6. Socio-Economic Environment

Transcription

1 6. Socio-Economic Environment The functions of this section are to describe the existing socio-economic environmental values of the area which may be affected by the proposed project, to assess the potential impact of the proposed development on those environmental values and to develop mitigation measures to minimise those impacts. 6.1 Land Use Description of General Land Use Blythdale Substation Site The site has been previously cleared for agriculture and other rural purposes (including grazing), but the site does not include any current cropping land. A substation on this site would not have any impact on the existing surrounding land uses and enable grazing to continue on the remainder of the property. The location of the proposed substation has been chosen with consideration to avoid the need for the high voltage connection to traverse and alienate good quality agricultural land immediately to the north of the gas hub compressor station. By locating Blythdale substation to the south east of the compressor station a connection can be made to the high voltage transmission line from the Yuleba North Substation that avoids direct impacts on the adjacent cropping land. Fairview South Substation Site The site has been historically used for grazing, however with the intense development of the Fairview Gas Fields in the last decade, grazing in the local area has been scaled back and limited regrowth has occurred in some areas. At present, the proposed Fairview South substation site has been cleared historically for cattle but now has limited regrowth comprising mostly ironbark. The development of Fairview South substation will have no impacts on existing or proposed future rural land uses. The site has been chosen in consultation with Santos GLNG to minimise potential conflict with the construction and operation of gas field infrastructure. Fairview Substation Site The Fairview site has been extensively developed for the Fairview Gas Field and grazing has been discontinued in the immediate area. The current land use is gas field development and operation. The substation location was selected in consultation with Santos GLNG to limit potential impacts on gas field infrastructure. The proposed substation would not have any direct impacts on land use and enable grazing/agriculture to continue on the balance of the property should that be relevant. 82

2 6.1.2 Mining Blythdale Substation Site Blythdale substation will be located on Lot 94/95 WV456. These lots are freehold, with existing mining/petroleum tenements overlying the property. These are: Petroleum Lease (PL 314), granted, expires 26 June 2041 and the holder is Santos QNT Pty Ltd. Exploration Permit Coal (1763), granted, expires 10 November 2014 and the holder is Wanbei Coal Electricity Mining (Australia) Pty Ltd. Exploration Permit Mineral (19039), granted, expires 26 June 2015 and the holder is Mining Investments Four Pty Ltd. The granted petroleum lease overrides the exploration permits for the duration of the PL tenure. The holder of PL 314 (Santos GLNG) has indicated they will allow designation of a substation site. Fairview South Substation Site The Fairview South substation site is on Lot 8 AB200. This lot is freehold, with existing mining/petroleum tenements overlying the property. These are: Petroleum Lease (100), granted, expires 15 December 2033 and the holder is Santos Toga Pty Ltd. Exploration Permit Coal (1110), granted, expires 27 May 2013 and the holder is Tilox Resources Pty Ltd. The granted petroleum lease (PL 100) overrides the exploration permits for the duration of the PL tenure. The holder of PL 100 will allow designation of a substation site. Fairview Substation Site The Fairview substation site is on Lot 5 WT217 is freehold land with three mining and/or exploration tenures over the site. They include: Petroleum Lease (91), granted, expires 29 November 2029 and the holder is Santos Toga Pty Ltd. Exploration Permit Coal (1110), granted, expires 27 May 2013 and the holder is Tilox Resources Pty Ltd. Additionally, there are four pipeline licences in the immediate vicinity comprising; PPL 30 (Jemena Queensland Gas Pipeline (1) Ltd). This is only current operational pipeline; PPL 147 (Fairview Pipeline Pty Ltd), status unknown; PPL 76 (Santos Toga Pty Ltd), status is progressing; and PPL 92 (Santos Toga Pty Ltd), status unknown. The granted petroleum lease (PL 91) overrides the exploration permits for the duration of the PL tenure. The holder of PL 91 has indicated that they allow designation of a substation site and necessary transmission infrastructure. 83

