Flora and Fauna Management Plan · 2017. 10. 10. · The purpose of this Flora and Fauna Management Plan (FFMP) is to provide a single operational document that clearly identifies

DUNMORE HARD ROCK QUARRY

Flora and Fauna Management Plan

15 NOVEMBER 2016

Copyright © 2015 Arcadis. All rights reserved. arcadis.com

CONTACT

LAURA HOFFMAN Senior Ecologist

T + 61 2 8907 9000 E [email protected]

Arcadis Level 5 Walker Street North Sydney NSW 2060

http://www.arcadis.com/

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BORAL DUNMORE HARD ROCK QUARRY

Flora and Fauna Management Plan Subtitle

Author Laura Hoffman

Checker Brad Searle

Approver Brad Searle

Report No AA009002

Date 15/11/2016

Revision Text C

This report has been prepared for Boral in accordance with the terms and conditions of appointment for AA009002 dated 22 December 2015. Arcadis Australia Pacific Pty Limited (ABN 76 104 485 289) cannot accept any responsibility for any use of or reliance on the contents of this report by any third party.

REVISIONS Revision Date Description Prepared

by Approved by

A 26/08/16 Draft Flora and Fauna Management Plan LH BS

B 21/9/16 Final Flora and Fauna Management Plan LH BS

C 15/11/16 Final Flora and Fauna Management Plan LH BS

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CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project description .............................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Objectives of the Plan ......................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Document structure ............................................................................................................ 4

2 RELEVANT LEGISLATION, GUIDELINES AND PLANS ....................................................... 5 2.1 Legislation ........................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Guidelines ............................................................................................................................ 5 2.3 Conditions of Approval ....................................................................................................... 5 2.4 Licences and permits .......................................................................................................... 7

2.5 Alignment with other Plans relevant to the Project .......................................................... 8

3 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ..................................................................................................... 9 3.1 Site Description ................................................................................................................... 9

3.2 Significant biodiversity values ......................................................................................... 13

4 MANAGEMENT ACTIONS .................................................................................................... 16 4.1 Conservation areas ........................................................................................................... 16

4.2 Vegetation Clearing ........................................................................................................... 37 4.3 Rehabilitation..................................................................................................................... 37

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5 MONITORING, REPORTING AND REVIEW ......................................................................... 38 5.1 Monitoring .......................................................................................................................... 38 5.2 Reporting ........................................................................................................................... 38

5.3 Review ................................................................................................................................ 39

6 TRAINING .............................................................................................................................. 40 6.1 Environmental induction .................................................................................................. 40 6.2 Site-specific environmental training ................................................................................ 40 6.3 Environmental Incident Register ..................................................................................... 40

7 CONTINGENCY PLANNING ................................................................................................. 41 7.1 Emergency incident plan .................................................................................................. 41

8 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 42

............................................................................................................................ 43 Conservation Agreement ........................................................................................................ 43

............................................................................................................................ 44 Revised Biodiversity Offset for Quarry Extension ............................................................... 44

............................................................................................................................ 45 Vegetation Clearing Protocol (Cumberland Ecology 2009) ................................................. 45

Dunmore Hard Rock Quarry

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background The Dunmore Hard Rock Quarry, owned and operated by Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd, is located at Tabbita Road Dunmore, approximately 12 kilometres north-west of Kiama in the Shellharbour Local Government Area. The quarry produces hard rock which is crushed to produce coarse aggregates and road construction materials, and fines that are used as manufactured sand or bedding material

Development Consent (DA 470-11-2003), issued 19 November 2004 by the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, allows Boral to produce up to 2.5 million tonnes of hard rock a year (Mtpa), and transport it offsite by road and rail to local and regional markets.

The Development Consent requires the preparation and implementation of a number of management plans to guide the environmental management of the development throughout its operational life. In accordance with Condition of Approval (CoA) 47, a Flora and Fauna Management Plan (FFMP) was prepared by Cumberland Ecology for Boral in 2009. This FFMP incorporated a Vegetation Clearing Protocol, a Compensatory Habitat Management Plan and a Remnant Vegetation Conservation Plan.

Since consent was issued in November 2004, there have been six approved modifications (with conditions), as detailed below:

1. Modification 1 - New Amenities Block -December 2005.

2. Modification 2 - Vegetation Offsets and Transport Route - June 2006.

3. Modification 3 - May 2008.

4. Modifications 4 and 5 - Extension to Extraction Area- November 2008.

5. Modification 6 - Increased Extraction Area and Road Haulage - February 2014.

6. Modification 7 - Proposed Blending Plant – December 2015

To reflect this progression in Dunmore Quarry’s operations, Boral has requested that the existing Flora and Fauna Management Plan be updated, in accordance with the current quarry activities, existing management of vegetated areas and future rehabilitation of the site.

1.2 Project description Dunmore Hard Rock Quarry (the site) covers approximately 248 hectares and is surrounded by private property, predominantly agricultural grazing land and tracts of remnant native vegetation, to the south, north and west (Figure 1). Dunmore Soil and Sand Quarry adjoins the site to the east.

Dunmore Hard Rock Quarry produces hard rock from Bumbo Latite Member, a fine-grained intermediate volcanic rock similar to basalt, which is crushed to produce coarse aggregates, road construction materials and fines. Extraction occurs from three discrete areas: Original Dunmore Quarry, Croome Farm Pit and Rail Infrastructure Corporation (RIC) land (together comprising the extraction footprint). These areas are described in further detail in Section 3.1.

http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=552





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The extraction method involves drilling and blasting to produce broken rock, that is transported to the primary crusher feed bin. The primary-crushed rock is further reduced in size in a series of crushers, before being conveyed to the tertiary screen house where the crushed rock is sized according to product specifications. The sized products are then stockpiled within the various stockpile areas on site, until they are transported by road and rail to local and regional markets. A detailed description of Dunmore Hard Rock Quarry operations is provided by Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Dunmore Quarry Production Increase (Corkery & Co 2003).

LEGENDSite BoundaryWatercourse

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ARCADIS AUSTRALIA PACIFIC PTY LTDABN 76 104 485 289Level 5, 141 Walker St | North Sydney NSW 2060P: +61 (0) 2 8907 9000 | F: +61 (0) 2 8907 9001

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Date: 14/11/2016 Path: F:\AA009002\L-GIS\A_Current\B_Maps\AA009002_013_DHQ_SiteLocality_A4_v2.mxd

Figure 1 Site Locality (June 2016)

Tabbita Road

0 1 20.5km

ALBION PARK

BLACKBUTT

SHELL COVE

Prin

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MINNAMURRA

SEPP 14WetlandRocklow Creek

Minnamurra River


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1.3 Objectives of the Plan The purpose of this Flora and Fauna Management Plan (FFMP) is to provide a single operational document that clearly identifies key management issues, management objectives and actions to be implemented in accordance with development consent requirements, the proposed schedule for implementation as well as the monitoring and review of commitments included in this FFMP. This FFMP will also include a set of clear and concise maps and diagrams showing the locations of management areas.

1.4 Document structure The structure of this FFMP is outlined in Table 1.

Table 1 Structure of this FFMP

Section Content

1 Provides an overview of the project, previous environmental assessments of the Project, and the purpose and scope of this plan.

2 Details the statutory requirements for the Plan as outlined in the Conditions of Approval issued by the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure and other legislative requirements.

3 Describes the existing environment of the site, significant biodiversity values contained within the site and the various conservations areas in which management actions are proposed

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Outlines the past and future management actions to be undertaken across the site, within:

• Compensatory Habitat Area

• Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area

• Offset Area

5 Outlines the monitoring, reporting and review requirements pertaining to flora and fauna management within the site

6 Specifies the environmental induction training to delivered to all staff and subcontractors involved in the Project

7 Outlines the requirements pertaining to contingency planning, including emergency incident reporting and management

8 Lists the references used in the preparation of this plan


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2 RELEVANT LEGISLATION, GUIDELINES AND PLANS

2.1 Legislation Key environmental legislation relating to flora and fauna management includes:

• Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

• NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act)

• NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994 (FM Act)

• NSW Environment Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act)

• NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act)

• NSW Noxious Weeds Act 1993 (NW Act)

• NSW Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NV Act)

• NSW Water Management Act 2000 (WM Act).

2.2 Guidelines • Hygiene Protocol for the control of Disease in Frogs (DECC 2008).

• Code of Practice for Injured, Sick and Orphaned Protected Fauna (0EH 2011).

• Code of Practice for injured, sick and orphaned flying foxes (OEH 2012).

• Code of Practice for injured, sick and orphaned koalas (OEH 2011).

• Guidelines for the rehabilitation of birds of prey (DECCW 2011).

• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.

• Florabank Native Seed Collection Code of Practice (Greening Australia NSW 1999).

• Guidelines for the Translocation of Threatened Plants in Australia – Second Edition (Australian Network for Plant Conservation 2004).

2.3 Conditions of Approval The quarry operates under a Ministerial consent granted on 19 November 2004 issued for the Development Application DA 470-11-2003. Since the consent was issued there have been six approved modifications (with conditions), as detailed below: • Modification 1 - December 2005

• Modification 2 – June 2006

• Modification 3 – May 2008

• Modifications 4 and 5 – November 2008

• Modification 6 – Increased extraction area and road haulage, February 2014.

A number of the Ministers Conditions of Approval (MCoA) from the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure February 2014) are relevant to this Plan and have been considered in its preparation


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Condition of Approval Condition Requirements

Where addressed in this plan

Vegetation Offset Strategy

Schedule 4, CoA46

The Applicant shall:

(c) establish, conserve, and maintain at least:

• 4.6 hectares of Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland; and

• 8.2 hectares of Blue Gum-White Box Woodland/Forest,

on Boral-owned land adjacent to the development; and

(d) conserve, maintain, and enhance the vegetation in the area to the south of the development marked on the map in Appendix 2.

(e) conserve, maintain, enhance and establish the vegetation in the area to the south of the development marked on the map in Appendix 3, in accordance with the letter from Boral to the Department dated 22 September 2008 titled Dunmore Quarry – Revised Offset for Quarry Extension.

Section 4.1

Schedule 4, Co46A

Within 12 months of the date of Modification Application 470-11-2003 Mod 4, the Applicant shall make suitable arrangements in consultation with the OEH to provide appropriate long term security for the biodiversity offset referred to in condition 46 (c), to the satisfaction of the Director-General.

Section 4.1.3

Flora and Fauna Management Plan

Schedule 4, Co47

Within 12 months of the date of this consent, the Applicant shall prepare, and subsequently implement, a Flora and Fauna Management Plan for the development to the satisfaction of the Director-General. This plan must include:

(f) a Vegetation Clearing Protocol;

(g) a Compensatory Habitat Management Plan; and

(h) a Remnant Vegetation Conservation Plan.

This Plan

Schedule 4, Co48

The Vegetation Clearing Protocol shall:

(i) delineate the areas of remnant vegetation to be cleared; and

(j) describe the procedures that would be implemented for:

• pre-clearance surveys;

• progressive clearing;

• fauna management;

• conserving and reusing topsoil;

• collecting seed from the site;

• salvaging and reusing material from the site; and

• controlling weeds.

Section 4.2

Schedule 4, Co49

The Compensatory Habit Management Plan shall:

(k) describe the compensatory habitat proposal for the: Section 4.1.1


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Condition of Approval Condition Requirements

Where addressed in this plan

• Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland; and

• Blue Gum-White Box Woodland/Forest;

(l) justify why this area(s) is suitable for the compensatory habitat proposal;

(m) establish baseline data for the existing habitat in the proposed compensatory habitat area(s);

(n) describe how the compensatory habitat proposal would be implemented;

(o) set completion criteria for the compensatory habitat proposal; and

(p) describe how the performance of the compensatory habitat management proposal would

be monitored over time.

