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QCLNG Project
Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report
QCLNG Camps 3, 4 and 5
QGC020-ENV-RPT-0012
Rev 0
Produced for: QGC
Page 2 of 21
Release authorisation
Originator Stephen Catchpoole
Reviewed Berlinda Ezzy
Approved Steve Fox
Client QGC
Revision record
0 21-4-11 Final issued to client SC BE SF
A 20-4-11 Draft issued to client SC BE SF
Rev Date Status Originator Reviewed Approved
Page 3 of 21
Table of contents
1 Introduction and Purpose ......................................................................................................... 4
2 Definitions and Abbreviations.................................................................................................. 5
3 Methodology............................................................................................................................... 5
4 Survey Results ........................................................................................................................... 7 4.1 Camp site descriptions ........................................................................................................ 7
4.1.1 Proposed Camp 3 ........................................................................................................... 7 4.1.2 Proposed Camp 4 ......................................................................................................... 11 4.1.3 Proposed Camp 5 ......................................................................................................... 14
4.2 Threatened Ecological Communities ................................................................................ 17 4.3 Regional Ecosystems........................................................................................................ 19 4.4 EVNT Flora Species.......................................................................................................... 19 4.5 Other Ecological Features................................................................................................. 19
5 Conclusion................................................................................................................................ 20
6 References................................................................................................................................ 20
Appendix 1 - Personnel CVs............................................................................................................ 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sites 3, 4 and 5
Page 4 of 21
1 Introduction and Purpose
QGC (a BG-Group Company) is in the approval phase of the QCLNG Project with both Commonwealth and State Government approvals obtained in October 2010. The Project comprises three main elements:
• The Coal Seam Gas (CSG) Fields;
• Gas Collection Header (GCH) and Export Pipeline (EP); and
• LNG facility on CurtisIsland.
The CSG Fields and GCH occur in the Southern Brigalow Belt Bioregion of Queensland between the towns of Tipton and Taroom. The LNG Plant is located on CurtisIsland on the Central Queensland Coast immediately north of the city of Gladstone. The EP links these two areas. The pipeline runs northeast from the western end of Barakula State Forest (north of Miles) through to the Central Queensland Coast.
The construction of the Project will include unavoidable impacts on remnant native vegetation protected under the State Vegetation Management Act 1999 (VM Act) and Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Impacts to flora and fauna species listed as threatenedunder the State Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) and/or the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) may also occur.
Ancillary to the construction of the EP, camp sites are required to accommodate staff and provide for laydown areas for piping and associated infrastructure.
This report describes the results of pre-clearance surveys conducted on three (3) camp sites that will be required along the EP at Camp 3 (KP 121), Camp 4 (KP 215) and Camp 5 (KP 278). Conditions 5 to 13 of the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPC) approval for the Pipeline component of the Project have been considered. This report specifically addresses Conditions 5 to 7 relating to the requirements for pre-clearance surveys, as follows:
5. Before the clearance of native vegetation in the pipeline ROW the proponent must:
a. undertake pre-clearance surveys for the presence of listed threatened species, their habitat and listed ecological communities; and
b. alternatively, where recent surveys have already been undertaken and those surveys meet the Department’s requirements for surveys for the relevant Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES), the proponent may elect to develop management plans based on those surveys in accordance with the requirements of Condition 8.
6. Pre-clearance surveys must:
a. for each listed species, be undertaken in accordance with the Department’s survey guidelines in effect at the time of the survey. This information can be obtained from http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/guidelines-policies.html#threatened;
b. be undertaken by a suitably qualified ecologist approved by the Department in writing;
c. document the survey methodology, results and significant findings in relation to MNES; and
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sites 3, 4 and 5
Page 5 of 21
d. apply best practice site assessment and ecological survey methods appropriate
for each listed threatened species, migratory species, their habitat and listed ecological communities.
7. Pre-clearance survey reports (which document the methods used and the results obtained) must be published by the proponent and provided to the Department at the time of publication.
2 Definitions and Abbreviations
Table 1 provides an explanation of terms and acronyms used within the document.
