Transport
Flora technical report for Review of Environmental Factors (REF),
Bruce Highway upgrade, Caboolture | Department of Transport & Main Roads (DTMR).
Gaia Environmental worked alongside AECOM to conduct detailed flora investigations within the proposed construction zone for a section of the Bruce Highway upgrade between Bribie Island Road interchange and Steve Irwin Way. Gaia’s scope was to confirm regional ecosystem (RE) mapping, survey for threatened flora species, locate weed infestations and habitat/significant trees. Gaia then produced the flora technical report to support the REF documents and provide guidance for the management of the project with respect to floristic values.
Environmental audit for offsets
New Parallel Runway | Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC).
Gaia Environmental was requested by Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) to conduct an audit over the Habitat Conversion Area (HCA) aimed at providing offsets for Lewin’s rail for the new parallel runway at Brisbane Airport. The aim of the audit was to assess the HCA in terms of its suitability as a habitat offset for Lewin’s Rail. Gaia’s initial involvement in 2014 reported that the offset area was not achieving the intended purpose. Gaia then worked closely with BAC and the contractors responsible for the HCA to improve on the ground management of the area so that suitable Lewin’s rail habitat would be established. In 2016 Gaia reported that the new management had been successful and the monitoring programs recorded the Lewin’s rail in the offset area.
Flora and fauna assessment
Behm Creek Bridge | Department of Transport & Main Roads (DTMR).
Gaia Environmental was sub-contracted by AECOM to complete the flora and fauna assessments for an Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) for the upgrade of Behm Creek Bridge at Jacobs Well by Queensland DTMR. The road bridge is directly adjacent to several environmentally sensitive areas, including the Moreton Bay Marine Park, Edward Corbould Nature Refuge and Behm Creek Reserve. Parts of Behm Creek Reserve are also known habitat for the State and Commonwealth listed water mouse (Xeromys myoides). The work was to provide a necessary update to some initial investigations that had been undertaken 7 years earlier. Gaia undertook surveys to confirm the vegetation mapping, identify impacts to marine plants and threatened flora species and assess the suitability of habitat for threatened species within the construction footprint. This information helped to refine the construction footprint and methodology to minimise impacts to significant ecological values as well as inform offset requirements for marine plants.
Vegetation assessment
Princhester transportable radar | Indra Australia Pty Ltd.
Gaia Environmental joined the AECOM team to lead vegetation surveys for the proposed location of a transportable radar tower at Princhester (approximately 66 km northwest of Rockhampton). The project site is on an elevated serpentinite ridge that already supports other communications infrastructure. The vegetation assessments involved: confirmation of RE mapping, bio-condition assessments, targeted searches for protected species and detailed survey of trees. Surveys revealed a high diversity and density of threatened plants within the project site. The sensitivity of the environment and the nature of the development required the use of a DGPS system to record the location (within 0.5m accuracy) of threatened plants and mature trees within and around the development footprint. The data and advice provided by Gaia assisted in locating the infrastructure to minimize the impact on the natural environment. The subsequent Environmental Impact Assessment was used to inform applications for the requisite permits under the EPBC Act (impacts to threatened species in a Commonwealth area) and the NC Act (clearing permit for protected plants).
Threatened flora assessment report
Lockyer Valley | Lockyer Valley Regional Council (LVRC).
Gaia Environmental was part of a team working with AECOM to deliver an engineering design package for repairs to several rural roads in the Lockyer Valley. Gaia was responsible for the delivery of the Threatened Flora Assessment Report covering three roads in the region. Gaia was selected for the job because of the company’s involvement in the public consultation process preceding the release of the new Protected Plants Assessment Guidelines and thorough knowledge. The requirement for survey and reporting had been triggered by the Queensland Flora Survey Trigger Map, which necessitated survey and reporting in accordance with the Protected Plants Assessment Guidelines (DEHP 2014). Completion of the surveys lead to the identification of a small population of Mt Berryman Phebalium (Phebalium distans) (listed as threatened under State and Commonwealth law) at one of the sites. The location of all specimens was accurately detected using D-GPS equipment and this information was used to inform the design of the road works to ensure that no specimens will be directly impacted by the project. The report was submitted to DEHP complete with mapping, assessment of impacts and mitigation strategies.
Koala Assessment and Management Plan
Amberley RAAF Base | Department of Defence.
The koala became listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act in May 2012. An application for the expansion of facilities run by the Australian Department of Defence lead to requirements for a Koala Assessment and Management Plan in accordance with the Interim Koala Referral Advice for Proponents (DSEWPC 2012). Gaia worked with a team of field ecologists, who undertook targeted koala surveys on the site. Gaia was responsible for reporting on the habitat values of the site for koalas (in accordance with the Interim Referral Advice) and recommending management for the project to minimise impacts on the koala and satisfy the new EPBC requirements.
Fauna assessment for road extension
Wynum West | Brisbane City Council (BCC).
Gaia Environmental Consulting teamed up with ddwfauna to deliver a fauna assessment for several properties that would be affected by the proposed extension of a road in the Wynum West area. The study involved 2 days and nights of field work targeting significant species that had been indicated as potentially occurring on site. The surveys resulted in confirmation of the occurrence of several locally significant species and two threatened species listed under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006. The assessment recommended mitigation measures to minimise impacts on habitat for sensitive species. This fauna report formed part of a broader ecological assessment undertaken by BMT WBM.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Central Queensland Integrated Rail Project (CQIRP) | Aurizon.
The Central Queensland Integrated Rail Project (CQIRP) is a proposal to develop rail infrastructure from the Galilee Basin to ports along the central coast of Queensland. The project will service the growing needs of the Central and South Galilee Basin’s mines to access the ports of Central Queensland (Abbot Point, Dalrymple Bay, Hay Point and Gladstone). The project was declared a ‘coordinated project’ by the Queensland Coordinator General and a ‘controlled action’ by the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability Environment Water Populations and Communities (DSEWPC). The project required EIS’s under both State and Commonwealth legislation. Gaia Environmental Consulting was joined AECOM to provide ecological services. Gaia was responsible for undertaking initial desktop studies, mobilising field teams and writing several chapters for the State EIS (including terrestrial flora and fauna and Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES)); as well as separate documentation for DSEWPC.