-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade– Bridgenorth Road – Environmental
Effects Report
Prepared By: Barry Williams
Date: 22 April 2016
Issue Date Recipient Organisation
Draft 1 15 April 2016 Mr Andrew Johnston Sunnyside Pastoral Pty
Ltd
Draft 1 18 April 2016 Mrs Danielle McPhail Environment
Protection Authority
Final 22 April 2016 Mrs Danielle McPhail Environment Protection
Authority
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Table of Contents
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
....................................................................................................................................
2 Figures
.....................................................................................................................................................
3 Tables
......................................................................................................................................................
3 Plates
.......................................................................................................................................................
3 Part A - Proponent Details
......................................................................................................................
4 Part B – Project Description
....................................................................................................................
4 1 Description of Project
.....................................................................................................................
4
1.1 Extraction
................................................................................................................................
4 1.2 Processing
...............................................................................................................................
4 1.3 Cartage
....................................................................................................................................
5
2 Project Area
....................................................................................................................................
6 2.1 Project site
..............................................................................................................................
6
3 Map and site plan
...........................................................................................................................
8 3.1 Site works
..............................................................................................................................
12
4 Rationale and alternatives
............................................................................................................
12 Part C Potential environmental effects
.................................................................................................
13 1 Flora and Fauna
.............................................................................................................................
13
1.1 Flora values
...........................................................................................................................
13 1.2 Fauna values
.........................................................................................................................
14
2 Rivers creeks wetlands and estuaries
...........................................................................................
14 2.1 Erosion and sediment control
...............................................................................................
16
2.1.1 Stormwater runoff calculations
....................................................................................
16 2.2 Hydrocarbons
........................................................................................................................
18
3 Significant areas
............................................................................................................................
18 4 Air emissions
.................................................................................................................................
18 5 Liquid effluent
...............................................................................................................................
19 6 Solid waste
....................................................................................................................................
19 7 Noise emissions
.............................................................................................................................
20 8 Transport impacts
.........................................................................................................................
21 9 Other off-site impacts
...................................................................................................................
21 10 Hazardous substances and chemicals
.......................................................................................
22 11 Site contamination
....................................................................................................................
22 12 Sustainability and climate change
............................................................................................
23 13 Cultural heritage
.......................................................................................................................
23 14 Sites of high public interest
.......................................................................................................
23 15 Rehabilitation
............................................................................................................................
24
15.1 Immediate rehabilitation
......................................................................................................
24 15.2 Progressive rehabilitation
.....................................................................................................
24 15.3 Decommissioning and rehabilitation
....................................................................................
24
Part D Management Commitments
......................................................................................................
25
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Figures 3
Part E Public Consultation
.....................................................................................................................
26 16 References
................................................................................................................................
26 17 Meander Valley Interim Planning Scheme 2013
.......................................................................
27 18 Appendices
................................................................................................................................
29
18.1 Appendix 1 – Traffic Impact Assessment – RJK Consulting
Engineers ...................................... 18.2 Appendix 2 –
Unanticipated Discovery Plan – Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania
..........................
FIGURES Figure 1: Schematic of processing operation
..........................................................................................
5 Figure 2: Locality Plan
.............................................................................................................................
8 Figure 3: Aerial image
.............................................................................................................................
9 Figure 4: Mining plan (Google Earth image)
.........................................................................................
10 Figure 5: Cross sections through development stages (exaggerated
scale) ......................................... 11 Figure 6: CFEV
report map with ICV of streams
....................................................................................
15
TABLES Table 1: Proponent details
......................................................................................................................
4 Table 2: Operation details
.......................................................................................................................
5 Table 3: Equipment in the process (actual equipment will vary
from time to time).............................. 6 Table 4:
Property details
.........................................................................................................................
6 Table 5: Climate data for closest weather station
..................................................................................
7 Table 6: Biophysical data
........................................................................................................................
7 Table 7: Records of listed flora species within 5 kilometres
.................................................................
13 Table 8: Records of listed fauna species within 5 kilometres
............................................................... 14
Table 9: Time of concentration calculations
.........................................................................................
16 Table 10: Flow rate calculation
.............................................................................................................
17 Table 11: Required surface area compared to actual surface area
...................................................... 17 Table 12:
Desired clean out frequency
.................................................................................................
17 Table 13: Types of equipment used at the site
.....................................................................................
20 Table 14: closest to the quarry: Sensitive receptors
............................................................................
21 Table 15: Stored volumes of Hydrocarbons
..........................................................................................
22 Table 16: Rehabilitation areas
..............................................................................................................
25
PLATES
Plate 1: Quarry windrows viewed from Bridgenorth Road
..................................................................
28
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Part A - Proponent
Details 4
PART A - PROPONENT DETAILS TABLE 1: PROPONENT DETAILS
Name Sunnyside Pastoral Pty Ltd
ABN 25 600 966 434
Address 2355 Bridgenorth Road WESTWOOD Tasmania 7292
Contact Mr Andrew Johnston
Phone (03) 6393 4213
Mobile phone 0438 978 883
email [email protected]
Andrew Johnston owns and operates Sunnyside Pastoral Pty Ltd, a
mixed agricultural business undertaking cropping and grazing
activities on a pastoral property owned by the Johnston family at
Westwood in northern Tasmania. Andrew Johnston as Johnston A C was
issued mining lease number 1992 P/M to conduct quarrying activities
on the land at Westwood.
Sunnyside Pastoral Pty Ltd (Proponent) engaged contractors to
undertake the extractive and processing activities for the quarry
operation.
PART B – PROJECT DESCRIPTION
1 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT In this application the Proponent seeks
to have the Westwood Quarry assessed as a Level 2 Activity with a
maximum annual production of 50 000 cubic metres. The quarry
expansion is in response to a likely increase in demand for
construction materials for road projects in the short to medium
term. A steady modest rate of production will be supplemented with
occasional large contracts.
1.1 EXTRACTION The Westwood Quarry is a rip, crush and screen
operation. The dolerite source rock is weathered to the full depth
of the potential quarry excavation. Blasting will not be required
to liberate source rock for this operation. Extraction will
continue as a single 4 to 5 metre high bench with a possible second
bench on the north east side in the initial stages. An excavator
with a ripper or rock bucket will pull the source rock from the
face.
A third bench will be established in the floor of the quarry as
development progresses. This bench will have a height of around 5
metres and initial bench will be reduced to a width of 5 to 6
metres around the perimeter of the new quarry floor (see mining
plan and sections Figures 4 and 5).
1.2 PROCESSING Course rock will be stored in a stockpile and the
stockpiles will be progressively fed into a mobile crusher /
screener set with screens to produce the desired product. Different
products may require different crushers. A primary can be used to
fracture stone for subbase 2 material and for softer
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Description of Project
5
stone for cow lanes. To produce finer aggregates and pavement
materials the primary will be teamed with a secondary Vertical
Shaft Impactor.
1.3 CARTAGE A series of product stockpiles will be constructed
to keep ahead of routine orders. These products will be taken
offsite at a reasonably constant rate with seasonal
fluctuations.
The Proponent hopes to occasionally win larger scale single
infrastructure projects. These projects are likely to take more
closely engineered product. In preparation for these projects large
stockpiles of compliant product will be constructed and then
depleted to supply the project.
