WORKBOOK ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS for civil construction projects ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS for civil construction projects to PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK Environmental awareness for civil construction projects Consultants for production of the workbook Content EnviroManagement Pty Ltd PO Box 3329 Norwood SA 5067 Design Open Cross email ox@senet.com.au mobile 0419 862 393 © 2001 Transport SA 33–37 Warwick Street Walkerville SA 5081 ISBN 7590 0078 For further information about this document contact the Environmental Operations Unit, Statewide Operational Coordination Group, Transport SA Telephone (08) 8343 2686 Transport SA thanks Jodie Gates for the photograph of rare plant Cheiranthera volubilis Printed on paper which is 50% recycled and 50% oxygen bleached paper ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Contents Section Page Introduction Course aim and objectives Activities and environmental impacts Obligations and legislative control 5 Environmental management for Transport SA construction projects Vegetation management 13 Fauna 22 Erosion and sediment control 24 Watercourses and marine environments 30 10 Heritage 33 11 Noise and vibration 36 12 Air quality 38 13 Waste management 40 14 Materials storage 43 Appendix A: References 47 Appendix B: Contact list 48 Appendix C: Environmental terms 49 Appendix D: Summary of environmental legislation 52 PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SECTION Introduction This workbook has been developed by Transport SA for participants in the training course on Environmental awareness for civil construction projects Transport SA is committed to developing a ‘transport system in harmony with the environment’ To achieve this everyone involved with the construction, operation and maintenance of the transport system has a role to play in minimising environmental impact and enhancing the environment The training of employees and contractors involved in construction activities is a key to obtaining this goal This workbook and the companion Environmental Code of Practice for Construction—Road, Bridge and Marine Facilities provide guidance to environmental best practice The course has been developed and designed by: Environmental Operations Unit Statewide Operational Coordination Transport SA 33–37 Warwick Street Walkerville SA 5081 Telephone (08) 8343 2686 PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK SECTION Course aims and objectives AIM OF THE COURSE To provide construction workers with the knowledge to identify environmental issues associated with their activities and best practice methods to minimise environmental impact It will also outline environmental legal obligations relevant to construction activities OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE At the completion of this course participants will be able to: • understand common environmental terms • state their legal obligations and responsibilities in relation to environmental legislation • recognise common environmental impacts on construction sites and potential impacts resulting from the individual’s work activities • identify accepted current environmental management best practices for relevant workplace activities • identify situations which require further advice about appropriate work practices to minimise environmental damage ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SECTION Activities and environmental impacts To minimise environmental impact it is important to understand the link between various construction activities and the potential for these activities to impact on the environment This section gives a brief outline of typical activities and impacts The environment is defined as ‘living things, their physical, biological and social surroundings and the interactions between all of these’ Environmental management measures will depend on the nature of the site activities and the sensitivity of the project area and surrounding land For example, excavations resulting in steep slopes are likely to lead to soil erosion and water quality problems downstream and will require the installation of erosion protection measures The workbook summarises legislative responsibilities and details how environmental impact can be reduced by planning activities carefully before commencing work on-site The table on the following page gives examples of common construction activities and potential impacts It is not a complete listing Fire risk Noise disturbance Air emissions Litter Disturbance of sites of natural or heritage significance Habitat disturbance Soil compaction Soil erosion Soil and water contamination Interrupt or modify drainage Spread of weeds Damage to vegetation V e ge tat i E a on c le rt h a wo nc S t e or r k s ag e of St or m a a g t e e ria of ls D f ( isp ue sto l/ os ck o a i p l lo ile G f s) w d in as g te Ro /co m a d pa se ct ali R ng i n g o ad m ar D kin g in a a nd g Co e w si g o n n rk cr ag s e e t Re e w o v e g e rks tat i Activity d an d s on ds lan g p r ay in W ee g in ca p Potential impact PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK ACTIVITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Activities and environmental impacts ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SECTION Obligations and legislative control It is important that construction activities are undertaken in accordance with environmental legislation Everyone on site is responsible for complying with environmental legislation Under the Environment Protection Act 1993 everyone has a general duty not to harm the environment by polluting Penalties for offences against environmental legislation are significant The following legislation is relevant to aspects of construction activities: • Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 • Agricultural Chemicals Act 1955 • Animal and Plant Control Act 1986 • Country Fires Act 1989 • Coast Protection Act 1972 • Dangerous Substances Act 1979 • Development Act 1993 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SECTION 14 Materials storage BACKGROUND INFORMATION Stockpiles Stockpiles and depot sites, if not located carefully, can damage vegetation and heritage sites, pollute watercourses or spread weeds The location of stockpiles, plant compounds and access roads may be specified in the EMIP for your site Place stockpiles away from watercourses and vegetation Selecting a site Before creating a stockpile or depot, check with your supervisor if the location is suitable, away from significant environmental features and is weed-free Surrounding vegetation is damaged by the ‘creep’ of materials if stockpiles are gradually pushed outwards by machinery loading from one side only Stockpiles are therefore most effectively worked if placed in the middle of the area available Access to