Metro Mining Appendix B2 - Aquatic Ecology Technical Report Bauxite Hills Project · 2018-08-09 ·...

Metro MiningBauxite Hills Project

Environmental Impact Statement

Metro MiningChapter 21 - References

Environmental Impact Statement

Metro MiningAppendix B2 - Aquatic Ecology Technical Report

Bauxite Hills Mine Project

Aquatic Ecology Assessment

Document Release Date 21 March 2016

Document Number 652200-ENV-RPT-002



REPORT | 21 03 2016 | 652200-ENV-RPT-002 amecfw.com Page 2 of 79

Revision Date Description Prepared Reviewed

Approved

Study Manager

Sign-off Client

0 22-06-2015 Final TH BE BE JC Metro Mining

1 08-03-2016 Issued for Review BE JC BE JC Metro Mining

2 21-03-2016 Incorporation of feedback CC BE BE JC Metro Mining

Item Page Section Comments

Throughout All All Document updated from Revisions 0 to include species classification changes, new (2016) database searches, changes to the Project description and incorporating findings from the Skardon River Project as summarised in the EIS.

* Use after Rev. 0




Disclaimer

This Aquatic Ecology Assessment (Report) has been prepared for Metro Mining Limited by Amec Foster Wheeler Australia Pty Ltd (Amec Foster Wheeler), based on assumptions as identified throughout the text and upon information and data supplied by

others.

The Report is to be read in the context of the methodology, procedures and techniques used, Amec Foster Wheeler’s assumptions, and the circumstances and constraints under which the Report was written. The Report is to be read as a whole,

and sections or parts thereof should therefore not be read or relied upon out of context.

Amec Foster Wheeler has, in preparing the Report, followed methodology and procedures, and exercised due care consistent with the intended level of accuracy, using its professional judgment and reasonable care. However, no warranty should be

implied as to the accuracy of estimates or other values and all estimates and other values are only valid as at the date of the Report and will vary thereafter.

Parts of the Report have been prepared or arranged by Metro Mining or third party contributors, as detailed in the document. While the contents of those parts have been generally reviewed by Amec Foster Wheeler for inclusion into the Report, they

have not been fully audited or sought to be verified by Amec Foster Wheeler. Amec Foster Wheeler is not in a position to, and does not, verify the accuracy or completeness of, or adopt as its own, the information and data supplied by others and disclaims

all liability, damages or loss with respect to such information and data.

In respect of all parts of the Report, whether or not prepared by Amec Foster Wheeler no express or implied representation or warranty is made by Amec Foster Wheeler or by any person acting for and/or on behalf of Amec Foster Wheeler to any third

party that the contents of the Report are verified, accurate, suitably qualified, reasonable or free from errors, omissions or other defects of any kind or nature. Third parties who rely upon the Report do so at their own risk and Amec Foster Wheeler disclaims

all liability, damages or loss with respect to such reliance.

Amec Foster Wheeler disclaims any liability, damage and loss to Metro Mining and to third parties in respect of the publication, reference, quoting or distribution of the Report or any of its contents to and reliance thereon by any third party.

This disclaimer must accompany every copy of this Report, which is an integral document and must be read in its entirety.




C O N T E N T S

Abbreviations and acronyms 8

Definitions 10

1. Introduction 13

1.1 Purpose 13

1.2 Objectives and scope 13

1.3 Terms of Reference 16

1.4 Document history and approach to this revision 18

2. The Project 19

2.1 Project description 19

2.2 Project area and regional perspective 21

3. Legislative framework 22

3.1 International agreements 22

3.2 Commonwealth legislative requirements 22

3.2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 22

3.2.2 EPBC Act Environmental Offsets Policy 23

3.3 State legislative requirements 23

3.3.1 Environmental Protection Act 1994 23

3.3.2 Nature Conservation Act 1992 24

3.3.3 Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 24

3.3.4 Environmental Offset Act 2014 24

3.3.5 Fisheries Act 1994 25

4. Methodology 26

4.1 Desktop assessment 26

4.2 Survey timing 27

4.3 Survey and reporting personnel 27

4.4 Aquatic ecology assessment 31

4.4.1 Consideration of survey guidelines 31

4.4.2 Site selection 31

4.4.3 Survey techniques 33

4.4.4 Survey limitations 37

4.5 Species assessments 37

5. Description of the Project area 38

5.1 Location and climatic conditions 38

5.2 Land tenure 38

5.3 Land zones and landform 38




5.4 Drainage, waterways and wetlands 40

5.5 Habitat connectivity and wildlife corridors 43

6. Desktop results 44

6.1 Current certified REs 44

6.2 Commonwealth EPBC Act protected matters 44

6.3 Queensland Wildlife Online database 44

6.4 Back on Track regional significant species 44

6.5 Summary of species database searches 44

7. Aquatic ecological values 47

7.1 Environmental context 47

7.2 Habitat assessments 47

7.2.1 Physical habitat 47

7.2.2 Water quality 48

7.2.3 Aquatic flora 49

7.2.4 Aquatic macroinvertebrates 49

7.3 Aquatic vertebrates 51

7.4 Species of scientific significance 52

7.5 Nationally significant wetlands 52

7.5.1 Skardon River – Cotterell River aggregation 53

7.5.2 Port Musgrave aggregation 53

7.5.3 High Ecological Significant Wetlands 53

8. Potential impacts and impact mitigation 55

8.1 Direct and indirect impacts 56

8.1.1 Land Clearing and Habitat Loss 56

8.1.2 Impacts on surface water 58

8.1.3 Impacts to groundwater 59

8.1.4 Erosion and sediment runoff 59

8.1.5 Dust 59

8.1.6 Loss of riparian vegetation 60

8.1.7 Habitat fragmentation/loss of connectivity 60

8.1.8 Noise 61

8.1.9 Light 61

8.1.10 Weeds 62

8.1.11 Pest fauna 62

8.2 Hydrological impacts to Big Footprint Swamp 63

8.3 Impacts on conservation significant aquatic species 66

9. Cumulative impacts 68




9.1 Weipa and Amrun developments 68

9.2 Pisolite Hills development 70

9.3 Skardon River development 70

9.4 Hey point development 70

9.5 Arukun development 71

9.6 Other significant developments 71

9.7 Cumulative impact assessment 71

9.7.1 Cumulative impacts to vegetation communities 71

9.7.2 Cumulative impacts to wetlands 71

9.7.3 Cumulative impacts on threatened aquatic flora and fauna 72

10. Conclusions 74

11. References 75

F I G U R E S

Figure 1-1 Bauxite Hills Mine Project location .................................................................................................. 15

Figure 2-1 Bauxite Hills Mine Project layout and haul roads ............................................................................ 20

Figure 4-1 Bauxite Hills and Skardon River aquatic ecology survey sites ....................................................... 32

Figure 5-1 Ground-truthed Regional Ecosystems and land zones .................................................................. 39

Figure 5-2 Skardon River-Cotterell River wetland aggregation ........................................................................ 41

Figure 5-3 HES and GES wetlands .................................................................................................................. 42

Figure 8-1 Predicted pool level changes .......................................................................................................... 64

Figure 9-1 Significant development projects .................................................................................................... 69

T A B L E S

Table 1-1 Terms of Reference and relevant section of this report ................................................................... 16

Table 4-1 Survey and reporting personnel ....................................................................................................... 28

Table 4-2 Aquatic ecology late dry season survey site coordinates (GDA94) ................................................. 31

Table 4-3 Total survey effort for Bauxite Hills and Skardon River aquatic surveys ......................................... 33

Table 4-4 Aquatic ecology assessment indicators ........................................................................................... 33

Table 4-5 Survey methods employed during field surveys ............................................................................... 34

Table 4-6 Site descriptions ............................................................................................................................... 35

Table 6-1 Listed threatened aquatic species potentially occurring within Project area .................................... 45

Table 7-1 Key habitat characteristics at aquatic survey sites ........................................................................... 48

Table 7-2 In-situ water quality, wet season surveys ......................................................................................... 49

Table 7-3 Aquatic fauna recorded during the surveys ...................................................................................... 50

Table 8-1 Key project components and associated potential impacts ............................................................. 55




Table 8-2 Approximate area of vegetation clearing by representative REs due to Project activities ............... 56

P H O T O S

Photo 7-1 Freshwater crab (Austrothelphusa spp.), a) Juvenile from AQ01 and, b) adult from AQ03

Photo 7-2 Big Footprint Swamp - remnant pool in dry season

Photo 7-3 Big Footprint Swamp - grassland in lowest depression

A T T A C H M E N T S

Attachment 1 Database Search Results

Attachment 2 Environmentally sensitive areas

Attachment 3 Significant Connectivity Corridors




Abbreviation / Acronym Definition

°C Degrees Celsius

µm Micrometre, or micron

Aldoga Aldoga Minerals Pty Ltd

Amec Foster Wheeler Amec Foster Wheeler Australia Pty Ltd

AusRivAS Australian River Assessment System

BD Status Biodiversity Status

BLF Barge Loading Facility

BoM Bureau of Meteorology

BoT Back on Track

BPA Biodiversity Planning Assessment

CAMBA China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement

CE Critically endangered

cm Centimetre

DD Data deficient

DEHP Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

DEWHA Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts, Commonwealth of Australia

DIWA Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia

DotE Commonwealth Department of the Environment

DSDIP Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning

DSO Direct Shipping Ore

E Endangered

EA Environmental Authority

EIS Environmental Impact Statement

EO Act Queensland Environmental Offsets Act 2014

EP Act Queensland Environmental Protection Act 1994

EP Regulations Environmental Protection Regulations 2008

EPBC Act Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

ERA Environmentally Relevant Activity

ESA Environmentally Sensitive Area

et al. Latin term ‘et alia’ meaning ‘and others’

EVNT Endangered, vulnerable or near threatened under the NC Act

GES General Ecological Significance

GPS Global Positioning System

ha Hectares

HES High Ecological Significance

i.e. Abbreviation for Latin term ‘id est’, meaning ‘that is’

Abbreviations and acronyms





JAMBA Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement

km2 Squared kilometres

km/hr Kilometre per hour

LC Least concern

LP Act Queensland Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002

m Metre

Ma Marine

Metro Mining Metro Mining Ltd

Mi Migratory

MIA Mine Infrastructure Area

ML Mining Lease

MLA Mining Lease Area

MNES Matter of National Environmental Significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

MSES Matter of State Environmental Significance

Mtpa Million tonnes per annum

NA Not assessed

NC Act Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992

NoC No concern

NT Near threatened

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

OC Of concern

OGV Ocean going vessel

OMAC Old Mapoon Aboriginal Corporation

PaCE Ports and Coast Environment

Project Bauxite Hills Project

RE Regional Ecosystem

REDD Regional Ecosystem Description Database

REMP Receiving Environment Management Program

ROKAMBA Republic of Korea-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement

ROM Run-of-mine

RoRo Roll-on/Roll-off

RTA Rio Tinto Aluminium Limited

SLC Special least concern

sp. Species (singular)

SP Act Sustainable Planning Act 2009

spp. Species (plural)

SPRAT Species Profiles and Threats (database)

subsp. Subspecies

t tonne





ToR Terms of Reference

V Vulnerable

VM Act Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999

Definitions Term Definition

Communities of Conservation Significance

For the purposes of this report, communities of conservation significance are those listed as critically endangered or endangered under the EPBC Act

Core Habitat Habitat that typifies preferred habitat for a species (if known) and/or from which they have been previously recorded

Critically endangered A listing category for individual native species and ecological communities as defined under the EPBC Act. Refer to definition of ‘EPBC Act conservation status’ for meaning of critically endangered under the Act

Ecological Community An assemblage of species occupying a particular area

Endangered A listing category as defined under the EPBC Act, NC Act and/or VM Act. Refer to definitions of ‘EPBC Act conservation status’, ‘NC Act conservation status’ and ‘VM Act conservation status’ for meaning of endangered under each Act

EPBC Act conservation status

Under the EPBC Act, listed threatened species and ecological communities are assigned a conservation status of ‘extinct in the wild’, ‘critically endangered’, ‘endangered’ or ‘vulnerable’. Definitions of these terms under the EPBC Act are as follows:

Extinct in the wild

It is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population well outside its past range.

It has not been recorded in its known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate seasons, anywhere in its past range, despite exhaustive surveys over a time frame appropriate to its life cycle and form.

Critically endangered

It is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

Endangered

It is not critically endangered.

It is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

Vulnerable

It is not critically endangered or endangered.

It is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

Habitat An area or areas permanently, periodically or occasionally occupied by a species, population or ecological community, including any and all biotic and abiotic features of the area or areas occupied

Least Concern Listing category as defined under the VM Act. Refer to definition of ‘VM Act Status’ for meaning of ‘least concern’ under the Act

Migratory Species Species listed as ‘Migratory’ under the EPBC Act. Migratory species are those animals that migrate to Australia and its external territories, or pass through or over Australian waters during their annual migrations. All species on the list of migratory species are matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act

NC Act Conservation Status

Under the NC Act (and the subordinate Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006 (Qld)), protected species are assigned a conservation status of ‘extinct in the wild’, ‘endangered’, ‘vulnerable’, ‘near threatened’, ‘least concern’ or ‘special least concern’. Definitions of these terms under the NC Act are as follows:




Term Definition

Extinct in the wild

There have been thorough searches conducted for the wildlife; and

It has not been seen in the wild over a period that is appropriate for the life cycle or form of the wildlife.

Endangered

There have not been thorough searches conducted for the wildlife and the wildlife has not been seen in the wild over a period that is appropriate for the life cycle or form of the wildlife; or

The habitat or distribution of the wildlife has been reduced to an extent that the wildlife may be in danger of extinction; or

The population size of the wildlife has declined, or is likely to decline, to an extent that the wildlife may be in danger of extinction; or

The survival of the wildlife in the wild is unlikely if a threatening process continues.

Vulnerable

Its population is decreasing because of threatening processes; or

Its population has been seriously depleted and its protection is not secured; or

Its population, while abundant, is at risk because of threatening processes; or

Its population is low or localised or depends on limited habitat that is at risk because of threatening processes.

Near Threatened

The population size or distribution of the wildlife is small and may become smaller; or

The population size of the wildlife has declined, or is likely to decline, at a rate higher than the usual rate for population changes for the wildlife; or

The survival of the wildlife in the wild is affected to an extent that the wildlife is in danger of becoming vulnerable.

Least Concern

The wildlife is common or abundant and is likely to survive in the wild.

Native wildlife may be prescribed as least concern wildlife even if:

The wildlife is the subject of a threatening process; or

The population size or distribution of the wildlife has declined; or

There is insufficient information about the wildlife to conclude whether the wildlife is common or abundant or likely to survive in the wild.

Special Least Concern

echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus);

platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus);

a least concern bird to which any of the following apply—

(i) the agreement called ‘Agreement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Birds in Danger of Extinction and their Environment’ and signed at Tokyo on 6 February 1974;

(ii) the agreement called ‘Agreement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the Protection

of Migratory Birds and their Environment’ and signed at Canberra on 20 October 1986;

(iii) the convention called ‘Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals’ and signed at Bonn on 23 June 1979.

Near threatened Listing category as defined under the NC Act. Refer to definition of ‘NC Act conservation status’ for meaning of near threatened under the NC Act

The Project Bauxite Hills Mine Project

Regionally Significant Refer to taxa not listed as threatened or near threatened species under the EPBC Act and/or NC Act, but have been listed as non-threatened priority taxa for the Bioregion

Species of Conservation Significance

For the purposes of this report, species of conservation significance are taken to include:

Flora and fauna species which have been designated as extinct in the wild, endangered, vulnerable or special least concern under the NC Act

Flora and fauna species which have been designated as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or migratory under the EPBC Act.




Term Definition

Threatened A term used for:

Flora and fauna species which have been designated as extinct in the wild, endangered or vulnerable under the NC Act

Flora and fauna species which have been designated as extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable under the EPBC Act.

Vulnerable Listing category as defined under the EPBC Act and/or NC Act. Refer to definitions of ‘EPBC Act conservation status’ and ‘NC Act conservation status’ for meaning of ‘vulnerable’ under these Acts




Metro Mining Limited (Metro Mining) is proposing to develop the Bauxite Hills Project (the Project) located on

the western coastline of Cape York, Queensland. Amec Foster Wheeler Australia Pty Ltd (Amec Foster

Wheeler) was commissioned by Metro Mining to undertake an aquatic ecology assessment within Mining

Lease (ML) ML20676 (the BH1 tenement), ML20688 and ML20689 (both comprising the BH6 tenement),

ML100047 (northern haul road), ML100048 (southern haul road), and ML100051 (barge loading area)

associated with the Project (Figure 1-1). Results were initially presented in Revision 0 of this Aquatic

Ecology Assessment Report; finalised in May 2015.

The Commonwealth Department of the Environment (DotE) and Queensland Department of Environment

and Heritage Protection (DEHP) have since informed Metro Mining that an Environmental Impact Statement

(EIS) is required for the Project to enable adequate assessment under the Commonwealth Environment

Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and the Queensland Environmental

Protection Act 1994 (EP Act), respectively. Amec Foster Wheeler has subsequently been engaged by Metro

Mining to update this Aquatic Ecology Assessment Report to include changes to the Project description, and

with consideration to requirements set out in the Terms of Reference (ToR) for an EIS issued for the Project.

1.1 Purpose

This report has been prepared to assess the aquatic ecology of the Project area, assess potential for

environmental impacts associated with the Project and address the relevant components of the EIS ToR.

The purpose of this assessment was to:

Describe the freshwater aquatic ecological features within the Project site and region in which the mine

is proposed

Assess the potential impacts to aquatic ecosystems and aquatic flora and fauna values that may arise

from the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Project; and

Recommend management strategies to minimise potential impacts on aquatic ecological values of the

site and the region.

The report details the results of desktop and field studies undertaken to define the aquatic ecosystems and

aquatic flora and fauna values of the Project area during the late dry season of 2014, and early wet season

of 2015. This report should be read in conjunction with the corresponding Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Report (2016a) prepared by Amec Foster Wheeler and a separate marine ecology report currently in

preparation by Ports and Coast Environment (PaCE).

1.2 Objectives and scope

The objectives of the desktop and field studies were to describe the nature conservation values of the Project

area and assess the potential impacts of the Project on those values. This report addresses those aspects

concerned with freshwater aquatic values and assesses the impacts of the Project on those values.

The scope of this report includes:

Description of the freshwater aquatic ecological values of the Project area

Description of the extent and quality of aquatic habitats within the Project area, and their ecological

values consistent with Queensland AusRivAS

Description of the aquatic and riparian flora

Description of the in-situ physicochemical water quality, macroinvertebrate assemblages,

macrocrustacean, and fish, turtles and aquatic vertebrate populations in aquatic habitats of the Project

area

Assessment of potential direct and indirect impacts on aquatic ecology values that may occur as a result

of the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Project and evaluation of the scope and

nature of those impacts

Assessment of cumulative impacts to aquatic ecological values including Bauxite Hills Project and Gulf

Alumina’s Skardon River Project (Figure 1-1); and

1. Introduction




Identification of appropriate mitigation measures to be implemented for the Project to avoid, minimise

and mitigate impacts on these values.

Note – Amphibians are not discussed within this Aquatic Ecology Assessment. Amphibians are addressed

within the 2016 Bauxite Hills Mine Project Terrestrial Ecology Assessment (652200-ENV-RPT-001) by Amec

Foster Wheeler.

Metro Mining - Bauxite Hills Mine LOCATION DIAGRAM

Amec Foster Wheeler does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the map and does not make any warranty about the data.Amec Foster Wheeler is not under any liability to the user for any loss or damage (including consequential loss or damage) which the user may suffer resulting from the use of this map.

Path:

W:\P

ROJE

CTS\

EI\C

ape A

lumina

\6522

00 - B

auxit

e Hills

Eco

logy S

tudy\2

.0_Pr

oject_

Deliv

ery\G

IS\M

appin

g\Aqu

atic_

Repo

rt\Figu

re1-1_

Overv

iew_R

ev1.m

xd

#

Existing SkardonRiver Port Facility

Proposed BargeLoading Site

#

Skardon RiverAirfield

#

Skardon RiverHaul Road

Skardon RiverMine Site

Skardon River

ML20689

ML20676

ML20688

ML10

0051

ML10

0047

ML100048

(A3) GCS GDA 19941:75,000

LEGENDFigure 1-1

Bauxite Hills MineProject Location

WORK REQUEST NUMBER: 652200DATA SOURCES:Mining Leases © State of Queensland 2016Infrastructure - Metro Mining 2016Service Layer Credits: Copyright:© 2015 DeLormeSource: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics,

ISSUE DATE09/03/2016

08/05/201520/11/2014

AUTHORMG

JHJH

QA CHECKBE

MDMD

APPROVEDBE

MDMD

0 1 2Kilometres

COOKTOWN

WEIPA

¹MAP REV.

1

0A

REVISION NOTEIssued for Use

Issued for UseIssue For Review

Project Mining Lease AreaGulf Alumina Limited Mining LeaseMine Infrastructure - Current PitMine Infrastructure AreaHaul Road

Camp Site

Big Footprint

Swamp

!

LunetteSwamp




1.3 Terms of Reference

This Aquatic Ecology Assessment has been prepared with consideration to the requirements of the DEHP

ToR for the Project EIS. The ToR requirements relating to aquatic ecology are listed in Table 1-1, with

cross-references provided to the corresponding section/s of this report.

Table 1-1 Terms of Reference and relevant section of this report or EIS Main Report

Terms of Reference Section of this report Section of the EIS

8.2 Land, Flora and Fauna (critical matter)

Information requirements – Flora and Fauna

8.2.12 Describe the likely impacts on the

biodiversity and natural environmental values of affected areas arising from the construction, operation and decommissioning of the project (where known), in accordance with the EHP's EIS information guidelines relevant to terrestrial and aquatic ecology.

Potential impacts to aquatic ecosystems and species by the Project are discussed in Section 8.

Take into account any proposed avoidance and/or mitigation measures.

Avoidance and mitigation measures are outlined in Section 8.

The assessment should include, but not be limited to, the following key elements:

matters of state environmental significance and national environmental significance

Matters of state and national significance pertaining to aquatic values within the Project site are described in Section 7.

terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (including groundwater-dependent ecosystems) and their interaction

Aquatic ecosystems including groundwater dependent ecosystems are discussed in Section 7. Potential impacts to those values are assessed in Section 8.

biological diversity including listed flora and fauna species and regional ecosystems

Listed aquatic species that are known or likely to be present are outlined in Section 6 and Section 7.

the integrity of ecological processes, including habitats of threatened, near-threatened or special least concern species, movement corridors and fish passage

Aquatic ecosystems and processes are discussed in Section 5 and Section 7. Potential impacts to connectivity and fish passage are discussed in Section 8.

the integrity of landscapes and places, including wilderness and similar natural places

Information is provided in Section 6 and Section 7.

chronic, low-level exposure to contaminants or the bio-accumulation of contaminants

Contaminants are discussed in Chapter 4 – Land.

impacts on marine, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and associated native flora and fauna due to wastes and pollutants at the site, particularly those related to any form of toxicants in:

Potential impacts and mitigation measures to aquatic ecosystems are outlined in Section 8. This includes groundwater and surface run-off.

Marine values are discussed in Chapter 6 – Marine Ecology.

surface water and groundwater

Surface and groundwater are discussed in Chapter 9 – Surface and Groundwater Quality.





natural water courses

Watercourses in the Project site are discussed through the report and potential impacts addressed in Section 8.

stormwater run-off Runoff is discussed in Chapter 9 – Surface and Groundwater Quality.

surface run-off

run-off from any bunded areas holding chemicals and/or sewage treatment plant

run-off from surface spoil

o likely impacts (noise, strikes, habitat disturbance) on estuarine and marine fauna due to shipping/barge movements and/or piling programs for jetties/wharfs etc.

Potential impacts to marine fauna are outlined in a separate marine assessment report prepared by PaCE and Chapter 6 -Marine Ecology.

o likely impacts of light spill on adjacent terrestrial and marine ecosystems and fauna

Potential impacts from light spill on aquatic ecosystems are discussed in Section 8.

o a description of alternative options for the location and construction on haul roads and barge landing that reduce impacts to marines plants and fisheries resources.

Measures to minimise impacts to marine plants are discussed in Chapter 6 – Marine Ecology

8.2.13 Describe any actions of the project that

require an authority under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, and/or would be assessable development for the purposes of the Vegetation Management Act 1999, the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014, the Fisheries Act 1994 and/or the Sustainable Planning Act 2009.

Legislative requirements are outlined in Section 3. No permits under the NC Act, VM Act, Fisheries Act or SP Act are expected.

8.2.14 Propose practical measures for

protecting or enhancing natural values, and assess how the nominated quantitative indicators and standards may be achieved for nature conservation management.

Proposed management and mitigation actions to protect natural values and minimise residual impacts are outlined in Section 8.

In particular, address measures to protect or preserve any threatened or near-threatened species.

Potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures on significant aquatic species are outlined in Section 8.

8.2.15 Specifically address any obligations

imposed by State or Commonwealth legislation or policy or international treaty obligations, such as the China–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement, Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement, or Republic of Korea–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement.

Migratory birds that are known or likely to occur within the Project area are discussed in Section 6 and Section 7. Section 7 also assesses the presence of migratory bird habitats and wetlands under international agreements in proximity to the Project. Further detail on migratory birds is provided in the Terrestrial Ecology Assessment Report. (Amec Foster Wheeler, 2016a).





8.2.16 Assess the need for buffer zones and

the retention, rehabilitation or planting of movement corridors, and propose measures that would avoid the need for waterway barriers, or propose measures to mitigate the impacts of their construction and operation.

Buffer zones to sensitive environmental values such as wetlands and riparian vegetation are proposed and outlined in Section 8.

The measures proposed for the progressive rehabilitation of disturbed areas should include rehabilitation success criteria in relation to natural values that would be used to measure the progress.

Rehabilitation is addressed in Chapter 4 - Land

8.2.17 Describe how the achievement of the

objectives would be monitored and audited, and how corrective actions would be managed.

Proposals for the rehabilitation of disturbed areas should incorporate, where appropriate, provision of nest hollows and ground litter.

Offsets

8.2.18 Where Queensland legislation or a

specific-issue offset policy requires an offset for a significant residual impact on a particular natural environmental value, the offset proposal(s) shall be presented in a form consistent with relevant legislation and policy.

An assessment of significant, residual impacts to Matters of State Environmental Significance (MSES) and Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) has been undertaken and is detailed in the Terrestrial Ecology Assessment Report. (Amec Foster Wheeler, 2016a).

8.2.19 The proposed offsets should be

consistent with the requirements set out in any applicable legislation or specific-issue offset policies.

Environmental offset requirements and proposed delivery mechanisms under applicable offset policy requirements are addressed in full in a separate Bauxite Hills Biodiversity Offset Strategy (Amec Foster Wheeler, 2016b).

1.4 Document history and approach to this revision

Prior to the Project being subject to the requirements of an EIS, aquatic ecology surveys were undertaken

within the Project area in late 2014 and early 2015 in general accordance with relevant Commonwealth and

Queensland survey guidelines for the purposes of:

Understanding the aquatic ecology values of the Project area

Determining potential impacts of the Project upon these values; and

Identifying measures to avoid, minimise and mitigate these potential impacts.

In order to meet the requirements of the ToR, this Aquatic Ecology Assessment Report – based primarily on

desktop assessments and field survey results from late 2014 and early 2015 – has been revised to ensure

currency for the purposes of the EIS. In preparing this revision to the document, it is important to note the

following:

New database searches were conducted in February 2016 to ensure any classification changes of

threatened species or new records of threatened species within the Project area, or in proximity to the

Project area, are incorporated into the assessment; and

The findings of the aquatic ecology chapter of the Skardon River Bauxite Project Environmental Impact

Statement (Greencap, 2015) have been incorporated into this assessment where relevant (e.g. survey

effort and findings). The Skardon River Bauxite Project is located adjacent to the Bauxite Hills Mine

Project, as illustrated in Figure 1-1.




2.1 Project description

Aldoga Minerals Pty Ltd (Aldoga), a 100% owned subsidiary of Metro Mining Limited (Metro Mining),

proposes to develop the Bauxite Hills Project (the Project) located on the western coastline of Cape York,

Queensland, approximately 35 kilometres (km) northeast of Mapoon. The Project will include an open cut

operation, haul roads, barge loading facility, transhipping and will produce and transport up to 5 million

tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of ore over approximately 12 years. The mine will not be operational during the wet

season.

The Project is characterised by several shallow open cut pits that will be connected via internal haul roads.

The internal haul roads will be connected to a main north-south haul road that will link with the Mine

Infrastructure Area (MIA) and barge loading facility located to the north of the pits on the Skardon River

(Figure 2-1). Bauxite will be screened in-pit and then hauled to the product stockpile using road train trucks.

