landscape and re vegetation management plan

8/6/2019 Landscape and Re Vegetation Management Plan

1/19

Part 2


2/19

Ref: LandscapeRevegetationUG RevC.doc Version C 31/5/06

&"'

FIRST DRAFT SECOND DRAFT

ORG. NOMINATED REP.ISSUED

MEETINGDATE

NOTESISSUED

COMMENTSREQUIRED BY

COMMENTSRECEIVED

ISSUEDMEETING

DATENOTESISSUED

COMMENTREQUIRED

BY

CR

DPI - DMR Monique McDonald 30-08-05 1-12-05

SSC Ken Horner 30-08-05 1-12-05

DIPNR David Kitto 30-08-05 1-12-05

AUTHORISED FOR ISSUE

VERSION AUTHORISED BY DATE

First Draft Peter Barton

Second Draft Peter Horn 1 December 2005

Revision C Peter Horn 31 May 2006


3/19

Ref: LandscapeRevegetationUG RevC.doc Version C 31/5/06 Page 3 of 19

#(%#

)*+

,- " .- )/" 01- )2 34- 5.- " ,60- *" ,,7- 89 ,03- )") ,75- ,3


4/19


#(%#

+-))+

ACOL Ashton Coal Operations Pty Limited

AEMR Annual Environmental Management Report

CCC Community Consultative Committee

CMRA Coal Mines Regulation Act

CPP Coal Preparation Plant

DCP Development Control Plans

DEC Department of Environment and Conservation

DNR Department of Natural ResourcesDoP Department of Planning formerly DIPNR

DPI Department of Primary Industries- Minerals

EEA Eastern Emplacement Area

EIS Environmental Impact Statement

EMP Environmental Management Plans

EPA Environment Protection Authority now part of DEC

ESD Economically Sustainable Development

MOP Mining Operations Plan

MSB Mine Subsidence Board

NPWS National Parks & Wildlife Service now DEC (Parks)

RFS Rural Fire Service

RIC Rail Infrastructure Corporation

ROM Run of Mine

RTA Roads and Traffic Authority

SEPP State Environmental Planning Policies

SSC Singleton Shire Council


5/19


#(%#

,- "

The Ashton Coal Mine (ACOL) is located approximately 14km northwest of Singleton in the

Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. The project includes an open cut mine, anunderground mine, a Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) and associated rail sidingand infrastructure. The mine is being developed in a staged manner, with the infrastructureand open cut mine developed concurrently. Development of the underground minecommenced in December 2005 and is accessed through the southern wall of the Arties Pitunder the New England Highway.

ACOL was granted consent on 11 October 2002 by the Minister of Planning pursuant to theprovisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. There are over 250individual conditions, which apply to this consent, one of which (condition 3.55) is thepreparation of a Landscape and Revegetation Management Plan (LRMP).

Consent condition 3.7 allowed for the separate preparation and submission of EMPs for theopen cut and underground mine operations. The initial LRMP addressed issues for theconstruction and operation of the open cut operation and associated infrastructure and isreferenced as Part 1. This updated LRMP is referenced as Part 2 and addresses issuesassociated with both the open cut and underground operation.

The LRMP recognises that many aspects of the Ashton Coal Mine (ACOL) will be visiblefrom surrounding roads and properties and provides for the development of screeningmeasures to improve the visual amenity of nearby residents and passers-by. The plan alsospecifies requirements so that buildings and structures will be designed and built in order topresent a neat and orderly appearance and to blend as far as practicable with thesurrounding landscape.

The Landscape and Revegetation Management Plan (LRMP) was approved by the Director-General of DIPNR (now DoP) following consultation with the Singleton Shire Council (SSC)and Department of Mineral Resources (DMR now DPI - Minerals). The plan was compiledwith consideration of the DMRs Synoptic Plan Integrated Landscapes for MinesiteRehabilitation (1999) for the Upper Hunter.

Ashton applied to modify the Development Consent to raise the height of the EasternEmplacement Area (EEA) to RL 135. This modification was approved on 27 January 2005with condition 3.55A (a) & (b) requiring Ashton to revise the LRMP and to minimize the visualimpact of the EEA.


6/19


#(%#

- )/"

The Condition 3.55 of the Consent for the ACOL requires that a Landscape andRevegetation Management Plan (LRMP) be prepared in accordance with the followingconditions:

Site Rehabilitation Management

3.52 The Applicant shall carry out rehabilitation of all mine areas in accordance with therequirements of any Mining Lease granted by the Minister for Mineral Resources andensure the progressive rehabilitation of the area is also to the satisfaction of DLWC.The rehabilitation shall also have regard to DMRs Synoptic Plan IntegratedLandscapes for Minesite Rehabilitation (1999) for the Upper Hunter, or its latestversion.

