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QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camps 3, 4 and 5 QGC020-ENV-RPT-0012 Rev 0 Produced for: QGC

Final Pre-Clearance Survey Report Camp 3 4 and 5 Rev 0 · 0 21-4-11 Final issued to client SC BE SF A 20 ... 5. Before the clearance of native vegetation in the pipeline ROW the proponent

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Page 1: Final Pre-Clearance Survey Report Camp 3 4 and 5 Rev 0 · 0 21-4-11 Final issued to client SC BE SF A 20 ... 5. Before the clearance of native vegetation in the pipeline ROW the proponent

QCLNG Project

Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report

QCLNG Camps 3, 4 and 5

QGC020-ENV-RPT-0012

Rev 0

Produced for: QGC

Page 2: Final Pre-Clearance Survey Report Camp 3 4 and 5 Rev 0 · 0 21-4-11 Final issued to client SC BE SF A 20 ... 5. Before the clearance of native vegetation in the pipeline ROW the proponent

Page 2 of 21

Release authorisation

Originator Stephen Catchpoole

Reviewed Berlinda Ezzy

Approved Steve Fox

Client QGC

Revision record

0 21-4-11 Final issued to client SC BE SF

A 20-4-11 Draft issued to client SC BE SF

Rev Date Status Originator Reviewed Approved

Page 3: Final Pre-Clearance Survey Report Camp 3 4 and 5 Rev 0 · 0 21-4-11 Final issued to client SC BE SF A 20 ... 5. Before the clearance of native vegetation in the pipeline ROW the proponent

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Table of contents

1 Introduction and Purpose ......................................................................................................... 4

2 Definitions and Abbreviations.................................................................................................. 5

3 Methodology............................................................................................................................... 5

4 Survey Results ........................................................................................................................... 7 4.1 Camp site descriptions ........................................................................................................ 7

4.1.1 Proposed Camp 3 ........................................................................................................... 7 4.1.2 Proposed Camp 4 ......................................................................................................... 11 4.1.3 Proposed Camp 5 ......................................................................................................... 14

4.2 Threatened Ecological Communities ................................................................................ 17 4.3 Regional Ecosystems........................................................................................................ 19 4.4 EVNT Flora Species.......................................................................................................... 19 4.5 Other Ecological Features................................................................................................. 19

5 Conclusion................................................................................................................................ 20

6 References................................................................................................................................ 20

Appendix 1 - Personnel CVs............................................................................................................ 21

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QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sites 3, 4 and 5

Page 4 of 21

1 Introduction and Purpose

QGC (a BG-Group Company) is in the approval phase of the QCLNG Project with both Commonwealth and State Government approvals obtained in October 2010. The Project comprises three main elements:

• The Coal Seam Gas (CSG) Fields;

• Gas Collection Header (GCH) and Export Pipeline (EP); and

• LNG facility on CurtisIsland.

The CSG Fields and GCH occur in the Southern Brigalow Belt Bioregion of Queensland between the towns of Tipton and Taroom. The LNG Plant is located on CurtisIsland on the Central Queensland Coast immediately north of the city of Gladstone. The EP links these two areas. The pipeline runs northeast from the western end of Barakula State Forest (north of Miles) through to the Central Queensland Coast.

The construction of the Project will include unavoidable impacts on remnant native vegetation protected under the State Vegetation Management Act 1999 (VM Act) and Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Impacts to flora and fauna species listed as threatenedunder the State Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) and/or the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) may also occur.

Ancillary to the construction of the EP, camp sites are required to accommodate staff and provide for laydown areas for piping and associated infrastructure.

This report describes the results of pre-clearance surveys conducted on three (3) camp sites that will be required along the EP at Camp 3 (KP 121), Camp 4 (KP 215) and Camp 5 (KP 278). Conditions 5 to 13 of the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPC) approval for the Pipeline component of the Project have been considered. This report specifically addresses Conditions 5 to 7 relating to the requirements for pre-clearance surveys, as follows:

5. Before the clearance of native vegetation in the pipeline ROW the proponent must:

a. undertake pre-clearance surveys for the presence of listed threatened species, their habitat and listed ecological communities; and

b. alternatively, where recent surveys have already been undertaken and those surveys meet the Department’s requirements for surveys for the relevant Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES), the proponent may elect to develop management plans based on those surveys in accordance with the requirements of Condition 8.

