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Whilst all efforts to make this information accurate and complete, no guarantee can be given to this extent.No decisions should be made from the information contained on this plan without further reference.Do not rely on this information beyond the date of creation as regular changes to the data occur.Refer any requests to the Perth Airport - Design Office for the most accurate and up to date data.

Note: Drawing is not an official document WORKING PLAN ONLY A4

Date: 1/12/2016

Vegetation Condition (2016 Preliminary)

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Vegetation - ConditionExcellentGood to Very GoodGoodDegraded to GoodDegradedDegraded to Completely DegradedCompletely DegradedN:\ENVIRONMENT\GIS\AirportWest\DFO_LS_VEG_C_1116.mxd

Direct Factory OutletDraft Minor Variation - Extract for Part 13Major Development Plan

January 2017

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3. Amended Section 2 - Description of the Development

3.1 Proposed Development under this minor variationThis minor variation is seeking approval for the clearing and construction of the Living Stream to support the approved DFO development. The Living Stream development provides a critical function to support the natural surface water management and peak flows for the Southern Main Drain through the estate as well as improving water quality prior to discharge to the downstream section of the drain. This is achieved by the construction of a vegetated high level overflow drain that is referred to as a ‘living stream’. A typical Living Stream area on the Perth Airport estate is shown in Figure 1.

The Living Stream provides for stormwater management from the DFO development as well as future developments in the Airport West Precinct. The Living Stream will improve general amenity in the area and environmental performance of the main stormwater system that passes through the airport estate before it is discharged into the Water Corporation section of the Southern Main Drain and then ultimately into the Swan River.

The project boundary also includes an area that will be cleared to facilitate the installation of services and drainage connection for a future road development of Boud Avenue. This area is included as it meets the defintion of the Banksia Woodlands on the Swan Coastal Plain (BWSCP) ecological community from a suitable native vegitation community type, quality and size. Any area that did not meet the eligible criteria due to condition or isolation was not included.

The Living Stream project covers an area of around five hectares of land with approximately 50 per cent previously disturbed by clearing and drainage, including the Southern Main Drain. The remaining vegetation ranges in quality from ‘completely degraded’ to ‘excellent’. The majority of the boundary of the Living Stream and service and drainage areas is shown in Figure 2. The total Living Stream boundary is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 1: Typical living stream on the Perth Airport estate

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Figure 2 Minor Variation MDP boundary in relation to the approved DFO MDP boundary

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3.2. Project JustificationPerth Airport has for many decades had a drainage solution based on heavily engineered channels which disconnect the water flow from the natural environment and prevents infiltration into the groundwater, which is essential in the Perth coastal basin. Engineered channels also encourage rapid flows which exacerbate peak flows. Perth Airport has had a long standing commitment to replace the historical engineered channel and return water flows to a more natural form. Slowing the flow rates by increasing flow area, planting of sedges and rushed plus larger forms of vegetation increases infiltration, which helps recharge natural groundwater systems. The series of basins in the network provides the dual function of storing peak flows and also filtrating water through the use of multiple types of vegetation. Additionally the entire channel and storage system enables Perth Airport to meet its commitment to maintain peak flows off the estate at 1997 levels.

The construction of Living Stream meets the development objectives of Perth Airport detailed in Section 2.5.1 of the Master Plan 2014, as it will, in conjunction with the DFO project:

Bring land not required for long-term aviation services into productive use to support economic development and employment creation in Western Australia.

The Living Stream project also satisfies the Master Plan 2014 objective to

Ensure the ongoing integrity of other critical infrastructure that may be impacted by airport development.

The DFO development, including the Living Stream, will contribute positively to the local Western Australian economy and community as a whole and provide other users of the estate (besides those accessing air services) further diversity of product, services and amenities within the Airport West Precinct.

The vegetation in the Living Stream channel and basin will improve the water quality of the stormwater runoff from the DFO building and carpark before it leaves the airport estate and ultimately flows into the Swan River.

The Living Stream development forms part of the overall master plan for the airport drainage system and was presented in Section 8.2 and Section 9.6 of Master Plan 2014 as part of realignment works required for the Southern Main Drain. The Master Plan 2014 acknowledged the limitations of the Southern Main Drain, which contributes to the potential for localised flooding in peak flow events, including insufficient capacity for the larger flows.

