ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT Geophysical Operations in the Simpson …€¦ · The Simpson and...

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

Geophysical Operations in the Simpson and Pedirka Regions

DRAFT

May 2020

Tri-Star Energy Company Environmental Impact Report – Geophysical Operations in the Simpson and Pedirka Regions

Tristar Seismic EIR Rev0

Prepared by:

Tri-Star Energy Company Level 35 Riverside Centre 123 Eagle Street Brisbane, Q 4000 T: (07) 3236 9800 F: (07) 3221 2146 E: [email protected] W: http://www.tri-starpetroleum.com.au

and

JBS&G Australia Pty Ltd ABN 62 100 220 479 100 Hutt St Adelaide SA 5000 T: +61 8 8431 7113 F: +61 8 8431 7115 W: http://www.jbsg.com.au

Document Status

Version Purpose of Document Original Review Review Date QA Review Release Approval

Issue Date

A Preliminary draft AC SM 15/9/2019

B Draft for Tri-Star review / discussion AC SM 2/10/2019 RM/SM SM 2/10/2019

C Draft updated with Tri-Star changes. Issued for preliminary government agency consultation

AC SM 28/11/2019 SM SM 28/11/2019

0 Updated based on DEW and DPTI initial comments

AC AC/DC 8/3/2020 CB/RU/SH JB 29/5/2020

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.tri-starpetroleum.com.au/

http://www.jbsg.com.au/


Tristar Seismic EIR Rev0 i

Contents

1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1

1.1 About this Document .................................................................................. 1

1.2 Tri-Star Energy Company Profile ................................................................. 1

1.3 Location and Exploration Rationale ............................................................ 1

1.4 Scope ........................................................................................................... 2

2 Legislative Framework ....................................................................................... 6

2.1 Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000 ............................................. 6

2.1.1 Environmental Significance Assessment and SEO Consultation Requirements .............................................................................................. 7

2.1.2 Activity Notification / Approval Process .................................... 8

2.2 Other Legislation ......................................................................................... 8

3 Proposed Activities .......................................................................................... 11

3.1 History of Geophysical Exploration in the Simpson and Pedirka Regions . 11

3.2 Grouping of Operations ............................................................................ 13

3.2.1 Planning .................................................................................... 14

3.2.2 Cultural Heritage Approval ....................................................... 15

3.2.3 Seismic Line and Access Track Preparation .............................. 16

3.2.4 Surveying .................................................................................. 18

3.2.5 Recording ................................................................................. 18

3.2.6 Seismic Operations ................................................................... 18

3.2.7 Camp Sites and Associated Supplies ........................................ 20

3.2.8 Uphole Drilling and Logging ..................................................... 22

3.2.9 Rehabilitation ........................................................................... 23

3.2.10 Post Survey Monitoring and Auditing ...................................... 23

3.2.11 Other Geophysical Activities .................................................... 24

4 Existing Environment ....................................................................................... 25

4.1 Climate ...................................................................................................... 25

4.2 Bioregions, Landforms and Land Systems ................................................. 25

4.3 Flora and Fauna ......................................................................................... 30

4.3.1 Flora ......................................................................................... 30

4.3.2 Fauna ........................................................................................ 32

4.3.3 Threatened Species and Communities ..................................... 33

4.3.4 Listed Migratory Species .......................................................... 35

4.3.5 Weeds and Pests ...................................................................... 35

4.3.6 Recognised Biodiversity Values ................................................ 37

4.4 Surface Water ........................................................................................... 37

4.5 Social Environment ................................................................................... 41

4.5.1 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage ..................................................... 41

4.5.2 Non-Aboriginal Heritage .......................................................... 41

4.6 Land Use .................................................................................................... 42

4.6.1 Pastoralism ............................................................................... 42

4.6.2 Mining and Petroleum ............................................................. 44


Tristar Seismic EIR Rev0 ii

4.6.3 Conservation ............................................................................ 44

4.6.4 Tourism .................................................................................... 45

4.6.5 Native Title ............................................................................... 45

4.7 Socio-Economic ......................................................................................... 46

4.7.1 Population Centres ................................................................... 46

4.7.2 Infrastructure ........................................................................... 46

5 Environmental Risk Assessment ....................................................................... 48

5.1 Overview of Risk Assessment Process ...................................................... 49

5.2 Risk Assessment ........................................................................................ 52

6 Consultation .................................................................................................... 68

6.1 Key Stakeholder Consultation ................................................................... 68

7 Environmental Management System ............................................................... 70

7.1.1 Environmental Training ............................................................ 70

7.1.2 Emergency Response and Contingency Planning ..................... 70

7.1.3 Environmental Monitoring and Audits ..................................... 70

7.1.4 Incident Management, Recording and Corrective Actions ...... 71

7.1.5 Reporting .................................................................................. 71

8 References ....................................................................................................... 72

9 Abbreviations and Glossary ............................................................................. 76

Appendix A: Agency Consultation - Comments and Responses

Tables

Table 1-1: Licence Area Work Program Commitments ...................................................... 2 Table 2-1: Additional Environmental Legislation and Approvals ....................................... 8 Table 3-1: Historic 2D Seismic Survey Activity in the Licence Area (1961 - 1988) ........... 11 Table 3-2: Matrix of Line Preparation Activity and Machinery by Landform ................... 17 Table 4-1: Climate Data for Oodnadatta Airport ............................................................. 25 Table 4-2: Typical Landforms and Characteristics in the Licence Area ............................ 28 Table 4-3: Mapped Vegetation Associations in the Licence Area .................................... 30 Table 4-4: Threatened Species Recorded or Predicted to Occur in the Licence Area ..... 33 Table 4-5: Weeds Recorded in the Licence Area ............................................................. 36 Table 5-1: Severity of Consequences ............................................................................... 50 Table 5-2: Assessment of Likelihood ................................................................................ 51 Table 5-3: Risk Matrix ...................................................................................................... 51 Table 5-4: Impacts Associated with Line / Access Track Preparation in Various Land

Systems ........................................................................................................... 52 Table 5-5: Environmental Risk Assessment for Geophysical Operations in the Simpson

and Pedirka Regions, South Australia ............................................................. 54 Table 6-1: Stakeholder Consultation List ......................................................................... 68 Table 6-2: Summary of Issues Raised During Stakeholder Consultation ......................... 69

Figures

Figure 1-1: Location of Tri-Star Petroleum Exploration Licences (PELs) 160, 288, 289 and 290 and the Simpson and Pedirka Regions ................................................ 4


Tristar Seismic EIR Rev0 iii

Figure 1-2: Location of Goyder Lagoon and Kallakoopah Creek ........................................ 5 Figure 3-1: Historic 2D Seismic Lines and Petroleum Exploration Wells in the Licence

Area and Broader Region ................................................................................ 12 Figure 3-2: Principle of the Seismic Survey Method (Source: Santos, 2018) ................... 13 Figure 3-3: 3D Seismic Survey Base Map (Source: Santos, 2018) .................................... 14 Figure 3-4: Line Preparation Showing Weaving and Minimal Cutting (Source: Santos,

2018) ............................................................................................................... 15 Figure 3-5: Brush Cutting Line Preparation Through Thick Vegetation (Santos, 2018) ... 17 Figure 3-6: Typical Design of 2D and 3D Seismic Surveys (Source: Adapted from Santos,

2018) ............................................................................................................... 18 Figure 3-7: Vibrator Trucks (Source: Santos, 2018) ......................................................... 19 Figure 3-8: Source Shot Hole Pair Before Firing (L) and 13 Months After (R) (Source:

Santos, 2018) .................................................................................................. 20 Figure 3-9: Typical 3D Seismic Survey Main Camp (Source: Santos, 2018) ..................... 21 Figure 3-10: Uphole Drill Rig and LVL Recording Truck (Source: Santos, 2018) ............... 22 Figure 3-11: Dune Cut Immediately After Recording and 4 Years After Recording

(Source: Santos, 2018) .................................................................................... 24 Figure 4-1: Land Systems Mapped in the Licence Area (Data Source: DEW, 2010) ......... 29 Figure 4-2: Surface Water Features in the Vicinity of the Licence Area .......................... 40 Figure 4-3: Pastoral Leases Surrounding the Licence Area .............................................. 43 Figure 4-4: Existing Roads and Tracks in the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR and CP

(Source: DEW, 2019a) ..................................................................................... 47


Tristar Seismic EIR Rev0 1

1 Introduction

Tri-Star Energy Company (Tri-Star) holds several Petroleum Exploration Licences (PELs) in the South Australian Simpson and Pedirka Regions (see Figure 1-1). Tri-Star plans to undertake geophysical operations in these PELs to identify and delineate potential petroleum prospects. This Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared as a requirement of the South Australian Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000 to provide information on the proposed activities, the potential environmental impacts and their management.

This document has been prepared to satisfy the requirements of an EIR under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000 (the Act). It has been prepared in accordance with current legislative requirements, in particular Section 97 of the Act and Regulation 10 of the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Regulations 2013 (the Regulations).

This document relates to geophysical operations carried out in Tri-Star’s licence area (PELs 160, 288, 289 and 290) in the Simpson and Pedirka Regions, South Australia (see Figure 1-1). This EIR has been developed to use as the basis for preparation of a Statement of Environmental Objectives (SEO). The SEO (Tri-Star, 2020) outlines environmental objectives that Tri-Star is required to achieve and the criteria on which the objectives are to be assessed.

Tri-Star was founded in Texas, USA, in 1979 to explore and develop its Permian Basin oil reserves, Tri-Star began its Australian exploration activities in 1988. After 30+ years of exploration and development in Queensland, Tri-Star’s Australian tenures form the bulk of its reserves.

In Australia, Tri-Star operates both coal and gas interests, and is participating as non-operator in exploration and development joint ventures with members of coal seam gas (CSG) to liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, including Gladstone LNG (GLNG) and Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG).

The Queensland CSG tenures which Tri-Star discovered and developed at Durham Ranch, Spring Gully and Fairview CSG fields are not only the best in Australia, but some of the best in the world. Well productivity, production life, and proximity to major infrastructure and ports, compare favourably with other CSG fields in Australia and elsewhere. Tri-Star has an enviable track record of environmental stewardship, operating for 30 years with zero Environmental Infringement Notices.

Tri-Star maintains a large portfolio of both coal and petroleum tenure within South Australia covering the Arckaringa, Pedirka and Simpson basins. Tri-Star also operates in the Northern Territory and Queensland.

The Simpson and Pedirka Regions are located in central Australia at the border of South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland (see Figure 1-1). Tri-Star’s PELs 160, 288, 289 and 290 (henceforth referred to as the licence area) cover a continuous area of approximately 33,150 km2 that is largely located in the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert Regional Reserve (RR) and smaller areas of several pastoral leases.

The Simpson and Pedirka Regions contain several prospective hydrocarbon formations, and the licence area has been subject to intermittent petroleum exploration since the 1950’s. Exploration activities in the region have included numerous seismic surveys and the drilling of several exploration wells. During



the period between 1961 to 1988, twenty 2D seismic surveys constituting approximately 7,250 km of seismic survey lines were recorded in the licence area. Oil was discovered in the Poolowanna Trough following the drilling of Poolowanna-1 in 1977, however no commercial hydrocarbon discovery has yet to be made.

Tri-Star plans to undertake geophysical operations (i.e. seismic surveys and associated activities) in the licence area to identify and delineate potential hydrocarbon prospects. Tri-Star will be focusing its efforts on both conventional and unconventional oil and gas opportunities in multiple formations.

Exploration activity is expected to involve 2D and 3D seismic surveys (as detailed in Table 1-1), with further activities contingent on initial findings.

Table 1-1: Licence Area Work Program Commitments

Year PEL 160 PELs 288, 289, 290 & 331

2021 G&G Studies G&G

2022 G&G Studies 300 km 2D Seismic

2023 G&G Studies 100 km 3D Seismic

2024 40 km 2D Seismic Drill 1 Well

2025 Drill 1 Well

Work commitments current as at May 2020

This EIR addresses potential environmental risks and consequences associated with Tri-Star’s geophysical operations in the South Australian Simpson and Pedirka Regions (PELs 160, 288, 289 and 290) rather than relating to a specific site or sites, or to specific projects. This approach has been applied in several EIRs and SEOs that have been developed and approved under the Act.

Tri-Star proposes to exclude undertaking geophysical operations in Goyder Lagoon1 and within a 500 m buffer zone of the Kallakoopah Creek main channel2 (see Figure 1-2) as outlined in Table 5-5. However, activities reasonably necessary for, or incidental to, undertaking geophysical operations are not excluded from being undertaken in Goyder Lagoon or Kallakoopah Creek (e.g. track construction and maintenance). For example, Tri-Star may utilise, potentially upgrade, and maintain the Yelpawaralina Track during the course of undertaking geophysical operations in the licence area.

The southern boundary of PEL 288 overlaps the Kalamurina pastoral lease (see Figure 1-2). Kalamurina is held by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and is operated as a private sanctuary. The overlapping area represents approximately 60 km2. Tri-Star proposes to exclude undertaking geophysical operations in Kalamurina from the scope of this EIR.

Geophysical operations covered by this EIR include:

▪ seismic line and access track preparation; ▪ line surveying; ▪ recording (seismic, gravimetric, ground magnetic, electromagnetic and others); ▪ campsites and associated supplies;

1 Goyder Lagoon, as defined by the Wetlands of National Importance 3rd Edition (Spatial GIS Layer) (DEEH, 2001).

2 Kallakoopah Creek, as defined by the DEW Watercourses in South Australia dataset (GDA94) (DEW, 2019).



▪ uphole drilling and logging; ▪ monitoring and auditing of selected locations (pre and post line preparation and post

restoration); and ▪ seismic line, access track, and camp site restoration where required.

This EIR and accompanying SEO do not apply to geophysical operations such as:

▪ airborne geophysical operations (covered by DEM, 2016); ▪ drilling, well operations, fracture stimulation and initial production testing (covered by Tri-Star,

2020a); and ▪ production and processing operations.



Figure 1-1: Location of Tri-Star Petroleum Exploration Licences (PELs) 160, 288, 289 and 290 and the Simpson and Pedirka Regions



Figure 1-2: Location of Goyder Lagoon and Kallakoopah Creek



2 Legislative Framework

This section briefly describes the legislative framework that currently applies to petroleum licensing in South Australia.

Petroleum activities in South Australia are governed by the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000 (the Act) and the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Regulations 2013 (the Regulations). This legislation is administered by the Department for Energy and Mining (DEM).

Key objectives of the legislation include:

▪ to create an effective, efficient and flexible regulatory system for exploration and recovery or commercial utilisation of petroleum and other regulated resources;

▪ to minimise environmental damage from the activities involved in exploration and recovery or commercial utilisation of petroleum and other regulated resources;

▪ to establish appropriate consultative processes involving people directly affected by regulated activities and the public generally; and

▪ to protect the public from risks inherent in regulated activities.

Regulated activities, as defined in Section 10 of the Act, are:

▪ exploration for petroleum or another regulated resource; ▪ operations to establish the nature and extent of a discovery of petroleum or another regulated

resource, and to establish the commercial feasibility of production and the appropriate production techniques;

▪ production of petroleum or another regulated substance; ▪ utilisation of a natural reservoir to store petroleum or another regulated substance; ▪ production of geothermal energy; ▪ construction of a transmission pipeline for carrying petroleum or another regulated substance;

and ▪ operation of a transmission pipeline for carrying petroleum or another regulated substance.

Statement of Environmental Objectives

As a requirement of Part 12 of the Act, a regulated activity can only be conducted if an approved SEO has been developed. The SEO outlines the environmental objectives that the regulated activity is required to achieve and the criteria upon which the objectives are to be assessed.

Under Regulation 14 of the Regulations, an approved SEO must be reviewed at least once in every five years.

Environmental Impact Report

In accordance with Section 97 of the Act, an EIR must:

▪ take into account cultural, amenity and other values of Aboriginal and other Australians insofar as those values are relevant to the assessment;

▪ take into account risks to the health and safety of the public inherent in the regulated activities; and

▪ contain sufficient information to make possible an informed assessment of the likely impact of the activities on the environment.



As per Regulation 10 of the Regulations, the EIR must include:

▪ a description of the regulated activities to be carried out under the licence (including their location);

▪ a description of the specific features of the environment that can reasonably be expected to be affected by the activities, with particular reference to the physical and biological aspects of the environment and existing land uses;

▪ an assessment of the cultural values of Aboriginal and other Australians which could reasonably be foreseen to be affected by the activities in the area of the licence, and the public health and safety risks inherent in those activities (insofar as these matters are relevant in the particular circumstances);

▪ if required by the Minister – a prudential assessment of the security of natural gas supply; ▪ a description of the reasonably foreseeable events associated with the activity that could pose

a threat to the relevant environment (including events during the construction, operational and abandonment stages, atypical events, estimated frequency of events and the basis of predictions);

▪ an assessment of the potential consequences of these events on the environment (including size and scope, duration, cumulative effects (if any), the extent to which these consequences can be managed or addressed and proposed management actions);

▪ an explanation of the basis on which these consequences have been predicted; ▪ a list of all owners of the relevant land; and ▪ information on consultation undertaken during preparation of the EIR.

The EIR is submitted to DEM and an Environmental Significance Assessment is undertaken to determine whether the activities described in the EIR are to be classified as ‘low’, ‘medium’ or ‘high’ impact (refer to DEM (2019) for further detail on assessment criteria). A corresponding SEO is prepared, reflecting the impacts and measures identified in the EIR or other assessments that may be required as determined by the classification.

The classification also determines the level of consultation DEM will be required to undertake prior to final approval of the SEO as follows:

▪ Low impact activities do not require public consultation and are subjected to a process of internal government consultation and comment on the EIR and SEO prior to approval

▪ Medium impact activities require a public consultation process for the EIR and proposed SEO, with comment sought for a period of at least 30 business days; and

▪ High impact activities are required to undergo an environmental impact assessment under the provisions of the Development Act 1993.

The level of impact of a particular activity is assessed on the basis of the predictability and manageability of the impacts on the environment. Where the environmental impacts are predictable and readily managed, the impact of the activity is considered low. Where the environmental impacts are less predictable and are difficult to manage, the impact of the activity is potentially high.

Once the approval process is complete, all documentation, including this EIR and its associated SEO, must be entered on an environmental register. This public Environmental Register is accessible to the community from the DEM website.



Prior to commencing a regulated activity, Section 74(3) of the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act provides that:

▪ the Minister’s prior written approval is required for activities requiring high level supervision (as per Regulation 19); and

▪ notice of activities requiring low level supervision is to be given at least 21 days in advance (as per Regulation 18).

In order to obtain written approval for activities requiring high level supervision, an application and notification of activities (in accordance with Regulation 20) must be submitted to the Minister at least 35 days prior to the commencement of activities.

The notification of activities must provide specific technical and environmental information on the proposed activity and include an assessment to demonstrate that it is covered by an existing SEO.

Consequently, the activity notification process provides an additional opportunity for DEM to ensure that the proposed activities and their impacts can be effectively managed and are consistent with the approvals obtained in the EIR and SEO approval process. This is particularly relevant for activities that are conducted under an SEO that applies to a broad geographical area, as it provides site-specific detail that is not usually contained in the generic documents.

A number of additional environmental approvals may be required under Commonwealth and South Australian legislation. These are outlined in Table 2-1. (Note that this is not a comprehensive list of all applicable legislation).

It must be noted that not all subsequent approvals are mandatory at the development (or construction) stage, as approvals may be required as circumstances arise (for example cultural artefact finds during construction or operation).

Table 2-1: Additional Environmental Legislation and Approvals

Agency Legislation Issue

Commonwealth

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

(DAWE)

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

Assessment and approval required if activities will significantly impact matters of national environmental significance, including:

▪ National Heritage Places

▪ wetlands of international importance (Ramsar wetlands)

▪ listed threatened species and communities

▪ listed migratory species (for example JAMBA and CAMBA); and

▪ a water resource in relation to coal seam gas and large coal mining developments.

DAWE Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (ATSIHP Act)

The ATSIHP Act can protect areas and objects that are of particular significance to Aboriginal people.

Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 Intersection of registered Native Title claims.



Agency Legislation Issue

South Australia

Department for Environment and Water (DEW)

Heritage Places Act 1993 Permission required if listed heritage places or related objects are to be destroyed / disturbed.

DEW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972

‘Taking’ of protected plant and animal species.

Undertaking regulated activities in Regional Reserves.

DEW Native Vegetation Act 1991 Removal of native vegetation and achievement of significant environmental benefit (SEB).

DEW Crown Land Management Act 2009

Provision for the disposal, management and conservation of Crown Land in South Australia.

DEW

SAAL NRM Board

Natural Resources Management Act 2004

Management of pest plants and animals.

