Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camps 1 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown

Transcription

1 QCLNG Project t Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camps 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown QGC020-ENV-RPT Rev 1 Produced for: QGC

2 Release authorisation Originator Chris Cantwell Reviewed Berlinda Ezzy Approved Steve Fox Client QGC Revision record Incorporating client comments CC BE SF Final issued to client CC BE SF A Draft issued to client CC BE SF Rev Date Status Originator Reviewed Approved Page 2 of 21

3 Table of contents 1 Introduction and Purpose Definitions and Abbreviations Methodology Survey Results Camp Site Descriptions Proposed Camp Proposed Camp Proposed Aldoga Laydown Threatened Ecological Communities Regional Ecosystems EVNT Flora Species Other Ecological Features Conclusion References Appendix 1 - Personnel CV Page 3 of 21

4 Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report QCLNGG Camp Sites s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown 1 Introduction and Purpose 5. Before the clearance of native vegetation in the pipeline p ROWW the proponent must: a. undertake pre-clearance surveys for the presence of listed threatened species, their habitat and listed ecological communities; and b. alternatively, where recent surveys have already a beenn undertaken and those surveys meet the Department s requirementss for surveyss for the relevant Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES), the proponent may elect to develop management plans based on those surveys in accordance with the requirements of Condition Pre-clearance surveys must: QGC (a BG-Group Company) is in the approval phase of the QCLNG Project with both Commonwealth and State Government approvals obtained in October The Project comprisess threee main elements: The Coal Seam Gas (CSG) Fields; Gas Collection Header (GCH) and Export Pipeline (EP); and LNG facility on Curtis Island.. The CSG Fields and GCH occur in the Southern Brigalow Belt Bioregion B of Queensland between the towns of Tipton and Taroom. The LNG Plant is located on Curtis Island on the Central Queensland Coast immediately north of the city of Gladstone. The EP links these two areas. The pipeline runs north-east from the western end of Barakula State Forest (north of Miles) ) through to the Central Queensland Coast. The construction of the Project will include unavoidable impacts on remnant native vegetation protected under the State Vegetation Management Act 1999 ( VM Act) andd Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Impacts to flora and fauna species listedd as threatened under the State Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCC Act) and/or the EPBC Act A may also occur. Ancillary to the construction of the EP, camp sites are required too accommodate staff and provide for laydown areas for piping and associated infrastructure. This report describes the results of pre- clearance surveys conducted on three (3) sites, including Camp 1 (KP 65) and Camp 2 (KP 5) along the EP, and the Aldoga Laydown Area which is located near Gladstone. Conditions 5 to 13 of the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPC) approval for the Pipeline component of the Project have been considered. This report specificallyy addresses Conditions 5 to 7 relatingg to the requirements for pre-clearance surveys, as follows: a. for each listed species, be undertaken in accordance withh the Department s survey guidelines in effect at the time of the survey. s This information can be obtained from by the Department in writing; policies. html#threatened; b. be undertaken by a suitably qualified ecologist approved c. document the survey methodology, results and significant findings in relation to MNES; and d. apply best practice site assessment and ecological survey methods appropriate for each listed threatened species, migratory species, their habitat and listed ecological communities. Page 4 of 21

5 Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report QCLNGG Camp Sites s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown 7. Pre-clearance survey reports (which documentt the methods used and the resultss obtained) must be published by the proponent and provided to the Department at the time of publication. 2 Definitions and Abbreviations Table 1 provides an explanation of termss and acronyms used within the document. Table 1. Explanation of Terms and Abbreviations used in thee document Term CSG DERM DSEWPC EP EPBC Act ERE EVNT GCH HERBRECS KP LCRE NC Act OCRE RE ROW SEVT TEC VM Act Wildlife Online Definition Coal Seam Gas Department of Environment and Resource Management Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populationn and Communities Export Pipeline Environmentt Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Endangered Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened floraa and fauna species under the NC Act and including Extinct, Extinctt in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Conservation Dependent under r the EPBC Act Gas Collection Header A database of all plant specimen records held by the Queensland Herbarium Kilometre Point along thee pipeline ROW Least Concern Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 Nature Conservation Actt 1992 Of Concern Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 Right of Way the pipeline corridor/easement Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket Threatened Ecological Communities Vegetation Management t Act 1999 Database of recorded wildlife sightings and listings of plants,, fungi, protists, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, freshwaterr fish, marinee cartilaginous fish and butterflies in Queensland maintained by DERM 3 Methodology Pre-clearancthreee proposed sites. The purpose of the pre-clearance surveyy was to identify and document the ecological values contained within the site. Ecological values that were targeted during the survey included: surveys weree conducted by Unidel ecologists commissioned by QGC att each of the presence and extentt of Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) under the EPBC Act; presence and extentt of Regionall Ecosystems(REs) mapped under the VM Act; presence of Endangered, Vulnerable and Near Threatened (EVNT) flora speciess listed under the EPBC Act and/or the NC Act; and Page 5 of 21

