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Pre-Clearing Ecological Survey Report - QCLNG Camps 1, 2 ... - QGC

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<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

t<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearing <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>QCLNG</strong> <strong>Camps</strong> 1, 2 and<br />

Aldoga Laydown<br />

<strong>QGC</strong>020-ENV-RPT-00133<br />

Rev 1<br />

Produced for: <strong>QGC</strong>


Release authorisation<br />

Originator<br />

Chris Cantwell<br />

Reviewed<br />

Berlinda Ezzy<br />

Approved<br />

Steve Fox<br />

Client<br />

<strong>QGC</strong><br />

Revision record<br />

1 05-5-11 Incorporating client<br />

comments<br />

CC BE SF<br />

0 29-4-11 Final issued to client CC BE SF<br />

A 28-4-11 Draft issued to client CC BE SF<br />

Rev Date Status Originator Reviewed Approved<br />

Page 2 of 21


Table of contents<br />

1 Introduction and Purpose ......................................................................................................... 4<br />

2 Definitions and Abbreviations .................................................................................................. 5<br />

3 Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 5<br />

4 <strong>Survey</strong> Results ........................................................................................................................... 7<br />

4.1 Camp Site Descriptions ....................................................................................................... 7<br />

4.1.1 Proposed Camp 1 ........................................................................................................... 7<br />

4.1.2 Proposed Camp 2 ......................................................................................................... 11<br />

4.1.3 Proposed Aldoga Laydown ........................................................................................... 16<br />

4.2 Threatened <strong>Ecological</strong> Communities ................................................................................ 20<br />

4.3 Regional Ecosystems ........................................................................................................ 20<br />

4.4 EVNT Flora Species .......................................................................................................... 20<br />

4.5 Other <strong>Ecological</strong> Features ................................................................................................. 20<br />

5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 21<br />

6 References ................................................................................................................................ 21<br />

Appendix 1 - Personnel CV .............................................................................................................. 22<br />

Page 3 of 21


<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearingg <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>QCLNG</strong>G Camp Sites s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

1<br />

Introduction and Purpose<br />

5.<br />

Before the clearance of native vegetation in the pipeline p ROWW the proponent must:<br />

a. undertake pre-clearance surveys for the presence of listed threatened species,<br />

their habitat and listed ecological communities; and<br />

b. alternatively, where recent surveys have already a beenn undertaken and those<br />

surveys meet the Department’s<br />

requirementss for surveyss for the relevant Matters<br />

of National Environmental Significance (MNES), the proponent may elect to<br />

develop management plans based on those surveys in accordance with the<br />

requirements of Condition 8.<br />

6.<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearance surveys must:<br />

<strong>QGC</strong><br />

(a BG-Group Company) is in the approval phase of the <strong>QCLNG</strong> Project with both<br />

Commonwealth<br />

and State Government approvals obtained in October 2010. . The Project comprisess<br />

threee main elements:<br />

The Coal Seam Gas (CSG) Fields;<br />

Gas<br />

Collection Header (GCH) and Export Pipeline (EP); and<br />

LNG<br />

facility on Curtis Island. .<br />

The CSG Fields<br />

and GCH occur in the Southern Brigalow Belt Bioregion B of Queensland<br />

between the<br />

towns of Tipton and Taroom. The LNG Plant is located on Curtis Island on the Central Queensland<br />

Coast immediately north of the city of Gladstone. The EP links these two areas. The pipeline runs<br />

north-east from the western<br />

end of Barakula State<br />

Forest (north of Miles) ) through to<br />

the Central<br />

Queensland Coast.<br />

The construction of the Project will include unavoidable impacts on remnant native<br />

vegetation<br />

protected under<br />

the State Vegetation Management<br />

Act 1999 ( VM Act) andd Threatened <strong>Ecological</strong><br />

Communities (TECs) under the Commonwealth Environment<br />

Protection<br />

and Biodiversity<br />

Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Impacts to flora and fauna species listedd as threatened under the<br />

State Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCC Act) and/or the EPBC Act A may also occur.<br />

