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Browse LNG Precinct - Public Information Booklet - Department of ...

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<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Information</strong> <strong>Booklet</strong><br />

the support <strong>of</strong> modelling what needs to be done to control the dredge plume (cloudiness<br />

in the water).<br />

Questions:<br />

� Do any plants and animals die during dredging?<br />

� What are the environmental effects <strong>of</strong> dredging?<br />

The key risks to plants and animals from dredging are a result <strong>of</strong> the generation <strong>of</strong><br />

sediment plumes (cloudiness in the water) in the area around dredging activities. This<br />

sediment plume/cloudiness could cause temporary disturbance to fish, mammals, reptiles<br />

etc which could result in these species temporarily moving away from the area. This<br />

however would be a temporary behaviour change and once the sediment settles these<br />

species would resume normal behaviour patterns.<br />

Dredging, which involves removal <strong>of</strong> sediment form the sea bed, can directly cause loss<br />

<strong>of</strong> sea grass and corals if they are situated on the seabed that is dredged. The<br />

environmental impact assessment identifies areas <strong>of</strong> seagrass, coral, algae etc and the<br />

port layout, channel etc are designed to minimise impacts to these habitats.<br />

There is also a risk <strong>of</strong> impact to these marine habitats from the dredge plume in the water<br />

generated. Dredge plumes/cloudiness in the water can spread out and potentially<br />

smother algae, sea grass etc as the sediment settles. The environmental impact<br />

assessment will determined the extent <strong>of</strong> the dredge plume and predict the likely area <strong>of</strong><br />

marine habitats potentially impacted. The dredging will then be designed to minimise this<br />

impact to an acceptable level.<br />

Question ñ What are the likely impacts on reefs? Is this linked to drilling for the<br />

jetty?<br />

The nearshore marine environment/saltwater country consists <strong>of</strong> sandy patches and an<br />

extensive rocky platform extending from the shore. There are no coral reefs close to the<br />

site, although there are some small patches <strong>of</strong> isolated coral and sparse sea grasses,<br />

particularly in the northern area.<br />

Construction <strong>of</strong> the jetty, breakwater and other marine facilities will likely involve piling<br />

and dredging in the nearshore marine environment. Depending on the location <strong>of</strong> the<br />

site, the impacts to the marine environment including the rocky platform will include some<br />

physical disturbance (e.g. holes drilled into the rocky bottom to stabilise the jetty) and also<br />

temporary disturbance from sediments which become stirred up during the process.<br />

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) being undertaken by the State in<br />

cooperation with Woodside aims to identify the impacts to elements <strong>of</strong> the environment<br />

(including areas <strong>of</strong> reef, sea grass etc) and development measures to reduce these<br />

impacts to acceptable levels.<br />

Question - How long until the sea life comes back after dredging?<br />

Sediment plumes (cloudiness <strong>of</strong> the water) caused by dredging temporarily affect water<br />

quality in the area around the activities. The higher turbidity <strong>of</strong> these waters could cause<br />

some species to temporarily move away from the area, however these are likely to<br />

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