Bauxite from the Project is suitable as a Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) product (i.e. ore is extracted and loaded

directly to ships with no washing or tailings dams required). Bauxite will be transported by barge via the

Skardon River to the transhipment site, approximately 12 km offshore, and loaded into ocean going vessels

(OGVs) and shipped to customers. No dredging or bed-levelling for transhipping is proposed as part of this

Project.

OGVs of between 50,000 to 120,000 tonne (t) each will be loaded at the transhipment anchorage site.

Vessels will be loaded and bauxite will be transported to OGVs 24 hours per day with barges having an initial

capacity of approximately 3,000 t to meet early production volumes, increasing up to 7,000 t as the Project

reaches a maximum production volume of 5 Mtpa.

Metro Mining has considered alternative locations for the haul roads to minimise impacts to significant

biodiversity values such as of concern regional ecosystems (RE) and mangrove communities. However due

to constraints with the mining tenements associated with the Project these alternate haul roads cross over

other tenements. Metro Mining is currently in ongoing discussions with relevant parties that may or may not

come to a mutual agreement. Therefore, these alternate options cannot be considered as part of this

ecological assessment.

The location of mine pits BH1 and BH6 East and West are constrained by the location of bauxite deposits.

Further refinement has been undertaken by Metro Mining to maximise buffers between the pits and adjacent

sensitive environments such as mangrove vegetation and melaleuca swamps. The bauxite is generally

restricted to land zone 5, therefore, impacts associated with open cut pits will be restricted to RE 3.5.2 as

discussed in Section 5 and illustrated in Figure 5-1.

Alternative locations for the MIA, barge loading facility (BLF) and roll-on/roll-off facility (RoRo) are limited as

the infrastructure must be placed in areas of the Skardon River that have the appropriate depth of water for

the barges and within the Metro Mining tenements. The design has also sought to minimise the disturbance

area required for each infrastructure type.

2. The Project



Path:

W:\P

ROJE

CTS\

EI\C

ape A

lumina

\6522

00 - B

auxit

e Hills

Eco

logy S

tudy\2

.0_Pr

oject_

Deliv

ery\G

IS\M

appin

g\Aqu

atic_

Repo

rt\Figu

re2-1_

Mine

Overv

iew_R

ev1.m

xd

SouthernHaul Road

Camp

Proposed BargeLoading Site

NorthernHaul Road

ML20676ML

1000

51

ML10

0047

ML20689

ML100048

ML20688

Mooring SiteSkardon River

Internal

Internal

Haul Road

Haul Road

BH01

BH6 WEST

BH6 EAST

(A3) GCS GDA 19941:50,000

LEGENDFigure 2-1

Bauxite Hills MineProject Layout and Haul

RoadsWORK REQUEST NUMBER: 652200DATA SOURCES:Mining Leases © State of Queensland 2016Infrastructure - Metro Mining 2016Service Layer Credits: Copyright:© 2015 DeLormeSource: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics,


08/05/201520/11/2014

AUTHORMG

JHJH

QA CHECKBE

MDMD

APPROVEDBE

MDMD

0 0.7 1.4Kilometres

COOKTOWN

WEIPA

¹MAP REV.

1

0A


Issued for UseIssue for Review

Project Mining Lease AreaMine Infrastructure - Current PitMine Infrastructure AreaHaul RoadCamp Site

Big Footprint

Swamp

!

LunetteSwamp




2.2 Project area and regional perspective

Western Cape York is renowned for its high-quality, export-grade bauxite deposits. Mining of the region’s

bauxite deposits commenced in the 1960s at the Weipa Mine (Rio Tinto); the only operational bauxite mine

in Queensland, and one of the world’s largest. Several other prospects are at various stages of approvals,

including Bauxite Hills, Pisolite Hills (Metro Mining), Skardon River (Gulf Alumina), Hey Point (Green Coast

Resources), Arukun (Glencore), and the Amrun Project (Rio Tinto; an extension of the Weipa Mine and

previously called South of Embley). The regional economy is dominated by the resource sector

(predominantly bauxite), agriculture (predominantly cattle grazing), and small to medium-scale tourism.

The broader Cape York region is remote and largely undisturbed, with areas of high biodiversity value,

nationally and regionally significant ecosystems, numerous important cultural heritage sites, and significant

indigenous cultural values attached to the natural landscape (DSDIP, 2014).

The Project site is generally low lying and flat with topography rising towards a ridge where bauxite deposits

are located. To the north the Project site is bordered by the Skardon River and associated tributaries. The

Skardon River’s southern tributary flows through the middle of the Project area, and another tributary lies to

the south of the main pit, BH1. The Skardon River is a predominantly estuarine system bordered by

mangroves and tidal flats, with fluvial freshwater only within its upper reaches. Big Footprint Swamp is a

palustrine wetland located to the west of the Project area just outside the mining lease and BH6 pit areas.

The Project is located on Province 7 (Weipa Plateau) of the Cape York Peninsula Bioregion and occupies

part of the Skardon River catchment draining westward into the Gulf of Carpentaria. The region experiences

a hot climate where the majority of rainfall occurs during a pronounced wet season between November and

April (Godwin et al., 1985; Specht et al., 1977). Mean annual rainfall for the nearest Bureau of Meteorology

station at Weipa Airport is 2,071.8 mm (BoM, 2014).




This section provides an overview of the statutory framework applicable to development of the Project, and

relevant legislation and policies regarding the identification and management of aquatic ecological values

within the Project area.

3.1 International agreements

International conventions relevant to palustrine and estuarine wetlands in proximity to the Project area, are

that they provide habitat for migratory birds. International agreements that apply include:

Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA)

China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA); and

Republic of Korea-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA).

The three migratory bird agreements - JAMBA, CAMBA, and ROKAMBA - list bird species that migrate

between Australia and the other parties to the convention - Japan, China and the Republic of Korea,

respectively. These agreements impose obligations on signatories to regulate for the protection of the listed

migratory bird species. Under Australia’s commitment and in accordance with Section 20 and 20A of the

EPBC Act, it is an offence to carry out an action that will, or is likely to have, a significant impact on a

migratory bird species without prior approval from the Commonwealth.

The Ramsar Convention’s broad aims are to halt the worldwide loss and decline of wetlands and to

conserve, through wise use and management, remaining wetlands. The convention encourages the

designation of sites containing representative, rare or unique wetlands, or wetlands that are important for

conserving biological diversity. Once designated these sites are added to the Convention’s List of Wetlands

of International Importance and become known as Ramsar sites.

Cape York does not have any wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, however the

estuarine wetlands associated with the Skardon River – Skardon River-Cotterell River Wetland Aggregation

in proximity to the Project site are nationally listed under the Directory of Important Wetlands (DIWA).

Migratory bird species that may utilise the Project site are described in this report, however a detailed

assessment is provided in a separate Terrestrial Ecology Assessment Report (Amec Foster Wheeler,

2016a).

3.2 Commonwealth legislative requirements

Commonwealth legislation and policy relevant to the aquatic ecology values of the Project area include:

EPBC Act 1999

Significant Impact Guidelines Version 1.1 (DEWHA, 2013); and

EPBC Act Environmental Offsets Policy.

The relevance of this legislation and policy to the Project is summarised in the following sections.

3.2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The EPBC Act provides a framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora,

fauna and ecological communities as defined under the Act as MNES. Under the EPBC Act the DotE has

jurisdiction over actions that are likely to have a significant impact on MNES.

Cape Alumina (now Metro Mining) submitted a referral to the DotE for the Project on 10 January 2012

(2012/6246). That Project was declared a controlled action under the EPBC Act by the Commonwealth

Minister for the Environment on 10 February 2012. Controlling provisions applicable to the Project were:

Sections 18 and 18A (listed threatened species and communities)

Sections 20 and 20A (listed migratory species); and

Sections 23 and 24A (Commonwealth marine areas).

3. Legislative framework




Due to material changes in the Project scope, Metro Mining had the referral withdrawn on 17 August 2015. A

new referral based on the revised Project scope was submitted 11 August 2015 (2015/7538) and the Project

was declared a controlled action for which an EIS is required on 18 September 2015, with the same

controlling provisions. It is expected the Project will be assessed under the Bilateral Agreement between the

Commonwealth and Queensland governments.

3.2.2 EPBC Act Environmental Offsets Policy

The EPBC Act Environmental Offsets Policy 2012 (EPBC Offsets Policy) outlines the position of the

Commonwealth Government with respect to the use of environmental offsets under the EPBC Act.

Offsets will only apply to projects that are determined a controlled action, and that have a ‘significant’ impact

on a MNES (as defined in DEWHA, 2013). The EPBC Act Policy Statement 1.1 - Significant Impact

Guidelines, define a significant impact as an impact which is important, notable or of consequence, having

regard to its context or intensity. The likelihood of an action having a significant impact depends upon the

intensity, duration, magnitude and geographic extent of the impacts.

Offsets are required to compensate for any residual significant impact to a MNES. The policy sets out

principles for the provision of offsets to compensate for impacts on MNES. These principles include:

Offsets must deliver an overall conservation outcome that improves or maintains the viability of the

protected matter

Offsets must be built around direct (i.e. land-based) offsets but may include other compensatory

measures (e.g. research or educational programs)

Offsets must be in proportion to the level of statutory protection that applies to the protected matter

Offsets must be of a size and scale proportionate to the residual impacts on the protected matter

Offsets must effectively account for and manage the risks of the offset not succeeding

Offsets must be additional to what is already required, determined by law or planning regulations or

agreed to under other schemes and programs

Offsets must be efficient, effective, timely, transparent, scientifically robust and reasonable; and

Offsets must have transparent governance arrangements including being able to be readily measured,

monitored, audited and enforced.

3.3 State legislative requirements

State legislation relevant to the aquatic ecology values of the Project area and approvals include:

Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act)

Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act)

Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 (LP Act)

Environmental Offsets Act 2014 (EO Act); and

Fisheries Act 1994.

The relevance of these legislation to the project is summarised in subsequent sections.

3.3.1 Environmental Protection Act 1994

The Queensland EP Act has a broad objective of achieving sustainable development within Queensland.

Under the EP Act, Metro Mining must comply with the general environmental duty not to undertake an:

“Activity that causes, or is likely to cause, environmental harm unless…all reasonable and practicable

measures to prevent or minimise the harm are taken” (Section 319).

Pursuant to the EP Act, activities that will, or have the potential to, release contaminants into the

environment and which may cause environmental harm are defined as Environmentally Relevant Activities

(ERAs). On 17 August 2015 and in accordance with the Environmental Protection Regulation 2008 (EP

Regulation), Metro Mining applied for a site-specific Environmental Authority (EA) for the Project; specifically

for the mining of bauxite (ERA 11). On 21 September 2015 DEHP advised Metro Mining that the EA

application required assessment by EIS.




The subordinate Environmental Protection Regulation 2008 defines Category A and Category B

environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs). Category C ESAs are typically defined within the Project-specific

EA. A proponent is required to demonstrate measures have been taken to avoid, minimise and mitigate

potential impacts to ESAs. Category A ESAs include national parks, marine parks, the Great Barrier Reef

region and the wet tropics area. Category B ESAs include some classes of protected areas, endangered RE

types, declared fish habitat areas and areas subject to international conventions. Category C ESAs typically

include nature refuges, State Forests or timber reserves, of concern RE types and Coastal Management

Districts. A proponent is required to demonstrate measures are being taken to avoid, mitigate and manage

impacts to these ESAs.

For the purpose of resource activities regulated under the EP Act, the biodiversity status (BD status) of a RE

is used to determine that status of Endangered REs, not the Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999

(VM Act) status. However, the requirement for biodiversity offsets under the EO Act is triggered by VM Act

status not by BD status. This report considers both status of REs when assessing impacts.

3.3.2 Nature Conservation Act 1992

The Queensland NC Act and subordinate legislation provide for the protection and conservation of nature,

including the declaration and management of protected areas, the protection of wildlife and habitat, and the

sustainable use of native wildlife areas.

The Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006 provides a lists of plants and animals that are listed as

extinct, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened (EVNT), least concern, and international or prohibited.

The Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2006 identifies protected areas,

including forest reserves, resource reserves, conservation parks, national parks and nature refuges.

The NC Act includes provisions for permits relevant to the interference of protected fauna; however, no

permits are required for taking protected plants in the Project area pursuant to Section 41(b) of the NC Act,

as clearing will occur in the course of an activity under a mining lease. Impacts on plants and animals listed

under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006, including endangered, vulnerable, near

threatened species that are reliant on aquatic ecosystems are considered throughout this report.

3.3.3 Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002

The LP Act provides for the declaration of Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 pest plant and animal species. Under

Section 77 of the LP Act, a landowner must take reasonable steps to keep land under their control free of

Class 1 and Class 2 pests. The definition of landowner under the LP Act includes the lessee for a mining

lease granted under the Mineral Resources Act 1989.

Under the LP Act it is an offence to introduce, keep or supply a declared pest, feed a declared pest animal,

or take a declared pest for commercial use. It is also an offence to:

Supply anything containing reproductive material of a Class 1 or Class 2 pest prescribed under the Land

Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Regulation 2003; and

Transport a vehicle or thing containing soil or other organic material, which contains the reproductive

material of a declared pest plant.

3.3.4 Environmental Offset Act 2014

A new offset framework was introduced in Queensland in July 2014 that consolidated all previous value

specific offset policies. The offset framework includes the following:

Environmental Offsets Act 2014 – this is the primary legislation that establishes a head of power for the

State to impose offset conditions and rules around how offsets will be required and delivered. It outlines

offsets will be required to counterbalance a significant residual impact of a prescribed activity on a

prescribed environmental matter. Key definitions are established and it also provides for the making of

an Environmental Offsets Policy;

Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014 – among other things, the regulation defines those prescribed

environmental matters that may require an offset and are referred to as MSES, defines activities that

may be required to provide an offset including resource activities under the EP Act, requirements of an

Offset Delivery Plan and provisions for advance offsets; and




Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy 2014 – the policy is where the operational detail and guidance

can be found as to how offsets will be assessed and need to be delivered. The policy includes

information on relationship between Commonwealth and State offsets, criteria that offsets must meet,

offset delivery options and staging of offsets.

The Queensland Offset Framework establishes an ‘avoid, mitigate, offset’ hierarchy for development. Where

it is demonstrated that impacts cannot be avoided or mitigated, and there is a ‘significant’ residual impact to

a prescribed environmental matter, then an offset is required.

Aquatic values prescribed as MSES include watercourse vegetation, wetlands and any endangered or

vulnerable aquatic flora and fauna species.

Offset principles to be achieved are:

Offsets will not replace or undermine existing environmental standards;

Environmental impacts must first be avoided and minimised before considering offsets for remaining

impacts;

Offsets much achieve a conservation outcome that provides an equivalent environmental outcome;

Offsets must provide environmental values as similar as possible to those being lost;

Offsets must minimise time-lag between impact and delivery of offset;

Offsets must provide additional protection to environmental values at risk, or additional management

actions to improve environmental values; and

Offsets must be legally secured for the duration of the impact on the environmental matter.

Three primary options are provided for offset delivery. These are:

1. Financial Settlement Offsets;

2. Land-based Offsets; and

3. Direct Benefit Management Plans.

A combination of the above is also permissible under the Queensland Offset Framework. Project offsets are

discussed in the Bauxite Hills Mine Project Biodiversity Offset Strategy (Amec Foster Wheeler, 2016b).

3.3.5 Fisheries Act 1994

The main purpose of the Fisheries Act 1994 (Fisheries Act) is to provide for the use, conservation and

enhancement of the fish resources and habitats as a way to apply and promote the principles of ecologically

sustainable development. It regulates the taking and possession of specific fish, removal of marine

vegetation, the control of development in areas of fish habitat and listed noxious fish species. Any damage to

marine plants outside the mining lease boundary would require an operational works permit to damage

marine plants.

The construction and raising of a waterway barrier works that will inhibit the movement of fish is regulated

under the Fisheries Act and the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (SP Act). As the culvert haul road crossings

will be constructed on the mining lease, under the conditions of an EA (and not development approval), a

waterway barrier works permit is not required. Whilst the provisions of the Fisheries Act do not apply within

the ML, Metro Mining will give consideration to the performance objectives and requirements of the State

Development Assessment Provisions Module 5.2 to adequately provide for fish passage, and provide equal

or enhanced habitat values and habitat complexity.




The description of aquatic ecological values presented in this report is based on studies completed in the

Project area in the late dry season of 2014 and early wet season of 2015 supplemented by aquatic ecology

surveys for the Gulf Alumina Skardon River Project. The following sections provide a description of desktop

and field assessments completed in the Project area.

4.1 Desktop assessment

A review of literature pertaining to the aquatic values of, and adjacent to, the Project area was undertaken.

Commonwealth and state database searches were defined by the coordinates -11.86668 latitude, 142.04155

longitude. The search area encompassed areas within 25km of the Project which includes coastal and

marine areas to the west and estuarine wetlands in the north.

The review was conducted prior to commencing field surveys and included:

DotE Protected Matters Search Tool to identify MNES potentially occurring within approximately 25 km

of the Project area

DotE Species Profiles and Threats (SPRAT) Database

DEHP Wildlife Online database to identify threatened species potentially occurring within approximately

25 km of the Project area

Queensland Museum Records for the Project area

DEHP Biodiversity Planning Assessment (BPA) for Cape York Peninsula

DEHP Wetland Mapping to determine the classification, extent and significance of wetlands within the

Project area

Commonwealth directory of nationally important wetlands

DEHP watercourse mapping

Published ecological information on threatened flora and fauna species and vegetation communities

Cape York Natural Resource Management Region ‘Back on Track’ Actions for Biodiversity

Abrahams et al. (1995) Areas of conservation significance on Cape York Peninsula

Cape Alumina (2011) EPBC Act Referral for the Bauxite Hills mine and port project

Dames and Moore (1996) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Botany Cogeneration Project

Mackey et al. (2001) The Natural Heritage significance of Cape York Peninsula

RPS Australia (2012) Skardon River Flora and Fauna Assessment

Sattler and Williams (1999) The conservation status of Queensland’s bioregional ecosystems

Worley Parsons (2011a) Bauxite Hills Project-Preliminary Constraints Assessment: Aquatic ecology

Aquatic conservation assessments for the riverine and non-riverine wetlands of Cape York catchments

(DEHP 2012a, 2012b)

Cape Alumina (2012) Initial Advice Statement, Pisolite Hills mine and port project

AARC (2010) Pisolite Hills Project Terrestrial Flora and Fauna Assessment

Gulf Alumina Ltd. (2013) Skardon River Bauxite Mining Project EPBC Act Referral; and

Rio Tinto Alcan (2011) South of Embley Project Environmental Impact Statement.

Post field surveys, the main database searches (including Protected Matters Search Tool) were replicated in

February 2016 to ensure any changes to listings and records of species were taken into consideration in the

report findings. Desktop search results are provided in Attachment 1. Findings from the Gulf Alumina

Skardon River Project EIS have also been incorporated.

4. Methodology




4.2 Survey timing

Aquatic ecology surveys were undertaken between 4 and 11 November 2014, corresponding to the late dry

season. The November survey was considered a late dry season survey as there had been an extended

period of time of little rain leading up to the site assessment. Follow-up surveys were undertaken between 31

January and 6 February 2015, corresponding to the early wet season.

The timing of late dry season surveys was considered ideal for assessing the persistence of water in the

aquatic ecosystems across the Project area and the communities they supported. Early wet season surveys

were undertaken following a period of heavy rainfall. The timing of the early wet season surveys was dictated

by likelihood of reduced access to the sites and increased safety risks associated with higher likelihood of

estuarine crocodile dispersal across the Project area later in the wet season. The decision for this timing was

discussed with DEHP prior to the surveys being undertaken and DEHP provided their endorsement.

These surveys are supplemented by aquatic surveys undertaken in March 2015 for the Gulf Alumina

Skardon River Project, which is situated directly adjacent to the Bauxite Hills Project area (as illustrated in

Figure 1-1). The total survey effort for aquatic ecosystems across both Projects is summarised in Section

4.4, which has been provided to demonstrate the extent of total aquatic ecological survey effort in the vicinity

of the Project and range of seasonal conditions and aquatic environments in which surveys were conducted.

Whilst this report is primarily concerned with the results of the Bauxite Hills surveys, any critical findings from

the Skardon River surveys have been considered in the determination of (a) the likelihood of species

occurrence in the Project area, and (b) the conclusions made within this report.

4.3 Survey and reporting personnel

The personnel involved in the aquatic surveys and associated reporting for the Project are listed Table 4-1

along with their qualifications and relevant experience.

Bauxite Hills Mine Project Aquatic Ecology Assessment


Table 4-1 Survey and reporting personnel

Personnel Role Qualifications Years of experience

Summary of experience

Tim Howell Dry season, wet season aquatic surveys (lead)

BSc, PhD (Aquatic Science)

14 years Tim is a specialised and experienced aquatic ecologist. He holds a degree with honours in Aquatic Science and a PhD (research) in fish ecology and river rehabilitation. Tim has worked on a broad range of projects for industry, government agencies, universities and in collaboration with multiple organisations. Industry clients are from mining, energy, water supply, aviation, transport, state government, city and regional councils.Tim has led numerous aquatic ecology surveys for the Surat Gas Project, Wiggins Island Balloon Loop, Byerwen Coal, Sarsfield Gold Mine Expansion, Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion, Noosa Sewage Treatment Facility Upgrade, Northgate Coal Mine and Belvedere Coal Project.

Tim is knowledgeable at designing, leading and completing scientific investigations for a range of purposes, such as environmental impact assessment, compliance monitoring, receiving environment monitoring programs (REMP), biological impact monitoring, targeted species monitoring programs, baseline surveys, management plans (species specific, general aquatic values and water quality), research and development and desktop/literature reviews.

David Fell Dry season, wet season aquatic surveys (support)

Assoc Dip App Science

27 years David’s extensive experience in vegetation assessment and land resource management has been gained throughout the tropics and subtropics of Australia. His work in the Cape York Peninsula with the Queensland National Parks Service included a comprehensive survey of the region’s rainforest vegetation. David carried out vegetation survey sites with Neldner and Clarkson throughout the Weipa sheet as part of the CYPLUS mapping project. He has conducted survey work in the West Kimberley Region, in North-Eastern Arnhem Land, throughout northern NSW and in the Queensland bioregions of Cape York Peninsula, Wet Tropical Coast, Central Queensland Coast, Einasleigh Uplands and South-East Queensland. David was based in Weipa for nine months as research ranger on a crocodile research program with QPWS working with the Napranum and Mapoon ranger program. David has experience across flora and fauna assessments and was a support person to Tim by assisting to carry field survey equipment, capture photos, and be a safety spotter due to the remoteness of the site.

Mark Davey Reporting only BAppSc, GradCertMarineSc, PhD (Coral Reef Ecology)

20 years Mark is a marine scientist with a PhD in coral reef ecology and extensive experience in environmental monitoring, environmental approvals, research and policy development. He has been heavily involved in environmental assessments for major coastal and offshore development projects throughout Australia and in





Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, the Solomon Islands, French Polynesia and the Philippines.

Mitchell Taylor Reporting only BEnvSc 10 years Mitchell has worked as an ecologist on a range of projects within Queensland and NSW across many industry sectors including mining and extractive industries, coal seam gas, ecotourism, rail, road and water infrastructure, strategic, industrial and urban development. Mitchell has managed teams undertaking broad and specific ecological assessments for the mining sector; authoring EIA reports and liaising directly with Commonwealth, State and Local government agencies on a range of projects.

Berlinda Ezzy Reporting only BAppSc(Hons)

Natural Systems and Wildlife Mgt

17 years Berlinda leads a biodiversity offsets and ecology team at Amec Foster Wheeler and delivers services to a range of clients including mining, coal seam gas, roads and community infrastructure. Berlinda has worked in the private and public sectors and in the process has gained significant experience in project management, environmental legislation and approvals, threatened species management, natural resource management and biodiversity offsets.

Representative projects include the Bowen Gas Project, Kevin’s Corner Coal Project, Mount Isa Mines Biodiversity Study, Moorlands Coal Project, Teresa Coal Mine and Mt Margaret Mine.

Chris Cantwell Reporting only BEnvPlan(Hons)BSc, CEnvP

10 years Chris is a Certified Environmental Practitioner with experience in the provision of strategic environmental approvals advice and the coordination and management of projects characterised by complex environmental issues. As a qualified planner, Chris has a particular knowledge of environmental planning approvals processes, land use and biodiversity assessments for large scale energy and infrastructure projects.

Jeromy Claridge Reporting only MEnvMgt, BSc(Hons), CEnvP

21 years Jeromy has extensive EIA and project management experience, providing environmental advice through all project development phases from preliminary planning and site/route selection through to project feasibility, environmental assessment and approvals and on-site management. Jeromy is a Certified Environmental Practitioner who has managed multidisciplinary teams undertaking EIAs for complex projects involving numerous approvals and environmental issues.

Key EIA project management roles include those for the Byerwen Coal Project, Bowen Basin coal projects, Galilee Coal Project, Ernest Henry Mine, Opal Mining and Prospecting on Lightning Ridge, the Ironbark CSG Project and the Myanmar Oil and Gas Pipeline.





Jeremy Hayden GIS BAppSc, Assc Dip App Sc

15 years Jeremy has a broad range of experience in the Natural Resource Management sector and extensive experience in dedicated GIS roles on these projects. Jeremy boasts significant mining and petroleum industry experience, with dedicated GIS roles including project management and reporting, data management and database design, data analysis, map production and cartography, route and site selection and other spatial analysis.

Matt Gerber GIS BAppScience (Environmental Science & Environmental Management)

9 years Matthew is a GIS specialist with experience in multidisciplinary and workshare environments in planning, engineering, procurement, environmental and construction for the oil and gas, mining, urban and regional planning, transportation and utility sectors. Matthew’s recent experience in the mining and petroleum industry has involved dedicated GIS roles servicing both environmental and engineering functions, with responsibilities including data management, automation and reporting, database design and administration, map production and cartography, route selection and environmental constraint assessments.




4.4 Aquatic ecology assessment

Aquatic ecology values of the Project area described in this report have been derived from desktop

assessments and field surveys. The primary objective of the field surveys was to identify and describe

aquatic habitats and communities for the Project area. Surveys were focused on freshwater aquatic

ecosystems and did not include marine environments.

4.4.1 Consideration of survey guidelines

Aquatic ecology survey techniques were designed and implemented in general accordance with relevant

guidelines, including:

Queensland Monitoring and Sampling Manual 2009 (v.2 update 2010) (DEHP, 2013); and

Queensland Australian River Assessment System (AusRivAS) Sampling and Processing Manual

(DNRM, 2001).

4.4.2 Site selection

A desktop review of available relevant literature and investigation of aerial photography and topographic

maps suggested that little freshwater habitat would be present across much of the Project area during the

late dry season. This finding is consistent with the findings of RPS (2012) for the adjacent Skardon River

Project. In addition, the majority of aquatic habitats in close proximity to the Project are classed as

marine/estuarine and are therefore not assessed in this scope of works.

Based on this desktop review, three sites were selected for the aquatic survey; two within wetland systems

and one on an ephemeral stream (Figure 4-1). The first wetland site surveyed (AQ01) was located to the

north west of ML20689 in Big Footprint Swamp. The second site (AQ02) was situated to the south of

ML20689 in Lunette Swamp. Both sites represent remnant pools of two large swamp systems and were

observed to contain small recessional pools during the late dry season surveys and quite extensive areas of

standing water in the wet season. The third site (AQ03) was located within an ephemeral stream located to

the south-east of MLA 20676. Site AQ03 was dry for at least 400 metres upstream and downstream of the

survey site during the late dry season surveys and water was flowing in the wet season. Anecdotal evidence

suggests there were remnant pools present at the site approximately one month prior to these surveys. No

significant rainfall events had occurred in the months leading up to the late dry season surveys. Site

validation undertaken in November 2014 consisted of extensive searches of wetland and stream systems

and confirmed there was little standing water present in the Project area at that time of year. In late

January/early February of 2015 the wetlands contained quite a large amount of water and the creek was

flowing strongly.

Aquatic ecology site coordinates are provided in Table 4-2 and illustrated in Figure 4-1.

Table 4-2 Aquatic ecology late dry season survey site coordinates (GDA94)

Site Latitude Longitude

AQ01 -11.795548 142.035982

AQ02 -11.841636 142.021148

AQ03 -11.810123 142.131657



Path:

W:\P

ROJE

CTS\

EI\C

ape A

lumina

\6522

00 - B

auxit

e Hills

Eco

logy S

tudy\2

.0_Pr

oject_

Deliv

ery\G

IS\M

appin

g\Aqu

atic_

Repo

rt\Figu

re4-1_

Aqua

tic_E

colog

y_Su

rvey_

Sites

_Rev

1.mxd

ML6025

ML4069ML40082

ML20689

ML20676

ML20688

ML10

0051

ML10

0047

ML100048

Port M

usgra

ve Ag

grega

tion

Skardon River - CotterellRiver Aggregation

AQ03

AQ02

AQ01

Namaleta Creek

Skardon River

BH6 WEST

BH6EAST

BH01

AQ-LU01

AQ-NA04AQ-NA03

AQ-NA02AQ-NA01

AQ-BF01

(A3) GCS GDA 19941:75,000

LEGENDFigure 4-1

Bauxite Hills and SkardonRiver Aquatic Ecology

Survey SitesWORK REQUEST NUMBER: 652200DATA SOURCES:Mining Leases © State of Queensland 2016Infrastructure - Metro Mining 2016Service Layer Credits: Copyright:© 2015 DeLormeSource: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics,


08/05/201520/11/2014

AUTHORMG

JHJH

QA CHECKBE

MDMD

APPROVEDBE

MDMD

0 1 2Kilometres

COOKTOWN

WEIPA

¹MAP REV.

