THE Eglinton to Yanchep stage of the Yanchep rail extension has achieved environmental approval with some conditions but it is possible the COVID-19 epidemic could affect the project in some ways.
Stage 2 of the project includes a 7.2km dual narrow-gauged track and access tracks within a 73ha development envelope as well as a turnback and stowage facility north of Yanchep station.
Last year in November Premier Mark McGowan said the Yanchep rail extension would be finished in 2021 and ready to transport passengers in 2022.
On April 9 Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said it was likely there could be some specific delays for some Metronet projects, depending on the individual contract and where it was at in the stage of the delivery but works had started on the Yanchep line.
“While it is still too early to predict or gauge the final impact that COVID-19 may have on any given project, it may be unavoidable that there will be some effect on our infrastructure projects,’’ she said.
“We will continue to adhere to the guidelines set by the National Cabinet, but I want to see as many jobs as possible kept in our road and rail construction industry.’’
Ms Saffioti said the government believed the significant pipeline of Metronet works due to come on line in the second half 2020 would help with COVID-19 economic recovery.
“Our project teams are carrying on with the planning, procurement and delivery of our infrastructure projects to ensure the medium and long term health of the WA economy,’’ she said.
On April 14 the Office of the Appeals Convenor released a statement saying the Eglinton to Yanchep stage of the proposal could be implemented subject to conditions and procedures including that the proponent (the Public Transport Authority) would have to minimise operational noise and vibration impacts on existing noise sensitive receptors as far as practicable.
At least three months prior to the start of the project the proponent will be required to revise its noise and vibration management plan to include an update to section 3.3 design and construction of noise mitigation measures, to show the locations and minimum heights of noise walls and to demonstrate that the design and construction of noise mitigation measures will meet the noise and vibration management targets set out in section 3.2 management actions and targets.
Another condition is that the proponent cannot plant known species of foraging habitat for black cockatoos within 10m of the constructed railway and that prior to ground-disturbing activities associated with the proposal, the proponent should minimise effects to terrestrial fauna during the Carnaby’s cockatoo breeding season (July to December).
The conditions also include that qualified and licensed terrestrial fauna spotter(s) with experience in surveying for black cockatoos should inspect all potential nesting trees with hollows within seven days prior to clearing of potential nesting trees, to determine if there were any hollows being used by Carnaby’s cockatoos and if any Carnaby’s cockatoos were found to be using hollows the proponent was not to clear the nesting tree, or vegetation within a 10m radius of the nesting tree, until an appropriately qualified and licensed terrestrial fauna spotter had verified that the hollows were no longer being used by Carnaby’s.
Another requirement is that during construction of the rail extension, the proponent is to minimise effects to terrestrial fauna and undertake the trapping and relocation of ground-dwelling conservation significant vertebrate fauna no more than seven days prior to clearing activities as well as ensuring qualified and licensed terrestrial fauna spotters were used during clearing activities.
The proponent will also be required to undertake offsets with the objective of counterbalancing the significant residual impact on the environmental values of 0.05ha of threatened ecological community Melaleuca systena shrublands on limestone ridges, 8.1ha of banksia woodlands of the Swan coastal plain priority ecological community, 56.3ha of Carnaby’s cockatoo foraging habitat including 2.1ha of potential breeding habitat, 45 potential breeding trees and 27.7ha of Bush Forever site 289.
