Ecological Investigation HCS-05 Fairview Gas Fields Santos Ltd Report ref: 221708/001 1 June 2011 Revision 1
Document prepared by: Australia Pty Ltd ABN 54 005 139 873 Level 1, Tennyson House 9 Tennyson Street Macay Queensland 4740 Australia T: +61 7 4977 5200 F: +61 7 4977 5201 E: macay@ap.aurecongroup.com W: aurecongroup.com Document control Document ID: 20110530_SantosHCS05_Ecological Investigation_REV_1_FINAL.docx Rev No Date Revision details Typist Author Verifier Approver 0 31 May 2011 For Issue VJB VJB JS 1 1 June 2011 Final VJB VJB GAP/JS A person using documents or data accepts the ris of: a) Using the documents or data in electronic form without requesting and checing them for accuracy against the original hard copy version. b) Using the documents or data for any purpose not agreed to in writing by. This document is solely for the purposes of an ecological assessment and does not provide any legal advice regarding development locations and/or activities.
Contents 1. Bacground 1 1.1 Project description 1 1.2 Purpose of report 1 2. Methodology 3 2.1 Destop Methodology 3 2.2 Field Methodology 3 3. Ecological Assessment of Development Areas 4 3.1 Compressor Site Complex 4 3.2 Contractor Yard 5 4. Conclusion 7 5. References 8 Appendix A Botanical Species List Page i
1. Bacground 1.1 Project description Santos Ltd (Santos) have commissioned Australia Pty Ltd () to undertae ecological investigations of proposed areas of development for the expansion of the Fairview Gas Fields. The Fairview gas fields are situated approximately 40m from Injune in southern Queensland. This area is characterised by elevated sandstone ranges including the Carnarvon and Expedition Ranges and part of the Mount Hutton and Kongabula Ranges. The Dawson River and other smaller watercourses drain this area and the vegetation is dominated by Eucalyptus and White Cypress Pine woodland, Brigalow and Semi-evergreen Vine Thicet (Eddie, 2007). Much of this area has been subjected to cattle grazing and other agricultural practices as well as previous development associated with the gas fields. This report is specific to the proposed development nown as Compressor Site HCS-05 which is located on Lot 5 WT217. The compressor site and an associated contractor yard comprise the disturbance footprint for this development. These areas can be seen in Figure 1-1. 1.2 Purpose of report The aim of this report is to provide an ecological assessment of the development site only and identify areas or species of notable ecological or conservation value. This report does not mae any recommendations regarding the development in relation to any Santos environmental authorities or other approvals. Page 1
11.3.2/11.3.39 60/40 11.10.3/11.3.25 90/10 11.10.3/11.3.25 90/10 11.3.2/11.3.39 60/40 11.3.2/11.3.39 60/40 Legend 11.3.39/11.3.2 70/30 j j Co m p r e ss o r Si t e j j j Brachychiton spp. Footprints 100K Drainage Regional Ecosystem Mapping Non-remnant / regrowth Endangered - Sub-dominant Endangered - Dominant Of Concern - Sub-dominant Of Concern - Dominant Not Of Concern Plantation forest Water j non-rem P:\CW\215648 Santos\Mapping\HCS05_Report Figure 1.mxd 12/05/2011 09:55 j j j Co n t r a ct o r Ya r d j 11.3.39/11.3.2 70/30 Map by: MooreNK 11.10.1/11.10.13a 90/10 11.3.39 11.10.1/11.10.13a 90/10 Date: 12/05/2011 A3 scale: 1:12,500 0 Job No: 215648 275 550m Coordinate system: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55 Version: 1 Santos Fairview HCS-05 Figure 1-1: Aerial View of Footprint
2. Methodology 2.1 Destop Methodology Areas of development have been projected on various maps as provided by Santos. These maps include Regional Ecosystem (RE) mapping, Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) mapping, drainage mapping and aerial photography. Where available ahead of time, these resources were reviewed to determine areas of focus for the field inspection. It is important to note that throughout this report areas of remnant vegetation are referred to as endangered, of concern and no concern at present regional ecosystems. The classification used for this report is based on the biodiversity status of the vegetation not the Vegetation Management Act status of the vegetation. 