PORT HEDLAND SOLAR PROJECT - GREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN - EPA WA
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PORT HEDLAND SOLAR PROJECT
GREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN
5 APRIL 2022
DOCUMENT ID: ALI-PHS-PLA-REV_0
PREPARED FOR ALINTA ENERGY DEVELOPMENT PTY LTD
BY PRESTON CONSULTING PTY LTD
P a g e |1
GREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
Proponent contact details:
ALINTA ENERGY DEVELOPMENT PTY LTD
Contact Person: Sam Withers – Project Development Advisor
Email: Sam.Withers@alintaenergy.com.au
Phone: 0436 525 551
Street Address: Level 16, HWT Tower, 40 City Road, Southbank VIC 3006Postal Address:
Postal Address: PO Box 16196, Collins Street West, VIC 8007
Document developed by:
PRESTON CONSULTING PTY LTD
Contact: Phil Scott - Director
Email: pscott@prestonconsulting.com.au
Website: www.prestonconsulting.com.au
Phone: 0488 737 273
Street Address: Level 3, 201 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth, Western Australia, 6004
Postal Address: PO Box 3093, East Perth, Western Australia, 6892
Disclaimer:
This Report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of Alinta Energy
Development Pty Ltd and is subject to and issued in accordance with the agreement between
Preston Consulting Pty Ltd and Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd.
Preston Consulting Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of
any use of or reliance upon this Report by any third party.
Copying of any part of this Report without the express permission of Preston Consulting Pty Ltd
and Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd is not permitted.
P a g e |iGREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
DOCUMENT CONTROL
Document Title Greater Bilby Management Plan – Port Hedland Solar Project
Document
ALI-PHS-PLA-REV_0
Number
Revision Number 0
5/04/2022
Status FINAL
Phoebe Ranford -
Author Environmental Consultant 5/04/2022
Preston Consulting Pty Ltd
Signature
Chris Stanley - Associate
Checked 5/04/2022
Preston Consulting Pty Ltd
Signature
Sam Withers - Project
Development Advisor
Authorisation 5/04/2022
Alinta Energy Development
Pty Ltd
Signature
P a g e | iiGREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Alinta Energy is proposing to carry out the staged development of a new 90 MW AC solar facility
on Unallocated Crown Land nearby Alinta Energy’s existing Port Hedland Power Station.
Ultimately, the new solar facility will consist of a 90 MW AC solar farm, up to three new 33/66 kV
step-up transformers and a short (~2 km) combined underground and overground 66 kV
connection to the existing Port Hedland Power Station 66 kV switchyard (the Project). The Project
will supply power to Alinta Energy’s 66 kV Port Hedland power system for which Alinta Energy is
the network service provider. The first stage will involve the development of a 40 MW facility
with a combined underground and overground utilising either a 33 kV or 66 kV connection to the
existing Port Hedland Power Station switchyard. The Proposal is located approximately 5 km
south-west of South Hedland, adjacent to Great Northern Highway.
Detailed and targeted fauna surveys undertaken by Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd in
2021, identified evidence of Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) along the minor drainage line on the
eastern side of the Project Area and in the long unburnt sandplain habitat to the west of the Project
Area. No evidence of Greater Bilby was identified in the southern and central portions of the
Project Area where clearing of native vegetation will be conducted.
This Bilby Management Plan has been developed in order the ensure that construction and
operational activities of the Project are carried out in a manner that minimises impacts to Greater
Bilby and Greater Bilby habitat.
P a g e | iiiGREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
Table 1: Summary
Proposal Name Port Hedland Solar Project
Proponent Name Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
Ministerial Statement
NA
number
Purpose of this To ensure construction and operational activities of the proposal are carried out in
Management Plan a manner that minimises impacts to the Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis).
Key environmental factor Terrestrial Fauna.
EPA’s environmental To protect terrestrial fauna so that biological diversity and ecological integrity are
objective maintained.
Condition clauses NA
Key components The key components of this Bilby Management Plan include avoiding, minimising
and reducing the impacts of the Proposal by:
• Avoiding clearing Bilby habitat along the minor drainage channel on the
eastern side of the Project Area;
• Restricting disturbance and vegetation clearing to designated areas, vehicle
movement to designated tracks, and all other infrastructure to approved
cleared areas;
• Monitor Bilby activity to determine presence or absence within and around
the Project Area;
• Monitor feral predator activity and implement feral predator control
procedures;
• Implementing a weed management procedures for vehicles and machinery
entering and leaving the Project Area, to ensure they are free from soil and
vegetative material and are restricted to designated tracks or approved areas
only;
• Implementing fire prevention measures and procedures to prevent or
minimise the occurrence of fire within the Project Area;
• Implementing hydrocarbon or pollutant management engineering and design
controls, to reduce the likelihood of spills occurring; and
• Implementing dust suppression procedures and controls.
