bunbury airport expansion project clearing permit … 5589.1 2017...clearing permit 5589/1...

Bunbury Airport Expansion Project – Clearing Permit 5589/1

Compliance Assessment Report – 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017

Prepared for the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

December 2018

Clearing Permit 5589/1 Compliance Assessment Report 2017

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1. Introduction

1.1 Background In circa 2010, the City of Bunbury began planning for the Bunbury Airport Expansion Project comprising the construction of a rescue helicopter base and 23 new aircraft hangars on Lot 507 South Western Highway (Crown Reserve 27686) at the Bunbury Airport (N.B. see Figure 1). The impetus for the project included the Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ identified need for a second rescue helicopter in the south west in order to improve medical support and rescue response times and growing demand for additional hangars at the airport. The final project design highlighted the need for the clearing of 1.43 hectares of remnant native vegetation. This vegetation was found to comprise habitat for threatened species including the Western Ringtail Possum, Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, Baudin’s Black Cockatoo and Forest Red‐tailed Black Cockatoo via an ecological survey. The City subsequently applied for, and was granted, a clearing permit under the WA Environmental Protection Act 1986 (Clearing Permit 5589/1) and ministerial consent under the Cth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC 2013/6872) for the project in 2014 and 2015 respectively. These approvals were granted subject to a range of conditions including, inter alia, the protection of an 11.83ha offset site (Pt Crown Reserve 40664), a series of management works for a period of five years as outlined in two environmental offset management plans (N.B. one each for the state and federal governments) and annual compliance reporting. The clearing works commenced on 30 March 2015 and were completed on 10 April 2015. The rescue helicopter base component of the development was officially opened on 14 December 2016. To date, nine of the proposed 23 hangars have been constructed. Implementation of offset management plans commenced on 11 April 2015 and has been ongoing since this time, with implementation of the state government offset management plan forecast to be completed by 31 December 2020 (N.B. pending confirmation by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation).

1.2 Document Purpose This document forms the compliance assessment report for the project for the period between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017. This report outlines the City’s performance against the four conditions associated with Clearing Permit 5589/1 (see Section 2). This report also provides the following in accordance with Condition 4 of Clearing Permit 5589/1:

an overview of activities done by the City of Bunbury under Clearing Permit 5589/1 (N.B. concerns the clearing of native vegetation)(see Section 3)

a description of records required under Condition 3 of Clearing Permit 5589/1 (N.B. concerns activities undertaken in accordance with the offset management plan)(see Section 4).

Section 5 of the report offers a series of concluding statements along with discussion on the need for the implementation of contingency measures as a consequence of matters raised throughout the document.


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Figure 1. Bunbury Airport Expansion Project location map


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2. Performance against Clearing Permit 5589/1 conditions Clearing Permit 5589/1 contains four conditions. The City’s performance against these is outlined in Table 1 below: Table 1. City of Bunbury performance against Clearing Permit 5589/1 conditions.

Condition Comment Reference Status (2017) 1. Dieback and weed control When undertaking any clearing or other activity authorised under this Permit, the Permit Holder must take the following steps to minimise the risk of the introduction and spread of weeds and dieback:

(a) clean earth‐moving machinery of soil and vegetation prior to entering and leaving the area to be cleared;

(b) ensure that no dieback or weed‐affected soil, mulch, fill or other material is brought into the area to be cleared; and

(c) restrict the movement of machines and other vehicles to the limits of the areas to be cleared

2017: As per 2015 comment.


2015: Compliant:

c) All earth moving equipment and clearing machinery was cleaned prior to entering and leaving the development site.

b) All fill brought to the site for the installation of airport infrastructure was sourced from a quarry in Donnybrook managed by Carbone Bros. This quarry has been tested for dieback and is best as practically possible recognised as being free of dieback and weeds.

c) The clearing footprint was surveyed and demarcated with survey pegs. A fauna spotter was engaged to monitor clearing activity and to ensure that clearing operations were contained within the pegged area for the duration of the clearing. Clearing commenced on the 30/03/2015 and was completed on the 10/04/2015. Following clearing, a fence was installed to manage any future disturbance to the bushland.

2014: Pending – project not commenced.

a) Statement of dieback hygiene protocol implementation (TRIM Doc/257529).

b) Carbone Bros dieback certification report Donnybrook Quarry (TRIM Doc/257518).

(c) Alpha Pest Management Services Fauna spotter report (TRIM Doc/257522). Boundary fence survey and fence installation invoices (TRIM Doc/257525).

Compliant

2. Offset management plan The Permit Holder must implement and adhere to the document `Bunbury Airport Hangar Development Offset Management Plan', Revision B, dated June 2014

2017: All scheduled actions for the 2017 reporting period under the offset management plan were successfully delivered (see Sections 3 & 4). However, overall the project is considered partially compliant due to the issues encountered during the previous reporting periods.

2016: Partially compliant.



This document (see Sections 3 & 4).

Annual Compliance Assessment Report 2016 (TRIM Doc/382154).