• Section 8.2.3 of the Master Plan 2014 highlights the future stormwater infrastructure needs that were identified in the Perth Airport Master Drainage Strategy. The strategy identifies possible infrastructure works and the Master Plan 2014 outlines that the realigning parts of the North and Southern Main Drains and the advantages of constructing a Living Stream as part of the realignment for the Southern Main Drain.

• Section 9.6.3 of the Master Plan 2014 states that:

water quality is managed at the development scale and also at the estate scale. At the estate scale, Perth Airport has developed the concept of the Living Stream project focussing on water quality and water storage capacity improvements on the SMD. The project recognises the potential for improving the water quality of the SMD and ensuring the development and operations of the airport estate do not negatively impact the water quality of the SMD.

3.3. Site and Land Description The Living Stream site is located to the south-west of DFO development boundary within the Airport West Precinct and between Tonkin Highway and Dunreath Drive.

The land is within close proximity to the boundary of the Perth Airport estate, and runs along Tonkin Highway, north of the Dunreath Drive interchange.

Figure 3 demonstrates the location of the Living Stream site on the Perth Airport estate, in relation to the DFO boundary.

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Figure 3 Location of the Living Stream site on the Perth Airport estate

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The Living Stream site consists of around 5.50 hectares of land with over 50 per cent previously disturbed by clearing and drainage, including the Southern Main Drain. The remaining vegetation ranges in quality from ‘completely degraded’ to ‘excellent’.

There is a variance of 0.01 (5.50 vs 5.49) hectares in the total vegetation to be cleared between the results of vegetation surveys conducted in 2012 and 2016. This variance is discussed within Section 4.5.3. This is considered acceptable due to likely variance in field methodology and rounding errors. However, for the purpose of this minor variation, it should be considered that 5.50 hectares is the total project footprint.

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Figure 4 Minor Variation MDP Boundary Airport West - DFO

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Whilst all efforts to make this information accurate and complete, no guarantee can be given to this extent.No decisions should be made from the information contained on this plan without further reference.Do not rely on this information beyond the date of creation as regular changes to the data occur.Refer any requests to the Perth Airport - Design Office for the most accurate and up to date data.

Note: Drawing is not an official document WORKING PLAN ONLY

A4Date: 19/01/2017

1:5,000Airport Boundary

Living Stream Boundary

MDP Boundary

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3.4. Project ScopeThe Living Stream development comprises a broad, meandering natural style, channel section, 950 metres long, varying in width from 25 metres to 50 metres and from two to 4.5 metres in depth, terminating in a basin 200 meters long and 90 meters wide and up to three meters depth, which outflows into the Water Corporation’s piped main drainage system.

The channel and basin are designed to accommodate events up to the one in 100 year storm.

A typical cross section of the channel is shown in Figure 5 and 6.

In a normal year the Southern Main Drain drains groundwater for 11 months of the year. Based on concept stormwater modelling, the base of the detention basin outside of the low flow channel is expected to be covered with water only in a storm event, draining the flows from a one in one year storm event in less than two days. The basin is designed to accommodate the one in 100 year storm event as part of management of peak flows discharged off the airport estate.

The channel and the basin are designed to be free draining. When the basin area becomes inundated the rising and falling top water level combined with the sloping sides as well as the constantly moving water will help to disrupt mosquito breeding cycles in the unlikely event that inundation times are longer than three days.

The project area also ensures that the Living Stream integrates into the present road network.

3.5 Construction activitiesConstruction of the Living Stream is expected to commence in March 2017, subject to Perth Airport Board and statutory approvals.

It is anticipated that the channel section will be formed using an excavator, with the spoil removed by trucks. The basin will be formed either by an excavator, or by a combination of grader and front end loader with the spoil again removed by trucks. The spoil will be used in other locations on estate.

Living Stream has been included in the scope of works for the DFO development due to the proximity of the two sites. Living Stream would be more difficult to construct if the DFO building was completed prior, and the parallel construction provides benefits in productivity, site access and project cost.

All works on the airport estate subject to this minor variation will be completed in accordance with the timeframes outlined in the approved MDP and Section 94 of the Act.

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Figure 5: Typical Channel Section Figure 6: Typical Detention Basin Section

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4. Amended Section 7 - Environment and Heritage Assessment

A review of the environmental and heritage factors and impacts associated with the construction and operations of the Living Stream development has been undertaken and presented in the following sections. The key areas identified for review and impact consideration were:• legislative environment,• climate conditions,• geology and soil conditions, including acid sulfate soils,• groundwater,• surface hydrology,• contaminated sites,• vegetation and flora (including EPBC Act listed species),• Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs),• fauna, and • heritage sites.