6 Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report QCLNGG Camp Sites s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown other ecological and environmental features incidentally observed o including: o o o o o o o Regionally significant flora; Hollow-bearing trees; Brachychiton species (bottle trees and kurrajongs); Grass trees and fig trees; Rocky and gravel outcrops; Adjoining wetlands; and Fauna breeding sites. Prior to the surveys being conducted inn the field the ecologistss undertook desktop assessments to identify any remnant vegetation or significant flora/fauna speciess that may occur on or near the site. The desktop assessment included revieww of: REs and High Value Regrowth vegetation mapping by DERM; Regional Vegetation Management Codes for Threshold REs; R EPBC Act list of threatened floraa or fauna; EVNTs under the NC Act; Wildlife Online (wildlife.online@derm.qld.gov.au); Essential Habitat; and MNES search. The pre-clearance surveys were undertaken on the following dates: Camp 1 4 th November 2010; Camp 2 28 th September 2010; and Aldoga Laydown 27 th April The entire areaa of the proposed campp sites/laydown area and adjacent areas on each subject property were surveyed. All three sites comprised rural paddockss that were highly modified from their original condition. A walkthrough surveyy was conducted using random meander technique (Cropperr 1993), which involved traversing the study area in no set pattern, but roughly back and forth, whilst searching for species of interest identified in desktop searches. Where environmental values weree encountered, their position was recorded on a hand-held GPSS device and if they occurred as a population they were counted. Photographs were also taken to record thee condition of ecological values that weree encountered at each camp site. A summary off the findingss during the survey weree then recorded on a Project Environmenta al Clearance form. Plant specimenss observed were identified in the field using appropriate field guides and taxonomic keys. Specimens that could not be identified in the field were collected for more detailed examinationn and identificationn in the office. Where necessary, confirmation of plant identifications was sought from the Queensland Herbarium. Nomenclature for scientific and common names followed that of Bostock and Holland (2007). Incidental observations of EVNT faunaa species, regionally significant flora, hollow-bearing trees, Brachychiton species, grass trees, fig trees, rocky and gravel outcrops, adjoining wetlands and faunaa breeding sites were recordedd on a handheld GPS device. Page 6 of 21

7 Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report QCLNGG Camp Sites s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown The surveys were undertaken by Unidel field ecologists Steve Cupitt (Camp 2) and Wayne Harris (Aldoga Laydown) and QGC Environment Officer Ben Salleras (Camp( 1). CVs for Stevee and Wayne are provided in Appendix 1. The preparation for pre-clearance surveys, survey methodologies and write ups were undertaken with the supervision of Steve Fox, General G Manager of Environment at Unidel. Steve Fox and Wayne Harris have been approved as suitable by DSEWPC in i writing for undertaking pre-clearanchighly disturbed, Ben Salleras was considered suitable to undertake the environmental survey of the site. Steve Fox has reviewed Ben Salleras survey results andd supports the findings. surveys on 28 October Due to t Camp 1 being completely cleared and Subsequent to the initial surveys, a request from QGC was forwarded to DSEWPC (21 March 2011) to approve additional Unidel ecologists for pre-clearance surveys, including Steve Cupitt who undertook the surveys for Camp 2. This approval was granted byy DSEWPC on 21 April Survey Results This section describes the results r of thee pre-clearance surveys undertaken Aldoga Laydown for: on Camps 1, 2 and the TECs under the EPBC Act; REs; EVNT flora species; and Other notable ecological andd environmental features. 4.1 Camp Site Descriptions Proposed Camp 1 Proposed Camp 1 is located on Hubbards Road, Crossroads on Lot 2RP108045, near KP65 of the Export Pipeline (see Figure 1). The site is currently used for f pasture, grazed by cattle, and iss entirely clear of native vegetation. Directly south of the proposed camp location are areas of Endangered RE and Of Concernn RE /11.3.2/ , associated with Wambo Creek (see Figures F 1, 3 and 4). These REs are environmentally sensitive areas requiringg a 200m buffer. The proposed camp has been designed to incorporate this buffer (refer to points A6-A10 on Figure 2). No declared weed species were identified on the site. The weed risk of the site was rated r as low. The terrain is generally flat, with a minimal slope towards the north, and soils were non-sodicsandy loams. Wambo Creek flows approximately 250m 300m south of the proposed site. There was no erosion observed on the site. Two dams and a pond presently exist onn the property, and the design of the proposed camp has avoided these features (see Figure 2). Page 7 of 21

