Metro MiningBauxite Hills Project
Environmental Impact Statement
Metro MiningChapter 6 - Marine Ecology
Environmental Impact Statement
Metro MiningAppendix H2 - Metro Mining Community andSocial Responsibility Policy
i
Table of Contents
6 Marine Ecology ..................................................................................................................................... 6-1
6.1 Project Overview .................................................................................................................................... 6-1 6.2 Regulatory Framework ....................................................................................................................... 6-1
6.2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 .......................... 6-2 6.2.2 Nature Conservation Act 1992 .................................................................................................. 6-2 6.2.3 Environmental Protection Act 1994 ....................................................................................... 6-2 6.2.4 Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 .................................................................. 6-2 6.2.5 Fisheries Act 1994 .......................................................................................................................... 6-3
6.3 Objectives and Performance Outcomes ....................................................................................... 6-3 6.3.1 Protection Objectives..................................................................................................................... 6-3 6.3.2 Performance Outcomes ................................................................................................................ 6-3
6.4 Assessment Method .............................................................................................................................. 6-4 6.4.1 Marine Development Footprint ................................................................................................ 6-4 6.4.2 Desktop Assessment ...................................................................................................................... 6-8 6.4.3 Field Surveys ..................................................................................................................................... 6-8
6.5 Existing Environmental Values........................................................................................................ 6-9 6.5.1 Coastal Habitats ............................................................................................................................ 6-12 6.5.2 Benthic Habitats ............................................................................................................................ 6-19 6.5.3 Commonwealth Marine Area .................................................................................................. 6-22 6.5.4 Conservation Significant Species ........................................................................................... 6-26 6.5.5 Fisheries ........................................................................................................................................... 6-36
6.6 Potential Impacts ................................................................................................................................ 6-37 6.6.1 Marine Habitats ............................................................................................................................. 6-38 6.6.2 Marine Species ............................................................................................................................... 6-42 6.6.3 Marine Pests ................................................................................................................................... 6-45 6.6.4 Fisheries ........................................................................................................................................... 6-46 6.6.5 Summary of Impacts to Marine Ecology ............................................................................ 6-47
6.7 Cumulative Impacts ........................................................................................................................... 6-48 6.7.1 Predicted Cumulative Impacts ............................................................................................... 6-49
6.8 Management and Mitigation Measures ..................................................................................... 6-51 6.8.1 Management of Impacts ............................................................................................................ 6-51 6.8.2 Matters of State Environmental Significance ................................................................... 6-56
6.9 Qualitative Risk Assessment .......................................................................................................... 6-70 6.10 Summary................................................................................................................................................. 6-73 6.11 Commitments ....................................................................................................................................... 6-75 6.12 ToR Cross-reference .......................................................................................................................... 6-76
List of Figures
Figure 6-1 Barge Loading Facility and infrastructure ....................................................................................... 6-6 Figure 6-2 Indicative OGV anchorage area and reef habitat ........................................................................... 6-7 Figure 6-3 Bathymetry of Skardon River (September 2009) with bed features noted .................................. 6-11 Figure 6-4 Skardon River marine vegetation and seagrass habitats .............................................................. 6-17 Figure 6-5 Skardon River wetland classification ............................................................................................ 6-18 Figure 6-6 Seagrass survey of the Skardon River entrance (Chartrand and Thomas, 2010) .......................... 6-20 Figure 6-7 West Cape York Commonwealth Marine Reserve ........................................................................ 6-22 Figure 6-8 North Marine Region area ............................................................................................................ 6-26
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
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List of Tables
Table 6-1 Regional ecosystems within the Skardon River - marine vegetation ............................................. 6-12 Table 6-2 Vegetation of the Skardon River (adapted from Roelofs et al., 2002) ........................................... 6-14 Table 6-3 Benthic habitat surveys undertaken from the Skardon River (1986-2015) ................................... 6-19 Table 6-4 Percentage cover from the Skardon River, anchorage options and a nearshore reef patch ......... 6-21 Table 6-5 Conservation status listed species that are known to occur or likely to occur .............................. 6-27 Table 6-6 Listed marine species considered unlikely to occur ....................................................................... 6-28 Table 6-7 Number of turtle nesting tracks at four beach regions along western Cape York (modified from
Bell, 2004) ...................................................................................................................................................... 6-31 Table 6-8 Incidental snubfin dolphin sightings by PaCE in waters surrounding the Skardon River ............... 6-34 Table 6-9 MSES as they apply to the Bauxite Hills Project ............................................................................. 6-56 Table 6-10 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Flatback Turtle .................................................. 6-60 Table 6-11 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Green Turtle ...................................................... 6-61 Table 6-12 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Hawksbill Turtle ................................................ 6-62 Table 6-13 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Loggerhead Turtle ............................................. 6-63 Table 6-14 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Olive Ridley Turtle ............................................. 6-64 Table 6-15 Assessment against significant impact criteria: three sawfish species and Speartooth Shark .... 6-65 Table 6-16 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Narrow Sawfish ................................................. 6-67 Table 6-17 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Estuarine Crocodile ........................................... 6-67 Table 6-18 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Dugong .............................................................. 6-68 Table 6-19 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Australian Snubfin Dolphin and Indo-Pacific
Humpback Dolphin ........................................................................................................................................ 6-69 Table 6-20 Assessment against significant impact criteria: Coastal Manta Ray ............................................ 6-70 Table 6-21 Qualitative risk assessment - marine ecology .............................................................................. 6-70 Table 6-22 Commitments – marine ecology .................................................................................................. 6-75 Table 6-23 ToR cross-reference – flora and fauna ......................................................................................... 6-76
List of Plates
Plate 6-1: Typical saltmarsh (foreground) and mangroves (rear) .................................................................. 6-13 Plate 6-2: Mangrove community in Project area ........................................................................................... 6-14
6-1
6 Marine Ecology
This chapter identifies the key marine habitats, species of significance and sediment and water
quality characteristics within the Bauxite Hills Project (the Project) area. Potential impacts are
assessed in this chapter along with management and mitigation measures to reduce the identified
potential impacts. The technical marine ecology report, prepared by Ports and Coastal Environment
(PaCE), can be found in Appendix B3 – Marine Ecology Technical Report.
6.1 Project Overview
Aldoga Minerals Pty Ltd (Aldoga), a 100% owned subsidiary of Metro Mining Limited (Metro
Mining), proposes to develop the Project located on a greenfield site on the western coastline of
Cape York, Queensland, approximately 35 kilometres (km) northeast of Mapoon. The Project will
include an open cut operation, haul roads, Barge Loading Facility (BLF), Roll on/Roll off (RoRo)
facility, transhipping and will produce and transport up to 5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of ore
over approximately 12 years. The mine will not be operational during the wet season.
The Project is characterised by several shallow open cut pits that will be connected via internal haul
roads. The internal haul roads will be connected to a main north-south haul road that will link with
the Mine Infrastructure Area (MIA), BLF and RoRo facility located to the north of the pits on the
Skardon River. Bauxite will be screened in-pit and then hauled to the product stockpile using road
train trucks.
Bauxite from the Project is suitable as a direct shipping ore product (i.e. ore is extracted and loaded
directly to ships with no washing or tailings dams required). Bauxite will be transported by barge
via the Skardon River to the transhipment site, approximately 12 km offshore, and loaded into ocean
going vessels (OGVs) and shipped to customers. No dredging or bed-levelling for transhipping is
proposed as part of this Project.
OGVs of between 50,000 to 120,000 tonne (t) each will be loaded at the transhipment anchorage
site. Vessels will be loaded and bauxite will be transported to OGVs 24 hours per day with barges
having an initial capacity of approximately 3,000 t to meet early production volumes, increasing up
to 7,000 t as the Project reaches a maximum production volume of 5 Mtpa.