Proposed Construction October 2022
Date
EMP required pre- No
construction?
P a g e | ivGREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
CONTENTS
1 CONTEXT, SCOPE AND RATIONALE ........................................................................................... 1
Project Description................................................................................................................................................. 1
Purpose of this Management Plan .................................................................................................................. 3
Relevant Environmental Factors ..................................................................................................................... 3
Approvals .................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Bilby Information.................................................................................................................................................... 4
Status ............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Ecology and Distribution...................................................................................................................................... 4
Key Threats ................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Rationale and Approach ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Survey Findings......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Key Assumptions and Uncertainties ..............................................................................................................10
Management Approach ......................................................................................................................................10
Rationale for Choice of Provisions .................................................................................................................10
2 COMPONENTS ................................................................................................................................ 12
Objectives..................................................................................................................................................................12
Draft Recovery Plan Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 12
Environmental Protection Authority Objective ....................................................................................... 12
Environmental objectives and outcomes for this plan .........................................................................13
Management Actions, Targets and Monitoring ...................................................................................... 13
Implementation .....................................................................................................................................................16
Bilby Surveys ............................................................................................................................................................ 16
Feral predator control.........................................................................................................................................17
Fire Management...................................................................................................................................................17
3 ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT AND REVIEW .............................................................................. 18
4 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION ............................................................................................. 18
5 GLOSSARY........................................................................................................................................ 19
6 REFERENCES................................................................................................................................... 20
P a g e |vGREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Summary .............................................................................................................................................................iv
Table 2: Environmental report and survey programs undertaken to-date ...............................................5
Table 3: Management objectives and actions...................................................................................................... 14
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Indicative layout of the Project .................................................................................................................2
Figure 2: Bilby records and fauna habitat within the Study Area (Phase 1) .............................................7
Figure 3: Location of secondary Bilby evidence from Phase 1 and Phase 2 ..............................................8
Figure 4: Fire history of the Study Area and locations of secondary evidence of significant fauna
species ....................................................................................................................................................................................9
P a g e | viGREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
1 CONTEXT, SCOPE AND RATIONALE
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd (Alinta Energy) is proposing to carry out the staged
development of a new 90 Megawatt (MW) Alternating Current (AC) solar facility on Unallocated
Crown Land nearby Alinta Energy’s existing Port Hedland Power Station (PHPS). Ultimately, the
new solar facility will consist of a 90 MW AC solar farm, up to three new 33/66 kilovolt (kV) step-
up transformers and a short (~2 kilometre (km)) combined underground and overground 66 kV
connection to the existing PHPS 66 kV switchyard (the Project). The Project will supply power to
Alinta Energy’s 66 kV Port Hedland power system for which Alinta Energy is the network service
provider. The first stage will involve the development of a 40 MW facility with a combined
underground and overground utilising either a 33 kV or 66 kV connection to the existing PHPS
switchyard. The Proposal is located approximately 5 km south-west of South Hedland, adjacent
to Great Northern Highway.
The concept design for the Proposal includes:
• Formalised access to the site approximately 750 metres (m) south of the intersection of
Great Northern Highway and Boodarie Station Access Road;
• A security fence around the solar panel equipment, including security cameras and
lighting;
• Approximately 220,000 solar panels equating to 90 MW AC. These panels will be fixed
tilt, cyclone rated and mounted on steel piles;
• Up to 35 km of cabling connecting the solar panels;
• A control room;
• Up to three 33/66 kV step-up transformers;
• Approximately 2 km transmission connection from the solar farm to the existing PHPS
66 kV switchyard. This will be a combination of buried cable and overhead line;
• Up to 9 km of access tracks; and
• Temporary construction compound including site offices and amenities, vehicle and
plant parking and laydown areas.
The Project Area will consist of two development envelopes of totalling 404.99 hectares (ha). The
development envelopes are comprised of a 342.8 ha Solar Development Envelope and a 62.19
Transmission and Access Development Envelope (Figure 1).
Development of the Project will require, subject to the finalised design, the clearing of up to 280 ha
of land variably and sparsely covered in native vegetation within the Project Area. This has the
potential to impact on known habitat for a local population of Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis;
hereafter referred to as the Bilby). The Project location and development envelopes are shown in
Figure 1. A summary of the Project details and the BMP are provided in Table 1.
