BLACKSMITHPILBARAIRONORE
PROJECT–STAGE2
(EPBC2015/7495)
FLINDERSMINESLIMITED
CONSOLIDATEDRESPONSETODEPARTMENTOF
THEENVIRONMENTCOMMENTS
17March2016
Proponentcontactdetails:
FLINDERSMINESLTD
ContactPerson:
IanGordon–ManagingDirector
Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
+61881327950
Address:
Level1,135FullartonRoad,RosePark,SouthAustralia5067.
Documentdevelopedby:
PRESTONCONSULTINGPTYLTD
PhilScott(Director)Email:
Website:
Phone:
Fax:
StreetAddress:
PostalAddress:
[email protected]
www.prestonconsulting.com.au
+61892210011
+61892214783
Level3,201AdelaideTerrace,EastPerth,WesternAustralia,6004
POBox3093,EastPerth,WesternAustralia,6892
Disclaimer
ThisReporthasbeenpreparedonbehalfofandfortheexclusiveuseofFlindersMinesLtdandissubjecttoand
issuedinaccordancewiththeagreementbetweenPrestonConsultingPtyLtdandFlindersMinesLtd.
Preston Consulting Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or
relianceuponthisReportbyanythirdparty.
CONTENTS
LISTOFTABLES..............................................................................................................................................III
LISTOFFIGURES.............................................................................................................................................III
LISTOFAPPENDICES....................................................................................................................................III
1
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................4
2
RESPONSETOOCTOBER2015INFORMATIONREQUEST.................................................5
2.1
SignificantFaunaSpeciesManagementPlan...........................................................................................5
2.2
NorthernQuollHabitat........................................................................................................................................5
2.3
OffsetProposal.........................................................................................................................................................6
3
RESPONSETOJANUARY2016COMMENTS.........................................................................10
3.1
SignificantFaunaSpeciesManagementPlan.........................................................................................10
3.2
ThreattoNorthernQuolls................................................................................................................................11
3.3
AccessRoadswithinExternalInfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelope.........................................12
3.4
RequestforAdditionalFigure.........................................................................................................................12
4
GLOSSARY.......................................................................................................................................15
5
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................16
6
APPENDICES...................................................................................................................................16
LISTOFTABLES
Table1:ResponsetoDotErequestforinformation‐NorthernQuollHabitat.........................................6
Table2:ResponsetoDotErequestforinformation–OffsetProposal........................................................7
Table3:ExplanationofhowproposedoffsetsmeettheEPBCActEnvironmentalOffsetsPolicy.....9
LISTOFFIGURES
Figure1:NorthernQuollcriticalhabitat...............................................................................................................14
LISTOFAPPENDICES
Appendix1:OriginalSignificantFaunaSpeciesManagementPlanandAddendum1(Version2)
Appendix2:Threatenedfaunahabitatandrecordswithinthestudyareas
P a g e |iii
1 INTRODUCTION
Flinders Mines Limited (FMS) referred the Blacksmith Pilbara Iron Ore Project – Stage 2 (the
ProposedAction)totheDepartmentoftheEnvironment(DotE)on29May2015.DotEdeemed
it to be a ‘controlled action’ on 23 July 2015 (EPBC 2015/7495) – likely to have a significant
impact on controlling provisions (listed threatened species and communities (Sections 18 and
18A)), which are protected under Part 3 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
ConservationAct1999(EPBCAct).DotEdeterminedthatalevelofassessmentof‘Assessmenton
PreliminaryDocumentation’wasappropriate.
DotEhaveprovidedcommentstoFMSontwooccasionsduringtheirassessmentoftheProposed
Action:
1. In a letter dated 15 October 2015, DotE requested that FMS provide additional
informationtoassistwiththeassessmentoftherelevantimpactsoftheProposedAction
(DotE,2015).On26November2015FMSprovidedareport(FMS,2015a)inresponseto
the aforementioned letter, and an Addendum to the Significant Fauna Species
ManagementPlan(SFSMP)(Addendum1;FMS,2015b);and
2. In an email dated 29 January 2016, DotE provided FMS with comments on the FMS
(2015a) report and also requested amendments to the SFSMP Addendum 1 that was
previouslyprovided(FMS,2015b).
FMSengagedPrestonConsultingPtyLtdtoassistinrespondingtotheabovecomments.
This report provides a consolidated response to DotE’s October 2015 and January 2016
information requests. The format of this report has been developed to ensure that each
information request has been addressed. FMS has referred back to the original EPBC Referral
document(EPBC2015/7495)whereappropriateandtheadditionalinformationisprovidedin
Section2ofthisreport.
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2 RESPONSETOOCTOBER2015INFORMATION
REQUEST
This section provides relevant information and supporting documentation from the original
EPBC Referral (EPBC 2015/7495) and any requested supplementary information requested by
DotEintheirletterdated15October2015(DotE,2015).
2.1 SIGNIFICANTFAUNASPECIESMANAGEMENTPLAN
In relation to the listed endangered Northern Quoll (Dasyurushallucatus), DotE has requested
thefollowingfurtherinformation:
1. An updated version of the Significant Fauna Species Management Plan, June 2011
identifying all potential impacts to the species from the proposed action and
appropriate avoidance, mitigation and management measures to address these
impacts. Avoidance, mitigation and management measures must be specific,
measurable, achievable, reasonable and time‐bound. Discuss the efficacy of these
measureswithreferencetopeer‐reviewed,scientificsources.
AnaddendumtoFMS’soriginalSFSMP(EcoscapeAustraliaPtyLtd(Ecoscape),2011)hasbeen
provided as Appendix 1 which provides further information specific to the Northern Quoll in
relationtotheProposedAction.Theaddendumshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththeoriginal
SFSMPastheenvironmentalmanagementcommitmentsinthatplanalsoapplytotheProposed