Ancillary to the construction of the EP, camp sites are required too accommodate staff and provide for<br />

laydown areas for piping and associated infrastructure. This report describes the results of pre-<br />

clearance surveys conducted on three (3) sites, including Camp 1 (KP 65) and Camp 2 (KP 5) along<br />

the EP, and the Aldoga Laydown Area which is located near Gladstone.<br />

Conditions 5 to<br />

13 of the<br />

Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,<br />

Population and Communities (DSEWPC) approval for the Pipeline component of the Project have<br />

been<br />

considered. This report specificallyy addresses Conditions 5 to 7 relatingg to the requirements for<br />

pre-clearance surveys, as follows:<br />

a. for each<br />

listed species, be undertaken in accordance withh the Department’s<br />

survey guidelines in effect at the time of the survey. s This information can be<br />

obtained<br />

from http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/guidelines-<br />

by the Department in<br />

writing;<br />

policies. html#threatened;<br />

b. be undertaken by a suitably qualified ecologist approved<br />

c. document the survey methodology, results and significant findings in relation to<br />

MNES; and<br />

d. apply best practice site assessment and ecological survey methods<br />

appropriate<br />

for each<br />

listed threatened species, migratory species, their habitat and listed<br />

ecological communities.<br />

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<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearingg <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>QCLNG</strong>G Camp Sites s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

7.<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearance survey reports (which documentt the methods used and<br />

the resultss<br />

obtained) must be published by the proponent and provided to the Department at the<br />

time of publication.<br />

2<br />

Definitions and Abbreviations<br />

Table 1 provides<br />

an explanation of termss and acronyms used within the document.<br />

Table 1. Explanation of Terms and Abbreviations<br />

used in thee document<br />

Term<br />

CSG<br />

DERM<br />

DSEWPC<br />

EP<br />

EPBC Act<br />

ERE<br />

EVNT<br />

GCH<br />

HERBRECS<br />

KP<br />

LCRE<br />

NC<br />

Act<br />

OCRE<br />

RE<br />

ROW<br />

SEVT<br />

TEC<br />

VM<br />

Act<br />

Wildlife<br />

Online<br />

Definition<br />

Coal Seam Gas<br />

Department of Environment and Resource Management<br />

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populationn and Communities<br />

Export Pipeline<br />

Environmentt Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999<br />

Endangered Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management<br />

Act 1999<br />

Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened floraa and fauna species under the<br />

NC Act and including Extinct, Extinctt in the Wild, Critically Endangered,<br />

Endangered, Vulnerable and Conservation Dependent under r the EPBC Act<br />

Gas Collection Header<br />

A database of all plant specimen records held by the Queensland Herbarium<br />

Kilometre Point along thee pipeline ROW<br />

Least Concern Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation<br />

Management Act 1999<br />

Nature Conservation Actt 1992<br />

Of Concern Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management<br />

Act 1999<br />

Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999<br />

Right of Way<br />

– the pipeline corridor/easement<br />

Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket<br />

Threatened <strong>Ecological</strong> Communities<br />

Vegetation Management<br />

t Act 1999<br />

Database of recorded wildlife sightings and listings of plants, , fungi, protists,<br />

mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, freshwaterr fish, marinee cartilaginous fish<br />

and butterflies in Queensland maintained by DERM<br />

3<br />

Methodology<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearancthreee proposed sites. The purpose of the pre-clearance surveyy was to identify and document the<br />

ecological values contained within the site. <strong>Ecological</strong> values that were targeted during<br />

the survey<br />

included:<br />

surveys weree conducted by Unidel ecologists commissioned<br />

by <strong>QGC</strong> att each of the<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

presence and extentt of Threatened <strong>Ecological</strong> Communities (TECs) under the EPBC Act;<br />

presence and extentt of Regionall Ecosystems(REs) mapped under the VM Act;<br />

presence of Endangered, Vulnerable and Near Threatened (EVNT) flora speciess listed under<br />

the EPBC Act and/or the NC Act; and<br />

Page 5 of 21


<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearingg <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>QCLNG</strong>G Camp Sites s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

other ecological and environmental features incidentally observed o including:<br />

o<br />

o<br />

o<br />

o<br />

o<br />

o<br />

o<br />

Regionally significant flora;<br />

Hollow-bearing trees;<br />

Brachychiton<br />

species (bottle trees and kurrajongs);<br />

Grass trees and fig trees;<br />

Rocky and gravel outcrops;<br />

Adjoining wetlands; and<br />

Fauna breeding sites.<br />

Prior to the surveys being conducted inn the field the ecologistss undertook desktop assessments to<br />

identify any remnant vegetation or significant flora/fauna speciess that may occur on or near the site.<br />

