Suitable land with negligible limitations which is well suited to a proposed use.

Transcription

1 Land Suitability As described in Section , AARC has undertaken a Soil and Land Suitability Assessment of the Project site and this report is contained within Appendix O. LRAM has also undertaken a Soil and Land Suitability Assessment of the proposed Rail and Services Corridor, which is contained in Appendix P. The following information summarises the main findings in regards to land use and suitability of land resources within the Project site from these assessment reports. Land Suitability The Soil and Land Suitability Assessment aimed to evaluate the suitability of the Project area for a variety of land uses prior to mine development. An interpretation of the data collected on the physical, chemical and nutritional characteristics of the soil was made to rank the land according to the five class land suitability system provided in the Technical Guidelines for the Environmental Management of Exploration and Mining in Queensland Land Suitability Assessment Techniques (DME 1995). This system applies to beef cattle grazing and broadacre cropping. The classes are described as: Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 Suitable land with negligible limitations which is well suited to a proposed use. Suitable land with minor limitations which is suited to a proposed use but which may require minor changes in management to sustain use. Suitable land with moderate limitations which is moderately suited to a proposed use but which requires significant inputs to ensure sustainable use. Marginal land with severe limitations which is marginally suited for a proposed use and would require major inputs to ensure sustainability. These inputs may not be justified by the benefits to be obtained in using the land for a particular purpose and is hence considered presently unsuitable. Unsuitable land with extreme limitations which preclude its sustainable use for the proposed purpose. Mining Lease Areas The following conclusions were made based on the results of the Land Suitability Assessment against the criteria presented in the Technical Guidelines for the Environmental Management of Exploration and Mining in Queensland Land Suitability Assessment Techniques (DME 1995): The suitability of beef cattle grazing on the Elimatta MLA is most limited by nutrient deficiencies within the soil. Water erosion is also considered an issue within the Kinnoul and Cheshire Soil Management Units. The Juandah Soil Management Unit is also limited by poor water availability. The Downfall, Kinnoul, Cheshire and Horse Creek Alluvium SMUs are considered suitable with moderate limitations (Class 3) for Beef Cattle Grazing. The Juandah SMU is considered marginally suitable (Class 4). Notwithstanding the classifications derived from this assessment, grazing within southern Queensland is most often limited by rainfall. Grazing has been carried out on the lands within the project MLA for many years. Elimatta Project

2 The suitability of Rainfed broadacre cropping as a land use on the Elimatta MLA is mostly limited by the erosion potential of the soil profile. Several of the management units (those with either a sodic surface soils or flooding potential) were also limited by their water availability or, conversely, water inundation. Management Units in the steeper areas of the Elimatta MLA (Kinnoul, Cheshire, Rolleston) had additional limitations in respect to slope and consequently erosion. The Downfall SMU was considered marginally suitable (Class 4) for Rainfed Broadacre Cropping. The Kinnoul, Cheshire, Rolleston, Juandah and Horse Creek Alluvium SMUs were considered unsuitable (Class 5). Notwithstanding the classifications derived from this assessment, cropping in the rangeland areas of south western Queensland would be severely limited by rainfall and plant available water capacity. On the Elimatta Project site, sodicity presents a significant issue to PAWC and effective rooting depth. The specific classes and key limitations of each soil type are outlined in the Table 4.8. The distribution of these land suitability classes is shown in Figure 4.23 and Figure Table 4.8 Pre-Mining Land Use Suitability Soil Management Unit Downfall Kinnoul Cheshire Rolleston Juandah Horse Creek Alluvium Important Limitations Temporal flooding of gilgai, nutrient deficiency and PAWC deficiencies. Erosion potential and PAWC deficiencies. PAWC deficiencies, nutrient deficiency and Erosion potential. Erosion potential and nutrient deficiency. PAWC deficiencies, nutrient deficiency, Flooding potential and Wetness issues. PAWC deficiencies, Flooding potential, poor topography and Wetness issues. Agricultural Suitability (according to DME 1995) Beef Cattle Grazing Broadacre Cropping Elimatta Project

