ENVIRONMENT

The Hinze Dam is home to 628 flora species and 204 species of fauna including amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Minimising impacts on the environment is a priority for the Hinze Dam Alliance and as such all project activities are covered by the Environmental Management Plan.

Part of this plan includes the use of a fauna spotter to check vegetation before it is cleared. As part of the dam works, vegetation within the site will need to be cleared to enable the construction of haul roads and other infrastructure necessary to carry out the project work. In addition vegetation clearing is necessary to ensure water quality is maintained in the inundation area. Materials that are able to be recycled will be reused and a Compensatory Habitat Strategy is also being developed to compensate for loss of vegetation. The Compensatory Habitat Strategy will involve a combination of actions including the purchase (and management) of advanced regrowth or remnant vegetation, strategic purchase of key land parcels in the open space/green space network and revegetation and rehabilitation of existing cleared or disturbed areas.

The Hinze Dam Alliance has undertaken the planning and approval of the Project through a comprehensive process including the development of an Environmental Impact Statement, Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act referral, Operational Works approval and development approval for Environmentally Relevant Activities. These approvals and associated conditions have been developed in consultation with the regulating agencies, local residents and other interested and affected parties.

 

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Environmental Impact Statement EIS
The ToR defines the issues that must be addressed in the EIS. The final ToR was determined by the Coordinator-General (Queensland Government) after a public consultation period. After the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the EIS had been finalised, a draft EIS was prepared and released for public comment. During the comment period, members of the community made submissions to the Coordinator-General on issues addressed in the draft EIS. After this period the supplementary EIS was prepared. Once conditions were met, (taking into consideration public submissions), it was then approved by the Coordinator General.

Environmental Management during Construction
All project activities will be underpinned by an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) in accordance with Queensland and Australian Government legislative requirements. The EMP includes the following activities:

• Spillway construction
• Rockfill dam construction
• Saddle dam construction
• Cut off wall construction
• Construction of fishway
• Lower & Upper Intake tower raising
• Construction of the western and eastern boat ramps
• Rock quarry
• Clay borrow pit areas
• Crushing and screening
• Stockpile Area
• Concrete batching plant
• Inundation Clearing
• Roads upgrade
• Haulage road construction
• Site office establishment and operation
• Vehicle/plant operations and road use
• Recreational site construction
• Removal of buildings
• Services relocation
• Workshop & fuelling facilities
• Mobile Workshop