draft water quality monitoring plan...the lower blackmore river catchment (see section 4 for water...

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CONSULTING SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS

DRAFT Water Quality Monitoring Plan

Meat Processing PlantLivingstone Valley, NT

Prepared forAustralian Agricultural Company Ltd

January 2011

Project No : DW110057

Client: Australian Agricultural Company Ltd of 37 Doc No. DW110057-C0305-EIA-Ms-0005 Doc Title: Water Quality Monitoring Plan; Meat Processing Plant

Document Control Record

Prepared by: Emma Murray Approved by: Ray Hall

Position: Environmental Scientist Position: Principal

Signed: Signed:

Date: 3 February 2012 Date: 3 February 2012

REVISION STATUS

Revision No. Description of Revision Date Approved

D draft for submission

Recipients are responsible for eliminating all superseded documents in their possession.

VDM Consulting (NT) Pty Ltd trading as EcOz Environmental Services ACN: 143 989 039 Winlow House, 3rd Floor 75 Woods Street DARWIN NT 0800 PO Box 381, Darwin NT 0800 Telephone: +61 8 8981 1100 Facsimile: +61 8 8981 1102 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.vdmconsulting.com.au

RELIANCE, USES and LIMITATIONS

This report is copyright and is to be used only for its intended purpose by the intended recipient, and is not to be copied or used in any other way. The report may be relied upon for its intended purpose within the limits of the following disclaimer. This study, report and analyses have been based on the information available to VDM Consulting at the time of preparation. VDM Consulting accepts responsibility for the report and its conclusions to the extent that the information was sufficient and accurate at the time of preparation. VDM Consulting does not take responsibility for errors and omissions due to incorrect information or information not available to VDM Consulting at the time of preparation of the study, report or analyses.


Contents

1 Introduction ...................................... .......................................................................................................4

1.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................................4

1.2 Water Quality Monitoring Plan: Objectives and Scope .......................................................................7

2 Legislation and Guidelines Relevant to Water Qualit y from the Meat Processing Plant ................8

2.1 Legislation ...........................................................................................................................................8

2.2 Water Quality Objectives and Guidelines ...........................................................................................9

3 Site Characteristics Relevant to Water Quality .... ............................................................................. 12

3.1 Climate ............................................................................................................................................. 12

3.2 Landform, Soils, and Vegetation ..................................................................................................... 13

3.3 Surface Water .................................................................................................................................. 15

3.4 Groundwater .................................................................................................................................... 19

4 Environmental Values, Hazards, and Risks .......... ............................................................................ 20

4.1 Environmental Values of Downstream Surface and Groundwater .................................................. 20

4.2 Potential Hazards and Risks to Environmental Values ................................................................... 21

4.3 Mitigation and Monitoring Measures ................................................................................................ 25

5 Water Quality Monitoring Program................... .................................................................................. 26

6 References ........................................ .................................................................................................... 33

Appendices Appendix A – Stormwater flows and diversion across the proposed meat processing facility ........................ 35

Appendix B – Chemicals used in meat processing plant operations .............................................................. 36


1 Introduction

1.1 Overview

This Water Quality Monitoring Plan forms part of the overall Environmental Monitoring Program for the meat processing plant proposed by Australian Agricultural Company Ltd (AACo) for a site alongside the Stuart Highway, approximately 50 km south of Darwin (Figure 1 ). AACo are presently applying for environmental approval under the Northern Territory Environmental Assessment Act 1982 to establish this meat processing plant through preparation of a Public Environment Report (PER). As such, this Water Quality Monitoring Plan has been prepared as an Annex supporting the PER, however it also acts as a stand-alone document designed to be used and adapted throughout the life of the plant once established. Accordingly it will be annually reviewed and updated as required.

The Berry Creek catchment is well developed with unregulated rural and rural living activities. The property is near the head of the catchment but water flows into and onto the site from the north, east and the south. Land uses in these areas include commercial cattle holding facilities, cattle grazing, rural living and associated hobby farming activities. Storm water from the Stuart Highway and the Adelaide to Darwin Railway corridor also may enter the site. The property itself is currently used for grazing of up to 2000 head of cattle at any one time. Monitoring and management of water will require cognisance of these issues.

AACo’s proposed meat processing facility has the capacity to slaughter and process approximately 1000 cattle per day; equivalent to over 200,000 head per annum. The intention is that slaughtering capacity will begin at 240 cattle per day and increase in stages to the maximum intended capacity of 1000 head per day using two 8-hour work shifts. The operation of the plant will taper off in the two months prior to a complete stop in January each year, when the plant will close for a month for comprehensive servicing of all machinery and equipment.

The main components of the meat processing plant are:

- Slaughter Floor and associated areas - Carcass chilling, sorting, and feed to boning operations - Boning and packing area and packaging material store - Freezing and chilling systems, frozen and chill storage, carton sorting, palletising and dispatch zone - Rendering Plant - Bio-filter - Hides Processing and salt evaporation ponds - Covered livestock holding yards - Livestock unloading facility - Refrigeration engine room - Buildings for staff amenities (including toilets and showers), workshop, offices, training rooms and

canteen - Wastewater treatment ponds comprising 3 x anaerobic ponds, 3 x aerobic ponds, final treated water

storage dam, and stormwater storage dam - Composting of cattle paunch (stomach contents) and manure - Irrigated cropping areas for haymaking and non-irrigated haymaking and cattle grazing areas - Community Precinct providing supporting facilities for employees such as child care - Car parking for 255 cars and access roads

See Appendix A for the general layout of these components within the site and also the extensive maps and diagrams provided in the main PER.


The focus of this water quality monitoring plan is to ensure that operations at the meat processing plant are not impacting on surface and groundwater downstream and subsequently impacting aquatic ecosystems and those who use the downstream waterways and groundwater for domestic and agricultural uses, and recreation. All hazardous contaminants potentially in waste water from the meat processing plant are listed and discussed in Section 4 below. The risk of these contaminants to surface water and groundwater quality, aquatic ecosystems, and water users downstream of the facility are also discussed.

A key component of the meat processing facility relating to water quality is the treatment of waste water used in meat processing operations and associated by-product processing (e.g. rendering, composting, and salting of hides), daily cleaning of the facility, and from staff amenities e.g. human effluent. The waste water treatment system involves a series of anaerobic and aerobic ponds, before storage in a 2 cell treated water storage dam for eventual irrigation of an area for cropping and haymaking. This final irrigation step is designed to further remove any nutrients. The nutrients in this water will benefit the irrigated crops and enhance hay production.

Solid wastes from the meat processing operations are separated from the waste stream and converted to useful products on-site, such as the composing of manure and paunch for use as fertilizer off-site, and rendering of animal by-products to produce tallow and blood and bone meal. Hides are also salted in preparation for sending to a tannery and waste salt and brine is recovered on-site using salt evaporation ponds.

A stormwater storage dam collects stormwater from the irrigation area and other areas around the meat processing plant, such as car parks and grassed areas; noting that this excludes all operational areas, such as cattle holding yards, the compositing area, and salt evaporation ponds, which are bunded and prevented from receiving stormwater so that any waste water from these areas can be directed to the waste water treatment system (see map of stormwater run-off diversion in Appendix A ).

Water from the treated water storage dam is used to irrigate crops over the course of each dry season, with additional water sourced from the stormwater storage dam in order to have enough to sustain crop growth throughout the entire dry season. Conversely, during the wet season, when crops do not need irrigating, the treated water storage dam is large enough to store all waste water produced by the meat processing plant over the course of each wet season; noting that operations at the facility will be suspended each January for general maintenance.

Operation of the waste water treatment system, storage dams, and irrigation system is continually monitored in order adjust the water balance and ensure optimal treatment of the waste being generated and to determine the volumes of water needed to maximise crop production and nutrient uptake. Effective operation of the system requires day-to-day adjustment based on the volume and quality of the waste water, rainfall, regular soil testing from the irrigated area, and water quality monitoring of downstream waterways and groundwater bores (i.e this water quality monitoring plan).


Figure 1. Location of meat processing plant within the Darwin Harbour region and Berry Creek catchmen t.


1.2 Water Quality Monitoring Plan: Objectives and S cope

This Water Quality Monitoring Plan forms a major component of the overall Environmental Monitoring Program for the meat processing plant, which also includes other environmental monitoring such as soils, odour, noise, neighbour complaints, energy and water use etc. This integrated Environmental Monitoring Program supports the plant’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP), where sampling, documentation, and reporting of environmental monitoring is reviewed and assessed on a regular basis as part of the annual EMP audit.

