extraction Sequence 9 Figure 3.1 Topography and Drainage 15 Figure 3.2 Site Geology 15 Figure 3.3 Wind Speed and Direction 21 Figure 3.4 Flora, Fauna and Archaeology 25 Figure 3.5 Land Ownership 31 Figure 4.1 Sedimentation/Erosion Control Plan 38 Figure 4.2 Design Details for Sedimentation/Erosion Control Structures 38 Figure 4.3 Final Rehabilitated Landform 40
PLATES
Plate 1 Bowral Brickworks Pty Limited market high quality bricks with a range of colours and textures. 7 Plate 2 Split drill-core from the shale deposit was "firedTM for assessment. The material produces an attractive off-white brick. 7 Plate 3 View from the northern limit of Stage I to the southeast across the extraction area. 15 Plate 4 View northeast along the route of the haul road separating the Stage I and Stage II extraction areas. 15
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I I I H SUMMARY I I I I
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THE PROPONENT Bowral Brickworks Pty Limited has been based at Bowral, New South Wales, since U 1922. The Company is owned by Nevco Nominees, a consortium from West Australia. At its Bowral plant, the Company produces high quality and distinctive dry pressed I and extruded bricks and paYers. The Company is a large employer in the Bowral-Berrima-Moss Vale area currently employing around 75 people in its operations with an additional 8 subcontracted truck I drivers. The Company currently extracts shale from its existing quarry at Bowral and at various other Company owned quarries including its Rockleigh quarry near Belanglo State Forest. The materials from these quarry sources have different ceramic properties and are used to produce bricks of distinctive colours and textures.
THE PROPOSAL increasing overburden thickness and topographical constraints have limited the expected life of the Company's existing Rockleigh quarry. The Company undertook a I programme of geological exploration and assessment of ceramic properties in an attempt to locate a similar deposit of material for their ongoing use. Shale from a site 2 km northeast of the Rockleigh quarry has proven to be of similar quality. The Company proposes extraction of this shale, to be referred to as the Bunnygalore quarry, as a replacement to raw materials currently extracted from the Rockleigh I quarry. The Company has purchased 40 ha of land covering the proposed quarry site and its immediate surrounds. The proposed quarry site is approximately 20 km west of I Economic reserves have been identified within a two stage quarrying area comprising ' 9.5 ha. Based on the Company's anticipated material demand of 2 000 toirnes per month, the Buimygalore quarry proposal has approximately 20 years of reserves. Quarrying of the shale would be undertaken in campaigns commencing in the I southwestern corner of the Stage I area and develop to the northeast with progressive extraction, overburden backfilling and rehabilitation. Extraction from Stage II area would follow in a similar quarry development. Quarry development would be undertaken by blasting, in a similar manner to operations at the existing quarry, to loosen overburden and shale prior to ripping and I excavating by bulldozer and front-end loader. Erosion and sedimentation controls, comprising runoff diversion banks and I sedimentation dams are proposed in accordance with Soil Conservation Service guidelines. I am RW. CORKERY & CO. VFY LIMITED I -2-
Transportation of excavated shale to the plant at Bowrai would be by 20 tonne capacity trucks on contract to the Company. The truck frequency would be the same as that from the existing quarry - 5 truck loads per day average. The proposed haul route would be via an existing forest road (to be upgraded to Rural Road standard), thence along Belanglo Road, north along the Hume Highway and east along Oxleys Hill Road to the plant.
Current working hours for quarrying and transportation (6.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday) will be maintained. As with the Company's existing quarry operations, no services will be required to be connected.
The proposed development will maintain existing employment levels - equivalent to approximately 1.5 to 2 fulitime positions for quarrying and 1 fulltime truck driver.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS AND IMPACTS
The following environmental constraints and impacts of the proposed development have been identified and their implications addressed:
There is one residence 'Bunnyga.lore" in the vicinity of the Project Area located 1.3 km to the north. An assessment of the development and its operational controls indicates that air quality and the noise environment at this residence will not be adversely affected. Visual impacts of the development will be limited to traffic movements on Belanglo Road. Quarrying activities will not be visible from any residence.
The Project Area is situated on a plateau within elevated hilly area designated as Protected Lands (Soil Conservation Act, 1938). The catchment of the Project Area is relatively small (approximately 11 ha) and drainage lines through the site are ephemeral. The controls proposed for site water runoff (by means of graded diversion banks, grassed waterways and sedimentation trap dams) will ensure that the development would not detrimentally affect water quality.
The Project Area is surrounded by Belanglo State Forest. The area itself has had some clearing and stocking and supports immature regrowth of limited ecological significance. The provision of fire trails around the quarry area would minimise the threat of bushfire.
Current access to the Project Area is via a forest trail off Belanglo Road. This would be upgraded to all weather Rural Road standard with appropriate side drainage and culverts. Materials transport along Belanglo Road and thence to the brickworks would be via the currently used route. The Company's maintenance contribution to Belanglo Road would be negotiated with Council in line with those contributions for the existing operation.
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The overall topography of the site would be changed as quarry I development proceeds. The final configuration would contain: rounded slopes of rehabilitated overburden; a quarry void with a 12 m high wall I and containing water forming a wetland feature; sedimentation dams downslope of the overburden areas.
CONCLUSION The project would enable the Company to maintain supply of a shale resource and I markets for a distinctive brick product. The project would maintain local employment and economic stimulus. I The environment in the vicinity of the Project Area would be modified slightly, however, with the designed safeguards proposed, the overall environmental impact of I the development would be small. Quarrying is a temporary land use and progressive rehabilitation to the satisfaction of government regulatory authorities, would ensure reinstatement of native woodland and I forestry land use capability post-mining. I I
I I I I Jul R.W. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION .4-
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 SCOPE This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared by R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited on behalf of Bowral Brickworks Pty Limited (herein referred to as the Company) in support of their Development Application to Wingecaribee Shire Council for approval to extract light-firing shale from an area of land owned by the Company and located 20 km west of Bowral (Figure 1.1). The Company currently extracts shale from an existing operation in the same vicinity as the application area but reserves of economically extractable material are diminishing. Approval for extraction from the application area would ensure continued supply of high quality light-firing shale for the Company's brickworks in Bowral.
1.2 FORMAT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT The EIS is presented in seven sections incorporating, where appropriate, information required under Clause 34 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1980, as amended. No specific requirements have been requested from the Director, Department of Planning or from the Shire Clerk, Wingecaribee Shire Council. Copies of relevant correspondence from these authorities are included in Appendix 1 together with copies of relevant correspondence from the Soil Conservation Service, Forestry Commission and State Pollution Control Commission. An outline of the contents of each section of the EIS is as follows:
Section 1 is an introduction to the EIS with brief background information on the proposed development and the proponent Company. The properties and uses of shale are also described. Details on management of the I investigation for compilation of the EIS conclude this section. Section 2 gives a description of the project including the type of operation proposed, the nature and reserves of the shale resource and other relevant aspects of the quarrying operation. Section 3 describes components of the existing environment in the vicinity of the proposed quarry site. In this section, surface features such as topography, drainage and soils are described together with subsurface features such as site geology and groundwater conditions. Floral, I faunal and archaeological aspects are also covered.
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Section 4 presents the safeguards to be incorporated into the design and operation of the proposed quarrying activity so that impact by the project on the local environment is minimised. Proposed erosion/sedimentation controls and rehabilitation measures are included in this section of the EIS. Section 5 analyses the likely impact of the project on the environment. Specific issues treated in this section comprise noise levels, air and water pollution, potential for soil erosion and visual impacts. Section 6 provides an evaluation of the project in terms of environmental, economic and social considerations. Section 7 is an energy statement outlining anticipated energy usage in quarrying and transportation of the shale. References lists the references used in compilation of the EIS. Appendices contain copies of relevant correspondence from Local and State Government authorities.
1.3 BACKGROUND OF PROPOSAL The Company currently extracts light-firing shale for paver/brickmaking purposes from a quarry within Mining Lease (ML) 39 adjacent to the Belanglo State Forest (Figure 1.2). The existing quarry has been in operation since about 1964. Production records kept by the Company since Januaiy 1983 show that in five years of operation, approximately 113 000 tonnes of material have been extracted from the quarry and transported to Bowral. The average monthly material usage for that period was approximately 1900 tonnes. Increasing overburden thickness and topographical constraints have limited the expected life of the existing quarry to less than five years. Faced with the inevitable search for additional clay/shale reserves of similar nature to the existing resource, the Company purchased an area of land further north of the existing quarry area (Figure 1.2). A programme of exploration for reserves of good quality shale was undertaken on the new property in February and July 1987 by Robertson Research (Australia) Pty Limited. Exploration comprised geological mapping, percussion drilling, core drilling and bulldozer trenches. Results of the programme are presented in full in a report by Robertson Research (Report No. 1377, August 1988). The results of geological exploration are summarised in Section 2 of this Statement.
1.4 THE PROPONENT AND THE MARKET The proponent, Bowral Brickworks Pty Limited, has been based in Bowral, New South Wales, since 1922. The Company is owned by Nevco Nominees, a consortium from Western Australia. At its Bowral plant, the Company produces high quality and distinctive dry pressed and extruded bricks and payers. The percentage of the latter as marketed products is gradually increasing in comparison with bricks. The main
R.W. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED I BOWRAL BRICKWORKS PTY LIMITED I I I I ) (cy CAMDE
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I PROJECT LOCATION
I Bnda I Taralga C ROOK WE LL MITTAGONG Berrimcl BOWRAL DAPTO I / Chatsbury LI M OS I VALE Brayt
I KIN I GOULBURN I I I REFEREN CE VI N I Major Road Minor Road I Watercourse I S C A L E 1:750,000 /0 0 /0 20 30 40rn I Figure 1.1 RW. CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED I GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANES LOCALITY P I.IAT4 PROJECT N9 141 I ------REFERENCE Track I:I.1''I :i UBRICKWORKSi 4 iaLIMITED Major Road U Occupied Residence ~0~04 ( L] Minor Road Project Location TN :1 MN 0 Railway 1100 MITTAGONG State Forest Boundary A.A.DT (Traffic Count)
Built-up Area Proposed Mcter,c,/ Transport I II!IIIII!IfflO rTwiff
ill PROJECT wing8ccl Cis EA BUNNYGALOR2 YY &BOWR AL 2 \--, /-"-I : Brickworks : BerrimaBe r :I\
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BELANGLO S T A T E
FOREST Road n - ° I U RockIeo' MEREDITH • j 'GLENDALE' corner PA RK S I
High SCALE I: 100 000 rl Highway
/ 0 / 2 3 4 5km
RW. CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED Figure 1.2 GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS PROJECT NP 141 LOCAL SETTING sm
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consumers are council, local state government departments and the builders of high- I cost houses. Some market gains have recently been made into medium-cost housing market. Architects often specify Bowral Brick products because of their distinctive colours and textures. I Currently the Company has about 10 per cent of its sales in the Bowral/Moss Vale I area, about 20 per cent each in Wollongong and Canberra and about 50 per cent in the Sydney area. Company turnover is of the order of $500 000 per month with much of this being outside money coming into the district as opposed to proceeds from the re- I sale of Sydney and Canberra bricks leaving the area. The Company is the third largest employer in the Bowral-Berrima-Moss Vale area currently employing around 75 people in its operations with an additional 8 subcontracted truck drivers.
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1.5 SHALE - ITS PROPERTIES AND USES
The Company currently extracts shale from an existing quarry in Kiama Street Bowral at an annual rate of between 40 000 and 50000 tonnes. Other sources of clay/shale used by the Company for brickmaking are Company owned quarries near Belanglo Forest and Paddys River. Ssome clay is periodically acquired from other than the I Company owned quarries (e.g. Windellama).
The materials from each of these quarry sources have different ceramic properties and I are used, alone or blended, to produce facing bricks of specific colours and textures (see Plate 1). i The material from Belanglo Forest is a low plasticity, white-firing shale which is used specifically in the manufacture of dry-pressed bricks. When fired alone, a smooth faced I white to off-white brick is produced (see Plate 2). When mixed with other clays, the material produces an attractive mottled brick in a range of colours. The bricks produced are of a high quality, with clean edges and corners and therefore meet tight I specifications for special architectural demands.
1.6 MANAGEMENT OF THE INVESTIGATIONS
Management of the investigations associated with the preparation of this EIS has been I undertaken by R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited in close liaison with Bowral Brickworks Pty Limited. Report writing has been shared between Gregory J. I Summerhayes, B.Sc., M.Sc., Senior Environmental Geologist and Joseph A. Gough, B.Sc.(Hons), Senior Engineering Geologist, both of R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited.
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Significant components of the EIS have been prepared by specialist consultants engaged by the Company and R.W. Corkeiy & Co. The consultants and their contributions are listed below.
Robertson Research (Australia) Pty Limited (engaged by the Company) - regional and site geology, resource description and reserves estimation. Mr Rex Silcox - archaeological survey. Mr W. Osborne and Ms M.S. Davis - survey of flora and fauna. Richard Heggie Associates Pty Ltd assessment of noise and blast impacts.
In addition to the above, a comprehensive list of authorities consulted by R.W. Corkery & Co., specialist consultants and the Company is as follows:
* Department of Planning, Sydney * Wingecaribee Shire Council, Moss Vale National Parks and Wildlife Service, Queanbeyan Bureau of Meteorology, Sydney Bureau of Statistics, Sydney * Soil Conservation Service, Nowra and Goulburn * State Pollution Control Commission, Wollongong * Forestry Commission of New South Wales, Moss Vale Mr Ian Kennon, owner of "Bunnygalore" property
Copies of correspondence in Appendix 1.
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Plate 1: Bowral Brickworks Pty Limited market high quality bricks with a range of I colours and textures. (Ref: 141e/1) I - I TT11 I I 1rn11IL I I I I
Plate 2: Split drill-core from the shale deposit was fired" for assessment. The LI material produces an attractive off-white brick. (Ref: 141e/2) I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I I I I I
I I I SECTION 2 I DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT I I
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SECTION 2
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
2.1 OUTLINE OF PROPOSAL The Company proposes to extract shale using standard open cut quarrying techniques I from within the Company's 40 ha property located approximately 20 km west of Bowral. A two stage quarrying campaign area comprising a total of 9.5 ha has been identified within the western part of the Company's property for extraction of light- I firing shale. This is the Project Area shown on Figure 1.2. The site layout for the Project Area, shown on Figure 2.1, includes outlines for Stage I and Stage II extraction and a proposed haul road location. I The shale extracted from the Project Area would be loaded on site thence transported by subcontracted trucks a road distance of approximately 28 km to the Company's I brickworks at Bowral (Figure 1.2). The quarry site is to be progressively rehabilitated to a stable, erosion-free landform I and revegetated to native woodland cover. Rehabilitation would comprise shaping and backfffling with sandstone overburden, respreading of previously stripped topsoil and revegetation with a stabilising grass and native shrubs and trees. This is covered in I detail in Section 4.4.
