Vegetation Management Plan for ILS Project …...of a construction environmental management plan (CEMP). Due to jurisdictional complexities and for ease of management, four vegetation

Draft Vegetation Management Plan for ILS Project Construction (Commonwealth) ecosure.com.au | 1

ecology / vegetation / wildlife / aquatic ecology / GIS

Vegetation Management Plan for ILS Project Construction on Commonwealth Land Final report May 2016 QUEENSLAND AIRPORTS LIMITED

Draft Vegetation Management Plan for ILS Project Construction (Commonwealth) ecosure.com.au | i

Contents

List of figures .........................................................................................................................ii

List of tables ...........................................................................................................................ii

Glossary, acronyms and abbreviations.................................................................................. iii

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background............................................................................................................. 1

1.2 Site description ....................................................................................................... 1

1.3 Objectives and scope .............................................................................................. 4

1.4 Management plan preparation and implementation ................................................. 4

2 Legislative context ......................................................................................................... 5

2.1 Commonwealth legislation ...................................................................................... 5

2.1.1 Airports Act 1996 ............................................................................................. 5

2.1.2 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ..................... 5

2.1.3 Air Services Act 1995 ....................................................................................... 6

2.1.4 Civil Aviation Act 1998 ..................................................................................... 6

2.2 State legislation ...................................................................................................... 6

2.2.1 Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Queensland) ................................................... 6

2.2.2 Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Queensland) ............................................. 7

2.2.3 Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 (Queensland) ................. 7

2.2.4 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (New South Wales) ..................... 7

2.2.5 State environmental planning polices (New South Wales) ............................... 7

3 Significant species and vegetation communities ............................................................ 8

3.1 Glidepath footprint ................................................................................................... 8

3.2 300 metre runway strip............................................................................................ 8

3.2.1 Significant flora .............................................................................................. 10

3.2.2 Significant fauna ............................................................................................ 12

4 Potential impacts.......................................................................................................... 13

4.1 Vegetation removal and trimming .......................................................................... 13

4.1.1 Glidepath footprint.......................................................................................... 13

4.1.2 300 metre runway strip .................................................................................. 13

4.2 Weeds .................................................................................................................. 14

Draft Vegetation Management Plan for ILS Project Construction (Commonwealth) ecosure.com.au | ii

4.3 Other environmental impacts ................................................................................ 14

5 Management actions .................................................................................................... 15

5.1 Overview ............................................................................................................... 15

5.1.1 Pre-clearing survey - flora .............................................................................. 15

5.1.2 Pre-clearing survey - fauna ............................................................................ 16

5.1.3 Vegetation trimming and removal ................................................................... 18

5.1.4 Damage to protected vegetation .................................................................... 18

5.2 Monitoring and reporting ....................................................................................... 18

5.3 Training and awareness ........................................................................................ 19

5.4 Emergency response, environmental incidents and complaints ............................ 20

5.4.1 Environmental incident involving a significant fauna or flora species .............. 20

References ......................................................................................................................... 21

Appendix 1 Vegetation management control plan ............................................................... 22

Appendix 2 Standard FSC methods .................................................................................... 25

List of figures

Figure 1 Site location ............................................................................................................ 3

Figure 2 Environmentally significant areas and vegetation communities ............................... 9

Figure 3 Vegetation management ....................................................................................... 17

List of tables

Table 1 Significant flora species and their likelihood of occurrence within the 300 metre

runway strip. ....................................................................................................................... 10

Table 2 Total threatened frog numbers recorded at ESA impact areas. .............................. 12

Table 3 Recommended monitoring and reporting schedule for ILS project construction on

Commonwealth land ........................................................................................................... 18

Table 4 Roles, responsibilities and contacts - relevant to environmental incidents involving

significant fauna or flora species ......................................................................................... 20

Draft Vegetation Management Plan for ILS Project Construction (Commonwealth) ecosure.com.au | iii

Glossary, acronyms and abbreviations

CEMP Construction environmental management plan

DIRD Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

DoE Department of the Environment

EPBC Act Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

ESA Environmentally significant area

FSC Fauna spotter catcher

GCAPL Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd

ILS Instrument landing system

MDP Major development plan

NC Act Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992

NSW New South Wales

QAL Queensland Airports Limited

QLD Queensland

RE Regional ecosystem

SEPP State environment planning policies

TSC Act New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995

VMP Vegetation management plan

WMP Weed management plan


1 Introduction

1.1 Background

At the request of Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd (GCAPL), Airservices Australia is proposing to

install an Instrument Landing System (ILS) on the main runway (14/32) at Gold Coast Airport.

This will improve reliability and regularity of service by allowing aircraft to approach and land

in adverse weather that would otherwise have resulted in missed approach or possible

diversion to other airports. Airservices Australia is the proponent for the proposed ILS project,

which will be located on both New South Wales (NSW) State land and Commonwealth airport

land.

The proposed ILS project has been defined as a major airport development under Section 89

of the Airports Act 1996. Consequently, a major development plan (MDP) was prepared

(GCAPL 2016). The MDP has recently been approved by the Minister for the Commonwealth

Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (DIRD; notification of approval

received 27th January 2016) for project components occurring on Commonwealth land.