The objective of this Water Quality Monitoring Plan is to ensure that meat processing plant operations are not impacting on downstream surface water and groundwater quality. This in turn ensures that downstream freshwater and estuarine aquatic ecosystems are not impacted, as well as downstream users of groundwater and surface water, such as residents using groundwater and surface water for domestic and agricultural purposes, those swimming at the Berry Springs Recreational Area, and those with aquaculture operations in the lower Blackmore River catchment (see Section 4 for water quality impacts hazard and risk identification).

This monitoring plan (in Section 5) includes the specific surface water and groundwater sites to be monitored, the contaminants to be measured, as well as the timing and frequency of sampling, and proper sampling procedures. It also outlines the requirements and responsibilities for data recording, interpretation, regular reporting, review, and response to correct any contamination issues.

In addition to monitoring any impacts on downstream surface and groundwater sites, this plan also includes the requirements for day-to-day operational monitoring of water quality throughout the waste water treatment system such as the water flowing into the treated water storage dam and subsequently used in irrigating the cropping area.

Incident response sampling and monitoring is also outlined, which is required in order to determine any impacts from unexpected pollution incidents and determine the best response for correcting any impacts, as well as for providing details of the incident to the relevant authorities.

Legislation and water quality guidelines relevant to water quality at the meat processing facility are outlined in Section 2 below, followed by a description of the site’s environmental characteristics relevant to water quality (Section 3).

This plan does not include the “validation and verification” testing required by the NT Department of Health (DoH) prior to approval of all new waste water recycling systems in the NT; as outlined in the Northern Territory Guidelines for Management of Recycled Water Systems (DoH 2011a). This validation and verification testing involves intensive sampling and monitoring of the system, to confirm it is working properly and meeting the specified water quality compliance values. This testing is done in close consultation with the Department of Health. Verification testing is undertaken following installation of the waste water treatment system on-site over a minimum of 4 weeks. During this time, the treated waste is not to be discharged to the environment; only disposal to sewer is permitted. Once the treatment system has undergone verification testing and shown to meet the water quality compliance requirements, the waste water treatment system can be commissioned.

This Water Quality Monitoring Plan comes into effect following validation, verification, and approval of the waste water treatment system by DoH. It has been designed to guide water quality monitoring throughout the life of the meat processing plant and will require regular review and updating dependant on water quality results, upgrades and changes to the plant, and changes to legislative requirements.


2 Legislation and Guidelines Relevant to Water Quality from the Meat Processing Plant

2.1 Legislation

Northern Territory Water Act 1992

The Water Act 1992 is the primary piece of legislation that governs water resource regulation and management in the Northern Territory. The objective of the Act is “to provide for the investigation, allocation, use, control, protection, management and administration of water resources”. Under section 16 of the Act, the pollution of water is prohibited unless under the conditions of a waste discharge licence issued under Section 74 of the Act. The Act, and also the issue of waste discharge licences, is administered by the NT Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport (NRETAS).

It may be decided that AACo requires a waste discharge licence for treated water discharge into the upper reaches of the Berry Creek system. This requirement will depend on the effectiveness of the waste water treatment process in removing contaminants, and the uptake of nutrients through irrigation of crops and haymaking. In the event that a waste discharge licence is required, the monitoring, reporting, and discharge limits set by this licence will be incorporated into this Water Quality Monitoring Plan.

Section 73 of the Water Act includes a process for identifying and declaring environmental values or “beneficial uses” for specific waterways. These include environmental, cultural, and human use values, such as for aquatic flora and fauna habitat, drinking water, irrigation, aquaculture, recreation and aesthetics. This section of the Water Act also provides for the establishment of Water Quality Objectives or Water Quality Standards in order to maintain the “beneficial uses” declared for each waterway.

Beneficial uses have been declared for waterways within the Darwin Harbour region following consultation with the Darwin community (for a detailed breakdown of these beneficial use declarations see Appendix A in the NRETAS 2010 report Water Quality Objectives for the Darwin Harbour Region – Background Document). NRETAS have developed specific Water Quality Objectives to maintain the beneficial uses declared for each of these waterways (listed in Table 8 of NRETAS 2010). The beneficial use declarations and water quality objectives set for the waterways downstream of the meat processing plant i.e. Berry Creek and the Blackmore River are discussed in more detail in Section 2.2 below under Water Quality Objectives for the Darwin Harbour Region.

Northern Territory Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998

Section 12 of the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998 imposes a general environmental duty to take all measures that are reasonable and practicable to prevent or minimise pollution or environmental harm. In addition, there are general offences under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act in relation to causing material or serious environmental harm. Section 14 of the Act imposes a duty to notify of incidents causing or threatening to cause environmental harm.

AACo abides by this Act through its comprehensive and integrated Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMP), incorporating extensive environmental monitoring, which includes this Water Quality Monitoring Plan, as well as other monitoring such as for odour, noise, soil impacts, energy and water usage etc. Responsible waste management and pollution control is also achieved through the waste minimisation and management procedures outlined in this EMP. Also, if any pollution incident was to occur, AACo would notify NRETAS and the Department of Heath immediately and follow-up with sampling and corrective action to prevent impacts.


Public Health and Environmental Health Act 2011

The Department of Health (DoH) has responsibilities under the Public and Environmental Health Act 2011 for monitoring and managing public health risks and improving public health through regulation, health promotion and other public health measures. DoH plays a key role in setting water quality compliance values for recycled water and must be informed of any incident that poses a risk to public health. A recycled water system such as that proposed for the meat processing plant must obtain approval from the Department of Health under Regulation 17 of the Public Health (General Sanitation, Mosquito Prevention, Rat Exclusion and Prevention) Regulations. The process to gain this approval is outlined in the Northern Territory Guidelines for Management of Recycled Water Systems (DoH 2011a).

Darwin Harbour Strategy

The Darwin Harbour Strategy (DHAC 2010) sets out the gaols and guidelines for policy and decision-makers managing the sustainable development of Darwin Harbour. It was prepared by the Darwin Harbour Advisory Committee (DHAC) following extensive consultation with all sectors of the Darwin Community. DHAC and the Northern Territory Government report against the Darwin Harbour Strategy on a yearly basis, and decisions made on developments within the Darwin Harbour catchment need to consider the cumulative impacts on the Harbour’s environment; a highly valued asset to the people of Darwin.

2.2 Water Quality Objectives and Guidelines

Water Quality Objectives for the Darwin Harbour Region

As mentioned above (under NT Water Act), Water Quality Objectives have been developed for all waterways within the Darwin Harbour region by NRETAS through its Water Quality Protection Plan for the Darwin Harbour Region (background provided in NRETAS 2009). These Water Quality Objectives (listed in Table 8 of NRETAS 2010) were derived on the basis of the “Beneficial Uses” declared for waterways within the Darwin Harbour catchment under the NT Water Act 1992. Beneficial uses identified for the Blackmore River and Berry Creek catchments, which are downstream of the meat processing facility, are “environmental” – habitat for flora and fauna, “agricultural” – irrigation water, “aquaculture” – both land and water based, and “culture” - recreation and aesthetics. The “environmental” Beneficial Use category is the most stringent of these in regards to water quality because the intent is to maintain the health of aquatic ecosystems, which are the most sensitive receptor to water quality changes. Therefore, a water body that meets the environmental beneficial use category will in almost all circumstances also meet the requirements of all other beneficial uses. As such, the water quality objectives derived specifically for the Blackmore River and Berry Creek catchments (listed in Figure 4 below) aim to protect the environmental values (marine and freshwater ecosystems) of these waterways and are used in this Water Quality Monitoring Plan for assessing the quality of surface water in the streams receiving run-off from the meat processing plant site (see Section 5 below).

Of relevance to this monitoring plan are the results of regular water quality monitoring conducted across the Darwin Harbour region used each year to produce “Report Cards” detailing the environmental condition of the Region’s waterways against the specified Water Quality Objectives (see the latest Report Cards at http://www.nretas.nt.gov.au/national-resource-management/water/dhac/reportcards). Report Card results for the Blackmore River and Berry Creek systems are shown in Figure 4 and discussed in Section 3.3 below.

Australian Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water 2008

The Australian Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water (NHMRC 2008), developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), aim to protect the health of humans from threats posed by the recreational use of waterways. These Guidelines are a tool for state and territory governments to develop their own legislation and standards appropriate for local conditions and circumstances. Using these Guidelines, the NT Department of Health has produced the document Guidance Notes for Recreational Water Quality in the Northern Territory (DoH 2011b). This document outlines the trigger levels for concentrations of microbial indicators of disease-causing pathogens in waters used for swimming (i.e.


enterococci and Naegleria fowleri). It also refers to the Australian Guidelines (NHMRC 2008) for limits of toxic blue-green algae (i.e. the cyanobacteria Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and/or Microcystis aeruginosa). These guideline limits are especially relevant to the waters downstream of the meat processing plant, which are used for swimming throughout the dry season, in particular, the Berry Springs Recreational Area.

The NT Department of Health’s guidelines outline how site-specific trigger levels for microbial indicators may be calculated based on the sampling and analysis of at least 20 samples. In the absence of this data, generic trigger levels may be used. These generic levels are based on a traffic light system of green, amber, and red modes to classify microbiological water quality suitable for swimming. The green mode stands for 'Surveillance: Open for Swimming' where enterococci is <50 per 100 mL, the amber mode indicates 'Alert: Follow Up / Open for Swimming' where enterococci is between 50 and 200 per 100 mL, and the red mode requires signs to be placed warning of the potential health risk of swimming in the water body, where enterococci is >200 per 100 mL.

In regards to cyanobacteria in freshwater, trigger limits are outlined in Chapter 6 of the Australian Guidelines (NHMRC 2008).

As outlined in Section 5 of this Water Quality Monitoring Plan, microbial indicators will be analysed in surface and groundwater samples taken downstream of the meat processing plant in accordance with the NT and Australian recreational water guidelines.

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011

The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC) provide an authoritative reference on what constitutes safe, good quality drinking water, and how it can be achieved and assured (NHMRC 2011). The ADWG specify that drinking water should contain zero levels of disease-causing organisms and provides guideline values for safe levels of specific chemicals.

The ADWG guideline values relate to the quality of water at the point of use (e.g. kitchen or bathroom tap). They apply to reticulated water at the consumer’s tap, rainwater for drinking, and source water if it is to be used without prior treatment, such as groundwater.

Two different guideline values are given for each potential contaminant:

- a health-related guideline value, which is the concentration or measure of a water quality characteristic that, based on present knowledge, does not result in any significant risk to the health of the consumer over a lifetime of consumption, and

- an aesthetic guideline value, which is the concentration or measure of a water quality characteristic that is associated with acceptability of water to the consumer, e.g. appearance, taste and odour.

As outlined in Section 5 of this Water Quality Monitoring Plan, water quality analysed in groundwater samples taken downstream of the meat processing plant will be in accordance with the ADWG.

Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Health Risks (Phase 1) 2006

The Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 1) 2006 (NRMMC 2006) have been produced by the, Natural Resources Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC), Environment Protection and Heritage Council, and the Australian Health Ministers Conference to provide guidance on best practice for water recycling. These Guidelines provide a risk assessment framework that is applicable to the recycling of water from stormwater, grey water, and treated sewage sources. The Guidelines are not mandatory but designed to provide an authoritative reference that can be used to support beneficial and sustainable waste water recycling. They are referred to in the development of this Water Quality Monitoring Plan for the meat processing plant, specifically in relation to assessing the quality of water in the treated water storage dam and used in irrigating the cropping area.


Northern Territory Guidelines for Management of Recycled Water Systems 2011

The Northern Territory Guidelines for Management of Recycled Water Systems 2011 (DoH 2011a) align the principles outlined in the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling (see above) to the NT Department of Health approvals process for large recycled water systems that generally service more than 150 EP. These guidelines provide practical advice for obtaining approval to install and operate a recycled water system in the NT and have been referred to in developing this Water Quality Monitoring Plan for the meat processing plant.

ANZECC Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality 2000

The Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality 2000 (ANZECC 2000a) do not apply directly to recycled water, however they provide an outline for setting water quality criteria. These guidelines, along with the associated document Australian Guidelines for Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting (ANZECC 2000b) provide guidance on designing and implementing water quality monitoring and assessment programs, and have been referred to in developing this Water Quality Monitoring Plan for the meat processing plant.


3 Site Characteristics Relevant to Water Quality

The site is located immediately west of the Stuart Highway in the rural / residential outskirts of Darwin (Figure 1 ). This site, in the locality known as Livingston, combines Lot 4 Hundred of Cavenagh, and Section 5410 Hundred of Strangways. The entire area to be managed by AACo is 601 ha and encompasses the meat processing plant, associated water treatment and storage ponds, irrigation, haymaking, and cattle grazing areas. The meat processing plant itself, covers an area of approximately 4 ha in the eastern portion of the site, with a further 14 ha used for waste treatment ponds and disposal via irrigation for cropping and haymaking (see Appendix A ).

Historically, land use on the site has focused on intensive rotational cattle grazing during the wetter seasons and then stock removal and growing out improved pastures for haymaking operations later in the dry season. About 50% of the site is suitable for haymaking, and 25% suitable for grazing but not haymaking. The remaining 25% is wetland located in the southwestern portion of the site. AACo’s irrigation area is located in the southeastern portion of the site, however, the northern portion may also be used for future irrigation if required. The remainder of the site will be used for un-irrigated haymaking and cattle grazing, except for a 50 m wide fenced-off buffer zone, on either side of each of the three main stream branches. The wetland area in the southwestern corner of the site will also be fenced off. These fenced-off areas have been established to protect the waterways from erosion and cattle damage as well as to allow the riparian and wetland vegetation to act as an additional filter for run-off from the irrigation areas and also stormwater run-off from around the meat processing plant; note that stormwater is diverted around the meat processing plant and all waste water from operational, composting, and cattle yard areas, is directed into the waste water treatment system (see map of stormwater run-off diversion in Appendix A ).

Land use surrounding the site includes the Stuart Highway and the Adelaide to Darwin railway line, which form the eastern and northern boundary, and a linear Conservation zone, incorporating the former rail corridor, on the western boundary. Rural residential 2 ha and 8 ha blocks occupy most of the land on the southern and western sides of the property and the land on the northern side of the railway line is used for farming and cattle-holding yards. Further downstream of the site, along Berry Creek, land use includes horticulture, tourist parks and attractions, the Berry Springs village, and Berry Springs Recreational Reserve.

3.1 Climate

The Darwin Region has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season, between October and April, features monsoon rains, thunderstorms and cyclones. Darwin’s average annual rainfall is approximately 1700 mm, with two-thirds falling between January and March. The dry season, extending between May and September, is characterised by low humidity, and very little rain.

Temperatures at locations around Darwin inland from the coast are typically one to two degrees hotter in the wet season, and one to two degrees cooler in the dry season. Records held by the Bureau of Meteorology for the nearby weather station at Noonamah show that the mean maximum temperature is 34 degrees, and the mean minimum temperature is 21 degrees. Wind speeds recorded at this station are on average between 10 to 30 kph throughout the year, predominantly from the north-west in the wet season and from the south-east in the dry season.

Average annual rainfalls recorded at stations near to the meat processing plant are 1660 mm at Elizabeth Valley, and 1900 mm at Noonamah (the period of records at Noonamah is much shorter than for Elizabeth Valley). See also the pattern of mean monthly rainfalls and evaporation over the course of each year in Section 4.2 below (Table 2 ). These rainfall records were taken from the Batchelor district station, which is further from the site than Noonamah and Elizabeth Valley, but has a longer period of recorded data and as such, more reliable. These records were compiled from the Bureau of Meteorology by Zinga & Associates


(Sept. 2011) in preparing the EMP in order to predict the required amount of treated water applied to crops in the irrigation area throughout the year.

3.2 Landform, Soils, and Vegetation

Figure 2 shows the land units mapped for the site by Fogarty et al. (1984) followed on the next page by the description for each of these land units.

In general, the site is mainly gently undulating cropping and pasture land with a centrally located wet area draining to the west (Figure 2 ). Elevation decreases from 54 AHD in the east to 24 AHD in the west, and the gradient is approximately 1.5%. A significant proportion of the site contains streams and land units characterised by waterlogged soils (i.e. land units 5a, 5b1, 3e, and 4a). However, the meat processing plant, water treatment ponds and treated water and stormwater storage dams and irrigation area are situated within the relatively higher and well-drained eastern portion of the site within land units 2b1, 3b, and 3c.

The typical soil type is a relatively deep mottled yellow duplex soil often with a lateritic &/or ironstone layer at about 80 – 100 cm and deep yellow/grey clayey soils lower in the terrain and associated with seasonally waterlogged areas. More detailed soil information is given in the Soils Investigation report prepared by Zinga and Associates (August 2011) for the PER.

Most of the land has been cleared for agricultural production in earlier years and the majority of arable land across the property has had improved pastures (mainly Humidicola and Jarra grass) established to enhance livestock carrying capacity and fodder and hay production. The lower imperfectly drained areas are dominated by a range of water-tolerant grass species and taller Pandanus spiralis. For more detail see the vegetation described for each land unit in the map legend of Figure 2 .


Figure 2. Land units mapped across the site by Fog arty et al. (1984).