2.2 LAND DESCRIPTION The Project Area comprises the western part '(Stage I and Stage II area) of a parcel of I land owned by the Company and described as follows: Lot 2, D.P. 630269 I Parish of Belanglo County of Camden
I Lot 2 covers an area of 40 ha.
I 2.3 THE SHALE RESOURCE
I2.3.1 Reserves Geological exploration of the site, comprising core drilling, percussion drilling and trenching (test pits), was undertaken by Robertson Research (Australia) Pty Limited I on behalf of the Company (Report reproduced as Appendix 2). A shale unit, similar in appearance and quality to the shale currently being extracted from the Company's existing quarry 2 km to the southwest, was identified as occurring throughout the site I both on the surface and under varying depths of overburden.
I RW. CORXERY & CO. Fry LIMITED I Economic reserves of shale have been calculated using conservative estimates of 2.7 m and 2.5 m for shale thickness in the Stage I and Stage II development areas respectively. Using a maximum shale to overburden ratio of 1 to 4 and and a relative density of 2.5 t/m3, probable shale reserves in Stage I are 200 000 tonnes and in Stage II are 280 000 tonnes (excluding the buffer zones and topsoil storage area).
Based on the Company's anticipated material demand of 2 000 tonnes per month, it is estimated that the Stage I development area contains approximately 8 years of reserves and the Stage II development area approximately 12 years of reserves.
2.3.2 Quality In order to ascertain the quality of the shale resource indicated by exploration, firing tests were conducted under standard conditions in the Company's kiln at Bowral. Samples for firing were prepared from:
percussion drilling cuttings, split drill core, test pit bulk samples. The firing tests have demonstrated the shales within the Project Añ would produce cream to white fired products with very good to excellent cohesion and low shrinkage.
The tests show that the firing qualities of the shale are consistent over the site and that bricks made from the shale in the Project Area would be of similar quality to those being currently produced.
2.4 QUARRYING OPERATIONS
2.4.1 Quarrying Sequence The Company proposes to begin quarrying in the Project Area as the reserves in their existing quarry become depleted and rehabilitation works at that site are finalised.
Two stages of quarry development are proposed (Figure 2.2). The proposed Stage I and Stage H areas are distinguished on the shale to overburden ratio, topography and the necessity of drainage control and a topsoil storage area. In addition, shale extraction would not proceed any closer than 15 m from the Company's property boundary. Quarrying in the Stage I area would commence in the southwest corner and develop to the northeast with progressive extraction campaigns (Figure 2.2).
R.W. CORKERY & CO. vry LIMITED I I BOWRAL BRICKWORKS PTY LIMITED I I I I I I I I 1 I I I Existing Gate
I REFERENCE S C A L E 1:5000 I Property Boundary /00 0 /00 200 300m Existing Contour (Interval = 2m) (Assumed Datum) I Existing Track Limit of Extraction I Fence I Figure 2.1 RW. CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED GEOLOGICAL ANO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS I PROJECT N 141 SITE LAYOUT I BOWRAL BRICKWORKS PTY LIMITED I REFERENCE SCALE I : 2 500 Properly Boundary / 50 0 50 lOOm Limit of Quarry Stage / / - © Extraction Campaign / Topographic Contour (/nterval2m) /
(Assumed Datum) M Location of Section . V ..... IJ
Z 4 z (a 41 § 4 4 a,a £i_ a \.• 0. 4 0 z / E 0 0 z V ... 0 V ... . ...... V 40 1--0 / ...... ELEVATION o o 4 0 V E £0 4 ELEVATION OVERBURDEN .,... Zo LL- LU £0 a: / .....VVV V ...., ...... 'V... (m) 0. H I- BUND WALL V .. Z x >< Em) ." V . H Z Lii Lii Lii (Sedimentation 620 >-> Hw LU 0 620 Dan H a Of 1-- £04 zE Of 0 Lii STAGE II LU a Liiz £0 Q-z £0 Cr C V .. CD LU U £0 ( £00 LJ0 H . V...... C C 610 ° 0 0 LU 610
---. vol" 009 / 600 overburden / 600
V ..... " •' V...... •.. SHALE 9 \. EXTRACTION CAMPAIGNS 590 590
...... 9 V.... PROPOSED .., 40 HA DIRECTION OF EXTRACTION PROGRESS 4/I '3 SECTION AA' - STAG E I...... \ N ---- I ...... " \I © / V .V . 'q SECTION SCALES \'% ---' ' ®' T---r ...... ' ,•,,, XIQ HORIZONTAL 1:1250 spil way VERTICAL :625 A\:e .." VERTICAL EXAGGERATION =2 AA'.
OVERBURDEN J BUND WALL (Sedimentation Dam)
trickle pipe
\ Figure 2.2
PROPOSED TOPSOIL STOCKPILE— EXTRACTION (jRW. CORXERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS PROJECT N° 141 SEQUENCE I The quarrying would develop as follows: . Prior to quarrying, the topsoil from each campaign area would be prestripped and pushed to the side into a topsoil stockpile of maximum I height 2 m. The stockpile batter gradients would be no steeper than 1:3 (vertical:horizontal) and would be sown with a cover crop and grass mix I for stabilisation. . The overburden from the initial campaigns (1 and 2 in Stage I) would I be ripped then pushed and compacted to construct an overburden bund wall downslope of the disturbed area. The bund wall would also act as a sedimentation dam. The overburden consists of weathered to fresh, soft I to moderately hard sandstone with interbedded thin shale lenses. The sedimentation dams would be constructed to a height of 3 m and 2.5 m respectively and wall base width of 12 m. A 1 m freeboard would be I maintained for these sedimentation dams.
. The quarry face would advance upsiope in campaigns with overburden I blasted, ripped and pushed downslope into each previously quarried area. Excavation of shale from the current campaign area would form a I void for replacement with overburden from a subsequent campaign (Figure 2.2). Pre-blasting would be used to facilitate ripping of the I harder shale and sandstone overburden. . The quarry face would advance into the slope up to the economic limit of shale to overburden ratio. The Stage I and II areas would have I maximum overburden thicknesses up to 11 m and 10 m respectively.
. The approximate period of quarrying and average overburden thickness I for each campaign in Stage I are presented below.
Quarrying Period Average Overburden Campaign (months) Thickness (m)
I 1 6 0.5 2 6 0.5 3 12 2 I 4 12 2 5 12 4 6 18 5 I 7 18 8 8 18 9 I . Access to and from Stage I and Stage II areas would be by means of a I central haul road to be constructed from the quarrying areas to the existing access track. I RW. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED I 2.4.2 Quarrying Equipment and Blasting Anticipated equipment items to be used on site and their associated noise levels are listed in Table 2.1.
TABLE 2.1 Quarrying Equipment
Noise'elB(A) Item Description Function
Front-end Loaders (2) Caterpillar 977 excavation/ loading 92 - 97*
Bulldozer Caterpillar D9G ripping/ pushing 96 .99 *
Pneumatic Drill and Atlas Copco blasthole drilling 92 Compressor (3 weeks per year)
Trucks (2) 1 semi-tipper shale transport 86 1 tipper + trailer
* measured on site
Blasting would be done in a similar manner to the operations at the existing quarry to loosen overburden and shale prior to ripping. Anticipated frequency is an average rate of two blasts per year. At an average charge/burden ratio of 0.6 kg/rn3, approximately 12000 tonnes of rock would be loosened per blast Other blast parameters are as follows: Explosive: nitropril or powergel Detonation: cordite fuse No. of delays: 5 Hole spacing: 2.2 m on square grid No. of holes: 300 Hole diameter: 75mm Hole depth: 3.6m Hole inclination: approximately 83°
2.4.3 Progressive Rehabilitation and Erosion Sedimentation Controls Incorporation of erosion/sedimentation controls into the ongoing quarrying operation would be based on guidelines provided by the Soil Conservation Service. These aspects, together with progressive rehabilitation, are presented in Section 4 of the Environmental Impact Statement.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMifED - 12 -
2.5 QUARRYING RATE AND WORKING HOURS I The Company envisages that the rate of shale extraction from the Project Area would increase over the first 12 months of operation to an estimated average of 2 000 tonnes I per month. Current working hours of 6.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday would be maintained. I As blasting would be required on average twice per year, blasthole drilling would be undertaken in two campaigns per year for a duration of one to two weeks each. I
I 2.6 QUARRY LIFE ' Based on shale reserves of 200 000 tonnes estimated for Stage I, 280 000 tonnes for Stage II and an estimated shale demand of 2 000 tonnes per month, a total quarry life of up to 20 years is envisaged. Elsewhere within the Company's property there are an estimated further 10 years of possible shale reserves located to the north of the Stage II area and along the eastern perimeter of the property. I
2.7 SERVICES As with the Company's existing quarry operations virtually no services would be required to be connected. Power and telephone would not be required on the site. Drinldng water would be brought to the site by the employees as required. Transportable chemical toilets would be used on site.
2.8 TRANSPORTATION
2.8.1 Haulage Frequency Transportation of excavated shale from the Project Area to the brickworks at Bowral would be by 20 tonne capacity trucks on contract to the Company. An average extraction rate of 2 000 tonnes per month (100 tonnes per day) would result in an average of 5 truck loads per day (10 traffic movements per day). On any one day the maximum truck loads which may occur would be 8 (16 traffic movements per day). Material from the quarry would be transported in dry weather only, between the hours of 6.00 am and 6.00 pm., Monday to Friday.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED 13 -
2.8.2 Haulage Route The haul road from the active shale extraction area to the property boundary would be constructed with a 6 m wide pavement, surfaced with select granular overburden and backloaded broken bricks from Bowral. The road would be constructed to Rural Road standard with suitable roadside erosion control works including mitre drains, culverts and crossfall. The haul route chosen mininiises cut and fill requirements. The haulage route proposed for shale transport from the Project Area to the brickworks at Bowral has been indicated on Figure 1.2. This route coincides with the route taken by trucks transporting shale from the Company's existing Rockleigh quarry to Bowral. From the Company's property boundary to the existing quarry, haulage access through Belanglo State Forest would follow the route of an existing forest road. This route would be upgraded to be the same standard as the proposed quarry haul road. Use of this route would mean no quarry traffic on the "Bunnygalore" access road north of the existing quarry. From the existing quarry to the Hume Highway, trucks and other quarry traffic would travel along Belanglo Road, a distance of approximately 12 km. Trucks carrying shale from the Project Area travel northwards along the Hume Highway from the Belanglo Road intersection, through Berrima then along Oxleys Hill Road to the brickworks. Empty trucks would return along the same route.
2.9 EMPLOYMENT Current extraction of shale from the Company's existing quarry involves the employment of contract labour equivalent to approximately 1.5 to 2 full time positions. Transportation of the shale from the quarry by contract is equivalent to the full time employment of one truck driver, The Company envisages that proposed extraction from the Project Area would be undertaken with no change to current employment levels.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED SECTION 3
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
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I
SECTION 3 I
I DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
I
I 3.1 TOPOGRAPHY
I The Project Area is located on a plateau sloping gently to the north and bounded on three sides by steep escarpment-like slopes (Figure 3.1). This type of topographical feature, common to the area, represents a remnant landform following advanced I stream incision of flat-lying sedimentary rocks.
Elevation of the plateau ranges from 610 m to 640 m, Al-ID (Australian Height I Datum). An elongate north-south hill forming the southeastern plateau limit, rises to an elevation of 710 m, Al{D. The base of the surrounding escarpment is at elevation I 510 m to 520 in, AHD. Slopes on the plateau surface vary from a minimum of 2 per cent to a maximum of 17 per cent (see Plates 3 and 4). Maximum slopes on the southern hill are approximately 50 per cent but an escarpment on the eastern side has I greater than 100 per cent slope. From the plateau down to the escarpment base, slopes are of the order of 50 per cent. Slope directions are predominantly towards the west and north. I
I 3.2 DRAINAGE I The Project Area is located within the catchment of the Wingecaribee River, a major tributary of the Wollondilly River system feeding Lake Burragorang (formed by I Warragamba Dam). Runoff from the Project Area drains to the west into Black Bobs Creek, and to the north and east into Longacre Creek (Figure 3.1). I Black Bobs Creek is a major tributary of the Wingecaribee River. Longacre Creek, north and east of the site, is a minor tributary of Black Bobs Creek (Figure 3.1). The I total catchment areas for these two creeks are 133 km2 and 20.5 km2 respectively. Both creeks have perennial flow and in the vicinity of the Project Area have low bed gradients and moderate alluvial piain development. I Intermittent, deeply incised gullies flank of the Project Area plateau but on the I plateau surface, drainage is poor with several marshy ponded areas evident after prolonged wet periods.
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. vri LIMITED
I 3.3 GEOLOGY
3.3.1 Regional Setting The Project Area is situated near the western extremity of the Sydney Basin, in this area comprising a thick sequence of sedimentary rocks of Permian to Triassic age (290 to 200 million years old). A generalised stratigraphic column for the Sydney Basin geology in the region is presented in Table 3.1.
TABLE 3.1 Generalised Stratigraphic Column for Sydney Basin
Age Formation Rock Types
Triassic Wianamatta Group Sandstone and shale
Hawkesbury Sandstone Quartz sandstone with some shale
Narrabeen Group Multi-coloured cherty sandstone, quartzose sandstone, shale and claystone
Permian Iflawarra Coal Measures Shale, sandstone, conglomerate, tuff, chert, coal and torbanite seams
Shoalhaven Group: Siltstone, shale and sandstone Berry Formation
3.3.2 Project Area Geology The results of exploration in the Project Area by Robertson Research (Australia) Pty Limited have enabled a model for the site geology to be proposed (Reference 1). Units of the illawarra Coal Measures are overlain by Hawkesbury Sandstone within the Project Area (Figure 3.2). A generalised interpretative stratigraphic column for the Illawarra Coal Measures in the Project Area and existing quarry site is given in Table 3.2. The target unit for extraction by the Company as brick-making material is a shale bed 2 to 4.5 m thick occurring as the uppermost unit in the lower cyclothem in Table 3.2. This unit has been exposed in test pits and intersected in exploration drilling on the Company's property and further east (Figure 3.2). The shale is light grey to grey when fresh, hard, well laminated and currently extracted from the Company's existing quarry. Stratagraphic correlation between the Project Area and existing quarry is
R.W. CORKERY & CO. FTY LIMITED
BOWRAL BRICKWORKS PTY LIMITED IL / REFERENCE
Watercourse - Minor Road
Contour ('/n/erva/ = 50m) Track / Fire Trail - --- I -C- Catchmenf Area Boundary Project Area Property Boundary WAR RAGAM BA DAM_—
(Th\ 1/ I' MN TN PICTON ( fl gBU / Q;-j \ 09 ) f V ( 'MITTAG0NG NGEc4 / (1 moss II 7 Jj A 1" :---:; 'iI!! —009 JLBURN LOCAL DRAINAGE INSET I M ))/ /1 /1 y r / 2 \\ ( Old Quurry \ \ 7 REGIONAL CATCHMENT AREA Existing Quarry /
4'?'w CREEK ) I SCALE 1:1000000 /09/ /0 0 /0 20 30 40 50km ç )
REFERENCE 0-99 \ Watercourse \( C Warragamba Catcbment LOCAL DRAINAGE INSET Area Boundary Figure 3.1 SCALE 1:25000 TOPOGRAPHY 05 0 02 04 06 08 /0km RW. CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS AND DRAINAGE t PROJECT N9 141 a. - - •s - •fr . • . ...- 1•.•*.- •••• • - .- ..- - .---- -
Plate 3: View from the northern limit of Stage I to the southeast across the extraction area. (Ref: 141 d/17)
Plate 4: View northeast along the route of the haul road separating the Stage I and Stage II extraction areas. (Ref: 141d/21)
a R.W. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED BOWRAL BRICKWORKS PTY LIMITED I
REFERENCE
Sand / Sandstone Upper Cyclothem
Coal Middle Cyclothem Shale J
Sandstone wit/i interbedded shale and thin cccl lenses Lower Cyclothem Shale to be Extracted C
Property Boundary
Limit of Extract on
Open On//hole (Robertson Research)
Test Pit
x I S CAL E S
HORIZONTAL I 4000 50 0 50 /00 /50 200m
VERTICAL I 000 /0 0 /0 20 30 40 50m -3
620 620
610 610
600 600
590 590
580 580
570 570 Figure 3.2 SECTION XX' RW. CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMtTED GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS SITE GEOLOGY PROJECT N° 141 - 16-
indefinite although indications are that the Illawarra Coal Measures sequence has a shallow dip of 0.5 to 30 in a northeasterly direction.
