YAMARNA GAS PIPELINE

CONSTRUCTION ENVIRONMENT PLAN / MINING

PROPOSAL
Summary Document
Pipeline Licence: PL114
Tenements: L38/ 252 & 260; M38/ 435, 437, 438, 841, 1179, 1255 &1267
Contact: Madonna Burns, Access and Approvals Lead;
madonna.burns@apa.com.au, (08) 6189 4430

Document No YGP-PL-HSE-0007

Rev Date Status Originated Checked Approved

3.0 20.11.2017 IFU

C Bennison M. Burns D. Wallace
Access and Program
Consultant (MBS)
Approvals Lead Manager

2.0 19.10.2017 IFU C Bennison M. Burns D. Wallace

Access and Program
Consultant (MBS)
Approvals Lead Manager

1.0 11/08/17 IFU C Bennison M. Burns D. Wallace

Access and Program
Consultant (MBS)
Approvals Lead Manager

© Copyright APA Group 2017

YAMARNA GAS PIPELINE
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table of contents
1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................... 3
1.1 Purpose and Scope ................................................................................................ 3
1.2 Objectives ................................................................................................................ 3
2. SITE DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................... 4
3. CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ...................................................................... 7
3.1 Water Supply ............................................................................................................ 9
3.2 Power Generation, Fuels and Chemical Storage ............................................ 10
3.3 Waste ...................................................................................................................... 10
4. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................... 11
5. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ......................................................... 16
6. STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION .............................................................. 20
7. REFERENCES .............................................................................................. 25

List of Figures
Figure 1: YGP route

List of Tables
Table 1: Pipeline coordinates
Table 2 YGP Activity Summary
Table 3:Water Requirements
Table 4: Distances to potentially sensitive features
Table 5:Biogeographic sub-regions traversed
Table 6: Key environmental hazards and control measures
Table 7: Summary of stakeholder interactions

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1. Introduction
This Environment Plan (EP) Summary provides an overview of the environmental
management requirements for the construction of the Yamarna Gas Pipeline (YGP), which
will be located within pipeline licence area (PL114), GRJV Miscellaneous Licences L38/252,
L38/260; with short sections also within GRJV tenements M38/435, M38/437, M38/438,
M38/841, M38/1179, M38/1255 and M38/1267. The YGP includes the pipeline and
associated infrastructure to facilitate gas transport from the existing Eastern Goldfields
Pipeline (EGP) to the Gruyere gold mining and processing project, presently under
construction by the Gruyere Joint Venture (GRJV) on the Yamarna pastoral station. The
YGP will be operated by APA Operations Pty Ltd (APA).
The pipeline will be approximately 198km long; beginning approximately 25 km south-
south-west of Laverton, running north-north-east towards the town, bypassing the townsite
and several minesites, turning east-north-east to follow the public White Cliffs – Yamarna
Road for about 150 km, then departing from the road to continue north-east into the
Gruyere minesite, about 160 km north-east of Laverton (Figure 1).

1.1 Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this EP Summary is to provide information to the general public regarding
Project environmental considerations and management requirements. The scope of this
EP Summary outlines works associated with the YGP construction works included in the
Construction Environmental Management Plan and Mining Proposal .

1.2 Objectives
The overall environmental objectives of the CEP/MP are to:
 Outline the measures to be taken to manage potential environmental impacts
associated with construction of the YGP.
 Facilitate approvals under the Pipelines Petroleum Act 1969 (Pipelines Act) and Mining
Act 1978 (Mining Act).
 Provide direction to project personnel in meeting APA’s environmental obligations and
commitments.
 Ensure compliance with project approval, pipeline licence, minerals tenement, and
other conditions.

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2. Site Description
The YGP will begin (YGP KP0) at a hot tap onto the existing EGP, at EGP KP42.5; an offtake
station will be installed at this point. The YGP will terminate at approximately KP197.5 on
the Gruyere minesite, adjacent to the proposed power station, where a metering and
delivery station will be installed. A mainline valve will be installed on the YGP at KP98.5,
near its midway point.
Selected pipeline coordinates and KPs are summarised in Table 1 below; as the pipeline
comprises many (mostly slight) bend points, it is not practicable to list them all. All pipeline
coordinates are provided in the spatial data that accompanies this submission.