The construction of the mine is due to commence in April 2017 and is expected to take seven months
to complete. The first shipment of bauxite is planned for October 2017. The Project will be 100%
fly-in fly-out (FIFO) due to its remote location. The Project will operate over two 12 hour shifts per
day for approximately eight months of the year and is expected to employ up to 254 employees
during peak operations. In addition to the workforce, it is expected that the Project will result in the
employment of additional workers through local and regional businesses servicing the
accommodation camp and the construction and operation of the mine.
6.2 Regulatory Framework
The protection of the marine environment is governed by several legislative acts including
Commonwealth and Queensland State legislation. Those with relevance to the Project activities
include:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth);
Nature conservation Act 1992;
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Environmental Protection Act 1994
Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995; and
Fisheries Act 1994.
Under the Queensland Marine Parks Act 2004 there are three designated State marine parks,
however none of these occur in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
6.2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) provides a
framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna and
ecological communities (among other things) as defined under the act as Matters of National
Environmental Significance (MNES). Under the EPBC Act the Department of the Environment (DotE)
has jurisdiction over actions that are likely to have a significant impact on MNES.
6.2.2 Nature Conservation Act 1992
The NC Act provides for the protection and management of native wildlife and habitat that support
native species with particular regard to:
Activities that may cause disturbance (that is tamper, damage, destroy, mark, move or dig up)
to animal breeding places; and
The taking of fauna.
Subordinate legislation, such as the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006, lists protected
species and areas to which the regulatory provisions of the NC Act apply including. This Regulation
lists terrestrial and aquatic plant and animal species presumed extinct, endangered, vulnerable,
rare, common, international or prohibited. It recommends management objectives for the
protection and maintenance of these species in Queensland, as appropriate.
6.2.3 Environmental Protection Act 1994
The Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) has a broad objective of achieving sustainable
development within Queensland. The subordinate EP Regulation defines Category A and Category
B environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs). Category A ESAs include national parks, marine parks, the
Great Barrier Reef region and the wet tropics area. Category B ESAs include some classes of
protected areas, endangered regional ecosystem (RE) types, declared fish habitat areas and areas
subject to international conventions.
6.2.4 Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995
The Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 (CPM Act) provides for the protection,
conservation, rehabilitation and management of the coast, including its resources and biological
diversity. The CPM Act acknowledges the goal, core objectives and guiding principles of the National
Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) in the use of the coastal zone.
An approval for tidal works will be required under the CPM Act. Works associated with the proposed
BLF may include construction within tidal areas and the disposal of excavated material within tidal
areas. This will also include the construction of the loading berth located outside the Skardon River
in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
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6-3
6.2.5 Fisheries Act 1994
The main purpose of the Fisheries Act 1994 is to provide for the use, conservation and enhancement
of the fish resources and habitats as a way to apply and promote the principles of ESD. It regulates
the taking and possession of specific fish, removal of marine vegetation, the control of development
in areas of fish habitat and lists noxious fish species.
An approval is likely to be required to remove mangroves for the construction of the BLF under this
Act.
6.3 Objectives and Performance Outcomes
6.3.1 Protection Objectives
As per the Terms of Reference (ToR) the protection objectives relevant to this chapter are:
The activity is operated in a way that protects the environmental values of associated marine
flora and fauna;
Choice of the site, at which the activity is to be carried out, minimises serious environmental
harm on areas of high conservation value and special significance and sensitive land uses at
adjacent places;
Location for the activity on a site protects all environmental values relevant to adjacent sensitive
use;
Avoids significant residual impacts to matters of national and state environmental significance;
mitigates impacts where they cannot be avoided and offsets any residual impacts; and
The activity is developed and operated in a way that avoids environmental harm including
impacts on marine environmental values.
6.3.2 Performance Outcomes
The performance outcomes for the protection of the marine environment are based on Schedule 5,
Tables 1 and 2 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2008:
Activities that disturb flora and fauna will be managed in a way that prevents or minimises
adverse effects on the environmental values of the marine environment;
The activity will be managed to prevent or minimise adverse effects on the environmental
values of land due to unplanned releases or discharges, including spills and leaks of
contaminants;
Areas of high conservation value and special significance likely to be affected by the proposal
are identified and evaluated and any adverse effects on the areas are minimised;
The activity, and components of the activity, are carried out on the site in a way that prevents
or minimises adverse effects on the use of surrounding marine environment and allows for
effective management of the environmental impacts of the activity.
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-4
6.4 Assessment Method
6.4.1 Marine Development Footprint
To accurately assess the potential impacts to the marine environment the proposed marine
development footprint and activities were identified. Key elements of the Project in regards to the
marine environment and potential impacts include the following:
BLF;
RoRo facility;
Marine operations and barge route;
Barge moorings; and
Offshore transhipment area.
The aforementioned Project marine components are summarised below and in further detail in
Chapter 2 – Description of the Project.
Dredging or bed-levelling is not proposed to access the Skardon River. No changes to bed
morphology is expected from the proposed operations.
6.4.1.1 Barge Loading Facility
The proposed BLF will be located at the river bend at the downstream extent of the Mine Lease Area
(MLA) in the deep water to achieve an alongside depth of 4.5 m at Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT)
(Figure 6-1). The BLF consists of the following components:
A causeway of approximately 100 m in length, with a 6 m wide crest will be constructed along
the alignment of the outloading conveyor;
A piled jetty consisting of a 6m wide concrete deck, supported on steel girders, which are in turn
supported by steel headstocks, each on two driven steel tubular piles. The piled headstocks are
at 12 m centres along the alignment of the jetty;
A loading head deck to support the barge loader, to provide a small working deck for
maintenance access to the barge loader, to provide access to berthed vessels and to allow turn-
around space for vehicles; and
Four berthing dolphins are provided on either side of the loading head, to provide vessel
berthing points over an extended quay line (Figure 6-1).
6.4.1.2 Roll on/Roll off Facility
The RoRo facility will be located adjacent to the MIA on the Skardon River. The facility includes a
concrete barge ramp designed for logistic support barges, to facilitate the unloading of cargo. The
ramp will be located at approximately mean sea level to allow access at high tide by barges with a
maximum draft < 2.0 m. To limit mangrove removal the ramp will be located at the narrowest
section of mangroves that adjoins the MIA.
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-5
The barge ramp consists of precast concrete slab panels placed over rock fill. The slope of the ramp
is at 1:7, which is the preferred ramp slope for the operation of logistic support barges. Ramp top
level will be set at Highest Astronomical Tide level, to place it above normal high tide events.
6.4.1.3 Barge Operations
Bauxite transportation will be via shallow draft barge through the Skardon River and will occur 24
hours per day during the eight to nine month operational period (the Project will not operate in the
wet season). Barges with a capacity of approximately 3,000 t will be used in year one to deliver 1
Mtpa and from year two onwards barges with a capacity of approximately 7,000 twill be used to
deliver up to 5 Mtpa to awaiting Ocean Going Vessels (OGVs). Barge loading will be carried out using
a stationary conveyor transferring the ore from the product stockpiles to the barge.
Each barge will be loaded taking into consideration potential navigational limitations at the time of
loading. Where loading occurs during periods of low water, barges will be light-loaded to retain
sufficient under keel depth. Conversely, during periods of high water, barges will be more fully
loaded, but still within design specification of the barge, to cater for greater under keel depths. It is
expected that transit at the river mouth will be limited for approximately seven hours a day during
low tide.
Shallow draft tugboats will standby with the barges during loading. Barges will then be delivered to
the transhipment location where they will be discharged to the awaiting carrier. Predicted barge
movements are detailed in Chapter 2 – Description of the Project and Appendix I – Shipping
Technical Report.
6.4.1.4 Barge Moorings
When not in use the barges will be moored in the Skardon River clear of other river traffic. The base
case will include four sets of pile type moorings (consisting of two piles) for each tug and barge set
and two sets of piles for each of the two floating cranes (Figure 6-1). Piles are planned to be removed
at the end of mine life. The moorings will be designed to withstand cyclones (cyclone rated) and tugs
and barges will be secured to these moorings during the wet season.
