contract no. 10.2544.1628 devils pulpit – pacific ... · on the monitoring of clearing procedures...

of 14 Uncontrolled when Printed

LANDSCAPING AND REHABILITATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

Rev Version Date Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by

A draft 04/8/11 S.Gleeson-Willey G.Bolton P. Mouton

B draft 26/08/11 K. McLachlan P. Mouton

C draft 26/09/11 RMS, PES A.Boyd

D draft 11/10/11 G.Bolton A.Boyd

E draft 20/10/11 DP&I A.Boyd

F draft 11/01/12 DSEWPAC A.Boyd

0 Approved for use

10/02/12 All of the above Director General of DP&I Minister of DSEWPAC

0 01 03/08/2012 Tom Bath – RTA changed to RMS

Contract No. 10.2544.1628 Devils Pulpit – Pacific Highway Upgrade


CONTENTS 1. SCOPE ....................................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 LANDSCAPING AND REHABILITATION PROJECT CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL............................. 5 1.3 GLOSSARY ......................................................................................................................... 7

2. SITE CHARACTERISTICS ........................................................................................................ 7 3. TARGETS TARGETS................................................................................................................. 9 4. MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR RESTORATION AND LANDSCAPING .......................... 10 5. HOLD POINTS ......................................................................................................................... 14


1. Scope This plan details the project requirements to ensure that site rehabilitation and restoration is carried out as per the contract requirements, progressively throughout the life of the project. The key targets for the management of landscaping and rehabilitation on the site is to ensure that any disturbed areas are rehabilitated progressively and as soon as practicable. There are interrelationships with other plans that provide additional information on environmental management relating to Landscaping and Rehabilitation. These plans include;

• Soil and Water Management Plan – Includes details on soil management techniques that minimise erosion including during rehabilitation. It details the staging of decommissioning sediment controls during rehabilitation works and the stabilisation and minimal disturbance practices associated with works in waterways and riparian zones

• Weed and Pathogen Management Plan – Details mitigation measures to reduce the chance of weeds or pathogen spread across site. These mitigations are to be implemented from initial clearing right through to rehabilitation works.

• Flora and Fauna Management Plan – covers rehabilitation of land from a fauna habitat perspective. Rehabilitation is to reinstate fauna structures that were harvested during clearing operations and build new fauna structures where design incorporates them (fauna exclusion fences, connectivity of vegetation areas, culverts and fauna rope crossings.

• Ecological Monitoring Program – Developed by the RMS to meet the requirements of MCoA B6. This plan focuses on post completion monitoring covering fauna structure usage and aquatic habitat. This Program includes monitoring of clearing procedures and the details on the monitoring of clearing procedures have been assessed and included in John Holland’s Clearing and Grubbing Plan.

• Biodiversity Offset Strategy - Developed by the RMS to meet the requirements of MCoA B4. This report details the methods to guarantee long-term protection and management of the surrounding environment to minimise impacts to the endangered ecological communities and habitat for threatened species.

• Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) - demonstrates systems and procedures to ensure that controls are established and maintained to manage potential environmental impacts during the construction of the Project. It details the responsibilities of the project team relating to environmental management, and all other requirements under the Environmental Management System framework under ISO 14001 including system review, audits and inspections and communication.


1.1 References 1.1 References

Federal Legislation State legislation Local

Government Laws

Standards / Codes Other Documentation

1. Environmental Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

1. Protection of the Environment and Operations Act 1997

2. Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979

3. Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 4. National parks and Wildlife Act 1974 5. Native Vegetation Act 2003 6. Noxious Weeds Act 1993 7. Forestry Act 1916

1. NA 1. RMS, R178 Vegetation specification.

2. RMS, R179 Landscape Planting specification

1. Construction Environmental Management Plan 2. Part 3A Project Approval S9/01954 3. Hyder, Environmental Assessment for Devils

Pulpit Upgrade, May 2010 4. OEH, Environmental Protection Licence 5. RMS, specifications G36, G38, G40. 6. Review of Environmental Factors (REF) Sept

2010 7. Part 5 self determination and commitments 8. (EPBC 2010/5586) Pacific Highway Upgrade –

Iluka road to Woodburn


1.2 Landscaping and Rehabilitation Project Conditions of Approval

Project CoA’s Approval Reference

Approval Reference

Approval Reference

Approval Reference Approval Reference Approval Reference

E12 Statement of Commitments

before A soil seedbank will be established during cleaning operations. Revegetation will be undertaken using the native species soil seedbank and according to a Weed Management Plan.

