top of page

Aesthetics, Air Quality and Bushfire Assessments

Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment

Overview

The Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment (LCVIA) was done by a third-party company, Spackman Mossop Michaels, and covers the Snowy Hydro 2.0 Main Works. The assessment identifies the study areas through 7 Landscape Character Zones (LCZs).

The aim of the assessment is to document the potential landscape character and visual impacts of the Main Works. It assesses the existing natural landscape, the existing cultural landscape, the landscape character and zones, and the sensitivity of the setting. As well it looks at the magnitude of change from the proposed project, the visual catchment of proposed surface elements, the observational visibility of surface elements, and the visual impact of all proposed surface elements. These elements will assess the cumulative landscape character impact, cumulative visual impact, and measures to mitigate the impacts of the proposed elements. The assessments were done in accordance with the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for the Main Works.

The 7 LCZs were categorized and assessed for their landscape character sensitivity. Magnitude is measured from the existing landscape and the compatibility of the proposed element of the development and sensitivity is measured by the contrast of the development/piece of infrastructure within the existing landscape, or the necessary modification of the existing landscape. Together these assessments characterize the landscape. For the operation (post-construction), they are as follows:

  1. Talbingo reservoir - high sensitivity - moderate magnitude

  2. Talbingo Rugged Woodland- high sensitivity - low magnitude

  3. Lobs Hole - moderate sensitivity  - low magnitude

  4. Gooandra Plateau - moderate sensitivity- negligible magnitude

  5. Tantangara Woodland- high sensitivity - negligible magnitude

  6. Tantangara Reservoir and Foreshore- high sensitivity - high magnitude

  7. Rock Forest - moderate sensitivity - N/A magnitude

However, these values are found to be higher during the construction period.

Critique

The assessment only reviews the Main Works and does not include the transmission works proposed by TransGrid. However, the cumulative effects of the Main Works along with the TransGrid project were analyzed.

 

The assessment covers many topics and includes things like potential fauna migration and potential construction impacts affecting aesthetics. Visual assessments were projected for all levels of the project, and at all levels of operation if developed. Climate change and possible effects within the development area were also considered. The company did a very thorough assessment.

LCZs.png

Landscape Character Zones (LCZs) of the project area

Mitigation

Mitigation measures include primary mitigation measures, secondary mitigation measures and standard mitigation measures. The primary mitigation measures were incorporated into the initial project design while the secondary ones are recommendations for consideration and integration during further development. There will be rehabilitation projects for sites where construction was temporary.

 

Primary:

  • site selection

  • site access

  • layout

  • locations and design of infrastructure

  • commitments to landscaping and rehabilitation

 

Secondary: 

  • Materials and finishes:

built elements are designed to complement and recede into the surrounding landscape

-example: use of non-reflective paint to avoid glare

  • Vegetation and re-vegetation:

-example: maximize the use of vegetation to provide a visual buffer between project elements and the landscape

  • Lighting:

-example: design lighting to avoid spill that might affect sensitive areas or receivers

 

Standard:

  • temporary accommodation

-example: develop a layout for temporary workers that integrates the buildings into the landscape

  • construction management to manage the interface between construction activities and tourism

-example: removal of debris outside construction zones to prevent adverse visual impacts

Air Quality Impact Assessment

Overview

The air quality impact assessment (AQIA) supports the Snowy 2.0 Main Works EIS and documents the current air quality and meteorological environment, impact assessment criteria, air pollutant emission calculations, dispersion modeling of calculated emissions, and assessment of predicted impacts relative to the criteria. The assessment measures TSP, PM10, PM2.5, NOX values for peak construction activities, based on a 12-month period. This was done using a dispersion model.

The assessment shows that one location, the Wares Yards Campground, is predicted to exceed certain criteria for 2 days of a year. As well, the accommodation camps at both Lobs Hole and Tantangara exceed criteria on 1-2 days a year.