TABLE 2: OPERATION DETAILS
Name Westwood Quarry
Location 2355 Bridgenorth Road Westwood Tasmania 7292
Production Producing up to 50 000 cubic metres per annum
Employees 2 while operating + 1 occasionally supervising
Hours of Operation Weekdays 7.00 am to 7.00 pm Saturday 8.00 am
to 6.00 pm
.
FIGURE 1: SCHEMATIC OF PROCESSING OPERATION
Processed product in stockpiles Max. 50 000 m3 t per annum to
market
Raw rock stockpiles feed into crusher / screener
Source rock ripped from face
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Project Area 6
TABLE 3: EQUIPMENT IN THE PROCESS (ACTUAL EQUIPMENT WILL VARY
FROM TIME TO TIME)
Type Make Model Power (kW)
Excavator Caterpillar CAT 325 120
Wheel loader Caterpillar CAT 980G 240
Crusher Portafill 7000IC 150
Screener Powerscreen Chieftain 1400 73
When excavation at the Westwood Quarry is complete the Proponent
will rehabilitate the faces with overburden materials and topsoil
to resemble native vegetation. The quarry floor area will have soil
spread over the surface and sown to pasture.
2 PROJECT AREA
TABLE 4: PROPERTY DETAILS
Address 2355 Bridgenorth Road
WESTWOOD Tasmania 7292
Tenure Privately owned
Property Owner A C Johnston (Proponent)
Property ID 7029519
Certificate of Title 18699 / 1
Municipality Meander Valley Council
Mining Lease 1992P/M
Mining Lease Area 12 hectares
Area of Disturbance 5 hectares
2.1 PROJECT SITE The site of this proposal is an existing quarry
operating on the Sunnyside Pastoral Pty Ltd property at Westwood.
The site is located approximately 7.0 kilometres NNW of the
township of Carrick. Sunnyside Pastoral is a mixed used grazing /
cropping property situated within other like agricultural
properties all zoned Rural Resource under the Meander Valley
Interim Planning Scheme 2013 (MVIPS13). The quarry site is accessed
from the Bridgenorth Road by a private driveway over the
Proponent’s land.
Hobart
Queenstown
Triabunna
Burnie Smithton
Launceston
100 0
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Project Area 7
TABLE 5: CLIMATE DATA FOR CLOSEST WEATHER STATION
Climate Data – Launceston (Ti Tree Bend 091237) (B.O.M.,
2016)
Temperatures averages (Co)
Coolest month Min. 2.3 (Jul.) Annual min. 7.4
Warmest month Max. 24.6 (Feb.) Annual Max. 18.5
Rainfall (mm) mean
Wettest month 87.3 (Aug.) Annual mean
Driest month 30.7 (Feb.)
Wind averages Mornings Strongest winds (20%) are from the
northwest between 10 and 30 km/hr.
Afternoons Strongest winds (30%) are from the northwest between
20 and 30 km/hr.
TABLE 6: BIOPHYSICAL DATA
Site Biophysical Data – (D.P.I.P.W.E., 2016)
Geology The site is located on a discrete exposure of a dolerite
sill more fully expressed on neighbouring land. The dolerite is
most likely overlain with Tertiary sediments to the south and
east.
Soils Weakly weathered in situ dolerite usually forms shallow
soils or rock pavements. Strongly weathered in situ dolerite
usually forms deep clayey soils. Although the dolerite is weathered
the soil is a thin texture contrast soil with mottled brown clayey
subsoil.
Vegetation The TasVeg data base records the site as (FAG)
Agricultural Land. The closest native vegetation (DAZ) Eucalyptus
amygdalina inland forest on Cainozoic deposits. The community DAZ
is listed under Schedule 3A of the Nature Conservation Act
2002.
Aspect The quarry site is located on a shallow ridge in a low
relief landscape. The site is around 175 m on the north east corner
falling to 165 on the southwest corner.
Land capability Class 4 – Land well suited to grazing but which
is limited to occasional cropping or a very restricted range of
crops.
Groundwater Registered waterbores located around the site
include:
Feature ID Aquifer geology Depth (m) Initial yield (L/s)
3871 Tertiary sediments 39.6 7.58
15156 Jurassic dolerite 30.5 0.63
40201 Tertiary basalt 54.0 6.31
Watercourses A watercourse runs through the southern portion of
the mining lease area. The CFEV project1 identifies the watercourse
as 305563 and rates the Integrated Conservation Value ICV as M
moderate.
1 The Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystem Values (CFEV) Project
provides conservation assessments for all rivers, lakes and
waterbodies, wetlands, estuaries, saltmarshes and karst within
Tasmania.
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Map and site plan
8
3 MAP AND SITE PLAN
Proponent’s residence
Closest residence in other ownership
Gas pipeline easement
Mining Lease 1992P/M
FIGURE 2: LOCALITY PLAN
Rural Resource Zone (MVIPS13)
Rural Resource Zone (MVIPS13)
Rural Resource Zone (MVIPS13)
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Map and site plan
9
FIGURE 3: AERIAL IMAGE
Mining Lease 1992P/M
Sunnyside Pastoral Pty Ltd Cert. Title: 18699 / 1
C.T. 52263/3
C.T. 52262/1
C.T. 116521/1
Listed native woodland community (NCA 2002)
north
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Map and site plan
10
Quaternary sediments (stream alluvium)
Tertiary sediments (Poorly consolidated clay, silt and clayey
labile sand with rare gravel and lignite; some iron oxide-cemented
layers and concretions)
FIGURE 4: MINING PLAN (GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE)
Jurassic igneous rocks (dolerite and related rocks)
Stage two 165 level – 3.1 ha
Stage one 165 level – 2.5 ha
Off lease rehabilitation
Direction of mining
Primary sediment retention
Culvert under access Secondary sediment retention
Discharge
Stage two direction of m
ining
A A
Temporary container relocated as required
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Map and site plan
11
160
165
170
155
175
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 200 180 220 240 260 280
160
165
170
155
Final Level 160 – 5.0 ha
Existing stockpiles
Cross Section A-A Stage one and Stage two development
Cross Section A-A Final Rehabilitation
175
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 200 180 220 240 260 280
Stage two 165 level – 3.1 ha Stage one 165 level – 2.5 ha
FIGURE 5: CROSS SECTIONS THROUGH DEVELOPMENT STAGES (EXAGGERATED
SCALE)
Min
ing
leas
e bo
unda
ry
Min
ing
leas
e bo
unda
ry
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Rationale and
alternatives 12
3.1 SITE WORKS The Westwood Quarry operation will proceed in a
similar manner to the existing operation. The resource is concealed
under a very thin topsoil layer and a clayey overburden over most
of the mining lease area. The inferred resource is overlain by
tertiary sediments of unknown thickness in the southern quarter and
a portion of the eastern side of the lease area.
The quarry operator will strip and arrange windrows of the
topsoil around the boundaries of the lease. The overburden will be
excavated and placed into separate windrows limiting the height to
around 2 metres.
The exposed source rock will be ripped with an excavator and
pulled into stockpiles. A wheel loader will use the source rock
stockpiles to feed a mobile crusher screener unit. The
configuration of the crusher screener will vary depending on the
type of final product required. The wheel loader will build product
stockpiles ready to supply to contacts offsite.
On-road truck will be loaded with the wheel loader to gradually
deplete the product stockpiles and cart the materials to service
the market. A tally of the production will be kept by recording
truck counts.