1

0A


Issued for UseIssue For Review

BH Aquatic Survey SitesSRP Aquatic Survey SiteWatercoursesDirectory of Important WetlandsWetland Managment Areas (HES)Wetland Managment Areas (GES)

Project Mining Lease AreaGulf Alumina Limited Mining LeaseMine Infrastructure - Current PitMine Infrastructure AreaHaul RoadCamp Site

!

LunetteSwamp

!

Big FootprintSwamp




Further to the above surveys for Bauxite Hills, aquatic surveys have also been completed for Gulf Alumina’s

Skardon River Project. Six sites were surveyed in March 2015 and included assessments of: water quality,

sediment, aquatic plants, macroinvertebrates, macrocrustaceans and fish. Local freshwater streams at the

commencement of the field survey contained moderate flows, indicating that direct runoff from the previous

rainfall events had not yet subsided. Wetlands across the entire Project area were considered expansive and

likely to be at their maximum extent (RPS, 2015). A summary of the total survey effort for both projects is

provided in Table 4-3 and combined survey sites are illustrated in Figure 4-1. Information on the Skardon

River surveys has been summarised from Chapter 16 of the Skardon River Bauxite Project EIS (Greencap,

2015).

Table 4-3 Total survey effort for Bauxite Hills and Skardon River aquatic surveys

Project Site Name Sampling Method

Bauxite Hills Fish Macro

invertebrates

Water Quality Sediment

Dry Season Survey (November 2014)

AQ01 – Big Footprint Swamp

× Not in scope

AQ02 – Lunette Swamp

× × × Not in scope

AQ03 – Ephemeral Stream

× × × Not in scope

Wet Season Survey (February 2015)

AQ01 – Big Footprint Swamp

Not in scope

AQ02 – Lunette Swamp

Not in scope

AQ03 – Ephemeral Stream

Not in scope

Skardon River

Wet Season Survey (March 2015)

AQ-NA01 – Namaleta Creek Upstream

× ×

AQ-NA02 – Namaleta Creek Upstream

× ×

AQ-NA03 – Namaleta Creek

AQ-NA04 – Namaleta Creek

AQ-LU01 – Lunette Swamp

AQ-BF01 – Big Footprint Swamp

4.4.3 Survey techniques

Key aquatic ecological indicators assessed at each survey site for Bauxite Hills are provided in Table 4-4.

Table 4-4 Aquatic ecology assessment indicators

Assessment Indicators

Aquatic habitat Rapid assessment techniques were used to provide a description of habitat type and quality at each site. Field assessment protocols were consistent with Queensland AusRivAS for this component, as these represent a commonly used standard and will be required for the interpretation of macroinvertebrate and fish results.

Aquatic and riparian flora

Qualitative surveys of aquatic and riparian flora were done for each site reach. Aquatic flora were identified in the field, and as required collected and submitted to the Queensland Herbarium to validate identification of suspected EVNT species, under the NC Act.




Assessment Indicators

Water quality In situ physico-chemical water quality data (temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity) was recorded to assist with the interpretation of ecological data.

Macroinvertebrates Field macroinvertebrate surveys were undertaken following AusRivAS protocols. Following these conventions, a composite macroinvertebrate sample was collected at each site using a standard 250 micron (µm) mesh dipnet. Samples were “live picked” on site to strict protocols and the animals collected preserved in 70% alcohol. Macroinvertebrates were identified to family taxonomic level (where applicable) and enumerated. Data analysis included: abundance, taxonomic richness, community composition, Plecoptera-Ephemeroptera-Trichoptera (PET) and tolerant taxa.

Stream Invertebrate Grade Number-Average Level (SIGNAL) 2 scores have not been included as part of this aquatic assessment. Signal 2 is a biotic measure, not an analysis. It ranks groups (for the purposes of this assessment to family level) at a sensitivity level. Signal 2 is a measure of river macroinvertebrate sensitivity. It is not applicable in swamps or highly ephemeral streams as are found on and adjacent the Bauxite Hills tenement. It was developed in eastern Australia and its use in Cape York is extremely limited. Therefore it wasn’t considered appropriate for this Project.

Macrocrustaceans Macrocrustaceans were surveyed using the macroinvertebrate sampling techniques as well as with fish sampling techniques. Visual inspections were also made for macrocrustacean remains and burrows

Fish Cast netting, box trapping and active dip netting were the primary fish survey techniques used in the end-of-dry season surveys. All native fish caught were identified and measured.

Turtles and other aquatic vertebrates

Aquatic turtle surveys were undertaken at sites with suitable habitat using baited cathedral traps. Targeted sampling of other aquatic vertebrates was not undertaken although any incidental sightings or signs (scats, tracks and other traces) were recorded

The availability of standing water during the dry season limited the sampling methods able to be employed. A

summary of methods employed at each site during the late dry and early wet season surveys is provided in

Table 4-5. Site descriptions are provided in Table 4-6.

Table 4-5 Survey methods employed during field surveys

Survey Method Dry season surveys Wet season surveys

AQ01 AQ02 AQ03 AQ01 AQ02 AQ03

Aquatic habitat • • • • • •

Riparian and aquatic flora • • • • •

Water quality • • • •

Macroinvertebrates • • •

Macrocrustaceans • • • •

Fish • • • •

Turtles and other vertebrates • • • •



Table 4-6 Site descriptions

Site ID Description Photographs

AQ01

Dry

This site occurs within Big Footprint Swamp, a large melaleuca swamp system that is seasonally inundated to a depth of several meters. During the dry season surveys, only a single senescing pool remained. Large numbers of wild cattle and pigs were observed watering. The outer margins of open swamp area were covered with desiccating water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis), with the area surrounding the water hole covered in native couch grass (Cynodon sp.). There

was limited soil disturbance associated with feral pig activity.

AQ01

Wet

This site occurs within Big Footprint Swamp, a large melaleuca swamp system that is seasonally inundated to a depth of several meters. During the wet season surveys the remnant pool was full and the surrounding melaleuca forest was flooded, but below the full capacity of the swamp. Sampling was undertaken around the littoral margins due to concerns with the potential presence of crocodiles in other areas. The margins were shallow (approximately 20-40 centimetres (cm) deep) and covered in a detrital layer of leaves. Extensive beds of native couch grass (Cynodon sp.) were observed in the central pool, but no other aquatic macrophytes were recorded.

AQ02

Dry

A large melaleuca swamp system that is seasonally inundated to a depth of several meters. During the dry season surveys only a single senescing pool remained. The open area surrounding the remnant water hole was covered in desiccating water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis). Large numbers of wild pigs observed watering. Open areas around the waterhole were heavily disturbed by feral pigs.



Site ID Description Photographs

AQ02

Wet

A large melaleuca swamp system that is seasonally inundated to a depth of several meters. No water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis) was observed, in the area where it had been observed during the dry season surveys as it was deeply submerged. Littoral zones were not sampled due to concerns with the potential presence of crocodiles. The margins were shallow (approximately 20-40 cm deep) with extensive areas of recently inundated terrestrial grasses.

AQ03

Dry

Dominant vegetation was melaleuca with grass understorey. The site was completely dry for at least 400 meters both upstream and downstream. Deeper sections where some pools are likely to persist until towards the end of the dry season. Some soil disturbance associated with pig activity in areas that would have contained the last standing pools of water.

AQ03

Wet

Dominant vegetation melaleuca with grass understorey. The site was flowing strongly with the dominant habitat consisting of runs. Flows appeared to be recent in nature as evidenced by the recently inundated terrestrial grasses observed instream still largely intact. Some soil disturbance associated with pig activity in areas adjacent those that would have contained the last standing pools of water.




4.4.4 Survey limitations

General access to and around the Project area was good during the late dry season. Hot and humid

conditions were experienced during this survey period, with daily temperatures in excess of 35 degrees

Celsius (°C) and strong, humid east to east south east winds between 20 and 30 kilometres per hour (km/hr).

A moderate downpour from a localised thunderstorm was also encountered during the afternoon of 6

November; however, this would not be considered a significant rainfall event.

In the dry season due to an absence of water at Lunette Swamp (AQ02) and the creek (AQ03) water quality

samples and fish surveys could not be completed. In the wet season survey all three survey sites had water

quality and fish surveys completed. Electrofishing wasn’t carried out at the survey sites due to safety

concerns with saltwater crocodiles.

Wet season surveys also provided adequate access and there were more areas of standing water to survey.

Hot and humid conditions were experienced during this survey period, with daily temperatures between 35

°C and 40 °C. Winds were generally light (< 10 km/hr). No significant precipitation was encountered during

the survey period. The survey period also coincided with the full moon.

During the wet season sampling was restricted due to the potential for estuarine crocodiles to be present in

the area (i.e. unable to enter the water physically). While no crocodiles or evidence of crocodiles (e.g. slides)

were observed, the fringes of the pools were generally vegetated with native couch or water chestnut

(Eleocharis dulcis), which may have obscured observations. In addition, the pools present at sites AQ01 and

AQ02 during the dry seasons had attracted feral pigs, cattle and wetland birds, all of which are preyed upon

by crocodiles.

The wet season surveys were conducted at a time when there was recent water in the creeks and wetlands,

but colonisation of these areas by aquatic species is not likely to be at its maximum. Therefore on the whole

the number of aquatic species recorded for both Bauxite Hills and Skardon River projects are likely to be

lower than if sampling occurred in the early dry.

4.5 Species assessments

The likelihood of occurrence for individual threatened aquatic species was determined based on a review of

previous records, a review of known habitat preferences, and an assessment of habitat availability and the

presence of microhabitat features within the Project area. This included known associations for each

species, known records and distribution ranges. Species were assigned to one of the following categories:

Known to occur: includes species previously or currently recorded in the Project area or directly

adjacent in the Skardon River Project area;

Likely to occur: includes species previously recorded in proximity to the Project area and suitable

habitat features are available in the Project area which support the species;

May occur: includes species where suitable habitats are present in the Project area, where the known

distribution of the species overlaps the Project area, but there are no known records in proximity to the

Project area; and

Unlikely to occur: includes species for which the Project area offers limited or no potential habitat, is

outside their known range and/or is without broader habitat requirements, and there are no known

records in proximity to the Project area.




5.1 Location and climatic conditions

The study area is located in Province 7 (Weipa Plateau) of the Cape York Peninsula Bioregion and occupies

part of the Skardon River catchment draining westward into the Gulf of Carpentaria. The region experiences

a hot climate where the majority of rainfall occurs during a pronounced wet season between November and

April (Godwin, 1985; Specht et al., 1977). Mean annual rainfall for the nearest Bureau of Meteorology station

at Weipa airport is 2,071.8 mm (BoM, 2014).

5.2 Land tenure

Land tenure is largely mining / mineral leases and indigenous held land (Deed of Grant in Trust). Traditional

owners are represented in communities throughout Cape York Peninsula and Queensland, with high local

representation in Mapoon, Napranum and Weipa, and at New Mapoon in the Bamaga area. Mining and

cattle grazing are the predominant post-European settlement land uses in the immediate vicinity of the

Project. The Bauxite Hills tenements lie within the Aboriginal Freehold Land (Lot 11 on SP204113 and Lot 13

on SP204113) held by the Old Mapoon Aboriginal Corporation (OMAC).

5.3 Land zones and landform

The distribution of land zone subdivisions within the study area includes:

Land zone 1: quaternary estuarine deposits and tidal beaches. Found in all areas subject to tidal

influence, and particularly extensive fringing the Skardon River. This land zone is attenuated inland

along tidal creeks and forms some extensive flats on areas of infrequent tidal inundation. Characteristic

semi-saline muds are strongly sulphidic in places and highlight the potential for acidity problems to

develop during any land disturbance.

Land zone 3: quaternary alluvial deposits. Alluvial landforms are restricted to swampy drainage

depressions including those associated with sinkholes, and alluvial sand sheets associated with broad

drainage depressions. Swamp habitats are often subject to seasonal inundation and are considered

palustrine wetlands.

Land zone 5: remnant tertiary surfaces. Tertiary surfaces cover the aluminous laterite deposits of the

Weipa Plateau, and extend eastwards across the erosional surface of the Merluna Plain. Land Zone 5

covers all landforms demonstrating a deeply weathered profile including exposed clay soils on the

eroded margins of the Weipa Plateau.

The Project area has a limited diversity of geological features; as such the array of habitat types is limited.

The current mine footprints (BH1 and BH6) occur across one predominant RE (3.5.2) and are elevated

compared to the surrounding terrain. Areas in the north and west of BH1, and far north, west and east of

BH6, slope down towards tributaries of the Skardon River catchment. Land zones and ground-truthed

regional ecosystems (REs) are illustrated in Figure 5-1.

5. Description of the Project area




Figure 5-1 Ground-truthed Regional Ecosystems and land zones



Path:

W:\P

ROJE

CTS\

EI\C

ape A

lumina

\6522

00 - B

auxit

e Hills

Eco

logy S

tudy\2

.0_Pr

oject_

Deliv

ery\G

IS\M

appin

g\Aqu

atic_

Repo

rt\Figu

re5-1_

GT_R

E_Re

v1.m

xd

ML20689

ML20676

ML20688

ML10

0051

ML10

0047

ML100048

BH01

BH6 WEST

BH6 EAST

3.5.2

3.5.2

3.5.2

3.1.1

3.1.1

3.3.14Water

3.3.14

3.3.14

3.3.14

3.3.423.1.3 3.1.3

3.5.2

3.1.3

3.3.32

3.3.42

3.3.14

3.1.6

3.1.1

3.3.12

3.1.1

3.1.1

3.3.223.1.1

3.3.12

3.3.14

3.1.63.5.2

3.3.42

3.1.1

3.1.1

3.3.423.1.1

3.1.6

3.3.22

3.3.22

3.3.22

3.3.14

3.3.14

3.1.6

3.3.513.1.6

3.3.22

3.1.6

3.3.14 3.3.51

3.1.6

3.3.12

3.3.32

3.3.32

3.1.33.5.2

3.1.13.1.6

3.3.65

Water

3.1.63.1.6

3.3.14

3.3.22

3.3.12

3.1.63.1.1

3.1.6

3.1.6

3.1.6

3.1.6

3.3.65

3.1.63.3.51

3.3.22

3.1.3

(A3) GCS GDA 19941:50,000

LEGENDFigure 5-1

Ground-truthed RegionalEcosystems and Land Zones

WORK REQUEST NUMBER: 652200DATA SOURCES:Ordered Drainage 100K - Queensland © State of Queensland 2010Physical Road Network © State of Queensland 2010Service Layer Credits: Copyright:© 2015 DeLormeSource: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics,


08/05/201520/11/2014

AUTHORMG

JHJH

QA CHECKBE

MDMD

APPROVEDBE

MDMD

0 0.5 1Kilometres

COOKTOWN

WEIPA

¹MAP REV.

1

0A


Issued for UseIssued for Review

Project Mining Lease AreaMine Infrastructure - Current PitMine Infrastructure AreaHaul RoadCamp Site

Ground-truthed REOf Concern (LZ 3)

Least Concern - Marine (LZ 1)Least Concern - Eucalyptus Woodland (LZ 5)Least Concern - Corymbia Woodland (LZ 3)Least Concern - Melaleuca Woodland (LZ 3)Least Concern - Ephemeral Lake and Lagoons (LZ 3)Water

3.3.12

3.3.12

BH6 EAST3.5.2 3.1.1

3.1.1

Water

3.1.6

3.1.1

3.3.12

3.3.12

3.1.6

3.1.63.1.63.1.6

3.1.6

3.1.3

3.3.32

3.3.423.1.1

3.1.6 3.3.51

3.5.23.1.6

3.3.51 3.3.513.1.6

3.5.2

3.3.22

3.3.513.3.22

3.1.63.1.1

3.5.2

3.3.51

3.3.223.1.6

3.1.6

3.1.63.1.3

3.1.6

3.3.22

!

Big FootprintSwamp

!

LunetteSwamp




5.4 Drainage, waterways and wetlands

The Project area is located in the Skardon River catchment, or drainage sub-basin, which covers

approximately 439 square kilometres (km2). While the Skardon River is perennial, many associated

watercourses within the Project area are ephemeral and flow only after sustained or intense rainfall.

Stream flows are highly variable, with significant flows typically occurring during the wetter months

(December to April), with low to no flow common for the rest of the year. The Skardon River catchment is

part of the broader Skardon River-Cotterell River wetland aggregation, listed under the Directory of Important

Wetlands (DIWA). It covers a total area of approximately 632 km2, of which approximately 211 km2

(approximately 33 %) comprise DIWA nationally important wetlands. These include approximately 115 km2 of

estuarine, 95 km2 of palustrine, and 2 km2 of riverine wetlands. In total 309 lacustrine / palustrine wetlands

have been mapped throughout the aggregation; however, as the majority of the aggregation occurs north of

the Skardon River (and hence north of the Project), so do the majority of DIWA wetlands.

Wetlands associated with the Skardon River-Cotterell River aggregation do occur within the Project area and

MLAs, and overlap some of the infrastructure footprint; however, they do not overlap the mining footprints of

BH1 and BH6 (Figure 5-2). In the west of ML 20689 (within which is the BH6 mining footprint), there are

several palustrine wetlands, coastal and sub-coastal floodplains. In the east of ML 20688 (within which is the

BH6 mining footprint) there are estuarine wetlands associated with the Skardon River. A drainage channel of

the Skardon River and estuarine wetland system occurs in the west of ML 20676 (within which is the BH1

mining footprint). While estuarine and palustrine wetlands also occur in the north and south of ML 20676.

Big Footprint Swamp is a palustrine wetland and is largely an isolated melaleuca swamp. The swamp is

dependent on rainfall, runoff and groundwater recharge. In the dry season it is limited to a remnant, shallow

pool and in some years it may dry up completely. Big Footprint Swamp is recognised as a wetland of High

Ecological Significance (HES). The estuarine wetlands to the east of BH6 are also mapped as HES and

both HES wetlands are a MSES. HES and General Ecological Significance (GES) wetlands in proximity to

the Project are illustrated in Figure 5-3.



Path:

W:\P

ROJE

CTS\

EI\C

ape A

lumina

\6522

00 - B

auxit

e Hills

Eco

logy S

tudy\2

.0_Pr

oject_

Deliv

ery\G

IS\M

appin

g\Aqu

atic_

Repo

rt\Figu

re5-2_

Drain

age_

Water

ways

_Rev

1.mxd

ML20689

ML20676

ML20688

ML10

0051

ML10

0047

ML100048

Skardon River - Cotterell River Aggregation

BH01

BH6 WEST

BH6 EAST

Skardon RiverNam

aleta Creek

Skardon River

Skardon River

Skardon River

Skardon River Skardon River

Skardon River

(A3) GCS GDA 19941:50,000

LEGENDFigure 5-2

Skardon River-CotterellRiver Wetland Aggregation



08/05/201520/11/2014

AUTHORMG

JHJH

QA CHECKBE

MDMD

APPROVEDBE

MDMD

0 0.5 1Kilometres

COOKTOWN

WEIPA

¹MAP REV.

1

0A



WatercoursesDirectory of Important WetlandsProject Mining Lease AreaMine Infrastructure - Current PitMine Infrastructure Area

Haul RoadCamp Site

Big Footprint

Swamp

!

LunetteSwamp



Path:

W:\P

ROJE

CTS\

EI\C

ape A

lumina

\6522

00 - B

auxit

e Hills

Eco

logy S

tudy\2

.0_Pr

oject_

Deliv

ery\G

IS\M

appin

g\Aqu

atic_

Repo

rt\Figu

re5-3_

HES_

GES_

Wetl

ands

_Rev

1.mxd

ML20689

ML20676

ML20688

ML10

0051

ML10

0047

ML100048

BH01

BH6 WEST

BH6 EAST

Skardon RiverNam

aleta Creek

Skardon River

Skardon River

Skardon River

Skardon River Skardon River

Skardon River

(A3) GCS GDA 19941:50,000

LEGENDFigure 5-3

HES and GES Wetlands



08/05/201520/11/2014

AUTHORMG

JHJH

QA CHECKBE

MDMD

APPROVEDBE

MDMD

0 0.5 1Kilometres

COOKTOWN

WEIPA

¹MAP REV.

1

0A



WatercoursesWetland Managment Areas (HES)Wetland Managment Areas (GES)Project Mining Lease Area

Mine Infrastructure - Current PitMine Infrastructure AreaHaul RoadCamp Site

Big Footprint

Swamp

!

LunetteSwamp




5.5 Habitat connectivity and wildlife corridors

Habitat connectivity within the Project area is linked to riparian corridors associated with the Skardon River

and contiguous areas of terrestrial vegetation across the Project tenements. The Skardon River-Cotterell

River wetland aggregation to the north of the Project area is listed under the DIWA and a riparian corridor of

regional significance under the Cape York Biodiversity Planning Assessment (EHP, 2012). Contiguous tracts

of woodland vegetation both within the Project area and to the south of the Project area have links to the

Port Musgrave wetland aggregation. The Port Musgrave wetland aggregation is also listed under the DIWA,

comprises the Ducie and Wenlock Rivers and Namaleta Creek, and is both a regional and state significant

riparian corridor (Attachment 3).

The Project is located in a highly vegetated bioregion where fragmentation of habitats are not a threat.

Fauna and flora species have significant tracts of habitats available to disperse through and a number of

species such as bats are highly mobile so will move through the landscape based on seasonality and

availability of foraging resources. The riparian corridors are being retained to allow for wildlife movement

through the Project area. The more significant threats come from a reduction in the condition of habitats

through pest animals / plants and altered fire regimes.

The freshwater extents of the Skardon River tributaries are up-stream of the Project. The tributary of the

Skardon River south of BH1 pit is ephemeral and in the dry season was observed to contain no water. In the

wet season of February 2015 the creek was flowing strongly as shown in Table 4-6. Fish passage is

therefore restricted to the wet season at these up-stream locations.




Relevant databases were consulted prior to undertaking field work to develop a list of threatened species

potentially occurring, or habitat for which may occur within the project area. The databases consulted are

outlined in Section 4.1. A summary of database search findings is provided below. Database search results

are provided in Attachment 1.

6.1 Current certified REs

16 current DEHP certified mapped REs occur in the Project area. Two REs within the Project area are listed

as ‘Of Concern’ (VM Act status and BD status), including:

The Melaleuca quinquenervia open forests (RE 3.3.12). Commonly associated with coastal swamps, and

the Skardon River has very good examples of this ecosystem; and

The Melaleuca acacioides +/- Hakea pedunculata tall shrubland on marine plains (RE 3.3.51). A

restricted RE found on MLA 20676 where it manifests in linear communities fringing the outer margins of

estuarine deposits and mangroves.

6.2 Commonwealth EPBC Act protected matters

A search of the Commonwealth EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool was undertaken on 30 October

2014 to establish a working list of native or threatened species known to, or likely to occur, within 25 km of

the approximate centre of the Project area. For the purposes of report currency, this search was replicated

in February 2016 and is provided in Attachment 1. Results are summarised in Table 6-1. The results from

the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search for the Skardon River Project have also been incorporated into

Table 6-1 and considered as part of the environmental impact assessment for the Bauxite Hills Project. Note

that these are not all freshwater species, but rely in some way on freshwater habitats.

6.3 Queensland Wildlife Online database

A search of the Queensland Government Wildlife Online database was undertaken on 30 October 2014 to

establish a working list of native or threatened species known to occur, or likely to occur within 25 km of the

approximate centre of the Project area. For the purposes of report currency, this search was replicated in

February 2016 and is provided in Attachment 1. The Wildlife Online database includes EVNT species

known to occur, or potentially occurring within an area under the NC Act. The results of this search were

combined with the results of the Wildlife Online search undertaken for the Skardon River Bauxite Project in

2015. Results are summarised in Table 6-1.

6.4 Back on Track regional significant species

The Back on Track (BoT) species prioritisation framework lists species of critical or high ‘conservation

status’, within a particular area. This ‘conservation status’ is based on the occurrence, significance and

threats to individual species on a regional scale. Those MNES and EVNT species identified from the

database searches described above were also checked for their importance within the BoT report for the

Cape York Peninsula Natural Resource Management region.

6.5 Summary of species database searches

The results of all relevant database searches relating to species that may depend or are associated with

freshwater aquatic environments are provided in Table 6-1.

6. Desktop results




Table 6-1 Listed threatened aquatic species potentially occurring within Project area

Species Database Search Results

scientific name Common name MNES EVNT BoT

Fauna

Cherax cartalacoolah waterhole yabbie - - High

Cherax quadricarinatus redclaw crayfish - - -

Crocodylus johnsonii freshwater crocodile Ma - -

Crocodylus porosus estuarine crocodile Mi, Ma V -

Glyphis glyphis speartooth shark CE - High

Hypochrysops apollo apollo apollo jewel - - High

Pristis clavata dwarf sawfish V - High

Pristis microdon freshwater sawfish V - High

Pristis pristis largetooth/freshwater sawfish V - -

Pristis zijsron green sawfish V - High

Birds – Listed Migratory Marine

Actitus hypoleucos common sandpiper Mi, Ma SLC -

Apus pacificus fork-tailed swift Mi, Ma SLC -

Fregata ariel lesser frigatebird Mi, Ma SLC -

Hydroprogne caspia caspian tern Mi, Ma SLC -

Sterna albifrons little tern Mi, Ma SLC High

Merops ornatus rainbow bee-eater Mi, Ma SLC -

Monarcha melanopsis black-faced monarch Mi, Ma SLC -

Monarcha trivirgatus spectacled monarch Mi, Ma SLC -

Myiagra cyanoleuca satin flycatcher Mi, Ma SLC -

Numenius phaeopus whimbrel Mi, Ma SLC -

Tringa nebularia common greenshank Mi, Ma SLC -

Hirundo rustica barn swallow Mi, Ma SLC -

Birds – Listed Migratory / Wetland

Ardea alba great egret Mi, Ma SLC -

Ardea ibis cattle egret Mi, Ma SLC -

Ardea modesta eastern great egret Mi, Ma SLC -

Gallinago hardwickii Latham’s snipe Mi, Ma SLC -

Birds – Listed Marine

Anseranas semipalmata magpie goose Ma - -

Egretta sacra eastern reef egret Ma - -

Esacus magnirostris beach stone-curlew Ma V High

Haliaeetus leucogaster white-bellied sea-eagle Ma - -

Numenius madagascariensis eastern curlew Mi, Ma, CE

V -

Pandion cristatus eastern osprey Mi, Ma SLC -

Tadorna radjah Radjah shelduck Ma - -




Species Database Search Results

scientific name Common name MNES EVNT BoT

Thalasseus bengalensis lesser crested tern Ma SLC -

Flora

Lycopodiella limosa - - NT -

Key:

EPBC Act CE = Critically endangered; E = Endangered; V = Vulnerable; NT = Near Threatened; Mi = Migratory; Ma =

Marine (also relates to birds that may spend part of their time in a marine environment);

NC Act E = Endangered; V = Vulnerable; NT = Near-threatened; SLC = Special least concern

Back-on-track Critical = Critical; High = High.

The largetooth or freshwater sawfish (Pristis pristis) may be present in the broader Skardon River aquatic

environment; however, there is insufficient freshwater habitat across, or adjacent, to the Project area to

support juveniles (i.e. 0 to 4 years) of the species (Peverell, 2005).

The estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is listed as vulnerable under the NC Act and has been

recorded in the Skardon River Project area. The species was observed during wet season ecology surveys

for the Skardon River Project including Namaleta Creek, former kaolin mine dams and in Skardon River

(RPS, 2015). Suitable habitat for the species is present throughout the estuarine and marine habitats within

and adjacent to the Project area, and also within the ephemeral freshwater streams and swamps within and

adjacent to the Project area. The Skardon River is a known breeding area for estuarine crocodile (DPI,

2002). The freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnsonii) is unlikely to occur in the Project area as the closest

record is 100km south from the Project dated 1981. Marine species are analysed in further detail as part of

the marine assessment report being prepared by PaCE.

The only true freshwater species listed in the BoT was waterhole yabby (Cherax cartalacoolah). The

waterhole yabbie has been recorded on the east coast of Cape York; however, is unlikely to be present

within the Project area due to lack of suitable year-long habitat.

