TABLE OF CONTENTS - Taroborah€¦ · taroborah coal project i november 2014 table of contents...

Taroborah Coal Project i November 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TAROBORAH COAL PROJECT SUPPLEMENTARY ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

ABBREVIATIONS

GLOSSARY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.0 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1-1

1.1 PROJECT PROPONENT .................................................................................................... 1-1

1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................. 1-1

1.3 PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE ............................................................................ 1-10

1.3.1 Alternatives .......................................................................................................... 1-10

1.3.2 Envisaged Time Scale and Establishment Costs ............................................... 1-11

1.3.3 Actions Undertaken in the Project Area .............................................................. 1-12 1.3.3.1 Exploration ..................................................................................................................... 1-12

1.3.3.2 Other Developments in the Region ................................................................................ 1-13

1.3.3.3 Interrelated Developments ............................................................................................. 1-15

1.3.3.4 Consequences for Not Proceeding with the Project ....................................................... 1-15

1.4 THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT PROCESS ........................................... 1-16

1.4.1 Methodology of the Environmental Impact Statement ........................................ 1-16 1.4.1.1 EIS Process ................................................................................................................... 1-16

1.4.1.2 Environmental Studies ................................................................................................... 1-18

1.4.2 Objectives of the Environmental Impact Statement ............................................ 1-19

1.4.3 Structure of the Environmental Impact Statement .............................................. 1-19

1.4.4 Submissions ........................................................................................................ 1-20

1.5 PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS ............................................................................. 1-21

1.6 PROJECT APPROVALS ................................................................................................... 1-31

1.6.1 Relevant Legislation and Policy Requirements ................................................... 1-31

1.6.2 Commonwealth Legislation ................................................................................. 1-34 1.6.2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 .................................. 1-34

1.6.2.2 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Environmental

Offset Policy 2012 .......................................................................................................... 1-35

1.6.2.3 National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 .................................................. 1-35

1.6.2.4 National Pollutant Inventory National Environment Protection Measure ........................ 1-35

1.6.2.5 Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act 2006 ...................................................................... 1-36

1.6.2.6 Native Title Act 1993 ...................................................................................................... 1-36

1.6.3 Queensland State Legislation ............................................................................. 1-36 1.6.3.1 Environmental Protection Act 1994 ................................................................................ 1-36

1.6.3.2 Environmental Protection Regulation 2008 .................................................................... 1-37

1.6.3.3 Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 2008 .................................................................... 1-39

1.6.3.4 Environmental Protection (Noise) Policy 2008 ............................................................... 1-39

1.6.3.5 Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009 ............................................................... 1-40

1.6.3.6 Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Regulation 2000 ................................. 1-40

1.6.3.7 Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy 2014 ............................................................ 1-40

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1.6.3.8 Environmental Protection (Greentape Reduction) and Other Legislation

Amendment Act 2012 ..................................................................................................... 1-41

1.6.3.9 Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 ..................................................................... 1-41

1.6.3.10 Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation 2011 ......................................................... 1-41

1.6.3.11 Water Act 2000 .............................................................................................................. 1-42

1.6.3.12 Water Regulation 2002 .................................................................................................. 1-42

1.6.3.13 Water Resource (Fitzroy Basin) Plan 2011 .................................................................... 1-42

1.6.3.14 Nature Conservation Act 1992 ....................................................................................... 1-43

1.6.3.15 Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006 ............................................................ 1-43

1.6.3.16 Vegetation Management Act 1999 ................................................................................. 1-44

1.6.3.17 Vegetation Management Regulation 2012 ..................................................................... 1-44

1.6.3.18 Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 ................................... 1-44

1.6.3.19 Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Regulation 2003 ....................... 1-44

1.6.3.20 Fisheries Act 1994 ......................................................................................................... 1-44

1.6.3.21 Mineral Resources Act 1989 .......................................................................................... 1-45

1.6.3.22 Mineral Resources Regulation 2013 .............................................................................. 1-45

1.6.3.23 Forestry Act 1959 ........................................................................................................... 1-45

1.6.3.24 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 ............................................................................ 1-46

1.6.3.25 Queensland Heritage Act 1992 ...................................................................................... 1-46

1.6.3.26 Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 ............................................................................ 1-47

1.6.3.27 Sustainable Planning Act 2009 ...................................................................................... 1-47

1.6.3.28 Local Government Act 2009 ........................................................................................... 1-48

1.6.3.29 Transport Infrastructure Act 1994................................................................................... 1-48

1.6.3.30 Transport Operations (Road Use Management Mass, Dimensions and Loading)

Regulation 2005 ............................................................................................................. 1-48

1.6.3.31 State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 ....................................... 1-49

1.6.3.32 Land Act 1994 ................................................................................................................ 1-49

1.6.3.33 Work Health and Safety Act 2011 .................................................................................. 1-49

1.6.3.34 Explosives Act 1999 ....................................................................................................... 1-50

1.6.3.35 Explosives Regulation 2003 ........................................................................................... 1-50

1.6.3.36 Other Potentially Relevant Legislation and Policy .......................................................... 1-50

1.6.4 Required Approvals ............................................................................................. 1-51 1.6.4.1 Environmental Offsets .................................................................................................... 1-59

1.6.5 Planning Processes and Standards .................................................................... 1-59 1.6.5.1 State Planning Policy ..................................................................................................... 1-59

1.6.5.2 Central Highlands Regional Council ............................................................................... 1-60

1.6.5.3 Emerald Shire ................................................................................................................ 1-60

1.6.5.4 Central Queensland Strategy for Sustainability – 2004 and Beyond .............................. 1-62

1.7 ACCREDITED PROCESS FOR CONTROLLED ACTIONS UNDER

COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATION............................................................................................. 1-65

2.0 PROJECT NEEDS AND ALTERNATIVES .................................................. 2-1

2.1 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION ............................................................................................... 2-1

2.2 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROJECT ................................................................................ 2-3

2.2.1 Consequences of not Proceeding with the Project ........................................................ 2-3

2.2.2 Alternative Land Uses for the Project ............................................................................. 2-3

2.2.3 Alternatives Within the Project ....................................................................................... 2-4

2.2.4 Mining and Processing ................................................................................................... 2-5 2.2.4.1 Extraction ............................................................................................................................ 2-5

2.2.4.2 Coal Preparation ................................................................................................................. 2-6

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2.2.5 Product Transport ........................................................................................................... 2-7 2.2.5.1 Rail Infrastructure ............................................................................................................... 2-8

2.2.5.2 Port Facilities ...................................................................................................................... 2-8

2.2.6 Mine Infrastructure Area Layout ..................................................................................... 2-9

2.2.7 Spoil Dumps ................................................................................................................. 2-10

2.2.8 Rejects Disposal ........................................................................................................... 2-11

2.2.9 Workforce and Accommodation ................................................................................... 2-11

2.2.10 Water Supply ................................................................................................................ 2-12

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ............................................................. 3-1

3.1 LOCATION ............................................................................................................................. 3-2

3.1.1 Regional Context ............................................................................................................ 3-2

3.1.2 Local Context .................................................................................................................. 3-2 Land Tenures ...................................................................................................................... 3-53.1.2.1

Proposed Project Infrastructure Footprint ........................................................................... 3-93.1.2.2

3.2 CONSTRUCTION ................................................................................................................. 3-12

3.2.1 Vegetation Clearing Schedule ...................................................................................... 3-12

3.2.2 Opencut Mine ............................................................................................................... 3-12 Overburden Stripping ........................................................................................................ 3-123.2.2.1

3.2.3 Underground Mine Access and Integration .................................................................. 3-13

3.2.4 Coal Handling and Preparation Plant ........................................................................... 3-15

3.2.5 Spoil Dumps ................................................................................................................. 3-15

3.2.6 Rail Facility ................................................................................................................... 3-15

3.2.7 Regulated Dams ........................................................................................................... 3-15

3.2.8 Overland Flow Protection Bunds .................................................................................. 3-16

3.2.9 Visual Amenity Bund .................................................................................................... 3-17

3.2.10 Mine Infrastructure Area ............................................................................................... 3-19

3.2.11 Construction Workforce ................................................................................................ 3-19

3.3 OPERATIONS ...................................................................................................................... 3-20

3.3.1 Tenements and tenures ............................................................................................... 3-20

3.3.2 Resource Base and Mine Life ...................................................................................... 3-23 Mine Life ........................................................................................................................... 3-233.3.2.1

Resource Base ................................................................................................................. 3-233.3.2.2

Resource Sterilisation ....................................................................................................... 3-323.3.2.3

Other Resource Utilisation ................................................................................................ 3-323.3.2.4

3.3.3 Mining Methods and Equipment ................................................................................... 3-32 Mine Setting ...................................................................................................................... 3-323.3.3.1

Mining Methods ................................................................................................................ 3-333.3.3.2

Mining Equipment ............................................................................................................. 3-343.3.3.3

Chemicals ......................................................................................................................... 3-383.3.3.4

3.3.4 Mine Sequencing .......................................................................................................... 3-39 Opencut ............................................................................................................................ 3-433.3.4.1

Underground ..................................................................................................................... 3-513.3.4.2

3.3.5 Workforce ..................................................................................................................... 3-53 Workforce Numbers .......................................................................................................... 3-533.3.5.1

Employment Strategy ....................................................................................................... 3-583.3.5.2

3.3.6 Workforce Accommodation .......................................................................................... 3-58

3.3.7 Processing and Products ............................................................................................. 3-58

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ROM Stockpile and Sizing ................................................................................................ 3-583.3.7.1

Processing ........................................................................................................................ 3-603.3.7.2

Coal Preparation Plant ...................................................................................................... 3-623.3.7.3

Rejects Handling ............................................................................................................... 3-633.3.7.4

3.3.8 Ongoing evaluation and exploration activities .............................................................. 3-63

3.4 PRODUCT HANDLING ........................................................................................................ 3-63

3.4.1 Onsite Product Handling .............................................................................................. 3-63

3.4.2 Offsite Product Handling .............................................................................................. 3-64

3.5 INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................... 3-66

3.5.1 Transport ...................................................................................................................... 3-66 Road Network ................................................................................................................... 3-663.5.1.1

Rail Transport ................................................................................................................... 3-703.5.1.2

Port ................................................................................................................................... 3-733.5.1.3

3.5.2 Energy .......................................................................................................................... 3-73 Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Management ............................................... 3-743.5.2.1

3.5.3 Water Supply and Storage ........................................................................................... 3-75 Water Demand .................................................................................................................. 3-753.5.3.1

Water Supply .................................................................................................................... 3-763.5.3.2

Groundwater Quality ......................................................................................................... 3-763.5.3.3

Surface Water Management ............................................................................................. 3-773.5.3.4

3.5.4 Stormwater Drainage ................................................................................................... 3-82

3.5.5 Sewage ......................................................................................................................... 3-84

