Draft Environmental Management Plan BORAL Gold Coast Quarry, … · 2013. 4. 22. · amendment of...

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

APPENDIX

TTENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

Draft Environmental Management Plan

BORAL Gold Coast Quarry, Reedy Creek

B12119ER002

April 2013

Ref: B12119ER002RevB-Draft EMP - 1 - Draft EMP – BORAL Gold Coast Quarry

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 4

1.0 INTRODUCTION 5

1.1 PURPOSE OF DRAFT EMP 5

1.2 DOCUMENT STRUCTURE 5

1.3 DOCUMENT CONTROL 6

1.4 SCOPE 7

1.5 RELATED MANAGEMENT PLANS 8

1.6 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS 8

2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 9

2.2 STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT 13

2.3 LAND OWNERSHIP 16

2.4 MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS 16

3.0 APPROVAL CONDITIONS 17

3.1 EXTRACTION AREA 17

3.2 ACCESS ROAD 17

3.3 OTHER CONDITIONS 17

4.0 MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY 18

4.1 EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS 18

4.2 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 18

4.3 STAFF TRAINING 20

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FOR ESTABLISHMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION STAGES 22

5.1 GENERAL CONTROLS 22

5.2 NOTIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 23

5.3 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION 24

5.4 EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL 26

5.5 NOISE 28

5.6 BLAST VIBRATION 30

5.7 AIR QUALITY 31


5.10 REHABILITATION 37

5.12 WASTE MANAGEMENT 41

6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FOR OPERATIONAL STAGE 43

6.1 BOUNDARY OF OPERATIONAL AREA 43

6.2 OPERATING HOURS 43

6.3 PLANT OUTPUT AND DURATION OF OPERATIONS 43

6.4 NOISE 44

6.5 BLAST VIBRATION 45

6.6 AIR QUALITY 47

6.7 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT 50

6.8 VEGETATION AND FAUNA MANAGEMENT 52

6.9 CULTURAL HERITAGE 54

6.10 VISUAL IMPACT 56

6.11 REHABILITATION 58

6.12 CHEMICAL AND FUEL STORAGE 60

6.13 WASTE MANAGEMENT 61

7.0 EMERGENCY AND HAZARDS MANAGEMENT 63

7.1 EXTREME RAINFALL AND FLOODING 63

7.2 BUSHFIRE 65

7.3 ON-SITE SPILLS 66

7.4 UNAUTHORISED ACCESS 68

8.0 COMMUNITY RELATIONS 69

8.1 COMPLAINTS MANAGEMENT 69

9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM 71

9.1 MONITORING PARAMETERS 71

9.2 BLAST MONITORING 71

9.3 NOISE MONITORING 71

9.4 AIR QUALITY MONITORING 72

9.5 WATER MONITORING 73

9.6 ECOLOGICAL MONITORING 73


10.0 AUDITING AND REPORTING 75

10.1 AUDITING 75

10.2 REPORTING 75

11.0 REFERENCES 76

TABLES

TABLE 1 GENERIC EMP TOPIC STRUCTURE 6

TABLE 2 QUARRY DEVELOPMENT STAGING 13

TABLE 3 WORK HOURS FOR ESTABLISHMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND

CONSTRUCTION PHASES 22

TABLE 4 OPERATING HOURS FOR QUARRY OPERATION PHASE 43

Document Control Page

Revision Date Description Author Signature Verifier Signature Approver Signature

B 15/04/13 Final AM RS AR


GLOSSARY OF TERMS

ANZECC Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council ARI Average Recurrence Interval (used for Stormwater) BCM Boral Construction Materials, a division of Boral Limited. BMP Bushfire Management Plan BoM Bureau of Meteorology CAMBA China–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement CH Cultural Heritage CNMP Construction Noise Management Plan DEHP Department of Environment and Heritage DME Department of Mines and Energy DTMR Department of Transport and Main Roads Department EIS Environmental Impact Statement EMP Environmental Management Plan EP Act Environmental Protection Act 1994 EPBC Act Environmental Protection and Biodiversity and Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) ERA Environmentally Relevant Activity ESCP Erosion and Sediment Control Program GCCC Gold Coast City Council GCQ Gold Coast Quarry GPS Global Positioning System IEMS Integrated Environmental Management System KPI Key Performance Indicator LWQMP Lake Water Quality Management Plan MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets NAMU Natural Areas Management Unit REM Regional Environmental Manager SM Site Manager SOP Standard Operating Procedure VM Act Vegetation Management Act 1999 WMP Waste Management Plan


1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PURPOSE OF DRAFT EMP

The Draft Environmental Management Plan (Draft EMP) is part of the Environmental Impact

Statement (EIS) for the proposed Gold Coast Quarry (GCQ) and its purpose is to provide a range

of measures for implementing any environmental management strategies that have been

presented in the EIS. On approval of the GCQ, the Draft EMP will be revised to become the EMP

that specifies environmental management requirements and procedures for the life of the Quarry.

Revision of the Draft EMP is necessary to include provisions of any environmental conditions

which are attached to the approval.

The Draft EMP provides documentation of the proposed environmental management objectives

and implementation strategies for the benefit of:

Boral staff who will be responsible for the management of the quarry including its

environmental performance;

Contractors who undertake specific tasks, particularly during construction, on behalf of

Boral;

Government regulators who need to be able to confirm that practical strategies have

been put in place for achieving environmental objectives;

Consultants who undertake environmental monitoring and auditing;

Community groups, to confirm protection of environmental and social values; and

Members of the public who may download the Draft EMP for reference purposes.

1.2 DOCUMENT STRUCTURE

A recommended structure for the draft EMP was specified in the Terms of Reference for the GCQ

EIS. More explanatory information on the recommended structure is available from a document

titled Guideline for Preparing Environmental Management Plans, which was prepared by the then

Queensland Environmental Protection Agency.

The EMP structure provides a recommended standard set of headings which provide a

framework for setting goals and prescribing management actions for each topic or element. The

generic framework for EMP topics is presented in Table 1 below.


Table 1 Generic EMP Topic Structure

Heading Contents

Element/Issue The aspect of construction or operation to be managed (as it affects

environmental values). Includes a brief description of the topic drawn

from the EIS or EIS technical reports, including any potential issues

which have been raised.

Operational policy The operational policy or management objective that applies to the

element.

Performance criteria Measurable performance criteria (outcomes) for each element of the

operation.

Implementation strategy The strategies, tasks or action program (to nominated operational

design standards) that would be implemented to achieve the

performance criteria.

Monitoring The monitoring requirements to measure actual performance (e.g.

specified limits to pre-selected indicators of change).

Auditing The auditing requirements to demonstrate implementation of agreed

construction and operation environmental management strategies and

compliance with agreed performance criteria.

Reporting Format, timing and responsibility for reporting and auditing of

monitoring results.

Corrective Action Corrective actions may be stated where site specific measures are

required, otherwise corrective actions will be according to the Boral

Integrated Environmental Management System.

Reference Documents Identifies important source documents if any

1.3 DOCUMENT CONTROL

A Draft EMP is part of the EIS process and may not be updated until the conclusion of the EIS

process. The EMP which is derived from the Draft EMP will be a controlled document, meaning

that all copies of the document that are used for managing the daily operations of the quarry will

be updated whenever the master copy of the EMP is updated. An EMP is a site specific

document however it will generally be aligned with Boral’s Integrated Environmental Management

Systems (IEMS), which covers all sites and all activities. To reduce the need to continually


update the EMP, items which are likely to be subject to change should be contained within

external documents which can be easily updated and which are referred to by the EMP.

1.3.1 APPROVAL

The Draft EMP will be submitted to the Coordinator-General for assessment as part of the EIS. If

the project is approved, the implementation strategies in the Draft EMP may form part of the

approval.

1.3.2 DISTRIBUTION

Once the EIS has been prepared to the satisfaction of the Coordinator-General, a public notice

will be advertised in relevant newspapers circulating in the region and nationally. The notice will

state where copies of the EIS can be viewed or purchased, the submission period, and where

submissions should be sent. Via this process, the Draft EMP will become a public document.

The master copy of the EMP is to be maintained at Boral’s corporate offices. Site copies are to

be distributed to site offices and a distribution record is to be maintained.

1.3.3 AMENDMENT

As the EMP specifies the implementation of approval conditions, amendments to any issues that

would affect capacity to meet approval conditions may require regulatory approval. Amendments

to any other matters within the EMP must be consistent with any development conditions that are

in force. Due to changes in the regulatory environment and in environmental monitoring and

management technologies, amendments will need to be made over time. Regular review and

amendment of the EMP is necessary to ensure the EMP remains relevant and implementable.

This Operational EMP is subject to periodic updates, it will be a controlled document under

Boral’s quality management system to ensure that only the current version is used to guide

operations and that superseded versions are removed from use. Version numbers will be clearly

displayed on any printed copies and the current version number and revision register will be

maintained in the master copy.

Copies of the EMP which have been downloaded from the internet will be uncontrolled copies

and may become superseded as new revisions are issued.

1.4 SCOPE

The Draft EMP covers the construction, operation and eventual decommissioning of the proposed

GCQ. All site works including operations undertaken by the Principal and any contractors and

sub-contractors are to be in accordance with the EMP in force at the time.


1.5 RELATED MANAGEMENT PLANS

A number of specialised management plans may be required by regulators under approval

conditions. Findings and recommendations from these plans have been incorporated into the

Draft EMP where possible. It will be necessary to review the other plans to ensure that all

requirements are understood before undertaking management activities that may be covered by

one of these plans or covered by this EMP. Some areas of overlap will occur and more stringent

requirement should prevail, which in most cases will be in the specialised plan. Expected/known

specialised management plans include:

Blasting Management Plan;

Bushfire Management Plan;

Construction Environmental Management Plans;

Erosion and Sediment Control Program;

Lake Water Quality Management Plan;

Stormwater Management Plan;

Vegetation Management Plan;

Waste Management Plan; and

Wildlife Management Plan.

1.6 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Performance requirements for some matters contained in this Draft EMP will depend on

conditions stated in the development approval and other negotiated agreements and will need to

be written into the EMP once they become known.

Other performance requirements originate from Commonwealth legislation, Queensland

Government legislation (Acts and Regulations) and the Gold Coast City Planning Scheme. A

review of legislation applicable at the time of writing is provided within the EIS.

Items that are not explicitly covered by an Act will be considered to be covered by the general

environmental duty (defined under the Environmental Protection Act 1994) that requires

companies and individuals to minimise environmental harm.


2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Boral is proposing to establish a new extractive industry operation on a greenfield site, Lot 105 on

SP144215 at Old Coach Road, Reedy Creek as shown in Figure 1, below.

Figure 1 - Location Map


The project is necessary to compensate for the scheduled winding down of Boral’s existing West

Burleigh Quarry, which has sufficient reserves for only a further 6.5 to 9 years of production

(depending on market conditions). Given the lead times that are involved (in gaining development

and environmental approvals; establishing the operation and completing preliminary site works in

order to enable full scale production), it has been necessary for Boral to commence the relevant

approval processes to ensure that an adequate, uninterrupted and efficient supply of construction

materials remains available for critical infrastructure and construction projects in the Gold Coast

region.

The Gold Coast Quarry will represent an investment of $140-$160million (2012[1] dollars) by Boral

into the economy of the Gold Coast region and is projected to provide continuity of employment

for approximately 100 staff across Boral’s integrated quarrying, asphalt, concrete and transport

operations. An estimated total of 246 full-time equivalent (FTE) person-years will be directly

required for the development and on-site construction of the project. The flow-on benefits of this

employment would generate further employment opportunities for the wider Gold Coast region

and Queensland, resulting in a total of approximately 480 and 490 full-time equivalent person-

years, respectively. Once operational, the proposed Gold Coast Quarry would directly generate

24 FTE positions. The flow-on benefits of this employment would support about 65 FTE positions

in Queensland, with 62 positions generated in the Gold Coast. The proposed Gold Coast Quarry

would provide a net increase in employment opportunities and help continue quarrying industry

jobs within the area once the West Burleigh Quarry resources are exhausted.

The proposed Gold Coast Quarry contains the last and largest known deposit of meta-greywacke

quarry rock resources on the southern Gold Coast. Meta-greywacke is of extremely high strength

and forms the excavated and processed quarry product. The meta-greywacke resource is located

within a deposit that is favourably surrounded by ridgelines and has the benefit of having

substantial vegetated buffers on land owned by Boral. In developing this proposal, Boral has

balanced the need to secure and develop this hard rock resource with the social and

environmental factors associated with extractive industry development. After taking into account a

range of environmental constraints and providing appropriate separation buffers during the

detailed design process for the proposed quarry footprint, it has been estimated that a total of 79

million tonnes of measured, indicated and inferred quarry resources have been delineated on the

site (within the optimised pit shell and including the area to be developed for the plant and

associated infrastructure). Boral has voluntarily sterilised a significant proportion of the resource

which is known to occur on the site in order to achieve an appropriate balance between

environmental, economic and community interests.