One flora species, Lycopodiella limosa, listed as near threatened under the NC Act, has previously been

recorded 50 km to the east of the Project (Worley Parsons, 2011a). However, it has not been recorded within

the Project area as a result of surveys for Bauxite Hills or Skardon River projects. Habitat for Lycopodiella

limosa includes wetlands and swamps on soft organic mud /organic sands substrate. Lycopodiella limosa

was considered to have a moderate likelihood of occurrence. There is suitable habitat for this species within

wetland areas adjacent to the Project.

Two species of aquatic macrophytes (plants) were listed in the BoT (although not of critical or high

conservation importance); Aponogeton cuneatus and Aponogeton queenslandicus. Aponogeton cuneatus is

found in permanent creeks and rivers, often in shaded areas (Jacobs et al., 2006), and as such is not

considered likely to occur on or adjacent to the Project area. Aponogeton queenslandicus grows in

temporary freshwater bodies but is unlikely to be present as all known records occur further south than the

Project area (Stephens and Dowling, 2002).

The Aquatic Conservation Assessment (DEHP 2012b) for the riverine and non-riverine wetlands of the Cape

York catchments identified 26 freshwater fish and two freshwater crustaceans as priority species. The

majority of these species are not found in close proximity to the Project area, or would be unlikely to persist

in the aquatic habitat available therein. There may, however, be suitable habitat within the Project area for

redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus), which is listed as a priority species in Cape York catchments due

to declining abundance related to fishing pressure.




The diversity of aquatic ecosystems and dependent flora and fauna species within the Project area is heavily

influenced by the regions climatic conditions. Extended dry periods followed by monsoonal rains and flash

flooding limits the availability of aquatic freshwater habitats, therefore restricting species diversity and

abundance. While from a regional perspective, the permanent estuarine water bodies of the Skardon River

catchment, and the Skardon-Cotterell wetland aggregation, offer significant diverse habitat, the Project area

is largely devoid of permanent standing water. Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) of the Project are

shown in Attachment 2.

7.1 Environmental context

The vegetation of the Project area is a complex mosaic of open forest, woodland, and extensive

swamplands, gallery forests on perennial streams and rivers, closed forest and mangroves. The lateritic

surface (i.e. laterites are soil types rich in iron and aluminium, formed in hot and wet tropical areas) of the

Weipa Plateau is characterized by Eucalypt and Corymbia woodlands with the deep aluminous laterites of

the Weipa area supporting the best development of Darwin stringybark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta), Melville

Island bloodwood (Corymbia nesophila) and Cooktown ironwood (Erythrophloeum chlorostachys) dominant

tall woodland and open forest on Cape York Peninsula. Areas of shallow silty soils with impeded drainage

characteristics are scattered across the lateritic surface, supporting low woodland communities with

dominant Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Melaleuca species. Shallow drainage depressions provide a seasonal

wetland habitat and are dominated by woodlands and open forests with characteristic Melaleuca,

Lophostemon, Xanthostemon and Asteromyrtus. These swamp forests display a complex variety of

vegetation communities on their margins, compositionally zoned in response to local variations in the

persistence of water through the dry season.

The coastal environment of the Mapoon Plain adjoins the study area to the east. The plain features an

extensive system of coastal sand dunes, and a complex of grasslands and herblands, Casuarina dominated

woodlands and shrublands, vine thickets, Melaleuca open forests and woodlands and Corymbia woodlands.

Poorly drained swales provide seasonal wetland habitats dominated by Melaleuca species, and mangrove

communities occurring along estuarine areas associated with the Skardon River and Nameleta Creek.

7.2 Habitat assessments

The survey site characteristics are provided in Section 4.4, Table 4-6.

7.2.1 Physical habitat

The key physical habitat features of each survey site are summarised in Table 7-1.

The wetted aquatic habitat that was present at sites AQ01 and AQ02 during the late dry season represented

only a small fraction of the wetted area and reach habitat present during the early wet season surveys.

Despite these sites having water present during both survey periods they are not considered permanent

aquatic habitats. This is due to the fact that during some dry seasons they would dry out completely, and on

occasions when they do not they are isolated (i.e. not connected to other watercourses of the Skardon River)

and typically stagnant. The substrates at sites AQ01 and AQ02 were dominated by silt/clay with smaller

amounts of sand.

Site AQ03 was largely devoid of water during the dry season but for a single senescing pool. The site was

flowing strongly during the wet season surveys. Similar substrate composition to that of sites AQ01 and

AQ02 was recorded at site AQ03, although there was a contribution of approximately 10% of bauxite cobbles

on the surface.

The riparian vegetation at all sites was dominated by Melaleuca over storey with predominantly grass

understorey. There was proportionally more bare ground at site AQ03 than the other sites. The woody debris

was largely dominated by detritus although there were logs and branches at all sites that would provide

some structural woody habitat during the wet season.

7. Aquatic ecological values




Table 7-1 Key habitat characteristics at aquatic survey sites

^All values are presented as percentages (%). Sum of some categories may exceed 100 where habitat layers

overlap; *For swamp sites at AQ01 and AQ02, the reach habitat is considered extent wetland habitat during the wet

season.

7.2.2 Water quality

During late dry season surveys the water in the remnant pool at AQ01 was slightly acidic (pH 6.21) with a

relatively low conductivity (291 µS/cm). The water was highly turbid with a relatively low dissolved oxygen

content (10.1%), which could be attributed to the watering of wild cattle and feral pigs. Similar conditions

were observed at AQ02 but a sample was not collected due to safety concerns related to the potential

presence of estuarine crocodiles. There was no water present to sample at AQ03 during the dry season.

At all sites, water quality recordings from wet season surveys were characterised by acidic water with low

conductivity and low turbidity (Table 7-2). At the time of surveys there had not been any significant overland

flows and consequently the observed low turbidity was likely due to the undisturbed nature of the

surrounding landscape. The acidity is likely to due to tannic and humic acids in the recently inundated

vegetative matter. The low conductivity relative to that observed during the dry season would be related to

increased contribution of freshwater inundation (through rainfall events) entering the system relative to

evaporation rates. The higher dissolved oxygen concentration at AQ03 is likely due to mixing in the water

column from inflows. Inflows are not as pronounced at the wetland sites, AQ01 and AQ02.

Aquatic habitat^ Site – Dry Season Site – Wet Season

AQ01 AQ02 AQ03 AQ01 AQ02 AQ03

Reach habitat* Dry 99 99 100 20 20 0

Pool (sandy) 1 1 0 80 80 30

Pool (rocky) 0 0 0 0 0 0

Run 0 0 0 0 0 60

Riffle 0 0 0 0 0 10

Substrate Silt/clay 95 95 80

As per dry season

Sand 5 5 10

Gravel 0 0 0

Pebble 0 0 0

Cobble 0 0 10

Boulder 0 0 0

Bedrock 0 0 0

Riparian habitat Bare ground 5 5 20

Grass 70 70 60

Shrubs 10 10 5

Trees <10 m 15 20 30

Trees >10 m 35 30 30

Woody debris Logs 5 5 15

Branches 10 10 5

Sticks 15 15 10

Detritus 70 70 70




Table 7-2 In-situ water quality, wet season surveys

Parameter Unit Site

AQ01 (Dry) AQ01 (Wet) AQ02 (Wet)

AQ03 (Wet)

Water temperature °C - 28.78 28.85 29.04

pH pH units 6.21 5.24 4.58 4.34

Electrical conductivity µs/cm 291 50 37 24

Dissolved oxygen % saturation 10.1 53.6 46.8 76.8

Turbidity Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU)

- 4 5 5

7.2.3 Aquatic flora

Melaleuca forest was the dominant vegetation at all sites. At the time of the late dry season surveys only two

aquatic/semi aquatic plant species were recorded in the understory of AQ01 and AQ02; native couch

(Paspalum sp.) and water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis). Neither of these species are of conservation

significance. During the wet season surveys native couch had developed large beds at AQ01, but the water

chestnut had been flooded and was yet to re-establish in the recently inundated conditions.

No aquatic/semi-aquatic macrophytes were recorded at site AQ03 during the dry season. In the wet season,

several specimens of the small water ribbons (Triglochin dubia) had emerged from the stream substrate.

The aquatic plant diversity is likely to be higher in the late wet season once species (e.g. Paspalum spp.,

Eleocharis dulcis) re-colonise. Aquatic plants in this region utilise a range of strategies to deal with surviving

the dry season in northern Australia including:

Below-ground storage organs such as rhizomes (as in many grasses) or tubers (as in waterlilies)

Dormant seeds which germinate after the onset of the wet season

Seed and fragment dispersal by animals.

7.2.4 Aquatic macroinvertebrates

During the late dry season surveys, aquatic ecological communities were restricted due to limited presence

of standing water. At AQ01 visual observations identified the presence of adult boatmen (family

Notonectidae) and predaceous diving beetles (family Dytiscidae). Both these macroinvertebrate groups are

tolerant of highly disturbed aquatic ecosystems (Chessman, 2003). Five consecutive cast net (fine) throws

failed to capture any larger macroinvertebrates.

Despite appearing to be shallow the remnant pool at site AQ02 was not considered suitable to sample by

entering the water due to the potential presence of estuarine crocodiles. Visual observations failed to detect

any aquatic macroinvertebrate, fish or turtle activity. Two species of adult dragonflies (Neurothemis

stigmatizans and Nannodiplax rubra) from the family Libellulidae were observed at the site.

While there was no standing water at site AQ03, visual observations at the site revealed burrows in banks

that may have been created by yabbies’ (Cherax spp.) or freshwater crab (Austrothelpusa spp.). It is likely

that any yabbies’ or freshwater crabs at the site would have been buried deep in the stream substrate at the

time of the late dry season surveys. During the wet season surveys, 24 families/taxa of macroinvertebrates,

and three families/taxa of microcrustacean were recorded either within, or immediately adjacent to the

project area (Table 7-3). Table 7-3 also contains combined survey results from the Skardon River Project

Freshwater Ecological and Wetland Assessment (RPS, 2015).

The highest diversity and abundance of aquatic fauna was recorded at AQ02, suggesting that of the sites

surveyed, it may have been inundated the longest. A total of 74 macroinvertebrate individuals were recorded

from 16 family/taxa groups. In addition, two family/taxa of microcrustaceans (cladocera and copepod) were

recorded.




The second highest diversity and abundance of aquatic fauna was recorded at the other wetland site, AQ01.

Here, 40 macroinvertebrate individuals from 10 different family/taxa groups were identified. Three family/taxa

of microcrustaceans (cladocera, copepod and ostracoda) were also recorded at AQ01.

The lowest diversity was recorded at the stream site, AQ03, where 28 individuals were recorded from six

macroinvertebrate family/taxa. This suggests that this site had only recently been inundated, meaning that

colonisation was later than at the other aquatic sites.

The macroinvertebrate communities recorded in wet season surveys are considered typical of those found in

ephemeral systems across Cape York following recent inundation. Re-colonisation by species will have

occurred through four main mechanisms:

Drought resistant eggs

Parasitism

Aerial colonisation

Aestivation.

Fertilised eggs of the three taxonomic groups of microcrustaceans (cladocera, copepoda and ostracoda) are

capable or persisting in dry substrate conditions for extended periods of time, continuing development only

after being inundated by water for extended periods. Nemotodes and water mites are capable of dispersing

rapidly and widely by parasitism of a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial fauna hosts. Several

macroinvertebrate groups are also able to persist in dry environments by burying into the substrate, some

such as crabs and crayfish are able to aestivate (reduce metabolism until a state of torpor is induced).

Groups recorded at the project site that aestivate include segmented worms, springtails, crabs and crayfish.

Many terrestrial insects have terrestrial, typically aerial, adult stages and an aquatic larval stage. Adults of

these species are quick to lay eggs in newly formed aquatic habitat. This would include families of beetles,

true flies, true bugs, damselflies, dragonflies, and caddis flies.

Following an extended period of inundation of the ephemeral streams and swamps, the number of colonising

species is likely to increase through aerial colonisation. Due to the seasonal nature of the watercourses the

family composition of aquatic invertebrate fauna across northern Australia is relatively uniform at the river

basin scale (Cook et al., 2010).

Many of the macroinvertebrates recorded during the surveys are likely to be widespread across the region

and tolerant of a range of water quality conditions. However, two genus of malacostraca in western Cape

York are currently poorly understood and therefore may be susceptible to significant changes in the

environments around them.

These are crayfish (Cherax spp.) and the crabs (Austrothelphusa spp.). The Cherax spp. in western Cape

York (family Parastacidae) are morphologically similar to the orange-fingered yabby (Cherax depressus), but

are thought to represent a different species complex (Robert McCormack pers. comm.). Genetic and

morphological studies are currently in progress to clarify the taxonomic status and geographical ranges. A

single crayfish specimen (Cherax spp.) was recorded at site AQ02.

It should be noted that Austrothelphusa spp. (family Parathelphusidae) from Cape York are largely

undescribed.

Table 7-3 Aquatic fauna recorded during the surveys

Major taxa Family/ taxa group AQ01 AQ02 AQ03 Skardon River

Macrocrustaceans

Cladocera P P P P (1 site)

Copepoda P P

Ostracoda P P (5 sites)

Nematoda (roundworms) Nematoda 1 P (1 site)

Nematomorpha (horsehair worms) Gordiidae P (1 site)

Oligochaeta (segmented worms) Oligochaeta 1 P (3 sites)




Major taxa Family/ taxa group AQ01 AQ02 AQ03 Skardon River

Acarina (water mites) Acarina 5 P (4 sites)

Collembola (springtails) Collembola 1

Coleoptera (beetles)

Curculionidae 2 P (1 site)

Dytiscidae 1 8 P (10 sites)

Haliplidae 3 P (1 site)

Hydrochidae 1 P (1 site)

Hydrophilidae 2 18 P (8 sites)

Hygrobiidae P (1 site)

Scirtidae 1 2 P (1 site)

Diptera (true flies) Chironomidae 1 P (5 sites)

Tanypodinae P (4 sites)

Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Caenidae P (1 site)

Hemiptera (true bugs)

Belostomatidae 1 5

Corixidae 1 P (1 site)

Mesoveliidae 1

Naucoridae 6 P (5 sites)

Nepidae 2 P (5 sites)

Notonectidae 2

Zygoptera (damselflies)

Coenagrionidae P (1 site)

Isostictidae 2 P (4 sites)

Lestidae 23 17 P (5 sites)

Platycnemididae P (1 site)

Anisoptera (dragonflies)

Aeshnidae 1 5 P (1 site)

Corduliidae P (1 site)

Libellulidae 2 12 P (9 sites)

Trichoptera (caddis flies) Hydroptilidae P (1 site)

Leptoceridae 7 P (7 sites)

Malacostraca (crabs, crayfish)

Parathelphusidae 5 2 P (1 site)

Parastacidae 1

Total abundance 40 74 28 N/A

No. of families 14 17 7 29

P = Present

Aquatic fauna records in red were only recorded during surveys for the Skardon River Project.

7.3 Aquatic vertebrates

There was little suitable habitat for aquatic vertebrates at AQ01 and AQ02, and no standing water at site

AQ03 during the dry season surveys. At AQ01 five throws of a cast net did not capture any fish or larger

macroinvertebrate specimens, and no fish or turtles were observed. Similarly no fish or turtles were observed

at site AQ02. While there was no standing water at AQ03, anecdotal evidence suggests that senescing pools

were present as recently as a month prior to the surveys, and that they contained fish at that time (Graeme

Sullivan pers.comm).




No vertebrate species were recorded in cathedral traps, box nets, active dip netting or by visual observations

at AQ01 or AQ02 in the wet season surveys. Neither were any fish or turtles collected in the cathedral traps

at site AQ03.

Box traps captured eight specimens of empire gudgeon (Hypseleotris compressa), with a further six

specimens observed in the water column. A school of 12 checkered rainbowfish (Melanotaenia splendida

subsp. inornata) were observed in one pool with a fine mesh cast net used to capture two individuals and

verify the species identification.

The following fish species were observed as part of surveys for the Skardon River Project Freshwater

Ecological and Wetland Assessment (RPS, 2015):

Ambassis agrammus (sailfin glassfish) (2 sites)

Glossamia aprion (mouth almighty) (1 site)

Lates calcarifer (barramundi) (1 site)

Melanotaenia splendida (eastern rainbowfish) (2 sites); and

Melanotaenia trifasciata (banded rainbow) (2 sites).

7.4 Species of scientific significance

Freshwater crabs from the genus Austrothelphusa spp. (Parathelphusidae) contain many undescribed

species (Peter Davie, pers. comm), several of which are recorded only from Cape York Peninsula. Several

specimens of a small Austrothelphusa sp. were recorded at sites AQ01 and AQ03 (Photo 7-1 a), with

another specimen collected in a non-targeted assessment downstream from AQ03 (Photo 7-1 b). Adults of

the species did not appear to exceed a carapace width of about 2 cm and the coloration appears to be

comparable with a species that has recently been described south of Weipa in similar habitat. The species is

currently being described by the Queensland Museum and was identified during surveys for the South of

Embley Project (Rio Tinto Alcan, 2011), found in the Winda Winda Creek catchment (from three separate

sites). This species appears to be closely associated with bauxite deposits, suggesting that it may be

excluded from other types of aquatic habitats due to specific water chemistry requirements (Ross Smith pers.

comm). A voucher specimen was provided to the Queensland Museum, with its identification yet to be

confirmed.

Photo 7-1 Freshwater crab (Austrothelphusa spp.), a) Juvenile from AQ01 and, b) adult from AQ03

7.5 Nationally significant wetlands

While no nationally significant wetlands exist within the mining footprint, the Skardon River-Cotterell River

Aggregation under the DIWA will have minor impacts from proposed infrastructure including haul roads and

the MIA and barge loading facility (Figure 5-2). The only other nationally significant wetland is the Port

Musgrave aggregation which sits well to the south of the Project area.




7.5.1 Skardon River – Cotterell River aggregation

The Skardon River – Cotterell River Aggregation consists of the estuaries and wetlands of five small rivers

within the Skardon River catchment. The MLAs of the Project adjoin the Skardon River. The inclusion of this

aggregation as a nationally important wetland is based on it being:

A good example of a wetland type occurring within a biogeographic region in Australia

A wetland which plays an important ecological or hydrological role in the natural functioning of a major

wetland system/complex

A wetland that is important as a habitat for animal taxa at a vulnerable stage in their life cycles, or

provides a refuge when adverse conditions such as drought prevail; and

A wetland that supports a diversity of native flora and fauna or communities which are considered

endangered or vulnerable at a national level.

This wetland aggregation is noted as an important estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) breeding area in

Queensland.

7.5.2 Port Musgrave aggregation

The Port Musgrave aggregation consists of the enclosed bay, estuaries and wetlands of the Wenlock and

Ducie Rivers, and contains one of the largest known breeding populations of estuarine crocodiles

(Crocodylus porosus) in Queensland. The Port Musgrave aggregation lies to the south of the Project area.

The inclusion of this aggregation as a nationally important wetland is based on it:

Supporting a diversity of native flora and fauna or communities which are considered endangered or

vulnerable at a national level

Being important as a habitat for animal taxa at a vulnerable stage in their life cycles, or provides a refuge

when adverse conditions such as drought prevail; and

Being a good example of a wetland type occurring within a biogeographic region in Australia.

7.5.3 High Ecological Significant Wetlands

Big Footprint Swamp, is a large alluvial swamp system mapped as a wetland of HES. It comprises a broad

drainage depression located outside the margin of MLA 20689, to the west of the BH6 mining footprint

(Figure 5-3). This is a palustrine (forested) wetland which is inundated to 1 to 3 metre (m) depth during the

wet season, and becomes ephemeral in the late dry season. The lowest depression of the wetland

comprises a significant area of grassland and sedgeland of Paspalum vaginatum (freshwater couch) and

Eleocharis spp. (water chestnut) surrounded by woodland and open forests dominated by Melaleuca spp.

(paperbark) and Lophostemon suaveolens (swamp box). The grassland / sedgeland provides seasonal

habitat to a range of water birds. Flocks of Anseranas semipalmata (magpie geese) are known to feed on

water chestnut bulbs throughout the dry season, and species such as Grus rubicunda (brolga) and Jabiru

mycteria (jabiru) are also likely to frequent this wetland. As with the majority of wetlands in the broader

Project area, the swamp provides suitable habitat for Crocodylus porosus (saltwater / estuarine crocodile)

and some migratory bird species.

The outer margins of the wetland system are less regularly inundated and support excellent examples of

open swamp forest habitat. Groundcover vegetation was sparse with occasional clumps of sedges

(Cyperaceae) with dry season cover of a range of annual and perennial grasses and herbs. Leaf litter formed

the predominant ground cover. Structural woody ground habitat was present throughout, although greater in

denser patches of swamp box. Hollows were sparse to occasional within larger trees and decorticating barks

were a feature of the dominant paperbarks and swamp box of the tree and shrub layers. These species also

provide abundant nectar resources during flowering for bird and possibly bat species. The presence of water

generally remains to the end of the dry season within the lowest part of the wetland (as shown in Photo 7-2

and Photo 7-3). Wetlands around the fringes of MLA 20676 were observed to have similar habitat

characteristics.

Although wetlands provided important late season resources for native fauna, many in the broader Project

area have been decimated by foraging of feral pigs and grazing of small herds of feral cattle. Observations

made at Big Footprint Swamp indicated that the margins were impacted by recent late season fires.




Large hollow bearing swamp box and paperbarks were particularly affected by fire incursion, therefore

reducing hollow availability of old growth trees.

The estuarine wetlands associated with the Skardon River, are also mapped as HES. HES and General

Ecological Significance (GES) wetlands in proximity to the Project are illustrated in Figure 5-3.

Photo 7-2 Big Footprint Swamp - remnant pool in dry

season

Photo 7-3 Big Footprint Swamp - grassland in

lowest depression




The Project comprises a number of components and operational activities, including open cut mining areas

and development of associated infrastructure such as MIA and haul roads as described in Table 8-1 and

illustrated in Figure 2-1. Each of these components and activities has the potential to have direct and indirect

impacts on aquatic ecosystems in the Project area.

A summary of the key Project components and associated impacts during construction, operation and

decommissioning are provided in Table 8-1.

Direct impacts are associated with a loss from clearing. Indirect impacts as defined by the Matters of

National Environmental Significance, Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 (DEWHA, 2013) are:

‘Downstream’ or ‘downwind’ impacts, such as those on wetlands or ocean reefs from sediment, fertilisers

or chemicals which are washed or discharged into river systems

‘Upstream’ impacts such as those associated with the extraction of raw materials and other inputs which

are used to undertake the action; and

‘Facilitated impacts’ which result from further actions (including actions by third parties) which are made

possible or facilitated by the action. For example, the construction of a dam for irrigation water facilitates

the use of that water by irrigators with associated impacts. Likewise, the construction of basic

infrastructure in a previously undeveloped area may, in certain circumstances, facilitate the urban or

commercial development of that area.

The following sections discuss the potential for impacts to aquatic biodiversity values and proposed

avoidance, mitigation and management measures that will be taken to reduce these impacts.

Table 8-1 Key project components and associated potential impacts

Project component Potential impacts to aquatic ecosystems during construction and decommissioning

Potential impacts to aquatic ecosystems during operation

Mine areas

Land clearance that may result in subsequent sediment and contaminant runoff into aquatic ecosystems

Impacts on surface water

Impacts on groundwater

Increased dust and reduced water quality

Introduction and spread of weeds

Increase in feral animals

Lighting

Noise

Land clearance that may result in subsequent sediment and contaminant runoff into aquatic ecosystems






Impacts to hydrology of palustrine wetlands

Lighting

Noise

Infrastructure areas – accommodation camp, MIA, haul roads, barge loading area

Land clearance and loss of wetlands and riparian vegetation

Habitat fragmentation





Land clearance and loss of wetlands and riparian vegetation






Impacts to fish passage from haul roads

8. Potential impacts and impact mitigation




Project component Potential impacts to aquatic ecosystems during construction and decommissioning

Potential impacts to aquatic ecosystems during operation


Impacts to fish passage and fish habitat from construction of creek crossings and barge loading areas

Lighting

Noise

Lighting

Noise

8.1 Direct and indirect impacts

8.1.1 Land Clearing and Habitat Loss

The mining footprints of BH1 and BH6 do not overlap aquatic habitats of the Project area. The two

designated haul roads, barge loading area and logistics barge facility do overlap aquatic habitats associated

with the Skardon River and estuarine wetlands (Figure 5-3). The total impact to HES wetlands is 19.20ha,

and 20.71ha of impact to marine plants (consisting of RE3.1.1, 3.1.1a/3.1.3 and RE3.1.6).

The MLA boundary of 20689 was reduced during the design phase to offer additional protection to Big

Footprint Swamp, a large alluvial swamp system comprising a broad drainage depression to the west of the

BH6 mining footprint. Reducing the extent of the MLA boundary ensures the buffer between this habitat and

the mine footprint will be maintained, with a commitment that the buffer will be maintained to at least 200 m.

Land clearing is required and the total area of remnant vegetation to be cleared for the Project is 1,467 ha.

The areas required for clearing by RE and infrastructure type are summarised in Table 8-2. Land clearing

will only occur in the dry season. Clearing will be timed to ensure the ground is not too wet, but there is still

some soil moisture remaining. Otherwise there are issues with the soil getting too hard in the late dry

season, and a greater volume of vegetative material (roots and stems / trunks) left in the cleared soil. This

has a negative impact on rehabilitation activities and their effectiveness. By clearing in the dry season this

will also reduce impacts to watercourses, wetlands and fish passage as these systems are predominantly

dry.

Vegetation clearing will be staged over the life of the Project. In year 1 clearing will be for infrastructure areas

(including MIA, haul roads, accommodation camp), the year 1 pit area, plus a small area for year 2. In year 2

Metro Mining will clear the remaining year 2 area plus a small area for year 3 etc. This method will then

continue for the life of the mine.

Table 8-2 Approximate area of vegetation clearing by representative REs due to Project activities

Project component RE VM / BD Status

Area (ha)

BH1 – Pit Extraction Area 3.5.2 LC / NoC 664.39

BH6 East – Pit Extraction Area 3.3.14 LC / NoC 7.90

3.5.2 LC / NoC 284.30

BH6 West – Pit Extraction Area 3.5.2 LC / NoC 394.65

Mine Infrastructure Area 3.5.2 LC / NoC 6.05

Camp Accommodation 3.5.2 LC / NoC 11.41

Camp Access Roads 3.3.14 LC / NoC 0.62

3.5.2 LC / NoC 0.74

Barge Loading Area 3.1.1a/3.1.3 LC / NoC 0.25

3.5.2 LC / NoC 0.03

Logistic Barge Facility 3.1.1a/3.1.3 LC / NoC 0.15




Project component RE VM / BD Status

Area (ha)

3.5.2 LC / NoC 0.04

Northern Haul Road 3.1.1 LC / NoC 7.89

3.1.1a/3.1.3 LC / NoC 2.83

3.5.2 LC / NoC 36.43

Southern Haul Road

3.1.1 LC / NoC 1.85

3.1.1a/3.1.3 LC / NoC 7.49

3.1.6 LC / NoC 0.25

3.3.12 OC / OC 0.60

3.3.22 LC / NoC 0.43

3.3.49b/3.3.9 LC / NoC 7.22

3.5.2 LC / NoC 20.43

Internal Haul Roads 3.5.2 LC / NoC 10.99

Total clearing per RE

3.1.1 LC / NoC 9.74

3.1.1a/3.1.3 LC / NoC 10.72

3.1.6 LC / NoC 0.25

3.3.12 OC / OC 0.60

3.3.14 LC / NoC 8.52

3.3.22 LC / NoC 0.43

3.3.49b/3.3.9 LC / NoC 7.22

3.5.2 LC / NoC 1429.46

Combined RE Clearing Area 1466.94 ha

LC – Least Concern, NoC – No Concern, OC – Of Concern

The effects of land clearing may include:

Loss of vegetation communities including an Of Concern (OC) RE 3.3.12 and mangrove communities

Loss of estuarine wetlands and riparian vegetation

Potential for impacts to the hydrology of Big Footprint Swamp

Loss of aquatic fauna and flora species habitats

Reduced breeding areas (e.g. through the loss of hollows)

Reduction in connectivity between habitats for species dependent on aquatic ecosystems;

Impacts on surface water and groundwater



Increase in feral animals that may then impact on wetlands such as feral pigs

Impacts to fish passage and fish habitat from construction of creek crossings and barge loading areas;

and

Erosion and sediment runoff into adjacent wetlands and creeks and a reduction in water quality.




Mitigation measures to be implemented to reduce the impacts of vegetation clearance and habitat loss

include:

As an overriding principle, vegetation clearing will be limited each year to the minimum that is required

for the following year’s operations

Vegetation clearing will be conducted in the dry season (likely May to August) which is when the upper

tributaries of Skardon River and Big Footprint Swamp are dry

Prior to clearing an ecology and Indigenous cultural heritage pre-clearance survey will be undertaken.

The purpose will be to:

■ Identify and mark any hollow bearing trees, nests or other fauna breeding places

■ Identify any available seed which can be collected where possible for future rehabilitation

■ Identify any listed flora or fauna species that may not have been recorded previously; and

■ Identify any cultural heritage items in accordance with the native title and landowner agreements.

