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Bluewaters Power Station
Phase III & IV expansion
Inspection of trees in area south
of the Power Station and along
the proposed pipeline route for
black-cockatoo nesting habitat
Prepared for
Griffin Power 3 Pty Ltd
by Strategen
April 2009
Bluewaters Power Station
Phase III & IV expansion
Inspection of trees in area south of the
Power Station and along the proposed
pipeline route for black-cockatoo
nesting habitat
Strategen is a trading name of
Strategen Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd
Suite 7, 643 Newcastle Street Leederville WA
ACN: 056 190 419
April 2009
Disclaimer and Limitation
This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of the Client, in accordance with the agreement
between the Client and Strategen (“Agreement”).
Strategen accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for it in respect of any use of or reliance
upon this report by any person who is not a party to the Agreement.
In particular, it should be noted that this report is a qualitative assessment only, based on the scope of
services defined by the Client, budgetary and time constraints imposed by the Client, the information
supplied by the Client (and its agents), and the method consistent with the preceding.
Strategen has not attempted to verify the accuracy or completeness of the information supplied by the
Client.
Copyright and any other Intellectual Property arising from the report and the provision of the services
in accordance with the Agreement belongs exclusively to Strategen unless otherwise agreed and may
not be reproduced or disclosed to any person other than the Client without the express written
authority of Strategen.
Client: Griffin Power 3 Pty Ltd
Report Version Prepared by Reviewed by Submitted to Client
Copies Date
Draft Report V2 CM/LC HV Electronic 4/2/09
Final Report Final CM/LC HV Electronic 7/4/09
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 BACKGROUND 1
1.2 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF REPORT 1
1.3 LOCATION 1
1.4 BLACK-COCKATOOS 1
1.5 POTENTIAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSAL 2
2. METHODOLOGY 5
2.1 PERSONNEL 5
2.2 AREA SOUTH OF THE POWER STATION 5
2.3 PROPOSED PIPELINE ROUTE 5
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 6
3.1 AREA SOUTH OF THE POWER STATION 6
3.1.1 Potential habitat trees 6
3.1.2 Black-cockatoos observed on site 7
3.2 PROPOSED PIPELINE ROUTE 10
3.2.1 Potential habitat trees 10
3.2.2 Black-cockatoos observed along the pipeline route 11
4. CONCLUSION 12
4.1 AREA SOUTH OF THE POWER STATION 12
4.2 PROPOSED PIPELINE ROUTE 12
5. MITIGATION 13
6. REFERENCES 20
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TGG07066 Black Cockatoo Survey Final.doc
LIST OF TABLES
1. Black-cockatoo taxa and conservation status 2
2. Potential black-cockatoo nesting trees in the area south of the Power Station site 6
3. Potential black-cockatoo habitat trees along the proposed pipeline route 10
4. Observations of black-cockatoos along pipeline route 11
LIST OF FIGURES
1. Location of survey area and potential habitat trees previously identified on
Bluewaters site 3
2. Proposed pipeline route and potential habitat trees identified 4
3. Location of potential habitat trees within survey area 8
4. Proposed pipeline route – detailed view A 14
5. Proposed pipeline route – detailed view B 15
6. Proposed pipeline route – detailed view C 16
7. Proposed pipeline route – detailed view D 17
8. Proposed pipeline route – detailed view E 18
9. Proposed pipeline route – detailed view F 19
LIST OF PLATES
1. Dead jarrah tree with potential hollow 9
2. Chewed marri nuts indicating foraging by Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos 9
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
Griffin Power 3 Pty Ltd (Griffin Power) is proposing to expand the Bluewaters Power Station facility
near Collie, by constructing and operating an additional two generator units comprising multi-fuel
boilers, steam turbine, generator and associated infrastructure. The expansion is known as Bluewaters
Power Station Phases III and IV (the Proposal) and also includes an ocean outfall pipeline to discharge
cooling blowdown water.
1.2 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF REPORT
As part of the Proposal, several large trees with the potential to provide nesting habitat for black-
cockatoos are required to be cleared on the Bluewaters Power Station site. Strategen was
commissioned to examine these trees and an area of trees south of the proposed construction site to
determine the potential nesting and foraging habitat that will remain on site after construction of the
Proposal. This will help determine the significance of the proposed clearing in the local context.
An investigation of the proposed pipeline route was also conducted to determine whether any potential
cockatoo habitat trees are located within the easement.
