Price Merrett Consulting Pty Ltd - Canally Orchards Pty Ltd - … · 6 Planning Context 20 F8505 Junction Park Dam SEAR 1330 Page 3 of 25 ... associated with the construction and

SURVEYING

ENGINEERING

IRRIGATION

PROJECT

MANAGEMENT

9478 Murray Valley Hwy

PO Box 313 KERANG VICTORIA 3579

(03) 5452 2490 a (03) 5452 2566 'PI [email protected] www.pricernerrett.com.au

ABN: 62 903 527 353

ACN: 139 256 938

F8505

ige©aaltrffrica CONSUL TING

Junction Park Dam

Secretary's Environmental Impact

Assessment

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Sanerra ONSULT [FIG

Version Doc version Written by Approved by Date issued

Original 1 Arundeep Saini Mark Carter 6/11/2019

Revised 2 Arundeep Saini Graeme Poole 18/11/2019

Project Details

Project Name Junction Park Dam

Client Canally Orchards

Report Authors Price Merrett

PMC Project Reference F8505

Author: Price Merrett Consulting Pty. Ltd. ©The design is copyright and owned by Price Merrett Consulting Pty. Ltd. (the designer). Any change to the design without the permission of the designer contributes a breach of copyright.

©Price Merrett Consulting Pty. Ltd. No portion of this report may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the authors.

Disclaimer: This publication has been produced as part of a process for a specific purpose and in response to specific instructions. It should not be used for any other purposes unless agreed in writing by Price Merrett Consulting P/L. No liability is accepted by Price Merrett Consulting P/L or co-authors to any party other than our client. This document remains the property of Price Merrett Consulting P/L.

The author disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from the use of any information in this publication.

FXXXX 18505 Junction Park Dam EIS Rev Page 2 of 25

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Table of Contents

1 Statement of Compliance 5

2 Executive Summary 6

3 Introduction 7

3.1 Background and Current Land Use 7

3.2 Proposed Development 8

4 Location & Site Description 10

4.1 Proposed Location 10

4.2 Geological Province 10

4.3 Land System 10

4.4 General Site Description 10

4.5 Surface Water 11

4.6 Ground Water 12

4.7 Wetlands 14

4.8 Soils 14

4.9 Climate 16

4.10 Flora and Fauna 16

4.11 Cultural Heritage 16

5 Environmental Impacts and Management 17

51 Soil and Water 17

5.1.1 Surface Water Runoff 17

5.1.2 Soil and Topography 17

5.1.3 Groundwater 17

5.2 Biodiversity 17

5.2.1 Vegetation Clearing 17 5.2.2 Threatened Species 17

5.3 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage 17

5.4 Traffic and Transport 18

5.5 Waste Management 18

5.6 Air Quality 18

5.7 Noise and Vibration 18

5.8 Visual Impacts 18

5.9 Weed Management 19

5.10 Site Preparation 19

5.11 Rehabilitation 19

5.12 Hazards and Risk 19

6 Planning Context 20

F8505 Junction Park Dam SEAR 1330 Page 3 of 25

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6.1 Legislation and approvals required 21

6.2 Relevant Policies 21 6.2.1 State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) 21

6.3 Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) 22

6.4 Determining Authority 24

6.5 Stakeholder Consultation 24

7 Summary of Impacts and Conclusions 25

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1 Statement of Compliance

Project Name Junction Park Dam

Proponent Canally Orchards Pty Ltd

PO Box 52

Tooleybuc, NSW 2736

Report Authoris Mark Carter

Environmental Engineer

Price Merrett Consulting Pty Ltd

PO Box 313

KERANG VIC 3579

PMC Project Reference F8505

Price Merrett Consulting Pty Ltd (PMC) was engaged by Canally Orchards to prepare this Secretary's

Environment Assessment Requirements No. 1330.

Declaration by Person Preparing the Review of Environmental Factors

This Review of Environmental Factors has been prepared in accordance with Clause 6 and 7 of

schedule 2 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 and contains all available

information that is relevant to the environmental assessment of the activity to which the statement

relates and the information contained in the statement is neither false nor misleading.

