Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application Paddington

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

GOLDEN CITIES DEWATERING WORKS APPROVAL APPLICATION

PADDINGTON GOLD PTY LTD

January 2019

Prepared for:

Department of Water and Environmental Regulation Locked Bag 33 Cloisters Square PERTH WA 6850 Phone (08) 6364 7000

Prepared by:

Menzies Highway PO Box 1653, KALGOORLIE, WA 6430 TEL (+61) 8 9080 6800 FAX (+61) 8 9080 6871

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

Table of Contents

1.0 PREMISES DETAILS ...... 5

1.1 Occupier of Premises ...... 5 1.2 General Company Description ...... 5 1.3 DWER Environmental Operating Licences ...... 6 1.4 Name and Location of Premises ...... 6

2.0 PRESCRIBED PREMISES CATEGORY ...... 8 3.0 DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY ...... 8

3.1 Existing Activities ...... 8 3.2 Proposal Description ...... 9 3.2.1 Discharging water into Golden Cities pits (Havana, Federal North, Federal South, Jakarta and Mulgarrie open pits) ...... 9

3.3 Premises Boundary ...... 12

4.0 OTHER APPROVALS ...... 16

4.1 Environmental Impact Assessment ...... 16 4.2 Other Decision Making Authorities ...... 16 4.3 Other Legislation and Guidance Material ...... 16

5.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ...... 17

5.1 Climate ...... 17 5.1.1 Temperature ...... 17 5.1.2 Rainfall ...... 17 5.1.3 Winds ...... 18 5.1.4 Evaporation ...... 18

5.2 Geology ...... 19 5.2.1 Regional Geology ...... 19 5.2.2 Local Geology ...... 19

5.3 Landforms ...... 20 5.4 Hydrology ...... 20 5.4.1 Surface Hydrology ...... 20 5.4.2 Groundwater ...... 20

5.5 Vegetation and Flora ...... 21 5.6 Fauna ...... 22 5.7 Aboriginal heritage ...... 24 5.8 European heritage ...... 24 5.9 Sensitive Receptors ...... 24

6.0 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS FROM EMISSIONS ...... 25

6.1 Risk Identification ...... 25 6.2 Potential emissions: ...... 25 6.3 Risk Assessment ...... 25

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

6.4 Risk Management ...... 26

7.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES, STANDARDS AND MEASUREMENT CRITERIA ...... 28

7.1 Objectives and Standards ...... 28

8.0 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY...... 29

8.1 Commissioning ...... 29 8.2 Clearing ...... 29 8.3 Monitoring ...... 30 8.4 Rehabilitation ...... 30 8.5 Contingencies ...... 30 8.5.1 Hypersaline spill ...... 30 8.5.2 Hydrocarbon Spill ...... 31 8.5.3 Dewatering ...... 31

8.6 Records...... 31 8.7 Management Responsibilities ...... 32 8.7.1 General Manager ...... 32 8.7.2 Open Pit Manager and Superintendent ...... 32 8.7.3 Environment, Community and Security Superintendent ...... 32 8.7.4 Operator...... 32

8.8 Competence, Training and Awareness ...... 32 8.9 Communication ...... 33

9.0 CONSULTATION ...... 33 10.0 COMMITMENTS ...... 33

TABLES Table 1 - Prescribed Premises Category Details ...... 8 Table 2 - Total volumetric capacity of existing pits ...... 10 Table 3 - Anticipated total volumes of proposed pits...... 10 Table 4 - Climate data for the Golden Cities project ...... 17 Table 5 - Water Parameters of Golden Cities Pits ...... 21 Table 6 - Assessment of the potential impact on conservation significant fauna that could occur in the bioregion (Terrestrial Ecosystems, 2017) ...... 23 Table 7 - Risk identification, Analysis and Management ...... 26 Table 8 - Environmental Performance Objectives and Standards...... 28 Table 9 - Estimated Costs ...... 29 Table 10 - Consultation Register ...... 33 Table 11 - Summary of Commitments ...... 34

FIGURES Figure 1 – Regional Location Map Golden Cities ...... 7 Figure 2 - Prescribed Premises Boundary ...... 13 Figure 3 - Golden Cities Dewatering Infrastructure ...... 14

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

Figure 4 - Mulgarrie Dewatering Infrastructure...... 15 Figure 5 - Mean monthly maximum temperature and rainfall at weather station ...... 18 Figure 6 - Annual average evaporation ...... 19

APPENDICES Appendix 1 - Groundwater Well License 151865(10) Appendix 2 - Commissioning Plan Appendix 3 - Golden Cities Flora and Vegetation Survey 2017 Appendix 4 - Mulgarrie Flora and Vegetation Survey 2015 Appendix 5 - Malleefowl Survey 2017 Appendix 6 - Malleefowl Survey 2018 Appendix 7 - Risk Rating Matrix Appendix 8 - Dust Suppression Procedure Appendix 9 - Mine Dewatering Procedure Appendix 10 - Environment and Community Policy

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

1.0 PREMISES DETAILS 1.1 Occupier of Premises Name of Occupier: Paddington Gold Pty Ltd (ACN 008 585 886)

Address of Occupier: 35 km NE Menzies HWY PO Box 1653 Kalgoorlie WA 6430

Contact Details of Occupier Paddington Gold Pty Ltd PO Box 1653 Kalgoorlie WA 6430 Phone: (08) 9080 6800 Fax: (08) 9080 6893

Australian Business Number (ABN) 98 008 585 886

1.2 General Company Description

Paddington Gold Pty Ltd (‘Paddington’) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norton Gold Fields Limited. The Paddington Mill is located 33km north-northwest of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, has a planned capacity of more than 170,000 ounces of gold annually from 3.7 million tonne of ore, and is one of the larger gold mining and processing operations in the region.

Norton’s Paddington Operations’ current projects include:  Enterprise, a currently open cut and potential underground operation, located 68km north west of Kalgoorlie-Boulder (L8692/2012/1);  Bullant Underground, located approximately 65km north-east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder (8512/2010/2);  Homestead Underground, remnant mining, located in the Mount Pleasant complex 33km north-west of Kalgoorlie-Boulder (L8327/2008/2); and  Janet Ivy, mined on a short campaign basis, located 9km west of Kalgoorlie-Boulder (L9028/2017/1); and  A number of other ancillary sources such as low grade stockpiles and third party mining operations.

All of the ore produced from Norton’s Paddington Operations is processed through the Paddington Mill. Tailings from the Paddington Mill are deposited into the adjacent Paddington In-pit Tailings Facility.

The Paddington Mill is operated under the Environmental Protection (Gold Extraction Operations) Exemption Order of 1993.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

1.3 DWER Environmental Operating Licences Norton Gold Fields (Norton) does not currently hold any DWER Operating Licences in the Golden Cities Project Area. The Havana and Federal pits have not been mined since 2012.

Water from Federal Pit may be used by Poseidon Nickel Limited’s (Poseidon) Black Swan Operations for their processing plant under a separate licence.

Mining of the Havana, Federal and Jakarta open cut pits, located in the Golden Cities project area approximately 10km northeast of Paddington Mill is expected to commence in mid-2019 pending further feasibility and approvals.

1.4 Name and Location of Premises Premises Name Golden Cities Project Area Dewatering

Tenements Tenements relevant to this application include:  M24/564  M24/565  M24/616  M27/185  L24/231

Location The premises for dewatering discharge is between the Havana, Federal, Jakarta and Mulgarrie pits, located in the Golden Cities project area.

The Golden Cities complex is located approximately 10 km northeast of Paddington Mill and 40 km north of the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Havana, Federal and Jakarta pits are located within 1,000 m distance of each other, and Mulgarrie pit is 10 km northeast of Federal pit. A regional overview of the Golden Cities and Mulgarrie areas is provided in Figure 1.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

Figure 1 – Regional Location Map Golden Cities

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

2.0 PRESCRIBED PREMISES CATEGORY Table 1 - Prescribed Premises Category Details Category Production or Nominated Rate of New/ Activity Number Design Capacity Throughput Existing

Mine Dewatering: premises on which water is extracted 4,000,000 kL per More than 500,000 6 New and discharged into annum kL per annum the environment to allow mining of ore.

The Golden Cities project commenced in 2009 and has been in care and maintenance since 2012. Norton plans to reinstate mining in the area in 2019, which is expected to operate until 2022.

The pumping and pipeline infrastructure will have a design capacity of 4,000,000 kL. However, the nominated throughput is expected to peak in the first twelve months to remove water currently within Federal pit then be more than or around 500,000 kL per annum.

Exploration drilling indicates moderate volumes of groundwater. Of the 318 exploration holes drilled in the Golden Cities area (Havana, Federal and Jakarta), 74 (23 %) had groundwater recorded at various depths. Of the 203 exploration holes drilled in the vicinity of Mulgarrie, there were 67 (33 %) records of groundwater at various depths. Groundwater depth varied from 25-156 m at Golden Cities and 14-290 m at Mulgarrie.

A dewatering Investigation was conducted by Dames & Moore Pty Ltd for AMX Resources in 1999 for the Golden Cities project. Findings from this report outline the geology and hydrogeology in the area, and indicate that there is insignificant and sporadic groundwater. From the results of the study, it is expected that water yields will be low in the Havana and Federal area. Flow meter data also indicates low water yields, as a total volume of 8,929 kL was dewatered from Havana to Federal open pit in 2008, 7,112 kL in 2009 and 6,159 kL in 2010.

Although based on the above data large volumes of groundwater are not expected in each of the projects, Norton considers that dewatering of multiple projects may still result in volumes greater than 500,000 kL per annum. This may occur when a pit requires removal of water previously used for storage, for example the initial dewatering of Federal pit.

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY 3.1 Existing Activities Federal pit, Suva pit (backfilled) and Havana pit have been mined by numerous operators since the late 1990’s/early 2000’s. Norton commenced mining of Havana/Suva pits in 2008 with final rehabilitation of the Havana waste rock dump in 2012. Currently, all infrastructure has been removed and this site

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

remains in care and maintenance, with the exception of active exploration and resource development drilling.

Havana is undergoing further feasibility investigation but it is anticipated a cutback of Havana pit, Federal pit and the construction of a new pit through the Jakarta deposit will occur in the imminent future pending approval under the Mining Act 1978.

Water from Federal Pit may be used by Poseidon’s Black Swan Operations for their processing plant under a separate groundwater and environmental operating licence held by them, but has not been abstracted from since 2009. Norton provided Poseidon access to Federal pit as a water source for their operations, and as part of that have a legal agreement in place to modify access should mining of Federal pit need to occur, hence, Norton is currently working with Poseidon in relation to future water use.

Mining of the Havana, Federal and Jakarta open cut pits, located in the Golden Cities project area approximately 10 km northeast of Paddington Mill, is expected to commence in mid-2019 pending approvals.

Norton Gold Fields has developed the “Golden Cities Mining Proposal” in alignment with DMIRS “2016 Mining Proposal Guidelines” and expects this to be submitted by the end of 2018 for assessment under the Mining Act 1978.

3.2 Proposal Description 3.2.1 Discharging water into Golden Cities pits (Havana, Federal North, Federal South, Jakarta and Mulgarrie open pits) Due to the current continual update of feasibility data and schedule of mining plans, Norton propose a staged approach to dewatering that also allows multiple discharge locations. Pipeline infrastructure will be constructed as projects are deemed viable and approved to mine, in order to minimise cost and environmental impact through unnecessary clearing. Having the capacity for both dewatering and discharge from the same pipeline to Havana, Federal North, Federal South, Jakarta (collectively referred to herein as Golden Cities pits) and Mulgarrie pit will ensure flexibility as projects are mined.

Stages are described as follows:

Stage 1:  Dewatering from Federal South and Federal North pits to Havana pit; and  Option to discharge into Mulgarrie pit if required. Stage 2:  Dewatering from Jakarta pit to Havana pit. Stage 3:  Dewatering from Havana pit to Jakarta pit or Federal North/South pits; and  Option to discharge into Mulgarrie pit if required via bypass pipeline if unable to discharge into Federal North/South pits.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

Stage 4:  Dewatering from Mulgarrie pit to Federal South pit.

The first two stages utilise Havana pit as the primary discharge point. A standpipe will be located north of Havana pit for dust suppression purposes.

The progression of Stages 3 and 4 are dependent on further feasibility studies.

Total volumetric capacity of existing pits, allowing for a nominal 6 m freeboard is outlined in Table 2 below. This data has been collated from most recent pit water levels measured in June - September 2018.

Table 2 - Total volumetric capacity of existing pits Existing pits Total Capacity Current Volume to 6m Current % of (to 6m volume – m3 freeboard – m3 total freeboard) – m3 capacity (to 6m freeboard) Havana 6,275,145 904,205 5,370,940 14 % Federal South 2,442,242 885,277 1,556,965 36 % Mulgarrie 6,201,393 491,696 5,709,697 8 %

Anticipated total volumes of proposed pits are outlined below in Table 3. Before discharging into these pits total capacity to 6 m freeboard will be determined. In addition, standing water levels and discharge volumes will be measured in all Golden Cities pits monthly to monitor abstraction and dewatering volumes. These figures are currently, and will continue, to be reviewed regularly by Norton’s Environmental Department to ensure adequacy.

Table 3 - Anticipated total volumes of proposed pits Proposed pits Estimated Total Capacity - m3 Jakarta 2,081,999 Federal North 1,008,000

Given the current storage capacity of the existing pits and the inbuilt flexibility to move water between several pits, it is anticipated that the storage capacity will be sufficient over the life of the project. Storage capacity will further be increased following cutbacks to the existing pits.

An existing pipeline is in place and currently owned and operated by Poseidon Nickel Limited on L27/75 but is also underlain with Norton tenements M24/616 and L24/231. Norton is negotiating with Poseidon to utilise this 8km of pipeline between Federal South to the Mulgarrie turnoff road. This existing pipeline will then be connected to 4 km of new pipeline into the Mulgarrie pit. Failing successful negotiation, a new pipeline will be constructed the entire distance.

The original ‘Black Swan Nickel Pty Ltd Federal Pit Pipeline NOI 5077’ details that a 320 mm diameter PN8/6.3 co-extruded polyethylene joint welded pipeline

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

was to be used in the construction of the existing Poseidon pipeline. The pipeline was to be fully bunded the entire length and include 3 inch air release valves at all high points, and 200 lockable scour valves at all low points. If the use of this pipeline is successfully negotiated, Norton will ensure the integrity of the pipeline in the commissioning stage.

New pipelines will be constructed between Federal (South and North), Havana and Jakarta.

Pipeline used for the construction of any new dewatering pipeline will be between 110 and 315 NB single weld pipeline, depending on resources available and operational requirements. Pipeline may be moved to optimal positions within the pits as mining commences and progresses. The pipeline will be placed in an earthen v-drain bund with sufficient capacity to contain spillage in the event of a pipeline failure. Scour pits will be constructed along the pipeline route at minimum 500 m intervals and low points, with sufficient capacity to contain discharges during maintenance activities. Air release valves will be positioned at relevant high points.

The following general principles will be followed to ensure compliance to likely license conditions and to ensure Norton maintain a high standard of environmental practices during dewatering activities:

 Service and maintenance of pumps, breathers, isolation values and flow meters;  Bund & sump maintenance and upgrades when required;  12 hourly pipeline inspections;  Site training and induction of all personnel working in the area; and  Dust suppression used on haul roads and as applicable access tracks.

Standard dewatering pipeline used by Norton has been previously constructed of PE100 PN16 HDPE piping that meets:

 AS/NZS 2033:2008: Installation of polyethylene pipe systems;  AS/NZS 4129:2008 Fittings for polyethylene (PE) pipes for pressure applications;  AS/NZS 4130:2009 Polyethylene (PE) pipes for pressure applications; and  AS/NZS 4131:2010 Polyethylene (PE) compounds for pressure pipes and fittings.

Groundwater Licence: GWL 151865(10) is retained for abstraction operations. This is included in Appendix 1.

Norton implements a Mine Dewatering Procedure (PGM-ENV-PRO-06-002) to ensure compliance with the above matters (Appendix 9).

Norton proposes to undertake a commissioning phase once pipelines are constructed. Details of this proposal are outlined in Appendix 2.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

3.3 Premises Boundary Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4 provide locations of the tenements, the proposed prescribed boundary and prescribed activity, and identifies the proposed discharge points into the various pits.

GPS co-ordinates (latitude, longitude) for the proposed prescribed premises boundary, starting from north western corner and moving clockwise are as follows:

-30 ° 24 ' 22.77286 '', 121 ° 23 ' 38.04346 '' -30 ° 24 ' 19.63430 '', 121 ° 26 ' 5.12030 '' -30 ° 24 ' 43.84808 '', 121 ° 27 ' 39.11030 '' -30 ° 24 ' 39.14282 '', 121 ° 29 ' 30.76832 '' -30 ° 22 ' 51.81437 '', 121 ° 30 ' 51.20000 '' -30 ° 23 ' 9.35840 '', 121 ° 31 ' 17.38412 '' -30 ° 24 ' 6.56190 '', 121 ° 30 ' 2.79956 '' -30 ° 24 ' 44.08566 '', 121 ° 29 ' 37.06051 '' -30 ° 24 ' 48.88716 '', 121 ° 27 ' 39.74475 '' -30 ° 24 ' 25.32369 '', 121 ° 26 ' 5.18129 '' -30 ° 25 ' 43.50357 '', 121 ° 23 ' 56.12820 ''

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

Figure 2 - Prescribed Premises Boundary

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

Figure 3 - Golden Cities Dewatering Infrastructure

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

Figure 4 - Mulgarrie Dewatering Infrastructure

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

4.0 OTHER APPROVALS 4.1 Environmental Impact Assessment This discharge of mine dewater is deemed a low risk and an Environmental Impact Assessment or referral to Office of Environmental Protection Authority is not required.

4.2 Other Decision Making Authorities Norton Gold Fields has developed the “Golden Cities Mining Proposal” in alignment with DMIRS Mining Proposal Guidelines 2016 and anticipates this to be submitted by the end of 2018 for assessment.

In addition, Norton intends to submit a Clearing Permit application with DMIRS alongside the Mining Proposal. This Clearing Permit will cover any required clearing for construction of dewatering pipeline within the Golden Cities area, however wherever possible existing tracks and disturbed areas will be utilised.

Any clearing required on tenement L24/231 or M27/185, between Golden Cities and Mulgarrie pit, that is not covered under the above clearing Permit will be managed in accordance with Schedule 1, Item 2, Subclause 2 of the Environmental Protection (Clearing of the Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. See Section 8.2 for additional detail.

4.3 Other Legislation and Guidance Material Norton Gold Fields will comply with the provisions in applicable Acts and Regulations which include the following, but may not be restricted to:

 Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972;  Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016;  Conservation and Land Management Act 1984;  Environmental Protection Act 1986;  Environmental Protection Regulations 1987;  Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997;  Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004;  Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2001;  Environmental Protection (Unauthorised Discharge) Regulations 2004;  Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth);  Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act 1961;  Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990;  Land Administration Act 1997;  Land Drainage Act 1925;  Local Government Act 1995;  Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1960;  Mining Act 1978 and Regulations 1981;  Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994, Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995;

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

 Native Title Act 1973 (Commonwealth);  Occupation Safety and Health Act 1984; and  Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 particularly licence to Take Water GWL 151865(10).

5.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT 5.1 Climate

Table 4 - Climate data for the Golden Cities project Average Temperature 9am Conditions 3pm Conditions (°C) Min Max Temp Humidity Wind Temp Humidity Wind (%) Speed (%) Speed (km/hr) (km/hr) Jan 18 34 24 45 17 32 24 15 Feb 18 32 23 51 16 31 30 15 Mar 16 29 21 54 16 29 32 14 Apr 13 25 18 60 14 24 38 14 May 9 21 14 67 12 20 44 14 Jun 6 18 11 74 12 17 48 16 Jul 5 17 10 73 12 16 46 17 Aug 6 19 12 65 14 18 39 17 Sept 8 22 15 54 16 21 31 18 Oct 11 26 18 47 17 25 27 18 Nov 14 29 21 45 17 28 25 17 Dec 17 32 23 43 16 31 24 16 Annual 12 25 17 57 15 24 34 16 Sourced from BOM, 2018 weather station location #12038 Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport

5.1.1 Temperature Golden Cities falls within the semi-arid region of WA, characterised by hot summers and mild winters. Mean annual maximum temperature is 25.2oC and mean annual minimum is 11.6oC. The coldest month is July and diurnal temperature variations are commonly high throughout the year.

5.1.2 Rainfall The area is arid and the annual average rainfall at Kalgoorlie-Boulder is 268.4mm. Most of the rain falls between February and July, and this amount varies greatly both seasonally and annually.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

Figure 5 - Mean monthly maximum temperature and rainfall at weather station Sourced from BoM, 2018

5.1.3 Winds The average wind speeds at Kalgoorlie-Boulder vary throughout the year from 11.8 – 17.2 km/h in the morning to 13.7 – 17.8 km/h in the afternoon.

5.1.4 Evaporation Annual potential evaporation is approximately ten times higher than rainfall, and evaporation greatly exceeds average rainfall during each month of the year. The annual evaporation rate is approximately 2,628 mm (BOM, 2018), compared to the annual rainfall of 267 mm. Figure 6 shows the average annual evaporation rate ranges throughout Australia.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

Figure 6 - Annual average evaporation Sourced from BoM, 2018

5.2 Geology 5.2.1 Regional Geology The Golden Cities Project is located within the Eastern Goldfields and of the Yilgarn Craton which is divided into elongated structural stratigraphic belts which are separated by regional north-north-west trending faults. The area is characterized by linear, northerly trending greenstone belt of the Archaen supracustal rocks which comprise metamorphosed volcanic and sedimentary rocks, with the areas between the greenstone belts including granitoid rocks.

Regional geological structures are characterized by early stage folding and thrust stacking resulting in prominent north north-west trending ductile shear zones with late stage brittle and brittle ductile deformations. It has been estimated that approximately 90% of the Golden Cities Project area is underlain by granite with rock types varying from tonalite to syenogranite and diorite to syenite, predominantly containing monzogranite and granodiorite markings.

5.2.2 Local Geology The geological profile within the proposed Golden Cities project area is a hornblende-biotite-granodiorite of Scotia Pluton. Two types of granite are located within the Federal pit comprising fine-grained and coarse grained grandiorite located with the southern half and northern half respectively which is determined by the deformation style. The Golden Cities project is located within the Scotia-Kanowna Granitoid Complex which is overlain by alluvial and colluvial surface deposits. The regolith profile generally consists of sandy

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

ferruginous/pisolitic soil overlain by a weakly reworked pisolitic ‘laterite’ consisting of lateralised fragments in a ferruginised sandy clay matrix.

A silcrete horizon overlays white-pink-yellow kaolin saprolitic clays with residual quartz in the Golden Cities Complex. The clay generally grades into a greens Saprolite following granite with remaining biotite and feldspar into fresh granite. The fresh granitic rocks are generally massive, medium-coarse grained, biotite- hornblende rich and have been termed the Golden Cities Granodiorite.

5.3 Landforms The survey area lies in the Coolgardie bioregion within the Eastern Goldfields subregion, which lies on the Yilgarn Craton's 'Eastern Goldfields Terrains'. The relief is subdued and comprised of gently undulating plains interrupted in the west with low hills and ridges of Archaean greenstones and in the east by a horst of Proterozoic basic granulite.

The general underlying geology of the Coolgardie Bioregion is of gneisses and granites eroded into a flat plane covered with tertiary soils and with scattered exposures of bedrock. Calcareous earths are the dominant soil group and cover much of the plains and greenstone areas. A series of large playa lakes in the western half are the remnants of an ancient major drainage line.

5.4 Hydrology 5.4.1 Surface Hydrology Surface water resources around the Golden Cities dewatering project area are scarce, with surface water only being evident following continuous and heavy periods of rainfall. Surface water throughout the region is drained by series of creeks, running south into major drainage channels that traverse flood plains and eventually feed into salt lake systems. Surface drainage is internal with significant sheet and rill flow occurring immediately following rainfall. Local flooding may occur particularly after summer thunderstorms.

During construction and operations, unconsolidated surfaces such as overburden storages, stockpiles, embankment faces and unsealed roads may contribute to sediment loads in the runoff water. V-drains and spoon drains will be used to manage surface water runoff and limit the emissions of sediment into the natural environment.

5.4.2 Groundwater Groundwater flow is towards the major palaeodrainages and modern playa lakes where the water-table is at or near the surface. Groundwater discharge occurs mainly by evaporation from playa lakes, with comparatively small volumes discharged through palaeochannels.

Groundwater from the region is drawn from the Roe Paleochannel System which is highly saline with major ions strongly dominated by sodium and chloride and to a lesser extent magnesium and sulphate. Water quality in the pits is slightly

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

alkaline and concentrations of heavy metal contaminants are relatively low. Each pit lake is saline to hypersaline, with the total dissolved solids (TDS) ranging from 27,700 mg/L to 84,200 mg/L as shown in Table 5.

Given the highly saline nature of the groundwater, it is considered to have uses suitable for the mining industry only. Table 5 presents the most recent comparison of the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), pH and Electrical Conductivity (EC) of Federal South, Havana and Mulgarrie pits. This data is derived from quarterly sampling and water quality analysis that was conducted in 2017/2018 in accordance with the monitoring schedule outlined in Norton’s Groundwater Operating Strategy.

Table 5 - Water Parameters of Golden Cities Pits Variable Range 2017-2018 Pit Name Total Dissolved Solids Electrical Conductivity pH (pH Units) (mg/L) (mS/cm) Federal 5.9 - 8.0 78,700 - 84,200 115.7 - 126.6 Havana 8.3 - 8.6 34,800 - 37,100 51.2 - 54.5 Mulgarrie 7.6 - 8.4 27,700 - 57,200 40.7 - 84.1

5.5 Vegetation and Flora The Golden Cities operations are located within the Coolgardie Botanical District of the South-western Interzone. This botanical district is predominantly Eucalypt woodland, becoming open towards the more calcareous soils, where a cover of saltbush-bluebush understorey is evident. Dominant plant families within the Coolgardie Botanical District include Mimosaceae, Myrtaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Myoporaceae A gently undulating topography within this Botanical District is broken up with occasional ranges of low hills. Principally, the soils are brown calcareous earths.

A flora and vegetation survey of the Golden Cities Federal and Havana area was conducted by Native Vegetation Solutions in 2017.

No flora located in the survey area are gazetted as Threatened pursuant to Section 5(1) of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. No plant taxa listed as Threatened pursuant to Schedule 1 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 were located within the survey area. No Priority species were recorded in the survey area.

No Threatened Ecological Communities, Priority Ecological Communities or Environmentally Sensitive Areas were recorded in the survey area.

Three weed species were recorded within the survey area; Centaurea melitensis (Maltese Cockspur), Dittrichia graveolens (Stinkwort) and Salvia verbenaca (Wild Sage). None of these species are listed as declared plants by DPIRD (2017).

Overall, the condition of the vegetation was determined to be “Good” with areas which were not affected by historic exploration in “Very Good” condition, and other areas affected by historic clearing in “Degraded” condition. Degraded areas included previous mining activities such as borrow pits and

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

laydown/hardstand areas as well as haul roads and access corridors. Evidence of some grazing was observed during the field assessment.

This survey is attached as Appendix 3.

A flora and vegetation survey of the Golden Cities Mulgarrie area was conducted by Botanica Consulting in 2015.

None of the vegetation communities within the Mulgarrie survey area were found to have National Environmental Significance as defined by the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999. No TEC pursuant to Commonwealth legislation or PEC as listed by the DPaW were recorded within the survey areas.

Based on the Keighery vegetation health rating scale (1994) all 28 vegetation communities were classed as ‘good’, which depicts vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple disturbances (access tracks, grazing, exploration and mining activities); however it still retains its basic structure and has the ability to regenerate naturally.

No introduced species were found in the Mulgarrie survey area.

This survey is attached as Appendix 4.

5.6 Fauna

Terrestrial Ecosystems conducted a Fauna and Targeted Malleefowl Survey in the Golden Cities project area in 2017, and a Targeted Malleefowl survey in 2018.

The project area supports the following four broad fauna habitats:  Open shrubland with an understory of spinifex or tussock grasses;  Open eucalypt woodland over shrubs and chenopods of varying densities;  Dense shrubland; and  Mallee and shrubs of varying density.

These fauna habitats are widespread and extend throughout the project area into the wider locality.

Five threatened species of fauna and five migratory species of birds were identified under the EPBC Act 1999 as potentially occurring in the project area or surrounds. There is one Schedule 5 and one Schedule 7 species as listed under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and two species listed on the DBCA’s Threatened and Priority Fauna List that potentially occur in the project area or surrounds. Proposed clearing in the project area is unlikely to have a significant impact on these species in a bioregional context. These species are listed in Table 6.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

Table 6 - Assessment of the potential impact on conservation significant fauna that could occur in the bioregion (Terrestrial Ecosystems, 2017)

DBCA Status under Schedule / Commonwealth Comment on the potential impact on Species Priority EPBC Act species Night Parrot (Pezoporus Critically Endangered Highly unlikely to occur in the project area. Endangered occidentalis) Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) Vulnerable Vulnerable Recorded in the project area.

Chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii) Vulnerable Vulnerable Highly unlikely to occur in the project area.

Princess Parrot May infrequently be seen in the area; (Polytelis Priority 4 Vulnerable however, clearing vegetation is unlikely to alexandrae) impact on this species. Mulgara (Dasycercus blythi / Priority 4 Vulnerable Not present in the project area. cristicauda)

Oriental Plover May infrequently be seen in the area; (Charadrius Migratory Migratory however, clearing vegetation is unlikely to veredus) impact on this species.

Fork-tailed Swift May infrequently be seen in the area; Migratory Migratory however, clearing vegetation is unlikely to (Apus pacificus) impact on this species.

Highly unlikely to be seen in the project Grey Wagtail area, so the potential for impact on this Migratory Migratory (Motacilla cinerea) species is low.

May infrequently be seen in the area; Peregrine Falcon however, clearing vegetation is unlikely to Schedule 7 (Falco peregrinus) impact on this species.

Rainbow Bee-eater M i g ratory / Recorded in the project area; however, clearing vegetation is unlikely to impact on (Merops ornatus) Sch. 5 this species. Great Egret (Ardea alba) Migratory Migratory Not present in the project area. Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis) Migratory Migratory Not present in the project area.

The November 2018 survey found 22 malleefowl mounds in the Golden Cities project area. Of these, two were active and one was recently active. Norton Gold Fields are currently undertaking monitoring of active mounds. Activities associated with this proposal are not with 100 m of active or potentially active mounds and therefore will not be impacted.

The 2017 and 2018 Fauna reports are attached as Appendix 5 and Appendix 6 respectively.

Norton maintains a Malleefowl Management Plan as well as associated reporting and mound marking procedures to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to prevent harm to malleefowl. The Malleefowl Management Plan is available on request.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

5.7 Aboriginal heritage A search conducted at the Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA) database revealed that there are three ‘Registered’ or ‘Other Aboriginal Heritage Sites’ listed within the Golden Cities tenements relevant to this proposal (Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System, 2018).

These sites are located on tenements M24/564 and M24/565. No disturbance to these sites has occurred during the mining of Golden Cities. There are also a number of unregistered sites of archaeological significance (as defined under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972) across the Golden Cities area.

These sites have been identified by Native Title Groups and mapped by Norton’s Paddington Operations. These are not included in the Golden Cities project due to site sensitivity associated with their location. Norton will ensure the sites are not disturbed during any closure activities that occur.

Consultation with the relevant Native Title Groups; Central West, Gubrun, Maduwongga and Widji is ongoing to ensure that mining operations do not disturb any significant sites. The most recent Heritage Surveys undertaken in the Golden Cities and Mulgarrie areas include the ‘Mt Jewell, Mulgarrie and Racetrack West’ survey 2015 and ‘Golden Cities and Haul Roads’ survey 2017, both undertaken by R. & E. O’Connor.

5.8 European heritage There are no sites of European Heritage within the Golden Cities dewatering project area.

The nearest heritage site is the Broad Arrow tavern, located 12 km to the west of the project area. Dewatering activities are not expected to have an effect on this receptor.

5.9 Sensitive Receptors The nearest residential community is the Broad Arrow town site, located 12 km to the west of the project area. As stated above, dewatering activities are not expected to have an effect on this receptor.

The historic mining town of Mulgarrie is located near the Mulgarrie pit, and will not be impacted by dewatering activities.

The nearest conservation area to the Golden Cities survey area is the Bullock Timber Reserve located approximately 30 km south-east of the project area.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

6.0 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS FROM EMISSIONS 6.1 Risk Identification From the risk identification process, four potential emissions were identified associated with the dewatering into any of the open pits. The likelihood of an event happening where the emissions affect the environment is detailed in Section 6.4.

6.2 Potential emissions:  Hyper-saline water (spill into dewatering system, breach of pipeline, overtopping of any pit);  Hydrocarbon spill(spill from water pump);  Noise (from water pump and pipeline inspection vehicles); and  Dust (from discharge points and pipeline inspection vehicles).

6.3 Risk Assessment To identify the risks associated with discharging, each component of the process flow chart was assessed to identify any risk that may occur within each component. Risks that were identified are summarised below.

Hypersaline spill occurring has potential and is considered a high risk without management measures and a moderate risk after management measures are put in place. The consequences would be a loss of vegetation and/or habitat from contaminating the soil and water.

Hydrocarbon contamination is possible but considered a low risk. The consequences would be water and soil contamination which would lead to vegetation deaths and habitat decline. Only a small amount of fuel will be stored within the day tanks of the dewatering pump, therefore a hydrocarbon contamination will not be sizeable.

Noise impacts are unlikely and not expected. The consequence of residential disturbance would not occur as there are no residents within the immediate vicinity. There is also risk of impact on local fauna populations. It is highlighted that neither of these are likely to be greater than noise impacts from mining operations (excavators, dump trucks, dozers, graders, service trucks, drill rigs and rock breakers).

Dust accumulation is possible and considered a low risk. Again, the impact from discharge points and vehicle movements is not likely to be greater than the mining operations.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

6.4 Risk Management Table 7 - Risk identification, Analysis and Management Residual Risk Risk Identification Risk Analysis Risk Management Analysis

nce

Issue Impact Control Control Causes Potential Potential Measures Likelihood Likelihood Risk Ranking Risk Ranking Risk Consequence Conseque Event/Incident Management/

Hypersaline Release of hypersaline Soil, surface water Pipeline failure. 3 B High 12 hourly Pipeline inspections 2 C Moderate water water into the contamination. environment Vegetation deaths. Lack of appropriate Pipeline maintenance containment facilities. Sufficient containment bunds Hypersaline Exceed the water Soil, surface water Lack of inspections. 3 C Moderate Dewatering pipeline procedure. 3 D Low - water - Water holding capacity of contamination. Moderate holding the pit Vegetation deaths. Lack of water volume Monthly water volume monitoring. capacity of monitoring. the pit Monthly surveying of water level in Large rainfall event. pits.

Installation of markers at 6m below crest level.

Develop groundwater management plan should water levels get within 6m of the pit crest.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

Hydrocarbons Release of Soil, surface water Lack of appropriate 2 B Moderate Appropriately designed and 1 C Low hydrocarbons into the contamination. containment facilities. maintained service truck. environment Vegetation deaths. Lack of fuel/oils Waste management plan. Release of storage and handling hydrocarbons into procedures. Hydrocarbon management and spill dewatering network procedure. Lack of adherence to existing fuel/oil Collection of waste oil and grease. storage and handling procedures. Hydrocarbon spill kits.

Toolbox presentations to employees.

Noise – pumps & Noise – impact on local Disturbance to Inappropriate 2 D Low If required, place noise barrier around 2 E Low engines fauna habitats positioning of pump pump.

Dust Dust accumulation on Vegetation decline Heavy use of vehicles 2 C Moderate Use appropriate dust suppression 2 D Low vegetation on track to check techniques on the track. Nuisance pipeline Daily observations on dust within work area and additional measures implemented if required.

Refer to Appendix 7 for Norton Gold Fields Risk Rating Matrix.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

7.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES, STANDARDS AND MEASUREMENT CRITERIA 7.1 Objectives and Standards

Table 8 - Environmental Performance Objectives and Standards Environmental Performance Standards Measurement Criteria Objectives - Pipeline inspection carried out on 12 hourly basis - Mine Dewatering Procedure Hypersaline water - Environmental - Pipeline logbook and inspection sheets emissions: ensure all Protection Act - Isolation and breather valves hypersaline water is Regulations 1986 - Monthly surveys of water level in pits contained within the - Mine Dewatering - When water level approaches 6m from pipeline bund, open Procedure the surface of any pit, implement pits and scour pits development of groundwater management plan to ensure water levels remain less than 6m below surface at nearest natural vegetation - Groundwater Abstraction Licence 151865(10) - Groundwater Dewatering: ensure Operating Strategy - Flow meters installed and measured groundwater - Water and Irrigation monthly abstraction is not Regulations 1914 - Annual Groundwater Monitoring exceeded - Environmental Summary Protection Act Regulations 1986 - Mine Dewatering Procedure - Small quantities stored on active machinery Hydrocarbon Waste Management - System in place to immediately deal with emissions: ensure - Plan a hydrocarbon spill hydrocarbons do not Groundwater - Hydrocarbon spill kit located nearby leak into the - Operating Strategy - Annual water quality monitoring environment - Hydrocarbons not stored in fuel tanks to be bunded Noise emissions: ensure noise is kept at - Environmental a suitable level to Protection (Noise) - Fauna observations in the area, in avoid fauna Regulations 1997 particular that travel patterns are not disturbance and - Wildlife Protection Act changing residential 1950 communities. Dust accumulation: - Dust Suppression ensure dust is Procedure - Follow Dust Suppression Procedure managed so it does Environmental - - Monitor dust in the area not affect vegetation Protection Act and the public. Regulations 1986

Norton’s Dust Suppression Procedure and Mine Dewatering Procedure are attached as Appendix 8 and Appendix 9, respectively.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

8.0 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY 8.1 Commissioning The pipeline will be constructed by Norton staff once approvals are in place. The v-drain and scour pits will be constructed by use of a grader and/or excavator. Maintenance staff will install flow metres, breather and carry out welding of the pipeline. Estimated costs are shown below in Table 9.

Table 9 - Estimated Costs Activity Estimated Cost 17 000m HDPE polypipe ($46/m) $782,000 Hire Pump (3 years) $162,000 Flow metre, breather, etc. $3,600 Pipeline installation Labour ($50/m) $850,000 TOTAL $1,797,600

Norton proposes to undertake a commissioning phase once pipelines are constructed. Details of this proposal are outlined in Appendix 2.

8.2 Clearing A maximum of approximately 10 ha of clearing will be required to construct the pipeline and new access tracks, allowing for an extra 5 m alongside the already established road for a v-drain. Existing access tracks and disturbed areas will be utilised wherever possible.

A clearing permit application for the Golden Cities project area is currently being submitted by Norton alongside the Golden Cities Mining Proposal. This clearing permit will manage clearing required for pipelines within tenements M24/564, M24/565 and M24/616.

Any clearing required on tenement L24/231 and M27/185, between Golden Cities and Mulgarrie pit that is not covered under the above clearing Permit will be managed in accordance with Schedule 1, Item 2, Subclause 2 of the Environmental Protection (Clearing of the Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. As detailed in Section 3.2.1 of this proposal, Norton are negotiating with Poseidon the use of an existing 8 km of pipeline on L24/231. Failing negotiation, 9 km of new pipeline will be constructed on L24/231 and M27/185. Allowing for a 5 m v-drain alongside the existing road, the total disturbance outside of the above mentioned clearing permit will be less than 5 ha.

Management strategies for clearing will include:  The areas to be cleared will be well-defined so that over-clearing will be avoided;  Dust suppression will be implemented where required during clearing activities;  All employees will be inducted to ensure disturbances are confined to areas identified in the field;  Clearing operators will be supervised;

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

 Protecting all vegetation outside of the clearing profile;  Rehabilitating disturbed areas no longer required and progressively rehabilitating completed areas as soon as practicable;  Prior to any development being commenced, vegetation and topsoil will be cleared and stockpiled separately for future use;  Topsoil stockpiles will not exceed 2m in height; and  Only use local native plant species for seeding.

8.3 Monitoring  Monitoring of the pipeline occurs every 12 hours;  The pipeline flow meter will be monitored on a monthly basis;  Monthly water level survey of Golden Cities pits;  The water quality will be monitored annually and will include pH, EC, TDS and heavy metals analysis;  Noise will be monitored on as required basis – given it is a work area triggered by OHS standards; and  Dust observations will be carried out regularly.

8.4 Rehabilitation The pipeline will be rehabilitated and revegetated with local species once the pipeline is no longer required in accordance with Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) requirements.

Rehabilitation is guided by the following principles:  Ensure that vegetation clearing is kept to a minimum;  Collect and correctly stockpile vegetative material and available topsoil for later use at selected sites;  Strip topsoil for immediate re-use on prepared surfaces where possible;  Progressively rehabilitate completed areas as soon as practicable;  Only use local native plant species for seeding; and  Undertake decommissioning and closure of the site to industry leading practice principles and to statutory requirements.

To assist with ongoing review of the rehabilitation and environmental management at the Golden Cities project, Norton submit an Annual Environmental Report (AER) to DMIRS in March each year.

8.5 Contingencies 8.5.1 Hypersaline spill In an event of a hypersaline spill:  Bunding will assist to contain the spill and the isolation valves will be turned on by the person inspecting the pipeline;  Repairs will be carried out on the pipeline and any bunding that may have been damaged will be reconstructed to standard by the service crew.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

 Earthmoving equipment will be used by the service crew to remove contaminated soil. Soil sampling will be carried out by the Environment Department to assess the extent of the contamination.  Reports will provided in accordance with Section 72 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 should any environmental harm occur; and  Rehabilitation of the affected area will be carried out by Environmental Department if required.

8.5.2 Hydrocarbon Spill In an event of a hydrocarbon spill:  The source will be stopped immediately and the spill will be contained with additional bunding from the spill kit that will be in the vicinity;  Any contaminated soil will be removed and disposed of appropriately by the service crew;  Soil and water sampling will be carried out by the Environment Department to assess the extent of the contamination. Reports provided in accordance with Section 72 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986; and  Rehabilitation of the affected area will be carried out by the Environmental Department if required.

8.5.3 Dewatering To ensure the pit volume is not exceeded, monthly water volumes deposited in to the Golden Cities pits will be collected by the pipeline service crew. In addition, surveyors will measure the water levels in the Golden Cities pits on a monthly basis to ensure the water holding capacity is not exceeded and to ensure sufficient capacity continues to remain. The Environment Department will check this data on a monthly basis and examine any inconsistencies or unusual readings.

If dewatering volumes exceed the allowed amount, relevant authorities will be notified by the Environmental Department and pumping volumes will be reduced or ceased to prevent exceedance of the allowed limit.

8.6 Records The records that are maintained at Norton to ensure systems, practices and procedures are in place are listed below:  Groundwater well licence reports;  Groundwater Operating Procedure;  Pipeline inspection log book;  Flow meter log book;  Groundwater monitoring database;  Environmental Incident report form;  Environmental Incident log book; and  Shift logs.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

8.7 Management Responsibilities Management responsibilities are detailed below to ensure the Environmental Management System (EMS) is established, implemented and maintained throughout the operation. These are in line with Norton Gold Fields Environment and Community Policy, attached as Appendix 10.

8.7.1 General Manager  Provides resources to implement, maintain and improve the EMS; and  Appoints and supports the Environment, Community and Security Superintendent who is responsible for implementation of the EMS.

8.7.2 Open Pit Manager and Superintendent  Ensures that sufficient personnel and resources have been engaged to implement the plans and procedures within the EMS as applicable to the Golden Cities project.

8.7.3 Environment, Community and Security Superintendent  Ensures that the EMS is established, implemented, reviewed and maintained throughout the year in accordance with progress and changes that occur; and  Reports to the General Manager on the performance of the system.

8.7.4 Operator  Carries out relevant requirements of the EMS such as the plans and procedures to aim for a minimal incident operation;  Reports all environmental incidents and opportunities for improvement on the current practices; and  Report and record all carried out inspections.

8.8 Competence, Training and Awareness To ensure competence and understanding of operational and license requirements:  All of the workforce, both Norton staff and contractors, are given a wide ranging safety, occupational health and environmental management induction on arrival at the site;  Pipeline inspectors are trained on the Mine Dewatering Procedure (attached as Appendix 9) to ensure inspectors have a full understanding of their responsibilities;  Water cart operators are trained on the Dust Suppression Procedure (attached as Appendix 8) to ensure minimum impact on the vegetation; and  Continuous staff training will involve environmental input at “tool-box” meetings and specific environmental courses as required.

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

8.9 Communication Daily meeting with Department Managers are held to ensure communications are effectively passed through the system. In addition, all EMS policies and procedures are available to all personnel through the Environmental Department upon request. Weekly meetings are conducted with the Technical Services Department to discuss any matter that may need addressing.

9.0 CONSULTATION Table 10 - Consultation Register Organisation/ Contact Initial Topic Discussed Outcome Individual Person Contact

Discussed with Danielle indicated Department of Danielle the that commissioning Water and Danielle duration of could occur for 6 29/12/2018 Environmental Eyre commissioning months or until a Regulation before a license license was was obtained. obtained.

Discussion on the Golden Cities Eight mining project, residents the environmental Broad Arrow and 10/12/2018 setting and the No objections. residents pastoralists various activities contacted include dewatering discharge.

10.0 COMMITMENTS Norton’s Paddington Operations has made a number of specific commitments within this works approval. See page numbers to reference back to relevant page/s:

Norton Gold Fields Limited – Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval Application

Table 11 - Summary of Commitments Page Issue Commitment Number

- Monthly water volumes will be undertaken during dewatering Water Monitoring 28 - 29 - Annual water quality sampling will be undertaken whilst dewatering activities are operational

- 12 hour pipeline monitoring will occur while actively dewatering V-drain and pipeline bunding is maintained Hypersaline Spill - Monthly water level monitoring within Golden Cities 28 Control - open pits - Report all incidents internally and externally as required by Section 72 of EP Act

- The pipeline will be rehabilitated and revegetated Rehabilitation with local species once the pipeline is no longer 27 - 28 required in accordance with DMIRS requirements

- Hydrocarbons not within fuel tanks for engines will be stored in bunded areas Hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon contaminated Hydrocarbons - 28 - 29 material will be collected and sent offsite for treatment and disposal - Spill kits will be available near each machine

- Dust generating activities will be monitored to ensure that vegetation and workers are not impacted - Dust generating equipment will be assessed and a range of measures implemented including water Dust carts, restricting access, increased wind breaks, and 28 & 30 change to nozzle parameters - Any action being implemented will be reviewed to ensure that it is (a) effective and (b) not having other adverse impacts

Operations will adhere to Environmental Protection Noise - 24 – 25 & 28 (Noise) Regulations 1997

These commitments will ensure the project is managed in an environmentally sound manner, consistent with the statutory requirements, the company’s objectives and conditions imposed by DWER.

Appendix 1

Groundwater Well License 151865(10)

Appendix 2

Commissioning Plan

Golden Cities Dewatering Works Approval - Commissioning Plan

Following installation of dewatering infrastructure, Norton proposes a commissioning period to verify the correct installation and operation prior to obtaining a discharge license. Commissioning will include both no-load and load commissioning to ensure compliance against design criteria. Load commissioning is proposed to occur for a period of either six months or until a discharge license is obtained (whichever occurs sooner).

No-load commissioning

Prior to any dewatering a no-load commissioning check will occur to ensure correct installation and integrity of infrastructure. This will include;

 Confirming pumps, flow meters, air valves and scour valves are installed correctly  Inspecting pipeline weld integrity  Pressure testing of the pipeline to maximum credible operating pressure for a period of at least 2 hours  Confirm pipeline has been anchored with earth or other measures at top of discharge locations (no pulling back from edge)  Ensuring that the V drains are a minimum of 30 cm deep and sufficient to contain a volume of discharge from the pipeline  Ensure that V drains contain entire pipeline  Ensuring that scour pits have been installed at least every 500 m and at low points in the pipeline, and are of adequate size to contain any discharge from the pipeline

Load commissioning

To verify that dewatering infrastructure meets emission standards and discharge requirements, a load commissioning period will confirm operation complies with design criteria. This will include;

 Checking the first flush emission for incorrect operation  12 hourly pipeline inspections for spills and / or leaks  Weekly tests of pump and pipe pressure  Weekly flow meter measurements to verify water quantities discharged  Fortnightly measurements of water quality (pH, TDS, EC) at discharge locations  Monthly monitoring of standing water level in all pits

Compliance certificate

After the’ No-load commissioning’ and first flush emission have been completed a compliance certificate will be prepared and sent to DWER alongside a discharge license application. The application and compliance certificate will be submitted within 1 month of the ‘No-load commissioning’.

The load commissioning (and associated checks) will continue until a license to operate is obtained.

Paddington Gold Pty Ltd  Menzies Highway, PO Box 1653, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia 6430  ABN: 98 008 585 886  Tel (08) 9080 6800 Fax (08) 9080 6893 www.nortongoldfields.com.au

Appendix 3

Golden Cities Flora and Vegetation Survey 2017

Level 1

Flora and Vegetation Survey of the

Golden Cities Project Area,

Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229

and L24 /230)

Prepared for

Norton Gold Fields Ltd

DRAFT V1.0 December 2017

Prepared by: Native Vegetation Solutions PO Box 41 KALGOORLIE Ph: (08) 9021 5818 Mob: 0407 998 953 Email: [email protected]

Native Vegetation Solutions Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1

1.1 OBJECTIVES ...... 3 1.2 GEOLOGY AND VEGETATION ...... 3 1.3 CLIMATE ...... 3 1.3.1 Temperature ...... 3 1.3.2 Rainfall ...... 4 2. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ...... 5

2.1 PERSONNEL AND REPORTING ...... 5 2.2 PRELIMINARY DESKTOP STUDY ...... 5 2.2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Protected Matters...... 5 2.2.2 Threatened Flora and Communities ...... 5 2.2.3 Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) and Conservation Reserves ...... 5 2.2.4 Vegetation Type, Extent and Status ...... 5 2.2.5 Wetlands ...... 5 2.2.6 Dieback ...... 6 2.3 SITE INVESTIGATION ...... 6 2.3.1 Field Methods ...... 6 2.3.2 Post-Field Methods ...... 7 2.3.3 Mapping ...... 7 2.4 LIMITATIONS ...... 7 3. RESULTS ...... 9

3.1 PRELIMINARY DESKTOP ASSESSMENT ...... 9 3.1.1 EPBC Act Protected Matters ...... 9 3.1.2 Threatened Flora and Communities ...... 9 3.1.3 Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Conservation Reserves ...... 9 3.1.4 Vegetation Type, Extent and Status ...... 9 3.1.5 Wetlands ...... 10 3.1.6 Dieback ...... 10 3.2 FIELD ASSESSMENT ...... 10 3.2.1 Threatened Flora ...... 10 3.2.2 Vegetation Type, Extent and Status ...... 11 3.2.3 Weeds ...... 24 3.2.4 Vegetation Condition ...... 24 4. DISCUSSION ...... 25 5. REFERENCES ...... 26 APPENDIX 1 RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DATABASE SEARCH RESULTS ...... 28 APPENDIX 2 THREATENED FLORA DATABASES SEARCH RESULTS ...... 39 APPENDIX 3 VEGETATION CONDITION SCALE (KEIGHERY, 1994) ...... 42 APPENDIX 4 VEGETATION MAPPING...... 44 APPENDIX 5 SPECIES LIST ...... 51

Native Vegetation Solutions Page i Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

Figures Figure 1: Regional map of survey location ...... 2 Figure 2: Mean temperature ranges for Kalgoorlie-Boulder weather station ...... 4 Figure 3: Monthly and mean rainfall for Kalgoorlie-Boulder weather station 2017 ...... 4 Figure 4: Eucalyptus griffithsii and E. oleosa over Acacia acuminata and Acacia aneura over Triodia irritans within the survey area ...... 12 Figure 5: Low woodland of Eucalyptus oleosa and Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia hemiteles and Eremophila dempsteri over dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus and Maireana triptera within the survey area ...... 13 Figure 6: Open mallee of Eucalyptus over scrub of Acacia acuminata / Acacia ramulosa / Acacia effusifolia over hummock grass of Triodia irritans within the survey area ...... 14 Figure 7: Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and Acacia hemiteles within the survey area ...... 15 Figure 8: Eucalyptus oleosa thicket within the survey area ...... 16 Figure 9: Eucalyptus salmonophloia and Eucalyptus oleosa over Acacia acuminata over mixed shrubs (creekline vegetation) within the survey area ...... 17 Figure 10: Mulga woodland within the survey area ...... 18 Figure 11: Low woodland of Casuarina pauper over Senna shrubland within the survey area .. 19 Figure 12: Eucalyptus salmonophloia over Maireana sedifolia and sclerophyll shrubland within the survey area ...... 20 Figure 13: Open mallee of Eucalyptus oleosa and Eucalyptus griffithsii over low scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia over hummock grass of Triodia irritans within the survey area ...... 21 Figure 14: Thicket of Acacia effusifolia and Acacia acuminata over hummock grass of Triodia irritans within the survey area ...... 22

Tables Table 1: List of potential survey limitations ...... 8 Table 2: Summary of information regarding Pre-European and current vegetation extent of Vegetation Association 10 within the survey area ...... 9 Table 3: Summary of information regarding Pre-European and current vegetation extent of Vegetation Association 2903 within the survey area ...... 10 Table 4: Vegetation Group Summary ...... 11

Native Vegetation Solutions Page ii Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

1 INTRODUCTION

Norton Gold Fields Ltd (Norton) operate the Paddington Operations (HGO), approximately 28km north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Norton proposes to expand their current Golden Cities Project area. This proposed area falls within mining tenements M24/564, M24/565, M24/61 and Miscellaneous Licenses L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230. A mining proposal is currently being prepared, and will be submitted with the inclusion of this report.

The survey area within the above tenements is located approximately 33.4 km north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, in the Coolgardie region of Western Australia (Figure 1).

The total survey area received from Norton covers approximately 848.61ha which envelopes current disturbances of 4.9 ha (0.58% of the survey area). Proposed disturbance footprints are not yet finalised; however, clearing required within the boundary of the survey area is anticipated to be less than the total of undisturbed land. This report will encompass results of the Level 1 flora and vegetation survey within the survey area.

Norton commissioned Native Vegetation Solutions (NVS) to complete a Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the survey area on the 9th and 10th of November 2017.

Native Vegetation Solutions Page 1 of 55 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

Figure 1: Regional map of survey location

Native Vegetation Solutions Page 2 of 55 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

1.1 Objectives The objective of this report is to document the results of the flora and vegetation component of a Level 1 assessment conducted in accordance with: • Position Statement No 3- Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection (EPA, 2002); and • Technical Guide- Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA & DPAW, 2015)

A Level 1 study has two components: 1). Desktop study which includes a literature review and a search of the relevant databases; 2). Reconnaissance survey of the survey area to verify the desktop survey, to define vegetation units present in the area, search for species of conservation significance and to determine potential sensitivity to impact.

As part of the reporting for the Level 1 assessment, NVS has conducted a Flora and Vegetation Survey which includes broad-scale vegetation mapping and vegetation condition mapping of the survey area.

The scope of work for the Level 1 flora and vegetation survey was: ▪conduct a desktop study that includes a literature review and search of the relevant databases; ▪describe the vegetation associations in the survey area; ▪prepare an inventory of species occurring in the survey area; ▪identify any vegetation communities or flora species of conservation significance; ▪Map broad-scale vegetation groups found within the survey area, including vegetation condition; and ▪provide recommendations, including the management of perceived impacts to flora and vegetation within the survey area.

1.2 Geology and Vegetation The survey area lies in the Murchison (MUR) bioregion within the Eastern Murchison (MUR01) subregion which totals over 7.8 million hectares (CALM, 2002). The MUR01 subregion is characterised by its internal drainage, and extensive areas of elevated red desert sandplains with minimal dune development. Salt Lake systems are associated with the occluded Paleodrainage system. Broad plains of red-brown soils and breakaway complexes as well as red sandplains. Vegetation is dominated by Mulga Woodlands often rich in ephemerals; hummock grasslands, saltbush shrublands and Halosarcia shrublands. (CALM, 2002).

1.3 Climate The climate is Arid with 200mm of rainfall, sometimes in summer but usually in winter (CALM, 2002). The nearest official meteorological weather station with the most complete and up to date information is Kalgoorlie-Boulder (012038), which is located approximately 41.4 km south of the survey area.

1.3.1 Temperature Mean annual minimum temperature at Kalgoorlie-Boulder is 11.7°C and mean annual maximum temperature is 25.3°C. The coldest temperatures are attained in July (mean minimum temperature 5°C), the hottest is January (mean maximum temperature 33.6°C) and diurnal temperature variations are relatively consistent throughout the year (Figure 2).

Native Vegetation Solutions Page 3 of 55 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

Figure 2: Mean temperature ranges for Kalgoorlie-Boulder weather station

1.3.2 Rainfall The annual average rainfall at Kalgoorlie-Boulder is 266.8 mm, which falls (>1 mm) on an average of 39.6 rain-days (BOM, 2017). Rainfall is heaviest during the summer periods with more consistent rainfall in the winter months (Figure 3). In 2017, rainfall in January, February and November exceeded monthly averages, with other months receiving below average rainfall events (BOM, 2017). January and February rainfall exceeded the monthly average by over double.

Figure 3: Monthly and mean rainfall for Kalgoorlie-Boulder weather station 2017

Native Vegetation Solutions Page 4 of 55 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

2. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

2.1 Personnel and Reporting The following personnel were involved in the Level 1 flora and vegetation survey: • Mr Eren Reid (BSc- Biological Science), Principal Botanist, Native Vegetation Solutions, undertook the survey, vegetation mapping, data collation, field identification of flora, preparation and review of the report.

2.2 Preliminary Desktop Study A preliminary assessment of the survey area and its potential constraints was undertaken by reviewing relevant government agency managed databases (Sections 2.2.1 to 2.2.6, and Appendices 1 & 2) and consulting with government agencies where necessary. The following sections provide a summary of desktop searches undertaken for the project.

2.2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Protected Matters The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Protected Matters Search tool was utilised to provide results for matters of National Environmental Significance within the survey area using the survey area as the search criteria with a 2km buffer (DOTEE, 2017). (http://www.environment.gov.au/arcgis-framework/apps/pmst/pmst-coordinate.jsf)

2.2.2 Threatened Flora and Communities The Threatened and Priority Flora Database managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPAW) was searched for threatened and priority flora within a 30km radial area of a supplied shapefile (Reference: 08-01217FL).

The Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities (TECs and PECs) database was searched to determine the presence of PECs or TECs (Reference: 08-01217EC), with Geographic Information System (GIS) data supplied for assessment, within a 40km radial area of the survey area.

2.2.3 Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) and Conservation Reserves The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) Clearing Permit System Map Viewer was used to determine the location of any ESAs and Conservation Reserves (https://cps.der.wa.gov.au/main.html).

2.2.4 Vegetation Type, Extent and Status Vegetation extent and status data was sourced from the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) report “Land-Use and Vegetation in Western Australia- National Land and Water Resources Audit Report” and its associated GIS file (Shepherd et al, 2002). This data comprises Beard’s Pre-European vegetation groups.

DPAW's Statewide Vegetation Statistics (DPAW, 2016) was also referenced for the current extent of Beard's Vegetation Groups.

2.2.5 Wetlands The potential of wetlands within the project area was determined by examining DWER’s Clearing Permit System Map Viewer (DWER, 2017).

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2.2.6 Dieback Dieback is only considered a potential issue for the project if both the mean annual rainfall of the area is >400mm, and if the project area resides south of the 26th parallel. Dieback is not considered an issue for the survey area as although it lies south of the 26th parallel it receives average annual rainfall of 266.8 mm, which is below the 400mm threshold mark. There are no records of Phytophthora cinnamomi establishing in natural ecosystems in regions receiving less than 400mm rainfall per annum (CALM, 2003).

2.3 Site Investigation A site visit was carried out by Botanist Eren Reid from Native Vegetation Solutions on the 9th and 10th November 2017 to examine the flora and vegetation groups contained within the survey area. A total of 18 hours was spent on site traversing the survey area, by Kawasaki Mule and on foot.

The survey was conducted in accordance with relevant EPA’s Statements and Guidelines (Section 1.1).

EPA’s Position Statement No. 3 (EPA 2002) provides indicative levels of biological survey in relation to the scale and nature of the impact and the sensitivity of the receiving environment. The EPA uses the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) as the largest unit for Environmental Impact Assessment decision making in relation to the conservation of biodiversity. Given the scale and nature of the proposed disturbance as well as the existing disturbance, and that the survey area is located within the Coolgardie IBRA region, a Level 1 flora and vegetation survey was required.

2.3.1 Field Methods Prior to the field work, the aerial photography was examined and representative sample sites for relevés were chosen to provide coverage over all viable vegetation types.

In the field, these sites were visited and non-permanent 20 x 20m relevé sites established in appropriate locations, taking into account representativeness of the site to surrounding vegetation and vegetation boundaries.

Each relevé site was captured on a TwoNav Aventura GPS at ±4m accuracy, using Universal Transverse Mercator location on GDA94 datum. Digital photographs were taken of each representative vegetation group present in the survey area.

Data collected at each relevé included: • Photograph of representative vegetation group: • GPS Location: • Species Present; • Population Count/Estimate of Conservation Significant Flora (if present); • Disturbance Level; and • Vegetation Condition

Specimens of taxa not recognised by the Botanists were collected and pressed along with specimens of taxa recognised as, or thought to be, conservation-significant species.

The condition of each relevé was assessed using the method developed by Keighery (1994). Definitions of the condition scale are presented in Appendix 3.

Vegetation groups were mapped (section 2.3.3 below).

Opportunistic sampling of plant taxa and vegetation group mapping was also utilised in the survey area between relevé sampling points, via wandering traverses. Smaller singular relevé Native Vegetation Solutions Page 6 of 55 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230) sites were also utilised as opportunistic sample sites to collect flora specimens and assist in mapping vegetation groups.

All sample sites and GPS tracks are included in Appendix 4.

2.3.2 Post-Field Methods Unknown specimens collected in the field were identified post field work by Eren Reid with reference to published keys, NVS’ reference herbarium and information published on Florabase (WAHERB, 2017).

Species information was transferred into Microsoft Excel® worksheets representing presence/absence of species per vegetation group.

2.3.3 Mapping Vegetation mapping was produced via GPS recorded information in the field, cross-referenced with vegetation descriptions made in the field, overlaid on aerial imagery of the survey area. The GPS utilized (TwoNav Aventura GPS) displayed aerial imagery, hence real time mapping of vegetation groups was also available during field work.

Vegetation Health Condition was assessed in the field with reference to Keighery (1994).

GPS tracks and waypoints recorded during field work are presented in Appendix 4.

2.4 Limitations Table 1 lists potential limitations that may have affected the survey. These are based on the listing given in the Guidance Statement No. 51 Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia (EPA, 2004). As shown, this survey was not limited by any factors listed below.

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Table 1: List of potential survey limitations

Potential Limitations Constraint (Y/N) Comment Competency and experience of the Mr Eren Reid is an experienced botanist consultants undertaking the survey who has conducted many flora and N vegetation surveys in the Goldfields, Pilbara and South-west regions of WA. Proportion of flora identified during As the survey was planned to target survey species of conservation significance and flora within the survey area a complete N census of the species present was attempted (Approx. 90%). Sufficient identifications were made to allow vegetation descriptions to be made. Sources of information Threatened and Priority Flora GIS N information was available from DBCA. Proportion of the task achieved N All tasks completed Timing/Season The targeted survey was conducted in Spring 2017. Due to the above average N rainfall in January, February and November many species were still in flower with emergent annuals present. Disturbance in survey area Disturbance was present in the form of N historic exploration and mining activities Intensity of survey effort Transects were walked through the N survey area with all parts visited Resources N Adequate resources were available Access problems N No problems with access Availability of contextual information on Information on the Murchison Bioregion N the region is readily available.

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3. RESULTS

3.1 Preliminary Desktop Assessment

3.1.1 EPBC Act Protected Matters The EPBC Protected Matters search tool revealed that the survey area could possibly be suitable habitat for the weed species Carrichtera annua (Wards Weed), and Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass) (DOTEE, 2017).

3.1.2 Threatened Flora and Communities The DPAW database searches revealed a potential for 2 Threatened and 49 Priority Flora species to occur within a 40km radius of the survey area (DBCA, 2017a). No known locations of these Flora occur within the survey area, while the closest location occurs approximately 1 km south of the survey area.

Results of the threatened flora database search are included in Appendix 2.

The PEC/TEC search (DBCA, 2017) revealed that there are no TECs or PECs in the survey area.

3.1.3 Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Conservation Reserves

No ESA’s are located within the survey area (DWER, 2017).

3.1.4 Vegetation Type, Extent and Status Information relating to known vegetation within the survey area has been summarised in Table 2 and 3 below. This information has been compiled through both desktop assessments and the site visit.

Table 2: Summary of information regarding Pre-European and current vegetation extent of Vegetation Association 10 within the survey area

Factor Value Beard Vegetation 10 Association* Vegetation Association Medium woodland; red mallee group Description* Scale By By By IBRA By IBRA Sub- By Shire (City Pre-European Association Association Region (MUR) region (MUR01) of Kalgoorlie- Extent (ha) (WA) (WA) Boulder) 153,995* 145,676** 65,387** 65,387** 62,696** % Pre-European 95.87%* 98.96%** 99.04%** 99.04%** 98.99%** Extent Remaining Surrounding Land Mining, Exploration, Pastoral Lease Use*** Weed Low prevalence*** * Source: Shepherd et al. (2002) Appendix 2 **Source: DPAW, (2016) ***Source: Field Assessment

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Table 3: Summary of information regarding Pre-European and current vegetation extent of Vegetation Association 2903 within the survey area

Factor Value Beard Vegetation 2903 Association* Vegetation Association Medium woodland; Salmon gum, goldfield balckbutt, gimlet & Allocasuarina cristata Description* Scale By By By IBRA By IBRA Sub- By Shire (City Pre-European Association Association Region (MUR) region (MUR01) of Kalgoorlie- Extent (ha) (WA) (WA) Boulder) 28,423* 28,308** 28,295** 28,295** 27,634** % Pre-European 100.00%* 96.55%** 96.54%** 96.54%** 96.46%** Extent Remaining Surrounding Land Mining, Exploration, Pastoral Lease, Nature Reserve Use*** Weed Low prevalence*** * Source: Shepherd et al. (2002) Appendix 2 **Source: DPAW, (2016) ***Source: Field Assessment

3.1.5 Wetlands No wetlands which are recorded on the DWER Clearing Permit System Map Viewer occur within the survey area (DWER, 2017).

3.1.6 Dieback The survey area lies south of the 26th parallel, however receives average annual rainfall of 266.8 mm, below the 400mm threshold mark. There is no record of Phytophthora cinnamomi establishing in natural ecosystems in regions receiving <400mm rainfall per annum (CALM, 2003). Therefore, Dieback is not considered an issue for this survey area, however all measures should be taken to prevent any possible soil contamination (seeds of non-native species etc.) which poses a risk in the survey area during seasonally favourable conditions.

3.2 Field Assessment 3.2.1 Threatened Flora No flora located in the survey area, are gazetted as Threatened pursuant to Section 5(1) of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. No plant taxa listed as Threatened pursuant to Schedule 1 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 were located within the survey area.

No Priority species were recorded in the survey area.

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3.2.2 Vegetation Type, Extent and Status A total of 29 Families, 70 Genera and 152 Species were recorded within the survey area. Eleven major vegetation groups were recorded in the survey area, and are in Very Good, Good or Degraded condition (using the scale of Keighery 1994, see Appendix 3). Existing disturbance within the survey totalled 4.9ha (0.58% of survey area). The summary of vegetation groups contained within the survey area is summarised in Table 4 below. Maps of the survey area can be seen in Appendix 4.

Table 4: Vegetation Group Summary

Percentage Area Families Genera Species of Survey Vegetation (ha) Code Vegetation description Area (%) Eucalyptus griffithsii and E. oleosa over Acacia acuminata and Acacia a 23 42 81 118.08 13.91% aneura over Triodia irritans Low woodland of Eucalyptus oleosa and Casuarina pauper over scrub b of Acacia hemiteles and Eremophila dempsteri over dwarf scrub of 15 34 63 373.80 44.05% Ptilotus obovatus and Maireana triptera

c Open mallee of Eucalyptus over scrub of Acacia acuminata / Acacia 13 16 30 18.94 2.23% ramulosa / Acacia effusifolia over hummock grass of Triodia irritans

d Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Senna 12 19 39 43.86 5.17% artemisioides subsp. filifolia and Acacia hemiteles e Eucalyptus oleosa thicket 8 10 14 6.30 0.74%

f Eucalyptus salmonophloia and Eucalyptus oleosa over Acacia 17 25 43 34.78 4.10% acuminata over mixed shrubs (creekline vegetation) g Mulga woodland 3 4 9 63.73 7.51% h Low woodland of Casuarina pauper over Senna shrubland 15 27 56 17.69 2.09% Eucalyptus salmonophloia over Maireana sedifolia and sclerophyll i 14 20 40 44.56 5.25% shrubland Open mallee of Eucalyptus oleosa and Eucalyptus griffithsii over low j scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia over hummock grass of 13 17 33 17.19 2.03% Triodia irritans Thicket of Acacia effusifolia and Acacia acuminata over hummock k 14 21 33 104.77 12.35% grass of Triodia irritans

Existing Disturbance N/A N/A N/A 4.90 0.58% # # Total 29* 70* 152* 848.61 100.00% Note: * Within total survey area (not sum of column) # Sum of column

The vegetation groups are described in more detail below.

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3.2.2.1 Eucalyptus griffithsii and E. oleosa over Acacia acuminata and Acacia aneura over Triodia irritans (a)

This vegetation group consisted of 23 Families, 42 Genera and 81 Species. The vegetation group was approximately 118.08 ha which makes up 13.91% of the survey area.

Dominant species were Eucalyptus griffithsii and Eucalyptus oleosa subsp. oleosa, over Acacia acuminata, over Triodia irritans.

Figure 4: Eucalyptus griffithsii and E. oleosa over Acacia acuminata and Acacia aneura over Triodia irritans within the survey area

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3.2.2.2 Low woodland of Eucalyptus oleosa and Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia hemiteles and Eremophila dempsteri over dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus and Maireana triptera (b)

This vegetation group consisted of 15 Families, 34 Genera and 63 Species. The vegetation group was approximately 373.8 ha which makes up 44.05% of the survey area.

Dominant species were Eucalyptus oleosa subsp. oleosa, E. salmonophloia over Casuarina pauper over Acacia hemiteles, Eremophila dempsteri over Ptilotus obovatus and Maireana triptera.

Figure 5: Low woodland of Eucalyptus oleosa and Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia hemiteles and Eremophila dempsteri over dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus and Maireana triptera within the survey area

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3.2.2.3 Open mallee of Eucalyptus over scrub of Acacia acuminata / Acacia ramulosa / Acacia effusifolia over hummock grass of Triodia irritans (c)

This vegetation group consisted of 13 Families, 16 Genera and 30 Species. The vegetation group was approximately 18.94 ha which makes up 2.23% of the survey area.

Dominant species were Eucalyptus concinna, E. griffithsii and E. oleosa subsp. oleosa over Acacia acuminata, A. ramulosa subsp. ramulosa, A. effusifolia over Triodia irritans.

Figure 6: Open mallee of Eucalyptus over scrub of Acacia acuminata / Acacia ramulosa / Acacia effusifolia over hummock grass of Triodia irritans within the survey area

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3.2.2.4 Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and Acacia hemiteles (d)

This vegetation group consisted of 12 Families, 19 Genera and 39 Species. The vegetation group was approximately 43.86 ha which makes up 5.17% of the survey area.

Dominant species were Eucalyptus clelandii over Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and Acacia hemiteles.

Figure 7: Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and Acacia hemiteles within the survey area

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3.2.2.5 Eucalyptus oleosa thicket (e)

This vegetation group consisted of 8 Families, 10 Genera and 14 Species. The vegetation group was approximately 6.3 ha which makes up 0.74% of the survey area.

Dominant species were Eucalyptus oleosa subsp. oleosa, Eremophila scoparia, Acacia hemiteles, Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and Olearia muelleri.

Figure 8: Eucalyptus oleosa thicket within the survey area

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3.2.2.6 Eucalyptus salmonophloia and Eucalyptus oleosa over Acacia acuminata over mixed shrubs (creekline vegetation) (f)

This vegetation group consisted of 17 Families, 25 Genera and 43 Species. The vegetation group was approximately 34.78 ha which makes up 4.10% of the survey area.

Dominant species were Eucalyptus salmonophloia, E. oleosa subsp. oleosa, Acacia acuminata, Alyxia buxifolia, Acacia hemiteles, Eremophila scoparia, Acacia tetragonophylla and Ptilotus obovatus.

Figure 9: Eucalyptus salmonophloia and Eucalyptus oleosa over Acacia acuminata over mixed shrubs (creekline vegetation) within the survey area

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3.2.2.7 Mulga woodland (g)

This vegetation group consisted of 11 Families, 19 Genera and 26 Species. The vegetation group was approximately 63.73 ha which makes up 7.51% of the survey area.

Dominant species were Acacia mulganeura, A. aneura, A. ramulosa var. ramulosa, A. acuminata and Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia.

Figure 10: Mulga woodland within the survey area

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3.2.2.8 Low woodland of Casuarina pauper over Senna shrubland (h)

This vegetation group consisted of 15 Families, 27 Genera and 56 Species. The vegetation group was approximately 17.69ha which makes up 2.09% of the survey area.

Dominant species were Casuarina pauper over Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia S. artemisioides subsp. artemisioides, Maireana sedifolia, Dodonaea lobulata, Acacia hemiteles, and Scaevola spinescens over Acacia erinacea and Ptilotus obovatus.

Figure 11: Low woodland of Casuarina pauper over Senna shrubland within the survey area

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3.2.2.9 Eucalyptus salmonophloia over Maireana sedifolia and sclerophyll shrubland (i)

This vegetation group consisted of 14 Families, 20 Genera and 40 Species. The vegetation group was approximately 44.56 ha which makes up 5.25% of the survey area.

Dominant species were Eucalyptus salmonophloia and E. transcontinentalis over Maireana sedifolia, Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia, Acacia hemiteles and Eremophila scoparia over Atriplex vesicaria, Ptilotus obovatus and Solanum lasiophyllum.

Figure 12: Eucalyptus salmonophloia over Maireana sedifolia and sclerophyll shrubland within the survey area

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3.2.2.10 Open mallee of Eucalyptus oleosa and Eucalyptus griffithsii over low scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia over hummock grass of Triodia irritans (j)

This vegetation group consisted of 13 Families, 17 Genera and 33 Species. The vegetation group was approximately 17.19 ha which makes up 2.03% of the survey area.

Dominant species were Eucalyptus oleosa subsp. oleosa and E. griffithsii over Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and Eremophila scoparia over Triodia irritans.

Figure 13: Open mallee of Eucalyptus oleosa and Eucalyptus griffithsii over low scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia over hummock grass of Triodia irritans within the survey area

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3.2.2.11 Thicket of Acacia effusifolia and Acacia acuminata over hummock grass of Triodia irritans (k)

This vegetation group consisted of 14 Families, 21 Genera and 33 Species. The vegetation group was approximately 104.77 ha which makes up 12.35% of the survey area.

Dominant species were Acacia effusifolia and A. acuminata over Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia, Scaevola spinescens, Prostanthera althoferi subsp. althoferi over Westringia rigida and Triodia irritans.

Figure 14: Thicket of Acacia effusifolia and Acacia acuminata over hummock grass of Triodia irritans within the survey area

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3.2.2.12 Existing Disturbance

This group was completely degraded, and mainly consisted of haul roads, access corridors, waste dumps and open pits. Existing disturbance was approximately 4.9 ha which made up 0.58% of the survey area.

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3.2.3 Weeds Three weed species were recorded within the survey area; Centaurea melitensis (Maltese Cockspur), Dittrichia graveolens (Stinkwort) and Salvia verbenaca (Wild Sage).

Centaurea melitensis is a Mediterranean weed which occurs from Carnarvon through the arid zone and across the Nullarbor. (Lamp & Collet, 1999). D. graveolens is native to southern Europe, but has naturalised in Western Australis as a summer growing annual common along roadsides, in paddocks and waste grounds throughout the south-west. S. verbenaca is a native to Europe and Asia, and is an occasional weed of roadsides and railway tracks, especially in the drier parts of the south-west and between Kalgoorlie and Esperance.

None of these species are listed as declared plants by DPIRD (2017).

3.2.4 Vegetation Condition Evidence of some grazing was observed during the field assessment.

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4. DISCUSSION

All species recorded during the survey have been previously recorded within the Eastern Murchison IBRA subregion and therefore are not considered to be significant at a regional scale.

The field assessment established that the condition of the vegetation in the proposed disturbance area is overall “Good”, with certain areas not affected by exploration in “Very Good” condition, and other areas affected by historical clearing in “Degraded” condition. No areas of vegetation were assessed to be in “Pristine” condition.

Non-native species distribution was not considered significant in the study area and was mostly confined to disturbed areas such as tracks and areas of previous infrastructure.

No Threatened Flora, TEC/PECs, or Priority Flora were recorded in the survey area.

Any proposed disturbance/clearing of vegetation will result in a loss of species from the survey area. However, given the size of the area and the extent of the Beard (1990) vegetation associations elsewhere, the impact on the vegetation and its component flora will not affect the conservation values of either, or create fragmentation or patches of remnant vegetation.

The following recommendations arise from the Level 1 flora survey: • Limit clearing to the survey area; and • Weed control measures should be implemented during and following earthworks.

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5. REFERENCES

Beard, J.S., (1990), Plant Life of Western Australia, Kangaroo Press Pty Ltd, NSW

BOM, (2017), Climate Data Online, Bureau of Meteorology, http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/ Accessed: 21/12/2017)

CALM, (2002), A Biodiversity Audit of Western Australia’s 53 Biogeographical Subregions in 2002- Murchison (MUR01 – Eastern Murchison synopsis), Department of Conservation and Land Management

CALM, (2003), Phytophthora cinnamomi and Diseases Caused By It, Volume 1-Management Guidelines, Department of Conservation and Land Management http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/conservation-management/pests- diseases/disease-risk-areas/Phytophthora_cinnamomi_and_disease_caused_by_it- _Vol._1_Management_Guidelines_.pdf Accessed: 21/12/2017

DPIRD, (2017), Declared Plants Database, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pests-weeds-diseases/weeds/declared-plants Accessed: 21/12/2017

DWER, (2017), Clearing Permit System Map Viewer, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation https://cps.der.wa.gov.au/main.html Accessed: 21/12/2017

DOTEE (2017), Protected Matters Search Tool, Department of the Environment and Energy http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/protected-matters-search-tool Accessed: 21/12/2017

DBCA, (2017), TEC/PEC Database Results Ref:08-01217EC, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

DBCA, (2017a), Threatened Flora Database Results Ref: 08-01217FL, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

DPAW, (2016), 2016 Statewide Vegetation Statistics incorporating the CAR Reserve Analysis (Full Report)- Current as of October 2016, WA Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth, https://catalogue.data.wa.gov.au/dataset/3d8c36a4-1863-4eee-9b7b- bcc33973987f/resource/9de1e47c-2945-4aaa-b569- 64d8c71d96c8/download/vegetationstatisticsstatewide2016fullreport.zip Accessed: 21/12/2017

EPA & DPAW (2015), Technical Guide- Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment, Technical Report of the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

EPA, (2002), Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection: Position Statement No. 3. Environmental Protection Authority, Perth, WA

Hussey, B M J, G J, Cousens, R D Dodd, J and Lloyd S G, (2007), Western Weeds- A guide to the Weeds of Western Australia (Second Edition), The Weed Society of Western Australia, Perth WA

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Keighery, B.J., (1994), Bushland Plant Survey; A guide to plant community survey for the Community, Wildflower Society of Western Australia (Inc.) Nedlands

Lamp, C., and Collet, F., (1999), Field Guide to Weeds in Australia (Third edition), Inkata Press

Shepherd, D.P., Beeston, G.R., and A.J.M. Hopkins, (2002), Land-Use and Vegetation in Western Australia- National Land and Water Resources Audit Report, Technical Report 250, Department of Agriculture Western Australia

WAHERB, (2017), Florabase- the Western Australian Flora, http://www.florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ Accessed 21/12/2017

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Appendix 1

Relevant Government Database Search Results

Native Vegetation Solutions Page 28 of 55 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

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Survey Location

DWER’s Clearing Permit System Map Viewer showing no ESA’s (dark green shaded areas) within the survey area (DWER, 2017)

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Survey Location

DWER’s Clearing Permit System Map Viewer showing Schedule 1 Areas intersecting the southwestern section of survey area (DWER, 2017)

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Survey Location

DWER’s Clearing Permit System Map Viewer showing no wetland areas within the survey area (DWER, 2017).

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Appendix 2

Threatened Flora Databases Search Results

Native Vegetation Solutions Page 39 of 55 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

GIS information provided in the Search results (Reference: 08-1217FL) listed the following species within a 40km radius of the survey area: Flowering Taxon Status Distribution Period Acacia coatesii 1 Coolgardie Southern Cross, Carrabin, Bullabulling, Walyahmoning Rock, Chiddarcooping, Acacia crenulata 3 Sandford Rocks N.R., Marvel Loch Sep-Oct Acacia epedunculata 1 Acacia websteri 1 Bencubbin, Coolgardie - Alyxia tetanifolia 3 Angianthus prostratus 3 Atriplex lindleyi subsp. conduplicata 3 Baeckea sp. Gnarlbine Rocks (G. Barrett GRH469) 1 Gnarlbine Rocks, Coolgardie Oct Southern Cross, Frank Hann N.P., Coolgardie, Banksia lullfitzii 3 Mt Manning Range, Ravensthorpe Mar-May Cunderdin, Woolgangie, Coolgardie, Lake Bossiaea concinna 3 Mason Stn, Jerramungup, Pithara Sep,Oct Norseman, Fraser Range, Coolgardie, Chrysocephalum apiculatum subsp. norsemanense 3 Boorabbin N.P., Walling Rock Stn. Lake Lefroy, Bullabulling, Karonie, Fraser Cryptandra crispula 3 Range Jul-Sep Cyathostemon verrucosus 3 Dampiera plumosa 1 Sandstone, Coolgardie, Lake Barlee Oct Diocirea acutifolia 3 Coolgardie, Kambala, Widgiemooltha Nov-Dec Bullabulling, Gibraltar, Maggie Hays Hill, Lake Diocirea microphylla 3 Johnston Dec Elachanthus pusillus 2 Eleocharis papillosa 3 Eremophila caerulea subsp. merrallii 4 Niagara, Morapoi, Kookynie, Woolgorong, Eremophila mirabilis 2 Menzies Aug-Sep Five Mile Hill, (Kurrawang), Kalgoorlie, Aug- Eremophila praecox 1 Kanowna Belle Sep,Dec Eremophila veronica 3 Queen Victoria Rock, Coolgardie Oct-Nov Westonia, Southern Cross, Burracoppin, Ora Eucalyptus crucis subsp. crucis T Banda Dec-Mar Comet Vale, Binti Binti Rocks, Menzies, Eucalyptus jutsonii subsp. jutsonii 4 Jeedamya Stn Nov Eucalyptus websteriana subsp. norsemanica 1 Norseman, Coolgardie - Eucalyptus x brachyphylla 4 Frankenia glomerata 4 Coolgardie,Gnamma Gastrolobium graniticum T Hill,Narembeen,Yellowdine, Bullabulling Aug-Nov Gompholobium cinereum 3 Laverton, Mt Margaret, Lake Carnegie, Gunniopsis propinqua 3 Windidda, Mt Eureka, Mt James, Menzies Aug-Sep Hakea rigida 2 Lepidium fasciculatum 3 Melaleuca coccinea 3 Melichrus sp. Coolgardie (K.R. Newbey 8698) 1 Coolgardie Gibraltar, Boorabbin, Dundas, Ravenshtorpe, North Ironcap, Ora Banda, Lake Cowan, Notisia intonsa 3 Parker Range Sep Between Coolgardie & Laverton, Comet Vale Persoonia leucopogon 1 (Menzies) - Phebalium appressum 1 Menzies, Gidgee, Cashmere Downs, Walling Philotheca coateana 3 Rock Aug-Oct Coolgardie, Norseman, Cocklebiddy, Forrest, Bruce Rock, Helena and Aurora Range, Phlegmatospermum eremaeum 3 Caiguna Aug-Oct Toolonga N.R., Kalbarri, Woolgorong, Mount Psammomoya ephedroides 3 Gibson, Coolgardie, Albany Ptilotus chortophytus 1 Ptilotus procumbens 1 Ptilotus rigidus 1 Rhagodia sp. Yeelirrie Station (K.A. Shepherd et al. KS 1396) 1 Ricinocarpos sp. Eastern Goldfields (A. Williams 3) 1 Rumex crystallinus 2

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Flowering Taxon Status Distribution Period Jackson Range, Bullfinch, Koolyanobbing, Styphelia sp. Bullfinch (M. Hislop 3574) 3 Bullabulling, Diemals Stn. Apr-May Menzies, Queen Victoria Spring, Comet Vale, Thryptomene eremaea 2 Edjudina Station, Kirgella Rocks Jul-Sep Thryptomene sp. Coolgardie (E. Kelso s.n. 1902) 1 Coolgardie Thryptomene sp. Londonderry (R.H. Kuchel 1763) 1 Coolgardie, Kambalda Xanthoparmelia dayiana 3

Native Vegetation Solutions Page 41 of 55 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

Appendix 3

Vegetation Condition Scale (Keighery, 1994)

Native Vegetation Solutions Page 42 of 55 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

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Appendix 4

Vegetation Mapping

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Appendix 5

Species List

Native Vegetation Solutions Page 51 of 55 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

Annual (A) Perennial (P) a b c d e f g h i j k Conservation Non-Native Family Genus Species Status (NN) Amaranthaceae Ptilotus holosericeus P * * Amaranthaceae Ptilotus nobilis A * * * * Amaranthaceae Ptilotus obovatus P * * * * * * * * Apocynaceae Alyxia buxifolia P * * Apocynaceae Marsdenia australis Climber * * * Asparagaceae Lomandra effusa P * Asteraceae Angianthus tomentosus A * Asteraceae Centaurea melitensis A, NN * Asteraceae Chrysocephalum puteale P * Asteraceae Cratystylis conocephala P * * * Asteraceae Cratystylis subspinescens P * Asteraceae Dittrichia graveolens A, NN * Asteraceae Gnephosis arachnoidea A * Asteraceae Olearia dampieri subsp. eremicola P * Asteraceae Olearia muelleri P * * * * * * * * Asteraceae Podolepis capillaris A * Asteraceae Streptoglossa liatroides P * Boraginaceae Halgania cyanea var. Charleville P * Casuarinaceae Casuarina pauper P * * * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Atriplex bunburyana P * * * * Chenopodiaceae Atriplex codonocarpa A * * Chenopodiaceae Atriplex nummularia subsp. spathulata P * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Atriplex quadrivalvata var. quadrivalvata A * Chenopodiaceae Atriplex stipitata P * Chenopodiaceae Atriplex vesicaria P * * * Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium gaudichaudianum P * * Chenopodiaceae Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa P * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Eriochiton sclerolaenoides P * * * Chenopodiaceae Maireana georgei P * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Maireana pentatropis P * Chenopodiaceae Maireana pyramidata P * * Chenopodiaceae Maireana sedifolia P * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Maireana tomentosa P * * * Chenopodiaceae Maireana trichoptera P * * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Maireana triptera P * * * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Rhagodia drummondii P * * * Chenopodiaceae Salsola australis A * * Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena densiflora P * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena diacantha P * * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena drummondii P * * Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena parviflora P * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena patenticuspis P * * Native Vegetation Solutions Page 52 of 55 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

Annual (A) Perennial (P) a b c d e f g h i j k Conservation Non-Native Family Genus Species Status (NN) Convolvulaceae Convolvulus remotus P * Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia drummondii A * Fabaceae Acacia acuminata P * * * * * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia aneura P * * * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia assimilis subsp. assimilis P * * * Fabaceae Acacia colletioides P * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia craspedocarpa P * Fabaceae Acacia effusifolia P * * Fabaceae Acacia erinacea P * * * * Fabaceae Acacia hemiteles P * * * * * * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia jennerae P * * Fabaceae Acacia kalgoorliensis P * Fabaceae Acacia ligulata P * * Fabaceae Acacia mulganeura P * * * * Fabaceae Acacia murrayana P * * Fabaceae Acacia oswaldii P * * Fabaceae Acacia pteraneura P * Fabaceae Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa P * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia resinosa P * Fabaceae Acacia tetragonophylla P * * * * * * * * * Fabaceae Daviesia aphylla P * Fabaceae Dillwynia sp Coolgardie P * Fabaceae Senna artemisioides subsp. artemisioides P * * * * * Fabaceae Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia P * * * * * * * * * * * Fabaceae Senna cardiosperma P * * Fabaceae Senna pleurocarpa subsp. angustifolia P * * * Fabaceae Templetonia incrassata P * * Goodeniaceae Dampiera latealata P * Goodeniaceae Goodenia havilandii A * * * * Goodeniaceae Goodenia pinnatifida A * * Goodeniaceae Scaevola spinescens P * * * * * * * * * * * Goodeniaceae Velleia daviesii A * * Goodeniaceae Velleia rosea A * * * Gyrostemonaceae Codonocarpus cotinifolius P * Haloragaceae Haloragis trigonocarpa A * Lamiaceae Physopsis viscida P * * Lamiaceae Prostanthera althoferi subsp. althoferi P * * * Lamiaceae Prostanthera grylloana P * * Lamiaceae Salvia verbenaca P, NN * Lamiaceae Westringia cephalantha var. cephalantha P * * Lamiaceae Westringia rigida P * * * Loranthaceae Amyema miquelii P * Malvaceae Brachychiton gregorii P * * * *

Native Vegetation Solutions Page 53 of 55 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230)

Annual (A) Perennial (P) a b c d e f g h i j k Conservation Non-Native Family Genus Species Status (NN) Malvaceae Gossypium sturtianum P * Malvaceae Seringia velutina P * * Malvaceae Sida calyxhymenia P * Malvaceae Sida sp. Excedentifolia P * Malvaceae Sida spodochroma P * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus clelandii P * * * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus concinna P * * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus griffithsii P * * * * * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus loxophleba subsp. lissophloia P * * * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus oleosa subsp. oleosa P * * * * * * * * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus ravida P * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus salmonophloia P * * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus transcontinentalis P * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus yilgarnensis P * * Myrtaceae Melaleuca hamata P * * Pittosporaceae Bursaria occidentalis P * Pittosporaceae Pittosporum angustifolium P * Poaceae Austrostipa elegantissima P * * * Poaceae Austrostipa nitida P * * * * * * Poaceae Enneapogon caerulescens P * * Poaceae Enteropogon ramosus P * Poaceae Eragrostis eriopoda P * * Poaceae Eriachne pulchella subsp. pulchella A * * Poaceae Monachather paradoxus P * * * Poaceae Triodia irritans P * * * * * Proteaceae Grevillea acacioides P * Proteaceae Grevillea nematophylla P * * * Proteaceae Grevillea oncogyne P * * * Pteridaceae Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. sieberi P * * * Rhamnaceae Cryptandra aridicola P * * Rubiaceae Psydrax suaveolens P * * Santalaceae Exocarpos aphyllus P * * * * * Santalaceae Santalum acuminatum P * * * Santalaceae Santalum spicatum P * * * * Sapindaceae Alectryon oleifolius P * * * * * Sapindaceae Dodonaea lobulata P * * * * * * * * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila alternifolia P * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila caperata P * * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila clarkei P * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila decipiens subsp. decipiens P * * * * * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila dempsteri P * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila gibbosa P * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila glabra subsp. glabra P *

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Annual (A) Perennial (P) a b c d e f g h i j k Conservation Non-Native Family Genus Species Status (NN) Scrophulariaceae Eremophila granitica P * * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila interstans subsp. interstans P * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata P * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila ionantha P * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei P * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila longifolia P * * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila maculata subsp. brevifolia P * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila miniata P * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila oldfieldii subsp. angustifolia P * * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila oppositifolia subsp. angustifolia P * * * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila parvifolia subsp. auricampa P * * * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila pustulata P * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila scoparia P * * * * * * * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila sp. Mt Jackson P * * * Scrophulariaceae Myoporum platycarpum subsp. platycarpum P * Solanaceae Lycium australe P * * Solanaceae Solanum hoplopetalum P * Solanaceae Solanum lasiophyllum P * * * * * * Solanaceae Solanum nummularium P * * * * Solanaceae Solanum orbiculatum P * * Solanaceae Solanum plicatile P * * Thymelaeaceae Pimelea microcephala subsp. microcephala P * * Zygophyllaceae Zygophyllum eremaeum A * * * Zygophyllaceae Zygophyllum glaucum P *

Native Vegetation Solutions Page 55 of 55 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of the Golden Cities Project Area, Broad Arrow (M24/564, M24/565, M24/616, L24/228, L24/229 and L24/230) Appendix 4

Mulgarrie Flora and Vegetation Survey 2015

Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Racetrack, Mulgarrie Well & the Mt Jewell Western/ Eastern Haul Road

FINAL REPORT April 2015 Prepared For

Norton Gold Fields Ltd

Prepared by: Botanica Consulting PO Box 2027 Boulder WA 6432 (08)90930024

Disclaimer This document and its contents are to be treated as confidential and are published in accordance with and subject to an agreement between Botanica Consulting (BC) and the client for whom it has been prepared and is restricted to those issues that have been raised by the client in its engagement of BC. Neither this document nor its contents may be referred to or quoted in any manner (report or other document) nor reproduced in part or whole by electronic, mechanical or chemical means, including photocopying, recording or any information storage system, without the express written approval of the client and/or BC.

This document and its contents have been prepared utilising the standard of care and skill ordinarily exercised by Environmental Scientists in the preparation of such documents. All material presented in this document is published in good faith and is believed to be accurate at the time of writing. Any person or organisation who relies on or uses the document and its contents for purposes or reasons other than those agreed by BC and the client without primarily obtaining the prior written consent of BC, does so entirely at their own risk. BC denies all liability in tort, contract or otherwise for any loss, damage or injury of any kind whatsoever (whether in negligence or otherwise) that may be endured as a consequence of relying on this document and its contents for any purpose other than that agreed with the client.

Quality Assurance An internal quality review process has been implemented to each project task undertaken by BC. Each document and its contents is carefully reviewed by core members of the Consultancy team and signed off at Director Level prior to issue to the client. Draft documents are submitted to the client for comment and acceptance prior to final production.

Document Job Number: 2015/13

Prepared by: Pat Harton Environmental Consultant Botanica Consulting

Reviewed by: Andrea Williams Director Botanica Consulting

Approved by: Jim Williams Director Botanica Consulting

Index Page # 1 Introduction...... 1 1.1 Project Description ...... 1 1.2 Previous Relevant Flora Surveys ...... 3 1.2.1 Golden Cities Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey, Botanica Consulting, March 2008 ...... 3 1.2.2 Lignum Dam Tenement E24/146 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey, Botanica Consulting, January 2011 ...... 3 1.2.3 Mt Jewell Haul road Level 2 Flora and Vegetation Survey, Botanica Consulting, August 2012...... 4 1.2.4 Golden Flag Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey, Botanica Consulting, March 2013 ...... 6 1.2.5 Vegetation Assessment of the Royal Standard North Project area, Botanica Consulting, February 2014..... 7 2 Regional Biophysical Environment ...... 10 2.1 Regional Environment ...... 10 2.2 Great Western Woodlands ...... 12 2.3 Topography & Soils ...... 14 2.4 Vegetation ...... 14 2.5 Soil Landscape Systems ...... 17 2.6 Climate ...... 19 2.7 Land Use ...... 20 2.8 Survey Objectives ...... 20 3 Survey Methodology ...... 21 3.1 Desktop Assessment ...... 21 3.2 Sampling and Analysis Methods ...... 22 3.2.1 Personnel involved ...... 24 3.2.2 Scientific licences ...... 24 3.3 Flora survey limitations and constraints ...... 24 4 Results ...... 26 4.1 Desktop Assessment ...... 26 4.2 Conservation Significant Flora ...... 26 4.3 Vegetation Communities ...... 28 4.3.1 Open low woodland of Pittosporum angustifolium over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dense low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides ...... 31 4.3.2 Scrub of Acacia jennerae over heath of Maireana pyramidata/ Atriplex bunburyana and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria ...... 32 4.3.3 Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp. angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Maireana glomerifolia/ M. triptera ...... 33 4.3.4 Low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana pyramidata/ Tecticornia disarticulata ...... 34 4.3.5 Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Pittosporum angustifolium over open scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides ...... 35 4.3.6 Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ Casuarina pauper with occasional tree mallee of Eucalyptus oleosa over low scrub of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia ...... 36 4.3.7 Forest of Acacia caesaneura over low scrub of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia ...... 37 4.3.8 Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii over scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low scrub of Acacia erinacea ...... 38 4.3.9 Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles/ Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia ...... 39 4.3.10 Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis over open low scrub of Acacia burkittii/A. tetragonophylla/ Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex nummularia subsp. spathulata/ A. vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia ...... 40 4.3.11 Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura/ Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia jennerae and dense low heath of Cratystylis subspinescens ...... 41 4.3.12 Forest of Acacia caesaneura over scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and open low scrub of Maireana sedifolia ...... 42 4.3.13 Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus salmonophloia over heath of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and low heath of Maireana sedifolia ...... 43 4.3.14 Low woodland of Casuarina pauper over open low scrub of Acacia tetragonophylla/ Dodonaea lobulata and low heath of Maireana sedifolia...... 44 4.3.15 Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. x artemisioides ...... 45 4.3.16 Low woodland of Eucalyptus ravida over open scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia ...... 46 4.3.17 Forest of Casuarina pauper over heath of Acacia kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa .. 47

4.3.18 Forest of Eucalyptus flavida over heath of Acacia kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa . 48 4.3.19 Dense thicket of Acacia quadrimarginea over low scrub of Philotheca microcephala and open dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus on breakaway ...... 49 4.3.20 Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over thicket of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Dodonaea microzyga ...... 50 4.3.21 Forest of Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia ...... 51 4.3.22 Thicket of Acacia caesaneura/ A. burkittii over low scrub of Dodonaea lobulata and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 52 4.3.23 Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over thicket of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus/ Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia ...... 53 4.3.24 Forest of Casuarina pauper over low scrub of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia ...... 54 4.3.25 Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna/ E. loxophleba subsp. lissophloia over scrub of Acacia burkittii and mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 55 4.3.26 Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over low scrub of Eremophila caperata and mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 56 4.3.27 Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura over dense thicket of Acacia coolgardiensis and dwarf scrub of Euryomyrtus maidenii ...... 57 4.3.28 Open low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis and very open tree mallee of E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 58 4.4 Vegetation of Conservation Significance ...... 59 4.5 Vegetation Condition ...... 59 5 Introduced Plant Taxa ...... 59 5.1.1 Carthamus lanatus (Saffron Thistle) ...... 60 5.1.2 Centaurea melitensis (Maltese Cockspur) ...... 61 5.1.3 Dittrichia graveolens (Stinkwort) ...... 62 6 Relevant Legislation and Compliance with Recognised Standards ...... 63 6.1 Commonwealth Legislation ...... 63 6.2 State Legislation ...... 63 6.2.1 Clearing of Native Vegetation ...... 63 6.2.2 Environmental Protection Act WA 1986 ...... 64 6.2.3 Wildlife Conservation Act WA 1950 ...... 64 6.2.4 DPaW Priority lists ...... 64 6.3 EPA Position Statements ...... 65 6.3.1 Position Statement No. 2 ...... 65 6.3.2 Position Statement No. 3 ...... 65 6.1 Native Vegetation Clearing Principles ...... 66 7 Conclusions ...... 68 8 Recommendations ...... 68 9 References ...... 69 10 Appendices ...... 71

Tables Table 1: Remaining Beard Vegetation Associations within Western Australia (DAFWA, 2011) ...... 15 Table 2: Soil Landscape Mapping Units within the survey areas (DAFWA, 2014b) ...... 17 Table 3: Definitions of Rare and Priority Flora taxa (WAHERB, 2015) ...... 21 Table 4: Scientific Licences of Botanica Staff coordinating the survey ...... 24 Table 5: Limitations and constraints associated with the flora and vegetation survey ...... 25 Table 6: Priority Flora with the potential to occur within the survey areas (WAHERB, 2015) ...... 26 Table 7: Summary of vegetation communities and area (ha and %) within the survey areas ...... 28 Table 8: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Pittosporum angustifolium over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dense low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides ...... 31 Table 9: Vegetation assemblage of Scrub of Acacia jennerae over heath of Maireana pyramidata/ Atriplex bunburyana and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria ...... 32 Table 10: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp. angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Maireana glomerifolia/ M. triptera ...... 33 Table 11: Vegetation assemblage of Low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana pyramidata/ Tecticornia disarticulata ...... 34 Table 12: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Pittosporum angustifolium over open scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides ...... 35

Table 13: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ Casuarina pauper and very open tree mallee of Eucalyptus oleosa over low scrub of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia ...... 36 Table 14: Vegetation assemblage for Forest of Acacia caesaneura over low scrub of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia ...... 37 Table 15: Vegetation assemblage Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii over scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low scrub of Acacia erinacea ...... 38 Table 16: Vegetation assemblage of Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles/ Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia ...... 39 Table 17: Vegetation assemblage of Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis over open low scrub of Acacia burkittii/A. tetragonophylla/ Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex nummularia subsp. spathulata/ A. vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia...... 40 Table 18: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura/ Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia jennerae and dense low heath of Cratystylis subspinescens ...... 41 Table 19: Vegetation assemblage of Forest of Acacia caesaneura over scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and open low scrub of Maireana sedifolia ...... 42 Table 20: Vegetation assemblage Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus salmonophloia over heath of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and low heath of Maireana sedifolia...... 43 Table 21: Vegetation assemblage of Low woodland of Casuarina pauper over open low scrub of Acacia tetragonophylla/ Dodonaea lobulata and low heath of Maireana sedifolia ...... 44 Table 22: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. x artemisioides ...... 45 Table 23: Vegetation assemblage of Low woodland of Eucalyptus ravida over open scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia...... 46 Table 24: Vegetation assemblage of Forest of Casuarina pauper over heath of Acacia kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 47 Table 25: Vegetation assemblage Forest of Eucalyptus flavida over heath of Acacia kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 48 Table 26: Vegetation assemblage of dense thicket of Acacia quadrimarginea over low scrub of Philotheca microcephala and open dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus on breakaway ...... 49 Table 27: Vegetation assemblage of Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over thicket of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Dodonaea microzyga ...... 50 Table 28: Vegetation assemblage of Forest of Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia ...... 51 Table 29: Vegetation assemblage of Thicket of Acacia caesaneura/ A. burkittii over low scrub of Dodonaea lobulata and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 52 Table 30: Vegetation assemblage of Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over thicket of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus/ Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia ...... 53 Table 31: Vegetation assemblage of Forest of Casuarina pauper over low scrub of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia ...... 54 Table 32: Vegetation assemblage of Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna/ E. loxophleba subsp. lissophloia over scrub of Acacia burkittii and mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 55 Table 33: Vegetation assemblage of Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over low scrub of Eremophila caperata and mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 56 Table 34: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura over dense thicket of Acacia coolgardiensis and dwarf scrub of Euryomyrtus maidenii ...... 57 Table 35: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis and very open tree mallee of E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 58 Table 36: Assessment of survey area against native vegetation clearing principles ...... 67

Figures Figure 1: Tenements within the survey areas ...... 1 Figure 2: Regional map of the survey areas ...... 2 Figure 3: Regional Map of previous flora surveys in relation to the current survey areas ...... 9 Figure 4: Location of survey areas in relation to the IBRA subregions ...... 11 Figure 5: Location of Great Western Woodlands in relation to the survey areas ...... 13 Figure 6: Pre European Vegetation Associations in relation to the survey areas ...... 16 Figure 7: Location of the survey areas in relation to Soil Landscape Systems ...... 18 Figure 8: Monthly rainfall from January 2011 to March 2015 and mean monthly rainfall (January 1939 to March 2015) for the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport weather station (#12038) (BOM, 2015) ...... 19 Figure 9: Annual rainfall from January 2011 to December 2014 and mean annual rainfall (January 1939 to December 2014) for the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport weather station (#12038) (BOM, 2015) ...... 19 Figure 10: GPS tracks traversed throughout the survey areas ...... 23

Plates Plate 1: Ricinocarpos sp. (CS) ...... 27 Plate 2: Open low woodland of Pittosporum angustifolium over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dense low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides ...... 31 Plate 3: Scrub of Acacia jennerae over heath of Maireana pyramidata/ Atriplex bunburyana and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria ...... 32 Plate 4: Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp. angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Maireana glomerifolia/ M. triptera ...... 33 Plate 5: Low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana pyramidata/ Tecticornia disarticulata ...... 34 Plate 6: Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Pittosporum angustifolium over open scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides ...... 35 Plate 7: Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ Casuarina pauper with occasional tree mallee of Eucalyptus oleosa over low scrub of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia ...... 36 Plate 8: Forest of Acacia caesaneura over low scrub of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia ...... 37 Plate 9: Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii over scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low scrub of Acacia erinacea ...... 38 Plate 10: Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles/ Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia ...... 39 Plate 11: Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis over open low scrub of Acacia burkittii/A. tetragonophylla/ Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex nummularia subsp. spathulata/ A. vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia ...... 40 Plate 12: Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura/ Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia jennerae and dense low heath of Cratystylis subspinescens ...... 41 Plate 13: Forest of Acacia caesaneura over scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and open low scrub of Maireana sedifolia ...... 42 Plate 14: Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus salmonophloia over heath of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and low heath of Maireana sedifolia ...... 43 Plate 15: Low woodland of Casuarina pauper over open low scrub of Acacia tetragonophylla/ Dodonaea lobulata and low heath of Maireana sedifolia ...... 44 Plate 16: Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. x artemisioides ...... 45 Plate 17: Low woodland of Eucalyptus ravida over open scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia ...... 46 Plate 18: Forest of Casuarina pauper over heath of Acacia kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 47 Plate 19: Forest of Eucalyptus flavida over heath of Acacia kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 48 Plate 20: Dense thicket of Acacia quadrimarginea over low scrub of Philotheca microcephala and open dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus on breakaway ...... 49 Plate 21: Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over thicket of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Dodonaea microzyga ...... 50 Plate 22: Forest of Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia ...... 51 Plate 23: Thicket of Acacia caesaneura/ A. burkittii over low scrub of Dodonaea lobulata and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 52 Plate 24: Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over thicket of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus/ Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia ...... 53 Plate 25: Forest of Casuarina pauper over low scrub of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia ...... 54 Plate 26: Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna/ E. loxophleba subsp. lissophloia over scrub of Acacia burkittii and mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 55 Plate 27: Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over low scrub of Eremophila caperata and mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 56 Plate 28: Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura over dense thicket of Acacia coolgardiensis and dwarf scrub of Euryomyrtus maidenii ...... 57 Plate 29: Open low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis and very open tree mallee of E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa ...... 58 Plate 30: Carthamus lanatus (Saffron Thistle) ...... 60 Plate 31: Centaurea melitensis (Maltese cockspur) ...... 61 Plate 32: Image of Dittrichia graveolens (stinkwort) ...... 62

Appendices Appendix 1: Map of the survey area including DPaW listed Flora of Conservation Significance and areas of Conservation Significance (survey area not to scale) ...... 71 Appendix 2: Corresponding codes for vegetation communities on vegetation maps and taxa List ...... 72 Appendix 3: Total Vegetation map of the survey area ...... 74 Appendix 4: List of taxa identified within each vegetation community ...... 80 Appendix 5: GPS coordinates for Flora of Conservation Significance recorded by Botanica Consulting (GDA94) 83 Appendix 6: DPaW Threatened Flora Database search results within 25km of the survey area (DPaW, 2010) .... 84 Appendix 7: Muir Life Form/Height Class (Muir, 1977)...... 85 Appendix 8: Keighery Health rating scale (1994)...... 86 Appendix 9: Department of Agriculture and Food WA Declared Pest Control Methods ...... 87

Executive Summary

Botanica Consulting was commissioned by Norton Gold Fields Ltd to undertake a Level 1 flora and vegetation survey of four survey areas within the Paddington Operations north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder: 1. Racetrack; 2. Mulgarrie Well; 3. Mt Jewell – Eastern Haul Road; and 4. Mt Jewell – Western Haul Road.

The Racetrack survey area is located on the western side of the the Goldfields highway approximately 13.5km south east of the Paddington Main Offices. The three remaining survey areas (Mulgarrie Well, Mt Jewell – Eastern Haul Road and Mt Jewell – Western Haul Road) are located on the eastern side of the Goldfields Highway approximately 17km north east of the Paddington Main Offices. The survey covered an area of approximately 1260 ha (of which 4ha was cleared/ rehabilitated).

28 vegetation communities were identified within the four survey areas, which were represented by a total of 26 Families, 56 Genera and 130 Taxon including sub-species and variants. No Threatened Flora taxa, pursuant to subsection (2) of section 23F of the Wildlife Conservation Act (1950) and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 were identified within the survey area. No Priority Flora taxa as listed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife were identified within the survey areas. An unidentified taxon of Ricinocarpos sp. was identified within the Mt Jewell – Western Haul Road survey area which has been identified by the Western Australian Herabarium as a potentially new species. This taxon had been previously identified in the surrounding area from previous flora and vegetation surveys conducted by Botanica Consulting. Until this taxon has been formally classified it is considered a Flora of Conservation Significance.

None of the vegetation communities within the survey areas were found to have National Environmental Significance as defined by the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. No Threatened Ecological Communities pursuant to Commonwealth legislation or as listed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife were recorded within the survey area. The survey areas are not located within an Environmentally Sensitive Area, however approximately 37ha of the Mulgarrie Well survey area is located within a Schedule 1 Area centred around the historic town site of Mulgarrie Well (Class C Reserve), as described in Regulation 6 and Schedule 1, clause 4 of the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004.

Based on the Keighery vegetation health rating scale, all 28 vegetation communities were rated as ‘good’, which depicts that vegetation structure has been affected by multiple disturbances (grazing, pastoral land use, mining activities and exploration); however it still retains its basic structure and has the ability to regenerate naturally.

Three introduced species were identified within the Racetrack survey area: 1. Carthamus lanatus (Saffron Thistle) 2. Centaurea melitensis (Maltese Cockspur); and 3. Dittrichia graveolens (Stinkwort).

According to the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, Carthamus lanatus is listed as a Declared Plant under Section 22 of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007.

Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 1 Introduction 1.1 Project Description Botanica Consulting (BC) was commissioned by Norton Gold Fields Ltd (Norton) to conduct a Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey of four survey areas within the Paddington Operations: 1. Racetrack; 2. Mulgarrie Well; 3. Mt Jewell – Eastern Haul Road; and 4. Mt Jewell – Western Haul Road.

The survey areas were located within 17 tenements as shown in Figure 1. The survey covered an area of approximately 1260 ha (of which 4ha was cleared/ rehabilitated). The Racetrack survey is located within the Paddington Operations approximately 13.5km south east of the Paddington main offices. The Mulgarrie Well, Mt Jewell – Western Haul Road and Mt Jewell – Eastern Haul Road are all located to the east of the Goldfields highway approximately 17km north east of the Paddington Main offices (Figure 2). The aim of the survey was to produce a vegetation map and taxa list, as well as document the occurrence of any Threatened Ecological Communities (TEC), Priority Ecological Communities (PEC), and Threatened or Priority Flora taxa within the survey areas.

Botanica Consulting 1 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

Figure 1: Tenements within the survey areas

Botanica Consulting 2 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

Figure 2: Regional map of the survey areas

Botanica Consulting 2 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

1.2 Previous Relevant Flora Surveys The following flora and vegetation surveys have been conducted by BC within the region surrounding the current survey areas. Results of these surveys provide useful background information about the local region and assist with desktop assessments of the survey areas. A map showing the locations of these previous flora surveys in relation to the current survey areas is provided in Figure 3.

1.2.1 Golden Cities Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey, Botanica Consulting, March 2008 BC was commissioned by Paddington Gold Pty Ltd (Paddington) to survey an area within the Golden Cities project (M24/564 and M24/565) covering an area of approximately 538ha (excluding current mining activity areas), located 40km north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. The Golden Cities survey area is located approximately 4.5km west of the southern most extremity of the Mt Jewell – Western Haul Road.

Three vegetation groups were recorded within the survey area: Salmon Gum woodland; Eucalyptus Creek line vegetation; and Acacia woodland. The dominant families were Chenopodiaceae, Mimosaceae and Myrtaceae. These vegetation groups were comprised of 21 Families, 26 Genera and 59 Species. No Threatened Flora pursuant to Subsection 2 of Section 23F of the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation (WC) Act 1950, and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 were recorded in the area, however one Priority Flora taxon was recorded; Eremophila sp. Mt Jackson (G.J. Keighery 4372) (P1). This taxon is no longer listed as a Priority Flora species (WAHERB, 2015).

1.2.2 Lignum Dam Tenement E24/146 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey, Botanica Consulting, January 2011

BC was commissioned by Pioneer Resources Ltd to conduct a Level 1 reconnaissance Flora and Vegetation survey of the Lignum Dam deposit for the Mount Jewell Gold Project, located approximately 54km north of Kalgoorlie - Boulder. The survey covered an area of approximately 1145ha and was conducted between the 18th and the 22nd of December, 2010. Approximately 1.2km of the northern section of the Mt Jewell – Western Haul Road is located within the Ligum Dam survey area.

12 vegetation groups and one sub-group were identified within the survey area: 1. Casuarina pauper woodland over Maireana sedifolia; 2. Eucalyptus salmonophloia woodland over Maireana sedifolia; 3. Acacia burkittii shrubland on stony rise; 4. Eucalyptus clelandii woodland over Eremophila interstans; 5. Eucalyptus trichopoda Mallee woodland over Acacia kalgoorliensis; 6. Acacia quadrimarginea shrubland;

Botanica Consulting 3 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

7. Eucalyptus trichopoda Mallee woodland over Triodia scariosa; 8. Eucalyptus and Casuarina mixed woodland; 9. Eucalyptus ravida woodland over Atriplex vesicaria (sub-group E. ravida thicket); 10. Eucalyptus concinna Mallee woodland over Triodia scariosa; 11. Acacia sp. narrow phyllode shrubland; and 12. Eucalyptus concinna Mallee woodland over Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia.

These groups were represented by a total of 22 Families, 50 Genera and 109 Species (including subspecies and variants). No Threatened Flora, pursuant to the WC Act 1950 or the EPBC Act 1999 were located during the survey. No Priority Flora species were identified within the survey area. None of the vegetation groups have National Environmental Significance as defined by the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999. There were no PEC as listed by the Department of Envirionment and Conservation (now known as the Department of Parks and Wildlife) or TEC as listed under Commonwealth legislation recorded within the survey area.

During the survey an unidentified Ricinocarpos sp was located. A sample of this species was provided to the Western Australian Herbarium for identification and was found to be a new, unclassified species.

Three weed species; Salvia verbenaca, Carthamus lanatus and Centaurea melitensis were identified in the survey area. According to the Department of Agriculture and Food (WA) Carthamus lanatus (Saffron thistle) is listed as a Declared Plant under Section 22 of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management (BAM) Act 2007.

Based on Keighery (1994), the health condition of the 12 vegetation groups within the area surveyed were classed as being in a “good” health condition. A good health condition is defined as vegetation

“Structure affected multiple disturbances. Retains basic structure, has ability to regenerate”.

1.2.3 Mt Jewell Haul road Level 2 Flora and Vegetation Survey, Botanica Consulting, August 2012.

BC was commissioned by Carrick Gold Limited (now known as Kal North Gold Mines Limited) to undertake a Level 2 flora and vegetation survey of the proposed Mt Jewel haul road, located approximately 48km north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia. The survey was conducted from the 17th to the 19th July 2012, covering an area of approximately 458ha. The northern most end of this survey area intersects the Mt Jewell – Eastern Haul Road survey area. 31 quadrats were established within the survey area.

11 vegetation communities were identified within the survey area:

Botanica Consulting 4 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

1. Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper over low scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus; 2. Low woodland of Casuarina pauper over low scrub of Maireana sedifolia and dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus; 3. Low woodland of Eucalyptus lesouefii over low scrub of Maireana sedifolia on rocky rise; 4. Scrub of Acacia aneura/Acacia burkittii/Acacia ramulosa over low scrub of Dodonaea lobulata; 5. Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia aneura and low scrub of Dodonaea lobulata and Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia; 6. Low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia/Eucalyptus salubris over heath of mixed chenopods; 7. Mallee of Eucalyptus concinna/Eucalyptus oleosa over low scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus; 8. Scrub of Acacia aneura/Acacia burkittii/Acacia ramulosa in drainage area; 9. Very open mallee of Eucalyptus oleosa over scrub of Acacia aneura/Acacia oswaldii/Acacia ramulosa/Acacia sp. narrow phyllode; 10. Very open mallee of Eucalyptus leptopoda over scrub of Acacia ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Eremophila forrestii; and 11. Open mallee of Eucalyptus leptopoda over scrub of Acacia caesaneura/Acacia ramulosa over mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa.

These 11 vegetation communities were represented by a total of 28 Families, 51 Genera and 123 Species (including sub-species and variants). No Threatened Flora species, pursuant to subsection (2) of section 23F of the WC Act 1950 and the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999 were identified within the survey area. There were no Priority Flora species as listed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) identified within the survey area.

Results of the PATN analysis revealed that with a few exceptions, namely quadrats of the three Casuarina vegetation communities and Very open mallee of Eucalyptus oleosa over scrub of Acacia aneura/Acacia oswaldii/Acacia ramulosa/Acacia sp. narrow phyllode vegetation community, the majority of the quadrats of a given vegetation community delineated in the field were grouped together in the PATN analysis. However of the 11 vegetation communities identified in the field only four contained only those quadrats designated to that respective vegetation community. Within all the other vegetation communities delineated from the PATN analysis there was a high degree of intermixing between vegetation communities with an individual grouping containing quadrats from anywhere up to three different vegetation communities. This result is not surprising given that majority of the vegetation communities had an upper/middle stratum of Acacia/Casuarina and an understorey of Dodonaea lobulata, Ptilotus obovatus and Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia. This intermixing suggests that the

Botanica Consulting 5 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey species composition of the vegetation communities within the area is highly homogeneous with minimal distinct vegetation boundaries despite presence of distinct habitats including rocky outcrops, drainage areas, flat plains and hillslopes.

None of the vegetation communities have National Environmental Significance as defined by the EPBC Act 1999. No TEC pursuant to Commonwealth legislation or PEC as listed by the DPaW were recorded within the survey area. The nearest PEC is the Priority 3 ‘Mount Belches Acacia quadrimarginea/Ptilotus obovatus banded ironstone community’ which is located approximately 80km south east of the survey area.

The survey area is not located in an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) or within a Schedule 1 Area, as described in Regulation 6 and Schedule 1, clause 4 of the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Vegetation) Regulation 2004. There are two areas of DPaW managed land approximately 15km from the Mt Jewel haul road; the Goongarrie National Park to the north-west and the Bullock Holes Timber Reserve to the south-east.

According to Keighery’s vegetation health rating scale (1994), all eleven of the vegetation communities within the area were rated as being in ‘very good’ health. No introduced species were identified within the survey area.

1.2.4 Golden Flag Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey, Botanica Consulting, March 2013

BC was commissioned by Norton to undertake a Level 1 flora and vegetation survey within the Golden Flag survey area, located approximately 27km north-west of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. The survey was conducted on the 14th February 2013, covering an area of approximately 51ha. The Golden Flag survey area is located approximately 4.6km west of the Racetrack survey area.

Five vegetation communities were identified within the survey area: 1. Very open tree mallee of Eucalyptus celastroides/Eucalyptus griffithsii over open low scrub Allocasuarina helmsii/Melaleuca lateriflora and dwarf shrub of Scaevola spinescens; 2. Open low scrub of Melaleuca aff. pauperiflora over open low scrub Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustissima and open dwarf scrub of Frankenia interioris/Tecticornia pergranulata; 3. Open scrub of Acacia sp. narrow phyllode (B.R. Maslin 7831) over open low scrub Melaleuca lateriflora and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa; 4. Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii over open scrub of Acacia sp. narrow phyllode (B.R. Maslin 7831) and dwarf scrub of Scaevola spinescens; and 5. Low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia over open scrub of Casuarina pauper and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia.

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These five vegetation communities were represented by a total of 24 Families, 42 Genera and 82 Species (including sub-species and variants). No Threatened Flora species, pursuant to subsection (2) of section 23F of the WC Act 1950 and the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999 were identified within the Golden Flag survey area. There were no Priority Flora species as listed by the DPaW identified within the Golden Flag survey area.

None of the vegetation communities have National Environmental Significance as defined by the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999. No TEC pursuant to Commonwealth legislation or PEC as listed by the DPaW were recorded within the Golden Flag survey area. The survey area is not located in an ESA or within a Schedule 1 Area, as described in Regulation 6 and Schedule 1, clause 4 of the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Vegetation) Regulation 2004.

According to Keighery’s vegetation health rating scale (1994), all five vegetation communities within the area were rated as being in ‘good’ health. One introduced species were identified within the survey area; Salvia verbenaca (Wild Sage). According to the DAFWA this species is not listed as a Declared Plant under the BAM Act 2007.

1.2.5 Vegetation Assessment of the Royal Standard North Project area, Botanica Consulting, February 2014

BC was commissioned by Norton to undertake a desktop assessment and reconnaissance site assessment of the Royal Standard Project area (Tenements: M24/304 & M24/265) located approximately 28km north-west of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia. The assessment was conducted on the 6th of February 2014, and covered an area of approximately 4.3ha (of which 3.4 ha has been cleared). The Royal Standard North Project area is located approximately 2km east of the Racetrack survey area.

The Royal Standard Project consisted of mining three open pits two of which are existing pits (Royal Standard West Pit and Royal Standard East Pit). As these areas have been previously cleared for mining no vegetation communities were present within these areas. One vegetation community was identified within Royal Standard North Pit area; Low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia over a low mixed chenopod scrub.

The Low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia over a low mixed chenopod scrub vegetation community was represented by a total of 13 Families, 21 Genera and 37 Species (including sub- species and variants). No Threatened Flora species pursuant to the WC Act 1950 and the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999 were recorded within the survey area. No Priority Flora species were identified within the survey area.

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The survey area does not have National Environmental Significance as defined by the EPBC Act 1999. No TECs pursuant to Commonwealth legislation or listed by the DPaW were recorded within the survey area. No PECs as listed by the DPaW were recorded within the survey area.

The Royal Standard Project is not located in an ESA, but it is located within a Schedule 1 Area, described in Regulation 6 and Schedule 1, clause 4 of the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. The Schedule 1 Area encompasses the boundary of the Water Reserve 3701. The Project area is not located within a DPaW managed land. It does however lie within the Great Western Woodlands which is considered by The Wilderness Society to be of global biological and conservation importance as one of the largest and healthiest temperate woodlands on Earth, containing many endemic species.

According to Keighery’s vegetation health rating scale (1994), the Low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia over a low mixed chenopod scrub vegetation community was rated as being in ‘good’ health. Much of the area has been disturbed by exploration activities and clearing for vehicle access. One introduced species were identified within the Project area, Salvia verbenaca (Wild Sage). According to the DAFWA this species is not listed as a Declared Plant under Section 22 of the BAM Act 2007.

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Figure 3: Regional Map of previous flora surveys in relation to the current survey areas (survey areas not to scale)

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2 Regional Biophysical Environment 2.1 Regional Environment Three of the survey areas (Mulgarrie well, Mt Jewell – Eastern Haul Road and the Mt Jewell – Western Haul Road) lie within the Murchison Region of the Eremaean Province of WA in a region known as the Austin Botanical District which consists of predominantly mulga low woodland on plains and reduces to scrub on hills (Beard, 1990). The Murchison Region is further divided into subregions, based on the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA), with the survey areas located within the Eastern Murchison (MUR1) subregion (Cowan, 2001).

The Racetrack survey area lies within the Coolgardie Region of the Eremaean Province of WA in a region known as the Coolgardie Botanical District which consists of predominantly Mulga low woodland on plains and reduces to scrub on hills (Beard, 1990). The Coolgardie Region is further divided into subregions, based on the IBRA, with the survey area located within the Eastern Goldfields (COO3) subregion (Cowan, 2001).

A map showing the locations of the survey areas in relation to IBRA subregions is provided in Figure 4.

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Figure 4: Location of survey areas in relation to the IBRA subregions

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2.2 Great Western Woodlands The Racetrack survey area lies within the Great Western Woodlands, located approximately 12km from the western boundary. The Great Western Woodlands is considered by The Wilderness Society of WA to be of global biological and conservation importance as one of the largest and healthiest temperate woodlands on Earth, containing many endemic taxa. The region covers almost 16 million hectares, 160,000 square kilometres, from the southern edge of the Western Australian Wheat belt to the pastoral lands of the Mulga country in the north, the inland deserts to the northeast, and the treeless Nullarbor Plain to the east (Figure 5).

The area provides an eastward connection between southwest forests and inland deserts (Gondwana Link) as well as linking the north-west passage to Shark Bay. The majority of the Great Western Woodlands is unallocated crown land (61.1%) with other interests including pastoral leases (20.4%), conservation reserves (15.4%) unallocated crown land ex pastoral managed by the (DPaW 2011a) (2%) and private land (approximately 1%) (Watson et. al., 2008).

No specific management strategy applies to the Great Western Woodlands, rather an approach to conservation which occurs across all land tenures and when different stakeholders work together with biodiversity in mind. The central component of this approach is to identify and conserve key large-scale, long term ecological processes that drive connectivity between ecosystems and taxa. The Great Western Woodlands currently includes towns, highways, roads, railways, private property, Crown Reserves, agricultural activities and mining tenements.

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Figure 5: Location of Great Western Woodlands in relation to the survey areas

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2.3 Topography & Soils The Eastern Goldfields subregion lies on the Yilgarn Craton's 'Eastern Goldfields Terrains'. The relief is subdued and comprised of gently undulating plains interrupted in the west with low hills and ridges of Archaean greenstones and in the east by a horst of Proterozoic basic granulite. The underlying geology is of gneisses and granites eroded into a flat plane covered with tertiary soils and with scattered exposures of bedrock. Calcareous earths are the dominant soil group and cover much of the plains and greenstone areas. A series of large playa lakes in the western half are the remnants of an ancient major drainage line (Cowan, 2001).

The Eastern Murchison subregion lies on the northern parts of the ‘Southern Cross’ and ‘Eastern Goldfields’ Terrains of the Yilgarn Craton. This subregion is characterised by its internal drainage and extensive area of elevated red desert sandplains (Cowan, 2001). Calcrete aquifers located in the northern part of the subregion are known to support a wide range of subterranean fauna. Another important feature of the system is the salt lake systems associated with the occluded Paleo within drainage system. Beard (1990) describes the topography of the region as undulating with occasional ranges of low hills and extensive sandplains located in the East. The dominant soil type is a shallow earthy loam, overlying red-brown hardpan. Red earthy sands can be found on the sandplains.

2.4 Vegetation Vegetation of the Coolgardie Botanical District in the Coolgardie Region is predominantly Eucalyptus woodland in the valleys, with dense Acacia and Allocasuarina thickets dominating the rocky ironstone ridges found near the South-West Province border (Beard, 1990). The under-storey of the Eucalyptus woodland is primarily composed of sclerophyllous shrubs such as Melaleuca or soft-leaved, glaucous shrubs including Atriplex where soils are more alkaline (Beard, 1990). The vegetation of the Eastern Goldfields subregion is of Mallees, Acacia thickets and shrub heaths on sand plains. Diverse Eucalyptus woodlands occur around salt lakes, on ranges, and in valleys. Salt lakes support dwarf shrublands of samphire. The area is rich in endemic Acacias (Cowan, 2001).

Vegetation of the the Austin Botanical District in the Murchison Region is predominantly Mulga low woodlands on plains, often rich in ephemerals, which reduce to scrub on hills. It is also characterised by hummock grasslands, Saltbush shrublands and Halosarcia shrublands (Beard, 1990; Cowan, 2001).

The DAFWA GIS file (2011) indicates that the survey areas are located within Pre-European Beard seven vegetation associations as shown in Figure 6. The extent of these associations as described by the DAFWA is provided in Table 1.

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Table 1: Remaining Beard Vegetation Associations within Western Australia (DAFWA, 2011)

Pre- % of Current Pre- European extent within Vegetation Veg Current European extent DPaW Description (Beard, association Extent (ha) Extent (ha) remaining managed 1990) (%) lands Coolgardie 125 9090.22 8902.02 97.93 0 Bare areas; salt lakes Succulent steppe with Coolgardie 540 50554.73 48376.17 95.69 0 open low woodland; sheoak over saltbush Medium woodland; red Barlee 10 65387.97 64757.47 99.04 4.71 mallee group Low woodland; mulga mixed with Barlee 20 1172537.57 1169909.21 99.78 15.04 Allocasuarina cristata & Eucalyptus sp (e6?) Hummock grasslands, mallee steppe; red Barlee 555 22475.98 22468.35 99.97 18.15 mallee over spinifex Triodia scariosa Succulent steppe with open low woodland; Barlee 529 62202.81 62102.10 99.84 4.47 mulga & sheoak over bluebush Medium woodland; Kununulling 184812.50 181666.50 98.30 53.7 salmon gum & 468 goldfields blackbutt

Areas retaining less than 30% of their pre-European vegetation extent generally experience exponentially accelerated taxa loss, while areas with less than 10% are considered “endangered”. Development within the survey areas will not significantly reduce the extent of these associations.

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Figure 6: Pre European Vegetation Associations in relation to the survey areas

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2.5 Soil Landscape Systems The survey areas occur within the Kalgoorlie Province (26) (DAFWA, 2014) which consists of an extensive plateau of low relief. Flat to undulating plains with small valleys (occasionally broken by low narrow rocky hills, ridges, tors and bosses) are most commonly found on granitic terrain. On these plains may be found some silcrete duricrust, claypans, salt lakes with dunes and lunettes, gilgai areas, small remnants of sand plain, and small dune tracts. Low breakaways with short saline foot slopes are also occasionally present (DAFWA, 2014b).

The Kalgoorlie Province is further divided into six soil-landscape zones, with the survey areas located within the Kambalda Zone (265) and the Norseman Zone (266). The Kambalda Zone is characterized by flat to undulating plains (with hills, ranges and some salt lakes and stony plains) on greenstone and granitic rocks of the Yilgarn Craton. The soils are generally calcareous loamy earths and red loamy earths with salt lakes soils and some red-brown hardpan shallow loams and red sandy duplexes. The Norseman Zone is characterized by flat to undulating plains (with some sandplains and salt lakes) on granitic rocks of the Yilgarn Craton. The soils are generally calcareous loamy earths, yellow sandy and loamy earths, red-loamy earths, red deep sands and salt lake soils. The survey area is located within eight landscape systems of the Kambalda and Norseman Zone which are detailed in Table 2 and as shown in Figure 7.

Table 2: Soil Landscape Mapping Units within the survey areas (DAFWA, 2014b) Mapping Unit Soil Landscape System Flat to undulating valley plains and pediments; 265Mx40 some rock outcrop Extensive, gently undulating calcareous stony 265Gu plains supporting bluebush shrublands

Plains with ironstone gravel or calcrete mantles 265Il supporting eucalypt woodlands and mulga- casuarina shrublands

Gently undulating sandplains, with scattered 265Ki granite outcrop supporting spinifex hummock grasslands, mulga shrublands and mallees

Low greenstone hills and stony plains supporting 265Le mixed chenopod shrublands

Low greenstone rises and stony plains supporting 265Mo chenopod shrublands with patchy eucalypt overstorey

Sandy plains supporting tall shrublands of mulga 266Yo and bowgada with patchy wanderrie grasses

Alluvial plains supporting eucalypt woodlands with 266Cm halophytic understoreys and acacia shrublands

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Figure 7: Location of the survey areas in relation to Soil Landscape Systems

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2.6 Climate The climate of the Eastern Goldfields subregion is characterised as an arid to semi-arid climate with rainfall sometimes in summer but mainly winter rainfall and annual rainfall of approximately 200- 300mm (Beard, 1990; Cowan, 2001). The climate of the Eastern Murchison subregion is characterised as an arid climate with mainly winter rainfall and annual rainfall of approximately 200mm (Beard, 1990; Cowan, 2001). Monthly rainfall and annual data for the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport weather station (#12038) located approximately 40km south-east of the survey areas is shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 (Bureau of Meteorology, BOM, 2015).

200 180 160

140 120 100 80 Rainfall Rainfall (mm) 60 40 20 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Mean

Figure 8: Monthly rainfall from January 2011 to March 2015 and mean monthly rainfall (January 1939 to March 2015) for the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport weather station (#12038) (BOM, 2015)

450 400 350

300 250 200

Rainfall Rainfall (mm) 150 100 50 0 2011 2012 2013 2014

Annual Mean

Figure 9: Annual rainfall from January 2011 to December 2014 and mean annual rainfall (January 1939 to December 2014) for the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport weather station (#12038) (BOM, 2015)

Botanica Consulting 19 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 2.7 Land Use The dominant land uses of the Eastern Goldfields subregion as pasture land (38%) and nature reserves (4.5%) with the remaining areas used for mining, exploration activities and freehold (Cowan, 2001). The dominant land uses of the Eastern Murchison subregion are grazing native pastures (85.47%), unallocated crown land (11.34%), conservation (1.4%) and mining (1.79%) (Cowan, 2001).

2.8 Survey Objectives The objectives of the survey were to: 1. Compile a broad scale vegetation community flora map and taxa list of the survey areas (Appendix 3 and 4); 2. Document and map locations of any Threatened or Priority listed flora taxa located; (Appendix 4 and 5); 3. Assess the regional and local conservation status of plant taxa and ecological communities within the survey areas; and 4. Identify occurrences of any “Declared and Environmental” weeds within the survey areas.

Botanica Consulting 20 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 3 Survey Methodology 3.1 Desktop Assessment Prior to the field survey, the results of the combined search of the DPaW Declared Rare and Priority Flora databases were obtained by BC. These significant flora taxa were examined on the Western Australian Herbarium’s web page (WAHERB, 2015) prior to the survey to familiarise staff with their appearance. Locations of Threatened and Priority Flora taxa revealed in the databases search were overlaid on aerial photography of the area. Vegetation descriptions of locations and available pictures of the Priority Flora were obtained from Florabase. Priority Flora locations listed by the DPaW within and/or surrounding the survey area were visited in order to confirm their existence. Table 3 lists the definitions of Declared Rare and Priority ratings under the WC Act 1950 as extracted from Florabase (WAHERB, 2015).

Table 3: Definitions of Rare and Priority Flora taxa (WAHERB, 2015)

T: Declared Rare Flora – Extant taxa taxa which have been adequately searched for and are deemed to be in the wild either rare, in danger of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection, and have been gazetted as such. X: Declared Rare flora – Presumed Extinct taxa taxa which have not been collected, or otherwise verified, over the past 50 years despite thorough searching, or of which all known wild populations have been destroyed more recently, and have been gazetted as such. 1: Priority One – Poorly known taxa taxa that are known from one or a few collections or sight records (generally

Botanica Consulting 21 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 3.2 Sampling and Analysis Methods BC was commissioned by Norton to conduct a Level 1 flora and vegetation survey of four areas for Paddington Operations; Racetrack, Mulgarrie Well, Mt Jewell Western Haul Road and Mt Jewell Eastern Haul Road survey areas. The survey was conducted on the 23rd and 24th of March 2015 covering an area of approximately 1260 ha (of which 4ha within the Racetrack survey area was cleared/rehabilitated). The objective of the survey was to document all observed “Declared Rare and Priority Flora” taxa encountered and the occurrences of any “Environmental or Declared Weeds” observed within or adjacent to the survey areas. The survey areas were traversed by two people on foot and All-Terrain vehicle. Figure 10 provides a map of the area traversed throughout the survey.

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Figure 10: GPS tracks traversed throughout the survey areas

Botanica Consulting 23 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Prior to the commencement of field work, aerial photography was inspected and obvious differences in the vegetation assemblages were identified. The different vegetation communities identified were then inspected during the field survey to assess their validity. A handheld GPS unit was used to record the co-ordinates of the boundaries between existing vegetation communities. At each sample point, the following information was recorded:  GPS location;  Photograph of vegetation;  Dominant taxa;  Collection and documentation of unknown plant specimens; and  GPS location, photograph and collection of Threatened Flora if encountered.

Unknown specimens collected during the survey were identified with the aid of samples housed at the BC Herbarium and the Western Australian Herbarium. Presence/absence data of taxa from sample sites of similar vegetation was then compiled forming the best representative vegetation communities. Similar vegetation communities were recognised visually in the field.

3.2.1 Personnel involved  Jim Williams - Environmental Consultant/Botanist (Diploma of Horticulture)  Pat Harton - Environmental Consultant (Bachelor of Environmental Science)

3.2.2 Scientific licences Table 4: Scientific Licences of Botanica Staff coordinating the survey

Licensed staff Permit Number Valid Until

Jim Williams SL011001 21-05-2015

Pat Harton SL011004 21-05-2015

3.3 Flora survey limitations and constraints It is important to note that there are limitations involved with conducting flora surveys, despite the careful planning that is put into their design. Such limitations that can occur are listed in Table 5 below.

Botanica Consulting 24 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Table 5: Limitations and constraints associated with the flora and vegetation survey

Potential Impact on Variable Details Survey Access Not a constraint The survey was conducted by All-terrain vehicles and on foot. problems The BC staff members who conducted the survey were regarded as suitably qualified and experienced. Experience Not a constraint Coordinating Botanist: Jim Williams levels Field Staff: Jim Williams & Pat Harton Data Interpretation: Jim Williams & Pat Harton Fieldwork was carried out in March outside of the EPA’s Timing of recommended timing for flora surveys (i.e. spring) and many taxa survey, Minor constraint were not in flower. However based on the scale of the survey and weather & the coordinating botanists local knowledge of flora in the region the season timing of the survey was considered appropriate. BC was able to obtain information about the area from previous Sources of Not a constraint research conducted within the Goldfields which enabled adequate information background information about the region. Mapping BC obtained a high resolution ortho aerial image to assist with Not a constraint reliability vegetation mapping. The area has been subject to multiple disturbances including Area access tracks, extensive grazing, historic exploration and Minor constraint disturbance rehabilitation. However the majority of the area comprised of native vegetation rated as being in ‘good’ or ‘very good’ health. Survey intensity was appropriate for the size/significance of the Survey Not a constraint area with a Level 1 survey completed to identify vegetation Intensity communities and any DRF/Priority Flora. The DPaW provided threatened flora information which was used Resources Not a constraint to complete the survey. Other information was utilised from previous BC surveys in the Goldfields area. In the opinion of BC the survey area was covered sufficiently. BC estimate that approximately 80% of the flora taxa in the survey area were recorded. This estimation takes into account the timing of the survey and the experience of the botanists undertaking the work.

Completeness Minor constraint The vegetation communities for this study were based on visual descriptions of locations in the field. The distribution of these vegetation communities outside the study area is not known, however vegetation communities identified were categorized via comparison to vegetation distributions throughout Australia given on the Australian National Vegetation Information System (DoE, 2015b)

Botanica Consulting 25 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4 Results 4.1 Desktop Assessment The results of the combined search of the DPaW’s Flora of Conservation Significance databases did not reveal any Declared Rare or Priority flora within the survey areas boundary. There was however 17 Priority Flora taxa listed within a 25km radius of the survey areas (Appendix 6). Five of these Priority Flora have the potential to occur in the area based on habitat requirements identified within the area as listed in Table 6.

Table 6: Priority Flora with the potential to occur within the survey areas (WAHERB, 2015)

Conservation Species Description (WAHERB, 2015) Code

Low spreading, becoming rounded, multi-stemmed Acacia epedunculata P1 shrub, 0.5–0.65 m high. Fl. yellow, Aug. Yellow sand. Sandplains.

Prostrate annual, herb. Fl. white-yellow, Jul to Sep. Angianthus prostratus P3 Red clay or loamy soils. Saline depressions.

Broom-like shrub, 1.5-3 m high. Fl. purple, Oct or Eremophila praecox P1 Dec. Red/brown sandy loam. Undulating plains.

Low spreading annual, herb, 0.03-0.07 m high, 0.08- Gnephosis sp. Norseman (K.R. P3 0.18 m wide. Subsaline loam. Moderately exposed Newbey 8096) flat Ptilotus rigidus P1 Description unavailable

4.2 Conservation Significant Flora No Threatened Flora taxa pursuant to subsection (2) of section 23F of the WC Act 1950 and Section 179 of the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999 and were identified within the survey areas. No Priority Flora taxa as listed by the DPaW were identified withn the survey areas.

An unidentified taxon of Ricinocarpos sp. was identified within the Mt Jewell – Western Haul Road survey area, which has been identified by taxonomic specialist Mike Hislop of the Western Australian Herabarium as a potentially new species (Plate 1). This taxon had been previously identified in the surrounding area from a previous flora and vegetation survey conducted by BC (see Section 1.2.2). Until this taxon has been formally classified it is considered a Flora of Conservation Significance.

This taxon (Ricinocarpos sp.) was identified within the Forest of Casuarina pauper over heath of Acacia kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa vegetation community. Eight locations of this taxon have been recorded (Appendix 3), one of which occurs within the survey area with the remaining seven located directly south/south-east (within 1.5km) of the Mt Jewell-Western Haul Road (Appendix 2). Botanica Consulting 26 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

Plate 1: Ricinocarpos sp. (CS)

Botanica Consulting 27 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3 Vegetation Communities 28 broad vegetation communities were identified within the four survey areas (Table 7). Vegetation communities have been classified using the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) Level 4 classifications and using Muir 1977 life form/habit classifications provided in (Appendix 7). These communities were represented by a total of 26 Families, 56 Genera and 130 Taxa, (including sub- species and variants) as listed in Appendix 4. A map showing the vegetation communities present in the survey area is provided in Appendix 3.

Table 7: Summary of vegetation communities and area (ha and %) within the survey areas

Survey Vegetation Area Vegetation Community Area (%) Area Code* (ha)

Open low woodland of Pittosporum angustifolium over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and CLP-OFW1 127 65 dense low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides Scrub of Acacia jennerae over heath of Maireana CLP-AS1 pyramidata/ Atriplex bunburyana and dwarf scrub of 24 12 Atriplex vesicaria Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Acacia

ack RH-CFW/EW1 kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp. 23 12 angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Maireana glomerifolia/ M. triptera Racetr Low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf CLP-EW1 12 6 scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana pyramidata/ Tecticornia disarticulata Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Pittosporum angustifolium over open scrub of CLP- Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp 8 4 CFW/OFW1 angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides Cleared Vegetation 2 1 Total 196 100 Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ Casuarina pauper with occasional tree mallee of CLP-AFW1 312 52 Eucalyptus oleosa over low scrub of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia Forest of Acacia caesaneura over low scrub of CLP-AFW2 Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of 150 25

Maireana sedifolia Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii over scrub of RH-EW1 Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low scrub 34 6 of Acacia erinacea Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. oleosa Mulgarrie Well CLP-EW2 over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles/ Eremophila 65 11 scoparia and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis over open low CLP-EW3 scrub of Acacia burkittii/A. tetragonophylla/ 38 6 Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex nummularia subsp. spathulata/ A. vesicaria/

Botanica Consulting 28 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

Survey Vegetation Area Vegetation Community Area (%) Area Code* (ha)

Maireana sedifolia

Total 599 100 Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura/ CLP- Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia jennerae 57 31 AFW/CFW1 and dense low heath of Cratystylis subspinescens Forest of Acacia caesaneura over scrub of Senna CLP-AFW3 artemisioides subsp. filifolia and open low scrub of 16 9 Maireana sedifolia Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ CLP- Eucalyptus salmonophloia over heath of Senna 67 36 CFW/EW1 artemisioides subsp. filifolia and low heath of Maireana sedifolia Low woodland of Casuarina pauper over open low Eastern Haul Road CLP-CFW1 scrub of Acacia tetragonophylla/ Dodonaea lobulata 23 12 - and low heath of Maireana sedifolia Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ CLP- Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia ramulosa 9 5 Mt Jewell AFW/CFW2 var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. x artemisioides Low woodland of Eucalyptus ravida over open CLP-EW4 scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and 13 7 low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia Total 185 100 Forest of Casuarina pauper over heath of Acacia RP-CFW1 kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia 9 3 scariosa Forest of Eucalyptus flavida over heath of Acacia RH-EW2 kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia 4 2 scariosa Dense thicket of Acacia quadrimarginea over low B-AFW1 scrub of Philotheca microcephala and open dwarf 3 1 scrub of Ptilotus obovatus on breakaway Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over RH-MWS1 thicket of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of 1 0.4 Dodonaea microzyga Forest of Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of RH-EW3 Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and dwarf 4 2 scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia Western Haul Road

- Thicket of Acacia caesaneura/ A. burkittii over low CLP-AFW4 scrub of Dodonaea lobulata and open hummock 65 25 grass of Triodia scariosa Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over Mt Jewell CLP-MWS1 thicket of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Ptilotus 38 14 obovatus/ Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia Forest of Casuarina pauper over low scrub of RH-CFW1 Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Senna 13 5 artemisioides subsp. filifolia Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna/ E. loxophleba subsp. lissophloia over scrub of Acacia CLP-MWS2 5 2 burkittii and mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

Botanica Consulting 29 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

Survey Vegetation Area Vegetation Community Area (%) Area Code* (ha)

Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over low CLP-MWS3 scrub of Eremophila caperata and mid-dense 74 28 hummock grass of Triodia scariosa Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura over CLP-AFW5 dense thicket of Acacia coolgardiensis and dwarf 31 12 scrub of Euryomyrtus maidenii Open low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis and very open tree mallee of CLP-EOW1 16 6 E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa Total 263 100 *B-Breakaway; CLP-Clay Loam Plain; RH-Rocky Hillslope; RP-Rocky Plain A-Acacia; C-Casuarina; E-Eucalyt; O-Other; M-Mallee FW-Forest and Woodlands; OW-Open Woodlands; S-Shrublands; W-Woodlands; WS-Woodlands and Shrublands;

Botanica Consulting 30 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Racetrack Survey Area 4.3.1 Open low woodland of Pittosporum angustifolium over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dense low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 15 Families, 25 Genera and 35 Taxa (Plate 2). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. Two introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community; Centaurea melitensis (Maltese Cockspur) and Dittrichia graveolens (Stinkwort). According to the DAFWA (2014) these taxa are not listed as a Declared Plant under Section 22 of the BAM Act 2007. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 8. According to the NVIS list of Major Vegetation Groups (MVG), this vegetation community is best represented by the MVG10 – Other Forests and Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 8: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Pittosporum angustifolium over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dense low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Tree 5-15m 2-10% Pittosporum angustifolium Shrub 1.5-2m 2-10% Acacia kalgoorliensis Atriplex vesicaria Shrub <0.5m 70-100% Tecticornia halocnemoides

Plate 2: Open low woodland of Pittosporum angustifolium over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dense low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides

Botanica Consulting 31 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

4.3.2 Scrub of Acacia jennerae over heath of Maireana pyramidata/ Atriplex bunburyana and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 10 Families, 21 Genera and 30 Taxa (Plate 3). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. Three introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community; Carthamus lanatus (Saffron Thistle), Centaurea melitensis (Maltese Cockspur) and Dittrichia graveolens (Stinkwort). According to the DAFWA (2014) Carthamus lanatus is listed as a Declared Plant under Section 22 of the BAM Act 2007. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 9. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is represented by MVG16- Acacia Shrublands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 9: Vegetation assemblage of Scrub of Acacia jennerae over heath of Maireana pyramidata/ Atriplex bunburyana and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Shrub >2m 10-30% Acacia jennerae Atriplex bunburyana Shrub 1-1.5m 30-70% Maireana pyramidata Shrub <0.5m 10-30% Atriplex vesicaria

Plate 3: Scrub of Acacia jennerae over heath of Maireana pyramidata/ Atriplex bunburyana and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria Botanica Consulting 32 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.3 Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp. angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Maireana glomerifolia/ M. triptera

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 14 Families, 18 Genera and 28 Taxa (Plate 4). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 10. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is represented by MVG8- Casuarina Forest and Woodlands and MVG5 – Eucalypt Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 10: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp. angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Maireana glomerifolia/ M. triptera

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Casuarina pauper Tree 5-15m 2-10% Eucalyptus clelandii Acacia kalgoorliensis Shrub 1.5-2m 10-30% Eremophila oldfieldii subsp. angustifolia Maireana glomerifolia Shrub <0.5m 10-30% Maireana triptera

Plate 4: Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp. angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Maireana glomerifolia/ M. triptera

Botanica Consulting 33 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.4 Low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana pyramidata/ Tecticornia disarticulata The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 11 Families, 21 Genera and 28 Taxa (Plate 5). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. Three introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community; Carthamus lanatus (Saffron Thistle), Centaurea melitensis (Maltese Cockspur) and Dittrichia graveolens (Stinkwort). According to the DAFWA (2014) Carthamus lanatus is listed as a Declared Plant under Section 22 of the BAM Act 2007. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 11. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG5 – Eucalypt Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 11: Vegetation assemblage of Low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana pyramidata/ Tecticornia disarticulata

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Tree 5-15m 10-30% Eucalyptus salmonophloia Shrub 1.5-2m 2-10% Acacia kalgoorliensis Atriplex vesicaria Shrub <0.5m 10-30% Maireana pyramidata Tecticornia disarticulata

Plate 5: Low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana pyramidata/ Tecticornia disarticulata

Botanica Consulting 34 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.5 Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Pittosporum angustifolium over open scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 13 Families, 16 Genera and 20 Taxa (Plate 6). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 12. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is represented by MVG8- Casuarina Forest and Woodlands and MVG10 – Other Forests and Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 12: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Pittosporum angustifolium over open scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Casuarina pauper Tree 5-15m 2-10% Pittosporum angustifolium Acacia kalgoorliensis Shrub 1.5-2m 2-10% Eremophila oldfieldii subsp. angustifolia Atriplex vesicaria Shrub <0.5m 10-30% Tecticornia halocnemoides

Plate 6: Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Pittosporum angustifolium over open scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides

Botanica Consulting 35 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Mulgarrie Well Survey Area

4.3.6 Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ Casuarina pauper with occasional tree mallee of Eucalyptus oleosa over low scrub of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 12 Families, 15 Genera and 31 Taxa (Plate 7). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 13. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is comprised of MVG6- Acacia Forests and Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Acacia caesaneura Tree 5-15m 10-30% Casuarina pauper Mallee Tree Form 2-10% Eucalyptus oleosa Shrub 1.5-2m 10-30% Acacia burkittii Shrub 0.5-1m 10-30% Maireana sedifolia

Plate 7: Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ Casuarina pauper with occasional tree mallee of Eucalyptus oleosa over low scrub of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia

Botanica Consulting 36 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

4.3.7 Forest of Acacia caesaneura over low scrub of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 16 Families, 22 Genera and 36 Taxa (Plate 8). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 14. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG6- Acacia Forests and Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 14: Vegetation assemblage for Forest of Acacia caesaneura over low scrub of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Tree 5-15m 30-70% Acacia caesaneura Shrub 1.5-2m 10-30% Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa Shrub 0.5-1m 10-30% Maireana sedifolia

Plate 8: Forest of Acacia caesaneura over low scrub of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia

Botanica Consulting 37 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

4.3.8 Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii over scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low scrub of Acacia erinacea

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 8 Families, 10 Genera and 16 Taxa (Plate 9). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 15. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG5-Eucalypt Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 15: Vegetation assemblage Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii over scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low scrub of Acacia erinacea

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Tree 5-15m 10-30% Eucalyptus clelandii Shrub >2m 10-30% Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata Shrub 0.5-1m 10-30% Acacia erinacea

Plate 9: Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii over scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low scrub of Acacia erinacea

Botanica Consulting 38 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.9 Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles/ Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 7 Families, 10 Genera and 21 Taxa (Plate 10). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 16. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG5-Eucalypt Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 16: Vegetation assemblage of Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles/ Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Eucalyptus clelandii Tree 5-15m 10-30% Eucalyptus oleosa Acacia hemiteles Shrub 1.5-2m 10-30% Eremophila scoparia Shrub <0.5m 10-30% Maireana sedifolia

Plate 10: Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles/ Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia

Botanica Consulting 39 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.10 Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis over open low scrub of Acacia burkittii/A. tetragonophylla/ Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex nummularia subsp. spathulata/ A. vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 10 Families, 13 Genera and 25 Taxa (Plate 11). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 17. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG5-Eucalypt Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 17: Vegetation assemblage of Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis over open low scrub of Acacia burkittii/A. tetragonophylla/ Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex nummularia subsp. spathulata/ A. vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Eucalyptus clelandii Tree 5-15m 10-30% Eucalyptus salmonophloia Eucalyptus transcontinentalis Acacia burkittii Shrub 1.5-2m 2-10% Acacia tetragonophylla Eremophila scoparia Atriplex nummularia subsp. spathulata Shrub 0.5-1m 10-30% Atriplex vesicaria Maireana sedifolia

Plate 11: Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis over open low scrub of Acacia burkittii/A. tetragonophylla/ Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex nummularia subsp. spathulata/ A. vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia Botanica Consulting 40 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Mt Jewell – Eastern Haul Road survey area 4.3.11 Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura/ Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia jennerae and dense low heath of Cratystylis subspinescens

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 12 Families, 18 Genera and 30 Taxa (Plate 12). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 18. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG6- Acacia Forests and Woodlands and MVG8- Casuarina Forest and Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 18: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura/ Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia jennerae and dense low heath of Cratystylis subspinescens

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Acacia incurvaneura Tree 5-15m 2-10% Casuarina pauper Shrub >2m 10-30% Acacia jennerae Shrub 0.5-1m 70-100% Cratystylis subspinescens

Plate 12: Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura/ Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia jennerae and dense low heath of Cratystylis subspinescens

Botanica Consulting 41 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.12 Forest of Acacia caesaneura over scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and open low scrub of Maireana sedifolia

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 12 Families, 15 Genera and 28 Taxa (Plate 13). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 19. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG6- Acacia forests and Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 19: Vegetation assemblage of Forest of Acacia caesaneura over scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and open low scrub of Maireana sedifolia

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Tree 5-15m 30-70% Acacia caesaneura

Shrub 1.5-2m 10-30% Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia Shrub 0.5-1m 2-10% Maireana sedifolia

Plate 13: Forest of Acacia caesaneura over scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and open low scrub of Maireana sedifolia

Botanica Consulting 42 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.13 Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus salmonophloia over heath of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and low heath of Maireana sedifolia

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 11 Families, 15 Genera and 27 Taxa (Plate 14). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 20. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG8- Casuarina forest and woodlands and MVG5-Eucalypt Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 20: Vegetation assemblage Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus salmonophloia over heath of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and low heath of Maireana sedifolia

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Casuarina pauper Tree 5-15m 2-10% Eucalyptus salmonophloia Shrub 1-1.5m 30-70% Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia Shrub <0.5m 30-70% Maireana sedifolia

Plate 14: Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus salmonophloia over heath of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia and low heath of Maireana sedifolia

Botanica Consulting 43 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

4.3.14 Low woodland of Casuarina pauper over open low scrub of Acacia tetragonophylla/ Dodonaea lobulata and low heath of Maireana sedifolia.

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 14 Families, 20 Genera and 34 Taxa (Plate 15). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 21. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG8- Casuarina Forest and Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 21: Vegetation assemblage of Low woodland of Casuarina pauper over open low scrub of Acacia tetragonophylla/ Dodonaea lobulata and low heath of Maireana sedifolia

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Tree 5-15m 10-30% Casuarina pauper Acacia tetragonophylla Shrub 1-1.5m 2-10% Dodonaea lobulata Shrub 0.5-1m 30-70% Maireana sedifolia

Plate 15: Low woodland of Casuarina pauper over open low scrub of Acacia tetragonophylla/ Dodonaea lobulata and low heath of Maireana sedifolia

Botanica Consulting 44 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.15 Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. x artemisioides

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 10 Families, 11 Genera and 13 Taxa (Plate 16). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 22. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG6- Acacia Forests and Woodlands and MVG8- Casuarina Forests and Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 22: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. x artemisioides

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Acacia caesaneura Tree 5-15m 10-30% Casuarina pauper Shrub 1-1.5m 2-10% Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa Shrub 0.5-1m 10-30% Senna artemisioides subsp. artemisioides

Plate 16: Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. x artemisioides

Botanica Consulting 45 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.16 Low woodland of Eucalyptus ravida over open scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 8 Families, 10 Genera and 19 Taxa (Plate 17). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 23. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG5-Eucalypt Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 23: Vegetation assemblage of Low woodland of Eucalyptus ravida over open scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Tree 5-15m 10-30% Eucalyptus ravida

Shrub >2m 2-10% Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata Atriplex vesicaria Shrub 0.5-1m 30-70% Maireana sedifolia

Plate 17: Low woodland of Eucalyptus ravida over open scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia

Botanica Consulting 46 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Mt Jewell – Western Haul Road survey area

4.3.17 Forest of Casuarina pauper over heath of Acacia kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 11 Families, 12 Genera and 18 Taxa (Plate 18). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. A potentially new species of Ricinocarpos (Ricinocarpos sp.) was identified within this vegetation community, at this time the species should be regarded as being a significant taxon and treated as Flora of Conservation Significance until it has been formally classifed. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 24. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG8- Casuarina Forest and Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 24: Vegetation assemblage of Forest of Casuarina pauper over heath of Acacia kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Tree 5-15m 30-70% Casuarina pauper

Shrub 1.5-2m 30-70% Acacia kalgoorliensis Hummock Grass 10-30% Triodia scariosa

Plate 18: Forest of Casuarina pauper over heath of Acacia kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

Botanica Consulting 47 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

4.3.18 Forest of Eucalyptus flavida over heath of Acacia kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 8 Families, 10 Genera and 14 Taxa (Plate 19). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 25. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG5-Eucalypt Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 25: Vegetation assemblage Forest of Eucalyptus flavida over heath of Acacia kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Tree 5-15m 30-70% Eucalyptus flavida

Shrub 1.5-2m 30-70% Acacia kalgoorliensis Hummock Grass 30-70% Triodia scariosa

Plate 19: Forest of Eucalyptus flavida over heath of Acacia kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

Botanica Consulting 48 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.19 Dense thicket of Acacia quadrimarginea over low scrub of Philotheca microcephala and open dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus on breakaway The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 10 Families, 10 Genera and 12 Taxa (Plate 20). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 26. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG6- Acacia Forests and Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 26: Vegetation assemblage of dense thicket of Acacia quadrimarginea over low scrub of Philotheca microcephala and open dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus on breakaway

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Shrub >2m 70-100% Acacia quadrimarginea

Shrub 1.5-2m 10-30% Philotheca microcephala Shrub <0.5m 2-10% Ptilotus obovatus

Plate 20: Dense thicket of Acacia quadrimarginea over low scrub of Philotheca microcephala and open dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus on breakaway

Botanica Consulting 49 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.20 Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over thicket of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Dodonaea microzyga

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 7 Families, 8 Genera and 13 Taxa (Plate 21). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 27. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG14 – Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 27: Vegetation assemblage of Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over thicket of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Dodonaea microzyga

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Mallee Tree Form 10-30% Eucalyptus concinna

Shrub >2m 30-70% Acacia kalgoorliensis Shrub 0.5-1m 10-30% Dodonaea microzyga

Plate 21: Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over thicket of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Dodonaea microzyga

Botanica Consulting 50 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.21 Forest of Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 8 Families, 10 Genera and 19 Taxa (Plate 22). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 28. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG5-Eucalypt Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 28: Vegetation assemblage of Forest of Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Tree 5-15m 30-70% Eucalyptus clelandii

Shrub >2m 2-10% Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata Shrub 0.5-1m 10-30% Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia

Plate 22: Forest of Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia

Botanica Consulting 51 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.22 Thicket of Acacia caesaneura/ A. burkittii over low scrub of Dodonaea lobulata and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 10 Families, 12 Genera and 20 Taxa (Plate 23). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 29. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG6- Acacia Forests and Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 29: Vegetation assemblage of Thicket of Acacia caesaneura/ A. burkittii over low scrub of Dodonaea lobulata and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Acacia burkittii Tree 5-15m 30-70% Acacia caesaneura Shrub >2m 10-30% Dodonaea lobulata Hummock Grass 2-10% Triodia scariosa

Plate 23: Thicket of Acacia caesaneura/ A. burkittii over low scrub of Dodonaea lobulata and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

Botanica Consulting 52 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.23 Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over thicket of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus/ Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 7 Families, 9 Genera and 15 Taxa (Plate 24). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 30. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG14-Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 30: Vegetation assemblage of Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over thicket of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus/ Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Mallee Tree Form 10-30% Eucalyptus concinna

Shrub 1.5-2m 30-70% Acacia burkittii Ptilotus obovatus Shrub 0.5-1m 10-30% Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia

Plate 24: Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over thicket of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Ptilotus obovatus/ Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia

Botanica Consulting 53 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.24 Forest of Casuarina pauper over low scrub of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 7 Families, 9 Genera and 14 Taxa (Plate 25). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 31. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG8- Casuarina Forest and Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 31: Vegetation assemblage of Forest of Casuarina pauper over low scrub of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Tree 5-15m 30-70% Casuarina pauper

Shrub 1.5-2m 10-30% Acacia burkittii Shrub 0.5-1m 10-30% Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia

Plate 25: Forest of Casuarina pauper over low scrub of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia

Botanica Consulting 54 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

4.3.25 Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna/ E. loxophleba subsp. lissophloia over scrub of Acacia burkittii and mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 9 Families, 9 Genera and 14 Taxa (Plate 26). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 32. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG14-Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 32: Vegetation assemblage of Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna/ E. loxophleba subsp. lissophloia over scrub of Acacia burkittii and mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Eucalyptus concinna Mallee Tree Form 10-30% Eucalyptus loxophleba subsp. lissophloia Shrub >2m 10-30% Acacia burkittii Hummock Grass 30-70% Triodia scariosa

Plate 26: Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna/ E. loxophleba subsp. lissophloia over scrub of Acacia burkittii and mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

Botanica Consulting 55 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.26 Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over low scrub of Eremophila caperata and mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 11 Families, 14 Genera and 28 Taxa (Plate 27). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 33. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG14 – Mallee Woodlands and Shrublands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 33: Vegetation assemblage of Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over low scrub of Eremophila caperata and mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Mallee Tree Form 10-30% Eucalyptus concinna

Shrub 1.5-2m 10-30% Eremophila caperata Hummock grass 30-70% Triodia scariosa

Plate 27: Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over low scrub of Eremophila caperata and mid- dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

Botanica Consulting 56 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.27 Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura over dense thicket of Acacia coolgardiensis and dwarf scrub of Euryomyrtus maidenii

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 5 Families, 6 Genera and 10 Taxa (Plate 28). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 34. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG6- Acacia Forests and Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 34: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura over dense thicket of Acacia coolgardiensis and dwarf scrub of Euryomyrtus maidenii

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Tree 5-15m 2-10% Acacia incurvaneura

Shrub >2m 70-100% Acacia coolgardiensis Shrub <0.5m 10-30% Euryomyrtus maidenii

Plate 28: Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura over dense thicket of Acacia coolgardiensis and dwarf scrub of Euryomyrtus maidenii

Botanica Consulting 57 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.3.28 Open low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis and very open tree mallee of E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

The total flora recorded within this vegetation community was represented by a total of 9 Families, 12 Genera and 19 Taxa (Plate 29). No Threatened or Priority Flora taxa were identified within this vegetation community. No introduced taxa were recorded in this vegetation community. Dominant taxa from the vegetation assemblage are shown in Table 35. According to the NVIS, this vegetation community is best represented by MVG5 – Eucalypt Woodlands (DoE, 2015b).

Table 35: Vegetation assemblage of Open low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis and very open tree mallee of E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

Life Form/Height Class Canopy Cover Dominant taxa present

Eucalyptus salmonophloia Tree 5-15m 2-10% Eucalyptus transcontinentalis Mallee Tree Form 2-10% Eucalyptus oleosa

Shrub 1.5-2m 10-30% Acacia hemiteles Hummock grass 2-10% Triodia scariosa

Plate 29: Open low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis and very open tree mallee of E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa

Botanica Consulting 58 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 4.4 Vegetation of Conservation Significance

None of the vegetation communities within the survey area were found to have National Environmental Significance as defined by the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999. No TEC pursuant to Commonwealth legislation or PEC as listed by the DPaW were recorded within the survey areas. The survey area is not located within an ESA, however approximately 37ha of the Mulgarrie Well survey area is located within a Schedule 1 Area , as described in Regulation 6 and Schedule 1, clause 4 of the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. The nearest known conservation area is an ESA centred on the Goongarrie National Park located approximately 13km north of the Mt Jewell – Eastern Haul Road and the Mt Jewell – Western Haul road (Appendix 1).

The Racetrack survey area lies within the Great Western Woodlands, an area recognised as the largest remaining area of intact Mediterranean-climate on Earth, and for its natural and cultural values and its natural resource-related productivity (DPaW, 2010a). The Great Western Woodlands is not formally protected under State or Commonwealth legislation.

4.5 Vegetation Condition Based on the Keighery vegetation health rating scale (1994) (Appendix 8) all 28 vegetation communities were classed as ‘good’, which depicts vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple disturbances (access tracks, grazing, exploration and mining activities); however it still retains its basic structure and has the ability to regenerate naturally.

5 Introduced Plant Taxa Three introduced species were identified within the Racetrack survey area: 1. Carthamus lanatus (Saffron Thistle) 2. Centaurea melitensis (Maltese Cockspur); and 3. Dittrichia graveolens (Stinkwort).

According to the DAFWA, Carthamus lanatus is listed as a Declared Plant under Section 22 of the BAM Act 2007. Information on the management of this taxon provided by the DAFWA is provided in Appendix 9.

Botanica Consulting 59 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 5.1.1 Carthamus lanatus (Saffron Thistle) This taxon is described as an erect, spiny annual, herb, which grows between 0.15-0.7m high, and has leaves with rigid, spiny lobes (Plate 30). It produces yellow flowers from December/January to April. It occurs on a variety of soils and is a common weed of crops, pastures and waste grounds (WAHERB, 2015). This taxon is listed as a Declared Plant under Section 22 of the BAM Act 2007. Carthamus lanatus was identified within two vegetation communities in the Racetrack survey area: 1. Scrub of Acacia jennerae over heath of Maireana pyramidata/ Atriplex bunburyana and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria; and 2. Low woodland of Eucalypts salmonophloia over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana pyramidata/ Tecticornia disarticulata.

Plate 30: Carthamus lanatus (Saffron Thistle)

Botanica Consulting 60 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 5.1.2 Centaurea melitensis (Maltese Cockspur) This species is described as an erect annual or biennial, herb, which grows between 0.2-1 metre high (Plate 31). It produces yellow flowers from September to December or January to March. It is commonly a weed of roadsides, cultivated areas and other disturbed areas (WAHERB, 2014). Centaurea melitensis was recorded within three vegetation communities within the Racetrack survey area: 1. Open low woodland of Pittosporum angustifolium over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dense low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides; 2. Scrub of Acacia jennerae over heath of Maireana pyramidata/ Atriplex bunburyana and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria; and 3. Low woodland of Eucalypts salmonophloia over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana pyramidata/ Tecticornia disarticulata.

Plate 31: Centaurea melitensis (Maltese cockspur)

Botanica Consulting 61 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 5.1.3 Dittrichia graveolens (Stinkwort) This species is described as an erect, bushy, viscid, aromatic annual herb that can grow between 0.1-0.5m high. It produces yellow/yellow-white flowers from January to November (Plate 32). It was found in a variety of soils, and is a weed of waste grounds, along rivers and roadsides (WAHERB, 2015). Dittrichia graveolens was recorded within three vegetation communities within the Racetrack survey area: 1. Open low woodland of Pittosporum angustifolium over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dense low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides; 2. Scrub of Acacia jennerae over heath of Maireana pyramidata/ Atriplex bunburyana and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria; and 3. Low woodland of Eucalypts salmonophloia over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana pyramidata/ Tecticornia disarticulata.

Plate 32: Image of Dittrichia graveolens (stinkwort)

Botanica Consulting 62 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

6 Relevant Legislation and Compliance with Recognised Standards 6.1 Commonwealth Legislation Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) The aim of this Act is to protect matters of national environmental significance, and is used by the Commonwealth Department of the Environment (DoE) to list threatened taxa and ecological communities into categories based on the criteria set out in the Act (www.environment.gov.au/epbc/index.html). The Act provides a national environmental assessment and approval system for proposed developments and enforces strict penalties for unauthorised actions that may affect matters of national environmental significance.

The survey areas do not have national environmental significance under the EPBC Act 1999. There are no TEC or Threatened Flora as listed under the EPBC Act 1999 identified within the survey areas.

6.2 State Legislation

6.2.1 Clearing of Native Vegetation Under Section 51C of the Environmental Protection (EP) Act 1986 and the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations (Regulations) WA 2004 any clearing of native vegetation in Western Australia that is not eligible for exemption under Schedule 6 of the EP Act 1986 or under the Regulations 2004 requires a clearing permit from the Department of Environment Regulation (DER) or Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP). Under Section 51A of the EP Act 1986 native vegetation includes aquatic and terrestrial vegetation indigenous to Western Australia, and intentionally planted vegetation declared by regulation to be native vegetation, but not vegetation planted in a plantation or planted with commercial intent. Section 51A of the EP Act 1986 defines clearing as “the killing or destruction of; the removal of; the severing or ringbarking of trunks or stems of; or the doing of substantial damage to some or all of the native vegetation in an area, including the flooding of land, the burning of vegetation, the grazing of stock or an act or activity that results in the above”.

Exemptions under Schedule 6 of the EP Act 1986 and the Regulations 2004 do not apply for clearing an area exceeding 10ha per tenement, clearing in ESA’s as declared under Section 51B of the EP Act 1986 or within Schedule 1 Areas as described in Regulation 6 and Schedule 1, clause 4 of the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Vegetation) Regulation 2004.

Approximately 37ha of the Mulgarrie Well survey area is located within a Schedule 1 Area, centred on the township of and Water Reserve of Mulgarrie Well (Class C Reserve), therefore any clearing within the Mulgarrie Well survey area will require a clearing permit. If the clearing of the other three survey areas exceeds the 10ha per tenement a clearing permit will be required for development within these areas. Botanica Consulting 63 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

6.2.2 Environmental Protection Act WA 1986 This Act pertains to the assessment of applications for clearing permits and aims to protect Declared Rare Flora and Threatened Ecological Communities from clearing. Threatened Ecological Communities are protected even where exemptions for a clearing permit may apply. The Act enforces both financial and/or imprisonment penalties on those who unlawfully damage a Threatened Ecological Community.

The survey area does not contain any TEC or Threatened Flora as listed under the EPBC Act 1999 or by the DPaW.

6.2.3 Wildlife Conservation Act WA 1950 This Act is used by the Western Australian DPaW to list flora taxa as being protected and the level of protection needed for such flora. Flora taxa are classified as ‘Declared Rare Flora’ when their populations are geographically restricted or are threatened by local processes. Under this Act all native flora (spermatophytes, Pteridophyta, bryophytes and thallophytes) are protected throughout the State. Financial penalties are enforced under this Act if threatened plant taxa are collected without an appropriate licence.

6.2.4 DPaW Priority lists The DPaW lists ‘Priority’ flora taxa which are under consideration for declaration as Rare Flora. Taxa classed as Priority 1-3 are in urgent need of further survey, whereas Priority 4 taxa are considered to have been adequately surveyed but may become vulnerable or rare in future years. Priority 4 taxa are also taxa that have been removed from the threatened taxa list in the past 5 years. Priority 5 taxa are those taxa which are not currently threatened but are subject to a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the taxon likely to become threatened within 5 years The DPaW also lists PECs, which identifies those communities that may need monitoring before possible nomination for TEC status. These priority taxa and communities have no formal legal protection until they are endorsed by the Minister as being Declared Rare Flora and TEC’s respectively.