Water sourcing (e.g. from new bores) and licensing of water extraction.

Water affecting activities.

Department of the Premier and Cabinet (Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation)

Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 Authorisation required if Aboriginal sites, objects or remains are to be damaged, disturbed or interfered with.

Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

Environment Protection Act 1993

(including all Environment Protection Policies (EPP) e.g. Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2015)

General environmental duty to avoid causing environmental harm.

Protection of water quality.

EPA Radiation Protection and Control Act 1982

Control of activities related to radioactive substances and radiation apparatus, and for protecting the environment and the health and safety of people against the harmful effects of radiation.

Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA)

Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act 1989

Provides for the management and conservation of pastoral land to ensure that all pastoral land in SA is well managed and utilised to maintain renewable resources and yields sustained.

SA Attorney General’s Department

Native Title (South Australia) Act 1994

Matters relating to traditional land rights in South Australia. The Act provides for the registration of native title rights, investigations on native title rights, claims and determinations of native title rights and compensation for acts affecting native title rights.

Safework SA Explosives Act (South Australia) 1936

Regulates the manufacture, carriage, storage, import and purchase or explosives.

Safework SA Work Health and Safety Act 2012 Identifies control measures to be applied to specific work activities and hazards.

Other legislation/regulations of particular relevance to the proposed activities include:

▪ Fire and Emergency Services Regulations 2005 – in relation to fire bans and hot work permits; and

▪ South Australian Public Health (Wastewater) Regulations 2013 – in relation to wastewater (sewage) disposal and the operation of septic tank systems with respect to the Department of Health’s requirements / approval.



EPBC Act

Approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is required for activities that have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance including World Heritage properties, National Heritage places, Ramsar wetlands of international importance, nationally threatened species and ecological communities, migratory species and water resources in relation to coal seam gas and large coal mining developments.

In regard to petroleum activities in the arid zone of South Australia, issues that potentially require approval under the EPBC Act are relatively limited and can generally be avoided by site selection and implementation of field procedures (e.g. avoiding impacts to populations of threatened species, surface drainage and significant wetland areas).

Tri-Star will review proposed activities against the EPBC Act triggers and submit a referral under the Act for specific activities if necessary.

Native Vegetation Act and Regulations

Exploration activities that are approved under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act do not require approval under the Native Vegetation Act 1991 for clearance of native vegetation, provided that the activities are undertaken in accordance with industry standards endorsed by the Native Vegetation Council (NVC) that are directed towards minimising impact and encouraging regrowth of any native vegetation that is cleared (see Regulation 15 of the Native Vegetation Regulations 2017).

If there are no applicable industry standards, or if it is not possible to undertake the operations in accordance with applicable industry standards, the clearance is permitted if the clearance is undertaken in accordance with a management plan, approved by the NVC, that results in a significant environmental benefit, or if the person undertaking the operations makes a payment into the Fund of an amount considered by the Council to be sufficient to achieve a significant environmental benefit.

Guidelines have been developed to provide a framework for determining the significant environmental benefit (SEB) requirement or the amount for payment into the Native Vegetation Fund, where it is required. These guidelines are administered by DEM, who have the delegated authority to approve SEBs.

Environment Protection Act

The Environment Protection Act 1993 imposes a general environmental duty not to undertake an activity that pollutes, or might pollute, the environment unless all reasonable and practicable measures have been taken to prevent or minimise any resulting environmental harm.

Environmental authorisations are required to undertake activities prescribed under the Act. The Environment Protection Act also imposes an obligation to report incidents causing or threatening serious or material harm to the EPA, where applicable, in accordance with Sections 83 and 83A of the Act.

The Environment Protection Act does not apply to petroleum exploration activities undertaken under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act or to wastes produced in the course of an activity (not being a prescribed activity of environmental significance) authorised by a licence under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act when produced and disposed of to land and contained within the area of the licence.



3 Proposed Activities

The following section provides an overview of geophysical operations. The descriptions focus on seismic operations. Some additional detail on other geophysical operations (such as gravimetric, ground magnetic and electromagnetic surveys) is provided, however they are generally much less simpler than seismic operations, with smaller crews and little line preparation, and can be considered a subset of seismic operations.

The licence area has been subject to intermittent petroleum exploration since the 1950’s. Extensive 2D seismic survey and exploratory and stratigraphic well drilling activities have been undertaken in the licence area (10 drill holes). During the period from 1961 to 1988, twenty 2D seismic surveys constituting approximately 7,250 km of seismic survey lines were recorded within the licence area (see Table 3-1). Several exploration wells were also drilled in the region surrounding the licence area, including within the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert CP (e.g. Poolowanna 1, 2 and 3) and oil was originally discovered in the Poolowanna Trough following the drilling of Poolowanna-1 in 1977. Some of these early 2D seismic lines and well access tracks (which were prepared using methods that were significantly higher impact than modern line and track preparation methods) are still used as major access routes through the Simpson Desert region. The locations of historic 2D seismic lines and petroleum exploration wells are displayed on Figure 3-1 and further details are provided in Table 3-1.

Table 3-1: Historic 2D Seismic Survey Activity in the Licence Area (1961 - 1988)

Year Survey Name Company

1961 Great Artesian Basin Seismic Survey SADME

1961 Innamincka-Mt Gason Areas Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd

1962 Clifton Hills Area Seismic Survey Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd

1963 Pedirka Seismic Survey French Petroleum Co

1964 Kallakoopah Seismic Survey French Petroleum Co (Aust)

1965 Poolowanna Seismic and Gravity survey French Petroleum

1966 Simpson Desert A Seismic Survey Amerada

1971 Three Corners Seismic Survey Beach Petroleum

1974 Beal Hill Seismic Survey Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd

1974 Lake Thomas Seismic Survey Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd

1976 Pillan Hill Delhi International Oil Corp

1979 Peera Peera Seismic Survey Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd

1979 Wilparoo Seismic Survey Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd

1980 Koomarinna Seismic Survey Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd

1982 Christmas Creek Seismic Survey Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd

1984 Hogarth Seismic Survey Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd

1985 Colson Seismic Survey Sydney Oil

1985 Morphett Seismic Survey Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd

1987 Mitchell Seismic Survey Delhi Petroleum Pty Ltd

1988 Forrest Seismic Survey Santos Ltd

(Source: DEM, 2019a)



Figure 3-1: Historic 2D Seismic Lines and Petroleum Exploration Wells in the Licence Area and Broader Region



The operations considered in this EIR include seismic line and access track preparation, line surveying, recording, campsites and associated supplies, uphole drilling and logging, monitoring and auditing of selected locations and seismic line, access track, and camp site restoration where required.

Descriptions of geophysical operations contained in this section are largely based on information contained in the South Australia Cooper / Eromanga Basin Environmental Impact Report: Geophysical Operations (Santos, 2018).

Seismic data acquisition allows the explorer to ‘image’ below the surface and identify areas where oil and gas may have accumulated. The seismic method uses energy sources such as vibrator trucks or buried explosive charges. The energy source creates sound waves, which travel into the earth and are then reflected from subsurface geological structures (refer to Figure 3-2). The returning reflections are recorded in a digital format and sent to a seismic data processing centre to produce a ‘cross-section’ of the layers of the earth’s crust (Santos, 2018).

To clearly outline the processes involved, and assess the environmental impact of geophysical operations on the environment, the activities have been grouped and considered as follows:

▪ Planning (Section 3.2.1); ▪ Cultural Heritage Approval (Section 3.2.2); ▪ Seismic Line and Access Track Preparation (Section 3.2.3); ▪ Surveying (Section 3.2.4); ▪ Recording (Section 3.2.5); ▪ Seismic Operations (Section 3.2.6); ▪ Camp Sites and Associated Supplies (Section 3.2.7); ▪ Uphole Drilling and Logging (Section 3.2.8); ▪ Rehabilitation (Section 3.2.9); ▪ Post Survey Monitoring and Auditing (Section 3.2.10); and ▪ Other Geophysical Activities (Section 3.2.11).

Figure 3-2: Principle of the Seismic Survey Method (Source: Santos, 2018)



Typically, once the exploration team have proposed a seismic program, the seismic program is plotted onto detailed topographic and / or satellite images (see Figure 3-3 for an example). There are two basic types of seismic survey:

▪ A 2D survey records data along a single line of traverse, giving a cross-sectional ‘picture’ of the subsurface. 2D seismic lines are normally 10 km to 50 km long and spaced 500 m to 5000 m apart; and

▪ A 3D survey records data over a ‘grid’ of lines simultaneously, giving a three-dimensional view of the subsurface, beneath an area generally covering 15 km2 to 1500 km2. The surveys may have energy source lines at right angles to the geophone lines and have a closer line spacing of 200 m to 400 m.

Seismic lines potentially impact a width of 4 m. The seismic lines are carefully laid out to avoid sensitive environmental sites where possible as well as cultural features such as buildings, dams, water wells and known Aboriginal heritage sites. Figure 3-4 shows line preparation with weaving around vegetation and minimal blade cutting.

Figure 3-3: 3D Seismic Survey Base Map (Source: Santos, 2018)

The key aspect of field acquisition is to get equipment (usually vehicular based) and personnel along the planned seismic lines and acquire sufficient data to adequately ‘image’ the subsurface. The safety of field personnel is a key consideration of any field seismic operation. This involves consideration of what is logistically, environmentally and economically possible.

Cable-less or nodal receiver / recording systems are increasingly being employed which reduces the environmental impact of the activity. There is less vehicle activity, personnel and hence the overall crew requirements and impact are reduced (Santos, 2018).



Figure 3-4: Line Preparation Showing Weaving and Minimal Cutting (Source: Santos, 2018)

Cultural heritage clearances (commonly referred to as Work Area Clearance (WAC) surveys) are carried out in accordance with the formal agreements with Native Title Claimants / Traditional Owners and in accordance with Tri-Star cultural heritage procedures. Cultural heritage logistics vary from project to project. The best method for a particular project is typically decided during early discussions between representatives of explorer and Native Title Claimants / Traditional Owners.

One method is to employ an archaeologist (or anthropologist) to identify and protect Aboriginal heritage sites and work closely with a group of Aboriginal monitors supplied by the representative body. The archaeologist will be the link between the field operation and the Aboriginal representative body and will be responsible for field logistics. Tri-Star usually employs a field liaison officer who will be the link between the field operation and Tri-Star. They will work closely with the Aboriginal group and will provide survey support to the group.

In broad outline, the cultural heritage team(s) travels the planned seismic line positions using GPS receivers pre-programmed with key line coordinates. Any cultural heritage sites encountered are recorded in the field and appropriate mitigation measures are put in place to retain the integrity of the site in accordance with the AHA.

The personnel and vehicle requirements vary from project to project. Light 4WD vehicles are normally used and generally only 1 vehicle pass over a given section of ground is required, although in the vicinity of identified sites and detours, some backtracking may occur. Existing tracks or old seismic lines are used when possible to gain access into the program areas (Santos, 2018).



The preparation of access tracks is not always required, but may be necessary in areas with no existing roads or previous seismic surveying, well drilling or production activity. During the preparation of survey lines and access tracks, particular care is taken to ensure that minimal vegetation is cleared, particularly in heavily wooded areas, such as Coolibah woodland or Lignum shrubland.

Once cultural heritage approval is received by Tri-Star, the line preparation crew can commence work. This team generally operates from a central campsite, but there may be multiple camp locations dependent upon the size of the seismic program. The line preparation crew camp, on average, accommodates 15 line preparation personnel (excluding cultural heritage personnel and surveyors). The camp units are normally trailer mounted for easy mobility although skid mount camp units may be utilised.

Campsites are set up where possible on sites previously used or in areas naturally devoid of vegetation and always adjacent to any existing tracks to minimise impact on the terrain between the camp and tracks.

The line preparation crew usually operate simultaneously on different lines, characteristically using bulldozers and graders. Daily production of prepared line is approximately 50 km, though this varies with terrain. The dozers will simply ‘walk’ with the blade up in easily traversable terrain, with the marks of the tracks being sufficient for the surveyors to follow.

The line position, plus tolerances for weaving the line around vegetation etc., including cultural heritage and infrastructure, are pre-programmed into GPS units housed in the dozers. These are plotted on a pilot display that also indicates the weaving tolerances for the dozer operators. The dozers weave around vegetation stands and on open ground the machines typically weave every 75-100 m to reduce visual impact where appropriate (however weaving may be avoided on some more fragile soils as it can increase rutting and soil disturbance).

Blade work is kept to a minimum and generally restricted to sand dunes and floodplain crabhole country. Grader work is likewise kept to a minimum – graders are mainly used in floodplain crabhole country to smooth the tracks.

All machine operators are given cultural heritage and environmental inductions at regular intervals throughout the project. Machine operators are given instructions on avoidance of key vegetation during line preparation (e.g. Priority 1 and 2 trees and shrubs identified in the Santos Field Guide (Wiltshire and Schmidt, 2003)). Dozer operators are required to keep a very close watch for cultural heritage sites that may have been missed during the cultural heritage survey. Any additional sites discovered are detailed, avoided and reported.

Any sensitive environmental features such as wetlands and salt lakes are prepared without the use of heavy machinery (or not prepared at all). Due to their instability and erosion potential when disturbed, the steeper slopes and escarpments of tableland land systems are avoided. Light brush cutting or slashing is used in the thick vegetation zones of wetland areas to prepare 1 m -1.5 m wide lines for foot or small vehicle access only (refer to Figure 3-5). Techniques such as slashing may also be used in less densely vegetated areas (where appropriate for the vegetation type) to allow access for vibrators (which may be specialised smaller / narrower vibrators where necessary) and placement of geophones.



Figure 3-5: Brush Cutting Line Preparation Through Thick Vegetation (Santos, 2018)

Machinery used for line preparation in various landforms is detailed in a matrix in Table 3-2. Application requirements for machinery are detailed on a scale of 0 – 5, where 0 represents zero use of machinery, and 5 represents more or less constant machinery use to prepare seismic lines in that particular terrain. Access tracks are generally prepared to the same specification as the seismic lines (Santos, 2018).

Table 3-2: Matrix of Line Preparation Activity and Machinery by Landform

Landform Dozer Blading Grader Work Brush Cutters / Slashing

Gibber Plain 0 0 0

Dunes 5 2 0

Dune Corridors / Swales 1 1 0

Floodplain Crabhole 5 5 1

Tableland 0 0 0

Clay Pans 0 0 0

Salt Lakes 0 0 0

Creek Crossing 2 2 1

(Source: adapted from Santos, 2018)



Surveying of seismic lines typically commences shortly after line preparation. The survey crew is usually accommodated in the line preparation camp. The field surveyors use GPS receivers to position source and receiver points. Surveyors mark all source and receiver stations utilising various methods such as biodegradable paint, pin flags or wooden pegs. If pins or pegs are used these are removed on completion of the recording phase. Line detours are often marked with biodegradable flagging which is also removed. Each survey team (one surveyor in a light 4WD vehicle) generally makes only one pass over any given section of line. Back tracking possibly occurs in areas where vehicle access routes have deviated from the true line position and markers have to be inserted on foot (Santos, 2018).

Seismic data recording normally commences one to three weeks after the start of line preparation depending on the scale and terrain of the survey. This operation is the largest part of the seismic operation in terms of personnel and vehicles. A recording crew’s team would typically consist of the following:

▪ 2D operations: 34 personnel and 16 vehicles. ▪ 3D operations: 42 personnel and 20 vehicles.

These figures vary with recording technique, terrain and season (Santos, 2018).

2D operations are typically independent lines with the source effort operating on the receiver line. This produces a 2D cross section of the sub-surface along that traverse.

3D operations are typically designed as a regular grid of surface lines having sources in one direction and receivers in the orthogonal direction as shown in Figure 3-6 (Santos, 2018).

Figure 3-6: Typical Design of 2D and 3D Seismic Surveys (Source: Adapted from Santos, 2018)

2D Seismic Lines

3D Seismic Lines / Grid



Whilst source lines are often designed to be orthogonal to the receiver lines, other orientations may be employed. The vibrators and associated equipment use some of the receiver lines for access from one source line to the next, so the amount of traffic on a receiver line will be very similar to a 2D line. However, the source lines carry limited traffic i.e. vibrators and their associated equipment plus any supervisory 4WD vehicle passes.

Work commences with the laying of receivers which may be a cable / geophone or nodal system. The geophones are planted in the ground by personnel on foot. If a string system is used, the strings are connected to a “take out” on the recording cable. The recording cable is spooled out from the side of the vehicle and offset to one side of the line to prevent damage from following vehicles.

Nodal geophone systems are being used more frequently where geophysical and environmental objectives are favourable. The environmental benefits of a lightweight nodal system include reduced vehicle traffic, smaller crew sizes and reduced waste.

Recording would normally commence when sufficient geophones have been laid for the designed receiver spread. The spread and a preselected “live” section of it picks up the acoustic energy reflected from subsurface layers, converts it to electrical energy and transmits it to the instrument recording truck or in the case of a nodal system stores the data on internal hard drives in each receiver node.

The instrument recording truck controls the source array and for cable systems it collects, decodes and amplifies these signals. Once the instruments and spread have been satisfactorily tested, recording is ready to commence.

The acoustic energy source is normally an array of truck mounted vibrator units (see Figure 3-7) electronically synchronised to vibrate in phase with each other. They line-up along a source line, a few metres apart, centred on a source point. Each unit, on command from the instrument truck, inputs one or more frequency sweeps into the ground at each source point. Each sweep lasts for a number of seconds. The source points are typically 20 m to 50 m apart. On completion of one source point the set of vibrators quickly move to the next source point. Small vibrator pad marks (i.e. shallow indentations on the soil surface) are left on the source lines where the vibrator pad is lowered on its retractable mount and pressed against the ground surface. The pad is then “shaken” to provide the seismic / sound energy input as described below.

Figure 3-7: Vibrator Trucks (Source: Santos, 2018)



The live spread is moved (controlled by the recording truck operator) as the vibrators move up. As spread becomes redundant behind the vibrators (back end of line) it is picked up and transported to the front end of the line. This cycle continues until the line is completed. The recording truck may move once or twice during the day to keep pace with the spread.

All operational vehicles stay on the prepared line. Non-operational vehicles are required to park off line to avoid causing noise on the spread and interference with line traffic. Non-operational vehicles include:

▪ parked vehicles; ▪ spare vibrators; ▪ vibrator service truck; and ▪ instrument truck.

Along any single line the following vehicle passes can be expected to occur during normal operations:

▪ vibrators, 1 pass for each truck; ▪ instrument truck, 1 pass; ▪ light vehicles, 5-20 passes in total; and ▪ vibrator service truck, 1 pass.

In environmentally sensitive areas that are not accessible by heavy machinery, such as salt lakes and densely vegetated floodplains, shallow shot holes may be drilled using handheld augers and small explosive charges used as the seismic source in place of the vibrators (see Figure 3-8) (Santos, 2018).

Figure 3-8: Source Shot Hole Pair Before Firing (L) and 13 Months After (R) (Source: Santos, 2018)

There are generally only two campsites in operation, line preparation / survey camp and the recording crew camp. The former is briefly explained in the line preparation section. The main camp is the recording crew camp, which houses the recording crew, crew management team and support personnel (see Figure 3-9). Campsites are sited on ground conducive to camping but not on clay pans, salt lakes or in close proximity to a watercourse. Campsites are located as near as practical to existing tracks or roads to avoid the need for clearance of native vegetation and subsequent disturbance to animal habitats. The campsite is located on a previously disturbed area wherever possible.

Larger surveys can result in the camp being static for several months. On larger surveys, the camp can often house more than 100 personnel and contain more than 20 trailers and approximately 36 vehicles. As the majority of these vehicles transit from camp to adjacent roads and back at least once per day, and some several times per day, the routes from camp are clearly defined to restrict wheel track



impact. Some campsites may require multiple access routes to minimise the potential of bulldust creation. Vehicles are restricted to the perimeter of the camp and parking areas are also defined.

Waste fluids are generally collected in tanks and taken off-site by a licensed waste contractor for disposal at an appropriate facility (e.g. Moomba). Alternatively, some sites may have aerobic wastewater systems to process the waste streams. Waste paper, cardboard and food scraps are disposed of in covered bins set up adjacent to the camp area. The bins are transported regularly for disposal of waste to a licensed facility. Recyclable materials are segregated in camp and regularly transported to a designated licensed recycling depot. Tyres are transported to a licensed facility for recycling. Logs of all waste disposal are retained by the crew.

All sewage and kitchen grey water is collected and transported to a suitable, designated waste disposal centre, or treated on site in an approved aerobic wastewater treatment system. These measures aim to minimise any risks to human health.