Signed:

Mark Carter

Managing Director


Dis-tance Tool

Total De.tance 28 11 Van Last Segment Distance: 53 in

,

Figure 1— Development location

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2 Executive Summary

This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) identifies and assesses the environmental issues associated with the construction and operation of a proposed 420 mega litre (ML) dam for Canally Orchards Pty Ltd, Tooleybuc, NSW.

Canally Orchards are establishing an almond orchard at approximately 28km south-west of Balranald as shown in figure 1. Therefore, to ensure the ongoing sustainability of this orchard, it is critical that irrigation water is available when required.

The objective of this proposal is to construct a 420 ML on farm storage to:

ensure that adequate irrigation water can be stored on the Junction Park property for

irrigation on demand of the almond orchard,

ensure that the agricultural enterprise (the almond orchard) is developed in accordance with

best practice guidelines which will maximise the ongoing sustainability of the operation and

limit susceptibly to environmental impacts, and

minimise water losses.

The proposed farm storage will be located on Lot 6857 DP 48114 within the municipality of Balranald.


3 Introduction

3.1 Background and Current Land Use

CanaIly Orchards is developing a 750 hectare almond orchard at their Junction Park property (see

figure 2). To ensure the ongoing sustainability of this orchard by ensuring irrigation water is available

when required, it is proposed to construct a 420 ML on farm storage dam. The dam will be designed

to store the water pumped from the Murray River.

The property is currently being used as a dryland cropping.

Figure 2 —Highlighted area showing property known as 'Junction Park'

F8505 Junction Park Dam SEAR 1330 Pogo 7 0125

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Figure 3- Image showing proposed works

3.2 Proposed Development

The objective of this proposal is to construct a 420 ML on farm storage to:

ensure that adequate irrigation water can be stored on the Junction Park property to ensure

efficient and precise irrigation of an almond orchard,

ensure that the agricultural enterprise (the almond orchard) is developed in accordance with

best practice guidelines which will maximise the ongoing sustainability of the operation and

limit susceptibly to environmental impacts

The proposed storage will be supplied by a pipeline connecting to the Murray River. The storage will

be constructed with banks and therefore no significant impact on the existing catchment.

18505 Junction Park Dam SEAR 1330 Page 8 of 25

Figure 2-shaded area showing the property known as 'Junction Park' situated on the Weimby Road with the Murray River to the south

The proposed on farm storage has the following characteristics (Table 1).

Table 1: Characteristics of the proposed on farm storage dam

Details

Coordinates GDA 94 MGA 54 E: 709179, N: 6152540

Storage Volume 420 ML

Dam footprint Area 22ha

Crest RL 60.80

FSL RL 59.6

Bed _ RL 55.20

Crest Width 5m

Freeboard 1.2m

Cut to Fill Volume Cut = 155,235m3 Fill = 155,235m3

Average water depth 3.9m

Bank height above surrounding

natural surface

3-4m

Storage Ratio 2.7


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4 Location & Site Description

4.1 Proposed Location

Junction Park is located approximately 25km south west of the township of Balranald. The property

extends for around 9 kilometres along the Kyalite-Weimby Road and is 1255 hectares in size. It has a

small frontage (approximately 500m) on the Murray River. The property known as 'Junction Park'

consists of a single leasehold allotment (Crown Land) being Lot 6857 DP 48114.

The site is within the Balranald Shire Council.

4.2 Geological Province

The proposed dam is located within the Murray Basin Geological province. The Murray Basin is a

shallow depression filled with marine and terrestrial sediments to a maximum depth of 600m over

the last 50-60 million years. Shallow seas have moved back and forth across the plains several times,

leaving traces of parallel beach ridges and limestone sediments under the dune fields.

4.3 Land System

The proposed dam is located in the Condoulpe Land System which consists of Sandplain between

dunefields and the Riverine Plain near Balranald. The site is in the border of the Wakool River Landscape which is part of the Murray River floodplains.