Condition is ongoing. All required actions to date have been completed; however, some delays were experienced during earlier reporting periods as reported previously. See Section 4 for further details

3. Records to be kept The Permit Holder must maintain a description of the offset activities undertaken in relation to the offset of areas pursuant to condition 2 of this permit




2014: Ongoing ‐ compliant.

This document (see Section 4).


Annual Compliance Assessment Report 2015 (TRIM Doc/382153.


Condition is ongoing although the City has been, and remains, fully compliant with it to date

4. Reporting (a) The Permit Holder must provide to the CEO on or before 31

December of each year, a written report: (i) of records required under condition 3 of this Permit; and (ii) concerning activities done by the Permit Holder under this

Permit between 1 January to 31 December of the preceding year

(b) If no clearing authorised under this Permit was undertaken between 1 January to 31 December of the preceding, a written report confirming that no clearing under this permit has been carried out, must be provided to the CEO on or before 31 December of each year

(c) Prior to 30 May 2016, the Permit Holder must provide to the CEO a written report of records required under condition 3 of this Permit where these records have not already been provided under condition 4(a) of this Permit




2014: Compliant.

This document.




Condition is ongoing although the City has been, and remains, fully compliant with it to date

As can be seen, the City of Bunbury is compliant with Clearing Permit 5589/1 Condition 1. Conditions 2‐4 are ongoing. The City has completed all required actions to date under the offset management plan (Condition 2); however, some delays have been experienced in relation to certain elements as reported previously. The City has been fully compliant with Conditions 3 and 4 to date.


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3. Activities done by the City of Bunbury under Clearing Permit 5589/1 The Authorised Activity, being the clearing of 1.43 hectares of native vegetation on Lot 507 South Western Highway (Crown Reserve 27686), occurred between 30 March 2015 and 10 April 2015 as discussed previously. Clearing Permit 5589/1 has a stated duration of two years, occurring between 30 August 2014 and 30 August 2016. As such, the current reporting period concerns a period of time situated after the expiry of the clearing permit. No clearing occurred at either the development site or offset site during the current reporting period (i.e. between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017).


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4. Records required under Condition 3 of Clearing Permit 5589/1 (offset activities) The City’s compliance with the offset management plan is outlined in Table 2 below: Table 2. City of Bunbury compliance with Clearing Permit 5589/1 offset management plan.

Management Action

Timeframe Performance Target Monitoring Contingency Comments Evidence Status

Direct Offset 1. Conservation in perpetuity of non‐secure remnant native vegetation and Western Ringtail Possum/black cockatoo habitat

1.1 Commence liaison regarding reservation of offset site as “Regional Open Space” under GBRS

November 2013 ‐ June 2014

N.A. N.A. N.A. 2017: As per 2014 comment.2016: As per 2014 comment. 2015: As per 2014 comment. 2014: Compliant ‐ The City of Bunbury commenced liaison with the Department of Planning (DoP) concerning ROS reservation of portions of Reserve 40664 for environmental offset purposes in early 2013. This was primarily in relation to offset negotiations for the Somerville Drive Extension Project Clearing Permit 1887/2. During these discussions the City had informal discussions in relation to the proposed Bunbury Airport Expansion project.

Regional Open Space reservation notice in WA Government Gazette (TRIM Doc/343435).

City and DoP discussion regarding offset arrangements (TRIM Doc/156104).

Compliant

1.2 Prepare request to WAPC for GBRS amendment

June 2014 – July 2014

N.A. N.A. N.A. 2017: The offset site was incorporated into the GBRS Regional Open Space reservation on 26 May 2017. As per 2016 comment. 2016: The City of Bunbury submitted a request to the WAPC to undertake a ROS reservation over the offset on the 25 July 2016. As per 2014 comment. 2015: As per 2014 comment. 2014: Not compliant ‐ Note the City is not compliant in this respect. The City only received clearing approval after the deadline for this condition had past. The City received a State clearing permit on 31 July 2014, the Federal approval on 15 January 2015 and clearing commenced on 30 March 2015. The City preferred to delay a formal request to the WAPC regarding the ROS reservation until all approvals were received and the action was commenced. This combined with timing of approvals made this condition difficult for the City to achieve. It is therefore respectfully requested that this deadline be brought into line with the corresponding DotE condition which requires this condition to be achieved within 36 months of the commencement of the action. The City propose to submit a formal request to the WAPC to undertake a ROS reservation over the offset area in early 2016.


WAPC GBRS ROS amendment request (TRIM Doc/277785).

DER Clearing Permit 5589/1 (TRIM Doc/216490).

DotEE Approval (EPBC 2013/6872) (TRIM Doc/242635).

Notification of clearing action (TRIM Doc/257572).