A separate single “day mooring” will be established in offshore water between the mouth of the
Skardon River and the OGV loading area. The structure of the moorings will be like other standard
moorings, comprising a single weight with a buoy attached. This mooring will not be cyclone rated
but will be of sufficient design to be able to withstand 30 knots and 2 m seas.
6.4.1.5 Offshore Transhipment Area
The options for the OGV anchorage area has been assessed to ensure it is sufficiently far away from
any sensitive marine habitats (reef assemblages) to avoid any potential impacts. The current
location is to the north of the reef assemblages and to the north west of the Skardon River mouth.
The indicative OGV anchorage area, relevant to the different OGV sizes, is shown in Figure 6-2.
Whilst this proposed anchorage area requires a longer and less direct transit than some other
options that had been proposed, Metro Mining decided this option provided the lowest risk of
environmental impact.
Bauxite will be shipped to overseas markets via a combination of Supramax, Ultramax, Panamax and
Mini Capesize Class Vessels. Geared Supramax and Ultramax class OGVs will be used during year
one and until such time that the floating crane system is established. Once the floating crane is
operational all four classes of OGV will be utilised. Dependent on the class of OGV, loading will take
approximately four to six days, requiring between 15 to 20 loaded barges to complete each cargo.
0 20 40
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Figure 6-1: Barge loading facility and infrastructure
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ML 20676
BAUXITE HILLS 1
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BAUXITE HILLS 6 WEST
(BH6 WEST)
ML 20688
BAUXITE HILLS
6 EAST
(BH6 EAST)
Panamax
Supramax
Ultramax
Mini Cape
Day Mooring
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Pace 2 - A25
SKA R DON
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DISCLAIMERCDM Smith has endeavoured to ensure accuracy
and completeness of the data. CDM Smith assumes no legal liability or responsibility for any decisions or actions resulting from the information contained
within this map.
GCS GDA 1994 MGA Zone 54
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Indicative OGV anchorage area
©COPYRIGHT CDM SMITHThis drawing is confidential and shall only be used
for the purpose of this project.
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Indicative Reef 1km Buffer
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Limit of Coastal Waters
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West Cape York Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Multiple Use Zone
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DATA SOURCEMEC Mining; 1sSRTM v1.0 Geoscience Australia 2011;
Australian Government, Department of the Environment; QLD Government Open Source Data;
Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric (Geofabric) PRODUCT SUITE V2.1.1
DRG Ref: BES150115-002-R1_PACE_Rfs
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For Information Purposes
Updated Pit Extents
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Haul Road
Haul Road
Accommodation Camp
Figure 6-2
07/04/16
Camp Access
Road
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-8
6.4.2 Desktop Assessment
A desktop assessment was carried out to identify potential matters of ecological significance
including marine species and communities, as well as other ecological features occurring within the
vicinity of the Project area. The desktop review was used to obtain background information relating
to the potential presence and distribution of species particularly those listed under the NC Act and
EPBC Act. Desktop studies involved database searches and review of:
Commonwealth EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (Department of the Environment
(DotE)) - as a number of EPBC-listed species have changed status over the course of this
assessment the most recent search available has been used as a reference point for assessment
of marine ecology values;
Queensland wetland mapping as sourced from EHP’s Wetland Info database;
A number of reports with direct relevance to the Project area include:
- Port of Skardon River: Marine habitat resources survey April/May 2002 (Roeloffs et
al., Marine Ecology Group, QFS, Northern Fisheries Centre, Cairns, 2002)
- Port of Skardon River: Marine Habitat Resources Survey, September 2003 (Roeloffs et
al. Marine Ecology Group, QFS, Northern Fisheries Centre, Cairns, 2004)
- Port of Skardon River: Marine Habitat Resources Survey, December 2006 (Rasheed et
al., Marine Ecology Group, QFS, Northern Fisheries Centre, Cairns, 2007)
- Benthic marine habitat of the Skardon River mouth, May 2010 (Chartrand and
Thomas, Marine Ecology Group, QFS, Northern Fisheries Centre, Cairns, 2010)
Reporting with regard to marine fauna for nearby Environmental Impact Statements for the
Skardon River Bauxite Project (SRBP) Marine Ecological Survey (November 2014 (RPS, 2014))
and the Amrun (South of Embley) Project (Weipa area).
The extensive marine ecology surveys and reporting undertaken as part of the baseline work for the
previously proposed Pisolite Hills Project has been used as the predominant marine ecology
document for the Project. This work was focussed on Port Musgrave, approximately 25 km south of
the Skardon River. As Port Musgrave is recognised as having a significantly larger, protected
estuarine area than Skardon River, has been mapped with relatively large seagrass meadows and is
fed from the large perennial rivers of both the Ducie and the Wenlock systems, the findings in the
Port Musgrave work are considered to represent a potentially wider range of species niches than
would be available in the Skardon River. The Project has adopted the conservative approach of
assuming any species found in the Port Musgrave study could also occur in the Skardon River, even
where conditions may be less optimal than in Port Musgrave.
6.4.3 Field Surveys
Field surveys of Skardon River for benthic marine habitat and seagrass extent were undertaken by
PaCE in 2014 and 2015. The surveys were conducted to better understand benthic habitats from
upstream of the proposed barge developments to the Skardon River entrance. Offshore habitats,
within three proposed transhipment locations, and several bathymetric ‘high spots’ were also
surveyed.
PaCE (2014) surveyed the benthic habitats adjacent to the three BLF locations originally proposed
by Metro Mining during the end of the dry season (November). A total of 48 locations were surveyed
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-9
using benthic video techniques. The video surveys covered a distance of approximately 20-30 m of
seabed over a two minute period at each location.
In addition to the survey undertaken around the proposed BLF options for seagrass, data was also
collected for other benthic habitats. The survey included 116 locations to extend the understanding
of benthic habitats downstream to the Skardon River entrance and offshore at the proposed
transhipment locations. Sites where distributed randomly within the river system or targeted given
available bathymetric survey information (i.e. rocky reef). Video data was analysed and biota
recorded within key classes including, total live cover, macroalgae, macroinvertebrates, coral and
bare substrate cover.
Water quality and sediment samples were also collected as part of PaCE’s surveys and these are
discussed in Chapter 9 – Water Quality and Chapter 19 – Coastal Environment.
6.5 Existing Environmental Values
The Gulf of Carpentaria is a large and relatively shallow body of water which is enclosed on three
sides by the Australian mainland and bounded on the north by the Arafura Sea. The Gulf of
Carpentaria can be subject to seasonal fluctuations in sea level (up to 0.5 m) as a result of trade
winds (e.g. during the monsoon) and forcing from the Arafura Sea (Wolanski, 1993). These seasonal
sea level fluctuations can result in large areas being inundated by tides in the summer months
(during the monsoon). As a result these areas cannot support mangrove or freshwater vegetation
and therefore form salt flats.
Ryan et al., (2003) describes Skardon River as a tidal creek given the low freshwater input, low-
gradient and seaward-sloping coastal flats. These systems are primarily influenced by tidal currents
and as a result comprise straight, sinuous or dendritic tidal channels that taper and shoal to
landward. The mudflats which surround the creeks tend to be high relative to the tidal planes, with
seawater being mainly confined to the tidal channels except during high tide on spring tides. Tidal
creeks are usually highly turbid due to the strong tidal currents generated by the macro-tidal ranges
allowing fine sediments to remain in suspension during spring tides. The tidal action results in the
transport of sediment into the estuary, where the sheltered conditions eventually allow the coarser
sediment fractions to settle. The currents within the creek will be influenced by the channel depth
and orientation along with the difference in tidal range through the creek.
