NSW NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE SERVICE Review of Environmental Factors Snowies Iconic Walk, Kosciuszko National Park 26 July 2019 environment.nsw.gov.au © 2019 State of NSW and Department of Planning, Industry and Environment With the exception of photographs, the State of NSW and Department of Planning, Industry and Environment are pleased to allow this material to be reproduced in whole or in part for educational and non-commercial use, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged. Specific permission is required for the reproduction of photographs. The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) has compiled this report in good faith, exercising all due care and attention. No representation is made about the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the information in this publication for any particular purpose. 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The views expressed within are not necessarily the views of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) and may not represent DPIE policy. © Copyright State of NSW and Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Contents Contents ........................................................................................................................ iii Review of Environmental Factors ................................................................................ 1 Note for external proponents ...................................................................................... 1 1 Brief description of the proposed activity ........................................................... 2 2 Proponent’s details ................................................................................................ 2 3 Permissibility .......................................................................................................... 3 3.1 Legal permissibility .......................................................................................... 3 3.2 Consistency with OEH policy ......................................................................... 14 3.3 Type of approval sought ................................................................................ 15 OEH proponents .................................................................................................. 15 External proponents ............................................................................................. 16 4 Consultation – general ......................................................................................... 17 5 Consultation – Native Title .................................................................................. 20 6 Proposed activity (or activities) .......................................................................... 22 6.1 Location of activity ......................................................................................... 22 6.2 Description of the proposed activity ............................................................... 24 6.3 Objectives of the proposal ............................................................................. 32 7 Reasons for the activity and consideration of alternatives.............................. 32 8 Description of the existing environment ............................................................ 34 9 Impact assessment .............................................................................................. 45 9.1 Physical and chemical impacts during construction and operation ............... 45 9.2 Biological impacts during construction and operation.................................... 50 9.3 Community impacts during construction and operation ................................. 60 9.4 Natural resource impacts during construction and operation ........................ 66 9.5 Aboriginal cultural heritage impacts during construction and operation ........ 68 9.6 Other cultural heritage impacts during construction or operation .................. 72 9.7 Matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act ............. 73 10 Proposals requiring additional information ....................................................... 76 10.1 Lease or licence proposals under s.151 NPW Act ........................................ 76 10.2 Telecommunications facilities (s.153D, NPW Act) ......................................... 76 10.3 Activities within the Sydney Drinking Water Catchment ................................ 77 11 Threatened species assessment of significance (5 part test)......................... 77 12 Summary of impacts ............................................................................................ 80 13 Conclusions .......................................................................................................... 84 14 Supporting documentation ................................................................................. 85 iii 15 Fees ....................................................................................................................... 86 16 Signature of proponent ........................................................................................ 86 Next steps — for OEH use .......................................................................................... 87 iv Snowies Iconic Walk Review of Environmental Factors, July 2019 Review of Environmental Factors This is the standard template for preparing a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for activities within lands reserved or acquired under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act). The template addresses the environmental impact assessment requirements for activities subject to Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Proponents should always use the current version of the template. A separate template is available and should be used instead for the following activities: minor activities and uses requiring a lease or licence under s.151 of the NPW Act – for further information refer to the sustainability assessment criteria and guidelines. To complete this template you will need the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Guidelines for Preparing a Review of Environmental Factors. This and other guidance documents are available at the OEH website or by contacting the Environment Line on 13 15 55. Once completed and signed, the template, together with the applicable fee, should be sent to your nearest National Parks and Wildlife Regional Office. Note for external proponents If the REF is for an activity to be undertaken by an individual, company or organisation, before preparing the REF the proponent must: confirm the legal permissibility of the proposal (section 3.1 of this document) confirm that there are no pre-existing approvals (such as permits, licences or easements) consult with the relevant National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) office to obtain in-principle support for the proposal. If the REF is for an activity requiring a lease or licence under s.151 NPW Act, telecommunications facilities, or within the Sydney Drinking Water Catchment it will need to be submitted with additional information (refer Section 10 of this document). 1 Snowies Iconic Walk Review of Environmental Factors, July 2019 1 Brief description of the proposed activity Please provide a brief description of the work to be conducted. Description of Construction of three new tracks, and upgrades and realignments, for the proposed Snowies Iconic Walk to connect existing walking tracks and iconic activity* landmarks and connect five resorts, accommodation and services at Thredbo, Charlotte Pass, Guthega, Perisher and Lake Crackenback. A combination of construction methods is planned including, elevated structures and bridges, rock paving (including pitched rock) and natural/gravel surfaces. The works will involve construction of approximately 27 kilometres of new walking tracks which include some minor upgrades and/or realignments to an existing track near Porcupine Rocks. Other works proposed include new bridges over Spencers Creek, Wrights Creek and Trapyard Creek, small campsites at two locations along new alignments and upgrades of car parking facilities at the existing Porcupine Rocks trailhead at Perisher Valley (project maps attached). Name of NPWS Kosciuszko National Park park or reserve Location of The study area is located within the Snowy Monaro Regional Council area.