Results of the DPaW databases search revealed 17 Priority Flora taxa listed within a 25km radius of the survey areas, of which five had the potential to occur within the survey areas. No Priority Flora taxa were identified within the survey areas.

Botanica Consulting 64 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey 6.3 EPA Position Statements The EPA develops Position Statements to inform the public about environmental issues facing Western Australia, and the plans for the future to ensure protection and ecological sustainability of environmentally important ecosystems. It provides a set of principles to assist the public and decision-makers on their responsibilities for managing land with care. These principles also provide the basis for the Environmental Protection Authority to evaluate and report upon achieving environmental and ecological sustainability, and the protection of natural resources.

6.3.1 Position Statement No. 2 Environmental Protection of Native Vegetation in Western Australia (EPA 2000) outlines EPA policy on the protection of native vegetation in Western Australia, particularly in the agricultural area. It identifies basic elements that the EPA should consider when assessing proposals that impact on biological diversity. These include comparison of all proposal options; avoidance of taxa and community extinctions; an expectation that implementing the proposal will not take a vegetation type below the “threshold level” of 30%; and that proponents should demonstrate that on- and offsite impacts can be managed.

The survey areas do not contain any Threatened Flora or TEC suggesting that clearing within the survey area will meet the EPA standards outlined in Position statement No. 2. According to DAFWA (2011) the survey areas occur in the pre-European Beard vegetation associations Coolgardie 125 & 540, Barlee 10, 20, 529 & 555 and Kununulling 468 all of which retain approximately 95-100% of the original pre-European vegetation extent.

6.3.2 Position Statement No. 3 Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection establishes that the EPA has adopted the definition and principles of biological diversity as defined in the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity (Commonwealth of Australia, 1996), and has stipulated the following requirements:  The quality of information and scope of field surveys should meet standards, requirements and protocols as determined and published by the EPA; and  The IBRA regionalisations should be used as the largest unit for environmental impact assessment (EIA) decision-making in relation to the conservation of biodiversity.

Pursuant to the IBRA regionalisation’s, 26 bioregions in WA, which are affected by a range of different threatening processes and have varying levels of sensitivity to impact, have been identified. Terrestrial biological surveys should provide sufficient information to address both biodiversity conservation and ecological functional values within the context of proposals and the results of surveys should be publicly available.

Botanica Consulting 65 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

The flora survey of the study area was planned and implemented as far as practicable according to the EPA Guidance Statement No. 51 Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia (EPA, 2004). Also, the IBRA regionalisations have been used in preparing the report to identify the conservation status of the area and identify the main threats to the biodiversity of plant taxa in the region.

6.1 Native Vegetation Clearing Principles Based on the outcomes from the survey undertaken, as presented in this report, BC provides the following comments regarding the native vegetation clearing principles (relevant to vegetation only) listed under Schedule 5 of the EP Act 1986 (Table 36).

Botanica Consulting 66 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

Table 36: Assessment of survey area against native vegetation clearing principles

Letter Principle Assessment Outcome

Development within the Native vegetation should not be cleared if it Vegetation identified within the survey area is not considered to be of high biological survey areas is unlikely to (a) comprises a high level of biological diversity. diversity, and is well represented outside of the proposed impact area. be at variance to this principle

No Threatened Flora taxa, pursuant to subsection (2) of section 23F of the WC Act 1950 and the EPBC Act 1999 were identified within the survey areas. However a Native vegetation should not be cleared if it potentially new taxon (Ricinocarpos sp.) has been identified within the Mt Jewell- Development within the (c) includes, or is necessary for the continued Western Haul Road survey area. Whilst this taxon is not formally listed as Declared survey areas may be at existence of rare flora. Rare Flora, there are only eight recorded locations of this taxon with its currently known variance to this principle distribution located within <1.5km south/south east of the Mt Jewell Western Haul Road. Native vegetation should not be cleared if it Development within the comprises the whole or part of, or is necessary for No TEC listed under the EPBC Act 1999 or by the DPaW (2010) occur within the (d) survey area is unlikely to be the maintenance of a threatened ecological survey area. at variance to this principle community (TEC).

According to DAFWA (2011), the survey areas occur in pre-European Beard vegetation Native vegetation should not be cleared if it is Development within the associations Coolgardie 125 & 540, Barlee 10, 20, 529 & 555 and Kununulling 468, in (e) significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an survey area is unlikely to be the Eastern Goldfields subregion (COO3) and Eastern Murchison (MUR1), which retain area that has been extensively cleared at variance to this principle approximately 95-100% of their original vegetation extent.

Native vegetation should not be cleared if it is According to the Global Map Australia 2001 GIS file (Geoscience Australia) a Non- Development within the (f) growing, in, or in association with, an environment Perennial/Intermittent/Fluctuating River/Stream intercepts the Mulgarrie Well, Mt – survey area may be at associated with a watercourse or wetland Jewell Western Haul Road and the Racetrack survey areas (Appendix 1). variance to this principle

According to DAFWA (2011), the survey area occurs in pre-European Beard vegetation Native vegetation should not be cleared if the association Coolgardie 125 & 540, Barlee 10, 20, 529 & 555 and Kununulling 468, in Development within the (g) clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause the Eastern Goldfields subregion (COO3) and Eastern Murchison (MUR1), which survey area is unlikely to be appreciable land degradation. retains approximately 95-100% of the original vegetation extent. Clearing within this at variance to this principle vegetation association is not likely to lead to land degradation issues such as salinity, water logging or acidic soils. Native vegetation should not be cleared if the The survey area is not located within any Conservation areas. The nearest Development within the clearing of the vegetation is likely to have an conservation area is an ESA and DPaW managed land (Goongarrie National Park) (h) survey area is unlikely to be impact on the environmental values of any located approximately 13km north of the survey areas; Development within the survey at variance to this principle adjacent or nearby conservation area. areas should not pose any threat to this conservation area.

Botanica Consulting 67 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

7 Conclusions 28 vegetation communities were identified within the four survey areas, which were represented by a total of 26 Families, 56 Genera and 130 Taxon including sub-species and variants. No Threatened taxa, pursuant to subsection (2) of section 23F of the WC Act 1950 and the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999 were identified within the survey area. No Priority Flora taxa as listed by the DPaW (2014) were identified within the survey area. An unidentified taxon of Ricinocarpos sp. was identified within the Mt Jewell – Western Haul Road survey area which has been identified by the Western Australian Herabarium as a potentially new species. This taxon had been previously identified in the surrounding area from previous flora and vegetation surveys conducted by BC. Until this taxon has been formally classified it is considered a Flora of Conservation Significance.

None of the vegetation communities within the survey areas were found to have National Environmental Significance as defined by the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999. No TEC pursuant to Commonwealth legislation or PEC as listed by the DPaW were recorded within the survey areas. The survey areas are not located within an ESA, however approximately 37ha of the Mulgarrie Well survey area is located within a Schedule 1 Area , as described in Regulation 6 and Schedule 1, clause 4 of the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004.

Based on the Keighery vegetation health rating scale all 28 vegetation communities were rated as ‘good’. Three introduced species were identified within the Racetrack survey area. According to the DAFWA, Carthamus lanatus is listed as a Declared Plant under Section 22 of the BAM Act 2007.

8 Recommendations  All seed from Eucalyptus species should be be collected prior to clearing within each survey area.  Forest Products Commission should be contacted regarding the removal of Santalum spicatum (Sandalwood) prior to clearing.  Any disturbance to the Ricinocarpos sp. should be avoided and DPaW should be consulted regarding the conservation value of this taxon.  A targeted search for Ricinocarpos sp. to determine population boundary/size is recommended prior to clearing to determine the distribution of this potentially new taxon.

Botanica Consulting 68 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

9 References

Beard, J.S., (1990), Plant Life of Western Australia, Kangaroo Press Pty Ltd, NSW.

BOM, (2015), Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport weather station (#12038) Rainfall Data 2011-2015, Bureau of Meteorology. Accessed 01/04/2015

Botanica Consulting, (2011), Lignum Dam Tenement E24/146 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

Botanica Consulting, (2012), Mt Jewell Haul road Level 2 Flora and Vegetation Survey

Botanica Consulting, (2008), Golden Cities Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

Botanica Consulting, (2013), Golden Flag Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

Botanica Consulting, (2014), Royal Standard North Project Vegetation Assesement

Cowan, (2001), A Biodiversity Audit of Western Australia’s 53 Biogeographically Region in 2002- Coolgardie 3 Eastern Goldfields Subregion, Department of Conservation and Land Management.

DAFWA, (2011), Pre-European Vegetation - Western Australia (NVIS Compliant Version GIS file), Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia

DAFWA (2014), Soil Landscape System of Western Australia, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia

DAFWA, (2015), Declared Pests Organism-database search, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia http://www.biosecurity.wa.gov.au/organisms Accessed 01/04/2015

DPaW, (2010a), A biodiversity and cultural conservation strategy for the Great Western Woodlands, Department of Parks and Wildlife.

DPaW, (2010b), TEC and PEC search, Department of Parks and Wildlife Requested 2010

DPaW, (2014), Threatened Flora Database search results, Department of Parks and Wildlife Requested 2011

DoE, (2015), Protected Matters Search Tool, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Department of the Environment http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi- bin/erin/ert/ert_dispatch.pl?loc_type=coordinate&search=Search&report=epbc Accessed: 01/04/2015

DoE, (2015b), National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) Stage 1, Version 3.0, Department of the Environment. http://www.environment.gov.au/erin/nvis/publications/vegfsheet.html Accessed: 01/04/2015

EPA, (2000), Position Statement No. 2 Environmental Protection of Native Vegetation in Western Australia, Environmental Protection Authority

Botanica Consulting 69 Norton Gold Fields Ltd Autumn 2015 Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey

EPA, (2002), Position Statement No. 3 Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection, Environmental Protection Authority

EPA, (2004), Guidance for the Assessment of Environmental Factors (in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986), Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia, Environmental Protection Authority Grieve, B.J., (1998), How to know Western Australian Wildflowers – A key to the flora of the extratropical regions of Western Australia Part II, University of Western Australia Press, Nedlands, WA

IBRA, (2015), Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA), Version 6.1, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. http://www.environment.gov.au/metadataexplorer/explorer.jsp Accessed: 01/04/2015

Jacob, A (2014), Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice 2014, Minister for the Environment, Western Australia.

Keighery, B. J., (1994), Bushland Plant Survey: A guide to plant community survey for the community. Wildflower Society of Western Australia (Inc.), Nedlands

Mitchell, A. & Wilcox, D. G. (1988), Arid Shrubland Plants of Western Australia, University of Western Australia Press, Nedlands, WA.

Muir, B. G., (1977), Biological Survey of the Western Australian Wheatbelt. Pt 2. Vegetation and habitat of the Bendering Reserve. Rec. West. Aust. Mus. Suppl. 3.

WAHERB, (2015), Florabase – Information on the Western Australian Flora, Department of Parks and Wildlife https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ Accessed: 02/04/2015

Watson, A., Judd, S., Watson J., Lam, A. and Mackenzie, D., (2008) The Extraordinary Nature of The Great Western Woodlands. The Wilderness Society of WA.

Botanica Consulting 70

10 Appendices Appendix 1: Map of the survey area including DPaW listed Flora of Conservation Significance and areas of Conservation Significance (survey area not to scale)

Appendix 2: Corresponding codes for vegetation communities on vegetation maps and taxa List

Survey Vegetation Area Vegetation Community Area (%) Area Code (ha) Open low woodland of Pittosporum angustifolium over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and CLP-OFW1 127 65 dense low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides Scrub of Acacia jennerae over heath of Maireana CLP-AS1 pyramidata/ Atriplex bunburyana and dwarf scrub of 24 12 Atriplex vesicaria Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of Acacia RH-CFW/EW1 kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp. 23 12 rack angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Maireana glomerifolia/ M. triptera Racet Low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia over open low scrub of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf CLP-EW1 12 6 scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana pyramidata/ Tecticornia disarticulata Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ Pittosporum angustifolium over open scrub of CLP- Acacia kalgoorliensis/ Eremophila oldfieldii subsp 8 4 CFW/OFW1 angustifolia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex vesicaria/ Tecticornia halocnemoides Cleared Vegetation 2 1 Total 196 100 Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ Casuarina pauper with occasional tree mallee of CLP-AFW1 312 52 Eucalyptus oleosa over low scrub of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia Forest of Acacia caesaneura over low scrub of CLP-AFW2 Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of 150 25

Maireana sedifolia Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii over scrub of RH-EW1 Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and low scrub 34 6 of Acacia erinacea Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. oleosa

Mulgarrie Well CLP-EW2 over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles/ Eremophila 65 11 scoparia and dwarf scrub of Maireana sedifolia Low woodland of Eucalyptus clelandii/ E. salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis over open low scrub of Acacia burkittii/A. tetragonophylla/ CLP-EW3 38 6 Eremophila scoparia and dwarf scrub of Atriplex nummularia subsp. spathulata/ A. vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia Total 599 100 Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura/ CLP- Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia jennerae 57 31 AFW/CFW1 and dense low heath of Cratystylis subspinescens

Forest of Acacia caesaneura over scrub of Senna CLP-AFW3 artemisioides subsp. filifolia and open low scrub of 16 9 Eastern Haul

Road Maireana sedifolia Open low woodland of Casuarina pauper/ CLP- Eucalyptus salmonophloia over heath of Senna 67 36 CFW/EW1 artemisioides subsp. filifolia and low heath of

Mt Jewell Maireana sedifolia

Survey Vegetation Area Vegetation Community Area (%) Area Code (ha)

Low woodland of Casuarina pauper over open low CLP-CFW1 scrub of Acacia tetragonophylla/ Dodonaea lobulata 23 12 and low heath of Maireana sedifolia Open low woodland of Acacia caesaneura/ CLP- Casuarina pauper over scrub of Acacia ramulosa 9 5 AFW/CFW2 var. ramulosa and dwarf scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. x artemisioides Low woodland of Eucalyptus ravida over open CLP-EW4 scrub of Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and 13 7 low heath of Atriplex vesicaria/ Maireana sedifolia Total 185 100 Forest of Casuarina pauper over heath of Acacia RP-CFW1 kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia 9 3 scariosa Forest of Eucalyptus flavida over heath of Acacia RH-EW2 kalgoorliensis and hummock grass of Triodia 4 2 scariosa Dense thicket of Acacia quadrimarginea over low B-AFW1 scrub of Philotheca microcephala and open dwarf 3 1 scrub of Ptilotus obovatus on breakaway Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over RH-MWS1 thicket of Acacia kalgoorliensis and dwarf scrub of 1 0.4 Dodonaea microzyga Forest of Eucalyptus clelandii over low scrub of

RH-EW3 Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata and dwarf 4 2 scrub of Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia Thicket of Acacia caesaneura/ A. burkittii over low CLP-AFW4 scrub of Dodonaea lobulata and open hummock 65 25 grass of Triodia scariosa Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over CLP-MWS1 thicket of Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Ptilotus 38 14 Western Haul Road

- obovatus/ Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia Forest of Casuarina pauper over low scrub of RH-CFW1 Acacia burkittii and dwarf scrub of Senna 13 5 artemisioides subsp. filifolia Mt Jewell Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna/ E. loxophleba subsp. lissophloia over scrub of Acacia CLP-MWS2 5 2 burkittii and mid-dense hummock grass of Triodia scariosa Open tree mallee of Eucalyptus concinna over low CLP-MWS3 scrub of Eremophila caperata and mid-dense 74 28 hummock grass of Triodia scariosa Open low woodland of Acacia incurvaneura over CLP-AFW5 dense thicket of Acacia coolgardiensis and dwarf 31 12 scrub of Euryomyrtus maidenii Open low woodland of Eucalyptus salmonophloia/ E. transcontinentalis and very open tree mallee of CLP-EOW1 16 6 E. oleosa over low scrub of Acacia hemiteles and open hummock grass of Triodia scariosa Total 263 100

Appendix 3: Total Vegetation map of the survey area

Racetrack Survey Area

Mulgarrie Well Survey Area

Mt Jewell – Eastern Haul Road Survey Area

Mt Jewell – Western Haul Road Survey area

Appendix 4: List of taxa identified within each vegetation community (CS) Denotes Flora of Conservation Significance; (W) Green Cells and text denotes introduced taxa; Blue cells and text denotes annual taxa (WAHERB, 2015)

Racetrack Survey Area Mulgarrie Well Survey Area Mt Jewell - Eastern Haul Road Mt Jewell - western Haul Road

Family Genus Taxa AS1 EW1 EW2 EW3 EW4 - EW1 EW2 EW3 - AFW1 AFW2 - - AFW3 CFW1 - AFW4 AFW5 OFW1 EOW1 MWS1 MWS2 MWS3 - - - CFW1 CFW1 ------MWS1 ------AFW1 - CFW/EW1 - CFW/EW1 AFW/CFW1 - AFW/CFW2 CFW/OFW1 - - - - B RH RH RH CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP RP RH RH CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP RH CLP CLP CLP CLP Aizoaceae Disphyma crassifolium * * * * * Aizoaceae Gunniopsis glabra * * * Amaranthaceae Ptilotus nobilis * Amaranthaceae Ptilotus obovatus * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Apocynaceae Alyxia buxifolia * * * Apocynaceae Marsdenia australis * * * Asteraceae Carthamus lanatus (W) * * Asteraceae Centaurea melitensis (W) * * * Asteraceae Cratystylis conocephala * Asteraceae Cratystylis microphylla * * * Asteraceae Cratystylis subspinescens * * * * * * * * * * Asteraceae Dittrichia graveolens (W) * * * Asteraceae Olearia muelleri * * Asteraceae Podolepis capillaris (A) * * * Casuarinaceae Allocasuarina campestris * * Casuarinaceae Allocasuarina helmsii * * Casuarinaceae Casuarina pauper * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Atriplex bunburyana * * * * * * * * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Atriplex codonocarpa (A) * * * Chenopodiaceae Atriplex nummularia subsp. spathulata * * * Chenopodiaceae Atriplex stipitata * Chenopodiaceae Atriplex vesicaria * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium curvispicatum * Chenopodiaceae Enchylaena lanata * Chenopodiaceae Maireana amoena * * * * Chenopodiaceae Maireana georgei * * * * * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Maireana glomerifolia * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Maireana pyramidata * * * * * * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Maireana sedifolia * * * * * * * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Maireana tomentosa * * * Chenopodiaceae Maireana trichoptera * Chenopodiaceae Maireana triptera * * * * * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Rhagodia eremaea * * Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena diacantha * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena drummondii * * * * Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena parviflora * * * * * * * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Tecticornia disarticulata * * * * * Chenopodiaceae Tecticornia halocnemoides * * * * Euphorbiaceae Ricinocarpos Sp. (CS) * * Fabaceae Acacia burkittii * * * * * * * * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia caesaneura * * * * * * * * * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia colletioides * * * * Fabaceae Acacia coolgardiensis * Fabaceae Acacia erinacea * Fabaceae Acacia hemiteles * * * * * * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia incurvaneura * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia jennerae * * * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia kalgoorliensis * * * * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia kempeana * * * Fabaceae Acacia ligulata * Fabaceae Acacia murrayana * * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia oswaldii * * * Fabaceae Acacia quadrimarginea * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia ramulosa * * * * * * * Fabaceae Acacia tetragonophylla * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Racetrack Survey Area Mulgarrie Well Survey Area Mt Jewell - Eastern Haul Road Mt Jewell - western Haul Road

Family Genus Taxa AS1 EW1 EW2 EW3 EW4 - EW1 EW2 EW3 - AFW1 AFW2 - - AFW3 CFW1 - AFW4 AFW5 OFW1 EOW1 MWS1 MWS2 MWS3 - - - CFW1 CFW1 ------MWS1 ------AFW1 - CFW/EW1 - CFW/EW1 AFW/CFW1 - AFW/CFW2 CFW/OFW1 - - - - B RH RH RH CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP RP RH RH CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP CLP RH CLP CLP CLP CLP Fabaceae Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa * Fabaceae Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Fabaceae Senna artemisioides subsp. helmsii * artemisioides subsp. x Fabaceae Senna * * * * * * * * * * artemisioides Fabaceae Templetonia egena * * Frankeniaceae Frankenia setosa * * * * * * Goodeniaceae Scaevola spinescens * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lamiaceae Prostanthera althoferi * * Lamiaceae Prostanthera campbellii * Lamiaceae Westringia cephalantha * * * Lamiaceae Westringia rigida * Loranthaceae Amyema miquelii * Malvaceae Brachychiton gregorii * * * * * * * * Malvaceae Sida calyxhymenia * * * Malvaceae Sida intricata * * * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus clelandii * * * * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus concinna * * * * * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus flavida * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus gracilis * * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus horistes * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus leptopoda * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus loxophleba subsp. lissophloia * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus oleosa * * * * * * * * * * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus ravida * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus salmonophloia * * * * * * * * * * * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus salubris * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus transcontinentalis * * * * * * * Myrtaceae Eucalyptus trichopoda * * Myrtaceae Euryomyrtus maidenii * Pittosporaceae Bursaria occidentalis * Pittosporaceae Pittosporum angustifolium * * * * * * * Poaceae Aristida contorta * * * * Poaceae Cymbopogon ambiguus * * * Poaceae Enteropogon ramosus * * * Poaceae Eragrostis dielsii * * * Poaceae Triodia scariosa * * * * * * Proteaceae Grevillea acuaria * * * * Proteaceae Grevillea huegelii * Proteaceae Grevillea nematophylla * * * * Proteaceae Grevillea oligomera * Proteaceae Hakea kippistiana * Proteaceae Hakea preissii * * * Rhamnaceae Cryptandra aridicola * * Rubiaceae Psydrax suaveolens * Rutaceae Phebalium lepidotum * Rutaceae Phebalium canaliculatum * * Rutaceae Philotheca brucei * * Santalaceae Exocarpos aphyllus * * * * * * Santalaceae Santalum acuminatum * * * Santalaceae Santalum spicatum * * * * * * * * * * Sapindaceae Alectryon oleifolius * * * * * * Sapindaceae Dodonaea lobulata * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Sapindaceae Dodonaea microzyga * Sapindaceae Dodonaea stenozyga * Sapindaceae Dodonaea viscosa * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila alternifolia * * * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila caperata * * Scrophulariaceae Eremophila clarkei *

Racetrack Survey Area Mulgarrie Well Survey Area Mt Jewell - Eastern Haul Road Mt Jewell - western Haul Road

Appendix 5: GPS coordinates for Flora of Conservation Significance recorded by Botanica Consulting (GDA94)

Taxon Conservation Code Zone Easting Northing Ricinocarpos sp. CS 51 J 351411 6650069 Ricinocarpos sp. CS 51 J 351403 6650088 Ricinocarpos sp. CS 51 J 351417 6650110 Ricinocarpos sp. CS 51 J 351325 6650234 Ricinocarpos sp. CS 51 J 351521 6650097 Ricinocarpos sp. CS 51 J 351139 6649954 Ricinocarpos sp. CS 51 J 351358 6649125 Ricinocarpos sp. CS 51 J 351383 6648953

Appendix 6: DPaW Threatened Flora Database search results within 25km of the survey area (DPaW, 2010)

Conservation Taxon Code Acacia epedunculata P1 Angianthus prostratus P3 Astartea sp. Bungalbin Hill (K.R. Newbey 8989) P3 Elachanthus pusillus P2 Eremophila praecox P1 Eremophila praecox P1 Eremophila praecox P1 Eremophila praecox P1 Eucalyptus jutsonii P2 Eucalyptus x brachyphylla P4 Gnephosis intonsa P1 Gnephosis intonsa P1 Gnephosis sp. Norseman (K.R. Newbey 8096) P3 Lepidium fasciculatum P3 Melaleuca coccinea P3 Ptilotus procumbens P1 Ptilotus rigidus P1

Appendix 7: Muir Life Form/Height Class (Muir, 1977).

CANOPY COVER LIFE FORM/HEIGHT MID DENSE 30% - SPARSE 10% - VERY SPARSE CLASS DENSE 70% -100% 70% 30% 2% -10%

Open Tall Woodland Trees > 30m Dense Tall Forest Tall Forest Tall Woodland Open Woodland Trees 15 – 30m Dense Forest Forest Low Woodland Open Low Woodland Trees 5 – 15m Dense Low Forest A Forest A Low woodland A A Trees < 5m Dense Low Forest B Low Forest B Low Woodland B Open Low Woodland B Mallee Tree Very Open Tree Form Dense Tree Mallee Tree Mallee Open Tree Mallee Mallee Mallee Shrub Dense Shrub Mallee Shrub Mallee Open Shrub Mallee Very Open Shrub Form Mallee Shrubs > 2m Dense Thicket Thicket Scrub Open Scrub Shrubs 1.5 – 2m Dense Heath A Heath A Low Scrub A Open Low Scrub A Shrubs 1 – 1.5m Dense Heath B Heath B Low Scrub B Open Low Scrub B Shrubs 0.5 – 1m Dense Low Heath C Low Heath C Dwarf Scrub C Open Dwarf Scrub C Shrubs 0 – 0.5m Dense Low Heath D Low Heath D Dwarf Scrub D Open Dwarf Scrub D Mat Plants Very Open Mat Plants Mat Plants Hummock Grass Dense Mat Plants Open Mat Plants Open Hummock Mid-dense Hummock Bunch grass Dense Hummock Grass Hummock Grass Grass Grass >0.5m Dense Tall Grass Open Tall Grass Very Open Tall Grass Tall Grass Bunch grass < Dense Low Grass Open Low Grass Very Open Low Low Grass 0.5m Dense Herbs Open Herbs Grass Herbs Herbaceous spp. Very Open Herbs Very Open Tall Sedges > 0.5m Dense Tall Sedges Tall Sedges Open Tall Sedges Sedges Sedges < 0.5m Dense Low Sedges Low Sedges Open Low Sedges Very Open Low Sedges Ferns Dense ferns Ferns Open Ferns Very Open Ferns Mosses, Dense Mosses Mosses Open Mosses Very Open Mosses liverworts

Appendix 8: Keighery Health rating scale (1994).

Health Definition Description Pristine Pristine or nearly so, no obvious signs of disturbance. Vegetation structure intact, disturbance affecting individual species and weeds are non- Excellent aggressive species. Vegetation structure altered obvious signs of disturbance. For example, disturbance to Very Good vegetation structure caused by repeated fires, the presence of some more aggressive weeds, dieback, logging and grazing. Vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple disturbances. Retains basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate it. For example, disturbance to Good vegetation structure caused by very frequent fires, the presence of some very aggressive weeds at high density, partial clearing, dieback and grazing. Basic vegetation structure severely impacted by disturbance. Scope for regeneration but not to a state approaching good condition without intensive management. For example, disturbance Degraded to vegetation structure caused by frequent fires, the presence of very aggressive weeds, partial clearing, dieback and grazing. The structure of the vegetation is no longer intact and the area is completely or almost Completely completely without native species. These areas are often described as “parkland cleared’ with Degraded the flora comprising weed or crop species with isolated native trees or shrubs.

Appendix 9: Department of Agriculture and Food WA Declared Pest Control Methods Saffron Thistle: Declared Plant Control Methods

Pre-emergent/cereals: Chlorsulfuron

Seedling-rosette-flowering: 2,4-D amine; 2,4-D ester (Low Volatile Ester, LVE); glyphosate + 2,4- D ester; clopyralid; paraquat + diquat; clopyralid™ + MCPA; chlrorsulfuron; metsulfuron Recommended herbicides Non-legume pastures: Clopyralid + MPCA

Up to four leaf stage of weed: Jaguar®

Up to six leaf stage: Bromoxynil

Herbicide: 2,4-D amine (Group I) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

1. 500g/L 2,4-D amine Active ingredient 2. 625g/L 2,4-D amine

1. For 500g/L concentration: a. 1.4L b. 1.4L–2L pastures; use lower rates on seedlings c. 4L/ha at flowering; spot treatment for pastures

Rate of product/ha

2. For 625 g/L concentration:

a. 1.1L–1.6L pastures; use lower rates on seedlings b. 3.2L/ha at flowering; spot treatment for pastures

For cereal crops: winter-spring, while weed at rosette stage. Crops must be Time of application in early tillering stage.

 Clover and medic pastures will be damaged at these rates.  Alternative is to use "spray grazing", i.e. sublethal dose (0.75L/ha) and follow 10 days later with very heavy grazing using sheep. This will still Remarks damage medics.  An APVMA permit is required to apply 2,4-D ester (80%) from 1 September until 1 May.