3.5.6 Telecommunications .................................................................................................... 3-87

3.5.7 Other Infrastructure ...................................................................................................... 3-89 Construction Infrastructure Area ....................................................................................... 3-893.5.7.1

Workshops and Administration Buildings .......................................................................... 3-893.5.7.2

Fuel and Lubricant Storage............................................................................................... 3-893.5.7.3

3.6 WASTE MANAGEMENT ...................................................................................................... 3-91

3.6.1 Basic Waste Management Methodology ...................................................................... 3-92 Construction and Commissioning Waste .......................................................................... 3-923.6.1.1

Operational Waste ............................................................................................................ 3-933.6.1.2

End of Mine Waste ........................................................................................................... 3-973.6.1.3

Resource Use Efficiency ................................................................................................... 3-973.6.1.4

3.6.2 Air emissions ................................................................................................................ 3-97 Particulate Matter Emissions ............................................................................................ 3-983.6.2.1

Greenhouse Gas Emissions ............................................................................................. 3-993.6.2.2

3.6.3 Excavated Waste ....................................................................................................... 3-100 Volume of Excavated Waste ........................................................................................... 3-1003.6.3.1

Spoil Disposal ................................................................................................................. 3-1023.6.3.2

Spoil Dump Decommissioning ........................................................................................ 3-1033.6.3.3

Waste Characterisation .................................................................................................. 3-1063.6.3.4

3.6.4 Rejects Disposal ......................................................................................................... 3-114 Rejects Production .......................................................................................................... 3-1143.6.4.1

Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Rejects .......................................................... 3-1153.6.4.2

Rejects Disposal and Planned Tonnages ....................................................................... 3-1153.6.4.3

Rejects Containment Design .......................................................................................... 3-1173.6.4.4

3.6.5 Solid Waste Disposal ................................................................................................. 3-121 General Waste ................................................................................................................ 3-1213.6.5.1

Tyres ............................................................................................................................... 3-1213.6.5.2

Scrap Metal and Batteries............................................................................................... 3-1213.6.5.3

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Hydrocarbons ................................................................................................................. 3-1213.6.5.4

3.6.6 Liquid Waste ............................................................................................................... 3-122 Pit water .......................................................................................................................... 3-1223.6.6.1

Stormwater, Process and Rejects Water ........................................................................ 3-1223.6.6.2

Waste oil and lubricants .................................................................................................. 3-1223.6.6.3

Sewage ........................................................................................................................... 3-1223.6.6.4

Water Balance ................................................................................................................ 3-1233.6.6.5

3.7 Rehabilitation And Decommissioning ............................................................................ 3-127

3.7.1 Rehabilitation Hierarchy ............................................................................................. 3-128

3.7.2 Rehabilitation Goals ................................................................................................... 3-128

3.7.3 Rehabilitation Objectives, Indicators and Completion Criteria ................................... 3-129

3.7.4 Progressive Rehabilitation Strategy ........................................................................... 3-158

3.7.5 Post Mine Land Use ................................................................................................... 3-158

3.7.6 Soil Management ....................................................................................................... 3-159

3.7.7 Rehabilitation Methodology ........................................................................................ 3-160 Above Ground ................................................................................................................. 3-1603.7.7.1

Underground ................................................................................................................... 3-1643.7.7.2

3.7.8 Domain Specific Rehabilitation Techniques ............................................................... 3-164 Final Voids ...................................................................................................................... 3-1643.7.8.1

Exploration Areas ........................................................................................................... 3-1653.7.8.2

Dams .............................................................................................................................. 3-1663.7.8.3

Infrastructure ................................................................................................................... 3-1663.7.8.4

Spoil Dumps ................................................................................................................... 3-1673.7.8.5

3.7.9 Final Rehabilitated Landform ..................................................................................... 3-168

3.7.10 Rehabilitation Monitoring ............................................................................................ 3-172

3.7.11 Rehabilitation Maintenance ........................................................................................ 3-173

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES AND MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS ............ 4-1

4.1 CLIMATE ............................................................................................................................. 4-1

4.1.1 Climate Change Adaptation ......................................................................................... 4-12

4.1.2 Regional Climate Variability ......................................................................................... 4-13 4.1.2.1 General Atmospheric Circulation ....................................................................................... 4-13

4.1.2.2 El Niño Southern Oscillation Periods ................................................................................. 4-13

4.1.2.3 La Niña Periods ................................................................................................................. 4-14

4.1.2.4 Pacific Decadal Oscillation ................................................................................................. 4-14

4.1.2.5 Regional Climate ............................................................................................................... 4-14

4.1.3 Regional Climate Change History and Predictions ...................................................... 4-15 4.1.3.1 Historical Climate Change ................................................................................................. 4-15

4.1.3.2 Predicted Climate Change ................................................................................................. 4-16

4.1.3.3 Comparison of Historical and Predicted Climate Changes ................................................ 4-17

4.1.4 Climate Variability and Change Risk Assessment ....................................................... 4-18 4.1.4.1 Risk Assessment Methodology .......................................................................................... 4-18

4.1.4.2 Project Impact Probability .................................................................................................. 4-18

4.1.4.3 Risk Assessment Results .................................................................................................. 4-19

4.1.4.4 Residual Risk ..................................................................................................................... 4-28

4.1.5 Climate Change Adaptation and Cooperation .............................................................. 4-28 4.1.5.1 Climate Adaptation Strategies ........................................................................................... 4-28

4.1.5.2 Cooperative Approach to Adaptation ................................................................................. 4-29

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4.2 LAND ................................................................................................................................ 4-30

4.2.1 Description of environmental values............................................................................. 4-30

4.2.1.1 Topography ....................................................................................................................... 4-30

4.2.1.2 Land Use, Tenure and Native Title................................................................................... 4-32

4.2.1.3 Geology and Geomorphology .......................................................................................... 4-37

4.2.1.4 Coal Resources................................................................................................................. 4-46

4.2.1.5 Soils .................................................................................................................................. 4-51

4.2.1.6 Land Suitability .................................................................................................................. 4-58

4.2.1.7 Contaminated Land ........................................................................................................... 4-71

4.2.1.8 Infrastructure ..................................................................................................................... 4-75

4.2.1.9 Environmentally Sensitive Areas ...................................................................................... 4-76

4.2.1.10 Landscape character......................................................................................................... 4-80

4.2.1.11 Visual amenity ................................................................................................................... 4-80

4.2.2 Potential impacts and mitigation measures .................................................................. 4-85

4.2.2.1 Resource Utilisation .......................................................................................................... 4-85

4.2.2.2 Land Use And Suitability ................................................................................................... 4-86

4.2.2.3 Subsidence ....................................................................................................................... 4-88

4.2.2.4 Land disturbance............................................................................................................... 4-99

4.2.2.5 Land Degradation Or Contamination.............................................................................. 4-104

4.2.2.6 Erosion and Stability ....................................................................................................... 4-106

4.2.2.7 Landscape character....................................................................................................... 4-108

4.2.2.8 Visual amenity ................................................................................................................. 4-109

4.2.2.9 Lighting............................................................................................................................ 4-123

4.3 TRANSPORT ................................................................................................................... 4-125

4.3.1 Description of Existing Infrastructure And Values ...................................................... 4-127 4.3.1.1 Road Infrastructure .......................................................................................................... 4-127

4.3.1.2 Rail Infrastructure ............................................................................................................ 4-130

4.3.1.3 Port Infrastructure ............................................................................................................ 4-130

4.3.1.4 Emerald Airport ................................................................................................................ 4-131

4.3.2 Potential Impacts And Mitigation Measures ............................................................... 4-132 4.3.2.1 Road Impacts ................................................................................................................... 4-132

4.3.2.2 Spills of Product or Hazardous Materials ......................................................................... 4-151

4.3.2.3 Driver Fatigue .................................................................................................................. 4-152

4.3.2.4 Public Transport Networks ............................................................................................... 4-153

4.3.2.5 Environmental Impacts .................................................................................................... 4-153

4.3.2.6 Rail Impacts and Mitigation .............................................................................................. 4-154

4.3.2.7 Port Impacts and Mitigation ............................................................................................. 4-158

4.3.2.8 Airport .............................................................................................................................. 4-159

4.3.2.9 Cumulative Impacts ......................................................................................................... 4-160

4.4 WASTE ............................................................................................................................ 4-161

4.4.1 Description of Environmental Values ......................................................................... 4-161 4.4.1.1 Objectives of Waste Management ................................................................................... 4-161

4.4.1.2 Waste Management Hierarchy ........................................................................................ 4-161

4.4.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................... 4-166 4.4.2.1 General Waste ................................................................................................................. 4-166

4.4.2.2 Scrap Metal, Batteries and Tyres ..................................................................................... 4-167

4.4.2.3 Hydrocarbons .................................................................................................................. 4-167

4.4.2.4 Waste Water .................................................................................................................... 4-167

4.4.2.5 Sewage ............................................................................................................................ 4-168

4.4.2.6 Spoil ................................................................................................................................. 4-168

4.4.2.7 Rejects ............................................................................................................................. 4-170

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4.4.2.8 Rehabilitation of Spoil Dumps .......................................................................................... 4-173

4.4.3 Waste Minimisation and Cleaner Production ............................................................. 4-173

4.4.4 Monitoring and Auditing .............................................................................................. 4-174 4.4.4.1 Waste Management Plan................................................................................................. 4-175

4.4.4.2 Monitoring ........................................................................................................................ 4-175

4.5 WATER ............................................................................................................................ 4-177

4.5.1 Description of Environmental Values ......................................................................... 4-177 4.5.1.1 Surface Waterways .......................................................................................................... 4-177

4.5.1.2 Groundwater .................................................................................................................... 4-235

4.5.2 Potential impacts and mitigation measures ................................................................ 4-254 4.5.2.1 Surface Water .................................................................................................................. 4-254

4.5.2.2 Groundwater .................................................................................................................... 4-262

4.5.2.3 Site Water Management .................................................................................................. 4-285

4.6 AIR QUALITY .................................................................................................................. 4-300

4.6.1 Description of Environmental Values ......................................................................... 4-300 4.6.1.1 Local Meteorology ........................................................................................................... 4-300

4.6.1.2 Existing Ambient Air Quality ............................................................................................. 4-303

4.6.1.3 Air Quality Objectives ...................................................................................................... 4-308

4.6.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................... 4-309 4.6.2.1 Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling ................................................................................... 4-309

4.6.2.2 Mitigation Measures ......................................................................................................... 4-333

4.6.3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ....................................................................................... 4-336 4.6.3.1 Australian Policy and Regulation ..................................................................................... 4-336

4.6.3.2 Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions .......................................................................... 4-337

4.6.3.3 Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gases .................................................................... 4-339

4.6.3.4 Greenhouse Gas Inventory .............................................................................................. 4-340