4.4 General Site Description

The topography of Junction Park is undulating. It has a gentle slope from the north to the south with

the eastern part of Junction Park being flatter. The proposed dam site is a dryland cropping property, with no current native vegetation on the dam site.

Photo 1- Showing proposed dam on the left side


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Photo 2— Facing north towards the proposed dam site

4.5 Surface Water

No permanent water bodies are located within the proposed site. The closest permanent water system is the Murray River, which is approximately 941m south west of the site. The surrounding land use is dryland cropping properties which are gradually being developed to irrigate orchards. Water is currently supplied to the property through Murray River.

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Figure 5 — Map showing the closest permanent water system from the proposed dam site

F8505 Junction Park Dam SEAR 1330 Page A of 25

75 78 77 78 79 BO 81 82 B3 84 85 88 87 88 89 90 191 192 1 93 1 99 95 86 97 99 99 00 01 02 03 09 05 08 11 8

4.6 Ground Water

Balranald is located in an area within the Lower Murrumbidgee Groundwater Sources. The Lower Murrumbidgee GMA lies within the eastern Riverine Plains province of the Murray Geological Basin. It is located between the towns of Narrandera, Booligal, Balranald and Jerilderie and is bounded by Billabong Creek and the Edwards River in the south, the Lachlan River to the northwest and exposed Palaeozoic bedrock to the east. It covers an area of approximately 33,000 km2 (3.3 million hectares).

NSW Department of Primary Industries Office of Water records groundwater data from throughout NSW. One groundwater discontinued bore is in the vicinity of the proposed dam site. The bore (GW501214) is approximately 839 meters to the north-west of the dam site.

At the location GW501214, recorded groundwater levels were:

From 1976 to 1999 water levels were from 8.8m to 11.4m

Wets rNSW WYPLOY./133 0i0d111001120111

Bore Water Level below Measuring Point (Metres) 01/01/1975 o 01/01/2007 1975.2008 — 0W501219 Manually Read Data - Hole 1 Pipe I Slotted Interval 11- 12 m

11.

10-

10.8

8

9.8

1.

Figure 6— Bore logs from site GW501214


BeninId Load Chau Environmwrial

Plan 2010

POParlai Land Map Walinnys 16Ip 0 - Sieei

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Figure 7- Balranald Shire Council LEP Groundwater Vulnerability Map showing groundwater

vulnerability overlays and wetlands


taDieeontinued Bore GW501214 C77

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AProposed Duni Locatior '40

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Figure 8 — Photo map showing the location pf the discontinued bore near the proposed dam location

4.7 Wetlands

The proposed dam is marked as a wetland in the Balranald Shire Local Environment Plan. Wetlands

are defined as supporting waterbird, fish, amphibian, reptile and plant species during important life

stages by providing roosting, nesting and feeding habitat as well as refuge during extreme weather

conditions. They also form corridor or stepping stone habitats that support the migration of species,

including waterbirds and marine mammals (Murray REP 2).

The proposed dam site does not reflect the definition of a wetland, it is cultivated and cropped, with no vegetation, as seen in photos land 2.

4.8 Soils

The proposed dam is located in the Condoulpe Land System which consists of Sandplain between dunefields and the Riverine Plain near Balranald.

Soil data collected from eSpade NSW indicates that soils and vegetation is plain and flats of

predominantly solonized brown soils and areas of red earths; dunes of deep brownish sands;

drainage basins of grey cracking clays; generally dense to scattered belah and mallee; areas of dense

edible chenopods; drainage basins of dense black box, nitre goosefoot and dillon bush; variable

speargrass, annual saltbushes and forbs (Soil data online, NSW Environment and Heritage).

F8505 Junction Park Darn SEAR 1330 Page 14 of 25

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Preliminary soil survey was undertaken by Sunraysia Environmental Pty Ltd in 2015 to determine the

suitability of growing almonds on the site. The results showed that the soil consists of alluvial

deposits which were unsuitable for almonds.

