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Project Detail

Project number OEPA:66
Project name

Buckland Project
Project status Current
Proponent(s) Iron Ore Holdings Ltd (ACN 107 492 517)
Project location

Mine site 45 km south-southeast of Pannawonica in the Shire of Ashburton, and haul road to Cape Preston.
Project bioregion(s) Pilbara
Assessment criteria Flora and Vegetation, Hydrological Processes, Inland Waters Environmental Quality, Terrestrial Fauna
Residual impact

Clearing and direct disturbance of up to 2,050 ha of native vegetation in ‘good to excellent’ condition, including the loss of habitat for conservation significant fauna species.
Offset conditions

8-1 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 Hamersley IBRA subregion, and calculated pursuant to condition 8-2. 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.

8-2 The proponent’s contribution to the initiative identified in condition 8-1 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 8-3:
(1) $750 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation cleared within the mine development envelope delineated in Figure 1 within the Hamersley IBRA subregion; and
(2) $750 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation cleared for “haul road and related infrastructure” within the haul road development envelope delineated in Figure 2 within the Hamersley IBRA subregion.

8-3 Prior to ground-disturbing activities, the proponent shall prepare an Impact Reconciliation Procedure to the satisfaction of the CEO.

8-4 The Impact Reconciliation Procedure required pursuant to condition 8-3 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 haul road and related infrastructure that has commenced rehabilitation within twelve months of final commissioning of the haul road;
(4) 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
(5) identify that any areas cleared within the haul road development envelope (Figure 2) in the Pilbara bioregion that have not commenced rehabilitation within 12 months of final commissioning of the haul road are to be considered part of the “haul road and related infrastructure” and must be included in the area subject to condition 8-2.

8-5 The real value of contributions described in condition 8-2 will be maintained through indexation to the Perth Consumer Price Index (CPI), with the first adjustment to be applied to the first contribution.
Statutory process EP Act Environmental Impact Assessment (Part IV)
Approved project area (ha) 2050.0

Decision(s):

DECISION 1
Date: 2014-02-11 Ministerial statement: 960
OFFSET 1
Condition status: Current
Type(s): Offset funds
Rationale:

The EPA has proposed that a Pilbara strategic conservation initiative be established to provide a mechanism for implementing offsets in the region. This provides the opportunity to pool offset contributions from proponents to undertake coordinated conservation actions across the Pilbara IBRA bioregion.

The EPA has adopted a funding metric to guide offsets contributions, based on the impacts of the proposal on good-to-excellent condition vegetation. Contributions are reconciled against actual clearing rates, further encouraging proponents to minimise clearing.

The condition requires a contribution of funding consistent with the EPA's recommended metric.
Security arrangements:

Governance arrangements:

Offset location:

All offset funds would be invested in the Pilbara IBRA region.
Approved offset area (ha): None
Bioregion(s): Pilbara
Delivery agent:

CONDITION MILESTONE 1
Milestone:

8-2 The proponent’s contribution to the initiative identified in condition 8-1 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 8-3:
(1) $750 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation cleared within the mine development envelope delineated in Figure 1 within the Hamersley IBRA subregion; and
(2) $750 AUD (excluding GST) per hectare of ‘good to excellent’ condition native vegetation cleared for “haul road and related infrastructure” within the haul road development envelope delineated in Figure 2 within the Hamersley IBRA subregion.
Timeframe:

Biennially, the first payment due on 31 May in the second year following the commencement of ground disturbance.
Complete: No
CONDITION MILESTONE 2
Milestone:

8-3 Prior to ground-disturbing activities, the proponent shall prepare an Impact Reconciliation Procedure to the satisfaction of the CEO.
Timeframe:

Prior to ground-disturbing activities.
Complete: No
IMPLEMENTATION MILESTONE 1
Milestone:

8-3 Implementation Milestone 1 - Impact Reconciliation Procedure submitted to the OEPA.
Timeframe:

Prior to ground-disturbing activities.
Complete: No

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