Potential spill containment practices include containment of fuel drums within portable bunding. The storage of fuel at camp sites is contained within tankers utilising safety features such as double-skins, safety cut-off valves, top accessing etc. to minimise or eliminate the potential of spill. Spill leak and drip trays are provided to address minor drips and spills resulting from re-fuelling operations. Storage and handling of fuel and chemicals is undertaken in accordance with Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and relevant standards and guidelines such as the EPA Bunding Guidelines and Australian Standard 1940.

Spills to ground (if they occur) may be chemically treated or bioremediated and the ground ripped, or the impacted soil may be removed and disposed of at a licensed facility.

Once the campsite has been vacated, rehabilitation is undertaken, including ensuring no rubbish or any man-made items are left in situ and, when necessary and terrain permitting, the area is tyne ripped to remove compaction and wheel tracks. Shoulders of adjacent formed tracks are reinstated. No ripping is conducted on gibber soils (note there are limited areas of gibber or tableland present within the licence area) (Santos, 2018).

Figure 3-9: Typical 3D Seismic Survey Main Camp (Source: Santos, 2018)



Upholes have been drilled historically to assess the near surface weathering in a survey area. The large amount of uphole drilling / logging done over the years, particularly in the Cooper Basin to the east of the licence area, have been captured in an open file database by DEM which now minimises the need for new upholes in areas previously explored.

The drilling of upholes requires use of truck mounted uphole drilling rig(s) and logging vehicle(s), plus support water tanker trucks when mud drilling (refer Figure 3-10). The support camp may house six trailers or more. The rig normally drills 4 ¾ “diameter holes that vary in depth from project to project. Most holes are in the 30 m to 90 m range. Holes are drilled using mud, air or water injection as required. Minimal additional site preparation is required as the uphole rig uses the seismic line. Distance between upholes can vary considerably depending on survey requirements, but are normally at 1 km to 5 km spacing along lines.

Immediately a hole is drilled the drill rig moves off and a logging vehicle moves in to record seismic measurements in the hole. This involves the lowering of a probe (down-hole geophone) to the bottom of the hole and triggering a heavy weight that drops from the back of the truck to produce an acoustic impulse. The time it takes this impulse to reach the probe is recorded on a set of electronic instruments housed in the logging vehicle (usually a 4WD light vehicle). This process is repeated as the probe is gradually moved up the hole. A picture is thus built up of successive travel times through the near surface layers that provide information on their thickness and velocity – vital information for correcting the Vibroseis seismic data.

Figure 3-10: Uphole Drill Rig and LVL Recording Truck (Source: Santos, 2018)

On completion of logging the drill cuttings are returned to the hole and the hole is capped. Surplus cuttings are then either buried, spread to minimise visual impact or removed in the case of sensitive areas. In some areas, the colour of the cuttings is markedly different from the ground surface and spreading of cuttings exacerbates visual impact rather than minimise it. Removal of cuttings reduces this impact but trials of adding colouring agent to the drilling mud may assist in this regard, particularly in gibber terrains. Backfill and plugging of upholes, particularly where confined aquifers are encountered, is undertaken in accordance with relevant industry standards and guidelines (e.g. SA Earth Resources Information Sheet M21 - Mineral Exploration Drillholes — General specifications for construction and backfilling) (Santos, 2018).



The majority of seismic lines, access tracks and campsites do not require rehabilitation work as one of the main objectives is to prepare and utilise them in a way that will facilitate rapid natural recovery. However, instances that can require restoration are:

▪ wheel ruts caused after wet periods; ▪ windrows (e.g. in crab-hole floodplains if not fully removed by grader ‘rill kill’ devices attached

to the edge of the blade); ▪ windrows that have been created at intersection of lines and public tracks; ▪ compaction of topsoil at campsites; ▪ compaction of shoulders on public access tracks; ▪ heavily trafficked routes between camp sites and nearest public track; ▪ access tracks that have turned to bulldust due to extensive seismic traffic; and ▪ water course channel infill and or natural flow restriction.

Normally a single dozer or grader or one of each is all that is required to carry out the rehabilitation work. Methods used for rehabilitation include:

▪ ripping of compacted areas with bulldozer or grader rear tynes; ▪ windrow material pushed onto line and smoothed; ▪ public road shoulders reinstated; ▪ wheel rut material used to infill affected areas; and ▪ affected water course channels and creek banks reinstated (Santos, 2018).

Prior to, during and subsequent to geophysical operations, assessments may be undertaken to ensure that operations have been conducted in compliance with the SEO and any other regulatory requirements. These assessments can be implemented in a number of different ways.

The following briefly describes the method utilised successfully by Santos and several other operators in the Cooper Basin. A similar approach would be applied in the Simpson And Pedirka Regions.

Prior to the commencement of any survey a number of Environmental Monitoring Points (EMPs) are selected to give a balanced representation of the various landform and vegetation type encountered. The locations of the EMPs are positioned nearby roads or tracks to minimise any future access impact upon the environment. They are also subject to ground conditions such as flooded or restricted wetlands and salt lakes that cannot be accessed.

These points are coordinated and marked with star droppers prior to the start of line preparation. Photographs are taken at these locations along the proposed line direction to give a view of the terrain prior to line-preparation. All photographs are optimally taken with a 50 mm lens or equivalent digital setting, for consistent comparison. The process is repeated after line preparation and again after recording. These EMPs are then photo monitored over the ensuing four-year period to give a visual representation of the recovery process. The revisit intervals are generally one year, two years and four years (eight years if further visits are deemed necessary) although the return period is determined by weather / road conditions and current activity in the region.

Additional photo monitoring points at a regular interval can also be utilised to monitor rehabilitation over time, including at line intersections on 2D surveys. The subsequent photo point (PP) report provides a more extensive photographic record of the survey activity and allows a more liberal selection of locations for subsequent visits to record the recovery of that seismic impacted area.



Additional photo points are also useful if the original EMPs are difficult to access due to road damage or changes in land use over time.

Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) assessments, as defined and described in the SEO, are conducted after recording on representative sections of line and at EMP locations. Both of these activities are normally done by a single team using 4WD light vehicles (Santos, 2018).

Figure 3-11: Dune Cut Immediately After Recording and 4 Years After Recording (Source: Santos, 2018)

Other geophysical surveys do not have the same extent of operations as seismic surveying. Most use 4WD vehicles or are done on foot and involve taking some measurement along traverses, like 2D seismic traverses, but more like activities involved in ‘Surveying’ as above. Measurements can be of a passive nature, such as measurement of gravity, magnetic or electromagnetic fields or involve input of some signal into the earth, such as small electrical or electromagnetic signals (Santos, 2018).



4 Existing Environment

The licence area covers approximately 33,150 km2 of far northern South Australia. This region can generally be described as arid with a uniform climate. It contains a wide diversity of land systems that are defined by geological, geomorphological and hydrological influences. This section provides an overview of the environment of the licence area.

The climate in the region is arid, with warm to extremely hot summers and mild to warm winters. Rainfall is low and highly erratic with some years receiving no rainfall at all. The annual median rainfall at nearby Oodnadatta (approximately 100 km south-west of PEL 160) is 150 mm (BoM, 2018). During summer, the climate is weakly influenced by the north-west monsoon, where moist tropical air can bring thunderstorms and intense, but relatively short-lived rainfall. For the rest of the year, the main source of rain is from north-west cloud bands that originate over the Indian Ocean, though these rarely bring prolonged rains to the area. Evaporation rates are high with annual evaporation in excess of 3500 mm (BoM, 2018; Maree SCB, 2004). A summary of climate records for Oodnadatta Airport is provided in Table 4-1 (BoM, 2018). The licence area is located in the north east pastoral fire ban district.

Table 4-1: Climate Data for Oodnadatta Airport

J F M A M J J A S O N D Annual

Mean Daily Max (oC) 37.9 36.7 33.8 28.6 23.3 19.9 19.7 22.2 26.7 30.5 33.8 36.4 29.1

Mean Daily Min (oC) 23.1 22.4 19.3 14.4 9.9 6.5 5.8 7.5 11.5 15.2 18.7 21.3 14.6

Mean Rainfall (mm) 23.9 30.4 14.0 10.9 12.5 11.9 9.4 7.9 10.5 13.1 12.7 17.4 177.1

Median Rainfall (mm) 8.3 9.0 2.8 1.4 4.2 3.6 1.6 1.4 3.9 4.8 6.8 11.2 150.2

(Source: BoM, 2018 – Oodnadatta Airport Station 017043. Location: 135.45°E, 27.55°S. Data from 1939-2018)

The licence area is located within the Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields, Channel Country, and Stony Plains biogeographic regions3. Several named land systems4 have been described across the licence area as part of broader land system mapping in the pastoral areas of South Australia (Marree SCB, 2004). The location of each land system with respect to the licence area is displayed in Figure 4-1.

The Simpson, Tirrari and Jeljendi dunefields are the predominate land systems in the licence area. These land systems are characterised by extensive linear dunefields and interdune flats (see Figure 4-1) (DENR, 2011). PEL 290 is the most diverse landscape of the licence area. PEL 290 is located over a unique interface of dunefield systems (Jeljendi and Simpson land systems), wetlands and drainage lines of the Diamantina River Wetland System and Goyder Lagoon (Diamantina and Mulligan land systems), and stony / gibber plains (Koonchera and Sturts land systems) to the south-east (Marree SCB, 2004;

3 Biogeographic regions (bioregions) are broad landscape units based on major geomorphic features and are defined by the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) Version 7.0.

4 Land systems subdivide the IBRA bioregions and are areas throughout which there is a recurring pattern of geology, topography, soils and vegetation (DEH 2005).



DEW, 2010). The following section provides a summary description of land systems and typical landforms present in the licence area.

Simpson

The Simpson land system occurs in the north-west section of the licence area and is characterised by extensive linear dunefields and sandy interdune flats. Dominant vegetation is Sandhill wattle (Acacia ligulata) shrublands over Sandhill canegrass (Zygochloa paradoxa) tall hummock grassland. Dunes are soft red sand with mobile crests and interdunes are firmer red sands to reddish sandy clays (Marree SCB, 2004; DEW, 2010).

Tirari

The Tirari land system occurs in the central section of the licence area and is characterised by linear north trending sand dunes of between 10 m to 20 m high with spacing of 150 m to 1 km. Dominant vegetation is Sandhill canegrass open hummock grassland with sparse Sandhill wattle and Needlewood (Hakea leucoptera). Dunes are pale red to brown sands with clay at lower profiles (Marree SCB, 2004; DEW, 2010).

Jeljendi

The Jeljendi land system dominates the north-eastern section of the licence area and is characterised by long, widely spaced north-north-westerly trending dunes, which overlay the ancient Lake Eyre / Kati Thanda floodplain. Dominant vegetation is Sandhill canegrass hummock grassland and Lobed spinifex (Triodia basedowii). Dunes are red siliceous sands, deep, with mobile crests (Marree SCB, 2004; DEW, 2010).

Diamantina

The Diamantina land system occurs in the central area of PEL 290 and is characterised by the floodplains and channels of the Diamantina River and channelled swampland of Goyder's Lagoon. Dominant vegetation is low open Coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) woodland with mixed Lignum (Duma florulenta) and Queensland bluebush (Chenopodium auricomum) low open shrubland. Trees reduce away from channels, with the shrubs remaining relatively dense on grey clays. Floodplains have grey self-mulching cracking clay soils with gilgai development, but the channels and terraces (levees) within Goyder Lagoon are red firm siliceous sands (Marree SCB, 2004; DEW, 2010).

Mulligan

The Mulligan land system occurs in the north-central area of PEL 290 and is characterised by the floodplains and channels of Eyre Creek (which receives flows from the Mulligan River to the north). Dominant vegetation is low Coolibah and mixed Wattle (Acacia stenophylla; A. salicina) low woodland over Lignum open shrubland. Soils on flood-outs and floodplains are grey self-mulching cracking clays, with alluvium on channel floors and loamy soils on banks (Marree SCB, 2004; DEW, 2010).

Koonchera

The Koonchera land system occurs in the south-east corner of PEL 290 and is characterised by gently undulating gibber plains, crossed by major drainage with run-on depressions and swamps, and limited occurrences of large isolated sand dunes. Dominant vegetation is Barley Mitchell grass (Astrebla pectinata) and Katoora grass (Sporobolus actinocladus) mixed low open tussock grassland. Soils are duplex soils, a shallow friable loam over red clays, with a dense cover of gibber, and dunes are generally soft red sands (Marree SCB, 2004; DEW, 2010).



Sturts

A minor area of the Sturts land system is present in the south-east corner of PEL 290. The land system is characterised by gibber downs with gilgais, internally draining lakes, claypans and swamps, and scattered red dunes. Dominant vegetation is Neverfail (eragrostis setifolia) and Mitchell grass and Cottonbush (Maireana apylla) on gibber plains, scattered Lignum and Swamp canegrass (Eragrostis australasica) in swamps; sand plains with Bladder saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria) and Mitchell grass; mesas with Dead finish (Acacia tetragonopylla); Dunes with Sandhill wattle over Lobed spinifex and Sandhill canegrass. Soils have gilgai development; gilgais are red cracking self-mulching clays with little or no stone, while surrounds are duplex soils, a shallow friable loam over red clays, with a dense cover of gibber and higher salinity than the gilgais (Marree SCB, 2004; DEW, 2010).

Macumba

A very minor area of the Macumba land system occurs in the south-western corner of PEL 288. The land system is characterised by wide braided watercourses with grey clay soils, floodout plains with sandy-clay soils, and fresh-water swamps. Dominant vegetation is Coolibah bordering channels and floodplains with scattered Gidgee (Acacia cambagei), Old-man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) and Queensland bluebush, Dead finish, Cotton bush over grasses (Marree SCB, 2004; DEW, 2010).

Warburton

A minor area of the Warburton landsystem occurs in the south-east corner of PEL 289. The landsystem is characterised by channels, floodplains and sand dunes associated with the Warburton Creek. Dominant vegetation is Coolibah, Broughton willow (Acacia salicina), River cooba (Acacia stenophylla) and Lignum bordering channels, Lignum and Queensland bluebush in swamps, and sand dunes with Sandhill canegrass, Native pear (Cynanchum floribundum) and Sandhill wattle (Marree SCB, 2004; DEW, 2010).

Five general landforms occur in the licence area. Table 4-2 describes these landforms and indicates the land systems in which they occur. The sensitivity of each landform to disturbance depends upon its basic characteristics of geology, topography, soils, hydrology, flora and fauna.



Table 4-2: Typical Landforms and Characteristics in the Licence Area

Landform Land System Summary Description

Dunefields and Sand Plains

Jeljendi, Koonchera, Macumba, Mulligan, Simpson, Sturts, Tirari, Warburton

Dunes vary greatly in their size, direction and spacing across the licence area. Interdune swales are generally flat or gently undulating, with clayey soils and occasional claypans and salt lakes.

Dunes associated with the Simpson land system are generally extensive and active longitudinal dunes, running in a generally north-south direction and ranging in height with deep red sands. Dunes associated with the Tirari land system are generally large, 10-15m high increasing to 20m in the northern part of the land system. Dunes are pale reddish or brownish quartz sands with carbonate nodules at depth, and some clay in their lower profiles, resulting in lower clayey flanks, which appear to be "hard" sand. Dunes associated with the Jeljendi land system are long and high and tend to travel in a north-west direction. The dunes are deep with mobile crests comprised of red siliceous sands. The ancient floodplain of Eyre Creek is at least partially exposed between most dunes.

Soils vary, but they are generally red-yellow-siliceous sands on dunes and red massive earths or grey self-mulching clays in interdune swales.

Gibber plains Koonchera, Sturts Gently undulating stony plains, crossed by major drainage with run-on depressions and swamps, and limited occurrences of widely spaced large sand dunes. Highly polished stones or gibbers are usually embedded in a clayey crust, thereby protecting the underlying soil from erosion.

Soils have some gilgai development; gilgais are red cracking self-mulching clays with little or no stone, while surrounds are duplex soils, a shallow friable loam over red clays, with a dense cover of gibber and higher salinity than the gilgais.

Floodplains Diamantina, Jeljendi, Macumba, Mulligan, Tirari, Warburton

Extensive flood-out areas adjacent to the Diamantina and Mulligan Rivers and Warburton Creek. Floodplains are periodically inundated when creeks and rivers overflow their banks. Characterised by grey sediments which are deposited on plains by floodwaters. In places, dunes are either co-dominant or occasionally present. Floodplains have grey self-mulching cracking clay soils with gilgai development and pale sandy clays.

Drainage channels and wetlands

Diamantina, Macumba, Mulligan, Warburton

The main waterways in the vicinity of the PELs include Eyre Creek, Goyder Lagoon, Warburton Creek and Kallakoopah Creek, which drain into Lake Eyre North / Kati Thanda. The Diamantina River flows into Goyder Lagoon to the east of PEL 290.

The braided Diamantina River and Eyre Creek bring flood waters from higher rainfall areas in Queensland and channel water out over the plains. Low gradients in the region mean the movement of the water is very slow as the flood waters move south. Goyder Lagoon is a wide, low-relief area of lignum swamps and vertic soil plains. Some waterholes may contain water for extended periods, but channels, swamps, and lakes are frequently dry.

The channels are generally made up of red firm siliceous sands. Floodplains have grey self-mulching cracking clay soils with gilgai development. Cracks and voids in the clay allow penetration of water deep into the clays when they are dry.

Claypans and Salt Lakes

Diamantina, Jeljendi, Macumba, Mulligan, Simpson, Tirari, Warburton

Claypans and salt lakes located between sand dunes. Claypans are non-cracking clays which are vary in size are not self-mulching and form a seal when wet. The water storage capacity of claypans soils is subsequently low and there is little to no plant growth. Terminal salt lakes or pans of varying sizes where evaporation has resulted in concentration of soluble salts as a surface crust. Are periodically inundated but are usually dry. Salt lakes soils are salty overlying grey self-mulching cracking clays.

(Sources: DEW, 2010; Marree SCB, 2004, Marla-Oodnadatta SCB, 2002).



Figure 4-1: Land Systems Mapped in the Licence Area (Data Source: DEW, 2010)



Vegetation in the licence area is almost entirely native. Approximately 500 plant species from 50 families have been recorded in the Simson Desert region (DEW, 2018). The majority of species recorded are ephemeral species, or short-lived perennials responding to the boom and bust nature of the region. Such species are often underrepresented in survey data as they are generally absent during dry periods.

Vegetation in the licence area is largely dominated by Sandhill wattle (Acacia ligulata) shrublands over Sandhill canegrass (Zygochloa paradoxa) tall hummock grassland on sand dunes. This vegetation community covers approximately 70% of the licence area. Minor areas of Coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) open woodland over Queensland bluebush (Chenopodium auricomum) and Lignum (Duma florulenta) shrubland dominate wetter areas e.g. swamps, floodplains and adjacent to stream channels. Low open shrublands of Grey samphire (Tecticornia halocnemoides) and Nitrebush (Nitraria billardierei) dominate interdune swales and saline areas e.g. edges of salt lakes. Sea health (Frankenia sp.) low shrublands occur near other depressions e.g. near lakes and claypans.

Vegetation associations (based on vegetation mapping (DEW, 2010)) and their percentage cover of the licence area are detailed in Table 4-3.

Table 4-3: Mapped Vegetation Associations in the Licence Area

Veg ID Vegetation Association Description Landform / Environment

Description

% Cover of Licence

Area

CG0018 Chenopod shrubland. Emergent Coolibah Eucalyptus coolabah low open woodland over Golden Goosefoot Chenopodium auricomum, Lignum Duma florulenta mid open shrubland over Tangled Bindyi Sclerolaena intricata, Rough Raspwort Haloragis aspera, and chenopod Atriplex crassipes var. crassipes low open shrubland.

Closed depressions, Swamps, Floodplains; Adj. stream channel on periphery of floodplains; Clay; Grey cracking clays; Subject to periodic water logging

8.07 %

CG0022 Eucalyptus forest woodland. Coolibah Eucalyptus coolabah, River Cooba Acacia stenophylla, +/- Willow Wattle Acacia salicina, +/-River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis var. obtusa low woodland over Lignum Duma florulenta tall open shrubland over Inland Shrubby Groundsel Senecio lanibracteus, +/- Tall nut-heads Ethuliopsis cunninghamii low sparse shrubland over Bluerod Stemodia florulenta.