The configuration of the Skardon River ranges from a relatively narrow 300 m width at the river
entrance, quickly expanding to approximately 1 km upstream. The river starts to narrow about 3 km
upstream and ranges in widths of between 500 to 600 m to the downstream point where the river
branches into two arms. The site of the BLF and RoRo are located approximately 10 km upstream
of the mouth of the river and approximately 2 km upstream of where the river branches into two
arms. The river is approximately 350 m at this point. Further upstream the river the river continues
to narrow and turns from being tidal into narrow ephemeral drains.
Due to the narrow entrance of the Skardon River combined with the complex and relatively shallow
bathymetry of the ebb tidal delta and the offshore channel, swell waves are not expected to
propagate inside the Skardon River. The area upstream of the entrance will therefore only be
influenced by locally generated wind waves.
The dominant wind direction does not align with the estuaries main axis. This feature combined
with the river configuration causes the locally generated wind waves to be small and have a short
wave period. Based on this, along with the dominance of tidal currents within the river, wind
generated waves in the estuary are not considered to be a significant process.
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-10
The bathymetry of the main channel in Skardon River along with areas of indicative bed forms are
shown in Figure 6-3 and the results of the 2015 bathymetry survey are included in Appendix B3.
The highest tidal current speeds in an estuary tend to occur close to the entrance. Due to the
configuration of the Skardon River, the peak speeds are expected to occur at the constriction of the
entrance where a flatbed occurs. The flatbed indicates that the flow velocity exceeds the speed at
which ripples and mega ripples form, with peak current speeds potentially exceeding 1 m/s.
Offshore of the entrance, mega ripples and sand waves occur in the main channel where current
speeds remain high due to the constrained channel focusing the flow.
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within this map.
GCS GDA 1994 MGA Zone 54
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Figure 6-
Bathymetry of Skardon River (September 2009)
with bed features noted
©COPYRIGHT CDM SMITHThis drawing is confidential and shall only be used
for the purpose of this project.
APPROVED
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Bathymetry (m)
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Watercourse
Barge Loading Area
Metro Mining Mine Lease Area
Haul Road
Pit Extents
DATA SOURCEAcoustic Imaging; MEC Mining;
QLD Government Open Source Data;Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric
(Geofabric) PRODUCT SUITE V2.1.1 DRG Ref: BES150115-027-R1_BATHYM_SR
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Barge Loading Area
Existing Gulf AluminaJetty Site
Haul Road
22/03/16
Mine Infrastructure Area
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-12
6.5.1 Coastal Habitats
The Skardon River and adjacent inshore and offshore areas encompass several marine habitats,
including; saltmarsh, mangroves, seagrass, rocky reef, oyster reef, coral reef and broad areas of
intertidal and subtidal soft substrates that are either bare or variably colonized by
macroinvertebrates and macroalgal communities. This section describes the coastal (terrestrial)
habitats within the Project area. The following coastal habitats are associated with the Project:
Saltmarsh;
Mangroves; and
Wetlands.
The DNRM Regional Ecosystems (RE) currently mapped within the Project area is presented within
Table 6-2 and Figure 6-4.
Table 6-1 Regional ecosystems within the Skardon River - marine vegetation
RE Code Community Description Status*
EPBC Act VMA
3.1.1a Long-styled Stilt Mangrove (Rhizophora stylosa) +/-
Large-leaved Orange Mangrove (Bruguiera gymnorhiza)
closed forest as outer mangroves
N/A LC
3.1.3 Yellow Mangrove +/- Northern Grey Mangrove low
closed forest on intertidal areas
N/A LC
3.1.6 Sparse herb land or bare saltpans associated with salt
plains and saline flats, including saltmarsh
N/A LC
*Status: Queensland Vegetation Management Act (VMA): E = Endangered, OC = Of Concern, LC = Least Concern
6.5.1.1 Saltmarsh
Defined clearly from aerial imagery, saltpan and fringing saltmarsh habitats are present throughout
the Skardon River system. These habitats exist as a fringe between the dominant open woodland
and Melaleuca vegetation, and the mangrove habitats (see Plate 6-1) and are characterised by
periodic inundation leading to hypersaline soils, becoming bare saltpans in some instances. Plants
displaying adaptations to these harsh conditions include samphires (Halosarcia sp.), and several
marine grasses (Sporobolus sp., Fimbristylus sp. Tecticornia sp.). The mangroves bordering these
habitats, at their landward extents, typically include Excoecaria sp. and Avicennia sp.
Where the interaction of freshwater allows a reduction in soil salinity, and slight elevations preclude
saline inundation, sedges and grassland swamps may also develop (Perry, 1995). Species recorded
from these habitats include the sedge Eleocharis sp., Marine Couch (Xerochloa sp.) and Fimbristylus
sp., and emergent trees and shrubs including Melaleuca sp. and Grevillea sp. (Perry, 1995).
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-13
Plate 6-1: Typical saltmarsh (foreground) and mangroves (rear)
The location of the proposed BLF does not cross mapped saltmarsh habitats or saltpans. A listing of
saltmarsh species encountered during surveys by Roleofs et al. (2003) and PaCE (2014 and 2015)
is presented within Appendix B3 – Marine Ecology and Coastal Processes. The extent of saltpan
communities in the study area is presented in Figure 6-4.
6.5.1.2 Mangroves
Mangrove communities of Cape York are considered one of the world’s most species rich, supporting
over 30 mangrove species that are unique to the region. Mangroves are also known to support more
than 75% of all Australia’s commercially and recreationally important fish and crustacean species
during some phase of their lifecycle (Abrahams et al., 1995; Duke, 2006; Quinn, 1992). They provide
a structurally complex habitat that can provide protection for juveniles and a source of carbon that
may be exported by the tide to other areas and food webs in the region (Manson et al., 2005;
Meynecke et al., 2008).
A community of fringing mangrove habitat exists along the shores of the Skardon River, extending
from just inside the mouth to the upper estuary/freshwater interface (see Plate 6-2). Roelofs et al.
(2002) have surveyed the mangrove communities along the Skardon River. A list of mangrove
species encountered is presented within Table 6-2. The extent of mangrove communities in the
study area is presented in Figure 6-4.
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-14
Plate 6-2: Mangrove community in Project area
The Long-styled Stilt Mangrove is the dominant mangrove community fringing the waterways of the
Skardon River. Grey Mangrove and Yellow Mangrove communities are commonly established
behind the mangrove fringe, nearest the saltpan/saltmarsh. Grey Mangrove species are also present
along the leading edge of the mangrove community adjacent to low gradient mudflats. Patches of
mangrove apple were also identified by Roelofs et al. (2002) being previously mapped as gaps in
the mangrove fringe by Danaher (1995). PaCE noted the presence of mangrove apple within the
vicinity of the proposed barge loading footprint.
The mangrove vegetation of the Skardon River is in good condition, with little evidence of
disturbance and a well distributed range of life stages from juveniles to flowering adults. Historical
clearing of a thin mangrove fringe has been undertaken at the nearby existing Port of Skardon barge
ramp. Isolated minor impacts from feral pigs and cattle were also observed over the saltpan,
saltmarsh, and landward fringe of the mangrove community across the study area. The mangroves
identified from the Skardon River reflect the findings of previous surveys (Danaher, 1995; Perry
1995) and are typical of Cape York Peninsula (Bunt et al., 1982).
6.5.1.3 Observed Vegetation
The vegetation species that have been observed in mangrove, samphire, seagrass and sedgeland
communities in the area during previous studies are identified in Table 6-2.
