GERROA SAND MINE EXTENSION – SUMMARY AND REQUESTS
1. The remaining incomplete components of the Landscape and Rehabilitation Plan 2008 should be completed, as required by the 2008 LEC conditions of consent. (appendix 1 & appendix 2 – click each to see)
2. Appropriate buffers between the proposed dredge pond and adjoining EEC forest communities need to be mandated to protect these communities. The buffer to the littoral rainforest should be rehabilitated with appropriate vegetation and not included in the dredge area. (appendix 3 – click to see)
3. The habitat corridor along Blue Angle Creek should be further strengthened to ensure greater connectivity with fragmented habitats on the western side of the current dredge pond to ensure a viable habitat corridor for ground dwelling and arboreal species, including endangered species and populations and to assist their survival. Consideration should be given to our proposed extension to this corridor, set out in figure 3, and including this in the conservation area I (figure 3)
4. Ensure that groundwater monitoring locations are appropriately sited to measure and monitor groundwater interactions in the vicinity of the new dredge pond and also ensure that Conditions of Consent outline appropriate measures to protect adjoining EECs from groundwater changes related to dredge pond impacts. This modification should not be supported if there is no clarity about how groundwater impacts on these vegetation communities are measured, monitored and addressed.
5. Consideration be given to additional visual screen plantings to the west and southwest as soon as possible before the commencement of the project. (appendix 5 – click to see)
6. A formal Landscape and Rehabilitation Plan and map be provided by the applicant. This Plan should support the proposed Blue Angle Creek habitat corridor additions and visual screening proposed in this submission. It should also specify water body depth and vegetation required to replicate a viable wetland on the rehabilitated site.