Stream Channel (banks), Levees and Floodplains; Sandy loam; Over cracking clays; Watercourses / billabongs / waterholes / floodplains

1.66 %

SD0006 Acacia shrubland. Umbrella Bush Acacia ligulata, Elegant Wattle Acacia victoriae ssp., Gidgee Acacia cambagei, +/- Narrow-leaf Hop-bush Dodonaea viscosa ssp. angustissima, +/- Mulga Acacia aneura var. tall open shrubland over Cotton-bush Maireana aphylla, Bladder Saltbush Atriplex vesicaria ssp., Black Bluebush Maireana pyramidata, Spiny Saltbush Rhagodia spinescens

Stream channels and Flood outs; Minor water courses and Flood outs

0.03 %

SD0007 Chenopod shrubland. Cotton-bush Maireana aphylla, +/- Old-man Saltbush Atriplex nummularia ssp. nummularia, +/- Bladder Saltbush Atriplex vesicaria ssp. low open shrubland over Bristly Love-grass Eragrostis setifolia, Barley Mitchell Grass Astrebla pectinata, Goat-head Bindyi Sclerolaena bicornis, Tangled Bindyi Sclerolaena intricate.

Stream channel, Flood outs and Run-on areas; Flood outs

0.38 %

SD0008 Chenopod shrubland. Pop Saltbush Atriplex spongiosa, Bindyi Sclerolaena cuneata, Woolly Soft-horns Malacocera

Stream channel and Flood outs; Little surface strew;

0.01 %




Description

% Cover of Licence

Area

albolanata, Pop Saltbush Atriplex holocarpa, Western Copperburr Sclerolaena parallelicuspis low open shrubland.

Clay; Cracking; Major water courses and Flood outs

SD0009 Hummock grassland. Emergent Umbrella Bush Acacia ligulata tall sparse shrubland over Sandhill Cane-grass Zygochloa paradoxa, Loose-flowered Rattle-pod Crotalaria eremaea ssp., +/-Spiny Saltbush Rhagodia spinescens, +/- Hard Spinifex Triodia basedowii, +/- Desert Cyanchum Cynanchum floribundum, +/- Spiny Saltbush Rhagodia spinescens tall open hummock grassland over Camel Bush Trichodesma zeylanicum.

Dunes and Plains; Sand 0.05 %

SD0012 Tussock grassland. Barley Mitchell Grass Astrebla pectinata, Ray Grass Sporobolus actinocladus, Silky Bindyi Sclerolaena eriacantha, Bonefruit Osteocarpum acropterum var., Salt Bindyi Sclerolaena ventricosa low open tussock grassland.

Stony plains; Gibber 0.98 %

SD0013 Chenopod shrubland. Bladder Saltbush Atriplex vesicaria ssp., Old-man Saltbush Atriplex nummularia ssp. omissa, Low Bluebush Maireana astrotricha, Black Bluebush Maireana pyramidata, Soiny Saltbush Rhagodia spinescens low open shrubland over Poverty bush Sclerolaena intricata, Bristly Lovegrass Eragrostis setifolia, Tangled Bindyi Sclerolaena divaricata, Lantern-bush Abutilon halophilum, Samphire Tecticornia medullosa.

Stony plains 0.03 %

SI0001 Samphire shrubland. Grey Samphire Tecticornia halocnemoides ssp., Nitre -bush Nitraria billardierei mid shrubland over Buckbush Salsola australis, Brown-head Samphire Tecticornia indica ssp. leiostachya, Purple Plume Grass Triraphis mollis, Curly Wire-grass Aristida contorta, Caustic Weed Chamaesyce drummondii low forbs.

Salt lakes and claypans 7.16 %

SI0003 Low shrubland of Sea-heath Frankenia spp. and Tecticornia spp.

Near lakes and claypans 4.11 %

SI0004 Chenopod shrubland. Atriplex vesicaria ssp., +/-Maireana aphylla, +/-Maireana astrotricha, +/-Astrebla pectinata, +/-Chenopodiaceae spp. mid shrubland.

interdune corridors and paleo-drainage systems

0.07 %

SI0010 Chenopod shrubland. Maireana aphylla low shrubland. Sandplains and interdune corridors

0.34 %

SI0011 Acacia shrubland. Acacia ligulata, Acacia murrayana, +/-Acacia dictyophleba, +/-Acacia ramulosa var., +/-Hakea leucoptera ssp. leucoptera, +/-Grevillea juncifolia ssp. juncifolia, +/-Dodonaea viscosa ssp. angustissima, +/-Eremophila macdonnellii tall shrubland over Atriplex spp.

Sandplains and dunefields 1.36 %

SI0012 Tall hummock grassland. Emergent Acacia ligulata, +/-Acacia murrayana, +/-Dodonaea viscosa ssp., +/-Hakea leucoptera ssp. leucoptera mid shrubland over Zygochloa paradoxa, Triodia basedowii tall hummock grassland over Salsola tragus, Polycalymma stuartii, Aristida holathera var holathera.

Dune crests and dune foot slopes

9.73 %

SI0013 Tall hummock grassland. Emergent Acacia ligulata mid shrubs over Triodia basedowii, Zygochloa paradoxa tall hummock grassland over Goodenia cycloptera, Polycalymma stuartii, Salsola tragus, Senecio gregorii, Sida ammophila, Aristida spp.

Dune slopes, swales and interdune corridors

1.81 %

SI0014 Acacia georginae mid open woodland Interdune corridors, lake fringes, and drainage systems

0.05 %




Description

% Cover of Licence

Area

SI0015 Nitraria billardierei low open shrubland over +/-Atriplex spp., +/-Frankenia spp., +/-Goodenia spp.

Swales and near salt lakes 5.01 %

SI0018 Acacai shrubland. Acacia ramulosa var. mid open shrubland over +/-Aristida spp., +/-Eragrostis spp. low tussock grasses

Sand dunes 0.003 %

SI0020 Chenopod shrubland. Atriplex limbata, +/-Atriplex vesicaria ssp., +/-Maireana pyramidata low open shrubland

Interdune corridors 0.42 %

SI0021 Tall hummock grassland. Emergent +/-Acacia ligulata mid shrubs over Zygochloa paradoxa tall hummock grassland over Salsola tragus, Aristida spp., Sclerolaena spp., Polycalymma stuartii, Trichodesma zeylanicum

Dunes 58.61 %

(Source: DEW, 2010)

Grasslands such as those of the Simpson Desert do not usually support a great abundance or diversity of vertebrate species. After rains, however, resources are abundant and populations boom. As a result, the distributions of local and regional species are continuously fluctuating. A complete picture of the fauna is therefore only possible through repeated observations over long periods. The remoteness and scale of the reserves has limited the number of surveys in the region, and as a consequence, desert fauna is not as well-understood as desert flora (DEW, 2019a).

Mammals

Up to 22 native species of mammals and 9 introduced species have been previously recorded in the licence area (DEW, 2018). Commonly recorded native mammal species in the licence area include the Fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) and the Sandy inland mouse (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis). Common and widespread introduced species include the One-humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius), Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Feral Cat (Felis catus), House mouse (Mus musculus) and Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes). Management of these pest species is a priority for the Simpson Desert RR (DEW, 2019).

Birds

148 bird species have been recorded across the licence area (DEW, 2018). Commonly recorded bird species include the Banded whiteface (Aphelocephala nigricincta), Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulates), Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), White-winged Fairywren (Malurus leucopterus), and Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata).

Migratory birds visit the region in wetter years, further detail is provided in Section 4.3.4.

Reptiles and Amphibians

The Simpson Desert and surrounding areas support high reptile diversity. 54 species of reptile and 2 frog species have been recorded in the licence area (DEW, 2018). Commonly recorded reptile species include Painted Dragon (Ctenotus pictus), Eastern Desert Ctenotus (Ctenotus regius), Eyrean Ctenotus (Ctenotus taeniatus), Ghost skink (Eremiascincus phantasmus), Robust tree Dtella (Gehyra purpurascens), Desert Skink (Liopholis inornata), and the Beaded Gecko (Lucasium damaeum).



No threatened ecological communities (TECs) occur within the licence area (DEE, 2018).

Natural heritage sites in the region include the ecologically significant Diamantina River Wetland System which occurs in parts of PEL 289 and PEL 290 (refer to Section 4.4).

Several species listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (NPW Act) legislation are recorded or predicted by databases to occur in the region. Threatened species recorded (DEW, 2018; DEE, 2018) or predicted to occur in the licence area are detailed in Table 4-4.

Table 4-4: Threatened Species Recorded or Predicted to Occur in the Licence Area

Species Status*

Location / Comment Cwlth SA

Plants

Acacia peuce

Waddy

V - EPBC database predicts presence. No records identified for the licence area (DEW, 2018).

May occur on stony flats or gibber plains areas between longitudinal dunes or on alluvial flats between ephemeral watercourses. No South Australian records, previously recorded in south-west Queensland and south-east Northern Territory (Orchard & Wilson, 2001).

Acacia pickardii Birds Nest wattle / Pickards Wattle

V R EPBC database predicts presence.

1 record located in the SE corner of PEL 290, and a further 30+ records located 10-20 km south of PEL 290 (DEW, 2018). Species known from far north-eastern SA and south-eastern NT, with the SA population in the Mt Gason Bore / Pandie Pandie area, 150 km south of Birdsville, SA. Grows on gibber-covered sandplains and in stony sand over clay on low mesas and flats (Orchard & Wilson, 2001). The species forms a low woodland or low open woodland.

Frankenia plicata Sea Heath

E V 7 records located in the central and northern areas of PEL 288, and 1 record in the Simpson Desert CP (DEW, 2018).

Grows in a range of habitats, including on small hillside channels, which take first run-off after rain (DEE, 2019a). In the Simpson Desert, species predominantly found from swales of loamy sands to clay (Neagle, 2003). Species is found in a wide range of vegetation communities that have good drainage (Neagle, 2003).

Plantago multiscapa Many Stem Plaintain

- V 1 record located in PEL 160 approximately 56 km NNE of Morice Hill (summit), and 2 records west in Witjira NP (DEW, 2018).

Tecticornia cupuliformis - V No records identified for the licence area (DEW, 2018).

1 record located approximately 12 km south-east of PEL 289 southern boundary (DEW, 2018). Small shrub around 25 cm high. Found on freshwater claypans and on white clay soil.

Birds

Amytornis modestus Thick-billed Grasswren

V - EPBC database predicts presence. No records identified for the licence area (DEW, 2018).

Closest records (3) located approximately 20 km south-east of PEL 289 SE boundary (DEW, 2018). Inhabits chenopod shrublands dominated by Atriplex spp. and Maireana spp.

Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard

- V 7 records located in PELs 160 and 289, and several records in the region surrounding the licence area (DEW, 2018). Occurs in open grassy woodland, grassland including pastoral land and crops.



Species Status*


Formerly found throughout inland Australia, extending to coastal areas north of the Tropic of Capricorn.

Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper

CE - EPBC database predicts presence. No records identified for the licence area (DEW, 2018).

Closest records approximately 40 km east of PEL 290 eastern boundary, and 40 km south of PEL 288 southern boundary (DEW, 2018). Migratory shorebird, mainly occurring on intertidal mudflats or coastal lakes and lagoons. Recorded less frequently inland around ephemeral and permanent lakes, dams, waterholes and bore drains, usually with bare edges of mud or sand.

Charadrius mongolus Lesser Sand plover

E R EPBC database does not predict presence.

2 records located in the south-east corner of PEL 290 (DEW, 2018). Small to medium-sized grey-brown and white plover widespread in coastal regions, occasionally occurring inland (DEE, 2018a).

Cladorhynchus leucocephalus Banded Stilt

- V 1 record located in PEL 288 to the east of Lake Griselda, bordered on PEL 289 (DEW, 2018).

Coturnix ypsilophora Brown Quail

- V No records identified for the licence area (DEW, 2018).

Closest record located 35 km east of PEL 290 eastern boundary.

Grus rubicunda Brolga

- V 1 record located in central PEL 289 (DEW, 2018).

Neophema chrysostoma Blue-winged Parrot

- V 5 records located in PELs 288 and 289, and multiple records within the Simpson Desert CP.

Pedionomus torquatus Plains Wanderer

CE E EPBC database predicts presence. No records identified for the licence area (DEW, 2018).

Closest records located 40-50 km south-east of PEL 289 and 290 (DEW, 2018). Inhabits sparse, treeless, lowland native grasslands with around 50% bare ground and occasionally in chenopod shrublands (DEE, 2019a).

Pezoporus occidentalis Night Parrot

E E EPBC database predicts presence. No records identified for the licence area (DEW, 2018).

Closest record located 85 km south-east of PEL 290 southern boundary (DEW, 2018).

Discovery of signs (calls and feather) in samphire habitat at Kalamurina near Lake Eyre North / Kati Thanda reported in 2017 have since been retracted. Thought to inhabit Triodia grasslands and samphire and chenopod shrublands in arid and semi-arid Australia. Current distribution is possibly limited to western Queensland and the Pilbara, but is poorly understood due to difficulty in detection and very limited numbers of sightings (DEE, 2019a).

Rostratula australis Australian Painted Snipe

E V EPBC database predicts presence. No records identified for the licence area (DEW, 2018).

Closest record located approximately 40 km east of PEL 290 eastern boundary (DEW, 2018). Wading bird which inhabits shallow terrestrial wetlands including temporary and permanent lakes, swamps and claypans as well as dams, sewage farms and bore drains (DEE, 2018a).

Mammals

Dasyuroides byrnei Kowari

V V EPBC database predicts presence. No records identified for the licence area (DEW, 2018).

Closest records (2) located 7-20 km south of PEL 290 southern boundary (DEW, 2018). Known (well-studied) populations occur in gibber habitats on Clifton Hills pastoral Station located approximately 50 km east of PEL 290.



Species Status*


Macrotis lagotis Greater Bilby


Closest records (2) located 50 km east of PEL 290 eastern boundary (DEW, 2018). Medium-sized burrowing marsupial that occurs at various locations between south-west Queensland and the Pilbara (DEE, 2019a). Species thought to be extinct in the wild in mainland SA.

Notomys cervinus

Fawn Hopping-mouse

- V 2 records located in the SE corner of PEL 290 near Goyder Lagoon (DEW, 2018). Most commonly inhabits gibber plains with low chenopods and ephemeral plants, and sometimes found on adjacent claypans. Populations fluctuate in response to environmental conditions (SAAL NRM, 2011)

Notomys fuscus Dusky Hopping-mouse


1 record located approximately 15 km south of PEL 289 southern boundary at Lake Warrandirinna. Patchy and fluctuating distribution in the arid areas of south-west Queensland, north-east SA (Strzelecki dunefields) and western NSW (DEE, 2019a).

Notoryctes typhlops Southern Marsupial Mole (Itjaritjara)

- V 16 records located in PELs 160 (15 records) and 288 (1 record), and 1 record in Simpson Desert CP (DEW, 2018). A blind marsupial mole that lives underground in sand dunes and adjacent swales where there is suitable deep, loose sand (DEE, 2018a).

Pseudomys australis Plains Rat

V V EPBC database predicts presence.

2 records located in the north-west corner of PEL 289.

Small nocturnal rodent which inhabits low-lying patches of deep cracking clay common on gibber plains and gentle slopes supporting sparse chenopod shrublands and other ephemeral vegetation. Widespread in western Lake Eyre Basin from NT border to Lake Eyre South / Kati Thanda. Increases in numbers during good conditions and becomes extremely scarce between periods of peak abundance. It is considered likely that no populations of the Plains Rat are permanently associated with a particular habitat patch or ‘refugia’. Rather, Plains Rat populations consist of a number of dynamic regional populations utilising a network of primary core areas, with rare widespread dispersal between regions (DEE, 2019a).

*Conservation Status under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the SA National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: CE – Critically Endangered, E – Endangered, V – Vulnerable, R – Rare

The EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (PMST) report (DoEE 2018b) identified eight (8) migratory species listed under the EPBC Act as potentially occurring within the licence area, species identified include: (Fork-tailed Swift (Apus pacificus), Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava), Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata), Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) and Oriental Plover, Oriental Dotterel (Charadrius veredus). The Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) is also listed as Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act. No records for Curlew Sandpiper occur in, or within approximately 40 km of, the licence area (DEW, 2018).

As discussed in Section 4.3.1, vegetation in the licence area is almost entirely native, and records of introduced species are limited (DEW, 2018). Weeds recorded in the licence area are predominantly



naturalised or widespread weed species of generally limited concern to the environmental or pastoral values of the broader region e.g. Caltrop.

However, Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), which is a declared weed under the South Australian Natural Resources Management Act 2004 (NRM Act), has been recorded in the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR. The Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert CP and RR Management Plan (DEW, 2019a) recommend that containment of Buffel grass spread should be a priority for the area given its ease of establishment, fast maturation and spread. Buffel grass can form dense monocultures, out-competing native grasses and reducing food supply for native fauna. The broader landscape is also compromised as Buffel grass produces more combustible material than native grasses resulting in hotter and more intense fires.

Other weeds recorded for the licence area identified as a management priority by DEW (2019a) include Caltrop (Tribulus terrestris) (Declared, NRM Act) and Neurada procumbens. Caltrop is a rapidly growing summer herb that causes problems with its sharp-spined burrs. The species is a complex found throughout the tropics and subtropics of the world, and populations in inland SA are likely to include native forms that have been present in northern Australia for many thousands of years. Active management of the species in the SAAL NRM region is limited (PIRSA, 2014). Neurada was first observed in Australia at the north-west corner of the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR in 2000. It is only otherwise known to occur at a number of sites in the Northern Territory (DEW, 2019a).

Introduced plant species recorded in databases (DEW, 2018) to occur in the licence area are listed in Table 4-5.

Table 4-5: Weeds Recorded in the Licence Area

Species Common Name Status*

Brassica tournefortii Wild Turnip

Cenchrus ciliaris Buffel Grass Declared

Citrullus colocynthis Colocynth

Citrullus lanatus Bitter Melon

Heliotropium curassavicum Smooth Heliotrope

Indigofera linnaei Birdsville Indigo

Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum Jersey Cudweed

Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle

Tribulus terrestris Caltrop Declared

Diplachne fusca ssp.

Erodium aureum

Neurada procumbens

*as per the South Australian Natural Resources Management Act 2004

Pest animals recorded in the licence area include feral cattle, rabbits, cats and foxes, donkeys, horses and camels. The ongoing maintenance of low feral herbivore (camels, donkeys, horses and cattle) densities is identified as a management priority for the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert CP and RR (DEW, 2019a).



The Diamantina River Wetland System is located in PELs 290 and 289. The wetland system is listed as a nationally important wetland by the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. The Diamantina’s multiple intertwining small stream channels and flood courses spread to form the ephemeral Goyder Lagoon before recombining into the narrow flood courses and channels of the Warburton and Kallakoopah Creeks that eventually feed into Lake Eyre (DEH, 2008). The system includes the lower reaches of the Diamantina River and Goyder Lagoon, which intersects PELs 290 and 289 as Goyder Lagoon and Warburton Creek. The Kallakoopah Creek travels west through PELs 289 and 290. The Diamantina system is an example of a major unregulated arid zone wetland system and is one of the major wetland systems in Australia, which remains substantially unmodified. The wetland system is also highly unusual in being a major arid zone river system with a catchment in the semi-arid rather than in a humid zone.

Goyder Lagoon and the Warburton and Kallakoopah Creeks provide aquatic, wetland and riparian habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna including a range of fish, birds and mammals (Mancini, 2017; Schmarr et al., 2017). Goyder Lagoon in particular provides habitat for a wide range of waterbirds and shorebirds including Little Black Cormorant, Straw-necked Ibis, Nankeen Night Heron, Little Pied, Pied and Great Cormorants, Great and Intermediate Egrets, Australian White Ibis, Australasian Darter, Australian Pelican and White-necked Heron, Sandpipers and Little Curlew. The area also supports a population of Yellow chat near Koonchera Waterhole. The Australian Painted Snipe has also been recorded near Koonchera Waterhole. Goyder Lagoon also supports a population of Grey Grasswren (Amytornis barbatus diamantina) (Birdlife International, 2019). The gibber plains adjacent to the eastern side of the lagoon support a diverse mammal assemblage, including the stronghold of the South Australian population of Kowari (Dasycercus byrnei) (NPW Act and EPBC Act listed as Vulnerable).

As noted in Section 1.4, Tri-Star proposes to exclude undertaking geophysical operations in Goyder Lagoon5 and within a 500 m buffer zone either side of the Kallakoopah Creek main channel6 from the scope of this EIR and accompanying SEO.

No wetlands of international importance (Ramsar wetlands) occur in the licence area. The closest Ramsar wetland (Coongie Lakes) is located approximately 54 km south-east of the PEL 290 eastern boundary.

Other areas of value that are not formally listed include the waterholes of the Diamantina system (Mancini, 2017).

Surface water in the region is generally ephemeral and the environmental, cultural, social and economic aspects interact and response to the episodic, irregular, extreme boom and bust periods that are a feature of the SAAL NRM region. A distinct feature of the region is periodic temporary flooding in some areas, caused by rainfall outside the region that flows into the river systems.