Results of these surveys will then inform additional measures that need to be taken either prior to, or

during clearing

A small number of large, hollow-bearing trees will be selectively felled ahead of general clearing and will

be relocated (e.g. cemented in place) within the rehabilitation areas to provide immediate breeding and

nesting locations for some species, and act as ‘tall points’ for bird perching within the otherwise cleared

areas, whilst rehabilitation is establishing

Use of some fallen logs, rocks will be put into adjacent habitats to retain fauna micro-habitats

Clear delineation of areas of native vegetation requiring removal to equipment operators and supervisors

before any clearance to ensure disturbance is minimised

During clearing fauna spotter catchers will be present. Their role is to identify any fauna or fauna

breeding places, relocate fauna where possible, and ensure measures are taken to minimise impacts on

fauna and their breeding places during clearing

Speed restriction will be imposed on the haul roads for safety reasons, which will also contribute to

limiting fauna road mortality

Preparation of a site rehabilitation management plan which incorporates rehabilitation monitoring and

trials. Use of local native species for rehabilitation; and

Monitoring of rehabilitation success to be conducted at locations representative of the range of

conditions on the rehabilitating areas. Reviews will be conducted of monitoring data to assess trends and

monitoring program effectiveness.

8.1.2 Impacts on surface water

Potential impacts to surface waters arising from the Project with the potential to impact aquatic values

include water quality and alteration of surface water inflows to the swamps and wetlands associated with the

Skardon River.

During mining, the drainage channels supplying water to the Skardon River and associated swamps and

wetlands would be disrupted, potentially altering flows to these watercourses. Modelling should be

undertaken to determine surface water flows of the Project area so that suitable management and mitigation

measures could be proposed.

Surface water flows from areas associated with the Project may carry pollutants including, sediments,

hydrocarbons and other chemicals. These would negatively impact water quality of aquatic environs, and

lead to significant impacts of aquatic values. Similarly any contamination of groundwater due to project

activities may impact surface waters through groundwater baseflows to these environments.

Management of potential impacts to water quality within aquatic environs may include:

Preparation of a site erosion and sediment management plans for construction and operation which

incorporates rehabilitation monitoring and trials




Implementing suitable spill containment around hydrocarbon, chemicals and other harmful substance

stores; and

Implementing a site-specific water quality monitoring program.

8.1.3 Impacts to groundwater

Groundwater resources are present within the Project area and have been assessed in CDM Smith’s

Groundwater Technical Report (CDM Smith, 2015). An assessment of the groundwater resources in the

Project area has been completed and potential impacts to groundwater discussed. One potential area of

impact is due to vegetation clearing and lowering of the ground surface during mining as this has the

potential to increase recharge rates.

Numerical groundwater modelling for the Project predicts that groundwater discharge rates to Big Footprint

Swamp will have a minor net increase during and post mining activities. Using baseline information gathered

for Big Footprint Swamp the groundwater modelling predicts that with, and without, the Bauxite Hills Mine,

pool level fluctuations between wet and dry seasons would be very similar. With mining a maximum

increase in pool level of 0.35 metres above the pre-disturbance baseline may occur, although the maximum

predicted increase in the peak pool level, at the height of the wet season, would be 0.15 metres.

The quality of recharge water is expected to remain unaffected and the relatively small additional volumes of

groundwater predicted to be discharged to the Skardon River are not expected to adversely affect aquatic or

riparian ecosystem function. Further information is provided in Section 8.2 regarding Big Footprint Swamp

and potential impacts from hydrology changes.

8.1.4 Erosion and sediment runoff

Land clearing would occur during the construction and operation phases of the Project as a result of clearing

of mining areas, and construction of ancillary infrastructure (e.g. haul roads, logistic barge facility). Clearing

of remnant vegetation would be required across the mining footprint. The effects of land clearing relevant to

the aquatic ecological values of the Project area may include:

Increased erosion of soils and runoff to adjacent environs

Loss of land stabilisation and riparian filtration functions; and

Loss of habitat, loss of connectivity between habitat areas and associated diminished fauna movement.

Clearing of vegetation would occur in stages as mining progresses. General mitigation measures to be

implemented to reduce the impacts of vegetation clearance and habitat loss on aquatic values include:

Minimise clearing of riparian vegetation for infrastructure by reducing footprint where possible

Maintain buffers to riparian vegetation of at least 50 metres where possible

Preparation of a site erosion and sediment management plan which incorporates rehabilitation

monitoring and trials; and

Monitoring of rehabilitation success to be conducted at locations representative of the range of

conditions on the rehabilitating areas. Reviews will be conducted of monitoring data to assess trends and

monitor program effectiveness.

8.1.5 Dust

Dust generation has the potential to enter aquatic habitats, impacting water quality, and reducing

photosynthesis of aquatic plants and riparian vegetation. Project activities likely to generate dust include

mining, waste rock stockpiling, vehicle movements, stockpiling (e.g. topsoil, spoil, product bauxite), and

bauxite transport (e.g. haul trucks, etc.).

Construction and operation activities will use appropriate dust suppression techniques, which will aid in

limiting impacts of dust on vegetation and fauna. Reducing vehicle speed and wetting the haul roads in the

dry season will minimise dust from haul roads. Sprays of stockpiles and conveyors will also be used to

minimise dust. A project specific dust management plan should be developed to mitigate and manage

impacts from dust.




8.1.6 Loss of riparian vegetation

Based on the current mine plan, clearing of riparian vegetation is expected to be required to accommodate

some Project infrastructure, including haul roads and barge facilities. A total loss of 0.81 ha of watercourse

vegetation has been identified based on the current proposed location for infrastructure. Watercourse

vegetation was determined by applying the buffer zones to each mapped stream specified in the Queensland

Environmental Offsets Policy (2014) being:

25 m for stream order 1 or 2 watercourses

50 m for stream order 3 or 4 watercourses

100 m for stream order 5 or greater watercourses.

Other associated impacts may be a reduction in water quality due to reduced riparian vegetation, loss of

fauna habitat and reduced connectivity. Impacts to riparian vegetation has been limited through retaining

buffers between the mine pit footprints and riparian areas; however in some instances it was not possible to

avoid clearing due to linear infrastructure such as haul roads.

Avoidance and mitigation measures for riparian vegetation and associated aquatic values are:

Minimising vegetation clearance along drainage features in order to maintain bank stability, habitat

connectivity and movement corridors for terrestrial fauna species and a habitat refuge for fauna seeking

shelter and water

Considering the potential to move the location of haul roads outside of watercourse vegetation if

negotiations with other tenement holders is successful

Minimise the width of clearing required for haul roads and ensure culverts are installed to maintain flow

and fish passage

Having appropriate sediment and erosion control measures in place to minimise runoff of sediment or

contaminants into riparian areas and waterways

Having a suitably qualified spotter-catcher available when undertaking land clearing; and

Progressive rehabilitation of cleared areas where possible to reinstate riparian vegetation and fauna

habitats and enhance connectivity through these riparian areas.

8.1.7 Habitat fragmentation/loss of connectivity

Habitat fragmentation occurs when continuous areas of habitat, such as forests, woodlands or grasslands,

are subdivided into a number of separate components. This term encompasses two interrelated components:

habitat loss (i.e. a reduction in the amount of habitat) and fragmentation (i.e. a breaking apart of habitat)

(Bennett, 2006). The impacts of habitat fragmentation are also scale-dependent and may differ depending on

the species or community under consideration. For example, loss of small areas of habitat do not present a

significant barrier to movement by highly mobile species (e.g. birds of prey) but may present a much greater

barrier to dispersal of less mobile species (e.g. amphibians or small reptiles such as skinks). Also the size

and scale of the break in connectivity will affect the severity of the impact.

Connectivity across the broader Project area has been considered in terms of habitat connections and

broader corridors with regional linkages beyond the boundaries of the Project area (Attachment 3). Within

the Project area connectivity is strongly linked to riparian corridors associated with the Skardon River and its

tributaries, as well as contiguous tracts of woodland in BH1 and BH6. The Project site is dominated by

eucalyptus woodlands that transition to melaleuca forests and wetlands through to estuarine mangrove

forests fringing tributaries of the Skardon River. Vegetation within the site has contiguous linkages to large

tracts of eucalypt woodlands in the south and west that then transition to coastal vegetation communities.

The primary areas of impact on connectivity within the Project area as a result of the Project, include:

Loss of connectivity within the band of terrestrial vegetation in MLA 20676 associated with the

establishment of the BH1 mine area. This would result in the remaining woodlands becoming narrower

and more isolated from large, contiguous tracts of vegetation to the east of the Project area. However

there will be fringes of woodland retained along the boundary of BH1 to allow fauna to move through

these woodlands to riparian vegetation along the Skardon River tributaries to similar habitats in the east




Loss of connectivity between riparian corridors and wetland areas in the south of MLA 20676, and

between MLA 20676 and riparian and wetland habitats to the west; and

Reduced connectivity of riparian corridors along the lower Skardon River associated with the

construction of mine areas and haul roads. Fauna movement along this corridor and access for less

mobile species to aquatic habitats would be restricted. The haul roads also increase the potential for

interaction between vehicles and fauna.

These site-scale impacts on connectivity are not considered to have a significant impact on regional-scale

connectivity or the value of state-significant biodiversity corridors to the south.

Mitigation measures for reducing impacts on connectivity are:

Minimise clearing where possible, including clearing widths, to reduce the gap between habitats

Retain buffers to sensitive environmental areas such as wetlands and riparian vegetation as this will

reduce edge effects and assist to maintain connectivity. Currently the buffers to adjacent HES wetlands

from BH1 clearing and operations are a minimum of approximately 220 metres and BH6 are a minimum

buffer of approximately 138 metres to HES wetlands

Construct fauna crossings to assist movement of fauna between habitats (e.g. culverts at creek

crossings so fauna can continue to move safely through these areas)

Fauna crossing structures to assist arboreal fauna moving safely across haul roads

Reducing vehicle speed limits; and

Rehabilitation of cleared areas when they are no longer required using local native species to enhance

fauna movement and increase available habitats.

8.1.8 Noise

Increased noise from operation of machinery and vehicle traffic has the potential to disturb fauna that utilise

aquatic habitats such as migratory and marine birds, and impact on feeding and breeding behaviour where it

occurs in close proximity to aquatic sites. In general, increased activity levels are likely to result in reduced

fauna activity around work areas. As the majority of activities that generate increased noise do not occur in

close proximity to significant aquatic ecology values, it is expected that potential impacts will be minimal.

Where possible activities that generate increased noise levels should be restricted to daylight hours to

minimise impacts on nocturnal species. Other mitigation measures to reduce noise include:

Ensuring all equipment is properly maintained

All mobile equipment is fitted with well maintained modern exhaust mufflers or silencing equipment; and

All fixed plant (e.g. diesel generators) are housed in sound attenuating enclosures if nearby to sensitive

receptors and environments.

8.1.9 Light

During the dry season it is proposed that mining operations will be continuous operating 24 hrs a day.

Therefore lighting will be required at night associated with the mine areas, associated infrastructure such as

MIA and accommodation camp, and haul roads. Headlights and flashing lights associated with vehicle

movements will also contribute. Combined, these sources would also be expected to result in ‘sky glow’ or

the general lightening of the night sky.

Light spill is not likely to impact on aquatic species and light spill should be outside of aquatic ecosystems

such as Big Footprint Swamp. There may be potential for light spill in proximity to mangroves along the

Skardon River along the northern haul road. This is likely to be less of an impact due to the density of

mangroves however there is still the potential for impacts to nocturnal species that utilise these mangrove

habitats. Though there are few studies on the impacts of artificial lighting on Australian fauna, research has

shown behavioural changes in most faunal groups, for example sugar gliders, amphibians, sea turtles and

birds (Ogden 1996; Longcore and Rich 2004). Conversely, increased light will attract insects which may be

beneficial for some species. Bats are solely nocturnal, highly mobile (i.e. more likely to come into contact

with artificial lights) and forage at a height where light spill is most likely. As such, this group of mammals

may be disproportionately affected by artificial lighting.




Some species, which are not light adverse, would benefit from lighting due to an associated increase in

insect abundance. Other species are light adverse, and in some cases even small amounts of light may

impinge on activity. Studies done in urban areas has shown that responses to artificial lighting by bats is

species specific.

Mitigation measures to reduce impacts from light will be:

Where practicable, direct lights away from adjacent bushland areas, and/or instal light shields

Look at using lights that have a reduced light spill effect

Place lights back from retained bushland areas where possible; and

Minimise the amount of time lighting is on for. If lights can be on automatic timers where they only come

on at times required this would reduce the impact.

8.1.10 Weeds

A number of pest plants may occur within the Project area and impact on riparian vegetation. Weeds are

assessed in greater detail in the Terrestrial Ecology Assessment Report (2016) prepared by Amec Foster

Wheeler.

Weed management measures to be implemented in the Project area should include:

Wash down facilities to be constructed at access points for vehicles arriving and departing from the

project site. These facilities are to be bunded and located away from drainage lines to minimise the risk

of weed spread

Vehicles entering the project site will be thoroughly washed down before entering clean areas; ensuring

that wheels, wheel arches and the undercarriage are free of mud and plant material

Radiators, grills and vehicle interiors will be cleaned of accumulated seed and plant material

Vehicles to keep to roads or compacted surfaces (preventative) and reduce vehicle movements in

wetted soil where avoidance is not possible

Identified weeds of management concern, including declared and environmental weeds, to be controlled

in accordance with local best practice management as described in the Pest Fact sheets published by

the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Treated areas will be monitored to assess the success of declared weed eradication

Weed management to be included in the site induction program for the project to promote awareness of

weed management issues; and

A site-specific weed and pest management plan is to be developed for the Project.

8.1.11 Pest fauna

Feral animals declared as pets under the LP Act represent are a threat to primary industries and natural

resources and responsibility for control rests with landholders. The following pest animals were recorded

from the project area:

Canius lupus dingo (dog / dingo)

Canus lupus familiaris (wild dog)

Felis catus (feral cat)

Sus scrofa (feral pig); and

Rhinella marina (cane toad).

Other pest species may also occur in the Project area. In particular, cane toads are considered to pose a

threat to the aquatic fauna, and control programs are recommended to mitigate impacts on these species.

The impacts of these species are likely to include the following:

Predation on native species

Competition for food resources, which may decrease abundance of prey for native predator species




Habitat changes due to destruction of plants; changed floristic composition; reduced regeneration of

plants; alteration of soil structure; increased invasion and spread of weeds

Increased access for non-native predator species

Toxicity to native species

Reduced water quality and availability; and

Spread of exotic invertebrates and creation of habitats suitable for disease.

The following general mitigation measures are proposed for the management of pest animal species:

Appropriate disposal and management of wastes on site; and

A site-specific weed and pest management plan is to be developed for the Project that includes control

of weeds and pests across the project area. An integrated pest management plan with the adjacent Gulf

Alumina Skardon River Project would also be beneficial.

8.2 Hydrological impacts to Big Footprint Swamp

Discharges of mine water, if required, would be managed in accordance with a mine water management

strategy developed for the Project. Subject to appropriate management of mine-affected water and sediment-

affected water, no downstream impacts on surface water resources would be expected to arise as a result of

the Project.

Clearing of vegetation and lowering of the ground surface during open cut mining has the potential to

increase recharge rates. Numerical groundwater modelling for the Project predicts that groundwater

discharge rates to Big Footprint Swamp will have a minor net increase during and post mining activities.

Using baseline information gathered for Big Footprint Swamp the groundwater modelling predicts that with,

and without the Bauxite Hills Mine, pool level fluctuations between wet and dry seasons are very

similar. With the proposed levels of mining, a maximum increase in pool level of 0.35 metres above the pre-

disturbance baseline may occur. The maximum predicted increase in the peak pool level, at the height of the

wet season, is 0.15 metres (as illustrated in Figure 8.1).

In its natural state Big Footprint Swamp has a maximum pool level around 5 to 6 m Australian Height Datum

during the wet season. The swamp then gradually dries out during the dry season with a small remnant pool

of water remaining, which in some dry seasons has the potential to fully dry out. The water level

measurement transducer located in the low point of the pool indicated drying of the swamp at the beginning

of January 2015.

From the commencement of mining it is predicted there will be an approximate 0.15 m increase in the peak

pool level. This minor increase in the average peak depth has the potential to result in a small increase in

the overall area inundated, particularly in the northern end of the swamp where the surrounding land is

flatter. It is also possible for the average pool size that remains during the dry season to increase. Following

the completion of mining activities, there is expected to be a permanent net increase in groundwater

discharge to the swamp of approximately 1.5% from about 2035 onwards, resulting in a less than 0.05 m

increase in the peak pool level.




Figure 8-1 Predicted pool level changes

The impact of potential increases in groundwater discharges to Big Footprint Swamp and biodiversity are

discussed below.

Big Footprint Swamp is registered in the Queensland Directory of Important Wetlands, classed as a wetland

of HES and exists as a large palustrine wetland that is seasonally inundated to an elevation of 5 to 6 m

Australian Height Datum. In the dry season the wetland generally retracts to a single small pool of standing

water. The remnant pool observed in November 2014 is illustrated in Photo 8-1. The swamp is currently fed

from a small local catchment and groundwater discharge.

Photo 8-1 Remnant pool in Big Footprint Swamp (November, 2014)

Big Footprint Swamp was surveyed as containing RE3.3.14 Melaleuca saligna +/- M. viridiflora,

Lophostemon suaveolens woodland on its outer fringes. In the more inundated areas of the middle of the

swamp OC RE3.3.12 Melaleuca quinquenervia open forest dominated. This community is more tolerant of

water logging and the lowest depression of the wetland comprises a significant area of grassland and

sedgeland of Paspalum vaginatum (freshwater couch) and Eleocharis spp. (water chestnut). The grassland /

sedgeland provides seasonal habitat to a range of water birds. Flocks of Anseranas semipalmata (magpie

geese) are known to feed on water chestnut bulbs throughout the dry season, and species such as Grus

rubicunda (brolga) and Jabiru mycteria (jabiru) are also likely to frequent this wetland.




As with the majority of wetlands in the broader Project area, the swamp provides suitable habitat for

Crocodylus porosus (saltwater / estuarine crocodile) mostly in the wet season when access and food

resources are higher.

It should be noted that the results of modelling outlined in the previous paragraph relates to potential

changes in average groundwater discharge as a result of mining activities. Changes in groundwater

discharge and overland flow also currently occur as a result of natural climatic variability and rainfall intensity

and duration from year to year. The peak depth of water measured in Big Footprint Swamp in 2015, under

the condition of above average rainfall, was around 3 m (CDM Smith, 2015). It is likely that the pool level in

the swamp varies from year-to-year in response to the natural variability of climatic and rainfall conditions in

Cape York, and that the native flora and fauna assemblages associated with Big Footprint Swamp are

adapted, and tolerant to, variable wetting and drying cycles.

While the response of the aquatic ecosystems to predicted changes in the size and depth of inundation is

difficult to predict, it is considered likely that these changes are within that of natural cycles and hence the

ecological function of these systems will not be significantly impacted. As with most ecosystems associated

with variable and perennial inundation, aquatic ecology values are likely to be tolerant of changes in abiotic

conditions. Species colonising these areas can generally tolerate a range of conditions.

Areas where there is likely to be most change are the areas fringing the swamp, where soil moisture is likely

to increase. This increase in soil moisture in fringing areas will likely result in an increase in sedge

populations in the ground layer over time. Melaleuca trees are quite tolerant of a range of ground moisture

statuses particularly M. quinquenervia and M. saligna therefore no to little impact on fringing vegetation is

predicted. Additionally the total area of permanent water in the swamp is likely to increase slightly. Where

this increase in the total area of permanent inundation persists for several consecutive years there could be

mortality of some native vegetation as a result of anaerobic soil conditions.

Currently Big Footprint Swamp has an area with no tree species directly surrounding the area of standing

water during the dry season (as shown in Photo 7-2) therefore this impact is likely to be very low.

Aquatic and terrestrial fauna diversity may increase over time if the size and depth of standing water

increases during the dry season, such as water birds that frequent the area, macroinvertebrates and fish,

and lead to a temporary shift of aquatic fauna to preference those species that require permanent water to

persist. A negative impact could be an increase in the number of pest species such as feral pigs that are

attracted to the remnant pools of water and mud areas. Overall the minor increase in pool level and extent of

inundation is not expected to have a significant impact on any native vegetation communities or fauna

species.

Given that the above conclusions are based on modelling, it is recommended that a Receiving Environment

Management Program (REMP) is developed with consideration of DEHP’s Receiving Environment

Monitoring Program guideline - For use with Environmental Relevant Activities under the Environmental

Protection Act 1994 (2014). The REMP should include annual monitoring of Big Footprint

Swamp. Monitoring should include:

Assessment of water levels (dry and wet seasons)

Assessment of the extent of inundation and water quality parameters

Aquatic and terrestrial fauna surveys at permanent survey locations using the same methods and survey

intensity

Vegetation surveys and condition assessments (BioCondition transects)

Photo monitoring

Establish reference sites

Assessment of impacts and threats; and

Map boundaries of swamp and vegetation community extents.

Where significant changes in the swamp are observed, suitable mitigation measures can be developed and

undertaken if necessary.




8.3 Impacts on conservation significant aquatic species

One threatened aquatic species has been recorded during surveys for Bauxite Hills and Skardon River

projects. This is the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) listed as vulnerable under the NC Act and

Migratory and Marine under the EPBC Act. The species was recorded in estuarine environments associated

with the Skardon River. It has also been observed in Namaleta Creek and dams associated with the old

kaolin mine (RPS, 2015).

The Skardon River is a known important breeding area for the estuarine crocodile. Suitable habitat for the

species is present throughout the estuarine and marine habitats in proximity to the Project, and also within

the ephemeral freshwater streams and swamps within and adjacent to the Project area including Big

Footprint Swamp. While significant direct impacts to the species is considered unlikely, they may be affected

by other impacts to aquatic values as discussed in Section 8.1. The species is analysed in further detail in a

marine ecology report being prepared by PaCE.

Of the EPBC Act threatened species identified in desktop assessments, the largetooth sawfish (Pristis

pristis) is the only one that may be present in the broader Skardon River aquatic environment; however,

there is insufficient freshwater habitat across or adjacent to the Project area to support juveniles. Therefore

significant impacts to this species are considered unlikely.

Essential habitat for most of the migratory and marine avian species known to occur, or likely to occur, within

the Project area includes coastal, wetland, riverine and riparian habitats. It is predicted approximately

30.20 ha of migratory bird habitat will be removed by the Project to accommodate infrastructure. Impacts to

these species are not considered significant. The Project will result in a minor loss of habitat for a number of

migratory species, mainly associated with BLF, RoRo and haul road components which intersect riparian and

mangrove habitats. These habitats are highly common and extensive throughout the region and the Project

is unlikely to substantially modify, destroy or isolate areas of important habitat. Other impacts to migratory

birds may come from a decrease in the condition of habitat as a result of weeds and pest animals. These

impacts can be mitigated through mitigation measures such as eradication programs, washdown facilities

and appropriate disposal of wastes on site. A detailed impact assessment for migratory birds is provided in

the Terrestrial Ecology Assessment Report (Amec Foster Wheeler, 2016a).

There will be potential indirect impacts to the palustrine wetland Big Footprint Swamp as a result of the

Project. The swamp provides foraging and nesting habitat for a number of water birds. These potential

indirect impacts have been assessed in Section 8.2 and the estimated hydrological changes to the wetland

are not considered likely to have a negative impact on migratory birds or other water birds.

Impacts to migratory avifauna which utilise drier habitats such as the rainbow bee-eater or dollar bird were

not considered significant either given the extent and quality of habitat supported within the wider region and

their ability to adapt to impacts (e.g. readily persist in urban and cleared environments).

The only true freshwater species listed in the BoT was waterhole yabby (Cherax cartalacoolah). The

waterhole yabby (Cherax cartalacoolah) has been recorded on the east coast of Cape York; however, is

unlikely to be present within or adjacent the project area, and therefore significant impacts to this species are

considered unlikely.

One wetland dependent flora species, Lycopodiella limosa, listed as near threatened under the NC Act, has

previously been recorded 50 km to the east of BH1 (Worley Parsons, 2011a). However, it has not been

previously recorded within the Project area, and therefore significant impacts to this species are considered

unlikely.

Two species of aquatic macrophytes (plants) were listed in the BoT; Aponogeton cuneatus and Aponogeton

queenslandicus. Aponogeton cuneatus is found in permanent creeks and rivers, often in shaded areas

(Jacobs et al., 2006), and as such is not considered likely to occur on or adjacent the project area.

Aponogeton queenslandicus grows in temporary freshwater bodies but is unlikely to be present as all known

records occur further south than the project area (Stephens and Dowling, 2002). Therefore significant

impacts to these species are considered unlikely.

The Aquatic Conservation Assessment (DEHP 2012b) for the riverine and non-riverine wetlands of the Cape

York catchments identified 26 freshwater fish and two freshwater crustaceans as priority species. The

majority of these species are not found in close proximity to the project area, or would be unlikely to persist in




the aquatic habitat available therein. There may, however, be suitable habitat within the project area for

redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus), which is listed as a priority species in Cape York catchments due

to declining abundance related to fishing pressure. While significant direct impacts to this species are

considered unlikely, it may be affected by other impacts to aquatic values as discussed in Section 8.1.




Cumulative impacts on aquatic ecological values were assessed by considering impacts on aquatic

ecosystems and species from past, current and (reasonably foreseeable) proposed developments within the

broader bioregion. The scope of the cumulative impact assessment included:

Projects within 150 km of the proposed development

Projects in the broader bioregion

Other projects of which the proponent is aware

Known major infrastructure projects (e.g. power stations or water infrastructure) that are seeking

approval or have obtained development approval other than through an EIS.

Significant developments in the broader bioregion were identified through a search of the DotE and DEHP

public notices and approvals and assessments databases. The majority of planned development in the

region relates to bauxite mining projects and, to a lesser extent, development of infrastructure to support the

bauxite mining industry (e.g. roads, port facilities). One operational and several proposed mine

developments were identified in the broader bioregion (Figure 9-1), and include:

The Weipa mine operated by Rio Tinto Aluminium Limited - active

The Amrun (previously South of Embley) development operated by Rio Tinto (an extension of the Weipa

mine) – active

Pisolite Hills development proposed by Cape Alumina – inactive

The Skardon River development proposed by Gulf Alumina – early stages of approvals / EIS has been

released

Hey Point development proposed by Green Coast Resources – early stages of approvals; and

Arukun development proposed by Glencore – feasibility assessment stage.

Where relevant these projects are discussed individually below.

9.1 Weipa and Amrun developments

Rio Tinto Aluminium Limited (RTA) have mined and shipped bauxite from the Weipa mine (north of the

Embley River) since 1963. This development has long been the only operating bauxite mine in Queensland,

and one of the world’s largest. The bauxite reserves at the Weipa mine are gradually depleting; however,

RTA recently secured approval (subject to conditions) to expand the development to include MLAs south of

the Embley River (the Amrun development).

9. Cumulative impacts



Path:

W:\P

ROJE

CTS\

EI\C

ape A

lumina

\6522

00 - B

auxit

e Hills

Eco

logy S

tudy\2

.0_Pr

oject_

Deliv

ery\G

IS\M

appin

g\Aqu

atic_

Repo

rt\Figu

re9-1_

SigDe

vProj

ects_

Rev1

.mxd

!!

!

!

!WEIPA

MAPOON

AURUKUN

BRAMWELL

ARCHER RIVER

(A3) GCS GDA 1994

LEGENDFigure 9-1

Significant DevelopmentProjects



08/05/201520/11/2014

AUTHORMG

JCJH

QA CHECKBE

MDMD

APPROVEDBE

MDMD

0 5 10Kilometres

CAIRNS

COOKTOWN

NORMANTON

WEIPA

¹MAP REV.

1

0A



Bauxite Hills (Metro Mining)South of Embley (Rio Tinto; extension to the Weipa mine)Weipa mine (Rio Tinto)Skardon River project (Gulf Alumina)Hey Point (Green Coast Resources)Pisolite Hills project (Cape Alumina)Aurukun project (Glencore)




9.2 Pisolite Hills development

Cape Alumina were progressing approvals for the Pisolite Hills project, approximately 50 km north east of

Weipa. In October 2012, the project was declared a ‘significant development’ under the State Development

and Public Works Act 1971 (Qld.) for which an EIS was required. The project was also deemed a ‘controlled

action’ under the EPBC Act and subject to a separate Commonwealth EIS process. Terms of reference for

an EIS were release by the Queensland government in December 2012. However, Cape Alumina have since

directed their attention to the Bauxite Hills project. The EIS was not completed and the terms of reference

have now lapsed.

9.3 Skardon River development

Gulf Alumina Limited are progressing approvals for the Skardon River Project, approximately 100 km north of

Weipa. The Project includes three MLAs - ML 40082, 40069 and 6025 covering a total area of 3,925 ha.