Table 1: Pipeline coordinates

Features KP Easting (MGA51) Northing (MGA51)
Start Point 0 432830 6813788
MLV 98.5 507109 6857053
End Point 198 584953 6903287
The pipeline will be designed for a minimum operating life of 40 years, with the surface
stations designed for a minimum operating life of 25 years. The YGP has been designed
with consideration to other potential gas customers in the region, and incorporates three
buried connection points to facilitate potential future connections.
APA has selected a route for the YGP to, as far as practicable, avoid:
 Topographic features, including hills, ridges, sand dunes, and watercourses that present
difficult, risky, or costly challenges for construction or reinstatement.
 Known mineral deposits that may be mined in the future.
 Disruption to third party infrastructure and services, such as roads, other pipelines, or
cables.
 Disturbance to places of environmental or social significance, such as Aboriginal
heritage sites, or priority flora.
 Further disturbance in the project region, by making best use of existing disturbances,
such as access roads.
The pipeline will lie within Pipeline Licence (PL114), which occupies a corridor within the
existing GRJV Miscellaneous Licences and Mining Leases held by Gold Road Resources
Limited (GOR; a party to the GRJV). APA is the sole holder of Pipeline Licence PL114,
granted under the Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969.
The boundary of Pipeline Licence PL114, forms the disturbance envelope for construction
of the YGP; this boundary also forms the limits of the native vegetation clearing permit
(NVCP) applied for the YGP by APA. All new disturbance associated with construction
work will be confined to this envelope. The project will also make use of existing cleared
areas and infrastructure such as third party access roads and laydown yards.
The “pipeline corridor” subject to the CEP/MP generally refers to a 200 m wide strip,
typically extending 100 m either side of White Cliffs Road. The area actually to be

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disturbed for pipeline construction will be much smaller and is referred to as the
“construction right-of-way” (construction ROW).
APA expects the construction ROW to be a maximum of 30 m wide, and 25 m wide
wherever possible, with the width reduced in some sections to avoid or minimise
disturbance to places of particular environmental or social value.
The locations of ancillary disturbances along the construction ROW, such as access roads,
vehicle turnaround bays, temporary storage and laydown areas, are yet to be finalised
however they will be placed to utilise existing cleared or degraded areas, and to avoid
areas of higher environmental or social value, as far as practicable. Turnaround bays will
be located approximately every 2.5 km along the corridor and where practical connects
the ROW with existing roads.
Several temporary “turkey’s nest” dams will be constructed along the pipeline route, to
store water sourced from nearby bores for construction use; water quality is expected to
be saline, as is typical for the Goldfields.
A camp facility for construction workers will be established in or near Laverton; this will
either be an existing facility or a temporary camp that will be considered under separate
approvals. Another temporary camp will be located near the Gruyere mine within
M38/1179 on the Yamarna pastoral station. The area will include site offices, workshops,
parking, and materials laydown areas;
All new disturbance associated with construction work will be confined to this envelope.
The project will also make use of existing cleared areas and infrastructure such as third
party access roads and laydown yards.
APA does not expect the total disturbance footprint to exceed 770 ha, and expects that
1% of total disturbance will overlap with existing disturbance in the area, not including the
existing roads and tracks to be used by the project.
Most of the disturbance will be temporary, with reinstatement and rehabilitation to follow
closely behind construction. The only disturbance to remain for the life of the asset will be
an access track (approximately 3 m wide) along the pipeline corridor where it departs
from the White Cliffs – Yamarna road (footprint approximately 66 ha), and the surface
stations (footprint approximately 1.5 ha).
Consent has been obtained from landholders to allow for pipeline activities to be
conducted. Key landholders consulted include pastoralists and mining companies
holding tenure of the land that will be crossed. APA will continue to engage with
landholders during construction and reinstatement, to ensure that expectations are met.

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Figure 1: YGP route

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3. Construction Activities
The YGP construction project has an estimated duration of 9 months and is estimated to
take place from December 2017 to July 2018, with first gas supplied to the Gruyere mine
site power station shortly after.
Works associated with the YGP construction are summarised in Table 2.:

Table 2 YGP Activity Summary

Activity Description

Transport of construction machinery, plant and equipment to

Mobilisation site, establishment of laydown and site support workspaces
including temporary construction camp.

The pipeline centreline, the limits of the construction ROW and

Survey any ancillary workspaces will be surveyed and marked out
ahead of ground-disturbing works.

Removal of vegetation in accordance with the NVCP. Topsoil

Clear and grade stripped to a minimum depth of 100 mm and push into
windrows. Vegetation will be stockpiled separately.

Excavation of trenches including the those for the pipeline, the

hot tap to the EGP, the offtake station, the main line valve, and
Excavation and metering and delivery station at the Gruyere minesite.
trenching
Trench spoil will be placed on the trench side of the
construction ROW, separate to the topsoil and vegetation
stockpiles from clear and grade

Where material cannot be removed with conventional rock

Blasting breaking plan and equipment, targeted blasting may be
required. Blasting will be carefully controlled, and carried out
by a specialist team

Horizontal If open cut trench methods are not suitable for specific
Directional Drilling crossings, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) methods will be
the preferred means of trenchless construction.

Depending on rainfall, saturated or inundated ground may be

Wet trenching encountered, particularly in lower-lying areas. In such areas,
the trench may be dug into wet ground, and allowed to flood,
without dewatering.

Dewatering In some inundated areas, dewatering methods may be used in

preference to wet trench methods.

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Activity Description

Hot Tapping Safely drilling and welding a new fitting to allow connection of
the off-take into the operating EGP.

Pipe will be delivered to the construction ROW and laid out end-
to-end alongside the trench. Individual pipe segments will be
placed on raised timber skids or sandbags to protect them from
damage, and facilitate welding into continuous lengths (pipe
strings).

Pipe Assembly The pipeline will be bent in places to follow the pipeline route,
and/or conform to the terrain.
Pipe segments are welded into continuous lengths before being
laid in the trench. Welded joints will be x-ray tested and garnet-
blasted to remove surface scale and rust, and then coated with
a high build epoxy (HBE) to provide a continuous external
coating and prevent corrosion.

