T F E W aurecongroup.com. Pages (including this page)

Transcription

1 Aurecon Australia Pty Ltd ABN Level 14, 32 Turbot Street Brisbane QLD 4000 Loced Bag 331 Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia T F E brisbane@aurecongroup.com W aurecongroup.com Memorandum To Mr Andrew Stannard From Aurecon C/o Jane Star Copy Reference Date 26 July 2012 Pages (including this page) 10 Subect Roma Ecological Assessment Addendum to Lot 2 WV432 Mr Stannard, This memorandum relates to the ground-truthing of the proposed development areas shown in Figure 1.1 and documents the results of ecological investigations of the following areas. These ecological investigations were undertaen on 12 July 2012 by two (2) Aurecon ecologists (Jenny Grundy and Sandra Walters). A report specific to additional proposed development areas within Lot 2 on WV432 has been previously prepared and submitted to Santos (Ecological Assessment Report Lot 2 WV432; Santos Document Reference 0020-GLNG ). This memorandum should be considered as an addendum to the report listed above. This memorandum is specific to the ecology of the proposed development areas shown in Figure 1.1. For additional ecological information related to proposed development that is in addition to that covered by this report, please refer to the appropriate Lot-specific report. Ecological Assessment 1 Area A on Lot 2 WV432 General The proposed development in Area A, as shown in Figure 1.2, is situated within a previously cleared paddoc which has been used for agriculture practices (including stoc grazing). It is situated adacent to an existing gas well. Area A, and the entirety of Lot 2 WV432, is mapped as non-remnant vegetation. No Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are mapped in or within 1 m of the proposed development areas. There are no watercourses within this area, although there is a minor stream-order 1 watercourse (Queensland Government 2012) approximately 30 m to the north of the proposed development. The land in the development area is gently sloped towards, and is liely to drain into, this watercourse. Proect Santos_Lot_2_WV432_Addendum_memo.docx Revision 0 26 July 2012 Page 1

2 Area B Legend Notable Species EVNT Species Regions 2WV432 Ground Truthed Areas Drainage (100K) Upstream ground truth areas Regional Ecosystem (Biodiversity Status) Endangered - Dominant Endangered - Sub-dominant Of Concern - Dominant Of Concern - Sub-dominant Not of Concern 2 WV432 23/07/ :56 P:\Aurecon\ Santos\Mapping\24WV432_Overview.mxd Area A Notes: Map by: Moore NK Date: 23/07/2012 A3 scale: 1:12, m Job No: Coordinate system: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55 Version: 1 Santos Ecological Assessment Report 2WV432 Figure 1.1: Overview Map

3 Aurecon Australia Pty Ltd ABN Level 14, 32 Turbot Street Brisbane QLD 4000 Loced Bag 331 Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia T F E brisbane@aurecongroup.com W aurecongroup.com Memorandum Figure 1.1 Aerial photography showing Area A Floristics Area A has been extensively cleared for agriculture, mainly grazing livestoc. As such, it is dominated by Pennisetum ciliare (Buffel Grass) and other groundcover species, with a very sparse low shrubby regrowth layer of woody vegetation. Photo 1.1 is a photograph looing south into Area A. Proect Santos_Lot_2_WV432_Addendum_memo.docx Revision 0 26 July 2012 Page 3

4 Photo 1.1 Area A on Lot 2 WV432 Looing south The area contains limited woody vegetation and no mature canopy stratum is present. A shrub layer of regrowth vegetation was present ranging in height between 1-6 m and was less than 20% cover of the development area. The dominant species is Acacia harpophylla (Brigalow), with the maority of this woody vegetation located in the northern section of Area A, towards the drainage line. Other species present to a lesser extent are Acacia excelsa (Iron Wood) and Atalaya hemiglauca (Whitewood). The ground cover is relatively dense (approximately 95% cover of the total area assessed). Pennisetum ciliare is the dominant species, with lower occurrences of Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass) and Panicum effusum (Inquisitive Grass). Other ground cover species recorded included Verbena tenuisecta (Mayne s Curse), Eragrostis alveiformis (Granite Love Grass), Urochloa mosambicensis (Mozambique Grass) and Conyza bonariensis (Fleabane). A list of species recorded is outlined in Table 3.1 at the end of this document. No species of conservation significance (ie endangered, vulnerable and near threatened species protected under the provisions of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 [NC Act] and/or critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable under the provisions of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 [EPBC Act]) were recorded within the proposed development area. Habitat values Two (2) incidental fauna species were recorded within the proposed development area as listed in Table 1.1. No conservation significant fauna species under the provisions of the EPBC Act and/or the NC Act were recorded during field investigations Table 1.1 Incidental fauna observed at the Area A of Lot 2 WV432 Scientific name Cacatua roseicapilla Rhipidura leucophrys Common name Galah Willie Wagtail Proect Santos_Lot_2_WV432_Addendum_memo.docx Revision 0 26 July 2012 Page 4

