EIS 1155

Somersby Quarry: statement of environmental effects.

[IS 1155

NSW DEPAR1TE1 - - Ni e!';r

2 1 EC 15

R1$R iNDUSTRIES

ABOI 9840

Department of Land and Water Conservation

Statement of Environmental Effects

EDAW (Aust) Pty Ltd

Lindscapc Architects / Environmental Planners

Level 1, 551 Pacific 1-lighway

St Leonards NSW 2065

Ph. (02) 9906 6599

Fax. (02) 9906 4350

Scptcn11)er 1995

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PA N 27 COSLOiW CITY COUNCIL

DEVELOPMENT APPL1ATlON

GENERAL INFORMATION

A DEScRIPTIoN OF L%ND

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---------------------------------------------------------------------Sh D!E OF NIS LLRi±U1AiL fLiP L-LD i L-ARi1 LOD cUF.AL u AND PARTLY ZONED CONSERV.3TION A UNDER THE INTERIM DEVELOPMENT ORDER 122 DATED

t 03 ------------------------------------------------------Land Ue - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I385 EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES - ----------------------------------------------------SIOS Saqes -----------------

137 REP 8 GAZ 22/08/86

I THE LAND IS AL- FECTED TO SYDNEY REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLEN NC). 8 ( CENTRAl COAST PLATEAU AREAS) GAZETTED 22.8/86. UNDER TIllS PLAN A PERSON ST-Il/IL NOT SURDI\TIE)E r ERECT IS BUILDING OR CONSTRUCT 1/ DAM ON PR IRE ISGRICULTURl/L LAND RITHOUT THE CONS EXT OF COUNCIL

I 133 REP 9-EXTRACTJVE/ INDUSTRY

THIS LAND IS INCLUDED IN SCHEDULE .1. OFSYDNEY REGIONAL ENVIRO CENT.TO, CCC NO.9 (ENTRACTIVE INDUSTRY) GAZETTED 17 / 10/86. UNALLOCATED PURl/I, EXTRACT

I RURAL ENTRACTIVE MATERIALS 8 23 LED 313 G.CZ j/9;95

AS AMENDED BY LOCAl, E:NVIEON,'.IFNT/\I, PLAN NO. 313 GAZE------ EU 1/09; 55.

I 2315 DRIiFS' LEP 1/95 THE LAND IS :T[FJFCT TO A DRAL T LOCAL f/MEl RON/lENT/iL PLAN AND DIll/FT DEVELOP/TENT CONTROL PLAN PURSUANT TO SECTiON 66 OF THE }INVIRONNENTAL

I PLATOI/IG AND ASSESS/TENT ACT RH ICR Al/IS TO CHANCE THE LI//Il STING DUAl, OCCUPANCY PROVISIONS RITHIN GOSFORD CITY. 030 CCC 29 E P A 40 HA DEELLYC;

THE ELECT ION OF A PEEL PING-HOES F ON AN ALLOT/IL/NJ' OF LAND 511 THIN A

I CONSERVATON A ZONE E-IAV INC AN AREA OF lESS Till/Il 40 ONE: F 3 MU/li/ER OF ADJIINI MC ALLOT/IL/ITS HELD IN TEL- I SARi OI- SiURSHI P AC 10 FEBRUARY 1 977 IS S UBJECT TO THE PROV IS ILO/IS OF 5 ECT1 01 29 OF TEll ETIVIRONsJEN A), PTGSNNIMC; AND ASSI/SS/1fINT ACT, 1979 UNLESS 1 STC'ilT/IFN/' TO I C;TR/RY APPEAl/S 01/ THIS CL/R']'l FICCATE.

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AD VER TISING REQ UIRE4IEN TS - GOSFORD CITY COUNCIL

The attached Development Application requires advertising and notitThation to adjoining properties under the provisions of:

Fourteen (14) days - Council Policy

All categories of development application EXCEPT adveising signs, strata subdivisions and subdivisions of a consented to dual occupancy.

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Twenty eight (28) days

Residential Flat Buildings

U Heritage

U Clause 1 8A - Interim Development Order No 122

J Clause 49BA - Gosford Planning Scheme Ordinance

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Thirty (30) days - Section 84(I) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979

Designated Development

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Li BACKGROUND

Sonicrsiiy Quarry is Inca ed oil Quarry Road, oinershy on the (enti-al Coast of New South Wales (Fiiure 1.1). ihe quarry was established by Gosford Quarries (NSW) l'ty I Ld for the extraction of and stone and has been in continuous operation since flia t time.

This Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) has been prepared by EDAW (Aust) Pty Ltd on behalf of the Department of Land and Water Conservation (the owners of the land) and Gosford Quarries (the quarry operator) to support a Development Application for the continued operation of the quarry under the provisions of State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) 37-Continued Mines and Ext ractive Industries (see Section 1.4 below).

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE DEVELOPMENT

Somersby Quarry was established to extract high quality banded sandstone. Of the Quarries operated by Gosford Quarries, Somersby is the main bulk source of sandstone blocks.

The sandstone extracted from the quarry is sold to local Sydney and Newcastle markets as well as to Victoria, South Australia, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland. Sandstone from Gosford Quarries has also been supplied to Japan, Hawaii, Singapore, Fiji, Havmar-i Island and Norfolk Island.

1.3 THE SITE

The site is known as Lot 173 DP755246 Quarry Road, Somersby. It is located between the Pacific Highway and the Sydney-Newcastle Expressway and covers an area of approximately 16.11. Gosford Quarries operates the quarry under Permissive Occupation 1966/91 from the Department of Land and Water Conservation (LaWC).