Table 1. Explanation of Terms and Abbreviations used in the document
Term Definition DERM Department of Environment and Resource Management
EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
ERE Endangered Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999
EVNT Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened flora and fauna species under the NC Act and including Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Conservation Dependent under the EPBC Act
HERBRECS A database of all plant specimen records held by the Queensland Herbarium
KP Kilometre Point along the pipeline ROW
LCRE Least Concern Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999
NC Act Nature Conservation Act 1992
OCRE Of Concern Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999
RE Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 ROW Right of Way – the pipeline corridor/easement
SEVT Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket TEC Threatened Ecological Communities
VMA Vegetation Management Act 1999
Wildlife Online
Database of recorded wildlife sightings and listings of plants, fungi, protists, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fish, marine cartilaginous fish and butterflies in Queensland maintained by DERM
3 Methodology
Pre-clearance surveys were conducted by Unidel ecologists commissioned by QGC at each of the three proposed camp sites. The purpose of the pre-clearance survey was to identify and document the ecological values contained within the site. Ecological values that were targeted during the survey included:
• presence and extent of TEC under the EPBC Act;
• presence and extent of REs mapped under the VM Act;
• presence of EVNT flora species listed under the EPBC Act and/or the NCAct; and
• other ecological and environmental features incidentally observed including:
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sites 3, 4 and 5
Page 6 of 21
o Regionally significant flora;
o Hollow-bearing trees;
o Brachychiton species (bottle trees and kurrajongs);
o Grass trees and fig trees;
o Rocky and gravel outcrops;
o Adjoining wetlands; and
o Fauna breeding sites.
Prior to the surveys being conducted in the field the ecologists undertook desktop assessments to identify any remnant vegetation or significant flora / fauna species that may occur on or near the site. The desktop assessment includes review of:
• Regional Ecosystem and High Value Regrowth vegetation mapping by DERM
• Regional Vegetation Management Codes for Threshold RE’s
• EPBC Act list of threatened flora or fauna
• EVR’s under the QLD Nature Conservation Act
• Wildlife Online (wildlife.online@derm.qld.gov.au )
• Essential Habitat
• MNES search
Timing for the pre-clearance surveys was as follows:
• Camp 3 was undertaken on 29th September 2010
• Camp 4 was undertaken on 18th November 2010
• Camp 5 was undertaken on 30th September 2010.
The entire area of the proposed camp sites and adjacent areas on each subject property were surveyed. All three sites comprised grazing paddocks that were highly modified from their original condition. A walkthrough survey was conducted using random meander technique (Cropper 1993), which involved traversing the study area in no set pattern, but roughly back and forth, whilst searching for species of interest identified in desktop searches. Where environmental values were encountered, their position was recorded on a hand-held GPS device and if they occurred as a population they were counted. Photographs were also taken to record the condition of ecological values that were encountered at each camp site. A summary of the findings during the survey were then recorded on a Project Environmental Clearance form.
Plant specimens observed were identified in the field using appropriate field guides and taxonomic keys. Specimens that could not be identified in the field were collected for more detailed examination and identification in the office. Where necessary, confirmation of plant identifications was sought from the Queensland Herbarium. Nomenclature for scientific and common names followed that of Bostock and Holland (2007).
Incidental observations of EVNT fauna species, Regionally Significant flora, hollow-bearing trees, Brachychiton species, grass trees, fig trees, rocky and gravel outcrops, adjoining wetlands and fauna breeding sites were recorded on a handheld GPS device.
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sites 3, 4 and 5
Page 7 of 21
The surveys were undertaken by Unidel field ecologists Martin Bennett (Camp 4) and Steve Cupitt (Camp 3 and Camp 5). Their CVs are provided in Appendix 1. The preparation for pre-clearance surveys, survey methodologies and write ups were undertaken with the supervision of Steve Fox, General Manager of Environment at Unidel. Steve Fox was approved as suitable by DSEWPC in writing for undertaking pre-clearance surveys on 28 October 2010.
Subsequent to the surveys a request from QGC has been forwarded to DSEWPC (21 March 2011) to approve additional Unidel ecologists for pre-clearance surveys, including Martin Bennett and Steve Cupitt.
4 Survey Results
This section describes the results of the pre-clearance surveys undertaken on Camps 3, 4 and 5 for:
• TEC under the EPBC Act;
• REs;
• EVNT flora species; and
• Other ecological and environmental features.