8 Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sites 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown Figure 1 Proposed Camp 1 Location Page 8 of 21

9 Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sites 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown Figure 2 Proposed Camp 1 Detail Page 9 of 21

10 Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Camps s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown Figure 3 Northern Edge of Endangered RE (facing east) e Figure 4 Northern Edge of Of Concern RE /11.3.2/ (facing west) Page 10 of 21

11 Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Camps s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown Proposed Camp 2 Proposed Camp 2 is located on Upper Downfall Creek Road, Guluguba on on the EP (see Figure 5). Lot 23 FT272, near KP5 The site has been used for grazing and cropping in the past, and is predominantly clear of vegetation. Apart from a bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris) on the westernn end of the southern boundary (seee Figure 7) and approximately four mature Eucalyptus at the far south-eastern corner off the site, no living mature or habitat trees remain on the site or in surrounding areas (see Figure 8) ). One deadd habitat tree was observed on the site. Scattered limebush (Citruss glauca) andd some regrowth Acacia, Eucalyptus and Atalayahemi glauca occur on the site. The design of the camp avoids these trees (seee Figure 6), however if the t dead habitat tree must be removed for health and safety reasons, a fauna spotter will be required. Similarly, thin bands of mixed vegetation line both sides of the Stiller s property driveway, and mustt be protectedd through barricading. Two weed species were recorded on the site and surrounds; Opuntia O spp. (high risk) and Verbena spp. (low risk). The Opuntia spp. (see Figure 9) will require removal and immediate treatment to stop spread by vehicle tyres. The property has a mild slope towards the north and north-east, sodic soilss weree present. There was a moderate level of erosion, particularly at contour outlets and sloping drainage lines. Downfall Creek (stream order 3) runs along the north of the property, within 320m of the proposed camp site. A minor unnamed drainage channel borders the site from the south-eastern corner, and travels along the eastern and northernn boundaries of the site. Stringent erosion and sediment control measures will be required within and bordering the site, including sediment basins at site outfalls in proximity to Downfall Creek. Page 11 of 21

12 Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown Figure 5 Proposed Camp 2Location Page 12 of 21

13 Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown Figure 6 Proposed Camp 2 Detail Page 13 of 21

14 Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Camps s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown Figure 7 Bottle Tree at Southern Boundary Figure 8 Proposed Site (facing north-east from proposed access point) Page 14 of 21

15 Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Camps s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown Figure 9 Opuntia spp. at southern boundary to be removedd Page 15 of 21

16 Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Camps s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown Proposed Aldoga Laydown The proposed Aldoga Laydown site (see Figure 10) is locatedd off Gladstone Mt Larcom Road in Aldoga. The proposed laydown site is located to the south-east of o Aldoga Precinct 1, and is Lot 1 of a five-lot setout plan (see Figure 11) on the property Lot 12 SP The site has been fully cleared and leveled, presumably for future industrial uses (seee Figure 12). Vegetation on the site consists of grasses and occasional low shrubs. Dominant grasses on the site are Heteropogon contortus and Chrysopogon fallax (see Figure 13). The dominant shrub species on the site is the introduced pasture shrub Stylosanthes scabra. There is minimal native regrowth vegetation (Corymbia tesselaris) on the site and in the surrounding area. No declared or significant weeds were identified on the site during the field survey, and no REs weree mapped or observed on the site. There are no watercourses in proximity to the environmental factors. proposed laydown l site, and no constraining Page 16 of 21