4.6.3.5 Potential Impacts on the State and National Greenhouse Gas Inventories ..................... 4-346

4.6.3.6 Greenhouse Gas Abatement Measures .......................................................................... 4-346

4.7 NOISE AND VIBRATION ................................................................................................ 4-348

4.7.1 Description of environmental values .......................................................................... 4-348 4.7.1.1 Sensitive Receptors ......................................................................................................... 4-348

4.7.1.2 Existing Noise Environment ............................................................................................. 4-351

4.7.1.3 Noise Evaluation .............................................................................................................. 4-353

4.7.1.4 Proposed Noise Criteria ................................................................................................... 4-356

4.7.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................... 4-357 4.7.2.1 Predicted Noise Emissions .............................................................................................. 4-358

4.7.2.2 Noise Mitigation………………………………………………………………………………... 4-367

4.8 ECOLOGY ....................................................................................................................... 4-369

4.8.1 Description of Environmental Values ......................................................................... 4-369 4.8.1.1 Terrestrial Flora Methods ................................................................................................ 4-376

4.8.1.2 Terrestrial Fauna Methods .............................................................................................. 4-377

4.8.1.3 Aquatic Assessment Methods ......................................................................................... 4-381

4.8.1.4 Stygofauna Methods ....................................................................................................... 4-384

4.8.2 Results ........................................................................................................................ 4-387 4.8.2.1 Terrestrial Flora .............................................................................................................. 4-387

4.8.2.2 Terrestrial Fauna ............................................................................................................ 4-407

4.8.2.3 Aquatic Biology Results .................................................................................................. 4-411

4.8.2.4 Stygofauna Results ......................................................................................................... 4-420

4.8.3 Potential impacts and mitigation measures ................................................................ 4-420

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4.8.3.1 Potential Impacts of the Project ...................................................................................... 4-420

4.8.3.2 Management of Native Flora and Fauna ........................................................................ 4-426

4.8.3.3 Management of Aquatic Values ...................................................................................... 4-427

4.8.3.4 Management of Stygofauna ............................................................................................ 4-430

4.8.3.5 Management Strategies for Species of Conservation Significance ................................. 4-432

4.8.3.6 Management of Subsidence ........................................................................................... 4-432

4.8.3.7 Management of Introduced Flora and Fauna .................................................................. 4-433

4.8.3.8 Environmental Offsets .................................................................................................... 4-434

4.9 CULTURAL HERITAGE .................................................................................................. 4-438

4.9.1 Description of Environmental Values ......................................................................... 4-438 4.9.1.1 Non-Indigenous Cultural Heritage ................................................................................... 4-438

4.9.1.2 Non-indigenous Cultural Heritage Significance Assessment .......................................... 4-445

4.9.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................... 4-449 4.9.2.1 Non-Indigenous Cultural Heritage ................................................................................... 4-450

4.9.2.2 Indigenous Cultural Heritage .......................................................................................... 4-453

4.10 SOCIAL ............................................................................................................................ 4-456

4.10.1 Description of Existing Social and Cultural Values .................................................... 4-456 4.10.1.1 Local Community ............................................................................................................. 4-458

4.10.1.2 Community Engagement ................................................................................................. 4-458

4.10.1.3 Social Order ..................................................................................................................... 4-458

4.10.1.4 Land Use ......................................................................................................................... 4-459

4.10.1.5 Mineral Development Licence Landholders ..................................................................... 4-459

4.10.1.6 Infrastructure and Community Services ........................................................................... 4-459

4.10.1.7 Indigenous Community Services ..................................................................................... 4-463

4.10.1.8 Business and Enterprise .................................................................................................. 4-464

4.10.1.9 Local Community ............................................................................................................. 4-464

4.10.1.10 Demographic Profile ................................................................................................... 4-466

4.10.1.11 Indigenous Demographic Profile ................................................................................. 4-481

4.10.1.12 Housing and Accommodation ..................................................................................... 4-489

4.10.1.13 Workforce Profile ........................................................................................................ 4-499

4.10.1.14 Project Fatigue ............................................................................................................ 4-500

4.10.2 Potential Impacts And Mitigation Measures ............................................................... 4-500

4.11 HEALTH AND SAFETY ................................................................................................... 4-514

4.11.1 Description of Values ................................................................................................. 4-514 4.11.1.1 Sensitive Receptors ......................................................................................................... 4-514

4.11.2 Potential Impacts And Mitigation Measures ............................................................... 4-517 4.11.2.1 Air Quality ........................................................................................................................ 4-517

4.11.2.2 Noise and Vibration ......................................................................................................... 4-521

4.11.2.3 Water Quality ................................................................................................................... 4-523

4.11.2.4 Disease Vector Provision ................................................................................................. 4-525

4.11.2.5 Land Contamination ......................................................................................................... 4-526

4.11.2.6 Transport Safety .............................................................................................................. 4-526

4.11.2.7 Protecting Health, Safety and Community Values ........................................................... 4-527

4.12 ECONOMY ....................................................................................................................... 4-529

4.12.1 Description of Potentially Affected Economies ........................................................... 4-529 4.12.1.1 Regional Economic Profile ............................................................................................... 4-529

4.12.1.2 Socio-Economic Profile .................................................................................................... 4-532

4.12.2 Potential Impacts And Mitigation Measures ............................................................... 4-540 4.12.2.1 Cost-Benefit Analysis ....................................................................................................... 4-540

4.12.2.2 Economic Impact Model................................................................................................... 4-544

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4.12.2.3 Significance of the Project to the Regional Economy ...................................................... 4-545

4.12.2.4 Economic Impacts During Construction and Operation ................................................... 4-545

4.12.2.5 Distribution of Impacts and Mitigation .............................................................................. 4-546

4.12.2.6 Potential for Direct Equity Investment by Local Business and Communities ................... 4-548

4.12.2.7 Cost to Government of Infrastructure and Regulatory Functions ..................................... 4-548

4.12.2.8 Implications for Future Economic Development in the Region ......................................... 4-548

4.12.2.9 Potential Impacts of Mining Hazards ............................................................................... 4-549

4.12.2.10 Economic Impact on Local Property Values ................................................................ 4-549

4.12.2.11 Local Industry Participation Plan ................................................................................. 4-549

4.12.2.12 Mitigation and Monitoring ............................................................................................ 4-549

4.13 HAZARD AND RISK ........................................................................................................ 4-551

4.13.1 Description of Values ................................................................................................. 4-551

4.13.2 Potential Impacts And Mitigation Measures ............................................................... 4-553 4.13.2.1 Hazard and Risk Assessment ........................................................................................ 4-553

4.13.2.2 Dangerous Goods .......................................................................................................... 4-561

4.13.2.3 Natural Hazards ............................................................................................................. 4-565

4.13.2.4 Spillage Management .................................................................................................... 4-566

4.13.2.5 Hazard Prevention and Management .............................................................................. 4-568

4.14 CROSS REFERENCE WITH TERMS OF REFERENCE ................................................ 4-570

5.0 MATTERS OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE ................ 5-1

5.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 5-1

5.1.1 Statutory Context ............................................................................................................ 5-5 Listed Threatened Species .................................................................................................. 5-65.1.1.1

5.1.2 Scope and Purpose ........................................................................................................ 5-6

5.2 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION ......................................................................... 5-7

5.2.1 Project Location .............................................................................................................. 5-7

5.2.2 Project Description ......................................................................................................... 5-7

5.3 CURRENT LAND USE ..................................................................................................... 5-13

5.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ..................................................... 5-15

5.4.1 Flora and Fauna Database Searches .......................................................................... 5-15

5.4.2 Database Search Results Relevant to MNES .............................................................. 5-17 World Heritage Properties .................................................................................................. 5-17 5.4.2.1

National Heritage Places ................................................................................................... 5-17 5.4.2.2

Wetlands of International Importance ................................................................................ 5-17 5.4.2.3

Project Site EPBC Act Listed Threatened Species and Ecological Communities .............. 5-17 5.4.2.4

Fairbairn State Forest EPBC Listed Species and Communities ........................................ 5-24 5.4.2.5

Migratory Species .............................................................................................................. 5-25 5.4.2.6

Commonwealth Marine Areas ............................................................................................ 5-27 5.4.2.7

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park .................................................................................. 5-27 5.4.2.8

Nuclear Actions .................................................................................................................. 5-27 5.4.2.9

Water Resources ............................................................................................................... 5-27 5.4.2.10

MNES Summary ................................................................................................................ 5-27 5.4.2.11

5.5 FLORA AND FAUNA FIELD SURVEYS ......................................................................... 5-29

5.5.1 Survey Methodology ..................................................................................................... 5-29 Terrestrial Flora ................................................................................................................. 5-29 5.5.1.1

Terrestrial Fauna ............................................................................................................... 5-32 5.5.1.2

Aquatic Flora and Fauna ................................................................................................... 5-32 5.5.1.3

Taroborah Coal Project x November 2014

5.5.2 Field Survey Results .................................................................................................... 5-35 Amphibians ........................................................................................................................ 5-35 5.5.2.1

Reptiles .............................................................................................................................. 5-35 5.5.2.2

Birds .................................................................................................................................. 5-35 5.5.2.3

Mammals ........................................................................................................................... 5-37 5.5.2.4

Aquatic Fauna .................................................................................................................... 5-37 5.5.2.5

Flora .................................................................................................................................. 5-38 5.5.2.6

Threatened Ecological Communities ................................................................................. 5-38 5.5.2.7

5.5.3 Water Resources .......................................................................................................... 5-46 Surface Water .................................................................................................................... 5-46 5.5.3.1

Groundwater ...................................................................................................................... 5-46 5.5.3.2

5.6 SIGNIFICANT IMPACT CRITERIA .................................................................................. 5-48

5.6.1 EPBC Act Listed Flora and Fauna Species ................................................................. 5-48 Important Populations ........................................................................................................ 5-48 5.6.1.1

Suitable Habitat ................................................................................................................. 5-49 5.6.1.2

Important Habitat ............................................................................................................... 5-49 5.6.1.3

5.6.2 Endangered Ecological Communities .......................................................................... 5-49 Habitat Critical to the Survival of an Ecological Community............................................... 5-50 5.6.2.1

5.6.3 Listed Migratory Species .............................................................................................. 5-50

Important Habitat for Migratory Species ............................................................................ 5-515.6.3.1

5.6.4 EPBC Act Water Resources ......................................................................................... 5-51 Hydrology of a Water Resource ......................................................................................... 5-51 5.6.4.1

Changes to Water Quality .................................................................................................. 5-525.6.4.2

5.7 PROJECT IMPACTS ........................................................................................................ 5-52

5.7.1 EPBC Act Listed Threatened Species ......................................................................... 5-52 Indirect Impacts on MNES ................................................................................................. 5-595.7.1.1

5.7.2 EPBC Act Listed Migratory Species ............................................................................. 5-60 Cattle Egret ........................................................................................................................ 5-60 5.7.2.1

