PROPOSED GENEX KIDSTON CONNECTION PROJECT Corridor Selection Report 7... · CONNECTION PROJECT . Corridor Selection Report . PREPARED BY . QUEENSLAND ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION CORPORATION

PROPOSED GENEX KIDSTON CONNECTION PROJECT

Corridor Selection Report

PREPARED BY

QUEENSLAND ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION CORPORATION LIMITED

(ACN 078 849 233) trading as “POWERLINK”

10

Initial Desktop Assessment and Preliminary Ecological Constraints AdviceProposed Genex Kidston Connection ProjectPowerlink

WSP | Parsons BrinckerhoffProject No 2270434A

Confidential

3 ECOLOGICAL CONSTRAINTS3.1 Matters of State Environmental Significance

The following MSES have been assessed in the following sections:

à NC Act threatened flora and fauna speciesà regulated vegetation, including:

§ DNRM’s regulated vegetation mapping§ DNRM’s regional ecosystem mapping§ Virtual GIS’s remote sensing analysis and mapping of woody vegetation§ regulated remnant watercourse vegetation§ regulated remnant wetland vegetation

à protected areas (e.g. National Parks and State reserves)à wildlife habitatsà strategic environmental areasà high ecological significance (HES) wetlandsà high ecological value (HEV) waters (wetland)à high ecological value (HEV) waters (watercourses)à environmental offsetsà connectivity.

3.1.1 NC Act threatened species

3.1.1.1 Wildlife Online results

The Wildlife Online database search results revealed that 26 threatened species listed under the NC Actand/or EPBC Act have been previously recorded within the search area that was applied to all three corridoroptions, including 11 birds, six mammals and nine plants.

The results of the Wildlife Online database search is presented in Table 3.1. The complete Wildlife Onlinedatabase searches are presented in Appendix C.

Threatened species listed as endangered, vulnerable and special least concern under the NC Act arerecognised as MSES under the Environmental Offset Act 2014. Near threatened species do not need to beassessed in terms of significant residual impacts under the Environmental Offset Act 2014, but have beenincluded, just in case of any future changes in legislation that may occur during the approval pathway of theProject.

Table 3.1 Wildlife Online database search results for threatened flora and fauna species previously recordedwithin the search area

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME NC ACT EPBC ACT

Birds

Calidris ruficollis Red-necked Stint SL M

Calyptorhynchus lathami erebus Glossy Black-cockatoo (northern) V –

Casuarius casuarius johnsonii (southernpopulation)

Southern Cassowary (southernpopulation)

E E

Cuculus optatus Oriental Cuckoo SL M

Erythrura gouldiae Gouldian Finch E E

Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail SL M

11



Confidential

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME NC ACT EPBC ACT

Hydroprogne caspia Caspian Tern SL M

Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch SL M

Poephila cincta cincta Black-throated Finch (white-rumpedsubspecies)

E E

Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail SL M

Symposiachrus trivirgatus Spectacled Monarch SL M

Mammals

Mesembriomys gouldii Black-footed Tree-rat – V

Petauroides volans minor Northern Greater Glider – V

Petaurus gracilis Mahogany Glider E E

Petrogale sharmani Sharman's Rock-wallaby V V

Phascolarctos cinereus Koala V V

Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna SL –

Plants

Acacia tingoorensis – V –

Arytera dictyoneura – NT –

Cycas cairnsiana – V V

Corybas cerasinus – NT –

Corymbia leptoloma – V V

Glossocardia orthochaeta Yellow jacket E –

Leptospermum pallidum – NT –

Lepturus minutus – V –

Oenanthe javanica – NT –

Key: E = endangered, V = vulnerable, NT = near threatened, SL = special least concern, M = migratory

3.1.1.2 Threatened species records

The NC Act threatened species records, obtained from DSITI’s species profile search and Atlas of LivingAustralia that are of relevance to each corridor option have been quantified and mapped using GIS. Thenumber of threatened species listed under the NC Act that have been previously recorded within eachcorridor investigation area is presented in Table 3.2 and mapped on Figure 3.1–Figure 3.3.

The spreadsheet that contains the analysis of threatened species records is presented in Appendix F.

www.pbworld.com

Scale ratio c orre c t whe n printe d at A3© P ars ons Brinc ke rhoff Australia P ty Ltd ("P B") Copyright in the d rawings , inform ation and data re c ord e d ("the inform ation") is the prope rty of P B. This d oc um e nt and the inform ation are s ole ly for the us e of the authoris e d re c ipie nt and thisd oc um e nt m ay not be us e d , c opie d or re produc e d in whole or part for any purpos e othe r than that whic h it was s upplie d by P B. P B m ake s no re pre s e ntation, und e rtake s no d uty and ac c e pts no re spons ibility to any third party who m ay us eor re ly upon this d oc um e nt or the inform ation. NCSI Ce rtifie d Quality Syste m to ISO 9001. © AP P R OVED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF P ars ons Brinc ke rhoff Australia P ty Ltd.

