Coordinator-General’s evaluation report for an environmental impact statement Northern Pipeline Interconnector – Stage 2 Project November 2009 Under Part 4 of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 Northern Pipeline Interconnector – Stage 2 Project Contents Synopsis.........................................................................................................5 1. Introduction.............................................................................................8 2. Project description ...............................................................................10 2.1 The proponent .................................................................................10 2.2 The project.......................................................................................10 2.2.1 Overview........................................................................................................ 10 2.2.2 Water pipeline................................................................................................ 11 2.2.3 Balance tanks ................................................................................................ 14 2.2.4 Pump stations................................................................................................ 14 2.2.5 Water quality management facilities.............................................................. 14 2.3 Project rationale...............................................................................15 2.3.1 Need and alternatives.................................................................................... 16 2.3.1.1 Project need................................................................................................... 16 2.3.1.2 Policy ............................................................................................................. 16 2.3.1.3 Legislation...................................................................................................... 17 2.3.1.4 Project objectives .......................................................................................... 17 2.3.1.5 Drought response .......................................................................................... 17 2.3.1.6 Bulk flows....................................................................................................... 18 2.3.1.7 Water security................................................................................................ 18 2.3.1.8 Interconnectivity............................................................................................. 19 2.3.2 Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 21 2.4 Corridor alternatives ........................................................................23 2.4.1 Overall corridor alternatives........................................................................... 23 2.4.2 Internal corridor alternatives.......................................................................... 26 2.4.2.1 Following the Energex easement in the vicinity of McGilchrist Road and Chevallum—Palmwoods Road .................................. 27 2.4.2.2 Avoiding Yandina........................................................................................... 28 2.4.2.3 Following Robinson Road.............................................................................. 30 3. Impact assessment process................................................................32 3.1 Declaration of a significant project...................................................32 3.2 Terms of reference for EIS ..............................................................32 3.3 Public and advisory agency comment on the EIS............................33 3.4 Public and advisory agency comment on the supplementary EIS ...35 3.5 The Pringle Hill tunnel: construction methodology...........................36 3.6 Matters of national environmental significance ................................37 4. Evaluation of environmental effects ...................................................38 4.1 Introduction......................................................................................38 4.2 Ferntree Facilities Area ...................................................................43 4.3 Pringle Hill (Tunnel).........................................................................50 4.4 Waterway crossings ........................................................................55 4.5 Land use..........................................................................................68 4.6 Water resources ..............................................................................70 4.7 Soil erosion and sediment control ...................................................72 4.8 Vegetation clearing..........................................................................74 4.9 Air quality.........................................................................................82 2 4.10 Greenhouse gas emissions ...........................................................85 4.11 Noise and vibration........................................................................88 4.12 Traffic ............................................................................................92 4.13 Cultural heritage ............................................................................94 4.13.1 Indigenous cultural heritage.............................................................................. 94 4.13.2 Non-Indigenous cultural heritage...................................................................... 95 4.14 Waste ............................................................................................96 4.15 Social and economic environment.................................................97 5. Matters of national environmental significance ....................................99 5.1 Project assessment and approvals.................................................99 5.2 The project....................................................................................100 5.2.1 Listed threatened terrestrial flora ..................................................................... 101 5.2.2 Listed threatened terrestrial fauna ................................................................... 106 5.2.3 Listed threatened aquatic fauna ...................................................................... 110 5.2.4 Listed migratory species .................................................................................. 112 5.3 Conclusion about matters of national environmental significance .113 6. Conclusion .............................................................................................114 Appendix 1: Schedule of Conditions ......................................................116 Appendix 2: Third party audit requirements...........................................127 Appendix 3: Abbreviations and definitions ............................................129 List of figures Figure 1 Project locality map .....................................................................9 Figure 2 NPI map and reverse flow .........................................................13 Figure 3 Simulated water storage levels—far north coast ....................19 Figure 4 Pipeline route options ...............................................................25 Figure 5 Three alternative route alignments in proximity to Yandina township .....................................................................................29 Figure 6 Robinson Road Alternate Route Option ..................................31 Figure 7 Potential peaks for balance tank sitings..................................44 Figure 8 Regional map of major facility requirements for the NRWP ..45 Figure 9 Optimal balance tank top water level .......................................46 Figure 10 Ferntree Facility Area ................................................................49 Figure 11 Pringle Hill tunnel alignment.....................................................52 Figure 12 Location of waterway crossings...............................................58 Figure 13 Example photographs of waterway crossings with low, moderate and high environmental values ...............................59 Figure 14 Location of significant waterway crossings............................64 Figure 15 Aerial photo of the route options at McGilchrist Road and Chevallum—Palmwoods Road .................................................78 Figure 16 Typical corridor width construction requirements .................80 List of tables Table 1 Results of multi-criteria analysis..............................................26 Table 2 Length of pipeline and estimated cost for private submission pipeline alignment option..........................................................27 Table 3 Following Robinson Road: estimated construction cost and number of properties affected ..................................................30 Coordinator-General’s report Northern Pipeline Interconnector – Stage 2 3 - Table 4 Summary of key environmental issues raised on the EIS......40 Table 5 Summary of key environmental issues raised on the SEIS ...42 Table 6 Construction options at Pringle Hill and their impacts ..........53 Table 7 Waterway crossing rankings ....................................................56 Table 8 Significant waterways and descriptions ..................................62 Table 9 Scenario descriptions................................................................65