Spotlighting studies to support environmental approvals
Over the last several months our environmental approvals team has been busy responding to the Department of Planning and Environment’s (DPE’s) request for further information related to the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS).
August 17, 2023
Additional studies in areas of ecology, hydrology and operational noise impacts are being conducted now. The results will be collated and submitted in a Preferred Infrastructure Report (PIR) that will be published online alongside our Response to Submissions report (RtS), where we will address community feedback from the EIS exhibition.
Barking Owl field studies completed
In response to the project’s EIS, the Biodiversity, Conservation and Sciences Directorate of DPE requested further studies into the prevalence of the Barking Owl (yes, one of its calls actually sounds like a dog bark!).
Field investigations at seven sites occurred over a week in early August and involved a team of ecologists from consulting firm NGH. The visits were scheduled at different times of the night and involved playing a three-minute recording of the Barking Owl’s call to draw a response from any birds in the area.
A pair was sighted on the third night of the investigation, much to the team’s surprise and delight as previous studies didn’t identify any. The team is now considering how impacts on the species can be reduced, including conserving more habitat as part of the project’s biodiversity offsets obligation.
Further work on hydrology and flooding
We have extended our flood model boundary to include the village of Ashley, north-west of Moree as part of further EIS-related studies.
Retaining the Camurra hairpin embankment to minimise water flow impacts once the Phase 2 section is built is under consideration. Finally, we are reviewing our work on the potential property impacts of a proposed minor increase in rail level north of Moree Station (and south of Alice Street).
Operational noise mitigation feasibility study
We are assessing and preparing a report on the effectiveness and feasibility of potential noise mitigation measures including noise barriers, at-property noise mitigation and other alternative options for residences in Moree, north east of Alice Street. The hydrology, visual and social impacts of these measures must also be assessed.
Our Stakeholder Engagement team will be conducting a comprehensive community consultation process in early 2024 to help us understand community preferences and impacts.
To learn more about operational noise and vibration mitigation, read our information sheet.
IMAGE: A pair of barking owls sitting on a branch