Schedule 4, Co50

The Remnant Vegetation Conservation Plan shall:

(q) describe what measures would be implemented to conserve, maintain and enhance the vegetation in the area to the south of the development marked in the map in Appendix 2;

(r) establish baseline data for the existing vegetation in the area; and

(s) describe how the performance of the measures described in (a) above would be monitored over time.

Section 4.1.2

Schedule 4, Co51

The Applicant shall include a progress report on the implementation of the Flora and Fauna Management Plan in the Annual Review.

Section 5

2.4 Licences and permits

2.4.1 Environmental Protection Licence The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) issues environment protection licences to the owners or operators of various industrial premises under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act). Licence conditions relate to pollution prevention and monitoring, and cleaner production through recycling and reuse and the implementation of best practice. All licence holders must:

• Comply with the conditions of their licence.

• Prepare pollution incident response management plans.

• Publish and/or make pollution monitoring data available

Dunmore Quarry operates in accordance with Environment Protection Licence No. 77. This licence is renewed annually (Anniversary Date is 31 August) and nominates specific criteria that need to be satisfied with respect to blasting and nominates noise, blasting, dust and water monitoring requirements.


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2.4.2 Activities requiring Director-General consent (specific to Offset Area)

In accordance with Item 2 of Annexure C of the Conservation Agreement (Appendix A), the following activities must not be undertaken, consented to or permitted in the Offset Area without prior written consent of the Director-General:

a) the sowing or planting of trees, grasses or other plants in the conservation area

b) the introduction of any non-indigenous plants or non-indigenous fauna into the conservation area

c) the entry of domestic animals including pets and domestic livestock in the conservation area

d) the use or application of fertiliser or pesticides in the conservation area

e) the use of trail bikes, four wheel drive vehicles or any other vehicle in the conservation area off any formed road

f) any works in the conservation area, especially any revegetation work and developments, which have the potential to impact on any cultural features. (Seek advice from the Department if any are identified, prior to any work commencing)

g) the removal of any biological or inorganic component of the conservation area

h) any works which ill adversely affect the natural flows and bodies of water.

2.5 Alignment with other Plans relevant to the Project This document supersedes the Vegetation Offset Strategy (Development Consent Conditions 46-58) Flora and Fauna Management and Rehabilitation Plan 2009 Revision, prepared by Cumberland Ecology (2009), and has also been informed by Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Dunmore Quarry Production Increase(Corkery and Co. 2003). A number of other management plans apply to Dunmore Hard Rock Quarry Project including a Water Management Plan and a Rehabilitation Management Plan. The management actions in this plan complement those outlines in these other plans, and should be considered holistically.


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3 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

3.1 Site Description The site covers approximately 248 hectares and includes the existing extraction footprint, processing plant, stockpiles of sized products, a workshop and maintenance area, the rail siding and product loading area, administration buildings, carpark and weighbridge (Figure 2). The site also contains a concrete batching plant, which operates under a separate development consent granted by Shellharbour City Council on 4 December 1997. The site is accessed from the Princes Highway via Tabbita Road, a road used solely for access to the quarry (Corkery & Co 2003).

The extraction footprint is surrounded by remnants of native vegetation, separated by expanses of cleared and disturbed grassland. The condition of native vegetation varies between and within remnants, with some areas consisting largely of native plant species and others supporting dense infestations of weeds.

Historically, extraction has occurred in an area known as Original Dunmore Quarry. Extraction operations are currently centred on the Croome Farm Pit and Rail Infrastructure Corporation (RIC) Slot extraction areas (Figure 2).

3.1.1 Original Dunmore Quarry Extraction from the original Dunmore Quarry, located on Boral-owned land, commenced in 1921. The original quarry contains approximately 2.5 million m3 of breccia- agglomerate above approximately 12 Mt of latite in the lower flow. Extraction involves the progressive removal of a breccia-agglomerate (likely to be suitable for production of road pavement materials) and the eventual recovery of high quality latite from the lower flow. There is no limit on the extraction rate from the original quarry.

The existing extraction floor in the original Dunmore Quarry slopes gradually to the east. Elevations of the floor vary from 30mAHD to 60mAHD and there are localised faces where some of the agglomerate has been extracted. The outer faces of the original Dunmore Quarry have been retained to assist in screening exposed extraction faces and stockpiled by-products on the quarry floor (Corkery & Co 2003).

3.1.2 Croome Farm Pit The western area, referred to as Croome Farm Pit extraction area, is owned by Boral. Extraction commenced in this area in 2000, and approximately 12Mt remains in the Croome Farm Pit extraction area. The resource within the Croome Farm Pit extraction area is calculated to the current approved depth of extraction of 107mAHD.

Extraction within Croome Farm Pit will continue to target the upper and middle latite flows. The design of the approved extraction area provides for the creation of three benches in the upper and middle flows in the Croome Farm Pit extraction area. Development Consent No. 168/1994 (am 1) allows an extraction rate of 750 000tpa (Corkery & Co 2003).

3.1.3 Rail Infrastructure Corporation (RIC) Slot The central extraction area referred to as Rail Infrastructure Corporation (RIC) Slot extraction area located on land leased to Boral for which a production royalty is applied to


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any material extracted from this area. Extraction within this area commenced in 1986 with the intent to provide an internal low-level access to the Croome Farm Pit extraction area. Extraction within RIC Slot will continue to target the upper and middle latite flows, with approximately 5 Mt remaining in the RIC Slot extraction area. Development Consent No. 161/1986 allows an extraction rate of 450 000tpa.

The extraction floor levels within the RIC Slot extraction area rise gradually in a westerly direction at about 3% to 4% to meet the horizontal floor (and bench) levels in the Croome Farm Pit extraction area. The extraction faces in the RIC Slot extraction area are typically 15 to 17m high.

LEGEND

Site BoundaryHard Rock Quarry

Extraction AreasOriginal QuarryCroome Farm PitRIC Slot (Rail Corp)

DamsRocklow CreekRailway

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Figure 2 Dunmore Hard Rock Quarry Site Layout (July 2016)

Tabbita Road

0 250 500125

Meters

Croome Sumps

Middle Dam

Lower Dam

Concrete Batching Plant

Processing Plant

Stockpile Area

Rail Siding and ProductLoading Area

Office and Carpark

Prin

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Hig

hway


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3.1.4 Land use The Dunmore Quarry has been operating since 1921, initially by Blue Metal & Gravel Pty Ltd (BMG) and then by Boral from 1982 when BMG’s parent company, BMI Limited, became a subsidiary of Boral Limited (Cumberland Ecology 2009).

The majority of land surrounding the site is owned by Boral and two other quarry companies: Readymix and Dunmore Sand & Soil Pty Ltd. A number of rural properties also adjoin the site. Land use in the surrounding locality includes:

• Agricultural land to the north and south, dairying is the major current agricultural enterprise in the locality (DECCW 2011).

• Commercial and industrial development, including Dunmore Sand and Soil Quarry immediately to the east, and Holcim Australia’s Albion Park Quarry to the north.

• Residential development, including Dunmore Lakes Estate to the south, Shell Cove and Shellharbour to the north-east.

• Infrastructure development, including the Princes Highway and the South Coast Rail Line to the east.

• SEPP wetland no.374a, located on the eastern side of the Princes Highway.

3.1.5 Topography The site is located amongst the undulating topography of the lower slopes of the Illawarra escarpment, on two hills known locally as Locking Hill and Gooseberry Hill. The northern and southern boundaries of extraction activities align with the crests of steep slopes, which have been retained to reduce impacts on visual amenity into the site (Corkery & Co 2003).

The majority of the site has a maximum elevation of approximately 164mAHD, which gradually reduces via a series of quarried landforms to approximately 10mAHD at the eastern margin of the extraction and stockpiling area, and 2mAHD at the weighbridge and office complex (Corkery & Co 2003).

3.1.6 Hydrology Drainage within the site is essentially subdivided into clean runoff from outside the extraction footprint and potentially sediment-laden runoff from within the extraction and infrastructure areas.

The catchment area for potentially sediment laden runoff for the site is defined by the area of disturbance, bund walls and topographic watershed lines. All dirty runoff from site components such as the product stockpile areas, workshop and maintenance area, processing area as well as the extraction area flows into one of three dams: the Croome Sumps, Middle Dam and Lower Dam. A bio-filtration swale is located down gradient of the Lower Dam to aid water quality management when discharging from the Lower Dam. An overview of these dams and the bio-filtration swale is provided in the Water Management Plan. All clean runoff from the site flows into the tributaries of Rocklow Creek which is predominantly dry for most of the year (R.W. Corkery and Co., 2003).


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3.2 Significant biodiversity values The Illawarra region within the Sydney Basin Bioregion is one of the most biologically diverse in NSW, and the site and surrounding locality contains the largest remaining patches of native vegetation on the Illawarra foothills and coastal plain (DECCW 2011).

3.2.1 Endangered Ecological Communities The site supports three Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) listed under the TSC Act. These EECs are known to exist only in the Illawarra region (DECCW 2011). The approximate area of each EEC described below has been calculated following the completion of vegetation clearing for all extensions to the extraction footprint to date.

3.2.1.1 Illawarra Subtropical Rainforest

Approximately 47 hectares of Illawarra Subtropical Rainforest (ISR) occurs within the site, including a large patch that adjoins the southern margin of the extraction footprint and a large patch that is located in close proximity to the northern boundary of the extraction footprint. This EEC occurs most commonly in sheltered gullies generally with a southerly aspect (Cumberland Ecology 2009).

ISR of the site is characterised by dense canopy dominated by Ceratopetalum apetalum (Coachwood), Doryphora sassafras (Sassafras), Backhousia myrtifolia (Grey Myrtle) and a diversity of figs. The abundance of weeds is generally low, with the exception of localised infestations of Lantana camara (Lantana). A species inventory for this EEC is contained within Appendix B of Vegetation Offset Strategy (Cumberland Ecology 2005).

3.2.1.2 Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland

Approximately 21 hectares of Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland (MATS) occurs within the site, generally associated with very shallow to skeletal soils, mainly on the ridges and upper slopes. Patches of this EEC adjoin the northern and southern boundary of the extraction footprint.

MATS on the site supports a low canopy dominated by M. armillaris, a shrub stratum is dominated by L. camara, Prostanthera linearis, Zieria granulata, Leucopogon juniperinus and Phyllanthus gasstroemii and a groundcover dominated by Poa labillardieri, Microlaena stipoides, Bracteantha bracteata, Danthonia spp. and Scaevola albida. Dense lantana infestations are common along the margins of MATS. A species inventory for this EEC is contained within Appendix B of Vegetation Offset Strategy (Cumberland Ecology 2005).

3.2.1.3 Illawarra Lowlands Grassy Woodland

Approximately 37 hectares of Illawarra Lowlands Grassy Woodland (ILGW) occurs within the site, generally associated with lower slopes and some ridges. Patches of this EEC occur to the west and north of the extraction footprint.

ILGW of the site is characterised by a canopy dominated by Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. quadrangulata, a sparse understorey dominated by Acacia mearnsii, Pittosporum undulatum, Notelaea venosa and Alphitonia excels, a shrub layer dominated by L. camara, Croton verreauxii, Phyllanthus gasstroemii, Breynia oblongifolia and Z. granulata and a groundlayer dominated by Oplismenus imbecillis, Microlaena stipoides, Poa labillardieri, and


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Delairea odorata. A species inventory for this EEC is contained within Appendix B of Vegetation Offset Strategy (Cumberland Ecology 2005).