4.1 Camp site descriptions
4.1.1 Proposed Camp 3
Proposed Camp 3 is located on Eidsvold Theodore Road, Eidsvold West on Lot 4 WK198, near KP121 of the Export Pipeline (Figure 1). The associated laydown to Camp 3 is located at Rockybar Rd, Eidsvold West on Lot 3, SP104391 (Figure 2). The proposed camp occupies 13.8 ha (Figure 3) and the laydown 9.49 ha (Figure 2). The current land use on both the Camp site and laydown is grazing and both are largely clear of any native vegetation apart from some scattered regrowth and mature Eucalyptus species. These mature Eucalyptus species have been avoided wherever possible in the location and design of the camp.
A number of weeds consisting of Prickly Pear specimens (Opuntia spp.) were present but appeared to have been treated with pesticide prior to the field survey. The weed risk of the site was rated as low. The terrain is flat and soils were non-sodic loamy sands. Watercourses occurred within 1 km to the east and west of the camp site. There was no erosion observed on either the camp site or laydown area however for long term stability drainage areas identified on each site have been identified and will be avoided during construction.
!
!
!
!
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
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!(
!(
Opuntia sp.Opuntia sp.
Opuntia sp.Hollow tree(s)
Hollow tree(s)
Hollow tree(s)
Hollow tree(s)
Hollow tree(s)
African Love Grass
African Love Grass
Eidsvold Theodore Rd
123
122
121
120
CHESS CREEK
THIS
TLE
CR
EEK
ROCKYBAR ROAD
CALROSSIE ROAD
EIDSVOLD THEODORE ROAD
ROAD
KNOCKBREAK ROAD
4WK198
AWK134227FTY1244
3SP104391
10WK190010WK190
253000
253000
254000
254000
255000
255000
256000
256000
257000
257000
7194
000
7195
000
7196
000
7197
000
7198
000
Proposed Camp 3 (KP121)
±0 260 520 780
Meters
DATA SOURCE:
Map Projection: GDA 94 MGA Zone 56
M_05918_0403/03/2011
EH A
DATE:CREATED BY:
MAP NO:REV NO:
SCALE: 1:15,000 (A3)
"Based on or contains data provided by the State of Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management) 2010. In consideration of the State permitting use of this data you acknowledge and
agree that the State gives no warranty in relation to the data (including accuracy, reliability,completeness, currency or suitability) and accepts no liability (including without limitation,
liability in negligence) for any loss, damage or costs (including consequential damage) relating toany use of the data. Data must not be used for direct marketing or be used in breach of the privacy laws."
Note: Every effort has been made to ensure this information is spatially accurate. The location ofthis information should not be relied on as the exact field location.
PLAN REF: MAP TYPE:Route change
Legend!( Environmental survey points (Unidel)
! Export Pipeline KP Rev K (current)
WaterCourseLines100K_GA
Export Pipeline Rev K (current)
Proposed Camp
Regional EcosystemsEndangered Dominant
Endangered Sub-dominant
Remnant Not of Concern
Remnant Of Concern Dominant
Remnant Of Concern Sub-dominant
Cadastre and Regional Ecosystem © State of Queensland 2011
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5
Page 11 of 21
4.1.2 Proposed Camp 4
Proposed Camp 4 is located at 481 Tollemaches Road, Thangool on Lot 68 PM315, near KP215 on the EP (Figure 4). The proposed camp and lay down area occupies 20 ha of the 113.911 ha property (Figure 5). The current land use is grazing and the property is largely clear of any native vegetation apart from a small, linear strip of regrowth Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla). Refer Figure 5, 9 and 10. Two Habitat trees were observed within the Camp site area and their location recorded and mapped. Both were Popular Box (E. populnea) and will be retained. No weed risks were recorded. The property has a moderate slope and soils were rated as moderately sodic. The only watercourses noted on or adjacent to the property comprised a gully that would flow only in rain events. There was evidence of some erosion on the property due to a small farm quarry that had not been suitably rehabilitated. Two farm dams were also located on the property.
The camp site has been located to avoid the regrowth Brigalow vegetation.
!
!
!
!
!
!(
!(
!(
!(Opuntia sp.
Opuntia sp.