5 Goyder Lagoon, as defined by the Wetlands of National Importance 3rd Edition (Spatial GIS Layer) (DEEH, 2001).

6 Kallakoopah Creek, as defined by the DEW Watercourses in South Australia dataset (GDA94) (DEW, 2019).



The main waterways in the region are ephemeral, and include the Diamantina River, Eyre Creek, Goyder Lagoon, Warburton Creek and Kallakoopah Creek, which ultimately drain into Lake Eyre North / Kati Thanda. The Diamantina River flows into Goyder Lagoon. These features are shown in Figure 4-2.

The Diamantina River is a braided channel which originates north-west of Longreach in Queensland (Wainwright et al. 2006). The river travels approximately 1000 km from Queensland to Lake Eyre North / Kati Thanda in South Australia (SA). The total catchment area of the Diamantina is 365,000 km2 (Kotwicki, 1986). The Diamantina initially flows into Goyder Lagoon, which lies 80 km south of the SA border, and ultimately terminates at Lake Eyre North / Kati Thanda via the Warburton and Kallakoopah Creeks. Goyder Lagoon is an extensive ephemeral wetland covering 1,300 km2. The south-western corner of PEL 290 intersects Goyder Lagoon. At the south-western edge of this large basin, Eyre Creek (known as the Georgina upstream) joins from the west.

Eyre Creek (from the South Australian border to Goyder Lagoon) is the down-valley termination of the Georgina River. It consists of multiple semi-parallel interlinked flow paths in which water flows down Simpson Desert interdunes. The flow is essentially unconfined (except in local topographic pinch points) and extremely low energy, without sediment transport. Consequently, there are few channels and no permanent water, and no aquatic refugia (Wakelin-King, 2017). Eyre Creek runs along the western boundary of PEL 290.

Goyder Lagoon is a broad shallow valley where flows are unconfined with no significant sediment transport. Goyder Lagoon has a few permanent and semi-permanent waterholes, mostly at the lagoon margins. The width and low gradient of Goyder Lagoon coupled with numerous dispersed water entry points drives the unconfined nature of the flow (Wakelin-King, 2017). Goyder Lagoon typically receives inflows from the Eyre Creek and Warburton / Diamantina Rivers during summer months when monsoonal troughs push south into the Diamantina catchment. These monsoonal systems can bring heavy rainfall to the lower reaches of the catchment, whereas rainfall is more commonly confined to the upper catchment area during moderate flood events (Osti, 2004; Costelloe et al., 2003).

During larger flood events, floodwaters can flow southwards from Goyder Lagoon to Lake Eyre North / Kati Thanda via the Warburton River and Kallakoopah Creek. The Kallakoopah Creek runs through permits 289 and 288. Warburton and Kallakoopah Creeks flow from the south-western end of Goyder Lagoon to Lake Eyre North / Kati Thanda. The channels are particularly wide (in the order of 50 m) and flows, although highly variable, are generally more confined than the rest of the Diamantina system. Warburton Creek lies to the south-east of PEL 289, while Kallakoopah Creek intersects the southern parts of PEL 288 and 289, flowing in a north-westerly direction through PEL 289 turning in a generally southerly direction through PEL 290 (see Figure 4-2).

The Diamantina system is the major contributor of floodwaters to Lake Eyre North / Kati Thanda (Kotwicki, 1986). The Diamantina River has an average annual inflow volume to Lake Eyre North / Kati Thanda of 2.4 km3 (65% of the total flow) compared to the Cooper Creek with an average contribution of only 0.63 km3 (16%) (Nanson et al. 1998). Satellite observations of Diamantina flood events between 1991 to 2013 identified 11 flood events reached Lake Eyre North / Kati Thanda, 4 terminated in Goyder Lagoon, and 2 terminated downstream of the lagoon, but upstream of Lake Eyre North / Kati Thanda (Osti, 2004). During flood events the Goyder Lagoon and its connected tributaries and floodplains can occupy 30-50% of PEL 290 depending on flood magnitude. Large flood events in the region generally coincide with rainfall over a significant portion of the catchment, but the self-draining nature of the surrounding country means that very little of the rainfall reaches the system as runoff. The only area in the catchment that noticeably contributes runoff via organised drainage is the Sturt Stony Desert (Koonchera / Sturt land systems), with runoff flowing into Goyder Lagoon via small incised flood channels (Osti, 2004).



Other surface water features of note in the licence area include the chain of playa lakes (ephemeral lakes) in the central part of the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR (predominantly in PELs 288 and 289). Smaller playa lakes have a smooth and hard clay surface, while the larger lakes have a bright white salt crust sitting over a layer of mud which remains damp even during drought (DEW, 2019a). Larger lakes include Lake Griselda, Peera Peera Poolanna Lake, Poolowanna Lake, Lake Umaroona, Poolyeruninna Lake, Lake Willawilaninna, Lake Pialpotingoona and Lake Pantoowarinna.

Plate 4.1: Stained Waters of the Kallakoopah Creek (high evaporation rates cause leaching of saline water and dissolved iron from shallow groundwater sources) (Source: Wakelin-King, 2017)



Figure 4-2: Surface Water Features in the Vicinity of the Licence Area



The Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR and CP form part of an area of great significance to the Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi People. The Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi People have lived on this country for tens of thousands of years (DEW, 2019a). Pastoral expansion in the desert regions from 1860-1900 displaced Aboriginal groups and at this time, the Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi began leaving the desert. The last remaining Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi People vacated the desert in the summer of 1899-1900 (DEW, 2019a).

There are culturally significant areas and sites throughout the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert CP and RR that are important to the Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi People. All sites are protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988, whether registered, recorded or unrecorded. Culturally significant areas and sites may include (but are not limited to) the following:

▪ cultural campsites ▪ stone implements and workings ▪ stone arrangements ▪ burial sites ▪ tree scars; and ▪ Approdinna Attora Knolls (rare gypsum outcrops) – the Knolls are the home of the Rain Ancestor

‘Kuntili’.

While some sites and places are documented in the Register of Aboriginal Sites and Objects under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988, there has not been a comprehensive survey of the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert CP and RR, and there are highly likely to be many undocumented sites (DEW, 2019a).

Witjira NP is located adjacent to, and shares its eastern boundary with, the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR and PEL 160 (Note: PEL 160 does not cover any area of Witjira NP). Witjira NP is of great significance to the Wangkangurru and Lower Southern Arrernte people, whose Altyerre (traditional law and customs) is strongly linked to the land. The significance of the national park to Aboriginal people is reflected through the many creation stories that weave through the Country. The mound springs complex is of particular significance to traditional owners, as many stories are associated with, or pass through the springs (DEWNR, 2017).

There are no National or State Heritage listed places located within the licence area.

The Dalhousie Mound Springs complex is a listed Heritage Place on the National Heritage List. Places listed in the National Heritage List are protected under the EPBC Act. The springs are located in Witjira NP, approximately 65 km west of the PEL 160 western boundary.

The historic “French Line” is also located between Witjira NP, PEL 160 and the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert CP. The French line, along with other tracks in the area (e.g. Rig road, QAA line), was created during seismic surveys of the area during the 1960’s and 1970’s.



The major land use within the region is conservation, tourism and beef cattle production. Other land uses in the broader region include petroleum and resource exploration.

Pastoral leases intersected by the licence area include (see Figure 4-3):

▪ Cowarie (PEL 289) ▪ Kalamurina (PEL 288) ▪ Clifton Hills (PELs 289, 290) ▪ Alton Downs (PEL 290); and ▪ Macumba (PEL 160)*.

*Note: The Macumba pastoral lease intersects the south-west corner of PEL 160 as defined by the SA pastoral boundaries GIS layer (which is derived from pastoral fence lines) (DEW, 2018a). However, the PEL 160 boundary is actually aligned with the gazetted boundary of the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR and is understood to be within the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR land parcel (see Figure 4-3). For the purposes of this document Macumba pastoral lease is considered to be located outside the licence area.

The Kalamurina pastoral lease is held by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and is operated as a private sanctuary. Kalamurina intersects a small section of the PEL 288 southern boundary (approximate area is 60 km2). As discussed in Section 1.4, the southern portion of PEL 288 that overlaps Kalamurina pastoral lease is excluded from the scope of this EIR.

Alton Downs and Clifton Hills Pastoral Stations are Certified Organic Livestock operations under the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia (NASAA).



Figure 4-3: Pastoral Leases Surrounding the Licence Area



No mining tenements (i.e. exploration or production licences) are located within the licence area or its immediate region. Active mineral licences and applications are generally located to the far west and south of the licence area. Numerous non-active mineral exploration licences (ELs) are located immediately south-west of PELs 160 and 288, and 2 non-active ELs (5278 and 5279) are located on Cowarie pastoral station directly south of the PEL 289 south-eastern boundary.

Section 3.1 provides a summary history of petroleum exploration in the region.

The region contains some of South Australia’s largest areas dedicated under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. The licence area is located in its entirely over the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert Regional Reserve (RR), and shares boundaries with Witjira National Park (NP) and the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert Conservation Park (CP) (see Figure 1-1).

Regional Reserves are areas proclaimed for the purpose of conserving wildlife, natural or historical features while allowing responsible use of the area’s natural resources (including oil and gas exploration and production activities). Oil and gas exploration and production is an anticipated activity within Regional Reserves; a significant proportion of the Cooper Basin (Australia’s largest onshore oil and gas province) is located within the Innamincka Regional Reserve and Strzelecki Regional Reserve.

The Simpson Desert is the world’s largest sand dune desert, with the world’s longest parallel dunes. Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert CP and RR cover a combined area of approximately (3,607,265 ha), and they share their borders with south-western Queensland and south-eastern Northern Territory (see Figure 1-1). The Conservation Park was originally proclaimed as a National Park in 1967, but its classification was changed to a Conservation Park in 1972. The Regional Reserve was established in 1988, linking the CP with Witjira NP. The large size of the parks allows for a wide cross-section of diverse flora, fauna and sand ridge formations to be protected.

Witjira NP was proclaimed under the NPW Act in 1985. The park covers an area of approximately 768,853 ha, and shares its northern boundary with the Northern Territory, and its eastern boundary with the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR (see Figure 1-1).

As discussed in Section 4.8.5, the Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi People are the Native Title holders of the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert CP and RR area. As Traditional Owners they set directions for management in partnership with the South Australian Government (DEW, 2019a).

The Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert CP and RR help protect (DEW, 2019a):

▪ culturally significant sites and landscapes, including rare gypsum outcrops, known as Knolls; ▪ ancient song lines that reflect the creation of desert landforms and provide a geographical

reference, enabling Wangkangurru Yaryulandi People to navigate their way across the desert ▪ bush tucker foods and culturally significant animals; ▪ the world’s largest system of parallel sand dunes; ▪ one of the largest areas of high-quality wilderness left in Australia; ▪ fossil sites of extinct megafauna that once roamed these deserts, providing opportunities for

scientific research; ▪ a variety of plants including ten that are listed as vulnerable or rare in South Australia and one

(Sea Heath Frankenia plicata) listed as endangered under the EPBC Act; ▪ important fauna including 16 species listed as rare or vulnerable in South Australia and two

nationally vulnerable species; and



▪ one of the greatest 4WD challenges in the world and a true Australian outback experience.

The Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert CP and RR Management Plan (DEW, 2019a) outlines the current management objectives and strategies for the area. The Plan notes strategies for managing the impacts of petroleum exploration include:

▪ In the event of future mineral and petroleum exploration or production activities within the regional reserve, ensure that the regional reserve’s remote and natural qualities are maintained, precautions are taken to minimise the spread of weeds, tracks are rehabilitated, and visitor experience and Aboriginal cultural heritage is not impacted.

As discussed in Section 4.6.1, the Kalamurina pastoral lease intersects a small section of PEL 288 and is held by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), who operate the area as a private sanctuary. Kalamurina covers an area of approximately 679,666 ha located between the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert RR and Kati-Thanda / Lake Eyre NP. The Kallakoopah Creek, Warburton Creek and Macumba River converge in Kalamurina before entering Kati-Thanda / Lake Eyre. Over 65% of the water that enters Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre travels through Kalamurina. Kalamurina contains a diversity of ecosystems – vast dunefields, a network of freshwater and saline lakes, desert woodlands, gibber plains, and riparian and floodplain habitats (AWC, 2019). As discussed in Section 1.4, Kalamurina pastoral lease is excluded from the scope of this EIR.

The Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert CP and RR have been recognised as having wilderness value (DENR, 2011), however no formal wilderness protection exists over the area. Several non-government organisations have proposed that the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR and CP, particularly the Kallakoopah Creek area, should be formally protected as wilderness. As acknowledged in DENR (2011), the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR is subject to existing rights of entry for petroleum and mining activities.

The Birdsville Track (which crosses the south-eastern corner of PEL 290) and the Simpson Desert crossing are iconic outback routes. It is estimated that approximately 9,000 visitors cross the desert each year. The unsealed Birdsville Track can carry large numbers of tourists, particularly during the period from July to September when the Big Red Bash and Birdsville Races are held. Annual average daily traffic on this section of the Birdsville Track (2015 data) is 55 vehicles per day (DPTI, 2019).

Visitor use across the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR is largely limited to well-equipped and self-sustaining groups possessing suitable four-wheel drive vehicles, with a crossing of the Simpson Desert typically taking several days (DEW, 2019a). DEW close the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert CP and RR to public access between 1 December to 15 March each year due to extreme summer temperatures that can reach over 50 degrees Celsius. Peak tourism season is between May and September (DEW, 2019a).

The licence area is entirely covered by the Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi Native Title Claim (NNTT Number: SCD2014/005), which was determined 3rd October 2014, and is registered to the Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi Aboriginal Corporation Registered Native Title Body Corporate.

Native Title agreements with the Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi were signed by the Minister on the 3rd March 2011 (PELs 288, 289, 290 and 331) and 25th May 2017 (PEL 160). The agreements are conjunctive and cover activities from exploration through to development and production. Under the requirements of these agreements, heritage clearances (typically termed Work Area Clearance (WAC) surveys) for any field work will be undertaken prior to the commencement of field activities.



The Marree-Innamincka district has a permanent population of approximately 200 people, with a further 300 transient workers servicing the petroleum industry and 45,000 tourists visiting the region annually (SAAL NRM, 2013). Townships include Innamincka (population approx. 44), Marree (population approx. 101), Lyndhurst (population approx. 24) and Moomba (no permanent residents, FIFO only) (ABS, 2016).

The licence area and surrounding region have very limited road infrastructure. The Birdsville Track crosses the south-eastern corner of PEL 290, and a number of tracks and public access tracks cross the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR and CP, which predominantly utilise seismic lines and roads developed for historic petroleum exploration activities (see Figure 4-4).

The pastoral leases in PEL 290 contain a sparse network of pastoral roads and tracks as well as pastoral infrastructure such as fences, dams, tanks and yards.



Figure 4-4: Existing Roads and Tracks in the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert RR and CP (Source: DEW, 2019a)



5 Environmental Risk Assessment

This section identifies and assesses the potential and perceived environmental risk, hazards and impacts related to Tri-Star’s geophysical operations in the Simpson and Pedirka Regions.

A hazard is considered to be any source of potential environmental harm (or impact). To identify hazards, the various activities associated with each stage of the seismic operation were considered along with the events that could lead to a hazardous situation. The possible consequences of such events were also identified and assessed. Hazards from other geophysical operations can be viewed as a subset of the seismic set.

The environmental hazards that have potential to result in the most prominent environmental consequences are identified as:

▪ earthworks associated with line and access track preparation and reparation; ▪ vehicle movement on roads, access tracks and seismic lines; ▪ seismic source activation (vibrator machines or explosives); ▪ uphole drilling; ▪ campsites and disposal of camp wastewater; ▪ fire; ▪ loss of containment associated with fuels and chemical storage and handling and high-pressure

hydraulic systems; and ▪ waste management.

Potential consequences associated with the above hazards could include:

▪ reduction in visual amenity; ▪ soil erosion and compaction; ▪ damage to native vegetation and habitat; ▪ disturbance or injury to native fauna; ▪ disturbance or damage to sites of cultural or heritage significance; ▪ disturbance to stakeholder infrastructure and activities; ▪ injury to / loss of stock; ▪ damage to property organic status; ▪ disturbance to petroleum infrastructure; ▪ dust and noise generation; ▪ localised reduction in air quality; ▪ introduction and / or spread of pest plants; ▪ disturbance to natural drainage patterns; ▪ potential impacts to public safety; ▪ localised contamination of soil and / or shallow groundwater resources or watercourses; ▪ uncontrolled discharge of artesian aquifers; and ▪ impact to stakeholder (e.g. landholder) business reputation (Santos, 2018).



Environmental risk is a measure of the likelihood and consequences of environmental harm occurring from an activity. The risk assessment process involves:

▪ identifying the potential hazards or threats posed by the project ▪ categorising the potential consequences and their likelihood of occurring; and ▪ using a risk matrix to characterise the level of risk7.

The level of risk for Tri-Star’s geophysical operations in the Simpson and Pedirka Regions has been assessed based on the assumption that management measures discussed in this EIR will be in place.

Where possible, environmental hazards and potential consequences have been identified and assessed on the basis of existing information on the magnitude and / or frequency of activities associated with geophysical operations in the Cooper Basin, which is considered analogous to the Simpson and Pedirka Regions. However, this information is not available with regard to all activities and associated hazards. Where this is the case, environmental hazards and subsequent consequences have been identified on the basis of the experience of petroleum industry personnel and JBS&G and Tri-Star personnel.

The level of the consequence is determined by the character of the receiving environment (e.g. gibber, dunefields, floodplain) the size and nature of the hazard, effectiveness of Tri-Star’s controls, procedures and guidelines in minimising potential impacts and past experience of JBS&G and Tri-Star personnel or in the industry.

The distinction between temporary and long-term impact depends on many factors, but is ultimately a value-judgement based on scientific evaluation and the level of community acceptance. These factors are generally related to climatic events, differing terrain units, vegetation units and timing of operations. Dependent on these factors, a general guideline is that the community should expect recovery from seismic impacts in the far north of South Australia after about five to ten years when current techniques are employed. Impacts that are irreversible or are expected to take significantly longer to recover are defined as ‘long term impacts’.

The risk assessment was carried out by JBS&G and Tri-Star personnel, based on knowledge of the existing environment, and experience with operations in the Cooper Basin undertaken by other companies (e.g. Senex Energy, Santos, Beach Energy).

The risk assessment process was based on procedures outlined in Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 (Risk Management) and HB 203:2012 (Managing environment-related risk).

The risk assessments capture existing or proposed risk controls and assign a consequence and likelihood rating to the residual risk. Consequence and likelihood categories and the risk matrix

7 The risk assessment process is iterative for many hazards. For example, the risk assessment may initially indicate that risks are unacceptably

high, based on minimum or familiar management practices. In such cases, management practices are reviewed to identify additional management options to lower risk and / or improve environmental outcomes (e.g. elimination, substitution, reduction, engineering controls and management controls). The risk is then re-assessed based on these additional management options. This EIR details the final or residual risk after management options have been applied.



adopted for use in this document are consistent with those used previously for assessment of similar projects in South Australia, and are described below.

The objective of the risk assessment process is to separate the minor acceptable risks from the major risks and to provide data to assist in the evaluation and management of risks.

Risks are generally considered acceptable if they fall into the low category without any further mitigation measures, and ‘tolerable’ if they fall into the medium risk category and are managed to reduce the risk to a level ‘as low as reasonably practicable’. Risk reduction measures must be applied to reduce high risks to tolerable levels.

To describe the severity, scale and duration of potential impacts, the five categories of consequence listed in Table 5-1 are used. These consequences are adapted from the definitions in AS/NZS 31000:2009, but have been expanded to incorporate impacts to environmental values such as flora, fauna and biomass and the socio-economic environment.

A summary of the risk levels for geophysical operations is provided in Table 5-5. These risk assessments take into account the mitigation methods and practices outlined in the tables.

Table 5-1: Severity of Consequences

Category of Effect

Qualitative Description of Environmental Effects

Natural Environment Socio-Economic Environment

Negligible Possible incidental impacts to flora & fauna in a locally affected land system but no ecological consequence. Possible incidental impacts to aquifers associated with the oil and gas formation without ecological consequence.

Community is aware of operations and concerns have been addressed

Minor Changes to the abundance or biomass of biota, and existing soil and / or water quality in the affected land system, but no changes to biodiversity or ecological function. Aquifers have a small amount of exposure from other sources of fluids, negligible volume movement in or out of formations or aquifers. No measurable change to aquifer water quality or pressure in local area.

Temporary disturbance to the community.

Moderate Changes to the abundance or biomass of biota, and existing soil and / or water quality in the affected land system, with local changes to biodiversity but no loss of ecological function. Detectable change to aquifer water quality and pressure in the local area.

