Water
Protected Plants survey
Mer Island sewerage upgrade | Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DATSIP).
Gaia Environmental Consulting was commissioned to undertake a Flora Assessment Report for an extension of the sewerage main on Mer Island, which is within the Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC) local government area. The Torres Strait Islands are made up of fourteen islands and fifteen island communities. Mer (Murray) Island is the eastern most island in the group. There is no planning scheme relevant to the island, instead the organisation of the island is based on the traditional laws of boundary and ownership. The proposed sewerage extension was required to service new houses planned within the existing settlements on the island. The Project area coincided with a ‘high risk area’ on the flora survey trigger map and required botanical survey in accordance with the Flora Survey Guidelines (DEHP 2014) under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. The botanical surveys located one protected flora specimen and Gaia completed a report and application in accordance with DEHP’s Protected Plants Assessment Guidelines (2014).
Protected Plants survey
Bellbird Park pump station upgrade | Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU).
QUU had engaged Gaia Environmental to undertake a protected plants survey for the proposed upgrade of a sewerage pump station and sewer main in a section of bushland at Bellbird Park. The Project area coincided with a ‘high risk area’ on the flora survey trigger map and required botanical survey in accordance with the Flora Survey Guidelines (DEHP 2014) under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. The botanical surveys did not locate any protected flora specimens and Gaia completed a report and application in accordance with DEHP’s Protected Plants Assessment Guidelines (2014).
Active floodgate management study
Pimpama River | Gold Coast City Council (GCCC).
BMT WBM Pty Ltd invited Gaia Environmental Consulting to participate in the investigation of the implications for active floodgate management on the Pimpama River. The Kerkin Road North floodgates were constructed in the 1970’s to manage flooding on the Pimpama River. The gates have largely remained closed since their installation preventing the exchange of fresh and tidal waters and interrupting the aquatic connectivity of the Pimpama River. Gold Coast City Council are investigating options for active floodgate management, which may involve partial opening of the floodgates, to ameliorate issues related to poor water quality in the Pimpama River. Gaia was engaged to undertake the terrestrial fauna component of the study, with a particular focus on potential impacts to wallum froglet (Crinia tinnula), koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), water mouse (Xeromys myoides) and migratory birds. Desktop research indicated that potential impacts may result from: flooding, saltwater intrusion, acid sulphate soil leachate and decline in estuarine water quality. Field investigations involved habitat assessment at selected locations that may be subject to flooding and targeted surveys for wallum froglet. The results of the survey, together with an assessment of impacts and recommendations for further investigations, were included as a chapter in the study document.
Vegetation Management Plan
Komatsu Industrial Facility, Wacol | Pradella Construction.
Gaia Environmental Consulting was part of an alliance with Morgan Consulting Engineers that was selected to provide environmental and engineering advice for the construction of a sewer main on an industrial site at Wacol. The sewer main was to be located along the boundary of a waterway corridor mapped by Brisbane City Council. The Council required a Vegetation Management Plan that recognised the ecological sensitivity of the waterway corridor and preserved the values of the area, which were identified to be: the presence of locally significant tree species, local wildlife corridor and proximity to a waterway. Gaia Environmental Consulting provided a survey of vegetation communities, habitat values and mapped location of all mature trees. Gaia also worked closely with the engineers to optimize the alignment of the sewer to minimise impacts to environmental values. A Vegetation Management Plan was produced to guide the construction of the sewer (which was approved by Council) and Gaia continued to work with contractors and Council to ensure a high standard of construction.