These MLAs surround and dissect those of the Bauxite Hills Project. The area to be mined would include

portions of the 171 ha previously disturbed by kaolin mining (including the decommissioned wet kaolin

processing plant area).

The Project involves the construction and operation of an open cut bauxite mine in Western Cape York

Peninsula. The Project involves mining a bauxite ore body of around 50 million tonnes and is anticipated to

initially produce 3 Mtpa bauxite suitable as DSO, which is expected to rise to 5 Mtpa subject to market

conditions. The Project life is expected to be 10 years.

The Project includes development of the mine areas and ancillary infrastructure including a bauxite loading

facility on the Skardon River, accommodation camp and upgrading the existing haul road. The Project will

include use of existing infrastructure from the kaolin mine, including the haul road, airstrip, and the Port of

Skardon River. The area to be mined will include portions of the areas already disturbed by kaolin mining,

including the decommissioned wet plant area.

Two barges, with a capacity of about 4,000 to 7,000 tonnes per barge, will transfer bauxite ore to the bulk

carriers, which will have an approximate capacity of 75,000 deadweight tonnes. Barges would work 24 hours

(although crossing of the Skardon River mouth would be limited to approximately 18 hours of the day to

avoid low tide), 7 days a week with a loading rate up to 2,000 tonnes / hour, for approximately 40 weeks /

annum (i.e. excluding the wet season).

Gulf applied for an EA amendment for bauxite mining within the existing mining leases in March 2014 as the

current EA only allows for mining kaolin and operating an associated pilot plant. DEHP decided that the

proposed amendment was a major amendment under sections 228 and 229 of the EP Act. On 19 May 2014,

DEHP notified Gulf that the amendment application required assessment by EIS. In May 2015, Gulf

proposed a change to the EA amendment application under Sections 236 – 238 of the EP Act to include

additional bauxite resources. In May 2015, DEHP determined that the proposed changes would be assessed

as part of the EIS.

The proposed Project was referred on 14 August 2014 to the Commonwealth DotE (EPBC 2014/7305). On

11 September 2014, the Minister for the Environment determined the proposed Project to be a controlled

action under the EPBC Act. The controlling provisions are sections 18 and 18A (listed threatened species

and communities), 20 and 20A (listed Mi species) and 23 and 24A (Commonwealth Ma areas). The Project

will be assessed under the bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and the State of Queensland

using the EIS prepared under the EP Act.

The Project’s EIS was publically released from 2 November 2015 to 11 December 2015. Information in the

EIS has been used to inform this cumulative impact assessment.

9.4 Hey point development

Green Coast Resources Pty. Limited proposes to develop a bauxite mine approximately 10 km south of

Weipa. A site-specific application for an EA was lodged with DEHP in July 2013. Due to the relatively minor

scale of the proposed development the DEHP deemed that an EIS was not required; however, further

information was requested pertaining to land values (rehabilitation), surface and groundwater, and

biodiversity impacts. The requested supporting information was submitted to DEHP in November 2014.




9.5 Arukun development

On August 19 2014, Glencore was selected by the Queensland government as the preferred developer of

the Arukun Bauxite Resource, and the Development Agreement was finalised in December 2014. Glencore

are currently progressing a feasibility study for the development. The proposed development is

approximately 100 km south east of Weipa on Archer Bay, between the Ward and Watson Rivers.

9.6 Other significant developments

Other significant developments in the area include the Urquhart Point Minerals Sands project, Archer River

Quarry, the existing Port of Weipa, and a proposed port development on the Embley River.

9.7 Cumulative impact assessment

Of the developments currently operating or proposed for the area, the Gulf Alumina Skardon River Project is

expected to have the greatest cumulative impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecological values when

considered in conjunction with the Bauxite Hills Project. The Skardon River Project is directly adjacent to the

Bauxite Hills Project, is due to commence construction at a similar time and operations will also occur during

the dry season. Both projects also have the potential to impact on groundwater and surface hydrology in the

area including Big Footprint Swamp.

The most relevant impacts to be considered associated with aquatic ecosystems relate to direct impacts to

riparian vegetation and direct and indirect impacts to wetlands and water quality. The current mining lease

for the Skardon River Project surrounds (to the north, east and south) and dissects the Bauxite Hills project

MLAs.

9.7.1 Cumulative impacts to vegetation communities

The loss of remnant vegetation will occur as a result of construction and operation of the Bauxite Hills Project

and Skardon River Project. Direct impacts on vegetation will occur as a result of staged vegetation clearing

within the mine areas, and to accommodate the Project infrastructure. For the Bauxite Hills Project a total of

1,467 ha of remnant vegetation is required to be cleared and the Skardon River Project will result in a total of

approximately 1,374 ha. The total combined area of clearing is 2,841 ha.

Over 95% of the total clearing will impact Least Concern (LC) RE3.5.2- Eucalyptus tetrodonta and Corymbia

nesophila tall woodland on deeply weathered plateaus and remnants. This is the most widespread

vegetation community in Cape York and supports a range of flora and fauna species.

Both Projects will result in minor clearing to an OC RE3.3.12 Melaleuca quinquenervia open forest

associated with scattered coastal swamps. The Bauxite Hills Project will impact 0.6 ha and the Skardon

River Project 0.2 ha, a total of 0.8 ha. While this RE is locally restricted in its distribution to small patches or

linear strips associated with palustrine wetlands and riparian systems, there are two large patches of mixed

polygon containing RE3.3.12 to the west of the Projects. These mapped polygons are associated with a

coastal dune wetland system and the combined area is approximately 1,050 ha and the area of available

RE3.3.12 is estimated at 104 ha. This patch of OC RE3.3.12 is outside of any proposed development.

Both projects will result in minor clearing of riparian vegetation. Bauxite Hills requires clearing of riparian

vegetation associated with the Skardon River and associated tributaries for the southern haul road and

barge loading facilities up to approximately 0.81 ha. The Skardon River Project requires a haul road to cross

Namaleta Creek with a total impact of approximately 0.5 ha. These impacts will be avoided where possible

however the cumulative impact is not expected to have a significant impact as there are large remaining

areas of riparian vegetation being retained along Namaleta Creek and the Skardon River.

9.7.2 Cumulative impacts to wetlands

Both the Bauxite Hills Project and Skardon River Project do not expect direct impacts on the two palustrine

wetlands; Big Footprint Swamp and Lunette Swamp. The two wetlands are outside of proposed mining and

infrastructure areas, however it is noted that the Projects will be undertaking some clearing and mining in

close proximity to these wetland areas. As a result of buffers proposed between the wetlands and mining

areas direct disturbance is not expected to occur. Other potential impacts from dust, artificial lighting and

pests will also be mitigated by these buffers.

As a result of mining there is potential for indirect impacts to occur to wetlands through changes to

hydrology. Both projects have completed hydrological modelling and stated there is likely to be potential for




changes to surface water runoff and groundwater in these wetland systems during mining and post mining. It

is expected there will be a small increase in the peak water table in parts of the area due to enhanced

recharge, and other parts of the area a decrease in the peak water table due to discharge in the mine pits.

In the vicinity of Big Footprint Swamp, based on the Skardon River Project modelling as described in the EIS

(Greencap, 2015), identifies two time periods when changes to the water table are most extreme:

Year 22 when the peak water table to the north of Big Footprint Swamp is predicted to decrease by 0.1

m and the peak water table to the south is predicted to increase by 0.1 metre; and

Year 2026 when the peak water table in the south of Big Footprint Swamp is predicted to increase by 0.1

metre.

At these times the Bauxite Hills Project groundwater modelling is showing small to negligible increases in

peak pool level. In year 2026 the peak pool level is predicted to increase by less than 0.1 metre. Therefore,

a combined peak pool level increase is no more than 0.2 metres. It could be viewed that the predicted

drawdown by Skardon River in year 2022 will be offset by the predicted increase in pool level by Bauxite

Hills.

For the Skardon River Project it was summarised in the EIS that, as mining progresses it is predicted to

result in short term, local drawdown in groundwater levels near mining areas, however once rehabilitation

has commenced it is expected that recovery (elevation) in groundwater levels will occur. As both active

mining areas and progressive rehabilitation areas will exist in close proximity simultaneously, the modelled

impacts on groundwater levels vary between drawdown and increased elevation. Following mining and

progressive rehabilitation, it is expected that groundwater will be elevated at Namaleta Creek, Lunette

Swamp, Big Footprint Swamp and Skardon River by between 0.1 m and 0.3 m. This demonstrates the

dominance of increased recharge during the rehabilitation phase in comparison to the mining phase,

resulting in elevated groundwater levels.

At Big Footprint Swamp, higher groundwater levels may result in maintenance of higher soil moisture in soils

fringing the swamp for longer periods and should maintain the existing wetland assemblages which are

resilient to such conditions. Fringing vegetation may experience a short term increase in sedge populations

in the ground layer and perhaps a longer term increase in higher soil moisture tolerant canopy species such

as C. novoguineensis (Greencap, 2015). Any changes to vegetation assemblages are likely to be slow given

their resilience to natural water balance variation, whereas impacts on water quality and aquatic fauna may

comparatively be more reactive and detectable by a rigorous monitoring regime which in turn can inform

early adaptive management. Such impacts could be mitigated by coordinated mining and rapid rehabilitation

of the nearest mining areas by Metro Mining and Gulf Alumina.

It is not expected the minor changes to pool level and subsequent potential increase in the inundation zone

for a period of the year, will have a significant impact on the wetlands ecological function and biodiversity.

The wetlands are resilient to changes in water level and duration of inundation due to natural conditions

being quite dynamic between wet and dry seasons. Long term changes to aquatic vegetation community

density and diversity and in-stream aquatic fauna ecology is considered unlikely (Greencap, 2015).

Further information in relation to the groundwater modelling and wetlands is provided in the Skardon River

EIS Chapter 13 and Chapter 16, and the CDM Smith Groundwater Technical Report (2015) (Appendix E1 of

the Skardon River EIS).

It is also expected that both Metro Mining and Gulf Alumina will implement similar water management and

mitigation measures, and erosion and sedimentation controls, to minimise impacts to surface water quality.

These measures will not only minimise environmental impacts but also minimise the potential for sediment

laden or otherwise contaminated runoff to transfer from one project to the other. Therefore it is not expected

that there will be cumulative impacts on surface water quality and hence on aquatic ecology (Greencap,

2015).

9.7.3 Cumulative impacts on threatened aquatic flora and fauna

Flora ecology surveys for both Projects have not confirmed the presence of any threatened aquatic flora

species under the EPBC Act or NC Act. There are no threatened aquatic plants assessed as likely to occur

in the Project area.




One threatened aquatic fauna species was recorded during surveys for the Skardon River Project. This is

the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) listed as vulnerable under the NC Act and Migratory and

Marine under the EPBC Act. The species was recorded in estuarine environments associated with the

Skardon River. It has also been observed in Namaleta Creek and dams associated with the old kaolin mine

(RPS, 2015).

The Skardon River is a known important breeding area for the estuarine crocodile. Suitable habitat for the

species is present throughout the estuarine and marine habitats in proximity to the Project, and also within

the ephemeral freshwater streams and swamps within and adjacent to the Project area including Big

Footprint Swamp. Suitable habitat for the species is outside of areas proposed for mining by both projects

and only minor impacts will only occur as a result of infrastructure (such as the haul road crossings). It is not

likely significant impacts will occur to this species or its habitat. Potential impacts to the species from barge

activity is assessed in a separate marine ecology report for Bauxite Hills and Chapter 18 for the Skardon

River Project.

Of the EPBC Act threatened species identified in desktop assessments, the largetooth sawfish (Pristis

pristis) is the only one that may be present in the area and river systems of the Skardon River and Namaleta

Creek. However due to the limited freshwater extent (small system) and ephemeral nature of the Skardon

River and Namaleta Creek systems, they would not provide a constant freshwater habitat for the species to

inhabit in the first few years of its lifecycle. Therefore significant impacts to this species are considered

unlikely.

Essential habitat for most of the migratory and marine avian species known to occur, or likely to occur within

the Project area includes coastal, wetland, riverine and riparian habitats. It is predicted approximately

30.20 ha of migratory bird habitat will be removed by the Bauxite Hills Project to accommodate infrastructure.

The Skardon River Project has identified that habitat areas for some migratory species up to 1,374 ha may

be impacted. The proposed mining developments will impact little of the overall habitat available to these

species in the region. Other potential cumulative impacts to migratory bird habitat is through habitat

modification from fire, weeds and feral animals. A weed and feral animal control program will be

implemented to ensure pest species are being controlled and measures taken to ensure weeds are not

introduced or spread such as on mining equipment and vehicles. As wetlands are fire sensitive a fire

management program will also be prepared and implemented to ensure fire breaks are in place, fuel loads

are being managed, and more frequent cool fires are occurring in wetland areas.

Migratory bird habitats are highly common and extensive throughout the region and the projects will not

substantially modify, destroy or isolate areas of important habitat. Further assessments, including a

significant impact assessment for migratory bird species is provided in the Terrestrial Ecology Assessment

Report (Amec Foster Wheeler, 2016a).




Aquatic surveys for the Bauxite Hills Project were conducted in November 2014 and February 2015. Based

on desktop assessments and results of field surveys the Bauxite Hills Project area supports a relatively low

diversity of aquatic ecosystems. The Skardon River is a predominantly estuarine system bordered by

mangroves and tidal flats, with fluvial freshwater only within its upper reaches. Big Footprint Swamp is a

palustrine wetland located directly to the west of the Project area just outside the mining lease and BH6 pit

areas.

Aquatic flora and fauna species diversity was found to be low, largely due to the ephemeral nature of the

watercourses within the Project area. This was also found to be the case post the aquatic surveys for the

Skardon River Project. It is likely results were reduced as the wet season surveys were conducted at a time

when there was recent water in the creeks and wetlands, but colonisation of these areas by aquatic species

is not likely to be at its maximum. Therefore on the whole the number of aquatic species recorded for both

Bauxite Hills and Skardon River projects are likely to be lower than if sampling occurred in the early dry.

Key aquatic habitats identified through the assessment include permanent water sources associated with

riparian corridors and estuarine wetlands of the Skardon River, and freshwater ecosystems within Big

Footprint Swamp to the west of the Project area. The swamp presented perennial wetland conditions and

habitat for a number of aquatic species and migratory birds.

The Project will result in the clearing of approximately 1,467 ha of remnant vegetation. Approximately

0.81 ha of riparian vegetation will be cleared and up to 19.20 ha of HES wetlands. Additional indirect impacts

may occur to Big Footprint Swamp as a result of altered groundwater flows during and post mining

operations. From the commencement of mining it is predicted there will be an approximate 0.15 m increase

in the peak pool level. This minor increase in the average peak depth has the potential to result in a small

increase in the overall area inundated, particularly in the northern end of the swamp where the surrounding

land is flatter. It is also possible for the average pool size that remains during the dry season to

increase. Following the completion of mining activities, there is expected to be a permanent net increase in

groundwater discharge to the swamp of approximately 1.5% from about 2035 onwards, resulting in a less

than 0.05 m increase in the peak pool level.

Large tracts of remnant and riparian vegetation associated with the Skardon River, and Skardon River-

Cotterell River Wetland Aggregation occur in the Project area and are being retained. Buffers are also being

put in place to these areas. Therefore connectivity and landscape-scale linkages along these riparian

systems will be retained.

Potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems and values are proposed to be avoided and mitigated through

future project design and measures including:

Minimising encroachment on the Skardon River and associated estuarine wetlands where possible to

avoid impacts on riparian vegetation, important fauna habitats and connectivity

Maintaining buffer zones surrounding wetlands and watercourse vegetation

Measures to limit impacts on connectivity where the mining footprint and infrastructure corridors occur

between wetland habitats

Mine site water management to minimise impacts to water quality

Weed, pest and fire management to protect sensitive wetland areas and riparian vegetation

Development of a Receiving Environment Management Program (REMP) in alignment with EHP’s

Receiving Environment Monitoring Program guideline - For use with Environmental Relevant Activities

under the Environmental Protection Act (2014) that includes annual monitoring of Big Footprint Swamp.

Where significant changes in the swamp are observed, suitable mitigation measures can be developed

and undertaken if necessary.

10. Conclusions




AARC (2010) Pisolite Hills Project Terrestrial Flora and Fauna Assessment

Abrahams H, Mulvaney M, Glasco D, Bugg A (1995) Areas of conservation significance on Cape York

Peninsula. Queensland Government and Australian Heritage Commission

Amec Foster Wheeler (2016a) Terrestrial Ecology Assessment. Prepared for Cape Alumina

Amec Foster Wheeler (2016b) Bauxite Hills Biodiversity Offset Strategy. Prepared for Cape Alumina

Bennett AF (2006) Habitat loss and fragmentation. In: Ecology: An Australian Perspective (eds P. Attiwill and

B. Wilson) pp. 399-414. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

BoM (2014), Climate Data for Weipa Airport, Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, viewed 6

February, 2015.

Cape Alumina (2011) EPBC Act Referral for the Bauxite Hills mine and port project

Cape Alumina (2012) Initial Advice Statement, Pisolite Hills mine and port project

CDM Smith (2015) Groundwater Technical Report

Chessman BC (2003) New sensitivity grades for Australian river macroinvertebrates. Marine and Freshwater

Research, 54 pp. 95–103

Cook B, Pusey B, Hughes J, Kennard M (2010) Delineation of freshwater bioregions in northern Australia. In:

Kennard M (ed) Identifying high conservation aquatic ecosystems in northern Australia. Final report for the

Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the National Water Commission. Charles

Darwin University, Darwin

Dames and Moore (1996) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Botany Cogeneration Project

DEHP (2012a) Aquatic conservation assessment Cape York catchments v1.1. Riverine and non-riverine.

Summary report. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Queensland Government, Brisbane

DEHP (2012b) An aquatic conservation assessment for the riverine and non-riverine wetlands of Cape York

catchments. Flora, fauna and ecology expert panel report. Department of Environment and Heritage

Protection, Queensland Government, Brisbane

DEHP (2012c) Map of referable wetlands. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Queensland

Government, Brisbane

DEHP (2013) Queensland Monitoring and Sampling Manual 2009 (v.2 update 2010). Department of

Environment and Heritage Protection, Queensland Government, Brisbane

DEHP (2014) Receiving Environment Monitoring Program guideline - For use with Environmental Relevant

Activities under the Environmental Protection Act 1994

DERM (2010) Cape York Peninsular natural resource management region ‘Back on Track’ actions for

biodiversity. Department of Environment and Resource Management, Queensland Government, Brisbane

DEWHA (2013) Significant Impact Guidelines Version 1.1

DSDIP (2014) Cape York Regional Plan. Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning,

Queensland Government, Brisbane

DNRM (2001) Queensland Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) sampling and processing

manual. Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland Government, Brisbane

DPI (2002) Port of Skardon River: Marine habitat resources survey April/May 2002. Final report to Ports

Corporation of Queensland

11. References




EHP (2012) Biodiversity Planning Assessment using BAMM for the Cape York Peninsula heritage area.

Summary Report. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Queensland Government, Brisbane

Greencap (2015) Skardon River Bauxite Project Environmental Impact Statement. Prepared for Gulf Alumina

Ltd.

Godwin, MD and Comalco Limited and Queensland. National Parks and Wildlife Service. Research and

Planning Branch (1985). Land units of the Weipa Region of Australia's Cape York Peninsula. Queensland

National Parks and Wildlife Service, [Cairns, Qld]

Gulf Alumina Ltd. (2013) Skardon River Bauxite Mining Project EPBC Act Referral

Jacobs SWL, Les DH, Moody ML, Hellquist CB (2006) Two new species of Aponogeton (Aponogetonaceae)

and a key to species from Australia. Telopea, 11(2): 129-34

Longcore and Rich (2004) Ecological Light Pollution. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 2(4): pp191-

198.

Mackey et al. (2001) The Natural Heritage significance of Cape York Peninsula

Ogden, L.J.E. (1996). Collision course: the hazards of lighted structures and windows to migrating birds.

Toronto, Canada: World Wildlife Fund Canada and Fatal Light Awareness Program

Petit N, Townsend S, Dixon I, Wilson D (2011) Plant communities of aquatic and riverine habitats. In: Pusey

BJ (2011) Aquatic biodiversity in northern Australia: patterns, threats and future. Charles Darwin University

Press, Darwin. Pp. 37-50

Peverell SC (2005) Distribution of sawfishes (Pristidae) in the Queensland Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia,

with notes on their ecology. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 73:391-402

Rio Tinto Alcan (2011) South of Embley Project Environmental Impact Statement

RPS Australia (2012) Skardon River Flora and Fauna Assessment. Prepared for Gulf Alumina

RPS Australia (2015) Skardon River Freshwater Ecological and Wetland Assessment. Prepared for Gulf

Alumina

Sattler and Williams (1999) The conservation status of Queensland’s bioregional ecosystems

Specht, RL, Salt, RB and Reynolds, ST (1977), Vegetation in the vicinity of Weipa, North Queensland,

Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland. Pp. 17-38

Stephens KM, Dowling, RM (2002) Wetland plants of Queensland, a field guide. CSIRO Publishing,

Collingwood

Worley Parsons (2011a) Bauxite Hills Project preliminary constraints assessment: terrestrial ecology. Report

prepared for Cape Alumina

Worley Parsons (2011b) Bauxite Hills Project preliminary constraints assessment: aquatic ecology. Report

prepared for Cape Alumina




ATTACHMENT 1 DATABASE SEARCH RESULTS

EPBC Act Protected Matters Report

This report provides general guidance on matters of national environmental significance and other mattersprotected by the EPBC Act in the area you have selected.

Information on the coverage of this report and qualifications on data supporting this report are contained in thecaveat at the end of the report.

Information is available about Environment Assessments and the EPBC Act including significance guidelines,forms and application process details.

Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act

Acknowledgements

Buffer: 25.0Km

Matters of NES

Report created: 03/02/16 15:32:34

Coordinates

This map may contain data which are©Commonwealth of Australia(Geoscience Australia), ©PSMA 2010

CaveatExtra Information

DetailsSummary

http://www.environment.gov.au/protection/environment-assessments

Summary

This part of the report summarises the matters of national environmental significance that may occur in, or mayrelate to, the area you nominated. Further information is available in the detail part of the report, which can beaccessed by scrolling or following the links below. If you are proposing to undertake an activity that may have asignificant impact on one or more matters of national environmental significance then you should consider theAdministrative Guidelines on Significance.

Matters of National Environmental Significance

Listed Threatened Ecological Communities:

Listed Migratory Species:

None

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park:

Wetlands of International Importance:

Listed Threatened Species:

None

30

None

None

National Heritage Places:

Commonwealth Marine Area:

World Heritage Properties:

None

1

39

The EPBC Act protects the environment on Commonwealth land, the environment from the actions taken onCommonwealth land, and the environment from actions taken by Commonwealth agencies. As heritage values of aplace are part of the 'environment', these aspects of the EPBC Act protect the Commonwealth Heritage values of aCommonwealth Heritage place. Information on the new heritage laws can be found athttp://www.environment.gov.au/heritage

This part of the report summarises other matters protected under the Act that may relate to the area you nominated.Approval may be required for a proposed activity that significantly affects the environment on Commonwealth land,when the action is outside the Commonwealth land, or the environment anywhere when the action is taken onCommonwealth land. Approval may also be required for the Commonwealth or Commonwealth agencies proposing totake an action that is likely to have a significant impact on the environment anywhere.

A permit may be required for activities in or on a Commonwealth area that may affect a member of a listed threatenedspecies or ecological community, a member of a listed migratory species, whales and other cetaceans, or a member ofa listed marine species.


None

None

11

Listed Marine Species:

Whales and Other Cetaceans:

81

Commonwealth Heritage Places:

None

None

Critical Habitats:

Commonwealth Land:

Commonwealth Reserves Terrestrial:

1Commonwealth Reserves Marine:

Extra Information

This part of the report provides information that may also be relevant to the area you have nominated.

2

NoneState and Territory Reserves:

Nationally Important Wetlands:

NoneRegional Forest Agreements:

Invasive Species: 9

1Key Ecological Features (Marine)

http://www.environment.gov.au/protection/environment-assessments

http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/permits-and-application-forms

Details

Listed Threatened Species [ Resource Information ]Name Status Type of PresenceBirds

Red Goshawk [942] Vulnerable Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Erythrotriorchis radiatus

Palm Cockatoo (Australian) [67033] Vulnerable Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Probosciger aterrimus macgillivrayi

Golden-shouldered Parrot [720] Endangered Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Psephotus chrysopterygius

Masked Owl (northern) [26048] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Tyto novaehollandiae kimberli

Mammals

Blue Whale [36] Endangered Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Balaenoptera musculus

Northern Quoll [331] Endangered Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Dasyurus hallucatus

Humpback Whale [38] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Megaptera novaeangliae

Black-footed Tree-rat (north Queensland) [87620] Vulnerable Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Mesembriomys gouldii rattoides

Spectacled Flying-fox [185] Vulnerable Species or speciesPteropus conspicillatus

Commonwealth Marine Area [ Resource Information ]

Name

Approval is required for a proposed activity that is located within the Commonwealth Marine Area which has, will have, or islikely to have a significant impact on the environment. Approval may be required for a proposed action taken outside theCommonwealth Marine Area but which has, may have or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment in theCommonwealth Marine Area. Generally the Commonwealth Marine Area stretches from three nautical miles to two hundrednautical miles from the coast.

EEZ and Territorial Sea

Matters of National Environmental Significance

If you are planning to undertake action in an area in or close to the Commonwealth Marine Area, and a marinebioregional plan has been prepared for the Commonwealth Marine Area in that area, the marine bioregionalplan may inform your decision as to whether to refer your proposed action under the EPBC Act.