In addition to the MDP, construction of the proposed ILS project is subject to the acceptance

of a construction environmental management plan (CEMP). Due to jurisdictional complexities

and for ease of management, four vegetation management plans (VMP) have been developed

for the ILS project, two of which form sub plans to the CEMP for the ILS Project:

1. VMP for ILS Project Construction on Commonwealth Land (forms sub plan to

Commonwealth land CEMP)

2. VMP for ILS Project Construction on New South Wales Land (forms sub plan to NSW

land CEMP)

3. Operational VMP on Commonwealth Land

4. Operational VMP on New South Wales Land.

This VMP relates to Commonwealth airport land leased to GCAPL (Figure 1) meets

construction phase vegetation management requirements set out in the MDP (GCAPL 2016)

for the ILS.

Vegetation management during construction of the ILS project will include clearing, selective

plant removal and trimming. Vegetation management will occur within heath and sedge habitat

known to support the legislatively significant wallum sedge frog (Litoria olongburensis) (listed

as vulnerable under NSW, Queensland [QLD] and Commonwealth legislation) and wallum

froglet (Crinia tinnula) (listed as vulnerable under NSW and QLD legislation).

1.2 Site description

The airport contains vegetation which provides heath and sedge habitat and supports the


legislatively significant wallum sedge frog and wallum froglet. The ILS project components on

Commonwealth leased airport land include the 300 metre runway strip, as well as the glidepath

footprint (GCAPL 2016) (Figure 1). Within the 300 metre runway strip there are five patches

of vegetation which are considered to be environmentally significant areas (ESA; Gold Coast

Airport 2011); these are referred to as ESA impact areas A, B, C, D and E (Figure 1). Airside

frog habitat areas have been previously identified in ESA impact areas A, B, C and D.

The vegetation within ESA impact area A (1.38 ha) will be cleared during the ILS project, whilst

some of the vegetation within B, C, D and E will be selectively removed and or trimmed (Figure

1). Vegetation management within the ESA impact areas A-E during construction is addressed

in this VMP.

A

C

B

E

D

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GDA 1994 MGA Zone 56Projection: Transverse Mercator

Datum: GDA 1994Units: Meter

Figure 1: Site locationQueensland Airports LimitedVegetation Management Plan for ILS ProjectConstruction on Commonwealth Land

0 200 400100Metres°

Data Sources: QAL, 2015; Aerial image: Nearmap, 2015ECOSURE does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of information displayed in this map and any person using it does so at their own risk. ECOSURE shall bear no responsibility or liability for any errors, faults, defects, or omissions in the information.

Job number: PR1444Revision: 1

Author: ALMDate: 20/05/2016

PR1444_MP_Construction_Fig1_SiteLocationCwlth_R1

!

QLD

NSW

Gold CoastAirport BRISBANE

300m runway strip75 m proposed fly-over areaGold Coast Airportboundary

NSW CrownLeaseGlidepathState boundary(QLD/NSW)

Environmentallysignificant area


1.3 Objectives and scope

The objectives of this VMP are specific to the construction phase of the ILS project and are to

(from GCAPL 2016):

1. minimise impacts on the vegetation which will be altered or removed

2. reduce impacts on significant flora and fauna species associated with vegetation

management.

The scope of this VMP includes to:

• provide an overview of relevant legislation including an assessment of permits

required for vegetation management works

• briefly describe ESAs within the 300 m runway strip that are likely to be altered or

removed

• provide management actions for vegetation and significant species during

construction

• specify monitoring and reporting on key outcomes of the management plan

• detail how the key objectives identified above will be met.

The over-arching CEMP includes information relating to:

• environmental policy and legislation

• resources, roles, responsibilities and authority for all works occurring within the

project area

• environmental impacts over the project area (e.g. erosion and sediment control, acid

sulphate soil management etc.).

1.4 Management plan preparation and implementation

This management plan has been prepared by Ecosure for use by Airservices Australia staff

and all contractors.

Literature reviewed to assist in the development of this management plan included the national

recovery plan for wallum frogs (Meyer et al. 2006), hygiene protocols for frogs (Department of

Environment and Climate Change [NSW] 2008), research articles (Lewis and Goldingay 2005;

Holland et al. 2012), referral guidelines for the vulnerable wallum sedge frog (Department of

Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 2011) and survey guidelines

(Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts 2010).


2 Legislative context

As the Gold Coast Airport is under Commonwealth jurisdiction, federal legislation takes

precedence over state legislative requirements. However, any action taken should be

consistent with the aims and objectives of comparable state legislation.

2.1 Commonwealth legislation

2.1.1 Airports Act 1996

The Commonwealth Airports Act (1996) provides a system for regulating airports. This

includes providing for environmental management at an airport site. As specified under this

Act, the airport’s master plan includes an environment strategy which provides for the

protection and management of flora and fauna. The environment strategy’s biodiversity

objective is ‘to appropriately manage biodiversity values of Gold Coast Airport with due regard

to mitigation of bird and wildlife strike risk’ (GCAPL 2011).

The environment strategy also identifies ESAs at Gold Coast Airport (GCAPL 2011). These

are currently under review as part of the 2017 Master Plan development, and will give due

consideration to the vegetation alterations as part of the ILS project. The Airports Act has

triggers related to development and/or pollution which impacts ESAs.

The proposed ILS project is considered to be a major airport development under Section 89

of the Airports Act and therefore required a MDP (GCAPL 2016). The MDP was recently

approved by the Commonwealth Minister for DIRD (GCAPL 2016). Project components within

Commonwealth land are subject to the provisions of the Environment Protection and

Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations (1997) provide airports with a system of

regulation and accountability for activities that may pollute or results in excessive noise, as

well as promoting environmental management practices.