The desktop assessment included revieww of:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

REs and<br />

High Value<br />

Regrowth vegetation mapping by DERM;<br />

Regional Vegetation Management Codes for<br />

Threshold REs; R<br />

EPBC Act list of threatened floraa or fauna;<br />

EVNTs under the NC<br />

Act;<br />

Wildlife Online (wildlife.online@derm.qld.gov.au);<br />

Essential Habitat; and<br />

MNES search.<br />

The pre-clearance surveys were undertaken on the following dates:<br />

Camp 1 – 4 th November 2010;<br />

Camp 2 – 28 th September 2010; and<br />

Aldoga Laydown – 27 th April 2011.<br />

The entire areaa of the proposed campp sites/laydown area and adjacent areas on each subject<br />

property were surveyed. All three sites comprised rural paddockss that were highly modified from their<br />

original condition. A walkthrough surveyy was conducted using random meander technique (Cropperr<br />

1993), which involved traversing the study area in no set pattern, but roughly back and<br />

forth, whilst<br />

searching for species of interest identified in desktop searches. Where environmental<br />

values weree<br />

encountered, their position was recorded on a hand-held GPSS device and if they occurred as a<br />

population they were counted. Photographs were also taken to record thee condition of ecological<br />

values that weree encountered at each camp site. A summary off the findingss during the survey weree<br />

then<br />

recorded on<br />

a Project Environmenta<br />

al Clearance form.<br />

Plant specimenss observed were identified in the field using appropriate field guides and taxonomic<br />

keys. Specimens that could not be identified in the field were collected for more detailed examinationn<br />

and identificationn in the office. Where necessary, confirmation of plant identifications was<br />

sought from<br />

the Queensland Herbarium. Nomenclature for scientific and common names followed that of Bostock<br />

and Holland (2007).<br />

Incidental observations of EVNT faunaa species, regionally significant flora, hollow-bearing trees,<br />

Brachychiton species, grass trees, fig trees, rocky and gravel outcrops, adjoining wetlands and faunaa<br />

breeding sites were recordedd on a handheld GPS device.<br />

Page 6 of 21


<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearingg <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>QCLNG</strong>G Camp Sites s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

The surveys were undertaken by Unidel field ecologists Steve Cupitt (Camp 2) and Wayne Harris<br />

(Aldoga Laydown) and <strong>QGC</strong><br />

Environment Officer Ben Salleras (Camp(<br />

1). CVs for Stevee and Wayne<br />

are provided in Appendix 1. The preparation for pre-clearance<br />

surveys, survey methodologies and<br />

write<br />

ups were undertaken with the supervision of Steve Fox, General G Manager of Environment at<br />

Unidel. Steve Fox and Wayne Harris have been approved as suitable by DSEWPC in i writing for<br />

undertaking pre-clearanchighly disturbed, Ben Salleras was considered suitable to undertake the environmental survey of<br />

the site. Steve Fox has reviewed Ben Salleras’ survey results andd supports the findings.<br />

surveys on 28 October 2010. Due to t Camp 1 being completely cleared<br />

and<br />

Subsequent to the initial surveys, a request from <strong>QGC</strong> was forwarded to DSEWPC (21 March 2011)<br />

to approve additional Unidel ecologists for pre-clearance surveys, including Steve Cupitt who<br />

undertook the surveys for Camp 2. This approval was granted byy DSEWPC on 21 April 2011.<br />

4<br />

<strong>Survey</strong> Results<br />

This<br />

section describes the results r of thee pre-clearance surveys undertaken<br />

Aldoga Laydown<br />

for:<br />

on <strong>Camps</strong> 1, 2 and the<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