Marine Regions [ Resource Information ]

NameNorth

Name Status Type of Presencehabitat may occur withinarea

Bare-rumped Sheathtail Bat [66889] Critically Endangered Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Saccolaimus saccolaimus nudicluniatus

Water Mouse, False Water Rat, Yirrkoo [66] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Xeromys myoides

Plants

[8635] Endangered Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Cajanus mareebensis

[11371] Vulnerable Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Calophyllum bicolor

an orchid [78700] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Cepobaculum carronii

Cooktown Orchid [10306] Vulnerable Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Dendrobium bigibbum

Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid [13585] Vulnerable Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Dendrobium johannis

Dwarf Butterfly Orchid, Cooktown Orchid [78893] Endangered Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Vappodes lithocola

Cooktown Orchid [78894] Vulnerable Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Vappodes phalaenopsis

Reptiles

Loggerhead Turtle [1763] Endangered Breeding likely to occurwithin area

Caretta caretta

Green Turtle [1765] Vulnerable Breeding known to occurwithin area

Chelonia mydas

Leatherback Turtle, Leathery Turtle, Luth [1768] Endangered Breeding likely to occurwithin area

Dermochelys coriacea

Hawksbill Turtle [1766] Vulnerable Breeding known to occurwithin area

Eretmochelys imbricata

Olive Ridley Turtle, Pacific Ridley Turtle [1767] Endangered Breeding known to occurwithin area

Lepidochelys olivacea

Flatback Turtle [59257] Vulnerable Breeding known to occurwithin area

Natator depressus

Sharks

Great White Shark [64470] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Carcharodon carcharias

Speartooth Shark [82453] Critically Endangered Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Glyphis glyphis

Dwarf Sawfish, Queensland Sawfish [68447] Vulnerable Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Pristis clavata

Name Status Type of Presence

Largetooth Sawfish, Freshwater Sawfish, RiverSawfish, Leichhardt's Sawfish, Northern Sawfish[60756]

Vulnerable Breeding known to occurwithin area

Pristis pristis

Green Sawfish, Dindagubba, Narrowsnout Sawfish[68442]

Vulnerable Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Pristis zijsron

Whale Shark [66680] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Rhincodon typus

Listed Migratory Species [ Resource Information ]* Species is listed under a different scientific name on the EPBC Act - Threatened Species list.Name Threatened Type of PresenceMigratory Marine Birds

Fork-tailed Swift [678] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Apus pacificus

Lesser Frigatebird, Least Frigatebird [1012] Foraging, feeding or relatedbehaviour likely to occurwithin area

Fregata ariel

Little Tern [813] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Sterna albifrons

Migratory Marine Species

Narrow Sawfish, Knifetooth Sawfish [68448] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Anoxypristis cuspidata

Bryde's Whale [35] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Balaenoptera edeni



Great White Shark [64470] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Carcharodon carcharias


Caretta caretta


Chelonia mydas

Salt-water Crocodile, Estuarine Crocodile [1774] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Crocodylus porosus



Dugong [28] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Dugong dugon





Reef Manta Ray, Coastal Manta Ray, Inshore MantaRay, Prince Alfred's Ray, Resident Manta

Species or species habitatmay occur within

Manta alfredi

Name Threatened Type of PresenceRay [84994] area

Giant Manta Ray, Chevron Manta Ray, Pacific MantaRay, Pelagic Manta Ray, Oceanic Manta Ray [84995]

Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Manta birostris




Natator depressus

Irrawaddy Dolphin [45] Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Orcaella brevirostris

Killer Whale, Orca [46] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Orcinus orca

Dwarf Sawfish, Queensland Sawfish [68447] Vulnerable Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Pristis clavata

Largetooth Sawfish, Freshwater Sawfish, RiverSawfish, Leichhardt's Sawfish, Northern Sawfish[60756]

Vulnerable Breeding known to occurwithin area

Pristis pristis

Green Sawfish, Dindagubba, Narrowsnout Sawfish[68442]

Vulnerable Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Pristis zijsron

Whale Shark [66680] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Rhincodon typus

Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin [50] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Sousa chinensis

Migratory Terrestrial Species

Red-rumped Swallow [80610] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Cecropis daurica

Oriental Cuckoo, Horsfield's Cuckoo [86651] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Cuculus optatus

Barn Swallow [662] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hirundo rustica

Rainbow Bee-eater [670] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Merops ornatus

Black-faced Monarch [609] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Monarcha melanopsis

Spectacled Monarch [610] Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Monarcha trivirgatus

Satin Flycatcher [612] Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Myiagra cyanoleuca

Rufous Fantail [592] Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Rhipidura rufifrons

Name Threatened Type of PresenceMigratory Wetlands Species

Great Egret, White Egret [59541] Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Ardea alba

Cattle Egret [59542] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Ardea ibis

Latham's Snipe, Japanese Snipe [863] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Gallinago hardwickii

Bar-tailed Godwit [844] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Limosa lapponica

Osprey [952] Breeding known to occurwithin area

Pandion haliaetus

Common Greenshank, Greenshank [832] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Tringa nebularia

Listed Marine Species [ Resource Information ]* Species is listed under a different scientific name on the EPBC Act - Threatened Species list.Name Threatened Type of PresenceBirds

Magpie Goose [978] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Anseranas semipalmata

Fork-tailed Swift [678] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Apus pacificus

Great Egret, White Egret [59541] Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Ardea alba

Cattle Egret [59542] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Ardea ibis

Oriental Cuckoo, Himalayan Cuckoo [710] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Cuculus saturatus

Lesser Frigatebird, Least Frigatebird [1012] Foraging, feeding or relatedbehaviour likely to occurwithin area

Fregata ariel

Latham's Snipe, Japanese Snipe [863] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Gallinago hardwickii

White-bellied Sea-Eagle [943] Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Haliaeetus leucogaster

Red-rumped Swallow [59480] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hirundo daurica


Name Threatened Type of Presence

Barn Swallow [662] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hirundo rustica

Bar-tailed Godwit [844] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Limosa lapponica

Rainbow Bee-eater [670] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Merops ornatus

Black-faced Monarch [609] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Monarcha melanopsis

Spectacled Monarch [610] Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Monarcha trivirgatus

Satin Flycatcher [612] Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Myiagra cyanoleuca

Osprey [952] Breeding known to occurwithin area

Pandion haliaetus

Rufous Fantail [592] Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Rhipidura rufifrons

Little Tern [813] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Sterna albifrons

Common Greenshank, Greenshank [832] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Tringa nebularia

Fish

Shortpouch Pygmy Pipehorse [66187] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Acentronura tentaculata

Three-keel Pipefish [66192] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Campichthys tricarinatus

Pacific Short-bodied Pipefish, Short-bodied Pipefish[66194]


Choeroichthys brachysoma

Pig-snouted Pipefish [66198] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Choeroichthys suillus

Fijian Banded Pipefish, Brown-banded Pipefish[66199]


Corythoichthys amplexus

Reticulate Pipefish, Yellow-banded Pipefish, NetworkPipefish [66200]


Corythoichthys flavofasciatus

Australian Messmate Pipefish, Banded Pipefish[66202]


Corythoichthys intestinalis

Orange-spotted Pipefish, Ocellated Pipefish [66203] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Corythoichthys ocellatus


Schultz's Pipefish [66205] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Corythoichthys schultzi

Maxweber's Pipefish [66209] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Cosmocampus maxweberi

Banded Pipefish, Ringed Pipefish [66210] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Doryrhamphus dactyliophorus

Bluestripe Pipefish, Indian Blue-stripe Pipefish, PacificBlue-stripe Pipefish [66211]


Doryrhamphus excisus

Cleaner Pipefish, Janss' Pipefish [66212] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Doryrhamphus janssi

Girdled Pipefish [66214] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Festucalex cinctus

Brock's Pipefish [66219] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Halicampus brocki

Red-hair Pipefish, Duncker's Pipefish [66220] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Halicampus dunckeri

Mud Pipefish, Gray's Pipefish [66221] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Halicampus grayi

Spiny-snout Pipefish [66225] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Halicampus spinirostris

Ribboned Pipehorse, Ribboned Seadragon [66226] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Haliichthys taeniophorus

Blue-speckled Pipefish, Blue-spotted Pipefish [66228] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hippichthys cyanospilos

Beady Pipefish, Steep-nosed Pipefish [66231] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hippichthys penicillus

Western Spiny Seahorse, Narrow-bellied Seahorse[66234]


Hippocampus angustus

Spiny Seahorse, Thorny Seahorse [66236] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hippocampus histrix

Spotted Seahorse, Yellow Seahorse [66237] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hippocampus kuda

Flat-face Seahorse [66238] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hippocampus planifrons

Hedgehog Seahorse [66239] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hippocampus spinosissimus


Three-spot Seahorse, Low-crowned Seahorse, Flat-faced Seahorse [66720]


Hippocampus trimaculatus

thorntail Pipefish, Thorn-tailed Pipefish [66254] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Micrognathus brevirostris

Pallid Pipehorse, Hardwick's Pipehorse [66272] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Solegnathus hardwickii

Robust Ghostpipefish, Blue-finned Ghost Pipefish,[66183]


Solenostomus cyanopterus

Rough-snout Ghost Pipefish [68425] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Solenostomus paegnius

Double-end Pipehorse, Double-ended Pipehorse,Alligator Pipefish [66279]


Syngnathoides biaculeatus

Bentstick Pipefish, Bend Stick Pipefish, Short-tailedPipefish [66280]


Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus

Straightstick Pipefish, Long-nosed Pipefish, StraightStick Pipefish [66281]


Trachyrhamphus longirostris

Mammals

Dugong [28] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Dugong dugon

Reptiles

Horned Seasnake [1114] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Acalyptophis peronii

Dubois' Seasnake [1116] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Aipysurus duboisii

Spine-tailed Seasnake [1117] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Aipysurus eydouxii

Olive Seasnake [1120] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Aipysurus laevis

Stokes' Seasnake [1122] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Astrotia stokesii


Caretta caretta


Chelonia mydas

Freshwater Crocodile, Johnston's Crocodile,Johnston's River Crocodile [1773]


Crocodylus johnstoni

Salt-water Crocodile, Estuarine Crocodile [1774] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Crocodylus porosus




Spectacled Seasnake [1123] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Disteira kingii

Olive-headed Seasnake [1124] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Disteira major

Beaked Seasnake [1126] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Enhydrina schistosa



Black-ringed Seasnake [1100] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hydrelaps darwiniensis

Black-headed Seasnake [1101] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hydrophis atriceps

Elegant Seasnake [1104] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hydrophis elegans

Slender Seasnake [1106] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hydrophis gracilis

null [25926] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hydrophis mcdowelli

Spotted Seasnake, Ornate Reef Seasnake [1111] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hydrophis ornatus

Large-headed Seasnake, Pacific Seasnake [1112] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Hydrophis pacificus

Spine-bellied Seasnake [1113] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Lapemis hardwickii

a sea krait [1092] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Laticauda colubrina

a sea krait [1093] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Laticauda laticaudata




Natator depressus

Yellow-bellied Seasnake [1091] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Pelamis platurus

Whales and other Cetaceans [ Resource Information ]Name Status Type of PresenceMammals

Name Status Type of Presence

Bryde's Whale [35] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Balaenoptera edeni



Common Dophin, Short-beaked Common Dolphin [60] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Delphinus delphis

Risso's Dolphin, Grampus [64] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Grampus griseus



Irrawaddy Dolphin [45] Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Orcaella brevirostris

Killer Whale, Orca [46] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Orcinus orca

Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin [50] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Sousa chinensis

Spotted Dolphin, Pantropical Spotted Dolphin [51] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Stenella attenuata

Indian Ocean Bottlenose Dolphin, Spotted BottlenoseDolphin [68418]

Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Tursiops aduncus

Bottlenose Dolphin [68417] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Tursiops truncatus s. str.

[ Resource Information ]Commonwealth Reserves MarineName LabelWest Cape York Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI)

Extra Information

Invasive Species [ Resource Information ]Weeds reported here are the 20 species of national significance (WoNS), along with other introduced plantsthat are considered by the States and Territories to pose a particularly significant threat to biodiversity. Thefollowing feral animals are reported: Goat, Red Fox, Cat, Rabbit, Pig, Water Buffalo and Cane Toad. Maps fromLandscape Health Project, National Land and Water Resouces Audit, 2001.

Name Status Type of PresenceFrogs

Cane Toad [83218] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Rhinella marina

Nationally Important Wetlands [ Resource Information ]Name StatePort Musgrave Aggregation QLDSkardon River - Cotterell River Aggregation QLD

Name Status Type of PresenceMammals

Domestic Cattle [16] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Bos taurus

Domestic Dog [82654] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Canis lupus familiaris

Horse [5] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Equus caballus

Cat, House Cat, Domestic Cat [19] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Felis catus

House Mouse [120] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Mus musculus

Black Rat, Ship Rat [84] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Rattus rattus

Pig [6] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Sus scrofa

Plants

Gamba Grass [66895] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Andropogon gayanus

Key Ecological Features are the parts of the marine ecosystem that are considered to be important for thebiodiversity or ecosystem functioning and integrity of the Commonwealth Marine Area.

Key Ecological Features (Marine) [ Resource Information ]

Name RegionGulf of Carpentaria coastal zone North

- non-threatened seabirds which have only been mapped for recorded breeding sites

- migratory species that are very widespread, vagrant, or only occur in small numbers

- some species and ecological communities that have only recently been listed

Not all species listed under the EPBC Act have been mapped (see below) and therefore a report is a general guide only.Where available data supports mapping, the type of presence that can be determined from the data is indicated in generalterms. People using this information in making a referral may need to consider the qualifications below and may need to seekand consider other information sources.

For threatened ecological communities where the distribution is well known, maps are derived from recovery plans, Statevegetation maps, remote sensing imagery and other sources. Where threatened ecological community distributions are lesswell known, existing vegetation maps and point location data are used to produce indicative distribution maps.

- seals which have only been mapped for breeding sites near the Australian continent

Such breeding sites may be important for the protection of the Commonwealth Marine environment.

For species where the distributions are well known, maps are digitised from sources such as recovery plans and detailedhabitat studies. Where appropriate, core breeding, foraging and roosting areas are indicated under 'type of presence'. Forspecies whose distributions are less well known, point locations are collated from government wildlife authorities, museums,and non-government organisations; bioclimatic distribution models are generated and these validated by experts. In somecases, the distribution maps are based solely on expert knowledge.

The information presented in this report has been provided by a range of data sources as acknowledged at the end of thereport.

Caveat

- migratory and

The following species and ecological communities have not been mapped and do not appear in reports produced from thisdatabase:

- marine

This report is designed to assist in identifying the locations of places which may be relevant in determining obligations underthe Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It holds mapped locations of World and National Heritageproperties, Wetlands of International and National Importance, Commonwealth and State/Territory reserves, listed threatened,migratory and marine species and listed threatened ecological communities. Mapping of Commonwealth land is not completeat this stage. Maps have been collated from a range of sources at various resolutions.

- threatened species listed as extinct or considered as vagrants

- some terrestrial species that overfly the Commonwealth marine area

The following groups have been mapped, but may not cover the complete distribution of the species:

Only selected species covered by the following provisions of the EPBC Act have been mapped:

-11.86668 142.04155

Coordinates

-Environment and Planning Directorate, ACT-Birdlife Australia-Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme

-Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia

Acknowledgements

-Office of Environment and Heritage, New South Wales

-Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania

-Parks and Wildlife Commission NT, Northern Territory Government-Department of Environmental and Heritage Protection, Queensland

-Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Victoria

-Australian National Wildlife Collection

-Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, South Australia

This database has been compiled from a range of data sources. The department acknowledges the followingcustodians who have contributed valuable data and advice:

-Australian Museum

-National Herbarium of NSW

Forestry Corporation, NSW-Australian Government, Department of Defence

-State Herbarium of South Australia

The Department is extremely grateful to the many organisations and individuals who provided expert adviceand information on numerous draft distributions.

-Natural history museums of Australia

-Queensland Museum

-Australian National Herbarium, Atherton and Canberra

-Royal Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium of Victoria

-Geoscience Australia

-Ocean Biogeographic Information System

-Online Zoological Collections of Australian Museums-Queensland Herbarium

-Western Australian Herbarium

-Tasmanian Herbarium

-Northern Territory Herbarium

-South Australian Museum

-Museum Victoria

-University of New England

-CSIRO-Other groups and individuals

© Commonwealth of Australia

+61 2 6274 1111

Canberra ACT 2601 Australia

GPO Box 787

Department of the Environment

Please feel free to provide feedback via the Contact Us page.

http://www.environment.act.gov.au/

http://birdlife.org.au/

http://www.environment.gov.au/science/bird-and-bat-banding

http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/

http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/

http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/

http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/home

http://www.csiro.au/en/Research/Collections/ANWC

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/Home

http://australianmuseum.net.au/

http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/science/Herbarium_and_resources/nsw_herbarium

http://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/

http://www.defence.gov.au/

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/Science/Science_research/State_Herbarium

http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/

http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/herbarium/

http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/science/herbarium-and-resources/national-herbarium-of-victoria

http://www.ga.gov.au/

http://www.iobis.org/

http://ozcam.org.au/

http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/plants/herbarium/

http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/plants-and-animals/wa-herbarium

http://www.tmag.tas.gov.au/collections_and_research/tasmanian_herbarium

http://www.lrm.nt.gov.au/plants-and-animals/herbarium

http://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/

http://museumvictoria.com.au/

http://www.une.edu.au

http://www.csiro.au/

http://www.environment.gov.au/copyright-statement

http://www.environment.gov.au/about-us/contact-us

Wildlife Online Extract

Search Criteria: Species List for a Specified Point

Species: All

Type: All

Status: All

Records: All

Date: All

Latitude: -11.8667

Longitude: 142.0416

Distance: 25

Email: [email protected]

Date submitted: Thursday 04 Feb 2016 10:04:17

Date extracted: Thursday 04 Feb 2016 10:10:26

The number of records retrieved = 617

Disclaimer

As the DSITIA is still in a process of collating and vetting data, it is possible the information given is not complete. The information provided should only be usedfor the project for which it was requested and it should be appropriately acknowledged as being derived from Wildlife Online when it is used.

The State of Queensland does not invite reliance upon, nor accept responsibility for this information. Persons should satisfy themselves through independentmeans as to the accuracy and completeness of this information.

No statements, representations or warranties are made about the accuracy or completeness of this information. The State of Queensland disclaims allresponsibility for this information and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damagesand costs you may incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way for any reason.

Feedback about Wildlife Online should be emailed to [email protected]

Kingdom Class Family Scientific Name Common Name I Q A Records

animals amphibians Bufonidae Rhinella marina cane toad Y 11 animals amphibians Hylidae Litoria bicolor northern sedgefrog C 13/1animals amphibians Hylidae Litoria rubella ruddy treefrog C 6 animals amphibians Hylidae Litoria caerulea common green treefrog C 5 animals amphibians Hylidae Litoria gracilenta graceful treefrog C 1 animals amphibians Hylidae Litoria infrafrenata white lipped treefrog C 5 animals amphibians Hylidae Litoria nigrofrenata tawny rocketfrog C 5 animals amphibians Hylidae Cyclorana novaehollandiae eastern snapping frog C 4/1animals amphibians Hylidae Litoria nasuta striped rocketfrog C 12/1animals amphibians Hylidae Litoria rothii northern laughing treefrog C 5 animals amphibians Limnodynastidae Platyplectrum ornatum ornate burrowing frog C 8/3animals amphibians Limnodynastidae Limnodynastes convexiusculus marbled frog C 16/1animals amphibians Microhylidae Austrochaperina gracilipes shrill whistlefrog C 3 animals amphibians Myobatrachidae Crinia remota northern froglet C 4 animals amphibians Myobatrachidae Uperoleia mimula mimicking gungan C 4 animals birds Acanthizidae Sericornis beccarii tropical scrubwren C 1 animals birds Acanthizidae Gerygone magnirostris large-billed gerygone C 6 animals birds Acanthizidae Gerygone palpebrosa fairy gerygone C 6 animals birds Accipitridae Haliastur sphenurus whistling kite C 31 animals birds Accipitridae Milvus migrans black kite C 3 animals birds Accipitridae Haliastur indus brahminy kite C 7 animals birds Accipitridae Pandion cristatus eastern osprey SL 8 animals birds Accipitridae Accipiter cirrocephalus collared sparrowhawk C 2 animals birds Accipitridae Hieraaetus morphnoides little eagle C 2 animals birds Accipitridae Haliaeetus leucogaster white-bellied sea-eagle C 12 animals birds Accipitridae Accipiter fasciatus brown goshawk C 5 animals birds Accipitridae Circus approximans swamp harrier C 6 animals birds Acrocephalidae Acrocephalus australis Australian reed-warbler SL 1 animals birds Aegothelidae Aegotheles cristatus Australian owlet-nightjar C 1 animals birds Alcedinidae Ceyx azureus azure kingfisher C 2 animals birds Alcedinidae Ceyx pusilla little kingfisher C 1 animals birds Anatidae Nettapus pulchellus green pygmy-goose C 2 animals birds Anatidae Anas superciliosa Pacific black duck C 6 animals birds Anatidae Anas gracilis grey teal C 4 animals birds Anatidae Tadorna radjah radjah shelduck C 14 animals birds Anhingidae Anhinga novaehollandiae Australasian darter C 8 animals birds Anseranatidae Anseranas semipalmata magpie goose C 12 animals birds Ardeidae Ardea alba modesta eastern great egret SL 9 animals birds Ardeidae Ardea ibis cattle egret SL 1 animals birds Ardeidae Egretta sacra eastern reef egret C 2 animals birds Ardeidae Ardea pacifica white-necked heron C 5 animals birds Ardeidae Egretta picata pied heron C 3 animals birds Ardeidae Egretta novaehollandiae white-faced heron C 14 animals birds Ardeidae Egretta garzetta little egret C 15 animals birds Ardeidae Ardea intermedia intermediate egret C 8 animals birds Ardeidae Ardea sumatrana great-billed heron C 1

Page 1 of 14Queensland Government Wildlife Online - Extract Date 04/02/2016 at 10:10:26


animals birds Artamidae Cracticus nigrogularis pied butcherbird C 1 animals birds Artamidae Cracticus quoyi black butcherbird C 15 animals birds Artamidae Cracticus mentalis black-backed butcherbird C 22 animals birds Artamidae Artamus leucorynchus white-breasted woodswallow C 6 animals birds Artamidae Artamus superciliosus white-browed woodswallow C 2 animals birds Burhinidae Esacus magnirostris beach stone-curlew V 6 animals birds Burhinidae Burhinus grallarius bush stone-curlew C 1 animals birds Cacatuidae Calyptorhynchus banksii red-tailed black-cockatoo C 9 animals birds Cacatuidae Probosciger aterrimus palm cockatoo NT V 12 animals birds Cacatuidae Cacatua galerita sulphur-crested cockatoo C 29 animals birds Campephagidae Coracina novaehollandiae black-faced cuckoo-shrike C 19 animals birds Campephagidae Coracina tenuirostris cicadabird SL 2 animals birds Campephagidae Coracina papuensis white-bellied cuckoo-shrike C 26 animals birds Campephagidae Lalage leucomela varied triller C 10 animals birds Caprimulgidae Caprimulgus macrurus large-tailed nightjar C 5 animals birds Charadriidae Charadrius ruficapillus red-capped plover C 3 animals birds Charadriidae Vanellus miles miles masked lapwing (northern subspecies) C 10 animals birds Charadriidae Erythrogonys cinctus red-kneed dotterel C 2 animals birds Charadriidae Elseyornis melanops black-fronted dotterel C 1 animals birds Charadriidae Vanellus miles masked lapwing C 7 animals birds Ciconiidae Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus black-necked stork C 8 animals birds Cisticolidae Cisticola exilis golden-headed cisticola C 6 animals birds Climacteridae Climacteris picumnus brown treecreeper C 2 animals birds Columbidae Ducula bicolor pied imperial-pigeon C 13 animals birds Columbidae Phaps sp. 1 animals birds Columbidae Geopelia striata peaceful dove C 12 animals birds Columbidae Geopelia humeralis bar-shouldered dove C 43 animals birds Columbidae Ptilinopus magnificus wompoo fruit-dove C 4 animals birds Columbidae Ptilinopus regina rose-crowned fruit-dove C 2 animals birds Corvidae Corvus orru Torresian crow C 34 animals birds Cuculidae Scythrops novaehollandiae channel-billed cuckoo C 4 animals birds Cuculidae Centropus phasianinus pheasant coucal C 6 animals birds Cuculidae Cacomantis variolosus brush cuckoo C 1 animals birds Cuculidae Eudynamys orientalis eastern koel C 7 animals birds Cuculidae Chalcites minutillus little bronze-cuckoo C 1 animals birds Cuculidae Chalcites basalis Horsfield's bronze-cuckoo C 1 animals birds Dicruridae Dicrurus bracteatus spangled drongo C 12 animals birds Estrildidae Neochmia temporalis red-browed finch C 2 animals birds Estrildidae Lonchura castaneothorax chestnut-breasted mannikin C 2 animals birds Estrildidae Taeniopygia bichenovii double-barred finch C 1 animals birds Falconidae Falco berigora brown falcon C 14 animals birds Falconidae Falco peregrinus peregrine falcon C 2 animals birds Falconidae Falco cenchroides nankeen kestrel C 4 animals birds Fregatidae Fregata ariel lesser frigatebird SL 2 animals birds Glareolidae Stiltia isabella Australian pratincole C 9 animals birds Gruidae Grus rubicunda brolga C 15



animals birds Haematopodidae Haematopus longirostris Australian pied oystercatcher C 10 animals birds Halcyonidae Dacelo leachii blue-winged kookaburra C 27 animals birds Halcyonidae Dacelo novaeguineae laughing kookaburra C 10 animals birds Halcyonidae Todiramphus sanctus sacred kingfisher C 5 animals birds Halcyonidae Todiramphus sordidus Torresian kingfisher C 2 animals birds Halcyonidae Todiramphus macleayii forest kingfisher C 14 animals birds Hirundinidae Hirundo neoxena welcome swallow C 3 animals birds Hirundinidae Petrochelidon nigricans tree martin C 3 animals birds Jacanidae Irediparra gallinacea comb-crested jacana C 2 animals birds Laridae Chlidonias hybrida whiskered tern C 2 animals birds Laridae Thalasseus bergii crested tern C 4 animals birds Laridae Hydroprogne caspia Caspian tern SL 2 animals birds Laridae Sternula albifrons little tern SL 3 animals birds Laridae Gelochelidon nilotica gull-billed tern SL 9 animals birds Laridae Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae silver gull C 2 animals birds Laridae Thalasseus bengalensis lesser crested tern C 2 animals birds Maluridae Malurus amabilis lovely fairy-wren C 2 animals birds Maluridae Malurus melanocephalus red-backed fairy-wren C 3 animals birds Megaluridae Megalurus timoriensis tawny grassbird C 2 animals birds Megapodiidae Megapodius reinwardt orange-footed scrubfowl C 9/1animals birds Megapodiidae Alectura lathami Australian brush-turkey C 6/1animals birds Meliphagidae Myzomela erythrocephala red-headed honeyeater C 6 animals birds Meliphagidae Melithreptus albogularis white-throated honeyeater C 41 animals birds Meliphagidae Conopophila rufogularis rufous-throated honeyeater C 1 animals birds Meliphagidae Conopophila albogularis rufous-banded honeyeater C 1 animals birds Meliphagidae Philemon citreogularis little friarbird C 21 animals birds Meliphagidae Xanthotis flaviventer tawny-breasted honeyeater C 7 animals birds Meliphagidae Philemon corniculatus noisy friarbird C 14 animals birds Meliphagidae Ramsayornis modestus brown-backed honeyeater C 4 animals birds Meliphagidae Philemon argenticeps silver-crowned friarbird C 2 animals birds Meliphagidae Lichmera indistincta brown honeyeater C 7 animals birds Meliphagidae Cissomela pectoralis banded honeyeater C 2 animals birds Meliphagidae Stomiopera unicolor white-gaped honeyeater C 1 animals birds Meliphagidae Philemon buceroides helmeted friarbird C 3 animals birds Meliphagidae Meliphaga gracilis graceful honeyeater C 29 animals birds Meliphagidae Entomyzon cyanotis blue-faced honeyeater C 15 animals birds Meliphagidae Meliphaga notata yellow-spotted honeyeater C 19 animals birds Meliphagidae Myzomela obscura dusky honeyeater C 10 animals birds Meliphagidae Stomiopera flava yellow honeyeater C 16 animals birds Meropidae Merops ornatus rainbow bee-eater SL 36 animals birds Monarchidae Myiagra alecto shining flycatcher C 6 animals birds Monarchidae Symposiachrus trivirgatus spectacled monarch SL 2 animals birds Monarchidae Grallina cyanoleuca magpie-lark C 18 animals birds Monarchidae Myiagra ruficollis broad-billed flycatcher C 1 animals birds Monarchidae Myiagra rubecula leaden flycatcher C 19 animals birds Motacillidae Anthus novaeseelandiae Australasian pipit C 2



animals birds Nectariniidae Nectarinia jugularis olive-backed sunbird C 27 animals birds Nectariniidae Dicaeum hirundinaceum mistletoebird C 29 animals birds Neosittidae Daphoenositta chrysoptera varied sittella C 3 animals birds Oriolidae Sphecotheres vieilloti Australasian figbird C 2 animals birds Oriolidae Oriolus sagittatus olive-backed oriole C 3 animals birds Oriolidae Oriolus flavocinctus yellow oriole C 30 animals birds Otididae Ardeotis australis Australian bustard C 1 animals birds Pachycephalidae Pachycephala rufiventris rufous whistler C 11 animals birds Pachycephalidae Colluricincla harmonica grey shrike-thrush C 7 animals birds Pachycephalidae Colluricincla megarhyncha little shrike-thrush C 2 animals birds Paradisaeidae Phonygammus keraudrenii trumpet manucode C 5 animals birds Paradisaeidae Ptiloris magnificus magnificent riflebird C 1 animals birds Pelecanidae Pelecanus conspicillatus Australian pelican C 18 animals birds Petroicidae Microeca flavigaster lemon-bellied flycatcher C 16 animals birds Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax sulcirostris little black cormorant C 1 animals birds Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax varius pied cormorant C 3 animals birds Phalacrocoracidae Microcarbo melanoleucos little pied cormorant C 6 animals birds Podargidae Podargus papuensis Papuan frogmouth C 11 animals birds Podargidae Podargus strigoides tawny frogmouth C 4 animals birds Podargidae Podargus ocellatus marmoratus marbled frogmouth C 1 animals birds Pomatostomidae Pomatostomus temporalis grey-crowned babbler C 3 animals birds Procellariidae Pterodroma leucoptera Gould's petrel C 1 animals birds Psittacidae Trichoglossus haematodus moluccanus rainbow lorikeet C 60 animals birds Psittacidae Aprosmictus erythropterus red-winged parrot C 24 animals birds Psittacidae Platycercus adscitus pale-headed rosella C 1 animals birds Ptilonorhynchidae Ptilonorhynchus nuchalis great bowerbird C 12 animals birds Recurvirostridae Himantopus himantopus black-winged stilt C 12 animals birds Rhipiduridae Rhipidura leucophrys willie wagtail C 2 animals birds Rhipiduridae Rhipidura albiscapa grey fantail C 1 animals birds Rhipiduridae Rhipidura rufifrons rufous fantail SL 4 animals birds Scolopacidae Tringa nebularia common greenshank SL 2 animals birds Scolopacidae Numenius phaeopus whimbrel SL 6 animals birds Scolopacidae Actitis hypoleucos common sandpiper SL 3 animals birds Scolopacidae Calidris tenuirostris great knot SL 1 animals birds Scolopacidae Tringa stagnatilis marsh sandpiper SL 2 animals birds Scolopacidae Numenius madagascariensis eastern curlew V CE 4 animals birds Scolopacidae Calidris acuminata sharp-tailed sandpiper SL 3 animals birds Strigidae Ninox boobook southern boobook C 11 animals birds Threskiornithidae Threskiornis spinicollis straw-necked ibis C 15 animals birds Threskiornithidae Threskiornis molucca Australian white ibis C 21 animals birds Threskiornithidae Platalea flavipes yellow-billed spoonbill C 2 animals birds Threskiornithidae Platalea regia royal spoonbill C 7 animals birds Threskiornithidae Plegadis falcinellus glossy ibis SL 7 animals birds Tytonidae Tyto delicatula eastern barn owl C 1 animals mammals Bovidae Bos taurus European cattle Y 7 animals mammals Canidae Canis lupus familiaris dog Y 2