Once welded, the pipe strings will be placed into the trench by
side-boom pipe-layers (or equivalent). Fine bedding and
padding sand will be placed around the pipe to prevent any
Pipe Lowering sharp objects (such as rocks in the trench spoil) from damaging
the pipe coating. Bedding and padding material will be
sourced from the trench spoil itself by screening, wherever
possible.

Suitable stockpiled trench spoil will be returned to the trench

and compacted after the pipe is lowered in. If required, clean,
approved locally-sourced fill will be imported to make up any
Backfilling
shortfall where trench spoil is deemed unsuitable for backfill.
Topsoil removed during clear and grade will then be re-spread
and contours reinstated.

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Activity Description

Civil works including:

 Pad construction, installation of control hut and meter and
filter skids, piling works and placement of concrete slabs;
 Installation of underground conduits and earth cable;
 Placing aggregate over the ground, to prevent vegetation
Construction of regrowth, and erection of site security fencing.
Permanent Above-
 Assembling equipment and lifting into position;
ground Facilities
 Installing free-standing equipment and structural steel work,
interconnected piping and cable trays and gas utility lines;
and
 Installing electrical power distribution and control
components, power and control cables between the
equipment and a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) or Control Hut.
Non-destructive testing, functional testing of all manual valves,
Testing hydro-testing of pipework; hazardous area checks, earthing
compliance checks and continuity point to point testing of
circuits.

Pre-testing all mechanical and electrical equipment and

instrumentation.
Commissioning communications and control systems prior to
Commissioning introduction of gas.
Progressive introduction of gas, and commissioning each item
of equipment sequentially until the whole system is capable of
operating as a unit.

Demobilisation Disassembly of any temporary infrastructure, machinery and

equipment.

Removal of waste and stockpiled materials, scarification of

Site reinstatement disturbed areas, replacement of topsoils over disturbed areas,
and Clean- up redistribution of stockpiled vegetative material removed for
construction.

Supporting services required for the activity include water supply, power generation and
chemical storage and waste management. These aspects of the project are summarised
in the sections below.

3.1 Water Supply

Water will be mainly required for camp / potable use, dust suppression, and hydrotesting.
Table 3 provides a summary of estimated requirements.

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To facilitate the supply of water to sections of the construction ROW that are a long way
from existing sources, APA intends to construct a number of “turkey’s nest” dams at
intervals of 20 to 30 km along the route, with actual spacing dependent on ground
conditions. Large, articulated water haulage trucks will deliver potable water from
Laverton as required to the turkey’s nests, from which smaller rigid water carts will take
water for construction use. APA presently expects that eight turkey’s nest dams will be
placed along the ROW at locations well away from any sensitive features such as priority
flora or heritage sites; the number and location of dams is subject to confirmation with the
successful construction tenderer.

Table 3:Water Requirements

Use Requirement Timing/ Duration

Camp / potable ~80 kL /day (~400 L pp/day) Duration of camp

Dust suppression ~200 – 500 kL/day Duration of works

At completion main line, and
Hydrotesting ~10,000 kL total
HDD crossings (if any)

3.2 Power Generation, Fuels and Chemical Storage

Electricity will be supplied at construction areas and at the camp by diesel generators.
Diesel storage for power generation and automotive use will incorporate:
 Double-walled (self-bunded) transportable fuel tanks, each up to 110,000 L, put in
place at the construction camp laydown areas.
 Mobile 12,000 L heavy rigid fuel trucks, travelling the construction ROW daily, to refuel
vehicles and mobile and fixed plant.
 Miscellaneous jerry cans, each up to 20 L.
Other hydrocarbon and chemical storage for the construction project will incorporate:
 Engine, gearbox, hydraulic and other oil and greases, in a variety of containers,
including 10,000 L tanks, 1,500 L intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), 200 L drums, and
20 L containers.
 Various other chemicals for construction use, including brake and radiator fluids paints,
concrete retarders, formwork release agents, paints, solvents, thinners, acetone, anti-
seize, cleaning agents, and others, in containers of less than 50 L.
In addition, YGP construction works may make use of the hydrocarbon and chemical
facilities at the Gruyere minesite.

3.3 Waste
Project wastes are expected to principally comprise:
 Inert waste, including packaging, wooden pallets, steel (e.g. pipe off-cuts), builder’s
rubble, formwork, welding rods etc., and minor quantities of waste concrete.
 Putrescible waste, predominantly food scraps;

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 Small quantities of contaminated waste, including fuel, oil, and chemical containers
with residual material, and coating / sand blasting wastes (including used garnet,
plastic, and coating residues).
Wastes will be appropriately contained (with bins, skips, etc.) and segregated for
collection by waste contractors licensed for the classes of waste. Putrescible wastes will
be contained in bins with secure lids. Contaminated or hazardous wastes will be kept in
appropriate secondary containment.

4. Existing environment
Distances to potentially sensitive environmental or social features in the region are
summarised in Table 4 below.