Table 6-2 Vegetation of the Skardon River (adapted from Roelofs et al., 2002)
Species Common Name PaCE (2014-
2015)
Roelofs et
al. (2002)
Literature Review
Mangroves
Rhizophora stylosa Red Mangrove Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Rhizophora apiculata Tall-stilted Mangrove Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Ceriops tagal Yellow Mangrove Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Bruguieria gymnorhiza Large-leaved Orange
Mangrove
Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Bruguieria parviflora Small-leaved Orange
mangrove
Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-15
Species Common Name PaCE (2014-
2015)
Roelofs et
al. (2002)
Literature Review
Sonneratia sp. Mangrove apple Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Avicennia marina Grey mangrove Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Xylocarpus granatum Cannonball mangrove Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Xylocarpus moluccensis Cedar mangrove Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Excoecaria agallocha Blind-your-eye
mangrove
Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Osbornia octodonta Myrtle Mangrove Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Aegialitis annulata Club Mangrove Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Lumnitzera racemosa Black Mangrove Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Nypa fruticans Mangrove Palm Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Heritiera littoralis Looking-glass
Mangrove
Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Acrostichum speciosum Mangrove Fern Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Aegiceras corniculatum River Mangrove Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Hibiscus tiliaceus Native Hibiscus Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
Samphires
Halosarcia spp. Pigface Cited in Perry 1995
Fimbristylis spp. Danaher 1995
Tecticornia australasica Danaher 1995
Suaeda arbusculoides Samphire Bush Danaher 1995
Sarcocornia
quinqueflora
Tree Samphire Danaher 1995
Marine Grasses
Sporobolus virginicus Saltwater Couch Danaher 1995
Sphaeranthus indicus Cited in Perry 1995
Xerochloa sp. Cited in Perry 1995
Sedgeland
Eleocharis sp. Danaher 1995; Perry 1995
6.5.1.4 Intertidal Habitats
Intertidal habitats surrounding the entrance to the Skardon River are dominated by sand beaches,
exposed to prevailing wind and waves from the Gulf of Carpentaria. As the shoreline progresses into
the estuary and river system, silty sands and muds begin to dominate the intertidal substrate. This
is accompanied by increasing mangrove habitat, declining sandy shores, ironstone banks and
Casuarina dominated habitat. The distribution of intertidal mud and sandbanks at the entrance and
inner estuary system is quite extensive. As the river progresses upstream the width of the primary
waterway narrows. The edge of the banks become steeper, particularly on the outer bank curves,
favoring the establishment of mangroves such as Rhizophora sp. Further upstream within the small
tributaries, the channels may dry completely or almost completely at low tide. These intertidal
habitats are predominately bare mud and silty/sand with the presence of some isolated patches of
filamentous algae and oyster beds (Roleof et al., 2002; PaCE, 2015).
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-16
6.5.1.5 Wetlands
The mangroves and adjacent saltmarsh/saltpans are considered to form part of the Skardon River
– Cotterell River Aggregation (Figure 6-5). This wetland is listed under the Directory of Important
Wetlands in Australia (DIWA). The criteria applied to reaching this listing included:
It is a good example of a wetland type occurring within a biogeographic region in Australia;
It is a wetland which is important as the habitat for animal taxa at a vulnerable stage in their life
cycles, or provides a refuge when adverse conditions such as drought prevail; and
The wetland supports native plant or animal taxa or communities which are considered
endangered or vulnerable at the national level.
No Ramsar listed wetlands are mapped within or adjacent to the Project area.
SKARD
ON RIVER
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DISCLAIMERCDM Smith has endeavoured to ensure accuracy
and completeness of the data. CDM Smith assumes no legal liability or responsibility for any decisions or actions resulting from the information contained
within this map.
GCS GDA 1994 MGA Zone 54
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Metres
Figure 6-
Skardon River seagrass
habitats
©COPYRIGHT CDM SMITHThis drawing is confidential and shall only be used
for the purpose of this project.
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Barge Loading Area
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Metro Mining Mine Lease Area
Saltpans
Mangrove
Seagrass Mapping
DPI Seagrass 1986 and 2010
DPI Seagrass 2003
DPI 2006 Meadow
PaCE 2014 Meadow
DATA SOURCEMEC Mining;
QLD Government Open Source Data;Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric
(Geofabric) PRODUCT SUITE V2.1.1 DRG Ref: BES150115-038-R1_SEAGRASS
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!(
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!(BH6 West MLA boundary(MLA 20689)
BH6 East MLA boundary(MLA 20688)
BH1 MLA boundary(MLA 20676)
AQ-BF01
AQ-LU01
AQ-NA04AQ-NA03
AQ-NA02AQ-NA01
S1S9S6
W5
W4
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SKARDON RIVER
NAMALE
TA CREE KNAMALETA CREEK
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Figure 6-5
DATE
DISCLAIMERCDM Smith has endeavoured to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data. CDM Smith assumes no legal liability or responsibility for any decisions or actions resulting from the information contained within this map.
GCS GDA 1994 MGA Zone 54
/0 1,000 2,000500Metres
Skardon River wetland classification©COPYRIGHT CDM SMITHThis drawing is confidential and shall only be used for the purpose of this project.
APPROVEDDRAWN
03/05/16
CHECKED
Legend!(
SRBP Aquatic Survey Site!(
Bauxite Hills Aquatic Sampling Site!>
Surface Water Sampling LocationBarge Loading AreaWatercourseHaul RoadPit ExtentsAccomoodation CampMetro Mining Mine Lease AreaDirectory of Important Wetlands
Wetland ClassRiverineEsturinePalustrineLacustrineMarine
DATA SOURCEMEC Mining;QLD Government Open Source Data;Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric (Geofabric) PRODUCT SUITE V2.1.1 DRG Ref: BES150115-003-R1_WETLANDS
DESIGNER CLIENT
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Barge Loading Area
Haul Road
Haul Road
Accommodation Camp
03/05/16
CampAccess Road
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-19
6.5.2 Benthic Habitats
6.5.2.1 Seagrass
Several surveys for the distribution and abundance of seagrass and associated benthic habitats have
been undertaken within the Skardon River since 1986 (Table 6-3). The distribution of seagrass
habitats from the surveys within the Skardon River is presented within Figure 6-4.
Table 6-3 Benthic habitat surveys undertaken from the Skardon River (1986-2015)
Study Year Location
Coles et al. 1986 Entrance
Roelofs et al. 2002 Whole river dry season
Roelofs et al. 2003 Whole river wet season
Rasheed et al. 2007 Whole river
Chartrand and Thomas 2010 Entrance
PaCE 2014 Metro Mining BLF
PaCE 2015 Downstream of the BLF to the Skardon River entrance
Initial surveys by Coles et al. (1986) identified two isolated patches of seagrass near the Skardon
River estuary entrance. Further baseline investigations were undertaken during 2002 (wet season)
and 2003 (dry season) (Roelofs et al., 2003). Seagrasses were recorded within a tributary to the
main river channel during both these events: Narrowleaf Seagrass (Halodule uninervis). This
included three small meadows located within 500 m of the existing barge ramp at the then kaolin
processing area. Subsequent surveys undertaken in 2006 adjacent to the barge ramp facility
(Rasheed et al., 2007) extended the distribution of seagrass nearer to the existing BLF, adding
another small meadow which fringed the mangrove banks upstream to the extent of the port limits.
Distribution of Narrowleaf Seagrass was also extended, reporting a low density meadow adjacent
to the BLF.
Rasheed et al. (2007) described that seagrass distribution during 2006 (approximately 9.1 ha) was
double that of the previous surveys in 2003 (approximately 4.4 ha), and noted that variability in the
distribution of these meadows is not unusual. Paddle Grass (Halophila sp.) is a colonising species
that can rapidly form meadows in the right conditions (i.e. lower rainfall, and greater benthic
irradiance) (Rasheed et al., 2006).
During 2010, a detailed survey encompassing the then proposed barge access area was undertaken
through the river entrance (Chartrand and Thomas, 2010). A Narrowleaf Seagrass meadow
recorded earlier by Coles et al. (1986) was identified during this survey covering an area of
approximately 1 ha. Although a total of 230 seagrass habitat characterisation sites were surveyed
within the river entrance and surrounds, no additional seagrass communities were identified
(Figure 6-6) (Chartrand and Thomas, 2010). The majority of the survey locations within the
entrance reported open substrate, sand, or sand and shell matter.