Clearing and Grubbing MP Landscape and Rehabilitation MP Weed and Pathogen MP

CGMP 'Post Clearing' LRMP Section 1 - WPMP reference LRMP Section 4 - Action 3 & 20

V1 Statement of Commitments

before The detailed design of built elements and landscapes will be in accordance with the visual and urban design objectives and principles of the project.

Construct only contract, RMS to consider in the design

Construct only contract, RMS to consider in the design

V2 Statement of Commitments

before Species used in landscaping will comprise native and locally endemic plants.

Lanscape and Rehabilitation MP

LRMP Section 4 - Action 3

D1 Part 3A Major Project

Approval. CoAs

during The Proponent shall restore and rehabilitate riparian vegetation in and around watercourses affected by the project in consultation with OEH, NOW, I&I NSW and OSEWPC to the satisfaction of the Director General. Restoration and rehabilitation measures shall be developed in consultation with those agencies, including timeframes and reporting on completion of works.

Landscape and Rehabilitation Plan

LRMP Section 4 - Action 13 & 14

D2 Part 3A Major Project

Approval. CoAs

during Watercourses affected by the proposal shall, where feasible and reasonable, be rehabilitated to emulate a natural stream system. The rehabilitation of watercourses shall be consistent with the Guidelines for Controlled Activities: In-stream Works (OWE, 2008) and stream armouring should be minimised to the greatest extent practicable.



4 EPBC before c) An Ecological Restoration Plan detailing the rehabilitation Landscape and This plan


2010/5586 of vegetation to occur within the footprint of the action

Rehabilitation Plan

16.10 Part 5 CoA after Watercourses affected by the proposal shall, where feasible and reasonable, be rehabilitated to emulate a natural stream system. The rehabilitation of watercourses shall be consistent with the Guidelines for Controlled Activities: In-stream Works (OWE, 2008) and stream armouring should be minimised to the greatest extent practicable.




1.3 Glossary

• ECP – Environmental Control Plan • PM – Project Manager • PER – Project Environmental Representative • WRA – Workplace Risk Assessment • AMS – Activity Method Statement • SEP – Site Environmental Plan • EPA – Environmental Protection Authority • REM – Regional Environmental Manager • OEH - Office of Environment and Heritage • DP&I - Department of Planning and Infrastructure • RMS - Roads and Maritime Services • DSEWPAC - Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and

Communities • Fisheries - Primary Industries Fishing and Aquaculture

2. Site Characteristics Vegetation condition was broadly assessed through the Environmental assessment process and rated according to key indicators such as:

• Vegetation type; • Distribution of plant communities; • Floristric diversity; • Degree of connectivity; • Complexity of structure; and • Overall disturbance.

The assessment then assigned vegetation communities to one of three condition categories based on the OEH biobanking Assessment Methodology outlined in Table 1. Condition Category Condition Characteristics Good Less than 5% exotic understorey, vegetation in good condition, strong resilience, good

floristic diversity. Moderate Less than 20% exotic understorey, vegetation in moderate condition, weed

encroachment evident, on edge areas and in drainage areas. Poor Less than 50% native understorey, or greater than 90% of natives have been cleared

(OEH, Biobanking Assessment Methodology, 2008). High Disturbance and edge impacts. Poor floristic diversity.

Overall, the vegetation within the project area was assessed to be in good condition. Characteristic stands of dry sclerophyll forest demonstrate strong resilience to disturbance pressures including minimal weed presence. Sub-tropical Coastal Floodplain Forest proved to be slightly less resilient to disturbance with weed spread encroaching into lowlying areas and other drainage points such as roadsides and service trails. Where this has occured the vegetation condition rating dropped to moderate.


Introduced plants occur along edges including roadsides, service trails and cleared areas where native vegetation is exposed to disturbance pressures. Introduced plants are largely absent in areas of dry sclerophyll forest, apart from the sporadic occurance of minor pasture weeds. 55 exotic species were detected (Environmental Assessment, Hyder 2010) three of which are listed as Class 4 noxious weeds under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 for the Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley local government areas. These are Lantana spp., Crofton Weed (Ageratina adenophora) and Camphor Laurel (Cinnamonum camphora). The photos and figures below provide a basic idea of the condition and vegetation types of the site.