#*

#*#*#*#*#*

!(!(!( !( !(

!(#*#*#*#*

Sourc e : Es ri, DigitalGlobe , Ge oEye , Earthstar Ge ographic s , CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Ge tm apping, Ae rogrid , IGN, IGP , swis s topo, and the GISUs e r Com m unity

Legend!( Gre ate r Glid e r (EP BC Act - vulne rable )!( Southe rn Blac k-throate d Finc h (EP BC Act – e nd ange re d ) (NC Act – e nd ange re d )#* Acacia tingoorensis (NC Act – vulne rable )#* Dichanthium setosum (EP BC Act – vulne rable )

Corrid or inve s tigation are aOption A

1:470,000

0 6,300 12,600m°

Coord inate syste m : GDA 1994 MGA Z one 55Approve d by: R HDate : 12/12/2016

Map: 2270434A_GIS_E003_A3a Author: VD Kidston Power Transmission LineFigure 3.1

Thre ate ne d s pe c ie s re c ord sOption AData source: Species records from DSITI © The State of Queensland (2016) and Atlas of Living Australia (2016)

\\APBNEFIL03\proj\P\Powerlink_QLD\2270434A_KIDSTON_POWER_TRANSMISSION_LI\10_GIS\Projects\Maps\2270434A_GIS_E003_A3a.mxd

www.pbworld.com

Sc a le ra tio c orrect when p rinted a t A3© Pa rsons Brinc kerhoff Austra lia Pty Ltd ("PB") Cop yright in the d ra wings, inform a tion a nd d a ta rec ord ed ("the inform a tion") is the p rop erty of PB. This d oc um ent a nd the inform a tion a re solely for the use of the a uthorised rec ip ient a nd thisd ocum ent m a y not b e used , c op ied or rep rod uc ed in whole or p a rt for a ny p urp ose other tha n tha t whic h it wa s sup p lied b y PB. PB m a kes no rep resenta tion, und erta kes no d uty a nd a c c ep ts no resp onsib ility to a ny third p a rty who m a y useor rely up on this d oc um ent or the inform a tion. NCSI Certified Q ua lity System to ISO 9001. © APPRO VED FO R AND O N BEHALF O F Pa rsons Brinc kerhoff Austra lia Pty Ltd .

#*

!(

!(!(

!(

!(

Sourc e: Esri, Digita lGlob e, GeoEye, Ea rthsta r Geogra p hic s, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX , Getm a p p ing, Aerogrid , IGN, IGP, swisstop o, a nd the GISUser Com m unity

Legend!( Curlew Sa nd p ip er (EPBC Act – critic a lly end a ngered ) (NC Act – sp ec ia l lea st c onc ern)!( Grea ter Glid er (EPBC Act - vulnera b le)!( Koa la (EPBC Act – vulnera b le) (NC Act – vulnera b le)!( Southern Bla c k-throa ted Finc h (EPBC Act – end a ngered ) (NC Act – end a ngered )#* Dichanthium setosum (EPBC Act – vulnera b le)

W hite-throa ted Need leta il (EPBC Act – m igra tory) (NC Act – sp ec ia l lea st c onc ern)Corrid or investiga tion a reaO p tion B

1:470,000

0 6,300 12,600m°

Coord ina te system : GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55Ap p roved b y: RHDa te: 12/12/2016

Ma p : 2270434A_GIS_E003_A3b Author: VD

Data source: Species records from DSITI © The State of Queensland (2016) and Atlas of Living Australia (2016)

\\APBNEFIL03\proj\P\Powerlink_QLD\2270434A_KIDSTON_POWER_TRANSMISSION_LI\10_GIS\Projects\Maps\2270434A_GIS_E003_A3b.mxd

Kidston Power Transmission LineFigure 3.2

Threa tened sp ec ies rec ord sO p tion B

www.pbworld.com

Scale ratio corre ct whe n printe d at A3© Parsons Brinc ke rhoff Australia Pty Ltd ("PB") Copyright in the d rawings, inform ation and d ata re cord e d ("the inform ation") is the prope rty of PB. This d ocum e nt and the inform ation are sole ly for the use of the authorise d re c ipie nt and thisd ocum e nt m ay not b e use d , copie d or re prod uc e d in whole or part for any purpose othe r than that whic h it was supplie d b y PB. PB m ake s no re pre se ntation, und e rtake s no d uty and ac c e pts no re sponsib ility to any third party who m ay useor re ly upon this d ocum e nt or the inform ation. NCSI Ce rtifie d Q uality Syste m to ISO 9001. © APPRO VED FO R AND O N BEHALF O F Parsons Brinc ke rhoff Australia Pty Ltd .