TECs under the EPBC Act;<br />

REs;<br />

EVNT flora species; and<br />

Other notable ecological andd environmental features.<br />

4.1<br />

Camp Site Descriptions<br />

4.1.11 Proposed Camp 1<br />

Proposed Camp<br />

1 is located<br />

on Hubbards Road, Crossroads on Lot 2RP108045, near KP65 of the<br />

Export Pipeline (see Figure 1).<br />

The site is currently used for f pasture, grazed by cattle, and iss entirely clear of native<br />

vegetation.<br />

Directly south of<br />

the proposed camp location are areas of Endangered RE 11.4.12 and Of Concernn<br />

RE 11.3.4/11.3.2/11.3.25, associated with Wambo Creek (see Figures F 1, 3 and 4). These REs are<br />

environmentally<br />

sensitive areas requiringg a 200m buffer. The proposed camp has been designed to<br />

incorporate this buffer (refer to points A6-A10 on Figure 2).<br />

No declared weed species were identified on the site. The weed risk of the site was rated r as low.<br />

The terrain is generally flat, with a minimal slope towards the north, and soils were non-sodicsandy<br />

loams. Wambo Creek flows approximately 250m – 300m south of the proposed site. There was no<br />

erosion observed on the site.<br />

Two<br />

dams and a pond presently exist onn the property, and the design of the proposed camp has<br />

avoided these features (see Figure 2).<br />

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<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearing <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>QCLNG</strong> Camp Sites 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

Figure 1 – Proposed Camp 1 Location<br />

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<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearing <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>QCLNG</strong><br />

Camp Sites 1, 2 and Aldoga<br />

Laydown<br />

Figure 2 – Proposed Camp 1 Detail<br />

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<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearingg <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>Camps</strong> s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

Figure 3 – Northern Edge of Endangered RE 11.4. .12 (facing east) e<br />

Figure 4 – Northern Edge of Of Concern RE 11.3.4/11.3.2/11.3.25 (facing west)<br />

Page 10 of 21


<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearingg <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>Camps</strong> s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

4.1.2<br />

Proposed Camp 2<br />

Proposed Camp<br />

2 is located<br />

on Upper Downfall Creek Road, Guluguba on<br />

on the EP (see Figure 5).<br />

Lot 23 FT272, near KP5<br />

The site has been used for grazing and cropping in the past, and is predominantly clear of vegetation.<br />

Apart from a bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris) on the westernn end of the southern boundary (seee<br />

Figure 7) and approximately four mature Eucalyptus at the far south-eastern corner off the site, no<br />

living<br />

mature or habitat trees remain on the site or in surrounding areas (see Figure 8) ). One deadd<br />

habitat tree was observed on<br />

the site. Scattered limebush (Citruss glauca) andd some regrowth Acacia,<br />

Eucalyptus and Atalayahemi glauca occur on the site. The design of the camp avoids<br />

these trees<br />

(seee Figure 6), however if the t dead habitat tree must be removed for health and safety reasons, a<br />

fauna spotter will be required. Similarly, thin bands of mixed vegetation line both sides of the Stiller’s<br />

property driveway, and mustt be protectedd through barricading.<br />

Two<br />

weed species were recorded on the site and surrounds; Opuntia O spp. (high risk) and Verbena<br />

spp.<br />

(low risk). The Opuntia spp. (see Figure 9) will require removal and immediate treatment to stop<br />

spread by vehicle tyres. The<br />

property has a mild slope towards the north and north-east, sodic soilss<br />

weree present. There was a moderate level of erosion, particularly at contour outlets and sloping<br />

drainage lines. Downfall Creek (stream order 3) runs along the north of the property, within 320m of<br />

the proposed camp site. A minor unnamed drainage<br />

channel borders the site from the south-eastern<br />

corner, and travels along the eastern and northernn boundaries of the site. Stringent erosion and<br />

sediment control measures will be required within and bordering the site, including sediment basins at<br />

site outfalls in proximity to Downfall Creek.<br />

Page 11 of 21


<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearing <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>Camps</strong> 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