The City was not compliant in achieving the July 2014 timeframe for this specific element, as reported previously; however, the broader action, being the inclusion of the site into the GRBS Regional Open Space reservation, was successfully completed on 26 May 2017


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Management Action


1.3 Conduct GBRS amendment to designate offset site as “Regional Open Space”

TBA. To be initiated with next omnibus amendment. Not date set

N.A. N.A. N.A. 2017: Compliant ‐ The offset site was incorporated into the GBRS Regional Open Space reservation on 26 May 2017. 2016: Pending ‐ The DoP formally commenced processes to designate the offset site as ROS under the GBRS on 16/08/2016. As per 2014 comment. 2015: As per 2014 comment. 2014: Pending ‐ The reservation of the offset site as ROS under the GBRS is a State government process over which the City has no control. The DoP has however informally advised of its support for this proposal and indicated that it would likely be achieved via an internal omnibus minor amendment to the GBRS which are routinely undertaken by the DoP in order to provide accuracy of the scheme. Based on the City’s previous success in obtaining a ROS reservation over environmental offset land associated with the Somerville Drive Offset (Clearing Permit 1887/2) it is reasonably considered that a ROS reservation might be reasonably achieved within 36 months of the commencement of the action. It is therefore respectfully requested that this deadline be achieved within 36 months of the commencement of the action. This will bring it in to line with the corresponding DotE condition.


DoP request for shape files for Bunbury Airport Offset site (TRIM Doc/280145).

WA Minister for Planning gazettal of Somerville Drive Extension Project environmental offset site as ROS (TRIM Doc/234072).

Compliant

1.4 Commence liaison to classify offset site as Class “A” reserve under WA Land Administration Act 1997

November 2013 – June 2014

N.A. N.A. N.A. 2017: As per 2014 comment.2016: As per 2014 comment. 2015: As per 2014 comment. 2014: Compliant ‐ City of Bunbury commenced liaison with Department of Lands (DoL) over Class “A” classification of the Bunbury Expansion Project offset land within the Reserve 40664 SW Highway in late 2013. The DoL was supportive of the proposal and agreed to proceed with the classification upon the City receiving environmental approvals for the Bunbury Expansion Project.

Crown Reserve 52631 Certificate of Title (TRIM Doc/295095).

Letter to DoL concerning Class “A” classification of offset land (TRIM Doc/257588).

Compliant

1.5 Prepare request to Department of Lands for Class “A” classification

June 2014 – July 2014

N.A. N.A. N.A. 2017: As per 2014 comment.2016: As per 2014 comment. 2015: As per 2014 comment. 2014: Compliant ‐ The DoL provided its support to the City for the Class A classification of the offset land in late 2013. As per the item above the DoL deferred classification of the site until the City received environmental


Request to DoL concerning. commencement of Class “A” classification of offset Site (TRIM Doc/257590).

Compliant


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Management Action


approvals for the Bunbury Expansion Project. The City requested DoL commence the Class “A” classification of the offset site upon receipt of the Federal approvals on 21 Jan 2015.

1.6 Classify offset site as Class “A” reserve under WA Land Administration Act 1997

July 2014 – June 2015

N.A. N.A. N.A. 2017: The offset site was classified as a ‘Class A reserve’ for conservation purposes under the WA Land Administration Act 1997 on 6 January 2017. As per 2015 comment. 2016: As per 2015 comment. 2015: Not compliant ‐ The City received formal notification from the Department of Lands of its intent to progress with the class ‘A’ classification of the offset site by the 30 April 2015. However this remains to be achieved. This process is subject to state government processes which are beyond the power of the City of Bunbury to direct. It is therefore respectfully requested that this deadline be brought into line with the corresponding DotE condition which requires this condition to be achieved within 36 months of the commencement of the action. 2014: Pending ‐ The DoL deferred classification of the site until the City received environmental approvals for the Bunbury Expansion Project which were not received during this reporting period.


DoL support Class A. Classification timeline letter (15/01/2015)(TRIM Doc/230185).

The City was not compliant in achieving the June 2015 timeframe because of circumstances beyond its control, as reported previously. However, the action was successfully completed on 6 January 2017

Direct Offset 2. Management of key threats to remnant native vegetation and Western Ringtail Possum/black cockatoo habitat

2.1 Undertake planned rubbish removal activity

January 2015 AND December 2019 (i.e. two events total)

No substantial rubbish* remaining onsite by 31 December 2019

Method: Site walk over to record rubbish locations using transects spaced at 20 metre intervals and GPS. Frequency: immediately prior to planned rubbish removal activities in January 2015 and December 2019

Trigger: Any occurrences of substantial** rubbish onsite. Contingency: Rubbish locations to be marked via GPS, collected and disposed of at a licensed landfill facility within three (3) months of first report#

2017: As per 2016 comment.2016: The offset site was surveyed for rubbish on the 22/12/2015. All rubbish identified on site was removed by City contractors Natural Area Management Services on 15 and 17 February 2016. As per 2015 comment. 2015: Not compliant ‐ Note the City is not compliant in meeting its January 2015 rubbish removal activity. This is due to the City only received final clearing approvals after the first deadline for this condition had past. The City received a State clearing permit on 31 July 2014, the Federal approval on 15 January 2015 and clearing commenced on 30 March 2015. In November 2015 the City engaged contractors Natural Area Management Consulting Services (NACMS) under a five year contract to undertake all State and Federally required on‐ground management works within the offset site (exempting feral

Rubbish removal records in Natural Area Management Services Annual offset works report (TRIM Doc/293497).

