Published Project View

North Star Magnetite Project

Following the implementation of all mitigation measures, the proposal would have the following significant residual impacts from the clearing and direct disturbance of up to 4,449 ha of native vegetation in ‘good to excellent’ condition in the Chichester subregion, including:
• the loss of up to 45 ha of denning habitat for the Northern Quoll;
• the loss of up to 465 ha of foraging habitat for the Northern Quoll;
• the loss of up to 45 ha of Pilbara Olive Python habitat; and
• the loss of up to 45 ha of night roosts and foraging habitat for the Pilbara Leaf-nosed bat.

14 Offsets (Integrating Factor)
14-1 In view of the significant residual impacts and risks as a result of implementation of the proposal, the proponent shall contribute funds for the clearing of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation, including the loss of habitat for conservation significant species, in the Chichester IBRA subregion, and calculated pursuant to condition 14-2. This funding shall be provided to a government-established conservation offset fund or an alternative offset arrangement providing an equivalent outcome as determined by the Minister.

14-2 The proponent’s contribution to the initiative identified in condition 14-1 shall be paid biennially, the first payment due on 31 May in the second year following the commencement of ground disturbance. The amount of funding will be made on the following basis and in accordance with the approved Impact Reconciliation Procedure required by condition 14-3:
(i) $750 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation cleared within the mine development envelope (delineated in Figure 1 and defined by the geographic coordinates in Schedule 2) within the Chichester IBRA subregion;
(ii) $750 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation cleared within the Water Corridor Development Envelope and Slurry Corridor Development Envelope (delineated in Figures 2 and 3 and defined by the geographic coordinates in Schedule 2) within the Chichester IBRA subregion.

14-3 The real value of contributions described in condition 14-2 (i) and 14-2 (ii) will be maintained through indexation to the Perth Consumer Price Index (CPI), with the first adjustment to be applied to the first contribution.

14-4 Should the proponent be required to provide an offset under a condition of approval of the Australian Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the proponent may write to the CEO seeking a reduction in the funding required under condition 14-2.

14-5 The proponent shall prepare an Impact Reconciliation Procedure to the satisfaction of the CEO.

14-6 The Impact Reconciliation Procedure required pursuant to condition 14-5 shall:
(i) include a methodology to identify clearing of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation in the Chichester IBRA subregion;
(ii) require the proponent to submit spatial data identifying areas of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation that has been cleared;
(iii) include a methodology for calculating the amount of clearing undertaken during each biennial time period;
(iv) include a methodology for calculating the amount of temporary vegetation clearing for the haul road and related infrastructure that has commenced rehabilitation within twelve months of final commissioning of the haul road;
(v) state the biennial time period commences on the 1 March prior to commencing ground disturbance and the due date for submitting the results of the Procedure for approval of the CEO as 31 March following the end of the first biennial period; and
(vi) identify that any areas cleared within the Water Corridor Development Envelope (Figure 2 of Schedule 1 and geographic coordinates in Schedule 2) and Slurry Corridor Development Envelope (Figure 3 of Schedule 1 and geographic coordinates in Schedule 2) that have not commenced rehabilitation within 12 months of final commissioning of each pipeline are to be considered part of the Water Corridor Development Envelope and Slurry Corridor Development Envelope and must be included in the area subject to condition 14-2.