Figure 5 – Proposed Camp 2Location<br />

Page 12 of 21


<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearing <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>Camps</strong> 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

Figure 6 – Proposed Camp 2 Detail<br />

Page 13 of 21


<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearingg <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>Camps</strong> s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

Figure 7 – Bottle Tree at Southern Boundary<br />

Figure 8 – Proposed Site (facing north-east from proposed access point)<br />

Page 14 of 21


<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearingg <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>Camps</strong> s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

Figure 9 – Opuntia spp. at southern boundary to be removedd<br />

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<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearingg <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>Camps</strong> s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

4.1.3<br />

Proposed Aldoga Laydown<br />

The proposed Aldoga Laydown site (see Figure 10) is locatedd off Gladstone Mt Larcom Road in<br />

Aldoga. The proposed laydown site is located to the south-east of o Aldoga <strong>Pre</strong>cinct 1, and<br />

is Lot 1 of a<br />

five-lot setout plan (see Figure 11) on the property Lot 12 SP162130.<br />

The site has been fully cleared and leveled, presumably for future industrial uses (seee Figure 12) .<br />

Vegetation on the site consists of grasses and occasional low shrubs. Dominant grasses on the site<br />

are Heteropogon<br />

contortus and Chrysopogon fallax (see Figure 13). The dominant shrub species on<br />

the site is the introduced pasture shrub Stylosanthes scabra. There is minimal native regrowth<br />

vegetation (Corymbia tesselaris) on the site and in the surrounding area.<br />

No declared or significant weeds were identified on the site during the field survey, and no REs weree<br />

mapped or observed on the site.<br />

There are no watercourses in proximity to the<br />

environmental factors.<br />

proposed laydown l site, and no<br />

constraining<br />

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<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearing <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>Camps</strong> 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

Figure 10 – Proposed Aldoga Laydown Layout Plan<br />

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<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearing <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>Camps</strong> 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

Figure 11 – Proposed Aldoga Laydown – <strong>Pre</strong>liminary Lease Lot Setout Plan<br />

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<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearingg <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>Camps</strong> s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

Figure 12 – Aldoga Laydown<br />

Figure 13 – Dominant Grasses on the Aldoga Laydown Site<br />

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<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearingg <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>Camps</strong> s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

4.2<br />

Threatened <strong>Ecological</strong> Communities<br />

There are a number of TECs protected by the EPBC Act mapped in thee vicinity of<br />

associated construction camps. These include:<br />

the EP and<br />

Brigalow (Acaciaa harpophylladominant and co-dominant);<br />

White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native<br />

Grassland;<br />

Natural Grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern New South<br />

Wales and southern Queensland;<br />

Semi-evergreen<br />

Vine Thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North andd South) and Nandewar<br />

Bioregions; and<br />

Weeping Myall Woodlands.<br />

None of these TECs occur at proposed Camp sites 1 or 2, or the proposed Aldoga Laydown.<br />

4.3<br />

Regional Ecosystems<br />

No Endangered REs, Of Concern REss or Least Concern REss were mapped or observed on the<br />

proposed sites for <strong>Camps</strong> 1, 2 or the Aldoga Laydown. Proposed Camp 1 is located north of<br />

Endangered and<br />

Of Concern REs (see Figures 3 and 4), and Camp 2 is located south of an<br />

Endangered RE; however appropriate buffer zones have been incorporated<br />

into camp layout design<br />

to avoid any impacts on these REs.<br />

4.4<br />

EVNT Flora Species<br />

All three proposed locations were heavilyy cleared rural sites that have been highly modified from their<br />

original condition. No EVNT flora speciess were found<br />

at any of the sites.<br />

4.5<br />

Other <strong>Ecological</strong> Features<br />

Other ecological features encountered<br />

in or near the proposedd sites included a mature bottle treee<br />

(seee Figure 7) and a dead habitat tree att proposed Camp 2.<br />

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<strong>QCLNG</strong> Project<br />

<strong>Pre</strong>-clearingg <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>Camps</strong> s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