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-20
Figure 6-6 Seagrass survey of the Skardon River entrance (Chartrand and Thomas, 2010)
During the 2014 surveys, nine small paddle grass meadows were located in thin (
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-21
6.5.2.3 Offshore anchorage areas
Three proposed anchorage areas for OGVs were surveyed using video techniques and side scan
sonar. Anchorage Option 1 was located in deeper water (15-16 m LAT) approximately 4-5 km north
of anchorage Options 2 and 3 (12-13 m LAT) (see Figure 6-2 and B3 – Marine Ecology and Coastal
Processes). Benthic habitats within the anchorage areas were surveyed by underwater video at five
locations and side scan sonar. The benthic habitat within the surveyed area was dominated by bare
coarse shell and sandy substrates (96%). A sparse cover (of sea whips, sponges, gorgonian fans,
ascidians and hard corals (Turbinaria spp.) were identified within the survey area and these biota
appear to have created a scattered low profile sponge, soft coral and minor hard coral reef (profile
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-22
6.5.3 Commonwealth Marine Area
Commonwealth waters commence from the three nautical mile limit (Figure 6-2). They extend
seaward to the 200 nautical mile limit (in the case of the Gulf of Carpentaria, the entire gulf waters
are included). The areas identified for transhipping and movement of bulk carriers servicing the
Project will be undertaken in Commonwealth marine waters. The location of the transhipment
operations is dominated by open sandy substrates, with minor live benthic cover (1 – 3%). Mining
and port activities occur approximately 10 km east of the mouth of Skardon River and 18 km to the
south east of the Commonwealth Marine Area.
6.5.3.1 Commonwealth Marine Reserve
The West Cape York Commonwealth Marine Reserve is located to the northwest of Skardon River.
The Reserve covers an area of 16,000 km2 comprising national park, multiple use and special
purpose zones (see Figure 6-7). The reserve was declared in 2012 and includes the following uses:
Marine National Park Zone – IUCN Category II (7,957 km2);
Multiple Use Zone – IUCN Category VI (5,871 km2); and
Special Purpose Zone – IUCN Category VI (2,184 km2).
Figure 6-7 West Cape York Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-23
IUCN Category II - Marine National Park Zones
Marine National Park Zones are large natural or near natural areas set aside to protect large-scale
ecological processes, along with the complement of species and ecosystems characteristic of the
area, which also provide a foundation for environmentally and culturally compatible spiritual,
scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities.
The primary objective of Marine National Park Zone is to protect natural biodiversity along with its
underlying ecological structure and supporting environmental processes, and to promote education
and recreation. Other objectives include:
To manage the area in order to perpetuate, in as natural a state as possible, representative
examples of physiographic regions, biotic communities, genetic resources and unimpaired
natural processes;
To maintain viable and ecologically functional populations and assemblages of native species at
densities sufficient to conserve ecosystem integrity and resilience in the long term;
To contribute in particular to conservation of wide-ranging species, regional ecological
processes and migration routes;
To manage visitor use for inspirational, educational, cultural and recreational purposes at a
level which will not cause significant biological or ecological degradation to the natural
resources;
To take into account the needs of indigenous people and local communities, including
subsistence resource use, in so far as these will not adversely affect the primary management
objective; and
To contribute to local economies through tourism.
Marine National Park Reserves provide large-scale conservation opportunities where natural
ecological processes can continue in perpetuity, allowing space for continuing evolution. They are
seen as key stepping-stones for designing and developing large-scale biological corridors or other
connectivity conservation initiatives required for those species (wide-ranging and/or migratory)
that cannot be conserved entirely within a single protected area. Their key roles are therefore:
Protecting larger-scale ecological processes that will be missed by smaller protected areas or in
cultural landscapes;
Protecting compatible ecosystem services;
Protecting particular species and communities that require relatively large areas of undisturbed
habitat;
Providing a “pool” of such species to help populate sustain-ably-managed areas surrounding the
protected area;
To be integrated with surrounding land or water uses to contribute to large-scale conservation
plans;
To inform and excite visitors about the need for and potential of conservation programmes; and
To support compatible economic development, mostly through recreation and tourism, that can
contribute to local and national economies and in particular to local communities.
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-24
IUCN Category VI - Multiple Use Zone and Special Purpose Zone
Multiple Use Zones are protected areas that conserve ecosystems and habitats, together with
associated cultural values and traditional natural resource management systems. They are generally
large, with most of the area in a natural condition, where a proportion is under sustainable natural
resource management and where low-level non-industrial use of natural resources compatible with
nature conservation is seen as one of the main aims of the area. The primary objective is to protect
natural ecosystems and use natural resources sustainably, when conservation and sustainable use
can be mutually beneficial. Other objectives are:
To promote sustainable use of natural resources, considering ecological, economic and social
dimensions;
To promote social and economic benefits to local communities where relevant;
To facilitate inter-generational security for local communities' livelihoods – therefore ensuring
that such livelihoods are sustainable;
To integrate other cultural approaches, belief systems and world-views within a range of social
and economic approaches to nature conservation;
To contribute to developing and/or maintaining a more balanced relationship between humans
and the rest of nature;
To contribute to sustainable development at national, regional and local level (in the last case
mainly to local communities and/or indigenous peoples depending on the protected natural
resources);
To facilitate scientific research and environmental monitoring, mainly related to the
conservation and sustainable use of natural resources;
To collaborate in the delivery of benefits to people, mostly local communities, living in or near
to the designated protected area; and
To facilitate recreation and appropriate small-scale tourism.
The general approval for the West Cape York Commonwealth Marine Reserve provides for the
following activities to continue while a management plan is prepared:
Commercial fishing;
Non-commercial fishing;
Commercial tourism;
Mining operations;
Commercial vessel transit (being continuous passage of a vessel through an area by the shortest direct route without any other activity being carried on);
Aquaculture;
Commercial media activities;
Commercial image capture; and
Erecting structures, carrying out works and carrying on an excavation.
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-25
6.5.3.2 Marine Bioregional Plan for the North Marine Region
The study area also forms part of the area encompassing the Marine Bioregional plan for the
Northern Marine Region (Figure 6-8). This plan covers the Commonwealth marine area extending
from west Cape York Peninsula to the Northern Territory–Western Australia border. The plan does
not cover state or territory waters but, where relevant, does include information about inshore
environments and the way they interact with species and habitats of the Commonwealth marine
area.
The Commonwealth has prepared the Marine Bioregional Plan for the North Marine Region. The
Plan area covers approximately 625,689 km2 of tropical waters in the Gulf of Carpentaria and
Arafura and Timor seas, and abuts the coastal waters of Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The key ecological features of relevance to the Project are the Gulf of Carpentaria coastal zone and
the Gulf of Carpentaria basin (for bulk carrier vessel ship movements only).
The plan presents a summary of the analysis of pressures affecting conservation values in the region
undertaken to inform the development of regional priorities. The marine bioregional plan identified
12 regional priorities comprising six conservation values and six pressures. The six conservation
values are:
Listed marine turtles;
Listed inshore dolphins;
Listed sawfishes and river sharks;
Dugong;
Listed sea snakes; and
The Gulf of Carpentaria coastal zone.
The conservation values are all relevant to the Project, and the listed marine species known or likely
to occur in the Project area are described in Section 6.5.4. The six pressures that are regional
priorities are less relevant to the Project, as the Project:
Will not increase pressure associated with marine debris, bycatch, extraction of living resources
(illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing) or climate change;
Will involve physical habitat modification in the form of port infrastructure construction,
however this activity is minor, transient and not within Commonwealth marine waters, nor is it
likely to result in impacts to Commonwealth marine waters; and
May involve very minor modification of hydrological regimes from mining activities, although
this is highly unlikely to impact Commonwealth marine waters (for further discussion on the
hydrological regime of the Project area see Chapter 10 – Water Resources, Chapter 11 – Flooding
and Regulation Structures and Appendix E2 – Surface Water Technical Report).