Rubbish and Weed Survey Notification Email (14/12/2015) (TRIM Doc/329129).

Rubbish removal invoice (TRIM Doc/329158).

Letter of offer to appoint NACMS to implement required offset works (TRIM Doc/255143).

The City was not compliant in undertaking the first planned rubbish removal activity in January 2015; however, this action did occur in February 2016 as reported previously


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Management Action


animal control). On the 14 December 2015 NAMCS undertook a survey of rubbish across the offset site. The results of this survey will inform removal of rubbish which is scheduled to occur in early 2016. It is expected that through the appointment of NACMS to undertake regular and ongoing opportunistic removal of rubbish that the performance targets of no substantial rubbish* remaining onsite by 31 December 2019 will be achieved. 2014: Pending ‐ Action did not commence during this reporting period. No offset works were undertaken during this reporting period.

2.2 Undertake opportunistic rubbish removal

Ongoing (January 2015 –December 2019)

No substantial rubbish* remaining onsite by 31 December 2019

Method: Opportunistic recording of rubbish locations encountered during routine management activities using GPS. Frequency: Ongoing (January 2015 – December 2019)

Trigger: Any occurrences of substantial** rubbish onsite. Contingency: Rubbish locations to be marked via GPS, collected and disposed of at a licensed landfill facility within three (3) months of first report#

2017: As per 2016 comment.2016: City contractor, Natural Area Management Services, removes rubbish as part of the ongoing maintenance of the site. 2015: Compliant ‐ On the 22 of November the City organised a Waste Forum. This included a rubbish removal activity in the vicinity of the offset area. Some rubbish was opportunistically removed from the area by members of public. The City’s waste service team supported the initiative by removing all collected waste and removing additional waste dumped along the main firebreak that runs north south through the offset area. It is also expected that through the appointment of NACMS to undertake regular and ongoing opportunistic removal of rubbish that the performance targets of no substantial rubbish remaining onsite by 31 December 2019 will be achieved. 2014: Pending ‐ Action did not commence during this reporting period. No offset works were undertaken during this reporting period.

Natural Area Annual WorksReport 2017 (TRIM Doc/333239.See Attachment 1)

Compliant

2.3 Install perimetre fence around hangar development

January 2015 – June 2015

N.A. N.A. N.A. 2017: As per 2015 comment.2016: As per 2015 comment. 2015: Compliant ‐ The City of Bunbury commissioned MacDonalds Fencing to install a fence around the perimetre of the Bunbury Airport expansion project area. This was installed in April 2015. 2014: Pending ‐ Action did not commence during this reporting period. No offset works were undertaken during this reporting period.

Boundary fence survey and fenceinstallation invoices (TRIMDoc/257525).

Fence picture (TRIMDoc/257955).

Compliant


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Management Action


2.4 Undertake fence maintenance

Ongoing (January 2015 – December 2019)

Hangar development perimeter fence is to be maintained in full working order from time of construction through until 31 December 2019

Method: Opportunistic recording of fence maintenance issues encountered during routine management activities using GPS. Frequency: Ongoing (January 2015 – December 2019)

Trigger: Any damage to the fence, which immediately reduces its capacity, or has the potential to reduce its capacity in the longer term (e.g. through corrosion), to limit foot and vehicle traffic incursions to the offset site from the hangar development site. Contingency: Damaged sections of fence to be repaired within one (1) month of first report

2017: As per 2015 comment.2016: As per 2015 comment. 2015: Compliant ‐ The City of Bunbury Airport officers undertake an inspection of the perimetre fence two times a week. This is to ensure the safety of the run way. To date there has been no reported damage of the fence. 2014: Pending ‐ Action did not commence during this reporting period. No offset works were undertaken during this reporting period.

Compliant

2.5 Undertake Pampas Grass control

Ongoing (January 2015 – December 2019)

90% reduction in Pampas Grass abundance (2014 levels) by 31 December 2019

Method: Site walk over to record Pampas Grass locations using transects spaced at 20 metre intervals and GPS. Frequency: Establish baseline by 31 December 2014. Conduct annual monitoring immediately prior to Pampas Grass control activities. Final monitoring event to occur in December 2019 to confirm achievement of KPI

Trigger: Any new occurrences (i.e. not previously recorded) of Pampas Grass AND any occurrences of weeds identified by the Department of Parks and Wildlife as being of “moderate” or higher priority (Powell 2011) onsite. Contingency: Weeds to be controlled within three (3) months of first report, where feasible and appropriate^