1.3 LOCATION
The Bluewaters Power Station (the Power Station) is located approximately 4.5 km east of Collie in
the south west of Western Australia, about 150 km south of Perth. The Power Station is located within
the Coolangatta Industrial Estate at Lot 8, Wellington Location 796, which is freehold land owned
by W.R. Carpenter Agriculture Pty Ltd, a member of the Griffin Group of Companies. The area
surveyed is a patch of grazed remnant vegetation in the south western corner of this Lot with an area
of approximately 4 ha (Figure 1). It consists of a mixture of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and Marri
(Corymbia calophylla), with the majority of the trees being regrowth, but with some large specimens.
The proposed ocean outfall pipeline would be co-located with roads or other existing infrastructure
easements and traverses the Shires of Collie, Dardanup and Harvey (Figure 2). The pipeline route
traverses several areas of open forest or woodland of Jarrah and/or Marri.
1.4 BLACK-COCKATOOS
There are three taxa of black-cockatoos that may occur in the study area; the Forest Red-tailed Black-
Cockatoo, Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo and Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo. The conservation significance
of these three taxa is outlined in Table 1.
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Table 1 Black-cockatoo taxa and conservation status
Species EPBC Act Wildlife Conservation Act 1950
Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo - Schedule 1 (Vulnerable)
Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo Vulnerable Schedule 1 (Endangered)
Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Endangered Schedule 1 (Endangered)
All three species nest in large tree hollows, often a near vertical spout (Bamford 2005). The Forest
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is known to nest in marri trees with hollows ranging from 0.12 to 0.41 m
diameter and hollow depths of 1 to 5 m (Bamford 2005).
1.5 POTENTIAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSAL
In the review of trees associated with the power station site, Bamford (2005) identified 16 large trees
with potential hollows, of which ten that will be cleared as part of the Proposal (Figure 1). These are
located in two areas of remnant vegetation, totalling approximately 4 ha. The vegetation is jarrah and
marri with no under-storey and was identified as potential foraging and breeding habitat for black-
cockatoos.
Mattiske (2008) identified several sections of the proposed pipeline route that transect vegetation units
containing jarrah and/or marri that may be potential nesting and foraging habitat. These sections
totalled approximately 16 km of the 70 km long route, however the majority of the proposed easement
in these sections has been previously cleared with most of the remnant vegetation being on the edges
of the easement.
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Figure 1 Location of survey area and potential habitat trees previously identified on
Bluewaters site
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Figure 2 Proposed pipeline route and potential habitat trees identified
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2. METHODOLOGY
2.1 PERSONNEL
The methodology for the survey was developed in consultation with Dr Mike Bamford of Bamford
Consulting Ecologists and the field survey was carried out by Carolyn McGrath and Lisa Crossing of
Strategen.
This report was prepared by Strategen and reviewed by Dr Mike Bamford.
2.2 AREA SOUTH OF THE POWER STATION
The site was visited on 14 January 2008, to assess the potential for nesting and foraging habitat. The
area south of the Power Station site was traversed systematically by foot in north-south transects and
all trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) over 600 mm1
were identified. The locations of the
trees were recorded with a hand-held GPS and the tree species, status (live/dead), DBH and number of
potential hollows in each tree that may be suitable for black-cockatoos were also recorded.
Confirming the suitability or use of these hollows by black-cockatoos was not possible during this
survey as they were only observed from the ground.
The area was also inspected for signs of foraging and the GPS locations of these foraging sites
recorded.
Any observations of cockatoos were also recorded using GPS and any behaviour noted.
2.3 PROPOSED PIPELINE ROUTE
Prior to conducting the survey, the vegetation mapping from the Flora and Vegetation Survey Report
of the proposed pipeline route (Mattiske 2008) was reviewed to determine the sections of the pipeline
route where suitable habitat trees may exist (i.e. vegetation units containing Jarrah and/or Marri).
The pipeline route was surveyed on 14 and 15 January 2008 to assess the potential for nesting habitat
within the easement. The majority of the pipeline route, where suitable vegetation was mapped by
Mattiske (2008) and trees within or adjacent to the easement that appeared to have a DBH of over
600 mm were inspected to identify any trees that may potentially support cockatoo nesting hollows.
The species, DBH, location, status (live/dead) and number of potential hollows of any potential habitat
trees were recorded.
