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Project Detail

Project number 602/3
Project name

Clearing of 1.2 hectares of native vegetation for the purpose of expanding a grain storage facility in the Shire of Moora.
Project status Current
Proponent(s) Co-operative Bulk Handling Limited
Project location

LOT 4300 ON PLAN 30175 MOORA 6510

Project bioregion(s) Avon Wheatbelt
Assessment criteria (a) it comprises a high level of biological diversity., (e) it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared.
Residual impact

Loss of 1.2 hectares of native vegetation in very good (Keighery 1994) condition that includes:
- a representative area of greater ecosystem diversity than surrounding local areas.
- significant remnant Beard Vegetation Association 142 (of which 26.5% of the pre-European extent is remaining) in an area that has been extensively cleared.

Offset conditions

2. Offsets

(a) Determination of offsets
(i) If part or all of the clearing to be done is or may be at variance with one or more of the clearing principles, then the permit holder must implement an offset in accordance with Conditions 2(a) and 2(b) of this Permit with respect to that native vegetation.
(ii) In determining the offset to be implemented with respect to a particular area of native vegetation proposed to be cleared under this Permit, the permit holder must have regard to the offset principles contained in condition 2(b) of this Permit.
(iii) Once the permit holder has developed an offset proposal, the permit holder must provide that offset proposal to the CEO for the CEO’s approval, prior to undertaking any clearing to which the offset relates, and prior to implementing the offset.
(iv) Clearing may not commence until and unless the CEO has approved the offset proposal.
(v) The permit holder shall implement the offset proposal approved under condition 2(a)(iii).
(vi) Each offset proposal shall include a direct offset, timing for implementation of the offset proposal and may additionally include contributing offsets.

(b) Offset principles
For the purpose of this Part, the offset principles are as follows:
(i) direct offsets should directly counterbalance the loss of the native vegetation;
(ii) contributing offsets should complement and enhance the direct offset;
(iii) offsets are implemented only once all avenues to avoid, minimise, rectify or reduce environmental impacts have been exhausted;
(iv) the environmental values, habitat, species, ecological community, physical area, ecosystem, landscape, and hydrology of the offset should be the same as, or better than, that of the area of native vegetation being offset;
(v) a ratio greater than 1:1 should be applied to the size of the area of native vegetation that is offset to compensate for the risk that the offset may fail;
(vi) offsets must entail a robust and consistent assessment process;
(vii) in determining an appropriate offset, consideration should be given to ecosystem function, rarity and type of ecological community, vegetation condition, habitat quality and area of native vegetation cleared;
(viii) the offset should either result in no net loss of native vegetation, or lead to a net gain in native vegetation and improve the condition of the natural environment;
(ix) offsets must satisfy all statutory requirements;
(x) offsets must be clearly defined, documented and audited;
(xi) offsets must ensure a long-term (10-30 year) benefit; and
(xii) an environmental specialist must be involved in the design, assessment and monitoring of offsets.

Statutory process EP Act Clearing (Part V)
Approved project area (ha) 1.2

Decision(s):

DECISION 1
Date: 2011-08-25 Ministerial statement: None
OFFSET 1
Condition status: Current
Type(s): Rehabilitation
Rationale:

The offset will rehabilitate a total of 3.05 hectares of native vegetation.

Offset Location 1 will rehabilitate 0.8 hectares of Crown reserve land. This offset seeks to improve an area of existing degraded vegetation adjacent to the Moore River riparian corridor, with value placed on improving biodiversity. This offset complements previous rehabilitation activities and occurs within the same mapped vegetation association as that being cleared (Beard 142).

Offset Location 2 will rehabilitate 1.37 hectares of land historically used for crop production and therefore not comprising of any native vegetation. The rehabilitation will establish native vegetation consistent with local vegetation type Beard vegetation association 142.

Offset Location 3 will rehabilitate 0.88 hectares to establish native vegetation consistent with local vegetation type Beard vegetation association 142.

When combined, the rehabilitation is considered to be relevant and proportionate to the significance of the environmental values being impacted.
Security arrangements:

Offset Location 1 - Crown reserve 14415 is vested with the Shire of Moora for the land use purpose of earth quarry and Crown reserve 2829 is vested with the Shire of Moora for the land use purpose of recreation and parklands.
Offset Location 2 - Lot 250 on Plan 65581 is freehold land owned by Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH).
Offset Location 3 - Lot 979 on Plan 100776 (Melbourne Location 979) is freehold land, Dandaragan Rd road reserve (PIN 11433257) is a road reserve vested in the Shire of Moora, Crown reserve 17878 is a gravel quarry reserve held by the Department of Lands and Lot 6 on Plan 64531, Moora (formerly Lot 2461 on Plan 253537, Moora) is freehold land.

Governance arrangements:

Offset location:

Offset Location 1 - Portion of Crown reserve 14415 (164 Dandaragan St, Moora) and Crown reserve 2829 (5000-1 Moore St, Moora).
Offset Location 2 - Portion of Lot 250 on Plan 65581, Moora (formerly Lot 101 on Diagram 93491, Moora).
Offset Location 3 - Portion of Lot 979 on Plan 100776 (Melbourne Location 979), Dandaragan Rd road reserve (PIN 11433257), Crown reserve 17878 (2469 Dandaragan Rd, Moora) and Lot 6 on Plan 64531, Moora (formerly Lot 2461 on Plan 253537, Moora).

Approved offset area (ha): 3.05
Bioregion(s): Avon Wheatbelt
Delivery agent:

CONDITION MILESTONE 1
Milestone:

Condition Milestone 1 - relates to permit condition 2(a)(iii)

Once the permit holder has developed an offset proposal, the permit holder must provide that offset proposal to the CEO for the CEO’s approval.

Timeframe:

Prior to undertaking any clearing to which the offset relates, and prior to implementing the offset.
Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 2
Milestone:

Condition Milestone 2 - relates to permit condition 2(a)(iv)

The offset proposal must be approved by the CEO.
Timeframe:

Clearing may not commence until and unless the CEO has approved the offset proposal.

Complete: Yes
CONDITION MILESTONE 3
Milestone:

Condition Milestone 3 - relates to permit condition 2(a)(v)

The permit holder shall implement the offset proposal approved.

Timeframe:

For the term of the permit.
Timeframe (date): 2015-07-21
Complete: No
IMPLEMENTATION MILESTONE 1
Milestone:

Implementation Milestone 1 - relates to Condition Milestones 1, 2 & 3

In accordance with the approved offset proposal, CBH is to implement the rehabilitation requirements outlined in the “Moora Receival Point - Offset Proposal for Clearing Permit 602/2, 30 April 2008” for offset locations 1, 2 and 3. This document includes, but is not limited to, the following rehabilitation requirements:

Site preparation:
- weed control
- ripping
- seed collection

Vegetation establishment:
- planting of native species seedlings at a minimum rate of 1000 stems per hectare

Monitoring:
- monitoring of rehabilitation density, species survival and weed and pest invasion.
- photo monitoring

Remedial actions (to be undertaken if completion criteria are not being met):
- infill planting
- weed control
- pest management

The completion criteria include:
- density is maintained above 800 stems per hectare after the initial 3 year monitoring period
Timeframe:

Site Preparation
- commencing 2008

Vegetation Establishment
- seed collection between late spring 2008 and late summer 2009
- seed propagation commencing September 2009
- planting commencing mid 2010

Monitoring
- at least annually for not less than 3 years after the initial rehabilitation

Remedial Actions
- as required
Timeframe (date): 2015-07-21
Complete: No

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