❓ A parliamentary question regarding the lack of environmental impact assessment for Carnarvon flood mitigation works and potential impacts on endangered species and sensitive ecosystems. The Minister acknowledges the impacts and outlines basic mitigation plans.
AnsweredQoN 112Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In regard to construction of the Carnarvon Flood Mitigation Works under the
Water Agencies Power Act 1984
, including the construction of four levees and associated drainage works, I ask:
(a) was an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the area to be impacted carried out prior to construction being commenced;
(b) if yes to (a), what level of assessment was applied and what conditions are in place;
(c) if no to (a), why not;
(d) is the Minister aware that the excavation of soil from the Lawson Street Borrow Areas 1 and 2 and Nickol Bay Borrow Areas 1 and 2 and the construction of adjacent levee banks will cause changes to the flow of rainwater onto the wetland, thus disturbing the breeding ground of the Australian Painted Snipe (
Rostratula australis
), a species listed as ‘rare or likely to become extinct’ in Western Australia under the
Wildlife Conservation Act 1950
and ‘vulnerable’ under the Commonwealth
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
;
(e) if no to (d), why not;
(f) if yes to (d), what plans exist to mitigate the impacts of the earthworks and rehabilitate the area so it still functions as a natural ecosystem;
(g) is the Minister aware that the creation of borrow pits, levees and associated drainage will causes changes to the hydrology of the McNeill Claypan (Nickol Bay) that will threaten the survival of a demographically isolated population of Eremophila laanii located on the claypan surface and an isolated and vegetatively propagating relic clump of Owenia acidula located on the southern sand dune margin of the claypan;
(h) if no to (g), why not; and
(i) if yes to (g), what plans exist to mitigate the effects of the earthworks and protect these populations?
Water Agencies Power Act 1984
, including the construction of four levees and associated drainage works, I ask:
(a) was an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the area to be impacted carried out prior to construction being commenced;
(b) if yes to (a), what level of assessment was applied and what conditions are in place;
(c) if no to (a), why not;
(d) is the Minister aware that the excavation of soil from the Lawson Street Borrow Areas 1 and 2 and Nickol Bay Borrow Areas 1 and 2 and the construction of adjacent levee banks will cause changes to the flow of rainwater onto the wetland, thus disturbing the breeding ground of the Australian Painted Snipe (
Rostratula australis
), a species listed as ‘rare or likely to become extinct’ in Western Australia under the
Wildlife Conservation Act 1950
and ‘vulnerable’ under the Commonwealth
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
;
(e) if no to (d), why not;
(f) if yes to (d), what plans exist to mitigate the impacts of the earthworks and rehabilitate the area so it still functions as a natural ecosystem;
(g) is the Minister aware that the creation of borrow pits, levees and associated drainage will causes changes to the hydrology of the McNeill Claypan (Nickol Bay) that will threaten the survival of a demographically isolated population of Eremophila laanii located on the claypan surface and an isolated and vegetatively propagating relic clump of Owenia acidula located on the southern sand dune margin of the claypan;
(h) if no to (g), why not; and
(i) if yes to (g), what plans exist to mitigate the effects of the earthworks and protect these populations?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 August 2013
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Water
Response time
55 days
(a) No.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) The proposed flood
mitigation works was referred to the Environmental Protection Authority
which advised that a formal assessment was not required.
(d) Yes.
(e) Not applicable.
(f) Fence off certain areas
of flora and fauna that may be impacted during construction and carry out
appropriate rehabilitation when the works are completed.
(g)
Yes.
(h) Not applicable.
(i) Fence off the areas of
vegetation that may be impacted by construction of the borrow pits,
levees and associated drainage works and carry out appropriate
rehabilitation when the works are completed.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) The proposed flood
mitigation works was referred to the Environmental Protection Authority
which advised that a formal assessment was not required.
(d) Yes.
(e) Not applicable.
(f) Fence off certain areas
of flora and fauna that may be impacted during construction and carry out
appropriate rehabilitation when the works are completed.
(g)
Yes.
(h) Not applicable.
(i) Fence off the areas of
vegetation that may be impacted by construction of the borrow pits,
levees and associated drainage works and carry out appropriate
rehabilitation when the works are completed.
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