3.2.2 Threatened Flora Species

3.2.2.1 Zieria granulata

Zieria granulata (Illawarra Zieria) is a tall shrub or small tree listed as Endangered under both the TSC Act and EPBC Act. This species is known to occur within both MATS and ILGW EECs within the site. In proximity to the extraction footprint, approximately 40 plants were identified within MATS EEC to the north of the extraction while several plants were recorded in the lower part of the Original Dunmore Quarry (R.W. Corkery and Co., 2003). Additional plants were identified to the west of the extract footprint during a site visit undertaken by Arcadis in February 2016. This species likely occurs in other locations throughout the site in associated with ISR, MATS and ILGW EECs.

3.2.3 Threatened Fauna Species No fauna survey has been conducted within the site in recent years. A fauna assessment undertaken by Kevin Mills and Associates in 2003 identified eight mammal species, 73 bird species and three frog species (R.W. Corkery and Co., 2003). No threatened species were identified within the site.

Strategy for the Conservation and Management of Biodiversity in the Dunmore - Shellharbour Hills Area (DECCW 2011) describes the results of several fauna surveys undertaken within the surrounding locality, that are of relevance to the site, and these results are described below.

3.2.3.1 Grey-headed Flying-fox

A camp for the vulnerable Grey-headed Flying-fox, listed as vulnerable under both the TSC Act and the EPBC Act, is located in remnant vegetation south of the site, known as Flying Fox Gully (Figure 3).

Flying Fox Gully is a rainforest gully that is used as a summer camp for the species, and as a maternity camp during the spring and summer, where annual breeding and rearing of young take place. This is one of three maternity camps known in the Illawarra region and the only roost not protected within a conservation reserve (DECCW 2011).

A Grey-headed Flying-fox release cage is located in proximity to this camp (Figure 3), which has previously been used to reintroduce injured and/or orphaned flying foxes to the wild, following their care and rehabilitation. Dunmore Hard Rock Quarry provides assistance to wildlife groups WIRES (Wildlife Information and Rescue Service) and NANA (Native Animal Network Association) that care for the flying foxes.

3.2.3.2 Microbats Five microbat species listed as vulnerable under the TSC Act have been recorded in the locality surrounding the site (DECCW 2011). Surveys undertaken by Gaia Research (2009) recorded the presence of Large-footed myotis (Myotis macropus), Eastern bentwing bat (Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis) and Greater broad-nosed bat (Scoteanax rueppellii). Eco Logical Australia (2007) previously recorded the Eastern false pipistrelle (Falsistrellus tasmaniensis).


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4 MANAGEMENT ACTIONS

4.1 Conservation areas In accordance with Development Application (DA 470-11-2003) Condition of Approval 46, Boral Dunmore Quarry was required to conserve, enhance and protect several discrete areas of native vegetation, including a compensatory habitat area and a remnant vegetation conservation area (Table 2). A subsequent modification to DA 470-11-2003 in 2008 required additional vegetation to be conserved, maintained and enhanced within an offset area (Table 2). These areas are shown on Figure 4.

Table 2: Conditions of consent pertaining to conservation areas

Development Application

Approval Date Condition of Consent (CoA) Conservation

Area Name

DA 470-11-2003

November 2004

CoA 46(a): establish, conserve, and maintain at least:

• 4.6 hectares of Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland; and

• 8.2 hectares of Blue Gum-White Box Woodland/Forest, on Boral-owned land adjacent to the development

Compensatory Habitat

CoA 46(b): conserve, maintain, and enhance the vegetation in the area to the south of the development marked on the map in Appendix 2 (attached to the Conditions of Consent: see Figure 4).

Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area

Modifications 4 and 5

November 2008

CoA 46(c): conserve, maintain, enhance and establish the vegetation in the area to the south of the development marked on the map in Appendix 3 (attached to the Conditions of Consent: see Figure 4), in accordance with the letter from Boral to the Department dated 22 September 2008 titled Dunmore Quarry – Revised Offset for Quarry Extension.

Offset Area

CoA 46 A. Within 12 months of the date of Modification Application 470-11-2003 Mod 4, the Applicant shall make suitable arrangements in consultation with the OEH to provide appropriate long term security for the biodiversity offset referred to in condition 46 (c), to the satisfaction of the Director-General.

!(

LEGEND

Site BoundaryHard Rock Quarry

!( Flying-Fox Release CageFlying Fox Gully (camp)Watercourse

Endangered Ecological CommunitiesIllawarra Lowlands Grassy WoodlandIllawarra Subtropical RainforestMelaleauca armillaris Tall ShrublandDry Rainforest

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Figure 3 Ecological Values (April 2016)

Rocklow Creek

0 0.5 10.25

Kilometers

LEGEND

Site BoundaryHard Rock QuarryWatercourse

Conservation AreasCompensatory Habitat AreaOffset AreaRemnant Vegetation Conservation Area

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Figure 4 Conservation Areas (April 2016)

Rocklow Creek

0 0.5 10.25

Kilometers


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4.1.1 Compensatory Habitat

4.1.1.1 Existing Environment

Compensatory habitat contains four vegetation communities:

• 10.21 hectares ILGW EEC

• 60.34 hectares MATS EEC

• Mosaic of Eucalypt Open Forest and Lantana thickets

• Largely cleared/ Pasture

The site selected for MATS compensatory habitat consists largely of portions of kikuyu and native pasture on a hilltop with dry rainforest and woodland around the lower slopes.

The sites selected for ILGW compensatory habitat consist largely of kikuyu pasture on an area of alluvial soil between the MATS compensatory habitat site to the north and a hill to the south with ILGW on the lower slope.

4.1.1.2 Management Objectives The primary management objectives of the Compensatory Habitat are to:

• Establish at least twice the area of EECs cleared for the quarry extension in nearby areas of modified vegetation, that support similar geology/soil type and landform.

• To improve the connectivity of native vegetation communities by establishing vegetation on land that has previously been cleared for grazing activities. Isolated patches of remnant vegetation will be linked by revegetating areas of cleared grazing (predominantly exotic grassland) land between remnant patches.

4.1.1.3 Past Management Actions A summary of management actions undertaken within compensatory habitat area (see Figure 4) is provided in Table 3.Table 1 Table 3: Management actions already undertaken in compensatory habitat area

Date Action

December 2006 and January 2007

Seed collection and propagation of provenance native plants was undertaken by Southern Bushland Repair.

August 2007

The area of the former ‘Rocklow’ property set aside for regeneration consisted of partially cleared grazing land centred on a rocky ‘knoll’. Following fencing, this area was planted with shrubs and trees, grown from provenance seed collected on or near the site and grown as tube stock at Jamberoo Native Nursery.

Soil was translocated from the area to be quarried prior to December 2007. This soil was repositioned on top of the hill in the compensatory area.


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Date Action

December 2007

Tubestock propagated from collected seed were planted by Jamberoo Native Nursery.

February 2008

A preliminary assessment of the high weed growth which had emerged from the translocated soil was undertaken.

Growth and diversity of plant species was measured in 20 x 50 metre quadrats. It was determined that:

• A greater diversity of native plant species (27) than weeds (20) was recorded. These currently cover less than 5% of the area measured. They include numerous ground covers. Three significant colonizing species were recorded. These are: Trema aspera (Poison peach Leaf bush), Acacia sp. (Wattle), and Commersonia fraseri (Brown Kurrajong).

• Planted tubestock are showing vigorous growth and have already attained height dominance (see Table 4.2). At present, they cover less than 5% of the area. Some grazing of eucalypts was observed, but the majority were unaffected. Herbiivores present, as indicated by scats, are wallabies and rabbits.

April 2008

An assessment was carried out at the end of the growing season, to assess the progress of regeneration of native species in the area designated for Melaleuca armillaris tall shrubland regeneration, in the four to five months since planting of tubestock. It was determined that:

• Weeds dominated in the soil translocation area when it was first assessed in February 2008. Twenty weed species were recorded. By late April, although still dominant, weeds were almost all dead or dying.

• On both occasions, a greater diversity of native species (27-30) than weeds (20-21) was recorded. In February, all native species had less than 5% coverage of the area measured. By the end of April, Kennedia rubicunda was covering up to 25% of the area (cover/abundance category 3). Three significant colonizing species present (Trema aspera, Commersonia fraseri and Acacias) had increased in abundance of individuals and in height.

• Natural regeneration, although presently outstripped by weed growth, is occurring in the area treated with soil translocated from the cleared area of Melaleuca armillaris tall shrubland. Steady growth of native colonizing species, especially Brown Kurrajong (Commersonia fraseri), was evident in April.

• Natural regeneration is being prevented by the lush growth of pasture in areas surrounding the MATS regeneration area at the top of the hill. The extent of native grassland is less and the extent of pasture is greater than was originally mapped by Cumberland Ecology in 2005.

• Complete regeneration of native vegetation is unlikely to be achieved in areas where there is a lush growth of pasture grasses, especially kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum).

November 2009

Monitoring determined that coverage of tube stock did not exceed 25% across the regeneration area. Height and coverage of natural regeneration had increased. Healthy growth of tubestock which survived initial grazing was continuing. Melaleuca armillaris dominated, with smaller numbers of surviving eucalypts, wattles and other species.


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Date Action

Weeds and kikuyu grass continued to dominate the ground layer, although in the area of translocated soil, there was an increasing but still small coverage and diversity of native species.

4.1.1.4 Future Management Actions

Management actions to be undertaken to conserve and maintain EECs within the Compensatory Habitat Management Area are provided in Table 4. These management actions have been developed in accordance with Condition of Approval 46(a).


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Table 4: Future management actions for the Compensatory Habitat Area

Management Action Ref ID

Performance Measure Management Action Timing Responsibility Source (this can provide link to relevant CoA)

Weed Management

RVCA01

No new noxious weed species become established within the Compensatory Habitat Area.

All vehicles, trucks, and plant to have been cleaned (to remove vegetative material and soil), including tyre treads, prior to entry into the Compensatory Habitat Area.

During clearing and soil removal prior to sand excavation activities

Environmental Manger

Contractors Schedule 4, CoA46(b)

RVCA02

Clean equipment used for weed treatment prior to moving between discrete management locations within the Compensatory Habitat Area

When management is required in weed infested area

Boral Environmental Manager

Contractors

Contractor for bush regeneration/weed management

Schedule 4, CoA 46(b)

RVCA03

Induct all site personnel on the existence of noxious weeds and the controls they are required to implement to minimise weed spread within the Compensatory Habitat Area



Contractors



RVCA04

Reduce biomass of noxious and woody weeds within the Compensatory Habitat Area

Undertake weed survey across the Compensatory Habitat Area, to identify any remaining infestations of noxious and woody weeds

Summer 2016/2017

Contractors

Contractor for bush regeneration/weed management/suitably qualified ecologist



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RVCA05 Treat any remaining weed infestation with hand removal or herbicide application

Subsequent to survey undertaken in summer 2016/2017



Monitoring of Revegetated Areas

RVCA06 Increase condition and extent of MATS and ILGW EECs within Compensatory Habitat Area

Undertake survey of revegetated areas, to identify current extent and condition of revegetated areas (including diversity and abundance of native and exotic plant species)

Summer 2016/2017



RVCA06

Undertake supplementary tuebstock planting if deemed necessary, in located specified by a suitably qualified and experienced bush regenerator

Subsequent to monitoring undertaken in summer 2016/2017




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4.1.2 Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area


The remnant vegetation conservation area contains 33.25 hectares of Illawarra Subtropical Rainforest EEC. Cumberland Ecology (2009) described this EEC as being dominated by Ficus spp. (Fig trees), Dendrocnide excelsa (Giant Stinging Tree), Cassine australis (Narrow-leaved Red Olive Plum) in moister sites, and Backhousia myrtifolia (Grey Myrtle) in drier sites with shallower soil.