The site consists of a main quarry areas, a factory, access roads and sediment control ponds. It also incorporates some areas of natural hushland.

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1.4 S'I'A'FI.J'IORY REQUI REM [Ni'S

'Ihe red for [he Developnwnl Application is a reuft of SIEl' 37 - alld Lx! rae/nc Iin/uslrics. 'l'his ['obey Vas illtrodticed in I 3 to address erivironineftal issues associated \\iIh extractive industry that began operation before the necesstiv for planning approval.

The S[l'P established a two year moratorium period, with in which these cx tractive industries could continue to operate (with certain limitations). An opportunity is presented by the SEPP for operators to submit a Development Application within the moratorium period for the continued operation of the extractive industry. Operators can seek Development Consent after the moratorium period, however the standard (more stringent) requirements of the EP&A Act regarding Designated Development apply.

Under SEPP 37, a continued quarry operation is a Designated Development (requires an EIS) if there is a proposed minimum increase of 50,000 tonnes per annum in the amount of all material produced from 1 July 1990 to 30 June 1991. The Consent Authority also has the discretion to require an EIS if it regards the likely continuing environmental impacts from the operation to be significant.

The production from Somersby Quarry falls below that specified above. Additionally it is not regarded that the environmental impacts of the continued operation of the quarry are not significant. It is therefore considered that an SEE if the appropriate form of Environmental Assessment to accompany the DA.

Any Development Application made under the provisions of SEPP 37 is categorised as Adevertised Development. That is, a Development Application accompanied by an SEE is required to be advertised, displayed and provision for public submissions made in the same way as one for a Designated Development. Where a third party has the right of appeal however in the case of the granting of consent for a Designated Development, no third party appeal rights exist for Ad vertised Development.

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2.1 GENERAL

I his is oile of a number of quarries that ( oslord (.1rrmes o crates mu the area extracting high quality dimension somistolle amid although only producing small quantities, the quarry is important as the stone prod uced is of a Ii igh cjuality. The deposits in the area are part of a broader resource generally referred to as I Iawkeshury Sandstone. Quarrying operations are low volume and high iy labour intensive due to the nature of the resource and the requirement for a high quality product.

2.2 PRESENT PLANNING CONTROLS

The site incorporates two zonings under the Gosford City Council Planning Scheme. The western portion is

zoned 7(a) Conservation and Scenic Protection, while the eastern part of the site is zoned 1(b) Highway Protection. Under both zonings, extractive industry is not a permissible activity, with Somersby Quarry operating under existing use rights.

2.3 EXTENT OF WORKS AND SITE LAYOUT

The site layout and extent of works are shown in Figure 2.1. The working quarry is located to the north of the factory production area and adjacent to a filled quarry, the areas of disturbance over the site being concentrated in a north to south band through the central portion of the property. To the west of the factory area a disused quarry is being progressively filled with stone rubble and silt from the sedimentation ponds. A stone storage area and car parking with exposed earth surfacing are located to the south and east of the factory area while a temporary storage area to the north is being allowed to naturally regenerate. The access road off Quarries Road is unsealed and runs through the property, connecting with Central Coast Quarries to the west. A system of sedimentation ponds which serve the dual functions of collecting and storing run - off as well as supplying water to the stone milling process are located at a point below the areas of disturbance. Any areas of the site not required for storage, production or access have been retained in their natural state.

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IIgIuvovIIp 0A'fRATIONs I. . I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

2.4 I IOURS () F OI'ERAFION

Qtiarryin; is carried out intermittently, but always )et\veeri 7.tRuin iiid 1. I Spill from Monday to Friday and

heveen 7.00am and 12noon on So Lu rdays. 1 lie novenlent of I oo, ks deliveri ig or co llecting stone is restricted to wi thin these operating times.

2.5 ACCESS AND TRANSPORTATION

The closest major road to the quarry is the Pacific Highway which is accessed via Quarry Road, a sealed formation, which is shared with other land owners that

adjoin it. The F3 Expressway is accessed within a few

kilometres of the site. The Soinersby Quarry accesses the

Central Coast Quarry via an unsealed internal road.

All stone milling and production is carried out on site or at the Central Coast Quarry, reducing the requirement

for use of the external road system for many cartage operations.

Stone is brought into the site on truck from the

Wondabyne and Piles Creek Quarries and finished stone

products leave the site on truck for various destinations.

All current roads can cope with the transport demands

of the quarry and, therefore, no further roads are required

2.6 WORKFORCE

Quarrying activities directly employ on average, four

people. As stone resources here run out, the focus will

turn to processing stone which is bought in from other quarries in the area.

2.7 PRODUCTION

After test drilling has established that the possihilty

exists of commercial deposits of high quality, the site is

levelled prior to operations commencing with the

overlying topsoil removed to expose the sandstone

surface and stockpiled for future reinstatement works.

A frame mounted rotating pneumatic hammer

channelling machine, moving along a set of rails

approximately ii iii long, cutting a Continuos vertical slot 40 to 90111111 wide into the stone to a depth of I .1m a round the per meter of the blocks to be quarried. Ibis large, isolated block is then split away Ironi the main deposit Ned risi ig stcet \\'edges. ()n c the mon bIo I. I

'( )M bI<llY QUA PRY SI,iti.JTIeii{ of hilvir nnieritil bllec(s I. . I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I ree it is Slil up ilito smaller, iiior' manageable blocks. I his is achieved by drilling it series of holes with a pneuiinat c hanuner in an appropriate pa tern Steel plugs and feathers are then inserted into these holes and

pressure applied until the smaller block, weighing in the vicinity of 7 tonnes, splits from the main block.

