SUMMARY
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
It is also proposed to acquire land (approximately 0.9ha) between SLK 82.8 and 83.5 to enable improved realignment of the curve.
BACKGROUND
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY
Department of Indigenous Affairs Heritage Inquiry System http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/AHIS/Default.aspx. The need for a local air quality assessment was determined based on the criteria outlined in MRWA's environmental guideline, Air Quality Assessment. The decision to refer the project to the state's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is based on whether the significant environmental impact, change to the TPS, or the project is of significant magnitude and/or public interest.
Commonwealth's Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) is based on whether the project would have a significant impact on national affairs.
SITE INVESTIGATION
CONSULTATION LIST
CLEARING OF NATIVE VEGETATION
ASPECTS AND IMPACTS
Along the length of the proposed works, there are both uninfested/protectable and uninterpretable/protectable areas (Appendix F). Overall, however, "There was no expression of disease, and no signs of the disease were found along the interpretation area". Land must be acquired from this reserve to complete the redevelopment phase of the project.
There is also a 631ha conservation reserve Mooradung Nature Reserve (R 32448) which is located approximately 7.8 kilometers north-east of the project area. However, there is a wetland area for approximately 400m north of the Warrening Gully (which is not ephemeral) between SLK 90.5 and 91.0 at the southern extent of the project. Visual amenity The proposed works will result in moderate visual impacts during and after construction, mainly because the majority of the project area is adjacent to vegetated timber reserve.
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. Contamination Given the relatively superficial nature of the required earthworks, the likelihood of any significant contamination problems seems small.
DECISION TO REFER
The proposed works are adjacent to agricultural land and timber reserves and there are no other known prior land use activities in or adjacent to the project area that could cause contamination, e.g. Petrol station. DEC's Contaminated Sites Registry was also checked and did not show the presence of contaminated sites (Appendix E). Salinity There is a low risk of increasing salinity on and off site given the iron gravel soils associated with low salinity risk and the linear nature of the road extension (Appendix E) Acid Sulphate.
The proposal will contain zero to low risk of acid sulphate soils due to the predominant ironstone gravel soils.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
Hollows in fallen trees should be inspected for fauna before removal from the site. Logs must be cut so that the length of the log outside the clearing area remains in situ. Ensure that the construction of the proposal is managed to a standard that minimizes any negative impacts on the environment.
The project areas, including hard surfaces, will be kept tidy at all times. If materials of Aboriginal significance are discovered, work will cease immediately within 100m of the material and the site will be investigated by a qualified archaeologist. The Department of Indigenous Affairs will be notified in the event of a significant discovery of Aboriginal heritage.
All waste material from the development must be completely removed from the construction area when the development is completed. The final clean-up must be to the satisfaction of the project manager and the construction manager.
SCB appreciates Main Roads' efforts to limit the impacts if they do move the widening to the other side of the road. Interpretation and mapping of the presence of Phytophthora cinnamomi was undertaken for Main Roads Western Australia (MRWA) for the purpose of proposed roadworks along the Pinjarra Williams Road between Marradong and Quindanning. It was sent to the Plant Health Service (VHS) at DEC in Kensington for diagnostic bait for the presence of the P.c.
No disease expression was apparent and no evidence of disease was found along the range of interpretation. This was due to the low rainfall which created dry conditions that were not favorable for the survival of the pathogen. About 40% of the linear spacing that is applied has a wood reserve on one side of the road.
The purpose of the clearing is to improve lateral clearance on Pinjarra – Williams Road where a widening is proposed. The application concerns an extension from SLK and a minor realignment of Pinjarra Williams Road, which requires the clearing of approx. 3.6 Ha of natural vegetation. The condition of the vegetation during use ranges from good (especially next to the timber reserve) to completely degraded.
Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts mapping tool (Appendix I). g) Native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause significant land degradation. Native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to have an impact on the environmental values of any adjacent or nearby conservation area. Methodology DEC manages land database search in Main Roads ArcGIS (Appendix B). 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.
Office of the Commissioner of Soils and Soil Conservation in the Department of Agriculture and Food. The clearing for the project has been assessed in relation to the Environmental Protection Act's clearing principles, and it is assessed that the clearing may be in breach of one or more of the clearing principles. Using the Keighery Vegetation Condition Rating; the condition of the native vegetation to be cleared varies from rating 4 - 6: Good to completely degraded.
An assessment undertaken by DEC District Manager of the Perth Hills District in March 2010 indicated that "the proposed upgrade of Pinjarra Williams Road within the Northern Jarrah Forest and opposite the Coolakin, Dwellingup (D4) Michibin, Williams and Yalanbee (Y5) vegetation complexes take place. The design for the project has been adjusted to avoid the majority of the plants by widening on the opposite side of the road, but approximately twenty plants (out of 820 in total) will be affected. As a result of the above information , Main Roads is of the opinion that the project may be contrary to the following principles:.
The letter to stakeholders from Main Roads (29 July 2010) states that "the design of the widening has been adjusted to avoid potential habitat trees and significant flora".