3 Figure 4.23 Land Suitability Class Map for Beef Cattle Grazing Elimatta Project

4 Figure 4.24 Land Suitability Class Map for Rainfed Broadacre Cropping Elimatta Project

5 Rail and Services Corridor The Soil and Land Suitability Assessment for the Corridor area allocated land into one of the five land suitability classes described above, depending on the severity of any known limitations to sustainability use. Results of the assessment are shown in Table 4.9. Table 4.9 Land Suitability for Rainfed Cropping and Beef Cattle Grazing Soil Map Unit AP1 GS1 GU1 GU2 GU3 E Important Limitations Moisture availability, wetness, soil ph, sodicity, nutrient deficiency. High velocity erosive flooding is common. Moisture availability, soil physical properties, soil workability, salinity, water erosion, soil ph. Moisture availability, soil physical properties, soil workability, water erosion, soil ph. Moisture availability, water erosion soil ph. Moisture availability, rockiness, water erosion, soil ph. Moisture availability, soil physical properties, soil workability, topography, water erosion, soil ph. Agricultural Suitability (according to DME 1995) Beef Cattle Grazing Rainfed Cropping 3/4 4/ /4 4/ / The assessment revealed that no land within the corridor is suitable for rainfed cropping, although the less steeply sloping and deeper soils of GU1 soil unit have some areas ranked as marginal for this use. The remaining units are unsuitable for cropping. AP1 and GU1 are allocated to Class 3/4 for beef cattle grazing and support native pastures of moderate productivity but are suitable for only a limited range of sown pastures due principally to a combination of moisture availability and soil ph limitations. GS1 and GU2 are in Class 4 and also support native pastures of moderate productivity with limited suitability for sown pastures. GU3 is in Class 4/5 and has a moisture availability limitation that will severely reduce any pasture production. Good Quality Agricultural Land The outcomes of the Land Suitability Assessment were also compared with the distribution of land classified as Good Quality Agricultural Land in the DERM (2010) Land Classification System which is shown in accordance with the Planning Guideline The Identification of Good Quality Agricultural Land (Planning Guideline) (DHLGP 1993). The classification of GQAL provides an indication of the quality of the land resource to maintain a sustainable level of productivity for a given land use (DHLGP 1993). Elimatta Project

6 The Planning Guideline (DHLGP 1993) defines agricultural land quality as: Class A Class B Class C Class D Crop land Land that is most suitable for current and potential crops with limitations to production which range from none to moderate levels. Limited crop land Land that is marginal for current and potential crops due to severe limitations; and suitable for pastures. Engineering and/or agronomic improvements may be required before the land is considered suitable for cropping. Pasture land Land that is suitable only for improved (Class C1) or native pastures (Class C2) due to limitations which preclude continuous cultivation for crop production; but some areas may tolerate a short period of ground disturbance for pasture establishment. This also includes land suitable for light grazing of native pastures in inaccessible areas (Class C3) Non-agricultural land Land not suitable for agricultural uses due to extreme limitations. This may be undisturbed land with significant habitat, conservation and/or catchment values or land that may be unsuitable because of very steep slopes, shallow soils, rock outcrop or poor drainage. Within the Taroom Shire Local Government Area, lands classified as Class A, Class B and Class C1 are all considered to be GQAL (Campbell Higginson Town Planning 2005; DHLGP 1993). An agricultural evaluation of the former Taroom Shire by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (Forster 1985) further defined the subdivision of Pasture land (Class c) into two subclasses: Class C1 higher productivity pasture land based on high quality native pastures or on pastures that can be readily improved; and Class C2 lower productivity pasture land based on low quality native pastures on which pasture improvement is not economically viable. Mining Lease Areas GQAL mapping indicates the majority of the Elimatta Project site has been assigned as Class A1 limitations to crop production which range from none to moderate levels as shown in Figure This opposes the findings of the Land Suitability Assessment which found a majority of the site was either unsuitable with severe limitations or marginally suitable for cropping. In comparison to the findings of the Land Suitability Assessment, this classification of the land as GQAL was considered to overstate the value of the land as an agricultural resource. Table 4.10 compares Land Suitability and Agricultural Land Quality classifications for soils of the Elimatta Project site. Site specific data derived from the land resource inventory and Land Suitability Assessment, compiled by AARC, indicates that no Class A land and only a minimal area of Class B1 land exist within the Project MLA. Class C1 or C2 is the most common land classifications proposed by the Land Suitability Assessment. Based on data provided by EHP (2010) and the Land Suitability Assessment, development of the Elimatta MLA areas is not considered likely to have an impact on any major resources of GQAL crop land within the central western region of Queensland. Elimatta Project

7 Figure 4.25 Classification of Good Quality Agricultural Land within the Project area* *Based on data provided by the State of Queensland (DERM 2010). Elimatta Project

8 Table 4.10 Land Suitability and Agricultural Land Quality Comparison Soil Management Unit Downfall Kinnoul Cheshire Rolleston Juandah Horse Creek Alluvium Important Limitations Temporal flooding of gilgai, nutrient deficiency and PAWC deficiencies. Erosion potential and PAWC deficiencies. PAWC deficiencies, nutrient deficiency and Erosion potential. Erosion potential and nutrient deficiency. PAWC deficiencies, nutrient deficiency Flooding potential and Wetness issues. PAWC deficiencies, Flooding potential, poor topography and Wetness issues. Agricultural Suitability (according to DME 1995) Beef Cattle Grazing Broadacre Cropping Agricultural Land Quality (DERM 2010) 3 4 C1 3 4 C1 3 4 A1 3 4 A1 4 5 B2 3 5 B2 Rail and Services Corridor The outcomes of the land suitability assessment have been used to allocate soil units into one of these four Agricultural Land Classes. The results are shown in Table 4.11, which also provides a comparison of the findings of the assessment with official government classification of agricultural land in the area. Under the current planning scheme for the region, most of the corridor is defined as GQAL. However, a comparison of the data obtained during the land suitability assessment with the official government classification of agricultural land in the area has identified that official records seem to overstate the quality of local land. Findings of the land suitability assessment conducted across the Rail and Services Corridor are consistent with the findings of the assessment conducted across the Project MLA areas. Elimatta Project

9 Table 4.11 Agricultural Land Classes for the Rail and Services Corridor Soil Map Unit Classification Land Suitability Assessment 1 Taroom Planning Scheme 2 AP1 Class C1 All areas inside corridor are prone to erosive flooding Class B GS1 GU1 GU2 GU3 Class B Class C1 These soils have salinity limitations Class B Deeper soils with >75 mm soil water storage Class C1 Slope and/or shallow soils, low moisture availability limits cropping Class C1 Slope and low moisture availability limits cropping Class C1 Rockiness, shallow soils and slope limits cropping Class A Class A Class A Class A Class A Class A E Class C1 Class A 1. Based on land suitability assessment using Technical Guidelines for the Environmental Management of Exploration and Mining in Queensland Land Suitability Assessment Techniques (DME 1995). 2. Produced by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines for the Taroom Shire Planning Scheme 2006 Generally, crop land (Class A and Class B) is designated as GQAL for the purpose of protecting agricultural productivity under State Planning Policy 1/92. However in local authorities where the pastoral industry is the dominant form of land use and income generation, Class C1 is often designated as GQAL as well. The majority (95%) of the corridor is considered to be either Class B or Class C1, and is therefore classed as GQAL. Only 5% of the corridor contains shallow rocky sand and loam soils that are not GQAL. Agricultural land classes determined for the corridor are shown in Figure Table 4.12 provides a comparison of land suitability and Agricultural Land Quality classifications for soils within the corridor area. Elimatta Project

10 Figure 4.26 Agricultural Land Classes for the Rail and Services Corridor* * Based on results of Land Suitability Assessment and field observations Elimatta Project

11 Table 4.12 Land Suitability and Agricultural Land Quality Comparison Soil Map Unit Important Limitations Agricultural Suitability (according to DME 1995) Beef Cattle Grazing Rainfed Cropping Agricultural Land Quality AP1 Moisture availability, wetness, soil ph, sodicity, nutrient deficiency. High velocity erosive flooding is common. 3/4 4/5 C1 GS1 Moisture availability, soil physical properties, soil workability, salinity, water erosion, soil ph. 4 4 B C1 GU1 Moisture availability, soil physical properties, soil workability, water erosion, soil ph. 3/4 4/5 B C1 GU2 GU3 E Moisture availability, water erosion soil ph. Moisture availability, rockiness, water erosion, soil ph. Moisture availability, soil physical properties, soil workability, topography, water erosion, soil ph. 4 5 C1 4/5 5 C1 4 5 C1 The assessment of GQAL within the corridor determined that there will be no loss of GQAL Crop Land due to the absence of Agricultural Land Class A land within the corridor. Furthermore, whilst 95% of the corridor is GQAL, only 25% of the corridor is arable and is of marginal suitability for cropping. Most of the GQAL is in fact suited to improved pastures and not cropping. Strategic Cropping Land Mining Lease Areas As part of the Soil and Land Suitability Assessment, a preliminary review of the extent of land classified as potential Strategic Cropping Land (SCL) under the Strategic Cropping Land Act 2011 was conducted. The Strategic Cropping Land Act 2011 aims to protect agricultural land resources that are deemed important to Queensland. The Act requires developments on areas deemed to have potential SCL to undertake a review of the relevant mapping and potentially validate the status of the land. In accordance with DNRM mapping, the Elimatta Project site is located outside of all Protection Areas, within the Western Cropping Zone. A review of the Strategic Cropping Land Trigger Map Queensland (V2.0) for the Elimatta Project identified five polygons totalling approximately ha within the MLA boundaries mapped as potential SCL. The polygons vary in size from 2.3 ha to 1,338 ha. The distribution of these polygons is Elimatta Project

12 shown in Figure Figure 4.27 Strategic Cropping Land Trigger Map for potential SCL within the Elimatta Project Elimatta Project

13 Initial review of the available information indicates that not all of the mapped trigger areas may meet the criteria required to constitute SCL under the Strategic Cropping Land Act Formal SCL validation applications will be required to confirm the status of the 2,715.8ha mapped as SCL trigger area in accordance with the Strategic Cropping Land Act The process for validating SCL is provided for in Chapter 2, Part 2 of the Strategic Cropping Land Act Rail and Services Corridor The Rail and Services Corridor also falls within the Western Cropping Zone. The SCL Trigger Map defines the entire corridor area as potential SCL. A preliminary assessment of the soil map units within the corridor found that: All soil map units appear to fail on one or more SCL criteria; The trigger map indicates that 12 of the soil map units are not SCL. When compared to the same soils in other parts of the corridor mapped as potential SCL, many of these soil map units have no discernible differences; The trigger map classifies 32 soil map units as potential SCL; and The trigger map appears to divide five soil map units into potential SCL and not SCL categories by straight line land use or property boundaries. The trigger map, due to the coarseness of its input data, appears to inadequately predict the likelihood of soil water storage and soil depth effects on SCL. Further details of the SCL assessment for the Rail and Services Corridor are provided in Appendix P. Formal SCL validation applications will be required to confirm the status of the mapped SCL trigger areas in accordance with the Strategic Cropping Land Act The process for validating SCL is provided for in Chapter 2, Part 2 of the Strategic Cropping Land Act Contaminated Land The full Contaminated Land Assessment Report is attached and contained within Appendix Q. Environmental Management Register and Contaminated Land Register Searches The Environmental Management Register (EMR) and the Contaminated Land Register (CLR) were searched for the properties underlying the Project Site. The EMR and CLR are maintained by the EHP to identify properties at risk of becoming contaminated due to Notifiable Activities being undertaken on them, or properties that are proven to be contaminated through scientific investigation. These registers can be searched on a lot and plan basis. The results for the land underlying the Project Site are as follows: A search of both the EMR and CLR was conducted for each of the properties underlying the Project. None of the 30 properties underlying the Project including the Rail and Services Corridor were found to be registered on the EMR or the CLR. Preliminary Site Investigation A Preliminary Site Investigation consistent with the Draft Guidelines for the Assessment and Management of Contaminated Land in Queensland (EPA 1998) has been conducted for the Project Elimatta Project