I he blocks, measuring approximately 2.3 x 0.9 x 1.41n are

lifted from the quarry by electrically operated derrick

cranes to storage locations on site where they are held until required for processing. Sornershy has on-site

facilities to process the stone to finished product stage.

Quarterly extraction (in cubic metres) from Somershv

Quarry over the SEI'P 37 moratorium period is as folio ws:

1993

July-September 23.313 October-December 85.317

1994

January-March 23.002 April-June 28.174 July-September 225.038 October-December 65.630

1995

January-March 120.286 April-June 74.795 July (most recent available) 25.982

2.8 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

2.8.1 Erosion, Sediment and Water Quality Control Most of the on-site water management procedures

involve a closed system. Mmnimising the degree od

downslope sediment deposition is a high priority and as a consequence holding or sedimentation ponds are

constructed close to the lowest points of the site and all

significant drainage is directed into them. The operation

of the sediment control system is shown in Figure 2.1.

The following section outlines procendures to he

followed in implementing erosion, dust, and sediment control nieaslires on the quarry site.

nil I])AW

' Mi•iiit' QUARRY . -)t,Ihi11ent of I 1viIni111(nt,11 hII(.'itS

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All internal ro,ids are t o be wetted be water carts i I. and ,is ii('(CSSd ry.

Any ,iix,is ( wiation over thY Site hit in,i generate dust shall be vetted to ensu ic that the

soil surfaces maintain a crusty or cloddv structure.

Surrounding streets are to be cleaned as required during ca rtage operations.

DUSt extractors are to be used with all pneumatic

drills and water is to be used to suppress dust

from diesel powered saws.

Erosion and Sediment Control

Retain a minimum of 3-4m of undisturbed

vegetation surface as a filter and stabilisation

buffer between all topsoil and fill stockpiles and drainage lines.

Keep topsoil and fill stockpiles porous and allow

them to retain water by not smoothing off their

surfaces but keeping them in a rough state.

Where there is a risk of substantial runoff erect silt

fences at the perimeter of the works area between

ekrth works and adjacent vegetation, preferably at the toe of earthworks.

Clean silt traps and fences as required.

Regularly remove sediment from sediment

retention basins to ensure their capacity is maximised

Establish a stahilising surface of indigenous

regeneration over any areas of exposed

earthworks, such as long term topsoil stockpiles, as soon as practicable.

A fabric silt fence is to be placed at toe of exposed

operating areas and at toe of stockpiles, where

there is risk of sediment laden run off.

I'lace rubble from locally sourced rocks as lining along drainage lines.

2.8.2 Rehabilitation

As quarrying is completed, the areas of extraction are hackfilled with stone rubble and silt removed from the

sedimentation ponds. Final shaping of the disturbed

areas will he undertaken so that the contours reflect a natural Ioini similar to those thilt would hia\'e occurred

IlVJJtIl.IVII]l!. 2. QUAR1YINGOl'IiRATjONS

on site. At the conipletioii of the (3tIa1-1'yiilg process ,ill machiiiii'ry, structures and ,issocjati'd epI i pinent, apart from the stone 111illilig facilities, will be removed from the site. Alter cii rthsha ping, '1ockpiled topsoil from the site shall be re - spread over the site. No soil sourced from outside the site shall be used for topsoiling unless it has come from a vi gin site in the nearby area and has shown no propensity for weed growth. The surface soil shall be contour ripped and left in a rough state. Natural re - generation of indigenous seed sources from those already present in the soil as well as from seed from adjacent indigenous vegetation should be supplemented by additional seeding of locally sourced material. The site is to be checked on a monthly basis to ensure that any weed growth is controlled or localised areas of erosion can be treated. On steeper slopes interim silt fencing may need to be erected and the soil surface stabilised with a hydra - mulch containing a binding material as well as locally sourced seed. In highly

audible areas a sterile and non - invasive grass cover crop may be required.

2.9 FUTURE WORKS

Test drilling of other viable areas of stone has been under taken and these are shown in Figure 2.1.

Given the requirements of the fault free dimension sandstone product, true resource quality cannot be surmised from the drilling process, and a degree of quarrying needs to be undertaken to determine the actual quality.

The anticipated annual extraction from the quarry extension is 400m3.

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rTT1 Buildings

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Storage Area I I Figure 2.1

QUARRY OPERATIONS see over t he page lo) r key to n U 10 hers

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5 Sediment Retention Basin Accepts water from filled quarry. Disharges to bushland.

6 Cleared Storage

Cleared for storage post-bush.fires. It is being regenerated. Sediiue1zt Basin Sediment Basin

7 Filled Area

Area of filled quarry. Requires additional planting of indigenous species.

8 Sediment Retention Basin These small basins collect flow from areas above.

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KEY TO FIGURE 5.1

I !\'lain Settlement Pond Water ci isciiarged from guarrying is discharged from operations into this Pond. Clean water discharged into 2.

2 Secondary Settlement Accepts water from Pond 1. Discharges to Pond 3 and has water drawn from it for milling operations.

3 Final Settlement

Accepts water from Pond 2. Discharges clean water into bushland when necessary.

4 Storage Area

Cleared expance for block storage. Rubble edge traps silt. Some discharged to surrounding bushland - requiring additonal sediment controls, such as fences.