Parthenium Weed
Brachychiton tree(s)
216
214
213
212
GREVILLEA CREEK
ROADTOLLEMACHES ROAD
KIRKWOODS LANE
TEMPORARILY CLOSED ROAD
MORRIS LANE
THANGOOL LOOKERBIE ROAD
DIMITRIEFFS LANE
70PM427
67PM48
66PM48
65PM48
68PM315
69PM49
75PM48
61PM40
58PM39
57PM39
59PM39
62PM4064PM48
96PM75
56PM39
71RP801257
95PM75
60SP147885
76PM48
49PM47
203RN416
97RP848963
3PM59
107PM403
55PM39
1RP848963
50PM47
202RN416156RN416
108PM403
63PM40
0108PM403
72PM48
BAP12253
120SP147885
AAP12253
15RP899961
1RL4767
4PM47
1RL4768
1RL6235
5PM71
2RP8012571RL4766
257000
257000
258000
258000
259000
259000
260000
260000
261000
261000
7283
000
7284
000
7285
000
7286
000
Proposed Camp 4 (KP215)Export Pipeline
±0 300 600 900
Meters
DATA SOURCE:
Map Projection: GDA 94 MGA Zone 56
M_05918_0203/03/2011
EH A
DATE:CREATED BY:
MAP NO:REV NO:
SCALE: 1:15,000 (A3)
"Based on or contains data provided by the State of Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management) 2010. In consideration of the State permitting use of this data you acknowledge and
agree that the State gives no warranty in relation to the data (including accuracy, reliability,completeness, currency or suitability) and accepts no liability (including without limitation,
liability in negligence) for any loss, damage or costs (including consequential damage) relating toany use of the data. Data must not be used for direct marketing or be used in breach of the privacy laws."
Note: Every effort has been made to ensure this information is spatially accurate. The location ofthis information should not be relied on as the exact field location.
PLAN REF: MAP TYPE:Route change
Legend
!( Environmental survey points (Unidel)
! Export Pipeline KP Rev K (current)
WaterCourseLines100K_GA
Export Pipeline Rev K (current)
Proposed Camp
Regional EcosystemsEndangered Dominant
Endangered Sub-dominant
Remnant Not of Concern
Remnant Of Concern Dominant
Remnant Of Concern Sub-dominant
Cadastre and Regional Ecosystem © State of Queensland 2011
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5
Page 14 of 21
4.1.3 Proposed Camp 5
Proposed Camp 5 (Figure 6) is located at 6648 Dawson Highway, Mount Alma, on Lot 1 RP616641 near KP278 on the EP. The proposed camp occupies 13.99 ha of the 74.797 ha property (Figure 7). The current land use is grazing and the property is largely clear of any native vegetation apart from scattered specimens of Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), River Red Gum (E. camaldulensis), Moreton Bay Ash (Corymbiatessellaris), Poplar Box (E. populnea) and Beefwood (Grevilleastriata). The revised site plan incorporates a buffer zone between these specimens and the camp and only a small number of regrowth trees of these species will be impacted.
The only weed species noted on the property was Maynes Pest (Verbena tenisecta) and the weed risk was rated as negligible, since this species is only a minor pasture weed. Patches of introduced pasture species Themedaquadrivalvis (grader grass) and / or Hyparrheniarufa (thatch grass), Verbena tenuisecta, Solanum sp. were noted to be scattered over the property.
The terrain was flat and soils were non-sodic alluvial, cracking clays. Watercourses were located less than 500 m to the east and less than 100 m to the west of the camp site (Figure 6). The presence of sedges and aquatic plants indicate the potential for inundation or water logging at certain locations.
!
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LantanaLantana
LantanaLantana
Rubber Vine
Rubber Vine
Rubber Vine
Rubber VineRubber Vine
Rubber VineRubber Vine
Opuntia sp.
Rubber Vine
Rubber Vine
Opuntia sp.Opuntia sp.
Opuntia sp.Opuntia sp.