Figure 9 - Extract from sunraysia environmental crop suitability plan showing the proposed dam site is

unsuitable for almonds

Eight test pits were excavated across the site for the proposed water storage dam to depths ranging

from 1.5 to 3.1m. The borehole investigation revealed that the subsurface soil profile across the

proposed water storage dam site generally consisted of topsoil to 0.1m overlying natural alluvium

material comprising low and low to medium plasticity sandy clay/sandy silty clay, medium and high

plasticity sandy clay, medium to high and high plasticity clay, low plasticity sandy silt/sandy clayey

silt and fine to coarse grained silty sand and clayey sand, extending to the borehole termination

depths at 2.5 to 6.0m in BH1 to BH38 & 1P1 to TP8.

Natural low, low to medium plasticity sandy clay, sandy silty clay, sandy silt/sandy clayey silt and fine

to coarse grained silty sand & clayey sand were encountered in the lower profile at depths ranging

from 2.1 to 3.6m below the existing site level across the site. Silty sand/clayey sand and low to

medium plasticity sandy silty clay material was encountered in the upper profile extending to the

depths ranging from 0.2 to 0.35m below existing site level except in BH32 & BH33 where it extends

to 0.9m in BH32 and 1.3m (Aitken Rowe Geotechnical Engineering, 2019).


Proposed Dam Location

4.9 Climate

The average annual rainfall is approximately 324 millimetres per year. Rain occurs mainly during

winter months. Winters are cool with a moderate frost risk whilst summers are hot with

temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C in January and February.

4.10 Flora and Fauna

A search of the NSW Threatened Fauna and Flora Species list indicated one vulnerable fauna species,

the Regent Parrot as being sighted within a 10km radius of 'Junction Park'. No threatened flora was identified in this search.

Legend •

Species records mapped as held

Category 3 sensitive spp. 0.010 (lkm) rounded

Figure 10 — Map showing sightings of fauna species in the 10km vicinity of the proposed dam site, with the location of the Regent Parrot shown as a blue dot

4.11 Cultural Heritage

In accordance with the 'Due Diligence Code of Practice for the protection of Aboriginal Objects in

NSW' a search of the AHIMS database was conducted for the proposed development. The search

found that no records of Aboriginal sites or places have been recorded or declared on or near the

location of the proposed on farm dam storage.

In addition, a comprehensive, independent Cultural Heritage assessment was undertaken by Dr Matt

Cupper of Landskape. The report conducted that there were no Aboriginal cultural heritage places or

objects near the proposed work area and no Aboriginal cultural heritage places or objects were identified during the current assessment.

18505 Junction Park Darn SEAR 1330 Page 16 of 25

5 Environmental Impacts and Management

5.1 Soil and Water

5.1.1 Surface Water Runoff

There would be no increase in surface water runoff from the construction of the dam.

5.1.2 Soil and Topography

Mitigation measures:

Dam walls to be top dressed and sloped to minimise erosion

Regular inspections during construction and operation

Survey burrow pit after construction to locate and potential problematic soil profiles and

porous soils

5.1.3 Groundwater

Historical data from nearby groundwater monitoring bores indicates that groundwater is found from

5-6m below ground level.


Contractors to conduct daily prestart checks for leaks of oil, fuel and other liquids during dam

construction

Ensure adequate bunding is installed at any fuel storage tanks

The dam will be clay lined to reduce any risk of seepage

Monitor groundwater depth if possible at nearby monitoring bores

5.2 Biodiversity

5.2.1 Vegetation Clearing

There is vegetation on the proposed dam site to be cleared.

5.2.2 Threatened Species

An independent Biodiversity Assessment was completed by Dr Steve Hamilton and concluded that

the construction of the dam will not impact on the biodiversity.

5.3 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage

An Aboriginal Cultural Assessment was undertaken by Dr Matt Cupper of Landscape in consultation

with the local Aboriginal community to fully assess the impacts of the proposed dam.

The assessment concluded that:

No Aboriginal cultural heritage places or objects were identified in or near the proposed

work area

The proposed irrigation dam construction be allowed to proceed because the works will not

harm Aboriginal cultural heritage

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5.4 Traffic and Transport

Access to the site is accessible from the existing access point of the Kyalite-Weimby Road. The impact on traffic at the proposed site and nearby access roads during construction is deemed to be negligible.

