20120530 lot 13 on wt18 addendum memo - santos australia pty ltd abn 54 005 139 873 level 14, 32...

Aurecon Australia Pty Ltd ABN 54 005 139 873

Level 14, 32 Turbot Street Brisbane QLD 4000

Locked Bag 331 Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia

T +61 7 3173 8000 F +61 7 3173 8001 E [email protected] W aurecongroup.com

Memorandum

Project 225678 | 20120530 Lot 13 on WT18 Addendum memo.docx | Revision 0 | 19 June 2012 |

His To Paul Wybrew From Aurecon C/o Jane Stark

Copy Reference 225678

Date 19 June 2012 Pages (including this page) 10

Subject Fairview Ecological Assessment – Lot 13 on WT18

Mr Wybrew,

This memorandum documents the results of an ecological investigation of two (2) proposed development areas on Lot 13 on WT18 (Figure 1).

Ecological investigations of the area were conducted on 14 and 15 May 2012 by two (2) Aurecon ecologists (Hayley Poole and Cassandra Arkinstall).

A report specific to additional proposed development areas has been previously prepared and submitted to Santos (Ecological Assessment Report – Lot 13 on WT18, Document Reference 0020-GLNG-4-1.3-0025-01 and associated addendums).

This memorandum should be treated as an addendum to the report listed above. This memorandum is specific to the ecology of the proposed development area illustrated in Figure 1.

Ecological Assessment

General

The proposed development areas are located within mature, remnant woodland and within an area which has been highly modified as a result of previous vegetation clearing and agricultural activities (eg grazing of livestock).

The mature woodland vegetation within Area 1 (Figure 1) is currently mapped as Regional Ecosystem (RE) 11.10.1 on the Department of Natural Resources and Mine (DNRM) Certified RE Mapping. The vegetation is analogous to RE 11.10.1c as discussed in further detail in the ‘Floristics’ Section.

There are no Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) mapped within the proposed development area; with the nearest ESA to Area 1 located 173 m south (ESA ‘Category B’ ‘Of Concern’ vegetation associated with a watercourse; ESA ‘Category B’ ‘Endangered’ vegetation, located approximately 422 m north-west of Area 2).

No watercourses as mapped on the DNRM watercourse layer (version 2.1, 2011) are located within the proposed development area. The nearest mapped watercourse (‘stream order 1’) is located approximately 200 m south of Area 1 (Figure 1).

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Typewritten Text

Santos Document Number: 0020-GLNG-4-1.3-0025-02_0

Legend

[_

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Area 1

Area 2

11.10.1

11.9.4a

11.10.7

11.9.4a

F277

FV332

FV333

Road

Powerline

TP-F054

6399-TP-26

6399-RM-35

TP-F055

FV15-02-1 Extension

FV15-02-1

Fairview Water Gathering System

Powerline Extension

13_WT18

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Coordinate system: GDA_1994_MGA_Zone_55

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Figure 1: Realignment survey areas on Lot 13 on WT18

Santos Upstream Ecological Assessment°

Note: No ESA area or ESA buffers have been includedon this figure.

Source:Cadastre: DERM, 2011.Regional Ecosystems: Version 6.1, The State of Queensland(Department of Environment and Resource Management),Sept 2011. As amended by Aurecon, 2011.

01/06/2012 1Version:Date:

0 50 100 150 200m

A1 scale: 1:2,500

[_ EVNT and Type A Species

EVNT Region

Watercourse

Corridors - Ground Truth

Additional Areas Assessed

Survey Transect Line (100m)

Amended Regional Ecosystem (Biodiversity Status)

Endangered - Dominant

Endangered - Sub-dominant

Of Concern - Dominant

Of Concern - Sub-dominant

Not of Concern

Job No: 225678


Floristics

Area 1

Area 1 is located adjacent (south) of an existing well pad on Lot 13 on WT18 (FV-15-02-1).

The vegetation in Area 1 is mapped as RE 11.10.1 on the DNRM Certified RE Mapping, and this was confirmed during field investigations. The vegetation community within Area 1 is analogous to the sub-community 11.10.1 c – Eucalyptus fibrosa, Eucalyptus spp. woodland on coarse-grained sedimentary rocks. The canopy layer was dominated by Eucalyptus fibrosa subsp. nubila (Blue-leaved Ironbark), with only one other individual from a different species (ie Corymbia citriodora [Spotted Gum]) recorded within Area 1. The height range of the canopy stratum was 18 to 22 m (average height of 20 m) and the foliage project cover (FPC) was approximately 35% (calculated using the line-intercept method over 100 m transect adapted from Eyre et al. 2011 (refer to Attachment 1). The stem count for the canopy stratum was calculated to be 100 stems per hectare (ha).