S( )MlRSJ3Y QUARRY 'IiIenicut Of 1\'ilOIliiicnt,iJ ElIects A A

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3.1 NEED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT

Sandstone is rded as a building niaterial of high lepu te. It is used in both building and landscaping lvi th uses ranging from wall Construction to paving. (o)sford Quarries are regarded as a leader in Australia for the supply of dimension sandstone, with stone being sent to predominately eastern states as well as Asia. Gosford Quarries have also supplied sandstone blocks to the Wondabyne Sculpture Symposium.

The Somershy Quarry, which is Gosford Quarries main

bulk source of sandstone blocks, first began operating in 1962 and has been operating continously since 1966,

producing on average approximately 2,200 cubic metres of coloured or banded stone per year since 1986. Quality dimension sandstone only occurs as a massive deposit free of all faults and there are few known deposits of this type. Stone of this quality is sought after and a strong demand exists for the product.

3.2 ALTERNATIvES

The range of alternaties open to Gosford Quarries in the continuing operation of Somersby Quarry is limited. Essentially, there is a choice between sourcing new areas of material within the quarry and extracting the remainder of material from the existing quarried areas.

extension of the existing quarried areas is proposed in order to maxiniise the commercial viability of the quarry. It will also assist in maintaining the supply of sandstone to the construction industry.

Maintaining the status quo (extracting from existing quarried areas only) reduce the capacity of the area to supply the demand for high quality sandstone.

4, ENVIRONMEr\JTAL IMPACTS

I AND INTERACTIONS

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4.1 AIR QUALITY

The rig activities do not generate significiiit amounts of dust. lb. method of lu1rrving invokys

using water to fit'sh out the fines from the slot cut by the pneu iii tic ia in miler. Wet I imies do not generate dust.

Water is not used w th the hand held scabbler, however, it is generally worked on a moist sandstone surface, generating little dust.

The relatively low number of traffic movements within the site, combined with the coarse nature of the soil

results in little dust being generated from transportation

activities. Dust that is generated by vehicles disperses or

settles before affecting any residential environments and

is not of sufficient volumes to have any significant effect on the adjoining natural vegetation.

4.2 TOPOGRAPHY

The naturally occurring topography of the area is

characterised by its steepness, with a network of creek

gullies incising into the sandstone geology. Somershy Quarry is in an upper slope location immediately below a north-south running ridge which is at the top of the gully created by Piles Creek.

Previous quarrying activities have significantly altered

the topography at a local scale, with sheer rock faces

being created by the extraction of material. Once

quarrying ceases however, the area is filled with

remaining overburden resulting in a partial restoration of the original topography.

Future quarrying would result in further alteration of

the topography. In the context of the extent of quarrying which has previously occurred however, the change is not considered to be large.

4.3 GEOLOGY, SOILS AND DRAINAGE

The geology of the site comprises Hawkeshurv

Sandstone. This is massive in nature, suggesting cl

uniform depositional Phase during the Triassic Period.

Soils occupying the slopes and rock platfornls Oil tile Hawkeshury Sandstones are ci uplex types, described as sandy yellow to white earths. lml\'ariably soils are thin, being accumulations of weathered 111,1 tonal together with huni us, behind rock boulders and bi.'tvceii inter isis or as sIlilbow accLmmiilIIltions of) ro( k benches.

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Il1JIlI1it.jnRlurnrirjt

The proposed quarry extension will result in an increase in the area of exposed soil on the site and there is likely to be a consequent small increase in soil erosion. Sediment generated by the quarry extension will however be contained within the site by the existing sediment control system.

4.4 VEGETATION

4.4.1 Previous Surveys

Three previous vegetation surveys have been carried out in the vicinity of the site. The first was by Benson and Paulding (1981), as part of vegetation mapping of Brisbane \Va[er National Park at a scale of 1:50,000. At a finer scale, investigations have been carried out by Payne (1993) cuid 1995) for the A ustral ian Walkahoo Park at Calga and the relocation of the A nsf ra han Reptile Park at Old Sydney lown.

In sollic areas soils are skclet,fl, not being more than a h'\V (('nI inielres li't'p. At [mu's Ihe shallow soil 1,1vers are moist, receiving drainage [roni upsiojie which fhnvs over [ho impervious sumlace of [lie mock bench, beneath he soil layer. The skeleLi I sot Is on pli [cart tops a mid

ridges of ten possess residual lerricrele nod ules and stones throughout [lie soil profile, whilst the bare rock platforms in places possess shallow soil plans. Deeper soils with greater soil development are evident on valley side slopes.

Drainage within the site is generally in an easterly direction towards an unnamed tributary of Piles Creek. Most surface flows are channelled into retention basins which discharge into the adjacent bushland in periods of high rainfall only. The remainder of the time, water is either recycled for use in the factory, or is lost to evaporation or infiltration. A small amount of direct discharge into the hushland occurs as a result of rain falling on the perimeter of the site outside the catchment of the retention basins.

The coarse nature of the soils make it relatively easy to contain most sediment within the site. The existing system of sediment retention basins appears to be functioning adequately with no evidence of significant

sedimentation downstream of the discharge points. There is however some minor localised sedimentation occurring as a result of runoff from overburden located on the perimeter of the site which requires protective measures such as sediment fencing to be implemented.

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4.4.2 S peel cs Coui pos I ti ii

Along the pin ten ii tops in the viclili ly of [lie site, the following vegetation description is provided on the basis of the above studies.