Any signs of foraging and observations of black-cockatoos made opportunistically along the proposed
pipeline route were also recorded.
1
Previous studies have demonstrated that the minimum diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees that support Black Cockatoo
nests is 600 mm (Bancroft et al 2007).
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3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1 AREA SOUTH OF THE POWER STATION
3.1.1 Potential habitat trees
Forty nine (49) large trees were identified within the area surveyed south of the Power Station, with 22
of these observed to have potential hollows suitable for black-cockatoos (e.g. Plate 1). The location,
species, status, DBH and general notes on the hollows of the potential nest trees are given in Table 2.
Locations of trees are also presented in Figure 3.
Tree hollows were inspected from ground observation only, however, there was no obvious evidence
of black-cockatoo activity within the hollows identified. While the results indicate that there are a
large number of potential habitat trees within this area, it should be noted that they were only trees that
appeared to contain suitable hollows based on visual inspection from the ground.
Table 2 Potential black-cockatoo nesting trees in the area south of the Power Station site
Easting* Northing Species Status DBH (mm) Notes
427867 6311682 Marri live 1000 No hollows observed
427869 6311665 Jarrah dead 800 At least 3 hollows observed
427872 6311646 Marri live 600 No hollows observed
427866 6311620 Marri live 600 No hollows observed
427849 6311593 Marri live 1100 Several potential hollows
Evidence of foraging by Red-tails/Baudin’s (several nuts chewed) and Carnaby’s (1 nut)
427835 6311589 Marri live 600 No hollows observed
427843 6311629 Jarrah dead 600 2 large hollows observed
427835 6311666 Jarrah live 600 No hollows observed
427845 6311687 Marri live 650 No hollows observed
Evidence of foraging by Red-tails/Baudin’s (2 nuts)
427827 6311697 Marri live 650 No hollows observed
Evidence of foraging by Red-tails/Baudin’s (2 nuts)
427805 6311649 Jarrah live 700 No hollows observed
427780 6311625 Jarrah live 600 1 large observed, 1 potential hollow
427764 6311634 Marri live 800 No hollows observed
Evidence of foraging by Red-tails/Baudin’s (many nuts)
427757 6311635 Jarrah live 600 No hollows observed
427767 6311651 Jarrah dead 500 Several potential hollows
427787 6311674 Marri alive 900 No hollows observed
427810 6311703 Marri alive 650 No hollows observed
427793 6311719 Marri alive 800 No hollows observed
427786 6311717 Jarrah Partly dead 700 Several potential hollows
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Easting* Northing Species Status DBH (mm) Notes
427773 6311697 Jarrah alive 700 1 large hollow observed, several potential hollows
427753 6311659 Jarrah alive 800 2 potential hollows
427741 6311635 Jarrah dead 600 3 potential hollows
427714 6311664 Jarrah dead 450 1 large potential hollow
427709 6311667 Jarrah alive 500 2 potential hollows
427722 6311700 Jarrah dead 600 Several potential hollows
427741 6311739 Marri alive 650 No hollows observed
427762 6311736 Marri alive 600 No hollows observed
427751 6311743 Marri alive 600 Several potential hollows
427740 6311731 Jarrah alive 600 No hollows observed
427715 6311713 Jarrah alive 750 Several potential hollows
427698 6311709 Jarrah dead 700 No hollows observed
427695 6311708 Marri dead 600 2 potential hollows
427681 6311700 Marri alive 600 No hollows observed
427659 6311697 Jarrah alive 550 No hollows observed
427652 6311743 Marri partly dead 1200 2 large hollows observed
427660 6311754 Jarrah alive 1100 Several potential hollows
427675 6311754 Marri alive 650 No hollows observed
427678 6311766 Marri alive 900 No hollows observed
427660 6311776 Marri alive 900 1 potential hollow
427663 6311778 Marri partly dead 800 2 potential hollows
427653 6311780 Marri alive 700 No hollows observed
427633 6311776 Jarrah partly dead 800 2 large hollows observed
427619 6311775 Jarrah dead 650 No hollows observed
427598 6311779 Marri alive 900 No hollows observed
427594 6311794 Marri alive 1200 No hollows observed
Evidence of foraging by Red-tails/Baudin’s (2 nuts)
427600 6311812 Jarrah alive 750 No hollows observed
427612 6311827 Marri alive 800 No hollows observed
427617 6311821 Marri alive 1100 1 potential hollow
427630 6311819 Marri dead 1100 1 potential hollow
* Coordinates in map datum GDA 94
3.1.2 Black-cockatoos observed on site
Four Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos were observed perching on the branches of a marri within the survey
area (427737E 6311737N). Evidence of foraging by black-cockatoos (marri nuts with feed marks),
mostly indicating foraging by Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos (Plate 2) and Forest Red-tailed Black-
Cockatoos, was noted below several marris within the study area (Table 2). No other behaviour was
noted.