2.1.2 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The EPBC Act provides for protection for the environment across Australia, and specifically

addresses matters of national significance. A proposed plan of development has to be referred

to the DoE for approval if the action is likely to have a significant impact on a matter of national

environmental significance.

Matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act are:

• world heritage sites

• national heritage places

• wetlands of international importance (often called ‘Ramsar’ wetlands after the

international treaty under which such wetlands are listed)


• nationally threatened species and ecological communities

• migratory species

• Commonwealth marine areas

• nuclear actions.

The wallum sedge frog is known to occur within the 300 metre runway strip. Within Gold Coast

Airport, the vegetation community Subtropical and Temperate Coastal Saltmarsh is listed as

vulnerable under the EPBC Act.

Airservices Australia lodged a referral under Section 68 of the EPBC Act. The Commonwealth

DoE advised that under Section 161A of the EPBC Act the proposed ILS project works within

Commonwealth airport land is unlikely to have a significant impact on the environment and

that advice from the Minister for the Environment is not required (GCAPL 2016).

2.1.3 Air Services Act 1995

The Air Services Act 1995 (Air Services Act) provides Airservices Australia, as a

Commonwealth corporation, with functions and powers regarding aviation and related

purposes. Airservices Australia is therefore the only organisation aside from the Department

of Defence that is authorised to commission and maintain a project such as the ILS. Section

19 of the Air Services Act provides Airservices Australia with an exemption from State and

Territory land use laws when applying its functions. The proposed ILS installation will however

be subject to Commonwealth legislation regarding the whole of environment, including matters

of state and/or local significance.

2.1.4 Civil Aviation Act 1998

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the government-owned authority responsible for

the safety regulation of civil air operations in Australia under the Civil Aviation Act 1998. The

Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 details Commonwealth legislation regarding all aspects

of civil aviation safety, and establishes the regulatory framework. Part 139 (Aerodromes)

contains specific requirements for wildlife hazard management.

2.2 State legislation

As Gold Coast Airport is under Commonwealth jurisdiction, regulated under the Airports Act,

approvals are not required under State legislation. However, any action taken should be

consistent with the aims and objectives of comparable legislation. State ecological values such

as species records and vegetation communities were considered during the identification of

ESAs (Ecosure 2011; 2016), as required under the Airports (Environment Protection)

Regulations.

2.2.1 Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Queensland)

The object of the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) is the conservation of


nature. The conservation of nature is to be achieved by an integrated and comprehensive

conservation strategy for the whole of Queensland State that involves, among other things,

the dedication and management of protected areas, and the protection of native wildlife and

its habitat. This was considered in the identification of ESAs (Ecosure 2011; 2016).

2.2.2 Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Queensland)

The purpose of the Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999 includes the regulation of

vegetation clearing to conserve regional ecosystems (RE), to maintain ecological processes

and prevent the loss of biodiversity.

ESA areas A and B support least concern RE 12.2.12 (Closed heath on seasonally

waterlogged sand plains)/ RE 12.2.9 (Banksia aemula woodland on dunes and sand plains)

(GCAPL 2016; Ecosure 2014). As part of the ESA assessment, the status and distributions of

RE on airport land was considered (Ecosure 2011; 2016).

2.2.3 Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 (Queensland)

The Queensland Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act 1966 aims to regulate the use

of agricultural chemicals and as such requires that contractors have a commercial operator’s

license for using herbicides.

2.2.4 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (New South Wales)

The NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) provides the identification

and protection for threatened flora and fauna species and ecological communities. The objects

of this Act include the promotion of ecologically sustainable development and the conservation

of biological diversity. Matters listed under the TSC Act, including significant species and

threatened ecological communities, were considered in the methods to identify ESAs.

2.2.5 State environmental planning polices (New South Wales)

State environment planning policies (SEPPs) are environmental planning instruments which

address specific planning issues within NSW. These SEPPs often remove power from local

councils in order to control specific types of development or development in specific areas.

SEPPs often transfer decision-making from Council to the Planning Minister.

SEPP 14 – Coastal Wetlands

This policy provides additional protection for coastal wetlands by requiring development

consent to be obtained before any clearing, draining, filling or construction of levees can occur

on a mapped wetland.


3 Significant species and vegetation communities

3.1 Glidepath footprint

No ESAs are mapped as occurring within the glidepath footprint, and no suitable habitat for

threatened flora or fauna is considered to occur within the glidepath footprint (GCAPL 2016).

3.2 300 metre runway strip

There are five patches of vegetation in the 300 metre runway strip which fall within ESAs (ESA

impact areas A, B, C, D and E; Figure 1 and Figure 2).

ESA impact area A is mapped as a mix of two least concern REs (60/40 percent mix of 12.2.12

and 12.2.9).

ESA impact area E occurs on an area of coastal saltmarsh vegetation which is listed as an

Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) under the NSW TSC Act as well as a vulnerable

TEC under the EPBC Act. ESA impact area E is also mapped as occurring within state

environmental planning policy no. 14 – Coastal wetlands (SEPP 14) (GCAPL 2016) (Figure

2).

S3

S5

S6

S9S4

S7S10S1

S12

S8

S2

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Figure 2: Environmentally significant areasand vegetation communitiesQueensland Airports LimitedVegetation Management Plan for ILS ProjectConstruction on Commonwealth Land

0 100 20050Metres°

Data Sources: QAL, 2015; Aerial image: Nearmap, 2015ECOSURE does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of information displayed in this map and any person using it does so at their own risk. ECOSURE shall bear no responsibility or liability for any errors, faults, defects, or omissions in the information.