Frees: Aiis,1/inra ens/a/u, hijiicarjnui 'IuOnil/i/ciui, Liicalujp/iis

,'iolll1li!cln, I:llcaIi//)tllS /inc'ulas/ayua, tuca/u!pliis siclucri, LiicaIiptiis jnioctala, L11071111J)hIS obloiiga, LiicaIitp[us Ca/lit Cl/il tic

Lower Trees: Banks/a .cL'rrn/a, Kiiii:ea aiiiki'ua, i'ersooiija IOI1CL'ciIata, Pursooiija ICy/S. Ca/list c;iioii Curious.

Shrubs: Lcptaspr'rniuini poiinlifolinoi, Leptospernuinu

aivciiiioudt's, Acacin suinveolens, Banks/a eric/fe/ia, Persoouuia

isopiiiln, Creyillen sericea, Pet rep/ui/c pi u/c/u el/n, Hnkea

tr'retufolin, Lnnubertiaforniosa.

Monocotyledons: Xan tiwrrIuoL'n resin/fern, Dorynn tiles

excelsa, Paterson/n seneca.

Herbs: Actiiuotns ui/nor, Dainpiera strictn, Goiuocnrpus ten crioides.

Ferns: Gleiclieii in dicnrpn, P/er/ui/urn L'scuulelI turn.

Grasses: Axoiuopuus nffiiuis, Eiutolasin strictn, An isopogouu

ntenaceus, Tetrarniuenn juuiicea, Danthonia sp.

4.4.3 Species of Conservation Significance to the Region

There are a number of ROTAP (Rare or Threatened

Australian Plants) and other significant species found in the region. It should be noted however, that the list of

ROTAP species is currently under review. ROTAP species are:

Darwin/n glauicopiuylla - Coded 2RCa. Usually

found on moist rocky outcrops associated with seepage on plateau tops involving Hawkesbury

Sandstone. The main population occurs on the plateaux between Calga and Mount Kariong.

Creoillcn siuwssii - Coded 2VCit. Usually found along drainage lines and the known pcpulation

occurs within the Wondabyne-Mooney Mooney Creek locality.

['nor/an tilL' 10 1iinhlc'rciz,ci - (Prostan thera sp. "C"). Coding under review. Known occurrences

include the plateaux around Kariong and

Somershy to the north-west, but only isolated specimens and populations are known. hcological

factors for [lie species occurrence are a iso

unknown. it is likely to be given a I ugh risk OLh nip u'hiun the review is ( omplete.

I. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

pe(i.iI c nservation sigii ificaiice ,ire:

( .0(11/CU (/l/fi(s(l - A sinai1 low growing shrub I ned to the l'e.i Is kid ge, Ma ngrovl' Moun La in,

i)( )I1i(r5l)V I 'Ia tea U\ a re.is.

51 ii'1ie1Ia lucia car. /aiifl ill - A tail shrub found in dense underslorey. It is .1 restricted species only known from the Goslord, Ouri mbah, Kulnura, Feats Ridge area. The species was found to be common on the Australian Reptile Park site (I'avrie 1995).

I'crsooiiui iso1h11a - A shrub up to 1.5m high and restricted to the Hornsby-Gosford Plateaux. Likely to be common on the sites, especially in disturbed areas.

Banksia robur - A small shrub found in very wet conditions.

4.4.4 Interactions with the Development

The proposed quarry extension will result in the removal of approximately 0.09ha of the vegetation community described above. This community is inadequately represented in Brisbane Water National Park. With the gazettal of Popran National Park however, it is now more adequately conserved because the latter park includes plateau tops where deeper

yellow soil occurs. Such soils are only found on plateau tops in the Somersby region, on Hawkeshury Sandstone with the vegetation having been e\tensively cleared.

At this stage it is not known whether any of the significant species listed above occur on the area

proposed to be cleared. All of the species are however adequately represented within the National Park System except Prostaiitliera nlaugrovei. Information on this species is inadequate and it usually occurs as isolated individuals in low population numbers. Known occurrences are not within National Parks and it is recommended that a survey of the proposed extension be undertaken before any vegetation clearing occurs to confirm the presence or absence of the species.

I [I

'i. )vH:J'iY OUAIKI<Y

tt(.i11ilt Of F iVil() liental Effects

I'. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

4.5 %'VILI)LIFE

4.5.1 131 rds On the 11(rsby-KlIInura I teau, becnuse oI a predoin Iil1flce of nectivoro is plants present, such as !hiiiksoi spp. and Cri'i'IliL'ti spp, many Floneveaters and related species OCCUr. Such species include the Eastern Spinebill, Lewins Honeyeater, Little Wattlebird, Red Wattlebird, New Holland Honeyeater, White-checked Honeyeater, Noisy l 7riarbird, While-eared Honeyeater and Yellow-faced Honeyeater.

Obligate hollow nesting species which rely on Eucalypts are also common. These species include the Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Rainbow Lorikeet, Sulphur-

crested Cockatoo and the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. Most of the bird species that occur on the plateau are common locally and regionally and only the Glossy

Black Cockatoo is listed on Schedule 12 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

4.5.2 Nocturnal Animals

Nocturnal animals in the bushland surrounding the site are likely to include the Common Brush-tail Possum, Common Ringtail Possum, Sugar Glider and the Grey-headed Flying Fox, all of which inhabit parts of the tree canopy. Ground dwelling nocturnal animals would include the Long-nosed Bandicoot, the Northern Brown Bandicoot and possibly the Tiger Quoll and the Koala (based on a previous recording for the area). The latter two species are listed on Schedule 12.