As per the approved MDP, identification of the environmental values within the Living Stream project area are based on data attained by site investigations and information obtained over the short and long term. On the basis of the information available, the conservation values of the Living Stream area are described and impact assessment defined by Commonwealth and State legislation, policy and guidelines.

Only those environmental impacts that differ from the approved MDP are presented in this minor variation. The environmental impacts as a result of the Living Stream will be described in this section by first describing the existing environment in the minor variation project footprint, any potential impacts as a result of the Living Stream, followed by proposed mitigation and/or management measures.

Environmental management during the construction of the Living Stream will be described in a Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP). As the construction of the Living Stream project will occur concurrently with the DFO, it is likely that a CEMP will be developed to address the management needs for both projects to ensure consistency of site practices and management objectives. Following construction, an Operational Environment Management Plan will be implemented, if required.

4.1. Legislative ContextThe Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Commonwealth Government’s central piece of environmental legislation. It provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places, defined in the EPBC Act as ‘matters of national environmental significance’.

The EPBC Act confers jurisdiction over actions that have a significant impact on the environment where the actions affect, or are taken on, Commonwealth land or are carried out by a Commonwealth agency (even if that significant impact is not on one of the nine ‘matters of national environmental significance’). Collectively these are termed ‘Protected Matters’.

The EPBC Act is triggered where an action is likely to have a significant impact on Protected Matters. A significant impact as defined by the EPBC Act is an impact which is ‘important, notable, or of consequence, having regard to its context or intensity’. Significance impact guidelines assist in the determination of whether an action is significant for a Protected Matter. For some species, referral guidelines have been developed, providing specific advice on when an action should be referred for assessment.

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On 16 September 2016, the Minister for Environment and Energy accepted the Threatened Species Scientific Committee’s advice on the BWSCP ecological community. The Minister for Environment and Energy amended the list of threatened ecological communities under Section 184 of the EPBC Act to include the BWSCP ecological community in the endangered category. An approved conservation advice which incorporates listing advice and detailing the diagnostic criteria and management prescriptions for the BWSCP was published by the Department of Environment and Energy (DoEE) and came into effect under the EPBC Act from 16 September 2016. The referral guidelines for the BWSCP titled Banksia Woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain: a nationally protected ecological community was published by DoEE on 23 December 2016. The conservation advice and referral guidelines have both been referred to for impact assessment and identification of environmental significance.

Perth Airport submits that through this minor variation, it has fulfilled its statutory obligations in accordance with the EPBC Act.

4.2. Climate Unchanged from the approved MDP.

4.3. Geology and Soils Unchanged from the approved MDP. The revised project area is of the same existing environmental condition and mitigation measures will be the same.

4.3.1. Mitigation and Management

4.3.1.1 Acid Sulfate Soils

The Living Stream project area has a moderate to low risk of containing acid sulfate soils. The CEMP will require that prior to any excavation and/or dewatering activities being undertaken in the project area, an acid sulfate soils site investigation will be undertaken. If acid sulfate soils is identified by these investigations, an Acid Sulfate Soils and Dewatering Management Plan will be developed at that time. These plans will be appended as addenda to the CEMP. Any subsequent excavation or dewatering will then be managed in accordance with this management plan to ensure that any disturbance of acid sulfate soils does not result in adverse impacts to the surrounding environment.

4.4.Hydrology 4.4.1.Groundwater

Unchanged from the approved MDP. The Living Stream project area is of the same environmental condition as the DFO site and there is no change to the mitigation measures described in the MDP.

4.4.2. Surface Hydrology

Unchanged from the approved MDP. The Living Stream project area is of the same environmental conditions as the DFO site and there is no change to the mitigation measures described in the MDP.

4.4.2.1 Mitigation and Management

The Perth Airport Master Drainage Strategy, incorporating the Living Stream project, provides for the management of hydrological values on the estate in anticipation of the ultimate development articulated by the Perth Airport Master Plan 2014. The Master Drainage Strategy is an integrated ground and surface water management approach providing opportunities for infiltration of surface water to groundwater, flood management and water quality improvements.