Photo 1: Sub tropical coastal floodplain forest

Photo 2: Adjacent Tabbimoble Floodway 2


Photo 3: Typical riparian vegetation

Photo 4: Undefined channel, Pine Road Creek

3. Targets Specific management and mitigation measures to achieve the targets descirbed in this section are detailed in Section 4 below. All areas cleared by John Holland except the final road formation will be rehabilitated during the construction process. The


rehabilitaion measures as described in section 4 are to restore the land to a condition at least similar to the existing condition before disturbance. The timing targets associated with revegetation as per the RMS spefication R178 1.4, 8 are,

(a) Areas with slopes of 5 to 1 or flatter: where earthworks requiring vegetation have been completed over an area exceeding one hectare, carry out vegetation within 14 days.

(b) Areas with slopes steeper than 5 to 1: where earthworks requiring vegetation have been completed over an area exceeding one hectare, carry out vegetation within 7 days.

(c) Open Drains: complete vegetation within 7 days of excavation. (d) 100% establishment for stabilisation grasses within 1 month. (e) 80% of cover of native plants (biodiversity seeding) within 6 months.

4. Management Measures for Restoration and Landscaping This Landscaping and rehabilitation management plan provides detailed management measures to be implemented on the project to ensure compliance with the DP&Is Conditions of Approval, G36 (RMS, 2010) , RMS R178, and R179. See table below for required actions


Management of Landscaping and Rehabilitation Actions

No Actions To Be Undertaken Staff Responsible When

1. The detailed design of built elements and landscapes will be in accordance with the visual and urban design objectives and principles of the project. Engineers/PM During

2. It is proposed to use the same method of revegetation of batters as the Glenugie Project where topsoil is mixed with mulch to a 60:40 ratio and applied to areas for stabilization and restoration. PM/PER During

3. Species used in landscaping will comprise native and locally endemic plants and seed from the seed-bank established during clearing works. For imported seed the list in RMS spec R178 will be followed.

PM/PER During

4. Eucalyptus will not be sown on embankments of sediment control basins, within 10m of the edge of pavement where there is no safety barrier, within 4m where a safty barriew will be installed, within 10m of powerlines.

PM/PER During

5. Fetilisers must be of an organic type and the principal is to be notified 2 days prior to the intended day of application PM/PER During

6. Straw mulching is to be derived from cereal crops, meadow hay is not to be used. The straw must have written certification as weed free. PM/PER During

7. Cleared native vegetation will be mulched and re-used for landscaping where practicle SV/PER During

8. Fauna structures that have been salvaged from clearing operation are to be reinstated withinthe newly rehabitated land. These include hollow logs, boulders are other valuable fauna structures as determined by the ecologist and PER.

PER / Ecologist During

9.

As described in section 3.2.2 of the Biodiversity Offset Strategy A 60 m wide strip of degraded Subtropical Coastal Floodplain Forest at the northern end of the project will be rehabilitated to improve connectivity and provide a fauna movement corridor in the area of the Tabbimoble No. 2 and No. 3 bridges. The area to be rehabilitated is to the east of the existing alignment and extends from Chainage 70 200 to 71 900.

PM/PER/RMS During

10. Do not use weed contaminated topsoil in rehabilitation. PM/PER/SV During

11. Restoration includes ripping, topsoiling of the area, weed control and seeding, watering and maintenance. PM/PER/SV During


12. Erosion control devices will only be removed once 70% groundcover has re-established PM/PER/SV During

13.

All disturbed areas (including site compounds, storage areas, haul roads etc) must be restored to a condition at least similar to the existing condition before disturbance as per condition RMS R178 specification (attached), at completion of the project. Restoration includes ripping, topsoiling, weed control and seeding, planting, watering and maintenance. Ripping, topsoiling, seeding and planting should occur within 6 months of demobilisation/ completion of the disturbed areas.

PER/SV During

14. If the southbound carriageway between Ch 71000 - Ch 72400 is not constructed with an operational road pavement, the surface of the road formation earthworks and fill batters shall be stabilised and/or seeded to prevent soil erosion.

PER/Engineers During

15.

