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Preliminary findings of the detailed assessments on potential impacts associated with the W2CP construction and operation on environmental issues such as water catchments and supply, subsidence, flooding, groundwater, flora and fauna, noise, air quality, land use, visual impact, greenhouse gases, and traffic and transportation are available. |
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Several studies of flora and fauna have been undertaken for the project, including ecological and biodiversity issues associated with the surface facilities. These studies have included all seasons over several years.
Seven broad vegetation communities were identified within the study area. These are: Scribbly Gum/Red Bloodwood Woodland; Scribbly Gum/Red Bloodwood Open Woodland; Scribbly Gum/Smooth-barked Apple/Red Bloodwood Open Forest; Blackbutt/Brown Stringybark Tall Open Forest; Swamp Mahogany/Red Bloodwood Open Forest; Melaleuca Low Open Forest ; and Heathland.
The surface study area above the proposed mining area, covering approximately 46 km², contains a wide variety of habitats that contain a relatively high biodiversity. Habitats include forest, woodland and heathland communities, upland streams, lowland rivers and wetlands. Approximately 61 per cent of the study area remains forested, much of which is subject to ongoing forestry land use.
The western portion of the study area comprises a large block of upland forest that includes the Wyong State Forest . Although logged, the forest habitats are extensive and in relatively good condition. The valley floors of the Wyong River and Jilliby Jilliby Creek represent more suitable land for agriculture and have been extensively cleared. As a consequence, the majority of the remnant vegetation occurs along the watercourses.
Subsidence is likely to have no detectable impact to a high proportion of the landscape. Experience with subsidence from longwall mining in other parts of the region over many years has shown that forest communities have not perceptibly changed. Even in aquatic and riparian habitats or micro-habitats (particularly soaks, creeks, rivers and wetlands) mining has caused little if any change.
Aquatic and riparian habitats contain flora and fauna species, populations and communities that will vary in their susceptibility to potential topographic and hydrological alterations. The more common, adaptable species are likely to be quite tolerant of changes and populations are unlikely to encounter major threats from subsidence.
Ongoing flora and fauna studies have identified a number of threatened flora species within the area. The Environmental Assessment document has incorporated detailed management strategies covering these species. An ecological offset has also been incorporated into the Project's overall sustainability package.
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