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7/28/2019 Volume 2 Chapter 7 Construction Impact Assessment
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7
.0Constructionimpac
tassessment
7.0 Construction
impact assessment
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Chapter 7 Construction impact assessment 7-1
7 Construction impact assessment
This chapter discusses the Projects potential environmental effects on the
marine environment that may occur during construction. The environmentalimpact assessment for construction is based on specialist findings from the
following reports:
Bassett (2008) Underwater Noise(Technical Appendix 22)
Biosis Research (20082)Assessment of Marine Mammals, Birds, and
Reptiles for the Desalination Project, Bass Coast, Victoria(Technical
Appendix 13)
Biosis Research (20087) Cultural Heritage Existing Conditions and Impact
Assessment Report Plant site(Technical Appendix 45)
Consulting Environmental Engineers (CEE) (2008) The Desalination ProjectMarine Biology (Technical Appendix 31)
Essential Economics (20082) Victorian Desalination Project Impact
Assessment(Technical Appendix 11)
GHD (20084) Invasive Marine Species(Technical Appendix 27)
Maunsell Australia (Maunsell) (20085) Victorian Desalination Project
Environment Effects Statement-Social Impact Assessment Report(Technical
Appendix 56).
Volume 1Synthesis of
environmentaleffects
Volume 2Environmental
effects ofMarine Structures
Volume 3Environmental
effects ofDesalination Plant
Volume 4Environmental
effects ofTransferPipeline
Volume 5Environmental
effects ofPower Supply
TechnicalAppendix
Chapter 7Construction
impact assessment
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Table 7-1 Construction risks assessed as medium or above
Activity Impact pathway
Consequence
Likelihood
k
Seabed clearing Removal or damage of reef habitat Moderate Certain
Ris
High
Removal or damage of sandy habitat Minor Likely Medium
Destruction of or disturbance to significant reef species Moderate Likely Medium
7-2 Chapter 7 Construction impact assessment
Marine construction activities for the Reference Project, as detailed in Chapter 2
of this Volume, would build the Marine Structures by tunnelling under the
dunes, beach and seafloor and would install the intake and outlet structures.
Self-elevating platforms (SEPs) would conduct marine drilling. These temporary
structures may be serviced (with materials and people) from land by marine
vessels and helicopters.
7.1 Impact assessment
This section discusses the potential impacts of construction activities of the
Marine Structures on the marine environment. Both the risk assessment and the
impact assessment recognise that, like the Reference Project, the Project must
comply with the Performance Requirements set out in Chapter 11 of Volume 1.
7.1.1 Risks assessed medium or above
The risk assessment was conducted for the Variations as well as the Reference
Project and impacts on the marine environment are applicable to these
Variations. Construction risks and potential impacts for the Variations multiple
smaller conduits, passive screens at the intake head, pipeline diffuser and
alternate locations for the Marine Structures (low profile reef or sand in deeper
water) are considered to be similar to the Reference Project and are discussed
below where applicable.
Table 7-1 sets out the risks associated with construction of the Marine
Structures which were rated medium or above. The risks are discussed in order
of activity and likelihood with those most likely to occur discussed first.