P a g e |1661000 662000 663000 664000 665000
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Datum: GDA94
Projection: MGA Zone 50
Date: 31/03/2022
Status: Draft
Figure: 1
Sheet Size: A3
Internal Reference: PH_Solar_NVCP_R8
Figure 1: Project Development Envelopes Drawn by: GSM
Requested by: SW
661000 662000 663000 664000 665000GREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
PURPOSE OF THIS MANAGEMENT PLAN
The purpose of this BMP is to ensure that impacts to the Bilby during construction and operation
of the Project are avoided and reduced as far as possible through the implementation of good
practice management measures. This BMP provides management actions and monitoring
measures that will deliver conservation outcomes for the Bilby and account for the residual
impacts associated with habitat loss from the construction of the Project.
This BMP includes:
• Spatially accurate, rectified and geographically referenced maps showing the location of
the Bilby records in relation to the Project Area;
• An outlined Avoidance Envelope excluded from the Project Area due to evidence Bilby
activity;
• Management actions that will be undertaken to prevent indirect impacts to Bilby and Bilby
habitat from weeds, feral predators, fire, hydrocarbon or other environmental
contamination and dust deposition;
• Management actions to be implemented that aim to ensure the management targets are
achieved; and
• Monitoring methodology including the frequency, timing and assessment methodology.
This BMP also includes sections on both adaptive management and review, and stakeholder
engagement to ensure it aligns with the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) current
instructions on the development of Environmental Management Plans (EPA, 2021).
The management measures and monitoring identified are expected to ensure that the impacts on
Bilby are not significant.
RELEVANT ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
The Western Australian (WA) EPA’s Environmental Factor relevant to this BMP is Terrestrial
Fauna. The EPA’s objective for this Environmental Factor is to protect terrestrial fauna so that
biological diversity and ecological integrity are maintained.
APPROVALS
The Project is being referred to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
(DAWE) under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
It is anticipated that the Project will receive a ‘Not Controlled Action - Particular Manner’ decision
based on the measures undertaken to reduce impacts to Bilby.
The Project will also be referred to the EPA. It is anticipated that this referral will be submitted in
April 2022.
P a g e |3GREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
BILBY INFORMATION
STATUS
The Bilby is listed as Vulnerable under the Commonwealth EPBC Act and the Western Australian
Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act). In addition to legislative protection, this species is
also important culturally to Traditional Owners (Paltridge 2016; Walsh & Custodians of the Bilby
2016).
ECOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION
The Bilby occurs in two main separate geographic areas: one extending from the western desert
of the Northern Territory to the Pilbara and Kimberley regions in Western Australia; and one in
south-western Queensland.
The species is solitary and shelters in burrows during daylight and intermittently during the night.
It occupies three main habitat types across its’ distribution (Threatened Species Scientific
Committee (TSSC) 2016):
• Open tussock grassland on uplands and hills;
• Acacia aneura (mulga) woodland/shrubland growing on ridges and rises; and
• Hummock grassland in plains and alluvial areas.
Bilby habitat varies across the landscape, influenced by climatic zones, soil, vegetation types, and
landforms (Commonwealth of Australia 2019). Throughout WA, three landforms have been
identified as habitat; residual landforms, fluvial landforms and plains and dune fields (Cramer et
al. 2016).
Bilbies are highly mobile and have large foraging ranges, with adult females moving up to 1.5 km
between burrows on consecutive days, and adult males moving up to 5 km between burrows on
consecutive days (Commonwealth of Australia 2019). Studies have indicated an average home
range of 0.18 km2 for females and 3.16 km2 for males, with numerous active and disused burrows
present within this range (Commonwealth of Australia 2019).
The Bilby is an omnivore that digs for food, with a diet consisting of invertebrates such as insect
larvae, termites, ants, grasshoppers, spiders and beetles, and other items such as seeds, bulbs and
fungi (TSSC 2016). Some of the key food sources are dependent on fire history (Commonwealth
of Australia 2019).
KEY THREATS
The key threats to the Bilby include (Commonwealth of Australia 2019):
• Predation by feral predators including cats (Felis catus) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes);
• Habitat loss and fragmentation;
• Domestic and other introduced species;
• Unmanaged fire;
• Loss of Traditional Owner knowledge and land management; and
• Reduction in population resilience and genetic fitness in wild and intensively managed
populations.
P a g e |4GREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
RATIONALE AND APPROACH
Alinta Energy’s approach to management used in this BMP is to emphasise managing impacts
through planning, organisation and controlling aspects of the Project prior to project
commencement. The following hierarchical approach to manage potential impacts has been used:
• Avoidance: measures used to avoid or prevent impacts from the Project;
• Minimisation: measures taken to reduce the duration, intensity and/or extent of impact;
and
• Rehabilitate: measures taken to remediate and rehabilitate areas temporarily disturbed
during construction.
Results from surveys and study findings inform Alinta Energy’s management approach for
meeting the EPA’s environmental objective.