Construction Stage:

Float equipment to site for duration of works.

Material for dam construction will be sourced on site.

Ongoing Operations:

Around one vehicle per day is likely to access the dam once construction is completed.

5.5 Waste Management

The proposed development will not generate waste products during construction or operation therefore minimising the risk of waste contamination. Soil excavated from the internal borrow pit will be used for the embankments and no soil will leave the property.

Mitigation measures: Soil excavated from the internal borrow pit will be used for the embankments. No hazardous or dangerous materials to be utilised No foreign soil will be brought to the site.

5.6 Air Quality

The immediate and long-term impact on air quality from the proposed darn construction and operation is deemed to be negligible. Minor levels of dust may be generated during construction.

Mitigation measures: Soil excavated from the internal borrow pot will be used for the embankments No hazardous or dangerous materials to be utilised Water spraying to be available if dust becomes an issue

5.7 Noise and Vibration

The proposed dam is located in rural agricultural area and therefore the noise and vibration impact is deemed to be negligible. The closest residence appears to be more than 3km away.

Mitigation measures: The rural location of the site will mitigate noise from dam construction Consideration will be given to the hours of the day and days of the week allowable for construction purposes. All machinery and equipment used on site will have compliant noise and vibration reduction equipment.

5.8 Visual Impacts

The proposed dam is located in rural agricultural area and therefore the visual impact is deemed to be negligible.


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5.9 Weed Management

As the site is currently used for cropping potential for weed spreading during dam construction is seen to be low.

As there are no noxious weeds in the work zone, no particular weed control actions will be required prior to commencing the earthworks. However weed hygiene control practices will be adopted to prevent new weeds arriving on site.


Contractors to conduct inspections and wash downs of equipment entering and leaving site during darn construction.

5.10 Site Preparation

Site preparation for the proposed development will consist of:

Formally marking the proposed development area (including 'no go' zones) using pegs, flagging or bunting

Marking of trees to be retained outside of the development area

Marking of trees that will be removed in the development area

Stripping and stockpiling topsoil as required Establish cut-off drains or intercept drains to redirect stormwater away from cleared areas to stable (vegetated) areas, and Installing safety signs at the entrance and as appropriate around the proposal site for the

construction period.

5.11 Rehabilitation

Topsoil and unsuitable dam building material will be stripped and stockpiled during the construction of the storage. This will be used later to top dress the banks of the on farm storage to promote vegetation growth.

5.12 Hazards and Risk

Due to the current land use, the risk of bushfire starting and spreading at the proposed dam site is considered low. The dam will provide further protection once completed. The NSW Rural Fire Service Planning for Bush Fire Protection website shows that the proposal site is within a designated bush fire prone area. A review of AS 3959-2009 Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas found no requirements for dam construction.

Fire risks

The following mitigating measures for bushfires were adopted:

No burning of timber or other combustible materials will occur on site

All plant and equipment will be equipped with fire extinguishers All vehicles and plant will be regularly serviced, be in good working order


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Earthworks/Environmental risks

To manage stockpiles and batters during construction activities the following actions will be undertaken:

Minimise the number of stockpiles, and the area and the time stockpiles are exposed

Keep topsoil and under burden stockpiles separate

Locate stockpiles away from drainage lines and where they will be least susceptible to wind

erosion

Ensure that stockpiles and batters have slopes no greater than 2:1 (horizontal/vertical)

Stabilise stockpiles and batters that will remain bare for more than 28 days by covering with

mulch or anchored fabrics or seeding with sterile grass

Establish sediment controls around un-stabilised stockpiles and batters

Suppress dust on stockpiles and batters, as circumstances demand

6 Planning Context

This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared by Price Merrett Consulting on behalf

of CanaIly Orchards Pty Ltd. The purpose of this statement is to describe the proposal, to document

the likely impacts of the proposal on the environment and to detail protective measures to be implemented.

The Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) are intended to guide the

structure and content of the EIS and reflect the concerns of NSW government agencies in relation to the environmental assessment of this dam.