Latham’s Snipe .................................................................................................................. 5-60 5.7.2.2

Glossy Ibis ......................................................................................................................... 5-605.7.2.3

5.7.3 EPBC Act Listed Threatened Communities ................................................................. 5-61 Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla Dominant and Co-Dominant) .............................................. 5-61 5.7.3.1

Brigalow Indirect Impacts ................................................................................................... 5-62 5.7.3.2

Natural Grasslands of the Queensland Central Highlands and the Northern Fitzroy Basin5-625.7.3.3

5.7.4 Water Resource Impacts .............................................................................................. 5-63 Water Supply ..................................................................................................................... 5-63 5.7.4.1

Surface Water .................................................................................................................... 5-63 5.7.4.2

Groundwater Drawdown .................................................................................................... 5-64 5.7.4.3

Groundwater Drawdown Impacts on Flora and Fauna ...................................................... 5-64 5.7.4.4

Groundwater Drawdown Impacts on Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems ..................... 5-655.7.4.5

5.7.5 Cumulative Impacts ...................................................................................................... 5-66 Brigalow Threatened Ecological Community Cumulative Impacts ..................................... 5-67 5.7.5.1

Water Resources Cumulative Impacts ............................................................................... 5-67 5.7.5.2

Uncontrolled Releases ....................................................................................................... 5-685.7.5.3

5.8 MITIGATION MEASURES ............................................................................................... 5-72

5.8.1 General Mitigation Measures ....................................................................................... 5-72

5.8.2 Mitigation for Migratory birds ........................................................................................ 5-73

5.8.3 Mitigation for Water Resources .................................................................................... 5-73

5.9 ENVIRONMENTAL OFFSETS ......................................................................................... 5-74

Taroborah Coal Project xi November 2014

5.9.1 Mapping Potential Environmental Offset Locations ..................................................... 5-75

5.9.2 Calculating Environmental Offsets ............................................................................... 5-76

5.9.3 Available Offsets .......................................................................................................... 5-77

5.9.4 Securing Offsets ........................................................................................................... 5-79

5.9.5 Management of Offsets ................................................................................................ 5-79

5.9.6 Monitoring and Reporting ............................................................................................. 5-79

5.10 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................... 5-80

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS .......................................................... 6-1 6.0

6.1 SCHEDULE A – GENERAL ................................................................................................ 6-2

6.2 SCHEDULE B – AIR ............................................................................................................ 6-5

6.3 SCHEDULE C – WASTE MANAGEMENT ......................................................................... 6-5

6.4 SCHEDULE D – NOISE ....................................................................................................... 6-6

6.5 SCHEDULE E – GROUNDWATER ..................................................................................... 6-8

6.6 SCHEDULE F - WATER ................................................................................................... 6-12

6.7 SCHEDULE G - SEWAGE TREATMENT ......................................................................... 6-23

6.8 SCHEDULE H – LAND AND REHABILITATION ............................................................. 6-24

6.9 SCHEDULE I - REGULATED STRUCTURES .................................................................. 6-53

6.10 SCHEDULE K – FIGURES ................................................................................................ 6-61

7.0 REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………….7-1

Taroborah Coal Project xii November 2014

Regional Project Location 1-2 Figure 1.1

Local Project Location 1-3 Figure 1.2

Project Tenement and EIS Study Areas 1-5 Figure 1.3

Proposed Project Mine Infrastructure Layout 1-6 Figure 1.4

Rail Network used to Transport Coal 1-9 Figure 1.5

Bowen Basin Resource Operations and Developments 1-14 Figure 1.6

Flow Diagram of the EIS Process 1-17 Figure 1.7

Figure 3.1 Regional Context of the Project 3-3

Figure 3.2 Local Context of the Project 3-4

Figure 3.3 Cadastre Underlying and Adjacent to the Taroborah Project 3-7

Figure 3.4 Queensland Stock Route Network 3-8

Figure 3.5 The Project Footprint and MIA 3-11

Figure 3.6 Underground Ramp Access 3-14

Figure 3.7 Visual Amenity Bund South of the Capricorn Highway 3-18

Figure 3.8 Proposed Construction Workforce During Opencut and Underground Construction

Phases 3-20

Figure 3.9 Exploration and Mining Tenements within the Vicinity of MDL 467 3-22

Figure 3.10 Bowen Basin Main Structural Elements 3-23

Figure 3.11 Coal Seam “A” total thickness 3-26

Figure 3.12 Coal Seam “B” total thickness 3-27

Figure 3.13 Opencut Operation Strip Layout 3-29

Figure 3.14 Longwall Mine Layout 3-31

Figure 3.15 Opencut Annual ROM, Total Product and Waste Production (including rejects) 3-40

Figure 3.16 Underground Annual ROM, Total Product and Rejects Production 3-41

Figure 3.17 Mine Stage Plan – Year 1 3-44




Figure 3.21 Mine Stage Plan – End of Mine: Year 21 3-48

Figure 3.22 Opencut and Underground Indicative Mining Sequence 3-52

Figure 3.23 Indicative Opencut Workforce Numbers 3-54

Figure 3.24 Indicative Underground Workforce Numbers 3-56

Figure 3.25 Workforce Requirements over the Life of the Project 3-57

Figure 3.26 CHPP Process Flowsheet 3-59

Figure 3.27 Coal Handling Circuit on the Project Site 3-61

Figure 3.28 Rail Route From Project Site to Port 3-65

Figure 3.29 Regional Transport Network 3-67

Figure 3.30 Preliminary Proposed Capricorn Highway Upgrades Required for Project Site

Access 3-69

Figure 3.31 Local Road / Rail Network and Project Access 3-71

Figure 3.32 Proposed Project Rail Loop 3-72

Figure 3.33 Site Water Management System 3-81

LIST OF FIGURES

Taroborah Coal Project xiii November 2014

Figure 3.34 Drainage Pathways and Contours Associated with the Project Site 3-83

Figure 3.35 STP and Spray Irrigation Area 3-86

Figure 3.36 Telecommunications Infrastructure Located within the Project 3-88

Figure 3.37 Project Buildings, Storage and Infrastructure Areas 3-90

Figure 3.38 Annual Quantities of Mined Waste (Opencut and Underground) 3-101

Figure 3.39 Location of Out-of-Pit Spoil Dumps 3-104

Figure 3.40 Conceptual Design of Spoil Dump Cover (above) and Base (below) 3-105

Figure 3.41 Waste Rock Sampling Locations 3-109

Figure 3.42 Typical Out-of-Pit Spoil Dump Design Cross Section 3-119

Figure 3.43 Typical In-Pit Spoil Dump Design Cross Section 3-119

Figure 3.44 Final Void Rejects Placement 3-120

Figure 3.45 Proposed Excess Water Discharge System 3-126

Figure 3.46 Final Rehabilitated Landform 3-169

Figure 3.47 Modelled 1,000 Year ARI Flood Extreme 3-170

Figure 3.48 Taroborah Creek Probable Maximum Flood Extent 3-171

Mean Monthly Rainfall at Nearest Measurement Stations to the Project Site ............ 4-2 Figure 4.1

Mean Monthly Temperature (oC) for Emerald Post Office Weather Station for theFigure 4.2

period 1882-1992 (BOM 2013a) .................................................................................. 4-3

Mean Monthly Relative Humidity (%) for Emerald Post Office Figure 4.3

Weather Station (BOM 2013a) .................................................................................... 4-4

Mean Annual Wind Speed and Direction recorded at Emerald .................................. 4-5 Figure 4.4

Mean Seasonal Wind Direction and Speed Recorded at 9.00am at Emerald ............ 4-6 Figure 4.5

Mean Seasonal Wind Speed and Direction Recorded at 3.00pm at Emerald ............ 4-7 Figure 4.6

Köppen’s Climate Classification Scheme for Australia (BOM 2013b) ........................ 4-8 Figure 4.7

Average Number of Tropical Cyclones........................................................................ 4-9 Figure 4.8

The Number of Tropical Cyclones Passing within 200 km of the Project Site Figure 4.9

Between 1906 and 2006 (BOM 2013d) ....................................................................... 4-9

Rainfall deficiencies for the last 36 months ............................................................... 4-10 Figure 4.10

Fire Seasons for Australia Relative to the Project Site (BOM 2013f) ........................ 4-11 Figure 4.11

Bushfire Risk Levels .................................................................................................. 4-12 Figure 4.12

Local Topography and Drainage of the Project Site ................................................. 4-31 Figure 4.13

Local Land Ownership Tenure (Cadastre) ................................................................ 4-34 Figure 4.14

Location of Existing Homesteads on and Adjacent to the Project site ...................... 4-35 Figure 4.15

CHRC Land Zoning Map ........................................................................................... 4-36 Figure 4.16

Main Structural Elements of the Bowen Basin .......................................................... 4-39 Figure 4.17

Local Geology ............................................................................................................ 4-40 Figure 4.18

Local Faulting and B Seam Structure Contours ........................................................ 4-42 Figure 4.19

B Seam Depth of Cover Contours ............................................................................. 4-43 Figure 4.20

A Seam Thickness Contours ..................................................................................... 4-44 Figure 4.21

B Seam Thickness Contours ..................................................................................... 4-45 Figure 4.22

Cross Section of Overburden and Interburden Units ................................................ 4-47 Figure 4.23

A Seam Resource Area ............................................................................................. 4-48 Figure 4.24

B Seam Resource Area ............................................................................................. 4-49 Figure 4.25

Planned Extent of Mining .......................................................................................... 4-50 Figure 4.26

Soil Sampling Locations on the Project Site ............................................................. 4-52 Figure 4.27

Distribution of Soil Management Units across the Project Site ................................. 4-57 Figure 4.28

Land Suitability Class Map for Beef Cattle Grazing .................................................. 4-60 Figure 4.29

Land Suitability Class Map for Rainfed Broadacre Cropping .................................... 4-61 Figure 4.30

Taroborah Coal Project xiv November 2014

Classification of Good Quality Agricultural Land Mapped by AARC ......................... 4-64 Figure 4.31

Potential Project Impacts upon GQAL ....................................................................... 4-65 Figure 4.32

Strategic Cropping Land Trigger Map for Potential SCL and Proposed Mine Figure 4.33

Disturbance Areas ..................................................................................................... 4-69

Validated SCA, SMUs and Proposed Mine Infrastructure Disturbance Areas .......... 4-70 Figure 4.34

Location of Buried Livestock Dip on the Project Site ................................................ 4-74 Figure 4.35

Project Infrastructure Layout ..................................................................................... 4-77 Figure 4.36

EHP Mapped Environmentally Sensitive Areas ........................................................ 4-78 Figure 4.37

Ground-truthed Vegetation Communities .................................................................. 4-79 Figure 4.38

Photo Site Location and Panoramic Direction ........................................................... 4-81 Figure 4.39

Predicted Subsidence for the Taroborah Mine Layout .............................................. 4-91 Figure 4.40

Predicted Strain for the Taroborah Mine Layout ....................................................... 4-92 Figure 4.41

Predicted Tilt for the Taroborah Mine Layout ............................................................ 4-93 Figure 4.42

Predicted Curvature for the Taroborah Mine Layout ................................................. 4-94 Figure 4.43

Pre Mining Topography ............................................................................................. 4-95 Figure 4.44

Post Mining Topography ........................................................................................... 4-96 Figure 4.45

Pre and Post Mining Creek Cross Sections .............................................................. 4-97 Figure 4.46

Predicted Subsidence Along the Capricorn Highway and Central West Railway Figure 4.47

Line ............................................................................................................................ 4-98

Transportation Network Utilised by the Project ....................................................... 4-126 Figure 4.53

Queensland Stock Route Network .......................................................................... 4-129 Figure 4.54

Preliminary Design of Capricorn Highway Road Upgrade ...................................... 4-133 Figure 4.55

Proposed Relocated Stock Route ........................................................................... 4-135 Figure 4.56

Rail Network Upgrades Associated with the Project ............................................... 4-156 Figure 4.57

Final Void Rejects Placement ................................................................................ 4-172 Figure 4.58

Queensland River Basins ........................................................................................ 4-178 Figure 4.59

Regional Catchment Areas and Telemetry Stations ............................................... 4-179 Figure 4.60

Surface Watercourses and Drainage Lines Located on the Project Site ................ 4-181 Figure 4.61

EHP Mapped Wetlands on the Project Site ............................................................ 4-188 Figure 4.62

Water Bodies and Drainage Systems Associated with the Project ......................... 4-190 Figure 4.63

Highest Annual Flood Peaks for the Nogoa River at Emerald ................................ 4-193 Figure 4.64

Taroborah Creek 1,000 Year ARI Flood Extent ...................................................... 4-195 Figure 4.65

Taroborah Creek Probable Maximum Flood Extent ................................................ 4-196 Figure 4.66

Supplemented Water Supply Schemes................................................................... 4-199 Figure 4.67

Surface Water Sampling Locations ......................................................................... 4-203 Figure 4.68

Stream Sediment Particle Size Distribution ............................................................ 4-234 Figure 4.69

Macroinvertebrate SIGNAL 2 Scores ...................................................................... 4-235 Figure 4.70

Groundwater Monitoring Bore Locations (AGE 2013) ............................................. 4-240 Figure 4.71

Landholder Bore Locations (AGE 2014) ................................................................. 4-244 Figure 4.72

Pebbly Coarse Sandstone Water Contour Levels ................................................... 4-249 Figure 4.73

Tertiary Basalt Potentiometric Contour ................................................................... 4-251 Figure 4.74

Receiving Water Upstream Background Sites and Downstream Monitoring Points4-256 Figure 4.75

Pre and Post Mining Surface Elevation ................................................................... 4-258 Figure 4.76

Potential Ponding Areas .......................................................................................... 4-260 Figure 4.77

Conceptual Groundwater Model Cross Section (North to South) ........................... 4-264 Figure 4.78

Conceptual Groundwater Model Cross Section (West to East) .............................. 4-265 Figure 4.79

Predicted Mine Inflows ............................................................................................ 4-267 Figure 4.80

Predicted Groundwater Budget ............................................................................... 4-268 Figure 4.81

Taroborah Coal Project xv November 2014

Predicted Drawdown Layers 1 and 9 – Year 5 ........................................................ 4-270 Figure 4.82

Predicted drawdown Layers 1 and 9 – Year 10 ...................................................... 4-271 Figure 4.83

Predicted Drawdown Layer 1 and 9 – Year 15 ....................................................... 4-272 Figure 4.84

Predicted Drawdown Layer 1 and Layer 9 – Year 21 ............................................. 4-273 Figure 4.85

Maximum 1 m Predicted Drawdown Extent: Sensitivity Analysis – Year 21 ........... 4-277 Figure 4.86

Subsidence induced fracturing sensitivity analysis – drawdown extent .................. 4-278 Figure 4.87

Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems and Groundwater Drawdown ..................... 4-281 Figure 4.88

Modelled Groundwater Recovery Levels Layer 1 and Layer 9 – 1,000 Years ....... 4-282 Figure 4.89

Proposed Groundwater Monitoring Locations ......................................................... 4-284 Figure 4.90

Surface Water Management System for Mine Stage Plan Year 1 .......................... 4-291 Figure 4.91

Surface Water Management System for Mine Stage Plan Year 3 .......................... 4-292 Figure 4.92

Surface Water Management System for Mine Year 5 ............................................. 4-293 Figure 4.93

Surface Water Management System for Mine Year 7 ............................................. 4-294 Figure 4.94

Cumulative Risk Assessment of Major Operational Mines in the Fitzroy Basin...... 4-298 Figure 4.95

Annual distributions of modelled winds at the Project site ...................................... 4-301 Figure 4.96

Diurnal distributions of modelled winds at the Project site ...................................... 4-301 Figure 4.97

Seasonal distributions of modelled winds at the Project site .................................. 4-302 Figure 4.98

Sensitive Receptors in the Vicinity of the Project .................................................... 4-307 Figure 4.99

Predicted Annual Average Ground-level Concentrations (including background) of Figure 4.100

TSP in Year 2 of the Project – Objective 90 µg/m3 ................................................. 4-315

Predicted 6th Highest 24-hour Average Ground-level Concentrations (including Figure 4.101

background) of PM10 in Year 2 of the Project – Objective 50 µg/m3 ....................... 4-316

Predicted Maximum 24-hour Average Ground-level Concentrations (including Figure 4.102

background) of PM2.5 in Year 2 of the Project – Objective 25 µg/m3 ....................... 4-317


PM2.5 in Year 2 of the Project – Objective 8 µg/m3 .................................................. 4-318

Predicted Maximum Monthly Dust Deposition (including background) in Year 2 of Figure 4.104

the Project – Objective 120 mg/m2/day ................................................................... 4-319

Predicted Annual Average Dust Deposition Rate (including background) in Year 2 Figure 4.105

of the Project – Objective 130 mg/m2/day ............................................................... 4-320


TSP in Year 5 of the Project – Objective 90 µg/m3 ................................................. 4-323

Predicted 6th Highest 24-hour Average Ground-level Concentrations (including Figure 4.107

background) of PM10 in Year 5 of the Project – Objective 50 µg/m3 ....................... 4-324

Predicted Maximum 24-hour Average Ground-level Concentrations (including Figure 4.108

Background) of PM2.5 in Year 5 of the Project – Objective 25 µg/m3 ...................... 4-325


PM2.5 in Year 5 of the Project – Objective 8 µg/m3 .................................................. 4-326

Predicted Maximum Monthly Dust Deposition (including background) in Year 5 of Figure 4.110

the Project – Objective 120 mg/m2/day ................................................................... 4-327

Predicted Annual Average Dust Deposition Rate (including background) in Year 5 Figure 4.111

of the Project – Objective 130 mg/m2/day ............................................................... 4-328

Noise Sensitive Receptor Locations Surrounding the Project Site (MDL 467) ....... 4-350 Figure 4.112

Noise Contours for Year 3 – Day / Evening Neutral Meteorological Conditions ..... 4-360 Figure 4.113

Noise Contours for Year 3 – Night-Time Neutral Meteorological Conditions .......... 4-361 Figure 4.114

Noise Contours for Year 3 – Night-Time Adverse Meteorological Conditions ........ 4-362 Figure 4.115

Secondary and Quaternary Flora Study Sites ......................................................... 4-379 Figure 4.116

Fauna Study Locations ............................................................................................ 4-380 Figure 4.117

Taroborah Coal Project xvi November 2014

Aquatic Sampling Site Locations ............................................................................. 4-382 Figure 4.118

Stygofauna Sampling Sites ..................................................................................... 4-386 Figure 4.119

Vegetation Communities within the Project Area .................................................... 4-389 Figure 4.120

EHP Mapped Wetlands Associated with the Project Area ...................................... 4-406 Figure 4.121

SIGNAL 2 Bi-Plot Interpretation .............................................................................. 4-418 Figure 4.122

SIGNAL Bi-Plot ........................................................................................................ 4-419 Figure 4.123

EPT Richness .......................................................................................................... 4-420 Figure 4.124

Disturbance Footprint of Vegetation Communities on the Project Site ................... 4-425 Figure 4.125

Infrastructure Buffer Zone (50 m) ............................................................................ 4-429 Figure 4.126

Stygofauna Sampling Locations .............................................................................. 4-431 Figure 4.127

Figure 4.128 Location of Identified Historical Cultural Heritage Sites .......................................... 4-444

Study areas ............................................................................................................. 4-457 Figure 4.129

Gender by Study Area 2011 .................................................................................... 4-468 Figure 4.130

Family Composition by Study Area 2011 ................................................................ 4-470 Figure 4.131

Country of Birth by Study Area 2011 ....................................................................... 4-471 Figure 4.132

Proficiency in Spoken English by Overseas-Born Residents by Study Area 2011 . 4-471 Figure 4.133

Internet Connection in Dwellings by Study Area 2011 ............................................ 4-473 Figure 4.134

Median Weekly Individual Income by Study Area 2011 .......................................... 4-474 Figure 4.135

Median Weekly Household Income by Study Area 2011 ........................................ 4-474 Figure 4.136

Type of Educational Institution Attended by Study Area 2011 ................................ 4-476 Figure 4.137

Highest Level of Schooling by Study Area 2011 ..................................................... 4-477 Figure 4.138

Highest Level of Tertiary Qualification Achieved by Study Area 2011 .................... 4-478 Figure 4.139

Tertiary Field by Study Area 2011 ........................................................................... 4-478 Figure 4.140

Labour Force Status by Study Area 2011 ............................................................... 4-479 Figure 4.141

Industry of Employment by Study Area 2011 .......................................................... 4-480 Figure 4.142

Employment by Occupation by Study Area 2011 .................................................... 4-481 Figure 4.143

Indigenous Type of Educational Institution Attended by Study Area 2011 ............. 4-484 Figure 4.144

Indigenous Highest Year of School by Study Area 2011 ........................................ 4-484 Figure 4.145

Indigenous Highest Level of Tertiary Qualification by Study Area 2011 ................. 4-485 Figure 4.146

Indigenous Total Personal Weekly Income by Study Area 2011 ............................ 4-486 Figure 4.147

Indigenous Total Household Weekly Income by Study Area 2011 ......................... 4-486 Figure 4.148

Indigenous Labour Force Status by Study Area 2011 ............................................ 4-487 Figure 4.149

Industries of Indigenous Employment by Study Area 2006 .................................... 4-488 Figure 4.150

Indigenous Occupations by Study Area 2006 ......................................................... 4-489 Figure 4.151

Household Composition by Study Area 2011 ......................................................... 4-490 Figure 4.152

Dwelling Structure by Study Area 2011 .................................................................. 4-491 Figure 4.153

Dwelling Ownership by Study Area 2011 ................................................................ 4-491 Figure 4.154

Monthly Mortgage Repayments by Study Area 2011 .............................................. 4-492 Figure 4.155

Rental Repayments (Weekly) by Study Area 2011 ................................................. 4-493 Figure 4.156

Vehicles per Household by Study Area 2011 .......................................................... 4-493 Figure 4.157

Emerald Median Monthly Property Prices 2012 – 2013 .......................................... 4-495 Figure 4.158

Location of Sensitive Receptors .............................................................................. 4-516 Figure 4.159

Industry Contribution to GRP in the Central Highlands Region 2010 – 11 ............. 4-529 Figure 4.160

Industry Contribution to GRP (excluding mining) in the Central Highlands Region Figure 4.161

2010 – 11 ................................................................................................................. 4-530

Business Counts in the Central Highland Region 2011 - 12 ................................... 4-531 Figure 4.162

Change in the Population Proportion in Each Age Group in the Central Highlands Figure 4.163

Region 2006 to 2011 ............................................................................................... 4-533

Taroborah Coal Project xvii November 2014

Employment by Occupation in the Central Highlands Region and Queensland, Figure 4.164

2011 ......................................................................................................................... 4-534

Gross individual Weekly Income in the Central Highlands Region, 2011 ............... 4-535 Figure 4.165

Gross individual Weekly Income in Queensland, 2011 ........................................... 4-535 Figure 4.166

Post-school Qualifications by Level of Education in the Central Highlands Region Figure 4.167

and Queensland, 2011 ............................................................................................ 4-536

Median House Price in the Central Highlands Region by Major Urban Centres, Figure 4.168

2004 - 2013 ............................................................................................................. 4-537

Median Rent by Bedrooms for Central Highlands, Central Queensland and Figure 4.169

Queensland, March 2012 ........................................................................................ 4-538

Corporate Environmental Policy .................................................................................. 5-4 Figure 5.1

Regional Project Location ........................................................................................... 5-9 Figure 5.2

Local Project Location ............................................................................................... 5-10 Figure 5.3

Proposed Project Layout ........................................................................................... 5-11 Figure 5.4

Aerial Photograph of Project Site .............................................................................. 5-14 Figure 5.5

Database Search Areas ............................................................................................ 5-16 Figure 5.6

Secondary / Quaternary Flora Survey Locations on the Project Site ........................ 5-31 Figure 5.7

Fauna Survey Locations on the Project site .............................................................. 5-33 Figure 5.8

Aquatic Sampling Locations on the Project site ........................................................ 5-35 Figure 5.9

Vegetation Communities Associated with the Project Site ....................................... 5-40 Figure 5.10

Location of Endangered Ecological Communities on the Project Site ...................... 5-41 Figure 5.11

Cumulative Risk Assessment of Major Operational Mines in the Fitzroy Basin........ 5-71 Figure 5.12

Potential Land Available for Offset within Brigalow Belt Bioregion ........................... 5-78 Figure 5.13

Figure 6.1 K1 - Conceptual Project Infrastructure Layout .......................................................... 6-43

Figure 6.2 K2 - Groundwater Monitoring Points ......................................................................... 6-44

Figure 6.3 K3 - Receiving Water Monitoring Points.................................................................... 6-45

Figure 6.4 K4 - Sewage Treatment Plant and Effluent Disposal ................................................ 6-46

Taroborah Coal Project xviii November 2014

Approximate Project Approval Timetable ................................................................. 1-11 Table 1.1

Stakeholder Consultation Summary Register .......................................................... 1-23 Table 1.2

Relevant Commonwealth and State Legislation and Associated Subordinate Table 1.3

Legislation ................................................................................................................ 1-31

ERAs associated with the Project ............................................................................ 1-38 Table 1.4

Resource Activity and the Associated AES .............................................................. 1-39 Table 1.5

Other Potentially Relevant Queensland State Legislation ....................................... 1-50 Table 1.6

Key Project Approvals .............................................................................................. 1-52 Table 1.7

Central Queensland Regional Plan Policies Relevant to the Project ....................... 1-60 Table 1.8

Summary of Potential Project Impacts Upon Local Resources ............................... 1-63 Table 1.9

Table 3.1 Real Property Descriptions for Lots Underlying the Project ....................................... 3-5

Table 3.2 Real Property Descriptions for Lots Adjacent to the Project ...................................... 3-6

Table 3.3 Disturbance footprint on the Project Site .................................................................... 3-9

Table 3.4 Relevant Mining Tenements ..................................................................................... 3-20

Table 3.5 Surrounding Mining Tenements ............................................................................... 3-21

Table 3.6 Bowen Basin General Stratigraphic Units ................................................................ 3-24

Table 3.7 Opencut Indicative Mining Fleet ............................................................................... 3-35

Table 3.8 Underground Indicative Mining Fleet ........................................................................ 3-37

Table 3.9 Chemical Inventory and Consumption ..................................................................... 3-38

Table 3.10 Annual ROM, Coal Washing and Product Coal Production Schedule ..................... 3-42

Table 3.11 Opencut Mine Production and Waste Schedule ...................................................... 3-49

Table 3.12 Proposed Workforce for the Opencut Operation ...................................................... 3-53

Table 3.13 Proposed Workforce for the Underground Longwall Operation ............................... 3-55

Table 3.14 CHPP Processing Specifications ............................................................................. 3-60

Table 3.15 Estimated Circuit Splits from Processing Size Envelope ......................................... 3-62

Table 3.16 Process Yield Envelope ........................................................................................... 3-62

Table 3.17 Annual Water Requirements of the Project .............................................................. 3-75

Table 3.18 Dirty Water Management Structures and Capacities ............................................... 3-79

Table 3.19 STP Effluent Quality Targets .................................................................................... 3-85

Table 3.20 Waste Produced in Construction Phase .................................................................. 3-92

Table 3.21 Waste Streams Produced During Mining Operations .............................................. 3-94

Table 3.22 Estimated Total Dust Emission Rates for the Project .............................................. 3-99

Table 3.23 Typical Spoil Dump Design Parameters ................................................................ 3-102

Table 3.24 Number of Samples Per Volume of Waste Rock Units .......................................... 3-107

Table 3.25 Net Potential Ratio Classification System .............................................................. 3-108

Table 3.26 Acid Base Accounting System ............................................................................... 3-108

Table 3.27 Geochemical Classification of Materials to be Mined ............................................. 3-111

Table 3.28 Nominal CPP Rejects Splits ................................................................................... 3-114

Table 3.29 Annual Tonnages of Disposed Rejects .................................................................. 3-116

Table 3.30 Rejects Storage Capacity ....................................................................................... 3-117

Table 3.31 Spoil Dump and Reject Containment Cell Design Summary ................................. 3-118

LIST OF TABLES

Taroborah Coal Project xix November 2014

Table 3.32 Water Balance Model – Inputs and Outputs .......................................................... 3-123

Table 3.33 Mine Rehabilitation Domains .................................................................................. 3-129

Table 3.34 Mine Domain Rehabilitation Goals, Objectives, Indicators and Completion

Criteria ................................................................................................................ ..3-131

Table 3.35 Ripping Depths and Tyne Spacings for Preparation of Disturbed Surfaces .......... 3-161

Table 3.36 Native Species Suitable for Rehabilitation ............................................................. 3-161

Table 3.37 Regional Ecosystem Suitability of Rehabilitation Species ..................................... 3-163

Statistical records of mean minimum and mean maximum temperatures, 1882 -Table 4.1

1992 ............................................................................................................................. 4-2

Mean Monthly Relative Humidity at 9.00am and 3.00pm for Emerald Post Office Table 4.2

Weather Station ........................................................................................................... 4-4

Mean Monthly Wind Speed at Emerald Post Office Weather Station ......................... 4-5 Table 4.3

Summary of Sources of Climatic Risk for each Potential Project Impact .................. 4-20 Table 4.4

Details of Project Climate Impacts and Mitigation Measures………………………… 4-21 Table 4.5

Real Property Descriptions Underlying MDL467 ....................................................... 4-33 Table 4.6

General Stratigraphic Units of the Bowen Basin by Area.......................................... 4-41 Table 4.7

Total Coal Resources as at 31 January 2010 ........................................................... 4-46 Table 4.8

Estimated Tonnages of Mineable ROM and Marketable Product Coal .................... 4-46 Table 4.9

Summary of Soil Management Units Identified on the Project Site .......................... 4-53 Table 4.10

Summary of SMU and Disturbance Areas ................................................................ 4-56 Table 4.11

Pre-Mining Land Use Suitability Classes .................................................................. 4-59 Table 4.12

Pre-Mining Land Use Suitability and Agricultural Land Quality Classes ................... 4-63 Table 4.13

Summary of SCL Status of each SMU ...................................................................... 4-67 Table 4.14

SMU and SCA Disturbance Areas for the Opencut and Underground Mines Project Table 4.15

Site ............................................................................................................................ 4-68

SDPS Maximum Subsidence Factors for Longwall Panels ...................................... 4-89 Table 4.16

Soil Management Units (SMU) and their Stripping Depths ..................................... 4-101 Table 4.17

Approximate Volumes of Topsoil Available for Rehabilitation on the Project Site .. 4-102 Table 4.18

Number of Residencies and Distance to the Project boundary .............................. 4-113 Table 4.19

Landscape VMU Characteristics ............................................................................. 4-119 Table 4.20

Receiver VMU Characteristics ................................................................................ 4-120 Table 4.21

Wiggins Island Coal Terminal Capacity Stages ...................................................... 4-131 Table 4.22

Transport of Construction Materials and Equipment ............................................... 4-137 Table 4.23

Transport of Additional Construction Supplies ........................................................ 4-139 Table 4.24

Workforce during Opencut and Underground Construction Periods ....................... 4-139 Table 4.25

Workforce Vehicle Movements per Year ................................................................. 4-140 Table 4.26

Annual Operational Materials Transported ............................................................. 4-141 Table 4.27

Workforce Vehicle Movements per Year 2018 – 2021 and 2034 – 2038 ............... 4-142 Table 4.28

Workforce Vehicle Movements per Years 2019- 2033 ............................................ 4-143 Table 4.29

Operation Period (2018 – 2021 and 2034 – 2038) Additional Supplies Per Year .. 4-144 Table 4.30

Operation Period (2019- 2033) Additional Supplies Per Year ................................ 4-144 Table 4.31

Waste Quantities and Treatment Methods .............................................................. 4-164 Table 4.32

Geochemical Classification of Materials to be Mined .............................................. 4-169 Table 4.33

Rejects Storage Capacity ........................................................................................ 4-171 Table 4.34

Environmental Values for Nogoa River Sub-basin Waters ..................................... 4-183 Table 4.35