SURVEY FINDINGS
Phoenix have undertaken two fauna surveys within and around the Project Area including a
detailed and targeted survey. The Study Area for the survey was defined by the Section 91 Licence
Area (Figure 1; Study Area). A description of the two surveys is outlined in Table 2. The key
findings of these assessments are detailed in the following sections.
Table 2: Environmental report and survey programs undertaken to-date
Survey Description Area of Coverage Field Dates Report Title
Prior to Development
Biological survey (Phase 1) Within the Project Area March 2021 Detailed terrestrial fauna and
including: and surrounds. targeted Bilby survey for the Port
• Desktop assessment, with Hedland Solar Farm Project
emphasis on Threatened & (Phoenix, 2022).
Priority fauna;
• Detailed fauna assessment of
theStudy Area; and
• Definition and mapping of
fauna habitat, Threatened
and Priority fauna, and
related management issues.
Biological survey (Phase 2) Within the Project Area September Detailed terrestrial fauna and
including: and surrounds. 2021 targeted Bilby survey for the Port
• Targeted Bilby survey within Hedland Solar Farm Project
and around the Project Area. (Phoenix, 2022).
Secondary evidence (tracks and scats) of the Bilby was recorded from 99 locations within the
Study Area during the detailed fauna survey, however no active burrows were identified (Figure
2). The majority of the secondary evidence (87%) was recorded in or near the minor drainage
habitat in the Avoidance Envelope (Figure 1). The remaining locations were all located west of
Great Northern Highway in long unburnt sandplain habitat.
The intent of the targeted survey was to undertake new, non-invasive monitoring techniques
involving the extraction of DNA from recent scats (less than two weeks old), in conjunction with
spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) analyses (Dziminski et al. 2021). However, on return
to the Study Area, no recent scats could be located. Forty-eight scats were recorded in the Study
P a g e |5GREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
Area from the targeted Bilby survey, all of which were identified to be the remains of Bilby activity
from the detailed survey six months prior (Figure 3). Given the widespread occurrence of feral
predators throughout the Study Area, as evident from the 36 locations of secondary evidence, it is
possible that the target population was decimated in the six months between survey phases.
Additionally, the frequent fire history of the Study Area (Figure 4), most recent of which affected
approximately 300 ha (48%) of vegetation within the central and southern extents, adds further
weight to this explanation as fire creates favourable conditions for predators by destroying
suitable cover for prey (Dziminski et al. 2020). Despite an extensive and targeted effort, no
burrows were located. It was concluded that the core range of the target population is west of
Great Northern Highway, given the widespread locations of old scats recorded during the targeted
Bilby survey.
On the basis of the above, the majority of the Project Area is considered to be suitable Bilby
sandplain habitat that is currently unoccupied. The recent fire activity (less than two years; Figure
4) in the central and southern areas indicates that the Project Area is currently unoccupied. It is
likely that the regeneration of vegetation in this area over time (~ 10 years) would allow Bilby to
potentially re-occupy the area.
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Port Hedland Solar Farm Project
Study area Fauna habitat Figure 5-6
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All information within this map is current as of 8/11/2021. This product is subject to COPYRIGHT and is property of Phoenix
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representations or warranties about its accuracy, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose.
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Map 1: Records of Bilby sign from phase one Map 2: Records of Bilby sign from both phases
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Figure 3: Evidence of Bilby sign from Phase 1 and Phase 2
Alinta Energy Pty Ltd via Preston Consulting Figure 5-7
Port Hedland Solar Farm Project Study area Transect 03
Records of Bilby sign from phase
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Targeted Bilby survey area Transect 04
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All information within this map is current as of 8/11/2021. This product is subject to COPYRIGHT and is property of Phoenix Environmental Sciences (Phoenix). While Phoenix has taken care to
ensure the accuracy of this product, Phoenix make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose. Transect 02
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10 years
1:18,500 (at A4) GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50
All information within this map is current as of 2/08/2021. This product is subject to COPYRIGHT and is property of Phoenix
greater than 15 years
Environmental Sciences (Phoenix). While Phoenix has taken care to ensure the accuracy of this product, Phoenix make no
representations or warranties about its accuracy, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose. None
P:\GIS\Projects\PortHedlandSolarFarm\1388-PHS-AE-FAU\Mapping\MapDocuments\Figures\Figure_5_4_FireHistory.mxdGREATER BILBY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
KEY ASSUMPTIONS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The inability to locate recent Bilby scats prevented any DNA analysis that may have helped to
understand the local population. Phoenix (2022) concluded that the target population was likely
west of Great Northern Highway given the widespread presence of old scats recorded during the
targeted survey in this area (Figure 3).
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
The management approach developed in this document is based on the mitigation hierarchy to
ensure potential impacts to the Bilby have been avoided and minimised where possible. The
strategy focuses on avoidance primarily, followed by minimisation and rehabilitation where
applicable.