3 6.1.3 Other Rural Land Use Blythdale Substation Site The property on which the Blythdale substation is proposed to be located is not identified as Good Quality Agriculture Land (GQAL) in the Bungil Shire Planning Scheme. The site has previously been used for grazing and some cropping. However, with the acquisition of these properties to support the development of the Roma East gas field these land uses have ceased (or will shortly cease) and the construction and operation of the substations will not further alienate any rural lands uses. Fairview South Substation Site Five percent of Lot 8 AB200, within which the Fairview South substation will be located, is mapped as GQAL under the Taroom Shire Council Planning Scheme. The Taroom Shire Council Planning Scheme maps the GQAL as Class C. Class C is suitable for grazing high quality pastures were ground disturbance is possible. This area of GQAL is situated to the east of the proposed substation and will not be affected by the construction and operation of the substation. Fairview Substation Site The proposed Fairview substation site is located in Lot 5 WT217, which is partially mapped as GQAL in the Bungil Shire Planning Scheme. The site has been developed for the Fairview Gas Field and as a result agricultural land uses have either ceased or are reduced. Therefore the proposed substation would not have any impact on GQAL land Description of Land Tenure The tenure for the proposed substation sites is entirely freehold (refer to Figure 12, Figure 13 and Figure 14 for Blythdale, Fairview South and Fairview respectively). The construction and operation of the proposed substations will be localised to their specific sites, hence will not have an impact to its corresponding adjacent lands Description of the State Stock Route Network The administration and management of the stock route network is shared between the local government and DNRM. Stock routes are divided into four classifications for operational and management purposes based upon permit data and average use over a five year period. The substations do not traverse any roads or designated State Stock Routes Potential Impacts Substations can generally be constructed and operated in a rural environment without impacting on land use to any significant extent due to their small development footprint by comparison with other major infrastructure projects. The immediate area of the substations and access roads may result in alienation of some lands uses, but the majority of rural land uses, excepting for some intensive horticultural cropping operations, may be continued up to the boundaries of the substation development envelopment. The proposed substation sites are not envisaged to have an impact on the current or future land use in their corresponding area. All the substations are being located in areas that are being intensively developed for gas field infrastructure and this has effectively alienated the area about the gas hub compressor stations from further rural lands uses. 84

4 The nature of likely impacts on other land uses, particularly during construction, is generally minor, temporary and reversible. Potential impacts upon land uses are primarily related to temporary limitations on land use activities during construction, such as impacts on local roads and tracks Mitigation Measures Impacts that will occur will be mitigated through a program of consultation with the landholder and stakeholders to determine agreed times and locations for land use activities to occur. Appropriate hygiene measures for weed management will be implemented for this project in consultation with landholders/stakeholders. Weed management will be driven by the Pest Management Plan and will include the construction of both permanent and temporary wash-down facilities at locations to be determined in final consultation with landholders/stakeholders prior to construction. The EMP (Appendix D) lists those elements related to weed management to be implemented for this project. Powerlink and/or its contractors carry out a dial before you dig search and other services surveys before commencement of construction activities, to prevent direct damage to any known underground services. As the project area is within generally remote areas away from settlements the risks of direct impacts on utility services and infrastructure for any local government and state government utilities are very low. 85

5 Figure 12: Blythdale Substation Tenure 86

6 Figure 13: Fairview South Substation Tenure 87

7 Figure 14: Fairview Substation Tenure 88

8 6.2 Socio-Economic Issues Local Demographic Profile The main source of population demographic information for the region is Census data from the Office of Economic and Statistical Research (OESR). The most recent Census data collected for Maranoa Regional Council was conducted in 2011, with Census data available for Banana Shire Council being from A summary of the available demographic information for the regional council involved in this EIS is provided below. The Blythdale and Fairview substation sites are within the Maranoa Regional Council. Data from the 2011 Census shows that the population in the region was estimated to be 13,423 people with a projection between 13,621 and 14,502 people by Fairview South substation is within the Banana Shire Regional Council, which has a population of 15,634 people and a projection of 15,987 by The region is projected to have an average annual growth rate of 0.3 percent. Main occupation in the region is classified as being managers, labourers, technicians and trades workers, and machinery operators and drivers with main employment being classified as agriculture, forestry and fishing and mining Potential Impacts and Management Strategies The need for increasing the amount of electricity supplied to the area is highlighted by the slow but steady increase in population and the large growth in the mining sector. By extending the high voltage electricity network to the area, and to specific mining projects, Powerlink can support the growth of both regions and indirectly provide a range of jobs and other services. For example, by supplying these substations to Santos GLNG, Powerlink enables the gas fields to continue and expand its operations. This would provide direct employment opportunities for the mine and indirect employment for the associated services (e.g. food outlets and construction) Workers Accommodation Construction work is carried out by suitably qualified contractors under the supervision of Powerlink staff. Up to 30 contract and Powerlink personnel will be used for the substations construction. They will only be required for the construction phase after which the substations will be managed remotely. It is expected that existing construction camps and accommodation will service the needs of the construction workforce, not all of whom will be engaged simultaneously. However, owing to current shortage of accommodation in the project area, work/accommodation camps may be required to be established in the field (these camps will be considered at a later date and are not considered in this EIS). Should accommodation camps be required the proposed locations, impacts and mitigation measures will be discussed with the relevant council and/or statutory department. Powerlink and the Contractor are proposing to utilise specialist accommodation providers who are familiar with the statutory requirements of work camps. Powerlink is currently in the pre-planning and negotiating phase in regards to camps that are already established in the project area and requirements of additional camps. It should be noted that approvals for new accommodation/construction camps will be sought through the planning provisions of the Maranoa Regional Council or Banana Shire Council via a Development Application (DA) and not through the Community Infrastructure Designation (CID) process. 89