The marine bioregional plan identifies the six pressures of potential concern on ecosystem
functioning and integrity on the Gulf of Carpentaria coastal zone are:
Marine debris (e.g. derelict fishing nets, discarded plastic);
Fishing bycatch;
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-26
Extraction of living resources (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing);
Physical habitat modification;
Climate change (sea level rise, ocean acidification, changed temperature); and
Changes in hydrological regimes.
The marine bioregional plan identifies that the pressures of potential concern on ecosystem
functioning and integrity on the Gulf of Carpentaria basin are illegal, unreported and unregulated
fishing, marine debris and climate change. Project shipping in the Gulf of Carpentaria basin will not
contribute to these pressures.
In terms of the marine bioregional plan strategies to address regional priorities, the Project
contributes to Strategy D, through the EIS process, by increasing collaboration with relevant
industries to improve understanding of the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance and address the
cumulative effects on the region’s key ecological features and protected species.
Figure 6-8 North Marine Region area
6.5.4 Conservation Significant Species
The EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool aims to include species which are likely to occur in a
geographic region, based on known ranges and habitat preferences. Inclusion in the report does not
necessarily mean that the animal or plant will occur at a specific location. Consideration of site
specific information is important for augmenting the results of the protected matters search and
verifying that an animal or plant does occur at a specific locality, or has a high likelihood of occurring
based on habitat attributes. Additionally, site specific information may identify that a species of
conservation significance not included in the EPBC Act Protected Matters search may occur or is
highly likely to occur based on habitat attributes.
Bauxite Hills Project Marine Ecology
6-27
The EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool for the Project area identified the following:
30 species listed as threatened, of which 15 may be considered marine species;
39 fauna species listed as Migratory, of which 22 are marine species;
62 species listed as marine species; and
11 whales and cetaceans.
The marine species that are known to occur or are likely to occur at or adjacent to the proposed
Project location are listed in Table 6-5 (see also Appendix B3 – Marine Ecology and Coastal
Processes). The listing status under the EPBC Act, the NC Act and the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are included. Bird species that are listed as Migratory under the
EPBC Act are treated in Chapter 5 – Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology and Chapter 7 – Matters of
National Significance.
Table 6-5 Conservation status listed species that are known to occur or likely to occur
Species EPBC Act Status NC Act Status IUCN Status
Marine Reptiles
Flatback Turtle (Natator
depressus)
Vulnerable, migratory marine
species, listed marine species
Vulnerable Not assessed
Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta
caretta)
Endangered, migratory marine
species, listed marine species
Endangered Endangered
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Vulnerable, migratory marine
species, listed marine species
Vulnerable Endangered
Olive Ridley Turtle
(Lepidochelys olivacea)
Endangered, migratory marine
species, listed marine species
Endangered Vulnerable
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys
imbricata)
Vulnerable, migratory marine
species, listed marine species
Vulnerable Endangered
Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus
porosus)
Migratory marine species, listed
marine species
Vulnerable Least concern
Sea snakes (18 species) Listed marine species Not listed Not assessed,
least concern or
data deficient
Mammals
Dugong (Dugong dugon) Migratory marine species, listed
marine species
Vulnerable Vulnerable
Australian Hump-backed
Dolphin (Sousa sahulensis)
Migratory marine species, whales
and other cetaceans
Vulnerable Near threatened
Australian snubfin dolphin
(Orcaella heinsohni)
Migratory marine species, whales
and other cetaceans
Vulnerable Near threatened
Spotted Dolphin (Stenella
attenuata)
Whales and other cetaceans Not listed Least concern
Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops
truncatus s. st.)
Whales and other cetaceans Not listed Least concern
Fish and Sharks
Narrow Sawfish (Anoxyprostis
cuspidata)
Migratory marine species Not listed Endangered
Speartooth Shark (Glyphis
glyphis)
Critically endangered Not listed Endangered
Coastal Manta Ray (Manta
alfredi)
Migratory marine species Not listed Vulnerable
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Species EPBC Act Status NC Act Status IUCN Status
Dwarf Sawfish (Pristis clavata) Vulnerable Not listed Endangered
Largetooth Sawfish (Pristis
pristis)
Vulnerable Not listed Critically
endangered
Green Sawfish (Pristis zijsron) Vulnerable Not listed Critically
endangered
Pipefishes (34 species) Listed marine species Not listed Not assessed,
least concern or
data deficient
(*) The taxonomy of the Bottlenose Dolphin remains to be determined.
A number of marine fauna species identified in the EPBC Act Protected Matters search, were
considered to not occur regularly (i.e. the study area may not be considered as within the species
normal distribution or habitat requirements), or are highly unlikely to occur at or adjacent to the
Project. Those species listed along with a brief justification as to why they were not considered is
provided in Table 6-6. Further detail on marine species is provided in Chapter 7 – Matters of
National Significance and the Marine Ecology and Coastal Processes Technical Report (Appendix
B3).
Table 6-6 Listed marine species considered unlikely to occur
Species EPBC Act Status NC Act
Status
Likelihood of Occurrence Justification
Marine Reptiles
Leatherback
Turtle
(Dermochelys
coriacea)
Endangered,
migratory marine
species, listed marine
species
Endangered No major nesting has been recorded in Australia,
although scattered isolated nesting occurs in southern
Queensland and the Northern Territory. Some nesting
has occurred in northern NSW near Ballina. However,
no nesting is known to have occurred in Queensland or
New South Wales (NSW) since 1996. The species is
most commonly reported from coastal waters in
central eastern Australia (from the Sunshine Coast in
southern Queensland to central NSW); south-east
Australia (from Tasmania, Victoria and eastern South
Australia) and in south-western Western Australia.
Based on this information Leatherback Turtles are
highly unlikely to nest on western Cape York beaches or
use the Gulf of Carpentaria as an important feeding
area. It should be noted that the measures in place to
mitigate the risk to the other five turtle species will also
benefit the Leatherback Turtle if new information
demonstrated regular use of the relevant area by the species.
Freshwater
Crocodile
(Crocodylus
johnstoni)
Listed marine species Not listed The species is generally found in freshwater
environments rather than marine, hence its common
name. Although it has a range across much of northern
Australia it is not found in northern Cape York
Peninsula including the region of the Project area. The
species relies on the presence of permanent, large
waterholes stocked with fish as prey and which do not
occur in the wider area.
Mammals
Bryde’s Whale
(Balaenoptera
edeni)
Migratory marine
species, whales and
other cetaceans
Not listed There are two forms of Bryde’s Whale: the coastal from
of Bryde's Whale appears to be limited to the 200 m
depth isobar, moving along the coast in response to
availability of suitable prey. The offshore form is found
in deeper water (500 m to 1,000 m). No specific feeding
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Species EPBC Act Status NC Act
Status
Likelihood of Occurrence Justification
or breeding grounds have been discovered off
Australia. While Bryde’s Whale may infrequently occur
in the Gulf of Carpentaria, the region can be considered
outside their normal distribution.
Blue Whale
(Balaenoptera
musculus)
Endangered,
Migratory marine
species, whales and
cetaceans
Not listed The only known areas of significance to Blue Whales in
Australian waters are feeding areas around the
southern continental shelf, notably the Perth Canyon,
in Western Australia, and the Bonney Upwelling and
adjacent upwelling areas of South Australia and
Victoria. Blue whales are not known to regularly
migrate through, aggregate, feed or breed in the Gulf
of Carpentaria and as such the area is considered to be
outside of their normal range.