Table 4: Distances to potentially sensitive features

Features Closest Distance
KPs (approx. km)
Mt Jumbo Range Priority Ecological Community 0-15 0
Laverton town site 22 2
Cosmo Newberry Community 88 46
White Cliffs Homestead 83 3

The YGP falls within the Murchison – Eastern (MUR1), Great Victorian Desert – Shield (GVD1)
and Great Victorian Desert – Central (GVD2) sub-regions as defined by the Biogeographic
Regionalisation for Australia version 7 (IBRA; DoEE 2012). The biogeographical
characteristics of these sub-regions are summarised in Table 5 below. The area has a
“desert” climate of hot summers and mild winters

Table 5:Biogeographic sub-regions traversed

Approx. KP
Subregion Code. Description1
Characterised by its internal drainage, broad plains of
red-brown soils (hardpan plains) and elevated red
desert sandplains with minimal dune development.
Murchison
MUR1 0 to 40 Other landforms include salt lake systems and
(Eastern)
breakaway complexes. Vegetation is dominated by
Mulga woodlands often rich in ephemerals, hummock
grasslands, saltbush and halophytic shrublands.

1 Adapted from Kingfisher 2014, cited in Botanica 2017.

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Approx. KP
Subregion Code. Description1
Comprises the western margin of the Great Victoria
Desert and contains a higher proportion of sandplain
communities. Landforms consist of sandplains, sand
dune fields, salt lakes, major valley floors and minor
areas of out-cropping (silcrete-capped mesas and
breakaways). Sandplain vegetation is dominated by
Great Victoria Desert Spinifex hummock grassland and mallee, with Marble
GVD1 40 to 160
(Shield) Gum and Native Pine woodlands on the deeper sands,
and Mulga and mixed acacia woodlands mainly on
colluvial and residual soils. Halophytes such as Saltbush,
Bluebush, and Samphire occur on the margins of salt
lakes and in saline drainage areas. Yellow sandplain
communities are distinctive vegetation communities
within the subregion.
An arid active sand-ridge desert with extensive dune
fields. The region is characterised by east-west
orientated sand dune fields, sandplains, salt lakes, major
valley floors, occasional outcropping (breakaways) and
Great Victoria Desert quartzite hills. Vegetation is dominated by Marble Gum,
GVD2 160 to 197
(Central) Mulga and over hummock grassland dominated by
Spinifex. Acacia dominates colluvial soils with
Eremophila and Santalum species. Halophytes are
confined to edges of salt lakes and saline drainage
systems.

The YGP traverses the “Leemans Sandplain (274)” and “Salinaland Plains (279)” zones of
the “Murchison (27)” province, and “North-western Great Victoria Desert (122)” zone of
the “Gunbarrel” province, as mapped by DAFWA (DAFWA 2014, cited in Botanica 2017).
These zones may be further subdivided into 14 soil-landscape systems crossed by the YGP.
The YGP route is principally dominated by two systems, namely the:
 “Bullimore” system, characterised as “gently undulating sandplain with occasional
linear dunes and stripped surfaces supporting spinifex grasslands with mallees and
acacia shrubs”; and the
 “My99” system, characterised as “plains with extensive gravel pavements and small
tracts of longitudinal dunes”.

A short section of the YGP crosses a mapped DAFWA soil-landscape system associated
with actual or potential acid sulphate soils (ASS/PASS), namely the “Carnegie” system,
described as “salt lakes with fringing saline alluvial plains, kopi dunes and sandy banks,
supporting halophytic shrublands and acacia tall shrublands” (Tille 2006).
MBS (2017) visited the location in July 2017 to assess the potential for ASS in line with
Identification and Investigation of Acid Sulfate Soils and Acidic Landscapes (DWER 2015a).
Soils were noted to comprise a shallow layer of alluvial material (to 1m), over a hardpan
of calcrete and ferricrete; no signs of ASS (such as sulfidic black material or jarosite
mottling) were observed. MBS took nine soil samples to refusal (hardpan) depth, for field
and laboratory testing of parameters indicative of ASS. No values consistent with PASS or
ASS were recorded in the surface samples, and while the pipeline trench may be
excavated somewhat below the depth of sampling, MBS noted that the hardpan would
be expected to comprise high-clay-content oxic material for many metres above the

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groundwater table, with calcrete material expected to provide substantial acid
neutralising capacity. MBS did not consider any further investigation or management
necessary.
Watercourses and drainage lines in the region are generally weakly defined and
ephemeral, with flows occurring only after heavy rains, and rapidly dissipating and
evaporating (Johnson et al 1999; GRJV 2016). The YGP crosses numerous ephemeral
watercourses, of which 12 are considered “significant” for construction purposes,
Limited quantities of brackish to saline groundwater (2,000 to 14,000 mg/L total dissolved
solids [TDS]) occur in elevated areas of the major paleodrainages, however groundwater
is generally saline to hypersaline away from the drainage divides. Recharge is limited due
to low rainfall, high evaporation, heavy soils and vegetation cover, and tends to occur
along rocky outcrops where rain can infiltrate fractures and eventually establish regional
flow gradients which broadly mirror the prevailing topography (Johnson et al. 1999).
The superficial deposits of the region form an unconfined aquifer, with a shallow water
table often less than 5 m below ground level (mBGL) (Johnson et al. 1999). Historical water
level data from bores near the YGP route indicates that groundwater levels in the vicinity
of the pipeline are at least five metres below ground level (well below the maximum
expected depth of excavation) and typically substantially more.
Botanica (2017) identified 54 vegetation communities within the Pipeline Licence area
associated with seven different landform types and corresponding to eight major
vegetation groups as defined by the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS). The
predominant vegetation groups and associations incorporate:
 Acacia open woodlands over clay-loam plains and drainage depressions.
 Acacia forests and woodlands over drainage depressions, quartz-rocky plains, rocky
hillslopes, and sandplains.
 Eucalypt woodlands and mallee woodlands and shrublands over sandplains.
No Threatened Ecological Communities (TEC) listed under the EPBC Act or WC Act occur
within the YGP Pipeline Licence area.
The first approximately 15 km of the YGP route from the EGP tie-in fall within the “Mount
Jumbo Range vegetation complex (banded ironstone formation)” Priority 3 Ecological
Community (P3 PEC) as mapped by the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and
Attractions (DBCA)2. The pipeline route has been designed to avoid outcrops including
banded ironstone formations – principally for engineering reasons, however this also helps
to avoid impacts to landforms of ecological significance.
No Threatened Flora listed under the WC Act that occur within 120 km of the Pipeline
Licence. Four Priority Flora species have been identified within the Pipeline Licence area,
namely:
 Calytrix warburtonensis (P2; 80 plants in three locations), a shrub, 0.3 to 0.6 m high, with
white flowers in March or September/October; typically associated with rocky hills and
breakaways.

2 Formerly the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW).

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 Calytrix praecipua (P3; 896 plants in 252 locations), a shrub, 0.3 to 0.7 m high, with pink-
white flowers in June/July or September to November; typically associated with skeletal
sandy soils over granite or laterite, breakaways, and outcrops.
 Olearia arida (P4; 176 plants in 121 locations), an erect shrub to 0.4 m high, with white
flowers in July to September; typically associated with red or yellow sand and
undulating low rises.
 Thryptomene nealensis (P3; 874 plants in 254 locations), a shrub approximately 0.3 m
high, with pink flowers in October; typically associated with lateritic breakaways.
APA has considered the locations of Priority Flora in the final design of the pipeline, and
adjusted its alignment where necessary so that the construction ROW and associated
disturbance avoids all identified locations, with as much “buffer” distance as practicable.
Eleven introduced plant taxa (weeds) have been recorded within the Pipeline Licence
area, namely:
 Ruby Dock (Acetosa vesicaria),
 Buffel Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris),
 Pie Melon (Citrullus lanatus),
 Paddy Melon (Cucumis myriocarpus),
 Pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis),
 Wild Sage (Salvia verbenaca),
 Peppercorn Tree (Schinus molle),
 Blackberry Nightshade (Solanum nigrum),
 Common Sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus),
 Malvastrum americanum, and
 Bidens bipinnata.
None of these species are listed as a Declared Plant under the Biosecurity and Agriculture
Management Act 2007. These species are generally common and widespread in the
region, and are often associated with pastoral land use.
Botanica (2017) found no evidence of any threatened, migratory or priority fauna species
using the area.
Terrestrial SRE invertebrates (and other invertebrates of conservation significance), if
present, are unlikely to be impacted by the construction and operation of the YGP; the
habitats extend well beyond the narrow construction corridor and will allow populations
to persist. The design of the pipeline alignment and construction ROW intends to avoid
areas of high relief such as outcrops and breakaways, and minimise disturbance to
watercourses, for both engineering and environmental reasons.
Ethnographic and archaeological surveys were conducted over the western half of the
YGP route (from KP0, to the boundary of the Yilka claim at approximate KP102), by Waru
Consulting in association with relevant Aboriginal Elders, in late March to early April 2017.

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Eight ethnographic (culturally significant) sites were identified, three of which were on the
DPLH register of Aboriginal Sites (albeit in incorrect locations), and exclusion zones
established. Three archaeological sites (artefact scatters) were identified, of which two
are associated with ethnographic sites. Protective exclusion zones have been established
around the ethnographic sites by the Elders, and the boundaries of the archaeological
sites recorded.
Several sites of significance have been identified on the Yamarna pastoral lease within
the Yilka claim as part of surveys in support of approvals for the Gruyere mining project,
and in accordance with agreements between the GRJV and the Yilka claimant group, all
of which are avoided by the pipeline corridor. More recently however, another claimant
group has identified and registered a site of heritage significance (DPLH ID #36833) that
lies across the pipeline route.
Most of the sites identified through surveys were avoided by the original pipeline alignment
and construction corridor layout, or could be avoided by subsequent adjustments,
however some sites cannot practicably be entirely avoided, as they extend across the
entire Pipeline Licence. APA has adjusted the pipeline alignment and corridor to disturb
such sites as little as practicable.
No sites of significance for European heritage have been identified within or near the
Pipeline Licence area (GRJV 2016).

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5. Environmental Management
Environmental management will be implemented in compliance with the APA ISO14001
accredited Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Management System which provides
for:
 communication of policies, objectives and roles and responsibilities
 inductions, training and competency of personnel
 monitoring, auditing, record keeping and reporting, including dedicated hazard and
incident reporting system
 management of non-conformances and corrective actions
 development, tracking and ongoing maintenance of documentation
 emergency preparedness and response
 toolbox talks
A risk based approach has been adopted to manage potential threats to the
environment. This process involved initial identification of environmental interactions
(aspects) resulting from project activities followed by an environmental risk assessment
(ERA) workshop attended by key personnel. The ERA process involved:
 assessment of environmental risks in terms of likelihood and consequence
 identification of mitigating factors and management measures to reduce
environmental risks to ALARP
 risk ranking according to severity
A summary of the key environmental hazards, control measures and mitigating factors
identified for the YGP has been provided in Table 6. Table 6 only provides an indication
of major hazards and controls and is not a comprehensive summary of all commitments
associated with the YGP.

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Table 6: Key environmental hazards and control measures

Environmental Hazard Control Measures and Mitigation Factors

 Heritage stakeholders consulted. Consultation with relevant stakeholders to
continue during construction.
 Construction boundaries clearly delineated to prevent disturbance of heritage
sites or exclusion zones.
 Construction boundaries have been changed to avoid heritage sites and
exclusion areas; where sites cannot be avoided, permits to disturb them have
been sought.
Disturbance of
 Construction boundaries clearly delineated to prevent encroachment of works on
Heritage.
heritage sites or associated exclusion zones, including flagging and/or fencing, on
advice from heritage stakeholders; exclusion measures checked and maintained
for duration of works in each area.
 Cultural heritage monitors to attend earthworks in high risk areas
 Works to cease and DPLH notified immediately if suspected heritage artefacts
identified.
 Implementation of APA Cultural Heritage Procedure.
 Existing disturbance used as far as practicable to minimise clearing footprint
 Original pipeline corridor design has been changed to avoid flora of conservation
significance, with as much buffer as possible.
Disturbance of  Construction boundary clearly marked out to prevent over-clearing or
encroachment of works into adjacent areas.
vegetation
 Vegetation and topsoil cleared for construction and stockpiled separately in
adjacent areas for use in rehabilitation; at completion of works, all disturbed areas
to be scarified, stockpiled topsoils re-spread, then stockpiled vegetation respread
to encourage regrowth..
 Significant habitat significance such as trees with hollows, will be identified, and
marked for protection on line lists and in the field ahead of construction works.
 Established roads used for access where practicable.
 Night works limited, and subject to additional risk assessment including hazards to
nocturnal fauna.
 Trenching and excavation activities controlled – regular trench clearing by
Disturbance to fauna licensed handlers meeting training requirements of DBCA, and trench shelters
provided.
 No trench to be left open at the end of a swing, except bellholes to be left
ramped.
 Escape ramps for fauna installed in open trenches and visual trench inspections
 Trained and competent handlers meeting training requirements of DBCA for fauna
removal from site.

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Environmental Hazard Control Measures and Mitigation Factors
 Vehicle access limited to approved routes and necessary traffic only.
 Access route maintenance / repairs carried out if required.
 Topsoil removal and storage controlled and maintained to minimise erosion;
including stockpiling away from vehicle access points, watercourses, and areas
prone to flooding.
 At completion of works, topsoils to be re-spread over disturbed areas, then cleared
Soil erosion and vegetation re-spread over topsoil to promote revegetation and prevent erosion.
degradation  Use of saline water for dust suppression kept to minimum necessary
 Dust suppression with saline water kept to roads/ tracks only; sprays adjusted to
prevent overspray onto adjacent vegetation or topsoil stockpiles
 Saline water stored in lined turkey’s nests; standpipe areas shaped to drain inwards
to prevent runoff into surrounding areas.
 Measures to prevent erosion and sediment transport, such as sediment
containment fences. will be installed on disturbed areas or areas under
rehabilitation.
 Fuels and chemicals selected for the project are the least hazardous that are
suitable for the intended uses.
 Chemical register and SDS maintained for all hazardous substances on site.
 Storage of hazardous substances in accordance with SDS and safety
specifications.
 Use of bunds and drip trays.
Contamination from
 Portable bunded containers (spill pallets) used when handling hydrocarbons and
spills or leaks of
chemicals outside of bunded areas.
hydrocarbons or
hazardous chemicals  Spill response equipment kept on site.
/ materials  Hydrocarbon and chemical spills addressed in Emergency Response Plan and Oil
Spill Contingency Plan.
 Regular checks and maintenance of machinery, plant and equipment.
 Bulk and intermediate hydrocarbon and chemical storage / containment areas
sited well away from drainage lines and water bodies.
 Refuelling carried out as far as practicable from traffic areas at risk of collision and
away from sensitive features such as drainage lines or water bodies
 Wastes collected progressively from site collection points by a contractor licensed
for the class of waste, for disposal off-site.
 All remaining wastes removed from site at completion of works; confirmed by
practical completion checklist.
 No disposal of wastes (e.g. sawdust bags) to trench.
Waste disposal  Adequate waste receptacles maintained on site and waste segregated as
appropriate.
 WWTP to meet regulatory requirements, and have adequate capacity for peak
workforce.
 Portable toilets placed along ROW and moved with workfront on trailer; regularly
emptied and maintained by supplier.

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Environmental Hazard Control Measures and Mitigation Factors
 All materials currently specified for the project are considered the least flammable
suitable for the intended use
 Fire response equipment maintained on site.
 Local fire response addressed in ERP.
 Construction works confined to ROW and other areas cleared of vegetation.
Ignition of fire  Flammable materials to be removed from areas around ignition sources, such as
welding or grinding; site housekeeping to keep potentially flammable materials
stored away from hot work areas or other fire hazards.
 Permit system in place for hot works.
 All vehicles and plant parked up in designated areas when not in use; all
stockpiled equipment, materials and waste stored in areas of low fire risk.
 Vehicle movements limited to approved routes only.
 Construction footprint kept as small as practicable to minimise disturbed area
prone to colonisation by weeds.
Introduction and/or
spread of weeds  Vehicles to be certified clean before entry to site.
 Washdown bays to be established and properly maintained.
 Fill material to be certified clean and free of weeds and disease, brought from
local source if practicable.
 Water truck on site for dust suppression as required
 Vehicle movements compliant with speed limits
Dust/Air emissions  Where required, gravel placed on access roads to minimise dust in sandy areas
 Topsoil stockpiles limited to maximum height of 2m.
 Vehicles and fixed and mobile plant inspected and maintained according to
manufacturer’s specification
 All vehicles and fixed and mobile plant equipped with noise reduction measures
such as mufflers or enclosures, maintained according to manufacturer
specifications.
 Works generally limited to daytime hours; night works subject to site-specific risk
assessment.
Noise and vibration  Venting for commissioning kept to practicable minimum.
 Extent and size of blasts limited to the minimum practicable for pipeline corridor
excavations. Blasting (if required) will be designed to prevent unnecessary
disturbance.
 All blasting carried out by appropriately licensed and experienced specialist
contractor.

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6. Stakeholder Consultation
APA is committed to maintaining positive relations with all stakeholders throughout the
duration of its activities. A brief summary of engagement to date is provided in Table 7.
Consultation with government has involved meetings with agencies to generally advise
them of the project, and discuss approval requirements (including information
requirements), and timeframes. APA notes that no major issues of concern in regard to
potential project environmental impacts have been raised to date.
Liaison with affected land holders and managers has commenced with the affected
landholders and impacted tenement holders (through the GRJV Miscellaneous License
application process) since project conception, and is ongoing. A comprehensive line list
will be generated for affected landowners / occupiers that identify individual concerns
over access to properties as well as requirements regarding usage, impacts and
reinstatement. Where applicable or as required, property inspection reports will be
prepared to record agreed requirements of landowners / occupiers and to ensure such
requirements are complied with.
Affected stakeholders will be kept aware of scheduled activities and impacts as the
project progresses. Ongoing consultation will occur for this project via email/letters,
meetings and circulation of updates to relevant stakeholders.
Feedback from all interested parties will be encouraged and monitored during the entire
project. A register will be maintained that records actions taken to address any
issues/feedback received.

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Table 7: Summary of stakeholder interactions
Stakeholder Consultation Key Dates

Landholders

Liaison has been ongoing since project conception as GJV is the only present 8/11/2016
customer.
Interactions have broadly revolved around commercial contracts and requirements,
GRJV /
land tenure and access agreements, environmental aspects and approvals, safety
Yamarna
planning, and heritage surveys to name a few.
Pastoral Station
Communication channels remain open with all key contacts as the approvals process
progresses towards practical kick-off. Reporting lines will be established for ongoing
works together throughout construction, and then into operational contracts.

Liaison with the Yilka Native Title Group has been channelled through the GRJV and 2/05/2017
will continue to do so throughout the construction of the pipeline. This is mainly due to 14/08/2017
the contractual agreement that is in place between GJV and Yilka. APA has submitted 3/10/2017
documentation for Yilka review prior to be formally submitted to government
Yilka Native
departments. This includes this CEP/MP.
Title Group /
Cosmo Yilka have been consulted with respect to the planned works that are progressing for
Newberry the pipeline and are providing monitors during ground disturbing works.
Yilka has been notified of the pipeline application under section 24 MD (6A) the Native
Title Act 1993. The Cosmo Newberry Aboriginal Corporation has been notified of the
application due to the capacity as occupier of Crown Reserve 22032.

Mt Weld station lease is held by Gold Fields Australia, which is also a tenement holder. 22/03/17
Communication has been ongoing as per below tenement holders, as well as in
relation to the station and additional agreements.
Mt Weld The Station is managed by Pat Hill. No major issues have been raised from the station
Station manager. He is aware of all planned works and will be regularly updated throughout
works.
Pat Hill has been notified prior to surveyors being on the Mt Weld Pastoral Station. There
has been no issues raised.