The following agencies were consulted by the Department of Planning and Environment during the development of the SEAR.

AMR/ Issue Summary

Office of Environment & Heritage Biodiversity assessment

Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment

Water NSW The development will likely require Water Supply

Work Approvals and/or Flood Work Approvals

under the Water Management Act 2000.

Transport Roads & Maritime Services Assessment of the traffic impacts

Department of Primary Industries Relevant approvals under the Water Management act will need to be considered by

WaterNSW.

Environment Protection Authority NSW Proposed activity is not scheduled under the Protection of the Environment Operations (P0E0) Act and the proposed works do not

require an Environment Protection Licence.


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6.1 Legislation and approvals required

The overarching state legislation in relation to this proposal is the Environmental Planning and

Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) and Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000.

The Environmental Assessment Requirements were set out by NSW Planning and Environment and

the Environmental Impact Statement must meet the minimum form and content requirements in

clauses 6 and 7 of Schedule 2 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000.

The proposal is both a designated and integrated development under Part 4 of the Environmental

Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and requires approval under the Protection of the Environment

Operations Act 1997.

The objectives of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act (1997) are to protect, restore

and enhance the quality of the environment in New South Wales, having regard to the need to

maintain ecologically sustainable development.

The Office of Environment and Heritage has required that an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (ACH)

assessment and a detailed biodiversity assessment are undertaken to assess any potential impacts of

the proposal. These assessments have been undertaken by specialist consultants and are included as

additional documents to this report.

In addition the proposal is assessed against the relevant environmental planning instruments,

including but not limited to:

State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007;

State Environmental Planning Policy (Primary Production and Rural Development) 2019;

State Environmental Planning Policy No 55-Remediation of Land;

Balranald Local Environmental Plan 2010; and

Relevant development control plans and section 7.11 (formerly section 94) plans.

6.2 Relevant Policies

6.2.1 State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs)

State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007

Under this planning policy the proposed development is not considered exempt and requires

consent.

State Environmental Planning Policy (Primary Production and Rural Development) 2019

Under this planning policy the proposed development requires consent because its storage capacity

will be more than 15 mega litres.

State Environmental Planning Policy No 55-Remediation of Land

Under this planning policy the proposal requires consent as it is a designated development and the

works are to be carried out on land that is in a wetland and a floodway area.


6.3 Local Environmental Plans (LEPs)

Under the Balranald Shire Councils LEP the proposal site is zoned:

RU1 Primary Production Protected riparian land on the Riparian Land Map Groundwater vulnerability as shown on the Groundwater Vulnerability Map A wetland on the Waterways Map and the Natural Resources Sensitivity Map Land subject to flooding on the Flood Planning Area Map showing the proposed dam is partly

located within the land subject to flooding overlay.

The relevant objectives of the zone are:

to encourage sustainable primary industry production by

maintaining and enhancing the natural resource base.

to encourage diversity in primary industry enterprises and

systems appropriate for the area.

to encourage development that is in accordance with sound

management and land capability practices, and that takes into

account the environmental sensitivity and biodiversity of the

locality.

to support rural communities.

The proposal complies with the RU1 zone and land use objectives by encouraging primary industry by maintaining and enhancing the natural resource base.

Part 2 RU1 Primary Production

Part 6 Additional local provisions

6.1 Biodiversity The objectives of this clause are to manage and maintain the integrity of identified areas of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity significance, including:

the biological diversity of native flora and fauna and their habitats, and

the ecological processes necessary for ecosystems health.

The proposed on farm storage site is located within land that has

been identified as a wetland. The land is not identified as being of

high conservation value native vegetation. The objective of this

provision is to minimise impacts on the native flora and fauna,

their habitat and their interrelationship with the environment. The

on farm storage site is in an area on the property that has

historically been cultivated and cropped. It is unlikely that the on

farm storage will have an adverse impact on the biodiversity at the

site. As there is no vegetation to be cleared in the construction of

this proposal, it is not considered likely to have an effect on any threatened flora or fauna.


