Environment - NorthLink WA
Environment
We seek to achieve balanced and sustainable outcomes for the community. Responsible environmental stewardship in developing and maintaining the road network is critical to our success.
We are committed to:
- Protecting and enhancing the environmental values of road reserves;
- Minimising the impact on the natural environment of roads and road use; and
- Conserving natural resources and minimising energy consumption and waste.
Environmental impacts of NorthLink WA must be managed as part of construction. Environmental Management Plans ensure that we carefully manage the local environment and meet strict environmental conditions determined by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
Environmental Assessment
Tonkin Grade Separations
NorthLink WA - Tonkin Grade Separations has been assessed by the Australian Department of the Environment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and has received approval. The State Department of Environment Regulation has granted a Native Vegetation Clearing Permit.
As part of the assessment process, the public had the opportunity to submit comments on the project's documentation from 8 to 22 July 2015.
We have published our responses to public submission.
The Tonkin Grade Separation project was issued approval under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 on 7 December 2015 (EPBC 2014/7385) and included a number of conditions that we are required to fulfil.
As per Condition 4 of approval EPBC2014/7385, the EPBC Act Compliance Report for 2020 (and previous reporting years) has been produced and is published below. The Compliance Report addresses compliance with each of the Conditions outlined in approval EPBC2014/7385.
Perth-Darwin National Highway (Swan Valley Section)
NorthLink WA includes a new 37 km high standard link from the intersection of the Reid and Tonkin Highways to Muchea, previously referred to as the Swan Valley Bypass and the Perth-Darwin National Highway.
A Public Environmental Report (PER) has been prepared for the Perth–Darwin National Highway (Swan Valley Section, between Reid Highway and Muchea) by Main Roads Western Australia in accordance with the Western Australian Environmental Protection Act 1986 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The PER document describes the proposal, examines the likely environmental effects and the proposed environmental management procedures associated with the proposed development.
The PER was available for public review and comment from September 7 to October 6 2015. In December 2015, we submitted responses to the public submissions receive to the Environmental Protection Authority and the Commonwealth Development of the Environment. The proposal is currently undergoing further assessment within these departments.
We are no longer providing hard copies and/or CD versions of the PER. Electronic copies of the PER are available on our Public Environmental Report page.
As per condition 7 of approval EPBC 2013/7042, an EPBC Act Compliance Report has been produced and is required to be published on our website. The Compliance Report addresses compliance with each of the conditions outlined in approval EPBC 2013/7042.
Environmental Management Plans
Central and Northern sections have received State and Commonwealth Environmental approvals. To meet the conditions of these approvals, we have developed a series of Conditional Environmental Management Plans to guide the construction of NorthLink WA and ensure all works are delivered in an environmentally responsible manner. The following plans have been approved by the Office of Environmental Protection Authority.
- Compliance Assessment Report 2020 - PDF
- Compliance Assessment Report 2019 - PDF
- Compliance Assessment Report 2018 - PDF
- Compliance Assessment Report 2017 - PDF
- Infrastructure Report 2020 - PDF
- Tonkin Grade Separations EPBC Compliance Report - 2019 - PDF
- Tonkin Grade Separations EPBC Compliance Report - 2018 - PDF
- Tonkin Grade Separations EPBC Compliance Report - 2017 - PDF
- Annual Compliance Report 2020 - PDF
- Amenity (noise) Condition Environmental Management Plan - PDF
- Baseline Survey Report Inland Waters Environmental Quality Hydrological Processes - PDF
- Baseline Survey Report Flora Vegetation Inland Waters Environmental Quality Hydrological processes - PDF
- Caladenia huegelii Habitat Management Plan - PDF
- Compliance Assessment Plan - PDF
- Fauna Construction Condition Environmental Management Plans - PDF
- Flora and Vegetation Construction Condition Environmental Management Plan - PDF
- Flora and Vegetation Indirect Impacts Condition Environmental Management Plan - PDF
- Flora and Vegetation Inland Waters Hydrological Processes Baseline Survey Plan - PDF
- Flora and Vegetation Inland Waters Hydrological Processes Condition Environmental Management Plan - PDF
- Flora and Vegetation Progressive Rehabilitation Condition Environmental Management Plan - PDF
- Infrastructure Plan 2017 - PDF
- Inland Waters Hydrological Processes Baseline Survey Plan - PDF
- Inland Waters Hydrological Processes Condition Environmental Management Plan - PDF
- Ioppolo Road Site Land Acquisition and Management Plan - PDF
- Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Offsets Strategy - PDF
- SCP20a Offsets Strategy - PDF
Note: Conditional Environmental Management Plans are subject to change.
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Perth - Darwin National Highway (Swan Valley Section) |
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Report Sections |
Related Files |
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Cover Invitation to Make a Submission Executive Summary Table of Contents:
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 Cover - Chapter 3 |
| 4. Detailed Description of Proposal | Chapter 4 |
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5. Regulatory Context
6. Stakeholder Consultation
7. Environmental Impact Assessment Framework
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Chapter 5 - 07 |
| 8. Flora and Vegetation | |
| 9. Terrestrial Fauna | |
| 10. Hydrological Processes and Inland Waters Environmental Quality | Chapter 10 |
| 11. Amenity (Noise and Vibration) | |
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12. Rehabilitation and Decommissioning
13. Aboriginal Heritage
14. European Heritage
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Chapter 12 - 14 |
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15. Amenity (Reserves)
16. Matters Protected Under the EPBC Act
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Chapter 15 - 16 |
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17. Offsets
18. Conclusion
19. Glossary
20. References
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Chapter 17 - 20 |
Appendices |
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A. Study Team
B. Environmental Scoping Document
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Appendix A - B |
| C. Level 2 Spring Flora and Vegetation Assessment | |
| D. Dieback Assessment | |
| E. Gaston Road Threatened Ecological Community Hydrogeological Review | Appendix E |
| F. Environmental Management Plan | Appendix F |
| G. Level 2 Targeted Fauna Assessment | |
| H. Drainage Strategy | |
| I. Wetland Assessment | |
| J. Position Paper – Twin Swamps Hydrology | Appendix J |
| K. Preliminary Acid Sulfate Soil Investigation | |
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L. Position Paper – Groundwater Level Impact from Construction Dewatering and Groundwater Abstraction
M. Position Paper – Road Embankment Compaction Assessment
N. Position Paper – Ellen Brook Nature Reserve
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Appendix L to N |
| O. Traffic Noise Assessment | |
| P. Aboriginal Heritage Desktop Assessment | Appendix P |
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Q. Ethnographic Aboriginal Heritage Survey
R. Aboriginal Archaeological Assessment
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Appendix Q - R |
| S. European Heritage Desktop Assessment | |
| T. Archaeological Assessment of the Forestry Department's Divisional Headquarters | |
| U. Historic Heritage Report – Forestry Department's Divisional Headquarters | Appendix U |
| V. Preliminary Black Cockatoo Offset Considerations | |
| Response to Submissions - Perth–Darwin National Highway | |
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Main Report |
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Cover
Contents
1 Introduction
2 Proposal Update
3 Spring Ecological Surveys
4 Amenity (Noise and Vibration)
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Cover - Chapter 4 |
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5 Matters Protected Under the EPBC Act
6 Environmental Offsets
7 Response to Office of the Environmental Protection Authority Issues
8 Response to Department of Parks and Wildlife Issues
9 Response to Department of Water Issues
10 Response to Department of Environment Regulation Issues
11 Response to Other Government Agency Issues
12 Response to Issues Raised by the Public
13 Consolidated List of Environmental Outcomes and Proposed Management Measures
14 Glossary
15 References
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Chapter 5 - 15 |
Appendices |
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A OEPA Summary 03_PDNH_RTS_AppendixA |
Appendices B - E |
| F Analysis to Investigate TEC SCP 20a Presence G Analysis of Floristic Data from Ioppolo Road and Hepburn Avenue to Assign Sites to Floristic Community Types H Further Information on Darwinia foetida |
Appendices F - H |
| I Revised Transportation Noise Assessment | |
| J EPBC Act Offset Assessment Guide – Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo K EPBC Act Offset Assessment Guide – Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo L EPBC Act Offset Assessment Guide – SCP20a M Technical Advice on Fauna Issues |
Appendix J - M |
| Response to Submissions (Addendum) - Perth–Darwin National Highway | Addendum |
| Response to Submissions (Addendum No. 2) - Perth–Darwin National Highway | Addendum No. 2 |
We have had a formal Sustainability Policy in place since 2006 which has guided our approach to sustainability. In 2015, a renewed focus on sustainability was introduced with the release of our current strategic direction, Keeping WA Moving and as a result, a refreshed Sustainability Policy was approved in 2015-16.