2017: Compliant ‐Weed survey conducted on 12/7/2017 ‐ four priority weeds were identified onsite including Pampas Grass, Arum Lily, Perennial Veldt Grass and Watsonia. Weed control targeting these species was undertaken on 4/7/2017, 7/7/2017/ 27/11/2017 and 6/12/2017. 2016: Compliant ‐ Pampas grass identified during the 2015 weed mapping exercise were manually removed on 18/02/2016. Annual monitoring for pampas grass was undertaken on the 9/08/2016. This showed three further infestations that were treated with herbicide during their optimum control period in November 2016. Survey records : 2014 spring baseline mapping, 2015/11/12 resurvey 2016/08/9 resurvey; Control works implemented 2015/12/18, 2016/02/18, 2016/11/30. 2015: Compliant ‐ Baseline mapping for Pampas grass was undertaken in Spring of 2014. Pampas grass was resurveyed across the offset site on 11 December 2015 with control implemented on 18 December 2015. 2014: Pending ‐ Action did not commence during this reporting period. No offset works were undertaken during this reporting period.

Natural Area Annual Works Report 2017 (TRIM Doc/333239, See Attachment 1).

2016 Pampas control records in Natural Area Management Services Annual offset works report (TRIM Doc/293497).

2016, Pampas grass control images, Figure 5 Attachment 1 in 2016 compliance report

Weed Survey Report (9/08/2016)(TRIM Doc/303099).

2014 Baseline Pampas Grass Survey Map, Figure 2. Bunbury Airport Offsets Site Management Issues, Bunbury Airport Hangar Development Environmental Offsets Management Plan for the Department of the Environment EPBC 2013/6872 (TRIM Doc/242635).

2015 Pampas Grass resurvey (TRIM Doc/257952).

Pampas Grass control notification (TRIM Doc/257965).

Compliant

2.6 Install gates to limit Dieback spread

January 2012 – June 2015

N.A. N.A. N.A. 2017: As per 2015 comment.2016: As per 2015 comment. 2015: Partially compliant ‐ Note the City is not fully compliant in meeting the June 2015 gate installation activity. One gate in the perimetre fence was installed in April 2015. The remaining 3 gates with dieback signage were installed after the deadline in December 2015 as part of the appointment of a five year contract to implement on‐ground works in the offset

Perimetre fence and gate installation invoices (TRIM Doc/ 257525).

Internal gate install notification (TRIM Doc/257976 and Doc/257979).

The City was partially compliant in installing the signage by June 2015; however, this action was fully completed in December 2015, as reported previously


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Management Action


site. The delays are due in part to the short three month time frame available to the City to implement the required works following commencement of the project on the 30 March 2015 and due to unforeseen delays with the advertising and award of a contract to undertake on‐ground works across the site. 2014: Pending ‐ Action did not commence during this reporting period. No offset works were undertaken during this reporting period.

2.7 Undertake gate maintenance

Ongoing (January 2015 December 2019)

Gates (4) are to be maintained in full working order from time of installation through until 31 December 2019

Method: Opportunistic recording of gate maintenance issues encountered during routine management activities using GPS. Frequency: Ongoing (January 2015 –December 2019)

Trigger: Any damage to the gates, which immediately reduces their capacity, or has the potential to reduce their capacity in the longer term (e.g. through corrosion), to restrict vehicle access to the Dieback “uninfested” portion of the offset site. Contingency: Damaged gates to be repaired within three (3) months of first report#

2017: Gate damage was recorded in January and October 2017, which was subsequently repaired in February and October 2017 respectively. 2016: Compliant ‐ The condition of gates within the offset site was inspected on a quarterly basis commencing in May 2016. One gate was rammed sometime prior to the May 2016 inspection. This damage was repaired in July 2016. 2015: Partially compliant ‐ The City is partially compliant with this condition due to the late installation of gates as described in the item above. The first gate was installed in April 2015 with the other 3 gates being installed in December 2015. There have been no reports of damage to the gates in this reporting period. 2014: Pending ‐ Action did not commence during this reporting period. No offset works were undertaken during this reporting period.

Natural Area Annual WorksReport 2017 (TRIM Doc/333239,See Attachment 1).

2016 gate maintenance recordsin Natural Area ManagementServices Annual offset worksreport (TRIM Doc/293497).

Compliant

Notes: *Excludes minor amounts of benign substances such as rubble and organics.** Substantial rubbish refers to all materials of human origin, excluding minor amounts of benign substances such as rubble and organics. #Three month timeframe provides for anticipated period when site access may be restricted by surface water (e.g. during winter). ^In some instances, weed control may be delayed longer than three months in order to target optimal control period. Delay to control will only occur where there is limited risk of further weed spread.


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5. Conclusion

As discussed, Clearing Permit 5589/1 has four associated conditions.

Condition 1 concerns Dieback and weed control and was fully discharged during the project’s construction phase in 2015.

Condition 2 concerns the implementation of the offset management plan. Some delays have been experienced in relation to the delivery of certain aspects of the offset management plan in the past, as reported previously. The City successfully completed all required actions for the 2017 reporting period under the plan, which included opportunistic rubbish removal, fence monitoring and maintenance, pampas grass and priority weed mapping and control and opportunistic gate monitoring and maintenance. Further, all required actions to date (i.e. under the current and previous reporting periods) have now been completed. Condition 2 will be ongoing through until the end of the statutory management period (approx. 31 December 2020).

