Ensham Life of Mine Extension Project

Ensham Life of MineExtension Project

Aquatic Ecology Assessment

Prepared for:

AECOM Australia Pty Ltd on behalf of EnshamResources Pty Ltd

frc environmental

PO Box 2363, Wellington Point QLD 4160Telephone: + 61 3286 3850Facsimile: + 61 3821 7936

frc reference: 190312

frc environmental

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A person using frc environmental documents or data accepts the risk of:

1 Using the documents or data in electronic form without requesting and checking them for accuracy against theoriginal signed hard copy version; and

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Document Control Summary

Project No.: 190312

Status: Final ReportProject Director: Carol ConacherProject Manager: Andrew Bentley

Title: Ensham Life of Mine Extension Project: Aquatic Ecology AssessmentProject Team: A. Bentley, B. Cook, C. Conacher, M. McMahonClient: AECOM Australia Pty Ltd on behalf of Ensham Resources Pty LtdClient Contact: Jared Brook

Date: 28 May 2020Edition: 190312R00Checked by: Carol ConacherIssued by: Andrew Bentley

Distribution Record

AECOM Australia Pty Ltd: as .pdf and word.doc

frc environmental

Ensham Life of Mine Extension Project: Aquatic Ecology Assessment

Abbreviations

AECOM AECOM Australia Pty Ltd

Ensham Ensham Resources Pty Ltd

MNES Matters of national environmental significance

mm millimetres

DAWE Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

km kilometres

ML Mining Lease

MDL Mineral Development Licence

LOM Life of Mine

EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

DotE Department of the Environment

EP Act Environmental Protection Act 1994

EV Environmental Values

EP Regulation Environmental Protection Regulation 2008

ERA Environmentally Relevant Activities

EPP (WWB) Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019

HEV High Ecological Value

WQO Water Quality Objectives

VM Act Vegetation Management Act 1999

NC Act Nature Conservation Act 1992

Fisheries Act Fisheries Act 1994

MSES Matters of state environmental significance

REMP Receiving Environment Monitoring Program

DES Department of Environment and Science

°C degrees centigrade

mg milligrams

L litre

μS microsiemens

cm centimetre

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit

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Abbreviations Contd.

µg micrograms

TPH Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons

BTEX Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Zylene

PAH Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Al Aluminium

As Arsenic

B Boron

Cr Chromium

Co Cobalt

Cu Copper

Fe Iron

Pb Lead

Mn Manganese

Hg Mercury

Mo Molybdenum

Ni Nickel

Se Selenium

Ag Silver

U Uranium

V Vanadium

Zn Zinc

m metre

AS Australian Standard

QA/QC Quality assurance / quality control

WQA Water Quality Australia

DEHP Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

DNRM Department of Natural Resources and Mines

AUSRIVAS Australian River Assessment System

DSEWPC Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Pollution andCommunities

O/E Observed to Expected

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Abbreviations Contd.

DERM Department of Environment and Resource Management

ALA Atlas of Living Australia

FoS Factor of Safety

EA Environmental Authority

DNRME Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy

DSEWPC Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population andCommunities

SQO Sediment Quality Objective

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Contents

Executive Summary i

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Project Description 1

2 Key Legislation and Policy 3

2.1 Commonwealth Environment Protection and BiodiversityConservation Act 1999 3

2.2 Queensland Environmental Protection Act 1994 4

2.3 Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy2019 5

2.4 Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 6

2.5 Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999 6

2.6 Queensland Fisheries Act 1994 7

3 Methodology 8

3.1 Desktop Approach 8

3.2 Field Survey 8

3.3 Assessment of Environmental Values 19

3.4 Impact Assessment 20

4 Environmental Values of Watercourses 22

4.1 Aquatic Matters of National Environmental Significance 22

4.2 State-level Protected Matters Relevant to Aquatic Ecology 23

4.3 Water Quality 31

4.4 Sediment Quality 40

4.5 Aquatic Habitat and Natural Flow Regime 43

4.6 Aquatic Biota of the Project Area 47

4.7 Assessment of Aquatic Ecological Value 58

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5 Aquatic Ecological Impact and Mitigation Assessment 59

5.1 Sources of Potential Impact on Aquatic Ecological Values 59

5.2 Risk-based Impact Assessment 61

5.3 Risk-based Impact Assessment 63

5.4 Assessment of Potential Impacts to Aquatic MNES Species 64

6 Conclusions 65

7 References 67

Appendix A MNES Search Results

Appendix B Description of white-throated snapping turtle (Elseya albagula)

Appendix C Description of Fitzroy River turtle (Rheodytes leukops)

Appendix D Site Habitat Sheets

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Tables

Table 3.1 Aquatic ecology survey sites. 10

Table 3.2 River habitat bioassessment scores used to derive overall habitatcondition categories. 16

Table 3.3 Growth forms of aquatic plants growing in water. 17

Table 3.4 Default biological guidelines for macroinvertebrates. 18

Table 3.5 Criteria used to assess environmental value of each site 19

Table 3.6 Ratings used to assess the likelihood of potential impacts 21

Table 3.7 Ratings used to assess the consequence of potential impacts 21

Table 3.8 Environmental risk matrix 21

Table 4.1 Water quality at each site in November 2019 33

Table 4.2 Sediment quality at each site in November 2019 41

Table 4.3 Per cent cover of aquatic plants in and out of water at each site inNovember 2019. 49

Table 4.4 Macroinvertebrate indices for samples collected from edge habitatin November 2019. 53

Table 4.5 Fish caught at each site in November 2019. 56

Table 4.6 Turtles caught at each site in November 2019. 57

Table 5.1 Ratings used to assess the likelihood of potential impacts. 62

Table 5.2 Ratings used to assess the consequence of potential impacts. 62

Table 5.3 Environmental risk matrix. 62

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Figures

Figure 1.1 Current Ensham Approved Case Operations and ProposedProject Area. 2

Figure 3.1 Rainfall since January 2017 at the Emerald Airport weather station(station 35264). 9

Figure 3.2 Project Area and Aquatic Ecological Survey Sites 11

Figure 4.1 Category B Regulated Vegetation 24

Figure 4.2 Category C Regulated Vegetation 25

Figure 4.3 Category R Regulated Vegetation 26

Figure 4.4 Regulated Vegetation Within 100 m from Wetland 27

Figure 4.5 High Ecological Significance Wetlands 28

Figure 4.6 Queensland Wetland Data 29

Figure 4.7 Queensland Waterways for Waterway Barrier Works 30

Figure 4.8 Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Potential 45

Figure 4.9 Stream flow at DNRME gauging station 130219a 46

Figure 4.10 Flow duration curve for DNRME gauging station 130219a 46

frc environmental

Ensham Life of Mine Extension Project: Aquatic Ecology Assessment i

Executive Summary

frc environmental was commissioned by AECOM Australia Pty Ltd (AECOM), on behalf ofEnsham Resources Pty Ltd (Ensham), to assess the potential impact of the proposedEnsham Life of Mine Extension Project (the Project) on aquatic ecological values, in supportof the impact assessment for the Project.

The scope of this aquatic ecology study is to:

× describe the aquatic ecological values of watercourses and sensitive aquaticenvironmental receptors in and surrounding the Project Area

× identify the potential sources of adverse ecological impact from the Project onaquatic ecological values, and

× assess the impact of the Project on aquatic ecological values using risk-basedimpact assessment and the significant impact criteria.

The aquatic ecological value of the Nogoa River and its tributaries was assessed as high,as aquatic matters of national environmental significance (MNES) are known to occur withinthe Nogoa River and the main channel provides favourable habitat for foraging and potentialhabitat for breeding.

The aquatic ecological value of Winton Creek was assessed as moderate, as Winton Creekprovides favourable habitat for common species of fish and invertebrates, noting that in-stream aquatic habitat is often restricted to temporary, isolated pools.

The aquatic ecological value of Boggy Creek, Corkscrew Creek and Mosquito Creek wasassessed as low - moderate, as these were dry at the time of the survey and are unlikely toprovide habitat for fish or aquatic invertebrates most of the year based on their high degreeof ephemerability.

Regulated vegetation types occur in the riparian zone and watercourses of the Project Areaand watercourses provide important corridors for fish passage during times of flow.

The following potential sources of impact on aquatic ecological values associated with theProject were identified:

× subsidence

× localised contamination of watercourses from spills of hydrocarbons and chemicalsfrom vehicles and machinery

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Ensham Life of Mine Extension Project: Aquatic Ecology Assessment ii

× cumulative impacts of the Project interacting with nearby operational mines andproposed mining projects (e.g. Kestrel Coal Project, Wilton and Fairhill Project andCurragh Project).

All sources of impact were assessed as having a low risk of adverse impact to aquaticecological values as:

× the Project will operate using the same bord and pillar mining method associatedwith existing operations, with the predicted subsidence (40 millimetres (mm)) lessthan the DAWE estimated seasonal variation in surface levels as a result of changesin moisture content (50 mm)

× there will be no new surface infrastructure, no increase in mine traffic on the surfaceand no increase in surface construction or surface disturbance within the ProjectArea as a result of the Project, and

× proposed mine-affected water releases and ongoing water quality, sediment qualityand aquatic ecology monitoring will be managed under the EA conditions of existingoperations to ensure the protection of EVs within the receiving environment.

Two aquatic MNES species are known to occur within the waterways of the Project Area(white throated snapping turtle and Fitzroy River turtle), however the Project is highlyunlikely to have a significant impact on their population as there will be:

× no new surface infrastructure or clearing of riparian vegetation or aquatic habitat

× no change in the release process for mine affected water from existing operations

× very low likelihood of subsidence, with the predicted subsidence(40 millimetres (mm)) also unlikely to form a barrier for freshwater turtle dispersal,particularly as it is less than the Department of Agriculture, Water and theEnvironment (DAWE) estimated seasonal variation in surface levels as a result ofchanges in moisture content (50 mm)

× no impact on water level or flow in the Nogoa River, with flow dependent on therelease of irrigation water by Sunwater from the Fairbairn Dam upstream.

Thus, populations of these MNES species are sufficiently isolated from the Project Area tohave no risk of direct or indirect impact from the Project.

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Ensham Life of Mine Extension Project: Aquatic Ecology Assessment 1

1 Introduction

frc environmental was commissioned by AECOM Australia Pty Ltd (AECOM), on behalf ofEnsham Resources Pty Ltd (Ensham to assess the potential impacts of the proposedEnsham Life of Mine Extension Project (the Project) on aquatic ecological values, in supportof the Environmental Impact Statement for the Project.

The scope of this aquatic ecology study is to:

× describe the aquatic ecological values of watercourses and sensitive aquaticenvironmental receptors in and adjacent to the Project Area (study area)

× identify the potential sources of adverse ecological impact from the Project onaquatic ecological values

× assess the impact of the Project on aquatic ecological values using risk-basedimpact assessment and the significant impact criteria.

1.1 Project Description

Ensham Mine is an existing open-cut and underground bord and pillar coal mine locatedapproximately 35 kilometres (km) east of Emerald in Queensland (Figure 1.1). The Projectproposes to increase the life of the existing underground operations by extending theunderground bord and pillar mine into an area identified as the Project Area (zones 1, 2,and 3) commencing from within Mining Lease (ML) 7459, ML 70326, ML 70365, andML 70366 to an area west of ML 70365 within part of Mineral Development License(MDL) 217 (Figure 1.1). The Project will produce at up to approximately 4.5 million tonnesper annum and would extend the Ensham Life of Mine (LOM) by up to approximately nineyears to approximately 2037. The extension of the underground operation using existinginfrastructure means that no surface construction or surface disturbance will be required tofacilitate the Project. Therefore, activities in relation to surface construction, surfacedisturbance or associated with existing operations were not assessed in this assessment.

Rile

ys C

ross

ing

Roa

d

WyunaRoad

Fore

st H

ill Ro

ad

Duc

k P

onds

Roa

d

EnshamRoad

Bauh

inia

s R

oad

Closed Road

Duck

pond

s Ro

ad

Capricorn Highway

Winton Creek

Mo squito Creek

Cattle Creek

CrinumCree k

Com

et River

Corkscrew Creek

Nogoa River

Nogoa River

Nogoa River

Mackenzie River

B

oggy Creek

Maria

C reek

Sandhu rstCr

eek

Frying PanCree k

Red Rock Cre

ek

BoggyCreek

FitzroyBasin

ML 1978

ML 700028

ML 70326

ML 70365

ML 70366

ML 70367

ML 7459

ML 7460

ML 7460

ML700029

ML 70049

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone3

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN,and the GIS User Community

148.6° E

148.6° E

148.4° E

148.4° E23

.4°

S

23.4

° S

PO Box 2363Wellington Point Q 4160 Australia

P 07 3286 3850 E [email protected]

BelyandoRive r

Nogoa

River

JordanCreek

Ma

ckenz

ie River

Com

et R iv er

Isaac

R iverBurdekinBasin

StyxBasin

PlaneBasin

WarregoBasin

ShoalwaterBasin

PioneerBasin

FitzroyBasin

CooperCreekBasin

Condamine-BalonneBasin

Emerald

Tambo

RollestonSpringsure

Duaringa

AlphaJericho

Clermont

Dysart

Moranbah

Coppabella

SarinaGlenden

Middlemount

Blackwater

Grego ry Hig hway

Peak Downs

H ighway

Capricorn Highwa y

Crinum Road

Dawson Hi ghway

Cap ricorn Highway

Gr egory

Developm

ent al Road

BruceHighway

CarnarvonD

evelopm

entalRo ad

±0 52.5

Kilometres

SCALE

Scale: 1:100,000 @ A3

Coordinate System: GCS GDA 1994Datum: GDA 1994Units: Degree

PROJECTIONVERSION04AB

DRAWN BY

© Copyright Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia) 2001, 2004, 2006© The State of Queensland (Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy) 2019© The State of Queensland (Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing) 2019

SOURCES

Ensham Life of Mine Extension ProjectAquatic Ecological Assessment

Figure 1.1Current Ensham Approved Case Operations

and Proposed Project Area

2020-03-05DATE

Document Path: Y:\Utility\Mappings\Mappings\2019\190312_AEC_Ensham\Workspaces\190312_AE_Portrait.mxd

0 50 KmLEGENDProject Area

Approved Case Operations

Other Mining Leases

Watercourse

Lake/Reservoir

Basin

Road NetworkHighway

Local Road

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2 Key Legislation and Policy

2.1 Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity ConservationAct 1999

The Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999(EPBC Act) provides the legal framework for the protection and management of nationallyand internationally threatened flora and fauna (including migratory species), ecologicalcommunities, internationally important wetlands, heritage places, the Great Barrier Reef,and Commonwealth marine areas, which are collectively defined as MNES. Waterresources in relation to coal seam gas and large mining projects, and nuclear actions, arealso regulated under the EPBC Act.

The EPBC Act provides protection for threatened flora, fauna and ecological communitiesby:

× identifying and listing of species and ecological communities as threatened

× developing conservation advice and recovery plans for listed species and ecologicalcommunities

× developing a register of critical habitat

× recognising key threatening processes

× where appropriate, reducing the impacts of these processes through threatabatement plans and non-statutory threat abatement advices, and by

× requiring approval for certain actions or activities that will, or are likely to, have asignificant impact on an MNES or other protected matter.

Thirty-seven threatened species of freshwater fish species, seven threatened freshwaterturtle species and 16 species of freshwater invertebrate (i.e. 13 crayfish, two mussels andone stonefly)1 are listed under the EPBC Act. Of these, two species of turtle were identifiedin the EPBC Act online search tool as potentially occurring in or surrounding the ProjectArea (See Appendix A).

The EPBC Act provides guidance on whether an action (e.g. a proposed development) islikely to have a significant impact on a MNES. Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1

1 EPBC Act list of threatened fauna (https://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=fauna); viewed November 2019.

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(Department of the Environment (DotE), 2013) provide guidance, in the form of assessmentcriteria, in relation to significant impacts on threatened species under the EPBC Act.

An action is likely to have a significant impact on a threatened species if there is a realchance or possibility that it will:

× lead to a long-term decrease in the size of a population (important population forvulnerable species)

× reduce the area of occupancy of the species (important population of a vulnerablespecies)

× fragment an existing population (important population of a vulnerable species) intotwo or more populations

× adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species

× disrupt the breeding cycle of a population (important population of a vulnerablespecies)

× modify, destroy, remove, isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat tothe extent that the species is likely to decline

× result in invasive species that are harmful to a critically endangered, endangered orvulnerable species becoming established in the endangered, critically endangeredor vulnerable species’ habitat

× introduce disease that may cause the species to decline, and / or

× interfere with the recovery of the species.

Where assessment identifies that an action will have a significant impact on a threatenedspecies, then the action will be determined as a ‘controlled’ action and require appropriateenvironmental assessment within the approval application process. If the assessmentidentifies that an action is not likely to have a significant impact on a MNES, or have asignificant impact if taken in a ‘particular manner’, it does not require approval under theEPBC Act and is a ‘not-controlled’ action.

2.2 Queensland Environmental Protection Act 1994

The Queensland Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) provides the legislativeframework for ecologically sustainable development in Queensland, requiring people,companies and government to take all reasonable and practical steps to protectEnvironmental Values (EVs) i.e. avoid harm to the environment. The EP Act provides a

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range of mechanisms to achieve this objective, including establishing EnvironmentalProtection Policies that present the strategies for protecting EVs.

The Environmental Protection Regulation 2008 (EP Regulation), pursuant to the EP Act,specifies Environmentally Relevant Activities (ERAs) that are considered to have thepotential to cause environmental harm. ERAs may require an environmental assessment tobe prepared as part of the development application process. Resource development,including coal mines, includes ERAs listed under the EP Regulation.

2.3 Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019

The Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 (EPP (WWB))is a strategy for achieving the object of the EP Act (in relation to water EVs). The EPP(WWB):

× identifies High Ecological Value (HEV) waters

× identifies EV and management goals for water

× provides water quality guidelines and Water Quality Objectives (WQO) to enhanceor protect the identified EV

× provides a framework for decision making in relation to Queensland waters

× requires monitoring of, and reporting on, the condition of Queensland waters.