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Table 7-1 Construction risks assessed as medium or above
Activity Impact pathway
Consequence
Likelihood
k
Generation of noise Impact pile driving impacting on fish Moderate Likely Medium
Ris
and vibrationUse of air guns impacting on fish Moderate Likely Medium
Use of air guns impacting on smaller toothed cetaceans, Minor Likely Medium
mammals and sea birds
Geophysical surveys other than air guns impacting on fish Minor Likely Medium
Use of chemicals and Small chemical/hydrocarbon spill or incident impacting on Minor Almost Medium
hydrocarbons marine biota and ecosystems certain
Medium or significant chemical/hydrocarbon spill or incident Moderate Unlikely Medium
impacting on water column, intertidal marine biota and marineecosystems
Medium or significant chemical / hydrocarbon spill or incident Major Rare Medium
impacting on the marine park
Production of drilling Release of spoil at the drill site impacting on reef biota and Minor Likely Medium
spoil ecosystems
Disposal of spoil at a selected oceanic location impacting on Minor Likely Medium
marine biota and ecosystems
Movement of marine Increase in marine traffic impacting on fishing and recreational Minor Almost Medium
vessels activities Certain
Introduction of flora and fauna marine pests from marine Major Unlikely Medium
vessels impacting on marine species
Increase in marine traffic impacting on public safety Major Rare Medium
Use of construction Introduction of abalone disease impacting on commercial Extreme Unlikely High
divers viability of abalone diving industry in the Project area
Introduction of abalone disease impacting on abalone Major Unlikely Medium
communities
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Table 7-1 Construction risks assessed as medium or above
Activity Impact pathway
Consequence
Likelihood
k
All construction Social impacts of construction of Marine Structures impacts Minor Certain Medium
Ris
activities on amenity
Potential for reduced visitation and loss of business revenue Moderate Almost High
due to perception that the Wonthaggi / Kilcunda coastline is
becoming industrialised
certain
Construction Impacts on commercial fishing Minor Likely Medium
exclusion zone
Increased access to People accessing Williamsons Beach impacting on threatened Moderate Unlikely Medium
Williamsons Beach fauna
7-4 Chapter 7 Construction impact assessment
The above risk assessment is based on accepted construction practices but does not take into account the mitigation measures
embodied in the Performance Requirements. If the Performance Requirements are taken into account, both the likelihood and
consequence of these risks may be significantly lower.
7.2 Seabed clearing
Some clearing of the seabed would occur to create a level platform for
placement of equipment including SEP legs, anchors and cables that would be
used to position and anchor the SEPs. This would likely disturb some biological
habitats and affect the associated biological communities, although disturbance
would likely be localised to around the SEPs. Benthic communities are mostlikely to be affected by seabed clearing. There may be localised damage to the
seabed and the plants and animals that inhabit the affected areas. Generally,
marine mammals are expected to avoid disturbed areas due to noise and
vibration from construction activities, so it is unlikely that clearing activities
would affect these species.
Seabed clearing for the multiple smaller conduits and the pipeline diffuser
Variations is expected to encompass a similar area as the clearing required for
the Reference Project. Clearing for alternate Marine Structure locations (also a
Variation in the Reference Project) would also be similar to the Reference
Project as these locations would not be within marine sensitivity areas.
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The consequence of these activities are not considered to be significant as SEPs
and associated infrastructure would be removed from the marine environment
upon completion of construction of the Marine Structures and it is expected that
these communities would recover to their original state after construction
activities are complete. Secondary effects due to clearing (such as dispersal of
sand from the seabed) would also only occur for a short period of time.
Disturbed areas in the marine environment tend to be rapidly colonised by a
succession of marine biota, usually resulting in a marine biological assemblage
similar to the community that existed prior to disturbance (CEE 2008, Technical
Appendix 31).
7.3 Generation of noise and vibration
Many marine mammals rely on sound as their primary method of
communication. Some species may even use echolocation to determine the
physical features of their surroundings. These animals communicate underwater
at varying frequencies. Therefore, artificial sources of underwater noise may
impact marine mammals by masking biologically important sounds. This could
induce a behavioural response causing a temporary threshold shift (TTS) or
permanent threshold shift (PTS) in hearing.
Pile driving may be required during construction (based on geological
conditions), depending on final siting of the Marine Structures. Pile driving, if
required, would emit noise and vibration. The noise from pile driving is generally
high level, low frequency and impulsive. The noise level from pile driving would
depend on the pile diameter, local geology and bathymetry. Intense, impulsive
signals such as those produced from pile drivers can affect fish, and noise levelsof a smaller magnitude can cause behavioural changes. Damage to hearing by
intense sound depends on the auditory threshold of the receiving species and
would therefore vary from species to species (Bassett 2008, Technical Appendix
22). Noise from pile driving is expected to affect individual fish but not
significantly affect species at the population level.
Geophysical surveys (including the use of air guns) used to characterise the
marine geology prior to construction have the potential to generate periodic
underwater noise and vibration.
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Noise modelling was undertaken by Bassett (2008, Technical Appendix 22) using
a software implementation of the Range-dependent Acoustic Model (RAM) to
estimate geophysical survey construction noise and evaluate the consequence to
marine biota. Modelling was undertaken for boomers and sparkers (used in
geophysical surveys), which are mid-frequency sources used in seismic and
hydrographic survey. These devices would likely be used for geophysical surveys
for the Marine Structure tunnels.
