Pacific Highway - Woolgoolga to Ballina

Ref Previous Submission No 066

My Submissions are:

1) Possible damage to property during Quarrying:

The operations to extract fill from the said hill will bring quarrying operations within 40 meters of our new shed site. The use of explosives or heavy digging implements could cause damage to the foundations and the slab of said shed, and could potentially cause landslip in the vicinity.

RMS Response was that the property was more than 90 m away and there was no impact.

The shed we have on the property is actually now less than 30m away from the proposed quarry site. The photographs used by the RMS are out of date by at least 2 years which is the age of the shed. This shed was built before the RMS had the plan to dig out the complete hill and expand the site. The shed is vital to our farm operation and could suffer from subsidence of the slab and retaining wall.

I would be seeking assurances from the RMS that use of heavy machinery and/or explosives will not cause subsidence and if so the RMS will make good plus compensation for loss of the shed use.

2) Access changes to 56 Hillside lane.

The inclusion of a roundabout on the new route of Hillside lane at the new access road is not required. The roundabout or turnaround is required at the other end of the access road (to the south) where semi trailers will need to turn around to exit the property. Turning is currently performed on the area the RMS will remove for fill.

The new access road needs to be sealed as it now runs along the side of a hill and not a crest and will be subject to erosion. The road will need to have adequate drainage on its upside and culverts to divert the water to cope with over 100mm of rain in 1 hour which can fall in this area.

3) Increased noise

The noise impacts to our house need to be re-accessed as the surrounding hills and elevation of the house site makes noise within the vicinity of the quarry site very prominent. The use of a crushing plant will cause excessive noise in the short term and long term the road will cause constant noise issues.

4) Stockpiling of materials:

I object to the stockpiling of materials to the south and west side of the excavation site as this will cause the following issues:

a) Will cause pollution to creeks and streams
b) May cause issues with water flow causing flooding which will back up on to our property.
c) Will destroy a verdant natural grassland habitat with annual wetlands

Stockpiling of spoil material and crushed material should be confined to the excavation or construction site only where it can be properly managed.

Thanks,

To Mr Hazzard,

We urge you to cease destroying precious biodiversity playing an important role in everyone's ecosystem and call upon you to stand down from your position in the public interest.

I would like to reiterate my strong objection to the preferred route between Glenugie and Maclean on the grounds of severe environmental (ecological) impact on a large number of flora and fauna species but in particular the endangered population of the Coastal Emu. The ameliorative measures proposed to reduce the impact on the Coastal Emu, in my scientific opinion, will not be effective and the project will, in all likelihood, add to the decline of these local iconic birds. I would strongly support the original orange option as it has minimal ecological impact.

I object to the preferred route for the RMS Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway Upgrade project on the grounds of its unacceptable impacts on biodiversity, in particular because of the likely severe disruption of connectivity between important habitat patches for threatened populations of the Coastal Emu and other threatened fauna species.
The proposed measures to mitigate these impacts by providing crossing structures at various sites are unproven, and there does not appear to be any feasible biodiversity offset area or effective strategy to provide alternative or enhanced habitat for the coastal emu or other threatened fauna.
I therefore request reconsideration of the preferred route from Glenugie to Maclean, and adoption of the "orange route" close to the existing highway. This could avoid isolating a significant amount of habitat between the new route and the existing highway, thus minimising the adverse impacts on the threatened populations of the Coastal Emu and other fauna. The barrier effect of the upgraded highway would still need to be addressed by the provision of appropriate crossing structures and management plan as described in the PIR.

I am a botanist and biologist familiar with the area traversed by the Pacific Highway, and I sincerely hope the project can be modified to minimise adverse impacts.

Beth Williams BSc Hons (Sydney)

I object to the preferred route for the RMS Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway Upgrade project on the grounds of its unacceptable impacts on biodiversity, in particular because of the likely severe disruption of connectivity between important habitat patches for threatened populations of the Coastal Emu and other threatened fauna species.
The proposed measures to mitigate these impacts by providing crossing structures at various sites are unproven, and there does not appear to be any feasible biodiversity offset area or effective strategy to provide alternative or enhanced habitat for the coastal emu or other threatened fauna.
I therefore request reconsideration of the preferred route from Glenugie to Maclean, and adoption of the "orange route" close to the existing highway. This could avoid isolating a significant amount of habitat between the new route and the existing highway, thus minimising the adverse impacts on the threatened populations of the Coastal Emu and other fauna. The barrier effect of the upgraded highway would still need to be addressed by the provision of appropriate crossing structures and management plan as described in the PIR.

I am a botanist and biologist familiar with the area traversed by the Pacific Highway, and I sincerely hope the project can be modified to minimise adverse impacts.

Beth Williams BSc Hons (Sydney)

I object to the preferred route for the RMS Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway Upgrade project on the grounds of its unacceptable impacts on biodiversity, in particular because of the likely severe disruption of connectivity between important habitat patches for threatened populations of the Coastal Emu and other threatened fauna species.
The proposed measures to mitigate these impacts by providing crossing structures at various sites are unproven, and there does not appear to be any feasible biodiversity offset area or effective strategy to provide alternative or enhanced habitat for the coastal emu or other threatened fauna.
I therefore request reconsideration of the preferred route from Glenugie to Maclean, and adoption of the "orange route" close to the existing highway. This could avoid isolating a significant amount of habitat between the new route and the existing highway, thus minimising the adverse impacts on the threatened populations of the Coastal Emu and other fauna. The barrier effect of the upgraded highway would still need to be addressed by the provision of appropriate crossing structures and management plan as described in the PIR.

I am a botanist and biologist familiar with the area traversed by the Pacific Highway, and I sincerely hope the project can be modified to minimise adverse impacts.

Beth Williams BSc Hons (Sydney)

I urge you to proceed with an upgrade to the Pacific Highway as soon as possible as the existing "highway" is a dangerous disgrace.
However, the proposed route impacts on nationally significant koala and other threatened fauna populations, also threatened flora species.
The detour into the Blackall range is unnecessary and will impact on the last viable population of the Long-nosed Potoroo in the Far North Coast.
Viable alternative routes are available - please use them.

I see that submissions previously received have been "considered". No reasons though, why the "winner" is among the least practical. I wish to record that I am still strongly in the "Orange Route Camp". Please consider that we have the opportunity, once only, to limit the environmental damage that this necessary and worthy project will do.

Dear Minister,

I am concerned about the chosen route for Section 10 of the Pacific Hwy upgrade. The chosen route takes a huge detour into the Blackwall Range, which a recent study commissioned by Ballina Shire Council has shown is home to a nationally significant koala population.

The study was completed by Biolink Pty Ltd.

Of all the proposed routes, the one chosen has the longest detour and is the most environmentally destructive. The Blackwall Range is the largest patch of Big Scrub rainforest in the Ballina Shire and is home to a number of threatened flora and fauna species.

It is my opinion that a route that more closely aligns with the existing highway would be cheaper, quicker to build, and not fragment this important bushland area.

If the proposed route does go ahead (which i hope that it doesn't) the whole area through the range will require Koala fencing and underpasses at regular intervals (every 300 metres).

It has been suggested that the only reason for choosing this route was to access the shale substrate to use during the construction. It would appear that economic concerns have been rated ahead of the significant environmental destruction and threats to nationally significant flora and fauna species, including the Potteroo and Koala.

Please have a look at this study that Ballina Council will no doubt forward to you and take its findings into consideration.

Kind regards,

Councillor Jeff Johnson
Ballina Shire Council
0438677202

The proposed ameliorative measures (fencing and underpasses) have now been rendered insubstantial because of this Biolink study, and completely inadequate

I object to the proposed Section 10 of the Pacific Highway upgrade which takes a significant detour into the Blackwall Range.

This areas is established through scientific survey to be a nationally significant koala population area. The area also
bisects the habitat of the NSW endangered listed Coastal Emu population in the Clarence Valley. I understand that another eighty fauna and flora species are affected as well.

A new field study by Biolink Pty Ltd has identified koalas in the Meerschaum Vale/Blackwall Range area as being Nationally Significant and a key local source population for the entire Northern Rivers region.

The proposed upgrade in section 10 will increase significantly the current koala road kill rate. It will also fragment koala populations and separate major koala population groups from their known feed sources in the Blackwall Range

The proposed ameliorative measures (fencing and underpasses) will be grossly inadequate given the findings of the Biolink study.

At a public meeting held at the end of August in Grafton the majority of attendees urged the RMS representatives to revert to the original "orange route" which will have less devastating impacts on wildlife, particularly koalas and coastal emus.

Yours sincerely
Faye Smith

In the light of the recent Biolink Pty Ltd study which highlights that the Blackwall Range area is habitat to a nationally significant koala population area, which will face major threat from the planned route for stage 10 of the Pacific Highway upgrade from Woolgoolga to Ballina, I submit that the route should be modified to minimise its impact /threat to this vital population stronghold of Koala's.

I am concerned about section 10 of the upgrade having an adverse effect on the koalas living in the Blackwall Range area.
The Biolink scientific study shows the koalas in the Meerschaum Vale/Blackwall Range area are nationally significant and a key local source population for the entire Northern Rivers.
The proposed upgrade in section 10 will increase roadkill Ratana separate the koalas from their feeding aras in the Blackwall Range.
The study shows that fencing and underpasses won't be enough to save them.
Please consider the welfare of these creatures, an icon of Australia's unique character, before the needs of motorists.

I am making a submission regarding a proposed route deviation affecting the Meerschaum Vale/Blackwall Range area to the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway Upgrade. In plain English this is a major new highway construction.

The question is one regarding environmental impact versus the public benefit of upgraded infrastructure. It is short term and counter-productive thinking to favour the irrevocable destruction of ecosystems. The cost to the public through future management of altered ecosystems, and more importantly, the impacts of the altered ecosystems on human health over the long term in my view should take precedence over the short term benefits of a deviation that would have serious identifiable environmental impacts. I have been advised that this is the case with primary regard to the koala population in this proposed deviation.

Ecosystem services cannot be continually crippled and destroyed without these negative impacts eventually occurring. Therefore, I firmly believe, and know, it is in the public interest to give a greater priority to the environmental requirements in this case. Specifically the requirements of the significant koala population.

I have not yet read the draft report by Biolink. However, I know Dr S Phillips. I have 100% faith in his professionalism through personal experience. I am prepared to support whatever recommendations are made in his report as a consequence. The purpose of this submission is to request that you support his recommendations in full as well.

Sincerely,
Alan Rich BA BAppSc(Hons, Environmental Science)
Ballina Shire Councillor, retired

Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway Upgrade (SSI)
Ballina Environment Society Submission

http://www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=4963

12th December 2013

Executive Summary

Ballina Environment Society Inc. was established in 1983. It is the peak body within Ballina Shire for environmental defence, and it is recognised by Local Government by its participation as a key environmental stakeholder on a wide range of committees and inquiries.

The Society hereby makes it known that it strongly opposes the route chosen for section 10 in the proposed Pacific Highway upgrade.

It is also gravely concerned over the inadequacy of ameliorative measures for Koala protection as proposed in this project.

Our objection is based upon the fact that the Wardell by-pass, Section 10 of the upgrade, which takes a huge detour into the Blackwall Range, has now been established through a Scientific study to be a nationally significant koala population area.

Background

We assert that in view of a new and comprehensive study (see below) into Koala populations within the area (known as Meershaum and the Blackwall Ranges), it has recently become clear that the proposed Section 10 route will have the effect of putting a new motorway 12 km through the middle of an area occupied by a significant Koala population.

This will separate and fragment three areas of known koala activity and will therefore be incompatible with existing State and Federal legislation. This is not acceptable. We therefore make the following detailed case against in opposition to the proposed route and its ameliorative measures.

1. Nationally significant koala population - study

A new field study by Biolink Pty Ltd (1) has identified Koalas in the Meerschaum Vale/Blackwall Range area as being "nationally significant " and a "key local source population" for koalas throughout the entire Northern Rivers.

2. Koala population impact

It is tragic that this nationally significant koala population is already being impacted by frequent local road kills on the existing Pacific Highway route.

The route will put a new motorway 12 km through the middle of the area occupied by this now-known koala population, separating and fragmenting three known areas of known koala activity.

The proposed upgrade, section 10, will vastly exacerbate the existing roadkill rate. It will additionally fragment these koala populations and separate major koala population groups from their known feed sources in the Blackwall Range.


We believe the adoption of this route could thus have a devastating impact on not only the local population, but on other populations to the north, given that this has now been identified by the Biolink study as the most likely source population for all koalas north from the Richmond River and hence of virtually all Northern Rivers koala populations.

The EIS which was commissioned for the upgrade claims that "In coastal northern NSW, populations have been estimated to range from one animal every 45 hectares to one every 4.5 hectares (average one every 20 to 25 hectares) (Austeco 1994)."

In contrast, the new Biolink study paints a very different picture, namely of "a mean density of approximately 0.19 koalas ha-1 (1 koala per 5.26 ha) in areas of suitable habitat across the study area".

Because the area between the existing Pacific Highway and Wardell Rd from Ballina Rd in the North to the Richmond River in the south is now known to be likely to have this high density of koalas the population inhabiting this area in has been now classified by the Biolink study as an EPBC "important population".

We conclude that Section 10 of the upgrade must therefore be rejected.

This is because the proposed route completely bisects the southern two/thirds of this population from south to north before traversing from west to east. The proposed route thus effectively isolates the south-east part of the population from the western and northern parts.

3. Ameliorative measures for the proposed route - inadequacy

As regards the ameliorative measures listed for section 10 in Appendix C of the current route proposal, we submit that these are now rendered insubstantial and inadequate in the light of the Biolink field study, because they were based on a now-obsolete data set.

Those measures were that:

1. Floppy top koala exclusion fencing is needed for all of Section 10 as the entire length is within the proposed EPBC "important population" boundary [see Figure 6.1 in the draft report (1)].
2. Koala underpasses 2.4m x 2.4m are needed every150m.
3. The fencing and underpasses need to be inspected regularly.

In addition the upgrade project's EIS stated that "The project would remove potential habitat for the koala through the clearing of vegetation communities containing the identified primary and secondary koala food tree species. The impact of this activity on the local population is likely to be minimal as suitable food resources are common and widespread in the region.

The Biolink study now states, contrary to that assessment, that " Koalas take several generations to disperse into new areas, so loss of habitat usually has a major impact on what are essentially localized populations ... in Ballina Council LGA "70% (13/18) of active primary field sites were located in the aforementioned area" and that the area in question"... is a key source population for breeding and/or dispersal" (1) loss of habitat in this area will have a significant impact on this population.

4. Other ecological impacts

The Wardell by-pass, Section 10 of the upgrade, takes a huge detour into the Blackwall Range. This will impact on the last viable population of the Long-nosed Potoroo in the Far North Coast (2). Most populations of the Long-nosed Potoroo on the Far North Coast have become extinct and most of the remaining populations have declined steeply in recent years [e.g. Cudgen and Cobaki (3)].

Clearance of habitat and extensive landform and accompanying hydrological modification and weed invasion from highway construction will impact individuals in the footprint. Isolation of populations is unlikely to be remedied by underpasses which are too far apart to work effectively. There will be increased risk of predation by foxes and other vertebrate pests because of habitat clearance and degradation.

In addition, the southern-most known individuals of two nationally Vulnerable species, the Rough-shelled Bush Nut and the Red Lilly Pilly are located at Coolgardie. Some of these will be destroyed by the upgrade, and transplanting is not an option for these trees.

5. Other natural environment impacts

Section 10 of the upgrade will therefore have a major impact on the natural environment of Ballina LGA. The effects on residents of Bagotville, Meerschaum Vale and Coolgardie who are tree-change and rural residents has not been taken into account in the impact assessment.

Ballina residents will also lose the ambiance of a large area of bushland and natural beauty that will become transected by a new highway. The impact on native fauna and flora in the area is huge.

We believe that the ameliorative measures described in the EIS are unacceptable and will have limited reduction of the impacts to these threatened species and to environmental quality in general as enjoyed by residents across this area.

6. Conclusion and summary

Ballina Environment Society strongly objects to the proposed upgrade route on multiple counts as listed here, but principally in view of its impacts on threatened species generally and in particular its impact on the proposed EPBC "important population" ("nationally significant") of koalas now known to exist in the Blackwall Ranges.

We believe that major declines in biodiversity and species loss will inevitably occur if this infrastructure is built on the proposed alignment.

We therefore urge re-examination of the route of Section 10 taking into account the recent Biolink koala population assessment study.

(1) Draft Koala Habitat and Population Assessment: Ballina Shire Council LGA. Steve Phillips (steve@ biolink.com.au).
(2) Andren, M., Milledge, D., Scotts, D. & Smith, J. (in prep). The distribution of the Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus on the Far North Coast of New South Wales. Submitted for publication in Australian Zoologist.
(3) Lewis, B.D and Freestone, C.Z. (2009). Integrated Plan of Management for the Endangered Long-nosed Potoroo ( Potorous tridactylus tridactylus) Population At Cobaki. Prepared by Lewis Ecological Surveys for PacificLink Alliance.

I am making a submission regarding a proposed route deviation affecting the Meerschaum Vale/Blackwall Range area to the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway Upgrade. In plain English this is a major new highway construction.

The question is one regarding environmental impact versus the public benefit of upgraded infrastructure. It is short term and counter-productive thinking to favour the irrevocable destruction of ecosystems. The cost to the public through future management of altered ecosystems, and more importantly, the impacts of the altered ecosystems on human health over the long term in my view should take precedence over the short term benefits of a deviation that would have serious identifiable environmental impacts. I have been advised that this is the case with primary regard to the koala population in this proposed deviation.

Ecosystem services cannot be continually crippled and destroyed without these negative impacts eventually occurring. Therefore, I firmly believe, and know, it is in the public interest to give a greater priority to the environmental requirements in this case. Specifically the requirements of the significant koala population.

I have not yet read the draft report by Biolink. However, I know Dr S Phillips. I have 100% faith in his professionalism through personal experience. I am prepared to support whatever recommendations are made in his report as a consequence. The purpose of this submission is to request that you support his recommendations in full as well.

Sincerely,
Alan Rich BA BAppSc(Hons, Environmental Science)
Ballina Shire Councillor, retired

Regarding the proposed devastation of important koala habitat with the possible construction of a highway through the forest north of Woolgoolga - don't do it!

Koala are already under severe pressure around the country and this roadwork would further decimate the remaining numbers of this iconic species.

Regards, Christina Khumari

I object to the route proposed for the Pacific Highway Upgrade - Woolgoolga to Ballina (SSI) because it goes through a significant Koala corridor in the Blackwall Range. Our Koalas need our protection and consideration. Even if Koala tunnels or access rotes are included into the design, the long construction process will significantly distress and compromise their travel routes and affect their feeding and breeding habit. Thank you for this opportunity to object.

Please don't put at risk and make extinct the eastern coastal emu.These animals give GREAT pleasure to all that are lucky enough to come across their path in their natural habitat.
The current preferred route is floored in it's belief that the emus would be able to navigate across the highway thru man-made /unproven thoroughfares. They are not smart animals and even if they did manage to work it out, they will be left vulnerable to ambush by predators. This is NOT the time to experiment on whether the emu can adapt to the highway. Because it will be too late if they cant and spell the end to them , once and for all. Leave this last flock to roam and breed unrestricted, instead of halving their habitat.
For the short distance your preferred route will save, it's just not worth it.. I urge you to let the preferred route be changed to the orange option from between Glenugie to Maclean for the sake of the Coastal Emu (once this last bastion is GONE they will be GONE forever) and for the sake of other threatened species too.
The Great Barrier Reef is about to be trashed with the dumping of toxic dredging. Please do the right thing here in NSW.
Cheers Gregg Rigby

Wildlife SOS Inc. does not support the PIR for the Woolgoolga to Ballina Bypass. [SS1-4963]

1. The RMS has not published the data and results of the Coastal emu satellite telemetry project undertaken by RMS in 2012/13.
RMS refers to the project in support to the PIR. Selectively referencing only some aspects of a scientific study provides opportunity for the PIR to be questioned.

2. The RMS has failed in the PIR to acknowledge the morbidity and mortality of the birds studied in the above telemetry project.
The outcome of the 6 birds denies the suggestion in the PIR that the study "provided insight into the movements and survivorship of captive reared emus".

3. It could be suggested that the outcome reflected the inadequate monitoring of the study birds.
There is opportunity to question the RMS' experience with, and the understanding of the movements of the Coastal emu.

4. The PIR suggests that Coastal emu can negotiate fences and can pass easily through and under fences. This is not correct.
The RMS has been provided information which show injuries emu have sustained from negotiating fences.

5. Monitoring of the emu; the connectivity structures; the landscape plantings after the construction of the motorway is an ineffective threat abatement or management plan.
Such a proposal denies the very significant risk posed to this threatened population by the actual construction the motorway and the resulting loss of habitat.
Such a proposal does not offer any solution to what RMS will be able to do if the population suffers a catastrophic decline as a result of the construction of the motorway.

6. The proposed motorway; the Environmental Impact Statement and the Preferred Infrastructure Report does not provide adequate protection for a population of native birds Listed as Threatened.

Section 10 of the upgrade takes a huge detour into the Blackwall Range. The Blackwall range is now identified through scientific survey to be a nationally significant koala population area.

Koalas in the Meerschaum Vale/Blackwall Range area are Nationally significant and a key local source population for the entire Northern Rivers as identified in the new field study by Biolink Pty Ltd.

The proposed upgrade in section 10 will fragment the koala populations, separating major koala population groups from their known feed sources in the Blackwall Range. This is unacceptable for our National Icon which is in danger.

The proposed ameliorative measures (fencing and underpasses) have now been rendered insubstantial because of this Biolink study, and completely inadequate.