14 site in order to determine the potential for contamination to have occurred historically. This investigation involved the compilation of detailed site history, register searches, a physical investigation of the site and gathering of anecdotal evidence. A comprehensive history of each lot encompassed by the Project was compiled, in order to determine past land use and any potential sources of contamination. Due to the large number of properties concerned, these lots have been divided into two groups, those occurring within the proposed mining area (i.e. MLAs 50254, and 50270) and those residing within the proposed Rail and Services Corridor. The majority of land underlying the Project has predominantly been used for pastoral grazing, which has the potential for contamination from heavy metals (mainly arsenic), organophosphates or organochlorine pesticides that were employed in cattle and sheep dips. In order to assess the potential for land contamination to have occurred, an assessment of potentially contaminating activities was conducted via a review of the available aerial photography and interviews with land holders. The primary landscape changes that were identified in the historical aerial photographs were vegetation growth or vegetation clearing. Unlike many other agriculturally productive areas in Queensland, vegetation coverage in the Project site has not dramatically decreased over time. Many properties included areas where vegetation increased and other areas where it decreased. There have been minor changes in local infrastructure, which are most likely associated with residential or storage infrastructure, rather than industrial processes, as there is no noticeable change in access to these areas and they do not appear to be used regularly or for haulage purposes. During the preliminary site visit (PSI) a cattle dip was identified within Lot 38 on Plan AB188 following discussion with existing land owners. The dip in question represents the only potential source of contamination that has been identified on the Project site. It should be noted that use of the cattle dip has ceased. Grass and weed species have since grown on the site surface and in the surrounding area. The historical land use around the cattle dip was assessed and a field investigation instigated, in order to assess the presence, extent and magnitude of soil contamination at this location. Arsenic was found to exceed National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) Ecological Investigation Levels (EIL) at a number of soil sampling locations and Health Investigation Levels (HIL) at only two locations. Elevated concentrations of organophosphates and organochlorines were not identified in the shallow soil samples that were collected from this Lot. The current risk to humans and environmental values due to the contaminated soil is considered to be low as the cattle dip is no longer utilised and the Lot is currently vacant. The site will remain unchanged, until staged mine construction commences, resulting in sequential land disturbance. The more significant risk from contamination on this site is to livestock. ANZECC Water Quality Guidelines, Chapter 9.3, states that when in inorganic form, the maximum tolerable dietary level of Arsenic in feed for livestock is 50 mg/kg. Therefore, the Arsenic contamination identified in shallow soil, could pose a risk to livestock, assuming that they ingest soil and plant roots in the same quantities that as their feed. It is recommended that the contaminated soil remains in situ until the site activities commence and the soil in question is disturbed in line with the Project s mine stage planning, at which stage it should be disposed of into a dedicated tailings storage facility or a suitable off-site landfill Infrastructure Figure 4.28 displays the existing infrastructure that is located on the Project site. Elimatta Project

15 There are three residences within the MLA areas; one in the south eastern corner of MLA50270 and two in the northern area of MLA Power lines, managed and maintained by Ergon Energy, dissect the MLAs to provide two of the residences with mains system power. Perretts Road traverses the length of the three MLAs; centrally dissecting MLA50254 and traversing the eastern boundary of MLA Currently, Perretts Road is the main access road to the Project site. Perretts Road will be moved east of its current alignment and still functions as the primary access road for the Project. Goldens Road cuts across the southern boundary of MLA50270 heading in a western direction, and will be closed to facilitate development of the mine haul road. The local roads in the vicinity of the Project are administered by the DTMR and Western Downs Regional Council. Semi-permanent environmental monitoring devices are located throughout the Project site, including groundwater monitoring bores and dust deposition gauges. The Rail and Services Corridor transects several pieces of service infrastructure along the length of the alignment. The existing Telstra local telecommunications cable network and Powerlink electricity infrastructure may require modification. Additionally, the Fibre Optic Network at the Leichhardt Highway crossing may also require potential modification. The development of the Rail and Services Corridor will not have a significant impact on these services. Details of co-located services and agreements will be acquired during further design development to integrate design and confirm corridor land requirements. Elimatta Project

16 Figure 4.28 Location of Current Infrastructure Elimatta Project

17 Sensitive Environmental Areas Database searches and literature review searches were conducted to determine whether or not the Project overlays any environmentally sensitive areas. No Category A or C Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) described under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 are located on the Project site or the proposed Rail and Services Corridor. An ESA map of the Project site is shown in Figure 4.29 and Figure This shows four small areas of Category B Endangered Regional Ecosystems (ERE) in the south-western corner and one area in the north of the southern area of the MLA areas. Sections of Horse Creek, situated just outside the eastern boundary of the MLA areas, are also mapped as Category B ERE. The three small areas of Category B EREs intersect the proposed Rail and Services Corridor. These coincide with the vegetation associated with Horse Creek, Juandah Creek and the stock route to the east of Juandah Creek. The mapped EREs are assessed in detail within Section 4.8. EHP ESA Maps identified no National parks, Conservation Parks, Forest Reserves, State Forests, Timber Reserves, Heritage Register Places, Fish Habitat Areas, Wilderness or Habitat Corridors, Wild Rivers or Important Wetlands within or adjacent to the Project site. No areas of critical habitat under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, areas listed with high nature conservation values or areas particularly vulnerable under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 have been identified. In addition, no areas proclaimed, or under consideration for proclamation, under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 or Marine Parks Act 1982 have been identified as being on or adjacent to the Project site or the proposed Rail and Services Corridor. No sites of geomorphological significance, including lava tubes or karst, have been identified on or adjacent to the Project site. A number of Regional Ecosystems (RE) are endemic to the subregion, with a total of 92% of REs listed as threatened on state listings (ANRA, 2009). Although a number of avian species listed as Migratory and/or Marine under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999), have been identified within database searches and during field surveys, no species is at the extent of its distribution or rare in the region. No significant habitat or relevant bird flight paths for these species have been identified within or immediately adjacent to the Project. No areas of palaeontologic significance have been identified on or adjacent to the Project site. Elimatta Project