ESA Impact AreaSEPP14Known frog habitat

Gold Coast AirportboundaryState boundary(QLD/NSW)300 m runway strip



A

B

C

D

E

Vegetation communitiesEEC (Coastal Saltmarsh)EEC (Freshwater Wetland)EEC (Lowland Rainforest)EEC (Subtropical Coastal Floodplain Forest)EEC (Swamp Sclerophyll Forest)EEC(Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest)RE (12.2.12/12.2.9)


3.2.1 Significant flora

Significant flora species that may occur within the 300 metre runway strip are included in the MDP (GCAPL 2016) and summarised in Table 1.

Table 1 Significant flora species and their likelihood of occurrence within the 300 metre runway strip (from GCAPL 2016).

Common name Scientific name EPBC Act status

NC Act status

TSC Act status

Gold Coast city-wide significance

Flowering times

Likelihood of occurrence within 300 metre runway strip

Christmas bells Blandfordia grandiflora - E - - Late spring to early summer (PlantNet 2016)

Known. Previously recorded within the 300 metre runway strip however the known population will not be impacted by the project (below vegetation trimming requirements)

Dark greenhood Pterostylis nigricans - - V - Autumn (NSW Office of Environment and Heritage [OEH] 2012-2015)

Possible. Marginally suitable habitat occurs within the 300 metre runway strip

Fringed baekea Baeckea diosmifolia - - - - Spring (PlantNet 2016)

Possible. Only known location of this species occurs on the Gold Coast Airport but does not occur within ESA impact areas A-E.

Lemon-scented grass

Elyonurus citreus (Elionurus citreus)

- - E - Summer (OEH 2012-2015)

Possible. Suitable habitat exists within the 300 metre runway strip

Pink nodding orchid

Geodorum densiflorum - - E - December – January (OEH 2012-2015)

Possible. Suitable habitat exists

Spider orchid Dendrobium melaleucaphilum

- - E - July – October (OEH 2012-2015)

Possible. Due to occurrence of prickly paperbark (Melaleuca styphelioides) occurring to the east of the runway


Common name Scientific name EPBC Act status

NC Act status

TSC Act status

Gold Coast city-wide significance

Flowering times

Likelihood of occurrence within 300 metre runway strip

Tiny wattle Acacia baueri subsp. baueri

- - V - December – March (OEH 2012-2015)

Known. Occurs on the NSW portion of the Gold Coast Airport but does not occur within ESA impact areas A – E and is unlikely to be impacted by clearing.

Wallum bottlebrush

Melaleuca pachyphylla - - - City-wide significant Summer (PlantNet 2016)

Known. Occurs in impact Area A and B and would be impacted by clearing and possibly trimming

Swamp grasstree Xanthorrhoea fulva - - - City-wide significant August – October (PlantNet 2016)

Known. Occurs in impact Area A and B and would be impacted by clearing and possibly trimming

Wallum banksia Banksia aemula - - - City-wide significant March – June (PlantNet 2016)

Known. Occurs in impact Area A and would be impacted by clearing

Olive tea tree Leptospermum liversidgei - - - City-wide significant Mostly January (PlantNet 2016)

Known. Occurs in impact Area A and would be impacted by clearing

E= endangered; V=vulnerable


3.2.2 Significant fauna

Two species of threatened fauna, wallum froglet and wallum sedge frog, have previously been

recorded within the 300 metre runway strip (see Table 2).

Table 2 Total threatened frog numbers recorded at ESA impact areas (and corresponding frog habitat areas) for period 2007-08 till 2014-15 (from Ecosure 2015).

Frog species

ESA impact area

A B C D

Corresponding frog habitat area

S3 S5 S6 S12

Wallum sedge frog (Litoria olongburensis)

10 30 41 35

Wallum froglet (Crinia tinnula) 44 82 66 39


4 Potential impacts

Likely and potential environmental impacts of the proposed ILS project are discussed in

Chapter 5 within the MDP (GCAPL 2016). Key potential impacts to flora and fauna within the

glidepath footprint and 300 m runway strip on Commonwealth land are:

• loss of native vegetation including threatened flora and ESA impact areas

• loss of connectivity for protected and threatened flora and fauna species and ESA

impact areas

• invasion and spread of terrestrial weeds

• cumulative impacts in association with future terminal and apron expansion.

Based on the MDP (GCAPL 2016), the impact on habitat values within the glidepath footprint

is considered to be negligible, however five ESA impact areas occur within the 300 metres

runway strip.

Vegetation within ESA impact areas B – E will be altered by trimming and ESA impact area A

will be completely cleared, graded, grassed and mown.

4.1 Vegetation removal and trimming

4.1.1 Glidepath footprint

No impact on significant flora or fauna is expected as no significant species have previously

been recorded or are likely to occur within the glidepath footprint. No ESA impact areas occur

within the glidepath footprint (GCAPL 2016).

4.1.2 300 metre runway strip

Vegetation within ESA impact area A is to be completely cleared, resulting in the removal of

approximately 1.38 ha of remnant habitat (paperbark forest with a coastal heathland

understorey and RE 12.2.12/12.2.9) (GCAPL 2016) and permanently removing this area of

frog habitat. Both wallum froglet and wallum sedge frog have previously been recorded in this

ESA impact area. GCAPL (2016) advise that the removal of ESA impact area A will have a

minor impact on wallum froglet and other significant species which inhabit the area, as the

habitat type is well represented regionally and there is a wide occurrence of wallum froglet in

other parts of the airport.

