Main Roads Goldfields-Esperance Region is currently carrying out initial works on a road realignment project at the intersection of Coolgardie Esperance Highway (CEH) and Tom Starcevich V.C. The realignment of the CEH is required to provide sufficient stacking clearance for 36.5 m truck trains to safely enter or exit the highway.
P RELIMINARY D ESKTOP S TUDY
The Department of Water (DoW) geographic data atlas was examined. http://portal.water.wa.gov.au/portal/page/portal/MapsDataAtlases/GeographicDataAtlas) to determine if the project area includes major lakes, rivers or wetlands or declared areas (including public drinking water source areas). The presence of contaminated sites in the project area was determined by examination of DEC's database of contaminated sites (http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/pollution-prevention/contaminated-sites/contaminated-sites-act/database.html ), and evaluating the history of the surrounding land use. The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) acid sulphate soil maps were reviewed and the self-assessment was conducted (http://www.wapc.wa.gov.au/Publications/213.aspx) to determine what level of risk the project area has been exposed to, see Appendix C.
Where appropriate, consultations were undertaken with the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) to determine if there are any known populations of declared plants or significant weeds in or adjacent to the project area. Degradation was only considered a potential problem for the project if both the average annual rainfall in the area is >400 mm and if the project area is below the 26th parallel.
S TATUTORY R EFERRAL
S ITE I NVESTIGATION
Furthermore, no TECs, PECs or DRF were identified during any of the site visits in the area. Very few weed species (no declared weeds) were identified within the boundaries of the proposed pits or in the immediate vicinity of the pit areas during site visits. As a result, the risk of spreading weeds as part of the proposed works is assessed to be low, but standard weed hygiene measures must be used for all earthworks in the area.
A search of the Heritage Council of Western Australia's online databases has shown that there are no heritage listed sites in the proposed work areas. A search of the DIA's database identified no known sites of Aboriginal heritage significance in the immediate vicinity of the project areas. There is potential for amalgamation to occur at the excavated sites, but given the area's low rainfall, impacts are not expected to be significant.
Wetlands Various searches in databases of the National Office have not yielded any wetlands in the immediate vicinity of the project areas. Salinity Given the nature and size of the works, salinity is not considered to be a problem.
A VOIDING , MINIMISING AND REDUCING THE IMPACT OF CLEARING
Native vegetation for this project will be cleared using Highway Project Purpose Permit (CPS 818/4). Work for the project will involve temporary clearing, and therefore, prior to clearing, a restoration plan will be submitted to the DEC, as set forth in the purpose permit.
A SSESSMENT AGAINST C LEARING P RINCIPLES
Principle g) Native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause appreciable soil degradation. Principle h) Natural vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to have an impact on the environmental values of an adjacent or nearby conservation area. Principle (i) Native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause deterioration in the quality of surface or underground water.
The main purpose of this MMP is to establish a management plan to assist in minimizing the environmental impacts of the activities associated with the proposed works, and to identify who is responsible for implementing the management strategies. Upon completion of the project, revegetation of the site will be carried out in accordance with a site specific revegetation plan. Given the scale of the project, the minor significance of its effects on the environment.
DEC's native vegetation map viewer showing no ESAs in the vicinity of the CEH well. DEC's native vegetation map viewer showing no ESAs in the vicinity of the Townsend Rd well. DEC's database of contaminated sites shows no contaminated sites in the vicinity of the CEH well.
DEC's database of contaminated sites shows no contaminated sites near the Townsend Rd pit. Details of the coverage of this report and qualifications regarding the data supporting this report are contained in the disclaimer at the end of the report. This part of the report summarizes the conditions of national environmental significance that may occur in or may relate to the area you have designated.
Additional information is available in the detailed section of the report, which you can access by scrolling or following the links below. This section of the report summarizes other matters protected by law that may relate to the area you have named. This part of the report contains information that may also be relevant to the area you have nominated.
It has a fairly wide distribution and many of the locations are probably not officially recorded. All construction personnel must be briefed on the environmental aspects associated with the project and tour the site before any work is undertaken. Ensure that the construction of the proposal is managed to a standard that minimizes pollution or the risk of pollution occurring.
Construction Fire Ensure that the risk of fire associated with the construction of the proposal is minimized.
