Environment
Acciona Energy is committed to reducing potential impacts on the environment by sensitively siting wind turbines; undertaking environmental studies and managing any issues. Details of some of these studies are provided below.
Spring Vegetation Survey
During spring 2005, a native vegetation survey was undertaken and a vegetation map of the project site was prepared.
The results of the survey show that native vegetation providing habitat
suitable for native animals (e.g. Fat-Tailed Dunnart) is very limited
in the study area. Areas where potential impacts could occur were identified
and have been avoided in the wind farm design.
Bats and Avifauna
The Bat and Avifauna Management Plan was developed in 2006 to monitor and manage any potential impacts on birds and bats during the operation of the Waubra wind farm.
Previous assessments of avifauna and bat studies on the wind farm site determined that the risk to birds and bats are considered to be very low.
A management approach has been adopted in the Plan, which comprises a thorough monitoring program, benchmarks of acceptable bird and bat impact that trigger the mitigation procedure, and mitigation measures which may initially involve a range of habitat, site and food source manipulation to reduce the usage of the area by any impacted species.
A routine two year monitoring program is required as a condition of the planning permit.
Brolgas
A
survey of local landowners surrounding the Waubra Wind Farm site was
undertaken to record any previous sightings of Brolgas in the local
area. The purpose of this survey was to evaluate the presence of Brolga
in the vicinity of the Waubra site and establish any mitigation measures
required.
The results of landowner survey, updated data from the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife and previous surveys indicate that the wind farm site is very unlikely to support breeding Brolgas and it does not contain flocking sites. Although movements across the wind farm on a seasonal basis may occur, regular daily movements within the wind farm boundaries are considered very unlikely.
Overall, due to the number of individuals that are likely to occur in the region and the low frequency of movements that are likely to occur across the wind farm site, the proposed wind farm is considered to pose a very low risk to the regional, State and National population of Brolga.
Monitoring and management measures will be implemented after commissioning of the Wind Farm, such as enhancing wetland habitat outside the wind farm site, monitoring of Brolgas in the region in autumn and spring, and bird mortality monitoring will be undertaken.
Cultural Heritage
The Cultural Heritage Management Plan was developed to monitor and manage any possible impacts on cultural heritage at the Waubra Wind Farm site. The Plan was prepared by Biosis Research in consultation with the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative.
In preparing the Cultural Heritage Management Plan a field survey was conducted for all proposed wind turbine and associated access track locations in March 2006 with cultural heritage monitors from the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative. The Cultural Heritage Management Plan also considers information gathered in a desktop archaeological assessment by Tardis Enterprises in 2004 during the development of the wind farm proposal.
The field survey identified 19 Aboriginal and two historical archaeological sites, as well as areas of potential sensitivity and recommendations for sub-surface testing and/or monitoring of ground disturbance. The Aboriginal sites include 18 isolated artefact sites and one artefact scatter, while the historical sites include a dry stone enclosure and a homestead complex.
Acciona Energy, the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative
and Biosis Research have also undertaken a staggered program of sub
surface testing, for turbine and access track locations, to provide
further information on the location of artefacts.
The Cultural Heritage Management Plan establishes protocols and principles
for the recording and management of cultural heritage during construction.
The Plan also sets out roles and responsibilities of Acciona Energy,
the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative, cultural heritage
monitors and the archaeologists. The Plan also includes details
on management works, management of contingencies, a policy for the
discovery of human remains; and cultural heritage monitoring of site
work.
Environmental Management Plan
The Environmental Management Plan addresses the environmental issues associated with construction and operation of the Waubra Wind Farm and the way in which these issues will be managed.
The Stage 1 Environmental Management Plan (for the construction period) has been developed, as well as the following specific management plans:
- Construction and Work Site Management Plan
- Sediment, Erosion and Water Quality Management Plan
- Hydrocarbon and Hazardous Substances Management Plan
- Wildfire Prevention and Response Plan
- Cultural Heritage Management Plan
- Geological and Geomorphological Cultural Heritage Plan
- Native Vegetation Protocol
- Pest Animal Management Plan, and
- Weed and Pathogen Management Plan.
The Stage 1 Environmental Management Plan details:
- the overarching framework for environmental management during the construction, detailing the management approach, training to be undertaken and reporting processes
- the relevant legislative approvals and permits
- specific management plans (listed above)
- performance objectives and criteria are specified and control procedures
- monitoring required for each stage of the construction process
- emergency contact details and non conformance forms for use during construction.
The Stage 2 Environmental Management Plan for operation and decommissioning
will be developed prior to completion of construction.
In this section:
