As part of the Environmental Assessment for the Duralie Extension Project—a Major Project to which Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 then applied—Kleinfelder completed a terrestrial flora and fauna assessment and provided a report for Duralie Coal Pty Ltd (DCPL).

Complex Environmental Communities

The study area covered an area of 1009 hectares and supported over 331 identified plant species, nine vegetation communities, and 156 fauna species. Of these, three vegetation communities were considered to be Endangered Ecological Communities (EEC) and 11 fauna species were listed in the NSW under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. Kleinfelder needed to perform a scientifically rigorous and robust study on this complicated site—including defining the extent of the threatened communities and species habitat—and do so on time.

Strategic Survey Timing and Techniques

Kleinfelder completed detailed field surveys from April 2007 to April 2009. The team surveyed aried seasonal and climatic conditions during this period to ensure all variables within flora flowering periods and fauna highest activity periods were surveyed—providing sufficiently robust data to aid determination of suitable mitigation and offset measures. By using this survey technique, the team ensured optimal identification of as many species as possible across the study area and reducing the risk of delayed project approval.

Project Results

Kleinfelder’s timely and detailed survey and understanding of the study area allowed the client to design appropriate management plans for the project design and approval. By providing robust data on the sites ecology, Kleinfelder empowered the client to determine management costs and offset requirements and rehabilitation benchmarks, giving the client greater understanding and control to best manage their project.

Project Details

Location:
Stroud, New South Wales

Owner:
Gloucester Coal