2.2 Field Methodology The proposed development sites were inspected by four (4) ecologists (Jane Star, Vanessa Boettcher, Grant Paterson and Sarah Glauert) on 1 March 2011. The inspections aimed to assess the existing vegetation communities and habitat value of the proposed development areas. GIS layers of the proposed development locations and environmental constraints mapping (eg Regional Ecosystem Mapping, Ecologically Significant Area Mapping) and high resolution aerial photography were uploaded onto a toughboo (C5 mobile clinical assistant CFT-001 Motion computing) with an integrated GPS to facilitate the detection of boundaries whilst traversing the site. Handheld Garmin GPS units (GPSmap 76) were also used in the inspection. It should be noted that while all efforts were made to ensure the accuracy of GPS co-ordinates provided in this report, they should only be considered to be accurate to +/- 15 metres due to the limitations of the GPS devices used. The ground-truthing of these sites included undertaing detailed flora species observations including sampling of unnown flora. All flora species nown to be of conservation significance (such as endangered, vulnerable, near threatened or Type A species under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 or endangered, vulnerable or rare species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) were recorded by GPS. Fauna observations were also recorded during the inspection. A list of flora species which have been observed in the development areas has been included in Appendix A. Page 3
3. Ecological Assessment of Development Areas 3.1 Compressor Site Complex General The main compressor site complex consists of a proposed disturbance area of approximately 75 hectares and can be seen in Figure 1-1. This site will include the compressor, offices, contractor yard and camp. The area is mapped mainly as non-remnant vegetation on the RE mapping except for a very small (1.7ha) area on the north-eastern corner. This area of remnant vegetation is mapped as 11.3.2/11.3.39 which is a dominant of concern RE polygon. The area is also mapped as Category C ESA due to the of concern vegetation. The RE description for the remnant vegetation is incorrect and is discussed further below. Two low order (stream order 1) watercourses occur within the development footprint. Both of these drainage lines were observed to be present during the field inspection. The Expedition National Par occurs immediately to the north of Lot 5 WT217 which is approximately 900 metres north-west of the development footprint. National Pars are classified as Category A ESA areas. Floristics and Habitat Values The development footprint has been extensively cleared for agriculture, mainly grazing livestoc. As such the area is regrowth vegetation dominated by Buffel Grass (Pennisetum ciliare) with regrowth shrubby Poplar Box (Eucalyptus populnea), Gum Topped Ironbar (Eucalyptus decorticans) and Silver Leaved Ironbar (Eucalyptus melanophloia) as the main woody vegetation (see Figure 3-1). The northern sections also contain a significant amount of regrowth Lancewood (Acacia shirleyi) where the soils are shallower and rocier. Figure 3-1: Typical vegetation at HCS-05 compressor site Page 4
The very small area mapped as dominant of concern remnant vegetation is incorrect. The area is mapped as 11.3.2/11.3.39. The RE 11.3.39 is a no concern at present RE and is described as Eucalyptus melanophloia dominated woodland on undulating plains. RE 11.3.2 is an of concern RE and is described as Eucalyptus populnea on alluvial plains. The compressor site is situated in an elevated position in the landscape and is not on an alluvial plain. Therefore, the descriptions of 11.3.2 and 11.3.39 are not correct as the area is not a landzone 3 (alluvial plain). Based on the geology, soils and elevation in the landscape, the compressor site is situated within a landzone 10. (, 2011) Consequently, based on the vegetation present and the landzone, the most liely RE for this area is 11.10.7. This is a no concern at present RE. Therefore, the clearing will not be occurring in any of concern RE s or Category C ESA. Two (2) Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus) trees were observed within the main compressor site footprint. All species of the genus Brachychiton are Type A restricted plants under the NC Act. The locations of these trees have been outlined in Table 3-1 and are depicted in Figure 1-1. No other species of