Cumberland Ecology (2009) identified weed invasion and degradation of native vegetation resulting from edge effects as potential risks to ISR EEC within the remnant vegetation conservation area

4.1.2.2 Management Objectives The primary management objectives of the Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area are to:

• Remove dense infestations of noxious and environmental weeds, including Lantana camara (Lantana), Araujia sericifera (Moth Vine), Delairea odoratam (Cape Ivy) and Passiflora subpeltata (White Passionfruit).

• Reconstruct ISR EEC in the kikuyu pasture adjoining the south-east of Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area, to protect the existing extent of ISR EEC from edge effects and weed incursions.

4.1.2.3 Past Management Actions A summary of management actions undertaken within the remnant vegetation conservation area to date is provided in Table 5.Table 1 Table 5: Management actions already undertaken in remnant vegetation conservation area

Date Management Action

Summer 2005 Seed was collected from rainforest and eucalypt species on the Rocklow property and in nearby areas of the Illawarra. Tubestock were grown from these seeds at the Jamberoo Native Nursery at nearby Curramore

March 2008 Tubestock were planted into the kikuyu pasture on the slopes above the gully.

Late summer 2008 The heavily weed-infested gully was sprayed with glyphosate.

August 2008

Three 20 x 20 metre quadrats were placed across the profile of gully and adjoining slopes. The site was initially monitored in August 2008, approximately 5 months after planting. Results showed good growth of tubestock, but extensive grazing damage, probably by native macropods (wallabies and possibly kangaroos).

June 2009 The following species (both planted and naturally regenerating) were establishing well across the site: Falcate wattles (Acacia maideni, A.


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Date Management Action

melanoxylon, A. implexa), Native Hibiscus (Hibiscus heterophyllus), and Cedars (Toona ciliata, Melia azederach).

Grazing by wallabies was limiting the diversity of other native plant species surviving, both tubestock and natural regeneration, over most of the site. Rapid weed growth was impacting on the survival of tube stock and jeopardizing natural regeneration in the gully area. Significant natural regeneration wass occurring in the gully area.

November 2009

Grazing of tubestock had occurred across most of the site. Maiden’s wattle (Acacia maideni), Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon), Hickory (Acacia implexa), Native Hibiscus (Hibiscus heterophyllus) and Bracelet Honeymyrtle (Melaleuca armillaris) were surviving well.

Rainforest and other species planted had all been heavily grazed across most of the site. These include Hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa), Ficus spp. especially Sandpaper fig (Ficus coronata), Lilly pilly (Acmena smithii), Red Ash (Alphitonia excelsa), Flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius), Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii), Gum trees (Eucalyptus tereticornis, E. quadrangulata), Cheese tree (Glochidion ferdinandi), Native Bleeding Heart (Omalanthus populifolius), Flintwood (Scolopia braunii ) and Tea tree (Leptospermum polygalifolium) These were all planted as healthy, vigorous tubestock in top condition.


Management actions to be undertaken to conserve, maintain and enhance existing vegetation within the Remnant Vegetation Management Area is provided in Table 6. These management actions have been developed in accordance within Condition of Approval 46(b).


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Table 6: Future management actions to be undertaken in the Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area



Weed Management

RVCA01

No new noxious weed species become established within the Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area

All vehicles, trucks, and plant to have been cleaned (to remove vegetative material and soil), including tyre treads, prior to entry into the Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area.

During clearing and soil removal prior to sand excavation activities

Environmental Manger

Contractors Schedule 4, CoA 46(b)

RVCA02

Clean equipment used for weed treatment prior to moving between discrete management locations within the Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area



Contractors



RVCA03

Induct all site personnel on the existence of noxious weeds and the controls they are required to implement to minimise weed spread within the Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area



Contractors



RVCA04

Reduce biomass of Lantana within the Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area

Undertake weed survey across the Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area, to identify any remaining infestations of weeds, including Lantana camara

Summer 2016/2017 Contractors

Contractor for bush regeneration/weed



26



management/suitably qualified ecologist

RVCA05 Treat any remaining weed infestation with hand removal or herbicide application

Subsequent to survey undertaken in summer 2016/2017



Monitoring of Revegetated Areas

RVCA06 Increase condition and extent of ISR EEC within Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area

Undertake survey of revegetated areas across the profile of gully and adjoining slopes, to identify current extent and condition of revegetated areas (including diversity and abundance of native and exotic plant species)

Summer 2016/2017



RVCA06

Undertake supplementary tuebstock planting if deemed necessary, in located specified by a suitably qualified and experienced bush regenerator

Subsequent to monitoring undertaken in summer 2016/2017




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4.1.3 Offset Area A Conservation Agreement between the Minister administering the National Parks and Wildlife Act (1974) and Boral Resources for Dunmore Quarry was signed by NSW Minister for the Environment on February 2011 (Appendix A).

NSW Minister for the Environment confirmed signing the Dunmore Quarry Conservation Agreement, and acknowledged that the Conservation Agreement satisfied condition 46(a) of DA 470-11-2003, for the long term security of the biodiversity offset (Appendix B).


Five vegetation communities were identified within the offset area during ground-truthing surveys undertaken in 2009 (Cumberland Ecology):

• 1.35 hectares ISR EEC.

• 3.5 hectares ILGW EEC.

• 8 hectares MATS EEC.

• Mosaic of Eucalypt Open Forest and Lantana thickets

• Largely cleared/ Pasture

Other significant ecological values identified in the Conservation Agreement include:

• Populations of Zieria granulata (locations not specified).

• Habitat suitable two threatened mammal species: Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) and the Eastern Bentwing Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis).

4.1.3.2 Management Objectives In accordance with the Conservation Agreement signed on February 2011, the primary management objectives of the Offset Area are to:

• Protect and promote the recovery of threatened species, populations and ecological communities.

• Protect the critical habitat of those threatened species, populations and ecological communities that are endangered.

• Eliminate or manage certain processes that threaten the survival or evolutionary development of threatened species, populations and ecological communities.

• Ensure that the impact of any action affecting threatened species, populations and ecological communities is properly assessed.

4.1.3.3 Past Management Actions


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A summary of management actions undertaken within the offset area (see Figure 4) is provided in Table 5.

Table 7: Management actions already undertaken in the Offset Area

Date Action

May 2009 Vegetation of offset area ground-truthed by Cumberland Ecology.

2011 The Offset Area was fenced to exclude cattle, and facilitate natural regeneration outside of the active management zone.


Management actions to be undertaken in the Offset Area is provided in Table 8. These management actions have been developed in accordance within Condition of Approval 46 (c), and generally pertain to Item 1 of Annexure C of the Conservation Agreement for the Offset Area, which outlines principles and activities to manage conservation values of the Offset Area.


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Table 8: Future management actions to be undertaken in the Offset Area



Weed Management

OA01

No new noxious weed species become established within the offset area.

All vehicles, trucks, and plant to have been cleaned (to remove vegetative material and soil), including tyre treads, prior to entry into the offset area.

Clean equipment used for weed treatment prior to moving between discrete management locations within the offset area


Contractors


Conservation Agreement

Annexure C

Item 1 (a)

OA02

All vehicles, trucks, and plant used within the offset to remove weeds is to be thoroughly cleaned to remove all plant material and soil potentially containing weed seeds and propagules



Contractors



Annexure C

Item 1 (a)

OA03




Contractors



Annexure C

Item 1 (a)

OA04

Induct all site personnel on the existence of noxious weeds and the controls they are required to implement to minimise weed spread within the offset area



Contractors



Annexure C

Item 1 (a)


30



OA05

Develop a plan for the timely and effective management of weeds within the Offset Area

Undertake an initial weed survey across the Offset Area, focusing within EECs Summer 2016 Contractor for bush

regeneration/weed management


Annexure C

Item 1 (a)

OA06 Record location and species of weed required to be treated, focusing within EECs of the offset area

During initial weed survey period (Summer 2016)



Annexure C

Item 1 (a)

OA07

Develop a plan for the strategic and continued treatment of weeds within the offset area, once the locations and densities of weed infestations have been identified

Subsequent to initial weed monitoring period



Annexure C

Item 1 (a)

OA08 Treatment of existing weeds within the offset area

Treat weed infestation with hand removal or herbicide application. Note that the Conservation Agreement specifies that a glyphosate-based herbicide by direct application to cut surfaces (cut and paint or scrape and paint method) and targeted spraying must be used to reduce damage to non-target vegetation. Other weed control methods may be undertaken with prior written permission of the Director-General.

In accordance with Offset Area Weed Management Plan (to be developed as per OA05-07)



Annexure C

Item 1 (a)


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OA09 Removal of lantana is not undertaken during nesting periods for small birds which nest in lantana thickets.

During weed control, and in accordance with Offset Area Weed Management Plan (to be developed as per OA07)



Annexure C

Item 1 (a)

OA10 Reduce percent cover of woody noxious weeds across the offset area

Undertake weed monitoring in accordance with Offset Area Weed Management Plan (to be developed as per OA07)

As specified in the Offset Area Weed Management Plan



Annexure C

Item 1 (a)

Feral animal control

OA11

Identify the presence and/or abundance of pest animals (primarily pigs and foxes) within the Offset Area, by means of:

• Visual or aural observations, and/or

• Implementation of sand plot monitoring stations (to identify tracks), and/or

• Implementation of non-poisoned "bait stations", and/or

• Undertaking scat counts, and/or

Summer 2016 Suitably qualified, experienced and licence pest-controller


Annexure C

Item 1 (b)


32



• other quantitative techniques which can be designed in discussion with the Department or the Livestock Health and Pest Authority, and/or

OA12 Reduce presence and/or abundance of pest animals (primarily pigs and foxes) within the Offset Area

Undertake control of pest species by means of shooting, trapping and use of poisonous baits consistent with advice from the Department and the Livestock Health and Pest Authority

Subsequent to identification of presence and/or abundance of pest animals, as required

Suitably qualified, experienced and licence pest-controller


Annexure C

Item 1 (b)

OA13

Participate in community pest animal control programs, and encourage neighbours to implement pest animal control programs.

Community consultation? Boral Environmental Manager


Annexure C

Item 1 (b)

Bushfire

OA14 Minimise areas affected by bushfire

Suppress all bushfires occurring in offset area as quickly as possible area. As required Quarry Manager


Annexure C

Item 1 (c)

OA15 Protect the natural assets of the offset area

Undertake fire hazard reduction with any required approvals and/or permits using:

As required Quarry Manager Conservation Agreement

Annexure C


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• raking and hand clearing; • pile burning; or • fuel reduction burns.

Item 1 (d)

OA16

At least 50 per cent of each of the vegetation types within the Offset Area must exist in a state that has been burnt less frequently than the minimum fire interval.

Using fire hazard reduction bums and controlled burning which take into account the recommended fire intervals given in the Bush Fire Environmental Assessment Code for New South Wales (Rural Fire Service February 2006) and the guidelines contained in the Threatened Species Hazard Reduction Lists for the Bush Fire Environmental Assessment Code or equivalent replacements

In MATS EEC: no fire more than once every 10 years

In ILGW EEC: no fire more than once every 5 years

In ISR EEC: no fire


Annexure C

Item 1 (e)

Vehicle Access

OA17 Protect the natural assets of the offset area

Vehicle access is to be limited to formed trails for management purposes as approved by the Department, fire fighting or any emergency requirements.