Seven Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos were also observed in a jarrah in the area proposed to be cleared
directly north of the study area (427889E 6311874N).
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Figure 3 Location of potential habitat trees within survey area
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Plate 1 Dead jarrah tree with potential hollow
Plate 2 Chewed marri nuts indicating foraging by Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos
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3.2 PROPOSED PIPELINE ROUTE
3.2.1 Potential habitat trees
Forty-four (44) large trees were identified along the pipeline route that had potential hollows suitable
for black-cockatoos (Figure 2; Figure 4 - Figure 9). Several other sites were noted where large
numbers of chewed marri nuts were observed. The location, tree species, status, DBH and general
notes on the hollows of the potential nest trees are given in Table 3. Tree hollows were only inspected
from the ground, however, there was no obvious evidence of black-cockatoo activity within these
hollows. Two sections along the pipeline route with vegetation classified as open forest of Jarrah and
Marri (Mattiske 2008) were inaccessible during this survey. Suitable habitat trees may also exist
within these sections. All potential habitat trees recorded along the pipeline route were located
adjacent to or on the edge of the existing easement or road. Therefore, detailed design of the pipeline
route should enable most of these trees to be avoided.
Table 3 Potential black-cockatoo habitat trees along the proposed pipeline route
Easting Northing Species Status DBH (mm) Notes
421143 6311433 Marri live 1200 No hollows observed
Evidence of foraging by Red-tails/Baudin's
420953 6311348 Marri live 900 No hollows observed
Evidence of foraging by Red-tails/Baudin's
420872 6311308 Marri live 1600 No hollows observed
Evidence of foraging by Red-tails/Baudin's
420497 6311149 Marri live 650 No hollows observed
Evidence of foraging by Red-tails/Baudin's
418362 6311591 Marri live 850 1 potential hollow
418592 6311483 Marri live 900 1 potential hollow
Evidence of foraging by Red-tails/Baudin's & Carnaby's
418664 6311444 Jarrah live 1500 3 potential hollows
418171 6311693 Marri live 900 1-2 potential hollows
418071 6311665 Jarrah dead 900 3 potential hollows
417698 6311713 Marri live 800 3-4 large potential hollows
417009 6311651 Jarrah live 1000 1 potential hollow
416926 6311661 Jarrah live 700 1 potential hollow
416866 6311675 Jarrah live 1200 1 good potential hollow (bees’ nest on same tree)
416696 6311711 Marri live 1000 1 potential hollow
416628 6311728 Marri live 1400 1 potential hollow
411347 6312235 Jarrah live 1100 1 potential hollow
411615 6312194 Jarrah live 2000 several potential hollows
411795 6312152 Marri live 650 1 potential hollow
412097 6312416 Marri live 1000 1 potential hollow
412098 6312127 Jarrah live 1100 1 potential hollow
412292 6312104 Marri live 900 2 potential hollows
409556 6312063 Marri live 1200 1 large potential hollow, 2 small potential hollows
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Easting Northing Species Status DBH (mm) Notes
409417 6312088 Jarrah partial dead 1600 5 hollows, some large observed
408446 6312537 Jarrah live 1100 Several potential small hollows
408313 6312587 Marri partly dead 900 2 potential hollows
408232 6312637 Jarrah partly dead 1200 1 potential hollow observed
407937 6312762 Jarrah dead 1300 1 large potential hollow observed
407841 6312787 Jarrah live 700 1 potential hollow
407850 6312790 Marri live 700 1 potential hollow
403433 6314872 Jarrah live 1500 3 potential hollows
402639 6315239 Marri partly dead 1400 large hollow
401850 6315594 Jarrah partly dead 1600 Several potential hollows
401675 6315677 Jarrah live 700 1 potential hollow
401683 6315680 Marri live 1000 2 potential hollows
401286 6315853 Jarrah live 800 1 potential hollow
401166 6315904 Jarrah partly dead 1100 3 potential hollows
401066 6315959 Jarrah live 600 1 potential hollow
400994 6315996 Jarrah dead 1100 several hollows both large and small
400784 6316087 Jarrah live 1300 3 large hollows
393746 6314712 Marri live 900 3 large hollows
~393130 ~6314566 unknown dead ~1000 Possibly potential hollows but unable to stop vehicle in vicinity
388386 6315948 Marri live 900 2 potential hollows
388399 6316000 Marri live 800 3 small potential hollows
388404 6316048 Marri live 1000 2 potential hollows
388399 6316420 Marri live 1200 1-2 large potential hollows
Evidence of foraging by Red-tails/Baudin’s
388402 6316819 Marri dead 900 1 potential hollow
386890 6317743 Marri live 600 1 potential hollow
386864 6317748 Marri live 1200 2 potential hollows
3.2.2 Black-cockatoos observed along the pipeline route
Black-cockatoos were observed in three locations along the proposed pipeline route (Table 4).