4.5.3 Reptiles

The following Reptile species have been recorded from the plateau area:

Long Necked Tortoise

Water Dragon

Lace NIonitor

EJeath Goanna

Fence Skink

Pink-tongued Skink

III ne-tongued Skin k

Water bRink

Red-bellied Black Snake

Swamp Snake

[1 IS

I ,. I I I I I

In dddltn)n, the Inhiowuig species are expected to occur:

Oflfl1( Ii I'iie Sia ke

l)ealli Adder

liger Snake

'IL'IIO'N faced Whip Sridke

Mountain Dragon

Jackv Dragon.

The Heath Goanna ( Vnraiiiiszarii,s Kuriiiçni) is listed on Schedule 12 and it has been previously recorded at

Kariong adjacent to the Freeway (J. Weigel pers. comm.).

This species is now very uncommon, being restricted to the remaining hath areas on Hawkesbury Sandstone ridgetops.

I 1 I I I I I I I I I I IDAVV

I

4.5.4 Amphibians

The most common amphibians on the plateau are the Common Eastern Froglet (Crinia sigizifera), and the Whistling Tree Frog (Litoria cerreauxii). Other species occurring include:

Litoria cie,itata

Litoriafallax

Litoria frc'ycineti

Litoria jeivisieusis

Litoria peroiiii

Litoria tiIeri

Liniiwdpiastes peronii

Linmodynastes diiinerilii garyi

Liniiiodinastes tasniaiiiensis

Uperoleia Inevigata

LIpL'rolL'ja fitsca

Two species listed on Schedule 12 may possibly occur in the area. These are the Redcrowned Toadlet (PseitLIOpJin/nL' aiistralzs) and the Giant Burrowing Frog (J- IclL'ioporiis aiistrali(7ciis).

4.5.5 Small Mammals

Recent work in the area (Payne 1995) has revealed that

the plateau area, in some parts, is habitat for the New I Jolland Mouse (PsciuIonns iitciicil1aii(iae). This species is regarded as a species of special conservation

significance to the region because of its restricted habitat

on the Central Coast. It is not listed on Selied uk' 12..

H( M hl'flY (dUi\ RRY -'fiten-unt of Nnvironmeni,il FlIects

I. I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I 1

()the" cies expected to occur are conhilloil md include the Swi:iip kit (inil/,i.s litircoltis), the flush Rat (Ra1!o Iusciics) the Brown An tech mis (A iiIrcIiiiiii sliiarlii) and the I- louse Mouse (Mits iiniseiifus)

4.5.6 Small Bats

A number of small bat species may occur in the area, but are not likely to roost unless sandstone caves are

present. Those species which have been recorded in the area previously include:

Gould's Long-eared Bat Ni c[opluliis gouldi

Little Forest Bat Vr'spadaliis zidturnus

Lesser Long-eared Bat Nyctophiliis geoffroyi

Gould's Wattled Bat Calilinolobiis goiildii

Eastern Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens orion

Eastern Forest Bat Vespadalus piinziliis

Little Bent-wing Bat Miluopterhis oust ralis

Common Bent-wing Bat Miniopterus schreibersii

Chocolate Wattle Bat Chalinobolus mono

White-striped Freetail Bat Tadarida a us t ralis

Greater Broad-nosed Bat Scoteonax ruepellii

Large Forest Bat Vespadalits da)'lington i

Eastern Little Freetail Bat Idorniopterus norfolkensis

Yellow-bellied Sheathtajl Bat Saccolainnisflavivemitrus

Of these, the following are listed on Schedule 12:

Eastern Little Freetail Bat

Greater Broad-nosed Bat

Common Bent-wing Bat

Yellow-Bellied Sheathtailed Bat.

4.5.7 Interactions and Fauna Impact Assessment The proposed quarry extension will result in the removal of approximately 0.0911a of natu ial bushland

In the context oI similar habitat available nearby in

Brisbane Water and Popran National Parks, this is not considered sunificant.

I Nt )i\V

I

H()MI;RdyuuAIRy -

- 'tateriient of loviroiiniejit,il F.IIe( ti,

S.

01 the ched ole 12 species that may occur in the general area listed above, none are likely to occur in the area of vegetation to be removed, given its small size and its proxinu ly to Ilumal) activity. It is possible however that the four rare or endangered hat species may use this area for feeding, while it may also Iorm a small P)d of the habitat of the liger Quoll and the Heath Goanna. A Fauna Impact Assessment according to the Seven Poiuf Test of significance is provided below on the assumption that all of these species inhabit the area proposed to be cleared.

The CX tent of modification or removal of habitat, iii relation to the sonic habitat ti/pc in the localit.

The amount of habitat being removed is approximately 0.09ha. Large areas of similar habitat exist nearby in Popran National Park and to a lesser extent, Brisbane Water National Park.

The sensitivitij of the species to reniocal or inodcatiou of habitat.

All of the species are highly sensitive to removal or modification of habitat. In the case of this proposal however, the area to be cleared would form a small part (if any) of the habitat of these species. The bat species if they occur, would utilise the area for feeding only, while it would be on the fringe of any habitat for the Tiger Quell or Heath Goanna.

The tinie required to regenerate critical habitat, naiiiely the whole or any part of the habitat which is essential for the survival of that species offaiiiza.

The habitat which is likely to be cleared for the proposal is not regarded as critical habitat for the survival of the species in question, due to the factors discussed in (a) and (b) above. Reestablishment of the natural vegetation will occur once quarrying operations cease, however due to the modification of landform, the regenerated vegetation structure and species composition may be different from that which currently occu rs.

I 1 I I L I Ii I I I I I I I I I I I

) -;ff (,2UARRY )I/t/'i/it'nt of hnvir ni ('lit//I kIl('(tS I.