18 Figure 4.29 Environmentally Sensitive Areas Underlying the MLA Areas Elimatta Project

19 Figure 4.30 Environmentally Sensitive Areas Underlying the Rail and Services Corridor Elimatta Project

20 Landscape Character The Project site is located within a rural landscape and has undergone considerable change since Ludwig Leichhardt first explored and discovered the region in the mid-19 th century. The Leichhardt district was settled by Europeans and was to become one of Queensland s main pastoral districts. As such, the local landscape has been significantly impacted by grazing pressure with large expanses of remnant vegetation cleared in favour of open grasslands and improved pastures. The existing topography of the area, formed on the argillaceous sediments of the Great Artesian Basin, consists of very gently to moderately inclined undulating hills, dissected by Horse Creek and its tributaries. Horse Creek and its tributaries comprise creek beds, associated banks and some small alluvial plains. Horse Creek runs across and around the project area in a north-easterly direction, whilst many of its tributaries move across the landscape in an east-west direction. The majority of the Project site consists of non-remnant grassland with vegetation clusters scattered sparsely. Associated infrastructure on the site includes cattle yards, windmills, dams, water storage tanks and a disused cattle dip which all remain as evidence of the historical land uses Visual Amenity In accordance with the description of the landscape character in Section , the main landscape elements that constitute the local visual amenity within the vicinity of the Project site include: Flat landscape, ploughed fields and pasture land with scattered vegetation clusters; Open grazing and pasture land on undulating hills with elevations ranging from approximately 250 m to 300 m above sea level with sparse vegetation clusters; Vegetation buffers associated with existing transport corridors; and Alluvial and riparian corridors associated with Horse Creek and its tributaries. To describe these landscape elements for the Project site and to assess potential impacts of the Project, a visual amenity assessment was undertaken. Appendix R provides the complete visual amenity report for the Elimatta Project. The Project area for the study comprises the three identified MLAs and the Rail and Services Corridor. The assessment was designed to assess potential impacts of the Project on local residences, public places (such as schools) and roads. As part of the assessment, photographs of the existing landscape have been taken from various locations around the Project site (see Figure 4.31) and are included below (Photo Plate 4.1 Photo Plate 4.10). Elimatta Project

21 Figure 4.31 Photo Site Locations Elimatta Project

22 Photo Plate 4.1 Flat landscape with scattered vegetation facing north towards MLA (refer to VA2 Figure 4.31) Photo Plate 4.2 Tree buffering facing east towards MLA (refer to VA3 Figure 4.31) Elimatta Project

23 Photo Plate 4.3 Pasture land with minimal vegetation facing east, west of MLA (refer to VA4 Figure 4.31) Photo Plate 4.4 Tree buffering along Goldens Road facing east towards MLA (refer to VA6 Figure 4.31) Elimatta Project

24 Photo Plate 4.5 Ploughed fields provide similar colour contrasts as mining operations. Facing east towards MLA (refer to VA5 Figure 4.31) Photo Plate 4.6 Open pastures on undulating hills surrounding Perretts Road facing south-west towards the Project site (refer to VA7 Figure 4.31) Elimatta Project

25 Photo Plate 4.7 Tree buffering from Perretts Road facing south-west towards MLA (refer to VA8 Figure 4.31) Photo Plate 4.8 Dense vegetation buffer viewed from Ryals Road facing west towards MLA and the transport corridor (refer to VA9 Figure 4.31) Elimatta Project

26 Photo Plate 4.9 Dense vegetation buffer along Ryals Road facing west towards MLA and the transport corridor (refer to VA10 Figure 4.31) Photo Plate 4.10 Dense vegetation along Kabunga Road, east of the Project site viewing north towards the proposed West Surat Link (refer to VA11 Figure 4.31) Elimatta Project

27 The local visual amenity associated with the Rail and Services Corridor includes: Predominantly flat grazing land with occasional gentle undulating hills consisting of mainly non-remnant grassland with scattered vegetation. The following photos detail the landscape character of the West Surat Link. Photo Plate 4.11 Predominate road side vegetation along Kabunga Road, facing south towards the proposed location of the West Surat Link (refer to VA12 Figure 4.31) Photo Plate 4.12 Contrasting shades among uneven topography facing south, towards the West Surat Link (refer to VA13 Figure 4.31) Elimatta Project