17 Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown Figure 10 Proposed Aldoga Laydown Layout Plan Page 17 of 21

18 Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown Figure 11 Proposed Aldoga Laydown Preliminary Lease Lot Setout Plan Page 18 of 21

19 Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Camps s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown Figure 12 Aldoga Laydown Figure 13 Dominant Grasses on the Aldoga Laydown Site Page 19 of 21

20 Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Camps s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown 4.2 Threatened Ecological Communities There are a number of TECs protected by the EPBC Act mapped in thee vicinity of associated construction camps. These include: the EP and Brigalow (Acaciaa harpophylladominant and co-dominant); White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland; Natural Grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland; Semi-evergreen Vine Thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North andd South) and Nandewar Bioregions; and Weeping Myall Woodlands. None of these TECs occur at proposed Camp sites 1 or 2, or the proposed Aldoga Laydown. 4.3 Regional Ecosystems No Endangered REs, Of Concern REss or Least Concern REss were mapped or observed on the proposed sites for Camps 1, 2 or the Aldoga Laydown. Proposed Camp 1 is located north of Endangered and Of Concern REs (see Figures 3 and 4), and Camp 2 is located south of an Endangered RE; however appropriate buffer zones have been incorporated into camp layout design to avoid any impacts on these REs. 4.4 EVNT Flora Species All three proposed locations were heavilyy cleared rural sites that have been highly modified from their original condition. No EVNT flora speciess were found at any of the sites. 4.5 Other Ecological Features Other ecological features encountered in or near the proposedd sites included a mature bottle treee (seee Figure 7) and a dead habitat tree att proposed Camp 2. Page 20 of 21

21 Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Camps s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown 5 Conclusion No TECs were identified at the proposedd sites for Camps 1, 2 or the Aldoga Laydown. No remnant vegetation or EVNT flora species were encountered at any of thee proposed camp sites, though Endangered and Of Concern REs exist in proximityy to Camp sites 1 and 2. This vegetation will not be affected by the proposed uses, as appropriate buffers have been incorporated into camp site design. Other ecological features identified on the sites, such as drainage areas and mature trees t weree of a minor nature and have been avoided wherever possiblee in the design. 6 References Bostock, P.D. and Holland, A.E. (eds) (2007). Census of the Queensland Flora Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane. Cropper, S. (1993). Management of Endangered Plants. CSIRO East Melbourne. Page 21 of 21

22 Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Camps s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown Appendix 1 - Personnel CV

23 Steve Cupitt PRINCIPAL ECOLOGIST Profile Steve is an ecologist with over 12 years experience in vegetation management and assessment. During this time, he has worked with over 1,000 landholders in the field, been manager of the Greening Australia Rural program, Dalby Community Nursery, Environmental Services Unit and weed control teams. He has consulted for a number of organisations on wetlands and riparian management and worked closely with State and Commonwealth Departments on a number of programs, including managing the State Governments Vegetation Incentives Program. Qualifications Associate Degree of Applied Science (Distinction) Cert 4 Assessment and Workplace Training RAQ31698 Cert 3 Agriculture (production Horticulture) Career Summary 2009 Present Senior Ecologist, Unidel Manager West Region, Greening Australia Queensland Areas of expertise Regional Ecosystem Assessment and Identification Wetland Management and Assessment Riparian Zone Management Property Vegetation Management Planning Environmental and Habitat Assessments Extension / Education to the Rural Community Industry experience Offsets Eastern Star Gas: Steve was involved in the delivery of environmental offsets including landholder engagement, ground-truthing and preparation of offset agreements. Queensland Curtis LNG Project, Queensland Gas Company ($8 billion): World first coal seam gas to LNG project including a well gas field in the Surat Basin, a 400km gas pipeline to Gladstone and LNG plant on Curtis Island. The project requires extensive offsets under State and Federal government legislation. Steve was involved in assessment of the

