Kleinfelder was engaged by Jemena as part of the Queensland Gas Company (QGC) Pipeline Stage 2 Looping Project to undertake a pre-clearance weed survey to map the abundance and distribution of target weed species throughout the easement and across all associated areas of the project site prior to construction.

Developing a Weed Monitoring & Maintenance Plan

A pre-construction Weed Survey conducted by Kleinfelder was used to identify necessary weed control actions before construction began and to implement appropriate weed hygiene practices during the construction phase. The information from the survey was then used to develop a Post-Construction Weed Monitoring and Maintenance Plan (PCWMMP) which identified stakeholder responsibilities, outlined a comprehensive weed control plan for target species, identified a monitoring strategy that integrated the ecology of target species and seasonal growth habits, and illustrated all recording and reporting requirements.

Conforming to All Levels of Legislation

Kleinfelder ecologists conducted an Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) to ascertain accurate delivery and compliance of the PCWMMP by identifying (per action/test point) accountability, methodology, performance criteria, frequency/timing, and necessary record keeping. The PCWMMP was also subject to a compliance audit by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (QLD) where it was found to conform to all levels of legislation and met the conditions of approval for the project. Kleinfelder was subsequently asked to deliver five weed control and monitoring events as outlined within the PWMMP over the two-year period of construction, with necessary reporting of events requiring alterations of the ITP or future control works.

Project Results

Kleinfelder developed a Weed Monitoring and Management Completion Report which provided an in-depth review of all weed remediation actions undertaken from project inception. The review of the control plan found that no target weeds increased in abundance or distribution throughout the footprint during the construction phase or during control and monitoring activities; plus, no new significant weed species incursions had occurred.

Project Details

Location:
Queensland

Owner:
Jemena