conservation significance under the NC Act or the EPBC Act were observed in the compressor site Table 3-1: Notable species in the main compressor site Species Easting (GDA 94, Zone 55) Northing (GDA 94, Zone 55) Brachychiton populneus 693110 7166348 Brachychiton populneus 692840 7166019 The habitat values of the site are low to moderate. The area is dominated by exotic ground cover however the shrubby regrowth woody vegetation provides a moderate level of cover and potential habitat for native avian fauna. There was a limited amount of ground woody debris which may provide habitat for native reptiles. Macropod scats were also observed in the area. It is not considered that this area would be utilised as a primary foraging or nesting habitat. No endangered, vulnerable or near threatened (EVNT) fauna under the NC Act or the EPBC Act were observed during the inspection. 3.2 Contractor Yard General The contractor yard is located 575 metres south of the compressor site and is approximately 17 ha in area. The yard is located entirely in non-remnant vegetation on the RE mapping (see Figure 1-1) and is not located in or within 500 metres of any ESA areas. No watercourses occur within the proposed disturbance footprint. The area is currently utilised for grazing livestoc. Floristics and Habitat Value The area of the contractor yard has been extensively cleared for agricultural purposes, namely grazing livestoc. As such the area contains only isolated mature vegetation and is dominated by Buffel grass (Pennisetum ciliare) and other exotic grasses and forbs. Page 5
Two Narrow Leaved Bottle Trees (Brachychiton rupestris) were observed on the site. All species of the genus Brachychiton are Type A restricted plants under the NC Act. The locations of these trees have been outlined in Table 3-2 and are depicted in Figure 1-1. No other species of conservation significance under the NC Act or the EPBC Act were observed in the contractor yard. Table 3-2: Notable species in contractor yard Species Easting (GDA 94, Zone 55) Northing (GDA 94, Zone 55) Brachychiton rupestris 692513 7165032 Brachychiton rupestris 692529 7165017 The habitat values of the contractor yard are limited. The area is nearly devoid of mature vegetation and does not have any significant shrubby regrowth to provide cover for native species. The area is dominated by exotic pasture grasses and is located immediately adjacent to a major access road through the gas fields. No native fauna were observed during the inspection. Page 6
4. Conclusion The HCS-05 development site has been located primarily in previously disturbed agricultural land. The development is situated mainly in mapped non-remnant vegetation which was verified during the field inspection. A small area of mapped remnant of concern vegetation is located within the development footprint in the north-eastern corner of the compressor site. This was observed to be correctly mapped as remnant vegetation however the regional ecosystem classification was incorrect. The correct classification is a no concern at present regional ecosystem. Two low order watercourses traverse the development areas. The mapped watercourses within the development footprints are present on ground. Four Type A restricted plants were observed within the proposed development footprint. Expedition Range National Par which is a Category A Environmentally Sensitive Area is located approximately 900m north-west of the development footprint. Page 7
5. References (2011), Regional Ecosystem Amendment Report, Lot 5 WT217, Macay Eddie, C. (2007). Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs of Eastern Queensland Oil and Gas Fields, Santos House, Adelaide. Regional Ecosystem Mapping, Version 6, Department of Environment and Resource Management Page 8
Appendix A Botanical Species List