5<br />

Conclusion<br />

No TECs were identified at the proposedd sites for <strong>Camps</strong> 1, 2 or the Aldoga Laydown.<br />

No remnant vegetation or EVNT flora species were encountered<br />

at any of thee proposed camp<br />

sites, though Endangered and Of Concern REs exist<br />

in proximityy to Camp sites 1 and 2. This<br />

vegetation will not be affected by the proposed uses, as appropriate buffers have been<br />

incorporated into<br />

camp site design.<br />

Other ecological features identified on the sites, such as drainage areas and mature trees t<br />

weree of a minor nature and have been avoided wherever possiblee in the design.<br />

6<br />

References<br />

Bostock, P.D. and Holland, A.E. (eds) (2007). Census of the Queensland Flora 2007.<br />

Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.<br />

Cropper, S. (1993). Management of Endangered Plants. CSIRO East Melbourne.<br />

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<strong>Pre</strong>-clearingg <strong>Ecological</strong> <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />

<strong>Camps</strong> s 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown<br />

Appendix 1 - Personnel CV


Steve Cupitt<br />

PRINCIPAL ECOLOGIST<br />

Profile<br />

Steve is an ecologist with over 12 years experience in vegetation management and<br />

assessment. During this time, he has worked with over 1,000 landholders in the field, been<br />

manager of the Greening Australia Rural program, Dalby Community Nursery, Environmental<br />

Services Unit and weed control teams. He has consulted for a number of organisations on<br />

wetlands and riparian management and worked closely with State and Commonwealth<br />

Departments on a number of programs, including managing the State Governments<br />

Vegetation Incentives Program.<br />

Qualifications<br />

Associate Degree of Applied Science (Distinction)<br />

Cert 4 Assessment and Workplace Training<br />

RAQ31698 Cert 3 Agriculture (production Horticulture)<br />

Career Summary<br />

2009 – <strong>Pre</strong>sent Senior Ecologist, Unidel<br />

2002 – 2009 Manager West Region, Greening Australia Queensland<br />

Areas of expertise<br />

• Regional Ecosystem Assessment and Identification<br />

• Wetland Management and Assessment<br />

• Riparian Zone Management<br />

• Property Vegetation Management Planning<br />

• Environmental and Habitat Assessments<br />

• Extension / Education to the Rural Community<br />

Industry experience<br />

Offsets<br />

Eastern Star Gas: Steve was involved in the delivery of environmental offsets including<br />

landholder engagement, ground-truthing and preparation of offset agreements.<br />

Queensland Curtis LNG Project, Queensland Gas Company ($8 billion): World first coal<br />

seam gas to LNG project including a 10 000+ well gas field in the Surat Basin, a 400km gas<br />

pipeline to Gladstone and LNG plant on Curtis Island. The project requires extensive offsets<br />

under State and Federal government legislation. Steve was involved in assessment of the


project’s offset requirements, preparation of offset budgets and a landscape scale<br />

assessment to determine the feasibility of securing offsets as well as the early identification of<br />

priority offset sites associated with the Curtis Island Export Facility. Steve has also managed<br />

the landholder engagement process and undertaken extensive liaison with rural landholders<br />

for the provision of offsets.<br />

Wiggins Island Coal Terminal, Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Ltd: Steve was<br />

involved in the identification of vegetation offsets for the project, landholder engagement and<br />

field assessments.<br />

Newstead Pipeline Offsets Strategy, APA Wallumbilla: Steve was responsible for assessing<br />

the project’s offset requirements, preparing offset cost estimates and a landscape scale<br />

assessment to determine the feasibility of securing offsets.<br />

Vegetation Management<br />

Steve has significant experience in preparing vegetation management plans and providing<br />

advice on regional ecosystems and on farm conservation programs. Examples of projects<br />

that Steve has been involved in are listed below:<br />

• Origin Energy: Re-vegetation and tree planting project in Spring Gully<br />

• Arrow Energy: Weed control and Weed Identification Consultancy<br />

• Santos: Consulting on Regional Ecosystems<br />

• Braemar Power and <strong>QGC</strong>: Weed Control on 200km Gas pipeline and Braemar Power<br />