Conditions 3 and 4 concern record keeping and reporting respectively and like Condition 2 will be ongoing through until the end of the statutory management period. The City has been fully compliant with Conditions 3 and 4 at all times during the statutory management period to date.

The clearing of 1.43 hectares of native vegetation authorised by Clearing Permit 5589/1 was completed in 2015. No further clearing occurred during the 2017 reporting period.

In light of these considerations, there are no new compliance issues to report under the 2017 reporting period. Further, no contingency measures are deemed necessary as a consequence of this report and its associated investigations.

Attachment 1. Natural Area Annual Works Report 2017

City of Bunbury

Annual Works Report

Bunbury Airport Expansion Offset

2017

Natural Area Holdings Pty Ltd

99C Lord Street, Whiteman, WA, 6076

Ph: (08) 9209 2767

[email protected]

www.naturalarea.com.au

http://www.naturalarea.com.au/

City of Bunbury

Annual Works Report: Bunbury Airport Offset Site 2017

Natural Area Holdings Pty Ltd © 2016 |Page 2 of 17

Disclaimer Natural Area Holdings Pty Ltd, trading as Natural Area Consulting Management Services (Natural Area), has

prepared this report for the sole use of the Client and for the purposes as stated in the agreement between

the Client and Natural Area under which this work was completed. This report may not be relied upon by any

other party without the express written agreement of Natural Area.

Natural Area has exercised due and customary care in the preparation of this document and has not, unless

specifically stated, independently verified information provided by others. No other warranty, expressed or

implied, is made in relation to the contents of this report. Therefore, Natural Area assumes no liability for

any loss resulting from errors, omission or misrepresentations made by others. This document has been

made at the request of the Client. The use of this document by unauthorised third parties without written

permission from Natural Area shall be at their own risk, and we accept no duty of care to any such third

party.

Any recommendations, opinions or findings stated in this report are based on circumstances and facts as

they existed at the time Natural Area performed the work. Any changes in such circumstances and facts

upon which this document is based may adversely affect any recommendations, opinions or findings

contained in this document.

No part of this document may be copied, duplicated or disclosed without the express written permission of

the Client and Natural Area.

Document

Title 2017-12-7 NAM COBU REPT AWR Airport Offset

Location

S:\Drop Box\Client Folders (GPB)\City of Bunbury\RFQ Bunbury Airport

Offset\Monitoring\Annual Works Report\2017 -12-7 NAM COBU REPT AWR Airport

Offset.docx

Draft/Version

No. Date Changes Prepared by Approved by Status

D1 7/12/2017 New document CW Pending

V1 22/12/2017 Reviewed

document CW BC Released

City of Bunbury



Contents

1.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 4

2.0 Chronology ............................................................................................................................................... 5

3.0 Work Implementation .............................................................................................................................. 6

3.1 Gate Inspections and Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 6

3.2 Weed Control ....................................................................................................................................... 7

3.3 Weed Survey ......................................................................................................................................... 7

3.4 Dieback Survey ..................................................................................................................................... 8

3.5 Western Ringtail Possum Survey .......................................................................................................... 9

3.6 Vegetation Condition Survey .............................................................................................................. 10

Attachment 1: Gate Inspection Reports ............................................................................................................. 12

January 2017 .................................................................................................................................................. 12

March 2017 .................................................................................................................................................... 13

July 2017......................................................................................................................................................... 14

October 2017 ................................................................................................................................................. 15

Attachment 2: 2017 Weed Mapping .................................................................................................................. 16

Attachment 3: Phytophthora Dieback Occurrence Map .................................................................................... 17

City of Bunbury



1.0 Introduction

Natural Area Consulting Management Services (Natural Area), was contracted by the City of Bunbury (the

City) in December 2015 to implement the on-ground environmental offset site works associated with the

extension of the Bunbury Regional Airport. Environmental works required within the 11.8 ha offset site

(Figure 1) include:

▪ Rubbish monitoring and removal

▪ Priority weed mapping and control

▪ Dieback surveying and monitoring

▪ Gate and sign installation and maintenance

▪ Dieback treatment

▪ Western Ringtail Possum monitoring

▪ Vegetation condition monitoring

▪ Reporting.

The purpose of this Annual Works Report is to outline the work undertaken during 2017.

Figure 1: Airport Offset Site (outlined in red). Image source: Nearmap

City of Bunbury



2.0 Chronology

Table 1 outlines the works undertaken at the offset site in 2017; all works with the exception of the dieback

survey were undertaken in-house by Natural Area.