Overburden in the Project Area would comprise sandstone predominantly with minor interbedded shale and occasional thin lenses of coal.
TABLE 3.2 Interpretative Stratigraphic Column for Illawarra Coal Measures
Cyclothem* Estimated Rock Types Thickness (m)
Upper 0 - 5 Sandstone
0-1 Shale
—5 Coal with minor interbedded shale
Middle 0 - 1 Shale
4 - 6 Shale and sandstone, interbedded
12 - 17 Sandstone with some interbedded shale
2 - 4.5 Shale**
1.5-4 Coal Lower 1-4 Shale
1.5 - 7 Sandstone with some interbedded shale
* Cyclothem is a geological term applied to a depositional cycle of rock units containing coal ** Shale unit proposed for extraction
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PT? LIMiTED
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3.4 SOILS
3.4.1 Soil Description The soils covering the Project Area reflect the nature of the underlying bedrock. The soils are skeletal on the top surface of the plateau having a maximum profile depth of up to 300 mm and an average depth of 150 mm. Residual soils of greater depth, up to 800 mm, occur in small gully floors on the plateau. These residual soils are heavy clays developed on shale. Topsoils in the Project Area are very high in organic matter resulting in a very dark colour - either dark brown or black. The topsoils have a field pH of 5.5 and sandy clay to sandy loam texture. Subsoils in the Project Area have a slightly lighter colour - brownish-black to brown and a field pH from 5.5 to 6. Clay content of the subsoils is higher than the topsoils with sandstone fragments up to 50 mm common. The soils have a high water holding capacity and are chemically moderately fertile. Waterlogging after consistent rainfall results from the clayey nature of the soils. Representative soil samples were taken from two sites on the plateau. Descriptions of the soil profiles at the two sites in the Project Area are as follows:
Site 1: 0-100 mm Sandy loam, black (2.5YR 2/1(m)) 100-200 mm Light clay, black-brown (5YR 2/1(m)) Site 2: 0400 mm Sandy loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3(m)) 100-200 mm Light clay, brown (10YR 4/4(m))
3.4.2 Erosion Potential Soils of the Project Area are assessed as being slightly to moderately erodible. There is no evidence of sheet or gully erosion on the either the Stage I or Stage II area. The Soil Conservation Service has mapped the area as "Protected Lands" on the basis of steep slopes along the Plateau rims.
3.4.3 Value for Rehabilitation The soils within the Project Area are relatively fertile with a thin but well developed huniic layer. All topsoil and subsoil stripped prior to quarry development would be useful in rehabilitation for topdressing overburden. For operational simplicity, both topsoil and subsoil (to a depth of approximately 300 mm) are to be prestripped and blended together for later use in rehabilitation.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED - 18-
3.5 METEOROLOGY
3.5.1 Source of Data
Statistical information on temperature, rainfall, fog and frost frequencies and wind has been obtained from Bureau of Meteorology records from the Moss Vale Post Office, 17 km east-southeast of the Project Area.
3.5.2 Temperature
The mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures recorded at Moss Vale Post Office are summarised in Table 3.3. The summer month of January as the warmest for Moss Vale with a mean maximum temperature of 240. Conversely, July is the coldest winter month having a mean minimum temperature 1.6°C.
TABLE 3.3 Mean Daily Temperatures - Moss Vale Post Office - oc
Month J F M A M J J A S 0 N 0
Maximum 24.4 24.2 22.5 19.2 14.6 12.1 11.5 12.6 15.8 18.7 20.9 23.5
Minimum 13.1 13.3 11.4 7.9 4.6 3.0 1.6 2.7 4.6 7.2 9.1 11.4
3.5.3 Rainfall
Table 3.4 lists the mean monthly rainfall registrations and rain days per month as recorded at Moss Vale Post Office. The mean yearly rainfall of 944 mm is spread fairly evenly throughout the year. August and September are the driest months; January and March the wettest. Rainfall occurs on an average of 9 to 11 days per month.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. m LIMITED - 19 -
TABLE 3.4
Mean Monthly Rainfall - Moss Vale Post Office - mm
Month J F M A M J J A S 0 N D Year
Mean 95 85 96 79 77 94 82 61 54 68 65 88 944
Rain days per month 10 11 11 9 9 10 9 9 9 9 9 10 115
3.5.4 Temperature Inversions
A common expression of atmospheric temperature inversions is fog, a phenomenon associated with nighttime heat radiation from the ground surface into clear skies to form a temperature boundary or inversion layer. Similar atmospheric and temperature conditions would also produce frost if the temperature falls below 0°C. Both phenomena require appropriate relative humidities.
Mean fog and frost frequencies recorded at Moss Vale Post Office are presented in Tables 3.5 and 3.6 respectively. Fogs can occur at any time of the year but are more prevalent between March and July inclusive. Frosts occur early as March and as late as November but are most frequent in the winter months of June, July and August.
TABLE 3.5
Fog Frequencies - Moss Vale Post Office
Month J FM AM J J A SO ND
Average No. per month 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 0 1 0 1
Max, No. recorded per month 3 5 7 7 6 5 7 4 2 2 1 3
Mm. No. recorded per month 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
R.W. CORKERY & CO. vry LIMITED - 20 - I
I TABLE 3.6 I Frost Frequencies - Moss Vale Post Office I Month J FM AM J J A SO ND Average No. per month 0 0 0 1 6 10 15 11 6 2 0 0
I Max. No. recorded per month 0 0 2 4 14 16 23 17 14 5 1 0 I Mm. No. recorded per month 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 2 0 0 0 0 I 3.5.5 Wind I The frequencies, speeds and directions of winds recorded at Moss Vale are summarised in wind roses on Figure 3.3. The records from morning and afternoon observations have been combined for presentation. L During summer, winds predominate from the northeast, and the south to southeast sector. In autumn, the south to southwesterly winds remain dominant while the I frequency of those from the northeast decreases. During winter and spring, winds from the western to southern sector are domiiiant with an increasing frequency of winds I from the northeast during spring. The majority of winds in all months have been recorded at speeds greater than 5 km/hr. This speed is sufficient to increase background noise levels as the wind I travels through trees. Wind speeds above 20 km/hr are recorded on average for between 4 and 26 per cent of the recorded time with the highest frequency of strong winds being recorded from the west during winter and spring. Strong winds have also I been recorded from the northwest in late spring and from the south during summer. I 3.6 WATER RESOURCES
I 3.6.1 Surface Water The Project Area is located near the southern catchment boundary of the Hawkesbury I River Drainage Basin. Discharge over the basin has been estimated at 11 per cent of annual rainfall (Water Resources Commission, 1980). On average, stream flows in the I basin are highest during the months of December to March and lowest during August to October. The Warragamba Dam, a major water storage downstream of the Project Area, forms I part of the metropolitan Sydney region water supply (Figure 3.1).
R.W. CORKERY & CO. iFFY LIMITED -21 -
Black Bobs Creek and Longacre Creek, the major streams draining the Project Area, are perennial (Section 3.2). Runoff from the Project Area enters Black Bobs Creek and Longacre Creek unimpeded via several gullies incising the plateau rim. The quality of surface water is good and is considered suitable for most purposes with minimal treatment. The total dissolved solids of the water may range from 90 to 180 mg/i.
Water supply for rural residences in the region is from rainwater tanks and may be supplemented by pumping from creeks and small farm dams. The one small dam in the Project Area was previously used for stock watering.
3.6.2 Groundwater
Groundwater in the Hawkesbury Sandstone and Illawarra Coal Measures occurs both in porous strata and in open joints and bedding planes. Groundwater in the Project Area is described as low salinity - low yield (Water Resources Commission, 1980) To the east however, high yields of low salinity groundwater are obtained from sandstone aquifers in the Moss Vale-Mittagong area.
There are no water bores within a 2 km radius of the Project Area indicating the use of groundwater is not common practice in the surrounding rural areas because of reliable surface supplies.
3.7 BACKGROUND NOISE LEVELS
In order to assess the level of background noise in the vicinity of the Project Area, noise level measurements were taken at the proposed extraction site and at 'Bunnygaloret', the closest residence, 1.3 km north (Figure 1.2). The recording instrument used was a calibrated Bruel and Kjaer integrating peak sound level meter Type 2225 set to the fast response mode. Readings were taken at three separate times on the same day, each for a 20 minute period with readings at 2 to 5 second intervals. A statistical analysis was undertaken on the readings in accordance with procedures recommended by the State Pollution Control Commission. Measurement details and a summary of the results are presented in Table 3.7.
ItW, CORKERY & CO. M LIMITED I SEASONAL WIND BOWRAL BRICK WORKS I Moss Vale Post Office PTY LIMITED
SUMMER N AUTUMN N I WINDS ----.. WINDS I I I El I I I S S
WINTER N SPRING N I WINDS ------.---- WINDS __- I I I N EN El I I I S S Velocity 41-50 >51km/hr 11-20 21-30 31-40 I 1-5 6-10 Frequency 3 10 20 30 40Z I - - I The above windroses have been prepared from data recorded at 9.00 am and 3.00 pm daily Figure 3.3 I WIND SPEED & RW. CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS I PROJECT N° 141 DIRE1IN I - ------
TABLE 3.7
Background Sound Level Measurements In the Vicinity of the Project Area
Early Morning Midday Late Afternoon
Location Site No. L-90 Lcq L10 L0 Lq L10 L90 Lcq L10 dB(A) dB(A) dB(A) dB(A) dB(A) dB(A) dB(A) dB(A) dB(A)
Project Area 24 32 35 29 36 39 22 24 26 (b, f) (c, b, d) (b) r "-
"Bunnygalore" 28 38 40 35 42 44 25 31 33 (a, b, e) (a, b, e, f) (c, a, b)
Date: 11.5.88 11.5.88 11.5.88 Time: 7.10 am Midday 4.45 pm
Field Temp: 7°C 18°C Conditions Cloud Cover: Nil 30% 80% Wind Speed: Still 1.1 m/s Still Wind Direction: - SE -
NOTE: L90 Sound level exceeded 90% of the sampling time. Noise Sources (given in order of audibility): L, = Level of continuous noise which emits the same energy as a fluctuating sound over a fixed period. sheep, cattle (d) wind in trees L10 = Sound level exceeded 10% of the sampling time. birds (e) distant traffic insects (1) distant dozer - 23 -
The range of sound levels from 22 to 29 dB(A) on the Project Area is typical of a semi-secluded rural setting with animal and wind disturbance noises predominant. At "Bunnygalore", the higher sound level range of 25 to 35 dB(A) is directly attributable to livestock and domestic sources.
At the times of noise measurements in early morning and midday, quarrying equipment was operating in the Company's existing quarry, approximately 1.3 km southeast of the Project Area. The existing quarry is approximately 2.6 km south of "Bunnygalore" residence. The quarry equipment was barely audible when noise measurements were taken at both the Project Area and at "Bunnygalore". Quarrying equipment operating at the time the noise measurements were taken alternatively consisted of a Caterpillar 977 front-end loader and a Caterpillar D8 bulldozer. Results of the noise measurements for the loader and bulldozer at 21 m distance were 82 to 87 dB(A) and 86 to 89 dB(A) respectively.
According to discussions held with the resident at "Bunnygalore", noise made by the equipment at the existing quarrying operations is faintly audible on occasion during daytime hours, depending on weather conditions. The infrequent blasts are noticeable but not disturbing.
The noise of pistol fire from Pistol Club activities within the firing range in the disused part of the Company's existing quarry is a regular and significant component of weekend daytime noise.
3.8 FLORA AND FAUNA
3.8.1 Introduction
A thorough survey of the vegetation and fauna habitat of the Company's property was carried out in September 1987. Relevant details of the report by W.S. Osborne and M.S. Davis are presented in the following sub-sections of the Statement.
RW. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED - 24 -
I
3.8.2 Flora I Within the Company's property, comprising the plateau and upper escarpment slopes, I three vegetation communities have been recognised (Figure 3.4): . tall open-forest; I . heath; I . grassland. The tall open-forest, mostly undisturbed, consists of two types occurring at different I locations around the plateau rim. Vegetation species identified were: I Easterly side of Property (tree species) - Silvertop ash(Eucalyptus sieberi)
I Scribbly gum (E. Grey gum (E. punctata) I (understorey) - Acacia A. buxifolia, I A. fa1cifonnLs, Hakea dactyloides, I Daviesia mimosoides, Cassinia aculeata, I Hibbertia obtusifolia
Northerly and westerly sides of Pro I (tree species) - Silvertop ash (E. sieberi) I Blue-leaved stringybark (E. agglomerata) Scribbly gum (E. rossii) l (understorey) - Acacia falcifonnis A. buxifiblia I A. terrimalis Alocarmarina littoralis I Dithiynia juniferima Banksia spyulora I Daviesia minoroids
I *1 RW. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I - 25 -
Patches of heath occur in several parts of the plateau area cleared of original vegetation. Wetter parts contain tall shrubs of Leptospermwn obovatum. On drier, rocky northerly slopes, scrubby heath growth is dominated by:
Brachyloma dephnoides
Melichrus wreolatus
Dillwynia retorta
Acacia ulicifolla
Leucopogon microphyllus
Apart from shrub species and regenerating saplings of tree species listed above, the cleared plateau area is mostly grass covered with varieties such as Chionochloa palildia and other graninoids including Lomandra longzfolia and Dianella revoluta.
Plates 3 and 4 show the extent of vegetation covering the Project Area.
Of the 65 species of plants recorded during the survey, only one tree species, Eucalyptus cinerea is known to have a restricted distribution throughout New South Wales. All recorded species are common and widespread throughout the region in the vicinity of the Company's property. No rare or endangered species were recorded,
3.8.3 Fauna
Vegetation communities described in Section 3.8.2 provide a diversity of faunal habitats within the Company's property. Mammals, birds and reptiles co-exist in the tall open-forest and disturbed clear areas.
