GERROA SAND MINE EXTENSION – DREDGE POND BUFFERS

The Endangered Ecological Communities adjoining the proposed dredge pond includes: Littoral Rainforest, Bangalay Sand Forest, Swamp Oak Forest and Swamp Sclerophyll Forest.

Appropriate buffers between the proposed dredge pond and these adjoining EEC forest communities need to be mandated to protect these communities.

The dredge pond falls within the proximity buffer of the Littoral Rainforest (appendix 3). The coastal Management Policy 2018 indicates that development consent should not be granted in the proximity buffer to Littoral Rainforest

(a) the biophysical, hydrological or ecological integrity of the adjacent littoral rainforest,or

(b) the quantity and quality of surface and ground water flows to and from the adjacent coastal wetland or littoral rainforest. 3

While this is a small area and the impact may be unknown, it’s possible the rainforest may be impacted by the dredge pond. The buffer to the littoral rainforest should be rehabilitated with appropriate vegetation and not included in the dredge area.

Dredging activities and damage to root systems could lead to dieback if appropriate buffers to these communities are not mandated through conditions of consent.

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