EVs for Queensland waters include the protection of aquatic ecosystems. The componentsof aquatic ecosystems to be protected are generally specified under the EPP (WWB) for agiven waterway if WQOs have been listed under Schedule 1 of the EPP (WWB). Forexample, the EPP (WWB) may require existing (i.e. 20th, 50th and 80th percentiles) waterquality, habitat, biota (fish and macroinvertebrates, flow and riparian areas to be protectedfor HEV waters. For other waters, the EPP (WWB) generally requires:

× the median concentration of several independent samples to achieve the scheduledWQO for the appropriate water type for physico-chemical water quality parameters,

× the 95th percentile concentration of several independent samples to achieve theNational WQO for the appropriate water type for toxicant water quality parameters,and

× riparian vegetation to achieve the applicable vegetation code under the VegetationManagement Act 1999 (VM Act).

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A defensible assessment of the EVs for water within the framework established by the EPP(WWB) for water would also include assessment of protected matters relevant to aquaticecology, such as matters protected under the EPBC Act, but also matters protected underQueensland legislation, including the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act), Fisheries Act1994 (Fisheries Act) and VM Act2.

2.4 Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992

The NC Act provides for the conservation of Queensland’s nature by declaring andmanaging a protected area network, protecting threatened species (wildlife) and theirhabitats, regulating the taking of wildlife and co-ordinating nature conservation withTraditional Owners and other land owners. Several freshwater species are protected wildlifeunder the NC Act.

Protected wildlife listed under the NC Act must be protected from threatening processes,and critical habitat for protected wildlife is required to be protected to the greatest extentpossible.

2.5 Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999

The VM Act, as updated by the Vegetation Management and Other Legislation AmendmentAct 2018, regulates the clearing of vegetation to conserve threatened regional ecosystems,protect biodiversity and maintain ecological processes, amongst other purposes.

The VM Act provides for the chief executive to certify various classes of regulatedvegetation maps, with regulated vegetation a matter of state environmental significance(MSES). Classes of vegetation under the VM Act include: vegetation that is remnant and / orthreatened (category B), high value regrowth vegetation (category C) or regrowthvegetation in a wetland, watercourse or drainage feature area within a Great Barrier Reefcatchment (category R). Vegetation in wetland areas and vegetation intersecting awatercourse is also regulated vegetation under the VM Act. Vegetation clearing anddevelopment is regulated for category R vegetation areas, and Riverine Protection Permitsare required to clear vegetation in watercourses.

2 These and other protected matters also comprise MSES, which are components of Queensland’sbiodiversity of state interest defined under the State Planning Policy and the Environmental OffsetsRegulation 2014. MSES comprise certain EVs protected under Queensland Legislation, including the EPAct, NC Act, Fisheries Act and VM Act.

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2.6 Queensland Fisheries Act 1994

The Fisheries Act provides for the management and protection of fisheries resources,including regulating development that might impact declared fish habitat areas, and fishpassage. Several fish species of special interest are listed as ‘no take’ species under theFisheries Act, including Australian lungfish.

Fisheries resources, including declared fish habitat areas which are MSES, contribute tothe EVs of waterways and wetlands.

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3 Methodology

3.1 Desktop Approach

A desktop approach was used to provide a description of the aquatic ecology and aquaticEVs in and surrounding the Project Area. This included review of:

× aquatic MNES under the EPBC Act,

× aquatic matters protected under Queensland legislation, including:

- threatened freshwater species under the NC Act,

- features that support fisheries resources (e.g. waterway barrier risk layer),pursuant to the Fisheries Act,

- wetland protection areas as shown on the map of Referable Wetlands underthe EP Regulation,

- HEV waters as defined under the EPP (WWB), and

- freshwater-dependent regulated vegetation, listed under the VM Act.

× mapped aquatic ecological features, including floodplains, wetlands and surface-expression ground-water dependent ecosystems,

× hydrological data recorded at DNRME gauging station 130219a (Nogoa River atDuckponds),

× relevant literature, including published and unpublished technical reports, scientificpapers, and conservation advice statements for any MNES identified,

× relevant studies supplied by Ensham, including recent Receiving EnvironmentMonitoring Program (REMP) reports, and

× data contained in frc environmental’s in-house bio-physical database.

3.2 Field Survey

Survey Design

The survey was completed in the pre-wet season, 4 – 9 November 2019, with minimalrainfall in the month leading up to the survey (5.6 mm) and the last significant rainfall eventapproximately four months prior (18.2 mm on 5 July 2019) (Figure 3.1).

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The assessed aquatic ecological components were:

× water quality measured in situ

× water quality measured in the laboratory

× sediment quality measured in the laboratory

× aquatic habitat

× aquatic plants

× macroinvertebrates

× fish

× turtles.

The study design comprised assessment of all aquatic ecological components at six sites,and aquatic habitat, aquatic plants and in-situ water quality at an additional four sites withinand upstream of the Project Area (Figure 3.2; Table 3.1).

Figure 3.1 Rainfall since January 2017 at the Emerald Airport weather station (station35264).

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Jan-

17Fe

b-17

Mar

-17

Apr

-17

May

-17

Jun-

17Ju

l-17

Aug-

17Se

p-17

Oct

-17

Nov

-17

Dec

-17

Jan-

18Fe

b-18

Mar

-18

Apr

-18

May

-18

Jun-

18Ju

l-18

Aug-

18Se

p-18

Oct

-18

Nov

-18

Dec

-18

Jan-

19Fe

b-19

Mar

-19

Apr

-19

May

-19

Jun-

19Ju

l-19

Aug-

19Se

p-19

Oct

-19

Nov

-19

Dec

-19

Dai

ly R

ainf

all

(mm

)

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Table 3.1 Aquatic ecology survey sites.

Site Site Description Latitude LongitudeFull

AquaticSurvey

AquaticHabitat

Only

WC1 Winston Creek upstream atthe Lagoon

-23.487101 148.411265 ü

WC2 Winston Creek downstreamwithin Mining Lease

-23.497200 148.488881 ü

BC1 Boggy Creek upstream ofMining Lease

-23.337400 148.523577 ü

BC2 Boggy Creek upstream ofconfluence with Nogoa Riverwithin Mining Lease

-23.485800 148.508537 ü

NR1 Nogoa River at Bridge FlatsRd upstream of MiningLease

-23.430201 148.335144 ü

NR2 Nogoa River at upstreamMining Lease boundary

-23.442101 148.456393 ü

MP5 Nogoa River at downstreamMining Lease boundary

-23.496700 148.514902 ü

MP6 Mackenzie River at RileysCrossing Rd downstream ofMining Lease

-23.543501 148.605288 ü

UNC2 Nogoa River tributaryupstream of Mining Lease

-23.448700 148.409682 ü

MP2 Nogoa River tributary withinthe Mining Lease

-23.481600 148.472669 ü

Ril e

ysC

ros s

i ng

Road

Codenwarra Road

WyunaRoad

Cud

d esd

enR

oad

Temporarily Closed Road

Gor

dons

tone

Roa

d

Duc

k P

onds

Roa

d

Fairhill Road

Bridge Flats Road

Ensham Road

Bauh

inias

Roa

d

Yan Yan Road

Bonn

iedo

on R

oad

Rundle Road

Mckenzie Road

Closed Road

Gle

norin

a R

oad

Lochlees Road

Fol

eys

Road

Duck

pond

s Ro

ad

Lilyvale Road

Comet River

Ro ad

Capricorn Highway

Capricorn Highway

Winton Creek

Mosqui to Creek

Crin

umCre

ek

Crinum Creek

Mackenzie Rive r

Corkscrew Creek

Cattle Creek

Maria

Creek

Nogoa River

Nogoa

River

Bo g gyC

reek

Gordonst oneCreek

Cooroora Creek

YankoCreek

Comet Ri ver

Sandy Creek

Frying Pan Creek

Mackenzie

River

Cooroor a Creek

Sandhurst Creek

Back Creek

Red Rock Creek

BoggyC

reek

oAmaroo State

Forest

FitzroyBasin

WC1WC2

BC1

NR2UNC2

NR1

MP2

MP5

MP6

BC2

ML 700043

ML 70301

ML 70302

ML 70330

ML 70481

ML 1923

ML 1978

ML 700028

ML 70326

ML 70365

ML 70366

ML 70367

ML 7459

ML 7460

ML 7460

ML 700029

ML 70049

Zone 1Zone 2

Zone 3

148.6° E

148.6° E

148.4° E

148.4° E23

.4°

S

23.4

° S

23.6

° S

23.6

° S



BelyandoR

ive r

NogoaR

iver

JordanCreek

Mackenz ie River

Com

et R iv er

Isaac

R iverBurdekinBasin

StyxBasin

PlaneBasin

WarregoBasin

ShoalwaterBasin

PioneerBasin

FitzroyBasin

CooperCreekBasin


Emerald

Tambo

RollestonSpringsure

Duaringa

AlphaJericho

Clermont

Dysart

Moranbah

Coppabella

SarinaGlenden

Middlemount

Blackwater

Grego ry Hig hway

Peak Downs

H ighway

Capricorn Highwa y

Crinum Road

Dawson Hi ghway

Cap ricorn Highway

Gr egory

Developm

ent al Road

BruceHighway

CarnarvonD

evelopm

entalRo ad

±0 84

Kilometres

SCALE

Scale: 1:150,000 @ A3



DRAWN BY


SOURCES


Figure 3.2Project Area and Aquatic Ecological Survey Sites

2020-03-05DATE


0 50 KmLEGENDSurvey Sites

Full Aquatic Survey

Aquatic Habitat Only

Project Area


Other Mining Leases

Major Watercourse

Minor Watercourse

Lake/Reservoir

Basin

Road NetworkHighway

Main RoadLocal Road

Protected AreaOther Reserve

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Survey Methods

Water Quality

Water quality was measured by frc environmental at all sites that held water, in accordancewith the Queensland Monitoring and Sampling Manual (Department of Environment andScience (DES), 2018).

Water quality was measured in situ using a calibrated In-Situ smarTROLL multi-parameterwater quality meter. The following parameters were assessed:

× water temperature (degrees centigrade (°C))

× pH

× dissolved oxygen (milligrams (mg)/ litre (L) and per cent saturation)

× electrical conductivity (microsiemens (μS)/ centimetre (cm))

× turbidity (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU)).

Turbidity (NTU) was measured approximately 0.3 m below the water’s surface using acalibrated HACH 2100Q portable turbidity meter.

Water samples collected by frc environmental were analysed by a NATA-accreditedlaboratory for:

× major ions (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, hardness, chloride, sulfate,alkalinity) (µg/L)

× nutrients (total nitrogen, total kjeldahl nitrogen, oxides of nitrogen (nitrate and nitrite),ammonia, total phosphorous and reactive phosphorous (micrograms (µg)/L)

× total dissolved and suspended solids (mg/L)

× turbidity, pH and conductivity

× oil and grease (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH), benzene, toluene,ethylbenzene and zylene (BTEX) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)(µg/L)

× total and dissolved metals and metalloids (Aluminium (Al), Arsenic (As), Boron (B),Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Mangenese (Mn),Mercury (Hg), Molybdenum (Mo), Nickel (Ni), Selenium (Se), Silver (Ag), Uranium(U), Vanadium (V), Zinc (Zn)) (µg/L).

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Water samples at each site were collected 0.3 metres (m) below the water’s surface, andas close to the mid-channel as possible. In accordance with Australian Standard (AS)AS5667 Water Quality Sampling, and the Monitoring and Sampling Manual 2009 (DES2018) field sampling was undertaken by suitably trained and competent personnel. Qualityassurance / quality control (QA/QC) measures included:

× collecting water quality samples and measurements before any other sampling, toensure that the results were not compromised by disturbance of stream bedsediments

× wearing powderless gloves when collecting all water samples, with care taken notto touch the inside of any sampling containers, or to place open bottles / jars or theirlids onto the ground or other surfaces

× collecting water samples straight into the sample bottle provided by the analyticallaboratory

× collecting a field blank to assess handling during transport and handling and analysisin the laboratory

× collecting a field replicate at site MP5 to assess within site variation

× filtering water samples on site for analysis of dissolved metals and metalloids

× storing and transporting samples in accordance with the appropriate holdingconditions and times for each parameter (as defined by the analytical laboratory)

× completing a chain of custody for all samples sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Water quality was compared to WQO presented in:

× Australian & New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh & Marine Water Quality (WaterQuality Australia (WQA), 2019)

× Queensland Water Quality Guidelines (DES 2009)

× Queensland’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (Water) Policy2009 relating to the Lower Nogoa/Theresa Creek sub-basin (Department ofEnvironment and Heritage Protection (DEHP), 2013).

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Sediment Quality

Sediment quality was assessed by frc environmental in November 2019 in accordance withthe Monitoring and Sampling Manual 2009 (DES 2018).

Sediment samples were collected from the channel bed at each site, with samples collectedfrom accreting sections of bed, where possible. Sediment was collected from the top 0.3 mof sediment using a stainless-steel trowel and transferred directly to the sampling jarprovided by the analytical laboratory. The potential for cross-contamination of samples wasminimised by washing the sampling equipment between sites and field staff wearingdisposable powderless gloves when sampling.

Sediment samples were analysed by a NATA-accredited laboratory for the followingparameters:

× particle size distribution

× total metals (Al, As, B, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se, Ag, U, V, Zn) (mg/kg).

A field replicate was collected at site MP5 for QA/QC purposes and to assess within-sitevariation.

Aquatic Habitat

The in-stream habitat attributes and condition were assessed using a method based on theAustralian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) protocol described in the QueenslandAUSRIVAS Sampling and Processing Manual (Department of Natural Resources andMines (DNRM), 2001a). The following parameters were assessed:

× channel shape and pattern

× bank slope, composition, stability and vegetative cover

× bed substrate composition and stability

× in-stream habitat features, including submerged or emergent aquatic plants, largewoody debris, undercut banks, boulders

× water velocity, depth and width

× riparian vegetation composition, extent and condition.

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A Riverine Bioassessment Score DNRM (2001b) was calculated for each site wheremacroinvertebrates were collected. This score is a numerical index of aquatic habitatcondition that enables a direct comparison of habitat quality between sites. The methodscores habitat quality from zero to 20 for each of nine criteria:

× substrate or available cover

× embeddedness

× water velocity and depth

× channel alteration

× bed scouring and deposition

× pool: riffle and run: bend ratio

× bank stability

× bank vegetative stability

× streamside vegetation cover.

The sum of the scores for each criterion gives the overall habitat score. This was used toallocate sites to one of four categories (Table 3.2):

× excellent habitat condition (overall score > 110)

× good habitat condition (overall score 75 to 110)

× moderate habitat condition (overall score 39 to 74)

× poor habitat condition (overall score ≤ 38).

The Riverine Bioassessment method was designed for perennially flowing stream and riversystems in southern Australia, and as such is not directly applicable to ephemeral systemsin Queensland or non-flowing waterbodies; using this method, even pristine ephemeralstreams or wetlands are rarely classed as being in excellent condition. Nonetheless it is auseful system for comparing between sites where macroinvertebrates have been collectedwithin a region.

Existing disturbances to riparian vegetation, bed and bank stability, flow and instreamhabitat were noted, including the presence of any existing barriers to fish passage.

Photographs of aquatic habitat were taken to establish a record of current condition.

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Table 3.2 River habitat bioassessment scores used to derive overall habitat conditioncategories.

Habitat Category Category Score Range

Excellent Good Moderate Poor

Bed substrate or available cover 16–20 11–15 6–10 0–5

Embeddedness 16–20 11–15 6–10 0–5

Water velocity and depth 16–20 11–15 6–10 0–5

Channel alteration 12–15 8–11 4–7 0–3

Bed scouring & deposition 12–15 8–11 4–7 0–3

Pool: riffle and run: bend ratio 12–15 8–11 4–7 0–3

Bank stability 9–10 6–8 3–5 0–2

Bank vegetative stability 9–10 6–8 3–5 0–2

Streamside vegetation cover 9–10 6–8 3–5 0–2

Total (Habitat BioassessmentScore for the Site)

111–135 75–110 39–74 0–38

Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants were surveyed at each site using a timed meander survey (i.e. 15 – 20minutes per site) across in-stream and riparian habitats, as recommended in the DES(2019a) Flora Survey Guidelines – Protected Plants. Plants were identified to species if theywere flowering, otherwise they were identified to genus. It was noted if plants were growingin the water, in the dry in-stream or in riparian areas. The growth form of plants growing inwater was recorded (Table 3.3).

There are no published biological objectives for aquatic plants to compare results against.

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Table 3.3 Growth forms of aquatic plants growing in water.

Growth Form Description

Submerged Submerged aquatic plants are rooted in the bed of the stream orwetland, with leaves totally covered by water most of the time. Somespecies may have underwater flowers, whereas other species mayrequire water levels to decrease to trigger flowering and haveflowers above the water level.

Attached floating Attached floating aquatic plants are rooted in the bed of the streamor wetland, with leaves typically floating on top of the water. Flowersare usually above the water.

Free floating Free floating plants float on top of the water, or in the water column,with roots trailing into the water column. Flowers are typically abovethe water.

Emergent Emergent plants are rooted in the bed of the stream or wetland, withleaves and flowers above the water.

Macroinvertebrates

Macroinvertebrates were sampled from edge habitat at each site that was holding waterduring the field survey using the AUSRIVAS sampling method as described in theAUSRIVAS manual (DNRM 2001a) and the Monitoring and Sampling Manual (DES 2018).Samples were collected by disturbing a 10 m long section of edge habitat with a standardtriangular-framed dip net (250 μm mesh size), preserved using ethanol, and transported tofrc environmental’s biological laboratory.

In the laboratory, samples were sorted, identified to the lowest practical taxonomic level (inmost instances family) and counted in accordance with Chessman (2003). For QA/QCprocedures, macroinvertebrates in 10% of the samples were re-identified and re-countedand 10% of the data was re-entered by an ecologist other than the one who completed theoriginal identifications and data entry. If any errors were found, then this process wasrepeated until no errors were found or they were within the accepted range (< 5% DES2018; final error rates in our laboratory are consistently < 2%).

Standard freshwater macroinvertebrate indices were calculated for macroinvertebratecommunities in edge habitat: taxonomic richness, PET (Plecoptera / Ephemeroptera /Trichoptera) richness, and SIGNAL 2 (Stream Invertebrate Grade Number – Average Level)scores.

The macroinvertebrate indices were compared to the biological objectives for moderatelydisturbed waters in the lower Nogoa / Theresa Creek (DES 2009) (Table 3.4).

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Table 3.4 Default biological guidelines for macroinvertebrates.

