Anderson Bay Sand Extraction Pit M r R i c h a r d S a t t l e r ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN J O H N M I E D E C K E & P A R T N E R S P L • J u n e 2 0 1 4 Mr Richard Sattler Anderson Bay Sand Extraction Pit Development Proposal and Environmental Management Plan Final June 2014 John Miedecke and Partners Pty Ltd 2 - 41 Tasma St North Hobart Tasmania 7000 0418130672 [email protected] Version 4. FOREWORD This Development Proposal and Environmental Management Plan (DPEMP) describes the proposed operation of a sand extraction pit on property owned by Mr Richard Sattler and environmental management practices for the pit. Preparation of the DPEMP has been undertake in accordance with guidelines prepared by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). A Land Use Permit will be required from the Dorset Council for the proposal and this DPEMP provides information for the application. The DPEMP fulfils the role of providing information on the proposed activities to other decision-making authorities and the public, who have the opportunity to make submissions on the proposal under Section 33 of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act (LUPAA) (1993). Submissions may be lodged, as specified, under Section 38 of the LUPAA (1993) within 28 days of advertisements being placed in local newspapers. In accordance with Section 39 of the LUPAA (1993), the Council will refer the application with any representations to the Resource Planning and Development Commission (RPDC) for assessment under that Act. Anderson Bay Sand Extraction Pit DPEMP SUMMARY 1 SUMMARY Introduction A group of Tasmanian and Sydney business people with interests in the Sydney construction materials market, have in recent years investigated the potential use of coastal sands for construction markets in Sydney and Melbourne. A suitable off- loading site in Sydney Harbour has been secured at Glebe Island. The group in association with the landowner, Mr Richard Sattler proposes to extract sand from sand dunes on his property near Bridport in north-east Tasmania which are currently progressively encroaching on productive farm land (Figure 1). Project site FIGURE 1 LOCATION NE TASMANIA – Source Google Map The sand will be recovered, screened on site and initially transported by road to Bell Bay where the sand will be loaded on small ships for transport to Sydney and possibly Melbourne. Longer term, as exports grow, an off shore sand loading facility is being considered. A capital investment of $15 to $18 million is expected. Mt Sattler is the owner of the land and has applied for a Mining Lease over an area of his land with over 13 million cubic metres of sand. The site is well located to provide construction materials being situated in close proximity to a major road, relatively close to Bell Bay and in an isolated area of private land well screened from residences and local views. john miedecke and partners pty ltd Anderson Bay Sand Extraction Pit DPEMP SUMMARY 2 Sand Extraction Description A sand extraction pit will be established in the lease area, together with provision for the operation of mobile screening equipment in the active extraction area. As production increases, this equipment may be changed to a fixed plant of a similar nature. The material extracted is coastal sand, which only requires screening to be suitable for building works and civil construction. Production will commence at a rate of approximately 280,000 cubic metres per year increasing to 500,000 cubic metres per year after the initial year and possibly increasing to a maximum of 950,000 cubic metres per year (depending on market demand). Screened sand will be removed from the dunes and then loaded onto trucks and transported to Bell Bay Port and local markets. Longer term it is planned to construct an offshore loading facility (subject to another planning permit application). The pit will be developed through an existing blow through the dunes and then from the centre progressing north-eastwards. Infrastructure will be limited consisting of an office/crib room facility, weighbridge, and product stockpile area located near the dune entrance. The workforce (including contractors and transport) is expected to vary between 50 and 60 at full capacity. On site it is expected that 5-10 persons would be employed. Operating hours may be 24/7 for sand processing with transport five and half days a week according to Quarry Code of Practice (7am to 7pm weekdays and 8am to 4pm on Saturday). Initial transport will be via Waterhouse Road and Bridport Main Road. The Dorset Council is currently working with DIER on a proposal that the State Government take over ownership of the portion of Agnes Street between the Flinders Highway intersection and the Waterhouse Road intersection, together with the section of Waterhouse Road between Agnes Street and the entry into Lost Farm. The proponents are consulting regarding ongoing road maintenance. The location and design of the pit is sensitive to the location of wetlands of conservation significance and the presence of aboriginal sites. The pit design avoids these areas and provides a buffer zone which will be boundary fenced. Other considerations are to minimize discernible visual change from the east. Pit designs have been developed within these constraints to provide for an initial 10 years with longer term operations possible. Figure 2 shows the extraction plan and site details. Surrounding land use consists of Crown Land to the north and north-east, with the Waterhouse Conservation Area. Private land is to the east and south (Mr Sattlers land) and the world famous Lost Farm golf course adjoining to the west. Environmental Issues and Management The extraction area is mobile sand dunes which has been migrating and covering productive farmland. This has been caused by modern European practices.. Nonetheless, the site supports some significant conservation values within dune swales and on the dune margins john miedecke and partners pty ltd Anderson Bay Sand Pit SITE PLAN 2 Anderson Bay Sand Extraction Pit DPEMP SUMMARY 3 The proposal is to establish a sand extraction pit in the mobile sand dunes leaving a protective barrier of dunes from the surroundings. The pit is located on the proponents private land and adjacent to the world famous Barnbougle and Lost Farm golf courses. Therefore, the construction and operation of the pit will be to the highest standards other-wise, their operation may be compromised. The potential impacts from the sand extraction operations are well understood from studies of similar operations elsewhere. They will result from direct physical impacts on the proposed sand extraction site and limited off site effects. The 10 year plan presented in this report will disturb a total of approximately 50 ha over this period. There will also be small areas required for stockpile storage and access, however these will be minor (1-2ha). Long term it is currently intended that the site will be reformed and revegetated as a golf course similar to the adjoining world famous Barnbougle and Lost Farm courses. Sand transport at least initially will be by truck and trailers carting to Bell Bay. The road network is adequate for the purpose. Residents will notice increased traffic movements on the transport route. The mining lease area has vegetation and fauna that is rare and endangered in fringing wetland areas, as well as a number of Aboriginal heritage sites. Based on the above, the key issues have been identified as: • potential noise effects on residents; • potential effects on dune geomorphology; and • potential effects on flora and fauna habitat. Noise will be generated at the pit throughout all stages of the proposed development by the loading, screening and