Figure 7-1 presents the noise modelling results for geophysical surveys. Results
are presented between 16 hertz and 1 kilohertz. In order to provide a three-
dimensional picture of the noise, each individual figure shows the modelled
noise propagation along a transect radiating from the noise source. The noise
source can be seen at the left of each of the bathymetric tracks with red
indicating high noise levels. The variable line indicates the seabed. The colour
gradient shows the sound pressure level (SPL) expressed in decibels. The
modelling estimates the potential for some species of fish to be impacted within
two kilometres of geophysical surveys operating at a typical source level of 230decibels (Bassett 2008, Technical Appendix 22).
The impact on cetaceans, sea birds, mammals and reptiles is considered lower
than the potential impact on fish. The soft start management procedure in the
EPBC Act Policy Statement 2.1, which regulates seismic testing activities as they
affect cetaceans, recommends a gradual increase of the geophysical source over
a 30-minute period. This is expected to alert animals and enable them to move
away from the disturbed area. Since this method would be required by the
Performance Requirements, cetaceans, fish, sea birds, mammals and reptiles
are not expected to be significantly affected by geophysical surveys including
the use of air guns (Bassett 2008, Technical Appendix 22).
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Figure 7-1 Noise modelling results for geophysical survey at the intake location
Bassett 2008
7.4 Use of chemicals and hydrocarbons
Chemicals and hydrocarbons would be used for marine construction, largely for
vessel and equipment fuelling. These chemicals would not be placed in the
marine environment, but accidental spills could occur. Accidental spills of
hydrocarbons may affect:
marine biota and ecosystems
water column
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the intertidal community
the marine parks in the region.
The level of impact is dependent on the types of chemical used and their
toxicity. The risk process identified that accidental small chemical orhydrocarbon spills would be almost certain to occur during the construction
phase, but are likely to have only minor effects on any communities or
ecosystems because quantities of chemicals stored and used would generally be
small. Medium or significant spills are considered unlikely to occur. The PRs
require development and implementation of methods and management systems
to limit on-vessel storage and/or use of hazardous substances and dangerous
goods, which would reduce the risk of spills.
If a spill were to occur, it is expected to only affect individual marine biota,
rather than entire populations and any effects, though moderate, are likely to be
temporary and localised.
The risk of an accidental spill affecting the neighbouring marine park was rated
as low because the quantity of any spill is likely to be small and the marine
parks are located at a sufficient distance from the Project area to minimise the
impact. Accidental spills are not likely to have any significant or long-term
effects on any population of marine mammal, sea birds or reptiles (Biosis
Research 20082, Technical Appendix 13).
7.5 Production of drilling spoil
Spoil will be generated from tunnelling and drilling for the Marine Structures.
Based on the Reference Project, if a suitable marine spoil disposal site can not
be identified, most of the drilling spoil will be collected on the jack-up barge and
later taken to land for disposal. Any impact on the marine environment is
expected to be minimal as the Performance Requirements specify disposal of
any spoil from marine construction in accordance with EPA Best Practice
Guidelines for Dredging and the National Ocean Disposal Guidelines.
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7.6 Movement of marine vessels
Marine traffic would be largely from the movement of vessels to the SEPs from
the shore.
7.6.1 Increase in marine traffic
It is possible that the movement of marine vessels could disturb recreational
users in the Project area, especially fishing activities and affect public safety.
Any disruption is expected to have a minor effect on recreational and fishing
activities because the duration of the impact would be limited to the
construction period. The construction exclusion zone would limit interactions
between construction vessels and the public such that any impact would be
from the exclusion zone rather than marine traffic. The exclusion zone is
designed to protect public safety and would ensure that no public safety impacts
arise from increases in marine traffic.
7.6.2 Introduction of pests and disease
Movement of construction and support vessels and discharge of ballast waters
by vessels arriving from international and domestic locations have potential to
spread marine pests if not properly managed. Marine pests and disease could
also be transported via attachments to the hulls of ships (biofouling).