Index Edge Habitat

Taxonomic richness 23 – 33

PET richness 2 – 5

SIGNAL-2 Scores 3.31 – 4.20

Fish and Turtles

Fish were surveyed using a combination of fyke nets and seine netting depending on theconditions at the site, in accordance with recommendations in the Commonwealth’s SurveyGuidelines for Australia’s Threatened Fish (Department of Sustainability, Environment,Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPC), 2011), Terrestrial Vertebrate FaunaSurvey Guidelines for Queensland (which includes turtles) and the Commonwealth’sSurvey Guidelines for Australia’s Threatened Reptiles. Fish and turtles were sampled underGeneral Fisheries Permit No. 199434 and Animal Ethics Approval No. CA 2018/08/1224held by frc environmental.

Fish and turtles were identified to species and counted, with native species releasedunharmed to the place of capture and pest species euthanised using methods approvedunder our animal ethics approval.

The WQO for fish is based on a ratio of the number of Observed to Expected (O/E) nativespecies, which should be at least 1 (i.e. O/E ≥ 1) (DEHP 2013). The number of expectedspecies is the number of species caught on 50% or more survey events.

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The number of expected species of native fish in the Lower Nogoa / Theresa Creek Sub-basin main trunk is 8 (DEHP 2013). That is, to achieve the WQO for the Lower Nogoa Rivermain trunk the observed number of native species is ≥ 8. The native fish species found tobe present ≥ 50% of sampling events were:

× Melanotaenia splendida (eastern rainbowfish)

× Nematolosa erebi (bony bream)

× Ambassis agassizii (Agassizi’s glassfish)

× Macquaria ambigua oriens (yellowbelly)

× Scortum hillii (leathery grunter)

× Tandanus tandanus (eel-tailed catfish)

× Hypseleotris sp. (carp gudgeon)

× Leiopotherapon unicolor (spangled perch).

The WQO for the number of species of exotic fish in the Lower Nogoa River main trunk isno more than one exotic fish species (Department of Environment and ResourceManagement (DERM), DERM 2011; DEHP 2013). The exotic fish Poecilla reticulata(guppy) was the only exotic fish species found to be present in the Nogoa River main trunk.

There are no published biological objectives for turtles.

3.3 Assessment of Environmental Values

The aquatic EVs in and surrounding the Project Area were assessed using the criteria inTable 3.5. In-stream and riparian areas were assessed separately.

Table 3.5 Criteria used to assess environmental value of each site

Aquatic Ecological Value Criteria / Description

High Known or likely occurrence of aquatic MNES and/or aquaticMSES

Moderate Aquatic MNES and MSES unlikely to occur, however suitablehabitat for non-listed aquatic species of turtles and fish is present

Low Ephemeral watercourse without refugial pools; limited aquatichabitat features present; likely to provide low quality habitat fornon-listed aquatic species during high flow events only.

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3.4 Impact Assessment

The assessment of impacts comprised:

× a risk-based assessment, with the level of risk being an outcome of theconsequence and likelihood of the potential impact (refer to Table 3.6 to Table 3.8)

× specific assessment of potential impacts to aquatic MNES using the SignificantImpact Guidelines 1.1 (DotE 2013).

To determine the applicable aquatic MNES species and ecological communities, the EPBCProtected Matters database was searched on 22 November 2019 (Appendix A) and thefollowing aquatic MNES were listed as occurring in, and surrounding, the Project Area:

× white-throated snapping turtle (Elseya albagula) (critically endangered)

× Fitzroy River turtle (Rheodytes leukops) (vulnerable).

All other MNES that the EPBC search identified were considered to be outside the scopeof this study (i.e. not aquatic species). Further information on other MNES can be found inAECOM (2020).

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Table 3.6 Ratings used to assess the likelihood of potential impacts

Rating Likelihood of potential impacts

High Almost certain or high likelihood of the impact occurring; has occurred recentlyin a similar scenario; likely to happen commonly.

Moderate Likely or probably could happen; would not happen very commonly.

Low Possible but unlikely to happen; would happen rarely if at all.

Table 3.7 Ratings used to assess the consequence of potential impacts

Rating Consequence of potential impacts

High Catastrophic, irreversible or critical long-term environmental harm or loss;significant harm or loss of sensitive components of the environment; significantharm or loss of protected components of the environment, such as protectedwetlands or MNES.

Moderate Significant short-term but reversible harm of sensitive components of theenvironment; minor environmental harm to protected components of theenvironment, such as protected wetlands or MNES.

Low Unfavourable impact with no lasting harm to the environment, excludingsensitive and protected components of the environment.

Table 3.8 Environmental risk matrix

Likelihood

Low Moderate High

Con

sequ

ence High Moderate High High

Moderate Low Moderate High

Low Low Low Moderate

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4 Environmental Values of Watercourses

4.1 Aquatic Matters of National Environmental Significance

White-Throated Snapping Turtle

The white-throated snapping turtle (Elseya albagula) is listed as critically endangered underthe EPBC Act and endangered under the NC Act. This species is restricted to the Fitzroy,Burnett and Mary Basins, and adjacent coastal basins (e.g. Kolan and Gregory-Burrumsystems) (Hamann et al. 2007). This species is a habitat specialist, preferring permanent,flowing, clear and well oxygenated water with moderate to high cover of aquatic habitat (i.e.large woody debris and undercut banks) (Todd et al. 2013). Within the greater Fitzroy,Burnett and Mary river catchments, this species has been recorded almost exclusively inclose association with permanent flowing stream reaches that are typically characterisedby a sand-gravel substrate with submerged rock crevices, undercut banks and/orsubmerged logs and fallen trees (Hamann et al. 2007). A full description of white-throatedsnapping turtle is presented in Appendix B.

The white-throated snapping turtle was last recorded adjacent to the Project Area in 1998at Duckponds, Nogoa River (Atlas of Living Australi (ALA), 2019; DES 2019c), a waterbodythat is no longer present. However, it is considered likely that a population of white-throatedsnapping turtle is still present within the main channel of the Nogoa River within the ProjectArea, where there are permanent pools, flows are regular (i.e. flows occur 99% of the time;gauging station 130219A (Department of Natural Resource Management and Energy(DNRME), 2019)) and extensive aquatic habitat is present.

Fitzroy River Turtle

The Fitzroy River turtle (Rheodytes leukops) is listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act andvulnerable under the NC Act. This species is restricted to the Fitzroy River Basin(Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), 2008), where itoccurs in permanent freshwater rivers from the Fitzroy Barrage to Theodore Weir and DuckPonds, upstream of the Comet-Mackenzie River confluence, as well as throughMarlborough Creek (Limpus et al. 2007). It has also been found in isolated permanentwaterholes on the Connors River (Limpus et al. 2007; frc environmental 2010). However,the species is not known to inhabit small farm dams or ephemeral waterways (Limpus et al.2007). A full description of Fitzroy River turtle is presented in Appendix C.

The Fitzroy River turtle was last recorded adjacent to the Project Area in the Nogoa Riverin 1998 (ALA. 2019; DES 2019c). However, it is considered likely that a population of Fitzroy

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River turtle still remains within the main channel of the Nogoa River within the Project Area,where there are permanent pools, flows are regular (i.e. flows occur 99% of the time;gauging station 130219A (DNRME 2019)) and the aquatic habitat is consistent with thepreference for the species.

4.2 State-level Protected Matters Relevant to Aquatic Ecology

White-throated snapping turtle and Fitzroy River turtle are threatened species, protectedunder the NC Act (see Section 5.1 for further description of these species).

The riparian vegetation of the Project Area is mapped as regulated vegetation intersectinga watercourse, with some riparian vegetation also mapped as category B (Figure 4.1),category C (Figure 4.2) and category R (Figure 4.3) vegetation. Small patches of regulatedvegetation within 100 m of a wetland occur upstream of the Project Area on Boggy Creekand Nogoa River, and downstream of the Project Area on Mackenzie River, but do not occurin the Project Area (Figure 4.4).

Mapped High Ecological significance wetlands, which are protected under the EPP (WWB),are present upstream of the Project Area on Boggy Creek, Corkscrew Creek and NogoaRiver, but do not occur in the Project Area (Figure 4.5). The watercourses of the ProjectArea are mapped riverine wetlands (Figure 4.6).

The relevant fisheries resource in and surrounding the Project Area, protected under theFisheries Act, relates to the provision of fish passage and the associated risks to fishpassage from waterway barrier works on different sizes watercourses. Watercourses of theProject Area range from stream order 8 (Nogoa River) to stream order 3 (Mosquito Creek),with the Mackenzie River (stream order 8) downstream and Winton Creek (stream order 7)adjacent to the Project Area. The main stem of watercourses within or adjacent to theProject Area are mapped as having major (mapped as purple: Nogoa River, MackenzieRiver, Comet River and the downstream reach of Winton Creek and Boggy Creek), high(mapped as red: Mosquito Creek, Corkscrew Creek and the upstream reach of Boggy Creekand Winton Creek) and moderate (mapped as amber: unnamed tributaries of the NogoaRiver) risk of impact to fish passage by waterway barrier works (Figure 4.7). Smallerupstream tributaries of these watercourses have low (mapped as green) risk of impact fromwaterway barrier works.

CodenwarraRoad

Rile

ysC

ross

ingR

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Old Lilyvale Ro ad

Wyuna Road

Bridge Flats Road

Cud

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Duc

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FairhillRoad

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Ensham Road

Bauh

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YanYan Road

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Run

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Mckenzie Road

ClosedRoad

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fa R

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Fole

ysRo

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Mount Stuart Bedford Weir Road

Loch

lees

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Mount StuartRoa d

Duck

pond

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Gregory Mine Road

Yan Yan Road

Lisk

eard

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Com

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Capricorn Highway

Capricorn Highway

Tolmie

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BoundaryCreek

W inton Creek

Comet River

Mosqu ito Creek

Burngrove Creek

Ther esaCreek

Mackenzie River

Mackenzie River

Coo roora Cre ek

Crinum Creek

Corkscrew Creek

Cattle Creek

Nogoa

Riv

er

Sandy

Creek

MariaC

reek

Nogoa River

Nogoa River

Gran villeCreek

Bogg

yC

reek

Ei ghtMile Creek

Go rdonstone C reek

Triumph Creek

Yanko Creek

Sandy Creek

Fryi ng PanCreek

Cab

bage

Tree

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ek

Sa

ndhurst Cre ek

Kynebil Creek

Big

Churchyard Creek

Mackenzie River

Cooro ora CreekCooroo ra Creek

Back Creek

Bel cong Creek

BoggyC

reek

Red Rock Creek

Nine Mile Creeko

Amaroo StateForest

FitzroyBasin

ML 70061

ML 700043

ML 70301

ML 70302

ML 70330

ML 70481

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ML 1923

ML 1978

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ML 70326

ML 70365

ML 70366

ML 70367

ML 7459ML 7460

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ML 700029

ML70049

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Zone 3

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148.6° E

148.4° E

148.4° E23

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BelyandoR

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JordanCreek

Mackenz ie River

Com

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Isaac

R iverBurdekinBasin

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PioneerBasin

FitzroyBasin

CooperCreekBasin


Emerald

Tambo

RollestonSpringsure

Duaringa

AlphaJericho

Clermont

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Moranbah

Coppabella

SarinaGlenden

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Blackwater

Grego ry Hig hway

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H ighway

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Figure 4.1Category B Regulated Vegetation

2020-03-05DATE




Other Mining Leases

Category B Regulated Vegetation

Major WatercourseMinor Watercourse

Lake/Reservoir

Basin

Road NetworkHighwayMain RoadLocal Road


CodenwarraRoad

Rile

ysC

ross

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Old Lilyvale Ro ad

Wyuna Road

Bridge Flats Road

Cud

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FairhillRoad

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Ensham Road

Bauh

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YanYan Road

Bonn

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Run

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Mckenzie Road

ClosedRoad

Glenorina Road

Tala

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Fole

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Loch

lees

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Mount StuartRoa d

Duck

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Gregory Mine Road

Yan Yan Road

Lisk

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Lilyv

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Com

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Capricorn Highway

Capricorn Highway

Tolmie

Creek

BoundaryCreek

W inton Creek

Comet River

Mosqu ito Creek

Burngrove Creek

Ther esaCreek

Mackenzie River

Mackenzie River

Coo roora Cre ek

Crinum Creek

Corkscrew Creek

Cattle Creek

Nogoa

Riv

er

Sandy

Creek

MariaC

reek

Nogoa River

Nogoa River

Gran villeCreek

Bogg

yC

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Ei ghtMile Creek

Go rdonstone C reek

Triumph Creek

Yanko Creek

Sandy Creek

Fryi ng PanCreek

Cab

bage

Tree

Cre

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ndhurst Cre ek

Kynebil Creek

Big

Churchyard Creek

Mackenzie River


Back Creek

Bel cong Creek

BoggyC

reek

Red Rock Creek

Nine Mile Creeko

Amaroo StateForest

FitzroyBasin

ML 70061

ML 700043

ML 70301

ML 70302

ML 70330

ML 70481

ML 1789

ML 1923

ML 1978

ML 7007

ML 700028

ML 70326

ML 70365

ML 70366

ML 70367

ML 7459ML 7460

ML 7460

ML 700029

ML70049

Zone 1Zone 2

Zone 3

148.6° E

148.6° E

148.4° E

148.4° E23

.2°

S

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BelyandoR

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PlaneBasin

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PioneerBasin

FitzroyBasin

CooperCreekBasin


Emerald

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RollestonSpringsure

Duaringa

AlphaJericho

Clermont

Dysart

Moranbah

Coppabella

SarinaGlenden

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Blackwater

Grego ry Hig hway

Peak Downs

H ighway

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Figure 4.2Category C Regulated Vegetation

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Category C Regulated Vegetation


