VNIE NSW Environmental Checklist

Information

Document No.
Audit Title
Client / Site
Conducted on
Prepared by
Location
Personnel

Location of Ancillary Facilities

All land containing ancillary facilities will be rehabilitated to at least their preconstruction condition.

Waste Management

"The management of waste will follow the below hierarchy: 1) Avoidance. 2) Re-use. 3) Recycle (resource recovery). 4) Disposal."
Excavated soils, slurries, dusts and sludges associated with the project will be treated and reused or recycled on site wherever possible to minimise the need for treatment or disposal of those materials outside the site.
All waste materials removed from the site shall only be directed to a waste management facility or premises lawfully permitted to accept the materials.
"All liquid and/or non-liquid waste generated on the site shall be assessed and classified in accordance with Waste Classification Guidelines (DECCW, 2009), or any superseding document."
All waste material is not to be left or buried onsite.
Waste storage areas are to be signposted and located away from sensitive areas, drainage lines and watercourses.
Weeds are to be placed into a plastic lined skip bin and disposed of as landfill at a licensed waste facility.
All general and regulated waste records including tip dockets and waste tracking certificates will be retained for waste tracking purposes.
All construction personnel will be trained in waste management practices.

Hazard and Risks

All staff will be trained in emergency response procedures and the Emergency Plan.
Flammable materials and ignition sources will be stored and handled as per instructions on Safety Data Sheets.
Contractors undertaking drilling, cutting, grinding and welding operations will have access to a validated portable fire extinguisher.
Fire extinguishers will be provided and validated in all construction vehicles.
Vehicles will be regularly checked to ensure that combustible materials such as grass and debris do not build up in areas where ignition may occur.
"Works during the fire danger period and on total fire ban days, involving the use of farm machinery, tractors, slashers, earth-moving, excavating or road making machines propelled by a heat engine within 9 metres of any crops, grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation is permitted but only if the machinery: - Is free from faults and mechanical defects that could cause an outbreak of fire. - Is fitted with a spark arrester in working order (unless it is fitted with a turbocharger or an exhaust aspirated air- cleaner). - There is a water furphy on hand with a water supply of at least 1000 litres in working order, fully charged with water and maintained at the correct pressure. - Carries fire suppression equipment comprising at least one knapsack spray pump, in working order, fully charged with water, with a capacity of not less than 9 litres. Note that the spark arrester, the knapsack spray pump and the water fire extinguisher referred to above must comply with the applicable Australian Standards."

Noise and Vibration

All potentially affected residences as identified in Appendix B (of CNVMP) will be kept informed of any significant changes to construction activities or if out of hours of work is required.
"Any complaints received related to noise or vibration will be dealt with in accordance with Section 8.0 of CNVMP)."
All site personnel will be instructed during a general induction as to their responsibilities in minimising noise and adhering to the noise minimisation measures.
Equipment operators are to be report any faulty equipment to Construction Contractor Site Supervisor.
"In the case of an activity that requires work to be undertaken outside the specified hours, written approval must be sought from the Director-General. Any request to alter the hours of construction shall be: a) considered on a case- by-case basis; b) accompanied by details of the nature and need for activities to be conducted during the varied construction hours and any other information necessary to reasonably determine that activities undertaken during the varied construction hours will not adversely impact on the acoustic amenity of receptors in the vicinity of the site; and c) commenced only affected residential receivers are informed of the timing and duration of work approved under this condition at least 48 hours before that work commences."
The noise levels of plant and equipment must have operating Sound Power or Sound Pressure Levels compliant with the criteria in Table 8 (of CNVMP).
Construction equipment will be fitted with adequate noise and vibration control equipment where possible. Measures include earth moving equipment fitted with residential class mufflers, and acoustic enclosures for any diesel generators and/or air compressors.
All vehicles and equipment will be regularly serviced, as per manufactures instructions and maintained in proper working order.
Ensure deliveries are within the standard hours of works
Simultaneous operation of noisy plant will be avoided wherever practicable.
"Wherever practicable, noisy equipment will be: a) Positioned behind structures that act as barriers to identified receptors b) Positioned at the greatest distance from identified receptors c) Oriented to directed noise emissions away from identified receptors"
“Quiet” practices will be employed wherever practicable when operating equipment
Any noise construction activities will be completed in the shortest time possible.
There will be no swearing or unnecessary shouting or loud stereos/radios on site.
There will be no dropping of materials from heights, throwing of metal items, or slamming of doors.

Traffic Management

General Construction

Ensure all vehicles are adequately maintained to meet Australian Road Rules and RMS standards so that safety is not compromised.
All vehicle movement to, around and from the construction site will be undertaken to minimise impacts on the environment and minimise risk to the safety of persons.
Ensure all vehicles are adequately maintained to meet Australian Road Rules and RMS standards so that safety is not compromised.
Regularly inspect road condition for deterioration of pavement.
Transport oversized equipment and machinery in accordance with the RMS guidelines for oversized movements and required permits obtained.
Implement appropriate signage to warn road users of the presence of construction vehicles as well as changes to normal traffic conditions.
Provide adequate onsite parking and turning areas for vehicles.
Traffic Control Plans will be provided for approval by the Contractor’s accredited Traffic Control Provider.
Pre and post works dilapidation reports will be prepared by a licensed assessor for major access roads affected by the project. Impacts that are considered attributable to the project, as determined by the dilapidation reports following the construction phase of the project, will be remediated by APA. Areas of access to, or egress from the ROW will also be monitored and any repairs carried out upon completion of the works.
Permanent pipeline location markers are to be installed along each side of all road carriageways traversed by the pipeline.
All roads to be reinstated post works to the standard as identified in the pre works dilapidation report (as a minimum).

Construction Traffic

Signage will be provided at specific points to enable vehicles to follow the agreed route from main roads to the ROW. Signage will also be provided at entries/exits from the ROW warning other road users of turning vehicles.
All road signage and other traffic control devices will be in accordance with AS 1742.3:2009 Manual of uniform traffic control devices – Part 3: Traffic control devices for works on roads and the RTA’s manual Traffic Control at Work Sites (June 2010).
Where pipeline construction necessitates the partial closure of roads or traffic lanes during pipeline installation, temporary decking will be implemented if required to allow vehicles to traverse the open trench.

Emergency Access

Ensure that NSW Fire Brigades Guidelines for Emergency Vehicle Access Policy No 4 is followed during construction.
Ensure carriageways are wide enough (4 m) to allow emergency vehicles to easily negotiate them and provide sufficient room to allow vehicle crews to work with fire fighting equipment around the vehicle.
"Ensure turning areas are large enough to reduce the need for multipoint turns. The minimum turning radius will be no less than 11.3 m for general emergency vehicles."
Ensure carriageways are not obstructed by parked vehicles, stored goods, industrial bins etc.
Ensure unobstructed height clearance of 4.5 m above all access ways.
"Ensure access ramps are no greater than 1:8. Ramps should not hinder vehicle response. Access ramps should have a smooth transition between the main ramp gradient and the entry/exit gradients. A minimum of 4.0 m long 1:15 transition grade is to be constructed for both ramp approach and departure where applicable."
Ensure that carriageway maintains structural adequacy and integrity when under load from an emergency vehicle. The hardness of the final carriageway surface will be constructed to withstand the static pressure exerted by tyres of an appliance which is not greater than 850kPa pressure.

Surface and Groundwater

Waterway Crossings

The width of the construction ROW will be minimised to 20 m at moderate sensitivity waterway crossings to reduce disturbance risk to the riparian zone.
Where multiple cell culverts are required for creek crossings, at least one cell will be provided for fish passage, with an invert or bed level that mimics creek flows.

Hydrostatic Testing

Hydrostatic test water discharge will only be undertaken where water designated for release into the environment is of a quality that is within relevant statutory water quality guidelines and after consultation (if appropriate) with the relevant landowner.
Disposal of hydrotest water will be conducted in a manner that ensures there is no disposal to areas of native vegetation.

Trench, Pit and Wash Area Dewatering (accumulated rainwater within a trench or pit)

The removal and subsequent discharge of accumulated rainwater from the trench will not result in pollutants (such as sediment, saline, contaminated or acid sulphate affected water) being released to land or water.
Accumulated rainwater in a trench or a pit will be tested for pH and turbidity prior to being pumped. Levels of these parameters will not exceed those quoted within the ANZECC Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh & Marine Waters (ANZECC 2000) to protect the relevant beneficial use, specifically criteria applicable to Agricultural Water Supply (Irrigation) where TDS is required to be less than 3000 mg/L. Trench or pit water that fails to meet the criteria for Agricultural Water Supply (Irrigation) will be disposed by accredited liquid waste removers.
Any accumulated rainwater from a trench or a pit discharged to land will have permission obtained from the relevant landholder/authority to discharge.
Records will be kept of water sourcing and disposal of accumulated rainwater in a trench or a pit

Trench, Pit and Wash Area Dewatering (accumulated groundwater or perched water within a trench or pit)

The removal and subsequent discharge of accumulated groundwater or perched water from the trench will not result in pollutants (such as sediment, saline, contaminated or acid sulphate affected water) being released to land or water.
Accumulated groundwater or perched water from the trench will be tested for pH, electrical conductivity (or salinity), turbidity and potential toxicants relevant to the area prior to being pumped (eg total nitrogen and phosphorus in agricultural areas subject to irrigation). Levels of these parameters will not exceed those quoted within the ANZECC Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh & Marine Waters (ANZECC 2000) to protect the relevant beneficial use, specifically criteria applicable to Agricultural Water Supply (Irrigation) where TDS is required to be less than 3000 mg/L. Trench or pit water that fails to meet the criteria for Agricultural Water Supply (Irrigation) will be disposed by accredited liquid waste removers.
Excessively saline or acidic accumulated groundwater or perched water from the trench will be disposed to an EPA-licensed facility.

Wastewater

Staff will be trained through site inductions and tool box talks in relation to management of wastewater, the potential impact on water ways and made aware of their responsibilities and penalties under the NSW Protection of the Environment Operations Act (1997) in relation to water pollution.
Unplanned wastewater discharges will be reported to the APA Land and Environment Manager who will notify regulatory authorities if required.
Wastewater from site amenities will be treated by an approved treatment system onsite or removed by a licensed contractor to an appropriate disposal facility with the approval of EPA.
Where possible opportunities for water reuse/ recycling will be initiated
Water captured in bunded areas will be assessed for contamination prior to discharge. Contamination will be removed using appropriate absorbent material and disposed of in a licensed waste management facility.
Site personnel undergo training on appropriate spill management and emergency response procedures.

Fuel and Chemical Management

Works involving the use of chemicals, dangerous goods or other potential contaminants, will be planned and implemented to minimise the possibility of spillage
The use and storage of chemicals and dangerous goods will be strictly in accordance with relevant legislation, manufacturer’s instructions, Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and the relevant Safe Work Method Statements
"Adequate quantities of emergency response materials such as oil spill kits, absorbent materials, sand bags, flocculating agents and pH buffer solutions will be readily available and kept in designated compounds. Hydrocarbon spill kits will also be kept in emergency response vehicles, Superintendent’s vehicles, Environmental Representative’s vehicle and other vehicles that carry substantial quantities of chemicals (e.g. subcontractors)."
Temporary bunding will be provided for all refuelling or maintenance of plant and equipment or any other activity onsite that could result in spillage of a chemical, fuel or lubricant (especially where the activity is undertaken in a location with direct drainage to a waterway or environmentally sensitive area).
Machinery, pumps and other equipment will be checked regularly for excessive wear and leaks, and if required, repaired promptly.
"Storage of fuels and chemicals will only occur within impervious bunded areas with a capacity of at least 120% of the total capacity of the largest vessel stored and roofed with 10° overhang. Containers will comply with Australian Standards AS1657, AS1940 and AS1692."
Bunded areas will be located in an area at least 30 m from a Riparian Management Zone
Records of water quality checks, discharges and any remedial actions taken will be kept.
Where safe to do so, containment measures such as sandbags, booms, earth bunds or cut drains will be installed to capture and retain spilled material and prevent it from leaving site, entering any watercourse or impacting on vegetation stands.
Spill kits will be maintained in emergency response vehicles and at identified site facilities where significants spills may occur (e.g. workshops)

Aboriginal Heritage

"Avoidance of impacts to AHIMS sites APA-ST2-11, APA-ST3-11 and APA-ST5-11 (as listed in Table 6 of AHMP) through contractor awareness and temporary fencing in accordance with the procedure described in Section 7.2."
Avoidance to impacts of Heritage site known as old Nubba Homestead through temporary fencing in accordance with the procedure described in Section 7.2.
Temporary fencing to be established for archaeological sites identified for impact (as listed in Table 7 and Table 8 of AHMP prior to archaeological salvage.
All newly identified Aboriginal sites to be reported and managed in accordance with the unexpected finds procedure described in Section 7.7 of AHMP.
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Awareness Program as described in Section 7.11 to be undertaken by all construction staff.
Monitoring will be undertaken in culturally sensitive areas (as listed in Table 9 of AHMP) as part of initial earthworks
Archaeological salvage of sites to be impacted, in accordance with the archaeological salvage program described in Section 7.4 of AHMP.
Existing access tracks within archaeological site boundaries are to be maintained. Traffic will be confined to existing tracks.
A database of known Aboriginal heritage sites within 50m of APA assets to be maintained in accordance with the procedure described in Section 7.1 of AHMP.
"Where vegetation has built up within the boundary of a previously recorded Aboriginal site, clearing will be undertaken in a manner that does not cause ground disturbance to the site. Preferred methods of hazard reduction include cutting and grass slashing at a suitable height to avoid impacting surface Aboriginal stone artefacts."
Where weed management is required within the boundary of a previously recorded Aboriginal site, weeds will be removed in a manner that does not cause ground disturbance to the site.
Ongoing consultation will be undertaken with RAPs in accordance with Section 5.2 of AHMP.

Biodiversity

Control of new weed infestations will be undertaken in accordance with the weed management procedure in Section 6.3 of BMP.
Construction plant and equipment is to be certified weed free before entering the site in accordance with the weed management procedure in Section 6.3 of BMP.
Equipment storage areas and stockpile areas will be located away from riparian zones, within existing cleared agricultural or otherwise degraded lands.