Greenhouse gas emissions were also projected using fuel energy contents, emission factors, and vegetation removal. The value is compared to the GHG emissions of NSW and Australia in 2017. The values were deemed to be:

For the construction period: 0.12% of total GHG emissions for NSW

For the operation period: 0.40% of total GHG emissions for NSW

Mitigation

Mitigation is essential to prevent adverse impacts. The mitigation for air quality includes water of dozer areas, watering of unpaved project-related roads, and paving roads 1km on each side for Lobs Hole and the Tantangara accommodations.

In the construction phase, there are mitigation measures to be taken:

  • dozer working areas will be watered

  • wind erosion from spoil disposal areas will be controlled through watering

  • unpaved roads within works areas will be watered with water carts

  • Lobs Hole and Tantangara Road will be sealed 1km on each side of the accommodation camps.

 

For the diesel emissions during construction, these are mitigation measures that will be taken:

  • unpaved roads will be routinely maintained to reduce truck tire resistance

  • all equipment will be routinely serviced to maintain emission specifications from the manufacturers

  • idling of diesel equipment will be minimised

  • low-sulphur diesel fuels and lubricants will be used where feasible

Critique

The sealing of accommodation camps at Lobs Hole and Tantangara Road have yet to be designed. This type of project seems like it should be designed within the recommendations in the EIS.

 

The GHG emissions projections don’t include fuel combustion within the site between infrastructures and the traveling of the employees to and from the project during operations. Considering that thousands of jobs will be created from this development, it seems like these numbers would significantly increase the projection.

 

As well, the EIS states that the consumption rates for Snowy Hydro 2.0 Main Works are conservative estimates, which differs from the dispersion models which produced estimates for worst-case construction. The EIS should use the same prediction throughout - and use the worst-case values.

Bushfire Risk Assessment

Overview

The Bushfire Risk and Hazard Assessment was prepared in accordance with the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for the Main Works project. The relevant matters raised in SEARs for this part of the EIS is Public Safety, including an assessment of the risks to public safety, paying particular attention to bushfire risks, emergency egress and evacuation and the handling and use of any dangerous goods. Under section 63 of the Rural Fires Act (1997) states that it’s the duty of a public authority to take the steps to prevent the occurrence of bushfires and to minimize the danger of the spread of a bushfire. Bushfire risk factors (regional fire weather, historic fire occurrence, potential ignition sources, vegetation, slope, access and construction standard of assets) were assessed for the development land. The general conditions of regional fire weather showed the fire risk within Kosciuszko National Park (KNP) for the periods September to December (moderate), January to April (high), May to June (low) and July to August (low). The historic fire occurrence shows a recent pattern of 11 bushfires a year within the KNP, with severe bushfires every decade. Ignition sources are determined to be lightning, unknown, arson, camp cooking, miscellaneous, powerlines and burning off. The unknown proportion is estimated to mostly be made up of lightning as well.

Access to the development is important for safety measures and emergencies. Fire fighting vehicles have to be provided with safe, all-weather access to structures and hazard vegetation. Therefore, for each Main Works site, access roads will be necessary (existing or new). New access is proposed to be constructed to meet this criterion in 7 areas within the project zone (Lobs Hole Road, ECVT Mine Trail, Marica Trail East, Marica Trail West, Tantangara Road and Quarry Trail). All current and proposed measures by Snowy Hydro 2.0 comply or will comply with fire safety standards.

Where adequate water supply is needed in case of firefighting, Snowy Hydro 2.0 proposal includes a fire hose reel system, fire hydrants and fire extinguishers.

Maintenance requirements are put in place to minimize risk of bushfires. These requirements include specific maintenance requirements for all trees, shrubs and grass. There are also on-site refuge requirements to be met at all sites.

Critique

The project’s construction and operation add a potential ignition source in the form of (but not limited to) hot works, powerlines, equipment failures, vehicles, accidents, ignition of explosives or flammable materials and smoking. Although the EIS states there needs to be implemented to mitigate these potential sources, there are no recommendations.

 

Other than that, the project seems to comply with all the fire safety requirements and the EIS outlines all the necessary measures that will be taken.

 

This assessment was issued in July 2019, before the latest severe bushfires ravaged the area. There has yet to be an update on this appendix of the project since the end of these bushfires.

bottom of page