Bradshaw Field Training Area

Environment Assessment Report

Assessment Report No 25
Environmental Assessment Report And Recommendations
by the Environment Protection Division
Northern Territory Department of Lands, Planning and Environment
July 1998

Contents
		Executive Summary
		Summary of Recommendations
1.0		Introduction and Background
		1.1   Environmental Impact Assessment Process
		1.2   Environmental Impact Assessment History
		1.3   Major Issues
2.0		The Proposal
		2.1   Infrastructure
		2.2   Operational Activities
3.0		Regional Setting
4.0		Environmental Impact Assessment
		4.1   Introduction
		4.2   Issues Raised in Submissions
		4.3   Environmental Management
		4.3.1   Adequacy of Proposed Environmental Management Structure
		4.4   Soil Conservation
		4.4.1   Issues
		4.4.2   Adequacy of Description of Existing Environment
		4.4.3   Evaluation of Potential Impacts and Safeguards
		4.5   Vegetation Management
		4.5.1   Issues
		4.5.2   Adequacy of Description of Existing Environment
		4.5.3   Evaluation of Potential Impacts and Safeguards
		4.6   Fauna
		4.6.1   Issues
		4.6.2   Adequacy of Description of Existing Environment
		4.6.3   Evaluation of Potential Impacts and Safeguards
		4.7   Fire
		4.7.1   Issues
		4.7.2   Adequacy of Description of Existing Environment
		4.7.3   Evaluation of Potential Impacts and Safeguards
		4.8   Water Quality
		4.8.1   Issues
		4.8.2   Adequacy of Description of Existing Environment
		4.8.3   Evaluation of Potential Impacts and Safeguards
		4.9   Heritage, Archaeological and Sacred Sites
		4.9.1   Issues
		4.9.2   Adequacy of Description of Existing Environment
		4.9.3   Evaluation of Potential Impacts and Safeguards
5.0		Conclusion
		References
		Abbreviations and Glossary
Figures
1		Location of Bradshaw Station
2		Preliminary Infrastructure Plan
3		Bradshaw Station
Appendices
1		List of Respondents to the draft EIS
2		Summary of Issues Raised in Submissions
3		Environmental Commitments and Safeguards

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Executive Summary

This report assesses the environmental impact of a proposal by the Department of Defence to develop Bradshaw Station into a field training area capable of supporting formation level manoeuvres and field live firing. The report reviews the draft Environmental Impact Statement (draft EIS), comments on the draft EIS by members of the public, community groups and government bodies and the proponent's responses to these comments in the Supplement to the draft EIS.

Environmental impact assessment is the process of defining those elements of the environment which may be affected by a proposed development, and to determine the significance, risks and consequences of the potential impacts of the proposal at a local and regional level. Recommendations arising from the assessment address methods to mitigate these impacts.

Major Issues

The major environmental issues identified with the development and operation of the Bradshaw Field Training Area (BFTA) are:

• Environmental Management;
• Soil Conservation;
• Vegetation Management (including weed management);
• Fauna Management (including management of feral species);
• Fire Management;
• Maintenance of Water Quality; and
• Heritage, Archaeological and Sacred Site Issues.

Conclusion

It is considered that the environmental issues associated with the proposed Bradshaw Field Training Area have been adequately identified. Some of these issues have been resolved through the assessment process, while others will be addressed through monitoring and management actions outlined in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and through additional surveys.

At the conclusion of the assessment process, the EMP will become a stand-alone practical working document to guide the long term environmental management of BFTA. The EMP will be refined over time in light of information from monitoring programs and further research, operational experience, the auditing program and advice from the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC).

Defence has undertaken to incorporate all relevant parts of the EMP into Range Standing Orders (RSO) and Standing Operating Procedures to formalise the responsibilities of all personnel involved in military training activities on BFTA. Formalising EMP actions as RSO adds to the authority of the EMP and provides a level of certainty that undertakings will be implemented.

It should be noted that the BFTA draft EIS is the first Northern Territory EIS to include a draft EMP. This innovation has for the first time afforded the opportunity for public comment in the development of an EMP.

The major on-going environmental impact from the proposal is expected to be impacts to vegetation and soils from the detonation of high explosives within the three High Explosive Impact Areas (HEIA) and from vehicle manoeuvres. Sections 4.4.3 and 4.5.3 discuss the potential impacts to soil and vegetation and outlines the measures to be taken by the proponent to mitigate these impacts.

Short term impacts such as increased turbidity and sedimentation in rainfall runoff are expected as a result of infrastructure development, particularly the establishment of a formed gravel road network. The Environmental Guidelines for Construction Activities will be used in the environmental management of infrastructure development.

The outcome of this assessment is that the environmental issues raised have been satisfactorily addressed, and that the proposal may proceed in an environmentally acceptable manner provided the undertakings and commitments detailed in the EMP, as modified by recommendations in this report, are implemented.