The spatial and time scale over which the transplant of an introduced species
may affect the marine environment is difficult to predict; however, the
movement of introduced species into areas where there are no natural controls
may have widespread ecological effects. The translocation of some pests can
cause changes to biodiversity in the immediate affected area. Compliance with
Commonwealth and State legislation requirements for ballast water would likely
reduce the probability of pest species translocations and standard operating
procedures have been developed in recognition of the risk that marine industries
pose in translocating marine pests. The movement of vessels to and from the
Project area poses no greater risk than any other marine industry in introducing
marine pests. However, the Performance Requirements require development
and implementation of a marine pest risk management process (including
monitoring) to further reduce the risk of the introduction, spread andestablishment of marine pests (GHD 20084, Technical Appendix 27).
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7.7 Use of construction divers
The disease of greatest concern is the ganglioneuritis virus that affects abalone.
This disease appears to be spread by several vectors, including through the
action of ocean currents, the use of abalone as fishing bait and by attaching to
diving equipment and boats. Divers may be used to assist with sub-surface
construction. This disease was detected in the wild in western Victoria in May
2006 and has now currently spread approximately five kilometres from the
Twelve Apostils Marine National Park eastern boundary (CEE 2008, Technical
Appendix 31).
Although it is considered unlikely that this disease would be introduced to the
Project area, the consequence of this introduction would be serious as it may
have significant implications for abalone commercial fishing and the areas
abalone population. Additionally, experience from the infection site in western
Victoria indicates that the disease can infect large areas after introduction (CEE
2008, Technical Appendix 31). The PRs require specific risk managementprocesses to limit the risk of introduction of this abalone disease in the Project
area (see section 7.11).
7.8 Construction affecting social Amenity
Collectively, construction activities are expected to affect the visual amenity of
the local area, as the Project may interrupt the quality of coastal views in some
areas. The coastal area is valued for its significant scenic landscape created by
the intersection between the coast and the Strzelecki foothills. The community
also values the views across to Phillip Island and east to Gippsland and thescenic quality of the undeveloped tourist route near Phillip Island. Any effect
on amenity from construction is expected to be minor as construction activities
would be restricted to a small section of the coast and would only extend for the
temporary construction period (Maunsell 20085, Technical Appendix 56).
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The community consultation for the Project identified a concern that the Project
would contribute to a general industrialisation of the Wonthaggi coastline,
which could generally change the perception of the area and lower tourist visits.
Most tourism in the area occurs in and around Philip Island and well away from
the Project area. While a moderate impact on visitation and eco-tourism is
expected in the immediate area of Wonthaggi during construction, the
construction activities, as such, are of limited duration and are not expected to
appear to industrialise the area.
7.9 Exclusion zone
A construction exclusion zone would be required to ensure health and safety of
the general public. The temporary exclusion zone would preclude all marine
activities including commercial fisheries and recreational uses within this zone in
order to prevent the interaction between construction activities and other public
and commercial activities.
The construction area is frequently fished for rock lobster and abalone near-
shore and less frequently for shark and squid offshore (CEE 2008, Technical
Appendix 31). According to ABS census data (Essential Economics 20082,
Technical Appendix 11), there are 30 to 40 jobs out of a population of around
10 000 that are associated with the commercial fishing industry. The
aquaculture and fishing industries are very small with respect to total business
and employment (less than one per cent) in the area. Since the exclusion zone
would only preclude commercial fishing from a small area (approximately two
kilometres by two kilometres) and any reduction of commercial fishing would
affect only a small percentage of the population for only the short constructionperiod, the exclusion zone would only have a minor effect on commercial fishing
and it is not expected to have any long-term effects on commercial fishing in the
local area.
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Tunnel collapse
It is highly unlikely that any tunnel collapse would affect the marine
environment, as tunnelling would occur 15 metres below the seabed.
However, if this did occur, only a small area of the seabed would likely be
affected resulting in some disturbance or destruction to seabed habitat.
Any disturbance would only be temporary and the seabed would likely fully
recover (CEE 2008, Technical Appendix 31).
Release of bentonite
The tunnel-boring machine (TBM) that would create the tunnels for the Marine
Structures could use bentonite as a drilling fluid to lubricate and cool the drill-
cutting head. A malfunction of this machine may result in bentonite being
released into the marine environment. However, only in rare circumstances
would accidental release occur and any release of bentonite is expected to only
have a moderate effect on marine biota. These water-based drilling fluids
have low toxicity and any localised impact could be due to temporary
seabed blanketing.