[1] Based on the value of the Australian dollar during 2012


The proposed development will operate as a quarry for the extraction and processing of hard rock

primarily for use in concrete, asphalt, drainage materials, road base, bricks/blocks, pavers, pipes

and landscape supplies. Investigations confirm that the quality and consistency of the resource at

the site is of equal or better quality than the meta-greywacke deposit situated at Boral’s existing

West Burleigh Quarry, providing an opportunity to completely replace the current quarry

operations at Boral’s existing West Burleigh Quarry. The proposed Gold Coast Quarry will supply

the Gold Coast region with high grade construction materials for at least another 40 years, whilst

maintaining continuity of employment across Boral’s integrated quarrying, asphalt, concrete and

transport operations.

The greenfield site will be fully developed and operated in accordance with recognised industry

best practice. Initial development requires the removal of significant overburden quantities over

the first few years of site development, including the introduction of mobile crushing plants to

develop the site and value the excavated material. Boral estimates that approximately 5-6 million

tonnes of materials (all types) will be removed from the site to allow the site infrastructure and

fixed plant to be built.

Overall, the proposed Gold Coast Quarry’s processing plants and supporting heavy mobile

equipment (HME) will comprise:

Mobile Crushing Plants

Proprietary modular trains from recognised (best practice) manufacturers such as Sandvik or

Metso. The 3-stage road base train consists of a Primary Jaw, Secondary and Tertiary Cone

Crushers complete with screens, conveyors and stockpiling conveyors. The second train (for

aggregates production) will be the same or similar to the first and may include a vertical shaft

impactor (VSI) to improve aggregate quality for use in higher specification applications. Each train

will be targeting to achieve a minimum of 300 tonnes per hour of aggregate or base course

materials. The estimated capital cost of each train is $6 million (2012 dollars).

Fixed Plant

The plant will be designed as a modern, ‘fit for purpose’ crushing plant which will target the

production of aggregates. It is estimated that the production rate will be between 750 - 900

tonnes per hour to achieve an annual production of 2 million tonnes. The estimated cost of the

plant is $75 million with a construction timeframe of 18-24 months.

Mobile Fleet

There will be two distinct fleets, firstly a development fleet which will service the site development

and stripping works, through to load and haul service for the mobile crushing trains. The second

fleet will be sized to service the 750-900 tonne per hour fixed plant. Over the course of the

establishment and operation of the project, there will be a range of equipment on the site for

various periods of time (refer to Table 1). This equipment includes the following:


Excavators;

Graders;

Front-end Loaders;

Bulldozers;

Compactors;

Articulated Dump Trucks;

Water Trucks;

Haulage Trucks; and

Cranes.

2.1.1 THE QUARRY PROCESS

The quarrying process commences with a survey of the rock face and bench to be developed (by

drilling and blasting). Laser survey equipment defines the rock mass, and an optimised blast hole

pattern is designed, and drilled. As production requirements demand, the drilled “shot” is then

charged with bulk explosives, and fired, in accordance with the site blasting model and

procedures.

Once the rock has been blasted, fragmented rock will be loaded from the pit floor onto haul

trucks, whereas any larger rock fragments (“oversize”) will typically be broken by a rock breaker

before loading. The load and haul fleet will generally be operated continuously during the

operating hours of the quarry, in order to maintain continuity of supply for processing.

The primary stage of processing involves the use of a jaw crusher and vibratory screens, with

crushed product being held in an interim stockpile called a “surge pile”. From this stage, material

will be conveyed to several downstream stages of crushing and screening equipment. After

processing, the material will be conveyed to individual product stockpiles. The processing plant,

including primary and secondary crushers (and screens to separate dust and aggregates) will be

located within the plant and infrastructure area, near the individual product stockpiles.

The quarry materials are then either loaded directly by a front end loader (‘sales loader’) from the

stockpiles, or via overhead storage bins at the plant (under typical conditions), to road haulage

trucks. The road haulage trucks then proceed across the weighbridge and through the wheel

wash before exiting the site to deliver quarry materials to the market.

Chapter 2.0 of the project EIS provides a more detailed description of the various components of

the project.


2.2 STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

The site will be developed in a sequence of discrete stages. Each stage will involve a series of

phases:

Site establishment (‘E’), development (‘D’), and construction (‘C’) stages (featuring a

number of intermediate phases);

Quarry operation (‘Q’) stage (featuring a number of phases) associated with the

development of the quarry pit itself; and

Rehabilitation and decommissioning of the site once the operations have concluded.

The timing and rate of progression through the stages associated with the pit development will be

defined by market conditions and demand. It is not appropriate to specify timeframes for the

development of each respective phase of the project at this early point, but the quarry will have

an operational life of at least 40 years.

During the construction and site preparation stage, the proposed Gold Coast Quarry will operate

with mobile plant(s), and be replaced with a permanent fixed plant as soon as practicable after

the plant site infrastructure area and initial pit have been established (estimated to occur between

years 4 and 5 of the approved development).

The staging plans for the project, as prepared by Lambert & Rehbein detail how the development

of the quarry is intended to progress (refer to Appendix C). Table 2, below, provides a general

overview of the works that will be undertaken as part of each phase of the development stage.

Table 2 Quarry Development Staging

SITE ESTABLISHMENT STAGE

PHASE WORKS UNDERTAKEN

E1 The external access road and associated intersection (from Old Coach Road) will be constructed.

During this phase, approximately 58,000 tonnes of excess material will be removed.

E2 A portion of the access road, as it enters the site from the intersection constructed as part of Phase E1, will be constructed and sealed (with bitumen).

Earthworks (cut) associated with the development of the internal road network are undertaken, specifically for the construction of:

o the internal road that will ultimately link to the plant facility and ROM pads; and

o the access and maintenance road extending to the dam.

Temporary weighbridge and wheel wash area will be developed.

The water storage dam embankment wall (requiring 89,300 tonnes of fill) and associated spillway will be constructed.

Overall, a total of approximately 233,000 tonnes of overburden will be removed from the site as a result of the development of this phase.


SITE ESTABLISHMENT STAGE


E3 The extent of the internal access road created in Phase E2 will be sealed with bitumen.

The temporary weighbridges and wheel wash areas will be removed and replaced by the permanent facilities.

The construction of the facilities pad will be commenced.

The sedimentation pond will be developed.

The temporary buildings associated with the (construction) facilities pad will also be constructed.

Filling works will be completed in an existing gully so as to facilitate the future pad area for the plant equipment.


The extent of filling completed as part of this phase equates to 115,900 tonnes.

DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION STAGE


D1 Earthworks associated with the construction of the plant pad will be continuing. These earthworks will be performed in a ‘receding rim’ fashion in order to minimum impacts on nearby sensitive receptors.

By this time, the quarry dam and sedimentation pond will be operational.


Furthermore, approximately 279,000 tonnes of quarry product extracted from the site will be utilised and sold as marketable material.

D2 Earthworks associated with the construction of the plant pad will be continuing.



D3 Earthworks associated with the construction of the plant pad will be continuing.

The ROM pad and ROM ramp will be created, and a small amount of fill will be required to develop this area (24,890 tonnes).




DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION STAGE


D4 Earthworks associated with the construction of the plant pad will be completed.

The final floor level for the plant area will be RL 34m AHD.

The final floor level for the ROM pad will be RL 50m AHD.

The stockpile area for the storing of materials will be cleared of its overburden.

The stockpile area rock (suitable for product) will be left in place for processing at a more economic rate once the permanent plant has been established.


Furthermore, approximately 540,000 tonnes of quarry product that can be utilised and sold is extracted.

C1

The construction / erection of the crushing plant will be commenced.

All permanent buildings (e.g. site office, employee facilities, workshop etc) will be constructed.

Earthworks associated with the removal of overburden are commenced with respect to extending into the area that will ultimately become the quarry pit.

C2 The construction / erection of the crushing plant will be completed.

Earthworks associated with the removal of overburden will be continuing with respect to extending into the area that will ultimately become the quarry pit.

QUARRY OPERATION STAGE


Q1 Extractive activities associated with Q1 will be undertaken.

The base levels for Q1 will range between RL 78.0m AHD (western end of the pit area) and RL 66.0m AHD (eastern end of the pit area, adjacent to the ROM pad).


The base levels for Pit Stage 2 will be RL 54m AHD (eastern end of the pit area, adjacent to the ROM pad).

Rehabilitation of the benches associated with the pit will commence as possible.


The base levels for Q3 will be RL 30m AHD (western end of the pit area).


Q4 Extractive activities associated with Q 4 will be undertaken.

The base levels for Q4 will be RL 6m AHD (centrally located within the pit area).



The base levels for Q5 will be RL -66m AHD centrally located within the pit area).



2.3 LAND OWNERSHIP

The land that is the subject of this EIS comprises Lot 105 on SP144215 and Lot 901 on

SP907357.

Lot 105 on SP144215 is a freehold title that is in the ownership of Boral Resources (QLD) Pty

Limited. The current title search for this particular parcel confirms that Lot 105 is not benefitted or

burdened by any existing easements.

Lot 901 on SP907357 effectively bisects Lot 105. Lot 901 traverses the site generally in a south-

east to north-west direction between Tallebudgera Creek Road and Chesterfield Drive and it is a

reserve administered by the Council of the City of the Gold Coast as a trustee. The current title

search for this parcel also confirms that this allotment is not benefitted or burdened by any

existing easements.

The project does not rely on Lot 901 on SP907357 for any part of the construction and future

operation of the quarry.

The EIS demonstrates that the project will be undertaken entirely within the portion of Lot 105 that

is situated to the north of Lot 901 on SP907357. Refer to Map 1 in Appendix E.

2.4 MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS

The proposed development does not require connection to the Council’s trunk water, sewer or

stormwater infrastructure systems. The project will be entirely self-sufficient with respect to these

aspects.

The development will need to connect to the necessary electricity and telecommunication

services.


3.0 APPROVAL CONDITIONS

As the Draft EMP has been prepared prior to the issue of a Decision Notice, this section will

require revision once Approval Conditions become known.

3.1 EXTRACTION AREA

The limit of the extraction area is defined in the EIS. As the GCQ is surrounded by residential

areas, the proponent has voluntarily limited the area of extraction to a central area that affords

topographical shielding from residential areas and considerable buffer distances around

operational areas.

The disturbance area and extraction areas will be clearly indicated on quarry development plans.

3.2 ACCESS ROAD

Access to the GCQ for quarry-related traffic will be via an entrance to the quarry to be

constructed off Old Coach Road. Intersection works will be undertaken to provide turnouts for

trucks and to improve sight lines.

Access from the Tallebudgera Creek Road frontage will be minimised and no road works or track

development works are planned. However there may be circumstances in which limited access to

this area may be necessary such as for fire control. Other potential requirements might include

fence maintenance, water monitoring and environmental management such as weed control.

3.3 OTHER CONDITIONS

This section will provide information on limits to activities imposed by approvals notice and other

regulatory instruments, when the EMP is finalised.


4.0 MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

4.1 EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS

A list of emergency contact details is to be compiled and displayed in the site manager’s office

and in other locations that are accessible and frequently observed by all quarry staff, and visitors.

The emergency contact details will cover all potential emergency scenarios that have been

identified by risk management processes.

The list will be revised annually (or more frequently as required) to take into account any changes

in administrative arrangements or contact details.

Boral has defined emergency management procedures and these will be displayed in an area

which is accessible to all staff.

4.2 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibility for environmental management and continuous improvement in performance is the

duty of all personnel managing or working on the project.

All personnel associated with the project shall comply with the requirements of all relevant

environmental legislation, regulations, codes of practice, project standards, procedures and work

instructions. The environmental responsibilities of key personnel and contractors throughout the

life of the project are outlined below.

Project Manager

Integrate the requirements of the EMP into project specific procedures;

Review any environmental non-conformances, remediation and preventative actions;

Evaluate the performance of the EMP on a regular basis;

Allocate project resources and delegate environmental tasks to manage environmental

issues; and

Ensure suppliers and contractors comply with environmental requirements.

Site Operations Manager and Superintendents

Normally be present on site during construction and operational activities;

Ensure that the EMP is effectively established, implemented and maintained at the

Project level;

Ensure that site personnel are trained and aware of their environmental obligations;


Take corrective action to resolve non-conformances;

Report to the Regional Environmental Manager (REM) on environmental issues and non-

conformances;

Must be suitably qualified and possess adequate experience in construction or

operations environmental management;

Have sufficient authority to take steps necessary to avoid or minimise adverse

environmental impacts, including recommending to Project Manager that activities cease

due to inadequate environmental performance;

Be present on site during any critical construction activities and provide support to the

project team to enable them to meet their environmental obligations;

Arrange for environmental inspection and audit programs to be completed as required by

internal procedures, approvals, licenses and permits;

Complete environmental inspection checklists and report to the REM;

Implement an appropriate environmental awareness training program and assist site

personnel to complete the training program;

Ensure environmental records are kept and files maintained;

Ensure community complaints and non-conformances are recorded and appropriately

considered and acted upon;

Coordinate with relevant local authorities regarding works; and

Communicate with the general public and key stakeholders, as required and within limits

of authority.

Regional Environmental Manager (REM)

Provide advice and support in relation to environmental issues;

Review and update the EMP and related documents; and

Ensure that audits of the EMP are carried out and results reported to the SM and

Construction /Operations Manager.

