INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
M ETHODOLOGY
- Preliminary Desktop Study
- Site Investigation
An assessment of the project area and its potential constraints was undertaken by reviewing a number of records managed by government agencies. The location of wetlands and ESAs within the project area were determined using the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) mapping tool. http://portal.environment.wa.gov.au/portal/page?_pageid amp;_dad=portal&_sc hema=PORTAL), refer to Appendix B and seeking advice from the DoW Regional Officer, refer to Appendix F. A Department Inquiry of Indigenous Affairs' (DIA's). http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/Heritage/SitesSurveysSearch.aspx) database was undertaken to determine if the project area contained any Aboriginal heritage sites, refer to Appendix E.
The Water Information Officer of the Department of Water Affairs (DwW) regional office was consulted on sensitive water sources (including public drinking water source areas) to determine whether the project area supports, was adjacent to, or has been proclaimed any significant lakes, rivers or wetlands. areas, refer Appendix F. There are no known previous land use activities on or adjacent to the project area that have the potential to create pollution, e.g. garage. The Western Australian Planning Commission's acid sulphate soil maps were reviewed and the self-assessment was carried out (http://www.wapc.wa.gov.au/Publications/213.aspx) to determine the level of risk the project area was exposed to, refer Appendix G.
Consultation has been undertaken with the Department of Agriculture and Food to determine if there are known populations of declared plants or significant weeds in or adjacent to the project area, see Appendix H. The decision to refer the project to the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) was based on whether the project would affect matters of national importance, e.g. world heritage properties, protected wetlands and migratory species, Commonwealth marine areas, threatened species or communities or nuclear actions (see the Commonwealth website . www. deh.gov.au/epbc/assessmentsapprovals/index.html for further information and the search tool page at http:// www.deh.gov.au/erin/ert/epbc/imap/map.html), see Appendix I .
EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
Dieback is not a problem in the area where the proposed works are expected to take place. Project Manager Neville Walters and Environment Officer Marni Baetge visited the site on 04/03/2007 to examine the general characteristics of the area. No declared weeds or serious environmental weeds were detected in any of the project areas.
The EPBC Act Protected Matters Report listed a number of threatened, migratory and marine species potentially occurring in the general areas of each of the project areas. A habitat assessment was carried out in early April 2007 specifically targeting the likely habitats of the purple-crowned cuckoo and the red goshawk. The purpose of the habitat assessment was to determine whether it was likely that any of the threatened species would utilize the areas that will be affected as a result of the proposed works.
The proposed works will not affect areas with dense riparian vegetation, permanent stream lines or tall eucalyptus and paperbark forests. The proposed works will not affect the El Questro station and therefore the impact on the two land snail varieties will not be an issue.
CLEARING OF NATIVE VEGETATION
The base material for the construction of the proposed works will be obtained from existing pits and insitu cutting from the pulp works. All the vegetation that will be affected is well represented in the region and no declared Rare Flora or Priority Flora has been recorded in the three areas where the proposed works are expected to be carried out. The principle of cleaning 'f'; "Does the area to be cleaned exist within, or in connection with, an environment connected to a watercourse or wetland?" discussed with DoW (Kununurra office).
Meghan Barnes of DoW confirmed that the project work is not within a significant watercourse or wetland (Appendix F) and a Permit to Disturb Bed and Bank will not be required (pers. comm., Meghan Barnes, DoW). Mature and selected trees must be preserved as far as is practicable to ensure the habitat and environmental integrity of the animals. Prior to clearing, the contractor must mark clearing boundaries and certify to MRWA that the clearing areas are clearly defined.
Cleaning of the truck breakdown area shall be done only in the areas shown on the drawings or in accordance with the instructions. Removal and re-application of topsoil shall be carried out in accordance with Specification 302: Earthworks.
ASSESSMENT OF ASPECTS AND IMPACTS
Groundwater A search of the DoW Geographic Data Atlas showed that the three study areas are not within any Gazetted Public Drinking Water Source Areas. The requirements of the Shire of Broome must be met in terms of noise management and construction working hours. Visual facilities The proposed works will result in minor and short-term visual impacts during construction.
Provided that traffic management and signage are applied according to the standards of the major roads, none of the proposed works pose a significant threat to public safety. The proposed works will serve to increase public safety by improving road conditions during floods. Contamination There are no known previous land use activities on or adjacent to the project area that could potentially cause contamination, for example a petrol station.
WAPC's self-assessment (Planning Bulletin 64) indicates that no further land investigation is required for the project. As the proposed works are entirely within the existing road reserve, no further changes to the Local Government Planning Scheme or District Scheme will be required.
DECISION TO REFER
However, they are in the Canning-Kimberley Groundwater Area, which covers the entire Kimberley sub-region. Appropriate site completion treatments, including landscaping and restoration, can improve the local visual amenity.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
This vegetation must be used during any rehabilitation work and either chopped or replaced according to the PMM. Control any weeds, if present, within the project area prior to construction to limit. Maintaining the hydrological regime existing prior to the construction of the proposal and preventing erosion in areas subject to flooding.
Areas subject to erosion due to reclamation should be stabilized and designed to minimize the effects of rainfall/runoff. If flushing facilities or chemical storage is on site, best management practices will be used in accordance with DEC's Water Quality Protection Notes, Mechanical Equipment. Construction Ensure that the construction of the proposal does not cause any inconvenience to the public.
Works related to the construction of the settlement should not prevent public access along the adjacent reserve. Where trucks leaving the site are found to be carrying too much material on sealed surfaces, these areas will be swept to reduce dust. Construction Ensure that the construction of the proposal is managed to a standard that minimizes any negative impacts on the environment.
All waste oil will be collected for recycling and any empty fuel/oil containers, used filters and remaining hydraulic parts will be collected and stored in a designated area and then removed to an approved location. Project areas, including hard standing areas, will be maintained in an orderly manner at all times. All project waste will be placed in bins with lids and disposed of at an approved landfill.
If material of interest to Aboriginal people is discovered, work will be stopped immediately within 100 meters of the material and the site will be examined by a qualified archaeologist. All waste from the development must be completely removed from the site upon completion of development. Final cleaning will be to the satisfaction of the Project Manager and the Site Superintendent.
Attached are the endangered wildlife database search results for the 3 sections of Gibb River Rd (plus different search buffer widths). Major Roads Kimberley Region is proposing to improve three sections of the Gibb River Road. Upgrading the road will improve accessibility for road users and significantly improve road safety.
Widening of the existing Gibb River Road, west of the Bindoola Creek crossing (refer to Map 2); Maps 2, 3 and 4 provide close-up images of the three proposed works with points north-east and south-west. Can you determine if there is any threatened fauna within each of the three project areas and if so please name each species.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES
This section of the report summarizes matters of national environmental importance that may arise in or be related to your nominated area. More information is available in the detail section of the report, which can be accessed by scrolling or following the links below. If you intend to undertake an activity that may have a significant impact on one or more matters of national environmental importance, you should consider the Administrative Guidance on Significance - see.
This part of the report contains information that may also be relevant to the area you have nominated. If you intend to engage in an activity that may have a significant impact on one or more matters of national environmental importance, you should consider the Administrative Significance Guidelines - see http://www.environment.gov. au/epbc/assessmentsapprovals/guidelines/index.html.