Land Units Corresponding to those in Figure 2:

Land Unit 2b1 is characterised by gentle side slopes of 2 to 5% gradient. Soils are generally moderately deep gravelly yellow massive earths grading through the soil profile to sandy loam to sandy clay or light clay at depth. Soils are well drained.

Land Unit 3b is characterised by flat to very gently undulating upland surfaces, with gradient of 0.5 to 2.5%. Soils are generally moderately deep to deep gravelly yellow massive earths usually overlying friable weathered material and minor red massive earths, grading through the soil profile to sandy loam to sandy clay loam and light clay at depth. Soils are well drained.

Land Unit 3c is characterised by flat to gently undulating upland surfaces, with gradients between 1 and 3%. Soils are generally shallow to moderately deep gravelly yellow massive earths, grading through the soil profile to loamy sand to sandy clay loam subsoils. Soils are well drained.

Land Unit 3e describes drainage areas within gently undulating upland surfaces. Soils are slow draining, with high water tables in the wet season. Vegetation consists of minor open woodland forest with dense patches of Pandanus spiralis and Grevillea pteridiifolia and dense grasses and sedges.

Land Unit 4a is characterised by gentle lower slopes, with gradient of about 1.5%. Soils are generally deep mottled grey massive earths with lateritic gravel, grading through the soil profile to sandy loam to light sandy clay loam to light clay at depth. Soils are slow draining and waterlogged in the wet season. Vegetation communities in this land unit commonly consist of open woodland with medium to dense shrub understorey, and dense grasses and sedges.

Land Unit 5a describes narrow alluvial plains within upland terrain. Soils are slow draining, with wet season waterlogging and inundation. Vegetation is mainly grassland with scattered trees.

Land Unit 5b1 describes drainage floors within upland terrains, gradient <1%, mottled grey massive earths and yellow massive earths. Vegetation is mixed open forest to woodland, occasionally shrubland.

3.3 Surface Water

The meat processing plant is located at the very top of the Berry Creek catchment, which meets the Blackmore River about 15 km downstream of the site (Figure 1 ). From here, the Blackmore River extends for a further 8 km to where it flows into Darwin Harbour. The lower reaches of the Blackmore River and Berry Creek are estuarine and tidally influenced. Surprisingly, despite the very large tidal range and strong tidal currents that occur within Darwin Harbour, hydrodynamic models (e.g. Williams et al. 2006) show the Harbour is not well flushed, especially in its upper reaches. This is largely because incoming (flood) tides are larger than outgoing (ebb) tides, leading to the trapping of fine sediments. As such, nutrients and other contaminants flowing into the Harbour from catchments such as that of the Blackmore River may become an issue in the upper estuary if sources of these contaminants are not managed appropriately.

Stream flows in the region reflect annual rainfall patterns, with flows typically commencing during December and January, and reaching maxima during periods of heavy rainfall between January and March. By June, most rivers have ceased to flow, except for the Howard River and spring fed Berry Creek (Fukuda and Townsend 2006), which are supplied by aquifer fed groundwater during the dry season (Tien 2006).

Three second order (Strahler’s Order) streams associated with the Berry Creek system drain the property incorporating the meat processing plant (visible in Figure 5 ). The east branch runs on an east-west alignment through the centre of the site, while the southern branch runs from a point near the intersection of Scrutton and Cornock Roads outside the site, through Lot 4 and to the south-western corner of Section 5410. The north branch runs roughly parallel to the western boundary. The stream margins are well vegetated and as mentioned above; a 50 m wide fenced off buffer zone will be established around these streams in order to protect them from erosion and to allow riparian vegetation to act as an extra filter for run-off from the


irrigation area and stormwater run-off from around the processing facility infrastructure. Similarly, a wetland area located in the south western corner of the property will also be fenced off.

The Berry Creek catchment is well developed with unregulated rural and rural living activities. The property is near the head of the catchment but water flows into and onto the site from the north, east and the south. Land uses in these areas include commercial cattle holding facilities, cattle grazing, rural living and associated hobby farming activities. Storm water from the Stuart Highway and the Adelaide to Darwin Railway corridor also may enter the site.

The NRETAS Aquatic Health Unit monitors a number of freshwater and estuarine sites in the Berry Creek and Blackmore River catchment as part of their annual reporting of environmental condition of waterways within the Darwin Harbour Region (see NRETAS 2010, NRETAS 2009, and the Report Cards available at: http://www.nretas.nt.gov.au/national-resource-management/water/dhac/reportcards. The location of these sites are shown in Figure 4 . Freshwater monitoring sites DW73, DW46, and DW31 are located downstream of the meat processing plant, and all estuarine sampling points are also located downstream of the meat processing plant in the lower Blackmore River and Upper Darwin Harbour estuary. Figure 4 shows the latest Report Card results from monitoring of these sites. These results show a decrease in waterway condition from a rating of “B” in 2009 to “C” in 2011. This is likely due to the increase in agricultural and urban development within the catchment. Notably, monitoring results show elevated concentrations of nutrients (ammonia, total N and total P). Results of surface water sampling undertaken as part of this Water Quality Monitoring Plan will be compared against the annual results reported by NRETAS in these Report Cards. Also, the Water Quality Objectives for the Blackmore River catchment (as listed in Figure 4 ) will be used to assess the surface water samples collected downstream of the plant.

NRETAS also regularly monitor macro invertebrates at the freshwater monitoring sites in order to detect any changes to aquatic biota caused by impacts from the catchment. The diversity of macro invertebrates sampled at the sites is compared against the AUSRIVAS index and given a rating (shown in Figure 4 ). The rating for the three sites located downstream of the meat processing plant (DW73, DW46, and DW31) has always been “A” which means the biological diversity matches that of a natural and un-impacted stream. This data provides a useful baseline and any changes in this rating in future Report Cards detected following establishment of the meat processing facility will be closely monitored.


Figure 3. The location of NRETAS water quality and AUSRIVAS sampling sites (taken from Blackmore River catchment Report Card 2010).


Figure 4. Report Card 2011 results for Berry Creek and Blackmore River Catchments from NRETAS Aquatic Health Unit. Available at: http://www.nretas.nt.gov.au/national-resource-

management/water/dhac/reportcards


3.4 Groundwater

Groundwater aquifers in the region of the meat processing plant are typically very shallow, and recharge is via the direct infiltration of rainwater (for more information on groundwater of the Darwin region see Haig and Townsend 2003). Significantly, groundwater is the only source of water flow into Berry Creek during the dry season (Tien 2006), and as such, is extremely important in maintaining aquatic ecosystems within this waterway, which are adapted to its perennial nature. Similarly, the maintenance of flows in Berry Creek throughout the dry season results in it being a popular area for swimming and water-based recreation (e.g. Berry Springs Recreational Area).

In regards to groundwater bores in the region, there are currently no registered bores within the property of the meat processing plant. However, records of bores drilled on rural living allotments around the site indicate that water bearing zones are between 27 and 95 metres in depth, with yields varying between 0.5 to 5.0 litres per second. Records which included notes on water quality indicated good water quality. For more detailed information on groundwater across the meat processing plant site see the Hydrogeology report prepared by Zinga and Associates (Sept. 2011) for the PER.

Property owners directly downstream of the site (i.e. those across the western boundary) were contacted in regards to requesting permission to sample their groundwater bores. However, despite publically available records showing the presence of registered bores in the area, none are currently utilised and several property owners were unable to locate the registered bore identified on their land. It is therefore suggested that at least one groundwater monitoring bore be established on the western boundary of the site in order to monitor groundwater quality flowing from under the meat processing plant and associated irrigation areas and treated water storage ponds (see Figure 5 ). This is especially important given there are groundwater bores used for domestic and agricultural purposes further distant downstream of the meat processing plant and also the potential for more bores to be established on rural subdivisions developed downstream of the site.

A large number of registered bores are located across the southern boundary of the site, however these are only partially down-gradient of the meat processing plant, unlike those on the western side. Several property owners in this area have been contacted and have granted permission for their bores to be monitored as part of this Water Quality Monitoring Plan. Similarly, several property owners located north and east of the site have been contacted and have granted permission for their bores to be monitored, however all these bores are up-gradient of the site and therefore would only act as control sites since they would not receive any groundwater flows from beneath the meat processing plant. Sampling and assessment of groundwater for the Water Quality Monitoring Plan is outlined below in Section 5.