Table 3.8 lists 30 species of mammals expected to occur in the area. During the site survey, evidence was noted of the presence of echidnas, common wombats, eastern grey kangaroos, rabbits and foxes. Other ground dwelling and aboreal mammals are expected to occupy the open-forest areas. None are expected to be rare or endangered species,
RW. CORKER? & CO. FrY LIMITED
I BOWRAL BRICKWORKS PTY LIMITED ./ ..... TN MN I A i
I 7 -
,< ......
IF4...... :.;.;. :- / I STAGE U \ J - I // .::11...... \\....IF* • ;•1..;
Xk
REFERENCE SCALE I 10 000
VEGETATION COMMUNITIES 0/ 0 0/ 02 03 0-4 051fm
F sleberi - F ross/i - S. agglorn era ta E. punctata. Medium habitat value for fauna
F sieberi - E. punctata Highly suItable Staged Extraction Area habitat for birds and arboreal mammals. I I Contour (Interval = lOm) C/eared and regenerating vege ta/ian ... (Assumed Datum) Law habitat value Property Boundary UIIIuIIIIIIIIII Rocky cliff/inc. High habitat value for rep/i/es and some small mammals. Watercourse
ARCHAEOLOGICAL REFERENCE Fence
—ci--- Gate I F3 * Isolated Archaeological Find Rock Overhang - Potential ** Archaeological Deposit Figure 3.4
1TJ RW. CORKERY& Co. PTY. LIMITED FLORA, FAUNA AND GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMTALEN CONSULTANTS PROJECT No 141 ARCHAEOLOGY
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TABLE 3.8
Mammals Expected to Occur in or near the Sites to be Disturbed During Quarrying
Cleared Eucalypt Common Name Species Area Forest
Echidna Txti/ossus xiilea/us Yellow- footed antechinus An/ec/irnus uleuipes * Brown antechinus' A. stuart/I Common dunart Sminttiopsi murfria * * Common wombat Vomtiatus ursmus * * Common ring- tail possum Psux/ieinusperegrrnus * Greater glider Pe/aeirois volons Sugar glider Re/ourus t'reviceps Common brushtail possum Tric/iosuruis vu/pecula Eastern pygmy-possum Cercarte/us 178I1US Feathertail glider Acro&etespyçmuis Red-necked wallaby Mecropus ru1c7r/eus Eastern grey kangaroo M q/Ønteus Swamp wallaby Wa/l&'io Luv/or Little red flying fox P/eropus scapula/us Grey-headed flying fox P. po/iptiolus White-striped bat' TEriIo aus/ra/X Yellow-bellied bat Taphozous flaviven/rls Lesser long-eared bat Nyc/op/i//us f1royi Gould's long-eared bat N puhif Gould's wattled bat C/ie//nolobilspu/dll Chocolate wattled bat C fl7OP/O Little brown bat Ep/esi'us vu/turnus King river bat £ r4u/iís Bush rat Rat/us fuscipes House mouse Mus muscu/uis Rabbit Or)rctoA7us cun&-4J/lis Wild dog Con inus lam //,,rfs Fox Vulpes vuipes Feral cat Fe//c CO/US Feral goat Coro /i,rcus
introduced species tree hoflow dwelling species
In the forest areas, a total of 22 species of birds were recorded (Table 3.9). Less birds I were noted as occupying the cleared area, the Australian Magpie being the most common. It has been noted in the faunal survey that the recorded bird species I R.W. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED
I - 27 -
probably only represent a small proportion of the total likely bird population when nomadic and migratory habits are taken into account. On this evidence, it is unlikely that the area supports any rare or endangered bird species.
TABLE 3.9 Ust of Birds Recorded during Fieldwork at the Proposed Quarry Site
Common Name Species
Wedge-tailed eagle Aquflo otthx Crimson Rosella P18tyrrcus e/ns brown thornbill AcnthL?ep11s/1/8 White- browed scrub wren Serhvrrn fronto/, Eastern yellow robin E0,M111-XY eustrelis Grey fantail Rhiokfure fu/ii;nos8 Rufous whistler Pycep/e rufivowtris Golden whistler i'. 1toP8//S Eastern shrike-tit //cuncu/us (ron/a/us White- throated treecreeper C/fri,xterxs /eucvp/i• Spotted pardialore Pardolotuspunctotus Striated pardaldW P. sIr/allis White-eared honeyeater 1'1e/49/l /aucvtig Yellow-faced honeyeater M. cirysops White- naped honeyeater Me/iI,r60I41s /11175/us Australian magpie 6)Im1701-hiI7e tiZ',en Grey Currawon9 Strepera versfrv/or Pied Currawong S grru/i7e Australian raven c,rvuscvrono/s
The most favoured reptile habitats are the rock ledges and outcrop scarps around the upper plateau rim. Table 3.10 provides a list of reptiles likely to occur in the study area. A tree dragon, two types of skinks and a small-eyed snake were observed in rocky domains. It is thought likely that this habitat would also favour the uncommon carpet python but no rare or endangered species of reptiles. Only one frog species was recorded even though seepage areas occur on the site. Table 3.11 provides a list of frog species that may occur in the study area.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMflED - 28 - I
I TABLE 3.10
Reptiles Recorded during Fieldwork I and Additional Species which may Occur In the Study Area I I Common Name Species Wood gecko Dip/cd.ty/us v,tttt Tree ijtji, Ohwo I Thick-tailed gecko Jr,cynnx,Ii,jrus mliii Burtons snake-lizard L la//s burt0174F Common scaly-foot I Bearded dragon P2-in8 &-t5te Tree dragon Amptiliito/urt's rnuriatus Lace monitor V&7t5 /t I £otc&/e7tA9rus vircjtus Striped skink Cieriot& tus Copper-tailed skink C t?fl1j7i5/1I$ I Cunninghams skink £ cjnrn;rm, Black rock skink Three-toed skink Ii Delicate skink Lamnproptlo//d3//ott? Penny lizard L. u,enot/ Weasel skink L. nwste//r, I Red-throated skink Lelo/ep/snl8p/atynotum Eastern water skink Sp/ienariorpiusquvy/f tanws I tvrDpaflum Oak skink Blotched blue-tongued lizard T rno/ut I Eastern blue-tongued lizard T Carpet or diamond python More/ispi1ote Death adder Azz,nt/ioprns ont&-ctiiyis I Copperhead Austreleps superOus Small-eyed snake Qytep/i/srncrenS * White-tipped snake Oryi3/ia rjO/g I o rx4vter Red- naped snake Fur irie OY&tM8 Swamp snake /1n/sp/sslgnte I Red-bellied black snake Pf5I.'trpi)r1xus Eastern brown snake Ps8#i2nJe text//is Bandy- bandy Verrd7/s/18 &7/7u/81 H I * Species observed during field work. I R.W. CORKERY & CO. FTY LIMITED TABLE 3.11
Frog Species which may Occur in the Study Area
Common Name Species
Marsh frog /T751esperorn Drown toadlet P/,vryne bii'ironi Yellow-groaned toadlet UperoIei/vipto Eastern froglet c7,s,yi,fere
* observed during fieldwork
3.9 LAND USE AND LAND OWNERSHIP
3.9,1 Land Zoning
The Project Area, proposed by the Company for quanying, is currently Non-Urban 1A under the Wingecaribee Interim Development Order No.2 (as amended) dated 23rd February 1979. Extractive industry development on land zoned Non-Urban 1A is permissible only with consent of the Wingecaribee Shire Council.
3.9.2 Land Use
Land use in the vicinity of the Project Area includes:
extractive industry at the Company's existing quarry within Mining Lease No, 39;
- grazing of cattle.within the flat and undulating cleared land of the valley floors of Black Bobs Creek, Longacre Creek and Wingecaribee River;
forestry activity within the Belanglo State Forest;
infrequent sporting/recreation by the Bowral Pistol Club at their facility within an old part of the Company's quarry.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMiTED I I 3.9.3 Land Ownership Land ownership details in the vicinity of the Project Area are shown on Figure 3.5. The Project Area (Lot 2) is wholly owned by the Company with two landowners I immediately adjacent to the Company's property - Forestry Commission of N.S.W. and I.W. Kennon (owner of the Bunnygalore property, Lot 1). I 3.10 EVIDENCE OF ABORIGINAL CULTURE I An archaeological survey covering the Project Area was conducted by Mr R. Silcox in August1987. The main aspects of the report are summarised in this section of the I Statement. Previous systematic archaeological surveys in the region have been rare with four sites recorded in terrain similar to that of the Project Area. I Target areas for investigation on the plateau and perimeter were rock overhangs which could have provided good shelter and clear areas with good visibility. The rock I overhangs inspected during the survey yielded no artefacts or evidence of artwork although it is considered one of the overhangs may have provided Aboriginal shelter in the past. Four quartz artefacts, assessed as definite archaeological material, were I found on the plateau surface in areas of good visibility. The artefact locations have been shown on Figure 3.4. I The results of the survey indicate that very little likelihood exists of locating further evidence of Aboriginal activity either as sub-surface or surface remains within the I Project Area. Li 3.11 SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS I 3.11.1 Introduction The proposed shale extraction site is located 17 km northwest of Moss Vale, 20 km west of Bowral and 12.5 km west of Berrima. Bowral would be the principal service I town for the project with Moss Vale and Berrima also providing services. Socio- economic data presented in the following sub-sections has been obtained from the Li Bureau of Statistics June 1986 Census.
3.11.2 Population The populations of Bowral, Moss Vale and the three rural areas immediately surrounding the Project Area are presented in Table 3.12. Bowral and Moss Vale have populations of approximately 7400 and 5 000 respectively. The rural areas immediately surrounding the Project Area have population densities of between 1 person per 0.9 km2 and 1 person per 0.2 km2. Table 3.13 lists the age distribution for the population figures presented.
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TABLE 3.12 Population and Housing Bowral and Moss Vale Districts - June 1986
Locality Average Distance Population Housing - Private Dwellings (Collector's District) from Site (km) M F T Occupied Unoccupied
Bowral 21 3570 3821 7391 2544 294 Moss Vale 17.5 2500 2509 5015 1636 134 * 200403 8 243 213 456 154 76 200404 14 132 125 257 94 18 200405 16 171 160 331 111 25
* The Project Area is within this district. Source: 1986 Census
TABLE 3.13 Age by Population Bowral and Moss Vale Districts - June 1986
Bowral Moss Vale *200403 200404 200405 Age (years) M F M F M F M F M F
0-4 219 202 248 245 18 21 7 10 24 14 5-9 243 280 224 209 18 11 12 13 13 8 10-14 398 310 231 229 23 20 9 7 12 13 15-19 418 273 204 219 25 22 15 14 16 16 20-24 197 193 192 181 20 24 9 6 12 9 25-29 196 201 214 211 20 17 9 5 13 15 30-39 430 512 395 337 32 29 16 16 23 20 40-49 437 449 283 251 33 31 23 17 23 29 50-54 152 176 101 97 11 13 7 11 9 4 55-59 178 185 117 114 18 15 6 4 4 6 60-64 177 228 102 114 12 6 6 4 10 4 65-69 183 215 79 80 8 2 4 10 7 6 70-74 144 189 41 63 5 2 4 2 5 10 75+ 198 408 75 109 0 0 5 6 0 6
* The Project Area is within this distiict Source: 1986 Census
R.W. CORKER? & CO. PT? LIMITED I BOWRAL BRICKWORKS PTY. LIMITED I TN MN - RE FER EN CE
I 41,nor Road Track I Watercourse Lot Number and Boundary
(V 2136) Shire Lond Valuation Reference N 63 ° %I59 I \\\ - • Residence - Occupied o Residence - Unoccupied I 94 55
fl 17/ I / 31
\\\ \\ II \ If I \\• (07 II lOg /1 II \ II 4' I, I BALLYNA HINCH II PTY LTD. / / (V 2(34) H II I, 1W KENNON (V 2(35-I) II 29 ii ftBunnygaIore' I G.R.&J.K. ZEALY 40 1 (V 2136) ii
I I' , (Jo I
l ( I, I H II II 2a If • i ii I! ui H II I II 2 // I FORESTRY COMMISSIO I OF N.S.W. 82 BOWRAL BRICKWORKS ST4TE PTY. LTD. FOREST I (V 2(35-2) /y (1 83 41 ) It I! SCALE 1:25000 II, FORESTRY COMMISSION OF N.SW 'I I 11 - 05 0 05 10km 84 LAND (V2133 LEASEE BOWRAL I PISTOL CLUB 'I " CROWN LAND (V 13107) MINING LEASE HELD BY BOWRAL BRICKWORKS PlY. LTD I 39 I (ee / I Figure 3.5 RW. CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS I PROJECT NI4I LAND OWNERSHIP I
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3.11.3 Employment and Services
Employment statistics from the 1986 Census for Bowral, Moss Vale and the three rural areas around the Project Area show that approximately 37 per cent of the total Bowral I population and 40 per cent of the total Moss Vale population are employed (Table 3.14). Within the urban centres of Bowral and Moss Vale approximately 7 per cent of the workforce is unemployed. However, within the surrounding rural census I districts, the level of unemployment is higher at 7 per cent to 18 per cent. I TABLE 3.14 Employment - Bowral and Moss Vale Districts - June 1986
Bowral Moss Vale *200403 200404 200405
Employed - male 1623 1311 122 72 98 -female 1110 709 66 47 55 Unemployed - male 109 65 20 8 2 -female 92 92 14 6 4 Total 2733 2020 188 119 153 employed
Employment Category (% of total labour force)
Agriculture/Forestry 2.3 2.5 30.2 18.8 21.4 Mining 1.0 1.0 1.8 1.5 1.3 Manufacturing 13.0 24.9 7.2 15.8 13.8 I Electricity/Gas/Water 1.2 1.4 0 0 0 Construction 8.0 7.0 9.9 6.0 6.9 Wholesale/Retail 17.6 17.5 11.7 14.3 24.5 Transport 2.9 5.5 0.9 3.0 4.4 Communication 1.5 0.9 0 0 1.3 Finance/Services 10.5 6.5 0.9 7.5 4.4 Public Administration 2.9 3.0 0 3.0 1.3 I Community Services 21.3 12.3 7.2 9.8 9.4 Recreational/Personal 7.4 6.1 9.5 7.5 4.4 I Not Known 0.8 1.5 7.2 0 0
*The Project Area is within this district. I Source: 1986 Census
Table 3.14 also lists the percentages of persons employed in various industries. The I rural areas have higher percentages of workers involved in agriculture and forestry than the urban centres of Bowral and Moss Vale. Conversely, the rural centres have I fewer people involved in the finance/services and industries. Manufacturing and wholesale/retail percentages are siniilar for the urban and rural districts. I LW. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED I -33-
3.11.4 Housing In the towns of Bowral and Moss Vale, a significant number of dwellings have been listed as unoccupied (Table 3.12). The habitable condition of the dwellings though has not been indicated in the statistics. The number of unoccupied dwellings would tend to show a low demand for rental accommodation although this is not supported by local enquiries. Ample accommodation exists in motels, hotels and caravan parks for the large number of tourists who visit the Bowral/Moss Vale area.