((I) / I/H c /hCCI vi I/u' 1111ipii1 of !/1c'fIIIIiII /'H/IIilI/I!(li! t o

I('CI, iIIl'llIIli/i\' iIl!I'IIlII(lIlS bt'!'1''ii I/u' .siilp'cf

/11/Hf//HI!

ut! jti'lif litibilui! that /111/If II///IIL'l/('L' flit'

//11p1u1111i1/I/ 1) / I/H/ill fl/I' I/i/li /1/'/)1)1't/ ICC Il1'i'L'I/)/)i//t'//t HI

1/Cf /1/1/15.

It any of the species in question do inhabit the area proposed for quarrying, its small size and its likely lack of importance to the species suggests that there would be no detectable impact on the size of the populations. The main potential interaction between the quarrying activities habitat beyond the area to be cleared is noise. No significant increase over present noise levels from the quarry is considered likely to occur,

(e) Any proposal to ameliorate the impact ' Other than minimising the amount of vegetation to be cleared, there are no proposals considered feasible to

I operational ameliorate the impacts on the habitat during the

phase of the quarry. Upon completion of quarrying however, the area will be filled as much as possible and natural vegetation reestablished,

I (f) Whet//er the land is curreutli being assessed for

wilderness by the Director of National Parks and

I Wildlife inider the Wilderness Act 1987.

The land is not currently being assessed for wilderness.

(g) Any adverse effect on the survival of that species of

I e/ida/lgered fauna or on populations of that fauna.

If populations of any of the species in question do occur,

I there is not likely to be a discernible impact on the size of the populations, although a minor change in distribution would occur. Yhere is no threat to the survival of any of these species as a result of the I proposed extension of quarrying activities,

I Given the above, it is not considered that there is likely to be a significant effect on the environment of endangered fauna as a result of the proposed I development. 1 I I I

Fl )AVV I

I I I I I

H( Ml:lhliy (..2U/\kJY tifitliii( (it oiviroiiiiietitiJ I1ft

I 1 I I I 1 I I I I I I I

Fl )AVV

I

4.6 BVSHFIRL

I he hiishland roiiiid homershy Quarry is highly prone to bushfire. The predoiiinantl dry and extensive sclerophyllotis vegetation as well as the steepness of the topography combine to prod uce cond tions which are conducive to high bushlire freciuencv and intensity.

The last hushfire in the vicinity of the site was in January 1994. This fire was one of a large number in the region at the time and burnt large areas of Brisbane Water National Park and nearby land.

The presence of the quarry interrupts the continuity of the local hushland and therefore results in a minor localised reduction in the bushfire hazard. It also provides potential access points for fire brigades.

4.7 ABORIGINAL ARCHAEOLOGY

There would be no archaeological sites in the existing quarried areas due to the disturbance which has occurred. There are however, sites known in the local

area and it is recommended that the National Parks and Wildlife Service be contacted for advice regarding archaeological issues, before quarrying activities are carried Out.

4.8 VISUAL CHARACTER

4.8.1 Existing Visual Setting The natural visual setting of the Somersby Quarry is typical of the Hawkesbury Sandstone Plateau. The

plateau area is dominated by areas of gentle to moderate slopes with steeper slopes occurring off the ridges or in associated with rock outcrops. The plateau areas are covered by open forest that has a well developed shrub and ground cover layer. The continuity of the forest cover over the underlying topography creates the visual landscape character of the plateau areas when viewed as part of the background, ie from greater than 6km away, or the middleground, ie between 1-6km.

When viewed from a foreground situation the character of the setting can be similar to that experienced from a near middleground situation as described above. However it can also be experienced from a inimed iate foreground situation where one is actually within the

NE

QUARI<Y -it,i ttiniii ( of 1:11vin)[1111clital liulects I. . I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

landscape. In this situation the vegetation provide a high degrec of visual iii terest because of the diversity of plant forms and the colon r and textures crea ted by the ci versi ty if the Vegetation and the wildflowers

1 he area of the Soniershy Quarry is highly disturbed reflecting its long use as a quarry. In addition to the quarry areas from which dimension stone is cut there are also a number of other areas and facilities that have an influence on the visual character of the total site. These include the production buildings, product storage areas, water quality protection areas, unused areas, old quarry pits and rehabilitated areas.

4.8.2 Effect of the development

Q uarrij areas

The quarry areas are rock extraction pits. These pits have a rectilinear shape that reflect the way the stone is dimensional cut in situ into 3m by 3m blocks, before it is extracted from the quarry to the processing building. The visual effect of the quarry pits is initially the removal of vegetation. This breaks the continuity of the forest and shrub cover altering the colour and texture values of the setting when compared to adjoining vegetation and as seen from middle distant or background viewing locations.

Subsequent quarrying of the stone will introduce the

light creams of freshly cut sandstone that will contrast strongly with the greys of weathered sandstone and the grey greens of the natural forest cover.

Production Building Areas

These are large scale buildings within which the sandstoe is cut into dimensioned product. These buildings are taller than the surrounding tree cover. The buildings have a footprint of approximately 40m by 60m and are 10 to 12m high. The dominance of the buildings

over the forest vegetation results in the building creating a strong rectilinear form in the landscape.

I Fl )AV 21

I )MHShY QUAhRY - tferiient of I ivirm-nentaf Illects

i'.

I5t0rt(' Antis

Adjacent to the prod uction building the final cut stone is

I stored before being transported to market. This area is dominated by the sandstone products but is not visible to external areas because of adjoining vegetation.

I Unused Areas

These areas remain covered in natural vegetation and provide good visual screens to disturbed work areas.