4 RATIONALE AND ALTERNATIVES Westwood Quarry currently operates
to supply gravels to a modest local market for farm access roads
and cow lanes. The highly weathered dolerite on the surface of the
pit lends its self to gravel road pavement and shoulders,
applications where a clay content and softer rock is beneficial.
The maximum rate of production of 4 500 m3 per annum allowed under
the permit is suitable for this market.
A series of tests pits revealed less weathered dolerite over a
large portion of the quarry footprint. The testing proved the
product could be won by ripping to the full depth of the test pits
(around 6 metres). Less weathered (blue) dolerite is the basis of
durable sealed road pavements used to construct state roads and
highways. Although common in southern Tasmania, blue dolerite
quarries are less common in the north.
The Westwood Quarry had a product suitable to supply larger road
projects let by local government authorities and the State
Government. These contracts would most likely be of a larger scale
with larger product volumes required. The maximum rate of
production for Westwood Quarry is not sufficient to service these
contracts.
Westwood Quarry is well situated, remote from residential
neighbours, with direct access to Bridgenorth Road which offers
alternative routes west and east to the Bass Highway and via
Ecclestone Road to Riverside and the West Tamar.
The Proponent decided to have the Westwood Quarry operation
assessed as a Level 2 Activity with a maximum annual production of
50 000 m3. The maximum production rate would allow the quarry to
win at least one major contract each year and still service the
current rural market of soft gravels.
Westwood Quarry is located on the Proponent’s property targeting
a mainly surface exposed igneous resource. No alternative sites
were investigated for this operation.
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Part C Potential
environmental effects 13
PART C POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
1 FLORA AND FAUNA
1.1 FLORA VALUES The Westwood Quarry is located on a pastoral
property (Sunnyside Pastoral). The land disturbed by the quarry
operation is agricultural land exposed to rotations of crops and
pastures for many years. There is no remaining natural vegetation
or habitat within the boundaries of the mining lease.
Weeds tend to preferentially colonise disturbed ground and there
are examples of various weeds appearing on the overburden and
topsoil stockpiles. To ensure weed fragments or seed does not
infiltrate the gravel products a weed control program will be
implemented.
Item Commitment Responsible When
1. A weed control program will be implemented on site to reduce
the abundance and prevent the spread of weeds.
Proponent Biennially
On a neighbouring property a remnant of native vegetation
remains. This community is mapped as DAZ Eucalyptus amygdalina
inland forest and woodland on Cainozoic deposits and is listed as
threatened under the Nature Conservation Act 2002, (see area
identified as 15 in Figure 1). Further afield, this community and
other similar remnant native vegetation copses harbor examples of
flora species listed as rare or vulnerable under the Threatened
Species Protection Act 1995.
Below is an extract from the Natural Values Data Base providing
a list of observed species recorded within 5 kilometres of the
Westwood Quarry. These records come from observations in remnant
native vegetation quite dissimilar to the pastoral grasses observed
on the mining lease and on surrounding land.
TABLE 7: RECORDS OF LISTED FLORA SPECIES WITHIN 5 KILOMETRES
Species Common name State listing National listing Observation
Date
Amphibromus neesii southern swampgrass rare sighting 2002
Aphelia pumilio dwarf fanwort rare sighting 2001
Arthropodium
strictum
chocolate lily rare sighting 2004
Asperula subsimplex water woodruff rare sighting 2006
Brunonia australis blue pincushion rare sighting 200
Callitris oblonga subsp.
oblonga
south esk pine vulnerable Endangered sighting 1995
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Rivers creeks wetlands
and estuaries 14
Carex longebrachiata drooping sedge rare sighting 2006
Hypoxis vaginata var.
vaginata
sheathing yellowstar p. rare sighting 2009
Juncus amabilis gentle rush rare sighting 1984
Pimelea curviflora curved rice-flower p sighting 1996
(D.P.I.P.W.E. (b), 2015)
1.2 FAUNA VALUES There are distant records of observations of
threatened fauna species. Below is an extract from the Natural
Values Data Base providing a list observed species recorded within
5 kilometres of the Westwood Quarry and the distance between the
record site and the mining lease boundary.
TABLE 8: RECORDS OF LISTED FAUNA SPECIES WITHIN 5 KILOMETRES
Species Common name State listing National listing Observation
Date Distance
Aquila audax subsp. fleayi
wedge-tailed eagle
endangered endangered nest 1985 3.2 km
Dasyurus maculatus
spotted-tailed quoll
rare vulnerable sighting 1997 3.5 km
Haliaeetus leucogaster
white-bellied sea-eagle
vulnerable nest 2015 4.8 km
Litoria raniformis
green and gold frog
vulnerable vulnerable sighting 2003 3.5 km
Sarcophilus harrisii
tasmanian devil endangered endangered sighting 2014 3.4 km
(D.P.I.P.W.E. (b), 2015)
The Westwood Quarry site is located on a mining lease covering
cultivated land entirely covered with exotic pastures. All records
of communities and species listed for protection are recorded on
properties remote from the site. It is highly unlikely any natural
flora or fauna will be affected by this proposal.
2 RIVERS CREEKS WETLANDS AND ESTUARIES The access road to
Westwood Quarry crosses a minor drainage path running through the
paddocks to the south of the quarry proper. This drainage path is
identified as 305563 and is assigned an ICV of Moderate of by the
CFEV database. The value of moderate is assigned because the
drainage path
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Rivers creeks wetlands
and estuaries 15
has a naturalness category of Low as a result of a biological
condition score of 0.36 ‘severely impaired biological condition for
the river section’.
Centre point - E: 498432m N: 5408760m Scale (map width):
6612m
GDA94 Zone 55
FIGURE 6: CFEV REPORT MAP WITH ICV OF STREAMS (CFEV database
v1.0, 2005)
The quarry operation may pose a threat to the condition of this
drainage path as a result of uncontrolled runoff discharge
transporting sediment or a hydrocarbon spill carried into the water
course by runoff.
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Rivers creeks wetlands
and estuaries 16
2.1 EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL The quarry is targeting a
weathered dolerite source rock, which has a highly fractured
nature. Rainfall tends to infiltrate into the rock rather than pond
on the surface and contribute to overland flow. Over time the rock
in the floor of the quarry will become sealed with fines from
crushing activities and from passes of earthmoving equipment.
The Proponent will establish a primary sediment basin located to
intercept any runoff occurring from the works areas. The sediment
trap will detain the runoff for a period to allow the silt to
settle out. Following detention the overflow from the sediment
basin will flow to the existing farm dam, located on the mining
lease and hence providing secondary detention capacity. The
discharge from the farm dam will go to the drainage path and
potentially off lease and this is the discharge point for the
quarry.
A rule of thumb for sediment basins is the surface area should
be around 0.3 % of the exposed catchment area. The maximum
disturbed area for the ultimate development will be limited to 5
hectares. The sediment retention basin should therefore be
approximately 150 square metres in area. A basin with an average
length of 20 metres and a width of 7.5 metres will be adequate.
2.1.1 STORMWATER RUNOFF CALCULATIONS The catchment for the
Westwood Quarry sediment retention basin is an unpaved gravel
surface including the faces, benches and floor of the ultimate
quarry footprint. It is unlikely that the entire area will be
exposed at one time as early progressive rehabilitation and
revegetation works will reduce the area running off. However the
total ultimate footprint will have a maximum area of 5.0
hectares.