#*

!(

!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(

!(!(

!(

!(!(!(!(

Sourc e : Esri, DigitalGlob e , Ge oEye , Earthstar Ge ographics, CNES/Airb us DS, USDA, USGS, AEX , Ge tm apping, Ae rogrid , IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GISUse r Com m unity

Legend!( Curle w Sand pipe r (EPBC Act – c ritically e nd ange re d ) (NC Act – spe c ial le ast conc e rn)!( Koala (EPBC Act – vulne rab le ) (NC Act – vulne rab le )!( Sharm an’s Rock-wallab y (EPBC Act – vulne rab le ) (NC Act – vulne rab le )!( Southe rn Black-throate d Finc h (EPBC Act – e nd ange re d ) (NC Act – e nd ange re d )#* Dichanthium setosum (EPBC Act – vulne rab le )

Corrid or inve stigation are aO ption C

1:470,000

0 6,300 12,600m°

Coord inate syste m : GDA 1994 MGA Z one 55Approve d b y: RHDate : 12/12/2016

Map: 2270434A_GIS_E003_A3c Author: VD

Data source: Species records from DSITI © The State of Queensland (2016) and Atlas of Living Australia (2016)

\\APBNEFIL03\proj\P\Powerlink_QLD\2270434A_KIDSTON_POWER_TRANSMISSION_LI\10_GIS\Projects\Maps\2270434A_GIS_E003_A3c.mxd


Thre ate ne d spe c ie s re cord sO ption C

15



Confidential

Table 3.2 The number of NC Act listed species that have been previously recorded within each corridorinvestigation area

NC ACT STATUS OPTION A OPTION B OPTION C

Threatened flora species

Endangered - - -

Vulnerable 1 - -

Near threatened - - -

Threatened fauna species

Endangered 1 1 1

Vulnerable - 1 3

Near threatened - - -

Special least concern - 2 1

Total records 2 4 5

In reference to Table 3.2, Option A has the least number of NC Act threatened species records and istherefore the least constrained.

It is important to note that the number of threatened species records are representative of the number of floraand fauna surveys that are undertaken in specific areas for developments or in association with protectedareas. In respect to the remoteness of the corridor investigation areas, it is possible that flora and faunasurveys for the Project may identify threatened species that may have not yet been recorded within thecorridor investigation areas, and as such formerly captured on the DSITI and ALA species recordsdatabases.

3.1.1.3 Protected plants flora survey trigger map high risk areas

The ‘high risk areas’ for endangered, vulnerable and near threatened plants (EVNT plants) listed under NCAct on the ‘protected plants flora survey trigger map’ within each corridor investigation area is presented onFigure 3.4. This indicates the presence of threatened flora species within the high risk areas and indicates apotential ecological constraint to all three corridor options. The high risk areas have been mapped forconfirmed records of Acacia tingoorensis.

Once a final project footprint is obtained a protected plants flora survey in accordance with the Flora SurveyGuidelines – Protected Plants Nature Conservation Act 1992 (DEHP, 2014), would need to be conductedwithin the high risk areas that intersect the project footprint. This survey would need to be conducted within12 months of construction within the high risk areas.

www.pbworld.com

Scale ratio correct when printed at A3

© Parsons Brinckerhoff Australia Pty Ltd ("PB") Copyright in the drawings, information and data recorded ("the information") is the property of PB. This document and the information are solely for the use of the authorised recipient and thisdocument may not be used, copied or reproduced in whole or part for any purpose other than that which it was supplied by PB. PB makes no representation, undertakes no duty and accepts no responsibility to any third party who may useor rely upon this document or the information. NCSI Certified Quality System to ISO 9001. © APPROVED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF Parsons Brinckerhoff Australia Pty Ltd.