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Stakeholder Consultation Key Dates

Laverton Downs station lease is held by Trevor Schutz. Communication has been 24/04/2017
ongoing with regards to the construction of the pipeline and the early survey works. 1/06/2017
Discussion have been mainly around the location of bores in the vicinity of the 27/06/2017
proposed pipeline.
Laverton
Downs Station No major issues have been raised, Laverton Downs are aware of all planned works and
will be regularly updated throughout works.
Trevor Schutz has been notified prior to surveyors being on the Mt Weld Pastoral Station.
There has been no issues raised.

White Cliffs station lease is held by Noel McKay. Communication has been ongoing 26/04/2017
with regards to the construction of the pipeline and the early survey works. Discussion 30/06/2017
have been mainly around the location of the pipeline where it traverses the station 4/07/2017
and bores in the vicinity of the proposed pipeline. 27/09/2017
White Cliffs No major issues have been raised, White Cliffs are aware of all planned works and will
Station be regularly updated throughout works. Noel has enquired about the flora and fauna
survey documentation for the pipeline route, APA and GRJV are working on providing
this information.
Noel McKay has been notified prior to surveyors being on the Mt Weld Pastoral Station.
There has been no issues raised.

As identified above, liaison and negotiation with all impacted tenement holders has 28/03/2017
been ongoing as a part of the tenure acquisition process. All access agreements have 24/04/2017
now been finalised, which include ongoing (if any) reporting requirements. 14/08/2017
Tenement 4/09/2017
There are ongoing discussions with a few tenement holders regarding vehicle crossings
Holders 5/10/2017
of the pipeline.
All tenement holders have been notified prior to surveyors being on their tenements.
There has been no issues raised.

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Stakeholder Consultation Key Dates

Government

Ongoing meetings and phone calls have taken place with regards to licencing, safety 8/12/2016
and environment, with both the Petroleum and Mines divisions. 21/03/2017
DMIRS Reporting will be ongoing throughout the project and into operations. It is anticipated
that audits from multiple divisions will also take place throughout the project.
Liaison throughout CEP / MP and NVCP review, assessment and acceptance period.

The project has been formally referred (14-888438) (via GRJV) with the outcome being 11/05/2016
EPA
determined as not requiring assessment by the EPA.

Communication with DBCA has been through DMIRS regarding the NVCP. APA has 25/07/2017
DBCA
responded to the queries, mainly around the Mt Jumbo BIF area. 4/08/2017

DOW (now part Communication with DOW has not been a key requirement at the early stages of the
of DWER) project, however meetings will be held if abstraction licences are required.

Liaison with DWER has not been a key requirement at the early stages of the project,
DWER however from previous experience meetings / communications will be held regarding
any requirements for works approvals associated with a WWTP if required

The Department has been consulted (via GRJV) upon the findings of heritage surveys. 17/05/2017
DPLH There has been a Section 18 application submitted for partial impact. The project is 2/06/2017
awaiting a response from the Ministers office regarding the application.

The ALT has been notified of the pipeline licence application due to the capacity as 3/10/2017
Aboriginal the manager of the Crown Reserves 25050 and 22032 vested under Part III of the
Lands Trust Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972. Acknowledgement has been received
by APA.

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Stakeholder Consultation Key Dates

Contact has been ongoing with the CEO and Shire President, including email 7/04/2017
communications and face to face meetings. The Shire will continue to be consulted 31/07/2017
Shire of and updated throughout the project. 17/08/2017
Laverton 13/10/2017
A site meeting was held to discuss the locations of shire borrow pits along White Cliffs
road.

To be contacted as a part of the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) development and

DFES
implementation process.

DMIRS has confirmed that the pipeline licence application has now been considered 15/08/2017
a future act under the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993. Under section 24MD(6A) 13/10/2017
Goldfields and (6B) notification to the representative body for the area was triggered and both
Land and Sea APA as the applicant and DMIRS have notified GLSC.
Council (GLSC GLSC has responded to the notification from DMIRS outlining concerns regarding the
heritage sites intersecting the project area. APA and GRJV are in the process of
responding to the GLSC letter (dated 28 September 2017)

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7. References
Botanica 2017. Level 1 Flora & Fauna Survey Yamarna Gas Pipeline Project. Report
prepared by Botanica Consulting Pty Ltd for Gold Road Resources Limited.
DoEE 2012. Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia, Version 7. Department
of the Environment and Energy. Available at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/land/nrs/science/ibra; accessed 30 May 2017.
GRJV 2016. Gruyere Gas Pipeline Project EPA Referral Supporting Document. Report
by Gold Road Resources Limited.
Johnson, Commander & O’Boy (1999) Groundwater Resources of the Northern
Goldfields. Water and Rivers Commission. Available at: https://www.water.wa.gov.
au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/4330/10480.PDF; accessed 29 May 2017.
MBS 2017. Baseline Soil Assessment for the Yamarna Gas Pipeline and Gruyere Power
Station. Report by Martinick Bosch Sell Pty Ltd for APA Group.
Tille 2006. Soil-landscapes of Western Australia's Rangelands and Arid Interior.
Available at: http://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/rmtr/295/; accessed 29 May
2017.

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