28 Photo Plate 4.13 Tree buffering and property infrastructure provide compensation as you face north towards the West Surat Link (refer to VA14 Figure 4.31) Photo Plate 4.14 Undulating hills and scattered trees facing south towards the West Surat Link on the Leichardt Highway (refer to VA15 Figure 4.31) Elimatta Project

29 Photo Plate 4.15 Tree buffering is provided facing east along the West Surat Link (refer to VA16 Figure 4.31) Photo Plate 4.16 Scattered vegetation facing west along the West Surat Link (refer to VA16 Figure 4.31) Elimatta Project

30 Photo Plate 4.17 Vegetation buffering along Nathan Road, facing south-west towards the end of the West Surat Link (refer to VA17 Figure 4.31) Photo Plate 4.18 Broken buffer along Nathan Road, facing north towards the eastern portion of the West Surat Link (refer to VA18 Figure 4.31) Elimatta Project

31 Existing Components of the Project The Project site has been divided into four sectors that have been categorised according to their sensitivity to landscape changes associated with the Project. The first of these areas is the southern MLA 50254, which includes the majority of the mining operations, with the exception of the CHPP facilities. The central area, the transport corridor (MLA 50271), joins MLA to MLA and contains no static mining infrastructure but will be used for the transportation of ROM coal from the pit to the CHPP. The northern MLA, 50270, area will house the CHPP and other associated mine infrastructure including tailings storages and the accommodation village. The fourth of these areas is consistent with the least amount of disturbance upon operational land; the planned Rail and Services Corridor termed the West Surat Link. This will connect the northern lease, MLA 50270, with the Surat Basin Rail, approximately 36 km away, to the north east of the Wandoan township. Southern MLA The southern MLA (50254) encompasses the largest area of disturbance occupied by the Project. It contains the area of mining associated with the open-cut pit and two out-of-pit dumps, one located in the south-west corner of the lease, the other nearing the north. The operations of the southern lease require the diversion of Horse Creek and Perretts Road and may potentially affect the visual amenity of sensitive receivers, such as residencies and local road users along Bundi or Perretts Road, particularly within 1 km from the mining lease boundary. There are 12 sensitive receivers within 5 km of the southern lease boundary that are buffered by various degrees of vegetation. Sensitive receivers south of MLA are subject to significant visual impacts associated with mining operations and stockpiles. Sensitive receivers located to the east of MLA50254 are provided with substantial vegetation buffering along Ryals Road and those located west are provided with only sparse vegetation buffering as historical land clearing has left the landscape with substantially reduced remnant vegetation. Existing landscape aspects, vegetation, topography and ground structures, may be of visual amenity to potentially affected sensitive receivers. The associated visual amenity correlated with the out-of-pit dumps is best represented by photo sites VA4, VA3 and VA2. Patchy vegetation is located at distance from the mining lease boundary, helping to reduce the visual impact of landscape changes. On approach to the southern boundary vegetation provides sufficient buffering of mining disturbances. The eastern boundary provides very little vegetation to buffer the view of the out-of-pit dumps. However, the typically flat topography does not provide any substantial viewpoints down onto the Project site and patches of shrub land will provide moderate buffering. The area of mining encompasses the majority of the southern lease and the anticipated visual amenity provided by vegetation and existing landscapes is best represented by photo sites VA2, VA3, VA4, VA9 and VA10. Scattered vegetation near to VA9 provides substantial buffering against potential visual amenity impacts at the northern section of the southern lease, which houses one out-of-pit dump and associated open pit disturbances. VA10 shows substantial road side buffering along Ryals road whilst VA2 shows minimal buffering from Bundi road looking north. Dense vegetation provides buffering Elimatta Project

32 along the southern boundary. Topography and vegetation surrounding the southern lease generally has the ability to buffer moderate levels landscape change associated with mining disturbance. However, west of the lease, where the landscape is predominantly non-remnant grassland there is minimal buffering capacity to the visual amenity impacts associated with the Project. Central Transport Corridor MLA There will be minimal disturbance on the central MLA No static mine infrastructure is anticipated within the transport corridor. This area will be used primarily to transport ROM coal from the southern lease pit to the CHPP within the northern lease. The main disturbances within the central lease will be large machinery necessary for the transportation of ROM coal. The projected visual amenity is best represented by photo site VA9 which shows good vegetation buffering located alongside Ryals Road and into the horizon. There are two sensitive receivers located within 5 km of the transport MLA; in addition receivers may also be associated with Perretts Road which runs north to south adjacent to the central lease boundary. Although variable between sensitive receivers, distance from disturbance along with subsequent buffering and intermittent use of the transport corridor should facilitate reasonable visual amenity for such receivers. In addition, flat topography with consistent vegetation provides moderate buffering capacity to minimise impacts to visual amenity. Northern MLA The northern lease consists of the MIA, two surface TSFs, the western extent of the West Surat Link and the anticipated mining village. There are three sensitive receivers surrounding the lease with anticipated visual amenity best represented by photo sites VA8, VA7, VA6 and VA5. VA6, located towards the southern end of the northern lease, facing east, displays scattered vegetation on undulating hills. However, a clear view of the horizon and the associated elevated topography may provide views of the various elements associated with this portion of the mining lease. VA5 is located closer to the mining lease along Goldens Road. There is minimal vegetation buffering associated with this view onto the northern lease, however, only one sensitive receiver is in close proximity to this location (approximately 2 km from the lease boundary). Visual interference from the associated mining infrastructure may be experienced. VA8 and VA7 look south-west onto the northern portion of the lease, where associated infrastructure will include the western end of the West Surat Link, the mining village, Dam TDN further south, and Dam TDNA to the west. These photo sites were located on Perretts Road and demonstrate, on approach to the Mining Lease boundary, elevated topography and existing agricultural infrastructure which will assist to buffer the view of mining infrastructure from a distance. As Perretts Road continues within close proximity to the eastern boundary of the northern lease visual amenity is also protected, although minimally, via elevated topography. West Surat Link There are many sensitive receivers associated with the West Surat Rail Link as the Link spans approximately 36 km, through (approximately) 21 properties, connecting to the Surat Basin Rail, north Elimatta Project

33 east of the Wandoan township. The ability of landscape aspects, such as topography and vegetation, to buffer landscape changes associated with the West Surat Link is best represented by photos VA11, VA12, VA13, VA14, VA15, VA17 and VA18. The eastern portion of the link is characterised by predominate vegetation cover along Kabunga Road in both, north and south directions. Scattered trees and uneven topography protect sensitive receivers located in close proximity (within 1 and 2 km) of the link. VA13 shows the central portion and illustrates the visual amenity provided within approximately 1 km from the West Surat Link, where sensitive receivers, school and residencies, are located. As viewed, a small embankment is provided between sensitive receivers and proposed disturbances. The colour contrast associated with cleared pastures and scattered vegetation provides buffers to assist in visual amenity. The western end of the West Surat Link passes in close proximity to VA7, located within the 1 km buffer zone from the Project area. Visual amenity values of the two sensitive receivers located near site VA7 will likely be impacted, albeit not significantly, by the WSL and associated Corridor infrastructure. Topography and scattered vegetation minimise visual amenity impacts for these receivers. Views from the Leichhardt Highway are represented by photo sites VA14, VA15 and VA16 and incorporate the visual amenity experienced by sensitive receivers located within 2 km of the West Surat Link. Undulating hills, scattered trees and sparse vegetation provide contrasting aesthetics that provide a filter for receivers associated with the eastern portion of the rail link. VA16 illustrates how dynamic the landscape is in relatively small and seemingly unrelated portions. Viewing east along the proposed rail location, the visual amenity is represented by embankments, scattered trees and disjointed vegetation. Although similar, viewing west along the proposed location of the link, the landscape is characterised by large clearances and sparse vegetation. It is these landscape aspects, variable topography and the assortment of vegetation configurations that provide buffering to the visual amenity impacts associated with the West Surat Link. The landscape associated with the eastern extent of the link, where the connection is made to the Surat Basin Rail, is characterised by scattered vegetation and existing agricultural infrastructure. The proximity of sensitive receivers to the existing Surat Basin Rail may desensitise receivers to the development of the proposed rail link. Value of Existing Vegetation The presence of existing vegetation surrounding the Project is a vital aspect in reducing potential impacts on visual amenity values. It is recommended that remnant vegetation be left intact as it will provide a visual buffer around large parts of the Project. This visual buffer could also be extended with planting to cover further areas of the Project boundary. Established vegetation currently surrounds a large proportion of the Project, with the exception of the western side, adjacent to MLA 50254, which would benefit from the establishment of vegetation buffering. Elimatta Project