A B E R G O W R I EA B E R G O W R I E

B A S A L TB A S A L T

G A R R A W A L TG A R R A W A L T

G R E E N V A L EG R E E N V A L E

G I L B E R T O NG I L B E R T O N

C O N J U B O YC O N J U B O Y

P A L U M AP A L U M A

E I N A S L E I G HE I N A S L E I G H

D O T S W O O DD O T S W O O D

L Y N D H U R S TL Y N D H U R S T

W A I R U N AW A I R U N A

W A L L A M A NW A L L A M A N

M I N N A M O O L K AM I N N A M O O L K AM O U N TM O U N T

S U R P R I S ES U R P R I S E

M O U N TM O U N TF O XF O XV A L L E Y O FV A L L E Y O F

L A G O O N SL A G O O N S

U P P E R S T O N EU P P E R S T O N E

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GISUser Community

LegendCorridor investigation areaHigh risk flora trigger areas

Corridor optionsOption AOption BOption C

1:470,000

0 6,300 12,600

m°Coordinate system: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55

Approved by: RHDate: 12/12/2016

Map: 2270434A_GIS_E001_A3 Author: VD Kidston Power Transmission LineFigure 3.4

High risk flora trigger areasData source: Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (2016)

\\APBNEFIL03\proj\P\Powerlink_QLD\2270434A_KIDSTON_POWER_TRANSMISSION_LI\10_GIS\Projects\Maps\2270434A_GIS_E001_A3.mxd

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, EarthstarGeographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX,Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and theGIS User Community

17



Confidential

3.1.2 Mapped regulated vegetation

The extent of DNRM’s mapped regulated vegetation that is of potential of relevance to each corridorinvestigation area, is presented on Figure 3.5–Figure 3.19.

The area of mapped regulated vegetation that is of potential relevance to each corridor option has beenfurther calculated using GIS, and is listed in Table 3.3.

The area (ha) of mapped regulated vegetation associated with dominant and sub-dominant of concernregional ecosystems that is of potential relevance to each corridor investigation area is presented inTable 3.3. The analysis of regulated vegetation for each corridor option is presented in Appendix G.

Based on the results of this assessment, Option C is the least constrained in terms of potential impacts uponmapped regulated vegetation, as presented in Table 3.3.

Table 3.3 Extent of regulated vegetation of relevance to each corridor option

CORRIDOR MAPPED REGULATED VEGETATION (HA)

OF CONCERNDOMINANT

OF CONCERN SUB-DOMINANT

OF CONCERN HVR CATEGORY RREGROWTH

Option A 2,059 1,008 3.6 422

Option B 1,819 442 2.4 296

Option C 1,519 334 2.4 257

3.1.2.1 Category R vegetation

The DNRM’s mapped Category R regrowth vegetation: A self-assessable vegetation clearing code(DNRM, 2013), specifies that Category R regrowth vegetation is native woody vegetation on freehold land,Indigenous land or leasehold land granted for agriculture or grazing purposes, located within 50 metres of awatercourse in the Burdekin, Mackay, Whitsunday and Wet Tropics Great Barrier Reef catchments(DNRM, 2013).

The need to consider Category R regrowth vegetation will be dependent upon the approval pathway for theProject. Assessment of the approvals pathway for the Project is excluded from the scope of this report,however a review of Community Infrastructure Designations (CIDs) database (Department of Infrastructure,Local Government and Planning, 2015) indicates that most Powerlink transmission lines are assessed andapproved by the State under a CID under Chapter 5 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. Schedule 24 ofthe Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009 (SP Regulation) enables clearing of vegetation for communityinfrastructure mentioned in schedule 2 (of the SP Regulation), if the clearing is carried out on designatedland.

Given the likelihood that approval for the transmission line is required by the State under the CID process, itis relevant to consider the potential ecological constraints associated with Category R regrowth vegetationuntil the approval pathway has been determined. In reference to Table 3.3, Option C is of least constraint interms of potential impacts upon Category R regrowth vegetation.

www.pbworld.com









LegendCorridor investigation areaOption A

MSES Regulated VegetationOf concern dominant (remnant)Of concern subdominant (remnant)

1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600



Map: 2270434A_GIS_E005_A3a Author: VD

Data source: Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (2016)



MSES Regulated VegetationOption A

www.pbworld.com









1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com




V A L L E Y O FV A L L E Y O FL A G O O N SL A G O O N S



MSES Regulated VegetationCategory ROf concern subdominant (remnant)

1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com







MSES Regulated VegetationCategory R

1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com




M O U N T F O XM O U N T F O X


U P P E RU P P E RS T O N ES T O N E



MSES Regulated VegetationCategory ROf concern dominant (remnant)Of concern dominant (high value regrowth)

1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com









LegendCorridor investigation areaOption B


1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600



Map: 2270434A_GIS_E005_A3b Author: VD




MSES Regulated VegetationOption B

www.pbworld.com









1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com








1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com








1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com










1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com









LegendCorridor investigation areaOption C


1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600







MSES Regulated VegetationOption C

www.pbworld.com









1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com








1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com








1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com










1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








33



Confidential

3.1.3 DNRM regional ecosystem mapping

The results of the GIS analysis of DNRM’s regional ecosystems mapping determined the extent of mappedof concern dominant and sub-dominant, and least concern regional ecosystems that is of potential relevanceto each corridor option.