Calculations to determine the dimensions of a sediment retention
basin required to manage the runoff from a 1 in 10 year
reoccurrence event are as follows:
Tc = 91L/(A0.1 * Se0.2)
TABLE 9: TIME OF CONCENTRATION CALCULATIONS
Flow line L (km) Area A (ha) Equal area Slope Se (m/km)
Tc Time of concentration (min)
0.270 5.0 18 12 min
Q = C . i . A 360
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Rivers creeks wetlands
and estuaries 17
TABLE 10: FLOW RATE CALCULATION
Coefficient of runoff C (no units)
Intensity of rain event I (mm/hr)
Catchment Area A (ha) Flow rate Q (m3/s)
0.35 60 5.0 0.27
Assume sediment basin 20.0m x 7.5m x 1.0 m deep
TABLE 11: REQUIRED SURFACE AREA COMPARED TO ACTUAL SURFACE
AREA
Flow rate Q (m3/s) Retention basin area from WSUD Figure 4.2
(m2) for 90% capture
Actual basin surface area (m2)
0.29 100 150
(Derwent Estuary Program, 2012)
Total storage capacity (150 + 60)/2 = 105 m3
Assume storage 50% of total capacity = 52m3
Adapted from (Derwent Estuary Program, 2012)
Fr = St / (A x R x Lo)
TABLE 12: DESIRED CLEAN OUT FREQUENCY
Capture efficiency (R)
Contributing catchment A (ha)
Storage Volume St (m3)
Sediment loading rate Lo (m
3/ha/yr) Desired clean out frequency Fr (yrs)
0.90 5.0 52 10 1
The clean out frequency is 1.1 years which gives an adequate
factor of safety for an annual clear out. The sediment from the
sediment retention basin should be lost within production
materials.
Item Commitment Responsible When
2. The sediment retention basin will be maintained to ensure
that the storage capacity is not reduced by more than half its
capacity
Proponent At least annually
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Significant areas
18
2.2 HYDROCARBONS Hydrocarbons include engine oil, hydraulic oil,
grease and diesel fuel. Hydrocarbons are lighter than water and
only a small amount will quickly spread over the surface of a water
body contaminating banks where the water surface meets the ground
surface. Hydrocarbons on the surface of the water will prevent an
exchange of oxygen from the air to the water through the surface
causing the water to become oxygen deficient.
The drainage path is at risk from hydrocarbons in the event of a
significant spill to ground where the residue is transported over
ground by an overland flow of water. The primary sediment retention
basin will be the first point where spilt hydrocarbons will
collect.
A hydrocarbon spill will trigger the following actions:
• The source of the leak / spill will be secured. • The spill
will be contained and a spill kit used to clean up. • If wet
conditions prevail or the spill has been transported to the
sediment basin a
hydrocarbon absorbent mats will be applied to the surface. • If
the spill is substantial all the soil contaminated by the spill
will be collected and disposed
of to an appropriate location.
Item Commitment Responsible When
3. A Hydrocarbon Spill Kit will be available for immediate
deployment in the event of a minor spill.
Proponent At all times
4. If a major spill occurs, oil contaminated soil will be
collected and disposed of to an appropriate disposal site.
Proponent As required
3 SIGNIFICANT AREAS There are no parcels of reserved land in
close proximity to the Westwood Quarry. The quarry is unlikely to
cause an adverse impact on any significant area further afield.
4 AIR EMISSIONS Weathered dolerite rock is associated with iron
rich clays normally red orange in colour. The fine particles in
clays when dry can give rise to dust emissions. Crushing hard rock
and mechanical screening can also produce dust emissions.
The Westwood Quarry is remote from any residences that may be
adversely affected by dust emissions. The surrounding pastures will
be regularly ploughed and hence will not be affected by dust.
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Liquid effluent 19
The Westwood Quarry can be observed from Bridgenorth Road. A
visible dust plume emanating from the quarry would be unsightly and
could possibly lead to complaints to the Council.
Under normal circumstances the quarry operator will;
• keep drop distances short in loading hoppers and trucks; •
travel speeds on unpaved surfaces will be limited to 20 km/hr
within the quarry and 40
km/hr on the access road; and • trucks will be loaded with the
load surface either level with the sides of the tray or the
surface will be dampened or a cover applied.
In dry and windy days dust emissions will be monitored and if a
visible dust plume is crossing the mining lease boudary one or more
of the following actions may be implemented:
• Use a water cart to dampen the quarry access road and
trafficable surface within the quarry. • Use a water spray to
dampen the surface of topsoil, overburden and product stockpiles. •
Apply a mist spray to the either the input or output conveyor on
the crusher / screener.
Item Commitment Responsible When
5. Dust conditions will be monitored and mitigation measures
applied to suppress dust when necessary
Proponent As required
5 LIQUID EFFLUENT Liquid emissions are possible from 2
sources:
• Human waste will be collected in the holding tank of a
relocatable toilet and periodically emptied at a dump point.
• Water emanating from the dust suppression actions either from
the water cart or from sprays on stockpiles or on the crusher /
screener will be intercepted by the site drainage system and will
report to the sediment retention basin.
It is highly unlikely any liquid effluent will be discharged
into the receiving environment.
6 SOLID WASTE All waste will be managed in accordance with the
hierarchy of waste management displayed below:
• avoidance • recycling/reclamation • re-use • treatment •
disposal
Waste products generated by the quarry will be managed as per
below:
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Noise emissions 20
• Excavated materials unsuitable to process into marketable
products, will be stored in windrows and used for progressive
rehabilitation works.
• Used machinery parts and new parts packaging as a result of
breakdowns, will be recycled or passed into the appropriate waste
stream.
• General litter from packaging lunches, will be taken out in
the workers cars and disposed off-site at the end of each day.
7 NOISE EMISSIONS The Westwood Quarry will not use drill and
blast techniques to liberate the source rock. All the product will
be won by direct ripping and digging with an excavator. Test pits
have been used to explore the extent of the inferred resource
without finding refusal at maximum depth.
The use of mechanical mobile equipment and particularly crushers
and screeners give rise to noise emissions. Noise generated on
quarry sites is attenuated through solid objects screening the
noise and distance. The Quarry Code of Practice (DPIWE, 1999)
stipulates a minimum attenuation distance for a residence or other
sensitive use from a quarry where mechanical crushing and screening
takes place is 500 metres.
TABLE 13: TYPES OF EQUIPMENT USED AT THE SITE
Type Make Model Power (kW)
Excavator Caterpillar CAT 325 140
Wheel loader Caterpillar CAT 950G 147
Wheel loader Caterpillar CAT 980G 241
Mechanical screen Powerscreen Chieftain 1400 83
Crusher Portafill 7000IC 120
The Westwood Quarry is located within a productive farming area
where during the day there will be activities on most farms
generating noise including using tractors, trucks, quad bikes,
chainsaws and a variety of other noisy equipment.
Residences in other ownership closest to the Westwood Quarry
mining lease boundary are listed. It should be recognised the
southern portion of the mining lease boundary has been found to be
unsuitable and will not be developed for extraction.