Contractors

Provide an EMP demonstrating their ability to manage their environmental impacts;

Abide by all legal and contractual obligations;

Partake in awareness training as directed by management;


Comply with management / supervisory directions;

Inform the project management before commencement of key activities; and

Regularly report on activities and environmental performance.

All personnel

Observe Environmental Policies and Procedures;

Comply with the relevant Standards, Codes of Practice, Acts, and Regulations;

Promptly report any non-conformances and/or breaches of the system to management;

and

Take part in awareness training as directed by management.

4.3 STAFF TRAINING

Appropriate environmental training shall be received by employees to ensure they are aware of

their responsibilities and are competent to carry out their work in an environmentally acceptable

manner.

Employees shall attend a site induction during which environmental requirements shall be

explained. Ongoing instruction shall be provided via modular training packages and toolbox

meetings. All inductions and ongoing instruction shall be recorded on a project register to ensure

all staff are inducted and receive the appropriate training.

Employees and subcontractors shall receive instruction in the following areas:

EMP and related documents;

Environmental policies;

Understanding the regulatory requirements applying to the project and their consequent

responsibilities as a member of the project team;

Site environmental objectives and targets;

Potential consequences of straying from procedures;

Emergency procedures and responses; and

Understanding their legal obligations.

Personnel carrying out tasks that possess higher than usual environmental risks (for example,

tree clearing) shall be provided with additional induction and training to further inform them of


particular requirements, risks and controls. Many such activities require defined work permits

under Boral’s Risk Management System. Such processes normally require that these persons

are currently certified as having completed external generic induction and training processes

and/or have gained appropriate experience, before commencing such tasks.


5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FOR ESTABLISHMENT,

DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION STAGES

5.1 GENERAL CONTROLS

5.1.1 SITE INDUCTIONS

All staff, contractors, and visitors shall be appropriately inducted on first time arrival on site.

Inductions shall cover safety and administrative matters and any environmental matters that are

relevant to the person’s activities on site. A record will be kept of the induction, including names,

company names, contact details, site activity and scope/specific content of induction.

All inductions will include a brief description of the General Environmental Duty and of key

matters which quarry management has to tightly control in order to abide by approval conditions.

The presence of sensitive or restricted areas will be indicated as necessary.

5.1.2 ACCESS ROAD

Access control will be established on the site access road as soon as practicable after site works

commence. Access control includes temporary gates and signage to inform the public of the

presence of a quarry/construction site and will also display access restrictions, contact numbers

and other relevant matters.

5.1.3 HOURS OF OPERATION

During the Establishment, Development & Construction Phases, the proposed development will

be operated within the hours listed in Table 3 below.

Table 3 Work Hours for Establishment, Development and Construction Phases

Activity Hours of Operation

Access (general operations) 6:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Saturday

Construction activities & site works* 6:30am to 6:00pm Monday to Saturday

Sales and Dispatch 6:30am to 6:00pm Monday to Saturday

Mobile Crushing and Screening 7:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Saturday

Maintenance 24 hours Monday to Saturday and

8:00am to 6:00pm Sundays

Blasting 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday

* Operation of major items of noise-generating plant, specifically bulldozers, rock breakers and

rock drills will not commence until 7:00am.


5.1.4 IDENTIFICATION OF RESTRICTED AREAS

Some parts of the site contain remnant vegetation or cultural heritage material which is to remain

undisturbed. A White-bellied Sea Eagle’s nest is also present on site and is surrounded by an

exclusion zone, which should apply to all people other than consultants or other qualified persons

undertaking environmental surveys and monitoring.

5.1.5 SITE SECURITY AND SIGNAGE

Site security and signage shall be implemented as soon as practicable after entrance works are

complete. The goal of site security and signage is to:

Restrict unauthorised access;

Maintain site security; and

Keep works/operational areas secured in accordance with standard Regulatory

requirements.

5.1.6 SEWAGE TREATMENT

On-site sewage treatment will be provided. It is currently planned to provide a self-contained

treatment plant of approximately 30 persons equivalent capacity. The plant will treat wastewater

to secondary standard, with treated wastewater being irrigated onto suitable areas around the

operational area or disposed of via sub-surface dispersal lines. Monitoring of the treated

wastewater quality will be required on account of the size of the required plant.

5.2 NOTIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

5.2.1 ELEMENT/ISSUE

The quarry is located close to a major infrastructure corridor; in an area where cooperative land

management is required, particularly with respect to bushfire and road transport systems.


5.2.2 MANAGEMENT PLAN

Operational Policy Objective – Notification of Government Agencies

Government bodies that need make accommodations for the GCQ know in advance of relevant quarry related activity.

Performance

Criteria

Infrastructure and land managers are provided with advanced notice of

establishment/development related activity so that any

accommodations necessary for the quarry project can be undertaken.

Implementation

Strategy

The following organisations are provided with advanced notice of construction

activities:

Department of Transport & Main Roads (DTMR);

Department of Natural Resources & Mines (DNRM);

Department of Environment and Heritage (DEHP);

Gold Coast City Council (GCCC); and

Urban and Rural Fire Brigades;

Monitoring Not Applicable.

Auditing Prior to commencement of construction, site manager is to check that

notifications were made and that responses have been processed.

Reporting A record of correspondence is maintained.

Corrective

Action

On identification of a relevant Government Agency that has not been

included in communications Boral Management to engage with the

relevant agency as soon as practical.

Reference

Document

Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan, Three Plus (2013)

5.3 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

5.3.1 ELEMENT/ISSUE

Quarrying operations can impact on the quality of life, economic and environmental values of

surrounding lands. Dust, noise and traffic impacts are among the most frequent sources of public

concern. Whilst the EIS consultation process ensures that all likely impacts have been

considered and appropriately mitigated, there is a need to establish channels of communication

that operate during the life of the quarry with potentially affected stakeholders. Topics that need

to be communicated include basic information about the proposed quarry operation, how key

areas will be managed to reduce impact on human and natural environment. Opportunities for


people to present questions about how the proposed quarry will impact on matters that concern

them also need to be provided.

This topic covers proactive engagement with the community. Any complaints received outside

the consultation process should be handled via the procedures in the complaints management

topic.


Operational Policy Objective – Community Consultation

Residents and other stakeholders potentially impacted by quarry-related activity are informed of the development of the quarry in advance of site development.

Performance

Criteria

Potentially adverse impacts to the community or the environment, or

perceptions to that effect, which are identified by members of the

community are properly reported to the staff within Boral who have the

authority to mitigate the unnecessary impact/perception of impact.

Implementation

Strategy

Establish a Gold Coast Quarry Community Liaison Group;

Maintain established community enquiry protocol which sets down the

process for receiving, recording and responding to community inquiries

in a timely manner; and

Maintain its Environmental Incidents and Community Complaints

Reporting Protocol.

Monitoring Issues which have been raised by stakeholders need to be recorded

and records kept of any responses made to stakeholders. Records of

correspondence should include a record of the actual correspondence

and a mail register entry (or similar) indicating that correspondence was

sent to a particular stakeholder on a particular day.

Auditing Auditing is to be undertaken by personnel who are independent of day

to day site operations.

Reporting A record of all published public consultation materials is to be available

to the SM;

A record of issues raised by stakeholders and responses (where

provided) are to be available to the SM; and

Records of actions taken to mitigate an impact or perception of impact

are created.

Corrective

Action

Increasing opportunities for members of the public to meet with

representatives from Boral; and


Increasing accessibility of information and/or public awareness of

availability of information.

Reference

Document


5.4 EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL

5.4.1 ELEMENT/ISSUE

Erosion of sediment from the development area would lead to water quality objectives for the site

not being met as the sediment load of water draining from Lot 105 would increase.

An Erosion and Sediment Control Program (ESCP) has been prepared for the establishment,

development and construction phases of the project. The information provided below is a subset

of the information in the ESCP and is provided for information purposes.

All works that are undertaken outside the footprint of the ESCP such as clearing for security

fences or fire trails will abide by the policies laid out in the ESCP where relevant and any

applicable implementation strategies.


Operational Policy Objective – Erosion And Sediment Control

Sediment generation should be minimised and sediment contained within operational areas

Performance

Criteria

Water from disturbed areas must flow through effective sediment

capture devices before entering surrounding environment.

Implementation

Strategy

Any upstream ‘clean water’ surface flows will be diverted around the

boundaries of the earthworks area via diversion berms constructed for

this purpose;

Installation of treatment devices as per Erosion and Sediment Control

Program drawing Nos. B12119-SK-350 to 355;

Ensure that any sediment-laden surface runoff from Lot 105 leaves only

after passing through a treatment device, which will usually be a

temporary sediment basin;

An un-disturbed, vegetation buffer zone and sediment fence barrier will

be maintained between the construction zone and any natural drainage

lines where possible;

Once the roadway stormwater swales are constructed, rock check

dams and other filters will provide pre-treatment for stormwater before


flow enters the sediment basin;

Ensure construction vehicles exiting and entering Lot 105 are clean of

loose dirt or contaminants that may enter the roadway drainage system;

Minimize disturbance by construction worker’s vehicles via provision of

a stabilized parking area clear of earthworks areas;

Ensure progressive site stabilisation is implemented as soon as

practically possible, and maintained at all times during construction; and

Ensure that any temporary site buildings and permanent building roofs

are connected into the underground drainage system immediately

following roof gutter installation. No roofs shall discharge onto exposed

earthworks areas.

Monitoring Site Manager to ensure that run-off from all parts of the disturbed area

is directed into a sediment basin or through a silt fence before release

into natural environment.

Auditing Periodic inspection and reporting by professions qualified in sediment

and erosion control needs to be undertaken to ensure erosion and

sedimentation control measures are effective.

Reporting Any significant failures in erosion and sediment management are to be

recorded in Boral’s Incident Management System; and

A significant failure would include but not be limited to the following: a

structural failure of a sediment fence, sediment dam, formation of a

gully or overflow of sediment dams due to lack of capacity.

Corrective

Action

Any complaints related to water quality or any exceedences of approval

conditions for water quality at point(s) of discharge from site will trigger

an investigation into erosion and sediment control measures;

Action to improve the effectiveness of erosion and sediment control

measures will be taken were practical methods and technologies are

available.

Reference

Document

GCQ Erosion and Sediment Control Program (ESCP, Lambert &

Rehbein 2013)


5.5 NOISE

5.5.1 ELEMENT/ISSUE

The establishment, development and construction stages of the quarry involve the use of

mechanical equipment. Appropriate management measures need to be applied to ensure

compliance with required levels at noise sensitive areas and acceptable levels of amenity for

residences in the locality of the quarry. These measures are stated in the Construction Noise

Management Plan (CNMP).

When implemented, the mitigation measures will ensure that noise levels at sensitive receptors

do not exceed levels in the Environmental Protection (Noise) Policy or the levels described in the

AcousticsRB Baseline Report developed as part of the GCQ EIS.


Operational Policy Objective – Noise

Ensure compliance with required levels at closest/most exposed sensitive receptors

Performance

Criteria

Regulatory noise limits are complied with when measured at sensitive

receptors (closest residences).

Implementation

Strategy

Workers and contractors shall be educated to maximise awareness of

project noise goals and unnecessary noise generating activities;

Activities that generate considerable noise shall be scheduled during

the least sensitive times of the day;

Construction processes and equipment shall be selected to minimise

the generation of noise;

Mobile mechanical equipment shall be fitted with effective exhaust

mufflers;

New technology reversing alarms shall be specified for all mobile plant;

Rock breaking, hammering, blasting and any other activities associated

with these stages of the quarry shall be carried out during the specified

daytime operational hours;

The strategic placement of items of major noise generating plant to

maximise the beneficial shielding provided by the retained high ground;

The construction of a 3m high noise barrier along the outer rim of the

sedimentation pond at Phase E3;

The construction and deployment of 5m high moveable modular

barriers close to the mobile primary crushers from the commencement


of Establishment Phase E2/E3;

The deployment of a 5m high moveable modular barrier located in close

proximity to the mobile primary crusher throughout Phases C1 and C2;

and

Compliance with the requirements of the Construction Noise

Management Plan, especially with regard to the selection, operation

and maintenance of “low noise” plant and equipment.

Monitoring Refer Noise Monitoring Program – Section 9.3

Auditing The triennial environmental audit will review noise monitoring results

and adequacy of noise monitoring procedures.

Reporting Each noise monitoring report is to be submitted to the site manager for

review;

Noise monitoring results are to be presented as self-contained reports

which include a brief introduction including background on information

on complaints if any. Location and weather conditions and other factors

that may influence sound pressure levels are to be noted; and

All noise monitoring reports are to be retained for a period of not less

than 7 years.

Corrective

Action

Revise noise monitoring program so that it can meet relevant

standards, if a non-conformance with the monitoring program is

identified; and

Undertake a round of noise monitoring, after revision of noise

monitoring program and audit results.

Reference

Document

Proposed Gold Coast Quarry Assessment of Environmental Noise

Issues for Environmental Impact Statement by AcousticsRB (2013) -

EIS technical report.


5.6 BLAST VIBRATION

5.6.1 ELEMENT/ISSUES

Some blasting will take place during the establishment, development and construction phases,

including blasting for calibration of blasting models on local rock. Blasting is the only significant

source of vibration and produces both air-borne and ground-borne vibrations.

Overpressure

Air-borne vibrations, known as overpressure, include both audible and sub-audible (frequencies

less than 20 Hz) components. While the audible component of air-borne vibration from blasting

operations may be easily identified, the sub-audible component can manifest as shaking or

rattling of windows or objects on shelves inside a residential structure. While the sub-audible

component of overpressure is generally imperceptible outside a residence, it can be responsible

for secondary noises inside a residence (objects rattling).

In accordance with Australian regulations and standards, overpressure is measured as a peak

linear sound pressure level in decibels (dB(L)), though the levels should not be confused with A-

weighted noise levels (dBA).

Vibration

Ground-borne vibration radiates in all directions from the blast via the rock mass or soil, and is an

inevitable consequence of the blasting process. Due to attenuation and scattering, vibration

levels reduce with increasing distance from the source. In accordance with Australian regulations

and standards, vibration is measured as a peak particle velocity (mm/s).


Operational Policy Objective – Blast Vibration

Blast vibration falls with regulatory limits at nearest sensitive receptors

Performance

Criteria

Airblast overpressure must not exceed 120dB (linear) peak for any

blast;

Ground-borne vibrations must not be more than 10mm/s for any blast;

and

Ground-borne vibrations must not be more than 5 mm/s for 9 out of 10

consecutive blasts and overpressure must not be more than 115 dB, for

9 out of any 10 consecutive blasts at a sensitive receptor.

Implementation

Strategy

Electronic initiation and single-hole firing will be used to ensure that no

two holes in any blast will fire at the same instant;

Blasting variables will be optimised to reduce the potential for vibration


including:

- Blast hole diameter;

- Stemming;

- Charge weights; and

- Delay between firing adjacent charges.

More conservative blasting procedures may be used where blasting is

within 300m of private property.

Monitoring Refer Blast Monitoring Program – Section 9.2.

Auditing Triennial Environmental Audit and Monthly Environmental Checklist

Reporting Waveform diagrams and files from each blasting event will be submitted to SM

and REM. Non-conformances with blast limits will be reported as per non-

conformance reporting procedure in Boral’s Incident Management System.

Corrective

Action

Where vibration levels approach maximum permitted limits, the Drill & Blast

Contractor will be required to revise blast designs to ensure that vibration

levels do not exceed permitted limits.

Reference

Document

Blasting Impact – Gold Coast Quarry by Blasttechnology (2012) - EIS

technical report.

5.7 AIR QUALITY

5.7.1 ELEMENT/ISSUE

Airborne dust may disperse beyond the site and may be deposited in residential areas. Dust can

come from disturbance of natural soils, from crushing of rock and particularly vehicle movements

over unsealed surfaces. Dust emissions can occur at any stage of the quarrying process

including:

Clearing;

Excavating;

Material handling (bulldozers / front end loaders / scrapers);

Crushing and screening by mobile plant;

Haulage of material (wheel generated dust);

Wind erosion of raw material and product stockpiles; and

Wind erosion of exposed areas.

Air quality also covers other potential pollutants such as vehicle exhausts, volatile/gaseous chemicals, smoke and odours. Modeling has demonstrated that emission rates are so low that


the quarry will have a negligible impact on local air quality. These aspects are not considered further.


Operational Policy Objective – Air Quality (Dust)

Airborne Dust shall be minimised as far as practicable during the Establishment and Development Stages of the quarry

Performance

Criteria

Dust deposition rates at sensitive receptors are lower than regulatory

limits and as low as reasonably possible within the disturbance area of

the quarry.

Implementation

Strategy

Cleared areas shall be stabilised as soon as practicable in order to

minimise the amount of exposed ground during the works;

Access to exposed areas shall be restricted in order to prevent

disturbance where practicable;

Stockpiled materials shall be placed within designated stockpile areas,

spread of stockpile material into adjacent areas shall be prevented;

Stockpile areas shall be watered on a regular basis and as required;

Vehicles operated within the site shall be restricted to designated

entry/exit points and internal roadways;

Vehicle speed shall be limited to appropriate speeds on all internal

roadways;

Trucks transporting material from the site shall have the load covered in

accordance with Boral’s tarping policy;

Truck underbodies and tyres shall be washed prior to leaving the site;

and

Internal roadways and trafficked areas shall be regularly watered.

Monitoring Refer Dust Monitoring Program – Section 9.4.

Auditing The triennial environmental audit will review dust monitoring results and

adequacy of dust monitoring procedures.

Reporting A report is to be submitted to the site manager within seven (7) days of

dust deposition rates being measured; and

Any exceedences of regulatory limits in dust deposition rates will be

drawn to the attention of the site manager, and required to be reported

as a non-conformance in the Boral Incident Management System


Corrective

Action

Investigations into the source of the dust will be undertaken and

additional mitigation measures applied where practical.

Reference

Document

Air Quality Assessment for Gold Coast Quarry by Katestone

Environmental (2012) – EIS technical report

5.8 VEGETATION AND FAUNA MANAGEMENT


Aerial photographs taken in 1974 show that the project footprint had been almost completely

cleared of native vegetation to provide pasture for grazing. Small areas of remnant vegetation

associated with drainage lines were retained and the quarry has been configured to avoid these

areas as much as possible. Native forest regeneration has reclaimed much of the site, however

this forest vegetation is considerably less diverse and structurally less complex than the patches

of remnant vegetation. Clearing of the maturing regrowth vegetation is of lower environmental

consequence than the clearing of remnant vegetation however the forest regeneration outside the

disturbance footprint is of moderate quality for threatened species such as koalas and glossy

black cockatoos and the habitat values in the buffer area around the quarry are to be protected.

This section covers measures that have been put in place to manage impacts associated with the

clearing of vegetation.


Operational Policy Objective – Vegetation and Fauna Management

Vegetation Clearing is undertaken in a way that minimises the area cleared, impacts to fauna from the clearing process and soil disturbance.

Performance

Criteria

Vegetation clearance shall be undertaken in a staged and controlled

manner to ensure minimal impacts of vegetation clearance and that

retained vegetation is not compromised by site clearing works.

Implementation

Strategy

Clearing of vegetation is undertaken according to Boral’s SOP;

No tree in which a koala is present, or a tree with a crown overlapping a

tree in which a koala is present, is to be cleared;

During the construction phases and for the life of operational activities

native vegetation clearing will be undertaken as sequential clearing and

under the guidance of a wildlife spotter;

Activities are staged in line with operational needs (i.e. no area clearing

will occur until the pending phase of the project requires clearing);


Clearing will be undertaken sequentially, with clearing of vegetation that

ensures not more than three hectares or 3 per cent of the site’s area,

whichever is the greater; is cleared in any one stage; and

A break in clearing is to be undertaken between each stage, with such

breaks lasting at least 12 hours, generally from 6.00 pm to 6.00 am on

the following day.

Monitoring Monitoring of recently cleared areas should be undertaken to confirm

that the implementation strategy has been followed and that the

recently cleared areas have been placed in a state that minimised risk

to surrounding environment; and

Site Manager to ensure that safeguards are in place before any clearing

event takes place.

Auditing As vegetation clearing (and the stripping of overburden) is the most

significant impact of the quarry project on the natural environment,

external audits of the work will be undertaken at regular intervals.

External audits can include inspections by the REM or independent

consultants

Reporting Immediately report any incident which contravenes the objectives of the

EMP to the SM, REM and the appropriate regulatory body if required;

and

Any significant failure to follow the Boral SOP for clearing should be

recorded in the Incident Management System.

Corrective

Action

Investigate whether Boral SOP is being followed and take appropriate

action in cases where the SOP has not been followed.

Reference

Documents

Flora and Fauna Technical Report – Gold Coast Quarry by Cardno –

EIS technical report;

Koala Management Plan – Gold Coast Quarry by Cardno Chenoweth

2012 – EIS technical report; and

Matters of National Environmental Significance Report by Cardno

Chenoweth 2012 – EIS technical report.


5.9 CULTURAL HERITAGE


Significant amounts of vegetation clearing and site disturbance will be undertaken during the

Establishment, Development and Construction Stages. Despite Cultural Heritage surveys having

been conducted and concluding that the site is unlikely to preserve any sites of scientific or

historical interest, there remains a possibility that items of potential cultural heritage significant

could be discovered during works.

Non-Indigenous Cultural Heritage

Settlement of the general area by Europeans commenced approximately 150 years ago with

logging, grazing and cropping being the main activities. In the latter half of the twentieth century,

primary industries declined and were replaced by urban land uses in the surrounding district.

Grazing continued on the site until 1995, however as the site was part of a larger property,

structures associated with that land use were not located on the present site. The non-

indigenous cultural heritage assessment report considers that there is a low likelihood of items of

archaeological significance being uncovered by the project.

As the recorded history of the site is not comprehensive, there is a possibility that unknown

activities took place on the site (including effected parts of Old Coach Road) and unknown but

historically valuable artifacts could potentially be discovered.

Indigenous Cultural Heritage

Indigenous cultural heritage (ICH) may also be present. Some stone artifacts, and stone chips

created during production of stone tools have been located on the site. The only site of potential

cultural heritage value is located outside the disturbance footprint for the quarry and has been

designated a restricted area until further investigations can be undertaken. Indigenous cultural

heritage is most likely to be located on ridge crests as steep slopes were not considered prime

places for indigenous activity and artifacts in or near creeks would have been washed away by

flooding.

On the basis of the findings of surface and sub-surface investigations, by Indigenous Cultural

Heritage Consultants (Jabree Limited), Boral have been advised that the proposed works

associated with the development area of the project known as the Gold Coast Quarry can

proceed without the need for further surveys.


Operational Policy Objective – Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage is protected from damage until clearances are provided.


Performance

Criteria

Any discoveries of potentially important archaeological material are

assessed and managed in accordance with Cultural Heritage

Management Plans.

Implementation

Strategy

Non-indigenous cultural heritage will be protected by:

Provision of educational material to personnel informing them what

archaeological material may look like;

Stopping work with 20m of a potential archaeological find until an

assessment by an archaeologist can be made;

A requirement to notify the REM of the find and to engage a suitably

qualified professional to assess the find; and

A process for the collection, transport and storage of any archaeological

items.

Indigenous cultural heritage will be protected by:

Works to proceed in accordance with the Cultural Heritage

Management Plan and the Clearance Certificate (issued by Jabree

Limited and indicates which areas have already been cleared and can

be developed be developed without further surveys);

If during construction there is a significant and/or substantial find made,

works should cease and Jabree Limited should be contacted

immediately to advise and to negotiate further works by way of

mitigation;

Senior site workers undergo a 30 minute induction as provided for in

the Cultural Heritage Management Plan and commercial agreement

between Boral and Jabree Limited;

The site complex identified as B SC13 is located a considerable

distance from the disturbance footprint and is not at risk from quarry

operations. Site B SC13 must be designated as a works and access

exclusion zone at least until further investigations are undertaken and

results documented. The exclusion zone must extend 20m beyond the

boundaries; and

The SM is responsible for providing instructing quarry employees and

agents on which areas to avoid disturbing for Indigenous Cultural

Heritage reasons on an as necessary basis.

Monitoring All historical items uncovered should be immediately photographed,

described in words and located using a GPS. This description should


be forwarded to the REM and recorded in Boral’s Incident Management

System; and

Prior to disturbing new areas, the site manager is to check that known

sites have been avoided and that any potentially significant finds have

been reported.

Auditing The relevant Archaeologist will provide management recommendations

to the Site Manager and will liaise with the DNRM to ensure that the

archaeological provisions of the Queensland Heritage Act 1992 are

followed.

Reporting Not required.

Corrective

Action

SM to undertake additional measures to prevent further works in areas

with known or suspected cultural heritage until advice from a suitably

qualified professional in cultural heritage has been received.

Reference

Documents

Cultural Heritage Assessment of the Gold Coast Quarry, Tallebudgera

Valley by Jabree Pty Ltd (2012) – EIS technical report; and

Non-Indigenous Cultural Heritage, Gold Coast Quarry EIS Project by

converge heritage + community (2012) – EIS technical report.

5.10 REHABILITATION


Buffer zone restoration will occur outside of the footprint of the quarry during the Establishment,

Development and Construction Stage of the quarry. The main purpose of undertaking restoration

within the buffer zone is to support the Koala Management Plan, increase habitat for protected

species, enhance existing significant vegetation and rehabilitate the uncontrolled track network

created by unauthorized recreational vehicles with vegetation to reduce the sediment load coming

from these areas.



Operational Policy Objective – Rehabilitation

Existing disturbed areas in the buffer zone are rehabilitated

Performance

Criteria

Bushland buffer is to be managed in a way that maximises its

biodiversity and habitat values, particularly for koalas and glossy black

cockatoos;

Planted areas contribute to environmental offsets and provision of

additional feed trees for koalas and glossy black cockatoos; and

Groundcover vegetation and leaf litter is to be restored over unwanted

tracks to reduce erosion and sediment production.

Implementation

Strategy

In areas where planting is required, methods of site preparation, plant

selections and planting techniques in the Landscape Rehabilitation

Report are to be followed;

In the buffer zone, natural regeneration is to be the primary means of

rehabilitation;

Natural regeneration required protection from further impacts such as

vehicles and control of weeds that compete with native plants;

Areas that have been identified that require additional interventions

include:

- Riparian restoration. Three target areas on alluvial soils have

historically been cleared of trees and support variable, often

sparse, regeneration of native species along with abundant weeds;

- Fauna crossing at entry point. This area will require planting over

the batter and benches to facilitate fauna movement across the

proposed entry road;

- White-bellied sea-eagle buffer. The proposed setback provided to

the White-bellied sea-eagle limits views into the proposed pit and

plant site. It may however be necessary to enhance the screening

in the shrub and sub canopy layers through planting both uphill

and to the east of the nest tree;

- Former dam near quarry edge. This area of approximately 3,600m2

is located close to the quarry rim and is likely to be drained as part

of the quarry construction. If so, it is proposed that the area is

replanted with koala food trees; and


- Vegetation Management Act 1999 Offset. Management of this area

will not differ from the surrounding vegetation. There is however an

expectation that there will be at least 1 weed treatment per year for

the first 3 years of management.

Monitoring Refer Ecological Monitoring Program – Section 9.6

Auditing Formal assessment of the effectiveness weed control and bush

regeneration is to be included in triennial independent environmental

audit.

Reporting Formal monitoring reports are to be provided to the SM and REM.

Corrective

Action

The SM is to be responsible for initiating further investigations into

rehabilitation-related issues and for implementing corrective actions as

required;

Additional surface cover is to be provided for areas where rehabilitation

has failed and ground surface is inadequately protected; and

Areas where rehabilitation has failed should be rehabilitated with a

different process or species selection which is selected for performance

under the conditions at the location where the rehabilitation failed.

Reference Documents

Landscape Rehabilitation Report, Gold Coast Quarry EIS by Cardno

Chenoweth (2013) – EIS technical report

5.11 CHEMICAL AND FUEL STORAGE


On-site fuel storage will be required to provide for machinery used during the Establishment,

Development and Construction Phases. Permanent fuel storage tanks will be provided in the

Construction Stage. This element covers both temporary and permanent fuel storages.

Fuel and chemical storage on site creates a risk of leakage to the environment. As the drainage

system outside the operational area of the site will retain the natural drainage lines and riparian

vegetation, recovery of fuel and chemicals from this area would be costly, environmentally

damaging and may result in regulatory penalties.

Chemicals include other combustible substances, oxidising agents, corrosive agents and toxic

substances.



Operational Policy Objective – Chemical and Fuel Storage

To minimise the potential for fuel or chemical release into the environment

Performance

Criteria

All fuel and chemical storage facilities must comply with Australian

Standard AS 1940.

Implementation

Strategy

Site manager will be provided with a SOP for handling and storage of

hazardous materials;

Spill response procedures and equipment will be provided to reduce

risk of pollution in the event of a spill;

Bunds surrounding fuel storages shall be kept clean and dry and free of

presence of uncontained fuels that could provide ignition sources;

Bunds shall have an internal sump and/or valve with the valve being

locked shut except when releasing rainwater;

Accumulated rainwater will be released only if it is determined to be

clean by inspection or analysis for contaminants;

Visibly contaminated water is to be treated in a site surface water

interception system or treated by some other means to remove visible

oil;

Ensure that chemicals stored on site are below the maximum allowable

storage quantities; and

If multiple hazardous materials are stored, then the aggregate volume

should not exceed the maximum storage volume of the least hazardous

of these materials.

Monitoring Routine monitoring of tank and bund condition will be undertaken.

Auditing Periodic inspection of the storage facility by a qualified professional and

according to the monthly environmental checklist

Reporting Incidents will be reported using Boral’s Incident Management System.

Corrective

Action

Should fuel or chemical leaks be observed or issues that could lead to

leaks be detected, these are to be reported to the Site Manager and to

the REM to organise corrective action.

Reference

Document

Australian Standard AS 1940.


5.12 WASTE MANAGEMENT


A range of waste streams, including regulated wastes, will be generated through the life of the

project. Wastes generated during the Establishment, Development and Construction Phases are

likely to considerable and varied. Appropriate management of the handling, storage and disposal

of all waste streams is required.

A Waste Management Plan (Lambert & Rehbein 2013) (WMP) has been prepared which provides

detailed information on predicted waste streams and waste management requirements. A WMP

is required for dealing with regulated wastes such as tyres, batteries, paints and solvents. These

wastes are to be accounted for and removed to a suitably licenced disposal facility. Non -

regulated waste such as office waste that is not suitable for recycling can be removed from site

by a commercial waste contractor.

The information presented below shows the framework used by the WMP and is for information

purposes only.


Operational Policy Objective – Waste

Sediment Generation Should Be Minimised And Sediment Contained Within Operational Areas

Performance

Criteria

All Regulated and Non-Regulated wastes to be handled and disposed

of in appropriate receptacles and to appropriate waste receiving

facilities; and

Wherever possible, waste generated on site shall be minimized and

reused/recycled.

Implementation

Strategy

Design to minimise production of waste from the Boral Gold Coast

Quarry facilities;

Minimise the generation of regulated waste;

Apply the waste management hierarchy of “avoid, reduce, recycle,

recover, treat and dispose”;

Apply sustainable waste management and disposal methods;

Avoid contamination of land and water;

Minimise adverse effects to aquatic and terrestrial vegetation and

wildlife; and

Minimise potential risks to workers and the public.

Monitoring The movement of regulated waste in Queensland is subject to a


waste tracking system. The WMP includes the requirement for a

waste tracking system for regulated waste.

Auditing Formal review of waste management including the waste tracking

system is to be included in triennial environmental audit.

Reporting Waste generation, tracking, reuse and recycling data shall be

maintained for corporate reporting purposes.

Corrective

Action

On event of waste being disposed of incorrectly, the waste contractor or

site personnel shall be advised of the discretion and informed of the

correct practice. Waste to be recovered and returned to correct

handling and disposal approach.

Reference

Document

Waste Management Plan, Boral Gold Coast Quarry, Reedy Creek by

Lambert & Rehbein (2013) – EIS technical report.


6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FOR OPERATIONAL

STAGE

6.1 BOUNDARY OF OPERATIONAL AREA

The quarry operation will take place on a Greenfield site bordering Old Coach Road and

Tallebudgera Creek Road.

The entire site covers 220 hectares (ha) and most of this area will remain as bushland and serve

as a buffer zone around the quarry. The area of disturbance including the access road,

operations area, pit and water storages will cover approximately 65 ha.

Significant buffer zones have been provided between the site boundary and any area of

disturbance.

6.2 OPERATING HOURS

During the Quarrying Phases Q1 to Q5, the proposed development will be operated within the

hours detailed in Table 4 below.

Table 4 Operating Hours for Quarry Operation Phase

Activity Hours of Operation

Access (general operations) 6:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Saturday

Extraction 7:00 am to 6:00pm Monday to Saturday

Sales and Dispatch 6:30am to 6:00pm Monday to Saturday

Crushing and Screening 7:00 am to 6:00pm Monday to Saturday

Maintenance 24 hours Monday to Saturday and

8:00am to 6:00pm Sundays

Blasting 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday

6.3 PLANT OUTPUT AND DURATION OF OPERATIONS

It is estimated that the upper production output from the plant will be in the order of 2 million

tonnes per annum throughout the operational life of the quarry, which will be in excess of 40

years. Full production is likely to be achieved 1-2 years after production commences, depending

on market conditions.


6.4 NOISE


Potentially sensitive noise receptors exist in the vicinity of the quarry site in current and future

residential areas. Without application of mitigation measures, noise levels could potentially

exceed regulatory limits or perceived nuisance levels at the receptor sites. However, when

mitigation measures are implemented, predicted noise emissions from the site will comply with

noise limits under all likely conditions.

Extensive and detailed noise modelling has been undertaken as part of the EIS process and the

conclusion is that compliance with the relevant noise level limits for the Quarrying Phases is fully

expected to be achieved provided noise control measures are fully implemented. For further

information refer to the EIS technical report “Assessment of Environmental Noise Issues for

Environmental Impact Statement” from AcousticsRB (2013).


Operational Policy Objective – Noise

To protect the amenity of nearby residents from noise nuisance from activities associated

with quarry operations by ensuring the noise levels meet statutory requirements and

acceptable standards.

Performance

Criteria

Regulatory noise limits are complied with when measured at sensitive

receptors (closest residences).

Implementation

Strategy

The full enclosure of all fixed crushing and screening plant, with

openings let into the enclosures for the entry and passage of product

and conveyors only;

The construction of a 6m high 145m long fixed acoustic barrier which is

to be erected at RL 134-147 along part of the north-western boundary

of the disturbance area (Stage Q4);

Rock drilling to be carried out using a “low noise” rock drill only which is

to be operated for the minimum time feasible and, where necessary,

screened using moveable modular barriers located at appropriate

elevated positions between the operating drill rig and the nearest

residences;

Compliance with the requirements of the Environmental Noise

Management Plan, especially with regard to the selection, operation

and maintenance of “low noise” plant and equipment;

Ensure that noise emissions, both individually and cumulatively, do not


adversely impact on local amenity;

Workers and contractors shall be informed of project noise goals and

noise mitigation measures;

Mobile plant is to be located in positions that maximise topographic

screening and distance from sensitive receptors where possible;

Mobile mechanical equipment shall be fitted with effective exhaust

mufflers;

Equipment with directional noise characteristics (emits noise strongly in

a particular direction) should be oriented such that noise is directed

away from sensitive areas; and

Boral vehicles and mobile plant will be fitted with new technology

reversing alarms.

Monitoring Refer Noise Monitoring Program – Section 9.3

Auditing Review of the site noise management practices should be carried out:

- At the start of quarrying activities; and

- Where upcoming quarrying activities indicate a high probability for

impact at sensitive receiver locations.

Reporting Routine noise monitoring reports shall be prepared and presented to

the SM.

Corrective

Action

Where monitoring shows unacceptable noise levels due to operational

activities, revision to the noise mitigation measures and management

activities shall be undertaken to ensure acceptable levels are achieved.

Reference

Document

Proposed Gold Coast Quarry … Assessment of Environmental Noise

Issues for Environmental Impact Statement by AcousticsRB (2013) -

EIS technical report

6.5 BLAST VIBRATION


Blasting is the only significant source of vibration and comprises of air-borne and ground-borne

vibration.

Overpressure

Air-borne vibrations, known as overpressure, include both audible and sub-audible (frequencies

less than 20 Hz) components. While the audible component of air-borne vibration from blasting


operations may be easily identified, the sub-audible component can manifest as shaking or

rattling of windows or objects on shelves inside a residential structure. While the sub-audible

component of overpressure is generally imperceptible outside a residence, it can be responsible

for secondary noises inside a residence (objects rattling).

In accordance with Australian regulations and standards, overpressure is measured as a peak

linear sound pressure level in decibels (dBL), though the levels should not be confused with A-

weighted noise levels (dBA).

Vibration

Ground-borne vibration radiates in all directions from the blast via the rock mass or soil, and is an

inevitable consequence of the blasting process. Due to attenuation and scattering, vibration

levels reduce with increasing distance from the source. In accordance with Australian regulations

and standards, vibration is measured as a peak particle velocity (mm/s).


Operational Policy Objective – Blast Vibration

Blast vibration falls with regulatory limits at nearest sensitive receptors

Performance

Criteria

Airblast overpressure must not exceed 120dB (linear) peak for any

blast;

Ground-borne vibrations must not be more than 10mm/s for any blast;

and

Ground-borne vibrations must not be more than 5 mm/s for 9 out of 10

consecutive blasts and overpressure must not be more than 115 dB, for

9 out of any 10 consecutive blasts at a sensitive receptor.

Implementation

Strategy

Electronic initiation and single-hole firing will be used to ensure that no

two holes in any blast will fire at the same instant;

Blasting variables will be optimised to reduce the potential for vibration

including:

- Blast hole diameter;

- Stemming;

- Charge weights; and

- Delay between firing adjacent charges.

More conservative blasting procedures may be used where blasting is

within 300 m of private property.

Monitoring Refer Blast Monitoring Program – Section 9.2


Auditing Triennial environmental audit and monthly environmental checklist

Reporting Waveform diagrams and files from each blasting event will be submitted

to SM and REM. Non-conformances with blast limits will be reported as per

non-conformance reporting procedure in Boral’s Incident Management

System.

Corrective

Action

Where vibration levels approach maximum permitted limits, the Drill & Blast

Contractor will be required to revise blast designs to ensure that vibration

levels do not exceed permitted limits.

Reference

Document

Blasting Impact – Gold Coast Quarry” by Blasttechnology (2012) - EIS

technical report

6.6 AIR QUALITY


Dust will be the primary air quality issue arising from the GCQ as a consequence of rock attrition

(crushing) which generates dust and earthmoving equipment which can remobilize surface dust.

Dust emissions can occur at any stage of the quarrying process including:

Material handling (bulldozers / front end loaders / scrapers);

Drilling;

Blasting;

Excavation;

Processing (crushing and screening) by both mobile and fixed plant;

Haulage of material (wheel generated dust);

Wind erosion of raw material and product stockpiles; and

Wind erosion of exposed areas (pit and plant).

The amount of dust emitted from the quarry will depend on the operations occurring at each stage

along with the management and mitigation measures that are employed to control dust.