Observed flora species within HSC-05 disturbance footprint Abbreviations: NC Act Status: C = Least Concern Species; U = not listed (exotic species). EPBC Act Status: U = not listed. Scientific name Common Name NC Act Status Acacia salicina Sally Wattle C U Acacia shirleyi Lancewood C U Allocasuarina luehmannii Bull Oa C U Alstonia constricta Bitterbar C U Alternanthera denticulata Lesser Joyweed C U EPBC Act Status Alternanthera pungens Khai Weed U U exotic Aristida platychaeta Curled Wiregrass C U Aristida ramosa Purple Wiregrass C U Atriplex muelleri Lagoon Saltbush C U Bidens pilosa Cobbler's Pegs U U exotic Bothriochloa bladhii Forest Bluegrass C U Bothriochloa erianthoides Satin op Grass C U Bothriochloa ewartiana Desert Bluegrass C U Bracteantha bracteantha Yellow Everlasting Daisy C U Bursaria spinosa Pricly Pine C U Callitris glaucophylla White Cypress Pine C U Calotis cuneifolia Burr Daisy C U Calotis hispidula Bogan Flea C U Calotis lappulacea Yellow Burr Daisy C U Calotis scabiosifolia Burr Daisy C U Carissa ovata Currant bush C U Cheilanthes sieberi Mulga Fern C U Chloris divaricata Slender Chloris C U Chloris gayana Rhodes Grass U U exotic Chloris pectinata Comb Chloris C U Chloris ventricosa Tall Chloris C U Chloris virgata Feathertop Rhodes Grass U U exotic Chrysocephalum apiculatum Yellow Buttons C U Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle U U exotic Convolvulus erubescens Australian Bindweed C U Notes Page i
Scientific name Common Name NC Act Status EPBC Act Status Conyza bonariensis Fleabane U U exotic Crotalaria dissitiflora Grey Rattlepod C U Cymbopogon refractus Barbed-Wire Grass C U Cyperus rigidellus Flat Sedge C U Dactyloctenium radulans Button Grass C U Desmodium varians Slender Tic Trefoil C U Dichanthium sericeum Queensland Bluegrass C U Digitaria ammophila Sily Umbrella Grass C U Dodonaea viscosa Sticy Hop Bush C U Echinochloa colona Awnless Barnyard Grass U U exotic Emex australis Goathead Burr U U Enteropogon acicularis Curly Windmill Grass C U Eragrostis brownii Brown's Lovegrass C U Eragrostis cilianensis Stin Grass U U exotic Eragrostis parviflora Weeping Lovegrass C U Eragrostis sororia Forest Lovegrass C U Eremophila debilis Winter Apple C U Eremophila longifolia Berrigan C U Eremophila mitchellii False Sandalwood C U Eucalyptus decorticans Gum Topped Ironbar C U Eucalyptus melanophloia Silver-Leaf Ironbar C U Eucalyptus populnea Poplar Box C U Eulalia aurea Sily Browntop C U Euphorbia drummondii Spurge Weed C U Evolvulus alsinoides Tropical Speedwell C U Fimbristylis dichotoma Common Fringe-Rush C U Flaveria australasica Speedy Weed C U Flindersia collina Broad-Leaved Leopard Tree C U Geijera parviflora Wilga C U Glycine tabacina Glycine Pea C U Gomphocarpus physocarpus Balloon Cottonbush U U exotic Gomphrena celosioides Gomphrena Weed U U exotic Goodenia glabra Smooth Goodenia C U Grevillea striata Beefwood C U Grewia latifolia Dysentery Plant C U Heteropogon contortus Blac Speargrass C U Hovea longifolia Purple Bush Pea C U Notes Page ii
Scientific name Common Name NC Act Status EPBC Act Status Malva parviflora Small-Flowered Mallow U U exotic Malvastrum americanum Spied Malvastrum U U exotic Maireana villosa Small Leaved Cottonbush C U Megathyrsus maximus Green Panic Grass U U exotic Melaleuca viminalis Weeping Bottlebrush C U Neptunia gracilis Native Sensitive Plant C U Notes Opuntia stricta Pricly Pear U U class 2 weed, under the Land Protection Act 2002 Owenia acidula Emu Apple C U Oxalis corniculata Wood Sorrel C U Panicum decompositum Native Millet C U Panicum effusum Hairy Panic C U Paspalum dilatatum Paspalum U U exotic Pennisetum ciliare Buffel Grass U U exotic Persicaria orientalis Princes Feathers C U Podolepis jaceoides Showy Copper-Wire Daisy C U Pimelea microcephala Pussy Tail C U Psoralea tenax Emu Foot C U Psydrax oleifolia Myrtle Tree C U Pterocaulon sphacelatum Applebush C U Salsola ali Soft Roly-Poly C U Sclerolaena birchii Galvanised Burr C U Senna pleurocarpa Bean Bush C U Sida fibulifera Pin Sida C U Sida platycalyx Lifesaver Burr C U Sida rhombifolia Paddy's Lucerne U U exotic Sida rohlenae Shrub Sida C U Sida subspicata Spied Sida C U Solanum americanum Smooth Nightshade U U exotic Solanum ellipticum Potato Bush C U Solanum esuriale Quean C U Sonchus oleraceus Common Sowthistle U U exotic Sporobolus creber Western Rats-Tail Grass C U Stipa verticillata Slender Bamboo Grass C U Themeda triandra Kangaroo Grass C U Tragus australianus Small Burr Grass C U Tridax procumbens Tridax Daisy U U exotic Page iii
Scientific name Common Name NC Act Status EPBC Act Status Urochloa mosambicensis Mozambique Grass U U exotic Verbena officinalis Common Verbena C U Verbena tenuisecta Mayne's Curse U U exotic Wahlenbergia gracilis Sprawling Bluebell C U Wahlenbergia queenslandica Large Bluebell C U Xanthium occidentale Noogoora Burr U U exotic Notes Page iv