Landscape Management Plan. South Keswick Solar Farm

Transcription

1 Landscape Management Plan FEBRUARY 2017

2 Document Verification Project Title: Landscape Plan Project Contractor: Bouygues Construction Australia Pty Ltd Project Number: Project File Name: Landscape Management Plan Revision Date Prepared by (name) Reviewed by (name) Approved by (name) Draft v1 19 Jan 17 M Sutherland Draft V2 19 Jan 17 M Sutherland Draft V3 25 Jan 17 M Sutherland Draft V4 15 Feb 17 L Hamilton M Sutherland M Sutherland Draft V5 16 Feb 17 L Hamilton M Sutherland M Sutherland Final V1 20 Feb 17 L Hamilton M Sutherland M Sutherland Final V2 01 Mar 17 L Hamilton Plan Control The latest version of this plan will be available on the electronic database for the Project for all Project personnel. Distribution of the plan will be to those detailed in the distribution listing below. This distribution will be by hard copy or electronically via . Copy Number Issued To Date Name 1 Department of Planning and Environment 2 Project Manager 3 Environmental Representative 4 Site Environmental Manager 5 nghenvironmental prints all documents on environmentally sustainable paper including paper made from bagasse (a by-product of sugar production) or recycled paper. NGH Environmental is a registered trading name of NGH Environmental Pty Ltd; CAN: ABN: Landscape Management Plan i

3 Contents ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS... IV 1 INTRODUCTION CONTEXT BACKGROUND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS OVERVIEW PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES PURPOSE OBJECTIVES TARGETS ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS RELEVANT LEGISLATION AND GUIDELINES Legislation Guidelines and standards CONSULTATION EXISTING ENVIRONMENT THE SITE SOILS ONSITE PLANTINGS LOCATION SPECIES DENSITY AND PLANTING METHODS ESTABLISHMENT AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS ASSET PROTECTION ZONE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS AND IMPACTS IMPACTS ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL MEASURES COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TRAINING MONITORING AND INSPECTION AUDITING REPORTING Landscape Management Plan ii

4 10 REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENT CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT LMP UPDATE AND AMENDMENT Tables Table 1 Summary of soil properties... 6 Table 2 Planting location details... 7 Table 3 Air quality management and mitigation measures... 8 Table 4 Monitoring program Appendices Appendix A site map Appendix B pesticide use record Appendix C planting Schedules Appendix D- Consultation.15 Landscape Management Plan iii

5 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS AHIMS CEMP CoA Council DP&E Aboriginal Heritage Management Information System Construction Environmental Management Plan Condition of Approval Dubbo Regional Council (NSW) Department of Planning and Environment SEE Statement of Environmental Effects 2016 EEC EPA Endangered Ecological Community Environment Protection Authority EP&A Act Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 EPBC Act EPL ESR EWMS Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwth) Environmental Protection Licence Environmental Site Representative Environmental Work Method Statements FM Act Fisheries Management Act 1994 LMP NOW OEH PESCP PE PM Project, the Project site SoC Landscape Management Plan NSW Office of Water Office of Environment and Heritage Progressive Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Project Engineer Project Manager 20L Sheraton Road Dubbo Revised Statement of Commitments included in the Submissions Report Landscape Management Plan iv

6 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 CONTEXT This Landscape Management Plan (LMP) forms part of the Construction Environmental Management Strategy (CEMS) for (the Project). This LMP has been prepared to address the requirements of the mitigation and management measures listed in the Neoen Australia Electricity Generating Works Statement of Environmental Effects and the Conditions of Approval from the Joint Western Planning Panel (2016WES007). 1.2 BACKGROUND The Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) assessed the impacts of the Project on visual amenity. The conditions of approval (CoA s) issued by Joint Western Planning Panel detail the requirements of the LMP. CoA 27 States: A detailed Landscape Plan of the whole development site shall be submitted to and approved by Council prior to the release of any Construction Certificate. The Landscape Plan shall in particular provide details of: Setback of landscaping from the solar panels and property boundaries; Evidence of how the landscaping conforms to the requirements of the Asset Protection Zone (APZ) as stipulated in condition 25; The height of plantings at the time of planting (being of advanced stock); Species planted; and Nature of irrigation to be used. The landscaping shall have a minimum mature height of 3 m utilising deep rooted, water tolerant, native plant species endemic to the Dubbo local area. The landscaping shall be provided around the perimeter of the development as shown on the stamped approved plans and maintained for the life of the project. Council s Parks and Landcare Division should be consulted on the type of species chosen. Such landscaping shall at a minimum be undertaken progressively in stages to correlate with the construction of adjacent solar panel(s). In this regard, landscaping shall be completed prior to the issue of the Occupation Certificate for the adjacent solar panel(s). {Reason: To improve the amenity of the development and to minimise the impact of glare to neighbouring property and roadways} CoA 25 States: An Asset Protection Zone (APZ) of minimum width of 10 m shall be provided around the building complex, transformer compound and the outside perimeter of the PV modules. The APZ shall be provided and maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006 guidelines for the life of the subject development. Such APZ may be implemented as managed land where by the required minimum width of 10 m is provided as one or a combination of the following: (a) The existing grassland vegetation is maintained in a low fuel condition by regularly mowing to achieve a nominal height no greater than 100 mm; and/or 1

7 (b) Maintained lawns; and/or (c) Gravel or sealed hardstand area. The relevant APZ shall be established prior to the issue of each applicable building s Occupation Certificate(s). {Reason: Council requirement in consideration of the Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006 guidelines to assist in the protection of the development s infrastructure from grassland fires} 1.3 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS OVERVIEW The overall Environmental Management System (EMS) for the Project is described in the Construction Environmental Management Strategy (CEMS). The LMP is part of the Bouygues Construction Australia Pty Ltd Australia Pty Ltd environmental management framework for the Project, as described in the CEMS. Relevant management measures identified in this Plan will be incorporated into Work Method Statements (WMS) outlined in the CEMS. All Bouygues Construction Australia Pty Ltd personnel and sub-contractors undertaking a task governed by a WMS must have signed that they have participated in training on the WMS, and that they have read and understood their obligations prior to commencing work. Used together, the CEMS, management measures in Error! Reference source not found., procedures and W MS form management guides that clearly identify required environmental management actions for reference by Bouygues Construction Australia Pty Ltd personnel and contractors. The review and document control processes for this Plan are described in the CEMS. Landscape Management Plan 2

8 2 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES 2.1 PURPOSE The purpose of this Plan is to describe how the Bouygues Construction Australia Pty Ltd proposes to manage Landscaping of the Project. 2.2 OBJECTIVES The key objective of the LMP is to ensure that landscaping is planned and completed as required by the planning approval. To achieve this objective, Bouygues Construction Australia Pty Ltd will undertake the following: Facilitate consultation with Council regarding landscaping of the project Ensure appropriate planning, controls and procedures are implemented during construction to facilitate the preparation and completion of landscape area. Ensure appropriate measures are implemented to address the CoA Ensure appropriate measures are implemented to comply with all relevant legislation and other requirements as described in Section 3.1 of this Plan 2.3 TARGETS The following targets have been established for the management of Aboriginal cultural heritage and non- Aboriginal heritage impacts during construction of the Project: Ensure full compliance with this approved Landscape Management Plan Minimise or avoid impacts on site vegetation Implement weed control strategies prior to and during construction and operation. After five years the noxious weed cover in planted areas would be less than 10%. Ensure landscaping is maintained to achieve the requirements of the plan. After five years the trees and shrubs would be at least 90% of the planted population. A mixture of tube stock and advanced stock are to be established from seed collected in or endemic to the local area (100km radius). Height of plantings at time of planting will be recorded. Avoid disturbance to the Aboriginal artefacts areas as identified in the Assessment and shown on the approved site plan, unless prior approval has been sought. 3

9 3 ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS 3.1 RELEVANT LEGISLATION AND GUIDELINES Legislation Legislation relevant to air quality management includes: NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPW Act) NSW Pesticides Regulation 1995 Relevant provisions of the legislation are explained in the register of legal requirements in the CEMS Guidelines and standards The main guidelines, specifications and policy documents relevant to this Plan include: AS Soils for landscaping and garden use AS 2303:2015 Tree stock for landscape use 4 CONSULTATION Consultation for the preparation of this plan was undertaken in with the Dubbo Regional Council. Consultation included a written invitation to raise issues relating to the preparation of the LMP. The draft plan was forwarded to Dubbo Regional Council for comment on the 20/01/17. A response was received from Dubbo Regional Council on the 24/01/17. Those comments were considered and where reasonable and feasible addressed within the plan (Appendix D). 5 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT The following sections summarise what is known about Project area. 5.1 THE SITE The proposal site is an L shape and comprises approximately 36 ha of freehold land, the norther part of Lots 21, DP The site is about 6km south east of Dubbo and generally flat. It has a fall of up to 15 metres to the south and south west and is currently used for both cropping and grazing purposes. The site is based on a volcanic basalt geology and is within the Wongarbon landscape unit. Low undulating hills and rises with some stony hillocks. Elevations on site range between m above sea level. Slopes gently inclined (3-8%) and m long. Local relief ranges between m. Drainage lines are m apart. The native vegetation prior to clearing and agricultural development comprised Open-woodland dominated by a White-Box, Yellow-Box, White Cypress Pine association. White box occupies the upper slopes, with white cypress pine on stony, shallow ridges and yellow box and fuzzy box on lower slopes. Within the project site, lone paddock trees remain including; two White Cypress (Callitris glaucophylla) to 4

10 the west (Figure 1) and scattered Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) and Kurrajong trees (Brachychiton populneus) in the eastern portion of the site. Figure 1 Remanent White Cypress to the west of the project site. Figure 2 Kurrajong tree and Yellow Box in the back ground. Examples of trees remaining in the eastern portion of the site Landscape Management Plan 5

11 5.2 SOILS Euchrozems The topsoil is a dark reddish-brown clay loam to light clay; strong structure (fine blocky to polyhedral); ph 6.0; to 15 cm depth. A gradual change to subsoil with strongly structured, dark reddish-brown light to medium clay; ph Changing at 40 cm to reddish-brown to dark red light to medium clay; strong polyhedral to prismatic structure; ph ranges from Calcium carbonate often occurs at depth (80 to 100 cm). Red cracking clays The topsoil is a self-mulching, reddish-brown medium clay; strong fine blocky structure; some calcium carbonate nodules; ph 8.5; to 10 cm depth. Gradually changes to subsoil of reddish-brown heavy clay; strong structure (coarse lenticular breaking to moderate blocky or prismatic) and soft calcium carbonate concretions; ph 8.5; to greater than 100 cm. Brown cracking clays The topsoil is a self-mulching brown medium clay; strong fine polyhedral peds with small CaCO 3 nodules; ph 8.5. Irregular, gradual boundary at 8 cm. Subsoil of brown heavy clay; strong prismatic structure (50 to 100 mm size peds) with very shiny ped faces; soft CaCO 3 nodules present; grading to coarse (150 to 200 mm size peds), lenticular structure below 40 to 50 cm depth. ph is 8.5 and remains at this at 100 cm. Table 1 Summary of soil properties Landscape Management Plan 6

12 6 ONSITE PLANTINGS Planting would be as required by the CoA s in the form of boundary planting around the solar farm. 6.1 LOCATION The planting areas are identified (Appendix A) along the boundaries of the site. Selected areas of the boundary are required to be planted (Table 2). All plantings will be set back at a minimum of 10 meters from the solar panels where feasible in response to the requirements of the asset protection zone (APZ)(Section 6.5). Area ID General Location Length Estimate (m) A Northern boundary 1853 B Eastern Boundary 320 D Western boundary 293 Table 2. Planting location details 6.2 SPECIES The species for use as screen planting would be endemic to the area to enhance the existing landscape character and be a continuation of the existing native vegetation. The native remnants remaining in the locality are White Box Yellow Box Blakely s Red Gum Woodland (Box Gum Woodland) EEC. In many locations the groundcover is exotic. Representative species selected for the planting to provide an effective natural visual screen include: White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla) White box (Eucalyptus albens) Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) Hickory Wattle (Acacia implexa) Whitewood (Atalaya hemiglauca) Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) These species were selected based on their growth characteristics, including height and form. In addition, these species reflect the species of the Box Gum Woodland EEC. The tree and shrubs selected will enhance the complexity and diversity of native flora at the site currently dominated by over story species. No groundcover planting is proposed. The groundcover across the site is exotic weeds or crop species. 6.3 DENSITY AND PLANTING METHODS Suppress vegetation in planning areas continuously for at least 3months prior to planting. Deep rip planting lines to a depth of 300mm-400mm. Hardened tube stock will be planted out in to ripped planting beds following weed control. Planting would occur in autumn following sufficient rainfall. Landscape Management Plan 7

