Kleinfelder was engaged to prepare a Vegetation Rehabilitation Plan for the proposed Colongra Lateral Pipeline Development, in Wyee, New South Wales (NSW). The project involved the re-vegetation of 9 kilometres of pipeline.

Ensuring the Integrity of the Pipelines

Appropriate selection of vegetation species was critical to ensure the integrity of the pipelines and related infrastructure. The project also required strict adherence to planting guidelines within electricity transmission line easements. Furthermore, removal of some valuable native vegetation was inevitable, therefore demanding careful management to comply with environmental and legal requirements.

Removal of Existing Vegetation

Careful selection of plant species to be used in the rehabilitation ensured that trees and deep rooted shrub species were avoided to protect the pipeline infrastructure. As sections of the pipeline are situated underneath transmission lines, appropriate vegetation was selected  to not exceed 4 metres in height at maturity. Construction of the certain pipeline sections involved removal of native vegetation, including areas that constituted two Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation (TSC) Act 1995.

Project Results

Following the rehabilitation planning and design, the pipeline corridors were revegetated with native vegetation comprised of species that form a low heath structure. Our subsequent weed control and planting, as well as monitoring of the rehabilitation, has ensured the vegetation is now self-sustaining and has achieved all targets detailed in the rehabilitation performance criteria. This has enabled our client to proceed with development in a timely manner and, ultimately, begin revenue-generating operations.

Project Details

Location:
Wyee New South Wales

Owner:
Jemena