Drilling noise affecting fish and marine mammals
Underwater noise that would be generated from drilling for the intake and outlet
risers has been assessed through noise modelling and this is considered to be a
low risk to marine biota (Bassett, 2008 Technical Appendix 22). The rate of
diminishing noise for drilling at the intake and outlet would be slightly less than
for seismic activities (discussed above) and drilling noise is generally low level,
low frequency and continuous with most energy concentrated below 1 kHz.
Since this is a level in which most whales have reduced hearing sensitivity,
only in rare circumstances would drilling affect cetaceans, and it is considered
unlikely that drilling would affect and fish and other vertebrate species
(Bassett 2008, Technical Appendix 22).
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Helicopter noise
Helicopters may be used for transportation between the shore and the SEPs
during the construction period. Noise impacts from helicopters may be a source
of disturbance to birds, especially the beach-nesting species, the Hooded Plover.
Helicopters could also affect other marine biota. It is likely that there would be
some noise disturbance from this activity, but since helicopter movements are
not likely to be frequent and would only occur during the construction period,
the effect on Hooded Plovers and other biota is expected to be negligible
(Biosis Research 20082, Technical Appendix 13).
Lighting
Artificial lights may also have deleterious effects on birds, especially on seabirds.
Many seabirds fly or migrate at night. Artificial lighting can be disorienting and
may trap large numbers of birds within a pool of light. Lighting impacts
associated with construction activities are expected to only affect individual birds
rather than an entire population. This impact would be contained in the local
area, and would only occur during the period of construction (Biosis Research
20082, Technical Appendix 13).
Underwater noise affecting recreational activities
Although it is possible that underwater noise generated by construction activities
could affect recreational activities, any impact would be temporary with no
lasting effect on recreational use of the area. Marine activities that generate
noise and vibration that may affect recreational users (e.g. helicopters) would
only occur during the construction phase during a short time period
(approximately 24 months) and then would cease. Therefore, it is considered
unlikely that noise and vibration from construction would affect the overall
recreational use of this area (Maunsell 20085, Technical Appendix 56).
Additionally, the PRs require minimising exposure of marine recreational users
to underwater (continuous) noise levels greater than 145 dB re 1 PA.
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Exclusion zone affecting recreational activities
It is also possible that the exclusion zone would preclude some recreational
activities (such as diving). However, any impact on recreation would likely be
minor because construction would only limit recreational activities in a small
area for a short period of time.
Tourism and visitation
Penguin and seals are the main wildlife visitor attractions in Bass Coast Shire,
although there is also some bird watching and occasional whale spotting.
Although it is possible that adverse effects on the penguin population and other
marine life from Project construction activities could affect long-term visitation
and eco-tourism activities in the region, with adoption of the PRs, the Project is
unlikely to have an impact on penguins, seals and other wildlife attractions
(Biosis Research 20082, Technical Appendix 13). Therefore, it is unlikely that the
eco-tourism industry would be adversely affected by the construction activities
and eco-tourism operators are not likely to experience a downturn in business
due to the Project. Any effects of the Project on eco-tourism would most likely
be restricted to the Project area with no effect on operators on Philip Island who
are responsible for the larger amount of employment and economic activity
(Essential Economics 20082, Technical Appendix 11).
Maritime heritage
Construction activities are not expected to affect maritime heritage in the
Project area. A systematic search of the Project area using the sidescan sonar
and multibeam data did not detect any areas of heritage interest within the
areas proposed for the Marine Structures. Therefore, any disturbance to the
seabed in this area is unlikely to affect any maritime heritage assets (Biosis
Research 20082, Technical Appendix 13).
Marine vessel emissions
Emissions generated from the movement of marine vessels during construction
are unlikely to be sufficient to affect human health and interactions between the
public and construction vessels would be restricted by the exclusion zone
(Maunsell 20085, Technical Appendix 56).
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7.11 Performance Requirements during construction
Performance Requirements (PRs) have been developed to provide an
environmental framework for management of potential impacts during
construction of Marine Structures. The PRs are focussed on the environmental
outcomes that the State wishes to achieve through Project delivery. The PRs
relevant to the management of construction impacts of the Marine Structures
are set out below. The full suite of PRs for the Project is provided in Volume 1
Chapter 11 as part of the overall Environmental Management Framework.