Whenever vehicular access into and through the Offset Area is required.


Contractors



Annexure C

Item 1 (f)

Threatened species


34



OA18

To manage threatened species and communities in accordance with recovery plans and/or specific management advice from the Department

Undertake a targeted survey to identify locations and number of individuals of Ziera granulata within the offset area

Summer 2016/2017 Suitably qualified ecologist


Annexure C

Item 1 (g)

OA19 Undertake a survey to update the boundaries of vegetation communities, including EECs, within the offset area


OA20

Develop an Offset Area Threatened Species Plan, that details the location and extent of threatened flora species and EECs, and outlines any management actions required to be implemented for their protection

Subsequent to surveys undertaken in summer 2016/2017

Suitably qualified ecologist

Restoration of indigenous (native) vegetation

OA21 Establish indigenous plants to maintain the vegetation structure in keeping with the identified vegetation community

Undertake a baseline survey to identify areas that require restoration of indigenous (native) vegetation)

Summer 2016/2017 Contractor for bush regeneration/weed management, or suitably qualified ecologist


Annexure C

Item 1 (h)

OA22

Develop An Offset Area Vegetation Restoration Plan, which specifies which locations will be restored, the species to be used (appropriate to existing vegetation community) using planting, brush mulching or direct seeding. The

Subsequent to baseline survey Contractor for bush regeneration/weed management, or suitably qualified ecologist


Annexure C

Item 1 (i)


35



plan may also include details to thin existing native vegetation that is altering a vegetation community structure in an adverse way.

OA23 Use plant species produced from material sourced locally in restored areas

Collect seed in the offset area for seedlings that will be planted within or adjacent to the offset area. Seeds may not be collected from species individually listed on schedules 1, lA or 2 of the Species Conservation Act without prior written approval from the Director General, or under a licence granted under S132c of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 197 or S91 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

Prior to restoration using direct seeding.



Annexure C

Item 1 (i)

Provision of fauna habitat

OA24 Provide supplementary habitat to locally occurring fauna species (including threatened species)

Undertake a survey to identify the number and type of hollow-bearing trees within the offset area



Annexure C

Item 1 (l)

OA25

Install habitat (nest) boxes for native fauna in strategic locations where suitable hollows for native fauna are limited or absent. Locations and

Subsequent to tree-hollow survey undertaken in summer 2016/2017 (if deemed necessary).

Suitably qualified ecologist


Annexure C

Item 1 (l)


36



number to be determined in consultation with the Department.

Visitation and research

OA26

Facilitate visitation, research and community use of the offset area in a way that does not adversely impact on the conservation values of the offset area. Research projects should be discussed with the Department

As required Boral Environmental Manager


Annexure C

Item 1 (n)


37

4.2 Vegetation Clearing A Vegetation Clearing Protocol was required to describe the measures to be implemented prior to the commencement of vegetation clearing in the site. This protocol (Appendix C) was prepared by Cumberland Ecology (2009) and vegetation clearing associated with the approved quarry extension has been completed. No additional vegetation clearing has been undertaken or is proposed for the current operation of Dunmore Hard Rock Quarry. If vegetation clearing is required it will be conducted generally in accordance with the Vegetation Clearing Protocol prepared by Cumberland Ecology (2009).

4.3 Rehabilitation Extraction of hard rock from Dunmore Hard Rock Quarry will substantially modify the existing landform within the site. Following the completion of quarrying activities (or progressively once activities have ceased in particular sections), the quarry will be recontoured and revegetated. Recontouring and revegetation is outlined in the Rehabilitation Plan (Arcadis 2016). The Rehabilitation Plan has been developed in accordance with Condition of Approval 3(54).


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5 MONITORING, REPORTING AND REVIEW

5.1 Monitoring Flora and fauna management actions will be measured through regular environmental performance reviews. These will be based on the future management actions outlined in:

• Section 4.1.1.4: Compensatory Habitat Area (Table 4).

• Section 4.1.2.4: Remnant Vegetation Conservation Area (Table 6).

• Section 4.1.3.4: Offset Area (Table 8).

The reviews will be used to assess progress in meeting project environmental objectives and targets and will be undertaken by the Environmental manager:

• In response to new or revised Boral Project approvals.

• In response to major changes in site conditions or work methods.

Boral environmental performance is measured through compliance with the plans listed above, in addition to other environmental plans such as the Water Management Plan.

Should an environmental non-conformance be identified as a result of a monitoring result, a non-conformance report will be completed and archived by the Environmental manager.

5.2 Reporting Reporting on the implementation of this Plan would include the following:

• The results of all environmental surveys and monitoring, including adequacy of site-specific environmental safeguards and management measures

• Any community/stakeholder complaints or non-conformances with licences/criteria, including any responses provided or actions undertaken in response to the complaint or non-conformance

• Any remediation actions or changes to management and mitigation measures.

5.2.1 Annual Review The results of the monitoring program will be presented in the Annual Review (AR). This will include detailed assessment of monitoring results collected over the course of the annual monitoring program, an evaluation of any trends occurring across the site, and recommendations for management action. Through the AR management actions may include:

• Refinement of flora and fauna management objectives and initiation of remedial action

• Alteration to monitoring frequency, parameters or locations


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5.3 Review

5.3.1 Review of Monitoring Actions Any non-compliance identified during monitoring actions, of management and mitigation measures, will be highlighted and an environmental incident report will be completed. The non-conformance will be considered unresolved until:

• The non-compliance issue has been resolved;

• A new or revised procedure has been established and implemented;

• Training has been provided to relevant personnel/ sub-contractors; or

• Additional specific environmental management inspections are detailed in this flora and fauna management plan.

5.3.2 Review of Management Plan This Plan will be reviewed on the following basis:

• Every 12 months to ensure its continuing effectiveness

• Where an audit recommends a review

• Where there are repeat non-conformances and these are not closed out within the agreed timeframe

• As otherwise determined by the Environmental manager.

A review of the adequacy of site-specific environmental safeguards and management measures will be carried out by the Environmental manager on a monthly basis. This review will encompass site inspection and auditing reports as well as root cause assessments undertaken for any incidents reported.

.


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6 TRAINING

6.1 Environmental induction Environmental induction training will be delivered to all staff and subcontractors involved in the Project. This will be delivered by the relevant Boral personnel (e.g. Environmental manager). This will include a component on environmental/what this Plan is for management and the associated controls and mitigation measures that will be implemented for the Project. All personnel will be required to sign an induction sheet, a copy of which will be maintained on site and appropriate records maintained.

Appropriate training and induction should include, but not be limited to:

• Raising awareness of on-site environmental management issues;

• Providing information on the location and importance of EECs, threatened flora and fauna species (and habitat) known to occur within the site;

• Providing information on the current and proposed management practices within the Compensatory Habitat area, Remnant Vegetation Conservation area and Offset area.

• Providing information on the boundaries for any proposed vegetation clearing;

• Training on procedures on encountering fauna (e.g snakes); and

• Training on weed identification and the appropriate guidelines for removing weeds, driving vehicles in weed infested locations and the disposal of weed infested topsoil.

6.2 Site-specific environmental training Where identified by the Environmental manager, additional site-specific training may be developed and implemented by the Project manager, delivered to relevant personnel/contractors as required regarding sensitive environmental issues. Specific training may include:

• Training in the use and location of spill kits

• Management, and environmental incident response training.

6.3 Environmental Incident Register A environmental incidents register will be maintained by the Environmental manager and will include any outcomes from incidents. These will feed into the inductions, toolbox meetings and pre-start meetings as necessary and appropriate.


41

7 CONTINGENCY PLANNING

7.1 Emergency incident plan An emergency incident plan will also be developed to respond to uncontrolled discharges of fuels, oils and chemicals/unforeseen events.

Response procedures for protection of the water environment will aim to:

• Contain and control emergency incidents

• Safeguard people on-site and offsite

• Protect drainage paths and waterways

• Minimise damage to the environment and property

• Identify appropriate disposal techniques for contaminated soils and water

• Facilitate remediation of the environment.

Suitable containment and clean up materials will be maintained within easy and quick access.

All reporting will be in accordance with Boral’s incident reporting management system. Similar complaints will be addressed through the site complaints register. Compliance with statutory requirements will be assessed through implementation of Boral’s site audit program that is aligned to ISO 19011:2003. Results of the above mentioned aspects will be used to ensure appropriate corrective actions are in place and to verify appropriate close out actions, follow up and reporting has occurred.


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8 REFERENCES

Corkery and Co. (2003). Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Dunmore Quarry Production Increase. Report prepared for Boral Resources by R. W. Corkery & Co. Cumberland Ecology (2009) Vegetation Offset Strategy (Development Consent Conditions 46-58) Flora and Fauna Management and Rehabilitation Plan 2009 Revision. Cumberland Ecology, Carlingford.

DECCW (2011) Strategy for the Conservation and Management of Biodiversity in the Dunmore – Shellharbour Hills Area. Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW, Sydney.

Hyder (2014) Dunmore Quarry Independent Environmental Audit 2014. Prepared for Boral Resources PTY Ltd by Hyder, North Sydney.


43


CONSERVATION AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

THE MINISTER ADMINISTERING THE NEW SOUTH WALES NA TIONAL PARKS AND

WILDLIFE ACT (1974)

AND

BORAL RESOURCES (NSW) PTY LTD ABN 51 000 756 507

For Dunmore Quarry

February 2011

IZl&ra {Jo/h..V Minister

Conservation Agreement .............................................................................. "Dunmore Quarry"

CONSERV ATION AGREEMENT UNDER PART 4 DIVISION 12 OF THE NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE ACT 1974

TIDS AGREEMENT made the day of , Two thousand and ten, BETWEEN the Minister for the time being administering the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974 ("the Minister" which expressions shall where the context admits, be deemed to include successors in office) of the one part and Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd ABN 51 000 756 507 ("the Owner") care of Boral Limited 'AMP Centre' Level 39, 50 Bridge Street Sydney NSW 2000 of the other part.

WHEREAS:

A The Owner is the registered proprietor of the following parcels of land being Lot 2, Deposited Plan 599265 and Lot 5 in Deposited Plan 431183, Parish of Terragong, County of Camden ("the Land"). That part of the Land shown by hatching on Diagram A annexed to this Agreement is the conservation area ("the conservation area"), being parts of Lot 5 DP 431183 and Lot 2 DP 599265. The conservation area covered by this Agreement equals 14.75 hectares.

B The Owner and the Minister recognise that the conservation area contains native vegetation communities including around 8 hectares of Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland and around 7.8 hectares of land that includes Illawarra Lowlands Grassy Woodland, Illawarra subtropical rainforest and pasture containing native grasses.

Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrub land in the Sydney Basin Bioregion, Illawarra Lowlands Grassy Woodland in the Sydney Basin Bioregion and IlIawarra Subtropical Rainforest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion are all listed as Endangered Ecological Communities on Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995

C The Owner and the Minister recognise that the conservation area contains populations of Zieria granulata listed as Endangered on Schedule 1 ofthe Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995.

D The Owner and the Minister recognise that the conservation area may contain habitat suitable for the Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) and the Eastern Bentwing Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis) listed as vulnerable on Schedule 2 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 and which have been recorded in the local area.