Lake/Reservoir

Basin



CodenwarraRoad

Rile

ysC

ross

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Old Lilyvale Ro ad

Wyuna Road

Bridge Flats Road

Cud

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Gem Road

Duc

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FairhillRoad

Kilg

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Ensham Road

Bauh

inia

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YanYan Road

Bonn

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on R

oad

Run

dle

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Mckenzie Road

ClosedRoad

Glenorina Road

Tala

fa R

oad

Fole

ysRo

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Loch

lees

Roa

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Mount StuartRoa d

Duck

pond

s Ro

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Gregory Mine Road

Yan Yan Road

Lisk

eard

Roa

d

Lilyv

ale R

oad

Com

etR

ive r

Roa

d

Capricorn Highway

Capricorn Highway

Tolmie

Creek

BoundaryCreek

W inton Creek

Comet River

Mosqu ito Creek

Burngrove Creek

Ther esaCreek

Mackenzie River

Mackenzie River

Coo roora Cre ek

Crinum Creek

Corkscrew Creek

Cattle Creek

Nogoa

Riv

er

Sandy

Creek

MariaC

reek

Nogoa River

Nogoa River

Gran villeCreek

Bogg

yC

reek

Ei ghtMile Creek

Go rdonstone C reek

Triumph Creek

Yanko Creek

Sandy Creek

Fryi ng PanCreek

Cab

bage

Tree

Cre

ek

Sa

ndhurst Cre ek

Kynebil Creek

Big

Churchyard Creek

Mackenzie River


Back Creek

Bel cong Creek

BoggyC

reek

Red Rock Creek

Nine Mile Creeko

Amaroo StateForest

FitzroyBasin

ML 70061

ML 700043

ML 70301

ML 70302

ML 70330

ML 70481

ML 1789

ML 1923

ML 1978

ML 7007

ML 700028

ML 70326

ML 70365

ML 70366

ML 70367

ML 7459ML 7460

ML 7460

ML 700029

ML70049

Zone 1Zone 2

Zone 3

148.6° E

148.6° E

148.4° E

148.4° E23

.2°

S

23.2

° S

23.4

° S

23.4

° S

23.6

° S

23.6

° S



BelyandoR

ive r

NogoaR

iver

JordanCreek

Mackenz ie River

Com

et R iv er

Isaac

R iverBurdekinBasin

StyxBasin

PlaneBasin

WarregoBasin

ShoalwaterBasin

PioneerBasin

FitzroyBasin

CooperCreekBasin


Emerald

Tambo

RollestonSpringsure

Duaringa

AlphaJericho

Clermont

Dysart

Moranbah

Coppabella

SarinaGlenden

Middlemount

Blackwater

Grego ry Hig hway

Peak Downs

H ighway

Capricorn Highwa y

Crinum Road

Dawson Hi ghway

Cap ricorn Highway

Gr egory

Developm

ent al Road

BruceHighway

CarnarvonD

evelopm

entalRo ad

±0 105

Kilometres

SCALE

Scale: 1:200,000 @ A3



DRAWN BY


SOURCES


Figure 4.3Category R Regulated Vegetation

2020-03-05DATE




Other Mining Leases

Category R Regulated Vegetation


Lake/Reservoir

Basin



CodenwarraRoad

Rile

ysC

ross

ingR

oad

Old Lilyvale Ro ad

Wyuna Road

Bridge Flats Road

Cud

desd

enR

o ad

Gem Road

Duc

k P

onds

Roa

d

FairhillRoad

Kilg

our R

oad

Ensham Road

Bauh

inia

sRoa

d

YanYan Road

Bonn

iedo

on R

oad

Run

dle

Roa

d

Mckenzie Road

ClosedRoad

Glenorina Road

Tala

fa R

oad

Fole

ysRo

ad


Loch

lees

Roa

d

Mount StuartRoa d

Duck

pond

s Ro

ad

Gregory Mine Road

Yan Yan Road

Lisk

eard

Roa

d

Lilyv

ale R

oad

Com

etR

ive r

Roa

d

Capricorn Highway

Capricorn Highway

Tolmie

Creek

BoundaryCreek

W inton Creek

Comet River

Mosqu ito Creek

Burngrove Creek

Ther esaCreek

Mackenzie River

Mackenzie River

Coo roora Cre ek

Crinum Creek

Corkscrew Creek

Cattle Creek

Nogoa

Riv

er

Sandy

Creek

MariaC

reek

Nogoa River

Nogoa River

Gran villeCreek

Bogg

yC

reek

Ei ghtMile Creek

Go rdonstone C reek

Triumph Creek

Yanko Creek

Sandy Creek

Fryi ng PanCreek

Cab

bage

Tree

Cre

ek

Sa

ndhurst Cre ek

Kynebil Creek

Big

Churchyard Creek

Mackenzie River


Back Creek

Bel cong Creek

BoggyC

reek

Red Rock Creek

Nine Mile Creeko

Amaroo StateForest

FitzroyBasin

ML 70061

ML 700043

ML 70301

ML 70302

ML 70330

ML 70481

ML 1789

ML 1923

ML 1978

ML 7007

ML 700028

ML 70326

ML 70365

ML 70366

ML 70367

ML 7459ML 7460

ML 7460

ML 700029

ML70049

Zone 1Zone 2

Zone 3

148.6° E

148.6° E

148.4° E

148.4° E23

.2°

S

23.2

° S

23.4

° S

23.4

° S

23.6

° S

23.6

° S



BelyandoR

ive r

NogoaR

iver

JordanCreek

Mackenz ie River

Com

et R iv er

Isaac

R iverBurdekinBasin

StyxBasin

PlaneBasin

WarregoBasin

ShoalwaterBasin

PioneerBasin

FitzroyBasin

CooperCreekBasin


Emerald

Tambo

RollestonSpringsure

Duaringa

AlphaJericho

Clermont

Dysart

Moranbah

Coppabella

SarinaGlenden

Middlemount

Blackwater

Grego ry Hig hway

Peak Downs

H ighway

Capricorn Highwa y

Crinum Road

Dawson Hi ghway

Cap ricorn Highway

Gr egory

Developm

ent al Road

BruceHighway

CarnarvonD

evelopm

entalRo ad

±0 105

Kilometres

SCALE

Scale: 1:200,000 @ A3



DRAWN BY


SOURCES


Figure 4.4Regulated Vegetation Within 100 m from Wetland

2020-03-05DATE




Other Mining Leases

Regulated Vegetation Within 100m from Wetland

Major Watercourse

Minor Watercourse

Lake/Reservoir

Basin

Road NetworkHighway

Main RoadLocal Road


CodenwarraRoad

Rile

ysC

ross

ingR

oad

Old Lilyvale Ro ad

Wyuna Road

Bridge Flats Road

Cud

desd

enR

o ad

Gem Road

Duc

k P

onds

Roa

d

FairhillRoad

Kilg

our R

oad

Ensham Road

Bauh

inia

sRoa

d

YanYan Road

Bonn

iedo

on R

oad

Run

dle

Roa

d

Mckenzie Road

ClosedRoad

Glenorina Road

Tala

fa R

oad

Fole

ysRo

ad


Loch

lees

Roa

d

Mount StuartRoa d

Duck

pond

s Ro

ad

Gregory Mine Road

Yan Yan Road

Lisk

eard

Roa

d

Lilyv

ale R

oad

Com

etR

ive r

Roa

d

Capricorn Highway

Capricorn Highway

Tolmie

Creek

BoundaryCreek

W inton Creek

Comet River

Mosqu ito Creek

Burngrove Creek

Ther esaCreek

Mackenzie River

Mackenzie River

Coo roora Cre ek

Crinum Creek

Corkscrew Creek

Cattle Creek

Nogoa

Riv

er

Sandy

Creek

MariaC

reek

Nogoa River

Nogoa River

Gran villeCreek

Bogg

yC

reek

Ei ghtMile Creek

Go rdonstone C reek

Triumph Creek

Yanko Creek

Sandy Creek

Fryi ng PanCreek

Cab

bage

Tree

Cre

ek

Sa

ndhurst Cre ek

Kynebil Creek

Big

Churchyard Creek

Mackenzie River


Back Creek

Bel cong Creek

BoggyC

reek

Red Rock Creek

Nine Mile Creeko

Amaroo StateForest

FitzroyBasin

ML 70061

ML 700043

ML 70301

ML 70302

ML 70330

ML 70481

ML 1789

ML 1923

ML 1978

ML 7007

ML 700028

ML 70326

ML 70365

ML 70366

ML 70367

ML 7459ML 7460

ML 7460

ML 700029

ML70049

Zone 1Zone 2

Zone 3

148.6° E

148.6° E

148.4° E

148.4° E23

.2°

S

23.2

° S

23.4

° S

23.4

° S

23.6

° S

23.6

° S



BelyandoR

ive r

NogoaR

iver

JordanCreek

Mackenz ie River

Com

et R iv er

Isaac

R iverBurdekinBasin

StyxBasin

PlaneBasin

WarregoBasin

ShoalwaterBasin

PioneerBasin

FitzroyBasin

CooperCreekBasin


Emerald

Tambo

RollestonSpringsure

Duaringa

AlphaJericho

Clermont

Dysart

Moranbah

Coppabella

SarinaGlenden

Middlemount

Blackwater

Grego ry Hig hway

Peak Downs

H ighway

Capricorn Highwa y

Crinum Road

Dawson Hi ghway

Cap ricorn Highway

Gr egory

Developm

ent al Road

BruceHighway

CarnarvonD

evelopm

entalRo ad

±0 105

Kilometres

SCALE

Scale: 1:200,000 @ A3



DRAWN BY


SOURCES


Figure 4.5High Ecological Significance Wetlands

2020-03-05DATE




Other Mining Leases

High Ecological Signficance Wetlands


Lake/Reservoir

Basin



CodenwarraRoad

Rile

ysC

ross

ingR

oad

Old Lilyvale Ro ad

Wyuna Road

Bridge Flats Road

Cud

desd

enR

o ad

Gem Road

Duc

k P

onds

Roa

d

FairhillRoad

Kilg

our R

oad

Ensham Road

Bauh

inia

sRoa

d

YanYan Road

Bonn

iedo

on R

oad

Run

dle

Roa

d

Mckenzie Road

ClosedRoad

Glenorina Road

Tala

fa R

oad

Fole

ysRo

ad


Loch

lees

Roa

d

Mount StuartRoa d

Duck

pond

s Ro

ad

Gregory Mine Road

Yan Yan Road

Lisk

eard

Roa

d

Lilyv

ale R

oad

Com

etR

ive r

Roa

d

Capricorn Highway

Capricorn Highway

Tolmie

Creek

BoundaryCreek

W inton Creek

Comet River

Mosqu ito Creek

Burngrove Creek

Ther esaCreek

Mackenzie River

Mackenzie River

Coo roora Cre ek

Crinum Creek

Corkscrew Creek

Cattle Creek

Nogoa

Riv

er

Sandy

Creek

MariaC

reek

Nogoa River

Nogoa River

Gran villeCreek

Bogg

yC

reek

Ei ghtMile Creek

Go rdonstone C reek

Triumph Creek

Yanko Creek

Sandy Creek

Fryi ng PanCreek

Cab

bage

Tree

Cre

ek

Sa

ndhurst Cre ek

Kynebil Creek

Big

Churchyard Creek

Mackenzie River


Back Creek

Bel cong Creek

BoggyC

reek

Red Rock Creek

Nine Mile Creeko

Amaroo StateForest

FitzroyBasin

ML 70061

ML 700043

ML 70301

ML 70302

ML 70330

ML 70481

ML 1789

ML 1923

ML 1978

ML 7007

ML 700028

ML 70326

ML 70365

ML 70366

ML 70367

ML 7459ML 7460

ML 7460

ML 700029

ML70049

Zone 1Zone 2

Zone 3

148.6° E

148.6° E

148.4° E

148.4° E23

.2°

S

23.2

° S

23.4

° S

23.4

° S

23.6

° S

23.6

° S



BelyandoR

ive r

NogoaR

iver

JordanCreek

Mackenz ie River

Com

et R iv er

Isaac

R iverBurdekinBasin

StyxBasin

PlaneBasin

WarregoBasin

ShoalwaterBasin

PioneerBasin

FitzroyBasin

CooperCreekBasin


Emerald

Tambo

RollestonSpringsure

Duaringa

AlphaJericho

Clermont

Dysart

Moranbah

Coppabella

SarinaGlenden

Middlemount

Blackwater

Grego ry Hig hway

Peak Downs

H ighway

Capricorn Highwa y

Crinum Road

Dawson Hi ghway

Cap ricorn Highway

Gr egory

Developm

ent al Road

BruceHighway

CarnarvonD

evelopm

entalRo ad

±0 105

Kilometres

SCALE

Scale: 1:200,000 @ A3



DRAWN BY


SOURCES


Figure 4.6Queensland Wetland Data

2020-03-05DATE




Other Mining Leases

Wetland System - Water BodiesRiverine WaterbodiesLacustrine WaterbodiesPalustrine Waterbodies

Wetland System - Regional EcosystemsRiverine REPalustrine RERE 1-50% wetland (mosaic units)


Lake/Reservoir

Basin



CodenwarraRoad

Rile

ysC

ross

ingR

oad

Old Lilyvale Ro ad

Wyuna Road

Bridge Flats Road

Cud

desd

enR

o ad

Gem Road

Duc

k P

onds

Roa

d

FairhillRoad

Kilg

our R

oad

Ensham Road

Bauh

inia

sRoa

d

YanYan Road

Bonn

iedo

on R

oad

Run

dle

Roa

d

Mckenzie Road

ClosedRoad

Glenorina Road

Tala

fa R

oad

Fole

ysRo

ad


Loch

lees

Roa

d

Mount StuartRoa d

Duck

pond

s Ro

ad

Gregory Mine Road

Yan Yan Road

Lisk

eard

Roa

d

Lilyv

ale R

oad

Com

etR

ive r

Roa

d

Capricorn Highway

Capricorn Highway

Tolmie

Creek

BoundaryCreek

W inton Creek

Comet River

Mosqu ito Creek

Burngrove Creek

Ther esaCreek

Mackenzie River

Mackenzie River

Coo roora Cre ek

Crinum Creek

Corkscrew Creek

Cattle Creek

Nogoa

Riv

er

Sandy

Creek

MariaC

reek

Nogoa River

Nogoa River

Gran villeCreek

Bogg

yC

reek

Ei ghtMile Creek

Go rdonstone C reek

Triumph Creek

Yanko Creek

Sandy Creek

Fryi ng PanCreek

Cab

bage

Tree

Cre

ek

Sa

ndhurst Cre ek

Kynebil Creek

Big

Churchyard Creek

Mackenzie River


Back Creek

Bel cong Creek

BoggyC

reek

Red Rock Creek

Nine Mile Creeko

Amaroo StateForest

FitzroyBasin

ML 70061

ML 700043

ML 70301

ML 70302

ML 70330

ML 70481

ML 1789

ML 1923

ML 1978

ML 7007

ML 700028

ML 70326

ML 70365

ML 70366

ML 70367

ML 7459ML 7460

ML 7460

ML 700029

ML70049

Zone 1Zone 2

Zone 3

148.6° E

148.6° E

148.4° E

148.4° E23

.2°

S

23.2

° S

23.4

° S

23.4

° S

23.6

° S

23.6

° S



BelyandoR

ive r

NogoaR

iver

JordanCreek

Mackenz ie River

Com

et R iv er

Isaac

R iverBurdekinBasin

StyxBasin

PlaneBasin

WarregoBasin

ShoalwaterBasin

PioneerBasin

FitzroyBasin

CooperCreekBasin


Emerald

Tambo

RollestonSpringsure

Duaringa

AlphaJericho

Clermont

Dysart

Moranbah

Coppabella

SarinaGlenden

Middlemount

Blackwater

Grego ry Hig hway

Peak Downs

H ighway

Capricorn Highwa y

Crinum Road

Dawson Hi ghway

Cap ricorn Highway

Gr egory

Developm

ent al Road

BruceHighway

CarnarvonD

evelopm

entalRo ad

±0 105

Kilometres

SCALE

Scale: 1:200,000 @ A3



DRAWN BY


SOURCES


Figure 4.7Queensland Waterways for Waterway Barrier Works

2020-03-05DATE




Other Mining Leases

Waterway Barrier Works - Risk of ImpactLowModerateHighMajor


Lake/Reservoir

Basin



frc environmental


4.3 Water Quality

Water quality measured within the scope of this aquatic ecology study was similar to resultsrecorded in previous REMP surveys (4T Consultants 2012; Hydrobiology 2014; 2016b; a;2017; 2018; 2019). The previous REMP surveys undertaken in the vicinity of the Projectare therefore appropriate for the determination of water quality in this assessment andadequate for the ongoing monitoring of impacts to the receiving environment as a result ofexisting operations. Water quality within the Project Area is characterised with:

× electrical conductivity naturally high throughout the Project Area

× turbidity and total suspended solids high, particularly in Boggy Creek and followingrecent rainfall

× total aluminium, iron and copper was frequently high and likely a natural occurrencefor the region

× nutrient concentrations variable and dependent on recent flows and local agriculturalpractices.

Results from the November 2019 survey show that for sites holding water (Table 4.1):

× the pH of water was higher than the WQO at site WC1 when measured in-situ andhigher than the WQO at both sites on Winton Creek (WC1 and WC2) when analysedin the laboratory

× electrical conductivity exceeded the WQO at all sites that held water

× the per cent saturation of dissolved oxygen was higher than the WQO at sites WC1and UNC2 and lower than the WQO at sites MP5, WC2, NR1 and MP2

× turbidity was higher than the WQO at sites WC1 and NR1

× total nitrogen was higher than the WQO at all sites

× ammonia was higher than the WQO at both sites on Winton Creek

× filterable reactive phosphorous was higher than the WQO at sites MP5 and WC2

× total phosphorous was higher than the WQO at all sites

× total suspended solids was higher than the WQO at all sites

× sulfate was higher than the WQO at sites MP5 and WC1

× total aluminium and copper were higher than the WQO at all sites

× total lead, nickel and zinc was higher than the WQO at site WC1

× total chromium was higher than the WQO at both sites on Winton Creek, and

frc environmental


× dissolved copper was higher than the WQO at site WC2.

– not analysedgrey shading denotes values that were not compliant with the applicable WQOgold shading denotes values where the LOR is greater than the applicable WQO


Table 4.1 Water quality at each site in November 2019

Parameter UnitsLOR WQO WC1 WC2 NR1 NR2 MP5 MP6 UNC2 MP2

9/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 9/11/19 4/11/19 9/11/19 8/11/19

Physical-Chemical

temperature (in-situ) °C – – 27.74 25.19 24.45 27.33 26.14 27.89 31.9 24.51

pH (in-situ) pH units – 6.5–8.5c 9.4 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.7 7.3 8.3 7.6

pH pH units – 6.5–8.5 c 8.9 8.6 – 8.2 8.5 – – –

electrical conductivity(in-situ)

μS/cm – 340 c 1,749 546 523 686 1,997 1,195 641 3,876

electrical conductivity μS/cm – 340 c 1,600 480 – 660 1,800 – – –

dissolved oxygen mg/L – – 26.31 5.67 5.13 6.73 6.38 7.82 11.41 5.85

dissolved oxygen %saturation

– 85–110 c >200 69 63 87 81 102 160 72

turbidity (in-situ) NTU – 50 c 765 35 224 18 20 22 >1,000 22

turbidity NTU – 50 c 290 10 – 11 15 – – –

Nutrients

total nitrogen µg/L 100 500 c 27,000 11,000 – 900 900 – – –

nitrate (as N) µg/L 20 700 a <20 <20 – 50 50 – – –

nitrite (as N) µg/L 20 – <20 <20 – <20 <20 – – –

nitrite + nitrate (as N)(oxidised N)

µg/L 50 60 c <50 <50 – <50 <50 – – –




9/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 9/11/19 4/11/19 9/11/19 8/11/19

ammonia (as N) µg/L 10 10 c 580 150 – <10 <10 – – –

total Kjeldahl nitrogen(as N)

µg/L 100 – 27,000 11,000 – 900 900 – – –

filterable reactivephosphorus

µg/L 10 20 c <10 80 – <10 80 – – –

total phosphorus µg/L 20 50 c 640 110 – 120 140 – – –

water hardness mgCaCO3/L

5 – 290 150 – 180 310 – – –

Total Suspended and Dissolved Solids

total suspended solids mg/L 1 10 c 370 20 – 14 16 – – –

total dissolved solids mg/L 10 – 1,000 280 – 340 1,100 – – –

Major Cations and Anions

calcium mg/L 0.1 160 b 67 35 – 37 52 – – –

magnesium mg/L 0.1 160 b 29 15 – 21 44 – – –

potassium mg/L 0.1 – 16 14 – 10 8.8 – – –

sodium mg/L 0.1 – 230 47 – 68 260 – – –

chloride mg/L 1 – 400 34 – 100 690 – – –

sulfate mg/L 2 25 c 130 < 5 – 22 58 – – –

total alkalinity asCaCO3

mg/L – 72 230 – 180 250 – – –

carbonate mg/L 1 – 13 13 – < 10 12 – – –




9/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 9/11/19 4/11/19 9/11/19 8/11/19

hydroxide mg/L 1 – < 20 < 20 – < 20 < 20 – – –

bicarbonate mg/L – 59 210 – 180 240 – – –

Total Metals and Metalloids

aluminium (pH.>6.5) µg/L 50 55 a 9,200 1,000 – 390 500 – – –

arsenic (V) µg/L 1 13 a 12 4 – 3 4 – – –

boron µg/L 5 370 a 210 160 – 110 120 – – –

chromium (VI) µg/L 1 1.0 a 11.0 2.0 – 1.0 1.0 – – –

cobalt µg/L 1 – 10 2 – <1 <1 – – –

copper µg/L 1 1.4 a 11.0 2.0 – 2.0 2.0 – – –

iron µg/L 50 – 12,000 1,800 – 450 580 – – –

lead µg/L 1 3.4 a 7.0 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

manganese µg/L 1 1900 a 1,200 270 – 65 92 – – –

mercury µg/L 0.1 0.06 a <0.1 <0.1 – <0.1 <0.1 – – –

molybdenum µg/L 1 – 15 <5 – <5 <5 – – –

nickel µg/L 1 11 a 23 6 – 3 3 – – –

selenium µg/L 1 5 a 2 2 – <1 <1 – – –

silver µg/L 1 0.05 a <5 <5 – <5 <5 – – –

uranium µg/L 1 – <5 <5 – <5 7 – – –

vanadium µg/L 1 100 a 56 7 – 8 9 – – –




9/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 9/11/19 4/11/19 9/11/19 8/11/19

zinc µg/L 5 8.0 a 53.0 7 – <5 <5 – – –

Dissolved Metals and Metalloids

aluminium µg/L 50 55 a <50 <50 – <50 <50 – – –

arsenic µg/L 1 13 a 4 3 – 2 3 – – –

boron µg/L 50 370 a 150 110 – 70 80 – – –

chromium µg/L 1 1.0 a <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

cobalt µg/L 1 – 3 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

copper µg/L 1 1.4 a <1 2.0 – <1 <1 – – –

iron µg/L 50 – <50 70 – <50 <50 – – –

lead µg/L 1 3.4 a <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

manganese µg/L 5 1900 a 510 100 – 25 27 – – –

mercury µg/L 0.1 0.06 a <0.1 <0.1 – <0.1 <0.1 – – –

molybdenum µg/L 5 – 8 <5 – <5 <5 – – –

nickel µg/L 1 11 a 7 4 – 2 2 – – –

selenium µg/L 1 5 a 1 1 – <1 <1 – – –

silver µg/L 5 0.05 a <5 <5 – <5 <5 – – –

uranium µg/L 5 – <5 <5 – <5 7 – – –

vanadium µg/L 5 100 a <5 <5 – 6 7 – – –

zinc µg/L 5 8.0 a <5 <5 – <5 <5 – – –




9/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 9/11/19 4/11/19 9/11/19 8/11/19