Longer term disturbance able to be managed with communication to affected community

Major Substantial changes to the abundance or biomass of biota, existing soil and / or water quality in the affected land system with significant change to biodiversity and change of ecological function. Eventual recovery of ecosystem possible, but not necessarily to the same pre-incident conditions. Substantial changes to aquifer water quality and pressure in the local area (i.e. local drawdown adjacent to the oil and gas well or field).

Significant effect which can be mitigated by extensive rehabilitation and negotiation with community

Catastrophic Irreversible and irrecoverable changes to abundance/biomass or aquifers in the affected area. Loss of biodiversity on a regional scale. Loss of ecological functioning with little prospect of recovery to pre-incident conditions. Widespread effect of reduction in aquifer pressure (i.e. reduced flow from bores in locations remote from operations). Contamination of aquifers remote from operations.

Significant and long lasting negative economic and social effects.



Likelihood of Occurrence

The likelihood of potential environmental consequences occurring was qualitatively assessed and categorised according to the criteria outlined in Table 5-2.

Table 5-2: Assessment of Likelihood

Likelihood Description

Almost certain is the event is expected to occur in most circumstances

Likely Will probably occur in most circumstances

Possible Could occur

Unlikely Could occur but not expected

Rare Occurs only in exceptional circumstances

Risk Assessment

The level of risk has been determined by combining the likelihood and the severity of consequences using a risk matrix. Table 5-3 shows the risk matrix that has been used in this risk assessment.

Table 5-3: Risk Matrix

SEVERITY OF CONSEQUENCE

Negligible Effect

Minor Effect Moderate Effect

Major Effect Catastrophic Effect

LIK

ELIH

OO

D

Almost certain MEDIUM HIGH HIGH VERY HIGH VERY HIGH

Likely LOW MEDIUM HIGH VERY HIGH VERY HIGH

Possible LOW MEDIUM HIGH HIGH VERY HIGH

Unlikely LOW LOW MEDIUM HIGH HIGH

Rare LOW LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH



The hazards, potential consequences, management strategies and level of residual risk associated with geophysical operations in the Simpson and Pedirka Regions are summarised in Table 5-5.

The results of the risk assessment indicate that with the proposed management measures in place, the level of risk posed by geophysical operations is relatively low. The hazards that retain a higher level of residual risk are those where the consequences involve the potential for injuries or fatalities (i.e. road hazard and bushfire) or potential for significant ecological impact (e.g. introduction of a highly invasive weed species such as Buffel Grass). These worst-case consequences are not likely to occur, but given their severity, they result in a higher level of risk. Tri-Star will ensure that appropriate management measures are in place (as outlined in Table 5-5), which will ensure that there is minimal chance of these outcomes occurring.

Earthworks and vegetation clearance for the preparation of access tracks and seismic lines are the most geographically widespread and visible hazards of geophysical operations. The type and severity of potential impacts of preparation of access tracks and seismic lines is dependent to a certain extent on the land system in which the activities are being carried out. Disturbance to soils in some land systems, such as sloping areas in gibber plains, can lead to substantial erosion by water (Fatchen and Woodburn 2000) while other systems, such as dunefields are generally more resilient and less likely to suffer any long-term impacts from soil disturbance. It should be noted that the licence area predominantly consists of resilient Simpson, Tirrari and Jeljendi dunefield and sand plain land systems (see Section 4.2). An examination of 35 seismic lines that traversed dunefields in the Cooper Basin (which is considered environmentally and operationally analogous to the Simpson and Pedirka Regions), SEA (1999) concluded that natural rates of erosion on dunes were not accelerated as a result of disturbance to the soil surface. Any sensitive environmental regions such as wetlands or salt lakes are prepared (or not prepared at all) without the use of heavy machinery. Due to their instability and erosion potential when disturbed, the steeper slopes and escarpments of tableland land systems are avoided (note there are limited areas of gibber and no tableland land systems in the licence area (see Section 4.2) (Santos, 2018). The potential impacts of specific earthworks activities in different land systems in the licence area are summarised in Table 5-4.

Table 5-4: Impacts Associated with Line / Access Track Preparation in Various Land Systems

Land System Impacts Associated with Preparation of Survey Lines / Access Tracks

Wetlands ▪ Not applicable (wetlands are avoided due to environmental sensitivity) or prepared without the use of heavy machinery.

Floodplains ▪ Vegetation clearance;

▪ Soil erosion (wind and water);

▪ Soil compaction;

▪ Disturbance of natural drainage systems; and

▪ Disturbance to cultural heritage sites (generally low density of sites in floodplains).

Gibber Plains ▪ Not applicable (grading does not occur on gibber plains or steeper slopes).

Dunefields and Sand Plains ▪ Vegetation clearance;

▪ Soil erosion (wind and water erosion); and

▪ Disturbance to cultural heritage sites (dunefields near waterholes are typically of high cultural significance).

Salt Lakes and Claypans ▪ Not applicable (grading does not occur on salt lakes or clay pans).

(Source: adapted from Santos, 2018)



The clearance of vegetation during access track preparation cannot be entirely avoided. It can result in loss of vegetation and fauna habitat, siltation of natural drainage lines and watercourses, destabilisation of creek crossings, weed invasion and damage to cultural heritage sites. Vegetation clearance may also impede the movement of fauna, particularly small mammals or reptiles across cleared areas. However, this is considered unlikely in most land systems due to the presence of naturally bare or unsheltered locations (Moss and Low 1996).

During the preparation of survey lines and access tracks, particular care is taken to ensure that minimal vegetation is cleared, particularly in heavily wooded or densely vegetation areas, such as Coolibah woodlands and Lignum shrublands.

The results of the risk assessment are supported by various independent studies that have monitored or assessed impacts of geophysical operations in the analogous Cooper Basin (e.g. Cockshell, et al. 1998, Fatchen & Woodburn 1997, Fatchen and Woodburn 2000, Horton 1998a; 1998b, Moss and Low 1996, Reid 1998, Woodburn and Fatchen 1998, Doudy 2015).

These previous studies have demonstrated that the impacts associated with seismic operations in the Cooper Basin where correct line preparation techniques have been employed are predominantly visual rather than ecological (Fatchen and Woodburn 2000). These studies have also demonstrated that operations undertaken using techniques similar to those described in this EIR generally result in low, short term impacts.

Fatchen and Woodburn (1998) indicated that seismic lines can be and have been prepared in all types of terrain so that there is no more than short term residual impacts, and that after a period of 5 years, lines have become invisible except to the most careful examination. Techniques such as the slashing of Lignum while leaving rootstock in place have been shown to result in rapid regeneration with little or no long-term impact. Doudy (2015) reviewed the visible impact of seismic lines from 1992 to 2015 and concluded that gibber land systems were more susceptible, with some lines staying at least partially visible after 20 years, however impacts were minimal in dune and floodplain land systems as these are likely to recover in a 5 to 8 year period. Overall, the visible impacts of seismic lines on the analogous Cooper Basin in a landscape context were considered minimal.

Fatchen and Woodburn (2000) also noted that third-party use of seismic lines by domestic stock and visitors can potentially prohibit natural regeneration and maintain the initial exploration impact indefinitely. Measures are implemented to reduce this risk where relevant (as outlined in Table 5-5) including the disguising of lines, ripping or fencing where necessary, and avoiding the creation of visible lines on dunes adjacent to public tracks (e.g. by hand carrying) (Santos, 2018).



Table 5-5: Environmental Risk Assessment for Geophysical Operations in the Simpson and Pedirka Regions, South Australia

Identification

Control Strategy

Risk Assessment

Activity Event Type of Impact Potential Consequences Consequence Likelihood Residual

Risk

Line and access track preparation

Earthworks Visual impacts

Reduced visual amenity Impact to the remote and natural qualities / visitor experience of the Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Regional Reserve

▪ Pre-survey planning is undertaken to ensure that the visibility of operations is minimised.

▪ Vegetation or landforms are used to disguise operations as far as possible.

▪ Lines are smoothly weaved at least every 75 m to 100 m about the general line of traverse and stands of vegetation where appropriate for the soil type.

▪ Lines are doglegged at road and track crossings preferably around vegetation.

▪ Dozers are walked with the blade up wherever possible.

▪ Extensive side cuts on dune flanks are avoided.

▪ Dune crest cuts are offset along the length of the line to minimise visibility.

▪ Where lines cross dunes located near public roads or tourist tracks, and unauthorised public access is likely to be an issue (e.g. if dunes are close to roads or highly visible from the road), vehicles avoid crossing dunes and use more suitable crossing locations. Equipment is hand carried over such dunes where appropriate.

▪ Dune cuts or significant line preparation are not undertaken on dunes located immediately adjacent to public roads or tourist access tracks. Equipment is hand carried over such dunes where appropriate.

▪ Seismic lines adjacent to public roads are ripped where appropriate to discourage third party access. Fencing and signage are erected if needed to discourage ongoing public access.

▪ Lines adjacent to public roads may also be blocked with timber (or other suitable deterrent installed) as an access deterrent.

Minor Unlikely Low


Earthworks Soil impacts Soil erosion and compaction

▪ Pre-survey planning is undertaken to ensure that the impact of operations is minimised.

▪ Where possible, existing tracks, roads or seismic lines are used for access.

▪ Dozers are walked with the blade up wherever possible and limited blading is only carried out where the terrain is exceptionally rough and sparse ephemeral vegetation is present (e.g. crabhole floodplain) and is avoided if at all practicable.

▪ Lines are prepared to a single blade width only (approximately 4 m to 5 m).

▪ Blade work is avoided on gibber, tablelands, clay pans or flat easy terrain.

Minor Unlikely Low



Identification Control Strategy

Risk Assessment


Risk ▪ Minimal blade work is permitted elsewhere e.g. sand dunes and

crabhole floodplains.

▪ No survey line or access track preparation is carried out on salt lakes.

▪ Cuts are minimised at dune crests and base of dunes.

▪ Removed sand is ramped to the side of dune cuts as opposed to the base of the dune.

▪ Windrows are removed either during or on completion of work.


Earthworks Flora / fauna Damage to native vegetation and fauna habitat

▪ Seismic lines are placed and prepared appropriately to minimise the impact to vegetation, fauna and sensitive ecological areas.

▪ Vegetation is removed only when absolutely necessary - avoided by weaving lines through vegetated areas. Priority 1 and 2 trees and shrubs (as identified in the Santos Field Guide (Wiltshire and Schmidt 2003)) are avoided in most land systems.

▪ Alternative line preparation and recording techniques used where appropriate (e.g. extensive / dense Priority 1 or 2 vegetation that cannot be avoided using allowable tolerances in line placement). These may include slashing vegetation where appropriate for the vegetation type to allow access for vibrators / placement of geophones, use of smaller / narrower vibrators, skipping or detouring around natural obstacles or sensitive areas or use of small explosive charges rather than vibrators as the seismic source.

▪ Use existing routes / disturbed areas where practicable.

▪ Root stock, topsoil and seeds are left on line during line preparation.

Minor Unlikely Low


Earthworks Flora / fauna Disturbance to native fauna

▪ Creek bank vegetation is left intact and detours sought if too dense to pass through.

▪ No heavy line preparation machinery is used in wetlands areas. Minor Unlikely Low


Earthworks Community health and safety

Increased public access to remote areas (increased risk of becoming lost)

▪ Refer to measures listed above under type of impact ‘Visual impacts’ for the activity ‘Line and access track preparation’.

▪ Windrows / shoulders on public tracks are reinstated on completion of work.

Minor Possible Medium




Risk Assessment


Risk


Earthworks during line and track preparation

Cultural heritage impacts

Disturbance or damage to sites of cultural or heritage significance

▪ Systems are in place to avoid harm to identified sites of cultural and heritage significance including ongoing consultation with relevant Aboriginal heritage organisation, Native Title group or Heritage Department (DPC-AAR and DEW).

▪ Processes are in place to meet requirements of legislation and agreements with native title claimant groups with respect to protection and reporting of discovery of unknown heritage sites during regulated activities.

▪ Aboriginal heritage surveys and / or assessments are conducted in collaboration with the relevant Native Title group prior to conducting regulated activities, in accordance with Tri-Star’s SMS.

▪ Systems are in place to avoid damage, disturbance or interference to Aboriginal heritage, for example the conduct of cultural heritage surveys and desk-top assessments of sites present through a search of the DPC-AAR sites register and guidance from the DPC-AAR risk Management Fact Sheets.

▪ Processes are in place to meet the requirements of the Aboriginal Heritage Act and agreements with respect to protection and reporting of discovery of Aboriginal heritage during regulated activities.

▪ Where sites or remains are encountered in close proximity to Tri-Star’s Operations, the area is clearly marked e.g. by use of bunting or flagging off the area. Care is taken not to inadvertently damage or disturb the area in the process, in accordance with Tri-Star’s Cultural Heritage Procedures.

Moderate Unlikely Medium


Earthworks during line and track preparation

Heritage impacts

Disturbance to fossils of significance

▪ Seismic lines are placed and prepared appropriately to minimise the impact to known fossil sites.

▪ Assessment undertaken during the planning and WAC processes to identify potential presence of fossils of significance and appropriate avoidance and / or mitigation measures are implemented.

Minor Unlikely Low


Earthworks and access

Stakeholder infrastructure, activities and land use

Disturbance to stakeholder infrastructure and activities Disturbance to Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Regional Reserve activities and public use

▪ Lines are planned, or deviated in the field, to avoid infrastructure such as homesteads, tourist tracks and sites, associated buildings, stockyards, airstrips, dams, bores and tanks.

▪ Timely notification provided to land managers and stakeholders (e.g. DEW) prior to undertaking geophysical operations regarding proposed activities including construction of campsites, preparation of survey lines and associated activities (pursuant to the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act and Regulations).

Minor Unlikely Low




Risk Assessment


Risk




Dust and noise generation Impact to Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Regional Reserve aesthetic and natural values, activities and public use

▪ Liaise with DEM, DEW, the Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi People, and relevant landholders to develop appropriate access to the licence area.

▪ Ongoing liaison with relevant stakeholders (e.g. DEW and Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi People) to minimise potential impacts to the values of the Regional Reserve.

▪ Wherever practicable, infrastructure will be located away from areas that are heavily used by visitors to the Regional Reserve.

▪ Activities are restricted to agreed / defined areas.

▪ Appropriate camp site selection to reduce potential impacts to wildlife, stock or tourist sites.

▪ Dust suppression measures carried out where required (e.g. road watering).

▪ Disturbance to infrastructure (e.g. fences or tracks) is restored to the satisfaction of the owner, or as otherwise agreed.

▪ Systems are in place for logging stakeholder complaints to ensure that issues are addressed as appropriate.

Minor Unlikely Low


Earthworks Surface water impacts

Disturbance to natural drainage patterns Disturbance to Kallakoopah Creek

▪ Natural drainage channels are left clear at line crossings.

▪ All access through watercourses are carefully assessed to determine the locations of least impact to channels and creek banks.

▪ Creek channels are crossed at pre-determined strategic locations where gaps in the vegetation and a shallow channel profile allow vehicles to cross without the need for significant earthworks. Minor earthworks (if required) only at a limited number of locations to decrease the entry and exit angles for vehicles.

▪ Remediation of such crossings is carried out where required to ensure that there is no significant increase in erosion potential or blockage of flow.

▪ Major creek channels are not cut, and cables and geophones are carried across them by hand if vehicles cannot cross without earthworks.

▪ Any required remediation work carried out as soon as possible after completion of all activities.

▪ Any windrows or other disturbance to drainage patterns are removed from creek bed crossings and swales.

▪ All windrows are removed either during or on completion of work.

▪ Seismic acquisition activities not to be undertaken within 500 m either side of the Kallakoopah Creek main channel. Vehicle crossings limited to the following:

Negligible Possible Low




Risk Assessment


Risk - Vehicle crossings of the Kallakoopah Creek are limited (e.g. no

more than 1 crossing location every 5 km of creek line).

- Vehicle crossing locations are limited to those areas where gaps in the vegetation and a shallow bank profile allow vehicles to cross without the need for significant earthworks. Minor earthworks (if required) only to decrease the entry and exit angles for vehicles, and to ensure remediation of any resulting disturbance (as described above).

- Minor trimming of tree branches using a chainsaw permitted at vehicle crossing locations.

- No upholes located within 500 m either side

- of the Kallakoopah Creek main channel.


Earthworks Flora / fauna

Introduction or spread of weeds, pathogens or pests Damage to native vegetation and fauna habitat Impact to the natural values of the Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Regional Reserve

▪ Appropriate consultation regarding weeds, pathogens and pests is carried out with landholders and DEW / SAAL NRM Board.

▪ All reasonable and practical endeavours taken to minimise the risks of introducing weeds, pathogens and pests into the licence area.

▪ Environmental assessment undertaken during the planning stage to identify specific issues within survey area

▪ Vehicles and equipment entering the licence area must be clean and free of soil and plant material.

▪ Records of vehicle and equipment cleaning are kept and available for auditing.

▪ Weed identification training for grader operators and other relevant personnel to facilitate identification of weeds.

▪ Pre-operation weed inspections are undertaken in the survey area when appropriate to identify areas where weeds of concern may occur e.g. at creek and road crossings.

▪ Areas of known weed infestation are clearly marked and avoided. Personnel are to be aware for potential weed occurrences and avoid these areas where possible.

▪ Vehicles and equipment moving between sites (especially from weed infested areas into non-infested areas) will be assessed for the risk of transporting weeds and cleaned down where appropriate.

▪ Records of significant weeds detected (e.g. Buffel Grass) are kept and forwarded to DEW (Port Augusta Office) for information.

▪ Where the introduction of declared weeds and pests has occurred due to undertaking regulated activities, appropriate remediation and / or rehabilitation activities will be undertaken (e.g. weed spraying) in consultation with landholders / DEW and SAAL NRM. Records of

Moderate Unlikely Medium




Risk Assessment


Risk detection, monitoring or management of weeds and pests are kept and are available for audit.

▪ Sites and access tracks will be monitored for the presence of weed species / infestations and treated (e.g. weed spraying) as necessary in accordance with requirements of the landholder, and if appropriate DEW / SAAL NRM Board.




Disturbance to stock Disturbance to petroleum / Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Regional Reserve infrastructure Impact to the natural values of the Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Regional Reserve

▪ Timely notification provided to land managers and stakeholders (e.g. DEW) prior to undertaking geophysical operations regarding proposed activities including construction of campsites, preparation of survey lines and associated activities (pursuant to the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act and Regulations).

▪ Liaise with DEM, DEW, the Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi People, and relevant landholders to develop appropriate access to the licence area.

▪ Ongoing liaison with relevant stakeholders (e.g. DEW and Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi People) to minimise potential impacts to the values of the Regional Reserve.

▪ Wherever practicable, infrastructure will be located away from areas that are heavily used by visitors to the Regional Reserve.

▪ Activities are restricted to agreed / defined areas.

▪ Lines are planned, or deviated in the field, to avoid infrastructure such as homesteads, tourist tracks and sites, associated buildings, stockyards, airstrips, dams, bores and tanks.

▪ Appropriate camp site selection to reduce potential impacts to wildlife, stock or tourist sites.

▪ Appropriate speed limits are set for Tri-Star personnel and contractors.

▪ Gazetted speed limit within the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert Regional Reserve is 40 km/h.

▪ Seismic sources are not to operate within the distance defined by Tri-Star standards, of any pipeline, utility, installation or building. This distance may need to be larger for explosive-sources, depending on the size of explosive used.

▪ Work is scheduled to fit in with stock locations and the mustering schedule.

▪ Lines are deviated to miss wellheads (if present) by 30 m.

Minor Unlikely Low




Risk Assessment


Risk ▪ Below ground pipelines are only crossed at existing or authorised

crossing points (if present). Above ground pipelines are detoured rather than ramped.

▪ Gates are left in the state in which they were found (i.e. open / closed).

▪ Fences are not laid down unless specific permission has been given by the landholder.

▪ Water is drawn only from authorised sources.

▪ Any lighting required at camp sites is positioned to minimise light emanating from the site.

▪ Equipment operated and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

▪ Dust suppression measures carried out where required (e.g. road watering).

▪ Operations are shut down during wet weather or flooding and only restarted once potential for extensive damage has passed. Unavoidable damage is reported and reinstated on completion of work.

▪ Maintain a high standard of ‘housekeeping’ to minimise visual impact.

▪ Induction of Employee and Contractor personnel with respect to pastoral and Regional Reserve operations including issues such as use of gates and infrastructure and restricted areas and activities.

▪ Any deterioration of property tracks or infrastructure as a result of geophysical operations-related traffic is rectified.

▪ Systems are in place for logging landholder / stakeholder complaints to ensure that issues are addressed as appropriate.