The drainage network conveying stormwater from the project area will flow into the Southern Main Drain.

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Treatment of the stormwater will be provided by the Southern Main Drain and Living Stream water quality management features, which will improve the capacity for stormwater retention, general amenity in the area and the environmental performance of the main stormwater system that passes through the airport estate before it is discharged into the Swan River.

Water and sediment management methodologies during construction will also be defined in the CEMP. Sediment controls will be provided along the Southern Main Drain and other minor drainage lines that are active during construction, to ensure that construction activities do not result in an increase in suspended solids in the drainage network.

In the event that dewatering is required, dewater effluent will be infiltrated on site through an infiltration basin, after the water is first contained within a settlement pond. Groundwater and dewater effluent will be sampled regularly.

4.5. Vegetation and Flora4.5.1. Regional Context

The estate is located within the Swan Coastal Plain Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) Region and Swan Coastal Plain 2 Subregion. This subregion is a low lying coastal plain covered with woodlands dominated by Banksia and Tuart on sandy soils, Casuarina obesa on outwash plains and paperbark in swampy areas.

4.5.2.Vegetation Complex

Vegetation complexes present within the estate as mapped by Heddle (E. M. Heddle, 1980) include:• Southern River Complex,• Bassendean Complex – central and south, and• Guildford Complex.

The minor variation project area lies within the Bassendean Complex – central and south, as shown in Figure 7.

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Figure 7 Vegetation Associations

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4.5.3. Vegetation Condition

Vegetation condition within the Perth Airport estate was assessed in 2007 (Mattiske Consulting, 2008) and 2012 (Ecologia Environment, 2013) in accordance with the Keighery Scale (1994), which is described in Table 1. In 2014, Mattiske Consulting undertook a targeted Level 2 Flora and Vegetation survey of Perth Airport’s remnant vegetation areas with a specific focus on assessing and verifying the presence of EPBC listed Threatened and Priority Ecological communities (Mattiske 2015).

A recent vegetation and flora survey was undertaken by Focused Vision Consulting Pty Ltd in October 2016. Preliminary results on the vegetation type (Figure 10) and condition (Figure 8) have been provided to aid the development of management strategies and approvals consideration for the recently listed BWSCP. Although results of the survey are still being finalised, the preliminary results in terms of size and extent of the BWSCP patches used in the assessment for this minor variation are not expected to change significantly.

Condition Description Explanation

Pristine Pristine or nearly so, no obvious signs of disturbance

Excellent Vegetation structure intact, disturbance affecting individual species and weeds are non-aggressive species

Very Good Vegetation structure altered, obvious signs of disturbance. Disturbance to vegeta-tion structure covers repeated fire, aggressive weeds, dieback, logging and grazing

Good Vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple disturb-ances. Retains basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate it. Disturbance to vegetation structure covers frequent fires, aggressive weeds at high density, par-tial clearing, dieback and grazing

Degraded Basic vegetation structure severely impacted by disturbance. Scope for regenera-tion but not to a state approaching good condition without intensive management. Disturbance to vegetation structure includes frequent fires, presence of very ag-gressive weeds, partial clearing, dieback and grazing

Completely Degraded The structure of the vegetation is no longer intact and the area is completely or almost completely without native species. These areas often described as ‘parkland cleared’ with the flora comprising weed or crop species with isolated native trees or shrubs

Table 1 Vegetation Condition Rating Scale (Keighery 1994)

The vegetation condition within the project footprint has been recently mapped to range from ‘Excellent’ to ‘Completely Degraded’ as outlined in Table 2 and Figure 8. Cleared areas, drainage and infrastructure were not considered as the focus of the survey was on vegetated areas.

Vegetation Condition Project Area Footprint (hectares)

Excellent 1.06

Good to Very Good 0.17

Good 0.59

Degraded to Good 0.21

Degraded 0.45

Degraded to Completely Degraded 0.24

Completely Degraded 0.06

Total vegetation area 2.78

Table 2 Vegetation condition within the Living Stream

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Figure 8 Vegetation Condition 2016

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A total of eight vegetation community types have been mapped on the estate. For consistency with the impact assessment undertaken for the DFO site, vegetation types within the Living Stream project area identified during the 2012 survey are detailed in Table 3 and shown in Figure 9. Results from the recent survey undertaken by Focused Vision Consulting is provided in Table 4 and Figure 10. It is important to show both sets of results for the purpose of confirming the presence of BWSCP, rather than the inferred presence of BWSCP from H1 and I1(d) vegetation types mapped in 2012. It is also important to note that discrepancies between the calculations are due to variation of spatial data and vegetation mapping by the consultants. Perth Airport has adopted the total vegetation to be cleared from the latest 2016 survey as being the most representative. Therefore, the total project area footprint of the Living Stream project is 5.50 hectares comprising of 2.78 hectares of vegetation, 0.01 hectares of infrastructure, 2.68 hectares of cleared areas and 0.03 hectares of drainage.