E The Owner and Minister recognise that the Conservation Agreement satisfies condition 46A in Schedule 4 of development consent DA 470-11-2003 Dunmore Quarry Development Consent granted by the Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure on 30 September 2004 as modified from time to time, for the long term security of the biodiversity offset refened to in condition 46( c) of the development consent.

F Accordingly, the parties hereby enter into the following Conservation Agreement under Section 69B Part 4 Division 12 ofthe National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

G The Owner and the Minister agree to take steps to protect and manage the conservation values of the conservation area as set'out in Annexures Band C.

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Limited Initials 2

Conservation Agreement ........................................... , ........ , .................. , ...... "Dunmore Quarry"

NOW TIDS AGREEMENT WITNESSES:

1. INTERPRETATION

1.1 In this Agreement unless the contrary intention appears:-

"Aboriginal Object" has the same meaning as in Section 5 of the Act;

"Aboriginal Place" has the same meaning as in Section 5 of the Act;

"the Act" means the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974 and any regulations from time to time in force thereunder;

"conservation area" means that part of the Land shown by hatching on the diagram annexed to this Agreement as Annexure A;

"conservation values" includes, without limitation, any native fauna and their habitats, native plants and their habitats, cultural heritage, and geo-heritage;

"controlled burning" means the controlled application of fire under specified environmental and weather conditions to a predetermined area and at the time, intensity and rate of spread required to attain planned resource management objectives;

"critical habitat" has the same meaning as in Section 4 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995;

"cultural heritage" refers to the historic, archaeological, social, cultural and contemporary values of the physical evidence and traditions of peoples, including Aboriginal peoples;

"damage" means incurring injury that impairs the values or usefulness of the conservation area;

"the Department" means the NSW Government Department responsible for administering Section 69A to KA of the Act;

"development" has the same meaning as provided for in Section 69A of the Act;

"Director-General" has the same meaning as Section 5 of the Act;

"fauna" has the same meaning as in Section 5 ofthe Act;

"geo-heritage" means geological deposits and landforms that are considered to have conservation values;

"indigenous fauna" means all native fauna belonging naturally to the conservation area;

"indigenous plants" means all native plants belonging naturally to the conservation area;

"Land" means that parcel ofland described in Recital A;

"Management Scheme for the conservation area" means management scheme prepared for the conservation area in consultation with the owner, annexed to this Agreement as Annexure C;

"Minister" means the Minister for the time being administering the Act and where not repugnant to the context includes the servants and agents of the Minister;

"native fauna" has the same meaning as "protected fauna" in Section 5 ofthe Act;

"native plant" has the same meaning as in Section 5 of the Act;

"Owner" has the meaning as in s69A of the Act and includes any successor in title to the owner within the meaning of s 69 E of the Act;

"pest animal" means any non-native animal having, or with the potential to have, an adverse economic, environmental or social impact;

Bora1 Resources (NSW) Pty Limited 3


"pesticide" has the same meaning as in Section 5 of the Pesticides Act 1999 which includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, baits and rodenticides;

"reasonable" in relation to carrying out an activity, means using the best methods available and carrying out the activity in such a way as to have minimal impact on the conservation values of the conservation area;

"road" allows the passage of vehicles and persons;

"threatened species, populations and ecological communities" and "threatened species, population or ecological community" have the same meaning as in the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995;

"track" allows non-vehicular access only;

"trail" allows the passage of vehicles and persons and is of minimal construction, being of limited width and minimal surface improvement;

1.2 Words importing the singular number shall include the plural and masculine gender the feminine or neuter and vice versa.

1.3 Any reference to a person shall be deemed to include a corporate body and vice versa.

1.4 Any covenant or agreement on the part of two or more persons shall be deemed to bind them jointly and severally.

2. USE OF THE CONSERVATION AREA

The Owner covenants with the Minister as follows:-

General responsibilities

2.1 Except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, the Owner must not intentionally carry out any act or omit to carry out any act, or cause or permit any act to be can-ied out or any act not to be can-ied out which act or omission may harm the conservation values in the conservation area.

Development

2.2 Except as permitted in this Agreement the Owner shall not construct any new road, access track, building or internal fencing or any development that could adversely affect the conservation values of the conservation area.

2.3 The Owner shall be permitted to:

2.3.1 construct a fence along the boundary of the conservation area;

2.3.2 maintain all new and existing fences within the conservation area;

2.3.3 maintain existing access tracks and trails within the conservation area; and

2.3.4 remove pre-existing dumped rubbish/waste with in consultation with the Department.



Subdivision

2.4 The owner shall be permitted to consolidate those parts of Lot 5 DP 431183, Lot 4 DP 571406 and Lot 2 DP 599265 comprising the conservation area, into one lot, and maintain a right of way through the consolidated lot to maintain ongoing vehicle access along the existing track.

Threatened species, ecological communities, populations and their habitats and critical habitat

2.5 Consistent with the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, where threatened species, populations and ecological communities occur in the conservation area the Owner must manage the conservation area:

Fire

2.5.1 to protect and promote the recovery of threatened speCles, populations and ecological communities, and

2.5.2 to protect the critical habitat of those threatened species, populations and ecological communities that are endangered, and

2.5.3 to eliminate or manage certain processes that threaten the survival or evolutionary development of threatened species, populations and ecological communities, and

2.5.4 to ensure that the impact of any action affecting threatened species, populations and ecological communities is properly assessed.

2.6 The Owner must not light a fire, or cause a fire to be lit on the conservation area unless it complies with the Rural Fires Act 1997, and:

2.6.1 the lighting of the fire is for the purposes of controlled burning and is carried out in accordance with any fire guidelines for controlled burning as provided for in Annexure C: Management Scheme for the conservation area; or

2.6.2 the lighting of the fire is a necessary component of bush fire hazard reduction work carried out in accordance with a notice served on the Owner under the Rural Fires Act 1997 or other applicable legislation; or

2.6.3 life or property is in immediate threat by bush fire and the lighting of the fire is reasonably necessary to protect life or property; or

2.6.4 the fire is a camp fire, subject to the compliance with the Rural Fires Act 1997, or

2.6.5 the Director-General gives prior written consent to the lighting of the fire.

Cultural Heritage

2.7 In accordance with Part 6 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, the Owner must not cause damage to Aboriginal places and Aboriginal objects on the conservation area.

Control of non-indigenous plants and fauna

2.8 Except as permitted in this Agreement the Owner: 2.8.1 must use their best endeavours to control, and where possible remove all non

indigenous plants and non-indigenous fauna from the conservation area identified to have significant detrimental impacts on the conservation area; and



2.8.2 must take such reasonable measures in relation to the control of non-indigenous plants and non-indigenous fauna as specified in the Management Scheme (Annexure C).

3. MANAGEMENT OF THE LAND

3.1 The Owner must manage the conservation area in accordance with this Agreement.

3.2 The Owner must inform the Director-General as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the deterioration of any of the natural values or cultural values of the conservation area, or of any threat to these values.

3.3 This Agreement includes Annexure B describing and mapping the conservation values of the conservation area. An aerial photograph shows the location of the conservation area, the conservation values and photo-points. Photographs have been taken at the photopoints, at the time of entering into this Agreement. This provides baseline infOlmation and data for ongoing compliance monitoring and adaptive management of the conservation area.

3.4 This Agreement includes Annexure C, setting out the Management Scheme for the conservation area including the management of conservation values and other matters referred to in Annexure B.

3.5 Detailed management guidelines and actions for the conservation of the conservation area may be prepared, subject to the endorsement of the Owner and the Director-General and the terms of this Agreement.

4. USE OF THE LAND BY SERVANTS, AGENTS, LESSEES OR LICENSEES

The Owner must incorporate the terms of this Agreement in any lease or licence issued over the conservation area, and at all times use its reasonable endeavours to ensure that any servant, contractor, consultant, agent, lessee, licensee occupying the conservation area shall be aware of the relevant provisions of this Agreement.

5. CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP

The Owner must notifY the Director-General in writing of any change of Ownership or control of the conservation area within 28 days after the change of ownership and control. The notice must include the name and address of the new owner.

6. RIGHT TO INSPECT

The Minister, the Director-General and their servants and agents may at any time upon first giving reasonable notice to the Owner, the Owner's agent, lessee or licensee, enter upon the conservation area to inspect the conservation area for the purposes of ensuring compliance with this Agreement.

7. OBLIGATIONS OF THE MINISTER

The Minister covenants with the Owner as follows: -

7.1 The Owner will bear the costs of, and incidental to, the preparation of this Agreement including payment of the Owner's reasonable legal costs connected with the execution of this Agreement and any necessary stamp duty and registration fees.

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Limited lnitials J.; r:;tJ 6


7.2 The Minister agrees to notify the Registrar General when this Conservation Agreement has been entered into, varied or terminated so that the Registrar General can carry out his or her responsibilities pursuant to section 69F of the Act.

7.3 The Minister will arrange for the provision of technical advice and any other assistance to the Owner as the Minister deems necessary to assist with the implementation of this Agreement.

7.4 The Minister agrees to the extent of his or her statutory responsibilities that the signing of this Agreement shall not render the Owner ineligible for any compensation and assistance which may, under future legislation, become available to landowners who enter into a conservation agreement pursuant to the Act or any other Act.

8. NON-COMPLIANCE

In the event that the Owner fails to comply with this Conservation Agreement, including, without limitation, damaging or causing damage to the conservation area, the Department may issue a written notice to the Owner requiring the Owner to remedy the non-compliance or damage within a specified time period. This clause does not affect any rights of the parties under section 69G of the Act.

9. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

If a party to the Conservation Agreement is dissatisfied with the conduct of the other party under this Conservation Agreement, that party must notify the other party in writing and if the dispute cannot be resolved by discussions between the parties it shall be referred to the Director-General who will establish a mechanism whereby the dispute can be resolved.

10. COMMENCEMENT AMENDMENT AND DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall have effect from the day of execution.

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Limited lnitials 7


IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement the day and year first above written.