3.12 TRANSPORTATION NETWORK The Company's existing quarry and the Project Area are accessed from the Hume Highway by the unsealed Belanglo Road and Bunnygalore access road (Figure 1.2). The Project Area is located 1 km west of the Bunnygalore road via an existing track. The distance from the existing quarry along Belanglo Road from the Hume Highway is approximately 12 km. The intersection of the Hume Highway and Belanglo Road has been constructed to Department of Main Roads specifications. Traffic count data for the Belanglo Road has been obtained from 1983 records of the Wingecaribee Shire Council. The traffic count data is shown on Figure 1.2: Belanglo Road at the Hume Highway intersection: 111 AADT(Annual Average Daily Traffic), Belanglo Road is a one to two lane width unsealed road. Present traffic mixture along the road comprises local residents' vehicles, Company's contractor trucks and employees vehicles, Forestry Commission vehicles including log carriers and weekend recreational vehicles (Pistol Club). Maintenance of the road surface is significantly contributed to by the Company according to the following format: (1) For the road from the Bunnygalore property gate to the existing quarry and from the existing quarry to the "Rocklea" corner, the Company supplies material free of charge for road surfacing. The road materials are placed and graded by the Company's contractor and Forestry Commission grader. (ii) From the "Rocklea" corner to the Hume Highway, the road is maintained by the Council with material supplied by the Company and carted by the contractor free of charge. There are approximately seven occupied residences along Belanglo Road between the "Rocklea" corner and the Hume Highway. All residences are located 50 m or more back from the road alignment. The existing route for product haulage from Belanglo Road to the Company's brickworks at Bowral is via the Hume Highway and Oxley Hill Road.
RW, CORKERY & CO. vrt LIMITED - 34 -
3.13 VISUAL ASPECTS The Project Area is located on a plateau elevated some 80 m above the valley floors of Black Bobs Creek and Longacre Creek. While the northern escarpment of the plateau I is visible by direct line of site from "Bunnygalore' residence, the southern and western escarpments are shielded from view by irregular topography. "Bunnygalore" is the only occupied residence in the vicinity of the Project Area. Visibility of the Project Area I from the west is shielded by the heavily timbered dissected terrain on the western side of Black Bobs Creek. I 3.14 SERVICES I There are no services to the Project Area or existing quarry. The nearest power supply is an 11 kv line along Belanglo Road. This services "Bunnygalore" residence and the I Pistol Club's facility in the old part of the Company's quarry. I
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I [] I I [1 I R.W. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED SECTION 4
OPERATIONAL SAFEGUARDS
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SECTION 4
OPERATIONAL SAFEGUARDS
4.1 INTRODUCTION Replies received from several Government Departments in response to notification of the proposed quarry development have identified a series of issues requiring implementation of operational safeguards (Appendix 1). The issues summarised in Table 4.1 are treated in more detail in this Section of the EIS.
TABLE 4.1 Operational Safeguards
Department Identified Issue
State Pollution Control Commission Controls on drainage, dust, noise and blasting
Forestry Commission Haul road construction, fire trails, existh-q quarry rehabilitation
Soil Conservation Service Erosion and sedimentation control plan, existing quarry rehabilitation
4.2 AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS The predominant component of potential air pollution in the vicinity of the Project I Area would be dust generated during shale extraction operations by: (i) drilling; I blasting; vehicle and equipment movements. Dust production is an unavoidable component of percussion drilling but emission of dust at the collars of drifiholes would be greatly reduced by the use of dust collectors fitted to the drilling equipment. The sub-contractor currently used by the Company for blast hole drilling has equipment fitted with this capability. The minor quantity of dust evading the collection system at the hole collar is rapidly dispersed into the local atmosphere. Dust produced by blasting is also associated with fumes from the detonated explosives - predominantly gaseous oxides of nitrogen. As the dust/gas mixture has a high density relative to air, it tends to remain in the vicinity of the blast until settlement/dispersion has occurred in the local atmosphere.
R.W. CORKER? & CO. PT? LIMiTED 36 -
Vehicle and equipment movements associated with material loading and haulage are significant dust sources in a quarry operation. Current control measures of regular watering the quarry floor area and haul road during dry periods would be continued. Haul road watering in conjunction with grading has the added advantage of assisting road surface maintenance. Water for dust suppression would be sourced from the sedimentation dams on site,
4.3 NOISE LEVEL CONTROLS
4,3,1 Equipment Operation Measured noise levels of equipment operating in the existing quarry and the manufacturers' quoted noise levels for other equipment items have been presented in Table 2,1. The most efficient controls on noise emission that can be implemented for these items of equipment are to ensure that all silencing components are operating properly. The Company would undertake regular checks on the Contractor's plant items and recommend maintenance/replacement if defective silencing is obvious.
4.32 Blasting As outlined in Section 2,4.2, blasting is a necessary component of the shale extraction process in that sandstone overburden and the shale can be sufficiently loosened by blasting to facilitate ripping by a bulldozer. In addition to the nonnal stringent safety precautions used in the handling of explosives, the following safeguards would be adopted to reduce the magnitude of the noise component (airblast) of blasting. Detonating cord would be covered with drill cuttings. All blastholes would be stemmed. Charge (explosive) quantity would be kept sufficiently low to allow adequate raw material for about six months' extraction (i.e. only two blasts per year are proposed).
4.4 EROSION/SEDIMENTATION CONTROL PLAN
4.4.1 Progressive Rehabilitation Rehabilitation of resource-depleted extraction areas in conjunction with progressive extraction advance is advocated by the Company for this project. A proposed extraction/rehabilitation sequence for the Stage I area is: (1) removal and stockpiling of topsoil/subsoil from the first two campaign areas;
R.W, CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED
- 37 - I ' (ii) construction of sedimentation dam 1 and other surface drainage structures - material for dam embankment to be overburden from first one (or two if necessaiy) campaign areas; the dam walls would be sown I with grass for stabilisation; (iii) haul road clearing and construction concurrent with (ii); I (iv) overburden from second campaign area to be replaced into worked-out first campaign area by excavator and truck and the surface reshaped by I dozer and respread with topsoil/subsoil; (v) revegetation to be commenced in the rehabilitated campaign area. I In following the sequence outlined above, the Company would benefit from minimal haulage distance for overburden material and from an aesthetically pleasant I rehabilitated surface adjacent to the current campaign area. Two aspects of the rehabilitation proposal are significant. It is envisaged that a maximum of approximately 5 000 to 8 000 m2 of campaign area would be stripped at any one time prior to shale extraction. Reshaping of the rehabilitated worked-out campaign areas would allow for continued downslope drainage towards the sedimentation dam. I
I 4.4.2 Revegetation The primary objective of revegetation for the site is surface stabilisation which is to be I undertaken progressively with site rehabilitation. Topsoil prestripped from the first two campaigns from the quarrying area is to be temporarily stockpiled (see Figure 2.2). The stockpile would be sown with a cover crop I then grasses to retain soil viability. The stockpile would be constructed with 1 in 3 batters. A grassed waterway would divert runoff around the stockpile. Topsoil from subsequent campaigns would be sequentially stripped and placed directly onto overburden from the previous campaign and resown with grasses and native I trees/shrubs. The stockpiled topsoil would be respread over the overburden of the last two campaigns. I Fertiliser ("Grow H") would be applied to ensure early cover growth. Cover crop/grass species include: - Spring Summer Japanese Millet at 20kg/ha - Winter Oats ) 1 - White clover, Kangaroo Valley rye grass ) at 8 kg/ha - Seaton Park subclover and Phalaris sp. ) I RW. CORKERY & CO. FlY UMITED I Pasture legumes are to be inoculated and lime pelleted by the seed supplier. Native shrubs, including Golden Wattle and eucalypts common to the area (see Figure 3.4), would be propagated on rehabilitated areas by means of broadcast seeding and selected tubestock planting. Native seed would be pretreated prior to broadcasting. Topsoil and ground litter prestripped from the site would contain a seed bank of native plant species to assist regeneration.
4.4.3 Drainage/Sedimentation Structures Locations of sedimentation/erosion control structures for both Stage I and Stage II of the Project Area are shown on Figure 4.1. Parameters used in the sedimentation dam desigii, as given below were obtained from information presented in a mine rehabilitation text by J.C. Hannan (Reference 1).
Dami Dam2 Catchment area (ha) 5.3 5.9 Watercourse length (m) 280 250 Watercourse average gradient (%) 5 6 Time of concentration (mm) 7.5 6.5 Critical rainfall intensity 10 year storm event (mm/hr) 143 147 Coefficient of runoff 0.7 0.7 Peak discharge (m3/s) 1.5 1.7 Total discharge (m3) 883 876
Based on the parameters given above, embankment heights are 3 m and 2.5 m high and capacities 4000 m3 and 900 m3 for sedimentation dams 1 and 2 respectively. Spifiways for both are to be side cut channels 500 mm deep, 5 m wide topsoiled and grass covered. Details of the design of the structures are given in Figure 4.1 and Figure 4.2. The basic aims of the Control Plan outlined on Figure 4.1 are: redirection of natural drainage around the extraction area perimeters to the sedimentation dams; containment of all runoff in the earthworks and extraction areas in the sedimentation dams. Runoff in the side drains of the proposed haul road would be directed into the extraction areas perimeter drainage systems. Diversion banks would be constructed with 0.5 per cent grade. The channel gradient for grassed waterways proposed vary up to 5 per cent maximum. Involvement by the Soil Conservation Service would be sought at an early stage of project development for advice on and direction of implementation of the sedimentation/erosion control measures proposed in this EIS.
LW, CORXERY & CO. FrY LIMiTED — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
BOWRAL BRICKWORKS PTY UMITED I C.0 MINOR DIVERSION STRUCTURE .
S' 1 .•• Dam 2 Design N Catchment 5.9 ha Watercourse length 250 m FIRE TRAIL Gradient 6% . ... .... . To
Critical Intensity (lOyr) 147 mm/hr C ...... 07 ç'nA .2 ///////
Embank Height 2.5 m Capacity (prox) 900 m3 //
C
SEDIMENTATION DAM 2 (PILLWAYationDam No 1),
...... Trickle.. STAGE II AREA...... Pipe ... I ...... (>3OLm diameter) .. ... I
r. .... . •/•• . ...... ...... MITREDRAINS
00
I 6. \ <<<<<< P \ . ..... .... ...... :U..... ...... .....'. ...... ...... \
..I...... \ ...... . \ . .. ...... ...... ... .. - mitre drains cross fall . .. . . .. \ - culverts where required \ 'A STAGE I AREA ..... .. ...... . to EXISTING I Spiliway Design ' ...... DAM '. . ... .• . . _.SPILLWAY Flow depth 0.25 m / c Discharge 2 1m3/s Velocity 1 5m/s I 5 m wide x 0.5 m . .... ..... deep ..... / Trickle Pipe . .... I F .. : (>30 cm diameter) o REFERENCE
SEDIMENTATION DAM 1 FIRE TRAIL Property Boundary/Fence
Existing Contour (Interval = 2 m, Assumed Datum) .. A <: Existing Track ______ Dami Design ( Proposed FireTrail Qb Catchment 5.3 ha Proposed Haul Road Watercourse length 280 m Gradient 5% C Catchment Area Boundary To 7.5 min P Diversion Bank 130 mm/hr SCALE 1: 2 000 Critical Intensity (lOyr) 143 mm/hr 55 Natural Grassed Waterway C 0.7 20 0 20 40 60 80 lOOm (With Trainer Banks) Op 1.5m3/s Qt 883m3 Embank, Height 3m *(See Figure 4.2 for details of erosion control structures) Capacity (Approx.) 4000 m3 NOTE:rnNPOblnderson. 10394 Ply Limited Figure 4.1 SEDIMENTATION / EROSION RW. CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED GEOLOGICAL ANDPROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL N 141 CONSULTANTS RW. CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED I,a-' in, AT Of1IY1IT7(' WI' GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS t'..jVvii-u- r i Y LIMITED PROJECT N9 141
GRASSED CREST AND SLOPE Top Water Level GRASSED TRI
TOPSOIL/SUBSOIL I STRIPPED EMBANKMENT DETAILS
BROKEN BRICKS AND BASE COUSE GRAVEL FORMATION MATERIAL GRASSED (300-500 mm thick) SIDE DRAIN
L TOPSOIL/SUBSOIL STRIPPED HAUL ROAD PAVEMENT DETAILS
hannel Depth Natural I) -Surface
BASE WIDTH 5Om GRASSED WATERWAY DETAILS
DIVERSION BANK OF PUSHED WATE RW TOPSOIL/SUBSOIL (max. height - I m)
I), o. I)
CHANNEL CREST WIDTH 5Om -
DIVERSION BANK DETAILS TRAPEZOIDAL CROSS SECTION Figure 4.2
(NOT TO SCALE) DESIGN DETAILS FOR SEDIMENTATION / EROSION CONTROL STRUCTURES - 39 -
I I 4.4.4 Final Landform Progressive development and rehabilitation of the Stage I and Stage II quarry areas would proceed in campaigns as shown on Figure 2.2. The final quarrying campaign, where the economic limit of overburden to shale ratio is reached, would result in a high wall and a void. The overburden would be shaped to slope at 1 in 3, and then revegetated. It is probable that the final quarry void would contain runoff and I groundwater seepage, and form a wetland.
I The final landform of the Stage I and Stage H quarry areas is shown conceptually in Figure 4.3.
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I 4.4.5 Existing Quarry Both the Soil Conservation Service and Forestry Commission have expressed concern I over apparent lack of progress with rehabilitation/restoration by the Company at their existing quarry (Appendix 1). The Company is aware that a significant increase in the rate of quarry rehabilitation is required prior to commencement of operaions at the I proposed extraction site.
A specific rehabilitation programme for the existing quarry proposed by the Company and subject to concurrence from the Soil Conservation Service and Forestry Commission is as follows:
All bare overburden stockpile areas are to be reshaped and covered with topsoil prior to further revegetation - this has already commenced.
I Further overburden removal/stockpiling is to be compatible with a usable final landform having slopes less than 18° - this has already commenced.
Suitable tree species. (deep rooted, medium growing) are to be planted along the toe of the disused face at the western end of the quarry.
The disused section of road terminating at the western quarry limit is to be ripped, covered with topsoil and planted with local tree species.
Dilapidated items of equipment on the quarry fringes would be removed.
Adequate quarry drainage would be maintained with direction of excess runoff into existing watercourses.
Additional planting of trees and shrubs would be undertaken to supplement prior planting on exposed overburden stockpile faces.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED I
The following species, native to the area, would be planted as semi-advanced tubestock in revegetation of both the existing quarry and proposed quarry: I (tree species) - Eucalyptus sieberi E. rosii (understorey) - Acacia longzfolia A. buxfolia I Melalucea species Hakea species The tubestock would be protected with stakes and guards. Mulch and a slow release fertiliser pellet would be added to promote early growth.