Deposition of quarry dust in areas outside the quarry site represents a potential source of

nuisance. Dust containing very fine particles of silica is also known to have public health

implications and concentrations of airborne dust must be maintained below regulatory thresholds.

Modeling of dust from the proposed development and operation of the site suggest that

concentrations of respirable crystalline silica at the nearest sensitive areas to the quarry are likely

to be less that 10% of acceptable levels. The modeling was cumulative in that it included ambient

dust as well as project-related dust.


Air quality also covers other potential pollutants such as vehicle exhausts, volatile/gaseous

chemicals, smoke and odours. Modeling has demonstrated that emission rates are so low that

the quarry will have a negligible impact on local air quality. These aspects are not considered

further.


Operational Policy Objective – Air Quality (Dust)

Off-site dust dispersion levels comply with regulatory standards and development approval conditions.

Performance

Criteria

Dust deposition rates at sensitive receptors are lower than regulatory

limits and as low as reasonably possible within the quarry.

Implementation

Strategy

Use of water truck/s to wet down working roads and pads;

Water trucks to utilise polymer additives for efficient use of water, and

improved suppression where necessary;

Drill rig to have integral dust collector;

Install and use dust suppression systems on mobile crushing and

screening plant and equipment;

Use of foam dust suppression additives in dust suppression systems

where necessary;

Internal access road from intersection to car park will be sealed

(concrete / asphalt / bitumen sealed);

Fixed crushing and screening plant to have enclosures and dust

suppression systems (sprays fine mists of water over material transfer

points);

All external conveyors to/from fixed plant to be fitted with rain/wind

covers;

All product dispatch trucks will pass through wheel wash units and

loads will be covered using tarp truck bodies;

A street sweeper will be employed to periodically sweep the internal

roads and turnout areas to Old Coach Road;

Final product is to be stored in contained storage in "toast-rack"

bunkers; and

Stockpiles and product storage facilities to be sited and oriented to

reduce wind exposure where possible.


Monitoring Boral will conduct routine monitoring of the exposure of its workforce to

respirable crystalline silica throughout the lifetime of the GCQ;

Refer Air Quality Monitoring Program – Section 9.4.

Auditing Monthly checks are to be made that meteorological data and dust

monitoring are taking place and data is being properly recorded; and

Checks of dust suppression measures are included in monthly

environmental checks.

Reporting Reporting will be undertaken and regular intervals according to

approval conditions;

A report is to be submitted to the site manager within seven (7) days of

dust deposition rates being measured; and

Any exceedences of regulatory limits in dust deposition rates will be

drawn to the attention of the SM.

Corrective

Action

Visible airborne dust emissions will be investigated and where possible

actions taken to reduce further emissions; and

Site manager is to be responsible for initiating further investigations into

dust or air quality related complaints and for implementing corrective

actions to reduce dust emissions.

Reference

Document

Air Quality Assessment for Gold Coast Quarry by Katestone

Environmental (2012) – EIS technical report


6.7 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT


Stormwater management is the key element in preventing sediment-related environmental

impacts both on and off site. The objective of stormwater management is to prevent sediment

entering natural drainage systems, where it can damage ecosystems or cause visible increases

in watercourse turbidity in the densely settled downstream catchment. Flooding issues have also

been investigated and potential changes to flood extent and velocity as a result of the project are

not considered to be significant and no specific mitigation is required.

A Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP, Lambert & Rehbein 2013) has also been prepared

which describes the location and sizing of drainage and sediment ponds within the operational

area. The information presented below is for information purposes only.


Operational Policy Objective – Stormwater

Water-borne sediment from operational areas is to be captured and removed from waters released to the environment.

Performance

Criteria

Ensure neutral and/or beneficial changes to water quality in

downstream catchments;

Comply with environmental laws and project approval conditions; and

Maximise re-use of water and self-sufficiency.

Implementation

Strategy

Clean stormwater will be diverted away from the quarry disturbance

footprint;

A permanent sediment pond shall be constructed early in the

establishment phase so that runoff from the disturbed site can be

effectively treated before release to the downstream environment;

Runoff from within the quarry footprint will be directed into a sump in the

quarry pit or into the sediment pond;

Catch drains, stormwater diversion and other drainage infrastructure

shall be constructed to remain stable and meet relevant engineering

design criteria;

Access roads will be constructed with suitable scour protection and

drainage;

Water from the sediment pond will be re-used where possible for tasks

such as process water or dust suppression;

On-demand flocculation and relatively long residence times for


stormwater entering the sediment pond will remove excess sediment;

Release of water into the natural drainage systems from the sediment

pond will only occur if the pond water meets water quality objectives or

during major events when stormwater volume exceeds dam or pond

capacity; and

Accumulated sediments will periodically be removed from the sediment

pond for disposal.

Monitoring Inspect sediment basins and drainage structures on a regular basis and

after heavy rain events or when using large quantities of water; and

Routine water quality monitoring is to be undertaken in sediment pond

according to approval conditions.

Auditing Performance of erosion and sediment control and water quality monitoring

data to be subject to triennial environmental audit and monthly environmental

checklist.

Reporting Immediately report any incident, spill or release of materials to the

environment to Project Supervisor and the SM, to be recorded in

Boral’s incident management system and managed appropriately; and

REM is also to be advised and water quality monitoring reports will identify

any breaches of water quality limits and a record will be entered into Boral’s

Incident Management System.

Corrective

Action

SM to investigate or arrange for investigation of reason for poor

discharge water quality monitoring results; and

Corrective actions to be taken as appropriate to restore discharge water

quality.

Reference

Documents

GCQ Water Resources and Floodplain Management Report by BMT

WBM (2013) – EIS technical report; and

Stormwater Management Plan by Lambert & Rehbein (2013) – EIS

technical report.


6.8 VEGETATION AND FAUNA MANAGEMENT


Aerial photographs taken in 1974 show that the project footprint had been almost completely

cleared of native vegetation to provide pasture for grazing. Small areas of remnant vegetation

associated with drainage lines were retained and the quarry has been configured to avoid these

areas. Native forest regeneration has reclaimed much of the site, however this forest vegetation

is considerably less diverse and structurally less complex than the patches of remnant vegetation.

Clearing of the maturing regrowth vegetation is of lower environmental consequence than the

clearing of remnant vegetation however the forest regeneration outside the disturbance footprint

is of moderate quality for threatened species such as koalas and glossy black cockatoos and the

habitat values in the buffer area around the quarry are to be protected.

This section covers measures that have been put in place to manage impacts associated with the

clearing of vegetation.


Operational Policy Objective – Vegetation and Fauna Management

Vegetation Clearing is undertaken in a way that minimises the area cleared, impacts to fauna from the clearing process and soil disturbance.

Performance

Criteria

Vegetation clearance shall be undertaken in a staged and controlled

manner to ensure minimal impacts of vegetation clearance and that

retained vegetation is not compromised by site clearing works.

Implementation

Strategy

Clearing of vegetation is undertaken according to Boral’s SOP;

No tree in which a koala is present, or a tree with a crown overlapping a

tree in which a koala is present, is to be cleared;

During construction phases and for the life of operational activities

native vegetation clearing will be undertaken as sequential clearing and

under the guidance of a wildlife spotter;

Activities are staged in line with operational needs (i.e. no area clearing

will occur until the pending phase of the project requires clearing);

Clearing will be undertaken sequentially, with clearing of vegetation that

ensures not more than three hectares or 3 per cent of the site’s area,

whichever is the greater; is cleared in any one stage; and

A break in clearing is to be undertaken between each stage, with such

breaks lasting at least 12 hours, generally from 6.00 pm to 6.00 am on

the following day.


Monitoring Monitoring of recently cleared areas should be undertaken to confirm

that the implementation strategy has been followed and that the

recently cleared areas have been placed in a state that minimised risk

to surrounding environment;

Site Manager to ensure that safeguards are in place before any clearing

event takes place; and

Refer Ecological Monitoring Program – Section 9.6.

Auditing As vegetation clearing (and the stripping of overburden) is a significant

impact of the quarry project on the natural environment, external audits

of the work will be undertaken at regular intervals. External audits can

include inspections by the REM or independent consultants.

Reporting Immediately report any incident which contravenes the objectives of the

EMP to the SM, REM and the appropriate regulatory body if required;

and

Any significant failure to follow the Boral SOP for clearing should be

recorded in the Incident Management System.

Corrective

Action

Investigate whether Boral SOP is being followed and take appropriate

action in cases where the SOP has not been followed.

Reference

Documents

Flora and Fauna Technical Report – Gold Coast Quarry by Cardno –

EIS technical report;

Koala Management Plan – Gold Coast Quarry by Cardno Chenoweth

2012 – EIS technical report; and

Matters of National Environmental Significance Report by Cardno

Chenoweth 2012 – EIS technical report.


6.9 CULTURAL HERITAGE


Non-Indigenous Cultural Heritage

Settlement of the general area by Europeans commenced approximately 150 years ago with

logging, grazing and cropping being the main activities. In the latter half of the twentieth century,

primary industries declined and were replaced by urban land uses in the surrounding district.

Grazing continued on the site until 1995, however as the site was part of a larger property,

structures associated with that land use were not located on the present site. The non-

indigenous cultural heritage assessment report considers that there is a low likelihood of items of

archaeological significance being uncovered by the project.

As the recorded history of the site is not comprehensive, there is a possibility that unknown

activities took place on the site (including effected parts of Old Coach Road) and unknown but

historically valuable artefacts could potentially be discovered.

Indigenous Cultural Heritage

Indigenous cultural heritage (ICH) may also be present. Some stone artifacts, and stone chips

created during production of stone tools have been located on the site. The only site of potential

cultural heritage value is located outside the disturbance footprint for the quarry and has been

designated a restricted area until further investigations can be undertaken. Indigenous Cultural

Heritage is most likely to be located on ridge crests as steep slopes were not considered prime

places for indigenous activity and artefacts in or near creeks would have been washed away by

flooding.

On the basis of the findings of surface and sub-surface investigations, by ICH Consultants

(Jabree Limited), Boral was advised that the proposed works associated with the development

area of the project could proceed without the need for further surveys.


Operational Policy Objective – Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage is protected from damage until clearances are provided.

Performance

Criteria

Any discoveries of potentially important archaeological material are

assessed and managed in accordance with Cultural Heritage

Management Plans; and

Areas with known archaeological material are not disturbed.

Implementation

Strategy

Non-indigenous cultural heritage will be protected by:

Provision of educational material to personnel informing them what


archaeological material may look like;

Stopping work with 20m of a potential archaeological find until an

assessment by an archaeologist can be made;

A requirement to notify the REM of the find and to engage a suitably

qualified professional to assess the find; and

A process for the collection, transport and storage of any archaeological

items.

Indigenous cultural heritage will be protected by:

Works to proceed in accordance with the Cultural Heritage

Management Plan and the Clearance Certificate (issued by Jabree

Limited and indicates which areas have already been cleared and can

be developed be developed without further surveys);

If during construction there is a significant and/or substantial find made,

works should cease and Jabree Limited should be contacted

immediately to advise and to negotiate further works by way of

mitigation;

Senior site workers undergo a 30 minute induction as provided for in

the Cultural Heritage Management Plan and commercial agreement

between Boral and Jabree Limited;

The site complex identified as B SC13 is located a considerable

distance from the disturbance footprint and is not at risk from quarry

operations. Site B SC13 must be designated as a works and access

exclusion zone at least until further investigations are undertaken and

results documented. The exclusion zone must extend 20m beyond the

boundaries; and

The SM is responsible for providing instructing quarry employees and

agents on which areas to avoid disturbing for Indigenous Cultural

Heritage reasons on an as necessary basis.

Monitoring All historical items uncovered should be immediately photographed,

described in words and located using a GPS. This description should

be forwarded to the REM and recorded in Boral’s Incident Management

System; and

Prior to disturbing new areas, the site manager is to check that known

sites have been avoided and that any potentially significant finds have

been reported.


Auditing The Historic Archaeologist will provide management recommendations

to the Site Manager and will liaise with the DEHP to ensure that the

archaeological provisions of the Queensland Heritage Act 1992 are

followed.

Reporting Not required.

Corrective

Action

SM to undertake additional measures to prevent further works in areas

with known or suspected Cultural Heritage until advice from a suitably

qualified professional in Indigenous or Non-Indigenous Cultural

Heritage has been received.

Reference

Document

Cultural Heritage Assessment of the Gold Coast Quarry, Tallebudgera

Valley by Jabree Pty Ltd (2012) – EIS technical report; and

Non-Indigenous Cultural Heritage, Gold Coast Quarry EIS Project by

converge heritage + community (2012) – EIS technical report.

6.10 VISUAL IMPACT


The EIS visual impact assessment indicates that after 25-30 years a small percentage of

residential locations will have limited views of up to 5-6 quarry benches in the most elevated parts

of the quarry pit will be visible to nearby residential areas. Visual impact mitigation centres on

restoring vegetation cover to visible quarry benches as soon as possible to allow establishment of

effective screening.

Other parts of the quarry pit and the plant and facilities area will be topographically screened and

will not need visual impact mitigation.

The information provided here is largely drawn from a technical report Visual Impact Assessment

for Gold Coast Quarry EIS (Cardno Chenoweth Report CEL 12001A).


