Horticulture Impact Assessment Fin ge r b oa rd s M in e ral S a n d s Proj e c t C ommu n ity infor mation s e s s ion – 29 Oc tob e r, 2019
Who is RMCG? • Environmental and agricultural consultancy • Operating since 1989 • Provide advice to range of clients, including: • Government agencies, water authorities, industry associations, private sector, individual landholders • Team of more than 45 consultants with offices in Bendigo, Melbourne, Warragul, Torquay, Penguin (Tas) and Hobart (Tas) • Project Team: Adrian Kennelly, Karl McIntosh, Dr Doris Blaesing and Clinton Muller Horticulture Impact Assessment – Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project 2 25 October 2019
Objectives of this study Assess the potential impact of the project on horticultural enterprises in the Lindenow Valley • Describe the study methods. • Characterise horticultural activities near the Project (Lindenow Valley). • Consult with landholder in the Lindenow Valley. • Describe any relevant environmental and/or product quality standards which may be affected by external environmental influences. • Identify key potential issues/impacts of the project related to horticulture in the surrounding area, both during construction and operations and management measures to control these. Horticulture Impact Assessment – Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project 3 25 October 2019
Study method Identify horticulture Assess impact and Describe risk to Horticultural Impact values and issues mitigation measures production image Assessment of project (Consultation, (Comparative (Reporting) desktop review) (Desktop review) analysis) Synthesis of landholder concerns, production Validate the extent to Assess the likelihood of Listen to growers which the risks will be risk, including issues and findings from concerns of as to what realized through EES comparative site EES reports as to inform the risk is. recommendation of technical reports. assessment. additional mitigation. Horticulture Impact Assessment – Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project 4 25 October 2019
Melwood Study area Flaggy Creek Glenaladale Wuk Wuk Woodglen The Coongulmerang Fingerboards Calulu Walpa Lindenow Lindenow South Hillside Fingerboards Mining Area Main Road Minor Road Land use Seasonal vegetables and herbs Water Other land use ± 0 1.5 3 Fernbank Kilometers Horticulture Impact Assessment – Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project 5 25 October 2019
Snapshot of horticulture production • Approximately ~4,700 hectares of vegetable production – conventional and organic. • Markets: • ~80% Sydney • ~20% Victoria • ~1% Exported • Food chain value addition a key feature of the region: • Bagged, ready-to-east, washed salad – 6 of the top 10 have footprint in East Gippsland. • Regional food initiatives including Food & Fibre Gippsland, Gippsland Food Plan Vision and Strategic Framework. • Established food processors – e.g. Vegco / One Harvest, Patties Food. Horticulture Impact Assessment – Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project 6 25 October 2019
Horticulture in the Lindenow Valley COMMODITY SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER FEBRUARY OCTOBER JANUARY AUGUST MARCH APRIL JUNE JULY MAY Asparagus Beans Broccoli/Baby Broccoli Cabbage Capsicum Carrots Cauliflower Celery Lettuce Onions Pumpkin Spinach/Kale Sweet Corn High Low Medium No production production production level production Horticulture Impact Assessment – Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project 7 25 October 2019 level level
Factors influencing sustainable production Triple bottom line aspects of people, plant & profit providing social, environmental and economic sustainability • Access to labour – skills, qualifications, sufficient availability of the ‘right’ people, maintaining labour. • Access to quality ‘resources’ and sound environmental conditions for production, including: • Reliable and quality water supply from the Mitchell River irrigation supply • Adequate and productive soils, free of contaminants • Clean air free of dust (including from their own activities) • Suitable climatic conditions • Biodiversity values conducive to the area wide management of pest and diseases. • Good market demand and return for quality produce and value added products. Horticulture Impact Assessment – Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project 8 25 October 2019
Potential issues to horticulture 1. Dust generation and deposition on the surface of produce. 2. Potential contaminants in dust particles causing food safety issues. 3. Water quality i.e. the potential for water run-off from the site and or contaminated mine water reaching irrigation and process water supplies. 4. Irrigation water availability, i.e. the impact of the mine’s proposed use of 3 GL per annum of water. 5. The impact of increased truck movements on traffic, road safety and road conditions in the area. 6. The mine’s competition for labour. 7. Whether climate change may worsen the project’s impacts on horticulture. 8. Potential impact on the landscape amenity and the ‘clean’ image of the horticulture industry and its produce in the market place. Horticulture Impact Assessment – Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project 9 25 October 2019
1. Dust generation and deposition Concern • Dust will be blown from the Project onto horticultural crops. Issue for • Excessive dust loads can cause market defects. horticulture • Dust is inherit challenge within horticulture production systems. • Dust is an issue for in-field packed produce (cauliflowers). • Due to washing and sanitation, less of an issue for bagged leafy salads. • Irrigation and washing common management practice to control dust. EES report • Dust levels expected to be low due to operating processes. • Emission modelling demonstrated compliance with all sensitive receptors within the vicinity of horticulture production. Remaining • Low - management of dust at the site in accordance with recommended impact for mitigation techniques. horticulture • Recommend – monitoring data available to landholders. Horticulture Impact Assessment – Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project 10 25 October 2019
2. Potential contaminants in dust particles Concern • Movement of contaminated dust particles onto: ⁃ production land and waterways ⁃ risk to regional image. Issue for • Transmission pathways of contaminants from soil to plant are minimal. horticulture • Difficult to determine source of contaminants between natural exposure and anthropogenic sources. EES report • Concentration levels of radionuclides at the surface are consistent with the core. Remaining • Low - monitoring regime and adherence to dust mitigation protocols. impact for • Recommend – monitoring data available to landholders. horticulture Horticulture Impact Assessment – Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project 11 25 October 2019
3. Quality of run-off water Concern • Erosion and runoff from the Project may be difficult to contain within the site. Issue for • Poor water quality (turbidity and contaminants) can impact: horticulture ⁃ irrigation water infrastructure ⁃ leave residues ⁃ transport contaminants. • Current practice – post-harvest sanitation to remove organic matter. EES report • Water management system developed to manage the risk of off-site water movement and contaminants. Remaining • Low - storm water management plan and abatement measures to impact for minimize the downstream risk. horticulture • Recommend – monitoring data available to landholders. Horticulture Impact Assessment – Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project 12 25 October 2019
4. Irrigation water availability Concern • Future security of irrigation water due to increased risk of competition. Issue for • The project seeks up to 3 GL allocation. horticulture • Investment in off-river private storage by some producers. • Access to additional water is necessary to support expanded production. EES report • The Mitchell River Basin is not fully allocated, 6 GL winter fill entitlements available. • Amount of water available to be managed by the regulator (SRW). Remaining • Availability and security of water supply is key for current and potential impact for expansion of horticulture production in the region. horticulture • Note – on-site water storage of Project reduces competition for seasonal water demand. Horticulture Impact Assessment – Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project 13 25 October 2019
5. Traffic, road safety and road conditions Concern • Increased movement of heavy vehicles and additional traffic loads on roads causing damage to existing road infrastructure, safety and congestion. Issue for • Horticulture uses of roads includes workforce movement, farm inputs and horticulture distribution of produce to market. EES report • Road upgrades have been identified to facilitate the main transport routes. Remaining • Low - Road upgrades can have an indirect benefit for any other heavy impact for vehicles using the roads. horticulture Horticulture Impact Assessment – Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project 14 25 October 2019
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