The sub-canopy layer was dominated by Callitris glaucophylla (White Cypress Pine) with other species including Pittosporum spinescens (Wallaby Apple), E. fibrosa subsp. nubila and Angophora leiocarpa (Smooth-barked Apple). The height range of the sub-canopy was relatively low (3 to 6 m) and it was evident that this layer was mature regrowth which has established following some type of disturbance (eg selective clearing of timber, controlled/uncontrolled burn). This is also reflected in the very high stem count for the sub-canopy layer (3670 stems/ha) and lack of canopy cover between 7 and 17 m height. Figure 2 is indicative of the density of the sub-canopy layer within Area 1. The FPC for the sub-canopy layer was calculated to be greater than 70% (refer to Attachment 1).

The ground layer within Area 1 was predominantly native grasses and forbs, including Aristida caput-medusae (Many-headed Wiregrass), Eragrostis sororia (Woodland Lovegrass), and Panicum spp. (Native Panic Grass). The ground cover within Area 1 was dominated by grasses and forbs (average of 56%), with leaf litter and woody debris accounting for more than a quarter of the ground cover (average of 26% cover) (refer to Attachment 1).

The percentage of exotic species within Area 1 was relatively low (approximately 5 to 10%).

Figure 2 Mature woodland vegetation community within Area 1 on Lot 13 on WT18


Area 2

Area 2 is located adjacent to an existing well pad (FV-10-21) and is predominantly low shrubby regrowth (Figure 3). The area is mapped as ‘non-remnant’ on the DNRM Certified RE mapping and this was confirmed during field investigations. No detailed vegetation community data (FPC, stem counts and ground cover quadrats) was collected for this area as it is a highly modified area that has been subject to both vegetation clearing and livestock grazing.

No canopy or sub-canopy layers were recorded within the area, and the shrub layer accounted for approximately 50% cover of the total area (it was noted that the shrub layer had a patchy distribution). The dominant species within the shrub layer was Acacia harpophylla (Brigalow) with an average height of 2.5 to 3 m (height range of 1 to 4 m). Other species recorded within the area were Eremophila mitchellii (False Sandalwood), Alstonia constricta (Bitterbark) and Alectryon diversifolius (Scrub Boonaree).

The ground layer contained a high proportion of exotic species, and was dominated by Pennisetum ciliare (Buffel Grass). Native grass species were also recorded, such as Panicum spp. (Native Panic Grasses), Aristida spp. (Wiregrasses).

Figure 3 Low, shrubby regrowth vegetation within Area 2 on Lot 13 on WT18

Conservation Significant Flora

No ‘Type A Restricted Plant’ species as listed under the provisions of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) were recorded in the development areas. No flora species of conservation significance or Threatened Ecological Communities (TEC) as protected under the provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and/or the NC Act were recorded within the proposed development area.

A list of flora species observed within the proposed development area is provided in Table 3.


Habitat value

The habitat value of the proposed development areas is considered to be moderate due to the mature vegetation within Area 1. Habitat values present in the area include:

Canopy cover suitable for shelter, foraging and perching Tree hollows Fissured tree bark Dense ground cover (ie grassy tussocks) Woody debris including hollowed logs

Incidental fauna species recorded within the proposed development areas during the field investigations are listed in Table 1. No conservation significant fauna species (ie threatened species listed under the provisions of the EPBC Act and/or the NC Act) were recorded during the field investigations.

Table 1 Incidental fauna species recorded within the proposed development area

Scientific Name Common Name

Isoodon macrourus Northern Brown Bandicoot

Lichenostomus leucotis White-eared Honeyeater

Lichmera indistincta Brown Honeyeater

Manorina melanocephala Noisy Miner

Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote

Smicrornis brevirostris Weebill

Struthidea cinerea Apostlebird

Taeniopygia bichenovii Double-barred Finch

References

Eyre, T.J., Kelly, A.L, Neldner, V.J., Wilson, B.A., Ferguson, D.J., Laidlaw, M.J. and Franks, A.J. (2011). BioCondition: A Condition Assessment Framework for Terrestrial Biodiversity in Queensland. Assessment Manual. Version 2.1. Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), Biodiversity and Ecosystem Sciences, Brisbane.


Table 2 Flora species list

Family Name Scientific Name Common Name Notes

Adiantaceae Cheilanthes sieberi Mulga Fern

Amaranthaceae Achyranthes aspera Two-spine Burr

Amaranthaceae Gomphrena celosioides Gomphrena Weed Non-native

Apocynaceae Alstonia constricta Bitter Bark

Apocynaceae Carissa ovata Currant Bush

Asteraceae Calotis cuneifolia Purple Burr Daisy

Asteraceae Conyza bonariensis Fleabane Non-native

Cactaceae Opuntia tomentosa Velvety Tree Pear Non-native LP Act ‘Class 2 pest’

Caesalpiniaceae Senna coronilloides Coffee Senna

Capparaceae Capparis lasiantha Nipan, Wait-a-while

Chenopodiaceae Maireana microphylla Small-leaf Bluebush

Cupressaceae Callitris glaucophylla White Cypress Pine

Cyperaceae Cyperus bifax Star Sedge

Cyperaceae Cyperus gracilis Bunchy Sedge

Cyperaceae Gahnia sp.