Operational Policy Objective – Visual Impacts

Visibility of the quarry pit or quarry infrastructure is to be minimised.

Performance

Criteria

Quarry pit, plant and infrastructure visibility from residential areas and

key public spaces is minimised; and

Identified interim and terminal bench faces which are visible from

residential areas and public spaces are revegetated as soon as


practical after quarrying activity on these benches ceases.

Implementation

Strategy

Elevated quarry benches that will be visible from surrounding land are

to be progressively rehabilitated;

Fixed and mobile plant should be located where possible in locations

that are fully topographically screened;

Noise barriers should be provided with vegetative screening or be

directly camouflaged if they are visible from external locations;

Make use of temporary screening using fast growing temporary tree

plantings or man-made materials; and

Measures are taken to visually break up large flat bench faces that can

be seen from external locations.

Monitoring Regular informal revegetation monitoring to ensure plants are surviving

and are not being stressed by drought or other conditions;

Formal monitoring of rehabilitation works will be undertaken at least

twice during the 24 month maintenance period;

Informal monitoring from key external vantage points to ensure that

quarry benches visibility is being minimised. (See Visual Impact

Assessment Report by Cardno Chenoweth); and

Informal monitoring is to include a time series of digital photographs

taken with zoom lens of any visible benches is to be recorded so that

visual impact mitigation measures can be assessed.

Auditing Formal assessment of the effectiveness of visual screening is to be

included in triennial environmental audit.

Reporting Formal reporting to REM should be via the triennial environmental

audit.

Corrective

Action

Should informal assessment reveal that some quarry benches are

highly visible in most conditions or in particular lighting conditions, then

additional screening works should be undertaken to mitigate these

visual impacts.

Reference

Documents


Chenoweth (2013) – EIS technical report; and

Visual Impact Assessment, Gold Coast Quarry EIS by Cardno

Chenoweth (2013) – EIS technical report.


6.11 REHABILITATION


Rehabilitation activities have been separated into three components:

a) Buffer Zone Restoration activities - occur outside of the footprint of the quarry, are ongoing

over the life of the quarry, and as soon as the project works commence on site;

b) Quarry Zone Rehabilitation - the quarry and crushing plant construction and associated

activities and infrastructure - occur at the completion of various separable portions of the

quarry construction and in some cases are temporary; and

c) Quarry Zone Decommissioning - final terminal earthworks rehabilitation and stabilization.

This EMP covers only item a) and b) as these items will commence with the stages that are

covered by the EMP. With respect to item c), the quarry floor will be stabilized and rehabilitated

in accordance with an approach defined 5 years prior to decommissioning. Planning for these

aspects will take place at least 40 years in the future.


Operational Policy Objective – Rehabilitation

Existing disturbed areas in the buffer zone are rehabilitated

Quarry benches which are available for permanent rehabilitation are rehabilitated

Performance

Criteria

Bushland buffer is to be managed in a way that maximises its

biodiversity and habitat values, particularly for koalas and glossy black

cockatoos;

Revegetation of exposed quarry benches is to occur as soon as

possible after the quarry bench has reached its interim or terminal

position and quarrying operations have ceased; and

Tree species that support koalas are to make up a high proportion of

species planted.

Implementation

Strategy

A detailed rehabilitation strategy is provided in the Landscape

Rehabilitation Report Gold Coast Quarry EIS technical report (Cardno-

Chenoweth document 12CEL001);

In areas where planting is required, methods of site preparation, plant

selections and planting techniques in the Landscape Rehabilitation

Report are to be followed;

In the buffer zone, natural regeneration is to be the primary means of

rehabilitation;

Natural regeneration required protection from further impacts such as


vehicles and control of weeds that compete with native plants;

Areas that have been identified that require additional interventions

include:

Riparian restoration. Three target areas on alluvial soils have

historically been cleared of trees and support variable, often

sparse, regeneration of native species along with abundant

weeds;

Fauna crossing at entry point. This area will require planting over

the batter and benches to facilitate fauna movement across the

proposed entry road;

White-bellied sea-eagle buffer. The proposed setback provided

to the White-bellied sea-eagle limits views into the proposed pit

and plant site. It may however be necessary to enhance the

screening in the shrub and sub canopy layers through planting

both uphill and to the east of the nest tree;

Former dam near quarry edge. This area of approximately

3,600m2 is located close to the quarry rim and is likely to be

drained as part of the quarry construction. If so, it is proposed

that the area is replanted with koala food trees;

Vegetation Management Act 1999 Offset. Management of this

area will not differ from the surrounding vegetation. There is

however an expectation that there will be at least 1 weed

treatment per year for the first 3 years of management; and

Noise barrier screening. A proposed noise barrier is that is 6m

high and 150m long will be located parallel to and 6 m inside the

common boundary with Stage 20 of the Observatory Estate.

Monitoring Refer Ecological Monitoring Program – Section 9.6

Auditing Formal assessment of the effectiveness of visual screening is to be

included in triennial environmental audit.

Reporting Formal monitoring reports are to be provided to the SM and REM

Corrective

Action

The site manager is to be responsible for initiating further investigations

into rehabilitation-related issues and for implementing corrective actions

as required;

Additional surface cover is to be provided for areas where rehabilitation

has failed and ground surface is inadequately protected; and


Areas where rehabilitation has failed should be rehabilitated with a

different process or species selection which is selected for performance

under the conditions at the location where the rehabilitation failed.

Reference

Documents


Chenoweth (2013) – EIS technical report; and

Visual Impact Assessment, Gold Coast Quarry EIS by Cardno

Chenoweth (2013) – EIS technical report.

6.12 CHEMICAL AND FUEL STORAGE


Fuel and chemical storage on site creates a risk of leakage to the environment. As the drainage

system outside the operational area of the site will retain the natural drainage lines and riparian

vegetation, recovery of fuel and chemicals from this area would be costly, environmentally

damaging and may result in regulatory penalties.

Chemicals include other combustible substances, oxidising agents, corrosive agents and toxic

substances.


Operational Policy Objective – Chemical and Fuel Storage

To minimise the potential for fuel or chemical release into the environment

Performance

Criteria

All fuel and chemical storage facilities must comply with Australian

Standard AS 1940.

Implementation

Strategy

Site manager will be provided with a SOP for handling and storage of

hazardous materials;

Spill response procedures and equipment will be provided to reduce

risk of pollution in the event of a spill;

Bunds surrounding fuel storages shall be kept clean and dry and free of

presence of uncontained fuels that could provide ignition sources;

Bunds shall have an internal sump and/or valve with the valve being

locked shut except when releasing rainwater;

Accumulated rainwater will be released only if it is determined to be

clean by inspection or analysis for contaminants;

Visibly contaminated water is to be treated in a site surface water


interception system or treated by some other means to remove visible

oil;

Ensure that chemicals stored on site are below the maximum allowable

storage quantities; and

If multiple hazardous materials are stored, then the aggregate volume

should not exceed the maximum storage volume of the least hazardous

of these materials.

Monitoring Routine monitoring of tank and bund condition will be undertaken.

Auditing Periodic inspection of the storage facility by a qualified professional and

according to monthly environmental checklist.

Reporting Incidents will be reported using Boral’s Incident Management System.

Corrective

Action

Should fuel or chemical leaks be observed or issues that could lead to

leaks be detected, these are to be reported to the Site Manager and to

the REM to organise corrective action.

6.13 WASTE MANAGEMENT


A Waste Management Plan (Lambert & Rehbein 2013) (WMP) has been prepared which provides

detailed information on predicted waste streams and waste management requirements. A WMP

is required for dealing with regulated wastes such as tyres, batteries, paints and solvents. These

wastes are to be accounted for and removed to a suitably licenced disposal facility. Non -

regulated waste such as office waste that is not suitable for recycling can be removed from site

by a commercial waste contractor.

The information presented below shows the framework used by the WMP and is for information

purposes only.


Operational Policy Objective – Waste

Sediment Generation Should Be Minimised And Sediment Contained Within Operational Areas

Performance

Criteria

All Regulated and Non-Regulated wastes to be handled and disposed

of in appropriate receptacles and to appropriate waste receiving

facilities; and

Wherever possible, waste generated on site shall be minimized and


reused/recycled.

Implementation

Strategy

Design to minimise production of waste from the Boral Gold Coast

Quarry facilities;

Minimise the generation of regulated waste;

Apply the waste management hierarchy of “avoid, reduce, recycle,

recover, treat and dispose”;

Apply sustainable waste management and disposal methods;

Avoid contamination of land and water;

Minimise adverse effects to aquatic and terrestrial vegetation and

wildlife; and

Minimise potential risks to workers and the public.

Monitoring The movement of regulated waste in Queensland is subject to a

waste tracking system. The WMP includes the requirement for a

waste tracking system for regulated waste.

Auditing Formal review of waste management including the waste tracking

system is to be included in triennial environmental audit.

Reporting Waste generation, tracking, reuse and recycling data shall be

maintained for corporate reporting purposes.

Corrective

Action

On event of waste being disposed of incorrectly, the waste contractor or

site personnel shall be advised of the discretion and informed of the

correct practice. Waste to be recovered and returned to correct

handling and disposal approach.

Reference

Document


Lambert & Rehbein 2013 – EIS technical report.


7.0 EMERGENCY AND HAZARDS MANAGEMENT

7.1 EXTREME RAINFALL AND FLOODING


Extreme rainfall events could result in quarry-affected water being discharged into the drainage

system downstream of the operational site as the sediment pond and quarry dam fill to design

capacity and overflow.

Stability of fill embankments and topsoil dumps could also potentially be reduced.

Flooding on the site is confined to creeks and narrow valley bottoms, which are stabilised with

riparian vegetation. Flood modelling for the Flooding and Water Resources Report (BMT WBM

2012) show that flood volumes and flood extents downstream of the disturbance area will remain

similar to those experienced by the pre-quarry environment. The quarry plant and facilities are

located on high ground which is not flood prone.


Operational Policy Objective – Extreme Rainfall and Flooding

Extreme rainfall events do not result in significant erosion of the site or sedimentation of waterways

Performance

Criteria

Erosion gullies do not develop in or below disturbed areas; and

Waters discharged from sediment dam and quarry dam come from the

clearest part of the waterbody.

Implementation

Strategy

Adjust quarry operations to minimise the generation of sediment during

periods when sediment control systems are not able to fully treat

stormwater before discharge from site;

Avoid working with materials that release large amounts of sediment

when wet such as topsoil;

Ensure vehicles are not used on unsealed tracks on the balance of the

site or on recently cleared areas when they are in a very wet condition;

Ensure stormwater drainage system and sediment pond systems are

functioning and are not subject to blockages or other failures;

Check areas undergoing revegetation as these areas are potentially

erosion prone until vegetation cover is established; and

If significant and uncontrolled movement of sediment is observed,

install temporary measures to contain sediment as necessary including


simple measures such as silt socks, sand bags or silt fences.

Monitoring Inspect erosion prone surfaces for rills, track damage or damage to

erosion control structures after each rainfall event that delivers more

than 50 mm in 24 hours. Areas that need to be inspected include:

Topsoil stockpile;

Firebreak tracks, security fence tracks and

abandoned/rehabilitated off-road vehicle tracks; and

Spillways on quarry dam and sediment pond.

Where erosion or other issues has been observed it is to be

documented with photographs.

Auditing Review site records to ensure that inspections are taking place after

extreme rainfall events.

Reporting Reporting is to include any erosion or ground movement that has

occurred due to the rainfall event; and

Any areas in the buffer zone which are releasing large amounts of

sediment into drainage lines are to be reported to the site manager and

REM.

Corrective

Action

If undesirable outcomes have occurred, update SOP to include

additional provisions for managing erosion and sedimentation as a

result of extreme rainfall.

Reference

Document

GCQ Water Resources and Floodplain Management Report by BMT

WBM (2013) – EIS technical report; and


technical report.


7.2 BUSHFIRE


The terrain and vegetation present on the site create a significant bushfire hazard that must be

managed to reduce the potential for excessive environmental harm and property damage both on

and off-site.

Consultation with Stockland was undertaken in relation to The Observatory development,

specifically to enable integration of the Bushfire Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan for The

Observatory with the GCQ BMP where necessary.

A Bushfire Management Plan has been prepared by Cardno-Chenoweth as part of quarry’s EIS.

The information below restates the key points of that plan.


Operational Policy Objective – Bushfire

Bushfire hazard should not significantly increase as a result of the project

Performance

Criteria

Potential bushfire risks at the subject site and surrounds are identified;

Appropriate risk treatment options have been selected based on

analysis/evaluation of risks; and

Treatment options are prioritized in order to mitigate the bushfire risk

and its effects on life, property and the environment.

Implementation

Strategy

Plan, create and/or maintain strategic fire trails in order to implement

hazard reduction works;

Where possible, place gates on fire trails to prevent unauthorised

access;

Preferable burn season is summer to winter and aim for a low to

moderate intensity burn;

Exclude fire from environmental sensitive areas including riparian zones

and rainforest vegetation with particular attention to threatened species

that inhabit these communities (Syzygium moorei, Taeniophyllum

muelleri); and

Incorporate strategies to protect White Bellied Sea-eagle nest site

during their breeding season.