4.5 VISUAL CONTROLS The degree of visibility of the proposed extraction area from external vantage points is not high (Section 3.13). Progressive site rehabilitation as outlined in Section 4.4.1 would be the major visual control exercised by the Company during shale extraction from the Project Area. The revegetation component of rehabilitation would be I undertaken in conjunction with recommendations from the Soil Conservation Service and Forestry Commission as to favoured species, planting times and subsequent maintenance. I 4.6 SAFETY AND BUSHFIRE CONTROL The location of the Project Area in a relatively secluded rural setting should preclude I most incursions by non-authorised persons into the proposed extraction area. As a further precaution, a lockable gate would be positioned on the haul road at the boundary between Company and Forestry Commission land. The gate would remain locked during periods of quarry inactivity. Warning sirens would be sounded prior to any blast detonation at the extraction site when in operation. In addition, the Company would undertake strict enforcement of all other standard explosive safety precautions. Explosives would only be brought to the site as required for the expected three blasts per year. Fire trails would be positioned around the perimeter of the quarrying area as a precaution against bushflres. The Company would liaise with the local bushfire brigade and could assist in fire control management locally. I 4.7 TRANSPORTATION Contributions towards the maintenance and trafficability of Belanglo Road for the Company's haul trucks and existing users would remain as that negotiated with Council for the existing operations - see Section 3.12.
I RW, CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED I BOWRAL BRICKWORKS PTY LIMITED
ELEVATION ELEVATION (m) (m) 620
- 610
600 L 600
590 1590
SECTION BB'
SECTION SCALES
HORIZONTAL 1:1250 VERTICAL I :625 VERTICAL EXAGGERATION =2 REFERENCE
—. —.— Property Boundary
Existing Contour (Interval = 2 m)
Proposed Contour (Interval = 2 m) LI Location of Section Figure 4.3 Nature Trees and Shrub Planting FI1I\L... Progressive Shaping, Topsoil Respreading SCALE 1: 2 500 and Grass Sowing REHABILITATED RW. CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED 25 0 25 50 75 lOOm GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS Quarry Void Containing Water PROJECT N° 141 LI LA LI IDFORfv1 SECTION 5
THE PROJECT'S IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT - 41 - Li I SECTION 5 I THE PROJECT'S IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT I 5.1 TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE The Company's quarrying activities would result in an unavoidable change to topography and drainage due to the extraction of the shale material. Progressive rehabilitation aims, as far as practicable, to restore existing slopes and stabilise the land surface by means of revegetation. The principal changes to topography of the site are illustrated on Figure 4.3 and I include the following: (1) Overburden would be shaped to a rounded landform with maximum I slopes of 1 in 3. (ii) A high wall up to 12 m in height would remain at the eastern limit of I shale extraction. (iii) A quarry void would remain as the final extraction campaign is I completed. It is probable this would contain water and may form a wetland feature in time. I (iv) Sedimentation dams would be retained downslope of the quarrying areas. Runoff from the catchment of the quarry area would be contained in either the final void or sedimentation dams. (v) The access road to the quarry area would remain for use in fire control. I 5.2 WATER RESOURCES The Company recognises that the Project Area is located in the Warragamba Catchment, and that consequently sedimentation and erosion controls are to be l rigorously followed. Safeguards presented in Section 4.4 are aimed at diverting runoff from disturbed areas and controlling release through sedimentation structures into existing guffies which drain the plateau. Progressive rehabilitation and revegetation of I the site would reduce any impact on water quality leaving the Project Area. The proposed quarry development involves disturbance of some 9.5 ha within the plateau I where average slopes are less than 10° (see Figure 2.1 and 3.1). The Soil Conservation Service advises there are "Protected Lands" in the vicinity of the development. The Company would arrange a site inspection with the District Officer to determine I whether an application is required for tree clearing during site preparation in accordance with Catchment Area Protection Board requirements. I R.W. CORKERY & CO. M LIMITED
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The "rock" material to be disturbed within the quarry area is inert with normal concentrations of trace metals and is not therefore expected to generate a toxic leachate. Minor coal bands within the overburden are weathered and oxidised and not prone to spontaneous combustion. The quarry void may intersect perched groundwater of minor local significance. Groundwater in the area is generally of low yield. There are no bores within 2 km of the Project Area and the quarrying would have minor impact upon local groundwater quality and quantity and no impact upon groundwater use in the region.
5.3 SOILS Soils in the area are moderately fertile and slightly to moderately erodible. There is no evidence of existing erosion within the Project Area, As mentioned in Section 5.2 above, the Company would arrange a site inspection with the District Soil Conservation officer, in recognition of the designation of "Protected Lands" in the vicinity of the Project Area. The erosion control safeguards presented in Section 4.4 would preserve soils resources on the site for subsequent rehabilitation use. The Company would consult with the District Soil Conservation Service Officer throughout the quarry life to ensure these field practises are effective. Soils on the site would be preserved and reinstated as a topdressing medium to stabiise the disturbed areas. Minimal soil stockpiling would be required. The quarry sequence allows maximum direct respreading of topsoil.
5.4 AIR QUAUTY Extraction activities proposed are relatively small scale - 2000 tonnes per month. The Project Area is secluded and surrounded by State Forest with mature tree cover. There is only one residence ("Bunnygalore") in the vicinity of the quarry located 1.3 km to the northwest. Dust generation associated with the quarrying would be limited by the safeguards presented in Section 4.2. It is anticipated that the activity would have no impact upon the ambient air quality at "Bunnygalore" residence. It is possible that dust generated during blasting would be visible from "Bunnygalore". Blasting would however be infrequent with an average of two blasts per year anticipated. Extraction from the proposed quarry development would be the same as that at the Company's existing quarry on Belanglo Road, production activity at which would cease as shale resources are exhausted. The impacts of product transport on air quality along haul routes would therefore remain the same and no change to ambient air quality would occur.
RW. CORKERY & CO. vry LIMITED I
5.5 NOISE IMPACTS
5.5.1 Introduction The impact of noise levels generated by the proposed development has been assessed in conjunction with Richard Heggie Associates Pty Ltd, Acoustical Consultants of Sydney The impact has been examined using recommended criteria issued by the State PollutionControl Commission. Noise level predictions were conducted using the Environmental Noise Model program which was developed under the supervision of the Commission. The impact of noise from the operations has been assessed for the nearest residence, "Bunnygalore" located 1.3 km north of the Project Area. There are no other residences within 3 km of the development. The levels of ground vibration and airblast overpressure were predicted using the formulae developed by the US Bureau of Mines.
5.5.2 Criteria for Noise Assessment
In implementing its environmental noise control policy, the State Pollution Control Commission has two broad objectives: that noise from any single source does not intrude greatly above the prevailing background noise level; that the background noise level does not exceed the level appropriate for the particular locality and land use.
Operational Noise
In order to limit the potential offensiveness of noise from a specific source, any increase in the background noise level should generally not exceed 5 dB(A). For this purpose, the increase is determined as the difference between the L10 value at the receptor with the intrusive noise occurring and the L value determined in its absence. The background noise levels measured at the Project Area (shown in Table 3.7) are indicative of a quiet rural setting with L9 noise levels during early morning and early evening less than 30 dB(A). Noise levels at "Bunnygalore" are slightly higher with more noise contribution from stock and rural activities. The Commission also recommends "acceptable" limits at residences in rural areas of 45 dB(A) during the day and 35 dB(A) during the night. Based on the measured background noise levels (in the EIS), and the State Pollution Control Commission's recommended daytime (7 am to 6 pm) and nighttime (6 pm to 7 am) procedures, the noise level design goals at the closest residence have been taken as 35 dB(A).
ItW. CORKERY & CO. Fry LIMITED -44-
Transport Noise
Whilst within the Company's property, the L of the haul truck noise is assessed with other noises associated with the operation as discussed in the previous section. However, once on public roads, i.e. Belanglo Road, truck operations fall into the category of "intermittent or low traffic flow" as defined in the State Pollution Control Commission's assessment criteria. Belanglo Road has an AADT of 111. In this situation, rural residences should not have an L,T of more than 50 dB(A) for new developments.
The product trucks from the Company's existing quarrying operations currently travel the proposed route along Belanglo Road, The rate of quarrying and frequency of truck movements would remain constant for the existing and proposed quarrying developments.
5.5.3 Predicted Noise Levels
Quarrying Operations
The major noise emissions within the proposed operations are associated with the operation of the front-end loader, bulldozer and haul trucks. Twice a year for a total period of up to three weeks, a pneumatic drill and compressor would also be used.
In terms of the noise impact expected at "Bunnygalore", one "typical" and three "worst case" scenarios can be identified. These are:
Site preparation: bulldozer and front-end loader preparing the site at the northern end of Stage II.
Stage I, Campaign 2: bulldozer, front-end loader and truck receiving minimum shielding from overburden cut.
Stage II, Campaign 1: bulldozer, front-end loader and truck receiving minimum shielding from overburden cut.
Stage I, Campaign 6: bulldozer, front-end loader and truck receiving some shielding from overburden cut.
The assumed "typical" ((ii)) and "worst case" ((i), (ii) and (iv)) scenarios used for the assessment of noise impact at the closest residence are based on the concurrent operations of all items of plant during each stage of quarrying. By the very nature of the operations however, only rarely would all items operate concurrently.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED -45-
I
It is to be noted that the design of the quarry and its advance into the hill (see Figure 2.2) provides acoustic shielding of equipment from the residence. The quarry face advances eastward maintaining a rim between the face and the direction of the residence. There is no line of sight from 'Bunnygalore" to the Project Area. I The predicted L noise levels at "Bunnygalore" residence are given in Table 5.1.
TABLE 5.1 I Predicted Noise Levels - Quarrying Operations
I Quarrying Scenario 1-10 Noise Level - dB(A).
(I) 32-33 I 34-35 33-34 31-32 I
I The predicted noise levels at the residence from these quarrying scenarios comply with the minimum L noise level design goal of 35 dB(A) throughout the life of the quarry.
I Product Truck Operations The assessment of noise from product truck movements, once they leave the site has I been conducted assuming all trucks travel south (away from "Bunnygalore") along Belanglo Road, at an assumed speed of 70 km/hour. The resulting predicted L noise level for the residences in Belanglo Road, where houses are approximately 50 m from I the roadway is 38 dB(A). The corresponding level at "Bunnygalore" is 14 dB(A). These L noise levels clearly comply with the State Pollution Control Commission's I criterion of 50 dB(A) (for rural areas) throughout the life of the quarry.
I 5.5.4 Effects of Meteorology on Noise Levels
I Wind Effects Light to moderate winds produce higher noise levels downwind and lower noise levels upwind from a given source than in still air. I On the proposed quarry site, the prevailing winds during autumn, winter and spring are from the west, however during the summer the dominant prevailing wind is to the northeast. Throughout the year, the percentage of seasonal wind blowing from the quarry towards the residences is notably low (less than 5 per cent of the time I annually). This indicates that the prevailing winds would reduce rather than enhance noise levels from the operations for most of the time.
I RW. CORKERY & CO. vri LIMITED
I OEM
Temperature Inversions
The acoustical effect of temperature inversions is due to the increase of sonic velocity with air temperature. In a lapse condition, sound would be refracted downwards.
Low to moderate intensity inversions typically produce a significant effect at distances of 1 km to 2 km or more from the source. More intense inversions have a significant effect at 300 m to 400 m, and may have an effect at long distance, depending on the depth of the inversion layer. Only surface (i.e. radiation) inversions are significant at shorter ranges.
Meteorological data from the area (see Section 3.5.4) indicate that temperature inversions (such as fog or frost) are prevalent during winter, but also many occur on some autumn and spring days. These inversions commonly break up by mid morning.
Wind and temperature inversion effects generally apply to all noises, except that inversions appear to carry low frequency sounds better than higher frequencies. If the noise from the proposed quarry cannot be distinguished from other noise in neutral atmospheric stability, it should not be distinguishable when wind produces increased noise levels at the residences. Inversions may produce a small amplification of noise from the quarrying operations relative to background, but the effect is not quantifiable at current levels of knowledge.
5.6 IMPACTS OF BLASTiNG
5.6.1 Introduction
The impacts of blasting, proposed in quarry operations at the Project Area, have been predicted and assessed in conjunction with Richard Heggie Associates Pty Ltd, Acoustical Consultants of Sydney. These impacts are examined in accordance with criteria for blasting recommended by the State Pollution Control Commission and Department of Minerals and Energy.
5.6.2 Assessment Criteria
Guidelines from the State Pollution Control Commission recommend comfort criteria for residential amenity in assessing impacts from blasting. These are presented in Table 5.2. The comfort criteria are significantly lower than those levels at which even cosmetic cracking occurs in residential buildings of good repair.
The Department of Minerals and Energy recommend structural criteria for the impacts of blasting. These also are shown on Table 5.2.
R.W, CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED
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5.6.3 Predicted Blast Levels
Table 5.3 presents the predicted levels at the nearest residence, "Bunnygalore" from a typical blast proposed for mining operations as presented in Section 2.4.2.
Blasting would be undertaken very infrequently at the rate of approximately two blasts per year. Blasting would be restricted during daylight hours between 9 am and 3 pm Monday to Friday. The proposal is to use Nitropril as the column charge in dry blast holes and Powergel in wet blast holes. The predicted blast emission levels for both dry and wet blast holes are given in Table 5.3.
The predicted blast emission levels for the typical blast design given comply with the State Pollution Control Commission's recommended comfort criteria of 115 dB (Linear) for airblast overpressure and 5 mm/s peak vector sum. If wet blast holes are encountered Powergel would be used as the column charge resulting in a I higherMIC than would be used in dry blast holes. Using the predicted level of airblast overpressure and ground vibration were 112 dB (Linear) and 2.2 mm/s respectively.
TABLE 5.2
Recommended Criteria for Blasting
Ground Vibration Airbiast Overpressure Time of Blasting Peak Particle Velocity (dB-Linear) (mm/sec)
State Pollution Control Commission
Monday - Saturday 9am - 3pm * 115 ** 5 Monday - Saturday 6am - 9am 105 2 Monday - Saturday 3pm - 8pm 105 2 Sunday, Public Holiday 6am - 8pm 95 1 Anyday 8pm-6am 95 1
Department of Minerals and Energy Criteria:
* An exceedance of airblast overpressure to a maximum of .120 dB(Linear) on 5 per cent of blasts is permitted ** An exceedance of ground vibration to a maximum of 10 mm/s on 5 per cent of blasts is permitted
R.W. CORKERY & CO. FrY LIMITED
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TABLE 5.3
Predicted Airbiast Overpressure and Ground Vibration
Airblast Overpressure Ground Vibration Location Distance dB (Unear) mm/s
'Bunnygalore" Residence 1.3 km Dry Wet Dry Wet Holes Holes Holes Holes 111 112 1.7 2.2
Notes on Blast Design: Average Blast: 12000 t Average Charge/Burden Ratio: 0.6 kg/rn3 Number of Holes: 300 on a 2.2 rn square grid Hole Depth: 3.6 m
5.7 ECOLOGICAL STATUS There are no special features of the area which impart any significant nature conservation status to the project area. Since disturbance would be kept to the previously cleared areas of the plateau and the sandstone scarp surrounding the Project Area is buffered from disturbance, ecological impact would be slight and localised. There is a widespread availability of similar habitats throughout the state forest nearby. Natural revegetation would be encouraged by pre-stripping and stockpiling ground litter and surface soil prior to quarrying campaigns. This soil and litter would contain a seed bank of native plant species. Re-spreading litter and soil as part of rehabilitation of disturbed areas would maintain ecological status in the longterm. Regeneration to native woodland represents an appropriate final post quariying landuse.