Vegetation Code Vegetation Type Minor Variation Project Area Footprint (hectares)

H1 Low Forest to Low Woodland of Banksia attenuata, Banksia menziesii, Eucalyptus todtiana and occasional Adenanthos cygnorum over Hibbertia hypericoides, Alexgeorgea nitens and Mesomelaena pseudostygia.

1.92

I1(d) Low Forest to Low Woodland of Eucalyptus marginata, Banksia attenuata and Banksia menziesii with occasion-al Allocasuarina fraseriana over Acacia pulchella, Pat-ersonia occidentalis and Dasypogon bromeliifolius.

0.80

SUB TOTAL Vegetation to be cleared 2.72

CD Completely Degraded 0.05

IF Infrastructure 0.01

CL Cleared 2.68

D Drainage 0.03

TOTAL Including cleared and completely degraded 5.49

Table 3 Vegetation Types (2012) with the Living Stream

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Figure 9 Vegetation Types 2012

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4.5.4. EPBC Act Listed Species

A survey undertaken by Mattiske in 2008 indicated the presence of over 650 vascular plant taxa from 285 plant genera and 91 families. Two flora species, Conospermum undulatum and Macathuria keigheryi are listed under the EPBC Act as vulnerable and endangered respectively. Ecologia (2013) verified mapping undertaken in 2008. Populations of both species occur within the estate, but outside of the project area and in the vicinity of the project area. No impact on these species will occur as a result of the Living Stream project.

4.5.5. Threatened Ecological Communities

Threatened Ecological Communities (TEC) listed by the Commonwealth and the State have been mapped by the State Government as being present on the estate. Verification studies were conducted in 2014 and 2015 to verify whether this mapping was accurate. Using approved and endorsed flora and vegetation survey methodologies, Mattiske (2015) concluded that at the time there were no federally listed TECs on the estate.

Since this survey, the BWSCP was federally listed on 16 September 2016. Following the listing, Perth Airport commissioned Focused Vision Consulting (2016) to undertake a survey to identify the presence and extent of BWSCP within the Living Stream boundary. The approach for the BWSCP TEC assessment included:

• review and verification of areas mapped as Banksia woodland, including boundaries delineated by Mattiske Consulting,

• review and verification of the vegetation condition of areas mapped as Banksia woodland by Mattiske Consulting, and

• assessment of replicate vegetation quadrats (10 metres x 10 metres) within areas of Banksia woodland across the airport estate.

The areas of Banksia woodland across the estate included some verifications to boundaries resulting from recent clearing, due to observed vegetation not considered representative of the Mattiske (2015) Banksia vegetation types (types H1 and J1), or due to vegetation condition observed to be poorer than as mapped by Mattiske (2015). The results of the survey within the Living Stream project footprint is presented in Figure 10. The dominant canopy vegetation species were identified and shown in Table 4.

The BAf vegetation code refers to areas which have been mapped as BWSCP. The conservation advice for the BWSCP states that a patch should first be identified using the diagnostic features listed in the conservation advice, then the condition thresholds should be applied as the BWSCP is only protected when it remains in relatively good condition. Therefore, given that there is a single patch of Banksia woodland within the Living Stream project footprint, and that this patch supports Banksia woodland in up to ‘Excellent’ condition, it is considered that a minimum patch size of 0.5 hectares would apply. That is, all constituent parts of the Banksia woodland patch are part of that patch, regardless of condition, and that the threshold assessment is based on the best condition rating represented in the patch.