The potential impacts of the Project on Bilby have resulted in this management plan (this
document) to prescribe a particular manner of implementation to avoid and minimise direct and
indirect impacts. Implementation of the Project in this manner is expected to avoid significant
impacts to Bilby.
RATIONALE FOR CHOICE OF PROVISIONS
This BMP has been prepared in accordance with the “Instructions on how to prepare
Environmental Protection Act 1986 Part IV Environmental Management Plans” published by the
EPA to meet the environmental objective for the factor Terrestrial Fauna (EPA, 2021).
The rationale for the choice of provisions is based on implementing the management approach
described above to avoid, minimise and rehabilitate the potential impacts of the Project on the
Bilby. A critical element to this management approach is identifying and quantifying the potential
direct and indirect impacts to the Bilby caused by the Project. A summary of the potential impacts
of the Project is included in the following sections.
Direct Impacts
Loss of habitat
Survey work by Phoenix (2022) identified the Project Area as suitable Bilby sandplain habitat that
is currently unoccupied due to the recent fire history and subsequent increase in predator activity.
It is likely Bilby will utilise this portion of the Project Area in the future when the vegetation
regenerates sufficiently to provide shelter from feral predators. Up to 280 ha of sandplain habitat
is proposed to be cleared for the development of the Project which is not expected to represent a
significant proportion of locally available habitat.
Vehicle strike
During construction and operation of the Project there will be increased vehicle movement
throughout the Project Area, consequently increasing the likelihood of Bilby and vehicle collisions.
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Indirect Impacts
Weed invasion
Weeds have the potential to disperse during construction due to increased vehicle movements.
Increased weeds in Bilby habitat can prevent seedling recruitment of native plant species
therefore reducing the amount of habitat of food resources available to the Bilby. Increased weed
densities can also alter fire regimes,
Increased predation from introduced fauna
The initial clearing of habitat could increase the likelihood of predation by introduced predators
by reducing the amount of shelter and protection from native vegetation.
Erosion of Bilby habitat
Clearing of native vegetation has the potential to increase the risk of erosion from wind and
surface water run-off and cause degradation of Bilby habitat.
Other
Disruption to normal behavioural patterns from increased levels of activity in the area that could
impact on dispersal, foraging and breeding opportunities for individual Bilbies.
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2 COMPONENTS
OBJECTIVES
This BMP has been developed to ensure consistency with the Draft Recovery Plan for the Greater
Bilby (Commonwealth of Australia, 2019). The work that will be undertaken in implementing this
plan will provide an important contribution in the Roebourne Region.
Additionally, the objectives are also based on the EPA’s environmental objectives for the
Terrestrial Fauna Environmental Factor.
DRAFT RECOVERY PLAN OBJECTIVES
The Draft Recovery Plan for the Greater Bilby (Commonwealth Draft Recovery Plan) is a revision
of the National Recovery Plan for the Greater Bilby (Pavey 2006). The Commonwealth Draft
Recovery Plan aims to halt the decline and support recovery of the Bilby and provides for the
research and management actions necessary to maximise the Bilby’s chances of long-term
survival in nature (Commonwealth of Australia 2019).
The Commonwealth Draft Recovery Plan includes on-ground conservation and management
actions, which are planned to occur within a monitoring framework that measures the impact of
management. The Commonwealth Draft Recovery Plan includes supporting actions to promote
the role of Aboriginal People and land managers in Bilby conservation, provide governance and
coordination, establish and maintain monitoring and survey, and undertake research to inform
management.
The Commonwealth Draft Recovery Plan has four key objectives with associated performance
criteria, as detailed below:
• Objective 1: The size of the Greater Bilby population has grown.
• Objective 2: The area occupied by the Greater Bilby has been maintained or increased.
• Objective 3: The genetic diversity of the Greater Bilby has been maintained and retains
the potential for evolutionary change through adaption and selection.
• Objective 4: Aboriginal organisations, communities, and individuals have a greater role
in Bilby conservation.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AUTHORITY OBJECTIVE
The EPA’s environmental objectives for Terrestrial Fauna are more broadly are set out within
Environmental Factor Guideline: Terrestrial Fauna (EPA, 2016). The EPA’s objective for the
Terrestrial Fauna Environmental Factor is “to protect terrestrial fauna so that biological diversity
and ecological integrity are maintained”.