Visual Amenity and Landscaping

General

3.53 The Applicant shall design buildings and structures associated with the developmentwith a colour scheme which aims to minimise the visual impact of the development onsurrounding land uses and maximise the ability of the development to "blend into" localvegetation and other visual components.

3.54 The Applicant shall ensure that visual bunding is installed at strategic locations aroundthe site, generally in accordance with the EIS, to minimise impacts on visual amenity.

Landscape and Revegetation Management Plan

3.55 The Applicant shall prepare a Landscape and Revegetation Management Plan (LRMP)for approval by the Director-General. The Plan shall be prepared in consultation withthe SSC and DMR. The plan shall have regard to DMRs Synoptic Plan IntegratedLandscapes for Minesite Rehabilitation (1999) for the Upper Hunter, or its latestversion. The Plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) demonstration of consistency with commitments made in documents listed incondition 1.2 and compliance with the conditions of this consent;

(b) an on-site landscaping strategy detailing design and proposed planting of treesand shrubs and the construction of mounding or bunding along Glennies CreekRoad and the New England Highway;

(c) appropriate erosion control and sediment control practices for earthworksassociated with the landscaping;

(d) details of visual appearance of all buildings, structures, facilities or works(including paint colours and specifications);

(e) details, specifications, and staged work programs to be undertaken,

maintenance of all landscape works and maintenance of building materials andcladding;


7/19


#(%#

(f) details of how vegetation screening and fauna protection corridors will beincorporated into the proposed visual and landscaping works; and

(g) use of indigenous species and fauna habitat reconstruction in revegetationareas.

The LRMP shall be submitted for the approval of the Director General, no later than onemonth prior to the commencement of construction of the development, or within such periodotherwise agreed by the Director General. Construction shall not commence until writtenapproval has been received from the Director General. Upon receipt of approval, theApplicant shall supply a copy of the LRMP to Council, and DMR within 14 days. TheApplicant shall make the LRMP available for public inspection on request.


8/19


#(%#

1- )2

The objectives for the Landscape and Revegetation Management Plan are contained within

Section 6.12 of the Environmental Management Strategy, Phase 1 for ACOL and aredetailed hereunder:

6.12 Landscape and Revegetation Management Plan

The Landscape and Revegetation Management Plan will be prepared in consultation withSSC and DMR, will have regard to the DMRs Upper Hunter Synoptic Plan, and be approvedby the Director-General of PlanningNSW prior to the commencement of construction. TheLandscape and Revegetation Management Plan will be prepared in two parts. Part I willrelate to construction activities and Open Cut Mine whilst Part II will relate to theunderground mine.

The Landscape and Revegetation Management Plan recognises that many aspects of theACOL will be visible from surrounding roads and properties and provides for thedevelopment of screening measures to improve the visual amenity of nearby residents andpassers-by. It also details requirements so that buildings and structures will be designed andbuilt in order to present a neat and orderly appearance and to blend as far as practicablewith the surrounding landscape.

LANDSCAPE AND REVEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

OBJECTIVES PERFORMANCEOUTCOMES

On site activities are screened as much as is

practicable from nearby roads. Minimise changes in landscape quality and

visual amenity. The final landscape conforms as far as

practicable to the Upper Hunter SynopticPlan.

Buildings and structures present a neat andorderly appearance and blend into thesurrounding landscape as far as practicable.

Vegetation screens are integrated as far aspracticable to provide fauna protectioncorridors.

Environmental bunds are developed in

accordance with the conceptual designoutlined in the EIS.

Tree screens are developed in accordancewith the conceptual designs outlined in theEIS.

A conceptual design for the final rehabilitationof the site that accords with the Upper HunterSynoptic Plan is included in the MOP.

Rehabilitation progresses in accordance withthe staged plans submitted in the MOP.

Buildings and structures are neat andpresentable.

Reflective surfaces are minimised. Fauna utilise the vegetation corridors as travel

paths.


9/19


#(%#

4-

Appropriate landscaping and revegetation on the ACOL site is important to minimise any

potential negative visual impacts and to provide for effective rehabilitation of the disturbedmine site.

Negative visual impacts that may be apparent on the ACOL site due to construction andoperation may be include:

Unvegetated and disturbed overburden mounds including the generation of airbornedust;

Untidy and bare infrastructure areas;

Reflective building materials utilised on site and use of building materials in contrast to

the surrounding environment;

Dead or weed infested revegetated areas;

Poorly maintained erosion and sediment control structures; and

Inappropriate selection of revegetation species.

Inappropriate landscaping and revegetation of the ACOL site may result in:

Erosion of bare surfaces and sedimentation of watercourses;

Infestation of weeds into bare areas;

Lack of habitat for indigenous fauna species and no connectivity between habitat areas;and

Planting of inappropriate species that are not indigenous to the area and are not suitablefor the area.