Action.
The original SFSMPandthelatest Addendum1(Version 2)canbefound inAppendix 1of this
report.
2.2 NORTHERNQUOLLHABITAT
DotE (2015) requested the following information related to suitable Northern Quoll (Dasyurus
hallucatus)habitat:
Providethearea(inhectaresandillustratedinamap)ofsuitableNorthernQuollhabitat
tobeclearedfortheproposedaction,notingthedefinitionofforagingordispersalhabitat
in the EPBC Act Referral Guidelines for the Endangered Northern Quoll, Dasyurus
hallucatus(EPBCActPolicyStatement3.25):
"foraging or dispersal habitat is recognised to be any land comprising predominately
native vegetation in the immediate area (within 2 km) of denning shelter habitat, quoll
recordsorlandcomprisingpredominatelynativevegetationthatisconnectedtodenning
shelterhabitatwithinthespeciesrange.
Table1belowprovidesFMS’sresponsetotheaboveinformationrequestbyDotE(2015).
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Table1:ResponsetoDotErequestforinformation‐NorthernQuollHabitat
RelevantinformationprovidedinoriginalEPBCReferral(EPBC
2015/7495)
Response
Note:ReferencestofiguresbelowarelocatedinEPBC2015/7495andhavenotbeenprovidedinthisreport.
Section3.1(d)includedthefollowinginformation:
Destructionofcriticalhabitatanddensitesisunlikelyduetotheabsence
ofsuchhabitatwithintheDevelopmentEnvelopes;however,the
ProposedActionmayoccurwithinforaginghabitat.
Foragingordispersalhabitatisconsideredtoincludeanyareasof
predominantlynativevegetationupto2kilometres(km)fromdenning
habitat(DotE,2015c).
ItisthereforeexpectedthatthemajorityoftheMineDevelopment
Envelopecouldbeusedforforaging,andtheProposedActionwill
require77Hectares(ha)ofdisturbancewithinthispotentialforaging
habitat.
Section5.2includedthefollowinginformation:
TheProposedActionwillincludethecrossingorintersectionofseveral
smallephemeraldrainagelinesbyaccessroadsandtheairstrip.
Infrastructurewillavoiddrainagelinehabitatwhereverpracticable.
SomeofthesedrainagelinesmaybeutilisedbyNorthernQuollfor
foragingandwatersupply,howevertheimpactswillbeminimal,with
onlyasmallpercentageofthishabitattypebeingdisturbed(Figure5).
Disturbanceforaccessroadcrossingswillberestrictedtothenarrow
roadcorridor(approximately30m).Forengineeringreasonstheairport
willbelocatedonahighpointbetweentwodrainagelinesasmuchas
possible,andanyimpactstothedrainagelinehabitatwillbeminimised
asaresult.This,combinedwiththebroadextentofthedrainageline
habitat(extendingwelloutsideoftheDevelopmentEnvelopes)means
thatdisturbancetothishabitattypeisnotexpectedtoresultin
significantimpactstoNorthernQuollpopulations.
Section5.2includedthefollowinginformation:
Giventhe2kmforagingrangesoftheNorthernQuollmuchofthe
proposeddisturbancewilloccurwithinpotentialforaginghabitat.This
habitatishoweverwidespreadthroughouttheareaanditssurrounds
(Figure5)anddisturbancewillgenerallybenarrowandlinear,which
willminimiseimpacts.
AsstatedinSection3.1(d),FMShave
assumedthatalloftheproposed
disturbancewithintheMine
DevelopmentEnvelopewilloccur
withinpotentialforaging/dispersal
habitat(i.e.77ha).EPBC(2015/7495)
howeverdidnotdiscussthepotential
foraging/dispersalhabitatdisturbance
withintheInfrastructureDevelopment
Envelope.
Figure5oftheoriginalEPBCReferral
showsthatalmostallofthe
InfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelope
occurswithin2kmofpotential
denning/shelterhabitat,andtherefore
couldbeconsideredpotentialforaging
/dispersalhabitat,withtheexception
oftheairstripandthenorthern‐most
portionofthenortherninfrastructure
corridor.
160haofpotentialforaging/dispersal
habitatdisturbanceisaconservative
estimateofpotentialforaginghabitat
fortheNorthernQuollwithinthe
InfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelope.
Thetotalamountofpotentialforaging/
dispersalhabitatdisturbancerequired
toimplementtheProposedActionis
therefore237ha.
Figure5ofEPBC(2015/7495)is
providedinAppendix2ofthisreport
foreaseofreference.
2.3 OFFSETPROPOSAL
DotE(2015)requestedthefollowinginformationrelatedtoanoffsetproposalfortheclearingof
suitableNorthernQuollforaging/dispersalhabitat:
AnoffsetproposalforclearanceoftheareaofsuitableNorthernQuollforagingordispersal
habitat identified above (Section 2.2) and any significant residual impacts from other
sources. The offset proposal must be developed with reference to the EPBC Act
EnvironmentalOffsetsPolicy,October2012.Anexplanationastohowtheoffsetsmeetthe
policy and the Offsets Assessment Guide should be provided. An explanation and
justificationastohowtheoffsetproposalwasdeterminedanditsappropriatenesstooffset
themagnitudeofimpactoftheproposedactionshouldalsobeprovided.
Table2belowprovidesFMS’sresponsetotheaboveinformationrequestbyDotE(2015).
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Table2:ResponsetoDotErequestforinformation–OffsetProposal
RelevantinformationfromtheEPBC
Referral(EPBC2015/7495)
Response
Note:Referencestofiguresbelowarelocated
inEPBC2015/7495andhavenotbeen
providedinthisreport
Note:Referencestofigures,sectionsand
appendicesbelowarelocatedinEPBC
2015/7495andhavenotbeenprovidedin
thisreport.
DotEstatesthataProposedActionwould
onlyrequireanoffsetifresidualimpactsare
significant.Significantimpactcriteriaas
definedbyDotE(2013)wereincludedin
EPBC(2015/7495),whichwereintendedto
demonstratethattheProposedAction
wouldnotresultinsignificantresidual
impacts.
Thefollowingmanagementactionsare
proposedinEPBC2015/7495:
Section4.2includedthefollowing
information:
Provideanoffsetpaymenttothe
DepartmentofParksandWildlife(DPaW)
(WA)fortheclearingofupto277haof
GoodtoExcellentconditionvegetation(this
isrequiredbytheWAEPActprocess(refer
toMinisterialstatement(MS)924–
Appendix9)andisanadditiontooffset
paymentalreadyappliedtothepreviously
approved2173.9hainEPBC2011/6152;
FMS2011).
Section5.2includedthefollowing
information:
GiventheconfigurationoftheProposed
Actiontoavoidandminimisesignificant
impactsandthemanagementactionsand
controlstoprotectMattersofNational
Previous/existingOffsetConditions
MS924(PilbaraIronOreProject(PIOP)–Stage1)approvedthedevelopmentandoperationsofanironoremineontheBlacksmith
tenementlocatedapproximately70kmnorth‐westofTomPriceinthePilbararegionofWA.
AProposaltoamendthePIOPStage1(MS1014)toincludetheParagondepositandadditionalinfrastructuresuchasaccessroads,
airport,accommodationcamps,powerstation,oreprocessingfacility,tailingsstoragefacilities.MS1014runsinconjunctionwith
MS924.
FMSisrequiredtoprovideoffsetsforthePIOPStage1throughtheWAEnvironmentalProtectionAct1986(EPAct)approvalprocess.
MS924containsthefollowingministerialoffsetconditionswhichwillalsoapplytoStage2ofthePIOP:
7.
ResidualImpactsManagementMeasures
7‐1Inviewofthesignificantresidualimpactstonativevegetationasaresultoftheimplementationoftheproposal,the