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons

TRH >C10-C16 µg/L 25 – 80 <50 – <50 <50 – – –

TRH >C10-C16 lessNaphthalene (F2)

µg/L 50 – 80 <50 – <50 <50 – – –

TRH >C10-C40(total)*

µg/L 100 – 480 200 – <100 <100 – – –

TRH >C16-C34 µg/L 100 – 400 200 – <100 <100 – – –

TRH >C34-C40 µg/L 100 – <100 <100 – <100 <100 – – –

TRH C6-C10 µg/L 20 – 20 <20 – <20 <20 – – –

TRH C6-C10 lessBTEX (F1)

µg/L 20 – 20 <20 – <20 <20 – – –

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons

TPH C6-C9 µg/L 20 – 20 <20 – <20 <20 – – –

TRPH C10-14 µg/L 50 – <50 <50 – <50 <50 – – –

TRPH C15-28 µg/L 100 – 300 200 – <100 <100 – – –

TRPH C29-36 µg/L 100 – <100 <100 – <100 <100 – – –

Sum of TRPH (C10-C36)

µg/L 100 – 300 200 – <100 <100 – – –

BTEX

benzene µg/L 1 950 a <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –




9/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 9/11/19 4/11/19 9/11/19 8/11/19

toluene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

ethyl benzene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

m+p xylenes µg/L 2 – <2 <2 – <2 <2 – – –

o-xylene µg/L 1 350 a <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

xylenes - total µg/L 3 – <3 <3 – <3 <3 – – –

Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons

acenaphthene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

acenaphthylene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

anthracene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

benz(a)anthracene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

benzo(a)pyrene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

Benzo(b&j)fluoranthene

µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

benzo(g,h,i)perylene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

Benzo(k)fluoranthene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

chrysene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

dibenz(a,h)anthracene µg/L 2 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

fluoranthene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

fluorene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –




9/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 7/11/19 9/11/19 4/11/19 9/11/19 8/11/19

indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene

µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

naphthalene µg/L 1 16 a <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

phenanthrene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

pyrene µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –

total PAH µg/L 1 – <1 <1 – <1 <1 – – –a WQO sourced from the Australian & New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh & Marine Water Quality (WQA 2019)b WQO sourced from the Queensland Water Quality Guidelines (DES 2009)c WQO sourced from the Queensland’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (Water) Policy 2009 relating to the Lower Nogoa/Theresa

Creek sub-basin (DEHP 2013).


4.4 Sediment Quality

Sediment quality measured within the scope of this aquatic ecology study was similar toresults recorded in previous REMP surveys (4T Consultants 2012; Hydrobiology 2014;2016b; a; 2017; 2018; 2019). The previous REMP surveys undertaken in the vicinity of theProject are therefore appropriate for the determination of sediment quality in thisassessment and adequate for ongoing monitoring of impacts to the receiving environmentas a result of existing operations. Sediment quality within the Project Area is characterisedwith (Table 4.2):

× total concentration of nickel frequently exceeding the Sediment Quality Objective(SQO) at sites within each catchment, and

× total concentration of aluminium, iron, manganese and vanadium in sedimentfrequently high at most sites but with no available SQO.


Table 4.2 Sediment quality at each site in November 2019

Parameter Units LOR WQOaWC1 WC2 BC2 NR2 MP5

9/11/19 7/11/19 9/11/19 7/11/19 9/11/19

Particle Size Distribution

>2000 Micron % 0.1 – 2.3 1.4 4.5 4.4 1.6

1000-2000 Micron % 0.1 – 2.1 1.4 5.8 1.9 3.1

500-1000 Micron % 0.1 – 2.1 3 15 12 5.3

250-500 Micron % 0.1 – 2.4 2.9 20 18 8.8

125-250 Micron % 0.1 – 2.8 6.1 26 26 23

63-125 Micron % 0.1 – 1.6 6.4 7.7 12 8.9

<63 Micron % 0.1 – 87 79 22 26 50

Moisture Content % 1 – 27 62 26 32 33

Metals and Metalloids

Aluminium mg/kg 5 – 36,000 32,000 18,000 25,000 24,000

Arsenic mg/kg 2 20 3.2 3.1 6 5.6 4.3

Boron mg/kg 5 – <5 6.2 6.5 <5 <5

Chromium mg/kg 5 80 40 41 66 53 49

Cobalt mg/kg 5 – 14 18 20 21 18

Copper mg/kg 5 65 25 23 24 22 26

Iron mg/kg 20 – 36,000 33,000 39,000 37,000 33,000

Lead mg/kg 5 50 9.8 11 12 8.7 10


Parameter Units LOR WQOaWC1 WC2 BC2 NR2 MP5

9/11/19 7/11/19 9/11/19 7/11/19 9/11/19

Manganese mg/kg 5 – 540 570 590 770 660

Mercury mg/kg 0.1 0.15 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1

Molybdenum mg/kg 5 – < 5 < 5 < 5 < 5 < 5

Nickel mg/kg 5 21 33 33 38 43 41

Selenium* mg/kg 5 – < 5 < 5 < 5 < 5 < 5

Silver mg/kg 1 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1

Uranium* mg/kg 10 – < 10 < 10 < 10 < 10 < 10

Vanadium mg/kg 10 – 61 56 88 64 66

Zinc mg/kg 5 200 75 67 58 60 60grey shading denotes values that were not compliant with the applicable WQOa WQO sourced from the Water Quality Australia Toxicant Default Guideline Values for Sediment Quality (WQA 2019)


4.5 Aquatic Habitat and Natural Flow Regime

Desktop Results

The Project is located on the Nogoa River floodplain, with a series of well-defined braidedchannels of the Nogoa River intersecting the Project Area from the west to the east. Otherwatercourses within the Project Area are typically well-defined channels that follow anirregular sinuous pattern (refer to Map 4.1). There are no high ecological value waters orsurface expression groundwater dependent ecosystems in, or surrounding, the Project Area(Figure 4.8). There are mapped lacustrine and palustrine wetlands surrounding the ProjectArea, but relatively few mapped wetlands in the Project Area (refer to Map 5.6). Thewatercourses of the Project Area are mapped as a riverine wetlands with the Nogoa River,Mosquito Creek, Winton Creek, Corkscrew Creek and other Nogoa River tributariesmapped as riverine regional ecosystems in their riparian zones.

Land use in and surrounding the Project Area is dominated by low intensity dryland cattlegrazing with some irrigation/cropping also prevalent between the Nogoa River and WintonCreek. Much of the native catchment and riparian vegetation has been cleared, with stockaccess to watercourses contributing to bank erosion at some locations.

Flow in the Nogoa River occurs approximately 99% of the time, with flows dependent onthe release of irrigation water by Sunwater from the Fairbairn Dam upstream. Flow intensitycan therefore vary significantly throughout the day, with water levels increasing by morethan 0.5 m when release flows are increased. Flows in Winton Creek, Boggy Creek,Mosquito Creek and Corkscrew Creek are likely to be infrequent short-duration events,following significant rainfall. Consequently, these watercourses are highly ephemeral, andaquatic habitat is dominated by small isolated pools within the channel interspersed withlarge areas of dry stream bed, with larger pools typically found in artificial waterbodies.Larger pools are likely to be perennial or near-perennial and important refugial habitat foraquatic fauna. Smaller shallower pools provide aquatic habitat for briefer periods afterrainfall.


Field Survey Results

Detailed habitat descriptions are presented in Appendix E, with a summary of aquatichabitat features including:

× flow of water at each site was variable, with:

- moderate flow in the main channel of the Nogoa and Mackenzie Rivers (sitesNR1, NR2, MP5 and MP6)

- low or no flow in the tributaries of the Nogoa River (sites MP2 and UNC1)

- small shallow isolated pools at sites within Winton Creek (WC1 and WC2),and

- no water in Boggy Creek.

× substrate had a high proportion of rocky substrate (such as bedrock, bouldersand cobble) at sites MP5 and MP6 and a high proportion of sand at site NR2,but was mostly comprised of silt/clay at all other sites

× cover of large wood debris (i.e. logs and branches) and fine organic matter (i.e.twigs and leaves) was typically low, but moderate at sites NR2 and MP2

× in-stream vegetation was present at sites WC2 (submerged and floating) andMP5 (submerged)

× the condition of riparian vegetation was moderate to highly disturbed at mostsites, with low cover of native Eucalyptus trees comprising the canopy at mostsites except WC1 where riparian vegetation was mostly removed; and

× pasture grasses and herbaceous weeds dominated the ground stratum.

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Figure 4.8Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Potential

2020-03-05DATE




Other Mining Leases

Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem PotentialHigh potential GDE - from regional studiesLow potential GDE - from national assessmentLow potential GDE - from regional studiesModerate potential GDE - from national assessmentModerate potential GDE - from regional studies


Lake/Reservoir

Basin




Figure 4.9 Stream flow at DNRME gauging station 130219a

Figure 4.10 Flow duration curve for DNRME gauging station 130219a


4.6 Aquatic Biota of the Project Area

Aquatic Plants

Desktop Results

Aquatic plant communities of the region are typically species-poor and have low per centcover, which is likely due to the naturally harsh environmental conditions of the ephemeralwatercourses in the region. The Nogoa River sub-catchment covers an area of 27,690 km2

upstream of the Project Area, and is home to ~104 wetland indicator plant species(WetlandInfo). Submerged aquatic plants were uncommon due to ephemeral nature of thewatercourses, with species with emergent growth form dominating aquatic plantcommunities, including smartweeds (Persicaria spp.), rushes (Typha spp., Eleocharis spp.and Juncus spp.), lignum (Doma florulenta) and sedges (Cyperus spp.). However, thepermanent water present within the Nogoa River and its’ channels provide habitat foraquatic plants not of emergent growth form, with floating species such as lilies (Nymphoidesexiflora and Nymphae caerulea), nardoo (Marsilea spp.) and azolla (Azolla pinnata), andsubmerged species such as pondweed (Potamogeton spp.), bladderwort (Utriculariacaerulea) and Vallisneria (Vallisneria nana) known to inhabit that catchment (Wetland info).

None of the recorded aquatic plant species are listed as threatened species under theCommonwealth’s EPBC Act or Queensland’s NC Act.

Hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis), which is a restricted biosecurity matter underQueensland’s Biosecurity Act 2014, is known from the region.



The aquatic plant survey found (Table 4.3):

× aquatic plants at each site and aquatic plants in water at sites MP5, MP6 and WC2

× 17 aquatic plant species, with six species in water and 14 species out of water

× the cover of aquatic plants at each site ranged from 2 (site BC1) to 151 (site WC1),with cover high at site WC1 due to aquatic plants growing on-top of each other inthe riparian vegetation

× three common aquatic plants species, with attenuated smartweed (Persicariaattenuata) and lignum (Muehlenbeckia florulenta) relatively widespread and fernyazolla (Azolla pinnata) found only at site WC2

× aquatic plants were mostly on dry bed and banks, with in-stream cover only higherat sites MP5 (high cover of curly pondweed; Potamogeton crispus) and WC2 (highcover of ferny azolla).


Table 4.3 Per cent cover of aquatic plants in and out of water at each site in November 2019.

Taxa Name Common Name GrowthForm*

Site

WC1 WC2 BC1 BC2 NR1 NR2 MP5 MP6 UNC2 MP2

In water

Azolla pinnata ferny azolla F 90

Lemnoideae duckweed F 5

Lomandra longifolia long-leaved mat-rush E 2

Ludwigia peploides water primrose F 0.5

Persicaria attenuata attenuated smartweed E 1

Potamogeton crispus curly pondweed S 30

Out of water

Cyperus difformis rice flat-sedge E 1.1

Cyperus exaltatus giant sedge E 1 3

Cyperus sp. flat-sedge sp. E 1 5 1 0.5

Eclipta prostrata white eclipta E 9

Hymenachneamplexicaulis

water stargrass E 33

Juncus usitatus common rush E 0.5 1 1 1

Leersia hexandra swamp rice-grass E 7

Lomandra longifolia long-leaved mat-rush E 1 8 15 2 20 7

Ludwigia peploides water primrose F 2 3


Taxa Name Common Name GrowthForm*

Site

WC1 WC2 BC1 BC2 NR1 NR2 MP5 MP6 UNC2 MP2

Muehlenbeckiaflorulenta

lignum E 30 31 2 5 4 23 3

Persicaria attenuata attenuated smartweed E 90 7 1 45

Persicaria decipiens slender knotweed E 1 1

Persicaria lapathifolia pale knotweed E 2 0.5 1

Typha sp. bulrush E 25 2* F: Floating, E: Emergent, S: Submerged


Macroinvertebrates

Aquatic macroinvertebrates of the region are dominated by insects (frc environmentalunpublished data; 4T Consultants 2012; Hydrobiology 2014; 2016b; a; 2017; 2018; 2019)and include:

× seven families of beetles (Coleoptera)

× seven families of flies and midges (Diptera)

× four families of bugs (Hemiptera)

× four families of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata)

× three families (sensitive taxa) of mayflies (Ephemeroptera)

× seven families (sensitive taxa) of caddisflies (Trichoptera).

Other macroinvertebrate taxa recorded in in the region include:

× four families of mussels and clams (Bivalvia)

× earthworms (Oligochaeta)

× flatworms (Dugeslidae)

× leeches (Hirudinea)

× mites (Acarina), and

× four families of crustacea (Decapoda):

- glass shrimp (Atyidae)

- isopods (Cirolanidae)

- copepods (Copepoda)

- freshwater prawns (Palaemonidae).


REMP monitoring data for Ensham from 2010 to 2019 for five sites within Project Area had(4T Consultants 2012; Hydrobiology 2014; 2016b; a; 2017; 2018; 2019):

× abundance ranging from:

- 36 to 416 in run/composite habitat

- 78 to 322 in edge habitat.

× taxonomic richness ranging from:



× PET richness ranging from:



× SIGNAL-2 scores ranging from:

- 2.47 to 4.60 in run/composite habitat

- 2.71 to 4.43 in edge habitat.



The macroinvertebrate data show that (Table 4.4):

× the abundance of macroinvertebrates was highest at sites WC1 (1,012macroinvertebrates) and WC2 (1,337 macroinvertebrates) on Winton Creek, butPET richness and Signal-2 Scores were lower than at sites on the Nogoa River (MP5and NR2)

× Taxonomic richness was typically lower than the default biological objective range,with taxonomic richness only within the guideline range at site WC2, and

× PET richness and SIGNAL-2 scores were lower than the default biological objectiverange at both sites on Winton Creek, where aquatic habitat was restricted to isolatedpools.

Macroinvertebrate data within the scope of this aquatic ecology study was similar to resultsrecorded in previous REMP surveys undertaken in the vicinity of the Project and is thereforeappropriate for the determination of the macroinvertebrate community in this assessmentand adequate for the ongoing monitoring of impacts to the receiving environment as a resultof existing operations.

Table 4.4 Macroinvertebrate indices for samples collected from edge habitat inNovember 2019.

Site Macroinvertebrate Indices

Abundance Taxonomicrichness

PET richness SIGNAL-2Score

Default biological objective – 23 – 33 2 – 5 3.31 – 4.20

WC1 1012 13 0 2.64

WC2 1337 26 1 2.85

NR2 741 20 5 3.46

MP5 896 18 3 3.43Grey shading indicates a result lower than the guideline range


Fish

Desktop Results

Eighteen native species of fish are known from the region3 (frc environmental unpublisheddata; DES 2019c; b):

× Agassiz's glassfish (Ambassis agassizii)

× barred grunter (Amniataba percoides)

× longfin eel (Anguilla reinhardtii)

× flyspecked hardyhead (Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum)

× empire gudgeon (Hypseleotris compressa)

× carp gudgeon (Hypseleotris spp.)

× spangled perch (Leiopotherapon unicolor)

× golden perch (Macquaria ambigua)

× eastern rainbowfish (Melanotaenia splendida splendida)

× southern purplespotted gudgeon (Mogurnda adspersa)

× bony bream (Nematalosa erebi)

× blue catfish (Neoarius graeffei)

× Hyrtl's catfish (Neosilurus hyrtlii)

× sleepy cod (Oxyeleotris lineolata)

× Rendahl’s catfish (Porochilus rendahli)

× leathery grunter (Scortum hillii)

× freshwater longtom (Strongylura krefftii), and

× freshwater catfish (Tandanus tandanus).

These are all common species that are tolerant of relatively harsh environmental conditions(e.g. variable flow, fluctuating water quality) that are typical of ephemeral watercourses ofthe region. All species are potadromous (i.e. they migrate to various extents withinfreshwaters), except Empire gudgeons which are diadromous (i.e. migrate between

3 An additional nine species were listed to be within the Nogoa River catchment, but not in the vicinity of theProject Area, these include: Aru gudgeon, flathead gudgeon, mouth almighty, silver perch, Murray cod,barramundi, bullrout, Pacific blue eye and southern saratoga.


freshwater and saltwater), longfin eels which are catadromous (i.e. migrate to marine habitatto breed) and blue catfish which are anadromous (i.e. migrate to freshwater habitat tobreed). None of these species are listed as threatened species under the EPBC Act or NCAct.


The fish survey result show (Table 4.5):

× twelve native fish species and two exotic fish species (eastern Gambusia and platy)were caught

× Agassiz’s glassfish, carp gudgeon and eastern rainbowfish were the mostwidespread species, occurring at each site

× eastern rainbowfish (770 individuals), carp gudgeon (298 individuals) andflyspecked hardyhead (190 individuals) were the most abundant species

× native fish species richness at sites WC2 and MP5 were below the default biologicalguideline value (expected richness of ³ 8 native species), with bony bream, eel-tailed catfish and spangled perch not recorded at sites WC2 and MP5 andyellowbelly (Macquaria ambigua oriens) and leathery grunter (Scortum hillii) notrecorded at any site, and

× exotic fish species richness at site WC2 did not comply with the default biologicalguideline value (expected richness of £ 1 exotic species), with two species recordedat the site.