10/19


11/19


#(%#

0- *"

To ensure activities associated with the operation are in keeping with the consent conditions

the following actions or strategies will be implemented:

Environmental bunds will be established and vegetated to ensure that the operation isscreened from nearby roads;

The final landscape conforms to the Upper Hunter Synoptic Plan (Figure 1) in theinterrelated concepts of:

Environmental corridors;

Creation of natural ecosystems in rehabilitated areas; and

Sustainable interim and after mine land use.

Buildings present a neat and orderly appearance and blend into the surroundinglandscape as far as practicable;

Vegetation screens are integrated as far as practicable to provide fauna protectioncorridors;

Weeds species are controlled around the mine site especially within rehabilitationareas and conservation zones; and

Areas of prime agricultural land will be maintained as far as possible.

Comparison of the proposed land management plan (refer Land Management Plan) with thesynoptic plan (Figure 1) indicates there is generally consistency between the two. Theriparian areas will provide corridors of vegetation. The open cut area will be a mixture ofgrazing land and trees in clumps incorporating several dams to capture water from theemplacement areas. Trees in clumps will be fenced to restrict cattle access until maturity.Subsided areas south of the highway will be predominantly improved pasture with isolatedstands of trees, riparian vegetation along waterways and the Conservation Area. Thisstrategy provides an optimal balance between the agricultural / commercial objectives andthe flora / fauna objectives, particularly when the retention and improvement of the SouthernWoodland as a Conservation Area is taken into account.

A weed management procedure is contained within the Land Management Plan.

Landscaping Strategy for the Environmental Bunds

The environmental bunds located adjacent to the New England Highway and GlenniesCreek Road have been constructed to a height which ensures a visual barrier existsbetween the operations and nearby roads. The Glennies Creek Road Environmental BundManagement Plan details revegetation for the bund. The bunds were created fromoverburden material excavated from the Barrett and Arties Pit and topsoiled with soil as perthe Soil Stripping Management Plan. The non-visible aspect of the bunds will not bepermanently vegetated as the bund is to be contiguous with an overburden emplacement

area.

Plant species used on the bunds are indicated in Table 1 and include a selection ofgroundcover, over storey and understorey species. Species have been selected based on


12/19


13/19


#(%#

Contractors will be required to relocate buildings from site as soon as practicable aftercessation of use.

Incorporation of Vegetation Screening and Corridors with Visual and LandscapingWorks

In keeping with the overall goal of increasing the areas under native vegetation all plantingson site will be native plant species. The landscape and visual plantings will, where practical,be linked to the screen plantings and corridors. Reference should be made to the LandManagement Plan and the Flora and Fauna Management Plan for further details.

The plantings will include the use of ground cover, understorey and overstorey species witha flowering habit aligned to the requirements of local fauna.

The landscape areas will where practical (and in keeping with fire management of the site)be mulched using vegetative material e.g. wood chip or leaf mulch and smaller log materialwill be placed in the garden beds to provide additional habitat and foraging areas for ground

dwelling fauna and to break up long slopes to reduce wind erosion of topsoil until stabilised.

Eastern Emplacement Area Landscaping

In keeping with the Management Plan for the Eastern Emplacement Area the landscaping ofthe slopes of the emplacement will contain large areas of tree lots and seeded treesinterspersed with grass areas. The top section of the emplacement has been constructed toRL 135 in accordance with the modified development consent. Localised shaping of theoverburden will then occur in accordance with the concepts proposed by Moir Landscapingin their Visual Impact Assessment report Rev 2 June 2004 (attached as Appendix 2). Thepurpose of the landscaping is to create a more natural and aesthetic visual appearance.

Under the development consent, within 1 month of placing overburden on the easternemplacement area above RL125 Ashton Coal will,a) commence implementation of an on-site and off-site landscaping strategy to minimisethe visual impacts of the eastern emplacement, which include tree planting along GlenniesCreek Road, the slopes of the ridge south of Glennies Creek Road and adjacent to the NewEngland Highway; andb) revise the Landscape and Revegetation Management Plan for the development todemonstrate consistency with the commitments made in documents listed in condition 1.2and compliance with the conditions of the development consent, to the satisfaction of theDirector-General.

Due to the mining process removing the existing explosives magazine, reload area (July

2006) and laydown areas following mining in strip 3 (post September 2007), these areas willbe relocated to the central northern portion of the Eastern Emplacement, with access via anexisting ramp along the northern side of the emplacement as shown on Figure 2. Thelocation of these infrastructure items will be screened by the topography which is to becreated to drain water to the three dams in the central portion and by the tree lots locatedalong the southern side of the emplacement.