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Transport impacts
21
TABLE 14: CLOSEST TO THE QUARRY: SENSITIVE RECEPTORS
Type Address Direction Distance (km)
Residence 2418 Bridgenorth Road SSW 1.61
Residence 822 Westwood Road WNW 2.04
Residence 448 Westwood Road ESE 1.91
Residence 650 Westwood Road SSE 1.86
Residence 600 Westwood Road SSE 1.99
The separation distance between the Westwood Quarry operation
and the closest residences combined with the normal ambient noise
landscape of a productive rural community makes it highly unlikely
noise emissions from the quarry will be a nuisance for
neighbours.
8 TRANSPORT IMPACTS The Proponent engaged RJK Consulting
Engineers to undertake a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) to
determine the likely effect of the increase in the maximum rate of
production from the Westwood Quarry. The TIA is included as
Appendix 1 to this document.
Assessment by the Traffic Engineer found site constraints
associated with the Westwood Quarry operation limited the number of
vehicles that could be loaded to leave the site on a particular
day. The TIA found the proposed upgraded operation is likely to
increase the number of days of operation rather than increase the
traffic on any one day.
The conclusions of the TIA prepared for this proposed upgrade to
Westwood Quarry are as follows:
• The surrounding road network is capable of absorbing the
traffic generated by the proposal. • The sight distance exceeds the
requirements of the Meander Valley Interim Planning
Scheme. • The crash history of the surrounding road network does
not indicate any specific road safety
issues are likely to be exacerbated by the traffic generated by
the proposal.
9 OTHER OFF-SITE IMPACTS The Westwood Quarry access road crosses
over the Palisade TGP Pty Ltd Tasmanian Gas Pipeline (TGP) (See
Figure 3 Aerial image). Field services for the TGP are managed by
Zinfra Group. It is essential to ensure heavy traffic crossing the
TGP does not interfere with the pipeline’s integrity or operation.
Advice was sought on from Zinfra Group regarding the status of the
pipeline crossing at the entrance to the Westwood Quarry. Zinfra
Group stated the original pipeline installation included extra
cover to protect the pipe due to the likely occurrence of heavy
vehicles using the access and no extra protection is required to
accommodate this proposal.
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Hazardous substances
and chemicals 22
The Westwood Quarry operation is similar in nature to the normal
agricultural pursuits common in the region, it is unlikely there
will be other off-site impacts.
10 HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND CHEMICALS The mobile equipment used
for the Westwood Quarry operation is energised by diesel engines.
To fully maintain this equipment it will be necessary to have
stored onsite an amount of engine and hydraulic oil. These products
are considered hazardous substances due to the potential harmful
effects if released to the environment.
The potential harm will be mitigated by limiting the volume of
product on site at any one time:
TABLE 15: STORED VOLUMES OF HYDROCARBONS
Product Purpose Container Volume (litres)
Engine oil Top up engine sumps between services Steel drum
205
Hydraulic oil Top up hydraulic tanks between services Steel drum
205
Grease Applied to hydraulic cylinders and bearings Case of 10
4
The oil storage drums will be stored on a proprietary fully
bunded drum storage pallet.
The Westwood Quarry will not have a permanent diesel fuel
storage tank. The equipment will be refuelled using a utility
mounted fuel tank with a maximum capacity of 600 litres. The
refuelling ute will be brought onto the site each day.
Item Commitment Responsible When
6. A maximum of two 205 litre oil drums will be stored on a
proprietary bunded drum pallet.
Proponent At any time.
The spill containment measures described in Section 2 will
ensure no adverse environmental impacts occur as a result of
accidental hydrocarbon leaks or spills.
11 SITE CONTAMINATION The Westwood Quarry is situated on land
owned and farmed by the Proponent and previously by the Proponent’s
family. There is no history to suggest there has been any level of
site contamination as a result of previous land management
practices.
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Sustainability and
climate change 23
12 SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE The upgrade of Westwood
Quarry will enable local road projects to be serviced with high
quality pavement grade products without importing the products from
further afield. There will be a net reduction in GHG emissions
associated with truck movements if projects are serviced
locally.
The Proponent will use recent model mobile and semi-mobile
equipment, which has lower exhaust emissions than older equipment.
Efficient mobile equipment operating techniques will be employed to
minimise fuel consumption including:
• Equipment will not be left idling for long periods. • Engine
revs will be reduced when not required for the load. • Spotting
will minimise travel distances for loading and unloading tasks. •
Equipment will be serviced and tuned regularly.
It it unlikely the site will be vulnerable to the effects of
climate change. The only threat will be from higher intensity
storms and grass fires. The measures introduced to manage runoff
will cater for storm events and operator will simply evacuate in
the event of a grass fire.
13 CULTURAL HERITAGE The Proponent requested Aboriginal Heritage
Tasmania (AHT) to conduct a Desktop Assessment of the proposal to
upgrade the Westwood Quarry. Advice received from AHT on 9 February
2016 stated there is no requirement to conduct an Aboriginal
heritage investigation and AHT have no objection to the proposal
proceeding.
An Unanticipated Discovery Plan will be invoked if an item or
site which may have Aboriginal heritage significance is discovered
during ground breaking works. A copy of the Unanticipated Discovery
Plan is included as Appendix 2.
14 SITES OF HIGH PUBLIC INTEREST There are no sites of high
public interest potentially affected by the proposal to upgrade the
Westwood Quarry located on Bridgenorth Road Westwood.
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Rehabilitation 24
15 REHABILITATION The Westwood Quarry site is limited to a
maximum area of un-rehabilitated land of 5 hectares. The area
currently disturbed by source rock extraction activities is 3.1
hectares.
15.1 IMMEDIATE REHABILITATION The toe of the overburden windrow
has inadvertently breached the western mining lease boundary. The
overburden windrow batter slopes will have pasture grass seed
broadcast over the surface. The grass will rapidly stabilise the
slope, causing the windrow surface to blend visually with the
adjacent paddocks and crowd out weed species.
15.2 PROGRESSIVE REHABILITATION Westwood Quarry will be
developed on the existing footprint for some years. Assuming a
continuous bench height of 5 metres is achieved the solid volume is
125 000 m3, supplying a production volume of around 200 000 m3 or 4
years continuous maximum production.
Once the first bench is fully developed the Proponent will
either;
• commence rehabilitating the far western end of this bench and
strip and develop the eastern portion of the lease, or
• proceed to develop a lower bench in the floor of the existing
bench.
If the decision is made to open up the stage 2 development area,
this will add 3.0 hectares to the total area of un-rehabilitated
land. To comply with the mining lease schedules an area of 1.1
hectares will be rehabilitated. The topsoil and overburden from the
stage two area will be placed in low windrows on the land to the
far east of the mining lease. Geological mapping suggests
overburden will increase in thickness in this direction.
An area of rehabilitation of 1.1 hectares will be achieved by
rehabilitating the first bench face and a 6 metre wide bench on the
lower level using materials from the overburden and topsoil
windrows and rehabilitating the exposed ground. A mixture of native
shrubs and trees common to the region will be used and will develop
to screen the remaining portion of the stage one area and the stage
two production areas.
15.3 DECOMMISSIONING AND REHABILITATION The inferred resource is
estimated to be around 1 000 000 m3 for two 5 metre benches over
the entire stage one and stage two development areas. This gives a
quarry life of around 20 years at maximum production.
Once the source rock is exhausted the quarry site will be
completely rehabilitated. The final use will be grazing land
surrounded by faces and benches with native communities similar to
the surrounding remnant native vegetation.
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Part D Management
Commitments 25
TABLE 16: REHABILITATION AREAS
Rehabilitation area Description Area (ha) Vegetation cover
Stage 1 Face and bench on western side of Stage one.