All native species are common and widespread in the region, and none are listed species.Eastern Gambusia is a restricted biosecurity matter under the Queensland Biosecurity Act2014.


Table 4.5 Fish caught at each site in November 2019.

Taxa Name Common NameSite

WC2 NR2 MP5

Native Fish

Ambassis agassizii Agassiz's glassfish 4 4 48

Amniataba percoides barred grunter 0 1 0

Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum flyspecked hardyhead 29 161 0

Hypseleotris spp. carp gudgeon 3 2 293

Leiopotherapon unicolor spangled perch 0 1 0

Melanotaenia splendida splendida eastern rainbowfish 85 675 10

Mogurnda adspersa purplespotted gudgeon 0 0 4

Nematalosa erebi bony bream 0 20 0

Neoarius graeffei blue catfish 0 1 0

Neosilurus hyrtlii Hyrtl's catfish 0 1 2

Porochilus rendahli Rendahl's catfish 0 3 0

Tandanus tandanus freshwater catfish 0 2 0

Native species Abundance 121 871 357

Native Species Richness 4 11 5

Exotic Fish

Gambusia holbrooki eastern Gambusia 1 0 44

Xiphophorus maculatus platy 0 2 1

Exotic species Abundance 1 2 45

Exotic Species Richness 1 1 2grey shading denotes results that did not comply with the default biological guideline value


Turtles

Desktop Assessment

Five species of turtle are known from the region: eastern long-necked turtle (Chelodinalongicolis), Krefft’s river turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii), broad-shelled river turtle(Chelodina expansa), Fitzroy River turtle and white-throated snapping turtle (DES 2019;wildlife online; frc environmental unpublished data). The white-throated snapping turtle andFitzroy River turtle are listed as critically endangered (white-throated snapping turtle) andvulnerable (Fitzroy River turtle) under the Commonwealth’s EPBC Act and are expected tostill inhabit the main channels of the Nogoa River where permanent water is present.However, the white-throated snapping turtle and Fitzroy River turtle are unlikely to inhabitother smaller watercourses in the Project Area, such as Winton Creek, Boggy Creek,Corkscrew Creek and Mosquito Creek.


Seven Krefft’s river turtles (Emydura Macquarii krefftii) were caught in November 2019, witha majority (six individuals) caught at site NR2 (Table 4.6). No turtles were caught at siteWC2, where the water level and available habitat was unfavourable for a turtle population.

Table 4.6 Turtles caught at each site in November 2019.

Taxa Name Common NameSite

WC2 NR2 MP5

Emydura macquarii krefftii Krefft's river turtle 0 6 1


4.7 Assessment of Aquatic Ecological Value

The aquatic ecological value of the Nogoa River and its’ tributaries was assessed as highusing the criteria presented in Table 3.5, as aquatic MNES are known to occur within theNogoa River and the main channel provides favourable habitat for foraging and potentialhabitat for breeding.





5 Aquatic Ecological Impact and Mitigation Assessment

5.1 Sources of Potential Impact on Aquatic Ecological Values

The Project will use existing infrastructure of the existing operations, with no additionalsurface infrastructure, surface construction or surface disturbance within the Project Area.The major phases of the Project are:

× project operation

× decommissioning and rehabilitation.


× subsidence

× localised contamination of watercourses from spills of hydrocarbons and chemicalsfrom vehicles and machinery


Subsidence

Underground mining operations associated with the Project are proposed beneath the lowerreaches of Mosquito Creek, the Nogoa River main channel and a number of tributaries ofthe Nogoa River. Subsidence of these watercourses may result in lowered sections ofstream bed with abrupt changes in bed level or bank failure and in-filling of the channel.This may alter natural water flow patterns and restrict the movement of fish, especiallyduring low flow conditions, potentially resulting in fish being stranded in impacted areas.

The Project will operate using the same bord and pillar mining method associated withexisting operations, with a regular array of stable coal pillars and roadways. The subsidencepredictions for the Project coal pillars have been verified to a high level of confidence usinginformation from the existing bord and pillar operations at Ensham. Using a minimum pillarFactor of Safety (FoS) of 1.6, the subsidence is predicted to be less than 40 mm in theProject Area, with subsidence a result of elastic compression of the strata (i.e. compressiondue to the additional load on the pillars after the coal has been extracted).


The predicted subsidence as a result of the Project is less than the DAWE estimatedseasonal variation in surface levels as a result of changes in moisture content (50 mm), andis therefore unlikely to form surface cracks or significant depressions in surface topographywhere ponding of the surface water may occur. This is consistent with experience forexisting operations where no surface cracking or ponding has been observed above theoperating bord and pillar mine areas.

Localised Contamination of Watercourses

Fuels, oils and other chemicals (e.g. lubricants and solvents) required for the operation ofvehicles and machinery or maintenance of underground operations are toxic to aquatic floraand fauna at relatively low concentrations. Spilt fuel is most likely to enter watercourses viaan accidental spill on the roads or when there are construction or operational activitiesadjacent to watercourses and/or groundwater. A significant fuel spill (in the order of tens orhundreds of litres) is likely to have a locally significant impact on both flora and fauna, withthe size of spill and the volume of water being the most significant factors influencing thelength of stream impacted. Other wastes associated with vehicle and machine maintenancealso have the potential to contribute to the degradation of aquatic ecosystems.

The Project will operate using the same procedures and requirements associated with theexisting operations, specifically existing Environmental Impact Management Plans (EIMP;EIMP.06.00.03 Water Management and Minimisation Plan and EIMP.05.00.02Hydrocarbons), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP; SOP.09.01.04 Using HazardousSubstances) and relevant legislative requirements and Australian Standards. In particular,refuelling will be completed in designated bunded areas away from watercourses and spillresponse procedures will be followed. As there will be no new surface infrastructure, noincrease in mine traffic on the surface and no increase in surface construction or surfacedisturbance within the Project Area as a result of the Project, it is therefore unlikely to be anincreased risk of localised contamination of watercourses.


Cumulative Impacts

Cumulative impacts of the Project with nearby operational mines and proposed miningprojects (specifically Kestrel Coal Project, Wilton and Fairhill Project and Curragh Project)on water quality in the Nogoa River and the drawdown of the alluvial water table:

× proposed mine-affected water releases will be managed within an existing andoverarching strategic framework for management of cumulative impacts of miningactivities (i.e. Model Water Conditions for Mines in the Fitzroy Basin and the EPP(WWB) for the Fitzroy Basin); thus, the proposed management approach for minewater is expected to have negligible cumulative impact on surface water quality andassociated environmental values

× changes in flows in the Nogoa River due to drawdown of the water table and loss ofcatchment area from the multiple mining operations would be undetectable as flowis managed by Sunwater from the Fairbairn Dam upstream.

5.2 Risk-based Impact Assessment

The risk assessment determined the level of risk as an outcome of the consequence andlikelihood of the potential impact (Table 5.1 to Table 5.3). The 5 x 3 risk matrix (Table 5.3)gives risk scores ranging between one and 15, with risk being:

× low, when the score is < 5

× medium, when the score is > 5 but < 10, and

× high, when the score is > 10.


Table 5.1 Ratings used to assess the likelihood of potential impacts.

Rating Likelihood of occurrence

Very high (5) Almost certain to occur frequently

High (4) Probably would happen sometimes to frequently

Moderate (3) Could happen sometimes

Low (2) Remote possibility of occurring or not expected to occur

Very low (1) Definitely would not happen at all

Table 5.2 Ratings used to assess the consequence of potential impacts.

Rating Consequence of potential impacts

High Catastrophic, irreversible or critical long-term environmental harm or loss;significant harm or loss of sensitive components of the environment; significantharm or loss of protected components of the environment, such as protectedwetlands or MNES.

Moderate Significant short-term but reversible harm of the environment; minorenvironmental harm to sensitive or protected components of the environment,such as protected wetlands or MNES.

Low Unfavourable impact with no material harm to the environment and no impacton sensitive or protected components of the environment.

Table 5.3 Environmental risk matrix.

Likelihood

Very Low (1) Low (2) Moderate (3) High (4) Very High(5)

Con

sequ

ence Low (1) 1 2 3 4 5

Moderate (2) 2 4 6 8 10

High (3) 3 6 9 12 15


5.3 Risk-based Impact Assessment

Source of PotentialImpact

Mitigation Consequence of Impact Likelihood of Impact Mitigated Riskto AquaticEcosystem EV

Subsidence The Project will operate using the same bord and pillar mining method associated with the existing operationsusing a minimum pillar FoS of 1.6.

Moderate (2)

Watercourses of the Project studyarea have high ecological values butharm of the environment reversibleand non-permanent

Very Low (1)

Not expected to occur given themining method

Low (2 x 1 = 2)

Localisedcontamination ofwatercourses fromspills ofhydrocarbons andchemicals fromvehicles andmachinery

All applicable materials will be stored and handled in accordance with the relevant legislative requirementsand Australian Standards, including but not limited to the provisions of:

AS 3780:2008 – The storage and handling of corrosive substances

AS 1940:2017 – The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids

Refuelling will be in designated bunded areas away from watercourses

Spill response procedures will be followed

Moderate (2)


Very Low (1)

Not expected to occur given thatthere will be no new infrastructure,increase in mine traffic on thesurface or development within theProject Area

Low (2 x 1 = 2)

Cumulative Impacts Disturbing only areas needed for Project operations

Water will be managed in accordance with the existing operations water management plans and EA releasecriteria which are designed to protect watercourse EVs, with mine-affected water releases managed within anexisting and overarching strategic framework for management of cumulative impacts of mining activities (i.e.Model Water Conditions for Mines in the Fitzroy Basin and the EPP (WWB) for the Fitzroy Basin).

Moderate (2)


Low (2)

Not expected to occur givenmitigations

Low (2 x 2 = 4)

frc environmental


5.4 Assessment of Potential Impacts to Aquatic MNES Species

An action is likely to have a significant impact on a threatened species if there is a realchance or possibility that it will:

× lead to a long-term decrease in the size of a population (important population forvulnerable species)

× reduce the area of occupancy of the species (important population of a vulnerablespecies)

× fragment an existing population (important population of a vulnerable species) intotwo or more populations

× adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species

× disrupt the breeding cycle of a population (important population of a vulnerablespecies)

× modify, destroy, remove, isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat tothe extent that the species is likely to decline

× result in invasive species that are harmful to a critically endangered, endangered orvulnerable species becoming established in the endangered, critically endangeredor vulnerable species’ habitat

× introduce disease that may cause the species to decline, and / or

× interfere with the recovery of the species.

Although two aquatic MNES species are known to occur within the waterways of the ProjectArea (white-throated snapping turtle and Fitzroy River turtle), the Project is highly unlikelyto have a significant impact on their population as there will be:


× no change in the release process for mine affected water from the existingoperations

× very low likelihood of subsidence, with the predicted subsidence (40 mm) alsounlikely to form a barrier for freshwater turtle dispersal


Thus, populations of these MNES species are sufficiently isolated from the Project to haveno risk of direct or indirect impact from the Project. The mitigations described above furtherreduce any risk of indirect impacts.

frc environmental


6 Conclusions

The aquatic ecological value of the Nogoa River and its’ tributaries was assessed as highusing the criteria presented in Table 3.5, as aquatic MNES are known to occur within theNogoa River and the main channel provides favourable habitat for foraging and potentialhabitat for breeding.





× subsidence

× localised contamination of watercourses from spills of hydrocarbons and chemicalsfrom vehicles and machinery, and


All sources of impact were assessed as having a low risk of adverse impact to aquaticecological values as:

× the Project will operate using the same bord and pillar mining method associatedwith existing operations, with the predicted subsidence (40 mm) less than the DAWEestimated seasonal variation in surface levels as a result of changes in moisturecontent (50 mm)

× there will be no new surface infrastructure, no increase in mine traffic on the surfaceand no increase in surface construction or surface disturbance within the ProjectArea as a result of the Project, and

frc environmental


× proposed mine-affected water releases and ongoing water quality, sediment qualityand aquatic ecology monitoring will be managed under the EA conditions of existingoperations to ensure the protection of EVs within the receiving environment.

Two aquatic MNES species are known to occur within the waterways of the Project Area(white-throated snapping turtle and Fitzroy River turtle), however the Project is highlyunlikely to have a significant impact on their population as there will be:


× no change in the release process for mine affected water from the existingoperations

× very low likelihood of subsidence, with the predicted subsidence (40 mm) alsounlikely to form a barrier for freshwater turtle dispersal, and


Thus, populations of these MNES species are sufficiently isolated from the Project to haveno risk of direct or indirect impact from the Project.

frc environmental


7 References

4T Consultants, 2012, Ensham Resources Pty Ltd Receiving Environment MonitoringProgram: Biannual Review, report prepared for Ensham Resources Pty Ltd.

AECOM, 2020, Matters of National Environmental Significance, report prepared for EnshamResources Pty. Ltd.

ALA., 2019, Atlas of Living Australia, http://www.ala.org.au.

Cann, J., 1998, Australian Freshwater Turtles, Beaumont Publishing Pty Ltd, Singapore.

Chessman, B., 2003, 'New sensitivity grades for Australian river macroinvertebrates',Australian Journal of marine and Freshwater Research 54: 95-103.

Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E.E., Sadlier, R.A. & Eggler, P., 1993, The Action Plan forAustralian Reptiles,http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/action/reptiles/index.html.

DAWE, 2014, Approved conservation advice Elseya albagula White-throated snappingturtle, report prepared for Deparment of the Environment.

DAWE, 2015, Rheodytes leukops in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department ofthe Environment, Canberra, http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat accessed May2016.

DEHP, 2013, Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009 Nogoa River Sub-basinEnvironmental Values and Water Quality Objectives Basin No. 130 (part), includingall waters of the Nogoa River Sub-basin, report prepared for Department ofEnvironment and Heritage Protection.

DERM, 2011, Dawson River Sub-basin Environmental Values and Water QualityObjectives, September 2011,http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/water/environmental_values_environmental_protection_water_policy/schedule_1_of_epp_water_including_plans/fitzroy_scheduled_evs_wqos.html.

DES, 2009, Queensland Water Quality Guidelines 2009, Version 3, report prepared forQueensland Deparment of Environment and Science.

DES, 2018, Monitoring and Sampling Manual: Environmental Protection (Water) Policy2009, report prepared for Queensland Department of Environment and Science.

frc environmental


DES, 2019a, Flora Survey Guidelines - Protected Plants, report prepared for Wildlife andThreatened Species Operations.

DES, 2019b, Species lists, https://environment.ehp.qld.gov.au/report-request/species-list/.

DES, 2019c, WetlandInfo, https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/.

DEWHA, 2008, Approved Conservation Advice for Rheodytes leukops (Fitzroy Tortoise),report prepared for Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

DNRM, 2001a, Australia-Wide Assessment of River Health: Queensland AUSRIVASSampling and Processing Manual, report prepared for Commonwealth of Australiaand QLD Department of Natural Resources and Mines.

DNRM, 2001b. Queensland Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS). Samplingand Processing Manual. Queensland Department of Natural Resources andMines, Rocklea.

DNRME, 2019, Water Monitoring Information Portal, https://water-monitoring.information.qld.gov.au/host.htm.

DotE, 2013, Matters of Environmental Significance: Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1,report prepared for Australian Government.

DotE, 2015. Outcomes-based Conditions Guidance. Department of the Environment.

DSEWPC, 2011, Survey Guidelines for Australia’s threatened fish, report prepared forCommonwealth of Australia.

EHP, 2011, Fitzroy River Turtle, http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals-az/fitzroy_river_turtle.html accessed November.

Franklin, C., 2000, 'Aquatic respiration and diving in the freshwater turtle, Rheodytesleukops', Journal of Physiology 523.

frc environmental, 2008, Blackwater Creek Diversion, Aquatic Ecology; Impact Assessmentand Baseline Monitoring, report prepared for Parsons Brinckerhoff Australia PtyLtd.

frc environmental, 2010, Connors River Dam Fitzroy River Turtle Survey, August 2010,report prepared for SunWater.

frc environmental


GHD, 2015, Lower Fitzroy River Infrastructure Project Fitzroy River turtle (Rheodytesleukops) technical report June 2015, report prepared for Gladstone Area WaterBoard and SunWater.

Gordos, M., Franklin, C. & Limpus, C., 2004, 'Effect of water depth and water velocity uponthe surfacing frequency of the bimodally respiring freshwater turtle, Rheodytesleukops', Journal of Experimental Biology 207: 3099-3107.

Hamann, M., Schauble, C.S., Limpus, D.J., Emerick, S.P. & Limpus, C.J., 2007.Management Plan for the conservation of Elseya sp. [Burnett River] in the BurnettRiver Catchment. Queensland Environmental Protection Agency: Brisbane.

Heppell, S.S., Crowder, L.B. & D., T.C., 1996, 'Models to evaluate headstarting as amanagement tool for long-lived turtles', Ecological Applications 6.

Hydrobiology, 2014, Ensham Mine REMP: Annual Report, report prepared for EnshamResources Pty Ltd.

Hydrobiology, 2016a, Ensham Mine: 2014/2015 Receiving Environment MonitoringProgram Annual Report, report prepared for Ensham Resources Pty Ltd.

Hydrobiology, 2016b, Ensham Mine: 2015/2016 Receiving Environment MonitoringProgram Annual Report, report prepared for Ensham Resources Pty Ltd.

Hydrobiology, 2017, Ensham Coal Mine: 2016/2017 Annual REMP Report, report preparedfor Ensham Resources Pty Ltd.

Hydrobiology, 2018, Ensham Coal Mine: 2017/2018 Annual REMP Report, report preparedfor Ensham Resources Pty Ltd.

Hydrobiology, 2019, Ensham Coal Mine: 2018/2019 REMP Report, report prepared forEnsham Resources Pty Ltd.

Legler, J.M. & Cann, J., 1980, 'A new genus and species of a chelid turtle from Queensland,Australia', Contributions in Science, Natural History Museum of Los AngelesCounty 342: 1-18.

Limpus, C., 2008. A biological review of Australian marine turtle species. 4. Olive Ridleyturtle Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz). Environmental Protection Agency,Brisbane.

Limpus, C.J., D.J., L., Parmenter, C.J., Hodge, J., Forrest, M.J. & McLachlan, J.M., 2007,Proposal for raising Eden Bann Weir and construction of Rookwood Wier – Anassessment of the potential implications and mitigation measures for Fitzroy

frc environmental


Turtles (Elseya albagula and Rheodytes leukops), report prepared forEnvironmental Protection Agency, Queensland Government.

Limpus, C.J., Limpus, D.J., Parmenter, C.J., Hodge, J., Forest, M. & McLachlan, J., 2011,The Biology and Management Strategies for Freshwater Turtles in the FitzroyCatchment, with particular emphasis on Elseya albagula and Rheodytes leukops:A study initiated in response to the proposed construction of Rookwood Weir andthe raising of Eden Bann Weir, report prepared for Department of Environment andResource Management.

Norris, A. & Low, T., 2005, Review of the management of feral animals and their impact onbiodiversity in the Rangelands: A resource to aid NRM planning, report preparedfor Pest Animal Control CRC,.

Priest, T., (1997), Bimodal respiration and dive behaviour of the Fitzroy River Turtle,Rheodytes leukops, BSc Honours Thesis, University of Queensland, Brisbane,Australia.

Todd, E.V., Blair, D., Farley, S., Farrington, L., Fitzsimmons, N.N., Georges, A., Limpus,C.J. & Jerry, D.R., 2013, 'Contemporary genetic structire reflects historicaldrainage isolation in an Australian snapping turtle, Elseya albagula', ZoologicalJournal of the Linnean Society 169: 200-214.

Tucker, A.D., Limpus, C.J., Priest, T.E., Cay, J., Glen, C. & Guarino, E., 2001, 'Home rangesof Fitzroy River turtles (Rheodytes leukops) overlap riffle zones: potential concernsrelated to river regulation', Biological Conservation 102: 171-181.

WQA, 2019, Australian & New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh & Marine Water Quality,https://www.waterquality.gov.au/anz-guidelines.

Ensham Life of Mine Extension Project: Aquatic Ecology Assessment A1

Appendix A MNES Search Results

EPBC Act Protected Matters Report

This report provides general guidance on matters of national environmental significance and other mattersprotected by the EPBC Act in the area you have selected.

Information on the coverage of this report and qualifications on data supporting this report are contained in thecaveat at the end of the report.

Information is available about Environment Assessments and the EPBC Act including significance guidelines,forms and application process details.

Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act

Acknowledgements

Buffer: 10.0Km

Matters of NES

Report created: 22/11/19 11:56:12

Coordinates

This map may contain data which are©Commonwealth of Australia(Geoscience Australia), ©PSMA 2010

CaveatExtra Information

DetailsSummary

http://www.environment.gov.au/protection/environment-assessments

Summary

This part of the report summarises the matters of national environmental significance that may occur in, or mayrelate to, the area you nominated. Further information is available in the detail part of the report, which can beaccessed by scrolling or following the links below. If you are proposing to undertake an activity that may have asignificant impact on one or more matters of national environmental significance then you should consider theAdministrative Guidelines on Significance.

Matters of National Environmental Significance

Listed Threatened Ecological Communities:

Listed Migratory Species:

4

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park:

Wetlands of International Importance:

Listed Threatened Species:

None

23

None

None

National Heritage Places:

Commonwealth Marine Area:

World Heritage Properties:

None

None

11

The EPBC Act protects the environment on Commonwealth land, the environment from the actions taken onCommonwealth land, and the environment from actions taken by Commonwealth agencies. As heritage values of aplace are part of the 'environment', these aspects of the EPBC Act protect the Commonwealth Heritage values of aCommonwealth Heritage place. Information on the new heritage laws can be found athttp://www.environment.gov.au/heritage

This part of the report summarises other matters protected under the Act that may relate to the area you nominated.Approval may be required for a proposed activity that significantly affects the environment on Commonwealth land,when the action is outside the Commonwealth land, or the environment anywhere when the action is taken onCommonwealth land. Approval may also be required for the Commonwealth or Commonwealth agencies proposing totake an action that is likely to have a significant impact on the environment anywhere.

A permit may be required for activities in or on a Commonwealth area that may affect a member of a listed threatenedspecies or ecological community, a member of a listed migratory species, whales and other cetaceans, or a member ofa listed marine species.


None

None

None

Listed Marine Species:

Whales and Other Cetaceans:

17

Commonwealth Heritage Places:

None

None

Critical Habitats:

Commonwealth Land:

Commonwealth Reserves Terrestrial:

NoneAustralian Marine Parks:

Extra Information

This part of the report provides information that may also be relevant to the area you have nominated.

None

NoneState and Territory Reserves:

Nationally Important Wetlands:

NoneRegional Forest Agreements:

Invasive Species: 24

NoneKey Ecological Features (Marine)

http://www.environment.gov.au/protection/environment-assessments

http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/permits-and-application-forms

Details

Listed Threatened Species [ Resource Information ]Name Status Type of PresenceBirds

Curlew Sandpiper [856] Critically Endangered Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Calidris ferruginea

Red Goshawk [942] Vulnerable Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Erythrotriorchis radiatus

Squatter Pigeon (southern) [64440] Vulnerable Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Geophaps scripta scripta

Painted Honeyeater [470] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Grantiella picta

Star Finch (eastern), Star Finch (southern) [26027] Endangered Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Neochmia ruficauda ruficauda

Southern Black-throated Finch [64447] Endangered Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Poephila cincta cincta

Australian Painted Snipe [77037] Endangered Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Rostratula australis

Mammals

Large-eared Pied Bat, Large Pied Bat [183] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Chalinolobus dwyeri

Northern Quoll, Digul [Gogo-Yimidir], Wijingadda[Dambimangari], Wiminji [Martu] [331]

Endangered Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Dasyurus hallucatus

For threatened ecological communities where the distribution is well known, maps are derived from recoveryplans, State vegetation maps, remote sensing imagery and other sources. Where threatened ecologicalcommunity distributions are less well known, existing vegetation maps and point location data are used toproduce indicative distribution maps.

Listed Threatened Ecological Communities [ Resource Information ]

Name Status Type of PresenceBrigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant)

Endangered Community known to occurwithin area

Natural Grasslands of the Queensland CentralHighlands and northern Fitzroy Basin

Endangered Community may occurwithin area

Poplar Box Grassy Woodland on Alluvial Plains Endangered Community likely to occurwithin area

Weeping Myall Woodlands Endangered Community may occurwithin area

Matters of National Environmental Significance

Name Status Type of Presence

Ghost Bat [174] Vulnerable Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Macroderma gigas

Corben's Long-eared Bat, South-eastern Long-earedBat [83395]

Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Nyctophilus corbeni

Greater Glider [254] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Petauroides volans

Koala (combined populations of Queensland, NewSouth Wales and the Australian Capital Territory)[85104]

Vulnerable Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Phascolarctos cinereus (combined populations of Qld, NSW and the ACT)

Plants

Ooline [9828] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Cadellia pentastylis

King Blue-grass [5481] Endangered Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Dichanthium queenslandicum

bluegrass [14159] Vulnerable Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Dichanthium setosum

Reptiles

Adorned Delma, Collared Delma [1656] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Delma torquata

Ornamental Snake [1193] Vulnerable Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Denisonia maculata

Yakka Skink [1420] Vulnerable Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Egernia rugosa

Southern Snapping Turtle, White-throated SnappingTurtle [81648]

Critically Endangered Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Elseya albagula

Dunmall's Snake [59254] Vulnerable Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Furina dunmalli

Allan's Lerista, Retro Slider [1378] Endangered Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Lerista allanae

Fitzroy River Turtle, Fitzroy Tortoise, Fitzroy Turtle,White-eyed River Diver [1761]

Vulnerable Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Rheodytes leukops

Listed Migratory Species [ Resource Information ]* Species is listed under a different scientific name on the EPBC Act - Threatened Species list.Name Threatened Type of PresenceMigratory Marine Birds

Fork-tailed Swift [678] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Apus pacificus

Migratory Terrestrial Species

Oriental Cuckoo, Horsfield's Cuckoo [86651] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Cuculus optatus

Name Threatened Type of Presence

Black-faced Monarch [609] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Monarcha melanopsis

Yellow Wagtail [644] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Motacilla flava

Satin Flycatcher [612] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Myiagra cyanoleuca

Migratory Wetlands Species

Common Sandpiper [59309] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Actitis hypoleucos

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper [874] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Calidris acuminata


Calidris ferruginea

Pectoral Sandpiper [858] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Calidris melanotos

Latham's Snipe, Japanese Snipe [863] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Gallinago hardwickii

Osprey [952] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Pandion haliaetus

Listed Marine Species [ Resource Information ]* Species is listed under a different scientific name on the EPBC Act - Threatened Species list.Name Threatened Type of PresenceBirds

Common Sandpiper [59309] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Actitis hypoleucos

Magpie Goose [978] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Anseranas semipalmata

Fork-tailed Swift [678] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Apus pacificus

Great Egret, White Egret [59541] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Ardea alba

Cattle Egret [59542] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Ardea ibis

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper [874] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Calidris acuminata


Name Threatened Type of Presence


Calidris ferruginea

Pectoral Sandpiper [858] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Calidris melanotos

Black-eared Cuckoo [705] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Chrysococcyx osculans

Latham's Snipe, Japanese Snipe [863] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Gallinago hardwickii

White-bellied Sea-Eagle [943] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Haliaeetus leucogaster

Rainbow Bee-eater [670] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Merops ornatus

Black-faced Monarch [609] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Monarcha melanopsis

Yellow Wagtail [644] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Motacilla flava

Satin Flycatcher [612] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Myiagra cyanoleuca

Osprey [952] Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Pandion haliaetus

Painted Snipe [889] Endangered* Species or species habitatmay occur within area

Rostratula benghalensis (sensu lato)

Extra Information

Invasive Species [ Resource Information ]Weeds reported here are the 20 species of national significance (WoNS), along with other introduced plantsthat are considered by the States and Territories to pose a particularly significant threat to biodiversity. Thefollowing feral animals are reported: Goat, Red Fox, Cat, Rabbit, Pig, Water Buffalo and Cane Toad. Maps fromLandscape Health Project, National Land and Water Resouces Audit, 2001.

Name Status Type of PresenceBirds

Mallard [974] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Anas platyrhynchos

Rock Pigeon, Rock Dove, Domestic Pigeon [803] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Columba livia

House Sparrow [405] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Passer domesticus


Spotted Turtle-Dove [780] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Streptopelia chinensis

Common Starling [389] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Sturnus vulgaris

Frogs

Cane Toad [83218] Species or species habitatknown to occur within area

Rhinella marina

Mammals

Domestic Cattle [16] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Bos taurus

Domestic Dog [82654] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Canis lupus familiaris

Cat, House Cat, Domestic Cat [19] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Felis catus

Brown Hare [127] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Lepus capensis

House Mouse [120] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Mus musculus

Rabbit, European Rabbit [128] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Black Rat, Ship Rat [84] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Rattus rattus

Pig [6] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Sus scrofa

Red Fox, Fox [18] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Vulpes vulpes

Plants

Rubber Vine, Rubbervine, India Rubber Vine, IndiaRubbervine, Palay Rubbervine, Purple Allamanda[18913]

Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Cryptostegia grandiflora

Hymenachne, Olive Hymenachne, Water Stargrass,West Indian Grass, West Indian Marsh Grass [31754]


Hymenachne amplexicaulis

Cotton-leaved Physic-Nut, Bellyache Bush, Cotton-leafPhysic Nut, Cotton-leaf Jatropha, Black Physic Nut[7507]


Jatropha gossypifolia

Lantana, Common Lantana, Kamara Lantana, Large-leaf Lantana, Pink Flowered Lantana, Red FloweredLantana, Red-Flowered Sage, White Sage, Wild Sage[10892]


Lantana camara

Prickly Pears [82753] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Opuntia spp.


Parkinsonia, Jerusalem Thorn, Jelly Bean Tree, HorseBean [12301]


Parkinsonia aculeata

Parthenium Weed, Bitter Weed, Carrot Grass, FalseRagweed [19566]


Parthenium hysterophorus

Prickly Acacia, Blackthorn, Prickly Mimosa, BlackPiquant, Babul [84351]


Vachellia nilotica

Reptiles

Asian House Gecko [1708] Species or species habitatlikely to occur within area

Hemidactylus frenatus

- non-threatened seabirds which have only been mapped for recorded breeding sites

- migratory species that are very widespread, vagrant, or only occur in small numbers

- some species and ecological communities that have only recently been listed

Not all species listed under the EPBC Act have been mapped (see below) and therefore a report is a general guide only. Where available datasupports mapping, the type of presence that can be determined from the data is indicated in general terms. People using this information in makinga referral may need to consider the qualifications below and may need to seek and consider other information sources.

For threatened ecological communities where the distribution is well known, maps are derived from recovery plans, State vegetation maps, remotesensing imagery and other sources. Where threatened ecological community distributions are less well known, existing vegetation maps and pointlocation data are used to produce indicative distribution maps.

- seals which have only been mapped for breeding sites near the Australian continent

Such breeding sites may be important for the protection of the Commonwealth Marine environment.

Threatened, migratory and marine species distributions have been derived through a variety of methods. Where distributions are well known and iftime permits, maps are derived using either thematic spatial data (i.e. vegetation, soils, geology, elevation, aspect, terrain, etc) together with pointlocations and described habitat; or environmental modelling (MAXENT or BIOCLIM habitat modelling) using point locations and environmental datalayers.

The information presented in this report has been provided by a range of data sources as acknowledged at the end of the report.Caveat

- migratory and

The following species and ecological communities have not been mapped and do not appear in reports produced from this database:

- marine

This report is designed to assist in identifying the locations of places which may be relevant in determining obligations under the EnvironmentProtection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It holds mapped locations of World and National Heritage properties, Wetlands of Internationaland National Importance, Commonwealth and State/Territory reserves, listed threatened, migratory and marine species and listed threatenedecological communities. Mapping of Commonwealth land is not complete at this stage. Maps have been collated from a range of sources at variousresolutions.

- threatened species listed as extinct or considered as vagrants

- some terrestrial species that overfly the Commonwealth marine area

The following groups have been mapped, but may not cover the complete distribution of the species:

Only selected species covered by the following provisions of the EPBC Act have been mapped:

Where very little information is available for species or large number of maps are required in a short time-frame, maps are derived either from 0.04or 0.02 decimal degree cells; by an automated process using polygon capture techniques (static two kilometre grid cells, alpha-hull and convex hull);or captured manually or by using topographic features (national park boundaries, islands, etc). In the early stages of the distribution mappingprocess (1999-early 2000s) distributions were defined by degree blocks, 100K or 250K map sheets to rapidly create distribution maps. More reliabledistribution mapping methods are used to update these distributions as time permits.

-23.48682 148.49455

Coordinates

-Environment and Planning Directorate, ACT-Birdlife Australia-Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme

-Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia

Acknowledgements

-Office of Environment and Heritage, New South Wales

-Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania

-Department of Land and Resource Management, Northern Territory-Department of Environmental and Heritage Protection, Queensland

-Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Victoria

-Australian National Wildlife Collection

-Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, South Australia

This database has been compiled from a range of data sources. The department acknowledges the followingcustodians who have contributed valuable data and advice:

-Australian Museum

-National Herbarium of NSW

Forestry Corporation, NSW-Australian Government, Department of Defence

-State Herbarium of South Australia

The Department is extremely grateful to the many organisations and individuals who provided expert adviceand information on numerous draft distributions.

-Natural history museums of Australia

-Queensland Museum

-Australian National Herbarium, Canberra

-Royal Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium of Victoria

-Geoscience Australia

-Ocean Biogeographic Information System

-Online Zoological Collections of Australian Museums-Queensland Herbarium

-Western Australian Herbarium

-Tasmanian Herbarium

-Northern Territory Herbarium

-South Australian Museum

-Museum Victoria

-University of New England

-CSIRO

-Other groups and individuals-Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania

-Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

-Reef Life Survey Australia-Australian Institute of Marine Science-Australian Government National Environmental Science Program

-Australian Tropical Herbarium, Cairns

-Australian Government – Australian Antarctic Data Centre

-Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Inveresk, Tasmania

-eBird Australia

-American Museum of Natural History

© Commonwealth of Australia

+61 2 6274 1111

Canberra ACT 2601 Australia

GPO Box 787

Department of the Environment

Please feel free to provide feedback via the Contact Us page.

http://www.environment.act.gov.au/

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http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/

http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/

https://nt.gov.au/environment/environment-data-maps

http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/

http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/home

http://www.csiro.au/en/Research/Collections/ANWC

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/Home

http://australianmuseum.net.au/

http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/science/Herbarium_and_resources/nsw_herbarium

http://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/

http://www.defence.gov.au/

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/Science/Science_research/State_Herbarium

http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/

http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/herbarium/

http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/science/herbarium-and-resources/national-herbarium-of-victoria

http://www.ga.gov.au/

http://www.iobis.org/

http://ozcam.org.au/

http://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/plants/herbarium/

http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/plants-and-animals/wa-herbarium

http://www.tmag.tas.gov.au/collections_and_research/tasmanian_herbarium

https://nt.gov.au/environment/native-plants/native-plants-and-nt-herbarium

http://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/

http://museumvictoria.com.au/

http://www.une.edu.au

http://www.csiro.au/

http://www.tmag.tas.gov.au/

http://www.magnt.net.au/

http://reeflifesurvey.com/reef-life-survey/rls-australia/

http://www.aims.gov.au/

https://www.environment.gov.au/science/nerp

https://www.ath.org.au/

https://data.aad.gov.au/

http://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/qvmag/

http://ebird.org/content/australia/

http://www.amnh.org/

http://www.environment.gov.au/copyright-statement

http://www.environment.gov.au/about-us/contact-us

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Ensham Life of Mine Extension Project: Aquatic Ecology Assessment B1

Appendix B White-throated snapping turtle (Elseya albagula)

Description

The white-throated snapping turtle (Elseya albagula) is one of the largest short-neckedfreshwater turtles in Australia. Adults of this species are large and heavily built. Femalesare larger than males, however males have a longer tail length than females(Hamann et al. 2007; Limpus et al. 2007). Straight carapace length for adult males rangesfrom 15.6 cm to 29.2 cm, while the average carapace length for adult females ranges from26.1 cm to 40.1 cm (Limpus et al. 2007).

The size of white-throated snapping turtles also varies between geographic locations;however, the cause of this variation is unknown (Hamann et al. 2007; Limpus et al. 2007).Female white-throated snapping turtles are distinguished from similar species by irregularwhite or cream markings on the face, and the shell margin is strongly serrated on juveniles(DAWE 2014).

Status Under Commonwealth and State Legislation

The white-throated snapping turtle is listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Actand endangered under the NC Act.