5.8 ARCHAEOLOGY AND PRE-EUROPEAN HERITAGE A survey over the Project Area identified isolated aboriginal artefacts representative of only a level of background scatter resulting from temporary and intermittent usage of the plateau area. The quarry development would not impinge upon the potentially more significant overhang of the plateau scarp.
RW. CORKERY & CO. Fl"! LIMITED - 49 - I
The survey concluded that the likelihood of significant evidence of aboriginal I occupation within the area was small and the proposed development may proceed with little archaeological impact.
5.9 SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS AND SERVICES I The Company envisages that the proposed quarry development within the Project Area would be undertaken with no change to current employment levels. The existing quarry involves the employment of contract labour equivalent to two full-time I positions and employment of one full-time truck driver. The continued supply of light-firing shale for brick manufacture at Bowral would I enable the Company to produce much sought after bricks and payers. The sale of these products would in turn provide, in a small way, continued employment of local I persons and continued spending by the Company on local goods and services. As with the Company's existing operations at the Rockleigh quarry, no services would be required or need to be connected. Sewerage facilities on site would consist of I transportable chemical toilets. The project would therefore have no impact upon the availability of servis to users I in the region.
I 5.10 VISUAL IMPACT The Project Area is in a relatively secluded location surrounded by State Forest, I accessed by a dead-end road. The Project Area, and proposed activities, would not be visible from any residences. The secluded nature of the operation and the absence of through traffic result in no I visual impact of site activities on the public.
5.11 TRANSPORTATION Truck movements, attributable to the Company's proposed quarrying operations for I the medium to long term, along Belanglo Road are anticipated to be the same as that currently experienced from existing quarrying operations at the Company's Rockleigh quarry - on average 10 truck movements per day. Infrequently, maximum truck I movements in the order of 16 in any one day may occur following delays due to wet weather. The proposal would therefore have no additional impact upon existing traffic I flow which already is comparatively minor. Advice from Wingecaribee Shire Engineer is that the existing intersection of Belanglo Road and Hume Highway is considered satisfactory for the estimated truck I movements emanating from proposed quarrying operations. It is anticipated that ongoing maintenance of the road would be required. The Company is willing to discuss with the Shire Council contributions, perhaps by way or royalty, to the maintenance of I Belanglo Road. I R.W. CORKERY & CO. vri LIMITED I - 50 - n H
The existing track to the proposed quarry from Belanglo Road would be gravel surfaced, with sandstone macadam material from quarry overburden, to provide an all I weather private access, suitable for heavy vehicle traffic. Provision would be made for the construction of: crossfall drainage, trafficable crossbanks, table drains, mitre drains and culverts on the access road to reduce erosion and scour, in accordance with Soil Conservation Service advice. I
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*1 I R.W. CORKER? & CO. Fri LIMITED I SECTION 6
EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT - 51 -
SECTION 6
EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT
I 6.1 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
I Clause 45(F) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulations, 1980, requires this Statement to justify the proposed development in terms of environmental, economic and social considerations.
6.1.1 Environmental Considerations The Company's quarrying development would be adequately safeguarded during its operation over an anticipated 20 year period to ensure the environment around the I site would not be adversely affected. This Statement documents possible impacts and concludes that the impacts on the local air, noise and water environmeni are not I significant.
6.1.2 Economic Considerations The Company's project would have the following economic benefits: I Bowral Region I The region would continue to benefit by way of economic stimulus from the Company's capital investment, use of local services and local employment. The development of the Bunnygalore quarry would I provide a unique clay/shale resource for the Company's continued production of high quality bricks and payers. I The Company's entire operations result in a turnover of some $500 000 per month within the district. The Company is the third largest employer in the district, currently employing around 75 people in its I operations and an additional eight subcontracted truck drivers. New South Wales The State benefits from Bowral Brickworks Pty Ltd by way of economic stimulus derived from utilisation of clay/shale raw materials and I marketing of a quality brick product. (iii) Australia I The nation benefits from employment opportunities and taxes paid.
I RW. CORKERY & CO. Fry LIMED
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6.1.3 Social Considerations The principal social considerations that would result from the development of the Bunnygalore quarry would be: the Company can maintain employment for three full time positions; local employment and services would continue to be utilised; there would be no social change or impact as there would be no change to the existing employment levels as activities are transferred from the existing Rockleigh quarry to the Bunnygalore quarry.
6.2 CONSEQUENCES OF NOT PROCEEDING WITH THE PROJECT The immediate local consequence of not proceeding with the development is the potential loss of employment and investment opportunity through the reduction of available raw materials. Clay/shale resources at the Company's existing Rockleigh quarry are diminishing and approaching the end their of economic life. This raw material has a specific firing property used to produce specific brick colours and textures. The Company has undertaken an extensive program of geological investigation and has proven up clay/shale reserves with similar properties at Bunnygalore. If the proposed development does not proceed the results of the exploration programme would be in vain. Alternative clay/shale reserves, perhaps in a more environmentally sensitive area, would need to be found.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. FY LIMITED SECTION 7
ENERGY STATEMENT -53-
SECTION 7
ENERGY STATEMENT
The format of this Energy Statement follows the guidelines set by the Energy Authority of New South Wales (now the Department of Minerals and Energy).
7.1 BACKGROUND The Company proposes quarrying of clay/shale materials by conventional open cut quarry methods using earthmoving equipment, drilling and blasting. The anticipated maximum production rate is 2 000 tonnes per month over an expected project life of 20 years. Clay/shale materials will be transported by 20 tonne capacity trucks to the Company's brickworks at Bowral at an average rate of 5 truck loads per day, 5 days per week.
7.2 OPERATIONAL ENERGY REQUIREMENTS
7.2.1 Quarrying The list of fuel driven earthmoving equipment proposed in the operation and the I anticipated fuel usage is presented below:
1 x Drill Compressor (4 weeks per year) 20001 I 2 x 977 Front-end Loader 200001 I 1 x D9 Bulldozer 100001 Total Estimated Fuel Usage (per annum) 32 000 1 I
I 7.2.2 Transportation The most economical and flexible means of transport of the clay/shale raw materials I from the quarry to the Company's brickworks at Bowral is by truck. At the anticipated production rate of 2 000 tonnes per month, materials transport will I be by one 20 t truck making 5 round trips per day (56 km round trip). The anticipated fuel usage for transport of the raw materials is 35 000 ipa. I ItW. CORKERY & CO. FlY LIMITED I -54-
7.3 JUSTIFICATION FOR FUEL USAGE There is no economically feasible alternative for quarrying the deposit than by fuel driven earthmoving equipment. Truck transport is the most economical and flexible means of transporting the raw materials. The proposed Bunnygalore quarry is a further 2 km haul distance from the Company's existing Rockleigh quarry. Alternative clay/shale resources with the particular brickmaking properties have not been identified within a shorter haul distance.
R.W, CORKERY & CO. FTY LIMITED REFERENCES
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REFERENCES I
I Bowman, H.N., 1980 Southern Coalfield; Upper Shoalhaven Group and Illawarra Coal Measures in A Guide to I the Sydney Basin. Geological Survey of N.S.W, Bulletin 26.
I Hannan, J.C., 1984 Mine Rehabilitation. Pubi. New South Wales Coal Association. I
Richard Heggie Associates Pty Ltd, 1989 Report C08-R1, Noise and Blast Impact Statement Proposed Quarrying of Clay/Shale at Bunnygalore near Bowral, NS.S.W.
Osborne, W.S. and Davis, M.S., 1988 A Suivey of the Vegetation and Fauna Habitat within Areas Proposed for Qzwnying near Bowral, I
Robertson Research (Australia) Pty Ltd, 1988 Geology Report No. 1377, Bunnygalore.
Silcox, R., 1988 I An Archaeological Sur.'ey of a Proposed Clay/Shale Extraction Area at Bunnygalore, 20 km west of Bowra4 N.S. W.
Water Resources Commission, 1980 I Water Resources Inventory, 1980. Government Printer.
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Copies of Relevant Correspondence from:
The Department of Planning Wingecarribee Shire Council State Pollution Control Commission Forestry Commission of N.S.W. Soil Conservation Service iT New South Wales Government 4. U Department of Environment and Planning
Remington Centre 175 Liverpool Street, Sydney 2000 R.W. Corkery and Co. Pty. Limited, Box 3927 G.P.O. Sydney 2001 P.O. Box 80, DX. 15 Sydney ORANGE. N.S.W. Telephone: (02) 266 7111 Ext. 7235 Telex: DEP NSW 176826 Fax No.: 266 7599 Contact: V. Thomson Our reference: E1L87/2191
Your reference:
Dear Sir, RE: PROPOSED CLAY/SHALE EXTRACTION PORTION 5, PARISH BELANGLO, COUNTY CAMDEN
Thank you for your letter of 31. July 1987 indicating that you are consulting with the Director with regard to the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the above development. As development consent is required for the proposal and it is a designated development within the meaning of Schedule 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1980, as amended, an EIS must accompany the development application to the Wingecarribee Shire Council Council. The EIS shall be prepared in accordance with clause 34 of the Regulation and shall bear a certificate required by clause 26(1)(b) of the Regulation (see Attachment No.1). The Director has no specific requirements pursuant to clause 35 of the Regulation in regard to the form or content of the EIS. Attachment No.2. is a guide to the type of information most likely to be relevant to the development you propose; not all of the matters raised therein may be appropriate for consideration in the EIS for your proposal; equally, the guide is not exhaustive. In preparing your EIS you should approach Wingecarribee Council and take into account any comments Council considers may apply to its determination of the proposal. Should you require any further information regarding this matter please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Yours faithfully,
6qAIA~ 1;_1f1V B. Adams A/Manager, Environmental Assessments Branch As Delegate for the Director I DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING ATTACHMENT No. 1 I STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS.
in accordance with Part lv of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act,1979, an environmental impact statement (EIS) must meet the following requirements: Pursuant to clause 34 of the Environmental Planning and I Assessment Regulation,1980, as amended, the contents of an EIS shall include the following matters: (a) full description of the designated development I proposed by the development application; (b) a statement of the objectives of the proposed designated development; I a full description of the existing environment likely to be affected by the proposed designated development, if carried out; identification and analysis of the likely I environmental interactions between the proposed ' designated development and the environment; analysis of the likely environmental impacts or consequences of carrying out the proposed designated development (including implications for use and conservation of energy); justification of the proposed designated development I in terms of environmental, economic and social considerations, measures to be taken in conjunction with the proposed I designated development to protect the environment and an assessment of the likely effectiveness of those measures; (qi) details of energy requirements of the proposed I development and measures to be taken to conserve energy; any feasible alternatives to the carrying out of the I proposed designated development and reasons for choosing the latter; and consequences of not carrying out the proposed I development. The EIS must also take into account any matters required by the Director of Environment and Planning pursuant to I clause 35 of the Regulation, which may be included in the attached letter. I The EIS must bear a certificate as required by clause 26(1)(b) of the Regulation. I I DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING ATTACHMENT No.2 I ADVICE ON THE PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) FOR A NON-METALLIC MINING OPERATION I An EIS is required to be completed, pursuant to paragraph (ma), Schedule 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1980 (as amended) for mining that causes the disturbance of the surface of the land, where the total area I of the surface and the land disturbed is greater than 2 hectares, including such disturbance caused by - I the clearing or excavation of land; the placing of tailings, overburden or minerals on the land; and the erection or construction of buildings or dams I on the land. The quarrying of minerals within the meaning of the Mining I Act, 1973, (as amended), such as Limestone, Dolomite, ' Quartzite, Barytes, Feldspar is included in mining. Aspects of quarrying of such non-metallic minerals are similar to quarrying of materials for extractive industry. The product is a raw material for lime or cement making industry, glass- making ceramic or refractory manufacture, building stone I supply, or the chemical and other industries. The purpose of this paper is to outline various issues relevant to the preparation and consideration of an EIS for a I non-metallic mining and quarrying operation. It is intended to assist preparation of the EIS. Flowever, it is the applicant's responsibility to identify and address as fully as possible the matters relevant to the specific development I proposal in complying with the requirements for EIS ' preparation (see Attachment No.1). The matters nominated in this paper are not intended as a comprehensive identification of all issues which may arise in respect of a non-metallic mining operation. Some of the issues nominated may riot be relevant to a specific proposal. I On the other hand, there may be other issues, not included, that are appropriate for consideration in the EIS. I Information provided should be clear, succinct and objective and where appropriate be supported by maps, plans, diagrams or other descriptive detail. The purpose of the EIS is to I enable members of the public, the consent authority (usually the Council) and the Department of Environment and Planning to properly understand the environmental consequences of the I proposed development. 1. Description of the proposal. U The description of the proposal should provide general background information on the location and extent of the works proposed, an indication of adjacent developments, and details of the site, land tenure, zonings and relevant I forward planning proposals and any other land use constraints. 2
This section should provide specific information on the nature, intent and form of the development. It should, as far as possible, include such details as the processes involved highlighting any proposed crushing or blasting, water manaqenierit and treatment, chemical processing disposal of wastes, landscaping and rehabilitation. A description should also be provided of associated operations such as the transport of materials.