surrounding vegetation should be prevented by marking or fencing of the stockpile area 43 PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK To reduce the risk of sediment movement, stockpiles should not be located in drainage lines Stockpiling topsoil The top 15 cm of topsoil is the most important for plant growth Contained within this layer are native seeds for revegetation, essential minerals for plant growth, and soil microorganisms that break down decaying organic matter to simple minerals, which can be used by plants When clearing topsoil it is important not to mix it with poorer quality subsoil Most native plant seeds will remain viable in the soil for approximately 12 months Therefore it should be re-spread or reused within that time The stockpiles and site should be weed-free Spray weeds on and around stockpiles and dumpsites to prevent spread of weeds to new areas (plan to treat with herbicide 10–14 days before use) Weedy topsoil (eg spoil containing pasture grasses or weeds) should be stockpiled separately from clean topsoil and away from land which has native vegetation Rehabilitation of stockpiles and other areas To rehabilitate a stockpile area: • remove excess material • remove or treat weeds • restore contours to blend with surrounding land • rip parallel to the contours to break soil compaction • re-spread topsoil and tyne into base material • install erosion control measures, if needed • spread mulch to protect the soil from erosion and keep in soil moisture • revegetate the area with native species, where appropriate 44 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Example of poor storage of materials Fuels, oils and chemicals Storage and handling of fuels, oils and chemicals should be undertaken in a manner that does not contaminate soil, watercourses and groundwater The risk of spillage and leakage can be reduced by careful handling and attention to containment Clean-up materials such as absorbent granules and disposable absorbent fabric sheets should be available to reduce the spread of material Storage (including drums and bulk tanks) of fuels, oils and chemicals should have an impervious base and be bunded Bunding of fuels should be designed in accordance with the Australian Standard AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids The ‘compound’ within the bund walls should be large enough to contain at least 110% of the contents of the largest tank Stormwater from the compound must be removed regularly to ensure there is room to accommodate any spillage or leakage Any oily water mixture must be removed by a licensed waste contractor Large loading and dispensing areas should also be sealed and drain to a sump to retain any spillage Any spillage should be cleaned up at the earliest opportunity to minimise the risk of further soil or water contamination Contaminated clean-up materials (eg rags) should be disposed of by a licensed waste contractor Some storages may require licensing under the Dangerous Substances Act 1979 or the Petroleum Products Regulations Act 1995 45 PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES Stockpiles Use only designated and approved stockpile sites OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR Keep stockpiles in the middle of the marked site to allow access from several directions to avoid ‘creep’ into the surrounding area Stockpile topsoil separately to ensure the survival of seeds and wherever possible reuse within twelve months Keep machinery movement areas and stockpiles on cleared land away from vegetation If cleared areas are not available on the site, consider using cleared areas on adjoining land, subject to permission Temporary works such as stockpiles may be sown with grasses (eg sterile rye) to avoid erosion Mulches, matting, diversion swales, straw bale fences, silt fences, or other techniques can be used to protect watercourses from silt-laden runoff from stockpiles Fuel and chemical storage Store all fuels, oils and chemicals within sealed and bunded areas Ensure that bunds are regularly cleared of stormwater Oily water mixtures must be removed by licensed waste contractor Dispense fuels and oils within a sealed area, if possible Clean up any spillage as soon as practicable All clean-up material must be disposed of by a licensed waste contractor LEGAL OBLIGATIONS • Dangerous Substances Act 1979 • Environment Protection Act 1993 • Petroleum Products Regulations Act 1995 Refer to Appendix D for a summary 46 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS APPENDIX A References • Australian Standard AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids • Environment Protection Authority 1997, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Code of Practice for Local, State and Federal Government • Transport SA 1998, Environmental Code of Practice—Road, Bridge and Marine Facilities 47 PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK APPENDIX B Contact list THE MOST IMPORTANT CONTACTS Site supervisor Superintendent’s representative Project manager OTHER CONTACTS Environmental Management Plan CONTACT Transport SA Project manager, Projects section Site licensing, waste disposal, reporting pollution incidents Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Telephone: (08) 8204 2000 Removal of native fauna National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Telephone: (08) 8204 9000 Advice on Aboriginal heritage sites, reporting discovery of Aboriginal heritage sites Department of State Aboriginal Affairs Telephone: (08) 8226 8900 Advice on non-Aboriginal heritage Heritage SA Telephone: (08) 8204 9261 Storage of fuels and chemicals Department of Administrative and Information Services (DAIS) Telephone: (08) 8226 5000 ISSUE Dangerous Substances/Petroleum Products Licensing Telephone: (08) 8303 0403 48 Advice on weed or pest plant management Animal and Plant Control Commission Telephone: (08) 8303 9500 or Local Council Disposal of waste to sewer SA Water Trade Waste Enquiries Telephone: (08) 8207 1350 Fire restrictions Country Fire Service Telephone: (08) 8204 3333 (Head Office) Alarm Calls: (08) 8297 9111 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS APPENDIX C Environmental terms Aboriginal heritage Land, sites or objects which are important to Aboriginal culture and history Under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 it is an offence to damage these sites Batter The face of an embankment Biodiversity The variety of biological organisms (plants, animals and microorganisms) Bund Raised bank or barrier to prevent the escape of liquids (including stormwater) Catchment The area of a natural drainage basin on which rainfall lands, collects and drains by means of overland or sub-soil flow into a stream system Clean fill Excavated soil, clay or rubble to a size of 200 mm It should not contain timber, vegetable matter or wastes Compaction