Hay Township Levee Reconstruction

Legislative Framework: Booth Associates on behalf of Hay Shire Council have conducted a Review of Environmental Factors for the reconstruction of the Hay Town and South Hay levee. This is a requirement under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1997. Other legislation relating to the proposed upgrade and considered during the review includes the EPBC Act 1997; Water Management Act, 2000; Native Vegetation Act, 2003; Fisheries Management Act, 1994; Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995; Protection of Environmental Operations Act, 1997 plus State Environmental Planning Instruments.

Background: The existing levee for the Hay town both north and south were constructed in haste in response to threats posed by the 1956 and 1974 flood events.  Several investigations have been undertaken that examine levee form and function with consensus that the current levee construction could be undermined in a future major flooding event plus the current levee height is not sufficient should a 1 in 100 year flood event occur.   The latest levee design incorporates several types of levee construction including renovation of existing embankments, concrete walls with sections that also incorporate removable panels and reformed roadways.

Undertakings: The project team conducted various studies relating to aspects that would impact upon the community and environment from construction and post construction activities.  This includes river bank destabilisation; the removal of vegetation and impact on native species including threatened individuals and populations; indigenous heritage and culture; noise vibration and dust; and loss of amenity.

Findings: The review identified a number of issues that need to be resolved prior to any construction occurring.  One major factor includes the development of a Construction Staging Plan and associated Construction Environmental Management Plans to ensure impacts have been identified, acknowledged and addressed to alleviate detrimental impacts.  Also, that spillway and detention structures are incorporated as part of staged levee works to safeguard against overtopping or an associated and localised high rainfall event.  A defined impacted zone(s) is to be established for the entire project so that further flora and fauna studies can be conducted in the spring to better inform conservation and offset management.  Plus, the implementation of programs to better inform and educate the community regarding flooding risk and the need for flood management and emergency plans.

Outcomes: It has been assessed that neither an Environmental Impact Statement nor a Species Impact Statement is required for this proposal to proceed.  However, the report is currently being reviewed, inviting comment regarding concerns from various statutory bodies including the DECCW whom may require more intense investigations of some identified high risk impacts or conditions that may relate to construction methods, levee design or offset requirements.

Griffith City Council Biodiversity Conservation Assessment

Legislative framework: Booth Associates on behalf of Griffith City Council (GCC), have conducted a Biodiversity Conservation Assessment (BCA) for a proposed road realignment. Although GCC indicated that they intended to prepare a subsequent Review of Environmental Factors (REF) to support the proposal, including a detailed review of the statutory requirements, Booth Associates as part of the project identified a range of potentially related legislation and policies. These included Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 (EPBC Act); Native Vegetation Act, 2003 (NVA); Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 (TSC Act); Threatened Species Conservation Amendment  Act, 2006 (Biodiversity Banking); National Biodiversity Strategy; NSW Biodiversity Strategy; Murrumbidgee Catchment Action Plan (CAP); Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 (EPA Act); Environmental Planning Instruments being the Griffith Local Environmental Plan, 2002 and State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) – Infrastructure.

Background: The proposed activity constituted a realignment of part of Rifle Range Road required to make the road safer between Annies Lane and McCarthy Road by increasing the road’s critical curves radii.  GCC advised that the proposed works will eventually involve the complete sealing of Rifle Range Road from Beelbangera west to Lake Wyangan.  This work was planned directly as a result of the proposed cemetery development north of Rifle Range Road, with the roadway previously being identified as a significant east-west bypass route for the city. The proposed activity involved the acquisition of land at two locations (Aerodrome and new cemetery); clearing of land to accommodate realignment; and lopping of trees adjacent to the new table drain. Removal was to involve a range of vegetation including canopy trees and native understorey being shrubs, forbs and graminoids plus woody debris.