4 Environmental Values, Hazards, and Risks

4.1 Environmental Values of Downstream Surface and Groundwater

Environmental values of downstream surface and groundwater systems are reflected in the beneficial uses declared for the Berry Creek and Blackmore River Systems, i.e. those mentioned above in Section 2.2, which are “environmental” – aquatic ecosystems and habitat for flora and fauna, “agricultural” – irrigation water, “aquaculture” – both land and water based, and “culture” - recreation and aesthetics. Sensitive uses of the surface water and groundwater downstream of the meat processing plant include swimming, such as the popular waterhole at Berry Springs Recreational Area, borewater used as drinking water and for watering stock and crops, also water extracted for use in downstream aquaculture projects.

Aquatic ecosystems are the most sensitive environmental value impacted by changes in water quality. Therefore, maintaining water quality to protect aquatic ecosystems will in almost all cases also protect the other beneficial uses, for example, lower contaminant levels will affect aquatic organisms before they affect people swimming in a waterway. This is except for disease-causing pathogens and toxic algal blooms, which present the highest risk to humans using the surface water and groundwater systems for swimming, drinking, agriculture, and aquiculture.

Suitable guideline values for assessing the risk to aquatic ecosystems, and humans using waterways for drinking and recreation are outlined in detail in Section 2.2 above. In summary, the most relevant guidelines used for assessing the different components of this water quality monitoring plan are as follows:

- Surface water downstream

o NRETAS Water Quality Objectives for the Darwin Harbour Region, specifically for Berry Creek and Blackmore River (NRETAS 2010)

o NT Department of Health Guidance Notes for Recreational Water Quality in the Northern Territory (DoH 2011b)

o The Australian Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water (NHMRC 2008)

- Groundwater downstream


o The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 (NHMRC 2011)

- Operational monitoring of treated water storage dam and irrigation water

o The Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 1) 2006 (NRMMC 2006)

o NT Department of Health Guidelines for Management of Recycled Water Systems 2011 (DoH 2011a)

- Incident monitoring

o The most relevant guidelines depending on the nature of the incident, e.g. pollution of surface waters or groundwaters or only the treated water pond.


4.2 Potential Hazards and Risks to Environmental Va lues

Table 1 outlines typical water usage for the meat processing plant. Water from these activities will be directed to the waste water treatment system and eventually used to irrigate the cropping area. The largest water use is for cleaning of stockyards and cleaning and sanitising the slaughtering areas. Potential contaminants from all activities within the meat processing plant and associated cattle yards, by-products processing (e.g. rendering, composting, and salting of hides), and staff amenities include:

- Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from most areas of the plant, includes human sewerage

- Organic material from most areas of the plant, includes human sewerage

- Cleaning and sanitising chemicals, surfactants, from most areas of the plant

- Salt from salting of cow hides

- Lubricants, hydrocarbons, and other engineering materials in the workshops

- Pesticides on cropping area

- Weed material on cattle and cattle feed and manure

- Metals and hydrocarbons in run-off from car parks and buildings

- Pharmaceuticals and other contaminants from human wastes and cattle manure

- Algal toxins from blue-green algae growing in treated water ponds and other water storage dams

A comprehensive list of chemicals used within meat processing plants is provided in Appendix B .

Table 2 was prepared by Zinga and Associates (Sept. 2011) for the EMP, and shows the estimated amount of treated water irrigation required by the cropping area throughout a typical year. This data is based on average monthly rainfall and evaporation records taken from the Bureau of Meteorology weather station at Batchelor, which is the nearest station with a long enough recording period (17 years) to provide reliable data. Treated water required is estimated by subtracting evapotranspiration from rainfall (evapotranspiration is calculated by adjusting the evaporation by the crop factor for Lucerne). Table 2 shows the greatest amount of treated water would be applied from May to October and no treated water would be applied between December and March and would need to be stored in the treated water storage dam. Based on these estimations, the annual potential treated water used for irrigation is 12.34 ML/ha.

Table 3 shows the amount of waste generated by the meat processing plant over the course of each year, taking into account the month-long shutdown period in January and the reduced production rate in the weeks before and after this shutdown period (i.e. one shift per day instead of two). The total amount of waste produced over the year is estimated as 337 ML. Waste produced during the wet season between December and March would need to be stored in the treated water storage dam. Zinga (Sept 2011) estimated the maximum storage requirement occurs in April totalling 122.4 ML, however, however, for a 4 ha area storage dam, a capacity of 160 ML is required based on the need to capture all stormwater run-off generated within this catchment area, for all rain events up to a 1 in 100 year storm.

Zinga also estimated a shortfall of around 600 ML of treated water available for irrigation late in the dry season (September to October). This will be met by using water from the stormwater storage dam.

Based on the amount of treated water produced and the estimated concentrations of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) present, Zinga calculated the area of cropping required to uptake these nutrients (allowing for P sorption to the soil) is at least 84 ha is using the crop Lucerne. This area would only be approximately 14% of AACo’s site, and easily accommodated.


Table 1. Typical water usage for meat processing p lants of the type proposed by AACo. Data from MLA (2009).

Area Activity KL/day % of Total

Var

iabl

e w

ater

use

Stockyards

Stock watering 10 1.0%

25% Stock washing 70 7.0%

Stockyard washing 130 13.0%

Truck washing 40 4.0%

Slaughter and evisceration

Viscera table wash sprays 60 6.0%

10% Head wash 3 3.0%

Carcase wash 40 4.0%

Carcase splitting saw 1 1.0%

Paunch, gut and offal washing

Paunch dump and rinse 80 8.0%

20% Tripe / bible washing 30 3.0%

Gut washing 60 6.0%

Edible offal washing 30 3.0%

Fix

ed W

ater

Use

Rendering Rendering Separators 10 1.0%

2% Rendering plant wash down 5 0.5%

Sterilisers and wash stations

Knife sterilisers 60 6.0%

10% Equipment sterilisers 20 2.0%

Hand wash stations 20 2.0%

Amenities Exit / entry hand, boot and apron wash stations 40 4.0%

7% Personal amenities 25 2.5%

Plant Cleaning

Wash down during shifts 20 2.0%

22% Cleaning and sanitising at end of shift 170 17.0%

Washing tubs, cutting boards and trays 30 3.0%

Plant Services

Condensers 20 2.0%

4% Cooling tower makeup 10 1.0%

Boiler feed makeup 10 1.0%

Refrigeration defrost 3 0.3%

Total 1000 100% 100%

Per Unit of production (kL/tHSCW) 7


Table 2. Estimated treated water required to irrig ate the cropping area each month, based on mean monthly rainfall and evapo-transpiration (take n from the EMP prepared for the meat

processing plant by Zinga, Sept 2011).

Month Mean Monthly

Rainfall

(mm)

Mean Monthly Evap (mm)

Crop Factor

(for Lucerne)

Evapo- Transpir.

(mm)

Potential Treated Water

Applied (mm)

Jan 307.5 186 0.4 74 0 Feb 380.3 160 0.4 64 0 Mar 237.5 180 0.4 72 0 Apr 108.2 189 0.9 170 62 May 16.1 211 0.9 190 174 Jun 0.5 204 0.9 184 183 Jul 0.2 211 0.9 190 190 Aug 3.1 223 0.9 201 198 Sep 6.7 231 0.9 208 201 Oct 66.6 248 0.9 223 156 Nov 129.6 222 0.9 200 70 Dec 281.0 205 0.4 82 0

Total: 1537.3 2470 1858 1234

Table 3. Estimated treated water produced by the m eat processing each month (taken from the EMP prepared for the meat processing plant by Zinga , Sept 2011).

Month Waste Water Generated

(ML)

Waste Water Available

(mm) Jan 8 29.3 Feb 8 29.3 Mar 33 121.0 Apr 32 117.0 May 33 121.0 Jun 32 117.0 Jul 33 121.0 Aug 33 121.0 Sep 32 117.0 Oct 33 121.0 Nov 32 117.0 Dec 28 103.0

337 1234.6 The following scenarios are identified as potential water quality risks stemming from the meat processing operations based on the potential contaminants listed above and the proposed waste water treatment system:

- Contamination of Berry Springs swimming area with disease-causing pathogens or toxic blue-green algae (i.e. the cyanobacteria Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and/or Microcystis aeruginosa) requiring closure of the area to visitors in order to protect human health.

- Contamination of the Berry Creek system (including Berry Springs swimming area) with excessive organic material and nutrients leading to eutrophication, causing algal blooms, death of aquatic organisms, and loss of biodiversity.


- Contamination of waterways further downstream of Berry Creek (i.e. Blackmore River and Darwin Harbour) with excessive organic material and nutrients leading to eutrophication, algal blooms, death of aquatic organisms, and loss of biodiversity.

- Contamination of Berry Creek, Blackmore River, and Darwin Harbour with other contaminants originating from the meat processing plant including detergents, salts, surfactants, pesticides, metals, hydrocarbons, sediments, pharmaceuticals and other constituents found in treated human sewerage and waste water from the plant.