Sustainability, is about creating lasting benefits through an integrated consideration of social, environmental and economic aspects in all that we do.
To facilitate this commitment, sustainability has been included in project objectives.
We have promoted sustainability practices throughout the project development phase and through procurement of delivery contracts in the following ways:
- Early registration for a rating with the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (IS Rating).
- Delivery contractors are required to manage the IS Rating process and to achieve a minimum of an 'Excellent' rating for each section.
- Delivery contractors are required to develop sustainability initiatives that address project-specific issues such as materials use, waste, community connectivity and water quality.
A number of challenges were identified as being critical in delivering better outcomes for the project. The team used these 'focus areas' to identify opportunities for an improved design. We are applying the IS Rating (and progress towards achieving this rating) as a benchmark for performance across current and future projects.
NorthLink WA General Initiatives
- Improvements to the cycling network, recognising that the uptake of electric bikes will make cycling a more viable transport mode for longer distances. For example a four metre-wide Principal Shared Path (PSP) to extend the Perth bicycle network, will improve access to Ellenbrook, Malaga and recreational areas along the alignment. Wider paths cater for increased volumes of pedestrians, people on bikes and more variability in speeds.
- Reducing use of raw materials through trials of alternative and recycled materials, and innovative designs for some structures.
- Reducing operational energy use through trials of more efficient lighting options.
Southern Section
Delivery contractor for the Southern Section, John Holland, has used sustainability as a catalyst to promote innovation across all areas of economic, environmental and social responsibility.
Lifecycle assessment tools were used to assess the environmental aspects and impacts of the project over its 100-year design life. This allowed decisions to be made on lower impact options for materials, energy and water during construction and operation.
Some of the initiatives include:
- adaptive and dimming lighting to save energy
- asphalt treatments that improve and extend the life of pavement as well as using recycled product
- a three-pin arch pedestrian underpass for improved visibility
- a supplier sustainability day to raise awareness for suppliers about sustainability requirements
- a grade separated roundabout at Morley Drive that offers safety benefits for motorists with a reduction of conflict points, and encourages a free-flowing interchange reducing congestion and associated emissions
- a trial of a solar powered permanent variable message sign (VMS) using wireless communication technology
A testament to the Southern Section team’s commitment was a recent achievement of a Leading Design Rating from the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA). The design achieved a score of 93 - the highest score to date in WA, and the second highest ISCA Design score ever for transport infrastructure projects in Australia.
The Southern Section’s Annual Project Sustainability Report for 2016-17 is available to download.
Download our case study on Promoting a positive sustainability culture
Central Section
Delivery contractor for the Central Section, Great Northern Connect, a joint venture between BGC Contracting and Laing O’Rourke, is committed to the delivery of this section in a way which seeks to enhance economic and social development, while minimising negative impacts on the natural, built and social environment between Reid Highway and Ellenbrook.
Some of the initiatives include:
- choosing more efficient construction equipment
- optimising resource usage
- providing habitat connectivity through a fauna bridge
- water quality management
- providing improved cycling and pedestrian connectivity
- sustainable procurement and supplier engagement.
The Central Section has developed a Sustainability Statement available to download.
Northern Section
Delivery contractor for the Northern Section, CPB Contractors, is committed to ‘respect for the community and environment’ and is working to consistently identify and implement opportunities for improved efficiency and environmental performance.
Some of the initiatives include:
- construction methods that use less energy
- sustainable procurement
- sharing sustainability performance and knowledge (including mistakes)
- use of recycled materials
- investigating indigenous partnerships to enhance heritage values in areas such as landscaping, art, conservation/ environmental management or education.
The Northern Section has developed a Project Sustainability Policy, available to download.