Undertakings: The following activities were conducted in order to complete this project consisting of a review of information submitted by GCC regarding the proposed activity including proposed realignment mapping; consultation with Council project officers; a literature review, particularly of the statutory and policy framework plus local and regional biophysical information; desktop searches of native fauna species and vegetation databases; site assessment including field survey of existing vegetation communities, survey of vascular flora, survey of vertebrate fauna including dawn and daylight walks, searching of micro habitats, tracks and scat identification, and opportunistic sightings. Also the undertaking of an Assessment of Significance related to desktop and field survey findings; GPS survey of likely impacted trees as identified by Council; mapping and analysis of impacted vegetation and spatial distributions; plus assessment and calculation of potential offsets.

Findings: Searches from three databases plus species identified from field surveys presented threatened species that did or could potentially inhabit the site. Application of the Assessment of Significance identified that the Grey-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis temporalis) was most likely to be affected by the proposed road realignment. The patch overall was assessed as having a high conservation value although the site vegetation generally representing low-moderate habitat quality and condition. The site contained Mallee communities which have a high bioregional conservation status and also represented was White Cypress/Bimble Box Woodland which is regionally depleted.

Outcomes: The report provided Council with a comprehensive account of all vegetation and threatened fauna species that would be affected by the development. This makes available baseline information that affords Council a better understanding of biodiversity impacts resulting from the proposed development and the required mitigation to be presented within their Review of Environmental Factors. One of the most significant outcomes was to quantify Council’s obligation for offsets according to the type, quality and amount of vegetation to be removed.

Narrandera Common Plan of Management

Legislative framework: Booth Associates were engaged by Narrandera Shire Council to prepare a Plan of Management (POM) for a 500ha reserve adjacent to the Murrumbidgee River.  The legislative framework considered whilst preparing the POM for the Reserve included the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 (EPBC Act) ; Draft National Koala Conservation and Management Strategy 2009 – 2014; Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 (EPA Act); Crown Lands Act, (CLA) 1989; State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP) being SEPP No. 44 (Koala Habitat Protection) and Regional Environmental Plans (REP) deemed State Environmental Planning Policies; plus  Narrandera Local Environmental Plan 1991 and Crown Land and Reserve Trusts.

Background: In 2008 Narrandera Shire Council contacted Booth Associates to revise the POM for the area generally known as the Narrandera Common due to gaps that had been identified and further information required to develop a comprehensive working and relevant document. Critical aspects were identified that needed to be addressed to ensure that Council understood the context for planning and had a sound idea of the biophysical resources and assets which were required to be managed. The final approach was to develop a new POM taking into account what had previously been recorded.

Undertakings: A literature review was conducted of existing information associated with the Reserve area. Community consultation was undertaken through informal meetings with the public and stakeholders at Council offices plus a community workshop. These activities provided the communities values and vision for the future of the Reserve. A flora and fauna study was undertaken including desktop review of state and national data bases and existing regional information. This allowed for targeted field survey to be conducted for potential threatened species, which included trapping, opportunistic sightings and the listing of flora detected along established transects. A riparian assessment was conducted to ascertain current ecological condition of the lands adjacent to the Murrumbidgee River. Extensive GPS recording and mapping of natural and built features was also conducted including roads and tracks, fence lines and natural water courses to assist with the identification of management zones.

Findings: The Narrandera Reserve was assessed to be in a poor to moderate ecological condition that has resulted from a history of anthropogenic impact, notably river regulation and grazing. The Reserve contains significant values and attributes which should be protected and enhanced offering a range of opportunities which can be promoted for the benefit of the local and wider community The identified issues currently affecting the Reserve and its future management included access and track designation;  forestry management and fuel loadings; control of rabbits and foxes plus monitoring of the Kangaroo population; the ongoing control of weeds; land use development under current zoning arrangements; domestic grazing impacts; cultural heritage; surface and groundwater management; maintenance of key Koala habitat; further promotion of the reserve for community and tourism potential; and requirements for strategic planning.

Outcomes: The final POM addressed the values and visions of local community and stakeholders through a planning process that integrated current and potential issues in order to develop the Reserve responsibly in a way which would enhance usage whilst still maintaining environmental integrity and natural assets of the area.  The Plan includes a prescription for the management of issues involving strategies and actions; a concept development plan; and master plan recommended work schedules.