Lower Nogoa / Theresa Creek Sub-basin Physio-chemical Water Quality Table 4.36

Objectives to Protect Aquatic Ecosystems .............................................................. 4-184

Taroborah Coal Project xx November 2014

Freshwater Lakes / Reservoirs Water Quality Objectives to Protect Aquatic Table 4.37

Ecosystems ............................................................................................................. 4-184

Wetland Water Quality Objectives to Protect Aquatic Ecosystems ........................ 4-185 Table 4.38

Toxicant Water Quality Objectives .......................................................................... 4-185 Table 4.39

Zones that Apply to the Nogoa and Mackenzie Rivers ........................................... 4-197 Table 4.40

Details of High Priority Water Allocations Under the Nogoa Mackenzie Water Table 4.41

Supply Scheme ....................................................................................................... 4-200

Total Volume of Supplemented Water Allocations under the Nogoa Mackenzie Table 4.42

Water Supply Scheme ............................................................................................. 4-200

Wetlands – Summary of Surface Water Quality Chemical Analytical Results ........ 4-204 Table 4.43

Wetlands – Summary of Surface Water Quality Chemical Analytical Results Table 4.44

(continued) ............................................................................................................... 4-205

Wetlands – Summary of Surface Water Quality Dissolved Metals Results ............ 4-206 Table 4.45

Wetlands – Summary of Surface Water Quality Total Metals Results .................... 4-207 Table 4.46

Pastoral Dams - Summary of Surface Water Quality Chemical Analytical Results 4-208 Table 4.47

Pastoral Dams - Summary of Surface Water Quality Chemical Analytical Results Table 4.48

(continued) ............................................................................................................... 4-209

Pastoral Dams - Summary of Surface Water Quality Dissolved Metals Results .... 4-210 Table 4.49

Pastoral Dams - Summary of Surface Water Quality Total Metal Results .............. 4-211 Table 4.50

Retreat Creek and Tributaries - Summary of Surface Water Quality Chemical Table 4.51

Analytical Results .................................................................................................... 4-212

Retreat Creek and Tributaries - Summary of Surface Water Quality Chemical Table 4.52

Analytical Results (continued) ................................................................................. 4-213

Retreat Creek and Tributaries - Summary of Surface Water Quality Dissolved Table 4.53

Metals Results ......................................................................................................... 4-214

Retreat Creek - Summary of Surface Water Quality Total Metals Results ............. 4-215 Table 4.54

Taroborah Creek and Tributaries - Summary of Surface Water Quality Chemical Table 4.55

Analytical Results .................................................................................................... 4-216

Taroborah Creek - Summary of Surface Water Quality Chemical Analytical Results Table 4.56

(continued) ............................................................................................................... 4-217

Taroborah Creek and Tributaries - Summary of Surface Water Quality Dissolved Table 4.57

Metals Results ......................................................................................................... 4-218

Taroborah Creek and Tributaries - Summary of Surface Water Quality Total Metals Table 4.58

Results ..................................................................................................................... 4-219

ANZECC 2000 Sediment Quality Guideline Values ................................................ 4-227 Table 4.59

Retreat Creek - Summary of Sediment Quality Chemical Analytical Results ......... 4-229 Table 4.60

Taroborah Creek - Summary of Sediment Quality Chemical Analytical Results .... 4-231 Table 4.61

Particle Size Distributions for Sediment Samples ................................................... 4-233 Table 4.62

Stratigraphy of the Project Area .............................................................................. 4-236 Table 4.63

Groundwater Monitoring Network ............................................................................ 4-239 Table 4.64

Landholder Bores Identified During Bore Census ................................................... 4-242 Table 4.65

Hydraulic Conductivity of Aldebaran Sandstone ..................................................... 4-247 Table 4.66

Summary of Water Quality Results – All Geological Units ...................................... 4-253 Table 4.67

Receiving Water Upstream Background Sites and Downstream Monitoring Points4-255 Table 4.68

Pond Geometry ....................................................................................................... 4-259 Table 4.69

Model Layers ........................................................................................................... 4-262 Table 4.70

Summary of Sensitivity Analysis ............................................................................. 4-274 Table 4.71

Summary of Subsidence Induced Fracturing Sensitivity Analysis .......................... 4-276 Table 4.72

Taroborah Coal Project xxi November 2014

Predicted Drawdown in Private Bores ..................................................................... 4-279 Table 4.73

Groundwater Monitoring Locations ......................................................................... 4-283 Table 4.74

Clean Water Drain – Design for 1000 Year Event .................................................. 4-286 Table 4.75

Opencut Pit Clean Water Drains ............................................................................. 4-287 Table 4.76

Site Water Collection Drain Design ......................................................................... 4-288 Table 4.77

Minimum Design Storage Requirements for Site Water Storage Structures .......... 4-289 Table 4.78

Cumulative Risk Assessment Matrix for Mine Discharges in the Fitzroy Basin ...... 4-296 Table 4.79

Frequency of Occurrence (%) of Surface Atmospheric Stability at the Project Site Table 4.80

under Pasquil-Gifford Stability Classification Schemes. ......................................... 4-303

NPI reported emissions for the period 2011 - 2012 ................................................ 4-304 Table 4.81

Summary of On-site Dust Deposition Data (mg/m2/day) ......................................... 4-305 Table 4.82

Proximity and Direction of Sensitive Receptors to the Project ................................ 4-306 Table 4.83

Queensland and New South Wales ambient air quality indicators, objectives and Table 4.84

guidelines ................................................................................................................ 4-308

Summary of Background Concentrations (µg/m3) ................................................... 4-310 Table 4.85

Emission Control Factors for Dust Control Measures ............................................. 4-312 Table 4.86

Summary of the Estimated Total Dust Emission Rates for the Project ................... 4-312 Table 4.87

Predicted Ground-level Concentrations and Deposition Rates at Sensitive Table 4.88

Receptor Locations During Year 2 .......................................................................... 4-313

Predicted Ground-level Concentrations and Deposition Rates at Sensitive Table 4.89

Receptor Locations During Year 5 .......................................................................... 4-321

Estimated Dust Emission Rates for Year 5 and Year 6 .......................................... 4-329 Table 4.90

Underground Mine Ventilation Shaft Discharge Preliminary Design ....................... 4-330 Table 4.91

Factors influencing dust deposition and impacts on vegetation .............................. 4-331 Table 4.92

Highest Dust Deposition Rates Predicted within the State Forest .......................... 4-333 Table 4.93

Summary of ROM Coal Production and Usage of Diesel, Electricity and Explosives Table 4.94

for the Life of the Project ......................................................................................... 4-339

Estimated Scope 1 Greenhouse Gas Emissions for the Project (t CO2-e) ............. 4-341 Table 4.95

Estimated Scope 2 and 3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions for the Project (t CO2-e) ... 4-343 Table 4.96

A summary of the Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions for the Project (t CO2-e) ...... 4-345 Table 4.97

Sensitive Noise Receptors Associated with the Project .......................................... 4-349 Table 4.98

Summary of Measured Noise Levels ...................................................................... 4-352 Table 4.99

Measured Background Noise Levels ....................................................................... 4-353 Table 4.100

Summary of WHO Sleep Disturbance and Annoyance Criteria .............................. 4-355 Table 4.101

Blasting Vibration and Airblast Criteria .................................................................... 4-356 Table 4.102

Proposed Noise Limits ............................................................................................ 4-357 Table 4.103

Predicted Noise levels at Nearby Sensitive Receptors during Year 3 Modelled Table 4.104

Scenario .................................................................................................................. 4-359

Predicted Noise Levels for Assessment of Low Frequency Noise (Year 3) ............ 4-364 Table 4.105

Separation Distances Required to Achieve Nominated Ground Vibration Level Table 4.106

Limits ....................................................................................................................... 4-366

Threatened Fauna Species, their Habitats and Likelihood of Occurrence on the Table 4.107

Project Site 4-370

Examples of interpretations of AUSRIVAS Habitat Assessment scores 4-383 Table 4.108

Stygofauna Bores Sampled 4-385 Table 4.109

Vegetation Communities and Corresponding Conservation Status 4-388 Table 4.110

Declared Plants Recorded on the Project Site 4-405 Table 4.111

Aquatic Habitat Assessment Scores and Descriptions 4-413 Table 4.112

Taroborah Coal Project xxii November 2014

Disturbance Area of Remnant Vegetation 4-424 Table 4.113

Stygofauna Sampling Locations 4-430 Table 4.114

Summary of Project Impacts on Areas of Prescribed Environmental Matters 4-435 Table 4.115

Broad Vegetation Group Descriptions 4-436 Table 4.116

Offset Supply Availability Within Brigalow Belt Bioregion 4-436 Table 4.117

Table 4.118 Cultural Heritage Sites Located During Assessment 4-442

Table 4.119 Criteria for Local Significance Rating 4-448

Table 4.120 Individual Sites and Significance Grading 4-449

Table 4.121 Impact Assessment of Individual Sites 4-450

Study Areas ............................................................................................................. 4-456 Table 4.123

Resident Population by Study Area 2006 – 2011 ................................................... 4-467 Table 4.124

Projected Resident Population by Study Area 2011 – 2031 ................................... 4-467 Table 4.125

Age by Study Area 2011 ......................................................................................... 4-469 Table 4.126

Places of Usual Residence Five Years Ago by Study Area 2011 ........................... 4-472 Table 4.127

Persons in Need of Assistance by Study Area 2011 ............................................... 4-475 Table 4.128

Unpaid Assistance to a Person with a Disability by Study Area 2011 .................... 4-475 Table 4.129

Socio-Economic Index of Disadvantage by Study Area 2011 ................................. 4-476 Table 4.130

Indigenous Population by Study Area 2011 ............................................................ 4-481 Table 4.131

Indigenous Age and Gender by Study Area 2011 ................................................... 4-482 Table 4.132

Indigenous Persons in Need of Assistance by Study Area 2011 ............................ 4-483 Table 4.133

Unpaid Assistance to a Person with a Disability by Study Area 2011 .................... 4-483 Table 4.134

Emerald Median House Prices 2007 – 2012 ........................................................... 4-494 Table 4.135

Building Approvals: 12 months to September 2012 by Study Area ........................ 4-496 Table 4.136

Emerald Property Development as at June 2013 ................................................... 4-496 Table 4.137

Queensland Housing Affordability Index 2011 ........................................................ 4-497 Table 4.138

Bowen Basin NRW Shift Workers by Accommodation Type 2012 ......................... 4-498 Table 4.139

Bowen Basin Accommodation Camp Bed Availability by LGA 2012 ...................... 4-498 Table 4.140

Bowen Basin Vacant and Available Hotel/Motel Rooms by LGA 2012 ................... 4-499 Table 4.141

Social Impact and Mitigation/Opportunity Analysis ................................................. 4-501 Table 4.142