1.1 Native community
Stage 2 Faces and bench on eastern side of Stage two
1.4 Native community
Stage 3 Floor of worked out quarry 4.3 Grazing pasture
PART D MANAGEMENT COMMITMENTS
Item Commitment Responsible When
1. A weed control program will be implemented on site to reduce
the abundance and prevent the spread of weeds.
Proponent Biennially
2. The sediment retention basin will be maintained to ensure
that the storage capacity is not reduced by more than half its
capacity
Proponent At least annually
3. A Hydrocarbon Spill Kit will be available for immediate
deployment in the event of a minor spill.
Proponent At all times
4. If a major spill occurs, oil contaminated soil will be
collected and disposed of to an appropriate disposal site.
Proponent As required
5. Dust conditions will be monitored and mitigation measures
applied to suppress dust when necessary.
Proponent As required
6. A maximum of two 205 litre oil drums will be stored on a
proprietary bunded drum pallet.
Proponent At all times.
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Part E Public
Consultation 26
PART E PUBLIC CONSULTATION In preparing this application the
Proponent has sought advice and consulted with the following
agencies:
• Environment Protection Authority (Assessments Section). •
Meander Valley Council (Planning Section), (Engineering Section). •
Mineral Resources Tasmania • Zinfra Group (Tasmania Gas Pipeline) •
Neighbours and Landowners adjacent to the site.
Other business owners and interested parties will be contacted
through the course of the assessment process.
The proposal to intensify the existing Westwood Quarry
increasing production to a maximum annual rate of 50 000 cubic
metres causes the activity to be assessed as a Level 2 Activity
under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act
1994.(EMPCA). EMPCA states the environmental impacts of a Level 2
Activity must be assessed by the Board of the Environment
Protection Authority and the application must be dealt with under
Section 57 of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPAA).
Section 57 of LUPAA requires the application to be presented for
public consultation.
16 REFERENCES B.O.M. (2016, March 31). Climate statistics for
Australian locations. Retrieved April 3, 2016, from
Bureau of Meteorology - Climate Data Online:
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_091237.shtml
CFEV database v1.0. (2005). Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystem
Values Project, Water Resources Division,. Tasmania: Department of
Primary Industries and Water.
D.P.I.P.W.E. (b). (2015, November 23). Natural Values Atlas
Report. Retrieved November 23, 2015, from Department of Primary
Industries Parks Water and Environmnet:
https://www.naturalvaluesatlas.tas.gov.au/
D.P.I.P.W.E. (2016, February). LIST Map. Retrieved April 3,
2016, from Land Information System of Tasmania:
http://maps.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/app/list/map
Derwent Estuary Program. (2012, October 20). Derwent Estuary
Program> Water Sensitive Urban Design: Engineering Procedures
for Stormwater Management in Sthn Tas. 2005. Retrieved October 20,
2012, from Derwent Estuary Program:
http://www.derwentestuary.org.au/folder.php?id=242
DPIWE. (1999). Quarry Code of Practice. Hobart: Department of
Primary Industries, Water and Environment.
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Meander Valley Interim
Planning Scheme 2013
27
17 MEANDER VALLEY INTERIM PLANNING SCHEME 2013
26 Rural Resource Zone
26.1.1 Zone Purpose Statements
26.1.1.1 To provide for the sustainable use or development of
resources for agriculture aquaculture, forestry, mining and other
primary industries including opportunities for resource
processing.
Westwood Quarry is an extractive (mining) operation consistent
with the primary zone purpose statement.
26.2 Use Table
Extractive industries area permitted except on prime
agricultural land or for a Level 2 Activity
Quarry is ‘discretionary’ as a result of being a Level 2
Activity.
26.3 Use Standards
26.3.1 Uses if not for a single dwelling
P1.1 Consistent with local area objectives Quarry is a primary
industry use.
P2.1 Uses on prime agricultural land Quarry is not located on
prime agricultural land.
P2.2 Uses other than utilities, extractive industries…
Quarry is an extractive industry
P3 a) demonstrate the area of non-prime agricultural land
converted is minimised.
The quarry conversion will be temporary the majority of the land
will be rehabilitated to non-prime agricultural land.
P3 b) site is incapable of supporting an agricultural use
The land has previously supported limited cropping and
grazing.
Limitations of the land include;
• thin topsoil with poor moisture holding characteristics,
• shallow weathered rock substrate creating stony conditions for
ploughing,
• exposed aspect causing early and complete drying.
P3 c) site is reasonably required for operational
efficiency.
The location of the quarry site is dictated by geology.
P4 a) demonstrate emissions will not cause environmental
nuisance
The Environment Protection Authority will evaluate the predicted
environmental emissions.
P4 b) other primary industry uses not constrained
Agricultural operations rely on quarries to supply essential
gravel products to farms. Quarry and
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Meander Valley Interim
Planning Scheme 2013
28
farming operations have similar emissions.
P4 c) local road network can sustain the use A Traffic Impact
Assessment demonstrates the road network canl sustain the quarry
operation.
P5 a) appearance does not impact on skylines Windrows arranged
to replicate the ridgeline landform as viewed from Bridgenorth Road
(see plate below).
b) visibility from public roads Windrows conceal quarry
operation from Bridgenorth Road.
c) visual impact of materials and equipment Windrows conceal
quarry operation from Bridgenorth Road.
d) visual impact of vegetation clearance Windrows will be
revegetated with pasture grass to resemble paddocks in
foreground.
e) desired future character statements Quarry is temporary and
the land will return to agricultural use at closure.
PLATE 1: QUARRY WINDROWS VIEWED FROM BRIDGENORTH ROAD
The quarry operation at times has an ex-shipping container
located on the site to accommodate parts and potentially allow
workers to get out of their machines on wet days. Sanitation is
provided by a relocatable toilet. No permanent structures or
buildings will be erected.
The container will be moved regularly to respond to changes in
the arrangement of the mobile equipment, extraction benches and
faces.
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Appendices 29
18 APPENDICES
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Appendices
18.1 APPENDIX 1 – TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT – RJK CONSULTING
ENGINEERS
-
REVISED TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Westwood Quarry Bridgenorth Road, Westwood
Prepared on behalf of Sunnyside Pastoral Pty Ltd Prepared By:
Risden Knightley BE (Civil), Ass Dip Civil Eng, MIEAust, CC 2539X
PO Box 128, Prospect 7250 Mobile: 0400 642469 Fax: 6343 1668 Email:
[email protected]
-
15/16 TAS 199
RJK CONSULTING ENGINEERS 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Pg 3 Location Pg 5 Classification
Pg 7 Response to Meander Valley Council Planning Scheme Pg 8
Conclusion Pg 11
-
15/16 TAS 199
RJK CONSULTING ENGINEERS 3
INTRODUCTION A proposal is being sought to extend the current
mining lease at 2355 Bridgenorth Road from its current level 1
activity of extraction limited to 4,500m3 to a level 2 activity
with a maximum annual limit of 50,000m3 of processed product.
In accordance with section E4 Road and Railway Assets Code of
the Meander Valley Interim Planning Scheme, a traffic report is
required as part of the documentation for the proposal. RJK
Consulting Engineers have been engaged to undertake a traffic
impact assessment, to determine the impact of the increased
operation may have on the surrounding area.