24 project s offset requirements, preparation of offset budgets and a landscape scale assessment to determine the feasibility of securing offsets as well as the early identification of priority offset sites associated with the Curtis Island Export Facility. Steve has also managed the landholder engagement process and undertaken extensive liaison with rural landholders for the provision of offsets. Wiggins Island Coal Terminal, Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Ltd: Steve was involved in the identification of vegetation offsets for the project, landholder engagement and field assessments. Newstead Pipeline Offsets Strategy, APA Wallumbilla: Steve was responsible for assessing the project s offset requirements, preparing offset cost estimates and a landscape scale assessment to determine the feasibility of securing offsets. Vegetation Management Steve has significant experience in preparing vegetation management plans and providing advice on regional ecosystems and on farm conservation programs. Examples of projects that Steve has been involved in are listed below: Origin Energy: Re-vegetation and tree planting project in Spring Gully Arrow Energy: Weed control and Weed Identification Consultancy Santos: Consulting on Regional Ecosystems Braemar Power and QGC: Weed Control on 200km Gas pipeline and Braemar Power Station Greening Australia Rural Nursery: Managed the weed control team and Environmental Services Unit Condamine Alliance: Consultant for wetland and riparian management Greening Australia: Manager of West Region Commonwealth Government: Regional Support Contract Greening Australia: State Coordinator Devolved Grants On Farm Conservation Greening Australia: State Manager of Government Vegetation Incentives Program Greening Australia: Field Officer with the On Farm Conservation Program Greening Australia: Regional Coordinator of the On Farm Conservation Program

25 Wayne Harris PRINCIPAL ECOLOGIST Profile Wayne has more than 20 years experience in biological sciences particularly in plant systematics and plant identification, environmental assessment and vegetation mapping. He has worked in Queensland, Western Australian and Victoria on consultancy assignments for industry and government. Wayne s consultancy work has included route selection, environmental surveying, vegetation mapping, and monitoring. Wayne has been involved in developing strategies and guidelines for sustainable development and the protection, enhancement and rehabilitation of species and regional ecosystems. Qualifications Doctor of Philosophy (Plant Systematic) Master of Science Bachelor of Science Career Summary 2009 Present Principal Ecologist, Unidel 1998 Present Research Associate, Queensland Herbarium Consultant for biodiversity assessments of major development projects Botanical surveys and services of local shire councils and environmental groups Ph.D. in Systemic Botany, University of Queensland Industry experience Oil and Gas Queensland Curtis LNG Project, QGC ($6 Billion+): World first coal seam gas to LNG project including a 10,000+ well gas field in the Surat Basin, a 400km gas pipeline to Gladstone and LNG plant on Curtis Island. Ruby Braemar Pipeline (ERM Power): The project involved the construction of an 80 km long gas pipeline near Braemar State Forest in Queensland. Liquid Niugini Gas. Pipeline route and LNG site selection and botanical surveys.

26 Rail Missing Link railway corridor Environmental Impact Assessment for Queensland Rail. Mining China First Project, Waratah Coal ($2 Billion+): The project involved the establishment of a new coal mine, railway and port facilities to export high volatile, low sulphur, steaming coal to international markets. It included a new coal terminal within the Abbot Point State Development Area (APSDA) and the Port of Abbot Point, a new mine near Alpha in central Queensland and a new heavy haul standard gauge rail system linking the mine and coal terminal. Coal slurry pipeline for Tarong Power. In the early part of his career Wayne was employed as a geologist and became Exploration Manager (Eastern Australia) for the Petroleum Division of Western Mining Corporation. Defence Shoalwater Bay Defence property for Department of Defence. HMAS Cerberus Defence property for Department of Defence. Kikori River (Papua New Guinea) catchment biodiversity study, for the World Wildlife Fund for Nature. Scientific Biological Surveys Invited on two occasions to participate on botanical surveys of the Pilbara region, Western Australia for the WA government. Survey of Mussau Island (PNG) for the National Capital Botanic Gardens, Port Moresby. Expedition to the Torricelli Mountains, PNG for an orchid survey on behalf of the National Capital Botanic Gardens, Port Moresby. Areas of expertise Land access management Botanical survey Plant classification and identification Orchids Vegetation Mapping