Station<br />

• Greening Australia Rural Nursery: Managed the weed control team and<br />

Environmental Services Unit<br />

• Condamine Alliance: Consultant for wetland and riparian management<br />

• Greening Australia: Manager of West Region<br />

• Commonwealth Government: Regional Support Contract<br />

• Greening Australia: State Coordinator Devolved Grants<br />

On Farm Conservation<br />

• Greening Australia: State Manager of Government Vegetation Incentives Program<br />

• Greening Australia: Field Officer with the On Farm Conservation Program<br />

• Greening Australia: Regional Coordinator of the On Farm Conservation Program


Wayne Harris<br />

PRINCIPAL ECOLOGIST<br />

Profile<br />

Wayne has more than 20 years experience in biological sciences particularly in plant<br />

systematics and plant identification, environmental assessment and vegetation mapping. He<br />

has worked in Queensland, Western Australian and Victoria on consultancy assignments for<br />

industry and government. Wayne’s consultancy work has included route selection,<br />

environmental surveying, vegetation mapping, and monitoring.<br />

Wayne has been involved in developing strategies and guidelines for sustainable<br />

development and the protection, enhancement and rehabilitation of species and regional<br />

ecosystems.<br />

Qualifications<br />

Doctor of Philosophy (Plant Systematic)<br />

Master of Science<br />

Bachelor of Science<br />

Career Summary<br />

2009 – <strong>Pre</strong>sent Principal Ecologist, Unidel<br />

1998 – <strong>Pre</strong>sent Research Associate, Queensland Herbarium.<br />

1998 – 2008 Consultant for biodiversity assessments of major development<br />

projects<br />

Botanical surveys and services of local shire councils and<br />

environmental groups.<br />

1995 – 1998 Ph.D. in Systemic Botany, University of Queensland<br />

Industry experience<br />

Oil and Gas<br />

Queensland Curtis LNG Project, <strong>QGC</strong> ($6 Billion+): World first coal seam gas to LNG project<br />

including a 10,000+ well gas field in the Surat Basin, a 400km gas pipeline to Gladstone and<br />

LNG plant on Curtis Island.<br />

Ruby Braemar Pipeline (ERM Power): The project involved the construction of an 80 km long<br />

gas pipeline near Braemar State Forest in Queensland.<br />

Liquid Niugini Gas. Pipeline route and LNG site selection and botanical surveys.


Rail<br />

‘Missing Link’ railway corridor Environmental Impact Assessment for Queensland Rail.<br />

Mining<br />

China First Project, Waratah Coal ($2 Billion+): The project involved the establishment of a<br />

new coal mine, railway and port facilities to export high volatile, low sulphur, steaming coal to<br />

international markets. It included a new coal terminal within the Abbot Point State<br />

Development Area (APSDA) and the Port of Abbot Point, a new mine near Alpha in central<br />

Queensland and a new heavy haul standard gauge rail system linking the mine and coal<br />

terminal.<br />

Coal slurry pipeline for Tarong Power.<br />

In the early part of his career Wayne was employed as a geologist and became Exploration<br />

Manager (Eastern Australia) for the Petroleum Division of Western Mining Corporation.<br />

Defence<br />

Shoalwater Bay Defence property for Department of Defence.<br />

HMAS Cerberus Defence property for Department of Defence.<br />

Kikori River (Papua New Guinea) catchment biodiversity study, for the World Wildlife Fund for<br />

Nature.<br />

Scientific Biological <strong>Survey</strong>s<br />

Invited on two occasions to participate on botanical surveys of the Pilbara region, Western<br />

Australia for the WA government.<br />

<strong>Survey</strong> of Mussau Island (PNG) for the National Capital Botanic Gardens, Port Moresby.<br />

Expedition to the Torricelli Mountains, PNG for an orchid survey on behalf of the National<br />

Capital Botanic Gardens, Port Moresby.<br />

Areas of expertise<br />

• Land access management<br />

• Botanical survey<br />

• Plant classification and identification<br />

• Orchids<br />

• Vegetation Mapping

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