Memo
To: Andrew Sheed
From: Nathan Cooper
Subject: Waratah Super Battery Project – Pre-clearing Survey
Our ref: PS135673-NEW-ECO-MEM-001 RevB
Date: 2 July 2023
1. Introduction
The New South Wales (NSW) Government, through the Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo), is developing the ‘Waratah Super Battery’ (the project) to ensure NSW continues to have reliable and affordable energy supplies following the planned closure of the Eraring Power Station in 2025. EnergyCo appointed Akaysha Energy to develop and construct the Battery Energy Storage System.
Following approval of the project Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP), Akaysha Energy engaged WSP to undertake a pre-clearing inspection of the project subject land (construction footprint). The pre-clearing inspection and assessment for the potential for impacts upon ecological values during proposed works requiring the removal of native vegetation was completed on Monday 5 June 2023. This memorandum details the ecological assessment for commencing vegetation clearing works during the June to November clearing exclusion period.
2. Methods
The subject land was assessed on the ground by two qualified WSP ecologists to implement the pre-clearing inspection requirements detailed in Section 5.3.3 and Section 5.3.3.1 of the BMP. As vegetation clearing works are now proposed during the June to November clearing exclusion period, the pre-clearing inspection was also used to determine the presence of important ecological values; specifically:
The presence of important breeding or torpor habitat
The presence of man-made structures potentially suitable for microbat habitation.
Level 3, 51-55 Bolton St
Newcastle NSW 2300
PO Box 1162
Newcastle NSW 2300
Tel: +61 2 4929 8300
Fax: +61 2 4929 8382
www.wsp.com
WSP acknowledges that every project we work on takes place on First Peoples lands. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the first scientists and engineers and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
3. Results
Most of the subject land has been cleared previously and offers no opportunity for native flora or fauna under the conditions observed during the site visit (Photo 3.1). Nevertheless, small residual patches of vegetation occur at several locations and ecological effort was focused on these areas. Residual vegetation was confined to three broad areas:
1. Residual patches of vegetation in the north-west (around the construction compound)
2. The fence line along the south-western boundary of the subject land
3. Residual vegetation in the far southern corner.
3.1 North-west vegetation patches
The north-west vegetation was made up of several small patches largely dominated by landscape plantings with the understory made up of exotic weeds. Some native vegetation was present in the canopy strata (Red Bloodwood – one individual, Broad-leaved Paperbark – one individual, Black She-oak – several individuals), but no trees were of sufficient size to develop hollows. One small patch of vegetation, the canopy of which was dominated by Radiata Pine (Pinus radiata), retained an understory dominated by native plants with weeds dominating the outer edges (Photo 3.2). A small dam at the north-eastern end of the area is to be retained but its surrounding vegetation was dominated by exotic weeds with some retention of occasional native plant regrowth (immature), including Acacia longifolia ssp. longifolia and Broad-leaved Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquinervia). Within the dam a single frog species was heard calling, being Common Eastern Froglet (Crinia signifera).
The north-west patches of vegetation represent very meagre habitat opportunities for native fauna, which is limited to small seasonal flushes of blossom from the single Red Bloodwood and the single Broad-leaved Paperbark. There were no habitats assessed as being of sufficient quality for local species of threatened flora.
3.2 South-west boundary fence
The south-west boundary fence separates the disturbed and managed area of the subject land from native vegetation communities occurring over the boundary line to the south-west (Photo 3.3). On the south-western side of the boundary fence, a wellmaintained dirt road, some 5-6 metres in width, separates the fence line vegetation from the native vegetation communities outside the subject land. Residual vegetation along the fence is largely managed by slashing, but immature and ground cover plants occur along the fence’s edge. A relatively wide range of plants occur in this very narrow strip with exotic trees and grasses dominating and occasional native plants occurring within the weeds. Native plant numbers increased at the north-western end of the fence line, but not at the expense of exotic plant dominance. There are no trees occurring along the fence line and the vegetation is insufficient for supporting fauna in general. The fence line habitats contain no suitable habitat for threatened native flora or fauna.
3.3 Southern corner
The southern corner contains remnant native vegetation with moderate age canopy elements dominated by native trees species in common with native vegetation communities beyond the site boundary fence (Photo 3.4). Canopy trees in order of density included, Narrow-leaved Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus racemosa), Red Bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera), Thin-leaved Stringybark (E. eugenioides) and Broad-leaved Paperbark. Although the trees were of sufficient age to produce hollows, a thorough search found no hollows and two indentations in trees were closely investigated and found to be blind.
The understorey included a number of native plants, but the whole area, including areas not retaining canopy, was dominated by exotic grasses and herbaceous plants. The quality of habitats in the southern corner was not sufficient to provide habitat for locally occurring threatened fauna species.
3.4 Threatened fauna
Two threatened fauna species were observed during the site visit in habitats surrounding the subject land, White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) and Eastern Osprey (Pandion cristatus). Both species were observed to the north of the subject land and assessment of the site found no opportunities for foraging or breeding for either species, due to a lack of suitable habitat.
4. Ecological assessment for clearing during the exclusion period
Vegetation clearing works for the project are proposed within the June to November period when the BMP sets forth that vegetation clearing will be avoided. Nevertheless, Section 5.3.3 of the BMP also allows for an ecologist to provide written assessment to justify clearing activities in the exclusion period (i.e., no impact to breeding or torpor habitat). The written assessment must be made available to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment prior to the works.
The pre-clearing inspection identified that vegetation remaining within the subject land did not contain hollow-bearing trees or nests that might otherwise provide breeding or torpor habitat. Further, it was observed that coal handling infrastructure previously associated with the site had been successfully demolished under DA/413/2014 and Akaysha Energy had taken custody of a remediated site. A corollary includes that there were no man-made structures requiring demolition that could potentially contain roosting habitat for microbats (Photo 3.1).
5. Conclusion
The small residual patches of vegetation that remained in the subject land did not contain resources suitable for local breeding or torpor habitat. The lack of important habitat attributes suggest that it is not justified waiting until December 2023 to clear the small and isolated patches of vegetation. It is considered that vegetation clearing works can be completely safely during the nominated exclusion period without impacting breeding or torpor habitat. Appropriate ecologist supervision will still occur to ensure any arising ecological matters are appropriately addressed and handled to ensure protection of important biodiversity.
If you require any additional information, please contact the undersigned.
Nathan Cooper Principal Ecologist