9 6.2.4 Consultation and Community Engagement Consultation and community engagement for this project follow those requirements as described in Guidelines about Environmental Assessment and Public Consultation Procedures for Designating Land for Community Infrastructure Schedule 5 Powerlink Manual dated December 2006 by the Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation. Initial community notification and information about the project was circulated via a project newsletter and introductory letter to the stakeholders in July Following this formal written advice, individual consultation with affected stakeholders, including local government, government agencies, local elected representatives and affected landholders, was undertaken between July 2012 and September During this period all stakeholders/landholders were engaged in direct meetings, either at offices on their properties, to introduce and discuss the project, identify issues specific to their property, electorate or statutory obligations, and to set the framework to undertake the EIS for the project. The stakeholders (affected parties) are identified in the Consultation Report (Appendix H). Further information is supplied in Appendix H. 6.3 Noise and Vibration Description of Environmental Values Noise within the proposed substation sites is currently commensurate with a rural environment with light local traffic and other traffic associated with the nearby roads (Blythdale Road, Baroondah Road and Fairview Road). There are, however, a number of future planned and initiated point sources, including construction and operation of gas hub compressor stations for the Santos GLNG gas fields. The proposed substation energised high voltage conductors and bus bars may exhibit corona. Corona is the term applied to the electrical discharge that can occur due to an intense localised electric field adjacent to an energised part. Energised surfaces, such as conductors, are surrounded by regions of high field strength causing ionisation of the air. The corona effect is caused by minor electrical discharge from the conductors into the ionised air and is strongest during we weather. Substations typically will emit a hum when operational which is typical operation noise associated with infrastructure. The nearest residences to the proposed substation sites that could be affected are located at: 600m from the proposed Blythdale substation; >5km from the proposed Fairview South substation; and 2km from the proposed Fairview substation. In general, the proposed substation sites are located in rural areas, with low levels of background noise. Construction noises will be temporary during daylight hours only. Sources will include machinery and vehicle noise. 90

10 6.3.2 Potential Impacts Construction activities will involve the movement of equipment, construction and personnel. The surrounding land use is rural and the substation sites do not impinge on urban residential areas. Noise generated during construction will be temporary and will occur during daylight hours only. Noise impacts may be in the form of heavy vehicle and machinery movements and general personnel presence. Corona effects are relatively small in fair weather but can become significant under some conditions. One potential impact of corona effect is audible noise characterised by a crackling sound that is normally heard during light rainfall and humid conditions as a consequence of water droplets mixing with dust on the conductor itself creating a migrating electricity leakage path. Audible noise from corona is dependent on weather and distance from the conductor and is typically below 55 db(a). None of the nearby residences will be directly affected by construction or operation/maintenance of the substations as there is sufficient distance and vegetation between them to minimise potential impacts Mitigation Measures The Environmental Work Plans (prepared prior to construction) will illustrate the access routes to the substation sites. The draft EMP (refer to Appendix D) details mitigation measures to control noise emissions, such as restrictions on vehicle speeds and work hours, the regular maintenance of machinery, and the fitting of noise suppression devices. Any construction activities identified as causing unreasonable noise and a possibility of nuisance will be timed to the mutual agreement of both construction management and the nearest residences to ensure that essential livelihood operations (such as moving cattle or harvesting) are able to be undertaken when necessary. The audible crackling sound from the substations will only occur under certain meteorological conditions, and may be masked by wind, topography, and other activities adjacent the site. 6.4 Health and Safety Safety All relevant Workplace Health and Safety measures will be adopted throughout the course of construction, operation and maintenance of the substations through the development and implementation of Workplace Health and Safety Plans. These plans will be prepared and implemented before an activity commences. The draft EMP (Appendix D) provides details of environmental safety issues. The on-site storage and use of hazardous substances will be managed through the EMP and handling of these substances will be as per specific Material Safety Data Sheets. During operation of the substations, Powerlink has a statutory obligation to keep safe electrical clearances as set out in Schedule 2 of the Electrical Safety Regulations Fire hazards (bushfires) pose a potential risk to construction and maintenance personnel. The existing maintenance track and road networks provide sufficient access for emergency response vehicles to fire hazard areas, and similarly allow for the safe withdrawal of construction and maintenance personnel should bushfires threaten their position. Powerlink will implement Emergency Response Plans, including Bush Fire Mitigation Plans, as per SPP 1/03 and emergency planning and response procedures in consultation with state and regional emergency service providers. 91