Table 4.143 Proximity and Direction of Sensitive Receptors to the Project ................................ 4-515

Table 4.144 Predicted Ground-level Concentrations and Deposition Rates at Sensitive

Receptors during Year 5 in Isolation ....................................................................... 4-519

Table 4.145 Predicted Noise levels at Nearby Sensitive Receptors during Year 3 Modelled

Scenario…………………………………………………………………………………...4-522

Number of Businesses by Turnover in the Central Highlands Region 2012 ........... 4-531 Table 4.146

Estimated Resident Population by Population Centres in the Central Highlands Table 4.147

LGA 2011 ................................................................................................................ 4-532

Residential Land Values in the Central Highlands Region ..................................... 4-539 Table 4.148

Key assumptions ..................................................................................................... 4-541 Table 4.149

Net Impact by Stakeholder Group ........................................................................... 4-543 Table 4.150

Results of Sensitivity Analysis – Percentage Change in Overall Project NPV........ 4-543 Table 4.151

Price Per Tonne CO2-e - Percentage Change in Overall Project NPV ................... 4-544 Table 4.152

Spatial Distribution of Benefits from Construction ................................................... 4-545 Table 4.153

Spatial Distribution of Benefits from Operations ..................................................... 4-546 Table 4.154

Distribution of Impacts Among Stakeholders Associated with the Project .............. 4-547 Table 4.155

Environmental Values Relating to People and Property ......................................... 4-551 Table 4.156

Qualitative Measure of Consequence ..................................................................... 4-554 Table 4.157

Qualitative Measures of Likelihood ......................................................................... 4-555 Table 4.158

Taroborah Coal Project xxiii November 2014

Qualitative Risk Analysis Matrix – Levels of Risk .................................................... 4-555 Table 4.159

Hazards Associated with a High Risk Level ............................................................ 4-557 Table 4.160

Hazards Associated with a Medium Risk ................................................................ 4-558 Table 4.161

Dangerous Goods Stored on the Project Site ......................................................... 4-563 Table 4.162

Spill Management Action Plan ................................................................................ 4-567 Table 4.163

Table 4.164 Cross Reference with the Terms of Reference………………………………………. 4-570

Categories of threatened species and ecological communities listed under the Table 5.1

EPBC Act ..................................................................................................................... 5-6

Estimated Project Disturbance Areas ........................................................................ 5-12 Table 5.2

EPBC Act Listed Flora Species Present in the Project Region ................................. 5-18 Table 5.3

EPBC Act Listed Fauna Species Present in the Project Region ............................... 5-20 Table 5.4

EPBC Act Protected Matters Report Threatened Ecological Communities .............. 5-24 Table 5.5

EPBC Act Protected Matters Report for the Fairbairn State Forest Area ................. 5-24 Table 5.6

Regional Migratory Species Potentially Present on the Project Site ......................... 5-26 Table 5.7

Regional Migratory Species Potentially Present at Fairbairn State Forest ............... 5-26 Table 5.8

Potential Project Impacts upon Matters of National Environmental Significance ..... 5-28 Table 5.9

EPBC Listed Migratory / Wetland / Listed Marine Species Observed on the Project Table 5.10

Site ............................................................................................................................ 5-35

Significant Project Impacts upon EPBC Act Listed Threatened Ecological Table 5.11

Communities, Flora and Fauna Found Regionally and on the Project Site .............. 5-53

Brigalow Vegetation and Proposed Disturbance Areas ............................................ 5-62 Table 5.12

Current and Proposed Coal Projects in the Region .................................................. 5-66 Table 5.13

Cumulative Risk Assessment Matrix for Mine Discharges in the Fitzroy Basin ........ 5-69 Table 5.14

Required Offsets and Potentially Available Offsets within the Brigalow Belt Table 5.15

Bioregion. .................................................................................................................. 5-77

Table 6.1 Proposed Environmental Conditions compared with Model Mining Conditions .......... 6-1

Table 6.2 Noise Limits ................................................................................................................. 6-6

Table 6.3 Blasting Noise Limits ................................................................................................... 6-7

Table 6.4 Groundwater Monitoring Locations and Frequency .................................................... 6-8

Table 6.5 Groundwater Quality Triggers and Limits .................................................................. 6-10

Table 6.6 Groundwater Level Monitoring .................................................................................. 6-11

Table 6.7 Mine Affected Water Release Points, Sources and Receiving Waters ..................... 6-12

Table 6.8 Mine Affected Water Release Limits ......................................................................... 6-13

Table 6.9 Release Contaminant Trigger Investigation Levels Potential Contaminants ............ 6-14

Table 6.10 Mine Affected Water Release during Flow Events .................................................... 6-17

Table 6.11 Receiving Waters Contaminant Trigger Levels ......................................................... 6-19

Table 6.12 Receiving Water Upstream Background Sites and Downstream Monitoring Points . 6-20

Table 6.13 Contaminant Release Limits to Land ........................................................................ 6-23

Table 6.14 Rehabilitation Requirements ..................................................................................... 6-25

Table 6.15 Location of Regulated structures ............................................................................... 6-59

Table 6.16 Basic Details of Regulated Dams .............................................................................. 6-59

Table 6.17 Hydraulic Performance of Regulated Dams .............................................................. 6-60

Taroborah Coal Project xxiv November 2014

Visual Assessment Site 6: View from Capricorn Highway at the Wilga Downs Photo Plate 4.1intersection, looking westward and panning north. .............................................. 4-82

Visual Assessment Site 4: Iona homestead facing south panning south-east to Photo Plate 4.2south-west, directly in front of homestead by 50 metres. ..................................... 4-82

Visual Assessment Site 10: Capricorn Highway from Iona property gate facing Photo Plate 4.3south. Encompasses view of mine infrastructure area from the road. ................ 4-82

Visual Assessment Site 8: Photo taken in front of Jabiru Homestead looking Photo Plate 4.4south. .................................................................................................................... 4-82

Visual Assessment Site 13: Capricorn Highway near Selma Stockpile outside Photo Plate 4.5of MDL467, near the eastern boundary looking west. ......................................... 4-83

Visual Assessment Site 9: Walther Property on the eastern margin of the Photo Plate 4.6MDL467 panning south-east to west from the western side of the homestead. .. 4-83

Visual Assessment Site 7: Southern side of the Capricorn Highway at Photo Plate 4.7intersection with Wilga Downs panning south-west to west. ................................ 4-83

Visual Assessment Site 5: Wilga Downs Road on eastern side of MDL467, Photo Plate 4.8panning north-west to north. ................................................................................ 4-83

Visual Assessment Site 1: St Helens property, view panning north to northeast.4-84 Photo Plate 4.9

Visual Assessment Site 3: Airlie property taken 50 meters in front of the Photo Plate 4.10homestead, panning from north to east. .............................................................. 4-84

Visual Assessment Site 11: Capricorn Highway from western edge of MDL467, Photo Plate 4.11panning east to south from the south side of the road. ........................................ 4-84

Visual Assessment Site 12: Dunloe property on the western edge of MDL467. Photo Plate 4.12Taken from the south eastern corner of the homestead facing east. .................. 4-84

Community 4 – Lacustrine System (Pastoral Dam) ........................................... 4-191 Photo Plate 4.13

Community 4 – Lacustrine System (Pastoral Dam) ........................................... 4-191 Photo Plate 4.14

Community 6 – Silver-leaved Ironbark Open Woodland (RE 11.3.6) Creek Bed4-192 Photo Plate 4.15

Community 6 – Silver-leaved Ironbark Open Woodland (RE 11.3.6) ................ 4-192 Photo Plate 4.16

River Red Gum Riparian Woodland .................................................................. 4-390 Photo Plate 4.17

River Teatree Riparian Woodland ..................................................................... 4-391 Photo Plate 4.18

Lancewood Woodland ....................................................................................... 4-392 Photo Plate 4.19

Brigalow Woodland ........................................................................................... 4-393 Photo Plate 4.20

Dawson Gum Open Woodland ......................................................................... 4-395 Photo Plate 4.21

Silver-leaved Ironbark Open Woodland ............................................................ 4-396 Photo Plate 4.22

Silver-leaved Ironbark Open Woodland ............................................................ 4-397 Photo Plate 4.23

Poplar Box Open Woodland .............................................................................. 4-398 Photo Plate 4.24

Belah Low Open Woodland .............................................................................. 4-399 Photo Plate 4.25

Brigalow/Belah Low Open Woodland ................................................................ 4-400 Photo Plate 4.26

Non-Remnant Grassland ................................................................................... 4-401 Photo Plate 4.27

Palustrine Wetland ............................................................................................ 4-403 Photo Plate 4.28

Lacustrine Wetland ............................................................................................ 4-404 Photo Plate 4.29

Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) Woodland ............................................................ 5-43 Photo Plate 5.1

Dawson Gum (Eucalyptus cambageana) Open Woodland ................................. 5-44 Photo Plate 5.2

Brigalow (A. harpophylla) / Belah (C. cristata) Low Open Woodland .................. 5-45 Photo Plate 5.3

LIST OF PHOTO PLATES

Taroborah Coal Project xxv November 2014

Appendix 1 ......................Final Terms of Reference

Appendix 2 ......................Regulatory Approvals

Appendix 3 ......................Standard Criteria

Appendix 4 ......................Specialist Studies

Appendix 5 ......................Research

Appendix 6 ......................Study Team

Appendix 7 ......................Soil and Land Suitability

Appendix 8 ......................Contaminated Land Assessment

Appendix 9 ......................Visual Amenity Assessment

Appendix 10 ....................Surface Subsidence Report

Appendix 11 ....................Transport Impact Assessment

Appendix 12 ....................Static Geochemical Assessment

Leach Column Test Results for Overburden and Interburden

Appendix 13 ....................Surface Water Management Plan

Appendix 14 ....................Groundwater Impact Assessment

Appendix 14a...................Final Pit Void Water Quality

Appendix 15 ....................Air Quality Impact Assessment

Appendix 15a...................Additional Air Quality Impact Assessment

Appendix 16 ....................Greenhouse Gas Assessment

Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability Assessment

Appendix 17 ....................Noise Impact Assessment

Appendix 18 ....................Terrestrial Flora and Fauna Assessment

Appendix 19 ....................Aquatic Ecology Assessment

Appendix 20 ....................Stygofauna Survey

Appendix 21 .....................Biodiversity Offsets Strategy

Appendix 22 ....................Cultural Heritage Assessment

Appendix 23 ....................Social Impact Assessment

Social Impact Management Plan

Appendix 24 ....................Economic Impact Assessment

Appendix 25 ....................Preliminary Hazard Analysis

Integrated Risk Management Plan

Appendix 26 ....................IESC Report

Appendix 27 ....................MEDLI Analysis for Treated Effluent Irrigation

Appendix 28 ....................Receiving Environment Monitoring Program Framework

LIST OF APPENDICES

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