As part of the environmental impact and risk assessment process relating to
construction of Marine Structures, CEE (2008, Technical Appendix 31), Biosis
Research (20082, Technical Appendix 13; 20087, Technical Appendix 45), GHD
(20084, Technical Appendix 27) and Bassett (2008, Technical Appendix 22) have
identified a range of suggested management measures that could be
implemented to manage potential impacts. These suggested management
measures have been formulated in response to the Reference Project andrelevant Variations for the Marine Structures. In effect, the suggested
management measures demonstrate how the Reference Project and relevant
Variations can achieve the PRs. These detailed management measures have
formed an important input to the PRs for the Project.
The management measures suggested by CEE (2008), Biosis Research (20082,
20087), GHD (20084) and Bassett (2008) for the mitigation of impacts associated
with the construction of the Marine Structures address the following matters:
managing the introduction of aquatic pests and diseases potentiallyintroduced by the transfer of equipment and construction vessels to theconstruction site by ensuring:
- all international vessels comply with Australian Quarantine andInspection Service (AQIS) requirements
- all interstate vessels comply with State requirements- a pre-entry risk assessment procedure is considered, determining the
likelihood of any vessel associated with construction of the
Desalination Plant introducing marine biofouling pests of concern to
the Project bioregion
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minimising the effects of the self elevating platform (SEP) and associatedequipment on the marine environment by:
- positioning the SEP, jack-up legs, anchors and cables to avoid areasof high relief reef
minimising or avoiding the interaction between fishing operators, fishinggear and the marine construction site by:
- consulting with the fishing operators and advising them of the natureof construction activities and timing, possible exclusion zones and the
risks to their fishing gear and catches
- taking particular care when construction vessels are moving throughfishing grounds between the construction site and home ports
- limiting vessel movements to daylight hours to and from theconstruction sites
managing potential impacts of seismic survey on cetaceans by:- ensuring compliance with the measures prescribed in the EPBC Act
Policy Statement 2.1 Interaction between offshore seismic
exploration and whales
- minimising the generation and propagation of impulsive and/orrepetitive noise, such as from offshore impact pile driving underwater
- ceasing drilling activities, where practicable, if a baleen whale, largertoothed whales such as the killer whale or false killer whale, or
leatherback turtle is spotted within 50 m of activities
managing the physical and ecological integrity of the Williamsons Beach,the dune systems and the intertidal zone by:
- minimising project personnels access to these areas during Projectactivities
- banning dogs from the construction site and consult with ParksVictoria to determine further measures in the protection of
Williamsons Beach and Kilcunda-Harmers Haven Coastal Reserve
- educating project personnel about conservation and exclusion zones- monitoring the locations and breeding success of resident Hooded
Plovers along Williamsons Beach at least monthly until the plant is in
routine operation
- developing measures that manage injured sea birds if impacted byconstruction activities.
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The PRs proposed for the marine environment are outlined in Table 7-2.
Table 7-2 Performance Requirements
Timing
Subject
D&C O&M
Objective Performance Criteria Performance Requirements
Coastal
processes
Protect coastal
processes.
Minimise impacts on sand
movements, wave patterns
and currents.
Comply with the Performance Criteria.
Demonstrate through modelling of hydrodynamic
processes such as tides, currents, winds and sand
movements, that the Project will have no adverse
effect on coastal processes.
Monitor and report the effect of Project Activities
on coastal processes.
Detail the measures proposed to address the
results of the monitoring undertaken to achieve
compliance with the Performance Criteria.
Coastal
integrity
Protect the
physical
integrity of the
dune system,
beach and
intertidal zone.
No surface disturbance of
the dune system, beach and
intertidal zone.
No measurable loss to the
integrity of the coastal
assets including the dune
system, beach and intertidal
zone.
Comply with the Performance Criteria.
Develop and implement methods and
management systems designed to ensure no
adverse effect on the dune system, beach and
intertidal zone from Project Activities including:
Induction programs for Project personnel
Minimise access outside public access pathways
Monitor and report the effect of Project Activities
on the dune system, beach and intertidal zone.
Coastal flora
and fauna
Protect the
ecological
values of coastal
habitat.
No reduction in habitat
values for significant
species.
Minimise loss of significant
species individuals.
No removal of coastal
vegetation.
Comply with the Performance Criteria.
Develop and implement methods and
management systems designed to ensure no
adverse effect on the dune system, beach and
intertidal zone from Project Activities including:
Induction programs for Project personnel
Implement management measures to minimise
access of construction personnel to Williamsons
Beach and foreshore reserve, particularly during
Hooded Plover breeding season (August to
February)
Collaborate with Parks Victoria and DSE to
achieve additional protective measures such as
fencing off portions of the beach used by
nesting Hooded Plovers to exclude people,
uncontrolled dogs and increased fox and cat
control
Ensure that external lights are kept to a
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Timing
Subject Objective Performance Criteria Performance Requirements
D&C O&M
minimum, that they are positioned as low to the
ground as is practicable and that they are
shielded to avoid light spill upward and toward
the foreshore, beach and sea
Implement a program of monitoring the
locations and breeding success of resident
Hooded Plovers along Williamsons Beach to
measure the impact of Project Activities and
inform opportunities for mitigation. This should
continue at least monthly from prior to
construction until the plant is in routine
operation.
Implement a program of monitoring for the
Orange-bellied Parrot from March to September
prior to and during construction activities and
inform opportunities for mitigation.
Marine flora Protect marine Minimise to the extent Develop, implement and maintain methods and
and fauna flora and fauna. practicable the impacts on management systems to protect marine flora and
general No significant marine flora and fauna from fauna.
impact on Project Activities. No construction in the designated areas, which
Bunurong Limit impacts on ecology of creates a long-term impact, presented in Figure
Marine National continuous high relief reef. PR Sensitivity Area Marine Area, in Technical
Park and on the Appendix 5.
protected values Trenching is not permitted in the designated areasof marine parks. presented in Figure PR Sensitivity Area Marine
Area, in Technical Appendix 5.
Manage any geotechnical investigation program to
avoid significant impacts on the high relief reef in
the designated area and marine fauna in general.
Any spoil from marine construction to be disposed
of in accordance with EPA Best Practice Guidelines
for Dredging and the National Ocean Disposal
Guidelines for Dredged Material.
Marine Minimise Outside any marine Comply with the Performance Criteria.
amenity disruption to exclusion zone (for diving Develop and implement methods andrecreational marine safety) no significant impact management and systems to minimise disruption
recreational on diving, surfing, to recreational activities.activities. recreational fishing or
marine boating activities.Turbidity or colouration impacts from the outlet
should not be visible from the shoreline.Limit disruption to divers
outside construction
exclusion zones.
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Timing
Subject Objective Performance Criteria Performance Requirements
D&C O&M
Commercial Minimise Minimise restrictions on Comply with the Performance Criterion.
fishing and disruption to the commercial fishing and Develop and implement methods andmarine commercial marine tourism activities. management systems that seek to achievetourism fishing industry
effective consultation and communication with theand marine commercial fishing and marine tourism industry intourism. relation to potential restrictions and disruptions
during construction.
Marine pests Avoid the Compliance with the Comply with the Performance Criterion.
introduction, Commonwealth and State Develop and implement a marine pest riskspread and legislative requirements for management and monitoring process (including aestablishment of Ballast Water. process directed to addressing the risks ofmarine pests. introducing pests by vessels and equipment).
Develop and implement a risk management
process specifically for limiting risk of abalone
disease.
Underwater Protect Compliance with EPBC Act Comply with the Performance Criterion.noise and cetaceans. Policy Statement 2.1 Conduct geophysical survey of Project Activities invibration Interaction between accordance with the procedures outlined underecological offshore seismic exploration the EPBC Act Policy Statement 2.1 - Interaction
and whales. between offshore seismic exploration and whales.
Underwater Protect marine No significant impact Comply with the Performance Criterion.
noise and diving activities outside any marine Outside any exclusion zone, minimise exposure ofvibration from exclusion zone on marine marine recreational users to underwatermarine diving underwater diving activities. (continuous) noise levels greater than 145 dB reactivities noise and 1PA.
vibration.Develop, implement and maintain methods and
management systems that ensure effective
consultation and communication with marinedivers in relation to marine noise and vibration.
Marine Protect coastal Minimise impact on safe Comply with the Performance Criterion.
navigation access on passage of non-Project Identify and implement any requirements formarine waters vessels along the coast. notifications for vessel movements by Marinefor vessels. Safety Victoria.