Central Eyre Iron Project Mining Lease Proposal CHAPTER 2: EXISTING ENVIRONMENT CHAPTER 2 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT COPYRIGHT Copyright © IRD Mining Operations Pty Ltd and Iron Road Limited, 2015 All rights reserved This document and any related documentation is protected by copyright owned by IRD Mining Operations Pty Ltd and Iron Road Limited. The content of this document and any related documentation may only be copied and distributed for purposes of section 35A of the Mining Act, 1971 (SA) and otherwise with the prior written consent of IRD Mining Operations Pty Ltd and Iron Road Limited. DISCLAIMER A declaration has been made on behalf of IRD Mining Operations Pty Ltd by its Managing Director that he has taken reasonable steps to review the information contained in this document and to ensure its accuracy as at 5 November 2015. Subject to that declaration: (a) in writing this document, Iron Road Limited has relied on information provided by specialist consultants, government agencies, and other third parties. Iron Road Limited has reviewed all information to the best of its ability but does not take responsibility for the accuracy or completeness; and (b) this document has been prepared for information purposes only and, to the full extent permitted by law, Iron Road Limited, in respect of all persons other than the relevant government departments, makes no representation and gives no warranty or undertaking, express or implied, in respect to the information contained herein, and does not accept responsibility and is not liable for any loss or liability whatsoever arising as a result of any person acting or refraining from acting on any information contained within it. 2 Description of the Existing Environment ................. 2-1 2.1 Overview of Local Communities .............................................................................................. 2-1 2.2 Proximity to Infrastructure and Housing ................................................................................. 2-1 2.2.1 Housing and Services ................................................................................................ 2-2 2.2.2 Exempt Land and Waivers of Exemption ................................................................. 2-6 2.2.3 Utilities ..................................................................................................................... 2-9 2.2.4 Transport ................................................................................................................ 2-11 2.3 Planning Framework .............................................................................................................. 2-14 2.3.1 South Australia’s Strategic Plan .............................................................................. 2-14 2.3.2 Wudinna DC Development Plan ............................................................................. 2-16 2.4 Topography and Landscape ................................................................................................... 2-20 2.5 Climate ................................................................................................................................... 2-22 2.5.1 Temperature and Rainfall ....................................................................................... 2-22 2.5.2 Wind ....................................................................................................................... 2-22 2.5.3 Natural Hazards ...................................................................................................... 2-22 2.6 Geohazards ............................................................................................................................ 2-27 2.7 Proximity to Conservation Areas ........................................................................................... 2-32 List of Figures Figure 2-1 Proximity of the Proposed Mining Lease Area to Townships .............................................. 2-3 Figure 2-2 Housing within 5 km of the Proposed Mining Lease Area .................................................. 2-5 Figure 2-3 Exempt Land Areas .............................................................................................................. 2-8 Figure 2-4 Utilities Infrastructure ....................................................................................................... 2-10 Figure 2-5 Transport Infrastructure .................................................................................................... 2-13 Figure 2-6 Proposed Mining Lease Area Zoning ................................................................................. 2-19 Figure 2-7 Local Topography .............................................................................................................. 2-21 Figure 2-8 Climatic Conditions ............................................................................................................ 2-23 Figure 2-9 Seasonal Wind Roses (9am Wudinna) ............................................................................... 2-24 Figure 2-10 Seasonal Wind Roses (3pm Wudinna) ............................................................................. 2-25 Figure 2-11 South Australian Rainfall Deficiency 1 September to 30 November 2014 ...................... 2-26 Figure 2-12 Stratigraphic correlations of Archaean to Mesoproterozoic iron-rich rocks in South Australia. ............................................................................................................................................. 2-28 Figure 2-13 Seismic Activity in South Australia .................................................................................. 2-31 Figure 2-14 Conservation Areas .......................................................................................................... 2-34 List of Plates Plate 2-1 Undulating Farmland within the Proposed Mining Lease Area (April 2014)....................... 2-20 Plate 2-2 Undulating Farmland within the Proposed Mining Lease Area (October 2011) ................. 2-20 Plate 2-3 View South Towards Hambidge Wilderness Protection Area (Darke Range in background) ........................................................................................................................................ 2-32 Plate 2-4 Darke Range Viewed from Federation Lookout .................................................................. 2-33 Chapter 2: Existing Environment Mineral Claim 4383 5 Nov 2015 Page i List of Tables Table 2-1 Services and Facilities in Local Townships ............................................................................ 2-4 Table 2-2 Exempt land within the Proposed Mining Lease boundary .................................................. 2-6 Table 2-3 Strategic Alignment of CEIP ................................................................................................ 2-14 Table 2-4 State Strategic Framework ................................................................................................. 2-15 Table 2-5 Development Plan Policy Summary .................................................................................... 2-16 Table 2-6 Local Strategic Framework ................................................................................................. 2-18 Table 2-7 Historical Significant Fire Events on Eyre Peninsula ........................................................... 2-27 Page ii Mineral Claim 4383 5 Nov 2015 Chapter 2: Existing Environment 2 Description of the Existing Environment This chapter provides an overview of the existing environment relevant to the establishment of the proposed mining lease. The existing environment is described in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Determination. Further details regarding existing environmental values are discussed in conjunction with the relevant impact assessment (Chapters 7 to 23). 2.1 Overview of Local Communities This section provides a brief overview of the local communities surrounding the site of the proposed mining lease. A detailed overview of the towns and local communities is provided in Chapter 21 (Land Use and Tenure) and Chapter 22 (Social Environment). The proposed mining lease is located within the Wudinna District Council (DC) which covers an area of approximately 5,400 km2 (ABS 2013a), encompassing the townships of Warramboo, Kyancutta, Wudinna, Yaninee and Minnipa. The prime source of income within Wudinna DC is agriculture-related industry, predominantly cereal cropping, sheep and beef. At the 2011 Census, the Wudinna DC had a resident population of 1,253 people (ABS 2012a) and had experienced population declines in the preceding five years, a trend which is forecast to continue (DPLG 2011). The Warramboo township is the closest population centre located approximately 5 km west of the mine pit and 750 m west of the proposed mining lease boundary. The Warramboo township and surrounding area comprised around 47 people and 30 dwellings at the 2011 Census (ABS 2012b). Wudinna is the main service centre within the Wudinna DC and is located approximately 26 km northwest of the proposed mine. The proposed long-term employee village will be located immediately adjacent to the Wudinna township. Wudinna has a resident population of 557 people (ABS 2012a) which is around 45% of the total population of the Wudinna DC area. The proposed mine is located in the south-eastern corner of the Wudinna DC, which is bordered by the DC of Kimba (6 km east of the proposed mining lease boundary),