5 In Area A, the land has been extensively disturbed as a result of previous vegetation clearing for agricultural purposes and surrounding development. Habitat features present within the area were limited to dense groundcover vegetation (ie grassy tussocs), limited amount of woody debris (ie fallen/felled timber), and limited shrubby regrowth suitable for shelter, foraging and perching. As a result, the habitat value of the proposed development area is considered low overall. 2 Area B on Lot 2 WV432 General The maority of Area B is cleared grazing paddocs, although there is one patch of mature trees approximately 0.5 ha in size within the northern section of this development area (refer Figure 2.1). Additionally, along the northern boundary fence, on the neighbouring lot, there is an area of mature vegetation which includes Eucalyptus populnea (Poplar Box), Acacia harpophylla, Geiera parviflora (Wilga) and Eremophila mitchellii (False Sandalwood). This area is shown in Figure 2.1 as inside the proposed development area, but is outside of Lot 2 WV432 and was not traversed. Area B, and the entirety of Lot 2 WV432, is mapped as non-remnant vegetation. Furthermore, no ESAs are mapped in or within 1 m of the proposed development areas. There are no watercourses within Area B, although there is a minor stream-order 1 watercourse (Queensland Government 2012) approximately 80 m to the east of the development area. The northern section of the proposed development area is gently sloped towards, and is liely to drain into, this watercourse. Proect Santos_Lot_2_WV432_Addendum_memo.docx Revision 0 26 July 2012 Page 5

6 Figure 2.1 Aerial photography showing Area B Floristics Area B has been extensively cleared for agriculture, mainly grazing livestoc. As such, it is dominated by Pennisetum ciliare and other exotic and native ground cover species, with a low shrubby regrowth layer of woody vegetation. Approximately 0.5 ha of mature vegetation is located in the northern section of Area B, and is clearly observed in Figure 2.1. Photo 2.1 is a photograph looing west in Area B, with the patch of mature trees visible in the middle of the photograph. Proect Santos_Lot_2_WV432_Addendum_memo.docx Revision 0 26 July 2012 Page 6

7 Photo 2.1 Area B on Lot 2 WV432 looing west The canopy layer is sparse, approximately m in height, and with a canopy cover of approximately 5%. The maority of these canopy trees are located in an approximately 0.5 ha area at GPS Easting , Northing (GDA 94, Zone 55J). The dominant trees in this area are Acacia harpophylla, Eucalyptus populnea, Corymbia erythrophloia (Western Red Bloodwood) and Eucalyptus melanophloia (Silver Leaved Iron Bar). The shrub layer is sparse, approximately 10% cover, with a height range of 1-5 m. Average height was 2 m. Species dominant in the shrub layer included Acacia excelsa (Iron Wood), Acacia harpophylla, Eremophila mitchellii (False Sandalwood) and Carissa ovata (Currant Bush). The ground cover is relatively dense (approximately 85% cover of the total area assessed). The dominant species is Pennisetum ciliare. Other ground cover species recorded with lower occurrences included Verbena tenuisecta, Themeda triandra, Sclerolaena birchii (Galvanised Burr), Conyza bonariensis and Capparis spp. Opuntia stricta (Pricly Pear) and Opuntia tomentosa (Velvety Tree Pear), Class 2 Weeds under the Land Protection (Pest and Stoc Route Management) Act 2002, were observed in the ground layer of Area B during site investigations. Two (2) Brachychiton populneus (Kurraong) plants were recorded within Area B. The location of these trees is shown in Table 2.1 and in Figure 2.1 (represented by the green asteris). Brachychiton populneus is a Type A restricted plant under the NC Act. No species protected under the provisions of the EPBC Act were observed within Area B. Proect Santos_Lot_2_WV432_Addendum_memo.docx Revision 0 26 July 2012 Page 7