Particular details that may be relevant include: Characteristics and economic significance of the resource. Quantity of materials to be mined or quarried. Methods of extraction/plans of operations. Details of any blasting and/or crushing. Effect of vibrations. Type of machinery and equipment to be used. Expected life of the operation Number of persons to be employed. Hours of operation. Details of necessary stockpiling. Access arrangements - truck routes, truck numbers etc. Quantities and source of power required. Site drainage and erosion controls. Quantities and source of water required for the proposal. Disposal of waste materials. Proposals for rehabilitation and landscaping and assurances or effective completion. Description of the Environment. This should provide details of the environment in the vicinity of the development site and also of aspects of the environment likely to be affected by any facet of the proposal. In this regard, physical, natural, social, archaeological and economic aspects of the environment should be described to the extent necessary for assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed development. Analysis of Environmental Impacts. Environmental impacts usually associated with the mining processing operation are listed below. Where relevant to the specific proposal, these should be addressed in the EIS and suitably quantified taking in-to account the adequacy of safeguards proposed to minimise them. Any possible siltation, sedimentation or downstream effects of the operation. Any likely cumulative effects of the proposed operation when considered together with other operations in the
Effects on flora and fauna. Thevicinity. effects on the agricultural viability of the adjoining land holdings. Likelynoise/vibration disturbance caused by the operations, including transport operations on nearby residences and highway. I I
I Other impacts of trucking movements, including access over railways and onto highways. Dust nuisance likely to be caused. I Water treatment and other pollution control measures. . Effects on water quality of nearby watercourses. Disposal of waste material and residues. I Effects on the visual environment. Any likely affectation of sites of Aboriginal archaeological or European heritage value (including Industrial Heritage) if located in vicinity of I operations. . The proposed end use of the site and likely effectiveness of rehabilitation. I Effects on the nearest corrimunity facilities and services. In addition, any potential for hazard or risks to public safety and any proposals to monitor and reduce environmental I impacts should be Included. 1 4. Contact with relevant Government Authorities. In preparing the EIS, it is suggested that authorities, such as those listed below, should be consulted and their comments I taken into account in the EIS. . The State Pollution Control Commission in regard to air, water and noise impacts and relevant pollution control I legislation requirements; . The Department of Mineral Resources in regard to requirements under the Mining Act. I The Soil Conservation Service regarding appropriate erosion control and rehabilitation procedures; . The Department of Agriculture if prime agricultural land may be affected by the proposal; and I The Heritage Council of WSW if the proposal is likely to affect any place or building having heritage significance I if aboriginal places or relics are likely to be affected. It is the responsibility of the person preparing the EIS to determine those Departments relevant to the proposed I development.
fliflO Council
OUR REF.: COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ELIZABETH STREET D 2135 PR:TM MOSS VALE,N.S.W..2577 EN01R1 P Robertson P.O. BOX 141 DX 4961 BERRIMA DISTRICT REF.: PHONE. (048) 68 1066 TELEX 25/08 IYOUR FAX: (048) 680260 . I R W Corkery & Co Pty Ltd P0 Uox 80 I ORP.NCE NSW 2800
I Dear Sir Proposed Environmental Impact Statement I Extraction of Clay/Shale by Bowral Brickworks Ltd Receipt is acknowledged of your letter dated 19 April 1988.
I I wish to advise that Wingecarribee Shire Council has no specific requirements in addition to those outlined in Clause 35 of the Regulation and the Department of Planning Attachment No 2 enclosed with your correspondence.
I However, Council's major concern will relate to the transportation of materials and the proposed route to be used. You are advised that Council I would not favour the transportation of materials along Centennial Road. Please find below the information requested. I The traffic counts were taken in 1983 and showed the following: (a) Cnr Belanglo Road & Hume Highway lii MDT
I (b) Cnr Centennial Road & Hume Highway 251 MDI
(c) Centennial Road 1,400 AADT
I Refer to Figure 1 for location points for counts.
A Town Planning Enquiry Fee is applicable for this information and, accordingly, your cheque in the sum of $60.00 would be appreciated. When making payment, please quote Job No. 183001.
I If you require further assistance or explanation concerning the above, please contact Mr P Robertson of Council's Town Planning Department. I Yours faithfully
I
DJMcGowan I Chief Town Planner for \ r— C Collins I Shire Clerk I Enc 8811/ i
ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE SHIRE CLERK. I New South Wales Government
g•• . ,L1Le tOUUtIOfl L,OLiOI LQ[flu1flSIO(l(t1
StoLe OfflcL Block uq Urown Street Mr G. Summerhayes Wollongong 2500 R.W. Corkery & Co Pty Ltd P.O. Box 513 Wollongong Eaet 2500 P.O. Box 80 ORANGE NSW 2800 Our Beference: 280,101A/2 G D : T P Your fltference:
Contoct: Garry Dover (042)268108
Telephone: 042 268100 268111
Foceicaile: 042 268268
Dear Mr Summerhayes, I 5 SEP 1988 Extraction of Clay/Shale at Bunnygalore".
I refer to your letter of 15 August 1988 concerning the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement on behalf of Bowral Brickworks Pty Ltd for the extraction of clay to manufacture bricks.
In preparing the E.I.S the following matters should be addressed:
Water Pollution
- control of scouring and subsequent siltation of streams caused by stormwater run-off across areas of disturbed earth including vehicle traffic areas.
- treatment and/or disposal of wastewater if wet processing is used.
- Financial guarantees as to rehabilitation. (Rehabilitation of the site should be in accordance with the recommendation of the Soil Conservation Service of N.S.w).
Air Pollution
- Assessment of dust emissions from trucks passing through urban centres.
- Assessment of dust nuisance from trucks passing along unsealed access roads.
- Description of dust controls at quarry site.
Noise Pollution
- Hours of operation including times trucks may enter and leave quarry.
- Distance to nearest occupied dwelling and also land presently unoccupied but zoned "residential".
- Measured background noise levels. -2-
- Measured or calculated noise impact on receptor locations, particularly blasting and equipment used on site.
- Noise measurements of any equipment used on site.
Following development consent by Council the operators of the quarry will require formal approval for its establishment under Section 17 of the State Pollution Control Commission Act.
Should you wish to discuss any of these matters may I suggest you contact the above officer.
Yours faithfully
a2~L C.R. EISER for Secretary New South WasGovernment...'.: Forestry Commission of N.S.W.A I Forestry Office '4 P.O. Box 208 Mr. C.J. Suimierhayes MOSS VALE N.S.W. 2577 I R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty. Limited Our reference: A13 P.O. Box 80 Your reference: ORANGE N.S.W. 2800 (048) NHFI/MVR Telephone: 68 1933 I 5th October, 1988 I Dear Sir,
Environmental Impact Statement for the Extraction of Clay/Shale at "Bunnygalore"
I acknowledge receipt of your letter of 15th August, 1988 and my conversation with you on 9th September, 1988. I 'Dwo matters are of concern to the Ccmiiission. 1. The section of road linking the southern boundary of I the proposed site on Bunnygalore within the main road through the Belanglo State Forest is a forest road. Although this is only a short section of road, the Caruiission would require it to be reconstructed to a I suitable two lane all weather standard ccimiensurate with the anticipated traffic it will receive. I The Carraission is concerned at the control of bush fires in the area which threaten the forest and it is essential that a fire trail system which is readily accessible in case of emergency, forms a perimeter to the proposed new workings I within the property. An annoted copy of your figures 2 and 3 indicates locations suggested for these trails.
I You have indicated that eventually M.L39 located in Vacant Crown Land and surrounded by Belanglo State Forest will eventually I be worked out. Proposals for the rehabilitation of this site to its former forest vegetation should be included in the E.I.S. as its long term future may include dedication as an addition to I Belanglo State Forest once all the ccxnmerically accessible shale has been won. I I look forward to the opportunity of sighting your Environmental Impact Statement for the proposal when it is ccxnpleted.
Yours faj./
N.H. HAWKES, I District Forester New South Wes GovetnrneritLiS Soil Consel(Vation sevvice SOUTH EAST REGIONAL OFFICE
R W Corkery & Co Pty Ltd N.S.W. Government Ofticus 159 Auburn Street P0 Box 80 P.O. Box 390 ORANGE 2800 Goulburn, N.S.W. 2580 Phone: (048) 23 0655 Attention: G J Summerhayes Fax: (048)21 9413 Contact:
Our reference:
Your reference:
141/GJS/AS Dear Sir,
Review of Draft E.I.S. Clay/Shale Quarry, Bowral Brickworks Bunnygalore
This draft docunient has been reviewed and the following comments are offered.
These comments are based on those areas of the document that need revision to comply with the Erosion and Sediment Control standards of the Soil Conservation Service.
A. COMMENTS
2.4.1 - Topsoil Stockpiling
This section should be improved to include temporary and permanent sediment control works, stabilisation with temporary vegetation and use batter gradients no steeper than 1V:3H.
- Sediment Dam/Bund Wall
Details should be given of the batter grades, construction methods, apillwaya, trickle pipes and capacities. These specifications should also include details of the settled freeboard and wall width.
2.8.2 - The Haul Road
Road development and stabilisation should also be included in the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan for the site.
These works should include the provision of adequate drainage works, stabilisation and protection of "cut and fill" areas, as well as any other I specialised roadside erosion and sediment control works.
I 4.4 - Erosion and Sediment Controls
It is a standard recommendation of the Soil Conservation Service to the Consent Authority that all developers be required to submit an adequate Erosion and Sediment Control Plan before any development is approved.
It is suggested that the final E.I.S. contain a section on the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, outlining the requirements of the Soil Conservation Service and the means by which the company will achieve them.
4.4.1 - Proareasive Rehabilitation
Further information should be given of:
Topsoil overburden stripping and stockpiling (as per previous comments for 2.4.1).
Sediment Bunds/Dams: This should include details of
- Batter grades;
- Spiliway/trickle pipe design and construction details;
- Capacities; - Freeboard; I - Topsoiling/revegetationlstabilisatiOrl I - Maintenance. (iii) Roads: Details should cover, I - Drainage, stabilisation and roadside erosion control. I (iv) Full details of the overburden backfilling and rehabilitation. (v) Details of the revegetation program. I The draft E.I.S. gives no details of either the diversion banks or the grass waterways (shown on figures 4.1 and 4.2). Full design parameters of these works are required.
It would be highly desirable for the diversion banks shown on Figure 4.1 to be augmented by additional temporary diversion banks around the head of each quarry cell. These temporary banks would greatly reduce the area of I dirty catchment and volumes of sediment and turbid water to be handled.
4.4.2 - Revegetation
- Topsoil: Details are required of the batter grades, stockpile location, temporary sediment control and vegetative stabilisation.
I - Revegetation: Details of the techniques, planting methods, species, timing and seed treatment. All pasture legume seed should be I inoculated with the specific strain of rhizobium bacteria and lime pelleted. 70% of the seeds of any 'hard" native species should be suitably treated before seeding.
4.4.3 - Drainage/Sedimentation Structures
The full design specifications and construction details should be given for each structure including the waterways and graded diversion banks.
Although the data gives the 1:10 year design for the sediment basins, no similar design criteria is given for the spiliways. These works will need to conform with the standards of the Soil Conservation Service.
If the dam and bank spillways and waterways are to handle runoff immediately after construction, all the bare and unstable areas will require stabilisation using jute and bitumen or equivalent techniques.
4.5.2 - Existing Quarry
The comments of the District Soil Conservationist, Nowra, of 8/11/88 on this matter should again be taken into consideration.
Of the details given in the draft E.I.S. it should be noted that those given in Point (11) are not acceptable. No slope should be formed with a 0 slope greater than 180 (1V:3H). Slopes of 25 are not acceptable.
(iii) A full listing of plant species should be given and the revegetation techniques described.
All rehabilitated areas (at this and the new site) should be securely fenced to exclude animals and vehicles.
Figure 4.1
Spiliway data is required for Sediment dam in Stage 2.
Intermediate diversion banks directly above each work cell (and outletting into the waterway) should be shown.
The data for all the earthworks should be upgraded to include details of:
- Freeboard;
- Channel gradients;
- Trickle pipe sizes;
- Culvert head wall stabilisation.
Figure 4.2
The standards of these earthworks should conform to Soil Conservation Service standards. The following improvements are required:
Spiliways
All batters should be 1V:3H or flatter. All channels should be topsoiled. If works are to be constructed at the commencement of quarrying for immediate use, all channels will require stabilisation by jute mesh and I bitumen. Embankments
I All structures to have minimum settled freeboard, no less than 1 metre.
All embankment areas (from above top water level) to be topsoiled before I revegetating. Back dam batters (No 3 batter) to be equal to or flatter than 1V:3H.
I Haul Road Pavement Details
All grassed side drains are to have either trapezoidal or parabolic cross I sections (flat bottoms). Side batters should be equal to or be flatter than 1V:3H). I Grassed Water Cross Sections Full design details are to be provided for all constructed waterways.
I All waterways are to have a stable grass cover before use or be stabilised with jute mesh and bitumen techniques. I All waterways are to be fenced upon the completion of construction to exclude vehicles and grazing animals. I Side batters or waterways are to be lV:3H or flatter. The construction of the waterways so that the natural grass surface is retained and improved is preferable to the construction of the waterways I from the inside (as indicated on the diagrams).
Diversion Banks
The details shown of figure 4.2 are completely unsatisfactory.
- All diversion banks should be constructed with a trapezoidal cross section I and having a level channel cross section. I The batter grades shown on the plan are acceptable. Full design details should be supplied for these banks. I B. OTHER MATTERS REQUIRING INCLUSION IN THE FINAL DOCUMENT. 1. Location Map.
I The mapping included in the draft document needs to be upgraded to include an accurate location map of the site. Ideally this map should be at a scale I of 1:25,000 and contain both topographic and cadastral information. 2. protected Lands The proposal lies on and adjacent to lands classified under Section 21 of the Soil Conservation Act as Protected Lands. On this land it is illegal to:- Ringbark, cut down, fell, poison or otherwise destroy, or cause to be ringbarked, cut down, felled, poisoned or other wise destroyed; or
Top, lop, remove or injure, or cause to be topped lopped removed or injured, any tree on any protected land without first gaining the approval of the Commissioner of the Soil Conservation Service.
No mention has been made in the document either of the legislation or the methods by which proponents will comply with its requirements.
This matter should be addressed as a priority matter.
Conclusion. I hope that these comments are of value to you. Should you wish to discuss them you may contact me (Steve Nichols) at the Goulburn Regional Office on (048)23 0711.
Yours faithfully
LdResource Planner GOULBURN A22 December, 1989.
I 7 - New South Wales Government
Soil Conservation Service P.O. Box 76, Nowra 2541 Phone: Fax: (044) 221906 C R.W Corkery & Co Pty Ltd P.O. Box 80 c Orange NSW 2800
8 November 1988 Contact: Noel Kesby
Our reference: Dear Mr Summerhayes, Your reference:
RE: Environmental Impact Statement for the Extraction of Clay/Shale, I at "Bunnyga1ore1, , 20km west of Bowral.
Please find attached copy of "The Guidelines to Meet Soil Conservation I Service Requirements for E.I.S. - Mining", for your attention. In addition to these guidelines, the Service requires an Erosion and Sedimentation control plan to be produced by the applicant. This plan should include all relevant points from the guidelines for the following I areas:
l. The Access Road and/or haul Road, and I 2. The Quarry site including stages I & II. The plan should also include design information including: peak runoff water discharges, spillway construction, trickle pipe, I diversion bank dimensions and channel grades, sediment dam construction and revegetation techniques. Design details should be rioted on the edge I of the plan and arrows drawn to relevant structures. The Service is most concerned about the lack of adequate erosion and sediment controls and the poor revegetation of the existing quarry operation. I These Concerns must be satisfactorily addressed by the present operators before the Service will make any recommendations concerning this development to the consenting authorities.
I There are "Protected Lands" located within the proposed development and application must be made to the Catchrnent Areas Protection Board for approval to lop, top or destroy trees within the area. Such application can be made I through this office. Should you require any further assistance, please contact me. I Yours faithfu. ly, I
Noel Kesby I District Soil Co servationist NOWRA I ETS BOWRAL BRICKWOflKS PTY LIMITED 832
An environmental impact statement for proposed quarrying of clay/shale at Bunnyga1ore near Bowral New