Published Project View

Koodaideri Iron Ore Mine and Infrastructure 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 11,710 ha of native vegetation in ‘good to excellent’ condition in the Pilbara IBRA region, including:
• loss of up to 166 ha of potential Northern Quoll habitat;
• the loss of up to 6,134 ha of foraging habitat for the Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat; and
• the loss of up to nine per cent of the Priority 1 flora species Sauropus sp. Koodaideri detritals should the Minister for Environment declare it as Rare Flora.

14 Offsets

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, 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 strategic regional conservation initiative identified in condition 14-1 shall be paid biennially, the first payment due 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:

(1) $1500 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation cleared within the Mine/Plant Area Development Envelope delineated in Figure 2 of Schedule 1 and defined by the geographic coordinates in Schedule 2;
(2) $3000 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of all Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat foraging habitat cleared within the K75W and K58W mine pits delineated in Figure 5 of Schedule 1 and defined by the geographic coordinates in Schedule 2;
(3) $1500 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation permanently cleared within the Rail Corridor Development Envelope and the Southern Infrastructure Corridor Development Envelope within the Fortescue IBRA subregion delineated in Figure 1 of Schedule 1 and defined by the geographic coordinates in Schedule 2; and
(4) $750 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation permanently cleared within the Rail Corridor Development Envelope within the Hamersley IBRA subregion delineated in Figure 1 of Schedule 1 and defined by the geographic coordinates in Schedule 2.

14-3 Prior to ground-disturbing activities the proponent shall prepare and submit an Impact Reconciliation Procedure to the satisfaction of the CEO.

14-4 The Impact Reconciliation Procedure required pursuant to condition 14-3 shall:
(1) include a methodology to identify clearing of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation in the Pilbara bioregion;
(2) include a methodology for calculating the amount of clearing undertaken during each biennial time period;
(3) include a methodology for calculating the amount of temporary vegetation clearing for the railway and infrastructure corridors that has commenced rehabilitation within twelve months of final commissioning of the railway line or completion of infrastructure installation;
(4) require the proponent to submit spatial data identifying areas of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation that has been cleared;
(5) require the proponent to submit spatial data identifying areas of all Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat foraging habitat within the K75W and K58W mine pits prior to and after clearing;
(6) state dates for the commencement of the biennial time period and for the submission of results of the Impact Reconciliation Procedure, to the satisfaction of the CEO, and;
(7) identify that any areas cleared within the railway and infrastructure corridors delineated in Figure 1 of Schedule 1 and defined by the geographic coordinates in Schedule 2, in the Pilbara bioregion that have not commenced rehabilitation within 12 months of final commissioning of the railway line or completion of infrastructure installation and must be included in the area subject to condition 14-2.

14-5 The real value of contributions described in condition 14-2 will be maintained through indexation to the Perth Consumer Price Index (CPI), with the first adjustment to be applied to the first contribution.

14-6 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 14-1.