proponentshallcontributefundsfortheclearingofgoodtoexcellentconditionnativevegetationandcalculatedpursuantto
condition7‐2.ThisfundingshallbeprovidedtothestrategicregionalconservationinitiativeforthePilbaraasdeterminedby
theMinisteronadvicefromtheEnvironmentalProtectionAuthority.
7‐2Theproponent’scontributiontotheinitiativeidentifiedincondition7‐1shallbepaidbiennially,thefirstpaymentdueon
31Maytwoyearsaftergrounddisturbance.Theamountoffundingwillbemadeonthefollowingbasisandinaccordancewith
theapprovedImpactReconciliationProcedure:
$750AUD(excludingGST)perhectareclearedwithintheareadelineatedinFigure3.
7‐3TheproponentshallprepareanImpactReconciliationProcedureandsubmititforapprovaloftheCEOpriortoground
disturbance.
7‐4TheImpactReconciliationProcedurerequiredpursuanttocondition7‐3shall:
i. includedetailsofamethodologytoidentifyclearing;
ii. includeamethodologyforcalculatingtheamountofclearingundertakenduringeachbiennialtimeperiod;
iii. statethatthebiennialtimeperiodcommencesonthefirstdayofMarchpriortocommencinggrounddisturbanceand
thattheduedateforsubmittingtheresultsoftheProcedureforapprovaloftheCEOas31Marchtwoyearsafter
commencementofthebiennialtimeperiod.
7‐5Therealvalueofcontributionsdescribedincondition7‐2willbemaintainedthroughindexationtothePerthConsumer
PriceIndex(CPI),withthefirstadjustmenttobeappliedtothefirstcontribution.
7‐6ShouldtheProponentpaytheoffsetfundsspecifiedincondition2intheAustralianGovernmentapprovalEPBC2011/6152
totheDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservationorintothestrategicregionalconservationinitiativeforthePilbara,the
amountoffundingrequiredbycondition7‐2willbereducedto$609AUD(excludingGST)perhectareclearedwithinthearea
P a g e |7
RelevantinformationfromtheEPBC
Referral(EPBC2015/7495)
Response
Note:Referencestofiguresbelowarelocated
inEPBC2015/7495andhavenotbeen
providedinthisreport
EnvironmentalSignificance(MNES)and
theirhabitat(includingoffsetconditionsto
beappliedbytheWAEnvironmental
ProtectionAuthority(EPA)(Appendix9),
theProposedActionisnotexpectedtohave
asignificantimpactonMNES.
OffsetpaymentsaretobepaidundertheEP
Acttocounterbalancetheresidual
environmentalimpactsassociatedwiththe
ProposedAction,specificallythe
disturbanceofupto277haofGoodto
Excellentconditionvegetation(thisisan
additiontothepreviouslyapproved
2173.9hainEPBC2011/6152.These
additionaloffsetpaymentsaresetthrough
theEPActapprovalprocesses,in
consultationwiththeEPA.TheEPAhas
appliedtheexistingCondition7ofMS924
(Appendix9)totheProposedAction;
delineatedinFigure3.
Stage1ofthePIOPwasalsoapprovedundertheEPBCActon19December2012(EPBC2011/6152)andincludedthefollowing
conditionsrelatedtooffsets:
2.
3.
Thepersontakingtheactionmustprovide$300,000(GSTexclusive)totheWADEC,oranotherorganisationagreedtobythe
Minister,toimplementanexistingorproposedresearchormanagementprogram,forthebetterprotectionoftheNorthern
QuollinthePilbararegionofWesternAustralia.TheprogrammustbeapprovedbytheMinisterpriortocommencement,or
withinatimeframeotherwiseagreedtobytheMinister.
DocumentaryevidencemustbeprovidedtotheDepartmentshowingthatpaymentofthefundsspecifiedincondition2ofthis
approvalhasbeenmadewithin12monthsofcommencement,orwithinatimeframeotherwiseagreedtobytheMinister.
ProposedContributions
UsingthecostbreakdownassociatedwiththeWAapproval,FMShasappliedthesamerate($750AUDExclusiveofGST)perhectare
cleared(upto277haproposed)withintheMineDevelopmentEnvelopeandtheExternalInfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelope,to
provideforStateandFederaloffsets.UsingtheEPA’sspecifiedrateofAUD$609perhectarecleared(whenanEPBCActoffset
exists),FMSproposesthattheremainderbesetasideforanoffsetundertheEPBCAct.ThisequatestoAUD$141(Exc.GST)per
hectare(i.e.AUD$39,057),whichasperCondition(2)ofEPBC2011/6152willbesubmittedtoDPaW,oranotherorganisation
agreedtobytheMinister,toimplementanexistingorproposedresearchormanagementprogram,forthebetterprotectionofthe
NorthernQuollinthePilbararegionofWA.
MeetingtheEPBCActEnvironmentalOffsetsPolicyandtheOffsetsAssessmentGuide
ItisexpectedthattheoffsetsrequiredfortheProposedActionundertheEPBCActwillalignwiththoseadministeredbytheWAEPA
andthereforeasimilarconditioncanbeincludedintheapprovaldocumentationundertheEPBCAct.
AnassessmentoftheproposedoffsetsagainsttheoffsetrequirementslistedinSection7oftheEPBCActEnvironmentalOffsetsPolicy
(DotE,2012)isprovidedinTable3below.
AnassessmentagainsttheOffsetsAssessmentGuidehasnotbeenprovidedasdirectoffsetsarenotproposedforthisProposedAction.
P a g e |8
Table3:ExplanationofhowproposedoffsetsmeettheEPBCActEnvironmentalOffsetsPolicy
OffsetRequirements
Response
7.1:Suitableoffsetsmustdeliveran
overallconservationoutcomethat
improvesormaintainstheviabilityof
theprotectedmatter.
Theproposedcontributiontoagovernment‐establishedconservation
offsetfundallowsfundsfromnumerousprojectstobepooledtoprovide
thebestoverallconservationoutcomeforMNES.Giventhelowresidual
impactonMNES,thisisexpectedtodeliveranoutcomethatimprovesor
atleastmaintainstheviabilityoftheprotectedmatter.
7.2:Suitableoffsetsmustbebuilt
arounddirectoffsetsbutmayinclude
othercompensatorymeasures.
Thegovernment‐establishedconservationoffsetfund(oranalternative
offsetarrangement)isacompensatorymethodofoffset,andisbeing
proposedbytheEPAforprojectsinthePilbaraduetothelackofsuitable
landavailablefordirectoffsets(giventhatthemajorityofthePilbarais
CrownlandorPastoralLeases).Section7.2oftheEPBCActEnvironmental
OffsetsPolicy(DotE,2012)acknowledgesthattheremaybecaseswhere
directoffsetsareunabletobeapplied.
7.3:Suitableoffsetsmustbein
proportiontothelevelofstatutory
protectionthatappliestothe
protectedmatter.
Ministerialcondition(7)ofMS924basesthelevelofcontributiononan
assessmentofthesignificanceofenvironmentalimpacts.TheEPA’sadvice
fortheuseofoffsetfundsinthePilbara(EPA,2014)includesto‘focuson
thehighestprioritybiodiversityissuesintheregion’.MNESspecieswith
higherlevelsofstatutoryprotectionarethereforeexpectedtoreceive
greaterproportionsoffundingandeffortfromthecontribution.
7.4:Suitableoffsetsmustbeofasize
andscaleproportionatetothe
residualimpactsontheprotected
matter.
Thelevelofcontributiontothegovernment‐establishedconservation
offsetfundhasbeensetbytheEPAbasedontheirassessmentofthe
residualimpacts.Thecontributionisintendedtooffsetseveralresidual
impacts,howeverthe‘lossofhabitatforconservationsignificantspecies’
hasbeenconsideredinthesettingofthelevelofcontribution.
7.5:Suitableoffsetsmusteffectively
accountforandmanagetherisksof
theoffsetnotsucceeding.
Therisksassociatedwithcontributingtothegovernment‐established
conservationoffsetfundareexpectedtobelowerthanstand‐aloneoffsets,
asthefundprovidestheopportunityto:

Fundactionsonalandscapescaleinpartnershipwithlandholders;

Implementconservationactionsinacoordinatedwaybasedon
transparentinvestmentdecisionsandtargetedoutcomes;

Focusonthehighestprioritybiodiversityissuesintheregion;

Assistproponentsbyprovidingpracticalmechanismsfor
implementingenvironmentaloffsets;and

Furthercontributetosignificantpartnershipsbetweengovernment,
industry,landholdersandaboriginalcommunities(EPA,2014).
Thiscoordinatedapproachtooffsetsisexpectedtoeffectivelyaccountfor
andmanagetherisksoftheoffsetnotsucceeding.
7.6:Suitableoffsetsmustbein
additionaltowhatisalready
required,determinedbylawor
planningregulations,oragreedto
underotherschemesorprograms.
Section7.6oftheEPBCActEnvironmentalOffsetsPolicy(DotE,2012)
acknowledgesthatstateoffsetsmaybesuitableasoffsetsundertheEPBC
Actforthesameaction.
Table3aboveprovidesfurtherdetailsregardingtheoffsetcontributions
relatedtothePIOPstage1and2.
7.7:Suitableoffsetsmustbeefficient,
effective,timely,transparent,
scientificallyrobustandreasonable.
Thegovernment‐establishedconservationoffsetfundisadministeredby
theWAGovernmentandFMSexpectsthatitwillcomplywiththese
requirements.
7.8:Suitableoffsetsmusthave
transparentgovernance
arrangementsincludingbeingableto
bereadilymeasured,monitored,
auditedandenforced.
P a g e |9
3 RESPONSETOJANUARY2016COMMENTS
This section provides relevant information and supporting documentation from the original
EPBC Referral (EPBC 2015/7495) and any requested supplementaryinformation requested by
DotE via comments in the email dated 29 January 2016. FMS note that not all of DotE’s
commentsrequiredaresponse.
3.1 SIGNIFICANTFAUNASPECIESMANAGEMENTPLAN
DotEComment:
DotEhasprovidedthefollowingcommentregardingtheSFSMPAddendum1(FMS,2015b):
TheDepartmentnotesthatnospecificspeedlimithasbeenproposedfortheprotectionof
Northern Quolls. Given that the proposed action involves the development of roads that
encircle much of the mine area, and that road mortality is a recognised threat to the
species, the Department considers that appropriate night/day speed limits should be
nominated within the SFSMP or Addendum 1 and justified with reference to scientific
sourcesand/orsimilarEPBCapprovals.
FMSResponse:
TheSFSMPAddendum1hasbeenupdated(version2)andprovidedasAppendix1ofthisreport.
TheupdatedAddendum1providesfurtherinformationspecifictotheNorthernQuollinthatit
includes three additional management actions (Reference 30, 39, 40) in Table 2. For ease of
reference,the additional managementactionsincludedinTable 2 ofAddendum 1(FMS,2016)
arelistedbelow:
 Induct all employees and contractors during construction and operation to emphasise
the risk to fauna from light and heavy vehicle movement and clarify speed limits
(<60km/hr)andnightdriving;
 WherevehicletracksintersectsignificanthabitatforMattersofNationalEnvironmental
Significance (MNES) species, speed limits of 60 km/hr or less will be signposted and
enforced;and
 All personnel using the tracks shall be informed of the introduced speed limits
(<60km/hr),wheretheyapplyandwhytheyexist,aswellasbackgroundinformationon
theMNESspecies.
Thereisnoavailableevidencethatreducedspeedlimitsreducethefrequencyofvehiclestrike,
however it is expected that safe driving protocols such as reduced speed limits are likely to
achievethisoutcome.Duetothelackofavailableevidencesupportingthecorrelationbetween
reducedspeedlimitsandfrequencyofvehiclestrike,FMSshallimplementthesamespeedlimit
(<60km/hr)thatwasappliedforasimilarEPBCapprovaldocumentrecentlyapprovedbyDotE
(EPBC2015/7420;RutilaResources,2015).
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3.2 THREATTONORTHERNQUOLLS
DotEComment:
GiventhethreatposedtoNorthernQuollsbyCaneToadsandweeds,greaterdetailcouldbe
providedregardingproposedhygieneproceduresandmechanisms.Pleasealsoprovidethe
WeedManagementPlanreferredtoinObjective3,Reference17ofTable5.
FMSResponse:
SFSMP Addendum 1 has been updated (Version 2) and provided as Appendix 1 of this report.
TheupdatedAddendum1providesfurtherinformationspecifictothreatstotheNorthernQuoll
in that it includes additional management actions (Reference 41 ‐ 44) in Table 2. For ease of
reference,theadditionalmanagementactionsincludedinTable2ofAddendum1(FMS,2016)
arelistedbelow:
 Promoteeducationandawarenessforstaffandcontractorsregardingtheidentification
anddetrimentalenvironmentaleffectsofcanetoads;
 The contracting strategy is to include requirements for deliveries from cane toad
affectedareas,tobeverifiedfreeof‘hitchhiker’canetoads;
 Deliveriesfromcanetoadaffectedareasshallbeinspectedforthepresenceofcanetoads
beforeenteringthePIOPsite;and
 Euthanizeanddisposeofanyindividualorsmallgroupsofcanetoadsdiscoveredwithin
thePIOPareausingcurrentbest‐practicemethodsandreporttotheWADepartmentof
ParksandWildlife.
TheWeedManagementPlanreferredtoinObjective3,Reference17ofTable5hasnotyetbeen
developed, this plan will be finalised prior to construction. In the absence of a weed
managementplanFMShasincludedadditionalmanagementactions(Reference45‐53)inTable
2 of Addendum 1 (FMS, 2016). For ease of reference, the additional management actions
includedinTable2arelistedbelow:
 Ensure all mobile plant and equipment entering the PIOP site is subject to hygiene
inspectionsandwash‐downfacilitiesareused;
 Establish Weed Quarantine Area(s) if clear boundaries are identified between infested
areasandthoseclearofweeds.Withineachboundaryvehiclesandequipmentcanmove
freely;
 Ensureallplantandequipment,includingvehiclescomingontothePIOPsiteforthefirst
time,orre‐enteringfromwithinaninfestedWeedQuarantineArea,areclean,inspected
andcertified;
 Developandmaintainaweedregister.Theregisterwillinclude,foreachspecies,details
of distribution, abundance, relevant biological information, and a history of control
methods,andtheirrelativesuccess;
 Developasite‐specificWeedManagementandMonitoringProgram;
 Conduct spot‐spraying of emergent weeds in the PIOP area, to gradually deplete seed
stocksandreduceoreliminateanynewcolonisation;
 Undertake control methods to reduce the standing crop of target species prior to
constructionorgrounddisturbingactivities;
 Implementeducationandawarenessforstaffandcontractorsregardingweeds;and
P a g e |11

Include information on Declared Weeds and Weeds of National Significance in
environmentalinductions.
3.3 ACCESSROADSWITHINEXTERNALINFRASTRUCTURE
DEVELOPMENTENVELOPE
DotEComment:
Withaviewtolimitingthescaleofhabitatdisturbanceandroadmortality,theDepartment
requeststhatthelength,width(includingbuffersforconstructionetc.)andconfirmedroute
oftheaccessroadsinthe“ExternalInfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelope”beprovided.It
shouldbedemonstratedthattheproposedrouteminimisesdisturbancetoNorthernQuoll
habitatwherepossible.
FMSResponse:
The access roads within the External Infrastructure Development Envelope are approximately
46kminlength,withanaverage30mwidedisturbancefootprint.
TheindicativerouteoftheseaccessroadswasshowninFigures2,5and6oftheEPBCReferral
(EPBC2015/7495).Thepurposeofpresentingadevelopmentenvelope(typically200mwide)
wastoallowthefinalalignmentoftheaccessroadstobeflexible(withinthisenvelope)without
alteringtheenvironmentalimpacts.
The route for the External Infrastructure Development Envelope was chosen after taking into
accountnumerousdesign,tenure,environmentalandheritagefactors.ItisevidentinFigure5of
EPBC 2015/7495 that the External Infrastructure Development Envelope is not located
immediatelyadjacenttoanyareasofcriticalNorthernQuolldenning/shelterhabitat.Adecision
onthefinallocationoftheaccessroadwithintheExternalInfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelope
is therefore not expected to influence the assessment of impacts to Northern Quoll. Flinders
would therefore prefer to maintain its original position that a typical 30 m wide disturbance
footprintwillbedevelopedwithintheExternalInfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelope.
FMSconsidersthatthelocationoftheExternalInfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelopepresented
in Figure 5 of the EPBC Referral already demonstrates that disturbance to Northern Quoll
denning/shelter habitat has been avoided, and disturbance to foraging habitat has been
minimisedwherepossible.Figure5showsthatNorthernQuollhabitatiswidespreadinthearea
and foraging habitat cannot be avoided completely. FMS has ensured that all areas of
denning/shelterhabitatwereavoidedandthefinalroutedoesnotrunimmediatelyadjacentto
any of this habitat. Narrow sections of foraging habitat will be disturbed however given the
widespreadnatureoftheforaginghabitatintheareathiswasunavoidable.
3.4 REQUESTFORADDITIONALFIGURE
DotEComment:
Forthepurposesofpotentialconditioning(ifthisprojectisapproved)theDepartmentrequestsa
topographicmapoftheprojectareaoverlaidwith:
P a g e |12



Accessroads,minepitsandinfrastructure(allproposeddevelopmentareas)
“NorthernQuollCriticalHabitat”,asmappedinAppendix2totheadditionalinformation
What has been labelled as the “PIOP Project Area” in Appendix2 to the additional
information,however,theDepartmentsuggeststhis“ProjectArea”belabelledwithdetails
of the mining tenement for that site to avoid confusion (i.e. a road and infrastructure is
proposedtobelocatedoutsideaboxcurrentlylabelled“ProjectArea”).
FMSResponse:
Figure1hasbeendevelopedinresponsetothiscomment.
P a g e |13
Figure 1: Northern Quoll critical habitat
4 GLOSSARY
Term
Meaning
DevelopmentEnvelope
TheareathatformsthebasisforthisProposedActionandistheareawithinwhich
theProposedActionwillbeimplemented.TheDevelopmentEnvelopeisoutlinedin
redinFigure1oftheoriginalEPBCReferral.
DotE
DepartmentoftheEnvironment(Commonwealth)
DPaW
DepartmentofParksandWildlife
Ecoscape
EcoscapeAustraliaPtyLtd
EPA
EnvironmentalProtectionAuthority(WA)
EPBCAct
EnvironmentalProtectionandBiodiversityConservationAct1999(Commonwealth)
FMS
FlindersMinesLimited
ha
Hectares
km
Kilometres
MNES
MattersofNationalEnvironmentalSignificance
ProposedAction
BlacksmithPilbaraIronOreProject–Stage2.Todevelopadditionalminepits,haul
roadsandprocessinginfrastructureattheexistingBlacksmithPilbaraIronOre
Projectapproximately65kilometresnorth‐westofTomPriceinthePilbaraRegionof
WesternAustralia(SeeEPBCActreferral2015/7495).
SFSMP
SignificantFaunaSpeciesManagementPlan
WA
WesternAustralia
5 REFERENCES
DepartmentofSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunities(2011).
ThreatAbatementPlanfortheBiologicalEffects,includingLethalToxicIngestion,causedby
CaneToads.CommonwealthofAustralia.
DepartmentoftheEnvironment(2012).EnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityProtection
Act1999,EnvironmentalOffsetsPolicy.Availableat:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/epbc‐act‐environmental‐offsets‐policy.
DepartmentoftheEnvironment(2013).MattersofNationalEnvironmentalSignificance.
Significantimpactguidelines1.1.EnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityProtectionAct1999.
Availableat:http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/42f84df4‐720b‐4dcf‐
b262‐48679a3aba58/files/nes‐guidelines_1.pdf.
DepartmentoftheEnvironment(2015).Requestforadditionalinformation.BlacksmithPilbara
IronOreProject,Stage2,Pilbara,WesternAustralia(EPBC2015/7495).15October2015.
Ecoscape Pty Ltd (2011). SignificantFaunaSpeciesManagementPlan. Flinders Mines Limited.
July2011.
EnvironmentalProtectionAuthority(2014).Cumulativeenvironmentalimpactsofdevelopment
inthePilbararegion.AdviceoftheEnvironmentalProtectionAuthoritytotheMinisterfor
EnvironmentunderSection16(e)oftheEnvironmentalProtectionAct1986.Availableat:
http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/Policies_guidelines/strategicadvice/Pages/Pilbaras16e2014.aspx.
FlindersMinesLimited(2015a).BlacksmithPilbaraIronOreProject–Stage2(EPBC2015/7495).
FlindersMinesLimited.ResponsetoAdditionalInformationRequest.26November2015.
FlindersMinesLimited(2015b).SignificantFaunaSpeciesManagementPlan.Addendum1.
FlindersMinesLimited.26November2015.
FlindersMinesLimited(2016).SignificantFaunaSpeciesManagementPlan.Addendum1–
Version2.FlindersMinesLimited.February2016.
RutilaResources(2015).BallaBallaInfrastructure–RailandConveyorProject(EPBC
2015/7420).SupplementaryInformationforEPBC2015/7420.7August2015.
6 APPENDICES
Appendix1:OriginalSignificantFaunaSpeciesManagementPlanandAddendum1–Version2
Appendix2:Threatenedfaunahabitatandrecordswithinthestudyareas
APPENDIX1:OriginalSignificantFaunaSpecies
ManagementPlanandAddendum1–Version2
SIGNIFICANTFAUNASPECIES
MANAGEMENTPLAN
ADDENDUM1–VERSION2
FLINDERSMINESLIMITED
19February2016
SIGNIFICANTFAUNASPECIESMANAGEMENTPLAN–ADDENDUM1
FlindersMinesLimited
PRESTONCONSULTING
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.prestonconsulting.com.au
Phone:
+61892210011
Fax:
+61892214783
StreetAddress:
Level3,201AdelaideTerrace,EASTPERTHWesternAustralia6004
PostalAddress:
POBox3093,EastPerth,WesternAustralia,6892
Disclaimer
This Report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of Flinders Mines Limited and is subject to and
issuedinaccordancewiththeagreementbetweenPrestonConsultingPtyLtdandFlindersMinesLimited.
PrestonConsultingPtyLtdacceptsnoliabilityorresponsibilitywhatsoeverfororinrespectofanyuseoforrelianceupon
thisReportbyanythirdparty.
CopyingofanypartofthisReportwithouttheexpresspermissionofPrestonConsultingPtyLtdandFlindersMines
Limitedisnotpermitted.
P a g e |ii
SIGNIFICANTFAUNASPECIESMANAGEMENTPLAN–ADDENDUM1
FlindersMinesLimited
CONTENTS
LISTOFFIGURES.............................................................................................................................................III
LISTOFTABLES..............................................................................................................................................III
1
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................1
2
BACKGROUND...................................................................................................................................1
3
OBJECTIVESANDSCOPE................................................................................................................5
4
POTENTIALIMPACTS.....................................................................................................................5
4.1
IntroductionandEstablishmentofCaneToads.......................................................................................5
4.2
IntroductionandEstablishmentofWeeds..................................................................................................6
5
MANAGEMENTMEASURES...........................................................................................................6
6
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................10
7
GLOSSARY.......................................................................................................................................10
LISTOFFIGURES
Figure1:RegionallocationofthePilbaraIronOreProject..............................................................................2
Figure2:Faunahabitatandsignificantfaunalocations....................................................................................3
LISTOFTABLES
Table 1: Additional conservation significant fauna species potentially occurring within the
ExternalInfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelope(GHD,2014)........................................................................4
Table2:AdditionalkeymanagementactionsfortheNorthernQuoll.........................................................7
P a g e |iii
SIGNIFICANTFAUNASPECIESMANAGEMENTPLAN–ADDENDUM1
FlindersMinesLimited
1 INTRODUCTION
FlindersMinesLtd(FMS)referredthePilbaraIronOreProject(PIOP)–Stage2(theProposed
Action)totheDepartmentoftheEnvironment(DotE)on29May2015.DotEdeemedittobea
‘controlled action’ on 23 July 2015 (EPBC 2015/7495) – likely to have a significant impact on
controlling provisions (listed threatened species and communities (Sections 18 and 18A)),
which are protected under Part 3 of the EnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityConservation
Act1999(EPBCAct).DotEdeterminedthattheassessmentwastobecompletedviapreliminary
documentation.
In a letter dated 15 October 2015, DotE requested that FMS provide additional information to
assistwiththeassessmentoftherelevantimpactsoftheProposedAction.FMSengagedPreston
ConsultingPtyLtdtoassistinrespondingtoitemsdetailedintheDotEinformationrequest.
In relation to the listed endangered Northern Quoll (Dasyurushallucatus), DotE has requested
thefollowingfurtherinformation:
1. An updated version of the Significant Fauna Species Management Plan, June 2011 identifying
all potential impacts to the species from the proposed action and appropriate avoidance,
mitigation and management measures to address these impacts. Avoidance, mitigation and
management measures must be specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable and time‐bound.
Discusstheefficacyofthesemeasureswithreferencetopeer‐reviewed,scientificsources.
This document is an addendum to FMS’s Significant Fauna Species Management Plan (SFSMP)
(EcoscapeAustraliaPtyLtd(Ecoscape),2011a)andprovidesfurtherinformationspecifictothe
NorthernQuollasrequestedbyDotE.Thisaddendumshouldbeconsideredtobeanadditionto
the original SFSMP (Ecoscape, 2011a) as the environmental management commitments in that
planwillremainrelevanttoPIOPStage1and2.
2 BACKGROUND
ThePIOPislocatedintheShireofAshburton,approximately60kmNorthWestofTomPricein
thePilbararegionofWA(Figure1).ThePIOPisalignedwiththefollowingtenure:

MineDevelopmentEnvelope:MiningLeaseM47/1451(Blacksmithtenement);and

ExternalInfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelope:MiscellaneousLicencesL47/728,
L47/730,L47/731andL47/734.
Ecoscape (2011b) undertook Terrestrial Fauna Surveys (WA Environmental Protection
AuthorityLevel2),todeterminethefaunaassemblagespresentwithintheBlacksmithtenement,
map and assess fauna habitats and search for the presence of conservation significant fauna
species.InadditiontotheBlacksmithtenementsurveys,FMScommissionedGHDPtyLtd(GHD)
toconduct aLevel1 vegetation,floraand faunaassessmentwithintheExternalInfrastructure
Development Envelope to identify major ecological constraints associated with the proposed
PIOP Stage 2 infrastructure sites (GHD, 2014). Fauna habitats and conservation significant
faunaspeciesweremapped(Figure2).
P a g e |1
117 °
116 °
118 °
119 °
120 °
121 °
-20 °
-20 °
INDIAN
Port Hedland
OCEAN
Dampier
Anketell
Point Cape Lambert



Karratha
Karratha
Cape Preston

Mt
Mt Goldsworthy
Goldsworthy
Balla Balla Export Facility
Balla
Balla Balla
Balla
Roebourne
Roebourne
-21 °
-21 °


Sino
Sino
Pannawonica
Pannawonica

Robe
Robe Mesas
Mesas
-22 °
West
West
Pilbara
Pilbara
Brockman
Brockman 44
LEGEND
-23 °
Towns
Cloud
Cloud Break
Break
Ports (Proposed)
Paraburdoo
Paraburdoo
Paraburdoo
Paraburdoo
Roads
Yandi
Yandi
Area
Area CC
East
East Angeles
Angeles
West
West Angeles
Angeles


Channar
Channar
Jimblebar
Jimblebar

Mt
Mt Whaleback
Whaleback
Railways
0
Roy
Roy Hill
Hill
Christmas
Christmas Creek
Creek
Brockman
Brockman 22
-23 °

Serenity
Serenity
Mt
Mt Tom
Tom Price
Price
Major Iron Ore Deposits
Ports
Nullagine
Nullagine
Firetail
Firetail
Tom
Tom Price
Price 
FMS Mining Lease


Caliwingina
Caliwingina
-22 °
PIOP
M47/1451
(Blacksmith)
Bungaroo
Bungaroo Ck
Ck
Newman
Newman
116 °
Western
Australia
Robertson
Robertson
Range
Range
50 km
117 °
118 °
Figure 1: Regional location of the Pilbara Iron Ore Project
119 °
120 °
PIOP
121 °
Figure 2: Fauna habitat and significant fauna locations
SIGNIFICANTFAUNASPECIESMANAGEMENTPLAN–ADDENDUM1
FlindersMinesLimited
Table 1 lists the additional conservation significant fauna species identified in the desktop
assessmentbyGHD(2014)aspotentiallyoccurringintheExternalInfrastructureDevelopment
Envelope and their status with respect to the WildlifeConservationAct1950 (WC Act) and the
EPBCAct.
Table 1: Additional conservation significant fauna species potentially occurring within the External
InfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelope(GHD,2014)
Species
CommonName
EPBCAct
WCAct
Birds
Rostratula
australis
AustralianPainted
Snipe
Vulnerable,
Migratory
‐
Amytornisstriatus
striatus
StriatedGrass‐wren
‐
Priority4
Ardeotisaustralis
AustralianBustard
‐
Priority4
Burhinusgrallarius
BushStone‐curlew
‐
Priority4
Falcoperegrinus
PeregrineFalcon
‐
Schedule4
GreaterBilby
Vulnerable
‐
LinedSoil‐crevice
Skink
‐
Priority4
Mammals
Macrotislagotis
Reptiles
Notoscincusbutleri
Conservationsignificantfaunaspeciesrecordedas‘present’1byGHD(2014)withintheExternal
InfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelopewere:
 Bush Stone‐curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Priority 4 – Department of Parks and
Wildlife(DPaW)listing;
 RainbowBee‐eater(Meropsornatus)Migratory‐EPBCAct,Schedule3‐WCAct;
 AustralianBustard(Ardeotisaustralis),Priority4‐DPaWlisting;
 Spectacled Hair‐wallaby (Lagorchestes conspicillatus leichardti), Priority 3 ‐ DPaW
listing;and
 WesternPebble‐moundMouse(Pseudomyschapmani),Priority4‐DPaWlisting.
Conservation significant fauna species recorded as ‘likely’2to occur by GHD (2014) within the
ExternalInfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelopeinclude:
 NorthernQuoll(Dasyurushallucatus),Endangered‐EPBCAct,Threatened‐WCAct;
 PilbaraOlivePython(Liasisolivaceusbarroni),Vulnerable‐EPBCAct,Threatened–
WCAct;
 PeregrineFalcon(Falcoperegrinus),Schedule4‐WCAct;
 StriatedGrasswren(inland)(Amytornisstriatusstriatus),Priority4‐DPaWlisting;
 Long‐tailedDunnart(Sminthopsislongicaudata),Priority4‐DPaWlisting;
 LakelandDownsMouse(Leggadinalakedownensis),Priority4‐DPaWlisting;
Speciesrecordedduringthefieldsurveyorfromrecent,reliablerecordsfromwithintheGHD(2014)Studyarea.
SpeciesarelikelytooccurintheStudyareawherethereissuitablehabitatpresentandtherearerecentrecordsofoccurrenceof
thespeciesincloseproximitytotheGHD(2014)StudyareaORSpeciesknowndistributionoverlapswiththeStudyareaandthereis
suitablehabitatwithintheGHD(2014)Studyarea. 1
2
P a g e |4
SIGNIFICANTFAUNASPECIESMANAGEMENTPLAN–ADDENDUM1
FlindersMinesLimited


LinedSoil‐creviceSkink(Notoscincusbutleri),Priority4‐DPaWlisting;and
GreatEgret(Ardeamodesta),Migratory‐EPBCAct,Schedule3‐WCAct.
3 OBJECTIVESANDSCOPE
TheobjectiveandscopeoftheSFSMPistoidentifythepotentialdirectandindirectimpactsof
minedevelopmentandoperationonconservationsignificantfaunaspecieswithinthefollowing
FMStenements:
 MineDevelopmentEnvelope:MiningLeaseM47/1451(Blacksmithtenement);and
 ExternalInfrastructureDevelopmentEnvelope:MiscellaneousLicencesL47/728,
L47/730,L47/731andL47/734.
4 POTENTIALIMPACTS
There are no potential impacts to the listed endangered Northern Quoll (Dasyurushallucatus)
that are only specific to Stage 2 of the PIOP. The potential impacts in the original SFSMP
thereforeremain applicable.However,theimpactsofCane Toadsand weedsontheNorthern
Quoll were not discussed in detail in the original SFSMP. Further information is therefore
providedbelow.
4.1 INTRODUCTIONANDESTABLISHMENTOFCANETOADS
The key threat to future survival of the Northern Quoll overall (O’Donnell et al., 2010) is the
lethallytoxicCaneToad(Bufomarinus),whichhasalreadybeenimplicatedinrapidpopulation
declinesinQueenslandandtheNorthernTerritory,isnowexpandingitsrangewestwardsinto
WA. It is likely to become established in parts of the Pilbara within 15 years (Threatened
SpeciesScientificCommittee,2005;Sutherstetal.,1995).
Models (Urban etal. 2007; Kearney etal. 2008) differ in the extent to which the Cane Toad is
expected to penetrate inland areas of the Pilbara, but imply that the eventual boundary of its
range will lie close to the area of the Proposed Action (DotE, 2010). Any potential areas of
Northern Quoll habitat that cannot be occupied by the Cane Toad will act as refugia and that
habitatmaybecomecriticaltosurvivalofthespecies.
Cane Toads would have a severe impact on local Northern Quoll populations if they were to
becomeestablishedinthearea.IftoadsarriveinpartofthePilbaraduringtheconstructionof
theProposedAction,associatedcontainerandvehicletransportcouldcreateopportunitiesfor
theirintroduction.Atcurrentratesofadvancethisishoweverconsideredunlikely.
In areas where toads could not normally become established if introduced (e.g. due to
ephemeral waterholes, high evaporation rates, temperature extremes; cf. Kearney etal. 2008),
thereisariskthatthepresenceofinfrastructureandincreasedavailabilityofwateracrossthe
sitewouldcreatemore favourableconditionsfor theirbreeding andsurvival.Providingthese
arenotconnectedtootherpotentialhabitatsites,suchanoutbreakcouldbeeasilycontained.
P a g e |5
SIGNIFICANTFAUNASPECIESMANAGEMENTPLAN–ADDENDUM1
FlindersMinesLimited
4.2 INTRODUCTIONANDESTABLISHMENTOFWEEDS
Exotic pasture grasses may disadvantage quolls because (1) their unusually high density,
biomass and rigidity may inhibit ground movements and hunting by quolls, and (2) they may
fosterfireregimesthataremoreintensewhicharemorelikelytocausedirectmortality,reduce
availabilityofshelterandreducehabitatheterogeneity(Hill&Ward,2010).
ThePIOPhasthepotentialtointroducenewweedspeciesorincreasetherangeorpopulationof
establishedweeds.
5 MANAGEMENTMEASURES
Measures to prevent incidental Cane Toad transport have been developed and will be
implemented.Thesemanagementmeasuresareexpectedtobeabletominimisethealreadylow
risk(setagainstrisksarisingfromexistingdevelopmentandtourism)ofintroducingCaneToads
tothearea.
Measurestopreventtheintroductionand/orspreadofweedshavealsobeendevelopedandwill
be implemented. These management measures are intended to minimise the risk of weed
speciesimpactingsignificantfaunaspecies.
AsrequestedbyDotE,FMShavedevelopedmitigationandmanagementmeasurestoaddressthe
potential impacts to the Northern Quoll. It should be noted that these commitments are in
addition to the environmental management commitments in the original SFSMP (Ecoscape,
2011a). The additional management actions listed in Table 2 should therefore be read in
conjunctionwithTable5oftheoriginalSFSMP.
P a g e |6
SIGNIFICANTFAUNASPECIESMANAGEMENTPLAN–ADDENDUM1
FlindersMinesLimited
Table2:AdditionalkeymanagementactionsfortheNorthernQuoll
Objective 3: Establish management and monitoring strategies to minimize the potential impacts on conservation significant fauna species, including EPBC listed threatened fauna
species,andtheirhabitatswithintheprojectarea
Reference
ManagementAction
PerformanceIndicator
Reporting/Evidence
Timing
Responsibility
30
Inductallemployeesandcontractorsduringconstructionand
operationtoemphasisetherisktofaunafromlightandheavy
vehiclemovementandclarifyspeedlimits(<60km/hr)andnight
driving
Informationincludedin
induction,allemployeesand
contractorsinducted
Inductionrecords
Ongoingas
required
SiteEnvironmental
Officer
31
EducatesitepersonnelaboutMNESspeciesthatcouldoccuronsite
andtheresponsibilitiesofpersonnelinminimisingimpactsto
thesespecies(includingtrafficandaccessrestrictions,quarantine
etc.)
Informationincludedin
induction
Inductionrecords
Ongoingas
required
SiteEnvironmental
Officer
32
RestrictentryintopotentialMNEShabitatwithsignageand
barriers(exceptfornecessaryenvironmentalmanagementand
monitoring)
Appropriatesignageand
barriersonroadsleadingto
potentialMNEShabitat
Audit/siteinspection
Ongoing
SiteEnvironmental
Officer
33
Avoidandenforceunauthorisedoff‐trackdrivingwithsignageand
penalties
Appropriatesignageon
roads/tracks,noincidents
raised
Audit/siteinspection,incident
reports
Ongoing
ProjectManager,Site
Supervisor
34
Eradicateferalanimalsaroundcampsandotherworkareasand
providetrainingtoensurethatnativeorintroducedfaunaarenot
fedbysitepersonnel
Feralanimalsaroundcampsand
otherworkareasareeradicated,
awarenessmaterialincluded
intositeinductionprograms
AnnualEnvironmentalReport,
inductionrecords
Ongoingoras
required
SiteSupervisor,Site
EnvironmentalOfficer
35
Monitorthepopulationofferalanimalstoensuretheirnumbers
arenotincreasingasaresultoftheProposedAction
Implementationofferalanimal
monitoringprogram.
AnnualEnvironmentalReport
Ongoing
SiteEnvironmental
Officer
36
Managementmeasureswillbeimplementedifincreasednumbers
offeralfaunaarerecorded
Increaseinferalfauna
abundance
AnnualEnvironmentalReport
Asrequired
SiteEnvironmental
Officer
37
Ensurewastereceptaclesarecoveredsuchthatfaunacannot
access
Allwastereceptacles
appropriatelycovered
Audit/siteinspection,Annual
EnvironmentalReport
Ongoing
SiteSupervisor
Implementinvasivespecieshygieneandmanagementmeasures/
procedurestopreventthespreadofinvasivespeciesandthe
introductionofnewinvasivespecies(suchasCaneToads)asa
resultofconstructionandoperationoftheProposedAction
Increaseornewpresenceof
invasivespecies
AnnualEnvironmentalReport
Ongoing
SiteEnvironmental
Officer,SiteSupervisor
WherevehicletrackscrosssignificanthabitatforMNES(i.e.
Speedlimitssignserectedand
Physicalevidenceduringaudit,
Ongoing