- Impacts on the estuarine ecosystems in the lower Berry Creek, Blackmore River, and Upper Darwin Harbour (Middle Arm), where hydrodynamic models have shown that tidal flushing does not readily remove nutrients and other contaminants out to sea (i.e residence time at the mouth of the Blackmore River is typically around 50 days).

- Contamination of groundwater bores located down gradient of the meat processing plant with disease-causing pathogens and other contaminants hazardous to human health and preventing the use of these bores by surrounding landholders as a water supply.

- Contamination of groundwater aquifers in the region with nutrients, salts, detergents, surfactants, hydrocarbons and other contaminants associated with the meat processing operations, noting that groundwater provides the only source of water sustaining flows in Berry Creek throughout the dry season, which could impact on the aquatic ecosystems of this waterway.

- Contamination risk of groundwater is increased during the wet season when groundwater levels are close to the surface and potentially receiving water contained within the treated water treatment ponds and storage dam.

- Contamination of the soils receiving treated water irrigation, causing salinity and / or the breakdown of soil structure and its capacity to absorb nutrients and support plant growth. Soils may also be impacted by waterlogging.

- Eutrophication, algal blooms, and the generation of offensive odours within the treated water and stormwater storage dams. These dams could also result in the concentration of contaminants and salts through evaporation.

- Die-off of riparian vegetation along the natural streams immediately downhill of the irrigation areas due to excessive nutrients, salts, and other contaminants associated with the treated water irrigation, especially in the event of accidental release of un-treated or semi-treated water during extreme rainfall events and overspilling or structural failure of the treated water storage dam or any of the other areas containing polluted run-off such as the holding dam or the usually contained areas of cattle yards, composting area, and salt ponds. Long-term waterlogging due to excessive irrigation may also cause die-off of riparian vegetation.

- Transport of manure, salts, and other wastes from the cattle yards, holding pens, composting areas, and salt pans in stormwater run-off during extreme rainfall events, if the capacity of containment measures around these areas were to be exceeded.

- Encouragement (through nutrient-supply) of aquatic weed growth in the streams downhill of the irrigation areas, also further downstream in Berry Creek and the Blackmore River.

- Encouragement (through nutrient-supply) of wetland and terrestrial weed growth along the banks of streams downhill of the irrigation areas, also further downstream in Berry Creek and the Blackmore River.

- Insufficient breakdown of organic material and other contaminants, and insufficient settling of solid material in the anaerobic and aerobic treatment ponds due to excessive overloading with sewerage and wastewater, resulting in higher concentrations of contaminants in water used to irrigate.


- Insufficient uptake of nutrients by the irrigated crops due to unbalanced supply or overloading of nutrients in irrigation water, or from insufficient water, waterlogging, salinity, sodicity, and soil degradation, or other factors affecting plant growth such as disease, pests, or toxic chemicals in the irrigation water.

- Insufficient uptake of phosphorus by the soil, which is assumed will occur in addition to plant uptake of phosphorus; i.e the soil fails to absorb the predicted 112 kg/Ha included in the calculation of irrigated crop area required for uptake of the applied nutrient load.

- Erosion of cropping and cattle grazing areas, and any exposed soil areas around the meat processing plant contributing sediment, organic material, and nutrients to waterways.

4.3 Mitigation and Monitoring Measures

Mitigation measures for minimising and preventing the above-listed risks are outlined in detail in the EMP and this document describes the monitoring activities planned so as to identify if any of the mitigation measures are unsuccessful in any way.

The mitigation measures include (briefly), a best practice waste water treatment system of aerobic and anaerobic ponds, treated water storage dam, and irrigation system (as also described in the above sections of this report), where extensive studies and calculations have determined the area of irrigation required to take up the nutrients. Also the size required for the treated water storage dam, stormwater storage dam, composting and cattle yard run-off holding dam, and the containment areas for the cattle yards, composting area, and salt pans has been calculated to ensure that extreme storm events do not result in the overspilling or failure of these dams and containment areas.

Also, the soils are suitable, and the land units on which the meat processing plant and irrigation area is sited are compliant with the intended land use (i.e. not waterlogged).

Manure and other organic pollutants present in the 12 cattle yards (each 20 m x 40 m) and composting area will be prevented from release into the environment. The yards and composting area will be fully contained as “controlled drainage areas” and extraneous run-on water will be diverted around. Manure from the cattle holding yards will be regularly scraped and taken to the composing area. In addition, a specially designed sedimentation and treated water holding system will treat run-off water from within the yards and composting area where solids are separated from the liquid portion, mainly by settling, prior to the runoff entering a holding dam (see the EMP for a detailed description of the sedimentation and holding dam treatment system). The treated run-off from this holding dam will then be pumped to the main treated water storage dam for subsequent disposal by irrigation.

Waste emanating from humans on the site will be treated by installing a type approved package sewage treatment plant in accordance with the Department of Health’s Code of Practice for Small On-site Sewage and Sullage Treatment systems and the Disposal or Re-Use of Sewage Effluent. Outflows from the sewerage treatments system will subsequently be pumped to the treated water storage dam.

Erosion and sedimentation on the site will be prevented through the application of the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan prepared as part of the PER. Buffer zones of at least 50 m have also been established around the 3 main streams and wetland area on the site in order to protect these streams from erosion and further filter any nutrients and contaminants from run-off from the irrigation area and around the meat processing plant (e.g car parks).

Regular water quality monitoring (as outlined in this Water Quality Monitoring Plan) of downstream surface and groundwater as well as operational monitoring of treated water will give early warning of any issues with the waste water system and allow rapid response to correct these issues. The location, frequency, and timing of water quality monitoring takes into account the above-listed risks.


5 Water Quality Monitoring Program

Figure 5 shows the location of 6 surface water monitoring sites and 7 groundwater bore monitoring sites to be monitored as part of this Water Quality Monitoring Program. Also, Tables 4, 5, and 6 outline the location, parameters to be measured, and frequency of sampling and relevant guidelines for assessment.

The locations of surface water sites were chosen so as to identify impacts from the different sub-catchments of the various stream tributaries draining from the meat processing plant and associated irrigation, grazing, and non-irrigated haymaking activities. Site 5 is the most downstream site and represents the overall water quality leaving the property. Site 6 is a control site located in an equivalent stream system north of the meat processing plant but not receiving any run-off from the plant. It was not possible to locate a control site upstream of the plant given it is right at the very top of the catchment.

Sampling of surface water sites will depend on rainfall and stream flows. It is proposed to sample 4 times per year, however sampling during the dry season will not be possible if the streams are dry. The most important time for sampling will be during early dry season recessional flows (April-June), which are most representative of the overall water quality and most comparable from year to year. This is also when NRETAS conduct their water quality sampling downstream.

Locating suitable downstream groundwater bores to be monitored proved difficult and the final selection of monitoring bores may be adjusted depending on future permissions and consultations with land owners. Property owners directly downstream of the site (i.e. those across the western boundary) were contacted in regards to requesting permission to sample their groundwater bores. However, despite publically available records showing the presence of registered bores in the area, none are currently utilised and several property owners were unable to locate the registered bore identified on their land. It is therefore suggested that at least one groundwater monitoring bore be established on the western boundary of the site (shown in Figure 5 ) in order to monitor groundwater quality flowing from under the meat processing plant and associated irrigation areas and treated water storage ponds. This is especially important given there are groundwater bores used for domestic and agricultural purposes further distant downstream of the meat processing plant and also the potential for more bores to be established on rural subdivisions developed downstream of the site.

A large number of registered bores are located across the southern boundary of the site, however these are only partially down-gradient of the meat processing plant, unlike those on the western side. Three property owners in this area have been contacted and have granted permission for their bores to be monitored as part of this Water Quality Monitoring Plan (bore locations shown in Figure 5 ). Similarly, three property owners located north, east, and northwest of the site have been contacted and have granted permission for their bores to be monitored, however all these bores are up-gradient of the site and therefore only act as control sites since they would not receive any groundwater flows from beneath the meat processing plant.

Groundwater bores will be sampled twice per year, once at the end of the wet season (April/May) and once at the end of the dry season (October/November).

Baseline sampling and analysis of all surface water and groundwater sites is currently being undertaken in order to establish water quality conditions prior to establishment of the meat processing plant. Control sites will also allow the comparison of sites subject to flows from the plant to those outside the catchment of the plant (surface water control site and groundwater control site shown in Figure 5 ).