13 Shrubs and trees within each row will be spaced at 3 and 5 m respectively dependent on the species (Appendix C). Plantings will be staggered, mixed and offset to produce a heterogeneous mix of plantings. The height of plantings will need to be recorded at the time of planting for monitoring purposes as a requirement of the CoA. External perimeter fence Fencing where grazing is expected Internal Access APZ of 10 m Solar Panels Figure 3: Landscape planting sketch 6.4 ESTABLISHMENT AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS A mixture of tube stock and advanced stock will be planted in autumn with: Water crystals and fertiliser Regular weekly watering (where <30mm of rain has occurred in that month) until established. Rain fall is to monitored daily during the first 12 months of planting Tree guards, to provide some protection from wind and wildlife. Stock proof fencing where grazing is expected. Fencing is to be monitored daily during grazing for the first five years. Spraying and or mulching will be used to control weeds and competition during establishment. Weed inspections/control spraying is to be completed monthly during establishment and quarterly during the first five years of planting. Trees will be monitored and mortalities greater than 20% or gaps greater than 5m replaced in the first 5 years, to ensure the screen is well established. 6.5 ASSET PROTECTION ZONE An APZ of 10 m wide has been allowed for in areas around buildings, the transformer compound and the outside perimeter of the PV modules. The NSW Rural Fire Service guidelines Planning for Bush Fire Protection (2006) has been used to design the APZ. The APZ will established as part of the construction phase and maintained for the operational life of the project. The APZ will be provided using a combination of strategies including but not limited to: a) The prevention and suppression of woody weed growth. b) The maintenance of grassland vegetation c) Provision of low fuel load conditions d) Mowing to ensure dry grass height below 100 mm e) Manicured lawns Landscape Management Plan 8

14 f) Gravel or sealed hardstand area. g) Gravel or sealed roads 7 ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS AND IMPACTS 7.1 IMPACTS Visual amenity of the site is described as agricultural and rural residential. The maintenance of the existing amenity and the minimisation of any glare from the solar farm are seen as keen impacts that the landscaping will address. Ensuring that the landscaping is complimentary to the white-yellow box-white cypress pine woodland is also a key aspect of the LMP. The CoA 27 requires that the landscape planting be undertaken progressively in stages to correlate with the construction of adjacent solar panel(s). However, it is recommended that the planting be completed in one stage when climatic conditions are optimal, i.e.. Autumn. Key impacts of the landscaping itself would be derived from ripping for site preparation, spraying for weed control, fencing for stock exclusion, and planting of tube stock. Those impacts would include: Dust from ripping and light vehicle movement Spray drift from weed control Noise for plant during ripping, fencing and planting. Landscape Management Plan 9

15 8 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL MEASURES Mitigation requirements and control measures are identified in the EA and CoA. Measures and requirements to address impacts are outlined in Table 3 Table 3 Air quality management and mitigation measures Measure / Requirement Resources needed When to implement Responsibility Reference GENERAL Training will be provided to all personnel involved in construction and management phases of the Project, including relevant sub-contractors on landscaping impact control practices and procedures to implement recommendations relating to cultural heritage through inductions, toolboxes and targeted training. Toolbox talks Preconstruction Construction PM / ESR EA Good practice Landscaping Dust control would be supplied during works through the retention of site vegetation where possible. Where soil disturbance is required provision of a water cart will be used minimize dust. Water Cart During construction as required PM / ESR EA CoA Spray drift form weed control would be minimized through the use of course droplet nozzles. Spaying would be by hand following planting. Mulching would be used where possible for weed suppression. Corse droplet nozzles, records, mild conditions During construction and as required PM / ESR EA Best practice Any archaeological deposits, asset protection zones or vegetation to be retained on site should be excluded from the planting activities. Mapping, exclusion fencing Before/during construction PM / ESR EA CoA Noise from the preparation, planting and maintenance of plantings would be minimized by turning of equipment when not in use, ensuring plant is in good condition and well maintained, plant movement would be in a forward direction. Plant check lists During construction and as required PM / ESR EA Fuel reduction in the APZ during construction and operation. Mapping, Landscape Management Plan 8

16 9 COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT 9.1 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Bouygues Construction Australia Pty Ltd Project Team s organisational structure and overall roles and responsibilities are outlined in the CEMS. Specific responsibilities for the implementation of environmental controls are detailed in Section 8 of this Plan. 9.2 TRAINING All employees, contractors and utility staff working on site will undergo site induction training relating to landscape management issues. The induction training will address: Existence and requirements of this plan. Relevant legislation. Roles and responsibilities for landscape management. Location of identified heritage sites. Landscape planting plan, management and protection measures. Procedures to be implemented for site preparation, planting and maintenance. Procedure to be implemented to control dust during works. Procedure to be implemented to minimise spray drift during works. Targeted training in the form of toolbox talks or specific training will also be provided to personnel with a key role in heritage management. Further details regarding staff induction and training are outlined in the CEMS. Landscape Management Plan 9

17 9.3 MONITORING AND INSPECTION Inspections of landscaping activities will occur each daily during landscaping works for construction. Inspection of the landscaping during establishment and operation would be in accordance with the program Table 4. Table 4 Monitoring program Monitor Rainfall Daily Establishment Five years post establishment Timing Action Timing Action Water when rainfall less than 20mm/week Daily Water when rainfall less than 10mm/month Fences Daily during grazing Repair any damage immediately Daily during grazing Repair any damage immediately Weeds Monthly Spot pray weeds within 1.5 m of planting Every three months Spot pray weeds within 1.5 m of planting. Plantings Monthly Replace dead plants (not in late spring or summer) Annually in summer Replacement planting in autumn and winter. Plantings Annually Record height of plantings Annually in summer Record heights of plantings during annual monitoring 9.4 AUDITING Audits will be completed to assess the effectiveness of landscape management environmental controls, compliance with this plan and other relevant approvals, licenses and guidelines. Audit requirements are detailed in the CEMS. 9.5 REPORTING Reporting requirements and responsibilities are documented in the CEMS. Landscape Management Plan 10

18 10 REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENT 10.1 CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT Continuous improvement of this Plan will be achieved by the ongoing evaluation of performance against the LMP environmental policies, objectives and targets to identify opportunities for improvement. The continuous improvement process will be designed to: Identify areas of opportunity for improvement of environmental management and performance. Determine the cause or causes of non-conformances and deficiencies. Develop and implement a plan of corrective and preventative action to address any non-conformances and deficiencies. Verify the effectiveness of the corrective and preventative actions. Document any changes in procedures resulting from process improvement. Make comparisons with objectives and targets LMP UPDATE AND AMENDMENT The processes described in the CEMS may result in the need to update or revise this Plan. This will occur as needed. Only the ESR, or delegate, has the authority to change any of the landscape management documentation. A copy of the updated plan and changes will be distributed to all relevant stakeholders in accordance with the approved document control procedure refer to the CEMS. Landscape Management Plan 11

19 APPENDIX A SITE MAP Landscape Management Plan 12

20 Approved Site layout Landscape Management Plan 13

21 Proposed site layout Landscape Management Plan 14

22 APPENDIX B PESTICIDE USE RECORD 1 Date and time Start Date and Time: 2 Who applied the pesticide Finish Date and Time: Full operator name: Operator contact address: 3 Who owns/occupies the land 4 Boundaries of treated area and order of treatment Operator contact phone: Full owner/occupier s name: Owner/occupier s contact address: Owner/occupier s contact phone: List treated areas and order of treatment, preferably with reference to a map: List order of treatment: 5 Problem treated Identify the pest or problem treated (eg controlling of spot weed infestation): 6 Product used Record either the full name, or a product code if a list of full product names of pesticides you use is kept at the front of your logbook: 7 Equipment used Describe the equipment used (eg 8 Quantity applied and dilution 9 Area covered by application 10 Wind speed and direction 11 Other weather details boom-spray, hand-held backpack sprayer etc.): Total amount of pesticide product mix used: Write down whether the mix was concentrated product or a diluted mixture (note down rate of dilution): Area of application (in square metres or hectares): Estimate of wind speed and direction (only if the pesticide is applied through the air): Write down any changes in weather during application: Record any weather details such as temperature, humidity and/or rainfall where the pesticide product label requires you to assess these: Landscape Management Plan 15

23 APPENDIX C PLANTING SCHEDULE Planting Area Area ID General Location Length Estimate (m) A B C Northern boundary Eastern Boundary Western boundary Planting schedule Code Botanical Name Common Name Mature Height (m) Mature Width (m) Spacing Pot Size Percent Estimated Plant Numbers 1 Callitris endlicheri Black Cypress Pine 12+m 5m 5m 50mm Eucalyptus albens White box 12+m 5m 5m 50mm Eucalyptus melliodora Yellow Box 12+m 5m 5m 50mm Acacia implexa Hickory Wattle 5m 3m 3m 50mm Atalaya hemiglauca Whitewood 5m 3m 3m 50mm Allocasuarina verticillata Drooping Sheoak 5m 3m 3m 50mm Landscape Management Plan 16

24 APPENDIX D CONSULTATION Council response to draft plan 24 /01/17 Issue ID 1 2 Council Recommendation The condition quoted only contains part of the condition of consent for (27) The earlier version of the site layout was included in the draft landscape management plan. This was the original site layout as approved 9 June Response The most recent conditions of Consent were added to the LMP and adjusted accordingly. A section detailing the APZ was included in section 6.5. The most recent approved site layout plan was added into appendix 1. Planting details were adjusted including the removal of the southern boundary planting. Landscape Management Plan 17