Vegetation within ESA impact areas B – E will be trimmed rather than removed. This will result

in a negligible impact to habitat values within ESA impact areas B to E as the vegetation is to

be largely retained and managed (GCAPL 2016). ESA impact Area E consists of saltmarsh

vegetation and is mapped as SEPP 14.

Clearing or trimming of vegetation will also not impact on any known populations of significant


flora (GCAPL 2016).

4.2 Weeds

GCAPL currently conducts vegetation management activities on Commonwealth land as part

of their in-house weed management.

4.3 Other environmental impacts

Clearing and grubbing activities will result in the exposure of soil to rainfall and consequent

erosion, generate dust, and cause sedimentation issues within the area (Arup 2015), and a

small number of contaminated sites are known to occur with the Airport site including one

contaminated site within the glidepath footprint (Arup 2015). These activities will be managed

through the CEMP and relevant sub-plans in order to mitigate impacts of the ILS project on

the environment.


5 Management actions

Section 5.10.4 of the MDP (GCAPL 2016) outlines appropriate mitigation measures for

vegetation management that will be incorporated into the construction and operational phases

of the proposed ILS project. The section below is focussed on management actions within the

glidepath footprint and 300 metre runway strip on Commonwealth land during construction

activities, with a more detailed vegetation management control plan available in Appendix 1.

The control plan details relevant management actions for application during site works.

5.1 Overview

The following management actions have been developed to minimise disturbance to the ESA

impact areas and surrounding vegetation.

The project area occurs in known habitat for threatened frog species and consideration

therefore needs to be given to preventing the spread of disease (chytrid fungus). Management

actions relating to hygiene protocols are shown in Appendix 1. The management actions are

in accordance with the QLD Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (2013) and

will assist with contingency planning.

Unintended impacts to native vegetation (particularly within the ESA impact areas) and fauna

species will be managed in accordance with the environmental incident response procedure

to be set out in the CEMP.

5.1.1 Pre-clearing survey - flora

Pre-clearing surveys will target threatened flora, particularly those that are known to occur

within the 300 metre runway strip. A pre-clearing survey will be completed prior to any

vegetation clearing activities and will consist of a random meander survey by a qualified

botanist. This accords with best practice guidelines and will provide reassurance that no

unintentional clearing of threatened flora occurs. If any threatened flora species are recorded,

vegetation clearing will cease until advice is sought on approval requirements as well as

methods to minimise impact on those threatened species (GCAPL 2016).

Given the diversity of flowering times, it is difficult to conduct a single survey for all species. It

is therefore proposed to carry out pre-clearing surveys within the flowering period of most of

the species with a known likelihood of occurrence (Table 1; i.e. summer) and characterise the

area to be cleared in terms of risk for the other species (i.e. occurrence of good quality habitat).

Any areas with a high risk of occurrence of a threatened species will be mapped and checked

by a qualified botanist during its flowering period, if this is possible, before clearing. Otherwise

it is proposed to have a qualified botanist present when areas identified as high risk during the

pre-clear surveys are cleared.


5.1.2 Pre-clearing survey - fauna

A suitably qualified fauna spotter catcher (FSC) will assess the site one week prior to clearing

to commencing (see Appendix 2 for standard FSC methods). This will aim to identify fauna

breeding places (nests, burrows or occupied hollows); which can be flagged and appropriate

action determined if found. Any frogs found during this survey will be removed outside of the

frog fencing (see Appendix 1).

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Figure 3: Vegetation managementQueensland Airports LimitedVegetation Management Plan for ILS ProjectConstruction on Commonwealth Land

0 200 400100Metres°

Data Sources: QAL, 2015; NSW Department of Planning; Aerial image: Nearmap, 2015ECOSURE does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of information displayed in this map and any person using it does so at their own risk. ECOSURE shall bear no responsibility or liability for any errors, faults, defects, or omissions in the information.



PR1444_MP_Fig3_VegMgt_Cwlth_R2A4

Vegetation managed at 1-2 m below 5% planIndicative Reduced Level(RL) of runway centre line Indicative ground level

300m runwaystrip75m proposedflyover areaGold CoastAirport boundary

NSW CrownLeaseGlidepathState boundary(QLD/NSW)

ESA impact areaTo be clearedTrimmed at 1-2 mbelow the 5%plane

A

B

C

D

E

5% plane within flyover area


5.1.3 Vegetation trimming and removal

Clearing will be staged to allow for fauna movement requirements and erosion and sediment

control limitations. An FSC with experience in frog survey and rescue will be present during

all vegetation clearing within the ESA impact areas. Any animals found during clearing will be

relocated to suitable nearby habitat.

The construction footprint within the glidepath footprint and 300 metre runway strip will be

clearly marked with high visibility flagging, tape or bunting that is visible to all personnel

working within the area. For this project the following vegetation protection measures will be

followed:

• install fencing around the clearing boundary in accordance with construction

drawings

• identify clearing limits with visible markers, so as to also protect retained areas

• record details of all vegetation clearance undertaken (location, area, type, etc.).

If the vegetation within the fly-over area is 0-1 m below the 5% plane but is unlikely to grow

beyond the 5% plane, it will not be trimmed. A map showing clearing and trimming limits

within the glidepath footprint and 300 metre runway strip will also be provided to all site

workers during induction (Figure 3).

5.1.4 Damage to protected vegetation

Damage to vegetation intended to be retained shall be recorded in a non-conformance report,

with the damage repaired to the satisfaction of the Environmental Manager. Should protected

vegetation be significantly damaged in any way, a suitably qualified ecologist shall assess the

damage and provide a management strategy for repair or revegetation.

5.2 Monitoring and reporting

Table 3 summarises the monitoring schedule and reporting requirements for clearing within

the glidepath footprint and 300 metre runway strip on Commonwealth land. Identified positions

(e.g. Environment Manager) will be described within the CEMP for this project.

Table 3 Recommended monitoring and reporting schedule for ILS project construction on Commonwealth land

Task Description Timing Responsibility

Monitoring

Establish set photo monitoring point(s)

Determine and mark location for photo monitoring point(s) by taking a pre-works set of photographs to compare with during clearing and immediately after (ESA impact areas B-E)

Prior to vegetation clearing

Repeated at conclusion of construction

Contractors Representative or Environmental Compliance Officer


Task Description Timing Responsibility

Environmental inspections

Compliance monitoring against the requirements of this VMP (and the CEMP)

Daily and weekly during construction

Contractors Representative or Environmental Compliance Officer

Reporting

Pre-clearing report Report detailing results from pre-clearance surveys

Prior to clearing Construction Contractor/ Environmental Compliance Officer

Pre-clearing weed report

Pre-clearing weed survey report No less than three days prior to clearing commencing in each section

Construction Contractor/ Environmental Compliance Officer

Environmental inspections checklist

Checklist to monitor compliance with the VMP

Daily and weekly Construction Contractor/ Environmental Compliance Officer

Post-clearing report Report detailing overall results from works from pre-clearance, construction and post clearing works

Post-clearing Construction Contractor/ Environmental Compliance Officer

Post-construction weed management plan (WMP)

WMP to manage regrowth of weeds Post construction GCAPL Environment Manager

Annual report – vegetation management

A brief annual report summarising vegetation works completed. This may be incorporated into the GCAPL Annual Environment Report.

Annually GCAPL Environment Manager

Annual report – frog populations

Terrestrial fauna monitoring program report; including assessment of trends in frog populations.

Biennial GCAPL Environment Manager or environmental consultant

5.3 Training and awareness

The general project induction will include a component on vegetation management to ensure

that personnel understand the potential impacts from construction and the proposed mitigation

measures, including:

• vegetation clearing restrictions

• no-go zones

• threatened flora

• habitat and fauna awareness

• other environmentally sensitive areas


• declared plants and noxious weeds.

Toolbox and prestart meetings will be used, as required, to highlight any specific issues that

arise on-site and to ensure site personnel are aware of no-go zones, environmentally sensitive

areas and clearing restrictions.

5.4 Emergency response, environmental incidents and complaints

The project CEMP should be followed in the event of an environmental incident that either

triggers an emergency response or in a minor incident.

5.4.1 Environmental incident involving a significant fauna or flora species

If the environmental incident results in harm or the potential for harm to a significant species,

the Contractors Representative or Environmental Compliance Officer should contact a suitably

qualified specialist for advice (Table 4).

Table 4 Roles, responsibilities and contacts - relevant to environmental incidents involving significant fauna or flora species

Organisation Role Contact Responsibility

TBC Advise on appropriate management approach

TBC Suitably qualified environmental consultancy available to advise on significant fauna or flora issues

Currumbin Sanctuary Wildlife Hospital

Wildlife care for rescued fauna

07 5534 0813 Millers Drive Currumbin, QLD, 4223

Sanctuary to be notified if native wildlife require rescue from the site or treatment for injury

Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers

Wildlife care for rescued fauna

02 6672 4789 Sanctuary to be notified if native wildlife require rescue from the site or treatment for injury


References

Arup 2015, Gold Coast Airport Instrument Landing System – Environmental Assessment,

Revised Issue, Prepared for Queensland Airports Limited

Department of Environment and Climate Change 2008, Hygiene protocol for the control of disease in frogs. Information Circular Number 6. Department of Environment and Climate

Change Sydney South.

Department of Environment and Heritage Protection 2013, Technical Manual – Interim

hygiene protocol for handling amphibians, available at http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/licences-

permits/plants-animals/documents/tm-wl-amphibian-hygiene.pdf, Department of Environment

and Heritage Protection, Queensland Government.

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts 2010, Survey guidelines for Australia’s threatened frogs. Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage

and the Arts

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 2011, Draft referral guidelines for the vulnerable wallum sedge frog, Litoria olongburensis. Commonwealth

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

GCAPL 2016, Instrument Landing System – Major Development Plan, Prepared by Gold

Coast Airport Pty Ltd (GCAPL)

GCAPL 2011, Airport Master Plan, Gold Coast Airport Limited, Coolangatta. Available at

http://goldocastairport.com.au/regulatory/airport-master-plan/.