Vegetation Code Vegetation Type Minor Variation Project Area Footprint (hectares)

BAf Banksia sp. Allocasuarina fraseriana 1.99

CcAc (d) Corymbia calophylla Adenanthos cygnorum 0.49

AfMp (d) Allocasuarina fraseriana Mela-leuca preissiana 0.30

Total vegetation to be cleared 2.78

Table 4 Vegetation Types (2016) within the Living Stream

The proposed construction of the Living Stream would result in a total of 1.99 hectares of BWSCP ecological community being cleared. Of the 1.99 hectares of BWSCP to be cleared, 1.057 hectares has been identified to be in ‘Excellent’ condition, 0.166 hectares in ‘Good to Very Good’ condition, 0.587 hectares in ‘Good’ condition and 0.177 hectares in ‘Degraded to Good’ condition. It should be noted that the project footprint may change during

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Figure 10 Vegetation Types 2016

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detailed design and could result in a +/- 10 per cent change to the clearing area. Any changes will be considered under the Part 13 EPBC Act permit.

There is already evidence of degradation of the vegetation in the area due to being located adjacent to Tonkin Highway. There have been observations of increased weed cover within this vegetation community since upgrade and expansion works to Tonkin Highway were completed.

Perth Airport will avoid and mitigate impacts on BWSCP by:

• limiting clearing of BWSCP to the area identified in Figure 10 (Draft MV MDP), and• ensuring that the project Construction Envionrment Management Plan (CEMP) outlines measures to ensure that

the remaining BWSCP is not adversely impacted during construction activities*.

The residual impacts of this proposal will be offset following principles as identified in the Commonwealth environment offset policy, Perth Airport will offset the removal of 1.99 hectares of BWSCP ecological community. Perth Airport will work with the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Energy and the Department of Parks and Wildlife to identify and implement a suitable offset approach.

4.5.6. Phytophthora Connamomi (Dieback)

No dieback has been found in the project area or in the vicinity of the project area.

4.5.7. Weeds of National Significance

No species listed as Weeds of National Significance (WONS) have been identified on the airport estate.

4.6. Fauna4.6.1. Existing Environment

As described in Section 7.4.3 of the approved MDP, numerous vertebrate and invertebrate fauna surveys have been undertaken on the airport estate over the past 20 years.

The Commonwealth listed species that have been identified as being present on the estate are listed in Table 5. This section will only discuss fauna of conservation significance that have been identified on the estate or are considered likely to be of particular interest to regulatory authorities.

Name Status Type of Presence

Calyptorhynchus banksii naso (Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Karrak)

Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area

Calyptorhynchus baudinii (Baudin's Black-Cockatoo, Long-billed Black-Cockatoo)

Vulnerable Roosting known to occur within area

Calyptorhynchus latirostris (Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo, Shortbilled Black-Cockatoo)

Endangered Breeding likely to occur within area

Apus pacificus (Fork-tailed Swift) Migratory Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Merops ornatus (Rainbow Bee-eater) Migratory Species or species habitat may occur within area

Ardea ibis (Cattle Egret) Migratory Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

Table 5 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act listed species previously recorded on the estate

4.6.2. Black Cockatoo

The airport estate lies in a region where Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) are common, the Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) often overflies and therefore only occurs rarely and Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) occurs probably only as a vagrant. Carnaby’s

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Black-Cockatoos are classified as ‘Endangered’ whilst Baudin’s and Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoos are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ under the EPBC Act.

Extensive and regular investigations into black cockatoo habitat are conducted on the estate. The quality of potential habitat is classified as low, medium or high, with medium and high value habitat considered during impact assessments.

Medium value black cockatoo habitat on the airport is defined as: Contains some black cockatoo habitat plants which are clumped together but cover less than half the area.

High value black cockatoo habitat on the airport estate is defined as: Contains large numbers of plants (majority of individuals) likely to provide black cockatoos with foraging and/or nesting opportunities, in particular Banksia spp. and Marri.

The high and medium value black cockatoo habitat within the project footprint is shown in Figure 11. The total amount of potential habitat that will be impacted is approximately 2.67 hectares, of which 2.06 hectares is high value and 0.61 hectares is medium value black cockatoo habitat.

As part of Bamford (2013) surveys, all trees on the estate were surveyed for potential as breeding trees. No hollows, nests, or signs of breeding were found on the estate. Trees that were over 50 centimetres in diameter at breast height were recorded as having potential for breeding should hollows and other conditions emerge at a later date.

No potential breeding trees have been identified to occur within the Living Stream project area.

