Opus International Consultants (NSW) Pty Ltd - Transport for NSW ...

Mount Druitt Commuter Car ParkReview of Environmental FactorsConsidering the scarcity of native plant species noted above, the heavily disturbed soilconditions, the small size of the vegetated area, the low level of native activeresilience and the poor development of any structural and floristic complexity, it isconcluded that there is no native plant community occurring on the Proposal site. Assuch, the presumed original plant community of CPW, an Endangered EcologicalCommunity (EEC) as per the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) andthe Environmental Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), doesnot occur on the Proposal site as per the respective definitions of these communities,and therefore a 7-part test is not required under the EP&A Act 1979, or a Referral tothe Commonwealth Environment Department.6.8. Climate change and sustainability6.9. OtherGreenhouse gas emissionsAn increase in greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide, would be expectedduring construction of the Proposal from the transport of materials to site (vehicleemissions) and fuel consumption associated with construction machinery. Indirectgreenhouse gas emissions as a result of the Proposal would include emissionsembodied in the building materials used, particularly steel and concrete. Due to thescale of the Proposal and the temporary nature of construction works, greenhouse gasemissions resulting from construction are not expected to be significant. Furthermore,with the application of standard mitigation methods (refer Section 7) greenhouse gasemissions generated during construction of the proposed car park would be kept to aminimum.The operation of the Proposal is expected to lead to higher use of public transport andtherefore decreased use of private motor vehicles by commuters. Such a mode shiftwould reduce the amount of fuel consumed by private motor vehicles and thus wouldresult in a relative reduction in associated greenhouse gas emissions.Climate changeThe effects of climate change on the region in which the Proposal is located can beassessed in terms of weather changes, storm intensity, flooding and increased risk offire. Climate change has the potential to change weather patterns within the Sydneyregion in the form of:Temperature increases;Precipitation decreases;Increase in intensity of rainfall events; andIncrease in fire weather frequency.Increased temperatures within the Sydney region, in conjunction with decreasedprecipitation, are unlikely to have an impact on the operation of the facility.6.9.1. Hydrology and water qualityThe existing ground floor levels generally have a slight fall towards North Parade. Theexisting site stormwater system discharges at the southwest corner of the site to thecouncil stormwater system via a direct pipe connection to an existing pit in NorthParade.KMH-2010123a REF Rev 4 doc. Page 72 of 116Status: Final