11 Safety risks exist during the construction phase when there will be vehicle movements along the road network accessing the substation sites. Vehicle movement on access roads may create safety hazards in relation to dust, size of vehicles, speeding and road and road furniture degradation (such as bridges, culverts, causeways etc.). On local property access roads specific road safety measures will be implemented appropriate to the specific risks identified for each property and road. These may include advising the affected parties of the major movements, restricting heavy construction vehicle movements during school bus run hours (applicable only to Blythdale and The Bend Road near the Blythdale substation), dust suppression, lowered and monitored speed limits, and reinforcement and upgrade of existing road furniture, including signage, guide posts, and increased load capacity grids Electric and Magnetic Fields Powerlink Queensland is a Member of the Energy Networks Association (ENA), the peak national body representing gas and electricity distribution businesses throughout Australia. As a member, Powerlink is an active participant in ENA asset management policy issues such as electric and magnetic fields and consequently subscribes to these policies. Adverse health effects from EMFs have not been established, and there remains a lack of scientific consensus about whether or not they occur. Because of this lack of scientific consensus, the question as to whether EMFs can cause adverse health effects is important. In consideration of this issue, the ENA has adopted a series of policy positions which includes the adoption of prudent measures in the design and operation of electricity generation, transmission and distribution systems. Prudence embraces a range of actions which it is sensible to take, having regard to the current state of scientific uncertainty. These include monitoring and sponsoring research, review of policies in light of research findings, providing awareness training for electricity industry staff, communication of information with the community, measuring field levels and practicing prudent avoidance when designing and siting new transmission and substation facilities. Powerlink has complied with the above in considering the potential impact of EMF to landholders nearest the substation sites. Substation development envelopes are designed such that the EMF at the edge of the boundary is within a range that may be found in the average Australian household. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (a Commonwealth government agency) provides guidelines and methodologies in assessing field strengths and their likely potential impact (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency 2002), and also provides details of typical EMF fields that are found in the home and are likely to be experienced in proximity to the substations. Typical values in the average Australian household are presented in Table 12 (as sourced from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency 2011, Fact Sheet 21). Table 12 Appliance Household appliances and the typical range of EMF measurements Range of Measurements (mg) Electric stove 2-30 Refrigerator 2-5 Electric kettle 2-10 Toaster

12 Appliance Range of Measurements (mg) Television Personal computer 2-20 Electric blanket 5-30 Hair dryer Pedestal fan By comparison, the typical field strength experienced at the edge of a substation is usually in the range of measurements between 2 50mG. 6.5 Landscape Character Landscape The substation sites are in a predominantly rural setting with the nearest towns as follows: Roma approximately 25km away from the proposed Blythdale substation; Injune approximately 65km from the proposed Fairview South substation and 55km from the proposed Fairview substation; and Taroom approximately 80km away from the proposed Fairview South substation. These towns, being a large distance from the proposed substations, will not be affected. The majority of the landscape has been historically cleared for grazing and is being intensively developed for infrastructure associated with the gas hub compressor station and other gas field infrastructure Visual Amenity Visual amenity can be described as comprising two elements: a near field view, comprising the immediate and permanent amenity as visible from a fixed point (e.g. residences); and a far field view, comprising a more transient visual impact from a further distance (e.g. seen from a vehicle at a road crossing point). The severity of the impact depends on the proximity to the subject (in this instance the substation structures) and the amount of time that the structures are visible. Blythdale Substation Site There are four homesteads within the vicinity (5km radius) of the proposed Blythdale substation site. The residences include: One on the adjacent lot to the substation 600m to the north west of the substation site (owned by Santos GLNG); The opposite side of the Blythdale Road (1km north west of the proposed site and owned by Santos GLNG); 2.8km to the north east of the proposed site; and Approximately 4km to the west. 93