transport of sand. However, the assessment by Vipac is that the noise criteria will be met except when the screening plant etc are in full production. Moving the plant further into the dunes will reduce these noise emissions. Adopting other Vipac recommendations will further reduce noise levels and it is considered that it is unlikely that residences will be affected. The consultants who have assessed the hydrogeology and geoconservation status of the site have concluded that transgressive dunefields at the site area are an unnatural anthropogenic derived landform feature and do not have geoconservation significance. The removal of the dune sands is expected to stabilise the dune and effectively stop its migration to the west and over productive farmlands. The site is expected to be rehabilitated after sand removal as a golf course. Figure 3 shows a possible layout. Flora and fauna of significance are present in wetlands on the edge of the dunes and these will be protected by buffer zones and fencing. Similarly, Aboriginal heritage sites have also been protected. Fringing wetlands to the west will cease being smothered by migrating dunes (at a rate of some 9.5m/year). Water quality will be protected by leaving a 1m sand cover above the groundwater table . The pit will be required to operate in accordance with the Quarry Code of Practice, john miedecke and partners pty ltd S C R U B A L A S T O C A O L I O N G I F TASI 11885 5 L A A C I A C 7 13 12 TASI 11883 8 6 TASI 11884 4 11 14 16 15 3 10 17 9 2 18 1 TEE NATURALWETLANDS(Protected) ACCESS TO GOLF COURSE FAIRWAY SAC GREEN 14 DAC BUNKER SAND DAM Par 3's = 3, 7, 13 & 18 Par 4‘s = 1,2,4,5,8,10,11,14,15 & 16 PATHWAY ABORIGINALSITE Par 5’s = 6, 9, 12 & 17 Total course par 72 Anderson Bay Sand Pit Note: Par 3 max. distance 220 0 500m Par 4 max. distance 430 GOLF COURSE Par 5 max. distance 630 Scale approx. JOHNMIEDECKEANDPARTNERSPTYLTD Date:May2013 FIG. 3 Anderson Bay Sand Extraction Pit DPEMP SUMMARY 4 the Permit conditions and prevailing regulations and standards. Limited surface and ground water impacts are expected, however monitoring will be undertaken to protect these resources. The most significant effect is likely a change in dune profile from views from Waterhouse Road. Conclusions The DPEMP has identified and assessed the potential impacts associated with the operations, in accordance with the DPEMP guidelines provided by EPA. It also demonstrates that appropriate operational and management measures have been identified and proposed to mitigate the potential impacts and to ensure minimal risk to the environment and human health. The DPEMP demonstrates that the proposed activity will be compliant with Tasmanian Policies, Legislation and Regulations, and provides a monitoring program which will ensure compliance with standards and regulations. john miedecke and partners pty ltd Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 1   1.1   Background ....................................................................................................... 1   1.2   Proponent – Richard Sattler .............................................................................. 1   1.3   Purpose of DPEMP ........................................................................................... 3   1.4   Environmental Legislation and Approvals ....................................................... 4   1.4.1   Introduction ............................................................................................... 4   1.4.2   State Approvals Required ......................................................................... 4   1.4.3   Other Tasmanian Legislation ..................................................................... 6   1.5   Consultation ...................................................................................................... 6   2.0   PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................ 7   2.1   Project Outline .................................................................................................. 7   2.1.1   Location ..................................................................................................... 7   2.1.2   General Description of the proposal .......................................................... 7   2.1.4   Markets ...................................................................................................... 8   2.1.5   Geology and Resource ............................................................................... 8   2.2   Extraction Pit Plans ......................................................................................... 10   2.2.1   Design and Schedule ................................................................................ 10   2.2.2   Extraction Plans ....................................................................................... 11   2.2.3   Sand Screening Operations ...................................................................... 13   2.3   Infrastructure ................................................................................................... 14   2.3.1   Support Facilities ..................................................................................... 14   2.3.2   Water and electrical supplies ................................................................... 14   2.4   Transport ......................................................................................................... 15   2.5   Workforce ....................................................................................................... 15   2.6   Operating Hours .............................................................................................. 15   2.7   Alternatives ..................................................................................................... 16   2.7.1   Pit Location .............................................................................................. 16   2.7.2   Designs ..................................................................................................... 16   2.8   Occupational Health and Safety ...................................................................... 16   3.0   THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ................................................ 17   3.1   Planning Aspects ............................................................................................. 17   3.1.1   Location and access ................................................................................. 17   3.1.2   Land Use and Tenure ............................................................................... 17   3.1.3   Zoning (Dorset Interim Planning Scheme 2013) ..................................... 19   3.2   Physical Environment ..................................................................................... 25   3.2.1   Climate ..................................................................................................... 25   3.2.2   Geology, Soils and Land Capability ........................................................ 25   3.2.3   Surface and Groundwaters ....................................................................... 29   3.2.4   Geomorphology ....................................................................................... 32   3.2.5   Biological Environment Overview – Flora and Fauna ............................ 34   3.3   Social Environment Overview ........................................................................ 38   3.3.1   Socioeconomic setting ............................................................................. 38   3.3.2   Archaeology and Heritage ....................................................................... 39   john miedecke and partners pty ltd June 2014