Humpback Whale
(Megaptera
novaeangliae)
Vulnerable, Migratory
marine species,
whales and other
cetaceans
Vulnerable The feeding, migratory and calving areas for the
eastern Australian and Western Australian populations
of Humpback Whales are known. The Great Barrier
Reef complex and the Kimberley Region are important
breeding and calving grounds for Humpback Whales.
Hervey Bay and the Whitsundays appear to be
important resting grounds for mothers and calves of
the east coast population on their southward
migration. Humpback Whales are not known to
regularly migrate through, aggregate, feed or breed in
the Gulf of Carpentaria and as such the area is
considered to be outside of their normal range.
Killer Whale
(Orcinus orca)
Migratory marine
species, whales and
other cetaceans
Not listed A single individual has been observed near Weipa in
August 2014 (Cairns Post, 2014). However, Killer
Whales are more common in cold, deep waters, or
inshore shelf waters near seal and sea lion colonies. As
such the Gulf of Carpentaria and hence the study area
can be considered to be outside its normal range.
Common Dolphin
(Delphinus
delphis)
Whales and other
cetaceans
Not listed Common Dolphins are found in offshore oceanic waters
and are rarely seen in northern Australian waters.
Common Dolphins appear to occur in two main
locations around Australia, with one cluster in the
southern south-eastern Indian Ocean and another in
the Tasman Sea. As the species is found in offshore
oceanic waters, the Gulf of Carpentaria can be
considered to be outside its natural range.
Risso’s Dolphin
(Grampus griseus)
Whales and other
cetaceans
Not listed Risso’s Dolphin has a marked preference for deep
oceanic water. They occur mainly on steep sections of
the upper continental slope, usually in waters deeper
than 1000 m, in tropical and warm temperate latitudes.
As the species is found in deep offshore oceanic
waters, the Gulf of Carpentaria can be considered to be
outside its natural range.
Water Mouse
(Xeromys
myoides)
Vulnerable Vulnerable For more information this species is referred to in
Chapter 5 – Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
Fish and Sharks
Great White
Shark
(Carcharodon
carcharias)
Vulnerable, Migratory
marine species
Not listed The northern-most Queensland record is Mackay.
Areas where observations are more frequent include
waters in and around some fur seal and sea lion
colonies such as the Neptune Islands (South Australia);
areas of the Great Australian Bight as well as the
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Species EPBC Act Status NC Act
Status
Likelihood of Occurrence Justification
Recherche Archipelago and the islands off the lower
west coast of Western Australia. Juveniles appear to
aggregate seasonally in certain key areas including the
90 Mile Beach area of eastern Victoria and the coastal
region between Newcastle and Forster in NSW.
Therefore, Great White Sharks are not known to
regularly migrate through, aggregate, feed or breed in
the Gulf of Carpentaria and as such the area is
considered to be outside of their normal range.
Whale Shark
(Rhincodon typus)
Vulnerable, Migratory
marine species
Not listed Ningaloo Reef, off the Western Australian coast, is the
main known aggregation site of Whale Sharks in
Australian waters. The species is generally found in
areas of upwelling and at times when plankton
abundance is very high (e.g. mass coral spawning
event. Whale sharks are known to regularly migrate
through, aggregate, feed or breed in the Gulf of
Carpentaria and as such the area is considered to be
outside of their normal range.
Giant Manta Ray
(Manta birostris)
Migratory marine
species
Not listed The Giant Manta Ray lives mostly in the open ocean,
traveling with the currents and migrating to areas
where upwellings of nutrient-rich water increase prey
concentrations. As such the Gulf of Carpentaria can be
considered to be outside its natural range.
6.5.4.1 Marine Reptiles
Marine Turtles
Marine turtles nest on beaches throughout the western Cape York region; however, the Project will
not impact upon turtle nesting habitat. The BLF and RoRo facilities locations are situated within a
mangrove fringed estuary environment within the Skardon River, and are not suitable for any
marine turtle nesting. Suitable nesting habitat is situated at the mouth of the Skardon River
approximately 12 km downstream. Coastal beaches in the Mapoon and Skardon area provide
suitable and regionally important turtle nesting habitat, with beaches north and south of the
Skardon River entrance demonstrating nesting activity (RPS, 2014; Dr Riku Koskela pers. comm.).
The following provides a brief summary of each species. For more detail refer to Appendix B3 –
Marine Ecology and Coastal Processes.
Flatback Turtles are the most common nesting species in the proposed development area and the
species nests only in Australia. Flatback Turtles in the region nest all year round, although peak
nesting occurs from May through to September. Along the part of Western Cape York that has been
surveyed, the beach between Port Musgrave and the Skardon River has the greatest prevalence of
nesting for this species (Table 6-7). The most significant rookery in the Gulf of Carpentaria is Crab
Island which is approximately 27 km south-west of Bamaga, and 75km north of the Project site
(Limpus et al., 1983). Other significant rookeries in the Gulf of Carpentaria include the Wellesley
and Sir Edward Pellew Islands (Limpus, 1995). In the north-western Torres Strait significant
rookeries occur at Deliverance Island, Kerr Islet and Turu Cay (Limpus et al., 1989) (over 100 km
from the Project site).
Within the Marine bioregional plan for the Northern Marine Region these areas have been identified
as ‘biologically important areas’ (BIAs). The Plan describes implementation of an 80 km buffer
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around these locations for management consideration (DSEWPaC, 2012). The nearest BIA for
Flatback Turtles includes Crab Island located approximately 85 km to the north of the Project site.
It is highly likely that Australia has the largest remaining breeding population of Olive Ridley Turtles
in the southeast Asia–western Pacific region (Limpus, 2008a). Low density nesting occurs along the
northwestern coast of Cape York Peninsula between Weipa and Bamaga (Limpus et al., 1983). Olive
Ridley Turtle populations on western Cape York are at significant risk from the foraging activities
of feral pigs (Whytlaw et al., 2013). Olive Ridley Turtles nest year round, although most nesting
occurs during the dry season, from April to November. Low-density nesting occurs along the north
western coast of Cape York Peninsula between Weipa and Bamaga (Limpus et al., 1983).
Hawksbill Turtles are generally associated with reef habitats. They feed principally on various
species of sponge, but they may also feed on algae, soft corals and macro-zooplankton such as
jellyfish and comb-jellies (e.g. Meylan 1988; Berube, 2010). Hawksbill Turtles are known to nest
along western Cape York beaches, although the high density nesting locations are in Torres Strait
(Long (Sassie) Island, Hawkesbury Island and Dayman Island) and islands in the northern Great
Barrier Reef (e.g. Boydong Island and Milman Island) (Limpus, 2009). Nearshore coral reef habitats
may provide feeding grounds. DSEWPaC (2012) identifies a BIA surrounding the mainland coast of
Western Cape York Peninsula north of the Cotterell River. The Cotterell River is located
approximately 40 km north of the Skardon River.
The important nesting locations (BIAs) for Green Turtle in the Gulf of Carpentaria are the Wellsley
Islands, eastern Arnhem Land, Groote Eylandt and the Sir Edward Pellew Islands (Limpus 2008b).
Western Cape York is not an important nesting location. Adult green turtles eat mainly seagrass and
algae, although they will occasionally eat other items such as jellyfish and sponges (Read and
Limpus, 2002; Arthur et al., 2007). Green Turtle is unlikely to be found near the Project area as no
extensive beds of seagrass occur at, or adjacent to the proposed BLF location. Paddle Grass may be
found as thin meadows of low density fringing the adjacent mangrove communities within the
immediate subtidal zone. Algae and other macrophytes are also present. The biomass of seagrass
and algae is unlikely to be suitable to support green turtles, even for a short period of time.
In Australia, the Loggerhead Turtle occurs in the waters of coral and rocky reefs, seagrass beds and
muddy bays throughout eastern, northern and western Australia (Limpus et al. 1992). While nesting
is concentrated in southern Queensland and from Shark Bay to the North West Cape in Western
Austra
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