13 There are no homesteads that will be directly impacted by the substation construction and operation. The Blythdale substation will be visible from the homestead on the adjacent property. This homestead is part of the gas hub compressor station infrastructure development area and is owned by Santos GLNG. The substation is approximately 200m from Blythdale Road. The Blythdale Road reserve is vegetated, and the trees will partially shield the substation from the view of passing motorists. The road is a minor rural access road, and is being upgraded by Santos for access to the gas field developments. Fairview South Substation Site There are no homesteads within the vicinity (5km radius) of the proposed site. Baroondah Road is used only for property and gas field access, and all other access roads/tracks are only to support gas field development. The Fairview South substation will not be visible to general traffic, residents or the public in general and has no local visual amenity. Fairview Substation Site There are no adjacent homesteads to the site. The nearest permanent residences are greater than 1.5km from the site and will not be affected by visual amenity. There are currently three old homesteads that have been bought by Santos and converted for gas field uses, with one of the old homesteads used by care takers. These are located 2km east of the proposed substation site. The Fairview homestead will not be impacted on by the substation construction and operation. The proposed Fairview substation would not be visible from the homestead except when driving past on Fairview Road. Fairview Road is not a public road, and has been closed to general public access owing to security requirements for the operation and development of the gas field. Subsequently there are no public view sheds of the substation site. 6.6 Transport Infrastructure, Traffic and Amenity Blythdale Substation Sites The area about the gas hub compressor station is adjacent to rural roads with access via The Bend Road and Blythdale Road. Both roads are compacted gravel roads, however are in the process of being upgraded by Santos to enable use by heavy machinery and vehicles associated with the gas field development. These roads will be suitable for access to and construction of the substation. Any further investigations, such as an Environmental Management Plan should indicate whether works may be required on the road to ensure suitable access is maintained to the substation. Fairview South Substation Site The Fairview South substation is to be located 3.1km south of Baroondah Road (private access road), approximately 6km west of Injune Road in an area previously cleared for pasture. There are further access tracks in the area that are currently being used for the development of the adjacent gas field. These access roads are being upgraded to enable large machinery associated with the development of the gas field to access construction sites. This includes road construction to a standard to enable semitrailers to access these areas. 94

14 Site access will be via Baroondah Road and utilise existing gas field access roads. Baroondah Road is a compacted gravel road and should be suitable for access to and construction of the substation. The road will be developed to a standard to ensure that heavy machinery can access the site for the construction of the gas hub compressor station and it would be envisaged that the subsequent access would also be suitable for the substation construction in the same area. Fairview Substation Site The proposed Fairview substation site is located adjacent to and to the south of Fairview Road (a private property access road) in an area previously cleared for grazing. There is a network of access tracks and roads in the area that are used for the development of the Fairview gas field and construction is advancing for the gas hub compressor station. Site access would be possible via Fairview Road and by utilising existing gas field access tracks. Fairview Road is a compacted gravel road and should be suitable for access to and construction of the substation. Further investigations should indicate whether works may be required on the road to ensure suitable access is maintained to the substation. 6.7 Non-Indigenous Cultural Heritage Non-Indigenous cultural heritage and areas of State significance are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register pursuant to the Queensland Heritage Act No registered sites were identified within or adjacent to the proposed substation sites from the register and databases. Commonwealth (non-indigenous) cultural heritage includes listings under the: Australian Heritage Council Act Environment and Heritage Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) Australian Heritage Council (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act No sites were identified under the registers and databases of the above as occurring within or adjacent to the proposed substation sites. No places or areas of non-indigenous cultural heritage at either a State or Commonwealth level will be impacted by this project. 6.8 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Cultural Heritage may be recorded under the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Heritage Protection Act 1984 and/or Register of the National Estate and the National Heritage List. In Queensland Aboriginal Cultural Heritage is included (in part and where not confidential) on the Cultural Heritage Register. All significant Aboriginal cultural heritage in Queensland is protected under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act Under the legislation those responsible for carrying out an activity must take all reasonable and practical measures to ensure the activity does not harm Aboriginal Cultural Heritage No Indigenous cultural heritage sites were identified in the proposed substation sites in the desktop searches undertaken for this EIS. However, there is general potential for material to be identified in the Fairview and Fairview South substation site, as there are numerous records in the surrounding vicinity for such material. 95

15 Any unexpected Aboriginal cultural heritage, which may occur in the proposed substation sites, is protected under the terms of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 even if there are no records recorded in an official register and whether or not they are located in, on or under private land. In general, if compliance with the Queensland Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act is achieved, a proponent will also have complied with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Heritage Protection Act. Powerlink will be undertaking Cultural Heritage studies external to this current report. 96