8 Table 2.1 Location of Type A Restricted Plants (NC Act) in Area B on Lot 2 WV432 Species Easting (GDA 94, Zone 55J) Brachychiton populneus Brachychiton populneus Northing (GDA 94, Zone 55J) A list of species recorded in Area A and Area B on Lot 2 WV432 is outlined in Table 3.1 at the end of this document. Habitat values Five incidental fauna species were recorded within Area B as listed in Table 2.2. No conservation significant fauna species listed under the provisions of the EPBC Act and/or the NC Act were recorded during field investigations. Table 2.2 Incidental fauna observed in Area B of Lot 2 WV432 Scientific name Corvus orru Macropus giganteus Malurus melanocephalus Pardalotus striatus Platycercus adscitus Rhipidura leucophrys Common name Torresian Crow Eastern Grey Kangaroo Red Baced Fairy Wren Striated Pardalote Pale Headed Rosella Willie Wagtail There is one area of approximately 0.5 ha which contains mature vegetation which could be considered to have moderate habitat values. This area contains canopy cover suitable for shelter, foraging and perching, large woody debris and fissured and flay bar. Leaf litter and groundcover vegetation is also present in moderate quantities. However, due to the size and highly fragmented nature of this vegetation, its value to ground-dwelling and arboreal mammals would be marginal. The maority of the proposed development within Area B contained limited woody vegetation and has been extensively disturbed as a result of previous vegetation clearing for agricultural purposes. Habitat features are limited to dense groundcover vegetation, a limited amount of woody debris and limited shrubby vegetation suitable for shelter, foraging and perching. As a result, the habitat value of the proposed development area is considered low overall. References Queensland Government (2012), Vegetation Management Act Regional Ecosystem and Remnant Map - Version 6.1, Centred on Lot on Plan 2 WV432, Online RE Maps, The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Brisbane, viewed 16 July 2012, Proect Santos_Lot_2_WV432_Addendum_memo.docx Revision 0 26 July 2012 Page 8

9 Aurecon Australia Pty Ltd ABN Level 14, 32 Turbot Street Brisbane QLD 4000 Loced Bag 331 Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia T F E brisbane@aurecongroup.com W aurecongroup.com Memorandum Botanical species list Table 3.1 Botanical species recorded in Areas A and B on Lot 2 WV432 Scientific Name Common Name Notes Acacia deanei Acacia excelsa Acacia harpophylla Alectryon diversifolia Alstonia constricta Alternanthera nodiflora Deans Wattle Iron Wood Brigalow Scrub Boonaree Bitter Bar Common Joy Weed Anagallis arvensis Blue Pimpernel Non-native species Aristida calycina Aristida spp. Atalaya hemiglauca Dar Wiregrass Wire Grass Whitewood Brachychiton populnea Kurraong Type A Restricted Plant under NC Act Callitris glaucophylla Calotis cuneifolia Capparis loranthifolia Capparis mitchellii Capparis spinosa Carissa ovata Cheilanthes sieberi Chenopodium desertorum Chloris divaricata Chloris ventricosa White Cyprus Pine Purple Burr Daisy Nipan, Wait a while Bumble Fruit Capparis Currant Bush Mulga Fern Desert Goosefoot Windmill Chloris Tall Chloris Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle Non-native species Conyza bonariensis Fleabane Non-native species Corymbia erythrophloia Cotula australis Enteropogon ramosus Eragrostis alveiformis Eragrostis brownii Eremophila deserti Eremophila mitchellii Eucalyptus melanophloia Eucalyptus populnea Fimbristylis dichotoma Western Red Bloodwood Carrot Weed Twirly Windmill Grass Granite Love Grass Browns Love Grass Turey Bush False Sandalwood Silver Leaved Ironbar Poplar Box Fimbristylis Proect Santos_Lot_2_WV432_Addendum_memo.docx Revision 0 26 July 2012 Page 9

10 Scientific Name Common Name Notes Geiera parviflora Wilga Glycine tabacina Glycine Pea Glycine tomentaus Woolly glycine Goodenia glabra Smooth Goodenia Grevillia striata Beefwood Juncus usitatus Juncus Lepidium sagittulatum Pepper Cress Lomandra mulitflora Lomandra Malva parviflora Marshmallow Non-native species Malvastrum americanum Malvastrum Non-native species Medicago polymorpha Burr Medic Melinis repens Red Natal Non-native species Mariana microphylla Small-leaf Bluebush Opuntia stricta Pricly Pear Non-native LP Act Class 2 Weed Opuntia tomentosa Velvety Tree Pear Non-native LP Act Class 2 Weed Owenia acidula Emu Apple Oxalis stricta Yellow Wooded Sorel Non-native species Panicum effusum Inquisitive Grass Panicum spp. Panic Grass Pennisetum ciliare Buffel Grass Non-native species Ranunculus spp. Sclerolaena birchii Galvanised Burr Non-native species Senecio lautus Fire Weed Sida corrugata Corrugated Sida Sida rohlenae Shrub Sida Sida subspicata Queensland Hemp Themeda triandra Kangaroo Grass Urochloa mosambicensis Mozambique Grass Non-native species Verbena litoralis Tall Verbena Verbena tenuisecta Mayne s Curse Non-native species Xanthium occidentale Noogoora Burr Non-native species Proect Santos_Lot_2_WV432_Addendum_memo.docx Revision 0 26 July 2012 Page 10