Hollow tree(s)Parthenium Weed
Parthenium Weed
African Love GrassAfrican Love Grass
African Love GrassAfrican Love Grass
African Love Grass
African Love GrassAfrican Love Grass
African Love Grass
Mother of Millions
Dawson Hwy
279
278
277
276
CALLIOPE RIVER
DAWSON HIGHWAY
ROAD
DUCK HOLES ROAD
FIG TREE ROAD
15SP200914
7RP609065
6RP609065
23CTN1233
13SP200915
19CTN345
481CL40224
1RP616641
1RP609065
3RP609064
16CTN1870
12SP199383
1RP609064
26SP204951
2RP614969
1RP614969
2CTN1121
31SP122298
21SP122297
2CTN1749
10SP19938411SP199383
22SP122297
277000
277000
278000
278000
279000
279000
280000
280000
281000
281000
7332
000
7333
000
7334
000
7335
000
7336
000
Proposed Camp 5 (KP278)Export Pipeline
±0 320 640 960
Meters
DATA SOURCE:
Map Projection: GDA 94 MGA Zone 56
M_05918_0303/03/2011
EH A
DATE:CREATED BY:
MAP NO:REV NO:
SCALE: 1:15,000 (A3)
"Based on or contains data provided by the State of Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management) 2010. In consideration of the State permitting use of this data you acknowledge and
agree that the State gives no warranty in relation to the data (including accuracy, reliability,completeness, currency or suitability) and accepts no liability (including without limitation,
liability in negligence) for any loss, damage or costs (including consequential damage) relating toany use of the data. Data must not be used for direct marketing or be used in breach of the privacy laws."
Note: Every effort has been made to ensure this information is spatially accurate. The location ofthis information should not be relied on as the exact field location.
PLAN REF: MAP TYPE:Route change
Legend!( Environmental survey points (Unidel)
! Export Pipeline KP Rev K (current)
Export Pipeline Rev K (current)
Proposed Camp
Regional Ecosystems
Endangered Dominant
Endangered Sub-dominant
Remnant Not of Concern
Remnant Of Concern Dominant
Remnant Of Concern Sub-dominant
Cadastre and Regional Ecosystem © State of Queensland 2011
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5
Page 17 of 21
4.2 Threatened Ecological Communities
There are a number of TECs protected by the EPBC Act mapped in the vicinity of the EP and associated construction camps. These include:
• Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant);
• White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland;
• Natural Grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland;
• Semi-evergreen Vine Thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar Bioregions; and
• Weeping Myall Woodlands.
Of these TECs only Brigalow occurs at Camp 4 and no TECs are present at either Camp 3 or Camp 5. The Brigalow vegetation at Camp 4 consists solely of regrowth Acacia harpophylla which is not mapped as remnant under the VMA. Under the EPBC Act, a proposal to clear regrowth Brigalow should be referred for approval under the EPBC Act where:
(a) clearing of the regrowth Brigalow requires a permit under Queensland legislation (for example, because it is in a declared area of high conservation); or
(b) the regrowth Brigalow is more than 15 years old.
However to be classed as Brigalow TEC the Brigalow regrowth needs to contain the species composition and structural elements typical of that found in undisturbed areas of the listed Brigalow ecological community, and be 15 years or older. At the proposed Camp 4 a belt of Brigalow regrowth was identified (Figure 5). It was made up of two patches one being 15-20 m wide and 200 m long (Figure 8), and the other 45 m wide and 100 m long (Figure 9). The average height of the trees in the two belts was 6-15 m and therefore potentially 15 years old.
QGC are taking a precautionary approach that the regrowth Brigalow is classed and mapped as a Brigalow TEC. Correspondingly, the Camp site and laydown has been designed to avoid any impacts to the belt of Brigalow identified in the pre-clearance survey as illustrated in Figure 5. No clearing of any of the Brigalow vegetation will be required and this potential TEC will not be impacted by the construction or operation of the camp. Further details describing how the Brigalow will be managed prior to, and during construction of the camp to avoid any impacts occurring is detailed in the Brigalow TEC Species Management Plan included as part of the QCLNG Pipeline Significant Species Management Plan (QCLNG-BGoo-ENV-000002).
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5
Page 18 of 21
Figure 9. Northern part of belt of Brigalow
Figure 10. Southern part of belt of Brigalow
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5
Page 19 of 21
4.3 Regional Ecosystems
No Endangered REs, Of Concern REs or Least Concern REs were mapped or observed on Camps 3, 4 or 5.
4.4 EVNT Flora Species
All three camp sites were grazing lands; highly modified from their original condition. No EVNT flora species were found at any of the sites.
4.5 Other Ecological Features
Other ecological features encountered in or near the proposed camp sites comprised drainage areas at Camp 3 (Figure 2) and Camp 5 (Figure 6) and a minor watercourse, two habitat trees and a large Brigalow tree (Acacia harpophylla) at Camp 4 (Figure 5).