Ecosure 2011, Identification of Environmentally Significant Areas on Gold Coast Airport, Report to Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd. Publication Location – West Burleigh

Ecosure 2014, Management plan for the removal of emergent woody vegetation from airside frog ponds, Report to GCAPL, West Burleigh

Ecosure 2015, Significant Terrestrial Fauna Monitoring – July 2014 to June 2015. Final Report to Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd, Burleigh Heads

Holland, A., Duivenvoorden, LJ and Kinnear, SHW 2012, Naturally acidic waterways: conceptual food webs for better management and understanding of ecological functioning . Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, vol 22, pp. 836-847

Lewis, B.D. and Goldingay R.L. 2005, Population monitoring of the vulnerable wallum sedge frog (Litoria olongburensis) in north-eastern New South Wales. Australian Journal of Zoology, vol 53, pp.185-194.

Meyer, E., Hero, J-M., Shoo, L. and Lewis, B., 2006, National recovery plan for the wallum sedge frog and other wallum-dependent frog species. Report to Department of the

Environment and Water Resources, Canberra. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane

OEH 2012-2015, Threatened Species Profiles. Numerous species. NSW Office of

Environment and Heritage, NSW Government, accessed January 2016

PlantNET 2016, New South Wales Flora Online, National Herbarium of NSW, Royal Botanic

Garden, Sydney, available from http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/search/simple.htm,

accessed January 2016

http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/licences-permits/plants-animals/documents/tm-wl-amphibian-hygiene.pdf

http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/licences-permits/plants-animals/documents/tm-wl-amphibian-hygiene.pdf

http://goldocastairport.com.au/regulatory/airport-master-plan/

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/search/simple.htm


Appendix 1 Vegetation management control plan

Hazard Control Timing Record Responsibility

Pre-construction

Threatened flora loss /damage

Pre-clearing flora surveys to identify and flag threatened flora.

Threatened flora must not be trimmed or removed until advice has been sought on approval requirements and possibly management actions.

At least 1 week prior to commencement of clearing works (see also Table 1 for optimum timing)

Pre-clearing report Construction contractor/

Project ecologist

Native fauna loss/damage

Additional survey effort in ESA impact area A to target wallum sedge frog; surveys to include tadpole surveys (if timing permits)

Prior to clearing works; tadpole surveys November to April


Project ecologist

Erection of frog fencing around ESA impact area 1 to physically exclude frogs from the high impact vegetation removal

Prior to pre-clearing fauna surveys

Pre-clearing report Construction contractor

Pre-clearing fauna surveys to identify animal breeding places and remove frogs to outside of ESA impact area

At least 1 week prior to commencement of clearing works.

Pre-clearing report Construction contractor/ Fauna spotter catcher (Appendix 2) or Project ecologist

Weed spread Pre-clearing weed treatment/removal

At least 4 weeks prior to commencement of clearing works


Vegetation loss

Threatened flora loss/damage

Install fencing around the clearing boundary in accordance with construction drawings

At least 1 week prior to commencement of clearing works


Clearly mark trimming boundaries and fence and signpost any “no go” zones

At least 1 week prior to commencement of clearing works


Establish set photo monitoring point(s) around vegetation to be retained

At least 1 week prior to commencement of clearing works.


Project ecologist



Vegetation removal/civil works

Threatened flora and fauna loss/damage

All construction personnel to be inducted into this plan and be briefed on the likely presence of threatened species.

Ongoing Induction records Construction contractor/

Project ecologist

All clearing of vegetation to occur in the presence of a suitably qualified and experienced FSC/ ecologist (Appendix 2)

During clearing of ESA impact areas A-E

Post-clearing report Fauna spotter catcher (Appendix 2)

Vegetation removal and trimming will take place without the use of heavy machinery within ESA impact areas B-E.

During clearing of ESA impact areas B-E

Post-clearing report Construction contractor

Hollow bearing logs will be salvaged and placed in alternative habitat (location to be determined prior to clearing commencing).

Felled material to be mulched and retained on site (or at alternative location, to be determined prior to clearing commencing).

During clearing of ESA impact areas A-E


Fauna spotter catcher

Vegetation loss

Take photographs from established photo monitoring points

Fortnightly during vegetation clearing

Post-clearing report and then monthly reports

Construction contractor/

Project ecologist

Progressively rehabilitate and revegetate work areas as soon as reasonably practicable to avoid extended periods of soil exposure

At all times Monthly reports Construction contractor

Weed spread Equipment wash down – all plant and equipment to be washed down prior to arriving on site, with declaration of cleanliness provided

At all times Monthly report Construction contractor

Inspections and weed removal – if weeds are found they are to be treated/removed

Weekly during clearing activities

Monthly report Construction contractor

Topsoil to be stockpiled separately by vegetation community type

At all times Monthly report Construction contractor



Native fauna injury or death

Growth retardants not to be used to control vegetation in areas adjacent to waterways. Fauna friendly herbicides to be used in all vegetation management activities

During weed management and restoration

Monthly report Construction contractor

Experienced bush regenerator

Site hygiene FSC (Appendix 2) to wear talc-free and non-powdered gloves to handle amphibians between each site

At all times Monthly report and post-clearing report

Construction contractor

Fauna spotter catcher

Prior to the beginning of field work and between each site, footwear should be thoroughly cleaned. The soles of boots should be scraped, and then cleaned using an approved disinfecting solution



All equipment should be cleaned, disinfected and dried out completely before entering or re-entering the project area and cleaning solutions should be used away from any water body (e.g. over hard surfaces such as concrete or bitumen). Where possible, disposable equipment should be used to prevent the need for cleaning.