A site inspection was carried out on 24th March, 2016. Following
discussions with Council’s Director Infrastructure Services, Mr
Dino De Paoli, a revised report is presented. This revised report
assumes that traffic volumes are for the total production rate of
50,000m3 and does not consider past production. The estimated
cartage is also based on optomised production output using the
current plant on site.
Objectives
The key objectives of the report are:
� Review of the existing road environment in the vicinity of the
site and the traffic conditions on the road network.
� Provision of information on the proposed development with
regards to traffic movements and activity.
� Identification of the traffic generation potential of the
proposal with respect to the surrounding road network in terms of
road network capacity.
� Traffic implications of the proposal with respect to the
external road network in terms of traffic efficiency, road safety
and Planning Scheme requirements.
Project Scope
This report (including all associated mapping and information)
relates only to the area identified in the following map.
-
15/16 TAS 199
RJK CONSULTING ENGINEERS 4
Figure 1 - Listmap reference of location
Figure 2 - Aerial photograph of location
The outcomes have been developed based on the resources
available. The report provides recommendations relating to
site-specific investigations and detailed design.
-
15/16 TAS 199
RJK CONSULTING ENGINEERS 5
LOCATION The current quarry operation is located within the
pastoral property owned and operated by Sunnyside Pastoral Pty Ltd.
The quarry is accessed by an internal road system with all general
access from the site utilising the existing farm access point on
Bridgenorth Road. This access point is situated approximately 1.3
kilometres along Bridgenorth Road from the intersection with
Westwood Road. The access point occurs on the outer 90-degree bend
of a corner and provides sight distance of 600 metres to the west
and 189 metres to the south. The road speed limit is 100km/hr
however the corner is speed reduced sign posted to 35 km/hr due to
the corner geometry.
The road leading up to the subject site is approximately 5.5
metres wide, sealed and has large open drains each side. In
addition to this the site is located at the change in grade from a
downward profile to a flat section of road. The road passed the
access point is maintained by Meander Valley Council.
The land could be described as rolling countryside. At present,
the land is in use as pasture/ agriculture and a working dairy.
Road frontage could be termed typical rural with unsealed
shoulders, open swail drains and a sealed pavement width that
varies between 5 metres to 5.5 metres. Limited signage is afforded
to motorists on the stretch of road. No lighting was present due to
the rural nature.
Figure 3 – Site Distance to the South
-
15/16 TAS 199
RJK CONSULTING ENGINEERS 6
Figure 4 – Site Distance to the West
Figure 5 – Access Point
-
15/16 TAS 199
RJK CONSULTING ENGINEERS 7
Figure 6 – Cautionary Sign indicating 35km/hr Corner
The designated state speed limit for this location is 100 km/hr,
however the 85% speed has been assessed as being between 75 to 30
km/hr north bound heading into the corner from Westwood Road due to
the corner configuration and 75 to 50 km/hr southbound heading into
the corner and further onto Westwood Road. The variance in the road
speed limits is due to the nature of the road geometry heading into
and out of the corner where the access point is located.
Access to the site is via a gravel surface some 5.5 metres
widening to 7.5 metres. At the intersection with Bridgenorth Road
the throat access width is some 20 to 25 metres (dependent on the
width of the through traffic lanes and the curve radius taken). No
gate access is provided. Travel paths from the quarry are
approximately 50/50 north and south.
CLASSIFICATION
Bridgenorth Road is classified as a local road. Traffic counts
in this vicinity indicate AADT volumes of an average of
approximately 230 vehicles per day, taking into account seasonal
variance. (MVC Traffic Counts 2009) Existing road safety
deficiencies can be highlighted through the examination of existing
crash history. Accident records indicate there have been no
reported crashes in the past 5 years within the vicinity of the
access point on Bridgenorth
-
15/16 TAS 199
RJK CONSULTING ENGINEERS 8
Road. This suggests that the speed environment for this road is
acceptable and that no safety issues are present to motorists.
Traffic Generation The proposal is to extend the quarry production
life and volume to meet supplier demand. Indications are immediate
demand is some 10,000m3 with this growing to 50,000m3. Cartage will
be by existing rigid trucks and rigid trucks with trailers.
Existing access to the dairy will remain as current with no
increase in traffic and therefore has not been considered in this
assessment. Following discussions with the quarry owner, no
additional extraction/screening machinery is intended to be used
other than what currently is in practise. Based on this
information, the current machinery will be ramped up to maximise
its likely production output. This production output will be in the
order of 5,300m3
per month. This equates to 8,480 tonnes per month. Utilising a 5
day cartage cycle (Monday to Friday) this equals 424 tonnes per
day. Truck cartage will be in load capacities of 28 tonnes which
equates to 16 loads per day. Together with an allowance for a
quarry workforce of 2 people (4 traffic movements each employee),
this suggests a peak AADT of some 40 vehicles per day.
RESPONSE TO MEANDER VALLEY COUNCIL INTERIM PLANNING SCHEME E 4
Road & Railway Assets Code Assessment in accordance with
code indicates. E 4.6.1 Use and road or rail infrastructure
To ensure that the safety and efficiency of road and rail
infrastructure is not reduced by the creation of new accesses and
junctions or increased use of existing accesses and junctions.
-
15/16 TAS 199
RJK CONSULTING ENGINEERS 9
Response:
The 10% value of the current traffic is 25, based on the 2009
traffic counts with a 1% per annum growth factor to equate this to
2016 figures. The current estimated daily flow predicted from the
quarry is some 40 vehicles per day which exceeds the 10% by 15
vehicles per day. Based on an 8 hour operation this is an
additional 2 vehicles per hour.
Upon assessment as no crash history is noted, SISD is
acceptable, the increase is not considered detrimental and that
there will be no loss of level of service. As such the operations
rely upon P3 (c).
E 4.7.1 Development on and adjacent to Existing and Future
Arterial
Roads and Railways
To ensure that development on or adjacent to class 1 or 2 roads
(outside 60km/h), railways and future roads and railways is managed
to: a) ensure the safe and efficient operation of roads and
railways; and b) allow for future road and rail widening,
realignment and upgrading; and c) avoid undesirable interaction
between roads and railways and other use or development
Response: As the accesses are greater than 50 metres from a
Category 1
and Category 2 road the proposal meets the acceptable solution
A1.
E 4.7.2 Management of Road Access and Junctions
To ensure that the safety and efficiency of roads is not reduced
by the creation of new accesses and junctions or increased use of
existing accesses and junctions
-
15/16 TAS 199
RJK CONSULTING ENGINEERS 10
Response: As outlined in the plan, the proposal is to utilise
the existing access driveway and therefore the Acceptable Solution
A1 of E4.7.2 is met.
E4.7.3 Management of Rail Level Crossings Not Applicable E4.7.4
Sight Distance at Accesses, Junctions and Level Crossings
To ensure that use and development involving or adjacent to
accesses, junctions and level crossings allows sufficient sight
distance between vehicles and between vehicles and trains to enable
safe movement of traffic
Response: The Planning Scheme SISD values are based on the
measured 85th percentile speed values for the frontage road. Based
on the visual estimated 85th percentile speeds at the site
(75km/hr), the planning scheme requires SISD values of 148 metres.
Available SISD exceeds this minimum value in both directions and
therefore the Acceptable Solution of E4.7.4 of the Planning Scheme
is met. It is noted that the 85% is subjective for this site
however due to the cautionary signage indicating a 35km/hr corner
and the observation of traffic, this percentile is fairly
representative of the site.