SIGNED by The Minister administering ) the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974) for the purpose of rendering liable the ) Government of the State of New ) South Wales (but not so as to incur ) any personal liability) hereunder in) ~ ,/J the presence of: ) ;YO¥- r tW'/..Q/

The Minister •

A"1 /0' (').o 1I Date

~As~D~ .... ,4, ~R.LS 9 10 &L. PCJ<.-. WA LL.. PI P.D

A~TSFb{<.f) . NSrJ.::lO+b . Witness Name and address

':2-,/,6 120 II

SIGNED for and on behalf of Boral Resources ~SW) Pty Ltd ABN 51 000 765 507

Executed pursuant to s 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth)

by its authorise sentatives

Date

in the presence of

--<2~ Witness signature

Cl-u'" ,Ss K.aS-S 5;; ?aosPEcI

Witness Name and address

Z.3/1../U Date I

Date r I

DoNI ."'. c- M I~

ltion (f}j-reet"6t/Secretary)

in the pre ence of

-:::5Z6~ Witnes signature

n AMP GetJ1f:.€, ~D bJA(J..J\<,E S'-( DN E"1 Witness Name and address

Date Z'( /7-(((

i

Landowners Name and address for service of notices:

Bora} Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd PO Box 42 Wetworthville NSW 2145

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Limited ==--lnitial -.......-rlrfJt 8

Conservation Agreement "Dunmore Quarry"

ANNEXURE A ; DIAGRAM A,

o

2

D.P. 599265

DIAGRAM OF CONSERVATION AREA Parish of Terragong County of Camden

Lot 2 DP 599265 & Lot 5 FP 431163 Conservation area shown In hatch does

not Include the RJght of Carriageway shown In DP 599266

D.P. 770102

5

4

D.P. 571406

3 F.P. 431183

D.P. 699266

SCHEDULE OF SHORT LINES

Number Bearing Olstal1oe Number Bearing 1 344' 20"OS" 15.041 7 160' 17'22" . 2 328"21'SS" 39.081 8 249' 49'13" 3 272'55'lr 63.76.8 9 285' 22'20"

" 94' 1\8'44" 76.311 10 313' 42'35" .-5 319' 31'15' 72.035 11 '270' 52'20" 6 173' 07'01" 73.592 12 54'23'03"

I Matth~Y B. SmUll ot Craven E~16ton & Hayes (Oapla) PIl a surveyor registered under the Surveying and Spallal IntormaUon Act 2002, c:enify 11181111& survey represenled In this plan Is In accordance with alause 9 of !he S\lrveylng and ~paOallnformaUan Regulations 2006 and Is a survey 10 be lodged on pubOc reeord as referred to In thaI Clause,

225 450

Distance Number 120.813 ..1.3 87.752 14 111 .101 15 97.955 18 145.003 17 80.130 -

Nolllttons: Survey Method RTK. GPS, Accuracy +-0.1 METRES Ortgln by survey Plans Used: DP 599265 FP 431163 DP 571406

BearIng 54' 23'03"

278' 26'16" 87' 26'2r

301 ' 36'25' 121 ' 36'25"

Distance

25.858 92.458 110.236 68.539 26.707

W) Ply LId

The'tr ~k./

CRAVEN, ELLISTON & HAYES (DAPTO) PTY. LTD, A . a . N . 81 056 544 804

CONSULTING LAND, ENGINEERING AND MINlNG SURVEYORS, TOWN PLANNERS

ANNEXURE TO CONSERVATION AGREEMENT DEALING SCALE 1 :6000

9

Conser ation Agreement

ANNEXUREB

CONSERVATION VALUES

1. CONSERVATION VALUES

, Dunmore Quarr_ .,

The Owner and the Minister recognise that the conservation area contains the following conservation values. Conservation values are to be managed in accordance with Annexure C: Management Scheme for the conservation area.

A. The conservation area contains native vegetation communities including around 8 hectares of Melqleuca arrnillaris Tall Shrubland (Zone 1) and around 7.8 hectares ofland that includes Illawarra Lowlands Grassy Woodland, Illawarra subtropical rainforest and pasture containing native grasses.

Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrub land in the Sydney Basin Bioregion, Illawarra Lowlands Grassy Woodland in the Sydney Basin Bioregion and Illawarra Subtropical Rainforest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion are all listed as Endangered Ecological Communities on Schedule I of the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995

B. The conservation area contains populations of Zieria granulata listed as Endangered on Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995.

C. The conservation area may contain habitat suitable for the Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) and the Eastern Bentwing Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis) listed as vulnerable on Schedule 2 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 and which have been recorded in the local area.

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd Initials of Directors: 10


2. AERIAL IMAGES

Legend

;;~;, Sijes , .-

Conservation ,slJreement

. ,lIa"i',arra Subtropical Rainfored EEC

_ 1",18IaI8I1ca armilia,is Tall Sh,ubland EE C

11lal,il.arra LO\A·iands Grassyv\roodland EEC

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Lld Ini tia ls of Directors:

Dunmore Quarry'

Dunmore Quarry Conservation Agreement

Photopoint Locations 10 ftl?t QIf:Jl 11

.;

A

~ II

Conservatioll Agreement

Conservation t.greement

IlIa'l',arra Subtropical Rainforest EEC

t, .. 1elaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland EE C

IIla'~,arra Lo\.,iands Grassy V\,!oodland EE C

Boral Resources (NSW) PI), Ltd Initials of DirecLOrs:

"Dunmore Quarry'

Dunmore Quarry Conservation ,A,greement

Points oi Interest 16 ''')ff''llV~ tI

.....

A

12

Con ervation Agreement Dunmore Quarry)'

3. PHOTOPOINT AND OTHER PHOTOS

Site 1 Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland Location: Easting: 0299703; Northing: 6167208 Next to unnamed creek line. To locate: enter via gate and walk directly to creek north from SW CA site gate.


Conservation Agreement "Dun more Qua rry

Site 1_Photopoint N

Site 2 - lIIawarra Lowlands Grassy Woodland Location: Easting: 0299984 ; Northing: 6167173 Approximately 50 metres north of the southern access gate to the CA area in the vicinity of the fence line.

Site 2

Bora! Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd Initial, ofDireoto,,; 6Y fJ{

Conservation Agreement Dunmore Quarry"

Site 2_Photopoint NNW

Site 2_Photopoint SW

Bora! Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd 15

Con er ation Agreement Dunmore Q uarry"

Site 3 - lIIawarra Subtropical Rainforest Location: Easting: 0299887: Northing: 6167369 Adjacent to Rocklow Road Northern Boundary of CA Site

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd Initials of Directors: (if ~ 16

Conservation Agreement Dunmore Quarry'

Site 3_Photopoint NW

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd Initials of Directors: 61 rfl! 17

Con ervation Agreement 'Dunmore Quarry"

POINTS OF INTEREST

Point of Interest 1 - Geological Feature on Unnamed Creek - Basalt Flow Outcrop. Easting 0299816: Northing 6167214

This Basalt outcrop also separates the vegetation communities, with the creek flowing down off this outcrop into the IIlawarra Subtropical Rainforest

Point Of Interest 2 - Dry Stone Wall and Rock Dump Easting 0299816: Northing 616721 4

.~.

Bora] Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd 1&


Point Of Interest 3 - Dry Stone Wall and Rock Dump Easting 0299885 :Northing 6167289

"Dunmore Quarry"

Dry Stone Wall along top of Rainforest Gully. Poorly formed and corresponding rock dump

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd Initials ofDireclo'" (;f iJ( 19


Point Of Interest 4 - Dry Stone Wall Easting 0300031 : Northing 6167184

Basic rock stone wall with old rolled barb wire on top

' Dunmore Quarry ,

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd Initials ofDi,,,tors: tf ~ 20

on en'ation Agreement

Point of Interest 5 - Dry Stone Wall Easting 0300068: Northing 6167117

"Dunmore Quarry"

Dry stone wall, best example on the CA site, well formed and relatively in tact for approximately 100 metres.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd Initials ofDirectors: oI.fJ!. 21

on ervation Agreement

Point of Interest 6 - Dry Stone Wall Easting 0300254: Northing 6167117

Dry Stone wall adjacent to unnamed creek line

Point of Interest 7 - Dry Stone Wall Easting 0300159: Northing 6167289 .

Dry Stone wall with old barb wire short span less than 10m

'Dunmore Quarry'

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd Initials ofDh-ecto,,: r;( IJI 22

Con ervation Agreement "Dunmore Qmlrry ,

ANNEXUREC

MANAGEMENT SCHEME FOR THE CONSERV ATION AREA

The conservation values identified in Annexure B are to be managed in accordance with the principles and activities outlined below.

ITEM 1: The following activities may be undertaken on, or in respect of, conservation area part 1 and conservation area part 2 (as relevant) in the manner specified as follows:

Weed control a) Carrying out weed control using the appropriate control methods below and in accordance with

the Dunmore Quarry Flora and Fauna Management Plan. • Use glyph ate based herbicide by direct application to cut surfaces (cut and paint or scrape

and paint method ) and targeted spraying. This should be limited to according to the directions on the label and en uring that there is no off-target damage.

• Using appropriate control measure a recommended in the Department of Industry and Investment Noxious and Environmental Weed Control 4th Edition 2009 or equivalent replacements for control of weed , ensuring minimal off target damage.

• Remove weeds by hand ensuring that all plant parts which can reproduce are removed and that soils do not become prone to erosion.

• Other weed control methods may be undertaken with prior written permission of the Director-General.

• Ensure control programs are commenced when timing and extent of weed removal will minimise adverse effects on wildlife (weeds may provide protection or habitat for native fauna).

• Ensure removal of lantana is not undertaken during nesting periods for small birds which nest in lantana stands.

• Continue to check for weed invasion and regrowth and treat any outbreaks. • Check adjacent areas and gardens for invasive plant species and remove, or control their

spread.

Feral animal control b) Monitoring impacts to the conservation area by pest animals and undertaking of on-going control

programs for feral animals if appropriate. • Methods for monitoring pest animal activity can include;

o observations and/or hearing calls, o the use of standard "sand plots", o the use of non-poisoned "bait stations", o scat counts, and o other quantitative techniques which can be designed in discussion with the Department

or the Livestock Health and Pest Authority

• Methods for control can include shooting, trapping and use of poisonous baits consistent with advice from the Department and the Livestock Health and Pest Authority.

• Participate in community pest animal control programs, and encourage neighbours to implement pest animal control programs.

Bora! Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd Initials ofDi",(o,,: tf! t#I 23

Conservation Agreement , Dunmore Quan'Y

Fire c) Suppression of all wildfires occurring in conservation area as quickly as possible with the aim of

keeping fires to a small area.

d) Undertaking of fire hazard reduction to protect the natural assets of conservation area, III

appropriate locations, with any required approvals and/or permits using: • raking and hand clearing; • pile burning; or • fuel reduction burns.

e) Using fire hazard reduction bums and controlled burning which take into account the recommended fire intervals given in the Bush Fire Environmental Assessment Code for New South Wales (Rural Fire Service February 2006) and the guidelines contained in the Threatened Species Hazard Reduction Lists for the Bush Fire Environmental Assessment Code or equivalent replacements.

Current recommendations are: Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland: No fire more than once every 10 years Illawarra Lowland Grassy Woodland: No fire more than once every 5 years for grassy

woodland sub-community Illawarra Subtropical Rainforest: No fire

No part of any vegetation type above is to be subjected to successive fires more frequently than the minimum fire interval, and at least 50 per cent of each of the vegetation types within the Conservation Area must exist in a state that has been burnt less frequently than the minimum fire interval.

Vehicle access f) Vehicle access to formed trails for management purposes as approved by the Department, fire

fighting or and any emergency requirements.

Threatened species g) Implementing any reasonable measures included in recovery plans or other specific management

advice from the Department for any threatened species or communities which are or may be found in the conservation area.

Restoration of indigenous vegetation h) Restoration of native vegetation using the preferred method of encouraging and retaining natural

regeneration.

i) Revegetation to establish indigenous plants to maintain the vegetation structure in keeping with the identified vegetation community, using species produced from material sourced locally and without fertilisers, where: • the ability to regenerate naturally within a reasonable time frame has been lost, or • to prevent soil erosion.

Revegetation methods can include: • planting; • brush mulching; or • direct seeding.

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd Inili.lsofDi,,"o,,' ~ ~ 24

Conservation Agreement Dunmore Quarry'

Seed collection j) Collection of seed for non-commercial use in keeping with Guidelines and Codes of Practice

developed by Florabank (www.f1orabank.org.au). and the following limitations and permissions:

• Collect seed in the conservation area only if seed of the palticular species and genotype is not available elsewhere, or if the seed collected is intended for seedlings that will be planted within the conservation area or adjacent to the conservation area.

• Seeds may be collected from within endangered ecological communities and

• Seeds may not be collected from species individually listed on schedules 1, lA or 2 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act without prior written approval from the Director General, or under a licence granted under S132c of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 197 or S91 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

• Seeds may be collected from any protected species listed under Section 131 (Schedule 13) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

• Seeds may be collected from any other native species

Thinning of indigenous vegetation k) Thinning of regenerating indigenous species which are altering the structure of the vegetation

and/or reducing conservation values. Thinning should be planned in consultation with the Department.

Provis ion of habitat 1) Installation of habitat boxes for native fauna in strategic locations where suitable hollows for

native fauna are limited or absent. Locations and number to be determined in consultation with the Department.

Cultural heritage m) Recording and management of any newly identified Aboriginal objects, in consultation with the

Department (and the Aboriginal community where applicable.)

Visitation and research n) Visitation, research and community use at a level that does not adversely impact on the

conservation values of the area or the amenity of the Owner. Research projects should be discussed with the Department.

Developments 0) Carrying out developments as described in Clause 2.4 of the Agreement, and maintaining

developments (including existing fire trails and infrastructure) with the following conditions • Trails will not be wider that 3 metres. • Tracks will not be wider than 1.5 metres. • Clear a corridor not greater than 3 metres wide during construction or for maintenance for the

installation of fences or other agreed rural structures. • Construct and maintain fences to ensure they are stockproof • Remove fallen timber and any other obstructions to maintain access. • Where clearing is necessary, undertake all works in a manner that minimises disturbance to

soil and hydrological characteristics. • Remove old fences and close unwanted tracks within the conservation area and facilitate

restoration of native vegetation by allowing natural regeneration.

Monitoring p) Annexure B contains dated aerial photographs/maps showing the location of the conservation

area, the conservation values and photo-points. Photographs have been taken at these photopoints at the time of entering the agreement. This provides baseline infonnation and data for ongoing monitoring and adaptive management of the conservation area.

Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd Initials of Directo,,' of r/JI 25

Conservation Agreement "Dunmore Quarry"

q) Photographs at the identified photo-points should be taken from time to time in consultation with Department officers for the purposes of ongoing monitoring of the conservation values.

r) The Owner should from time to time, complete a monitoring report, including photo-point photos, noting changes occurring in the conservation area. This will fOlm the basis for decisions about ongoing management actions. A copy of all monitoring reports should be forwarded to the Department.

ITEM 2: The landholders shall not undertake, consent to or permit (unless specified in Item 1 of Annexure C or with prior written consent of the Director-General)

a) the sowing or planting of trees, grasses or other plants in the conservation area

b) the introduction of any non-indigenous plants or non-indigenous fauna into the conservation area

c) the entry of domestic animals including pets and domestic livestock in the conservation area

d) the use or application of fertiliser or pesticides in the conservation area

e) the use of trail bikes, four wheel drive vehicles or any other vehicle in the conservation area off any formed road

f) any works in the conservation area, especially any revegetation work and developments, which have the potential to impact on any cultural features. (Seek advice from the Department if any are identified, prior to any work commencing)

g) the removal of any biological or inorganic component of the conservation area

h) any works which ill adversely affect the natural flows and bodies of water.



44

Revised Biodiversity Offset for Quarry Extension


45

Vegetation Clearing Protocol (Cumberland Ecology 2009)

DUNMORE QUARRY PRODUCTION INCREASE##

4.1 FINAL REPORT BORAL

22 MAY 2009

Chapter44.

Vegetation Clearing Protocol

The Vegetation Clearing Protocol (VCP) will:

delineate the areas of remnant vegetation to be cleared; and

describe the procedures that would be implemented for:

pre-clearance surveys;

progressive clearing;

fauna management;

conserving and reusing topsoil;

collecting seed from the site;

salvaging and reusing material from the site; and

controlling weeds.

The Vegetation Clearing Protocol will provide details about the conservation and

management of the topsoil and constituent seed bank, the duration of topsoil storage and

the locations for temporary storage of topsoil. Such locations will be determined in

consultation with the Boral Quarry Manager.

4.1 Identification of remnant vegetation to be cleared

Ground truthing confirmed that the extent of Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland was 2.3ha

and the area of the Eucalyptus tereticornis – E. quadrangulata Open Forest was 4.1ha in

the approved Croome Farm extension. Thus the area of compensatory habitat required

for this extension is 4.6 Ha for Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland and 8.2 Ha for Illawarra

Lowlands Grassy Woodland (Eucalyptus tereticornis – E. quadrangulata Open Forest).

The offset for the extension into the RailCorp Land has been identified as a designated

area within Appendix 3 of the Consent Instrument. This Central Vegetation Offset includes

an 8ha active management zone containing Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland in which

weed control and supplementary plantings will be undertaken.



22 MAY 2009

4.2 Pre-clearance Surveys

Vegetation and topsoil removal will be undertaken within the Approved Quarry Extraction

(AQE) area in small stages each covering 2ha.

The boundaries of each vegetation community to be cleared at each stage must be

identified prior to removal and clearly delineated with high visibility markers for easy

identification by quarry staff and/or contractors engaged in the clearing operation.

Targeted surveys for threatened fauna will be conducted prior to each stage of clearing for

the approved quarry extension (see protocol Table I.1, Appendix I).

The aims of the pre-clearance fauna surveys are to:

Document food trees to be removed if threatened species are found to utilise

these trees on the site.

Check hollow bearing trees for signs of breeding of threatened species

Detect roosting and breeding sites of threatened species ;

Detect any individual threatened species in path of clearing and remove from

disturbance area to minimise risk of injury

4.3 Progressive Clearing

At each stage of vegetation and topsoil removal in the Approved Quarry Extension,

clearing cannot proceed until boundaries of the endangered ecological communities have

been clearly marked and observed threatened fauna have been evacuated from the site.

Clearing activities will be confined to demarcated areas. Vegetation and topsoil removal

from each of the two vegetation communities identified on the site will require separate

treatment according to how the various components will be used in the Compensatory

Habitat Management Plan (see below).

4.4 Fauna Management

Fauna management procedures are set out in Capture / Observation Procedures for Pre-

clearing Survey Appendix I, Table I.2. Clearing cannot proceed until observed threatened

fauna have been evacuated from site.

The recommended procedures set out a protocol to deal with live, injured or dead

threatened species recorded during the pre-clearance surveys:

Document and report details and location of threatened species found on the site



22 MAY 2009

Small mammals detected during pre-clearance survey - capture and release

threatened species near point of capture in undisturbed habitat

Encourage tree roosting threatened species to move from roost early morning

prior to clearing

Monitor roost for up to one week to allow bats to vacate of own accord if

possible. Progressively block access to hollows after bats depart for night

time feeding.

If threatened species are found nesting in the site inform Environmental Officer

and establish a buffer around nest site until the nest is vacated by adults and

young.

Contact local carer for injured threatened species.

Capture injured animal (by qualified and immunised personnel) and hold in a

cotton lined bag which is to be kept in a quiet, warm dark place until it is given

to carer.

Prepare and forward dead specimens of threatened species to museum if

appropriate.

4.5 Conserving and Reusing Topsoil

Soil underlying M. armillaris vegetation in the quarry extension area is very shallow to

skeletal with surface rock making topsoil retrieval difficult. As far as possible, shallow soil

and surface rock will be retrieved after removal of M. armillaris shrubland vegetation. This

material will be transported and spread immediately on the prepared site in the CHMZ.

Mulched M. armillaris vegetation will be spread over translocated topsoil.

In the more heavily Lantana infested areas (especially under the open forest) where soil

thickness exceeds 0.2m, it will be pushed into windrows by a bulldozer and loaded into

haul trucks with a front-end loader. The topsoil recovered to date in the Croome Farm

extraction area has been used to assist in the revegetation of the acoustic bund wall that

has been constructed progressively southwest of the Croome Farm extraction area. Any

excess topsoil from the Croome Farm extraction area would be stored in the original

Dunmore Quarry until it is needed for revegetation activities. Soil stockpiles are typically

less than 1.5m high and are allowed to regenerate naturally to limit erosion and generation

of sediment-laden runoff.



22 MAY 2009

4.6 Collecting Seed from the Site

An important component of the Compensatory Habitat Management Plan is the

reconstruction/fabrication of an area equivalent to twice the area of the endangered

ecological communities to be removed for the approved Croome Farm extension. The

chances of successful establishment of a self-sustaining ecological community in the

compensatory habitat areas are greatly enhanced by introducing a diverse range of locally

sourced seed or seedlings that are representative of the vegetation communities into sites

closely matched for soil type / geology and position in landscape. Since all the vegetation

will be cleared on the quarry extension site, as much seed as possible should be collected

from the site prior to and during clearing. During clearing it is easier to collect seed that

was previously inaccessible.

Field reconnaissance will need to be conducted to determine the exact location of target

seed populations. The location of individual plants may need to be marked on maps or by

using a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS).

FloraBank20

has produced guidelines for collecting seed from native vegetation for use in

revegtation programs. Seed collecting from the quarry extension site should be carried

out by suitably qualified personnel familiar with local species, flowering, fruiting and

seeding times and correct collecting, storage and treatment methods.

4.7 Salvaging and Reusing Material from the Site;

4.7.1 Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland

Vegetation from Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland with low levels of Lantana infestation

will be removed from the extraction areas and transported and spread immediately to the

offset sites for MATS fabrication. Smaller branches will be mulched and spread on the

CHMZ-MATS site.

4.7.2 Illawarra Lowlands Grassy Woodland

Vegetation from Illawarra Lowland Grassy Woodland with low levels of Lantana infestation

will be removed from the area to be developed for extraction and transported immediately

to the CHMZ and temporarily stockpiled for ILGW reconstruction. Smaller branches will be

mulched and spread on the CHMZ-ILGW site.

4.8 Controlling Weeds

Vegetation from Melaleuca armillaris Tall Shrubland with moderate to high levels of

Lantana infestation will be removed by a bulldozer pushing and stockpiling the pushed-up

trees and shrubs beyond the limits of the extraction stage being cleared. The vegetation



22 MAY 2009

removed will be stockpiled on the margins of the active extraction area and within the

regeneration area west of the Croome Farm extraction area for use in rehabilitation works

The vegetation from Illawarra Lowlands Grassy Woodland with moderate to high levels of

Lantana infestation will be removed by a bulldozer pushing and stockpiling the pushed-up

trees and shrubs beyond the limits of the extraction stage being cleared. The vegetation

removed to date has been stockpiled on the margins of the active extraction area and

within the regeneration area west of the Croome Farm extraction area for use in

rehabilitation works in conjunction with the rehabilitation plan for the Project Site. None of

the vegetation will be burnt.

4.9 Summary of mitigation measures for vegetation clearing

A number of measures are recommended in Table 4.1 to mitigate potential negative

impacts of clearing on flora and fauna.

Table 4.1 SUMMARY OF MITIGATION MEASURES FOR VEGETATION CLEARING

Mitigation Measure Timing Responsibility

Problem

Reporting

Approved Quarry Extension (AQE)

Pre-clearing surveys (AQE) to identify

vegetation and threatened fauna survey of

each (2 Ha) stage of clearing (appendices

G & H)

Prior to bulldozing, for

vegetation removal and

topsoil stripping and

translocation of soil

Boral DECC/DOP

Follow procedures set out in fauna habitat

management plan for native fauna

identified in pre-clearing survey





Boral DECC/DOP

After threatened fauna have vacated the

site, clearly mark areas of identified

vegetation communities at each stage of

vegetation and topsoil removal in AQE and

confine work to these areas





Boral DECC/DOP

Clearing (AQE) - soil for translocation to

CHMZ to be obtained from minimally weed

infested area with comparable soil type.

Prior to stripping and


Boral DOP

Documents

Flora and Fauna Management Plan · 2017. 10. 10. · The purpose of this Flora and Fauna Management Plan (FFMP) is to provide a single operational document that clearly identifies