Table 4 Observations of black-cockatoos along pipeline route
Easting Northing Species Description
410088 6311803 Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Five individuals flew overhead
408038 6312747 unknown Birds heard but not seen
403279 6314920 Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Five individuals in Marri - evidence of foraging on ground
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4. CONCLUSION
4.1 AREA SOUTH OF THE POWER STATION
These results indicate that the 4 ha of vegetation within the Bluewaters property and immediately
south of the proposed expansion, contains large trees with potential hollows that may be suitable as
breeding habitat for black-cockatoos. The 4 ha of vegetation, previously surveyed by Bamford (2005),
to be partially cleared contains approximately 16 large trees with potential hollows, of which ten will
be cleared, and the 4 ha area to the south to be conserved contains approximately 22 large trees with
potential hollows. Therefore, approximately 74% of the vegetation on the property suitable for black-
cockatoos breeding and foraging, will be conserved after construction of the Proposal.
The proposed clearing is not likely to affect the abundance or extent of black-cockatoos in the area as
vegetation will be retained locally (on site) and there are also large areas of potential habitat nearby
within State Forest.
4.2 PROPOSED PIPELINE ROUTE
There are large trees with potential hollows on the edge of, or immediately adjacent to, the 20 m wide
indicative pipeline route. Most if not all of these trees can be avoided in the detailed pipeline design
and construction.
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5. MITIGATION
Avoidance is the most desirable mitigation strategy for any potential clearing of black-cockatoo
habitat and this will be possible along most, if not all of the pipeline route.
However, within the Power Station site, there is no feasible way to avoid the clearing of the vegetation
that is directly adjacent to the existing infrastructure. The potential mitigation measures on site that
may be implemented for any clearing of black-cockatoo habitat include:
1. The retention of the remnant vegetation south west of the Power Station which has been shown to
contain potential nesting and foraging habitat for black-cockatoos.
2. Any suitable hollows that exist in the trees to be cleared can be salvaged and the piece of wood
containing the hollow attached to suitable large trees within the area to be conserved. The
salvaged hollows may need to be modified slightly to create good nesting sites for black-
cockatoos and to lessen the likelihood of feral bees using the hollow.
3. Planting new forage trees around the area of vegetation to be retained.
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Figure 4 Proposed pipeline route – detailed view A
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Figure 5 Proposed pipeline route – detailed view B
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Figure 6 Proposed pipeline route – detailed view C
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Figure 7 Proposed pipeline route – detailed view D
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Figure 8 Proposed pipeline route – detailed view E
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Figure 9 Proposed pipeline route – detailed view F
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6. REFERENCES
Bamford Consulting Ecologists 2005, Inspection of trees on Bluewaters Farm (Coolangatta Industrial
Estate) for nesting by Black-Cockatoos, prepared for The Griffin Group.
Bancroft, W., Metcalf, B. and Bamford, M. 2007, Fauna Values of Griffin Coal’s proposed Ewington
conveyor alignment, unpublished report prepared for The Griffin Group, Bamford Consulting
Ecologists, Kingsley.
Mattiske Consulting Pty Ltd 2008, Flora and Vegetation survey of Bluewaters Phases III and IV
Indicative Ocean Outfall Pipeline Vegetation Survey, Prepared for Griffin Power 3 Pty Ltd, July
2008.
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