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6.2 Riparian land, waterways

and groundwater vulnerability

The objectives of this clause are to manage and maintain the integrity of identified areas of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity significance, including:

the biological diversity of native flora and fauna and their habitats, and

the ecological processes necessary for ecosystems health.

The proposed on farm storage site is located within land that has

been identified as a wetland. The land is not identified as being of

high conservation value native vegetation. The objective of this

provision is to minimize impacts on the native flora and fauna,

their habitat and their interrelationship with the environment. The

on farm storage site is in an area on the property that has

historically been cultivated and cropped. It is unlikely that the on

farm storage will have an adverse impact on the biodiversity at the

site. As there is no vegetation to be cleared in the construction of

this proposal, it is not considered likely to have an effect on any

threatened flora or fauna.

6.4 Flood Planning The objectives of this clause are as follows:

to minimise the flood risk to life and property associated with the

use of land,

to allow development on land that is compatible with the land's

flood hazard, taking into account projected changes as a result of

climate change,

to avoid significant adverse impacts on flood behaviour and the

environment.

The proposed dam is on the fringe of a floodway, therefore

minimal depths and flow rates are expected. The buildings and

infrastructure will be constructed on banks above the flood level.

6.5 Development on river The objectives of this clause are to: front areas

support the natural riverine processes, including the migration of

the river channel, and

protect and improve the bed and bank stability of rivers, and

manage and maintain the water quality of rivers, and

protect the amenity, scenic landscape values, cultural heritage of

rivers and public access to riverine corridors, and

conserve and protect riverine corridors, including wildlife habitat.

The closest river is situated approximately 941m south west to the

proposed dam. Therefore, the proposed dam will not compromise

the access to the site.


potl@i@merreit ONSUL TING

6.6 Development on riverbeds and banks

The objectives of this clause are as follows:

to manage and maintain the quality of water in rivers, to protect the environmental values, scenic amenity and cultural

heritage of rivers, to protect the stability of the bed and bank of rivers, to limit the impact of structures in rivers on natural riverine

processes and navigability of rivers.

The proposed dam will comply with the objectives under this provision. The proposed dam will not effect on the flora and fauna habitat.

6.7 Earthworks The objective of this clause is to:

to ensure that earthworks for which development consent is

required will not have a detrimental impact on environmental

functions and processes, neighbouring uses, cultural or heritage

items or features of the surrounding land

The storage will have no local catchment and will not disrupt or impede existing regional drainage patterns. This on farm storage will be established to store water only by pumping from the Murray River. The proposed construction will not change the likely future use or redevelopment of the land, except that it will allow Canally Orchards to grow a more productive horticultural crop.

6.4 Determining Authority

The determining authority is the Balranald Shire Council

6.5 Stakeholder Consultation

The following relevant stakeholders have been consulted on the proposal and their recommendations and requirements have contributed to the development of the Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) where applicable, including:

Environment Protection Authority; Office of Environment and Heritage; Department of Primary Industries; Roads and Maritime Services; WaterNSW; Balranald Shire Council; and The surrounding landowners and occupiers those are likely to be impacted by the proposal.


pitg@meneit ONSUL TING

7 Summary of Impacts and Conclusions

Canally Orchards proposes to establish an agricultural enterprise based on almond production on

their property. For the efficient and precise irrigation of an almond orchard, a 420 mega litre on farm

storage is proposed to store irrigation water pumped from the Murray River. The dam site has been

chosen because of the topography — a depression, heavier soils more suitable for holding water.

This development will have no impact on cultural heritage, the environment or the neighbourhood

environment. It is intended to construct this on farm storage in accordance with best practice

guidelines which will maximise the ongoing sustainability of the operation and limit susceptibility to environmental impacts.

The establishment of an almond orchard development in the Balranald district will benefit the local

community through direct and indirect employment creation during construction and normal

operation. This dam is necessary to ensure security of supply of irrigation water for the almond plantation.


Documents

Price Merrett Consulting Pty Ltd - Canally Orchards Pty Ltd - … · 6 Planning Context 20 F8505 Junction Park Dam SEAR 1330 Page 3 of 25 ... associated with the construction and