Perth Airport considers the impacts from the Living Stream project to not be significant for black cockatoo species as there are similar habitat suitable for black cockatoos located within a four kilometre radius of the estate. Also, to ensure the safety of the travelling public, Perth Airport is required to have a Bird and Animal Hazard Management Plan in place that seeks to reduce bird activity within the vicinity of runways and on the estate, and due to the close proximity of the site to the cross runway 06/24, black cockatoos are not encouraged in this area.

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Figure 11 High Value Black Cockatoo Habitat

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4.6.3. Rainbow Bee-eater

The Rainbow Bee-eater nests at one known location on the airport estate during the summer months. This nest location is not within the proposed project area.

4.7. HeritageThe Living Stream project area is located within the boundaries of two Aboriginal sites. The DFO project is also located within these two sites. As these sites have been classified as Stored Data, Section 18 approval under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 is not required. The management of heritage values will be consistent with those outlined in the approved MDP and the significance of impacts are not expected to change. Perth Airport will engage Aboriginal monitors during ground disturbance activities to ensure appropriate management of any heritage values that may be encountered.

4.8. Other Matters 4.8.1. Contaminated Sites

No contaminated sites have been identified to occur in the Living Stream project area. Therefore, the management of impacts to the environment from any risk of migration of contaminants will be consistent with those outlined in the approved MDP. The significance of impacts to the environment are not expected to change.

4.8.2. Air quality

A Construction Environment Management Plan will outline methods to manage dust generation and emissions during construction.

4.8.3. Noise

The noise and vibration impacts associated with construction are temporary and intermittent in nature. The Living Stream project detailed in this minor variation will take approximately four months to construct. The construction activities shall be required to comply with the Perth Airport noise monitoring and complaints procedures and will consider hours of construction.

4.8.4. Waste

Waste management actions for the Living Stream project will be consistent with those outlined in the approved MDP and the significance of impacts to the environment are not expected to change.

4.8.5. Perflourinated chemicals

The management of perflourinated chemicals will be consistent with those outlined in the approved MDP and the significance of impacts to the environment are not expected to change.

4.8.6. Monitoring Program, Reporting and Risk Management

Perth Airport monitoring program and reporting and risk management requirements are unchanged from the approved MDP.

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4.9. ConclusionThe Living Stream development seeks to provide a critical function to support the natural surface water management and peak flows for the Southern Main Drain through the estate. This project is expected to improve water quality prior to discharge to the downstream section of the drain, which ultimately discharges into the Swan River. This project is expected to provide the following positive environmental outcomes:

• Provide a more reliable network to provide a dual function of storing peak flows and also filtrating water through the use of multiple types of endemic sedges and rushes vegetation,

• Increased infiltration to recharge the underlying groundwater system,• Improved water quality of infiltration into the underlying groundwater and ultimate discharge into the Swan

river as a result of natural nutrient attenuation from increased retention time in the drainage channel,• Improved capacity for stormwater retention and general amenity in the area, and• Provide a habitat for macroinvertebrates, avifauna and fauna surrounding the project area.

The Living Stream project involves the clearing of 2.78 hectares of vegetation in the Airport West precinct of the estate, of which 2.06 hectares has been assessed to be high value black cockatoo habitat and 0.61 hectares is medium value. No breeding trees will be cleared.

The proposed construction of the Living Stream project would also result in a total of 1.99 hectares of BWSCP ecological community being cleared. There is already evidence of degradation of the vegetation in the area due to being located adjacent to Tonkin Highway. There have been observations of increased weed cover within this vegetation community since upgrade and expansion works to Tonkin Highway were completed.

Perth Airport will avoid and mitigate impacts on BWSCP by:

• limiting clearing of BWSCP to the area identified in Figure 10 (Draft MV MDP), and• ensuring that the project Construction Envionrment Management Plan (CEMP) outlines measures to ensure that

the remaining BWSCP is not adversely impacted during construction activities.

The residual impacts of this proposal will be offset following principles as identified in the Commonwealth environment offset policy, Perth Airport will offset the removal of 1.99 hectares of BWSCP ecological community. Perth Airport will work with the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Energy and the Department of Parks and Wildlife to identify and implement a suitable offset approach.

Given the numerous positive environmental outcomes as a result of this proposed development, the impact of clearing the BWSCP ecological community and black cockatoo habitat is considered to be reduced.

A CEMP will be implemented to mitigate and manage any potential environmental impacts. If required, an Environment Management Plan will be implemented when the project reaches the operational phase.