SiteEnvironmental
38
39
P a g e |7
ReportingtoWADepartmentof
ParksandWildlife(DPaW)if
CaneToadsarefound
SIGNIFICANTFAUNASPECIESMANAGEMENTPLAN–ADDENDUM1
FlindersMinesLimited
Objective 3: Establish management and monitoring strategies to minimize the potential impacts on conservation significant fauna species, including EPBC listed threatened fauna
species,andtheirhabitatswithintheprojectarea
Reference
ManagementAction
PerformanceIndicator
NorthernQuoll),speedlimitsof60km/hrorlesswillbesignposted speedlimitsenforced.
andenforced
Reporting/Evidence
Timing
Responsibility
Officer,Project
Manager
incidentrecordsforspeeding
offences,reportingtoDPaWof
mortalityoftheNorthernQuoll.
40
Allpersonnelusingthetracksshallbeinformedoftheintroduced
speedlimits(<60km/hr),wheretheyapplyandwhytheyexist,as
wellasbackgroundinformationontheMNESspecies
SiteInductionPrograms
Trainingrecords
Ongoing
SiteEnvironmental
Officer
41
Promoteeducationandawarenessforstaffandcontractors
regardingtheidentificationanddetrimentalenvironmentaleffects
ofcanetoads
SiteInductionPrograms
Trainingrecords
Ongoing
SiteEnvironmental
Officer,SiteSupervisor
42
Thecontractingstrategyistoincluderequirementsfordeliveries
fromcanetoadaffectedareas,tobeverifiedfreeof‘hitchhiker’
canetoads
Requirementswritteninto
contracts
Contractterms
Ongoing
ProjectManager
43
Deliveriesfromcanetoadaffectedareasshallbeinspectedforthe
presenceofcanetoadsbeforeenteringthePIOPsite
Alldeliveriesfromcanetoad
affectedareaswereinspected
Inspectionrecords
Ongoing
ProjectManager,Site
Supervisor
44
Euthanizeanddisposeofanyindividualorsmallgroupsofcane
toadsdiscoveredwithinthePIOPareausingcurrentbest‐practice
methodsandreporttoDPaW
Anycanetoadsdiscoveredhave Incidentrecords
beeneuthanizedandreportedto
DPaW
Asrequired
SiteEnvironmental
Officer
45
EnsureallmobileplantandequipmententeringthePIOPsiteis
subjecttohygieneinspectionsandwash‐downfacilitiesareused
Allmobileplantandequipment
enteringthePIOPsitewere
subjecttohygieneinspections
Inspectionrecords
Ongoing
SiteEnvironmental
Officer,SiteSupervisor
46
EstablishWeedQuarantineArea(s)ifclearboundariesare
identifiedbetweeninfestedareasandthoseclearofweeds.Within
eachboundaryvehiclesandequipmentcanmovefreely
WeedQuarantineArea
established
AnnualEnvironmentalReport
Priorto
construction
SiteEnvironmental
Officer
47
Ensureallplantandequipment,includingvehiclescomingontothe
PIOPsiteforthefirsttime,orre‐enteringfromwithinaninfested
WeedQuarantineArea,areclean,inspectedandcertified
Allplantandequipmentisclean,
inspectedandcertified
Weedcertification
Ongoing
SiteEnvironmental
Officer,SiteSupervisor
48
Developandmaintainaweedregister.Theregisterwillinclude,for
eachspecies,detailsofdistribution,abundance,relevantbiological
information,andahistoryofcontrolmethods,andtheirrelative
success
Weedregisterdeveloped
Weedregister,Annual
EnvironmentalReport
Priorto
construction
SiteEnvironmental
Officer
49
Developasite‐specificWeedManagementandMonitoringProgram
WeedManagementand
MonitoringProgramdeveloped
AnnualEnvironmentalReport
Priorto
construction
SiteEnvironmental
Officer
P a g e |8
SIGNIFICANTFAUNASPECIESMANAGEMENTPLAN–ADDENDUM1
FlindersMinesLimited
Objective 3: Establish management and monitoring strategies to minimize the potential impacts on conservation significant fauna species, including EPBC listed threatened fauna
species,andtheirhabitatswithintheprojectarea
Reference
ManagementAction
PerformanceIndicator
Reporting/Evidence
Timing
Responsibility
50
Conductspot‐sprayingofemergentweedsinthePIOParea,to
graduallydepleteseedstocksandreduceoreliminateanynew
colonisation
SpotsprayingaspertheWeed
ManagementandMonitoring
Program
AnnualEnvironmentalReport
Ongoing
SiteEnvironmental
Officer,SiteSupervisor
51
Undertakecontrolmethodstoreducethestandingcropoftarget
speciespriortoconstructionorgrounddisturbingactivities
SpotsprayingaspertheWeed
ManagementandMonitoring
Program
AnnualEnvironmentalReport
Priorto
construction
SiteEnvironmental
Officer,SiteSupervisor
52
Implementeducationandawarenessforstaffandcontractors
regardingweeds
Weededucationincludedin
induction
Trainingrecords
Ongoing
SiteEnvironmental
Officer,SiteSupervisor
53
IncludeinformationonDeclaredWeedsandWeedsofNational
Significanceinenvironmentalinductions
Weededucationincludedin
induction
Trainingrecords
Ongoing
SiteEnvironmental
Officer,SiteSupervisor
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SIGNIFICANTFAUNASPECIESMANAGEMENTPLAN–ADDENDUM1
FlindersMinesLimited
6 REFERENCES
EcoscapeAustraliaPtyLtd(2011a),SignificantFaunaSpeciesManagementPlan.FlindersMines
Limited.July2011.
Ecoscape Australia Pty Ltd (2011b), PilbaraIronOreProject–BlacksmithFloraandvegetation
Survey.FlindersMinesLimited.19August2011.
DepartmentoftheEnvironment(2010).TheCaneToad(Bufomarinus).Availableat:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/cane‐
toad/factsheet.html.
DepartmentoftheEnvironment(2012).EnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityProtectionAct
1999,EnvironmentalOffsetsPolicy.Availableat:
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/epbc‐act‐environmental‐offsets‐policy.
Department of the Environment (2015) Request foradditionalinformation.Blacksmith Pilbara
IronOreProject,Stage2,Pilbara,WesternAustralia(EPBC2015/7495).15October2015.
HillB.M.andWardS.J.(2010).NationalRecoveryPlanfortheNorthernQuollDasyurus
hallucatus.DepartmentofNaturalResources,Environment,theArtsandSport,Darwin.
VanVreeswyk,A.M.E.,Payne,A.L.,Leighton,K.A.,&Hennig,P.(2004).TechnicalBulletin92‐An
inventoryandconditionsurveyofthePilbararegion,WesternAustralia.Departmentof
Agriculture,SouthPerth.Availableat:http://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/tech_bull/7/
7 GLOSSARY
Term
Meaning
Development
Envelope
TheareathatformsthebasisforthisProposedActionandistheareawithinwhichthe
ProposedActionwillbeimplemented.TheDevelopmentEnvelopeisoutlinedinredinFigure1
oftheoriginalEPBCReferral.
DotE
DepartmentoftheEnvironment(Commonwealth)
DPaW
DepartmentofParksandWildlife
Ecoscape
EcoscapeAustraliaPtyLtd
EPBCAct
EnvironmentalProtectionandBiodiversityConservationAct1999(Commonwealth)
FMS
FlindersMinesLimited
GHD
GHDPtyLtd
ha
Hectares
km
Kilometres
MNES
MattersofNationalEnvironmentalSignificance
Proposed
Action
BlacksmithPilbaraIronOreProject–Stage2.Todevelopadditionalminepits,haulroadsand
processinginfrastructureattheexistingBlacksmithPilbaraIronOreProjectapproximately65
kilometresnorth‐westofTomPriceinthePilbaraRegionofWesternAustralia(SeeEPBCAct
referral2015/7495).
SFSMP
SignificantFaunaSpeciesManagementPlan
WA
WesternAustralia
WCAct
WildlifeConservationAct1950
P a g e |10
APPENDIX 2: Threatened fauna habitat and
recordswithinthestudyareas
Appendix 2: Threatened fauna habitat and records within the study areas