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ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES FOR THIS PLAN
The key management objectives for Bilby specific to the Project are:
1. Avoid clearing and impacts to Bilby habitat in the Project Area;
2. Prevent erosion of Bilby habitat due to activity related to the Project;
3. Prevent introduction and/or spread of weeds into Bilby habitat or adjacent areas;
4. Prevent introduction and dispersal of feral predators into Bilby habitat;
5. Prevent introduction of fire and/or spread of fire into adjacent areas; and
6. No Bilby mortality as a result of vehicle strike.
The key outcomes for Bilby specific to the Project are:
• Minimise impacts to the Bilby within the Project Area;
• No significant impacts to Bilby populations or habitat outside of the Project Area;
• Increase understanding of the population in the vicinity of the Project Area;
• Reduction in key threats across the Project Area; and
• Ensure the involvement of Traditional Owners in the implementation of conservation and
knowledge-building actions.
MANAGEMENT ACTIONS, TARGETS AND MONITORING
To achieve these objectives, management targets and actions have been developed to address the
key potential impacts associated with the Project. The management targets and actions which
will be implemented in accordance with this plan are summarised in Table 3.
Table 3 presents the environmental management objectives and actions that the Project has
implemented or will implement prior to ground disturbing activities, and during construction,
operation and closure, in order to achieve the objectives set by the EPA (2016). These actions are
focused on avoiding adverse impacts on the Bilby resulting from Project activity and will be
implemented prior to and during ground disturbance and construction activities of the Project.
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Table 3: Management objectives and actions
Management
Key Management Action Management Target Monitoring Reporting
Objective
Objective 1: • A suitably qualified person will survey for the presence of Bilby No clearing outside the Project Monitoring of vegetation To DAWE and DWER after any
Avoid clearing and before clearing works in known Bilby habitat and undertake Area. clearing will be ongoing until potential non‐compliance
impacts to Bilby relocation of individuals where required; No direct loss of, or serious clearing is complete. within seven days of potential
habitat in the Project • Clearing is only to occur within approved areas; injury to Bilby individuals as a Monitoring for Bilby will be non-compliance being known.
Area. • Boundaries of areas to be cleared or disturbed will be identified result of the Project. undertaken at least every two Reporting to DBCA in
by a Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates and maps of years. accordance with Biodiversity
boundaries will be provided to dozer operators; Conservation Act 2016
• Exclusion zones will be established around any active Bilby
burrows (should they be identified during pre-clearance surveys
or at other times during construction works);
• Exclusion zones will be demarcated with flagging prior to the
commencement of clearing and the exclusion zones are to remain
adequately marked for the duration of clearing activities;
• Conduct raised blade disturbance where practicable on tracks to
minimise vegetation removal;
• All clearing will require a permit via completion of internal
ground disturbance procedures, that will include:
o Prompts to minimise clearing;
o Demarcation of disturbance areas;
o Designated oversight responsibilities and timing of
actions; and
o General actions that ensure clearing is undertaken in
accordance with environmental approvals;
• Clearing boundaries will be clearly marked on construction
documents and within the field; and
• No clearing is conducted in existing minor drainage line.
Objective 2: • Surface water management measures (i.e. bunding) will be No evidence of soil compaction Monitoring of erosion controls Not applicable.
Prevent erosion of implemented to ensure clearing of native vegetation will not or soil erosion in areas of during construction.
Bilby habitat due to increase erosion of Bilby habitat; retained habitat as a result of
activity related to the • Erosion and sedimentation control measures will be implemented the Project.
Proposal. during all construction activities to prevent erosion and control
sediment on the site;
• Vehicles and machinery to remain on approved and/or existing
tracks to reduce soil compaction; and
• Undertake remediation and rehabilitation of areas that are
temporarily disturbed during construction.
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Management
Key Management Action Management Target Monitoring Reporting
Objective
Objective 3: • Baseline weed survey to determine weed locations and densities; No new Declared or Weeds of Assess the extent of weed Incident reports of
Prevent introduction • Weed hygiene procedures will be implemented to minimise the National Significance within infestation every six months. occurrences weed infestations,
and/or spread of risk of introducing new species to the site and surrounding areas; surrounding vegetation, Monitoring will include: during general and targeted
weeds into Bilby • Vehicles and machinery to remain on approved and/or existing attributable to the Proposal. • Targeted searches of the searches for Cenchrus ciliaris,
habitat or adjacent tracks to limit the risk of weed invasion within undisturbed areas; No significant increase in weed weed species within the Aerva javanica, Malvastrum
areas. • Movement of machines and other vehicles will be restricted within cover attributable to the Project Area; and americanum, Portulaca
the Project Area, to designated tracks or approved areas only; Project. • Weed survey outside the oleracea, and Vachellia
• Plant and soil materials will be restricted from being brought to Project Area. farnesiana
site unless approved for a specific purpose; • Invasive species control
• Weed survey to be repeated every five years to determine whether reports; and
new species have been introduced or existing infestations have • Records of equipment
expanded or intensified; and (including vehicle)
• Implement weed control measures to meet objective. washdown, hygiene
certificates and auditing.
Objective 4: • Undertake feral fauna monitoring and control measures (if No increase in feral/domestic Monitoring will be undertaken Not applicable.