6. Pre-clearance surveys must:

a. for each listed species, be undertaken in accordance with the Department’s survey guidelines in effect at the time of the survey. This information can be obtained from http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/guidelines-policies.html#threatened;

b. be undertaken by a suitably qualified ecologist approved by the Department in writing;

c. document the survey methodology, results and significant findings in relation to MNES; and

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QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sites 3, 4 and 5

Page 5 of 21

d. apply best practice site assessment and ecological survey methods appropriate

for each listed threatened species, migratory species, their habitat and listed ecological communities.

7. Pre-clearance survey reports (which document the methods used and the results obtained) must be published by the proponent and provided to the Department at the time of publication.

2 Definitions and Abbreviations

Table 1 provides an explanation of terms and acronyms used within the document.

Table 1. Explanation of Terms and Abbreviations used in the document

Term Definition DERM Department of Environment and Resource Management

EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

ERE Endangered Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999

EVNT Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened flora and fauna species under the NC Act and including Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Conservation Dependent under the EPBC Act

HERBRECS A database of all plant specimen records held by the Queensland Herbarium

KP Kilometre Point along the pipeline ROW

LCRE Least Concern Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999

NC Act Nature Conservation Act 1992

OCRE Of Concern Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999

RE Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 ROW Right of Way – the pipeline corridor/easement

SEVT Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket TEC Threatened Ecological Communities

VMA Vegetation Management Act 1999

Wildlife Online

Database of recorded wildlife sightings and listings of plants, fungi, protists, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fish, marine cartilaginous fish and butterflies in Queensland maintained by DERM

3 Methodology

Pre-clearance surveys were conducted by Unidel ecologists commissioned by QGC at each of the three proposed camp sites. The purpose of the pre-clearance survey was to identify and document the ecological values contained within the site. Ecological values that were targeted during the survey included:

• presence and extent of TEC under the EPBC Act;

• presence and extent of REs mapped under the VM Act;

• presence of EVNT flora species listed under the EPBC Act and/or the NCAct; and

• other ecological and environmental features incidentally observed including:

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QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sites 3, 4 and 5

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o Regionally significant flora;

o Hollow-bearing trees;

o Brachychiton species (bottle trees and kurrajongs);

o Grass trees and fig trees;

o Rocky and gravel outcrops;

o Adjoining wetlands; and

o Fauna breeding sites.

Prior to the surveys being conducted in the field the ecologists undertook desktop assessments to identify any remnant vegetation or significant flora / fauna species that may occur on or near the site. The desktop assessment includes review of:

• Regional Ecosystem and High Value Regrowth vegetation mapping by DERM

• Regional Vegetation Management Codes for Threshold RE’s

• EPBC Act list of threatened flora or fauna

• EVR’s under the QLD Nature Conservation Act

• Wildlife Online ([email protected] )

• Essential Habitat

• MNES search

Timing for the pre-clearance surveys was as follows:

• Camp 3 was undertaken on 29th September 2010

• Camp 4 was undertaken on 18th November 2010

• Camp 5 was undertaken on 30th September 2010.

The entire area of the proposed camp sites and adjacent areas on each subject property were surveyed. All three sites comprised grazing paddocks that were highly modified from their original condition. A walkthrough survey was conducted using random meander technique (Cropper 1993), which involved traversing the study area in no set pattern, but roughly back and forth, whilst searching for species of interest identified in desktop searches. Where environmental values were encountered, their position was recorded on a hand-held GPS device and if they occurred as a population they were counted. Photographs were also taken to record the condition of ecological values that were encountered at each camp site. A summary of the findings during the survey were then recorded on a Project Environmental Clearance form.