Operational monitoring will be undertaken at least monthly in the treated water storage dam, stormwater storage dam, and holding dam (received water from composting area and cattle yards). The frequency of sampling and parameters measured for operational sampling will vary depending on plant operatin occurring at the time and the information needs for controllung the waste water treatment system to ensure optimal water balance and removal of contaminants. As such Table 6 is only an indicative representation of


operational monitoring and may be adjusted following the verification and validation process required by the Department of health prior to commissioning of the system.

Parameters measured (outlined for the different sampling programs in Tables 4, 5, and 6 ) includes typical field-measured parameters such as electrical conductivity (salinity), pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and temperature. Condition and photographs at surface water sites will be recorded regarding any visible pollution, weed infestation, vegetation die-back, discoloured water, odour etc. Samples will be sent to a NATA accredited laboratory for microbial analysis (enterroccoci, E.coli etc), cyanobacteria algal toxin analysis and concentrations of nutrients, organic matter, metals, hydrocarbons, surfactants, hydrocarbons etc. The frequency of the different analysis varies, for example, nutrients will be measured more frequently (quarterly for surface water samples) than pesticides (annually).

It is not proposed to measure macro invertebrate diversity given the streams on the site often don’t flow during the dry season and NRETAS conducts annual macro invertebrate sampling at several sites downstream (as outlined in Section 3.3 above). The annual reporting of these results in the Blackmore River catchment Report Card will be closely monitored for any decrease in macro invertebrate diversity.

Surface and groundwater sampling will be undertaken by external consultants, who are properly trained and experienced in water quality sampling and assessment, and operational monitoring will be undertaken by meat processing plant staff properly trained in the procedures.

Sample collection, preservation and analytical procedures will be in accordance with the:

- ANZECC (2000a) Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality,

- ANZECC (2000b) Australian guidelines for water quality monitoring and reporting, and the

- Australian Standards on Water Quality Sampling Parts 1, 6, and 10 (AS/NZS 5667.1:1998, AS/NZS 5667.6:1998, AS/NZS 5667.10:1998)

QA and QC samples will also be collected such as duplicate, split, and rinsate blank samples.

Pollution incident sampling and assessment will also be conducted in accordance with the above requirements and the guidelines used for assessment will depend on the nature of the incident, e.g. whether surface water, groundwater, or the treated water storage ponds received the pollutant. Results of this sampling will be provided to the relevant authority who will be advised of the incident immediately upon its discovery.

The following guidelines will be used in assessing the water quality of samples:

- Surface water downstream


o NT Department of Health Guidance Notes for Recreational Water Quality in the Northern Territory (DoH 2011b)

o The Australian Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water (NHMRC 2008)

- Groundwater downstream


o The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 (NHMRC 2011)

- Operational monitoring of treated water storage dam and irrigation water

o The Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 1) 2006 (NRMMC 2006)


o NT Department of Health Guidelines for Management of Recycled Water Systems 2011 (DoH 2011a)

- Incident monitoring

o The most relevant guidelines depending on the nature of the incident, e.g. pollution of surface waters or groundwaters or only the treated water pond.

All monitoring data will be recorded and maintained in a central database and made available to the authorities on request. This data will also be used to report annual environmental performance against the criteria in the plant’s EMP. This annual review of water quality monitoring results will also allow for the improvement and enhancement of this Water Quality Monitoring Plan in line with monitoring results and any upgrades to the meat processing plant.


Figure 5. Surface Water and Groundwater sample sit e locations.


Table 4. Surface Water Sampling Program

Surface Water Site ID Location Parameters Measures and Frequency

Site 1 Down gradient of the southern portion of the meatworks and irrigated areas, and adjacent rural blocks.

Quarterly Parameters (depending on streamflow) General field-tested parameters (pH, Salinity, Temp, DO) Microbiological indicators ( enterococci, E.coli), Cyanobacterial toxins (only site 5), Nutrients (ammonia, TN, TP nitrates etc), BOD TSS Other field parameters such as Stream flow, visual inspection (odour, algal growth, hydrocarbon sheen, discolouration, floating debris, aquatic weeds, stream-bank weeds, die back of riparian vegetation) Annual Parameters (measured during early dry season recessional flows) In addition to parameters above Metals (suite of 8) Hydrocarbons Herbicide, Insecticide, Antiseptics, Pesticides and Surfactants

Site 2 On southern branch of stream draining the meatworks and irrigated areas

Site 3 On central branch of stream draining the meatworks and irrigated areas

Site 4

On central branch of stream draining the meatworks and irrigated areas but located further downstream from Site 3 and receiving run-off from northern areas.

Site 5 Downstream of the entire meatworks site, just outside property boundary. Represents water-quality leaving the site

Site 6

Control Site outside the catchment of the meatworks on an equivalent type stream in a similar environmental setting to that impacted by the meatworks


Table 5. Groundwater Sampling Program

Groundwater Bore No. Location Parameters Measured and Frequency

RN033514 Upgradient (north) of the proposed meatworks Measured twice yearly (once at end of

wet season and once at end of dry season) General field-tested parameters (SWL, pH, Salinity, Temp, DO, ORP) Microbiological (enterococci, E.coli) Alkalinity Hardness Metals (suite of 8) Nutrients (ammonia, TN, TP nitrates etc), Major Anions Major Cations Hydrocarbons Herbicide, Insecticide, Antiseptics, Pesticides and Surfactants Other field parameters such as Odour and Colour

RN036491 Upgradient (east) of the proposed meatworks

RN033819 Upgradient (northwest) of the proposed meatworks

RN029809 Down gradient (south) of the irrigated area and meat processing plant.

RN023602 Down gradient (south) of the irrigated area and meat processing plant.

RN031240 Down gradient (west) of the irrigated area and meat processing plant

Proposed bore Down-gradient of the entire area proposed for meatworks and irrigation areas


Table 6. Operational Monitoring Program

Area Parameters Measured and Frequency

Treated water Storage Dam

Weekly Parameters General field-based parameters (pH, Salinity, Temp, DO) BOD, COD, TSS and Chlorophyll a Other field parameters such as water volume, water depth and visual inspection (odour, algal growth, hydrocarbon sheen, discolouration, floating debris) Monthly Parameters In addition to above parameters Microbiological (enterococci, E.coli) Nutrients Annual Parameters In addition to above parameters Metals (suite of 8) Hydrocarbons Herbicide, Insecticide, Pesticides and Surfactants

Holding Dam for composting area and cattle yards

Monthly Parameters General field-based parameters (pH, Salinity, Temp, DO) BOD, COD, TSS and Chlorophyll a Microbiological (enterococci, E.coli) Nutrients Other field parameters such as water volume, water depth and visual inspection (odour, algal growth, hydrocarbon sheen, discolouration, floating debris)

Storm-water run-off storage Dam

Monthly Parameters General field-based parameters (pH, Salinity, Temp, DO) BOD, COD, TSS and Chlorophyll a Microbiological (enterococci, E.coli) Nutrients Other field parameters such as water volume, water depth and visual inspection (odour, algal growth, hydrocarbon sheen, discolouration, floating debris)


6 References

ANZECC 2000a, Australian and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality. National Water Quality Management Strategy Paper No 4, Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) & Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand, Canberra. See Table 3.4.1 for the guideline values for Toxicants. Available at: http://www.mincos.gov.au/publications/australian_and_new_zealand_guidelines_for_fresh_and_marine_water_quality

ANZECC 2000b, Australian guidelines for water quality monitoring and reporting. National Water Quality Management Strategy Paper No 7, Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) & Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand, Canberra. Available at: http://www.mincos.gov.au/publications/australian_guidelines_for_water_quality_monitoring_and_reporting

ANZECC 1992, Guidelines for the Assessment and Management of Contaminated Sites. Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC).

Australian Standard on Water Quality Sampling - Part 1: Guidance on the design of sampling programs, sampling techniques and the preservation and handling of samples (AS/NZS 5667.1:1998)

Australian Standard on Water Quality Sampling – Part 6: Guidance on sampling of rivers and streams (AS/NZS 5667.6:1998)

Australian Standard on Water Quality Sampling – Part 10: Guidance on sampling of waste waters (AN/NZS 5667.10:1998)

Australian Standard on Water Quality Sampling – Part 11: Guidance on sampling of groundwater (AN/NZS 5667.11:1998)

Australian Standard on Guide to the investigation and sampling of sites with potentially contaminated soil Part 1: Non-volatile and semi-volatile compounds (AS 4482.1-2005)

Bolger, P. and Stevens, M. 1999, Contamination of Australian Groundwater Systems with Nitrate. LWRRDC Occasional Paper 03/99, Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation, Commonwealth Government, Canberra.