Prevent introduction required) within and around the Project Area utilising Kariyarra predator activity within the at least every two years.
and dispersal of feral Rangers. Project Area.
predators into Bilby
habitat.
Objective 5 • Environmental fuel load reduction measures; No incidents of fire originating • Regular inspections of As per the Bushfire
Prevent introduction • Maintenance of existing fire breaks; within, and spreading outside firefighting equipment Management Plan.
of fire and/or spread • An Emergency Response Plan; of, the Project Area and machinery; and
of fire into adjacent • On-site firefighting capability will be established, and firefighting attributable to the Project. • Regular inspections of fire
areas. equipment located on site and in vehicles; breaks and environmental
• Fire awareness training; fuel loads in proximity to
• Specific measures to prevent accidental fires; the Project Area.
• Procedures for fire identification and reporting;
• Response procedures and fire drills;
• Implementation of a Bushfire Management Plan; and
• Work with the Traditional Owner prescribed body corporate’s
ranger program to develop burn planning to manage regional fuel
levels.
Objective 6: All construction and operation personnel to undergo induction No direct loss or serious injury Not applicable. Report any incidents of
No Bilby mortality as training on Bilby presence and behaviour and the required vehicle to Bilby individuals as a result mortality to DBCA and DAWE
a result of vehicle speed limits. of vehicle strikes. within seven days of incident.
strike.
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IMPLEMENTATION
Incident reporting and investigations will be undertaken in accordance with a Project-specific
incident reporting and investigation procedures, and root causes will be determined. Corrective
actions will be identified and implemented to address the root causes.
Incidents and non-compliances with this BMP and other management documents will be reported
and investigated in accordance with a Project-specific incident reporting and investigation
procedures, and appropriate measures implemented to prevent recurrence. Where applicable,
environmental incidents will be reported to the relevant government agency.
The following procedure will be implemented when a non-compliance occurs:
• Report the incident (within seven days), investigate the cause and identify contingency
actions;
• Implement contingency actions which may include:
o Review management measure practicality or relevance;
o Improve training and education for all personnel; and
o Improve and implement increased protective measures as necessary.
• Monitor outcomes.
BILBY SURVEYS
Ongoing survey and monitoring of Bilby underpin both the implementation of this plan, as well as
providing for meaningful engagement with Traditional Owners and building traditional
knowledge. This monitoring program has been prepared to meet and demonstrate compliance
with objectives and management targets outlined in Table 3.
Objectives
The objectives of the Bilby surveys and monitoring are to:
• Gain a better understanding of the population within and around the Project Area;
• Demonstrate that the population is being maintained; and
• Build traditional knowledge and connection to country.
Methodology
The following standard survey techniques are generally recommended for detection of the species
and may be employed all, or in part :
• Searches for a range of signs including scats, tracks, burrows and diggings in suitable Bilby
habitat;
• Searches for predator tracks and scats; and
• Two-hectare sign plot survey.
Recently, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa Rangers in the Martu Determination have collaborated with
Threatened Species Recovery Hub (TSRH; National Environmental Science Programme) to design
a monitoring program for the Bilby (TSRH 2019). This program was deemed highly successful
and helped the Traditional Owners to assess the management needs of sites for burning and/or
feral animal control. Learnings from this program will be utilised to develop a suitable plan for
the Project.
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Surveys will also be carried out in accordance with EPA’s relevant guidance for terrestrial fauna
surveys and consider the methodology in Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and
Attraction’s Guidelines for surveys to detect the presence of bilbies, and assess the importance of
habitat in Western Australia (DBCA, 2017).
FERAL PREDATOR CONTROL
Predation from feral cats, dingo / wild dogs and foxes have had a serious detrimental effect on the
conservation of the Bilby. Accordingly, feral predator control in areas of Bilby habitat is
considered important to maintain populations of the species.
Objectives
The objective of feral predator control is to reduce the threat to Bilby from feral predators in the
Project region.
Methodology
The management of feral predators includes trialling, refining and implementing introduced
predator control techniques in and around areas where Bilby occur.
A key component of the feral predator control program will be to provide opportunities to
exchange knowledge and experience on techniques between Traditional Owners.
FIRE MANAGEMENT
The habitat of the Bilby is largely driven by landscape factors including climatic zones, soil,
vegetation types, and landforms (Commonwealth of Australia 2019). The relationship between
the Bilby and fire is complex, as the fire regimes of an area can influence the availability of foraging
resources and cause increases or decreases in habitat suitability (Commonwealth of Australia
2019).
Inappropriate fire management regimes can result in large-scale fires, which reduce vegetation
cover (including foraging resources) and increased predation pressures. The key reasons to
undertake appropriate fire management activities is to minimise the risk of large-scale fires and
instead use fire to promote mosaics of vegetation through patch burning and traditional burning.