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5
Page 20 of 21
5 Conclusion
One small area of Brigalow TEC has been identified adjacent to Camp 4 (Figure 5). The vegetation will not be impacted by construction or operation of the camp.
No remnant vegetation or EVNT flora species were encountered at any of the proposed camp sites. Other ecological features identified on the sites, such as drainage areas and mature trees were of a minor nature and have been avoided wherever possible in the construction design. The two identified habitat trees at Camp 4 will be retained and disturbance during construction minimised.
6 References
Bostock, P.D. and Holland, A.E. (eds) (2007). Census of the Queensland Flora 2007. Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.
Cropper, S. (1993). Management of Endangered Plants. CSIRO East Melbourne.
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 3,4 and 5
Appendix 1 - Personnel CV
Martin Bennett SENIOR ECOLOGIST
Profile
Martin has more than 15 years of experience in native plant identification and specialises in weed control and re-vegetation. He was involved in the weed control and re-vegetation of a 35ha area with vine thicket species and has worked with many Queensland Councils, the Department of Environment and Resource Management, Nature Refuges and Voluntary Conservation Agreement Landholders and the CSIRO.
Martin has gained extensive field experience working with botanists and field naturalists and has drawn a wealth of knowledge collaborating with the Queensland Herbarium. He has delivered presentations on weed control, native plant identification and re-vegetation projects for Ipswich City Council, South East Queensland Catchments and local Landcare groups. Land for Wildlife Officer for the Somerset Regional Council and the Lockyer Valley Regional Council.
Career Summary
2008 – Present Field Botanist, Unidel
2007 – 2009 Land for Wildlife Extension Officer, Somerset Regional Council
2007 – 2010 Land for Wildlife Extension Officer, and Conservation Officer, Lockyer Valley Regional Council
2000 – 2007 Weed Control Contractor (self employed)
Industry experience
Gas
Braemar Phase 2 Gas Pipeline, ERM Power: Martin conducted the weed survey.
Moranbah-Gladstone Gas Pipeline, Enertrade: Martin undertook the ecological Survey, specifically for Eucalyptus raveretiana in the Rockhampton area.
Queensland Curtis LNG Project, QGC ($6 Billion+): The QCLNG project involved the expansion of QGCs gas fields in the Surat Basin and the construction of 730km of pipeline network to connect the gas fields to an LNG Facility on Curtis Island. Martin undertook extensive flora surveys along the length of the pipeline network to identify declared weeds and vegetation listed on both the Nature Conservation Act and Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999.
Environmental reports
Pre-European Regional Ecosystems and the Plant Species of the Black Snake Creek Catchment - for West Moreton Landcare Group.
Remnant Ecosystems and Flora Description of the Black Snake Creek Catchment - for West Moreton Landcare Group.
A Report “Opossum Creek Tracks and Trails” - for L.H. Bird OAM Ipswich City Council Grant.
A Compilation “Woogaroo Scrub Project” a Report on the Woogaroo Scrub Project for L.H. Bird (Ipswich City Council & Envirofund Grants).
Compiled the initial desktop mapping for the Melaleuca irbyana project in the Lockyer Valley which resulted in additional mapping of the endangered species – assisted in ground truthing with Queensland Herbarium staff.
Re-vegetation projects
A $200,000 35ha area (in 4 separate plots) for New Hope Coal Australia at Rosewood Queensland using locally collected seed and grown by a local nursery. Thought to be the largest Semi-evergreen vine thicket re-vegetation project in SEQ.
A $10,000 re-vegetation project for the Sporting Shooters Association of Queensland at Daley’s Lagoon (Bundamba Lagoon) south of Ipswich.