animals mammals Canidae Canis lupus dingo dingo 2 animals mammals Canidae Canis sp. 6 animals mammals Dasyuridae Sminthopsis archeri chestnut dunnart NT 1/1animals mammals Dasyuridae Dasyurus hallucatus northern quoll C E 8/1animals mammals Dasyuridae Sminthopsis virginiae red-cheeked dunnart C 9/6animals mammals Delphinidae Orcaella heinsohni Australian snubfin dolphin V 2 animals mammals Equidae Equus caballus horse Y 24 animals mammals Felidae Felis catus cat Y 3 animals mammals Macropodidae Macropus antilopinus antilopine wallaroo C 10 animals mammals Macropodidae Macropus agilis agile wallaby C 26 animals mammals Megadermatidae Macroderma gigas ghost bat V 1 animals mammals Miniopteridae Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis eastern bent-wing bat C 6/5animals mammals Molossidae Chaerephon jobensis northern freetail bat C 6/4animals mammals Muridae Melomys sp. 3 animals mammals Muridae Rattus tunneyi pale field-rat C 6/5animals mammals Muridae Melomys burtoni grassland melomys C 17/13animals mammals Muridae Rattus sordidus canefield rat C 24/19animals mammals Muridae Hydromys chrysogaster water rat C 1/1animals mammals Muridae Uromys caudimaculatus giant white-tailed rat C 2/1animals mammals Muridae Pseudomys delicatulus delicate mouse C 21/10animals mammals Muridae Leggadina lakedownensis Lakeland Downs mouse C 1/1animals mammals Muridae Rattus sp. 1/1animals mammals Peramelidae Isoodon macrourus northern brown bandicoot C 2/1animals mammals Peramelidae Isoodon sp. 1 animals mammals Petauridae Petaurus breviceps sugar glider C 15/1animals mammals Phalangeridae Trichosurus vulpecula common brushtail possum C 5 animals mammals Pteropodidae Pteropus scapulatus little red flying-fox C 4 animals mammals Pteropodidae Pteropus alecto black flying-fox C 7/3animals mammals Suidae Sus scrofa pig Y 5 animals mammals Vespertilionidae Pipistrellus adamsi Cape York pipistrelle C 4 animals mammals Vespertilionidae Myotis macropus large-footed myotis C 4/2animals mammals Vespertilionidae Pipistrellus westralis northern pipistrelle C 5/5animals mammals Vespertilionidae Scotorepens sanborni northern broad-nosed bat C 2/1animals ray-finned fishes Ariidae Neoarius berneyi highfin catfish 1 animals ray-finned fishes Eleotridae Oxyeleotris fimbriata fimbriate gudgeon 1 animals ray-finned fishes Gobiidae Glossogobius concavifrons concave flathead goby 1 animals reptiles Agamidae Chlamydosaurus kingii frilled lizard C 1 animals reptiles Agamidae Diporiphora bilineata two-lined dragon C 7/2animals reptiles Boidae Liasis mackloti water python C 2 animals reptiles Boidae Aspidites melanocephalus black-headed python C 1 animals reptiles Boidae Simalia kinghorni amethystine python (Australian form) C 2 animals reptiles Colubridae Tropidonophis mairii freshwater snake C 3 animals reptiles Colubridae Stegonotus cucullatus slaty-grey snake C 3/1animals reptiles Colubridae Dendrelaphis punctulatus green tree snake C 1/1animals reptiles Crocodylidae Crocodylus porosus estuarine crocodile V 5 animals reptiles Diplodactylidae Amalosia rhombifer zig-zag gecko C 3



animals reptiles Diplodactylidae Oedura castelnaui northern velvet gecko C 2 animals reptiles Elapidae Hydrelaps darwiniensis C 1/1animals reptiles Elapidae Hydrophis elegans C 1/1animals reptiles Elapidae Furina ornata orange-naped snake C 1 animals reptiles Elapidae Acanthophis praelongus northern death adder C 1/1animals reptiles Elapidae Antaioserpens warro robust burrowing snake C 1 animals reptiles Gekkonidae Hemidactylus frenatus house gecko Y 1 animals reptiles Gekkonidae Nactus eboracensis C 22/1animals reptiles Gekkonidae Gehyra dubia C 16/5animals reptiles Gekkonidae Heteronotia binoei Bynoe's gecko C 5/2animals reptiles Pygopodidae Lialis burtonis Burton's legless lizard C 4/1animals reptiles Scincidae Glaphyromorphus nigricaudis C 12/1animals reptiles Scincidae Cryptoblepharus virgatus striped snake-eyed skink C 6 animals reptiles Scincidae Eremiascincus pardalis C 1/1animals reptiles Scincidae Morethia taeniopleura fire-tailed skink C 1/1animals reptiles Scincidae Glaphyromorphus sp. 1 animals reptiles Scincidae Cryptoblepharus sp. 1 animals reptiles Scincidae Tiliqua scincoides eastern blue-tongued lizard C 1 animals reptiles Scincidae Carlia munda C 1 animals reptiles Scincidae Carlia sexdentata C 44/5animals reptiles Scincidae Ctenotus spaldingi C 18/1animals reptiles Scincidae Carlia storri C 2/1animals reptiles Typhlopidae Anilios ligatus robust blind snake C 1 animals reptiles Varanidae Varanus tristis black-tailed monitor C 1 animals reptiles Varanidae Varanus indicus mangrove monitor C 2 animals reptiles Varanidae Varanus gouldii sand monitor C 1 animals reptiles Varanidae Varanus panoptes yellow-spotted monitor C 1 animals reptiles Varanidae Varanus scalaris spotted tree monitor C 3/3plants ferns Lindsaeaceae Lindsaea ensifolia subsp. agatii C 1/1plants ferns Lindsaeaceae Lindsaea ensifolia subsp. ensifolia C 1/1plants ferns Platyzomataceae Platyzoma microphyllum braid fern C 1/1plants higher dicots Acanthaceae Asystasia gangetica subsp. gangetica Y 1/1plants higher dicots Acanthaceae Rostellularia adscendens C 1/1plants higher dicots Amaranthaceae Alternanthera pungens khaki weed Y 1/1plants higher dicots Amaranthaceae Gomphrena flaccida C 2/2plants higher dicots Amaranthaceae Achyranthes aspera C 1/1plants higher dicots Amaranthaceae Celosia argentea Y 2/2plants higher dicots Amaranthaceae Deeringia amaranthoides redberry C 1/1plants higher dicots Apocynaceae Marsdenia cymulosa C 3/3plants higher dicots Apocynaceae Wrightia pubescens subsp. penicillata C 1/1plants higher dicots Apocynaceae Alstonia actinophylla C 1/1plants higher dicots Apocynaceae Gymnanthera oblonga C 1/1plants higher dicots Apocynaceae Secamone elliptica C 1/1plants higher dicots Apocynaceae Carissa laxiflora C 1/1plants higher dicots Apocynaceae Alyxia spicata C 2/2plants higher dicots Araliaceae Trachymene psammophila C 2/2



plants higher dicots Asteraceae Blumea diffusa C 1/1plants higher dicots Asteraceae Elephantopus scaber Y 1/1plants higher dicots Asteraceae Cyanthillium cinereum C 1/1plants higher dicots Asteraceae Phacellothrix cladochaeta C 1/1plants higher dicots Asteraceae Apowollastonia longipes C 1/1plants higher dicots Asteraceae Sphaeranthus africanus C 2/2plants higher dicots Asteraceae Sphaeromorphaea harrisii C 2/2plants higher dicots Bataceae Batis argillicola C 1/1plants higher dicots Boraginaceae Heliotropium ovalifolium C 3/3plants higher dicots Boraginaceae Heliotropium indicum Y 1/1plants higher dicots Boraginaceae Heliotropium vagum C 1/1plants higher dicots Burseraceae Canarium australianum var. australianum C 1/1plants higher dicots Caesalpiniaceae Chamaecrista rotundifolia var. rotundifolia Y 1/1plants higher dicots Caesalpiniaceae Cynometra iripa C 1/1plants higher dicots Caesalpiniaceae Senna occidentalis coffee senna Y 2/2plants higher dicots Caesalpiniaceae Chamaecrista absus var. absus C 2/2plants higher dicots Campanulaceae Lobelia stenophylla C 1/1plants higher dicots Campanulaceae Isotoma gulliveri C 2/2plants higher dicots Campanulaceae Lobelia dioica C 3/3plants higher dicots Caryophyllaceae Polycarpaea spirostylis subsp. densiflora C 1/1plants higher dicots Caryophyllaceae Polycarpaea corymbosa var. corymbosa C 1/1plants higher dicots Celastraceae Denhamia oleaster C 2/2plants higher dicots Celastraceae Denhamia cunninghamii C 1/1plants higher dicots Chenopodiaceae Tecticornia indica C 1/1plants higher dicots Chrysobalanaceae Maranthes corymbosa C 1/1plants higher dicots Cleomaceae Cleome viscosa tick-weed C 1/1plants higher dicots Combretaceae Terminalia muelleri C 1/1plants higher dicots Combretaceae Quisqualis indica Y 1/1plants higher dicots Convolvulaceae Jacquemontia paniculata C 2/2plants higher dicots Convolvulaceae Ipomoea diversifolia C 2/2plants higher dicots Convolvulaceae Polymeria ambigua C 1/1plants higher dicots Convolvulaceae Merremia dissecta Y 2/2plants higher dicots Convolvulaceae Ipomoea quamoclit star of Bethlehem Y 2/2plants higher dicots Convolvulaceae Ipomoea eriocarpa C 4/4plants higher dicots Convolvulaceae Merremia quinata C 3/3plants higher dicots Convolvulaceae Ipomoea graminea C 2/2plants higher dicots Convolvulaceae Ipomoea gracilis C 1/1plants higher dicots Convolvulaceae Cressa australis C 3/3plants higher dicots Convolvulaceae Ipomoea plebeia bellvine C 1/1plants higher dicots Convolvulaceae Ipomoea nil Y 1/1plants higher dicots Cucurbitaceae Cucumis althaeoides C 3/3plants higher dicots Cucurbitaceae Diplocyclos palmatus subsp. palmatus C 1/1plants higher dicots Dilleniaceae Dillenia alata C 1/1plants higher dicots Dilleniaceae Hibbertia banksii forma banksii C 1/1plants higher dicots Droseraceae Drosera petiolaris C 1/1plants higher dicots Droseraceae Drosera serpens C 3/3



plants higher dicots Droseraceae Drosera lanata C 1/1plants higher dicots Elaeocarpaceae Elaeocarpus arnhemicus C 1/1plants higher dicots Euphorbiaceae Mallotus nesophilus C 1/1plants higher dicots Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia heterophylla Y 1/1plants higher dicots Euphorbiaceae Microstachys chamaelea C 2/2plants higher dicots Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia mitchelliana var. filipes C 3/3plants higher dicots Euphorbiaceae Croton multicaulis subsp. multicaulis C 1/1plants higher dicots Euphorbiaceae Excoecaria agallocha milky mangrove C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Millettia pinnata C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Zornia floribunda C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Crotalaria montana C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Desmodium pullenii C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Glycine tomentella woolly glycine C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Indigofera hirsuta hairy indigo C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Desmodium tortuosum Florida beggar-weed Y 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Sesbania burbidgeae C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Stylosanthes scabra Y 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Pycnospora lutescens pycnospora C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Stylosanthes humilis Townsville stylo Y 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Uraria lagopodioides C 2/2plants higher dicots Fabaceae Aphyllodium schindleri C 2/2plants higher dicots Fabaceae Desmodium pycnotrichum C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Desmodium strigillosum Y 2/2plants higher dicots Fabaceae Crotalaria quinquefolia C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Alysicarpus schomburgkii C 2/2plants higher dicots Fabaceae Desmodium trichostachyum C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Austrodolichos errabundus C 2/2plants higher dicots Fabaceae Vigna vexillata var. youngiana C 2/2plants higher dicots Fabaceae Vigna lanceolata var. filiformis C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Vigna vexillata var. angustifolia C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Galactia sp. (Andoom A.Morton 1149) C 2/2plants higher dicots Fabaceae Aeschynomene americana var. americana Y 2/2plants higher dicots Fabaceae Cajanus scarabaeoides var. pedunculatus C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Crotalaria medicaginea var. medicaginea C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Glycine C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Galactia C 3/3plants higher dicots Fabaceae Uraria picta C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Zornia ramosa C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Tephrosia laxa C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Glycine curvata C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Smithia conferta C 2/2plants higher dicots Fabaceae Tephrosia juncea C 2/2plants higher dicots Fabaceae Crotalaria brevis C 2/2plants higher dicots Fabaceae Desmodium brownii C 1/1plants higher dicots Fabaceae Eriosema chinense C 1/1plants higher dicots Goodeniaceae Goodenia debilis C 2/2



plants higher dicots Haloragaceae Myriophyllum C 1/1plants higher dicots Helicteraceae Helicteres sp. (Heathlands R.W.Johnson 5134) C 1/1plants higher dicots Lamiaceae Vitex rotundifolia C 1/1plants higher dicots Lamiaceae Anisomeles antrorsa C 2/2plants higher dicots Lamiaceae Pogostemon stellatus C 1/1plants higher dicots Lamiaceae Clerodendrum costatum C 1/1plants higher dicots Lamiaceae Mesosphaerum suaveolens Y 1/1plants higher dicots Lamiaceae Clerodendrum floribundum C 1/1plants higher dicots Lentibulariaceae Utricularia chrysantha C 1/1plants higher dicots Lentibulariaceae Utricularia caerulea blue bladderwort C 1/1plants higher dicots Lentibulariaceae Utricularia limosa C 1/1plants higher dicots Lentibulariaceae Utricularia C 1/1plants higher dicots Loganiaceae Mitrasacme brachystemonea C 1/1plants higher dicots Loganiaceae Mitrasacme stellata C 3/3plants higher dicots Loranthaceae Dendrophthoe glabrescens C 2/2plants higher dicots Malvaceae Thespesia populneoides C 1/1plants higher dicots Malvaceae Sida acuta spinyhead sida Y 1/1plants higher dicots Malvaceae Decaschistia peninsularis C 6/6plants higher dicots Malvaceae Sida rhombifolia Y 1/1plants higher dicots Malvaceae Hibiscus heterophyllus C 1/1plants higher dicots Malvaceae Hibiscus forsteri C 1/1plants higher dicots Malvaceae Hibiscus meraukensis Merauke hibiscus C 3/3plants higher dicots Melastomataceae Osbeckia chinensis C 1/1plants higher dicots Melastomataceae Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum C 1/1plants higher dicots Meliaceae Aglaia elaeagnoidea C 1/1plants higher dicots Meliaceae Owenia vernicosa C 1/1plants higher dicots Menyanthaceae Nymphoides exiliflora C 1/1plants higher dicots Mimosaceae Acacia torulosa C 1/1plants higher dicots Mimosaceae Acacia crassicarpa C 2/2plants higher dicots Mimosaceae Neptunia gracilis forma gracilis C 1/1plants higher dicots Mimosaceae Adenanthera abrosperma C 1/1plants higher dicots Molluginaceae Glinus oppositifolius C 2/2plants higher dicots Moraceae Ficus rubiginosa forma rubiginosa C 1/1plants higher dicots Moringaceae Moringa oleifera Y 1/1plants higher dicots Myrtaceae Syzygium eucalyptoides subsp. eucalyptoides C 2/2plants higher dicots Myrtaceae Melaleuca viridiflora var. viridiflora C 1/1plants higher dicots Myrtaceae Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. platyphylla C 2/2plants higher dicots Myrtaceae Melaleuca quinquenervia swamp paperbark C 1/1plants higher dicots Myrtaceae Syzygium suborbiculare C 1/1plants higher dicots Myrtaceae Syzygium angophoroides C 1/1plants higher dicots Myrtaceae Thryptomene oligandra C 1/1plants higher dicots Myrtaceae Melaleuca acacioides C 1/1plants higher dicots Myrtaceae Osbornia octodonta myrtle mangrove C 1/1plants higher dicots Myrtaceae Melaleuca dealbata swamp tea-tree C 1/1plants higher dicots Myrtaceae Gossia retusa C 1/1plants higher dicots Myrtaceae Melaleuca leucadendra broad-leaved tea-tree C 2/2



plants higher dicots Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia mutabilis C 2/2plants higher dicots Nyctaginaceae Pisonia aculeata thorny pisonia C 1/1plants higher dicots Onagraceae Ludwigia perennis C 2/2plants higher dicots Orobanchaceae Striga curviflora C 1/1plants higher dicots Orobanchaceae Buchnera gracilis C 1/1plants higher dicots Oxalidaceae Biophytum petersianum C 1/1plants higher dicots Passifloraceae Passiflora foetida Y 2/2plants higher dicots Phyllanthaceae Phyllanthus amarus Y 1/1plants higher dicots Phyllanthaceae Sauropus elachophyllus var. latior C 4/4plants higher dicots Phyllanthaceae Phyllanthus tenellus Y 1/1plants higher dicots Phyllanthaceae Bischofia javanica C 1/1plants higher dicots Phyllanthaceae Phyllanthus simplex C 1/1plants higher dicots Phyllanthaceae Breynia oblongifolia C 1/1plants higher dicots Picrodendraceae Petalostigma pubescens quinine tree C 1/1plants higher dicots Plantaginaceae Adenosma caerulea C 2/2plants higher dicots Plantaginaceae Limnophila fragrans C 1/1plants higher dicots Polygalaceae Polygala persicariifolia C 1/1plants higher dicots Polygalaceae Polygala scorpioides C 2/2plants higher dicots Polygalaceae Polygala longifolia C 1/1plants higher dicots Polygalaceae Salomonia ciliata C 1/1plants higher dicots Polygonaceae Persicaria attenuata x Polygonum glabrum C 1/1plants higher dicots Polygonaceae Antigonon leptopus Y 3/3plants higher dicots Polygonaceae Persicaria attenuata C 1/1plants higher dicots Portulacaceae Calandrinia gracilis C 1/1plants higher dicots Proteaceae Hakea pedunculata C 2/2plants higher dicots Rhizophoraceae Carallia brachiata carallia C 1/1plants higher dicots Rubiaceae Spermacoce latifolia Y 1/1plants higher dicots Rubiaceae Oldenlandia galioides C 1/1plants higher dicots Rubiaceae Coelospermum decipiens C 1/1plants higher dicots Rubiaceae Pavetta brownii var. brownii C 1/1plants higher dicots Rubiaceae Richardia scabra Y 1/1plants higher dicots Rubiaceae Aidia racemosa C 1/1plants higher dicots Rubiaceae Spermacoce C 2/2plants higher dicots Rubiaceae Spermacoce papuana C 3/3plants higher dicots Sapindaceae Allophylus cobbe C 1/1plants higher dicots Solanaceae Solanum yirrkalense C 1/1plants higher dicots Solanaceae Solanum pugiunculiferum C 3/3plants higher dicots Solanaceae Solanum discolor C 1/1plants higher dicots Sphenocleaceae Sphenoclea zeylanica C 1/1plants higher dicots Stackhousiaceae Stackhousia intermedia C 1/1plants higher dicots Sterculiaceae Brachychiton muellerianus C 2/2plants higher dicots Sterculiaceae Sterculia quadrifida peanut tree C 2/2plants higher dicots Stylidiaceae Stylidium schizanthum C 2/2plants higher dicots Stylidiaceae Stylidium diffusum C 1/1plants higher dicots Stylidiaceae Stylidium delicatum C 1/1plants higher dicots Stylidiaceae Stylidium foveolatum C 1/1



plants higher dicots Ulmaceae Celtis paniculata native celtis C 3/3plants higher dicots Verbenaceae Phyla nodiflora carpetweed C 3/3plants higher dicots Vitaceae Ampelocissus acetosa C 1/1plants higher dicots Vitaceae Cayratia acris hairy grape C 1/1plants lower dicots Annonaceae Miliusa traceyi C 1/1plants lower dicots Aristolochiaceae Pararistolochia linearifolia C 1/1plants lower dicots Lauraceae Litsea glutinosa C 1/1plants lower dicots Lauraceae Cassytha filiformis dodder laurel C 3/3plants lower dicots Menispermaceae Tinospora esiangkara C 2/2plants lower dicots Menispermaceae Stephania japonica var. japonica C 1/1plants lower dicots Menispermaceae Pachygone ovata C 1/1plants lower dicots Nymphaeaceae Nymphaea immutabilis C 2/2plants lower dicots Nymphaeaceae Nymphaea violacea C 1/1plants monocots Anthericaceae Chlorophytum laxum spider plant C 1/1plants monocots Araceae Typhonium wilbertii C 2/2plants monocots Araceae Lemna aequinoctialis common duckweed C 1/1plants monocots Arecaceae Livistona muelleri dwarf fan palm C 1/1plants monocots Commelinaceae Murdannia gigantea C 1/1plants monocots Commelinaceae Cartonema spicatum C 1/1plants monocots Commelinaceae Murdannia graminea murdannia C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Fuirena ciliaris C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Cyperus aquatilis C 3/3plants monocots Cyperaceae Eleocharis dulcis C 6/6plants monocots Cyperaceae Fimbristylis rara C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Fuirena umbellata C 2/2plants monocots Cyperaceae Rhynchospora leae C 2/2plants monocots Cyperaceae Schoenus sparteus C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Cyperus tenuispica C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Fimbristylis furva C 3/3plants monocots Cyperaceae Fimbristylis recta C 2/2plants monocots Cyperaceae Bulbostylis barbata C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Eleocharis spiralis C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Eleocharis sundaica C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Fimbristylis nutans C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Cyperus multispiceus C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Cyperus pedunculatus C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Cyperus stoloniferus C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Lepironia articulata C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Eleocharis geniculata C 2/2plants monocots Cyperaceae Schoenus calostachyus C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Fimbristylis dichotoma common fringe-rush C 2/2plants monocots Cyperaceae Tricostularia undulata C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Fimbristylis acicularis C 2/2plants monocots Cyperaceae Fimbristylis ferruginea C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Fimbristylis littoralis C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Rhynchospora longisetis C 1/1



plants monocots Cyperaceae Schoenoplectus subulatus C 2/2plants monocots Cyperaceae Scleria novae-hollandiae C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Fimbristylis stenostachya C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Rhynchospora heterochaeta C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Fimbristylis pterigosperma C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Cyperus polystachyos var. laxiflorus C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Scleria laxa C 1/1plants monocots Cyperaceae Scleria brownii C 1/1plants monocots Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea bulbifera var. bulbifera C 1/1plants monocots Eriocaulaceae Eriocaulon clarksonii C 1/1plants monocots Eriocaulaceae Eriocaulon depressum C 2/2plants monocots Eriocaulaceae Eriocaulon australe C 1/1plants monocots Eriocaulaceae Eriocaulon C 1/1plants monocots Haemodoraceae Haemodorum coccineum C 1/1plants monocots Hemerocallidaceae Dianella odorata C 1/1plants monocots Hemerocallidaceae Dianella caerulea C 1/1plants monocots Hydrocharitaceae Blyxa aubertii C 2/2plants monocots Juncaginaceae Cycnogeton dubius C 1/1plants monocots Laxmanniaceae Lomandra laxa broad-leaved matrush C 1/1plants monocots Laxmanniaceae Lomandra filiformis subsp. filiformis C 1/1plants monocots Orchidaceae Dendrobium canaliculatum C 1/1plants monocots Pandanaceae Pandanus cookii C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Capillipedium parviflorum scented top C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Thaumastochloa monilifera C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Diplachne fusca var. fusca C 2/2plants monocots Poaceae Schizachyrium pachyarthron C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Aristida utilis var. utilis C 4/4plants monocots Poaceae Pseudopogonatherum irritans C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Pseudopogonatherum contortum C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Eriachne glauca var. barbinodis C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Aristida utilis var. grandiflora C 2/2plants monocots Poaceae Ischaemum australe var. australe C 3/3plants monocots Poaceae Aristida holathera var. holathera C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Panicum decompositum var. tenuius C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Panicum seminudum var. cairnsianum C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Bothriochloa bladhii subsp. bladhii C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Eriachne pallescens var. pallescens C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Urochloa holosericea subsp. holosericea C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Cenchrus pedicellatus subsp. unispiculus Y 2/2plants monocots Poaceae Cenchrus pedicellatus subsp. pedicellatus Y 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Eriachne C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Digitaria C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Ectrosia laxa C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Ectrosia ovata C 2/2plants monocots Poaceae Sarga angustum C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Sarga plumosum C 1/1



plants monocots Poaceae Chloris inflata purpletop chloris Y 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Isachne confusa C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Panicum effusum C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Setaria surgens C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Themeda arguens C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Eriachne armitii C 2/2plants monocots Poaceae Eriachne triseta C 2/2plants monocots Poaceae Eriochloa crebra spring grass C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Ectrosia leporina C 4/4plants monocots Poaceae Elionurus citreus lemon-scented grass C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Eriochloa procera slender cupgrass C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Ischaemum fragile C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Mnesithea formosa C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Setaria apiculata C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Digitaria bicornis C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Digitaria ciliaris summer grass Y 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Eragrostis brownii Brown's lovegrass C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Eulalia mackinlayi C 3/3plants monocots Poaceae Heterachne baileyi C 3/3plants monocots Poaceae Lepturus geminatus NT 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Paspalum vaginatum saltwater couch C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Sacciolepis indica Indian cupscale grass C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Coelachne pulchella C 2/2plants monocots Poaceae Cymbopogon ambiguus lemon grass C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Ectrosia nervilemma C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Eragrostis capitula C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Eragrostis elongata C 2/2plants monocots Poaceae Eremochloa ciliaris C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Eriachne agrostidea C 2/2plants monocots Poaceae Ischaemum decumbens C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Panicum mindanaense C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Paspalum multinodum V 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Cymbopogon refractus barbed-wire grass C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Ectrosia agrostoides C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Eragrostis pubescens C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Pheidochloa gracilis C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Thaumastochloa major C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Urochloa holosericea C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Dimeria acinaciformis C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Heteropogon triticeus giant speargrass C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Panicum trachyrhachis C 2/2plants monocots Poaceae Schizachyrium fragile firegrass C 2/2plants monocots Poaceae Alloteropsis semialata cockatoo grass C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Paspalum scrobiculatum ditch millet C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Urochloa subquadripara Y 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Cleistochloa sclerachne C 1/1



plants monocots Poaceae Eragrostis stenostachya C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Sacciolepis myosuroides C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Sporobolus jacquemontii Y 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Thaumastochloa pubescens C 1/1plants monocots Poaceae Thaumastochloa rariflora C 2/2plants monocots Pontederiaceae Monochoria cyanea C 3/3plants monocots Restionaceae Dapsilanthus elatior C 3/3plants monocots Restionaceae Dapsilanthus ramosus C 1/1plants monocots Restionaceae Dapsilanthus spathaceus C 3/3plants monocots Xyridaceae Xyris oligantha C 1/1plants monocots Xyridaceae Xyris complanata yellow-eye C 2/2plants mosses Calymperaceae Octoblepharum albidum C 1/1plants spike mosses Selaginellaceae Selaginella pygmaea C 2/2plants Linderniaceae Lindernia tenuifolia C 2/2plants Linderniaceae Lindernia sp. (Merapah B.S.Wannan 5240) C 2/2plants Linderniaceae Lindernia aplectra C 1/1plants Phrymaceae Mimulus uvedaliae C 1/1plants Streptophyceae Chara zeylandica C 1/1protists uncertain Algae Algae C 1/1

CODES

I - Y indicates that the taxon is introduced to Queensland and has naturalised.

Q - Indicates the Queensland conservation status of each taxon under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. The codes are Extinct in the Wild (PE), Endangered (E),Vulnerable (V), Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (C) or Not Protected ( ).

A - Indicates the Australian conservation status of each taxon under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The values of EPBC areConservation Dependent (CD), Critically Endangered (CE), Endangered (E), Extinct (EX), Extinct in the Wild (XW) and Vulnerable (V).

Records – The first number indicates the total number of records of the taxon for the record option selected (i.e. All, Confirmed or Specimens).This number is output as 99999 if it equals or exceeds this value. The second number located after the / indicates the number of specimen records for the taxon.This number is output as 999 if it equals or exceeds this value.





ATTACHMENT 2 ENVIRONMENTALLY

SENSITIVE AREAS

Centred on tenure: ml: 100051 Map requested: 16/03/2016 15:16:57




ATTACHMENT 3 SIGNIFICANT CONNECTIVITY

CORRIDORS

62

Figure 3. Cape York bioregional corridors.

Metro Mining Appendix B2 - Aquatic Ecology Technical Report Bauxite Hills Project · 2018-08-09 ·...

Documents

Transcript of Metro Mining Appendix B2 - Aquatic Ecology Technical Report Bauxite Hills Project · 2018-08-09 ·...