Published Project View

Extension of Kemerton Silica Sand Dredge Mining

After implementing all the proposed mitigation and management measures, the proposal will have the following significant residual impacts :
- Up to 260 hectares of clearing;
- impacts to many fauna species of conservation significance;
- impacts to potentially twenty native mammal species, including nine bat, 127 bird species, 10 frog, 34 reptile and six fish, which are expected to either occur in the Kemerton Silica Sands (KSS) area or use it at times. This includes eight species are considered to be endangered/ vulnerable, or need special protection, and ten DEC-listed priority species may also use the site and a high number of Schedule 3 species (as classified under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950) which are not formally recognised for conservation significance, but are regionally important;
- impacts to the Black-striped Jollytail (P3) freshwater fish species located on the property is endemic to the south west of Western Australia;
- parts of three Conservation Category Wetlands (CCW) will be directly affected by the expansion. The impact on these wetlands, identified as WC 3, WC 4 and WC 5, total approximately 105.7 ha
- the proposed mining potentially changes ground and surface water regimes and will leave behind a series of ponds up to 22 metres deep, in place of the current mix of old dunes and seasonal wetlands.

12-1 Given the significant residual impacts and risks (permanent and temporary) of the proposal on conservation significant wetlands, and fauna and flora species in the environment surrounding the proposal, the proponent shall, within 12 months of undertaking ground-disturbing activities for the proposal, transfer proponent-owned land totaling 845.1 hectares, being Lot 501 and portion of Lot 32, as shown on Figure 2 and defined by co-ordinates in Table 2, to the State of Western Australia for addition into the conservation reserve system. The relevant certificates of title shall contain a notation to the effect that the DEC is the agency responsible for the land.

12-2 Within six months of satisfying the requirements of condition 12-1, the proponent in consultation with the DEC shall submit a management plan for the proposed Kemerton Nature Reserve and the land to be transferred to the State of Western Australia as described in condition 12-1, to the satisfaction of the CEO. The management plan shall specify the nature, timing and duration of the ongoing management activities to be undertaken by the proponent and the DEC (that may include, but not be limited to, fencing and access management, weed control, dieback management, introduced fauna control, fire management and recreational uses) and the methodology, completion criteria, and timing for rehabilitation of the degraded area of Bassendean woodland within the proposed Kemerton Nature Reserve being that portion of the proposed Kemerton Nature Reserve delineated on the plan set out in Figure 2 to this statement.

12-3 The proponent and the DEC shall implement the management plan approved under condition 12-2 in consultation with the DEC and the Local Government.

12-4 Within 12 months of undertaking ground-disturbing activities for the proposal, the proponent shall provide funding in the amount of seventy two thousand dollars ($72,000) to a research project acceptable to the CEO to undertake research on:
1. the ecological requirements and population genetics of remnant Black-striped Jollytail populations in seasonal wetlands of South-western Australia; and
2. macroinvertebrates in wetlands to establish baseline conditions as analogues for future rehabilitation.