To ensure the area is screened, the tree lots to the west of the rock lined drain on the southfacing batter slope will be planted as soon as final shaping has occurred on the last lift. Thetop of the EEA has also been shaped to provide better control of surface water runoff duringdesign storm events.

These changes are required to control water shed from the area and prevent scouring of the batter slopes retain water for irrigation and mine use

adequately screen infrastructure at the site


14/19


#(%#

create long term habitat areas for fauna species in the area

Use of Indigenous Species and Fauna Habitat Reconstruction

Details of the plant species to be used across the site in the revegetation program are listedin Table 1.

Further details on the creation and maintenance of native habitat for ACOL is provided in theFlora and Fauna Management Plan. The plant communities are in accordance with thosecited in the EIS for the ACOL.


15/19


#(%#

TABLE 1

PROPOSED PLANT SPECIES FOR REVEGETATING THE PROJECT AREA

Plant Community Species to be used in Revegetation

River Oak Open Forest Angophora floribundaCasuarina cunninghamiana

Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Lomandra longifolia

Gahnia aspera

Typha domingensis

Phragmites australis

Swamp Oak Open forest Casuarina glauca

Angophora floribunda

Daviesia ulicifolia

Lomandra longifolia

Bull Oak Open Forest Allocasuarina luehmannii

Eucalyptus crebra

E.moluccana

E.fibrosa

Acacia decora

Acacia amblygona

Daviesia ulicifolia

Narrow leaved Ironbark Woodland Acacia parvipinnula

Allocasuarina luehmannii

Corymbia maculata

Eucalyptus blakelyi

Eucalyptus crebra

Eucalyptus moluccana

E.tereticornis

Daviesia ulicifolia

Treelot/ Screen plantings Allocasuarina luehmannii

Corymbia maculata

Eucalyptus moluccana

Eucalyptus crebra

E.fibrosa

E.punctata

E.tereticornis

Casuarina glaucaAngophora floribunda

Lomandra spp.


16/19


#(%#

7- 89

Further details on the description of the mining, processing and rehabilitation for the ACOLare addressed in the Mining Operation Plan (MOP).

The efforts and progress of the Landscape and Revegetation Management Plan will bedocumented in the Annual Environmental Management Report (AEMR) in accordance withthe Department of Mineral Resources Guidelines to the Mining, Rehabilitation andEnvironmental Management Process(March 1998 or latest version). The AEMR will reporton the progress of landscaping and revegetation.

In context of landscape and revegetation management the AEMR will report and commenton:

Progress in the development and maintenance of environmental bunds;

Tree screens that have been planted;

Rehabilitation progresses in accordance with the staged plans submitted in the MOP.Details are to include the approximate number and type of plants established on site;

Maintenance of buildings and structures;

Fauna utilisation of the vegetation corridors as travel paths;

Outline the outcomes of trials, research projects and other initiatives undertaken duringthe reporting period to enhance or assure rehabilitation outcomes;


17/19


#(%#

3- )")

Personnel and contractors for the ACOL have the following responsibilities:

Environmental Officer

Ensure the requirements included in this management plan are implemented;

Ensure appropriate plant species are selected as detailed in the management plan forenvironmental bund areas;

Provide advice on the building materials to be used during construction; and

Ensure that the landscaping and buildings are regularly maintained and cleaned.

Mining Managers

Prepare the MOP for the open cut mining operations and ensure that it complies withdetails provided in the LRMP; and

Undertake works in accordance with this management plan and the MOP as approved.

Infrastructure and CHPP Contractors

Ensure that all building materials are in accordance with the detailed specificationsprovided and are of neutral or natural tones.


18/19

Ref: LandscapeRevegetationUG RevC.doc Version C 31/5/06

5-

APPENDIX 1

Control/ Action Timing / Trigger Responsibility Monitoring

EEA shaping to be in accordancewith approved plans

When overburden placed toRL135

Environmental OfficerLiaise with OC manager andsurveyors

Tree lot and grass areas to beplanted on EEA as per approvedplans

Once shaping of EEA completeand topsoil spread

Environmental OfficerSetout of areas for tree lots agrass. Species mix correct.

Rehabilitated areas progresssatisfactory

As Required Environmental OfficerMonthly inspection ofrehabilitated areas to determ

actions required.Investigate irrigation of tree lots fromsite water

Once EEA dams in place Environmental OfficerMonthly inspection ofrehabilitated areas to determactions required.

Washery upgrade and undergroundsurface facilities to be constructedfrom appropriate materials

During planning andconstruction

Environmental Officer,Contractors

Design and construction usinsuitable materials

Ground maintenance and buildingmaintenance to be conducted

As required Environmental OfficerIdentify when required, possimore frequently during summ


19/19

landscape and re vegetation management plan

Documents