Table 1: Offset site works, 2017

Item Date(s)

Gate inspection 31/01/2017, 3/03/2017, 12/07/2017,

18/10/2017

Gate maintenance 24/02/2017, 27/10/2017, 30/10/2017

Weed control 4/07/2017, 7/07/2017, 27/11/2017, 6/12/17

Weed survey 12/07/2017

Dieback Survey (undertaken by Glevan Consulting) 20/10/2017

Western Ringtail Possum survey 6/11/2017, 27/11/2017

Vegetation Condition Survey 6/12/2017

City of Bunbury



3.0 Work Implementation

3.1 Gate Inspections and Maintenance Three gates were installed along the access tracks to the Bunbury Airport Offset site in December 2015

(Figure 2). The gates were inspected on a quarterly basis, commencing in May 2016, and following each

inspection event, a report was provided to the City of Bunbury. 2017 Gate Inspection reports have been

provided in Attachment 1.

Damage to Gate 3 (-33.374585, 115.674469) was noted in January 2017, and damage to Gate 1 (-33.369012,

115.674346) was noted in October 2017. In both instances, the gates had appeared to be knocked/rammed

by a vehicle attempting to use the access track. Repairs to Gate 3 were undertaken in February 2017 (Figure

3) and repairs to Gate 1 were undertaken in October 2017.

Figure 2: Gate installation locations. Source NearMap

City of Bunbury



Figure 3: Before (left) and after (right) gate repairs to Gate 3

3.2 Weed Control Weed control was undertaken at the site in July, November and December 2017; details of weed control,

target species and chemical use have been outlined in Table 2.

Table 2: Weed control undertaken within the Airport Expansion Offset Site

Date Target Species Treatment Type Herbicide

Qty

4/07/2017 Grass weeds Spot spray application of Quizalofop

in recently burnt area 15 L

7/07/2017 Grass weeds Spot spray application of Quizalofop

in recently burnt area 100 L

27/11/2017

Pampass Grass (Cortaderia selloana)

Watsonia (Watsonia meriana) and

Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

Spot spray application of Glyphosate 5 L

6/12/2017 Priority weeds Hand weeding -

3.3 Weed Survey A Natural Area botanist undertook a survey of Priority Weed Species on July 12, 2017. The site was surveyed

along a series of transects, spaced 20 m apart, and all Priority Weed Species (Table 3) were recorded using a

Tablet with mobile mapping software. A report outlining the results of weed mapping was provided, along

with the associated shapefiles. A copy of the weed map is provided in Attachment 2. Four of the Priority

Weed Species were recorded at the time of the survey (highlighted in bold in Table 3).

Table 3: Priority Weed Species

Scientific Name Common name Priority (as defined by the City)

Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper Very high

Chamaecytisus palmensis Tagasaste High

Eragrostis curvula African Lovegrass High

Euphorbia terracina Geraldton Carnation Weed High

Leptospermum laevigatum Victoria Teatree High

City of Bunbury



Scientific Name Common name Priority (as defined by the City)

Moorea flaccida On-leaf Cape Tulip High

Zantedeschia aethiopica Arum Lily High

Acacia iteaphylla Flinders Range Wattle Medium

Acacia longifolia Sydney Golden Wattle Medium

Agapanthus praecox Agapanthus Medium

Carex divisa Divided Sedge Medium

Carpobrotus edulis Hottentot Fig Medium

Cortaderia selloana Pampas Grass Medium

Ehrharta calycina Perennial veldt Medium

Ehrharta longiflora Annual veldt grass Medium

Emex australis Doublegee Medium

Ferraria crispa Black Flag Medium

Freesia alba leichtlinii Freesia Medium

Gladiolus undulatus Wavy Gladiolus Medium

Gomphocarpus fruticosus Narrowleaf Cottonbush Medium

Lantana camara var camara Lantana Medium

Lupinus cosentinii Sandplain lupin Medium

Rubus anglocandicans European Blackberry Medium

Rubus laudatus American Blackberry Medium

Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian Pepper Medium

Watsonia meriana Watsonia Medium

3.4 Dieback Survey Glevan Consulting undertook the Phytophthora (dieback) survey on October 20, 2017. The survey and

sampling found no identifiable areas of infestation, and classified the reserve 42% Uninfested and 58%

Uninterpretable. Further details have been provided in the Glevan Consulting report, a copy of the

occurrence map has been provided in Attachment 3.

City of Bunbury



3.5 Western Ringtail Possum Survey Spotlight surveys for Western Ringtail Possums (WRP, Pseudocheirus occidentalis) were undertaken on

November 6 and 27, 2017. The site was walked in transects approximately 30 m apart and sign of WRP

activity (sightings, dreys, scratching, scats or tracks) were searched for.

No signs of WRP were recorded during either survey within the offset site, so during both events the survey

area was expanded to include a 100 m buffer zone to the north, south and west. (Figure 4). The survey area

was not extended to the east as the section was mainly open vegetation and did not include suitable WRP

habitat. No WRP signs were recorded in the expanded area during either survey.

Signs of fox activity were found in the area, with both scats and tracks located. Only a few Agonis flexuosa

were located within the survey area, and no signs of feeding were evident.