Plant specimens observed were identified in the field using appropriate field guides and taxonomic keys. Specimens that could not be identified in the field were collected for more detailed examination and identification in the office. Where necessary, confirmation of plant identifications was sought from the Queensland Herbarium. Nomenclature for scientific and common names followed that of Bostock and Holland (2007).

Incidental observations of EVNT fauna species, Regionally Significant flora, hollow-bearing trees, Brachychiton species, grass trees, fig trees, rocky and gravel outcrops, adjoining wetlands and fauna breeding sites were recorded on a handheld GPS device.

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QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sites 3, 4 and 5

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The surveys were undertaken by Unidel field ecologists Martin Bennett (Camp 4) and Steve Cupitt (Camp 3 and Camp 5). Their CVs are provided in Appendix 1. The preparation for pre-clearance surveys, survey methodologies and write ups were undertaken with the supervision of Steve Fox, General Manager of Environment at Unidel. Steve Fox was approved as suitable by DSEWPC in writing for undertaking pre-clearance surveys on 28 October 2010.

Subsequent to the surveys a request from QGC has been forwarded to DSEWPC (21 March 2011) to approve additional Unidel ecologists for pre-clearance surveys, including Martin Bennett and Steve Cupitt.

4 Survey Results

This section describes the results of the pre-clearance surveys undertaken on Camps 3, 4 and 5 for:

• TEC under the EPBC Act;

• REs;

• EVNT flora species; and

• Other ecological and environmental features.

4.1 Camp site descriptions

4.1.1 Proposed Camp 3

Proposed Camp 3 is located on Eidsvold Theodore Road, Eidsvold West on Lot 4 WK198, near KP121 of the Export Pipeline (Figure 1). The associated laydown to Camp 3 is located at Rockybar Rd, Eidsvold West on Lot 3, SP104391 (Figure 2). The proposed camp occupies 13.8 ha (Figure 3) and the laydown 9.49 ha (Figure 2). The current land use on both the Camp site and laydown is grazing and both are largely clear of any native vegetation apart from some scattered regrowth and mature Eucalyptus species. These mature Eucalyptus species have been avoided wherever possible in the location and design of the camp.

A number of weeds consisting of Prickly Pear specimens (Opuntia spp.) were present but appeared to have been treated with pesticide prior to the field survey. The weed risk of the site was rated as low. The terrain is flat and soils were non-sodic loamy sands. Watercourses occurred within 1 km to the east and west of the camp site. There was no erosion observed on either the camp site or laydown area however for long term stability drainage areas identified on each site have been identified and will be avoided during construction.

Page 8: Final Pre-Clearance Survey Report Camp 3 4 and 5 Rev 0 · 0 21-4-11 Final issued to client SC BE SF A 20 ... 5. Before the clearance of native vegetation in the pipeline ROW the proponent

!

!

!

!

!(

!(

!(

!(

!(

!(

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!(

!(

Opuntia sp.Opuntia sp.

Opuntia sp.Hollow tree(s)

Hollow tree(s)

Hollow tree(s)

Hollow tree(s)

Hollow tree(s)

African Love Grass

African Love Grass

Eidsvold Theodore Rd

123

122

121

120

CHESS CREEK

THIS

TLE

CR

EEK

ROCKYBAR ROAD

CALROSSIE ROAD

EIDSVOLD THEODORE ROAD

ROAD

KNOCKBREAK ROAD

4WK198

AWK134227FTY1244

3SP104391

10WK190010WK190

253000

253000

254000

254000

255000

255000

256000

256000

257000

257000

7194

000

7195

000

7196

000

7197

000

7198

000

Proposed Camp 3 (KP121)

±0 260 520 780

Meters

DATA SOURCE:

Map Projection: GDA 94 MGA Zone 56

M_05918_0403/03/2011

EH A

DATE:CREATED BY:

MAP NO:REV NO:

SCALE: 1:15,000 (A3)

"Based on or contains data provided by the State of Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management) 2010. In consideration of the State permitting use of this data you acknowledge and

agree that the State gives no warranty in relation to the data (including accuracy, reliability,completeness, currency or suitability) and accepts no liability (including without limitation,

liability in negligence) for any loss, damage or costs (including consequential damage) relating toany use of the data. Data must not be used for direct marketing or be used in breach of the privacy laws."