DERM 2009, Queensland Water Quality Guidelines, Version 3, Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), Queensland Government, Brisbane. Available at: http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/water/queensland_water_quality_guidelines/index.html

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Appendix A – Stormwater flows and diversion across the proposed meat processing facility


Appendix B – Chemicals used in meat processing plan t operations

Main Chemical Store Product Type Company / Supplier Purpose / Usage MAF code Allura Red Ink Argus Realcold Ltd Branding Ink Section 4.9 Bowl Guard Clark Products Toilet Cleaner C32 Brown Ink Argus Realcold Ltd Branding Ink Section 4.9 Castor Oil Clark Products Lubricant Section 4.8 Crème Cleanser Clark Products Sanitising Degreaser C32 Enforce Ecolab Ltd Foam Cleaner C38 Enviro Cleaner Chemetall Australasia Pty Ltd Cleaner C32 Foam Klenz Ecolab Ltd Foam Cleaner C38 Formula 522A Ecolab Ltd Acidic Cleaner C31 Green Ink (QZ 03195) Argus Realcold Ltd Condemned material stains Section 4.10 Hand Guard Ecolab Ltd Hand Cleaner C51 HD Cleaner Ecolab Ltd Cleaner C31 Kleer Klenz Ecolab Ltd Alkaline Cleaner C31 Lime Dishwash Clark products Dishwashing liquid C32 Mystic Clark Products Deodorant Spray C102 Neoflow Ecolab Ltd Foam Cleaner C31 Process 135C Ecolab Ltd Skid & Gambrel Cleaner C31 Sanicol Ecolab Ltd Hand Sanitiser C54 (Letter) Sterbac Ecolab Ltd Sanitiser C43 Window Clear Clark Products Window Cleaner C35 White Lily Ecolab Ltd Abrasive Cleaner C32 XY12 Ecolab Ltd Sanitiser C43 215-D Ecolab Ltd Alkaline Cleaner C31

Yards Chemicals

Product Type Company / Supplier Purpose / Usage MAF code Clinitol Clark Products Ltd Disinfectant PM Room C32 Pest Off Animal Control products Ltd Rodenticide Type C Ecosafe Cyclone Stockwash Plus Ecolab Stock Wash C27 Enviro Cleaner Chemtall Australasia Pty Ltd Cleaner C32 Fendona 15sc BASF LTD Insecticide Type B Green Ink (QZ 03195) Argus Realcold Ltd Condemned material stains Section 4.10 Nadalube Bomac Laboratories Obstetrical Lubricant Section 3 f Ripcord Plus BASF LTD Exterior building spray insecticide Type B Stimukil Key Industries Fly Attractant/Insecticide Type B

Cleaners Cage (outside Boning Room)

Product Type Company / Supplier Purpose / Usage MAF code Foam Klenz Ecolab Ltd Foam Cleaner C38 Green Ink (QZ 03195) Argus Realcold Ltd Condemned material stains Section 4.10 Gro Chem GR 706 Gro Chem Ltd Acid Cleaner/ Descaler C31 (letter) Sanicol Ecolab Ltd Hand Sanitiser C54 (Letter) Ster-bac Ecolab Ltd Sanitiser C43 XY 12 Ecolab Ltd Sanitiser C43

Boning Room Cupboard (under Stairs)

Product Type Company / Supplier Purpose / Usage MAF code Castor oil Clark Products Lubricant Section 4.8 Hand Guard Ecolab Ltd Hand Cleaner C51 White Lily Ecolab Lab Abrasive Cleaner C32 XY 12 Ecolab Ltd Sanitiser C43 Chemz Z 7 Breakclean – Chiller Bucket Chemz Ltd Parts cleaner C12 HD cleaner – Chiller bucket Ecolab Ltd Cleaner C31 Prolan – Chiller Bucket Aria Investments Limited Lubricant C12

Administration

Product Type Company / Supplier Purpose / Usage MAF code BV2 Dry Fly Killer Northern Distributors Flying Insect Killer Pesticide Type A Lime Dishwashing Detergent Clark Products Detergent C32 Mediwipes Sulco Limited Sanitiser C44 Raid Odourless Fly & Insect Killer Diversey Ltd Insecticide Type A


Engineers Chemical Shed Product Type Company / Supplier Purpose / Usage MAF code ATF 111 Total Lubricant Auto Trans Fluid Section 3 g Azolla ZS 46, 100 Dynamic Systems Hydraulic oil Section 3g Castrol Alpha SP 150 Castrol Transmission Gear Oil Section 3g Shell Corena P 100 Orica Chemnet Lubricant C13 Foam Klenz Ecolab Ltd Foam Cleaner C38 Lubricant RL3 Emkrate Refrigeration Lubricant Compressors Section 3 g Moreys Guardian Food Machine Chain Morey Oil South Pacific Lubricant C15 Paints, Thinners, Strippers Surface coatings, removers, strippers Section 3 o Refrigeration Lubricant Refrigeration lubricant Section 3 g Sodium Metabisulphate Clark Products Processing Aid Section 4.3 TQ 95 Castrol Ltd Auto Transmission Fluid Section 3 g Transmission TM Total Lubricants Trans oil Section 3 g

Engineers Workshop

Product Type Company / Supplier Purpose / Usage MAF code Air Dry Solvent Econo Clean Degreaser Section 3 g Blackguard Tergo Industries Rust converter & primer C23 Castrol Automatic TQD111 Castrol Ltd Transmission fluid Section 3 g Castrol Transmax M Castrol Ltd Transmission fluid Section 3 g Chemz Chain Lube Chemz Ltd Lubricant C12 Chemz Electro Cleaner Chemz Ltd Solvent Cleaner degreaser C12 Chemz Penetrene Multi Chemz Ltd Lubricant C12 Chemz Red Devil Wash Chemz Ltd Solvent Cleaner C12 Chemz Hitac Lubricant Aerosol Chemz Ltd Lubricant C12 Chemz Z7 Breakclean Chemz Ltd Parts cleaner C12 Chemz Lano Shield Chemz Ltd Anti Corrosion Lubricant C12 Chemz Xtra cutting oil Chemz Ltd Drilling & Cutting lubricant C12 Cleaner Degreaser (ECD 20) Greenleaf Solutions Cleaner C32 Coil cleaner Greenleaf Solutions Coil cleaner C101- 47 Copper cote ITW Polymers Anti seize compound Section 3 g CRC Etch it CRC Industries Ltd Zinc Coating C23 CRC 5.56 Advanced Lubricant CRC Industries Ltd Lubricant / Water displacement C14 CRC 808 Silicone Spray CRC Industries Ltd Lubricant C12 CRC Peel off label remover CRC Industries Ltd Label remover C101 - 52 CRC Zinc IT 2085 CRC Industries Ltd Galvanic Rust Protection C23 Enerpar MOO6 BP BP Industries Lubricant C15 Girling Red Rubber Grease Castrol Ltd Grease C11 HDC Barrier Cream Clark Products Barrier cream C52 Hydrochloric Acid 33% Clark products Production Aid Section 4.3 Lanwood Cool Room Sealant Bostik Limited Sealant C82 Lockite 272 SKF / Paykel Thread lock Section 3 g Lockite 406 SKF / Paykel Instant adhesive Section 3 g Lockite 510,515 SKF / Paykel Flange sealant/pipes gasket Section 3 g Locktite 569 SKF / Paykel Thread sealant Section 3 g Locktite 638 SKF / Paykel Retaining compound Section 3 g Locktite 771 SKF / Paykel Anti seize nickel Section 3 g Methylated Spirits Production Aid Section 4.3 Mineral Turpentine Production Aid Section 4.4 Morley’s Crystal Blue EP2 Grease Morey Oil South Pacific Ltd Lubricant C15 Nevastane EP AW 46 Oil Imports Limited Lubricant C15 Prolan Aria Investment Limited Lubricant C12 Rocol Foodlube WD Spray ITW Polymers Lubricant C15 Rocol Foodlube Multi Paste ITW Polymers Lubricant C15 Rocol Sapphire Foodlube ITW Polymers Lubricant C11 Rocol RTD Liquid ITW Polymers Metal working liquid C12 Roundup Herbicide Kill weeds Section 3.l Shell Rustkote 945 Orica Chemnet Corrosion Inhibitor C22 Sabesto cut & cool Wurth Cutting & drilling oil Section 3 g Shelleys Roof & Gutter silicone sealant Selleys Sikasil C Sika Ltd Silicone sealant C21 Sterbac Ecolab Sanitiser C43 Taxat Ecolab Laundry Powder C33 Ridgid Thread cutting oil Nu clear thread cutting oil Section 3 g Trapper Glue Boards Pest Management Services Rodent Trap Type D 5 Viscotene FG Lubricant C15

draft water quality monitoring plan...the lower blackmore river catchment (see section 4 for water...

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