ANGASTON TO BERRI TRANSMISSION PIPELINE AND MURRAY BRIDGE LATERAL PIPELINE (RIVERLAND PIPELINE – PL6) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT December 2003 Riverland Natural Gas Tranmission Pipeline Environmental Impact Report TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................6 1.1 Background.................................................................................................................................6 1.2 Regulatory Framework..............................................................................................................6 1.3 Purpose of Document .................................................................................................................6 2.0 RIVERLAND PIPELINE SYSTEM .................................................................9 2.1 System Description .....................................................................................................................9 2.2 Operational Activities.................................................................................................................9 2.3 Design Specifications ................................................................................................................10 2.3.1 Design Life .......................................................................................................................10 2.3.2 Operating Pressure...........................................................................................................11 2.3.3 Depth of Burial.................................................................................................................12 2.3.4 Mainline Valves...............................................................................................................12 2.3.5 Pipeline Markers ..............................................................................................................12 3.0 OVERVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH & SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT .......... 15 3.1 Vegetation..................................................................................................................................15 3.2 Soil .............................................................................................................................................18 3.3 Fauna .........................................................................................................................................18 3.4 Water Resources.......................................................................................................................19 3.5 Air Quality ................................................................................................................................20 3.6 Land Use....................................................................................................................................20 3.7 Public Safety..............................................................................................................................21 3.8 Fugitive Noise Emissions..........................................................................................................27 3.9 Waste .........................................................................................................................................27 3.10 Right of Way Clearance...........................................................................................................27 3.11 Aboriginal & European Heritage............................................................................................27 3.12 Security of Supply.....................................................................................................................30 3.13 Easement Restoration & Infrastructure State .......................................................................31 3.14 Health, Safety & Environmental Risk Assessment & Management Plan............................31 4. COMMUNITY CONSULTATION ................................................................ 41 4.1 Landholders/Occupiers............................................................................................................41 Page 2 of 132 Riverland Natural Gas Tranmission Pipeline Environmental Impact Report 4.2 Aboriginal Heritage..................................................................................................................45 4.3 State Heritage............................................................................................................................46 ATTACHMENT A – Extracts from documents prepared by Kinhill prior to construction in 1993....................................................................................................... 48 Physical and Social Aspects .................................................................................................................48 Environmental Associations ................................................................................................................50 Biological Environment........................................................................................................................55 Operational Management of Biological Aspects................................................................................66 Native Fauna.........................................................................................................................................69 Operational Management of Fauna....................................................................................................73 Aboriginal Heritage..............................................................................................................................75 European Heritage ...............................................................................................................................78 Flora.......................................................................................................................................................79 ATTACHMENT B – Environmental Impact Report prepared by Halliburton KBR Pty Ltd84 APPENDIX A.............................................................................................106 APPENDIX B .............................................................................................122 Page 3 of 132 Riverland Natural Gas Tranmission Pipeline Environmental Impact Report Executive Summary Pursuant to Section 99 of the Petroleum Act (SA) 2000, this Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Angaston to Berri and Murray Bridge lateral, natural gas transmission pipelines (referred to as the Riverland Pipeline), details identified environmental impacts, which arise as a result of pipeline operations and maintenance activities. The management of environmental impacts is essential in terms of both the conditions pertaining to Pipeline Licence No. 6 (PL6) and the long-term environmental sustainability along the pipeline route. An extensive consultation process was initiated with landholders, Aboriginal representatives, local government bodies, State Government Departments and other interested stakeholders, to provide a diverse and complete assessment of potential environmental risk associated with the operating and maintenance activities for the Riverland Pipeline. This EIR has identified that there are limited environmental impacts, which may potentially result in environmental harm, in the event that these impacts are not appropriately managed. Long-term pipeline operations and maintenance activities shall endeavour to improve the natural environment through sustainable operations, which include vegetation management, pest plant and animal monitoring and eradication, water resources conservation and heritage management. Operational management of environmental impacts identified within this EIR, should be read in conjunction with operational management protocols as detailed within the Statement of Environmetal Objectives (SEO) for the Riverland Pipeline. Page 4 of 132 Riverland Natural Gas Tranmission Pipeline Environmental Impact Report Page 5 of 132 Riverland Natural Gas Tranmission Pipeline Environmental Impact Report 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background The South Australian Gas Company (SAGASCO) Limited and Pipelines Authority of South Australia (PASA) jointly commenced construction of natural gas transmission pipeline from Angaston to Berri during 1993. The pipeline was commissioned during November 1994, initially supplying natural gas to the township of Berri, followed by Murray Bridge during January 1995. The Angaston to Berri pipeline and lateral pipeline supplying natural gas to the Murray Bridge Township is referred to as the Riverland Pipeline and is governed by Pipeline Licence 6. The Riverland pipeline also supplies natural gas to the City of Mildura and surrounding townships in Victoria, via the Berri to Mildura transmission pipeline. Epic Energy is currently the principal operator of the Riverland and lateral pipelines on behalf of Origin Energy Asset Management (OEAM) and the pipeline owner, Envestra Limited. As operator of the Riverland Pipeline since 1994, Epic Energy is fully aware of its responsibilities to the community and ensures that its operations and activities and conducted to maintain environmental sustainability and legislative compliance with relevant legislation. 1.2 Regulatory Framework Licensed pipeline operators shall in accordance with their licence conditions, carry out their operations in accordance with an approved Statement