Flora survey for Hamersley Drive recreation - Environmental ...

FRNP Improvement Project: Culham Inlet to Hamersley Inlet GF Craig– July 2010
1. Introduction
Purpose
Main Roads Western Australia (Main Roads) is undertaking upgrade works between Culham Inlet and
Hamersley Inlet in the Fitzgerald River National Park (FRNP) on behalf of the Department of
Environment and Conservation (DEC). The works will involve widening and sealing of Hamersley Drive,
spur roads and carparks for tourism purposes. It is likely that the works will require the clearing of up to
10 m of native vegetation on either side of the existing gravel roads from the current centre line.
Main Roads require biological surveys for the above project. The purpose of the surveys is to provide an
appropriate examination and description of the receiving environment to ensure that all aspects of
biological/ecological significance are identified and recorded. The results of the biological survey will
assist in the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment and an Environmental Management
Plan or other referral documents.
Background
The proposal to upgrade roads in the Fitzgerald River National Park was first announced on the
30 January 2009 by the Honorable Colin Barnett Premier; Minister for State Development with the intent
to offset the economic effect of the closure of the Ravensthorpe nickel mine. The State Government
committed to a long term measure of support to increase economic viability of the towns of
Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun in the Shire of Ravensthorpe.
The road upgrade is intended to inject funds into the communities of Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe by
providing opportunities for local sub-contractors to be employed through the construction process.
Economic benefits will also flow to service providers in the local towns through the delivery of this
project.
Study Area
Figure 1 details the location of the biological survey. The survey is restricted to an area 25 m either side
of the existing road alignment, including all spur roads and the car park loop roads which have been
identified by DEC’s Landscape Architects. Eventually, the survey area is to include borrow and gravel
pits, base course and sub-base pits, spoil sites, proposed works camp and compound areas, stockpile
sites and any other areas to be disturbed.
This report amalgamates information from Stage 1, and includes new data from Stages 2 and 3. Stage 4
will be provided in a separate report.
Stage 1
The first stage included 10 km of Hamersley Drive, from Culham Inlet to the Hamersley Inlet Road
intersection. An interim report was provided to Main Roads WA in November 2009 (Craig and Hickman
2009). An addendum, which included locations of the Declared Rare Verticordia pityrhops,, was
provided in December 2009 (Craig 2009).
Stage 2
The second stage surveyed a further 11 km and included Hamersley Inlet Road to Hamersley Inlet, to
both the Shire of Ravensthorpe and DEC camping areas, plus the spur roads to Four Mile Beach,
Barrens Beach, Mylies Beach (East and West), Cave Point and West Beach. These were surveyed
between January and April 2010.
Stage 3
The recreational sites at the end of each spur road are currently being designed by DEC. The carparks
and small loop roads between Culham Inlet and West Beach had draft concept plans available in June
2010 and were surveyed in July.
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