Distribution

The white-throated snapping turtle is restricted to the Fitzroy, Mary and Burnett rivercatchments in Queensland (DAWE 2014). The species has also been recorded in:

× small coastal river adjacent basins, including the Kolan and Gregory-Burrumsystems (Hamann et al. 2007);

× impoundments upstream of weirs such as Eden Bann Weir and Glebe Weir (Limpuset al. 2007); and

× the spring-fed pools of the Dawson River (Hamann et al. 2007; frc environmental2008).

There has been a severe decrease in the abundance of immature white-throated snappingturtles in wild populations throughout the Fitzroy, Mary and Burnett river catchments(Hamann et al. 2007; Limpus 2008; Limpus et al. 2011). The wild population is composed

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primarily of aging adults in each catchment, and there has been a substantial failure torecruit new adults into the breeding populations due to nest predation by a range of exoticand native predators, with only:

× 0.5% of adults being new recruits to the breeding population in the Fitzroy Rivercatchment (211 adult females examined);

× 0.9% of adults being new recruits to the breeding population in the Burnett Rivercatchment (an additional 0.9% of the adults were identified to their 2nd breedingseason of the 331 adult females that were examined); and

× 1.1% of adults being new recruits to the breeding population in the Mary Rivercatchment (of the 175 adult females that were examined) (DAWE 2014).

Genetic studies indicate some distinction between the population of white-throatedsnapping turtles in the Fitzroy River catchment and populations in the Mary and Burnettriver catchments. This indicates these populations have been separated for a long time andcould be considered Evolutionary Significant Units (Todd et al. 2013; DAWE 2014).

Habitat

White-throated snapping turtles are habitat specialists that prefer permanent, clear, welloxygenated water that is flowing and contains shelter (e.g. large woody debris and undercutbanks) (EHP 2011; Todd et al. 2013). The species has also been recorded in non-flowingwaters, such as impoundments, but only in low numbers (DAWE 2014). Within the greaterFitzroy, Burnett and Mary river catchments, this species has been recorded almostexclusively in close association with permanent flowing stream reaches that are typicallycharacterised by a sand-gravel substrate with submerged rock crevices, undercut banksand/or submerged logs and fallen trees (Hamann et al. 2007). Capture records suggest thatwhite-throated snapping turtles are rarely found in reaches without such refuge (Hamann etal. 2007; Limpus et al. 2007). Across its distribution, individuals have been recorded fromboth shallow flowing pools and deeper slow flowing pools (Hamann et al. 2007).

White-throated snapping turtles are rarely present in water bodies that are isolated fromflowing streams, such as farm dams or sewage treatment plants, suggesting that thespecies does not move extended distances over dry land (Hamann et al. 2007). However,white-throated snapping turtles have been observed walking short distances from dryingwaterholes to nearby water bodies (Limpus et al. 2007).

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Ecology

The life history of white-throated snapping turtles is characterised by a long life span andslow growth to maturity (DAWE 2014). The age at first breeding is approximately 15 to 20years (Limpus et al. 2011). Breeding occurs once per year, mostly during autumn andwinter, with adult females breeding in each successive year unless the turtle has beeninjured or debilitated, or riverine habitat has been altered (e.g. water extraction, drought orweeds) (EHP 2011; DAWE 2014). Females generally nest on sandy banks, although nestshave been observed on loose gravels and soils. Females lay a single clutch of eggs duringthe breeding season, with an average of 14 eggs per clutch (Hamann et al. 2007; Limpuset al. 2011). Nests are generally laid in areas of low canopy cover and in areas of densegrass cover; however, dense weeds at the water’s edge may limit suitability of potentialnesting banks (Hamann et al. 2007; Limpus et al. 2011). Nests are an average of 16.6 mfrom the water’s edge, with eggs laid in deep chambers (greater than 20 cm in depth) andon banks with a slope of up to 26.5º (Hamann et al. 2007; Limpus et al. 2011). However,nests have been recorded up to 60 m from the water (Hamann et al. 2007). White-throatedsnapping turtles will repeatedly use specific areas of banks over multiple years (Limpus etal. 2007).

There is no parental care, and egg and small juvenile survival is typically low (Heppell et al.1996; Hamann et al. 2007). There is abundant evidence of nesting in all three river basins(i.e. Fitzroy, Burnett and Mary River Basins), but most eggs are lost to predation or tramplingby stock (Hamann et al. 2007; Limpus et al. 2011). The population growth or decline rate ishighly responsive to changes in adult survivorship, rather than changes in egg or juvenilesurvivorship (Heppell et al. 1996). Nonetheless, where egg predation rates are high,population growth rate will be constrained.

White-throated snapping turtles feed primarily on aquatic plants along with fruits and leavesfrom overhanging riparian vegetation (Limpus et al. 2007). They may also eat periphyton,freshwater bivalves and insects, particularly when plant food resources are limited (Limpuset al. 2007).

Little is known of the movement patterns of these turtles in the greater Fitzroy Rivercatchment. However, in the Burnett River they generally have small home ranges of lessthan 500 m and have limited spatial and temporal movements (Hamann et al. 2007).

Threats

The principal threat to white-throated snapping turtles in all three catchments is theexcessive loss of eggs and hatchlings due to predation (DAWE 2014). Primary predators

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include feral (e.g. foxes, dogs, pigs and cats) and native (e.g. water rats and lizards)animals. Trampling of nests by cattle is also a major threat.

An additional threat to this species includes limited suitable habitat, which is highlyfragmented across its distribution range due to dams and weirs. Waterway impoundments,such as dams, barrages and weirs, also form significant barriers to the passage offreshwater turtles. The number of dead and injured turtles can be much greater in poolsimmediately downstream of weirs than in pools distant from weirs, presumably a result ofturtles being swept downstream and over impoundments during major and sudden waterreleases (Hamann et al. 2007).

Other threats to this species are:

× stocking of fish into dam impoundments for recreational fishing;

× recreational fishing resulting in hook injuries;

× boat strike;

× loss of nesting habitat to weed infestation in the riparian zone;

× dense aquatic weeds in the waterways; and

× water extraction for agriculture and irrigation (Limpus et al. 2011).

Recovery Actions

There is currently no federal recovery plan for the white-throated snapping turtle; however,the development of a plan is recommended (DotE 2015). The conservation advice outlinesthat primary conservation objectives should be to increase hatchling success to levels thatallow the development of a healthy population structure (DAWE 2014).

Conservation advice to do this recommend plans should aim to:

× increase the protection of nesting banks from predation and from trampling byherbivores;

× recommence and maintain hatchery programs to supplement recruitment ofhatchlings into the population;

× modify water infrastructure design and/or operation to minimise mortality of adultturtles during flood events and water releases and ensure that the design of anysubsequent infrastructure also minimises such mortality;

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× ensure that water planning includes allocation for flows that maintain water qualitysufficiently good to allow cloacal respiration, particularly during low flow periods; and

× raise awareness of white-throated snapping turtles within the local community(DAWE 2014).

Recovery actions that have been identified by DES include:

× protection of breeding areas from feral animals, native predators and cattle;

× operation of Biggenden Turtle Hatchery (not currently operational); and

× establishment of ‘turtleways’ at dams and weirs.

Occurrence in and Surrounding the Project Site

The white-throated snapping turtle was last recorded within the Project Area in 1998 atDuckponds, Nogoa River (ALA. 2019; DES 2019c), a waterbody that is no longer present.However, it is considered likely that a population of white-throated snapping turtle is stillpresent within the main channel of the Nogoa River within the Project Area, where thereare permanent pools, flows are regular (i.e. flows occur 99% of the time; gauging station130219A (DNRME 2019)) and extensive aquatic habitat is present.

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References

Atlas of Living Australia 2019. https://www.ala.org.au. Accessed November 2019.

DES, 2019b, WetlandInfo, https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/, AccessedNovember 2019.

DAWE, 2014, Approved conservation advice Elseya albagula White-throated snappingturtle, report prepared for Department of the Environment.

DNRME 2019. https://water-monitoring.information.qld.gov.au. Accessed November 2019.


Heppell, S.S., Crowder, L.B. & Crouse, D.T. 1996, 'Models to evaluate headstarting as amanagement tool for long-lived turtles', Ecological Applications 6: 556-565.

Limpus, C.J., D.J., L., Parmenter, C.J., Hodge, J., Forrest, M.J. & McLachlan, J.M., 2007,Proposal for raising Eden Bann Weir and construction of Rookwood Weir – Anassessment of the potential implications and mitigation measures for FitzroyTurtles (Elseya albagula and Rheodytes leukops), report prepared forEnvironmental Protection Agency, Queensland Government.


Todd, E.V., Blair, D., Farley, S., Farrington, L., Fitzsimmons, N.N., Georges, A., Limpus,C.J. & Jerry, D.R., 2013, 'Contemporary genetic structure reflects historicaldrainage isolation in an Australian snapping turtle, Elseya albagula', BiologicalJournal of the Linnaean Society 169: 200-214.

Ensham Life of Mine Extension Project: Aquatic Ecology Assessment C1

Appendix C Fitzroy River turtle (Rheodytes leukops)

Description

Fitzroy River turtles (Rheodytes leukops) are distinguished by a white inner ring around theeye, a pale yellow or cream belly, and large, pointed conical tubercles on their shell andneck (DEWHA 2008). While few studies have specifically examined the size distribution ofthis turtle across its range, there are significant differences in the size of adults frompopulations at different locations (Limpus et al. 2007). These differences were attributed toindependent factors (for example, environmental differences between locations) andindicate that Fitzroy River turtle populations are not uniform across the greater Fitzroy RiverBasin (Limpus et al. 2007).

Adult male Fitzroy River turtles have slightly longer tail length than adult females(Limpus et al. 2007). Carapace length alone is not a reliable indication of sex, as there isconsiderable overlap in the size ranges of adult males and females; however, when usedin conjunction with tail length (beyond the carapace), adults can be assigned to a sex withrelative certainty (Limpus et al. 2007). In general, adult males have an approximate straightcarapace length range of 20 cm to 26 cm, while adult females have an approximate rangeof 20–28 cm (Limpus et al. 2007).

Status Under Commonwealth and State Legislation

The Fitzroy River turtle is listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act and vulnerable underthe NC Act.

Distribution

The Fitzroy River turtle is restricted to the Fitzroy River Basin (DEWHA 2008). The speciesoccurs in permanent freshwater rivers from the Fitzroy Barrage to Theodore Weir and DuckPonds, upstream of the Comet-Mackenzie River confluence, as well as throughMarlborough Creek (Limpus et al. 2007). It has also been found in isolated permanentwaterholes on the Connors River (Limpus et al. 2007; frc environmental 2010). The speciesis not known to inhabit small farm dams or ephemeral waterways (Limpus et al. 2007).


Habitat

Fitzroy River turtles occur in flowing rivers with large deep pools with rocky, gravelly orsandy substrates connected by shallow riffle areas (Cogger et al. 1993; Tucker et al. 2001;DEWHA 2008). Riffle zones are an important habitat for the Fitzroy River turtle, with thehome ranges of individuals typically overlapping these habitats (Tucker et al. 2001),possibly due to increased foraging success in these habitats (Legler & Cann 1980) or agreater efficiency of respiration in highly oxygenated waters (Priest 1997; Franklin 2000;Gordos et al. 2004). However, under low-flow conditions, or as riffle zones becomeseasonally ephemeral, the Fitzroy River turtle retreats to deeper pool habitat, or evenisolated waterholes, next to riffle zones (Tucker et al. 2001; Limpus et al. 2007).

Riffle zones are likely to be ephemeral throughout most of the range of the Fitzroy Riverturtle, therefore this species should not be considered a riffle zone specialist (Limpus et al.2007). Using riffle habitat to forage for abundant food sources such as benthic invertebratesand algae during the wet season and early dry season allows the turtles to take up nutrientsand build fat reserves for the dry season, which is essential when preparing to breed(Limpus et al. 2007). Fitzroy River turtles captured from riffle zones tend to be larger thanthose found in pools and this may be an indicator of better health or condition of turtles inriffle zones, potentially reflecting greater feeding opportunities in riffles (M. Gordos,Conservation Manager, NSW DPI pers. com. July 2007). Therefore, while large, slow-flowing pools can support populations of Fitzroy River turtles these pools are likely to havea lower carrying capacity than reaches containing riffle habitat(Limpus et al. 2007).

Ecology

The age at first breeding for Fitzroy River turtles is approximately 15 to 20 years(Limpus et al. 2011). Females can lay multiple clutches of eggs each year betweenSeptember and November, averaging 60 to 70 eggs per clutch (EHP 2011; GHD 2015).Female Fitzroy River turtles nest on sandy or loam banks that are free from extensiveweeds, and which form during floods (Limpus et al. 2007). Nests are an average of 5.6 mback from the water’s edge, with some observed up to 15 m away (Cogger et al. 1993;Cann 1998; Limpus et al. 2007). Eggs are typically laid in deep chambers, with an averagedepth of 14.7 cm to the top egg and 20.7 cm to the bottom of the nest (Limpus et al. 2007).Nesting success is negatively influenced by habitat degradation and poor health ofindividuals (Limpus et al. 2007).

Home ranges vary widely among individuals, however, on average, Fitzroy River turtlesappear to have a local mean range of 562 m (Tucker et al. 2001). Individual turtles can have


long sedentary periods, ranging from 3 to 24 hours. When active, movement is on average20 m per day, with a range of 0 to 350 m per day (Tucker et al. 2001).

Under low flow events, or as riffle zones became seasonally ephemeral, or dry completely,female Fitzroy River turtles retreat to deeper sections of pool habitats adjacent to riffle zones(Tucker et al. 2001). No seasonal movement patterns have been observed for this species.It has been reported that the current population of Fitzroy River turtles is likely to consistentirely of adults, with no recruitment of juveniles (Norris & Low 2005; DEWHA 2008).

Threats

The main threat to Fitzroy River turtle populations is the loss and disturbance of habitat fromagriculture, mining, damming of rivers and pollution of habitats (Cogger et al. 1993). Damsand weirs within the Fitzroy River catchment also pose a threat to the preferred habitat ofthis species as they form large impoundments and reduce the natural condition of rifflesthroughout the year (Tucker et al. 2001).

Waterway impoundments, such as dams, barrages and weirs, also form significant barriersto the passage of freshwater turtles. The number of dead and injured turtles can be muchgreater in pools immediately downstream of weirs than in pools distant from weirs,presumably a result of turtles being swept downstream and over impoundments duringmajor and sudden water releases (Hamann et al. 2007).

Predation of eggs by feral (e.g. foxes, dogs, pigs and cats) and native (e.g. water rats andlizards) animals (DEWHA 2008) is also a significant threat.

Recovery Actions

There is currently no recovery plan for the Fitzroy River turtle; however, recovery actionsidentified by the Commonwealth and State agencies include:

× feral animal and weed control through eradication or control plans;

× habitat improvement by managing grazing and by managing waterways;

× habitat protection through:

- stock management in riparian areas;

- riparian rehabilitation projects;

- maintenance and protection of nesting banks;


- maintenance of stream flow and connectivity between impoundments;and

- improving water quality in the lower Fitzroy River catchment.

× improving recruitment of hatchlings; and

× encouraging boat owners to look out for, and avoid turtles (DAWE 2015).

Occurrence in and Surrounding the Project Area

The Fitzroy River turtle was last recorded within the Project Area in the Nogoa River in 1998(ALA. 2019; DES 2019c). However, it is considered likely that a population of Fitzroy Riverturtle still remains within the main channel of the Nogoa River within the Project Area, wherethere are permanent pools, flows are regular (i.e. flows occur 99% of the time; gaugingstation 130219A (DNRME 2019)) and the aquatic habitat is consistent with the preferencefor the species.


References

Atlas of Living Australia 2019. https://www.ala.org.au. Accessed November 2019.

Cann, J., 1998, Australian Freshwater Turtles, Beaumont Publishing Pty Ltd, Singapore.

Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E.E., Sadlier, R.A. & Eggler, P., 1993, The Action Plan forAustralian Reptiles, https://ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals-az/fitzroy_river_turtle.html, accessed March 2018.

DES, 2019b, WetlandInfo, https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/, AccessedNovember 2019.

DEWHA, 2008, Approved Conservation Advice for Rheodytes leukops (Fitzroy Tortoise),report prepared for Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

DNRME 2019. https://water-monitoring.information.qld.gov.au. Accessed November 2019.

frc environmental, 2010, Connors River Dam Fitzroy River Turtle Survey, August 2010,report prepared for SunWater.

Franklin, C., 2000, 'Aquatic respiration and diving in the freshwater turtle, Rheodytesleukops', Journal of Physiology 523.

GHD, 2015, Lower Fitzroy River Infrastructure Project Fitzroy River turtle (Rheodytesleukops) technical report June 2015, report prepared for Gladstone Area WaterBoard and SunWater.

Gordos, M., Franklin, C. & Limpus, C., 2004, 'Effect of water depth and water velocity uponthe surfacing frequency of the bimodally respiring freshwater turtle, Rheodytesleukops', Journal of Experimental Biology 207: 3099-3107.


Legler, J.M. & Cann, J., 1980, 'A new genus and species of a chelid turtle from Queensland,Australia', Contributions in Science, Natural History Museum of Los AngelesCounty 342: 1-18.

Limpus, C.J., D.J., L., Parmenter, C.J., Hodge, J., Forrest, M.J. & McLachlan, J.M., 2007,Proposal for raising Eden Bann Weir and construction of Rookwood Weir – Anassessment of the potential implications and mitigation measures for Fitzroy


Turtles (Elseya albagula and Rheodytes leukops), report prepared forEnvironmental Protection Agency, Queensland Government.


Norris, A. & Low, T., 2005, Review of the management of feral animals and their impact onbiodiversity in the Rangelands: A resource to aid NRM planning, report preparedfor Pest Animal Control CRC.

Priest, T., (1997), Bimodal respiration and dive behaviour of the Fitzroy River Turtle,Rheodytes leukops, BSc Honours Thesis, University of Queensland, Brisbane,Australia.

Tucker, A.D., Limpus, C.J., Priest, T.E., Cay, J., Glen, C. & Guarino, E., 2001, 'Home rangesof Fitzroy River turtles (Rheodytes leukops) overlap riffle zones: potential concernsrelated to river regulation', Biological Conservation 102: 171-181.

Ensham Life of Mine Extension Project: Aquatic Ecology Assessment D1

Appendix D Site Habitat Sheets

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