▪ Compliance with Part 10 of the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act (Notice of Entry requirements).

Vehicle movement on roads, access tracks and seismic lines

Movement of heavy machinery and vehicles

Soil impacts Soil erosion and compaction

▪ Refer to measures listed above for the activity ‘Line and access track preparation’.

▪ Vehicles use appropriate tyre pressures and reduced speeds to minimise risk of rutting and damage to dunes.

▪ Balloon tyres on vibrator machines, or tracked vibrator machines, are used to reduce ground pressures and minimise impact on soil, particularly on dunes.

▪ Unavoidable compaction is reported and ripped on completion of work where appropriate (e.g. not in gibber areas).





Risk Assessment


Risk



Vegetation Damage to native vegetation and fauna habitat

▪ No unauthorised off-road or off-line driving or creation of shortcuts. Negligible Possible Low




Damage to stakeholder infrastructure Disturbance to stock or collision with stock or native fauna resulting in injury or loss Reduced visual amenity

▪ A traffic management plan will be provided to DPTI (as part of the Stage 3 approval process) for review prior to commencement of seismic survey activities.


▪ Setting of appropriate speed limits for Tri-Star personnel and contractors.


▪ Refer to measures listed under ‘Soil erosion and compaction’ above.




Surface water impacts

Soil compaction, creation of boggy holes, alteration of surface water drainage

▪ Areas subject to inundation are assessed for conduciveness to support vehicles prior to access.

▪ No vehicles are allowed on salt lakes other than specialised low-pressure wide profile tyre vehicles where surface has been assessed to be suitable.

▪ Operations are shut down during wet weather or flooding and only restarted once potential for extensive damage has passed. Unavoidable damage is reported and reinstated on completion of work.

Minor Unlikely Low



Community health and safety

Dust generation Disturbance to Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Regional Reserve activities and public use

▪ Tracks susceptible to the generation of bulldust are avoided. If not possible then track is reinstated after rain.

▪ Vehicles travel at slow speed in the vicinity of homesteads and tourist sites.



Negligible Likely Low

Vehicle movement on roads, access tracks



Introduction and / or spread of pest plants

▪ Refer to measures listed above for the activity ‘Line and access track preparation’. Moderate Unlikely Medium




Risk Assessment


Risk

and seismic lines






▪ No unauthorised off-road or off-line driving or creation of shortcuts. Moderate Rare Medium




Potential impacts to public safety

▪ Active promotion of appropriate road use behaviours.

▪ Induction of employees and contractor personnel with respect to road use and driver behaviour.

▪ Setting of appropriate speed limits for Tri-Star personnel and contractors.


▪ Driver awareness training for company and contractor personnel.

▪ Policy of driving with vehicle lights on and with dune poles fitted with vehicle flags

▪ Warning signage erected during operations where necessary.

▪ Reporting systems in place.

Major Rare Medium

Recording - use of energy sources (vibrator machines or explosives)

Operation of vibrators and use of explosives

Flora / fauna Disturbance to native fauna Disturbance to stock

▪ Refer to measures listed above for activity ‘Line and access track preparation’. Negligible Likely Low

Recording - use of energy sources (vibrator machines or explosives)

Operation of vibrators and use of explosives


Damage to stakeholder infrastructure Damage to petroleum infrastructure

▪ Seismic energy sources are not operated within the distance defined by Tri-Star standards of any pipeline, utility, installation or building. This distance may need to be larger for explosive sources, depending on the size of explosive used.

▪ Explosives are not used within an appropriate buffer distance from pastoral, petroleum or other infrastructure, nominally 100 m.

▪ Explosives are used by appropriately trained personnel and stored and handled in accordance with legislative requirements.

Minor Rare Low




Risk Assessment


Risk

Uphole drilling and logging

Uphole drilling activity

Soil and / or shallow groundwater resource impacts

Localised contamination of soil and / or shallow groundwater resources or watercourses

▪ Water based drilling muds are used if mud drilling is undertaken.

▪ Surplus cuttings may be removed for disposal at EPA licensed facility in particularly sensitive areas.




Flora / fauna Injury to / loss of native fauna Injury to / loss of stock

▪ Upholes are capped and backfilled to prevent injury or death to wildlife

▪ Uphole locations sited and prepared in accordance with requirements listed under activity ‘Line and access track preparation’.




Visual impacts Reduced visual amenity

▪ Actions are taken to lessen visual impact of uphole cuttings where they contrast with the surface e.g. by use of appropriate colouring agents.

▪ Drill cuttings are returned to hole and surplus cuttings buried or spread to minimise visual impact.




Groundwater impacts

Uncontrolled discharge of artesian aquifer

▪ Drill holes are constructed and later backfilled in accordance with relevant industry standards and guidelines (e.g. Earth Resources information sheet M21 “Mineral Exploration Drillholes — General specifications for construction and backfilling”).

▪ Plugs are installed during backfilling in accordance with relevant industry standards and guidelines if confined or artesian aquifers are present.

Minor Unlikely Low




Generation of noise and dust

▪ Uphole locations sited and managed in accordance with requirements listed under activity ‘Line and access track preparation’. Negligible Possible Low

Campsites

Campsite preparation and site activities

Soil impacts Soil erosion and compaction

▪ Camp sites, other than in gibber areas are ripped, if necessary, on completion of work.

▪ Any sumps and excavations shall be backfilled with subsoil being placed below topsoil.

▪ Compacted areas will be ripped on completion of activities (other than in gibber areas).

Minor Unlikely Low

Campsites


Flora / fauna Damage to native vegetation and fauna habitat

▪ As few campsites as possible are used (the aim is to share existing sites if possible, to minimise land disturbance).

▪ Areas are set aside for the specific purposes of vehicle parking, refuelling, engine and vehicle maintenance.

▪ Camps will be located wherever possible on previously disturbed areas and / or areas with minimal vegetation cover.

▪ Campsites are positioned close to existing roads where possible.

▪ No domestic pets allowed at camps or worksites.





Risk Assessment


Risk ▪ Feeding of wildlife is prohibited by employees / contractors.

Campsites



Disturbance to natural drainage patterns

▪ Camps should not be established near major watercourses, creeks or surface water bodies. Minor Unlikely Low

Campsites




▪ Camps will be located away from sites of known cultural or heritage significance. Moderate Rare Medium

Campsites



Injury to / loss of stock ▪ Camps will be located a suitable distance from stock watering points. Negligible Possible Low

Campsites


Visual impacts

Reduced visual amenity Impact to the natural values of the Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Regional Reserve

▪ Refer to measures listed under ‘Soil erosion and compaction’, ‘Damage to native vegetation and fauna habitat’ and Line and access track preparation.


Campsites



Generation of noise and dust

▪ Refer to measures listed above for activity ‘Vehicle movement on roads, access tracks and seismic lines’. Negligible Likely Low

Campsites Disposal of camp wastewater


Localised contamination of soil and / or shallow groundwater resources or watercourses

▪ All wastewater disposed in accordance with the South Australian Public Health (Wastewater) Regulations 2013 or to the satisfaction of the Department of Health) and consistent with the Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2015.

▪ Department for Health approved transportable wastewater treatment plants used for camps, or septic tank systems used with collection of wastewater for disposal at a licensed facility (e.g. Moomba).

▪ Appropriate controls for management of sewage effluent (developed in consultation with Department for Health) implemented for

Minor Unlikely Low




Risk Assessment


Risk situations where excursions outside effluent quality guidelines may occur (e.g. start-up or system upset).

▪ Secondary treated sewage wastewater is disposed of onto land well away from any place from which it is reasonably likely to enter any waters, and to minimise spray drift and ponding.

Campsites Disposal of camp wastewater

Flora / fauna

Damage to native vegetation and fauna habitat Injury or loss of native fauna or stock Damage to property organic status

▪ Wastewater disposal locations sited to minimise the impact to vegetation, fauna and sensitive ecological areas.

▪ Fencing installed where required around irrigation areas, and consult with landholders to ensure appropriate practices are developed and implemented to mitigate risks and impacts to properties that are organic certified.

Minor Unlikely Low

Fire (resulting from activities)


Flora / fauna

Damage to native vegetation and fauna habitat Injury to / loss of native fauna

▪ Personnel are informed on the fire danger season and associated restrictions Include Fire Season education as part of the induction.

▪ Firefighting equipment is available on site as appropriate for location and use.

Major Rare Medium




Damage to stakeholder infrastructure Injury to / loss of stock Damage to petroleum infrastructure Disruption to land use Impacts to the natural values of the Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Regional Reserve

▪ Crews are trained in use of firefighting equipment.

▪ Ensure all vehicles are fitted with appropriate fire-fighting equipment and spark arrestors.

▪ Procedures are in place to minimise the risk of initiating and propagating fire during periods of high temperatures and high winds.

▪ A hazard identification plan is in place for immediate implementation on days of high temperatures and winds.

▪ Selection of camp sites and car parking areas in areas of low fuel load where available to minimise likelihood of fires.

▪ Response to fire included in Emergency Response Plan.

▪ Fire risk is included in the induction and all personnel are fully informed on the fire danger season and associated restrictions.

▪ Ongoing liaison with relevant stakeholders regarding fire conditions and management in the region e.g. DEW.

Major Rare Medium




Risk Assessment


Risk




Potential impacts to public safety Localised reduction in air quality

▪ Fire and Emergency Services Act requirements will be complied with.

▪ Response to fire included in Emergency Response Plan. Major Rare Medium

Fuel and chemical storage and handling

Loss of containment of fuel or chemical


Localised contamination of soil and / or shallow groundwater resources Contamination of shallow groundwater resources Impacts to stakeholder (e.g. landholder) business reputation

▪ Transportation, storage and handling of chemicals, fuels and oils is undertaken in accordance with the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), Tri-Star’s SMS, and relevant standards and guidelines such as the EPA Bunding Guidelines and AS 1940.

▪ Vehicles and equipment are operated and maintained in accordance with specifications to minimise the potential for a spill or leak (e.g. oil leak or hydraulic hose failure)

▪ Chemical and fuel storage procedures, including signage, are reviewed and monitored in audit process in accordance with relevant Tri-Star standard.

▪ Appropriate emergency / spill response procedures are in place for loss of containment.

▪ Spill response and clean-up is implemented.

Minor Unlikely Low




Contamination of surface water resources

▪ Assessment of releases that cannot be immediately contained and remediated is undertaken in accordance with the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999, amended 2013 (NEPM).

Minor Unlikely Low




Potential impacts to public safety

▪ Loss of containment is managed via the incident management system (IMS) and implementation of corrective actions is based on incident investigation

Minor Unlikely Low



Flora / fauna

Injury to or loss of livestock and native fauna Damage to native vegetation and fauna habitat Damage to property organic status

▪ Affected areas are fenced if threat is posed to livestock or native fauna, and consult with landholders to ensure appropriate practices are developed and implemented to mitigate risks and impacts to properties that are organic certified.

Minor Unlikely Low




Risk Assessment


Risk

Waste management

Storage and transport of waste


Localised contamination of soil and / or shallow groundwater resources Impact to stakeholder (e.g. landholder) business reputation Reduced visual amenity / impact to the natural values of the Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Regional Reserve

▪ Application of the waste hierarchy system (avoid, reduce, reuse, recycle, treat, and dispose).

▪ Waste management is undertaken in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

▪ Storage, transport and handling of all hazardous or regulated wastes is managed in accordance with the requirements of relevant legislation and industry standards.

▪ Waste streams are segregated on site where appropriate to maximise opportunities for waste recovery, reuse and recycling.

▪ Production of waste is minimised by purchasing biodegradable or recyclable materials where practical.

▪ Camp wastewater disposed of as outlined under activity ‘Campsites’.

▪ Drill cuttings disposed of as outlined under activity ‘Uphole drilling and logging’.


Waste management


Flora / fauna

Scavenging by native and pest species Reduced visual amenity / impact to the natural values of the Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Regional Reserve

▪ Suitably covered bins are provided for the collection, segregation and storage of wastes. Bins will not be accessible to wildlife. Minor Unlikely Low

Waste management



Litter Reduced visual amenity / impact to the natural values of the Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Regional Reserve

▪ Suitably covered bins are provided for the collection, segregation and storage of wastes. Bins will not be accessible to wildlife.

▪ Markers and litter are removed from work area before survey completion.

▪ All loads of rubbish are covered during transport to an approved waste facility, and appropriately licensed contractors used for waste transport.

▪ High standards of ‘housekeeping’ implemented.




6 Consultation

Effective consultation allows for an exchange of information and provides an opportunity to promote understanding and reconciliation of competing interests.

The licence area and surrounding area is a sparsely populated and remote arid region. Stakeholders in the region generally include pastoral leaseholders and the local community, Native Title groups, regulatory agencies, DEW and AWC personnel, tourists and tourism operators, petroleum explorers and associated contractors, and non government organisations.

It is a requirement under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Regulations 2013 that information on consultation with relevant landholders, Aboriginal groups or representatives, government departments or agencies, or any other interested person or parties be outlined in an EIR.

Preliminary consultation with government agencies (principally DEM, DEW, DPTI and the EPA) and stakeholder groups was undertaken on selected issues during the development of the EIR and SEO. A preliminary consultation meeting was held by Tri-Star on 26th September 2019 with representatives from DEM, DEW, DPTI and EPA invited to attend. The draft EIR and SEO were subsequently emailed to relevant agencies for their initial review and comment. Refer to Appendix A for a summary of comments received during preliminary agency consultation and associated Tri-Star responses. Tri-Star also met with the Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Board on 6th December 2019 and discussed a range of matters in relation to the proposed activities. Refer to Table 6-2 for a summary of issues raised and associated Tri-Star responses. Initial comments on the draft documents have been addressed in this EIR and the accompanying SEO.

The EIR and SEO were formally submitted to DEM after being updated to address the comments raised, and the documents underwent a formal period of consultation under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act.

Tri-Star has undertaken and will continue to undertake targeted stakeholder consultation regarding its geophysical operations in the region. Tri-Star aims to continue to engage stakeholders for the duration of its activities in the region to ensure that all potential concerns are identified and appropriately addressed.

A list of stakeholders engaged during the formal consultation process is provided in Table 6-1, and a summary of the issues raised by stakeholders and government agencies, along with Tri-Star responses, is provided in Table 6-2. The EIR and the accompanying SEO have been updated where relevant.

The following stakeholders have been identified as having a direct interest in geophysical operations in the licence area:

[Note: This section currently outlines planned consultation – it will be completed following public consultation]

Table 6-1: Stakeholder Consultation List

Government

Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

Department of Environment and Water (DEW)

Department for Energy and Mining (DEM).



SA Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board

SA Arid Lands Water Projects

Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation

Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI)

Department of Health and Aging

Non-Government

Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Conservation Council of SA

Wilderness Society

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC)

Landholders

Cowarie

Kalamurina (AWC)

Clifton Hills

Alton Downs

Macumba

Industry

South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy

Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA)

Table 6-2: Summary of Issues Raised During Stakeholder Consultation

Stakeholder / Date Issue / Comment Tri-Star Response

Tri-Star meeting with the Wangkangurru / Yarluyandi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Board

6th December 2019

Concerns about potential presence of unmapped springs within the Simpson Desert.

There is potential that unmapped springs may be present within the licence area. However, desktop studies and field inspections (e.g. field cultural heritage and environmental surveys) of all proposed project areas will assess and inspect for the potential presence of unmapped springs and a range of other potential sensitivities. As per Objectives 5, 6, 7 in the SEO.

Pastoralists Concerns about organic accreditation Risks and impact to organic status is very low for geophysical operations. These are considered in Table 5-5 of the EIR and the guide to for Objectives 3 and 4

To be completed following consultation



7 Environmental Management System

Geophysical operations in the licence area will be undertaken in accordance with the principles of an Environmental Management System (EMS). An EMS is a key tool in the management of the proponent and associated contractors’ environmental responsibilities, issues and risks. An EMS also provides a framework for the coordinated and consistent management of environmental issues by ensuring the.

▪ establishment of environmental policy; ▪ identification of environmental risks and legal and other requirements relevant to drilling

operations; ▪ setting of appropriate environmental objectives and targets; ▪ delineation of responsibilities; ▪ establishment of a structure and program to implement environmental policy and achieve

objectives and targets, including the development of procedures or guidelines for specific activities and education and induction programs;

▪ facilitation of planning, control monitoring, corrective action, auditing and review of activities to ensure that the requirements and aspirations of the environmental policy are achieved; and

▪ Tri-Star and its contractors’ operating standards will follow industry-accepted standards.

Key components of an EMS are discussed in the following sections.

Prior to the start of field operations all field personnel will be required to undertake an environmental induction to ensure they understand their role in protecting the environment. This induction will be part of a general induction process also including safety procedures. The induction will include notification of environmental objectives, environmental requirements and obligations under land access agreements, and will include the distribution and explanation of any site-specific environmental material.

A record of induction and attendees will be maintained.

In the course of normal operations, there is always the potential for environmental incidents and accidents to occur. To manage these incidents, emergency response plans will be developed to guide actions to be taken to minimise the impacts of accidents and incidents. Emergency response plans will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis to incorporate new information arising from any incidents, near misses and hazards and emergency response simulation training sessions. These plans will also include the facilitation of fire danger season restrictions and requirements.

Emergency response drills will also be undertaken at regular intervals to ensure that personnel are familiar with the plans and the types of emergencies to which it applies, and that there will be a rapid and effective response in the event of a real emergency occurring.

Ongoing monitoring and auditing of geophysical operations will be undertaken to determine whether significant environmental risks are being managed, minimised and where reasonably possible, eliminated.

Monitoring programs will be designed to assess:

▪ compliance with regulatory requirements; ▪ visual impact of the operations;



▪ impact upon flora and fauna and general biodiversity; ▪ site contamination; ▪ site revegetation following program completion and any restoration activity; and ▪ potential future problems.

Tri-Star and its contractors will have a system in place to record environmental incidents, near misses and hazards, track the implementation and close out of corrective actions, and allow analysis of such incidents to identify areas requiring improvement. The system will also provide a mechanism for recording ‘reportable’ incidents, as defined under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000 and associated regulations.

Internal and external reporting procedures will be implemented to ensure that environmental issues and/or incidents are appropriately responded to. A key component of the internal reporting will be contractors’ progress and incident reports to Tri-Star.

External reporting (e.g. incidents, annual reports) will be carried out in accordance with Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act requirements and the SEO.



8 References

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)(2016). 2016 Census Data by Geography, QuickStats Search Tool. Accessed 24 September 2018 at: http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/Home/Census

AWC (2019). Kalamurina. Accessed 23 March 2019 at: http://www.australianwildlife.org/sanctuaries/kalamurina-wildlife-sanctuary.aspx.

Birdlife International (2019). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Goyder Lagoon. Accessed: 01/04/2019 at http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/goyder-lagoon-iba-australia/text

Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) (2018). Climate statistics for Australian locations. Accessed August 2018 at: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_017043.shtml

Cockshell C.D., Langley K.R. and Dobrzinski I. (1998). Inspection Report 1/98 PELs 5 & 6 -Western Prospects Seismic Survey. PIRSA, Adelaide SA.

Costelloe, J.F. (2017). Hydrological assessment and analysis of the Diamantina River catchment, South Australia. Report by the University of Melbourne to the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board, Pt Augusta.

Costelloe, Justin & B. Grayson, Rodger & Argent, Robert & Mcmahon, Thomas. (2003). Modelling the flow regime of an arid zone floodplain river, Diamantina River, Australia. Environmental Modelling and Software 18(8):693-703 · October 2003.

DEE (2001). A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia 3rd ed. GIS dataset obtained from Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Accessed March 2019, Available at: http://www.environment.gov.au/fed/catalog/search/resource/details.page?uuid=%7BED248FC1-7237-4A74-91AC-2DA3FC277E0A%7D

DEE (2018). EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool. Searched July 2018 at: http://www.environment.gov.au/webgis-framework/apps/pmst/pmst-coordinate.jsf. Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra.

DEE (2018)a. Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Accessed 4th September 2018, Available at: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat

DEE (2018)b. National Heritage Places - Witjira-Dalhousie Springs. Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Accessed 4th September 2018, Available at: https://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national/witjira-dalhousie-springs

DEE (2019). National Heritage Places – Witjira-Dalhousie Springs. Accessed March 2019 at http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national/witjira-dalhousie-springs Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra.

DEH (2008). South Australian Arid Lands Biodiversity Strategy - Channel Country Conservation Priorities, South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board, Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia, Port Augusta.

DEM (2014). GAS Criteria Tables for the Construction, Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Borrow Pits in the Cooper Basin SA, Energy Resources Division. Department for Energy and Mining, South Australia, Adelaide.