Weed Control
Martin has managed and been part of numerous weed management teams. Projects have included:
• 20km length (22 farms) of Laidley Creek Chinese Celtis Eradication Project for the Lockyer Valley Catchment Centre
• Weed Control at Welks Remnant and Nelsons Remnant at Laidley for the Lockyer Valley Catchment Centre
• Weed Control at Moonview Nature Refuge Boonah, Pinecliffs NR (Esk), The Gullies (Helidon Hills), Bartopia NR (Mt Barney), Tea Trees NR (Ipswich)
• Weed Control on many Land for Wildlife Properties and Voluntary Conservation Covenants, Voluntary Conservation Agreements – through Ipswich City Councils small grants projects and privately
• Privet Project at Middle Ridge (Toowoomba) for Powerlink
• Weed Control at Lake Dyer Laidley for SunWater
Native plant identification
Martin has undertaken numerous native plant identification requests for both private and public industry, including:
• Lockyer Valley Regional Council
• Ipswich City Council
• Jensen’s Swamp Environmental Group
• Land for Wildlife and Nature Refuge Landholders
• SunWater
• Landcare Groups
• Discovery of the 5th location in Qld where Corynocarpus rupestris susp. arborescens (a vulnerable species) occurs (private)
• Extensive mapping of Gonocarpus urceolatus (a vulnerable species) Darling Downs (for QGC BG Group-Unidel)
• Extensive mapping for Philotheca sporadica (a vulnerable species) (for QGC BG Group-Unidel)
Areas of expertise
• Land access management
• Araucarian ecosystems
• Microphyll vine thickets
• Mistletoes
• Brigalow Communities
• Open forest/woodland communities of the Lockyer Valley and the Darling Downs
• Regional Ecosystems in the Lockyer Valley
Steve Cupitt SENIOR ECOLOGIST
Profile
Steve is an ecologist with over 12 years experience in vegetation management and assessment. During this time, he has worked with over 1,000 landholders in the field, been manager of the Greening Australia Rural program, Dalby Community Nursery, Environmental Services Unit and weed control teams. He has consulted for a number of organisations on wetlands and riparian management and worked closely with State and Commonwealth Departments on a number of programs, including managing the State Governments Vegetation Incentives Program.
Qualifications
Associate Degree of Applied Science (Distinction)
Cert 4 Assessment and Workplace Training
RAQ31698 Cert 3 Agriculture (production Horticulture)
Career Summary
2009 – Current Senior Ecologist, Unidel
2002 – 2009 Manager West Region, Greening Australia Queensland
Areas of expertise
• Regional Ecosystem Assessment and Identification
• Wetland Management and Assessment
• Riparian Zone Management
• Property Vegetation Management Planning
• Environmental and Habitat Assessments
• Extension / Education to the Rural Community
Industry experience
Offsets
Eastern Star Gas: Steve was involved in the delivery of environmental offsets including landholder engagement, ground-truthing and preparation of offset agreements.
Queensland Curtis LNG Project, Queensland Gas Company ($8 billion): World first coal seam gas to LNG project including a 10 000+ well gas field in the Surat Basin, a 400km gas pipeline to Gladstone and LNG plant on Curtis Island. The project requires extensive offsets under State and Federal government legislation. Steve was involved in assessment of the
project’s offset requirements, preparation of offset budgets and a landscape scale assessment to determine the feasibility of securing offsets as well as the early identification of priority offset sites associated with the Curtis Island Export Facility. Steve has also managed the landholder engagement process and undertaken extensive liaison with rural landholders for the provision of offsets.
Wiggins Island Coal Terminal, Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Ltd: Steve was involved in the identification of vegetation offsets for the project, landholder engagement and field assessments.
Newstead Pipeline Offsets Strategy, APA Wallumbilla: Steve was responsible for assessing the project’s offset requirements, preparing offset cost estimates and a landscape scale assessment to determine the feasibility of securing offsets.
Vegetation Management
Steve has significant experience in preparing vegetation management plans and providing advice on regional ecosystems and on farm conservation programs. Examples of projects that Steve has been involved in are listed below:
• Origin Energy: Re-vegetation and tree planting project in Spring Gully
• Arrow Energy: Weed control and Weed Identification Consultancy
• Santos: Consulting on Regional Ecosystems
• Braemar Power and QGC: Weed Control on 200km Gas pipeline and Braemar Power Station
• Greening Australia Rural Nursery: Managed the weed control team and Environmental Services Unit
• Condamine Alliance: Consultant for wetland and riparian management
• Greening Australia: Manager of West Region
• Commonwealth Government: Regional Support Contract
• Greening Australia: State Coordinator Devolved Grants
On Farm Conservation
• Greening Australia: State Manager of Government Vegetation Incentives Program
• Greening Australia: Field Officer with the On Farm Conservation Program
• Greening Australia: Regional Coordinator of the On Farm Conservation Program
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