-
15/16 TAS 199
RJK CONSULTING ENGINEERS 11
CONCLUSION Assessment of the proposed development indicates: No
significant road safety impacts are foreseen for the proposed
development. The traffic impact assessment indicates that the daily
vehicles will be an increase of 16% rather than the acceptable 10%.
This is an additional 15 cars per day above the allowable 10% of 25
cars. As such we conclude the following:
• The surrounding road transport network is capable of absorbing
the relatively small estimated traffic generation of the proposed
development.
• Sight distance at the access exceeds Planning Scheme
requirements and therefore provides a safe access environment. This
is based on the 85% being 75km/hr.
• The crash history of the surrounding road network near the
subject site does not indicate that there are any specific road
safety issues that are likely to be exacerbated by traffic
generated by the proposed development.
Revised May 2016
-
Westwood Quarry Upgrade – Environmental Effects Report 22 April
2016
Integrated Land Management and Planning | Appendices
18.2 APPENDIX 2 – UNANTICIPATED DISCOVERY PLAN – ABORIGINAL
HERITAGE TASMANIA
-
Unanticipated Discovery Plan For proponents and consultants
dealing with Aboriginal
Heritage in Tasmania
Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania
Natural and Cultural Heritage Division
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and
Environment
This paper provides a Plan that should be followed when dealing
with unanticipated discoveries of
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage such as sites and objects. The plan
provides guidance to project
personnel so that they may meet their obligations with respect
to Aboriginal heritage in accordance
with the Aboriginal Relics Act 1975 and the Coroners Act
1995.
The Unanticipated Discovery Plan is in two sections. The first
section primarily explains
mitigation strategies that should be employed when any
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage sites or
items are discovered excluding skeletal remains (burials), while
the second process deals
specifically with skeletal remains (burials).
Discovery of Cultural Heritage Items
Step 1: Any person who believes they have uncovered Aboriginal
Cultural Heritage material should
notify all employees or contractors that are working in the
immediate area that all earth
disturbance works must cease immediately.
Step 2: A temporary ‘no-go’ or buffer zone of at least 10m x 10m
should be implemented to
protect the suspected Aboriginal Cultural Heritage site or
relics. No unauthorised entry or works will be allowed within this
‘no-go’ zone until the suspected Aboriginal Cultural
Heritage relics have been assessed by a recognised Aboriginal
Heritage Practitioner.
Step 3: Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania (AHT) in Hobart (ph 6165
3152) needs to be notified and
consulted as soon as possible and informed of the discovery. AHT
will then provide further
advice in accordance with the Aboriginal Relics Act 1975.
Discovery of Skeletal Material
Step 1: Call the Police immediately. Under no circumstances
should the suspected skeletal remains
be touched or disturbed. The area must now be considered a crime
scene. It is a criminal
offence to interfere with a crime scene.
Step 2: Any person who believes they have uncovered skeletal
material should notify all employees
or contractors that are working in the immediate area that all
earth disturbance works
must cease immediately.
Step 3: A temporary ‘no-go’ or buffer zone of at least 50m x 50m
should be implemented to
protect the suspected skeletal remains. No unauthorised entry or
works will be allowed
within this no-go’ zone until the suspected skeletal remains
have been assessed by the
Police and or Coroner.
Step 4: Should the skeletal remains be determined to be of
Aboriginal origin, the Coroner will
contact an Aboriginal organisation approved by the
Attorney-General, as per the Coroners
Act 1995.
-
Unanticipated Discovery Plan
Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania
Natural and Cultural Heritage Division
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and
Environment
Guide to the most common sites types in Tasmania.
Stone Artefact Scatters
A stone artefact is any stone or rock which has been modified by
Aboriginal people. Often this is
the result of fracturing or ‘flaking’ fine grained rocks to
produce sharp cutting or scrapping
implements. The most common stone types utilised by Tasmanian
Aboriginal people are silcrete and
chert, on account of their availability and excellent tool
making properties. However we also find
hornfels, chalcedony, spongelite, quartzite and other stone
types where locally available.
In Tasmania, stone artefacts are typically recorded as being
‘isolated’ (i.e. only one) or in a ‘scatter’
(i.e. two or more within a 50m radius). Stone artefacts are
found all over Tasmania, in all landscapes
and situations, and are the most basic indicator of Aboriginal
occupation.
Shell Middens
Middens are occupational deposits created through an
accumulation of debris from human activity.
Midden sites can range in size from large mounds to small
scatters of shell. The most common
shellfish species found in middens in Tasmania are abalone,
oyster, mussel, warrener and limpet,
however they can also contain other debris such as animal bone,
charcoal from campfires and
discarded tools made from stone, shell or bone These sites are
usually found near waterways and
coastal areas.
Rockshelters
Caves and rock overhangs which bear signs of human activity are,
for the purpose of the Aboriginal
Heritage Register (AHR), collectively called occupied rock
shelters. Aboriginal people utilised these
places for shelter, ceremony and other cultural practices,
leaving behind occupational deposits such
as middens and hearths, tools, or in some cases, rock markings.
Rock shelters are usually found
where the geology is conducive to the formation of caves and
rock overhangs.
Quarries or Stone Procurement Sites
A quarry is a place where material has been extracted from a
natural outcrop by Aboriginal people.
The two types of quarry recorded on the AHR are stone and ochre;
each typically being located
wherever suitable ochre for painting and decoration, or stone
for tool-making appear. Quarries can
be recognised by evidence of human manipulation, and by the
debris left behind from processing the
material. Quarries can be extensive or discrete, depending on
the size and quality of the outcrop,
and how often it was utilised and visited.
Rock Marking
Rock marking is the term used in Tasmania to define markings on
rocks, which are the result of
Aboriginal practices. Rock markings come in two forms; engraving
and painting. Engravings are made
by removing the surface of a rock through pecking, abrading or
grinding, whilst paintings are made
by adding pigment or ochre to the surface of a rock.
Burials
Burial sites are highly sensitive places. They can occur
anywhere, and have previously been recorded
in sand dunes, shell middens and rock shelters.
Table of ContentsFiguresTablesPlatesPart A - Proponent
DetailsPart B – Project Description1 Description of Project1.1
Extraction1.2 Processing1.3 Cartage
2 Project Area2.1 Project site
3 Map and site plan3.1 Site works
4 Rationale and alternativesPart C Potential environmental
effects1 Flora and Fauna1.1 Flora values1.2 Fauna values
2 Rivers creeks wetlands and estuaries2.1 Erosion and sediment
control2.1.1 Stormwater runoff calculations
2.2 Hydrocarbons
3 Significant areas4 Air emissions5 Liquid effluent6 Solid
waste7 Noise emissions8 Transport impacts9 Other off-site impacts10
Hazardous substances and chemicals11 Site contamination12
Sustainability and climate change13 Cultural heritage14 Sites of
high public interest15 Rehabilitation15.1 Immediate
rehabilitation15.2 Progressive rehabilitation15.3 Decommissioning
and rehabilitation
Part D Management CommitmentsPart E Public Consultation16
References17 Meander Valley Interim Planning Scheme 201318
Appendices18.1 Appendix 1 – Traffic Impact Assessment – RJK
Consulting Engineers18.2 Appendix 2 – Unanticipated Discovery Plan
– Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania