Published Project View

Pilbara Bulk Ore Transportation System

Following the implementation of all mitigation measures the proposal would have a significant cumulative residual impact of clearing up to 2479 ha of ‘Good to Excellent’ condition native vegetation including:
- vegetation located in the Fortescue Marsh management zones 1a and 1b;
- vegetation representing the ‘Fortescue Marsh (Marsh Land System)’ Priority Ecological Community
- vegetation representing the ‘vegetation of sand dunes of the Hamersley Range/Fortescue Valley’ Priority Ecological Community; and
- vegetation representing the ‘Brockman Iron cracking clay communities of the Hamersley Range’ Priority Ecological Community.

9-1 In view of the significant residual impacts and risks as a result of implementation of the proposal, the proponent shall contribute funds to offset the clearing of ‘Good to Excellent’ condition native vegetation; clearing of native vegetation within the Chichester and Fortescue IBRA subregions; clearing of native vegetation within Fortescue Marsh Management Zones 1a and 1b; clearing of Priority Ecological Communities and calculated pursuant to condition 9-2. 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.

9-2 The proponent’s contribution to the initiative identified in condition 9-1 shall be paid biennially, the first payment due in the second year following the commencement of ground disturbing activities. The amount of funding will be made on the following basis and in accordance with the approved Impact Reconciliation Procedure required by condition 9-3:
(1) $750 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘Good to Excellent’ condition native vegetation cleared within the development envelope (delineated in Figure 1 of Schedule 1 and defined by geographic coordinates in Schedule 2) within the Chichester IBRA subregion; or
(2) $1500 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘Good to Excellent’ condition native vegetation cleared within the development envelope (delineated in Figure 1 of Schedule 1 and defined by geographic coordinates in Schedule 2) within the Fortescue IBRA subregion; or
(3) $3000 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare cleared within the areas delineated as ‘Vegetation of sand dunes of the Hamersley Range/Fortescue Valley’ Priority Ecological Community, ‘Fortescue Marsh (Marsh Land System)’ Priority Ecological Community, and ‘Brockman Iron cracking clay communities of the Hamersley Range’ Priority Ecological Community as determined by the results of the surveys as required by condition 7-2(5)(b); or within the Fortescue Marsh Management Zone 1a and 1b (delineated in Figure 2 and defined by the geographic coordinates in Schedule 2).

9-3 Prior to ground disturbing activities the proponent shall prepare and submit an Impact Reconciliation Procedure to the satisfaction of the CEO.

9-4 The Impact Reconciliation Procedure required pursuant to condition 9-3 shall:
(1) include a methodology to identify clearing of:
(a) ‘Good to Excellent’ condition native vegetation in the Chichester and Fortescue IBRA subregions;
(b) vegetation within the Fortescue Marsh Management Zones 1a and 1b;
(c) vegetation representing the ‘Fortescue Marsh (Marsh Land System)’ Priority Ecological Community;
(d) vegetation representing the ‘vegetation of sand dunes of the Hamersley Range/Fortescue Valley’ Priority Ecological Community; and
(e) vegetation representing the ‘Brockman Iron cracking clay communities of the Hamersley Range’ Priority Ecological Community;
(2) require the proponent to submit data identifying areas of:
(a) ‘Good to Excellent’ condition native vegetation in the Chichester and Fortescue IBRA subregions;
(b) vegetation within the Fortescue Marsh Management Zones 1a and 1b;
(c) vegetation representing the ‘Fortescue Marsh (Marsh Land System)’ Priority Ecological Community;
(d) vegetation representing the ‘vegetation of sand dunes of the Hamersley Range/Fortescue Valley’ Priority Ecological Community; and
(e) vegetation representing the ‘Brockman Iron cracking clay communities of the Hamersley Range’ Priority Ecological Community;
(3) include a methodology for calculating the amount of clearing undertaken during each biennial time period;
(4) include a methodology for calculating the amount of temporary clearing of vegetation subject to condition 9-2(1) and 9-2(2) that has substantially commenced rehabilitation within twelve (12) months of final commissioning of the Pilbara Bulk Ore Transportation System;
(5) 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
(6) identify any areas subject to condition 9-4(4) that have not substantially commenced rehabilitation within twelve (12) months of final commissioning of the Pilbara Bulk Ore Transportation System to be included in the areas subject to condition 9-2(1) and 9-2(2).

9-5 The proponent shall implement the Impact Reconciliation Procedure required by condition 9-3.

9-6 The real value of contributions described in condition 9-2 will be maintained through indexation to the Perth Consumer Price Index, with the first adjustment to be applied to the first contribution.