Note: Every effort has been made to ensure this information is spatially accurate. The location ofthis information should not be relied on as the exact field location.

PLAN REF: MAP TYPE:Route change

Legend!( Environmental survey points (Unidel)

! Export Pipeline KP Rev K (current)

WaterCourseLines100K_GA

Export Pipeline Rev K (current)

Proposed Camp

Regional EcosystemsEndangered Dominant

Endangered Sub-dominant

Remnant Not of Concern

Remnant Of Concern Dominant

Remnant Of Concern Sub-dominant

Cadastre and Regional Ecosystem © State of Queensland 2011

smartinez
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FIGURE 1
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FIGURE 2
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FIGURE 3
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QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5

Page 11 of 21

4.1.2 Proposed Camp 4

Proposed Camp 4 is located at 481 Tollemaches Road, Thangool on Lot 68 PM315, near KP215 on the EP (Figure 4). The proposed camp and lay down area occupies 20 ha of the 113.911 ha property (Figure 5). The current land use is grazing and the property is largely clear of any native vegetation apart from a small, linear strip of regrowth Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla). Refer Figure 5, 9 and 10. Two Habitat trees were observed within the Camp site area and their location recorded and mapped. Both were Popular Box (E. populnea) and will be retained. No weed risks were recorded. The property has a moderate slope and soils were rated as moderately sodic. The only watercourses noted on or adjacent to the property comprised a gully that would flow only in rain events. There was evidence of some erosion on the property due to a small farm quarry that had not been suitably rehabilitated. Two farm dams were also located on the property.

The camp site has been located to avoid the regrowth Brigalow vegetation.

Page 12: Final Pre-Clearance Survey Report Camp 3 4 and 5 Rev 0 · 0 21-4-11 Final issued to client SC BE SF A 20 ... 5. Before the clearance of native vegetation in the pipeline ROW the proponent

!

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!

!

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!(

!(

!(

!(Opuntia sp.

Opuntia sp.

Parthenium Weed

Brachychiton tree(s)

216

214

213

212

GREVILLEA CREEK

ROADTOLLEMACHES ROAD

KIRKWOODS LANE

TEMPORARILY CLOSED ROAD

MORRIS LANE

THANGOOL LOOKERBIE ROAD

DIMITRIEFFS LANE

70PM427

67PM48

66PM48

65PM48

68PM315

69PM49

75PM48

61PM40

58PM39

57PM39

59PM39

62PM4064PM48

96PM75

56PM39

71RP801257

95PM75

60SP147885

76PM48

49PM47

203RN416

97RP848963

3PM59

107PM403

55PM39

1RP848963

50PM47

202RN416156RN416

108PM403

63PM40

0108PM403

72PM48

BAP12253

120SP147885

AAP12253

15RP899961

1RL4767

4PM47

1RL4768

1RL6235

5PM71

2RP8012571RL4766

257000

257000

258000

258000

259000

259000

260000

260000

261000

261000

7283

000

7284

000

7285

000

7286

000

Proposed Camp 4 (KP215)Export Pipeline

±0 300 600 900

Meters

DATA SOURCE:

Map Projection: GDA 94 MGA Zone 56

M_05918_0203/03/2011

EH A

DATE:CREATED BY:

MAP NO:REV NO:

SCALE: 1:15,000 (A3)

"Based on or contains data provided by the State of Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management) 2010. In consideration of the State permitting use of this data you acknowledge and

agree that the State gives no warranty in relation to the data (including accuracy, reliability,completeness, currency or suitability) and accepts no liability (including without limitation,

liability in negligence) for any loss, damage or costs (including consequential damage) relating toany use of the data. Data must not be used for direct marketing or be used in breach of the privacy laws."

