The existing rail/unofficial rest area is being converted into a dedicated rest area along Indian Ocean Drive between SLK 246.6 to 246.8 within the Shire of Irwin. This proposed rest stop is the only rest stop between Leeman Townsite and the Brand Highway (57 km of road length). No priority species or declared rare plant species have been identified in the proposed project area; and.
The vegetation in the area may be susceptible to desiccation and therefore strict hygiene controls should be implemented. The material for the project will be taken from another project from SLK 214 to 220.10 The water source is a well located in SLK 247.5 and a permit has been obtained from the Department of Water.
BACKGROUND
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
P ROJECT L OCATION
METHODOLOGY
P RELIMINARY D ESKTOP S TUDY
The GHD Biological Survey states that "Phytophthora cinnamomi ("Dieback") disease is generally confined to the southwest of the state, to areas receiving an average annual rainfall of more than 400 mm (Dieback Consultative Council, 2001). Since vegetation associations of identified by Beard (1976) are known to have a large proportion of species from the Proteaceae and Myrtaceae families, and the Eneabba area receives an average annual rainfall of 498 mm (Bureau of Meteorology, 2010), the location and project area can be considered to be susceptible to the impact of the pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi The need for a local air quality assessment was determined using the criteria described in the MRWA Environmental Guide, Air Quality.
C OMMONWEALTH R EFERRAL
S TATE R EFERRAL
EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
D ESCRIPTION
S ITE I NVESTIGATION
CLEARING OF NATIVE VEGETATION
D ETAILS OF V EGETATION A SSOCIATIONS TO BE C LEARED
A SSESSMENT A GAINST C LEARING P RINCIPLES
S UMMARY OF M ANAGEMENT A CTIONS
ASSESSMENT OF ASPECTS AND IMPACTS
According to Keighery, (1994) the condition of the native vegetation to be cleared is described as degraded to good. Advice from the GHD Biological Survey indicates that the project area can be considered susceptible to the impact of the Phytophthora cinnamomi pathogen. With the generally deteriorated and exposed nature of the work areas, no significant effects on the native fauna are expected in general as a result of the proposed works.
A search of the Australian Heritage Places Inventory, Heritage Council of Western Australia and the Shire of Irwin Municipal Heritage Inventory online databases indicated that there are no known site(s) of heritage interest in the vicinity of the project area. Site number 185297 is listed as "Stored Data" and is not covered by the provisions of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. Wetlands Arc GIS datasets and Department of Water datasets show that no wetlands will be affected as part of the works.
A DoW investigation has confirmed that the proposed works will not disturb or disrupt any natural drainage and surface runoff patterns. Shire of Irwin requirements must be met in relation to noise management and construction working hours. Provided that traffic management and signage to main road standards are used, none of the proposed works pose any significant risk to public safety.
Not relevant to the proposed works, the project does not require the use of hazardous substances. A search of DEC's contaminated sites database indicates that there are no identified contaminated sites within the project area. National Heritage Sites A search of the Australian Heritage Sites Inventory database did not find any site(s) in the vicinity of the project.
A search of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Finder for Protected Matters found no Ramsar wetland(s) in the vicinity of the project. A search by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Search Tool for Protected Matters found no threatened ecological communities, 16 endangered species and 40 listed marine species in the vicinity of the project. A search of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Search Tool for Protected Matters located 23 migratory species in the vicinity of the project.
DECISION TO REFER
R EFERRAL TO THE D EPARTMENT OF S USTAINABILITY , E NVIRONMENT , W ATER ,
R EFERRAL TO THE E NVIRONMENTAL P ROTECTION A UTHORITY
STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
OTHER APPROVALS/PERMITS/LICENCES
This Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been developed for the project area following the completion of the Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. The purpose of this PMM is to minimize the environmental impacts related to the proposed works as well as to identify the areas of responsibility necessary for the implementation of management strategies. The standard specifications of the major roads environmental contract (Specifications and 304) should be followed where appropriate.
After project completion and project handover, the asset manager should develop a monitoring program to monitor those aspects that have been identified as requiring monitoring. Due to the scale and nature of the project, no contingencies are identified as the inherent environmental risks are small. All projects must maintain the required records related to the clearing of native vegetation according to the purpose permit.
Vegetation clearance Ensure that the overall objectives of the alignment and construction works are compatible with the maintenance and, where possible, the enhancement of the biological integrity of the surrounding environment and the reduction of vegetation loss and. Project Manager Main Roads Construction work will be undertaken in the summer to develop the potential for. Control/spray weed species within the project area prior to construction to limit the amount of propagating material that can be spread during disturbance.
This vegetation will be used during any restoration works and either mulched or re-distributed according to the TDP/Revegetation Plan. Surface drainage Maintain the hydrological regime that existed prior to the construction of the proposal. Prior to the construction of the works, access to private property and appropriate traffic management measures must be planned and implemented.
Main roads contractor Any complaints about dust will be resolved as soon as possible. Watering, using hydromulch or other forms of mulching to protect loose surfaces should be used as mitigating measures.