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Summary of Recommendations

It is acknowledged that during implementation of the proposal outlined in the EIS, flexibility is necessary and desirable to allow for minor and non-substantial changes to the design and specifications which have been examined as part of this assessment.

Recommendation 1

The proponent shall ensure that the proposal is implemented in accordance with the environmental commitments and safeguards identified in the Bradshaw Field Training Area draft Environmental Impact Statement (including the Environmental Guidelines for Construction Activities and the Environmental Management Plan) as modified in the Supplement to the draft EIS and as recommended in this assessment report.

Environmental Management

Recommendation 2

The Terms of Reference for the Environmental Advisory Committee for BFTA shall be expanded to include "Provision of advice on the development of additional infrastructure"(additional to that detailed in 3.2 of the draft EIS).

Recommendation 3

The proponent shall include a summary table of all environmental commitments arising from the EIS, as modified in this assessment report, in the final EMP to be prepared at the conclusion of the EIA process.

Soil Conservation

Recommendation 4

Any excavation deeper than one metre (1m) on land units 2a to 2i shall be preceded by appropriate testing for the presence of potential acid sulphate soil and soil acid neutralising capacity. Soils shall be tested in accordance with the methods adopted by the NSW Acid Sulphate Soils Management Advisory Committee. If potential acid sulphate soils are detected, the proponent shall consult with the Environment Protection Division of DLPE in the preparation of an acid sulphate soil management plan before proceeding with excavation or construction.

Recommendation 5

Construction of the proposed landing craft hard shall be preceded by appropriate testing for the presence of potential acid sulphate soil and soil acid neutralising capacity. Soils shall be tested in accordance with the methods adopted by the NSW Acid Sulphate Soils Management Advisory Committee. If potential acid sulphate soils are detected, the proponent shall consult with the Environment Protection Division of DLPE in the preparation of an acid sulphate soil management plan before proceeding with excavation or construction.

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Recommendation 6

In consultation with DLPE, the proponent shall conduct infill surveys of soils to provide a sound basis on which trafficability can be modelled and monitoring programs implemented.

Vegetation

Recommendation 7

No detonation of high explosives or manoeuvres shall occur in the proposed Yambarran HEIA until additional surveys have been conducted in consultation with PWCNT to identify fire sensitive sandstone habitats and delineate appropriate management zones.

Recommendation 8

No detonation of high explosives or manoeuvres shall occur in the proposed Yambarran HEIA until additional surveys have been conducted in consultation with PWCNT to delineate appropriate management zones for the preservation of conservation values.

Fauna

Recommendation 9

The proponent shall undertake the following additional fauna surveys in consultation with PWCNT:

1. The northern half of the Koolendong Valley;
2. The Yambarran Plateau;
3. On the Gouldian Finch in the vicinity of Mt Thymanan; and
4. On the Angalarri Grunter at the headwaters of the Angalarri River including the proposed Wombungi HEIA.

Recommendation 10

All activities likely to result in disturbance to nesting birds and damage to trees (i.e. detonation of high explosives, off road transit, intentional late dry season burning etc) shall be excluded from the nominated 50 km2 area south-east from Mt Thymanan to the Ikymbon River until the presence or absence of breeding Gouldian Finches is confirmed and an appropriate management plan is implemented if required.

Recommendation 11

Should the species identified in the draft EIS as Lymnodynastes tasmaniensis be confirmed to be of conservation significance, the proponent shall consult with PWCNT regarding an appropriate management plan.

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References

Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory Guidelines for Effective Rehabilitation of Borrow Pits in the Top End Technical Report No 13.

Lewis, D. (1996). The Boab Belt; A Survey of Historic Sites in the North-Central Victoria River District. Volume 1: Sites 1-46. Report prepared for the Australian National Trust (NT).

NSW Acid Sulphate Soils Management Advisory Committee (1997) Acid Sulfate Soils Analytical Methods

NT Department of Transport and Works Roadworks Master Specification

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Abbreviations and Glossary

 

AAPA	Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority
BFTA	Bradshaw Field Training Area
DLPE	NT Department of Lands, Planning and Environment
DPIF	NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries
DTW	NT Department of Transport and Works
EA	Environment Australia
EAC	Environmental Advisory Committee
ECC	Environmental Certificate of Compliance
EIA	Environmental Impact Assessment
EIS	Environmental Impact Statement
EPD	Environment Protection Division
EMP	Environmental Management Plan
GIS	Geographic Information System
HEIA	High Explosive Impact Area
LCA	Local Controlling Authority
NOI	Notice of Intent
POL	Petrol, oil and lubricant facility
PWCNT	Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory
RSB	Range Siting Board
RSB	Range Standing Orders
SOP	Standing Operating Procedure
TFMA	Training Force Maintenance Area
THS	Territory Health Service

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