Post-clearing and/or post construction

Vegetation loss

Rehabilitate temporary disturbance areas

Following completion of works

Monthly reports Construction contractor

Weed spread Develop and implement a weed management plan to manage the regrowth of weeds (focus on declared plants)

Within three months post construction

GCAPL Annual Environment Report

GCAPL Environment Manager

Vegetation loss

Take photographs from established photo monitoring points.

Following completion of works



Appendix 2 Standard FSC methods

1. Reference documents: State and Federal Legislation, Contract Scope of Works, Fauna and Flora Management Plan,

Species Management Plan, Mapping and Clearing Plans.

2. Ground truth: Familiarisation of the site and surrounding areas, assess habitat, establish mapping, define retained areas

and determine clearing methodology (staging and direction of clearing, recommended machinery).

3. Pre-clear survey of specified clearing area: GPS mark and clearly flag habitat features including Hollow

Bearing Trees (HBT’s) and ground features (hollow logs, log and rock piles and dense ground cover). Identify habitat areas of

potentially high fauna abundance for suitable trapping locations. Map identified information for distribution to relevant personnel involved with the clearing process.

4. Fauna reduction trapping and relocation: a minimum of 4 days trapping in suitable habitat areas to reduce

the number of animals likely to be encountered during the clearing process.

6B. Woodland 6A. Grassland and Low Regrowth

B2 Recommended Clearing Procedure: Excavator with tree grab

(preferred) - FSC will monitor the disturbance area

walking with the machine to search for wildlife that may

still be present, keeping in communication with the machine operator who will inform the FSC if they see any animals in the path of the machine. Flagged

ground structures and HBT’s must be avoided and protected during initial clearing and vegetation windrowed to allow access with Elevating Work

Platform (EWP) for HBT inspection.

B3. Clearing of Ground Features: Refer to A3

A1. Pre-clear walk through: FSC checks

immediate area for wildlife and opportunistically captures and relocates discovered animals.

A3. Clearing of Ground Features:

Excavator: Significant ground features should be avoided by the bulldozer and dismantled utilising an

excavator with grab attachment under supervision of the FSC.

A2. Recommended Clearing Procedure: Bulldozer: FSC will monitor the disturbance area walking with the machine to search for wildlife that may still be

present, keeping in communication with the machine operator who will inform the FSC if they see any animals in the path of the machine. Flagged ground features must

be avoided and protected during initial clearing.

5. Vegetation Clearing: A FSC must be present for any vegetation removal or potential habitat disturbance including

disposal of cleared vegetation debris piles (mulching). Habitat features (HBT’s and significant ground features) require special

consideration during the clearing process and must be inspected and wildlife removed before clearing of the feature takes place.

B4. Clearing of Habitat Trees:

Once access has been achieved during initial clearing,

HBT’s will be inspected by FSC for wildlife. After inspection and wildlife removal, the HBT may be cleared by any means. HBT’s inaccessible to EWP can

be lowered gently for FSC inspection utilising an excavator with rotating grab attachment. Refer to SOP for safe working at heights procedure.

6. Fauna and Habitat Relocation: A relocation site must be defined before clearing commences or any wildlife is captured. Site selection will be based on similarity in habitat structure and type, fauna

requirements and proximity to the clearing site. Nest boxes will be erected in trees in the relocation site prior to translocation of displaced arboreal (tree dwelling) wildlife.

Where necessary the relocation site will be enhanced with habitat features salvaged during the clearing process.

B1. Pre-clear walk through: Refer to A1

© Ecosure Proprietary Limited 2016 Commercial in confidence. The information contained in this document produced by Ecosure Pty Ltd is solely for the use of the Client identified on the cover sheet for the purpose for which it has been prepared and Ecosure Pty Ltd undertakes no duty to or accepts any responsibility to any third party who may rely upon this document. All rights reserved. No section or element of this document may be removed from this documents, reproduced, electronically stored or transmitted in any form without the written permission of Ecosure Pty Ltd.

Revision History

Revision No.

Revision date

Details Prepared by Reviewed by

Approved by

00 1/02/2016 Draft Vegetation Management Plan for ILS Project Construction activities on Commonwealth land

Nicola Catanzariti, Ecologist

Alan House, Principal Ecologist

Beth Kramer, Senior Environmental Scientist

01 8/03/2016 Incorporates comments from Queensland Airports Limited

Jess Baglin, Senior Environmental Scientist


02 23/05/16 Incorporates comments from GCAPL

Trudy Thompson, Senior Environmental Scientist

Jess Baglin, Senior Environmental Scientist


03 27/05/16 Incorporates comments from GCAPL

Nicola Catanzariti, Ecologist

Elvira Lanham, Principal Ecologist

Distribution List

Copy # Date Type Issued to Name

1 27/05/2016 Electronic Queensland Airports Limited – Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd

Norbert Benton

2 27/05/2016 Electronic Queensland Airports Limited Russell Thorne

3 27/05/2016 Electronic Queensland Airports Limited Melissa Landriscina

4 27/05/2016 Electronic Ecosure Administration

Citation: Ecosure (2016), Vegetation Management for ILS Project Construction Activities on Commonwealth Land (Final), Report to Queensland Airports Limited, Burleigh Heads

Report compiled by Ecosure Pty Ltd

ABN: 63 106 067 976

[email protected] www.ecosure.com.au

PR1444-RE.Vegetation Management Plan Project Construction (Commonwealth).FI

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Documents

Vegetation Management Plan for ILS Project …...of a construction environmental management plan (CEMP). Due to jurisdictional complexities and for ease of management, four vegetation