DEM (2016). Environmental Impact Report for airborne preliminary surveys and airborne geophysical operations in South Australia. December 2016. Department of State Development, Energy Resources Division, Adelaide.

http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/Home/Census

http://www.australianwildlife.org/sanctuaries/kalamurina-wildlife-sanctuary.aspx

http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/goyder-lagoon-iba-australia/text

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_017043.shtml

http://www.environment.gov.au/fed/catalog/search/resource/details.page?uuid=%7BED248FC1-7237-4A74-91AC-2DA3FC277E0A%7D

http://www.environment.gov.au/fed/catalog/search/resource/details.page?uuid=%7BED248FC1-7237-4A74-91AC-2DA3FC277E0A%7D

http://www.environment.gov.au/webgis-framework/apps/pmst/pmst-coordinate.jsf

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

https://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national/witjira-dalhousie-springs

http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national/witjira-dalhousie-springs



DEM (2019). Criteria for classifying the level of environmental impact of regulated activities, Petroleum and Geothermal Regulatory Guidelines 004, Energy Resources Division. Department for Energy and Mining, South Australia, Adelaide.

DEM (2019a). Seismic Lines. GIS dataset obtained from Department for Energy and Mining, South Australia, Adelaide. Accessed September 2019.

DENR (2011). Simpson Desert Conservation Park and Regional Reserve Wilderness Assessment Report, Wilderness Advisory Committee, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Australia, Adelaide.

DEW (2010). Native Vegetation (Floristic) – NVIS Statewide. GIS dataset obtained from the Department for Environment and Water, South Australia, Adelaide. Data extracted: September 2018.

DEW (2018). Biological Databases of South Australia (BDBSA). GIS dataset obtained from the Department for Environment and Water, South Australia, Adelaide. Data extracted: September 2018.

DEW (2018)a. Pastoral Land Systems. GIS layer. Accessed September 2018 at https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/NatureMaps/Pages/default.aspx Department for Environment and Water, South Australia, Adelaide.

DEW (2019). Watercourses in South Australia dataset (GDA94), GIS dataset obtained from the Department for Environment and Water, South Australia, Adelaide. Accessed March 2019 at: https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/watercourses-in-south-australia

DEW (2019)a. Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert Conservation Park and Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert Regional Reserve Management Plan. Department for Environment and Water, South Australia, Adelaide.

DEWNR (2015). Pedirka Basin Aquifer Connectivity Investigation. Accessed July 2019 at: https://www.waterconnect.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/DEW/DEWNR-TR-2015-08-Pedirka-Basin-Aquifer-Connectivity.pdf . Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

DEWNR (2017). Witjira National Park Draft Management Plan, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, South Australia, Adelaide.

Doudy, B. (2015). A visual assessment of the recovery of 3D seismic lines in the Cooper Basin, South Australia, Report Book 2015/00027, Department of State Development, Adelaide, South Australia.

DPTI (2019). Traffic volumes. Dataset number 822. Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. Accessed August 2019 at: http://location.sa.gov.au.

Fatchen, T.J. and Woodburn, J.A. (2000). Criteria for the Abandonment of Seismic Lines and Well sites in the South Australian Portion of the Cooper Basin. Stage 4: Derivation of Criteria. Fatchen Environmental Pty Ltd.

Fatchen, T.J. and Woodburn, J.A., (1997). Criteria for the abandonment of seismic lines and well sites in the South Australian portion of the Cooper Basin: Stage 2 — identification and evaluation of assessment criteria. South Australia. Department of Primary Industries and Resources. Open File, DME 1994/389 (unpublished).

Fatchen, T.J. and Woodburn, J.A., (1998). Consultancy report for criteria for the abandonment of seismic lines and wellsites in the Cooper Basin. Stage 3 — validation of assessment criteria and methodologies. Interim Report. South Australia. Department of Primary Industries and Resources. Open File, DME 1994/389 (unpublished).

Gillen, J.S. and Reid, J.R.W. (2013). Vegetation and soil assessment of selected waterholes of the main and northwest channels of Cooper Creek, South Australia, April-May 2012. A report by the Australian

https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/NatureMaps/Pages/default.aspx

https://data.sa.gov.au/data/dataset/watercourses-in-south-australia

https://www.waterconnect.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/DEW/DEWNR-TR-2015-08-Pedirka-Basin-Aquifer-Connectivity.pdf

https://www.waterconnect.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/DEW/DEWNR-TR-2015-08-Pedirka-Basin-Aquifer-Connectivity.pdf

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National University to the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board, Port Augusta.

Hale, J. (2010). Lake Eyre Basin high conservation value aquatic ecosystem pilot project. Draft report to the Australian Government Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts from the Aquatic Ecosystems Task Group.

Horton M. (1998a). Seismic Operations Environmental Report Western Prospects Seismic Survey PELs 5&6. Santos Ltd., Adelaide SA.

Horton, M. (1998b). The environmental impacts of seismic exploration in the Cooper Basin upon lignum, Muehenbeckia florulenta and spinifex, Troidia basedowii: A Pilot Study. Adelaide University, Master of Environmental Studies thesis (unpublished).

Jacobs SKM (2014). Review of current Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) criteria for borrow pit construction, use and rehabilitation within the Cooper Basin. Jacobs SKM, South Australia, Adelaide. Report 06 March 2014.

Mancini, H. (ed) (2017). Summary of technical findings: Improving habitat condition and connectivity in South Australia’s channel country – the Diamantina and Warburton river system in South Australia. Report by Natural Resources SA Arid Lands DEWNR, to the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board, Pt Augusta.

Maree SCB (2004). Marree Soil Conservation Board District Plan Revised 2004. Government of South Australia.

Marla-Oodnadatta SCB (2002). Marla-Oodnadatta Soil Conservation Board District Plan. Government of South Australia.

Moss, V and Low, WA (1996). Criteria for the abandonment of seismic lines and well sites in the South Australian portion of the Cooper Basin. Stage 1 – impact identification, Consultant’s report to Department of Mines and Energy, South Australia. W.A. Low Ecological Services, Alice Springs.

Neagle, N. (2003). An Inventory of the Biological Resources of the Rangelands of South Australia. Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia, Adelaide.

Orchard, A.E. & A.J.G. Wilson (eds) (2001). Flora of Australia, Volume 11A, Mimosaceae, Acacia Part 1.

Osti, A. (2014). Hydrological modelling of the Diamantina-Warburton River System. Technical note 2014/15. Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, South Australia, Adelaide.

PIRSA (2014). Declared Plant Policy: Caltrop (Tribulus terrestris). Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA), South Australia, Adelaide.

Reid R.W. (1998). Western Prospects Seismic Survey Independent Ecologists Report. Coongie Lakes – Western Prospects Seismic Survey: Compliance by Santos and its Contractors with Natural Environment Goals of Minimum Impact. Canberra ACT.

SAAL NRM (2009). Water allocation Plan for the Far North Prescribed Wells Area, South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board, Government of South Australia.

SAAL NRM (2011). Wilkinti or Dusky Hopping Mouse, Notomys fuscus, and Ooarri or Fawn Hopping Mouse, Notmys cervinus. Biodiversity Fact Sheet. South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board, Government of South Australia, Updated July 2011.

SAAL NRM (2013). Marree-Innamincka District Profile. Accessed July 2018 at: http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/files/1491417e-dd18-4cec-bd1f-a37200975118/marree-

http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/files/1491417e-dd18-4cec-bd1f-a37200975118/marree-innamincka-district-profile-fact.pdf



innamincka-district-profile-fact.pdf. SA Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board, South Australian Government.

SAAL NRM Board (2017). It’s your place. A roadmap for managing natural resources in the SA Arid Lands NRM Region 2017-2017. Regional NRM Plan (Volume 1). SA Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board.

Santos (2018). South Australia Cooper / Eromanga Basin Environmental Impact Report: Geophysical Operations. Santos Ltd.

Schmarr, D.W., Mathwin, R. and Cheshire, D.L. (2017). Aquatic Ecology Assessment and Analysis of the Diamantina River Catchment: Lake Eyre Basin, South Australia. Report by South Australian Research and Development Institute to the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board, Pt Augusta.

Social and Ecological Assessments (SEA) (1999). Seismic Line Environmental Risk Assessment, prepared for Santos Ltd, Queensland and Northern Territory Business Unit.

Tri-Star (2020). Statement of Environmental Objectives Geophysical Operations in the Simpson and Pedirka Regions. May 2020. Tri-Star Energy Company, Brisbane.

Tri-Star (2020a). Environmental Impact Report Petroleum Exploration Operations in the Simpson and Pedirka Regions. May 2020. Tri-Star Energy Company, Brisbane.

Wainwright, P., Tunn, Y., Gibson, D. and Cameron, J. (2006). Wetland mapping, Channel Country bioregion, South Australia. Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia, Adelaide.

Wakelin-King, G.A. (2017). Geomorphology of the Diamantina River Catchment (SA). Report by Wakelin Associates to the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board, Government of South Australia, Pt Augusta.

WaterConnect (2019). Groundwater Bore Data “Drill holes” GIS dataset obtained from WaterConnect, Government of South Australia. Accessed: February 2019 at https://www.waterconnect.sa.gov.au/Systems/GD/Pages/Default.aspx Government of South Australia.

White, M., D. Albrecht, A. Duguid, P. Latz & M. Hamilton (2000). Plant species and sites of botanical significance in the Southern Bioregions of the Northern Territory. Volume 1: Significant Vascular Plants. Arid Lands Environment Centre. Alice Springs, NT.

Wiltshire D. and Schmidt M. (2003). Field Guide to the Common Plants of the Cooper Basin (South Australia and Queensland). Santos Ltd, Adelaide.

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9 Abbreviations and Glossary

AS Australian Standard

AS 1940 Australian Standard AS 1940 Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids

AS/NZS Australian and New Zealand Standard

BDBSA Biological Database of South Australia

BoM Bureau of Meteorology

CAMBA China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement

contamination As defined by the Environment Protection Act 1993 and the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure (1999) amended in 2013

DAWE Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

DEE Department of the Environment and Energy (Commonwealth) (now DAWE)

DEH Department for Environment and Heritage (now DEW)

DEM Department for Energy and Mining (regulator of the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act)

DEW Department for Environment and Water

DEWNR Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (now DEW)

DMITRE Department of Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy (now DEM)

DPC Department of Premier and Cabinet – Energy Resources Division (now DEM)

DPTI Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure

DSD Department of State Development (now DEM)

EIR Environmental Impact Report prepared in accordance with Section 97 of the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000 and Regulation 10

EMS Environmental Management System

EPA Environment Protection Authority (South Australia)

EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

GAB Great Artesian Basin

GAS Goal Attainment Scaling

Gibber Small to medium weathered rounded stones that form a relatively flat, extensive pavements on plains and gentle slopes. The narrow spaces between stones have soil infill. The stones are concentrated on the surface by their gradual downward movement as the soil that once separated them in the vertical dimension has been removed by wind and gentle water erosion.

GIS Geographic Information System

ha hectare

ISO International Standards Organisation

JAMBA Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement

km kilometre

km2 square kilometres

mg / L milligrams per litre

minimise To reduce as far as reasonably practical, considering all other factors e.g. requirements for safe operations and accessibility

ML megalitre

mm millimetre



NEPM National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure (1999) amended in 2013

NPW Act National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (South Australia)

NPWS National Parks and Wildlife Service

NRM Natural Resources Management

PEL Petroleum Exploration Licence

PGE Act Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000

PIRSA Primary Industries and Regions South Australia

Ramsar wetland A Wetland of International Importance listed under the Ramsar Convention (held in Ramsar, Iran 1971).

ripping The use of machinery to rake or plough soil to relieve compaction and aerate soil.

SAAL South Australian Arid Lands

SDS Safety Data Sheet

SEB Significant Environmental Benefit

SEO Statement of Environmental Objectives prepared in accordance with Section 99 and 100 of the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000 and Regulations 12 and 13

SMS Safety Management Study

stratigraphy The study of rock layers and layering (stratification)

WAC Work Area Clearance

wellhead The part of an oil or gas well which terminates at the surface, where oil or gas can be withdrawn.



Appendix A:

Agency Consultation - Comments and Responses

Tri-Star Energy Company Environmental Impact Report – Geophysical Operations in the Simpson and Pedrika Regions


Summary of Agency Consultation Comments and Responses

Comments received during preliminary consultation with government agencies, and associated Tri-Star responses, are summarised in Table A 1.

Table A 1: Preliminary Government Agency Consultation Comments and Responses

No. Agency General

Comment or EIR / SEO

Comment / Issue Raised Tri-Star Response

1 DEW General Comment

▪ Geophysical operations are generally low-impact if carried out well however given that this is a relatively unexplored and remote part of South Australia the activities will need to be carefully planned as it shouldn’t be assumed that what works in the Cooper Basin can be directly applied to the Munga Thirri - Simpson Desert Regional Reserve. For example, the Santos field guide will have some relevance but will need to be supplemented to recognise local species, habitats, landscapes and other features. Reconnaissance to pick up any differences between the Cooper Basin and Simpson Desert will be critical to achieving your stated objectives. You have identified the need to talk to DEW and WY People; we strongly support this and recommend that this is done as early as possible.

▪ Noted

1 DEW EIR, Page 8 ▪ DEW no longer administers the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act 1989. That is now PIRSA.

▪ Noted and Amended

2 DEW EIR, Page 31 ▪ Dingo listed as an introduced species and then talk about pest animals. Dingo is considered a native species under Australian law and is protected within the Simpson Desert reserves. Shift into native species area.


3 DEW EIR, Page 44 ▪ a) Tourism. Need to add in Big Red Bash with Birdsville Races as the Big Red Bask is as big, if not bigger, than the Races. With traffic counters, it is estimated about 9,000 visitors cross the desert each year.

▪ b) Annual Simpson Desert closure from 1 December to 15 March – DEW still to work out if this applies to Tri-Star.

▪ a) Noted and Amended

▪ b) Given the extreme temperatures experienced in the region during the annual Simpson Desert closure period, Tri-Star would plan to undertake activities outside this period. However, Tri-Star would request this requirement is not imposed upon its proposed operations as access may be required in certain circumstances. Tri-Star proposes to liaise with DEW on this issue.

4 DEW EIR, Page 45 ▪ Infrastructure. Again, ‘Public Access Routes’ change to ‘public access tracks’.


5 DEW EIR, Page 51 ▪ First row in table 5-4 in the wetlands section. There is still potential for introducing pathogens or weeds with light weight equipment if hygiene neglected. However, they do deal with weeds in a separate section.

▪ Noted

6 DEW EIR, Page 53 ▪ Signage is useful if you are present in the area. Once you have left signs are more likely to attract park visitors to seismic lines and access tracks.

▪ Noted and Agreed.

▪ Signage and fencing to restrict access to an area would only be used in unlikely circumstances where all other methods to restrict access / disguise a rehabilitating area have failed. Liaison with DEW would



No. Agency General



more than likely occur in such a circumstance to ensure an appropriate management method.

1 DEW SEO, Page 7 ▪ Be cautious with the use of ripping. Ripping is only useful if it creates such a rough surface that people don’t want to drive over it. In open country if they can drive alongside until the ripping stops then not a lot has been achieved. Deep ripping can also pull up rootstock and prevent regeneration.

▪ Noted

2 DEW SEO, Page 11

▪ Fire breaks. After seasons of above average rains where grass/forb fuel loads build up quickly, slash fire breaks around infrastructure.

▪ Noted. Appropriate fuel reduction activities around infrastructure would be undertaken (where appropriate and permitted) following above average rainfall seasons.

3 DEW SEO, Page 13

▪ Values of M-T – SDRR, third dot point. At end of the text, add in ‘…as outlined in the 2018 Munga-Thirri – Simpson Desert Regional Reserve and Conservation Park management plan.

▪ Amended

4 DEW SEO, Page 14

▪ Speed limits. Gazetted speed limit in the Regional Reserve and Conservation Park is 40km/h, which should be added into the SEO.

▪ Noted, and gazetted speed limit within the Regional Reserve has been included in the SEO Table 3.1, Objectives 1 and 8, Guide to How Objectives Can be Achieved, and included as a Control Strategy under several Activities in the EIR risk assessment Table 5.5. Tri-Star interprets DEW’s intentions here are to ensure Tri-Star vehicles travel at 40 km near tourist sites and/or when in close proximity to DEW/private vehicles and infrastructure.

1 DPTI EIR: Section 3

SEO: Table 3.1, Objective 8

This comment / issue has been summarised based on a range of emails between DPTI, DEM and Tri-Star regarding traffic management. The comments were raised in regard to preliminary review of both the draft Tri-Star Geophysical Operations in the Simpson and Pedirka Basins SEO/EIR, and draft Petroleum Exploration Activities in the Simpson and Pedirka basins SEO/EIR.

Issue Summary:

▪ DPTI raised concerns regarding use of DPTI roads and potential traffic volumes in the licence area region.

▪ DPTI and Tri-Star acknowledged that the majority of daily vehicle movements associated with seismic/drilling campaigns would more than likely occur within the PEL boundaries and movements to/from DPTI roads would occur infrequently.

▪ DPTI and Tri-Star both acknowledged there is difficulty to confirm equipment requirements for an exploration program prior to confirming an exploration program’s objectives.

▪ DPTI stated that potential impacts to the DPTI road network relates to the following two stages:

▪ Tri-Star expects road use will be similar to existing activities in the Cooper Basin, albeit at much less frequency given the exploratory nature of the proposed activities.

▪ The requirement for road upgrades to DPTI roads to facilitate access is not expected to be required.

▪ The majority of road maintenance or upgrade works (if required) are expected to occur within the Simpson Desert Regional Reserve.

▪ The need to close any DPTI roads is also not expected.

▪ Tri-Star expects to access the licence area from the eastern side, and the likely route would be via the Birdsville Track – Yelpawaralina Track – Warburton Track - Rig Road.

▪ Tri-Star will provide a Traffic Management Plan to DPTI for review prior to the commencement of each stage of the proposed activities as part of the DEM Stage 3 approval process.

▪ The Traffic Management Plan will address the criteria requested by DPTI (where relevant).



No. Agency General



- Seismic survey and potential drilling e.g. seismic trucks, recording vehicles and support convoy

- Well construction e.g. small rig approx. 50 trailers or large rig approx. 100 trailers, construction/earthmoving vehicles, on-site concrete batching (material delivery?), employee compounds, water/refuse vehicles etc.

- As noted in the stakeholder meeting large wells typically need Road Train access and small rigs may have OS/OD components.

▪ DPTI requested a Traffic Management Plan is provided to DPTI prior to undertaking each stage of proposed activities, and that the plan address the following criteria:

- Type and volume of vehicles for each stage of the proposed Tri-Start activities, including seismic and drilling;

- The final access route used during seismic and drilling campaigns;

- Details of any DPTI road upgrades or routine inspections and maintenance required to facilitate the ongoing activities;

- Details of delivery times i.e. campaigns and well construction (if known);

- Details of proposed road closures (i.e. exclusion periods 1/12 till 15/3 for NPWS) and their management;

- Details of any permits required;

- Details of all required road signs and advisory signs;

- In the event that Restricted Access Vehicles (including oversize and overmass components) are proposed to be uitilised, the applicant must ensure that all necessary approvals/permits are obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator; and

- A route risk assessment for roads intended for any oversize/overmass vehicles as per the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (refer link: https://www.nhvr.gov.au ).

▪ Table 3.1, Objective 8, Assessment Criteria in the SEO has been updated to include the following:

▪ “A traffic management plan will be provided to DPTI (as part of the Stage 3 approval process) for review prior to commencement of seismic survey activities^

^the traffic management plan will address the headings listed in the Guide to How Objectives Can Be Achieved”

▪ Table 3.1, Objective 8, Guide to How Objectives Can be Achieved in the SEO has been updated to include the following:

▪ “DPTI traffic management plan developed to address the following criteria (where relevant):

- Type and volume of vehicles for each stage of the proposed seismic activities;

- The final access route used during seismic campaigns;

- Details of any DPTI road upgrades or routine inspections and maintenance required to facilitate the ongoing activities;

- Details of delivery times i.e. survey schedule (if known);

- Details of proposed road closures (i.e. exclusion periods) and their management;

- Details of any permits required;

- Details of all required road signs and advisory signs;

- Where required, details of any approvals/permits (from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator) for Restricted Access Vehicles (including oversize and over mass components);

- Where required, a route risk assessment for roads intended for any oversize/over mass vehicles (as per the requirements of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator).”

The EIR risk assessment Table 5.5 (Activity “Vehicle movement on roads, access tracks and seismic lines”, Event “Movement of heavy machinery and vehicles”, Type of Impact “Stakeholder infrastructure, activities and land use”) has also been updated to reflect the requirement for a traffic management plan to be provided to DPTI as part of the Stage 3 approval process.

https://www.nhvr.gov.au/

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