The extent of DNRM’s mapped regional ecosystems that is of potential of relevance to each corridorinvestigation area, is presented on Figure 3.20–Figure 3.34.

The area (ha) of dominant and sub-dominant of concern, and least concern regional ecosystems that is ofpotential relevance to each corridor investigation area is presented in Table 3.4. The analysis of regionalecosystems for each corridor option is presented in Appendix G.

Option C is of least constraint in terms of potential impacts upon of concern dominant and sub-dominantregional ecosystems (refer Table 3.4).

34



Confidential

Table 3.4 Extent of mapped regional ecosystems of relevance to each corridor option

CORRIDOR REMNANT VEGETATION (HA) REGROWTH VEGETATION (HVR) (HA) NON-REMNANT (HA)

OF CONCERNDOMINANT

OF CONCERN SUB-DOMINANT

LEAST CONCERN OF CONCERNDOMINANT

LEAST CONCERN VEGETATION WATER

Option A 2,059 1,008 50,675 3.6 62 2,675 20

Option B 1,891 442 51,121 2.4 202 2,379 117

Option C 1,519 334 52,609 2.4 266 2,458 29

www.pbworld.com








Einasleigh Uplands,Undara - Toomba

Basalts

EinasleighUplands,Kidston

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

LegendCorridor investigation areaBioregions and sub-regionsRegulated vegetation watercourseRegulated remnant watercourse vegetationRegulated vegetation wetlands

VMF Regional Ecosystem and Remnant Map V8Least concern (remnant)Of concern dominant (remnant)Of concern sub-dominant (remnant)Non-remnant

1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600







Regional ecosystems and regulated remnant water course vegetationOption A

www.pbworld.com






EinasleighUplands,

Broken RiverEinasleigh Uplands,Undara -

Toomba Basalts



LegendCorridor investigation areaBioregions and sub-regionsRegulated vegetation watercourseRegulated remnant watercourse vegetation

VMF Regional Ecosystem and Remnant Map V8Least concern (remnant)Of concern dominant (remnant)Of concern sub-dominant (remnant)Non-remnant

1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com





EinasleighUplands,

Broken River



VMF Regional Ecosystem and Remnant Map V8Least concern (remnant)Of concern sub-dominant (remnant)Least concern (high value regrowth)Non-remnant

1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com





EinasleighUplands,

Broken River



VMF Regional Ecosystem and Remnant Map V8Least concern (remnant)Least concern (high value regrowth)Non-remnant

1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com







Wet Tropics,Paluma -Seaview

Wet Tropics,Herbert

EinasleighUplands,

Broken River



VMF Regional Ecosystem and Remnant Map V8Least concern (remnant)Of concern dominant (remnant)Least concern (high value regrowth)Of concern dominant (high value regrowth)Non-remnant

1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com









Basalts




VMF Regional Ecosystem and Remnant Map V8Least concern (remnant)Of concern dominant (remnant)Of concern sub-dominant (remnant)Least concern (high value regrowth)Non-remnant

1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600







Regional ecosystems and regulated remnant water course vegetationOption B

www.pbworld.com






EinasleighUplands,

Broken River

EinasleighUplands,

Undara - Toomba Basalts





1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com





EinasleighUplands,

Broken River




1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com





EinasleighUplands,

Broken River




1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com








Wet Tropics,Herbert

EinasleighUplands,

Broken River




1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com









Basalts





1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600







Regional ecosystems and regulated remnant water course vegetationOption C

www.pbworld.com






EinasleighUplands,

Broken River


Basalts





1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com





EinasleighUplands,

Broken River




1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com





EinasleighUplands,

Broken River




1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








www.pbworld.com




M O U N T F O XM O U N T F O XV A L L E Y O FV A L L E Y O FL A G O O N SL A G O O N S



Wet Tropics,Herbert

EinasleighUplands,

Broken River




1:100,000

0 1,300 2,600








Documents

PROPOSED GENEX KIDSTON CONNECTION PROJECT Corridor Selection Report 7... · CONNECTION PROJECT . Corridor Selection Report . PREPARED BY . QUEENSLAND ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION CORPORATION