Figure 4: Offset site (purple) and extended survey area (green) assessed during the 2017 WRP survey

City of Bunbury



3.6 Vegetation Condition Survey A survey of the vegetation condition within the offset was undertaken in December 2017. The assessment

used the Keighery 1994 Bushland Condition Scale to rank the vegetation health into one of six categories

(Table 4). The entire site was assessed, and the condition recorded using a Tablet with mobile mapping

software, results of the mapping are shown in Table 5 and Figure 5. Shapefiles have been provided with this

report.

Table 4: Keighery 1994 Bushland Condition Scale

Condition Rating Description

Pristine 1 No obvious signs of disturbance

Excellent 2 Vegetation structure intact, disturbance only affecting individual

species and weeds are non-aggressive species

Very Good 3 Vegetation structure altered, obvious signs of disturbance e.g.

repeated fires, aggressive weeds, dieback, logging and grazing.

Good 4

Vegetation structure altered, obvious signs of disturbance. Retains

basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate it. The presence of

very aggressive weeds at high density, partial clearing, dieback logging

and grazing.

Degraded 5

Basic vegetation structure severely impacted by disturbance. Requires

intensive management.

The presence of very aggressive weeds at high density, partial clearing,

dieback, logging and grazing.

Completely Degraded 6 Vegetation structure is no longer intact, and the area is completely or

almost completely without native flora. ‘Parkland Cleared’

Table 5: Vegetation condition (total area and percentage of offset) at the Bunbury Airport Offset Expansion

Site, December 2017

Condition Rating Area (m2) % of Offset

Pristine 1 0 0.0

Excellent 2 33,617 29.8

Very Good 3 45,165 40.0

Good 4 24,038 21.3

Degraded 5 9,161 8.1

Completely Degraded 6 872 0.8

Most of the offset site (69.8%) was classified as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’; the vegetation structure was

mostly intact with either no of few aggressive weeds, and no signs of dieback. The remaining area was

mostly ‘Good’, with only a few areas classified as ‘Degraded’ or ‘Completely Degraded’. The vegetation in

these areas was sparser, and in the ‘Completely Degraded’ areas the vegetation structure was no longer

intact or capable of natural regeneration. The south-east corner of the offset had been burnt, hence the

lower condition rating in this area.

City of Bunbury



Vegetation Condition

Legend

Excellent

Very Good

Good

Degraded

Completely Degraded

Figure 5: Bunbury Airport Offset Site December 2017 Vegetation

Condition

N

99c Lord Street

Whiteman WA 6068

P 9209 2767 E

[email protected]


Client City of Bunbury Date 14/12/2017 Created By CW Checked By LS Image Source NearMap Datum GRA94 Version V1

mailto:[email protected]

City of Bunbury



Attachment 1: Gate Inspection Reports

January 2017

Gate 1 2 3

Location -33.369012, 115.674346 -33.372076, 115.674362 -33.374585, 115.674469

Condition

Gates footing has moved from original

position, gate is still fully operational. Gates

was found closed and latched.

Excellent condition. Gate was found closed and

latched.

Gate was found open and hanging down. Gate

has been knocked and no longer sits upright or

closed.

Repairs

required?

Minor repairs can be made to reset footing,

but this is not necessary. No

Yes, Gate needs to be reset. Recommend

removing footing and resetting gate in place

with new footing.

Photo

City of Bunbury



March 2017

Gate 1 2 3

Location -33.369012, 115.674346 -33.372076, 115.674362 -33.374585, 115.674469

Condition



was found closed and Latched

Excellent condition. Gate was found closed

and latched.


and latched.

Repairs

required?

Minor repairs can be made to reset footing,

but not necessary. No No

Photo

City of Bunbury



July 2017

Gate 1 2 3

Location -33.369012, 115.674346 -33.372076, 115.674362 -33.374585, 115.674469

Condition



was found closed and latched


and latched.


and latched.

Repairs required? Minor repairs can be made to reset footing,

but are not necessary. No No

Photo

City of Bunbury



October 2017

Gate 1 2 3

Location -33.369012, 115.674346 -33.372076, 115.674362 -33.374585, 115.674469

Condition

Gate shows signs of vehicle contact; latch

post has been pushed out of position and

gate post is leaning.


and latched.


and latched.

Repairs required?

Gate not operational, gate needs to be

repositioned and latch post needs to be dug

out and re-set in position.

No No

Photo

City of Bunbury



Attachment 2: 2017 Weed Mapping

Legend

Polygons

Ehrharta calycina 0-5%

Ehrharta calycina 6-75%

Points

Cortaderia selloana

Watsonia meriana

Zantedeschia aethiopica

Map 1: Bunbury Airport Offset Site July 2017 Weed Mapping

N

99c Lord Street

Whiteman WA 6068

P 9209 2767 E

[email protected]


Client City of Bunbury

Date 23/11/2017

Created By CW

Checked By LS

Image Source NearMap

Datum GRA94

Version V1

mailto:[email protected]

City of Bunbury



Attachment 3: Phytophthora Dieback Occurrence Map

bunbury airport expansion project clearing permit … 5589.1 2017...clearing permit 5589/1...

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