Old Quarry Pits

I These areas vary in size and to varying degrees are back filled. They are not visible from most surrounding view areas.

1 I Rehabilitation areas

Some areas have been rehabilitated and replanted. The

Iexisting degree to which these areas are integrated with the

landscape varies from location to location and depending on how dense the revegetation is.

Proposed Quarry Extension Area

I The proposed quarry extension area is a small extension between two existing quarry areas (Figure 2.1) The visual effect of this operation will be similar to that

I described above for the quarry areas. However the visual effect on areas external to the quarry will be limited due to the existing vegetation that provides a

I

visual screen between the quarry and visually sensitive areas.

4.8.3 Visual Use Areas

I

The area within the Somersby Quarry is only viewed form eternal foreground and mid dleground situations.

Isensitive The main visual use areas, that are potentially visually

areas include the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway, the more recently established residential area,; of Kariong, and areas of llrishane Waters National Park..

I The industrial area of Somersby is not as sensi five as the areas mentioned above

I I II lAW

22

I -' ) lSllY ()Ui\RRY -'ti tern nt of ho V ron mental hlfects

I. I ;enerally all view lines on to the (fuarry area are at view

angles either equal to or below the quarry in elevation. This limits the views of the quarry operation areas,

I because the adjoining vegetation does a good job at screening the excavated pit areas and other disturbed areas Irom view. 1 lie only exception to this is the production build np which protrudes above the trees.

I The 4.8.4 Visual Effect and Impact

visual tnpad of the quarrying on surrounding

sensitive land use areas is limited due to the effect of the retained vegetation screening the future operations. The

I effectiveness of this screening is achieved through the angle of view being lower or equal in elevation to the operational area. This vegetation will screen the I exposed highest western wall from eastern view positions.

I 4.8.5 Recommendations

The more elevated western wall and potentially the most western part of the northern and southern wall will

I potentially be most visible to views from eastern view areas. To limit this potential the following

1 recommendations are made;

0 Collect seed from the area to be quarried for subsequent reuse as seedlings and seed in a

I replanting following quarrying.

Quarrying should commence at the western edge

I • of the proposed quarry area.

Vegetation clearing should initially be limited to areas west of the central crane positions.

I. The western wall should be excavated in steps to

enable regeneration to occur.

Artificially weather the visually exposed walls by

I use of organic acids and tannins to achieve the greymg weathered look on the freshly cut sandstone faces.

I . Carry out progressive revegetation of step areas as quarrying from that terrace area is completed

I central Clearing and quarrying of areas to the east of the

crane area should be delayed as long as it is operationally possible to enable the restoration of the more elevated western walls and as needed

I the western parts of the north and south walls to establish eflective visual screens to the excavated walls.

I

23

I 1(\1IJ<t)Y

It'iitjit of Tlnvin)nnlejltal Ill lects

I Table 4.1 TYPICAL NOISE EMISSIONS FROM

QUARRY EQUIPMENT

• • Eqvuvevt Sound

—12 Power Level dB re 10 watts

O:tvve Band Centre 63 125 250 500 1k 21, 4k Bk A Frequency (Ha)

IngersollRand I an Chvelljnq Hlavhiwe 75 87 59 96 98 104 104 102 111

Broorvyode Compressor full load 100 101 93 105 104 105 102 95 110

Ivgersvll Rand Rook Drill (Type 9007i/3L

I wltk air conspresoor) 100 103 100 108 109 111 117 109 120

Luffing Crane lifting S tonne load

103

Luffing Crane squeakIng 117

I Quarry Truck

20 toocen naxirnun RPM 113 107 114 108 107 104 96 83 111

I I I I k I

Avoid d59T311ge to vegetation in the retention area tiiitil its reqiiied for removal.

4.9 LAND USE

The land within the Sonlersby quarry lease is used primarily for quarrying and ancillary activities such as stone working, stormwater/sedirnent control and roads. The remainder is either natural hushland or former quarried areas being rehabilitated.

The proposed quarry extension will increase the total area being quarried (approximately 0.28ha). The current land uses in this location are roads and natural bushland.

4.10 NOISE AND VIBRATION

The effects of quarry operations on the acoustic environment have been measured previously (originally in 1980 and checked in 1988) at a similar operation owned by Gosford Quarries. Noise generated by individual pieces of machinery are shown in Table 5.1.

Detailed predictions of noise levels prepared for Mount White quarry concluded that there would be no significant acoustical impact from the quarry at the nearest residential property. The nearest residential property (750m away) is approximafely the same distance as in the case of Mount White and it could be reasonable expected that noise impacts at Somersby would be similarly insignificant.

As there is no blasting associated with the quarrying activities, vibration effects are minimal.

4.11 TRAFFIC

Traffic generated includes 100 car trips and 10 truck trips per week. A large proportion of the car trips are however from employees of the production component of the quarry, which is not directly part of the quarry activities.

2.t

I k I I I I

I /;06 - 33

5135 I

- -

755

524k

61,11,

a 2 250 I

- -------

P'G

------- I .20

b) 12 'o82 I 63

2

71 3 &DRAWIGS / WATER

355j / / 7 W27 S S

SUPPLY -

2 -72c5\ 0

/ 5 7

I

55 7 /7 7, 5 2s

52s

S

I 3323 / 202 2 '

1 \ 72 17s5(1

506

502 57647 23;

—1656 SUPP / I (5I0

ge

MAPS,,'fARARA

725255 "226B 775

/

2

NATIV

Ilk

/ CF \)

(

- PATONGA 5 \77

JIaTY COUNCil. k

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