Note: Every effort has been made to ensure this information is spatially accurate. The location ofthis information should not be relied on as the exact field location.

PLAN REF: MAP TYPE:Route change

Legend

!( Environmental survey points (Unidel)

! Export Pipeline KP Rev K (current)

WaterCourseLines100K_GA

Export Pipeline Rev K (current)

Proposed Camp

Regional EcosystemsEndangered Dominant

Endangered Sub-dominant

Remnant Not of Concern

Remnant Of Concern Dominant

Remnant Of Concern Sub-dominant

Cadastre and Regional Ecosystem © State of Queensland 2011

smartinez
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FIGURE 4
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FIGURE 5
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QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5

Page 14 of 21

4.1.3 Proposed Camp 5

Proposed Camp 5 (Figure 6) is located at 6648 Dawson Highway, Mount Alma, on Lot 1 RP616641 near KP278 on the EP. The proposed camp occupies 13.99 ha of the 74.797 ha property (Figure 7). The current land use is grazing and the property is largely clear of any native vegetation apart from scattered specimens of Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), River Red Gum (E. camaldulensis), Moreton Bay Ash (Corymbiatessellaris), Poplar Box (E. populnea) and Beefwood (Grevilleastriata). The revised site plan incorporates a buffer zone between these specimens and the camp and only a small number of regrowth trees of these species will be impacted.

The only weed species noted on the property was Maynes Pest (Verbena tenisecta) and the weed risk was rated as negligible, since this species is only a minor pasture weed. Patches of introduced pasture species Themedaquadrivalvis (grader grass) and / or Hyparrheniarufa (thatch grass), Verbena tenuisecta, Solanum sp. were noted to be scattered over the property.

The terrain was flat and soils were non-sodic alluvial, cracking clays. Watercourses were located less than 500 m to the east and less than 100 m to the west of the camp site (Figure 6). The presence of sedges and aquatic plants indicate the potential for inundation or water logging at certain locations.

Page 15: Final Pre-Clearance Survey Report Camp 3 4 and 5 Rev 0 · 0 21-4-11 Final issued to client SC BE SF A 20 ... 5. Before the clearance of native vegetation in the pipeline ROW the proponent

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LantanaLantana

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Rubber Vine

Rubber Vine

Rubber VineRubber Vine

Rubber VineRubber Vine

Opuntia sp.

Rubber Vine

Rubber Vine

Opuntia sp.Opuntia sp.

Opuntia sp.Opuntia sp.

Hollow tree(s)Parthenium Weed

Parthenium Weed

African Love GrassAfrican Love Grass

African Love GrassAfrican Love Grass

African Love Grass

African Love GrassAfrican Love Grass

African Love Grass

Mother of Millions

Dawson Hwy

279

278

277

276

CALLIOPE RIVER

DAWSON HIGHWAY

ROAD

DUCK HOLES ROAD

FIG TREE ROAD

15SP200914

7RP609065

6RP609065

23CTN1233

13SP200915

19CTN345

481CL40224

1RP616641

1RP609065

3RP609064

16CTN1870

12SP199383

1RP609064

26SP204951

2RP614969

1RP614969

2CTN1121

31SP122298

21SP122297

2CTN1749

10SP19938411SP199383

22SP122297

277000

277000

278000

278000

279000

279000

280000

280000

281000

281000

7332

000

7333

000

7334

000

7335

000

7336

000

Proposed Camp 5 (KP278)Export Pipeline

±0 320 640 960

Meters

DATA SOURCE:

Map Projection: GDA 94 MGA Zone 56

M_05918_0303/03/2011

EH A

DATE:CREATED BY:

MAP NO:REV NO:

SCALE: 1:15,000 (A3)

"Based on or contains data provided by the State of Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management) 2010. In consideration of the State permitting use of this data you acknowledge and

agree that the State gives no warranty in relation to the data (including accuracy, reliability,completeness, currency or suitability) and accepts no liability (including without limitation,

liability in negligence) for any loss, damage or costs (including consequential damage) relating toany use of the data. Data must not be used for direct marketing or be used in breach of the privacy laws."

Note: Every effort has been made to ensure this information is spatially accurate. The location ofthis information should not be relied on as the exact field location.

PLAN REF: MAP TYPE:Route change

Legend!( Environmental survey points (Unidel)

! Export Pipeline KP Rev K (current)

Export Pipeline Rev K (current)

Proposed Camp

Regional Ecosystems

Endangered Dominant

Endangered Sub-dominant

Remnant Not of Concern

Remnant Of Concern Dominant

Remnant Of Concern Sub-dominant

Cadastre and Regional Ecosystem © State of Queensland 2011

smartinez
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FIGURE 6
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FIGURE 7
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QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5

Page 17 of 21

4.2 Threatened Ecological Communities

There are a number of TECs protected by the EPBC Act mapped in the vicinity of the EP and associated construction camps. These include:

• Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant);

• White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland;

• Natural Grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland;

• Semi-evergreen Vine Thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar Bioregions; and

• Weeping Myall Woodlands.

Of these TECs only Brigalow occurs at Camp 4 and no TECs are present at either Camp 3 or Camp 5. The Brigalow vegetation at Camp 4 consists solely of regrowth Acacia harpophylla which is not mapped as remnant under the VMA. Under the EPBC Act, a proposal to clear regrowth Brigalow should be referred for approval under the EPBC Act where:

(a) clearing of the regrowth Brigalow requires a permit under Queensland legislation (for example, because it is in a declared area of high conservation); or

(b) the regrowth Brigalow is more than 15 years old.

However to be classed as Brigalow TEC the Brigalow regrowth needs to contain the species composition and structural elements typical of that found in undisturbed areas of the listed Brigalow ecological community, and be 15 years or older. At the proposed Camp 4 a belt of Brigalow regrowth was identified (Figure 5). It was made up of two patches one being 15-20 m wide and 200 m long (Figure 8), and the other 45 m wide and 100 m long (Figure 9). The average height of the trees in the two belts was 6-15 m and therefore potentially 15 years old.

QGC are taking a precautionary approach that the regrowth Brigalow is classed and mapped as a Brigalow TEC. Correspondingly, the Camp site and laydown has been designed to avoid any impacts to the belt of Brigalow identified in the pre-clearance survey as illustrated in Figure 5. No clearing of any of the Brigalow vegetation will be required and this potential TEC will not be impacted by the construction or operation of the camp. Further details describing how the Brigalow will be managed prior to, and during construction of the camp to avoid any impacts occurring is detailed in the Brigalow TEC Species Management Plan included as part of the QCLNG Pipeline Significant Species Management Plan (QCLNG-BGoo-ENV-000002).

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QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5

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Figure 9. Northern part of belt of Brigalow

Figure 10. Southern part of belt of Brigalow

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QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5

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4.3 Regional Ecosystems

No Endangered REs, Of Concern REs or Least Concern REs were mapped or observed on Camps 3, 4 or 5.

4.4 EVNT Flora Species

All three camp sites were grazing lands; highly modified from their original condition. No EVNT flora species were found at any of the sites.

4.5 Other Ecological Features

Other ecological features encountered in or near the proposed camp sites comprised drainage areas at Camp 3 (Figure 2) and Camp 5 (Figure 6) and a minor watercourse, two habitat trees and a large Brigalow tree (Acacia harpophylla) at Camp 4 (Figure 5).

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QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5

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5 Conclusion

One small area of Brigalow TEC has been identified adjacent to Camp 4 (Figure 5). The vegetation will not be impacted by construction or operation of the camp.

No remnant vegetation or EVNT flora species were encountered at any of the proposed camp sites. Other ecological features identified on the sites, such as drainage areas and mature trees were of a minor nature and have been avoided wherever possible in the construction design. The two identified habitat trees at Camp 4 will be retained and disturbance during construction minimised.

6 References

Bostock, P.D. and Holland, A.E. (eds) (2007). Census of the Queensland Flora 2007. Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.

Cropper, S. (1993). Management of Endangered Plants. CSIRO East Melbourne.

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QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5

Appendix 1 - Personnel CV

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Martin Bennett SENIOR ECOLOGIST

Profile

Martin has more than 15 years of experience in native plant identification and specialises in weed control and re-vegetation. He was involved in the weed control and re-vegetation of a 35ha area with vine thicket species and has worked with many Queensland Councils, the Department of Environment and Resource Management, Nature Refuges and Voluntary Conservation Agreement Landholders and the CSIRO.

Martin has gained extensive field experience working with botanists and field naturalists and has drawn a wealth of knowledge collaborating with the Queensland Herbarium. He has delivered presentations on weed control, native plant identification and re-vegetation projects for Ipswich City Council, South East Queensland Catchments and local Landcare groups. Land for Wildlife Officer for the Somerset Regional Council and the Lockyer Valley Regional Council.

Career Summary

2008 – Present Field Botanist, Unidel

2007 – 2009 Land for Wildlife Extension Officer, Somerset Regional Council

2007 – 2010 Land for Wildlife Extension Officer, and Conservation Officer, Lockyer Valley Regional Council

2000 – 2007 Weed Control Contractor (self employed)

Industry experience

Gas

Braemar Phase 2 Gas Pipeline, ERM Power: Martin conducted the weed survey.

Moranbah-Gladstone Gas Pipeline, Enertrade: Martin undertook the ecological Survey, specifically for Eucalyptus raveretiana in the Rockhampton area.

Queensland Curtis LNG Project, QGC ($6 Billion+): The QCLNG project involved the expansion of QGCs gas fields in the Surat Basin and the construction of 730km of pipeline network to connect the gas fields to an LNG Facility on Curtis Island. Martin undertook extensive flora surveys along the length of the pipeline network to identify declared weeds and vegetation listed on both the Nature Conservation Act and Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999.

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Environmental reports

Pre-European Regional Ecosystems and the Plant Species of the Black Snake Creek Catchment - for West Moreton Landcare Group.

Remnant Ecosystems and Flora Description of the Black Snake Creek Catchment - for West Moreton Landcare Group.

A Report “Opossum Creek Tracks and Trails” - for L.H. Bird OAM Ipswich City Council Grant.

A Compilation “Woogaroo Scrub Project” a Report on the Woogaroo Scrub Project for L.H. Bird (Ipswich City Council & Envirofund Grants).

Compiled the initial desktop mapping for the Melaleuca irbyana project in the Lockyer Valley which resulted in additional mapping of the endangered species – assisted in ground truthing with Queensland Herbarium staff.

Re-vegetation projects

A $200,000 35ha area (in 4 separate plots) for New Hope Coal Australia at Rosewood Queensland using locally collected seed and grown by a local nursery. Thought to be the largest Semi-evergreen vine thicket re-vegetation project in SEQ.

A $10,000 re-vegetation project for the Sporting Shooters Association of Queensland at Daley’s Lagoon (Bundamba Lagoon) south of Ipswich.

Weed Control

Martin has managed and been part of numerous weed management teams. Projects have included:

• 20km length (22 farms) of Laidley Creek Chinese Celtis Eradication Project for the Lockyer Valley Catchment Centre

• Weed Control at Welks Remnant and Nelsons Remnant at Laidley for the Lockyer Valley Catchment Centre

• Weed Control at Moonview Nature Refuge Boonah, Pinecliffs NR (Esk), The Gullies (Helidon Hills), Bartopia NR (Mt Barney), Tea Trees NR (Ipswich)

• Weed Control on many Land for Wildlife Properties and Voluntary Conservation Covenants, Voluntary Conservation Agreements – through Ipswich City Councils small grants projects and privately

• Privet Project at Middle Ridge (Toowoomba) for Powerlink

• Weed Control at Lake Dyer Laidley for SunWater

Native plant identification

Martin has undertaken numerous native plant identification requests for both private and public industry, including:

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• Lockyer Valley Regional Council

• Ipswich City Council

• Jensen’s Swamp Environmental Group

• Land for Wildlife and Nature Refuge Landholders

• SunWater

• Landcare Groups

• Discovery of the 5th location in Qld where Corynocarpus rupestris susp. arborescens (a vulnerable species) occurs (private)

• Extensive mapping of Gonocarpus urceolatus (a vulnerable species) Darling Downs (for QGC BG Group-Unidel)

• Extensive mapping for Philotheca sporadica (a vulnerable species) (for QGC BG Group-Unidel)

Areas of expertise

• Land access management

• Araucarian ecosystems

• Microphyll vine thickets

• Mistletoes

• Brigalow Communities

• Open forest/woodland communities of the Lockyer Valley and the Darling Downs

• Regional Ecosystems in the Lockyer Valley

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Steve Cupitt SENIOR ECOLOGIST

Profile

Steve is an ecologist with over 12 years experience in vegetation management and assessment. During this time, he has worked with over 1,000 landholders in the field, been manager of the Greening Australia Rural program, Dalby Community Nursery, Environmental Services Unit and weed control teams. He has consulted for a number of organisations on wetlands and riparian management and worked closely with State and Commonwealth Departments on a number of programs, including managing the State Governments Vegetation Incentives Program.

Qualifications

Associate Degree of Applied Science (Distinction)

Cert 4 Assessment and Workplace Training

RAQ31698 Cert 3 Agriculture (production Horticulture)

Career Summary

2009 – Current Senior Ecologist, Unidel

2002 – 2009 Manager West Region, Greening Australia Queensland

Areas of expertise

• Regional Ecosystem Assessment and Identification

• Wetland Management and Assessment

• Riparian Zone Management

• Property Vegetation Management Planning

• Environmental and Habitat Assessments

• Extension / Education to the Rural Community

Industry experience

Offsets

Eastern Star Gas: Steve was involved in the delivery of environmental offsets including landholder engagement, ground-truthing and preparation of offset agreements.

Queensland Curtis LNG Project, Queensland Gas Company ($8 billion): World first coal seam gas to LNG project including a 10 000+ well gas field in the Surat Basin, a 400km gas pipeline to Gladstone and LNG plant on Curtis Island. The project requires extensive offsets under State and Federal government legislation. Steve was involved in assessment of the

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project’s offset requirements, preparation of offset budgets and a landscape scale assessment to determine the feasibility of securing offsets as well as the early identification of priority offset sites associated with the Curtis Island Export Facility. Steve has also managed the landholder engagement process and undertaken extensive liaison with rural landholders for the provision of offsets.

Wiggins Island Coal Terminal, Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Ltd: Steve was involved in the identification of vegetation offsets for the project, landholder engagement and field assessments.

Newstead Pipeline Offsets Strategy, APA Wallumbilla: Steve was responsible for assessing the project’s offset requirements, preparing offset cost estimates and a landscape scale assessment to determine the feasibility of securing offsets.

Vegetation Management

Steve has significant experience in preparing vegetation management plans and providing advice on regional ecosystems and on farm conservation programs. Examples of projects that Steve has been involved in are listed below:

• Origin Energy: Re-vegetation and tree planting project in Spring Gully

• Arrow Energy: Weed control and Weed Identification Consultancy

• Santos: Consulting on Regional Ecosystems

• Braemar Power and QGC: Weed Control on 200km Gas pipeline and Braemar Power Station

• Greening Australia Rural Nursery: Managed the weed control team and Environmental Services Unit

• Condamine Alliance: Consultant for wetland and riparian management

• Greening Australia: Manager of West Region

• Commonwealth Government: Regional Support Contract

• Greening Australia: State Coordinator Devolved Grants

On Farm Conservation

• Greening Australia: State Manager of Government Vegetation Incentives Program

• Greening Australia: Field Officer with the On Farm Conservation Program

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