John Holland shall restore and rehabilitate riparian vegetation in and around watercourses affected by the project in consultation with OEH, NOW, FISHERIES NSW to the satisfaction of the Director General. Restoration and rehabilitation measures shall be developed in consultation with those agencies, including time frames and reporting on completion of works.

PER/PM During

16. Watercourses affected by the proposal shall, where feasible and reasonable, be rehabilitated to emulate a natural stream system. The rehabilitation of watercourses shall be consistent with the Guidelines for Controlled Activities: In-stream Works (OWE 2008) and stream armouring should be minimised to the greatest extent practicable.

PER/PM During

17. The entire site is to be left tidy and free from rubbish at completion of works PM/SV After

18. Stockpiled topsoil is to be NATA tested for revegetation works suitability. Test Certificates to be recorded with date and type of test undertaken. PM/PER During

19. Where herbicide weed control is used in revegetation/landscaping works and stockpiling, red dye must be incorporated into the spray as per R178 3.1.1. Herbicide must not be used in windy conditions or where it may enter a waterway.

PER/PER/SV During

20. Temporary vegetation will be used to stabilize stockpiles. Cover crop will be applied as per R178 6.0 and Annexure R178/A.

PM/PER/SV During

21. Possibilities for the use of native seed sourced from the site will be explored. Once decisions regarding the effectiveness of seed gathering from the site have been analysed, the landscaping and rehabilitation plan shall be updated accordingly.

PM/PER During

22. Any nursery from which myrtaceae plants are obtained will be asked for certification that they are PM/PER During


Myrtle Rust free. Monitoring

No Monitoring and Reporting Required Staff Responsible When

1. Progressive rehabilitation will be monitored weekly and reported in the monthly environmental report, until 70% groundcover is established. PER/PM Monthly

2. Include topsoil stockpile monitoring in environmental inspections, looking out for the presence of weeds. PM/SV Minimum weekly

Suggested Corrective Actions

Problem Suggested Corrective Action Staff Responsible

Rehabilitation/restoration not taking place progressively

Notify PM, ER, and Client within 24hrs. Investigate reasons behind lack of rehabilitation. Review rehabilitation strategy or retrain site staff on need for progressive

rehabilitation. Follow up with a site inspection to evaluate progressive rehabilitation and report on

outcome in monthly environmental report.

PER

Rehabilitation/restoration not carried out to contract specifications at conclusion of project

Notify PM, ER immediately Investigate reasons behind unsatisfactory rehabilitation/restoration. Retain staff on-site to complete rehabilitation/restoration as per contract

specification.

PER

Weed propagation in topsoil or rehabilitation with weed-contaminated soil.

Monitoring stockpiles, and regular checks of rehabilitated areas for early weed detection and control.

Eradicate the weed infestation in accordance with management practices outlined in the Weed and Pathogen Management Plan.

PER


5. Hold Points

The following table outlines Hold and Witness Points relating to landscaping and rehabilitation. All are to be released or witnessed by RMS or an appointed representative.

HOLD POINT Delivery of imported general purpose topsoil. At least 7 days prior to delivery, a statement signed by you verifying that the topsoil complies with specified requirements

HOLD POINT Application of fertiliser. Notify Principal, not less than 2 clear working days prior to the intended time of applying fertiliser

HOLD POINT Use of seed pre-treated off site. At least 3 working days prior to delivery, submit the accompanying certificate showing all seed details

HOLD POINT Sowing. Notify the Principal, not less than 5 clear working days prior to the intended time of sowing, giving details of the area to be sown

HOLD POINT

Inviting tenders for landscape maintenance subcontract. Proposed subcontract documents and proposed invitation to tender including the schedule of rates and the list of tenderers to be invited and a list of supplementary information that will be provided to the tenderers will be required by the RMS prior to release of hold point

HOLD POINT

The final subcontract documents, including the tenders received, the assessment and recommendation with reasons for recommending the tenderer, at least 7 days prior to the proposed acceptance of the subcontract.

HOLD POINT Notify the Principal, not less than 2 working days prior to the intended time for commencement of planting operations

WITNESS POINT Planting and backfilling of planting holes. Give at least 2 days notice of the date and time at which planting holes will be ready for inspection

contract no. 10.2544.1628 devils pulpit – pacific ... · on the monitoring of clearing procedures...

Documents