Monitoring Monitor the subject site, conditions and situation annually in order to

evaluate changes occurring on or off site, e.g. changes in infrastructure,

risks and hazards, legislative and environmental changes; and


Auditing Confirm that tracks are to have a minimum cleared width, are to be

well-formed with appropriate slope and gradient, and have erosion

control devises compliant with GCCC standards

Reporting Unplanned bushfires are to be recorded on the Boral Incident

Management System.

Corrective

Action

Update the Bushfire Management Plan at 5 yearly intervals or earlier

dependent upon site conditions, legislative and environmental changes

as required.

Reference

Document

Bushfire Management Plan, Gold Coast Quarry by Cardno Chenoweth

(2012) – EIS technical report

7.3 ON-SITE SPILLS


Fuel spills and spills of other materials with potential to contaminate the environment are covered

by the Boral SOP.


Operational Policy Objective – On-Site Spills

To ensure an on-site spill can be rapidly contained and handled in a safe and effective manner.

Performance

Criteria

All spills shall be handled and cleaned-up to ensure that there is no

threat to human health or the environment.

Implementation

Strategy

Spill stations shall be installed at the GCQ and will be clearly labeled;

Spill stations will also be shown on site emergency plans;

Spill stations will be maintained in a state of readiness by:

Keeping all tools and equipment in an appropriate and accessible

location that is known to all employees on site;

To ensure tools and equipment are not used for purposes other

than emergency response and to display a notice to that effect at

each storage location;

After each use tools and equipment shall be cleaned, repaired or

replaced as necessary; and

Protective clothing shall be regularly inspected and maintained;

Absorbent materials shall be kept dry.


In the event of a spill the procedure is to:

Refer to the onsite emergency response flowchart which will

detail immediate actions and lead to the correct management

and clean-up of the spill; and

The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) shall be referred to in

order to identify the risk and management requirements of the

spill.

Monitoring The site manager shall ensure that:

MSDS are available via Chem Alert (Boral Intranet) for each

hazardous material handled on site;

The necessary Spill Station equipment and clean-up materials

are both available and maintained; and

All site personnel are trained to handle hazardous material spills

as per this procedure.

Auditing A review of spill responses and corrective actions is to be undertaken

as part of the triennial environmental audit of the quarry.

Reporting Each significant spill, defined as spills that required the use of a spill

station or special arrangement for the removal of contaminated

materials from site will be entered into Boral’s Incident Management

System. The register will record the date of the spill, the material and

quantity of material involved, actions taken and nature of final disposal

of contaminated waste;

Notify REM of spill; and

For significant spills, the government regulator will be contacted as

soon as possible, generally within 24 hours of the incident.

Corrective

Action

With assistance from the REM and site manager, determine the

ultimate cause of the spill and take appropriate action to reduce risk of

further spills in similar circumstances; and

Actions taken shall be formally documented and transmitted to all

relevant parties and SOP will be updated if necessary.

Reference

Documents


Lambert & Rehbein 2013 – EIS technical report.


technical report


7.4 UNAUTHORISED ACCESS


Unauthorised access can cause risk to individuals of the public, sensitive environmental features

on the site, and expose Boral’s plant and equipment to damage or theft.


Operational Policy Objective – Unauthorised Access

To take all reasonable measures to exclude people from accessing the site without authorisation.

Performance

Criteria

Effective action is taken to reduce incidence of unauthorised entry.

Implementation

Strategy

All personnel entering the site to report to the site office;

Operational areas of the quarry to be secured;

Gates will be locked when quarry is unattended;

Signs to be placed on any tracks, current or pre-existing that lead to the

pit that state the area is a restricted area and of hazards present (pit,

unstable slopes);

Promptly repair any damage to security fences; and

Promptly remove any dumped materials from the greater quarry site.

Monitoring Routine inspection for points of unauthorised access to operational

areas should be undertaken at least monthly.

Auditing Auditing should confirm that operational area is secure and that regular

inspections for points of unauthorised access are taking place.

Reporting Any significant unauthorised entries should be recorded in Boral’s

Incident Management System.

A significant incident is one where potential or actual damage to

environmental areas in the care of the quarry was occasioned; or

The entry included access to an area where quarry related

hazards were present.

Corrective

Action

Take actions to reduce further incidents of unauthorised access.

Reference

Document

Not Applicable


8.0 COMMUNITY RELATIONS

8.1 COMPLAINTS MANAGEMENT


In the event that people experience quarry related impacts that they consider excessive, it is

important that these people have a channel of communication with site management so that the

matter can be investigated and responded to.


Operational Policy Objective – Complaints Management

Complaints are received, accurately recorded and investigated or responded to where appropriate.

Performance

Criteria

Where practical and reasonable actions can be taken that remove the reason

for the complaint; these actions are undertaken as soon as possible.

Implementation

Strategy

A complaints management system is to be established;

Quarry is contactable by telephone so that real time issues including bushfire

or excessive noise/dust can be responded to;

Any complaints are properly recorded and reported to the corporate

environmental representative according to processes specified in the

corporate IEMS;

For occasions where a dispute cannot be resolved by the SM, a dispute

resolution process will be provided including:

Access for the affected stakeholder to higher levels of management in

Boral; and

Review of the issue by an independent assessment agency (regulatory

or other).

Monitoring REM is to review handling of complaints.

Auditing Records of complaints are to be regularly reviewed and reported to senior

management

Reporting A summary of all complaint events is available in spreadsheet or database

format for each year.

Corrective

Action

Where complaints arise from acceptable levels being exceeded, then

corrective actions will be implemented to bring the operations into compliance

with acceptable levels, as determined by approval conditions.


Reference

Document



9.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM

9.1 MONITORING PARAMETERS

This section details how routine or complaint-related environmental monitoring will be

implemented. Matters which require routine monitoring based on monitoring devices include

weather, noise, blasting vibration, water quality and air quality are detailed below.

9.2 BLAST MONITORING

A blast monitoring program is required for validating compliance with blasting noise and vibration

limits set in approval conditions.

Monitoring Program - Blasting

Standards and

Guidelines

Blast monitoring equipment must be calibrated and certified to be

calibrated;

The following legislation, codes of practice and standards apply:

Australian Standard AS 2187.2 2006 Appendix J; and

Queensland EPA Guidelines for overpressure and vibration from

blasting (EcoAccess, 2006).

Monitoring

Schedule

Every blast must be monitored at least two (2) monitoring sites, which

will generally be located between the blast site and the nearest sensitive

receivers.

9.3 NOISE MONITORING

Noise monitoring covers all noise sources other than blasting.

Monitoring Program – Noise

Standards and

Guidelines


Australian Standards: AS1055 - 1997 - Acoustics – Description

and measurement of environmental noise;

AS1259-1990 - Acoustics – Sound level meters;

AS2659-1988 - Acoustics – Guide to the use of sound measuring

equipment;

EPA Noise Measurement Manual, Third Edition, March 2000;


and

Boral Noise Monitoring SOP

Monitoring

Schedule

Routine noise monitoring is to be completed at locations identified by

the approval conditions for the GCQ;

Where no specific locations are provided, monitoring shall be performed

at locations that are representative of noise conditions from everyday

operations; and

Noise monitoring will be undertaken within timeframes specified by

approval conditions/administering authority.

9.4 AIR QUALITY MONITORING

This monitoring program deals only with dust as the only likely air quality issue

Monitoring Program - Dust

Standards and

Guidelines


AS3580.9.6-2003 – ‘Ambient air – Particulate matter –

Determination of suspended particulate matter – PM10high-

volume sampler with size-selective inlet – Gravimetric method’;

AS3580.10.1-2003 – ‘Ambient air – Particulate matter -

Determination of particulates – Deposited matter – Gravimetric

method’;

Environmental Protection Act 1994; and

EPA, Air Quality Sampling Manual, 1997.

Monitoring

Schedule

Routine air emissions monitoring shall be completed at locations and

timeframes identified by the approval conditions;

In the event of air emission readings greater that those allowable under

the site’s approval conditions being recorded at any of the

measurement locations then monitoring may be undertaken at the

nearest potentially affected residence(s);

Dust and/or particulate matter measurements must be completed at the

complainant’s dwelling in the event of a complaint about dust and/or

particulate matter nuisance; and

Any such measurement will be completed over the same start and stop

times as ongoing measurements at the normal air emission monitoring

locations.


9.5 WATER MONITORING

This section relates to monitoring of water quality for discharges from the sediment pond and

quarry dam and from the legal point of discharge from the site. As groundwater is a potential

minor source water quality issues, limited groundwater parameters have been included.

Monitoring Plan – Water Quality

Standards and

Guidelines


AS 2031:2001 – Selection of Containers and Preservation or

Water Samples for Microbiological Analysis

ASNZS 5667.1:1998 Water Quality. Part 1: Guidance on the

design of sampling programs, sampling techniques and the

preservation and handling of samples.

ASNZS 5667.4:1998 Water Quality - Sampling. Part 4:

Guidance on sampling from lakes, natural and man-made.

ASNZS 5667.6:1998 Water Quality - Sampling. Part 6:

Guidance on sampling of rivers and streams.

Queensland Government Natural Resources and Water 2007 –

Water Monitoring: Data Collection Standards.

Queensland Government Environmental Protection Agency

1999 – Water Quality Sampling Manual

Boral Water Sampling SOP

Monitoring

Schedule

Water quality is to be monitored according the monitoring program

outlined in the GCQ Water Resources and Floodplain Management

Report by BMT WBM (2013) – EIS technical report.

9.6 ECOLOGICAL MONITORING

This section covers environmental monitoring in the bushland and watersheds surrounding the

quarry and operational areas. Some of the species present on site are listed by the EPBC Act as

Matters of National Environmental Significance and there is a duty of care to avoid impacting

these species.


Monitoring Program – Ecological Monitoring

Standards and

Guidelines

Chenoweth EPLA and Bushland Restoration Services. (2012).

South East Queensland Ecological Restoration Framework: Code

of Practice. Prepared on behalf of SEQ Catchments and South

East Queensland Local Governments, Brisbane.

Monitoring

Schedule

Monitor use of the nesting tree by White-bellied sea-eagles;

Monitor health of nesting tree;

Monitor areas of clearing to ensure that boundaries are demarcated

and that clearing activities are confined to the demarcated

boundaries;

Monitor areas of excavation for entrapped fauna;

Monitor the effectiveness of weed management activities;

Monitor the success of rehabilitation works;

Regular informal revegetation monitoring to ensure plants

are surviving and are not being stressed by drought or other

conditions;

Formal monitoring of rehabilitation works will be undertaken

at least twice during the 24 month maintenance period; and

Formal and informal reporting is to include photographs of

areas which have been rehabilitated such that performance

of rehabilitated areas over time can be established.

Monitor water quality to ensure no harm to aquatic flora and fauna;

and

Monitor vegetation on the site with respect to potential impact

associated with groundwater and hydrological flows.


10.0 AUDITING AND REPORTING

10.1 AUDITING

Internal compliance auditing is to be undertaken in accordance with Boral SOPs which require

auditing by an Environmental Practitioner every 3 years, the triennial environmental audit. The

purpose of these audits is to identify non-compliances with approval conditions and management

system deficiencies to enable the development of corrective action plans.

External auditing also should be undertaken once every three years by a suitably qualified

independent consultant. The performance of the quarry or on-site construction projects should be

assessed against the policies, performance criteria and implementation strategies outlined in the

EMP that represented the finalised version of this draft EMP.

10.2 REPORTING

Internal reports are to be held with Boral’s corporate document management system for a period

of at least seven years. In some circumstances, documents may need to be retained for longer

periods.

Reports prepared by external consultants for public release should be presented in a format that

is suitable for presentation to the public. Results should be interpreted so that the significance of

any exceedences or incidents is put in terms that well-educated community members can easily

understand.


11.0 REFERENCES

Chenoweth EPLA and Bushland Restoration Services (2012) South East Queensland Ecological

Restoration Framework: Code of Practice. Prepared on behalf of SEQ Catchments and South

East Queensland Local Governments, Brisbane, viewed 21 January 2013,

<http://www.seqcatchments.com.au/seq-ecological-restoration-framework>


Restoration Framework: Guideline. Prepared on behalf of SEQ Catchments and South East

Queensland Local Governments, Brisbane, viewed 21 January 2013,



Restoration Framework: Manual. Prepared on behalf of SEQ Catchments and South East

Queensland Local Governments, Brisbane, viewed 21 January 2013,


Smith M. R., Collis L. (eds) 2001, Aggregates: Sand, Gravel and Crushed Rock Aggregates for

Construction Purposes Geological Society Engineering Geology. Special Pub. No.17

QLD EcoAccess (2006) Noise and Vibration from Blasting, viewed 21 January 2013,

<http://mines.industry.qld.gov.au/assets/explosives-pdf/noise-vibration-blasting.pdf>

QLD EPA Guideline 2003, Preparing Environmental Management Plans, viewed 21 January

2013, <http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/register/p00706aa.pdf>

http://www.seqcatchments.com.au/seq-ecological-restoration-framework



http://mines.industry.qld.gov.au/assets/explosives-pdf/noise-vibration-blasting.pdf

http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/register/p00706aa.pdf

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