Juncaceae Juncus usitatus Juncus

Laxmanniaceae Lomandra multiflora Lomandra

Malvaceae Abutilon leucopetalum Abutilon

Malvaceae Malvastrum americanum Spiny Malvastrum Non-native

Malvaceae Sida acuta Spiny-headed Sida Non-native

Mimosaceae Acacia excelsa Ironwood

Mimosaceae Acacia harpophylla Brigalow

Mimosaceae Acacia leiocalyx Black Wattle

Myoporaceae Eremophila mitchellii False Sandalwood

Myrtaceae Eucalyptus fibrosa subsp. nubila Blue-leaved Ironbark

Pittosporaceae Pittosporum spinescens Wallaby Apple

Poaceae Tragus australianus Burr Grass

Poaceae Aristida caput-medusae Curly Head Wire Grass

Poaceae Aristida jerichoensis Jericho Wire Grass

Poaceae Brachiaria decumbens Signal Grass Non-native

Poaceae Chloris gayana Rhodes Grass Non-native

Poaceae Chloris pectinata Comb Chloris

Poaceae Chloris virgata Silky Topped Rhodes Grass Non-native

Poaceae Cymbopogon refractus Barbwire Grass

Poaceae Cynodon dactylon Green Couch Non-native

Poaceae Dichanthium sericeum Queensland Blue Grass

Poaceae Echinochloa sp. Barnyard Grass

Poaceae Eragrostis brownii Browns Lovegrass

Poaceae Eragrostis cilianensis Stinkgrass Non-native


Family Name Scientific Name Common Name Notes

Poaceae Eragrostis sororia Blue Eragrostis

Poaceae Panicum sp.

Poaceae Pennisetum ciliare Buffel Grass Non-native

Poaceae Sporobolus caroli Desert Sporobolus

Proteaceae Hakea lorea Bootlace Oak

Rubiaceae Psydrax odorata

Sapindaceae Alectryon diversifolius Scrub Boonaree

Verbenaceae Verbena tenuisecta Mayne’s Curse Non-native


Attachment 1 – Detailed vegetation survey data collected for Area 1

This attachment provides the ground cover, canopy cover and stem count data collected during the field investigation for Area 1 which is referenced throughout the ecological assessment. The diagram below shows the transect arrangement in the field, and the areas within which the data was collected.

This data was not collected for Area 2 as it was regrowth and was not considered to be a ‘Vegetation Community’ as defined under the Fairview Project Area Environmental Authority (DERM Permit Number: PEN100178208).


Ground cover data

The following values indicate the percentage of each ground cover category for five (5) 1x1 m quadrats. The average ground cover for each category is also provided in the ‘Averages’ column.

Groundcover Q 1 (%) Q 2 (%) Q 3 (%) Q 4 (%) Q 5 (%) Averages (%)

Bare ground 30 0 5 25 0 12 Rock 5 0 0 5 0 2 Grasses/forbs 15 65 80 35 85 56 Shrubs 20 0 0 0 0 4 Woody debris and leaf litter

30 35 15 35 15 26

Stem count data

The following table is the stem count data collected during the field investigation for the Canopy (T1), Sub-canopy (T2) and Shrub layer (S1). The heights for each of the stratum are also defined below.

Transect

Stem counts per stratum per 10 x 20 m plots

T1 (18-22m)

T2 (3-6 m)

S1 (0.6-2.5 m)

0-10 m 0 63 10 10- 20 m 1 72 18 20- 30 m 2 69 16 30- 40 m 3 83 18 40- 50 m 4 80 26 Totals 10 367 88

Stems per hectare calculations

T1 (18-22 m) – 100 stems per hectare T2 (3-6 m) – 3670 stems per hectare S1 (0.6-2.5 m) – 880 stems per hectare


Foliage projective cover data

The total Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) for the T1 and T2 canopies along a 100 m transect, expressed as a percentage is:

T1 (18-22 m) – 36.2% FPC T2 (3-6 m) – 70.05% FPC

The canopy transect data collected during the field investigation is provided in the following table.

Stratum Distance Start End

Total (m)

0-50 m T2 0.2 4.4 4.2 T2 5.5 8.5 3 T2 9.1 10.4 1.3 T2 12.1 14.6 2.5 T1 13 13.5 0.5 T1 13.6 17.3 3.7 T2 17.7 20.3 2.6 T2 20.7 21 0.3 T2 23.8 26.8 3 T1 24.5 29.3 4.8 T2 30.6 33.4 2.8 T1 31 33.6 2.6 T2 33.1 37.9 4.8 T2 39.3 47.6 8.3 T1 42 50 8 50-100 m T1 0 0.7 0.7 T2 0.4 5.2 4.8 T2 6.1 12.5 6.4 T1 7.9 15.9 8 T2 13.5 19.1 5.6 T2 20.7 21.7 1 T2 28.6 34.45 5.85 T2 35.5 39 3.5 T1 36.4 42.6 6.2 T2 39.9 43 3.1 T2 43.3 47.4 4.1 T1 47.5 49.2 1.7 T2 48.8 50 1.2

20120530 lot 13 on wt18 addendum memo - santos australia pty ltd abn 54 005 139 873 level 14, 32...

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