More information and other Spot spraying 40mL/10L (for 500g/L concentration) or 32mL/10L (for 525g/L control methods concentration) at late bolting to early flowering

Herbicide: 2,4-D ester (Group I) (Low Volatile Ester, LVE)

Active ingredient 600 and 680g/L of 2,4-D ester

Rates of dilution for spot 1:150 spraying

Amount of product/10L water 60mL for 400g/L

Herbicide: 2,4-D ester (Group I) (Low Volatile Ester, LVE)

40mL for 600g/L

 1.6L in pastures for 680g/L  1.8L in pastures for 600g/L Rate of product/ha  0.8L in cereals for 680g/L  0.7L in cereals for 600g/L

Time of application Late rosette-bolting-pre-flowering

Remarks Treatment in pastures will damage clover

Herbicide: Paraquat (Group L) + diquat (Group L)

Active ingredient 135g/L paraquat and 115g/L diquat

Rates of dilution for spot 1:1000 spraying

Amount of product/10L water 10mL

Rate of product/ha 1L

Wetting agent dilution 1:400

Time of application Early flowering stage

Treatment only to prevent seed formation. May not be successful if sprayed Remarks too late or plant not thoroughly wetted.

Applications at flowering or rain after treatment allows plant to regrow, with More information and other two main advantages: little damage is done to annual pastures and there is control methods little chance of further weed germination. Paraquat can be used alone at 1L/ha.

Herbicide: Glyphosate (Group M) + 2,4-D ester (Group I)

360g/L (many other concentrations) or 450g/L glyphosate + 600 or 680g/L Active ingredient 2,4-D ester

350mL (360g/L) or 300mL (450g/L) of glyphosate + 55mL (@ 600g/L Rate of product/ha concentration) or 45mL (@ 680g/L concentration) of 2,4-D ester. Adjust rates if other concentrations are used.

Time of application Seedling and early flowering stage

 Treatment at flowering prevents the weed forming viable seed. Medics and clovers will be damaged if applied at seedling stage. Remarks  Roundup Biactive® would be the preferred glyphosate treatment in wet areas near drains, creeks and ponds.

More information and other Applications at flowering have two main advantages: little damage is done control methods to annual pastures and there is little chance of further weed germination

Herbicide: Clopyralid (Group I) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient 300g/L clopyralid

Herbicide: Clopyralid (Group I) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Canola: 300mL/ha Rate of product/ha Cereals: 50mL + 1L MCPA amine (500g/L) or 700mL MCPA (LVE)

Time of application Seedling

Cereal crops at four or five leaf stage. Canola crops at two to eight Remarks leaf stage.

Herbicide: Clopyralid + MCPA (Group I) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient 750g/kg clopyralid

Rate of product/ha 20g + 1L MCPA (amine) or 700mL MCPA (LVE)

Time of application Rosettes up to 10cm diameter

More information and other Clopyralid can also be mixed with 2,4-D amine at 400-700mL/ha. If using control methods this mixture, cereals need to be at five leaf to tillering stage.

Herbicide: Metsulfuron (Group B) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient 600g/kg metsulfuron methyl

Rate of product/ha 5g

Wetting agent dilution 1:1000

Time of application Young rosettes before they become spiny

Remarks Apply to wheat, barley, cereal rye and triticale at five leaf stage (Z15)

More information and other The addition of 1.1-1.6L of MCPA low volatile ester is necessary for good control methods results.

Herbicide: Chlorsulfuron (Group B) (various trade names: see APVMA site)

Active ingredient 750g/kg Chlorsulfuron

Rate of product/ha 20g

Time of application Pre-emergent to wheat and barley

Registered in all states except Western Australia. At this rate claim is for Remarks suppression only.

Herbicide: Jaguar®

Active ingredient 250g/L bromoxynil (Group C) + 25g/L diflufenican (Group F)

Amount of product/10L water 10mL

Rate of product/ha 1L

Time of application Up to four leaf stage of thistle

Remarks Useful in cereal crops undersown with clovers and also for pasture

Herbicide: Bromoxynil (Group C) (various trade names: see APVMA link)

Active ingredient 200g/L bromoxynil

Amount of product/10L water 20mL

Rate of product/ha 2L

Wetting agent dilution 1:400

Time of application Up to six leaf stage when plants are no more than 50mm diameter

Remarks Useful in cereal crops undersown with clovers and also for pasture

Appendix 5

Malleefowl Survey 2017

Level 1 Fauna Risk Assessment and the results of a Malleefowl for the Golden Cities project area

Version 2. January 2018

Prepared for: Norton Gold Fields PO Box 1653 Kalgoorlie WA 6430

By: Terrestrial Ecosystems 10 Houston Place Mt Claremont WA 6010

RECORD OF DISTRIBUTION

No. of Report File Name Report Date Prepared for: Initials copies Status Electronic 2016-0057-004-gt-V1 Draft 15 December 2017 Norton Gold Fields GT/ST Electronic 2016-0057-004-gt-V1 Draft 5 January 2018 Norton Gold Fields ST

DISCLAIMER

This document is prepared in accordance with and subject to an agreement between Terrestrial Ecosystems and the client, Norton Gold Fields. It has been prepared and is restricted to those issues that have been raised by the client in its engagement of Terrestrial Ecosystems and prepared using the standard of skill and care ordinarily exercised by environmental scientists in the preparation of such reports.

Persons or agencies that rely on or use this document for purposes or reasons other than those agreed by Terrestrial Ecosystems and its client without first obtaining prior consent, do so at their own risk and Terrestrial Ecosystems denies all liability in tort, contract or otherwise for any loss, damage or injury of any kind whatsoever (whether in negligence or otherwise) that may be suffered as a consequence.

Front Cover: Fauna habitat in the project area

ii Contents

1 Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Project objectives and scope of works 1 2 Existing Environment 2 2.1 Location of project area 2 2.2 Land use history 2 2.3 Climate 2 2.4 Regional biological fauna context of project area 3 2.4.1 Fauna species at risk 3 3 Methodology 4 3.1 Database searches 4 3.2 Malleefowl search 4 3.3 Fauna habitat assessment 4 3.4 Survey and reporting staff 6 3.5 Limitations 6 4 Results 8 4.1 Fauna habitat 8 4.2 Malleefowl 11 4.3 Bioregional vertebrate fauna 12 4.4 Conservation significant fauna 15 4.5 Risk assessment 19 5 Discussion 21 5.1 Adequacy of the fauna survey data for fauna habitats represented in the project area 21 5.1.1 Amphibians 21 5.1.2 Reptiles 21 5.1.3 Birds 21 5.1.4 Mammals 22 5.1.5 Fish 22 5.2 Biodiversity value of the project area 22 5.2.1 Ecological functional value at the ecosystem level 22 5.2.2 Maintenance of threatened ecological communities 22 5.2.3 Condition of fauna habitat 22 5.2.4 Ecological linkages 23 5.2.5 Abundance and distribution of similar habitat in the adjacent areas 23 5.3 Great Western Woodlands 23 6 Potential impacts 24 6.1 Potential impacts on fauna 24 6.2 Direct impacts 24 6.2.1 Animal deaths during the clearing process and displacement of fauna 24 6.2.2 Reduction or loss of activity areas and closure of burrows 24 6.3 Indirect impacts 24 6.3.1 Habitat fragmentation 24 6.3.2 Introduced fauna and weeds 25 6.3.3 Road fauna deaths 25 6.3.4 Fire 25 6.3.5 Anthropogenic activity 25 6.3.6 Dust 26 6.3.7 Uncapped drill holes 26 6.4 Native vegetation clearing principles 26 6.5 Significant Impact Guideline 1.1 26 6.5.1 Lead to a long-term decrease in the size of an important population of a species 27 6.5.2 Reduce the area of occupancy of an important population 27 6.5.3 Fragment an existing important population into two or more populations 27 6.5.4 Adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species 27 6.5.5 Disrupt the breeding cycle of an important population 28

iii 6.5.6 Modify, destroy, remove or isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat to the extent that the species is likely to decline 28 6.5.7 Result in invasive species that are harmful to a vulnerable species becoming established in the vulnerable species’ habitat 28 6.5.8 Introduce disease that may cause the species to decline 28 6.5.9 Interfere substantially with the recovery of the species 28 6.6 Referral under the EPBC Act 28 7 Summary 29 8 Recommendations 30 8.1 Minimising habitat fragmentation and impacts of vegetation clearing 30 8.2 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 30 8.3 Induction and awareness 30 8.4 Minimising secondary impacts to the habitat 30 8.5 Uncapped drill holes 30 8.6 Road fauna deaths 31 8.7 Dust 31 8.8 Vertebrate fauna management plan 31 8.9 Malleefowl management plan 31 9 References 32

iv Chart 1. Climatic averages for Kalgoorlie

Plates 1. Open shrubland with an understory of spinifex or tussock grasses 2. Open shrubland with an understory of spinifex or tussock grasses 3. Open shrubland with an understory of spinifex or tussock grasses 4. Open shrubland with an understory of spinifex or tussock grasses 5. Open shrubland with an understory of spinifex or tussock grasses 6. Open shrubland with an understory of spinifex or tussock grasses 7. Open eucalypt woodland over shrubs and chenopods of varying densities 8. Open eucalypt woodland over shrubs and chenopods of varying densities 9. Open eucalypt woodland over shrubs and chenopods of varying densities 10. Open eucalypt woodland over shrubs and chenopods of varying densities 11. Dense shrubland 12. Dense shrubland 13. Mallee and shrubs of varying density 14. Mallee and shrubs of varying density 15. Mining activity and disturbed areas 16. Mining activity and disturbed areas 17. Mining activity and disturbed areas 18. Rabbit scats 19. Malleefowl mound 1 20. Malleefowl mound 2 21. Malleefowl mound 3 22. Malleefowl mound 4 23. Malleefowl mound 5 24. Malleefowl mound 6

Tables 1. Fauna survey limitations and constraints 2. Malleefowl and their mounds 3. Birds potentially found near the project area 4. Amphibians potentially found near the project area 5. Mammals potentially found near the project area 6. Reptiles potentially found near the project area 7. Fish potentially found near the project area 8. Assessment of the potential impact on conservation significant fauna that could occur in the bioregion 9. Fauna impact risk assessment descriptors 10. Levels of acceptable risk 11. A risk assessment of the impact of ground disturbance activity on fauna 12. Assessment of impact on fauna and fauna assemblages using the Native Vegetation Clearing Principles

Figures 1. Regional location 2. Project area showing location of Malleefowl mounds and habitat assessment points

Appendices A. Results of the EPBC Act national protected matters search B. Fauna surveys near the project area C. Definitions of Significant Fauna under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 D. Fauna habitat assessment results

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Norton Gold Fields Limited is planning to reopen an existing mining operation at Golden Cities which is approximately 38km north of Kalgoorlie and approximately 10km north-east of Broad Arrow on the Goldfields Highway in the Goldfields. The project area comprises an area around two existing mining pits, an access track east of the existing Golden Cities mining areas, an access track from the existing Golden Cities mining areas to the Goldfields Highway near Broad Arrow and access tracks west of the existing mining operations (~ 1,300ha).

The project area was searched on foot for Malleefowl and their mounds on 21-22 November 2017 and on an all- terrain vehicle on 23 November 2017. The Malleefowl bird and mound survey was also used to record fauna habitat types and condition in the project area.

The project area supports the following four broad fauna habitats:  Open shrubland with an understory of spinifex or tussock grasses;  Eucalypt woodland over shrubs and chenopods of varying densities;  Dense shrubland; and  Mallee and shrubs of varying density.

The project area currently does not provide an important ecological linkage or fauna movement corridor, however if the haul road immediately south and parallel to the existing access road from Broad Arrow to Golden Cities is constructed it will fragment a large portion of habitat between the two roads. Fauna between these roads will be at increased risk of impact due to vehicle movement and dust.

Construction and the use of heavy vehicles and machinery during vegetation clearing and mining operations will impact on the vertebrate fauna in areas adjacent to those that will be cleared. The consequence will be that some fauna will be lost, and others will shift into neighbouring areas. The few larger animals, such as goannas, and most of the birds will move into adjacent areas once clearing commences. Migrants increase competition for resources, which may result in the subsequent loss of migrants or local individuals. Individuals shifted out of their established activity areas are also vulnerable to predation until they have become established in their new areas.

Malleefowl are present in the area, and there is evidence of breeding within the last two or three years in and immediately adjacent to the project area. Depending on the specific areas to be disturbed conservation significant vertebrate fauna may be significantly impacted.

Impacts on the vertebrate fauna associated with clearing vegetation in the project area in a landscape or bioregional context are likely to be low as there are vast tracts of similar habitat in adjacent areas.

Six Malleefowl mounds were recorded. There is an active mound immediately south of the project area that could be impacted by mine related activities and there is are two recently active mounds in the project area. One Malleefowl was seen while searching the project area.

It is recommended that:  Where possible, utilise the existing access road from Broad Arrow to Golden Cities. If this is not possible, then align the new haul road as closely as possible to the existing road to minimise habitat fragmentation between the two areas;  If vegetation clearing will be near the active and recently active Malleefowl mounds, or there will be an increase in vehicle movements near the active and recently active Malleefowl mounds, or habitat that is preferred for Malleefowl is likely to be disturbed, then the project should be referred to the Commonwealth under the EPBC Act;  An induction program that includes a component on managing fauna is a mandatory component of working on the Golden Cities project;  Pets are not permitted on site;  All waste and rubbish be contained in bins and regularly removed from site or buried so it is unavailable to pest species;  Feeding of native fauna should be actively discouraged;  A log of all on-site drill holes be maintained detailing when they were capped, how and by whom;

vi  Speed limits are implemented and enforced on-site. These should be determined based on the quality and condition of the roads, but be a maximum of 80km/h, particularly around areas known to support Malleefowl;  Signage is erected to indicate the maximum travelling speeds and the possible presence of wildlife crossing roads;  The impact of dust on adjacent vegetation and fauna habitat is managed and monitored against appropriate KPIs;  A feral and pest animal management program is implemented to reduce the predation risk on Malleefowl (and other fauna) in the project area. This program should concentrate on reducing the impacts of cats and foxes;  A vertebrate fauna management plan is prepared and implemented for the Golden Cities project.  A Malleefowl management plan is prepared and implemented for the Golden Cities project if the species is likely to be impacted.

vii

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Norton Gold Fields Limited (Norton) is planning to reopen an existing mining operation at Golden Cities in the Goldfields (i.e. project area). The project area is approximately 38km north of Kalgoorlie and approximately 10km north-east of Broad Arrow on the Goldfields Highway (Figure 1).

The project area assessed in this report comprises an area around two existing mining pits, an access track east of the existing Golden Cities mining areas, an access track from the existing Golden Cities mining areas to the Goldfields Highway near Broad Arrow and access tracks west of the existing mining operations (~1,300ha; Figure 2). The project area covers tenements M24/565, M24/564, M24/616, M24/251, M24/425, M24/188, L24/228, and L24/230.

1.2 Project objectives and scope of works Terrestrial Ecosystems was commissioned by Norton Gold Fields to undertake a Level 1 fauna risk assessment and a search of the project area for Malleefowl and their mounds. The purpose of this Level 1 fauna risk assessment was to provide information to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and / or the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on the potential impacts on the vertebrate fauna assemblage in the project area to enable the proposed development to be adequately assessed. The methodology broadly follows that described in the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Technical Guidance Terrestrial Fauna Surveys (EPA 2016) and the Technical Guide – Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA / DEC 2010).

A Level 1 fauna risk assessment involves undertaking a desktop review and site visit. The objectives of this fauna risk assessment were to:  provide an indication of the vertebrate fauna assemblage (reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds) on and near the project area so that potential impacts on the fauna and fauna assemblage might be adequately assessed;  identify the presence and/or potential risk of impacts on species of conservation significance that are present or likely to be present in the project area;  assess the impact and environmental risks associated with the proposed development on the fauna assemblage;  determine if any additional surveys are required to assess the potential impact on fauna assemblages in the project area, in particular, impacts on species of conservation significance; and  make recommendations that avoid, mitigate or minimise potential impacts on resident fauna.

To achieve these objectives, Terrestrial Ecosystems:  searched the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ (DBCA) NatureMap database for threatened and priority species near the project area;  searched the Commonwealth Governments database of fauna of national environmental significance to identify species potentially occurring within the area that are protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 or international migratory bird agreements (JAMBA/CAMBA);  searched Terrestrial Ecosystems’ database (includes Atlas of Living Australia and DBCA records that were available via NatureMap) to identify potential vertebrate fauna within the area;  reviewed previous fauna surveys conducted near the project area;  undertook a three-day search of the project area for Malleefowl and their mounds and to identify available fauna habitat types;  discussed the likelihood of species listed under the EPBC Act 1999 and Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 being present in the project area; and  provided management recommendations to avoid, mitigate and minimise potential impacts on the fauna in the project area.

2 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

2.1 Location of project area

The project area is in the Murchison 1 (MUR1 – East Murchison subregion) IBRA bioregion. Cowan (2003) described the East Murchison IBRA subregion as internally draining, with extensive areas of elevated red desert sandplains with minimal dune development. The bioregion includes broad plains with red-brown soils and breakaway complexes as well as red sandplains. Vegetation is dominated by Mulga woodlands often with ephemerals; hummock grasslands, saltbush shrublands and halosarcia shrublands.

The threatening processes for conservation significant fauna were listed by Cowan (2003) as foxes and cats. In addition, cattle grazing and mining activity over many years have significantly degraded small parcels of land dotted throughout the landscape.

2.2 Land use history

The dominant land uses for the bioregion are native pasture to support grazing and unallocated crown land, and to a much lesser extent mining (Cowan 2003).

2.3 Climate

The project area is characterised as semi-arid. Kalgoorlie, which is 42km to the south, has an annual rainfall of approximately 267mm, although this varies considerably from year-to-year. The highest mean maximum and minimum temperatures in Kalgoorlie are in January with an average of 33.6°C and 18.3oC, respectively (Bureau of Meteorology 2017). The lowest mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures occur in July (Chart 1). Rainfall is spread over the year with summer thunderstorms and winter rains resulting from low pressure cells moving in an easterly direction.

50 80 Rainfall 45 70 Max Temp. 40 60 35 Min. Temp. C) o 30 50 25 40

20 30 Rainfall Rainfall (mm)

Temperature ( Temperature 15 20 10 5 10 0 0 July May June April March August January October February December November September

Chart 1. Climatic averages for Kalgoorlie (Bureau of Meteorology 2017)

2.4 Regional biological fauna context of project area Numerous vertebrate fauna surveys have been undertaken near the project area. These include: Bamford, M.J., Davies, S.J.J.F., Ladd, P.G. (1990) Biological Survey of the Kangaroo Hills and Calooli Timber Reserves, Coolgardie, Western Australia. Chapman, A., Kealley, I., McMillan, D., McMillan, P., Rolland, G, (1991) Biological surveys of four Goldfields Reserves, Department of Conservation and Land Management, 1-26. Hart and Associates (2000) Anaconda Nickel Ltd, Cawse Expansion Project, Fauna Survey, Unpublished report for Anaconda Nickel Ltd, Perth. McKenzie, N.L., Rolfe, J.K. and Youngson, W.K. (1992) IV Vertebrate fauna, Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement, No 41, 37-64. Ninox Wildlife Consulting (1999) Fauna Survey for the White Foil Gold Project, Unpublished report for Mines and Resources Australia Pty Ltd, Perth. Thompson, S.A. (2004) Mine site rehabilitation index using reptile assemblage as a bio-indicator, PhD thesis, Edith Cowan University.

In addition, Terrestrial Ecosystems has included in the Thompson (2004) fauna survey data, data collected after Thompson’s (2004) PhD was completed. Data in the Atlas of Living Australia and Western Australian Museum has also been added to the information contained in Appendix B, and the compilation of the species lists for the project area.

The most useful and representative data for the project area is the information from Thompson’s PhD thesis and the additional data from these surveys. These surveys were undertaken in fauna habitat similar to that in the project area and are nearby. Hart and Associates (2000) also surveyed the Cawse mine site, which is nearby, but these data are not as comprehensive as that provided by Thompson (2004).

2.4.1 Fauna species at risk

Cowan (2003) reported the fauna species at risk in the East Murchison subregion as Bilby (Macrotis lagotis), Marsupial Mole (Notoryctes typhlops), Mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda), Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata), Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae), Slender-billed Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei iredalei), Giant Desert Skink (Liopholis kintorei) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). This report assesses the potential for these species to be found in the project area and the potential impact that any proposed development might have on these species, and other conservation significant fauna.

3 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Database searches A search of the EPBC Act 1999 online list of threatened species was undertaken to identify species of conservation interest to the Commonwealth Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act). The search circle had a radius of 50km around a centre point coordinate of 30.41379oS and 121.40533oE (Appendix A). In addition, a desktop search of the Terrestrial Ecosystems’ fauna survey database was used to develop an appreciation of the vertebrate fauna assemblages near the project area. The DBCA’s Threatened and Priority species database was searched via the records in NatureMap.

Other more general texts were also used to provide supplementary information on vertebrates in the bioregion, including Tyler et al. (2000) for frogs; Storr et al. (1983, 1990, 1999, 2002) and Thompson and Thompson (2010) for reptiles; Johnstone and Storr (1998b, 2004) for birds; and Van Dyck and Strahan (2008) for mammals.

Collectively these sources of information were used to create lists of species expected to utilise the project and adjacent areas. It should be noted that these lists will include species that have been recorded in the general region but are possibly vagrants and they will not generally be found in the project area due to a lack of suitable habitat. Vagrants can be recorded almost anywhere. Many of the bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species have specific habitat requirements that may be present in the general area but not in the project area. Also, the ecology of many of these species is often not well understood and it can sometimes be difficult to indicate those species whose specific habitat requirements are not present in the project area. Consequently, many species will be included in the lists produced from database searches but will not be present in the actual project area.

There are errors in most databases, including NatureMap, Atlas of Living Australia and the WA Museum (WAM) collection. These errors occur because of a misidentification of individuals, taxonomic name changes and incorrect coordinates being entered into the database. Terrestrial Ecosystems was unable to verify the primary records, so it has used the information provided. Readers should therefore appreciate that species lists and fauna surveys reported in the appendices may include these errors. These databases also contain historical records and therefore include species that are no longer present in the area (e.g. Myrmecobius fasciatus, Bettongia lesueur and Macrotis lagotis).

Because the project area is within 30km of White Flag and Black Flag Lakes, numerous water birds are likely to be present in database searches, even though there is no available habitat for these species in the project area.

3.2 Malleefowl search The project area was searched on foot for Malleefowl and their mounds on 21-22 November 2017 and on an all- terrain vehicle on 23 November 2017. The Malleefowl bird and mound survey was also used to record fauna habitat types and condition in the project area.

3.3 Fauna habitat assessment

The fauna habitat assessment was undertaken for the entire project area. This field assessment had two foci:  assessing fauna habitat types and their condition; and  assessing the possible presence of and recording evidence of conservation significant fauna so that mine planning can minimise potential impacts and so that mitigation and management strategies can be developed and implemented to reduce potential impacts.

The fauna habitat assessor stopped at multiple locations within the project area and recorded a suite of data about the fauna habitat and its condition. This information included a description of the habitat structure, habitat condition, landform, soils and vegetation and time since last fire. The following data were recorded at each location as part of the habitat assessment: Observer’s name Coordinates of the location as UTM (WGS 84) Fire history – options > 5 years 1-5 years

< 1 year Landform – options Beach Lake / lake edge Clay plain Lower slope Cliff Mid slope Creek line Ridge Dam River Drainage line Rocky outcrop / breakaway Dune crest Salt lake Dune slope Sand dune Dune swale Sand plain Escarpment Stony plain Flat Swamp Gorge Undulating Gully Upper slope Intertidal / mangrove Wetland Water hole Habitat quality – options o High quality fauna habitat – These areas closely approximate the vegetation mix and quality that would have been in the area prior to any disturbance. The habitat has connectivity with other habitats and is likely to contain the most natural vertebrate fauna assemblage. o Very good fauna habitat - These areas show minimal signs of disturbance (e.g. grazing, clearing, fragmentation, weeds) and generally retain many of the characteristics of the habitat if it had not been disturbed. The habitat has connectivity with other habitats and fauna assemblages in these areas are likely to be minimally affected by disturbance. o Good fauna habitat – These areas showed signs of disturbance (e.g. grazing, clearing, fragmentation, weeds) but generally retain many of the characteristics of the habitat if it had not been disturbed. The habitat has connectivity with other habitats and fauna assemblages in these areas are likely to be affected by disturbance. o Disturbed fauna habitat– These areas showed signs of significant disturbance. Many of the trees, shrubs and undergrowth are cleared. These areas may be in the early succession and regeneration stages. Areas may show signs of significant grazing, containing weeds or have been damaged by vehicle or machinery. Habitats are fragmented or have limited connectivity with other fauna habitats. Fauna assemblages in these areas are likely to differ significantly from what might be expected in the area had the disturbance not occurred. o Highly degraded fauna habitat – These areas often have a significant loss of vegetation, an abundance of weeds, and a large number of vehicle tracks or are completely cleared. Limited or no fauna habitat connectivity. Fauna assemblages in these areas are likely to be significantly different to what might have been in the area pre-disturbance. Habitat structure - options Upper stratum Tall open woodland Scattered tall trees Tall woodland Scattered trees Open woodland Scattered low trees Woodland Low closed forest Open forest Low open forest Closed forest Low woodland Tall closed forest Low open woodland Tall open forest Middle stratum Shrubland Open heath Tall shrubland Low closed heath Tall open shrubland Low open heath Low shrubland Tall closed scrub Scattered low shrubs Tall open scrub Low open shrubland Scattered tall shrubs Scattered tall shrubs Open shrubland Closed heath Scattered shrubs Lower stratum Closed hummock grassland Closed tussock grassland / sedgeland / herbland

Mid-dense hummock grassland Tussock grass land / sedgeland / herbland Hummock grassland Open tussock grassland / sedgeland / herbland Open hummock grassland Scattered tussock / grasses / sedges / herbs Scattered hummock grassland Very open tussock grassland / herbland

Soil Type – options Sand Clay loam Loamy sand Silty clay loam Clayey sand Clay Sandy loam Rock Loam Peat / organic Silty loam Stony Sandy clay loam Soil Colour –options Black Red Brown White Grey Yellow Orange Surface stones - options None Boulders (>250mm) Pebbles (0-50mm) Rocks Cobbles (51-250mm) Potential for conservation significant species to be found in the area Yes No Impact of clearing on conservation significant species – options Low Moderate - high Low - moderate High Moderate Extreme Translocation of conservation significant fauna required: No Yes

3.4 Survey and reporting staff

Dr Scott Thompson undertook the site investigation and fauna habitat assessment. The search for Malleefowl and their mounds was assisted by Sheree Blechynden and Nathan Dimer (Norton). Dr Graham Thompson prepared the report and Dr Scott Thompson reviewed the report before it was sent to the client. Both senior scientists have appropriate relevant post-graduate qualifications, extensive experience in conducting fauna assessments in the Goldfields, have published research articles on biodiversity, fauna assemblages, conservation significant species, survey strategies for Malleefowl, trapping techniques and temporal variations in trapped fauna assemblages based on Goldfields surveys and are therefore appropriately trained and experienced for the task of preparing this assessment.

3.5 Limitations

This Level 1 fauna risk assessment is based on information contained in the Commonwealth Government’s online EPBC database of matters of national environmental significance (MNES) and other published and unpublished fauna survey data for the bioregion and a site visit. It is acknowledged that multiple surveys conducted in different seasons, repeated over several years are necessary to fully appreciate the fauna assemblage in the project area.

The EPA’s Technical Guidance Terrestrial Fauna Surveys (EPA 2016) suggested that fauna surveys may be limited by many variables. Limitations associated with each of these variables are assessed in Table 1.

Table 1. Fauna survey limitations and constraints Constraint (yes/no); Possible limitations significant, Comment moderate or negligible Competency and The environmental scientists that completed the field experience of the No assessment and drafted this report are familiar with the consultant carrying out vertebrate fauna of this bioregion. this assessment Scope No All aspects of the scope of works have been addressed. Proportion of fauna identified, recorded No Not applicable. and/or collected Terrestrial Ecosystems has reported fauna survey data recorded by various authors, but is not able to verify the accuracy of this information. It is acknowledged that the Accuracy of previous Yes, negligible taxonomy of Western Australian vertebrates is continually survey work being revised and the nomenclature of some of the species listed in the appendices may have changed since publication by the authors. Vertebrate fauna information was available from an on-line database and unpublished and published reports of surveys conducted in the bioregion in a variety of habitat types. Many Sources of information Yes, negligible of these surveys employed a low level of trapping effort which significantly impacts on the capacity of these data to represent the fauna assemblages in the areas surveyed. Proportion of the task No All tasks completed. achieved Timing/weather/ N/A All sections of the project area were accessible. season/ cycle Sections of the project area have been extensively explored Disturbances which with multiple drill holes (e.g. Plates 15 and 17) in the affected results of the N/A mineralised area. The proposed infrastructure corridors survey include a long-established track and historical disturbances. These degraded areas have been factored into this assessment. Intensity of survey N/A Not applicable. effort

Completeness N/A All aspects of this assessment have been completed.

Resources N/A Adequate resources were available. Remoteness and/or No The project area could be readily accessed by gravel road. access problems Availability of Fauna survey data are available for the general area and contextual information No specifically fauna habitats accessed in the project area. on the region