Smaller and less intense fires can promote the growth of Bilby food plants and influence
vegetation density, making the habitat more suitable for Bilby (Commonwealth of Australia 2019).
Objectives
• Adopt a Bushfire Management Plan; and
• Ensure traditional fire knowledge and burning practises are integral to the approach.
Methodology
Improvements in habitat quality via the design and implementation of fire management may be
gained via:
• Undertake landscape-scale fire management, and limit the extent and spread of wildfires
to protect sites and Bilby habitat from unmanaged fire; and
• Develop and apply fire management guidelines that protect specific habitat elements, such
as key food resources (e.g. witchetty grubs).
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3 ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT AND REVIEW
This BMP has been developed to mitigate the potential impacts of the Project identified in
Section 1.6.4 by implementing the management actions outlined in Section 2.2. The success of the
BMP will be measured against the EPA objectives for the Terrestrial Fauna factor, defined in
Section 2.1. The adaptive management and review strategy includes ongoing evaluation of
monitoring data to determine if the environmental outcomes are being met. In the event that the
BMP is failing to achieve the outcomes defined in Section 2.1, Alinta Energy will initiate a review
of the BMP.
In order to facilitate an adaptive management approach, the BMP will be revised annually from
the first year of construction. Each revision will draw on information learned in the preceding
years and will typically include a review of following:
• Key assumptions and uncertainties (Section1.6.2);
• The performance of the BMP against the outcomes (Section 2.1);
• Re-evaluation of the rationale for the choice of provisions (Section 1.6.4); and
• The consideration of any external changes during the life of the proposal.
4 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
This BMP has been structured ensure the document aligns with the EPA’s Instructions on the
development of Environmental Management Plans (EPA, 2021). Representatives from Alinta
Energy and Preston Consulting have met and liaised with Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation and DAWE to discuss the Project and presence of Bilby in the Project
Area.
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5 GLOSSARY
Term Definition
AC Alternating Current
Alinta Energy Alinta Energy Development Pty Ltd
Bilby Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis)
BMP Bilby Management Plan
DAWE Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
DBCA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
DWER Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
EPA Environmental Protection Authority
EPBC Act Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
EPC Engineer, Procure, Construct
ha Hectare
km Kilometre
kV Kilovolt
MW Megawatt
Phase 1 Detailed Fauna Survey (Phoenix 2021)
Phase 2 Targeted Bilby Survey (Phoenix 2021)
Phoenix Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd
PHPS Port Hedland Power Station
Project Port Hedland Solar Farm Project
Figure 1 – Solar Development Envelope and Transmission and Access Development
Project Area
Envelope
SECR Spatially Explicit Capture Recapture analyses
Study Area Section 91 Licence Boundary (Figure 1)
TSRC Threatened Species Recovery Hub
TSSC Threatened Species Scientific Committee
UCL Unallocated Crown Land
WA Western Australia
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6 REFERENCES
Commonwealth of Australia (2019). Recovery Plan for the Greater Bilby – DRAFT, Commonwealth
of Australia, Canberra.
Cramer, V. A., Dziminski, M. A., Southgate, R., Carpenter, F., Ellis, R. J., and van Leeuwen, S. (2016).
A conceptual framework for habitat use and research priorities for the greater Bilby (Macrotis
lagotis) in the north of Western Australia. Australian Mammalogy 39, 137–151.
Dziminski, M.A., Carpenter, F.M. and Morris, F. (2021), Monitoring the Abundance of Wild and
Reintroduced Bilby Populations. Jour. Wild. Mgmt., 85: 240-253.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21981
Environmental Protection Authority (2021). Instructions on how to prepare Environmental
Protection Act 1986 Part IV Environmental Management Plans. October 2021. Available at:
https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/Forms_and_Templates/Instructions%20-
%20Preparing%20Environmental%20Protection%20Act%201986%20PIV%20Environmental
%20Management%20Plans.pdf.
Paltridge R. (2016). What did we learn from the 2016 Ninu Festival? Desert Wildlife Services,
Alice Springs.
Pavey, C. (2006). National Recovery Plan for the Greater Bilby Macrotis lagotis. Northern Territory
Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd (2022). Detailed terrestrial fauna and targeted Bilby
survey for the Port Hedland Solar Farm Project. Unpublished report for Alinta Energy Development
Pty Ltd.
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (2016). Conservation Advice Macrotis lagotis greater
Bilby. Department of the Environment, Canberra.
Walsh F & Custodians of the Bilby 2016. Bilby is part of this country and for everybody, cultural
report about bilbies and the Ninu Festival, Kiwirrkura, 2016. Report to Central Desert Native Title
Services, Alice Springs.
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