Published Project View

Balla Balla Infrastructure - Rail and Conveyor Project

Clearing of up to 3000 hectares of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation, including the loss of habitat for conservation significant species and Priority Ecological Community

10-1 In view of the significant residual impacts and risks as a result of implementation of the proposal, the proponent shall contribute funds to offset for the clearing of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation, including the loss of habitat for conservation significant species and any vegetation representing the Cracking Clays of the Chichester and Mungaroona Range Priority Ecological Community, and calculated pursuant to condition 10-2. 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.

10-2 The proponent’s contribution to the initiative identified in condition 10-1 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 10-5:
(1) $750 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation permanently cleared within the Hamersley IBRA subregion, which includes habitat for conservation significant fauna, within the Development Envelope delineated in Figure 1 of Schedule 1 and defined by geographic coordinates in Schedule 1;
(2) $1,500 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation permanently cleared within the Fortescue IBRA subregion, which includes habitat for conservation significant fauna, within the Development Envelope delineated in Figure 1 of Schedule 1 and defined by geographic coordinates in Schedule 1;
(3) $750 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation permanently cleared within the Chichester IBRA subregion, which includes habitat for conservation significant fauna, within the Development Envelope delineated in Figure 1 of Schedule 1 and defined by geographic coordinates in Schedule 1; and
(4) $1,500 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare cleared within the area delineated as Cracking Clays of the Chichester and Mungaroona Range Priority Ecological Community as determined by the results of the survey as required by condition 6-2.

10-3 The real value of contributions described in condition 10-2(1), 10-2(2), 10-2(3) and 10-2(4) will be maintained through indexation to the Perth Consumer Price Index (CPI), with the first adjustment to be applied to the first contribution.

10-4 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 10-2.

10-5 Prior to ground-disturbing activities the proponent shall prepare and submit an
Impact Reconciliation Procedure to the satisfaction of the CEO.

10-6 The Impact Reconciliation Procedure required pursuant to condition 10-5 shall:
(1) include a methodology to identify clearing of ‘good to excellent’
condition native vegetation and any vegetation representing the Cracking Clays of the Chichester and Mungaroona Range Priority Ecological Community 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 that has substantially commenced rehabilitation within twelve months of final commissioning of the railway and conveyor line;
(4) require the proponent to submit spatial data identifying areas of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation and any vegetation representing the Cracking Clays of the Chichester and Mungaroona Range Priority Ecological Community that has been cleared;
(5) state the biennial time period commences on the 1 March prior to commencing ground disturbances and that 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
(6) identify that any areas cleared within the Development Envelope delineated in Figure 1 of Schedule 1 and defined by the geographic coordinates in Schedule 1, in the Pilbara bioregion that have not commenced rehabilitation within 12 months of final commissioning of the railway and conveyor line and must be included in the area subject to condition 10-2.