Squeezing and packing particles of soil together from the weight of a vehicle or other compressive loads Construction zone Area directly impacted by construction activities Drainage line Flow path for runoff water Drip line The ground surface immediately below the edge of the tree canopy where droplets from the leaves fall to the ground Ecosystem A number of living and non-living things which occur naturally and interact with each other in ways which form a stable system Emergency incident A sudden or unexpected event which needs quick action to repair or minimise the loss or damage which might result 49 PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK Environment Living things, their physical, biological and social surroundings and the interactions between all of these Environmental Managing all human activity which could impact on the management environment Environmental The Environmental Management Plan, prepared by Transport SA, Management is a project-specific document that details environmental issues Plan (EMP) and requirements for a particular project Environmental The Environmental Management Implementation Plan, produced Management by the contractor, responds to the EMP and details how the Implementation environmental aspects of the project will be managed on the site Plan (EMIP) Erosion Removal and transport of soil and rock materials from their original location by agents such as wind or water Erosion control Use of structures, materials and practices to reduce or prevent the unwanted removal and transport of soil or rock particles Fauna Animals—including reptiles, birds, insects etc Flora Plants including trees, shrubs and grasses Heritage Structures, features and objects which are worth protecting because they have particular natural, cultural, historic or aesthetic value Native vegetation Vegetation that is natural to the area and has not been introduced Noise pollution Unwanted noise from human activity which has a negative effect on some aspect of the environment Sound that a listener does not wish to hear Generally, a sound level in excess of background noise Pest animals Introduced animals that adversely affect native fauna or flora and/ or agricultural produce 50 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Pest plants/weeds Introduced plants that adversely affect native vegetation and/or agricultural crops Phytophthora A soil fungus which affects the roots of plants and is easily cinnamoni transported in soil or mud on machinery It leads to die-back and (P.cinnamoni) death of infected vegetation Proclaimed plants Plants declared a pest to agriculture under the Animal and Plant Control Act 1986 Ramsar convention An international agreement signed at Ramsar, Iran in 1971 to protect wetlands of international importance as habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds Runoff Water flowing on or near the soil surface away from where it was initially deposited as rain, hail or snow Sediment Soil and other particles which drop from the water in which they were suspended or transported Sediment trap A structure to remove sediment from water by filtration or slowing and reducing its carrying ability Waste Unwanted, excess or unusable materials It can be a solid, liquid or gas Any matter (whether of value or not) discarded or left over in the course of activities, including excavated material not classified as clean fill World Heritage Term applied to sites of universal natural or cultural significance which are included on the World Heritage List 51 PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK APPENDIX D Summary of environmental legislation 1.0 INTRODUCTION A wide range of Commonwealth and South Australian environmental legislation potentially applies to construction activities in South Australia The following very briefly outlines the Acts, which are most likely to be important Specific legal advice should be obtained if there is any doubt that legislation applies to a particular company or operation, or how it applies 2.0 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN LEGISLATION Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 Sites or objects of significance to Aboriginal people are protected under this Act It is an offence to interfere with such sites or objects without the authority of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Agricultural Chemicals Act 1955 Regulates the sale of agricultural chemicals, and their use from aircraft and ground equipment Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural and Other Purposes) Act 1986 Provides for the control of pest animals and plants for the protection of agriculture This Act seeks to minimise the damage to the environment through allowing harmful plants and animals to become established and to spread 52 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Coast Protection Act 1972 This Act establishes the Coast Protection Board which is responsible for preparing coastal management plans for coast protection districts established under the Act and for undertaking coastal protection works Coastal management plans may be reflected in Development Plans under the Development Act in which case they must be taken into account by a relevant planning authority when determining whether to approve a proposal Country Fires Act 1989 Prescribes bush fire prevention methods to eliminate the risk of outbreak, as well as emergency measures to inhibit the spread or any increase in the intensity or seriousness, of bush fires Dangerous Substances Act 1979 This Act regulates the keeping, use and transport of dangerous substances The keeping or transport of dangerous substances prescribed by regulation requires a licence Development Act 1993 This Act is used to determine whether proposed development, public or private, should be granted approval It also protects ‘significant trees’ in urban areas of South Australia Works by Transport SA that require approval are: • damage or removal of significant trees in urban areas • works in a State Heritage area or place • establishing a site office or depot external to the project site Roadworks other than the above not require approval under this Act unless determined to be a major project Environment Protection Act 1993 This Act is the basic pollution control legislation in South Australia It establishes a pollution licensing system for specified activities of environmental significance and creates a range of environmental offences such as causing serious or material environmental harm 53 PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK The Act establishes a duty of care not to pollute the environment There is also a requirement to report to the Environmental Protection Agency certain incidents that may pollute the environment The Act has a series of Policies that describe in greater detail allowable levels of air emissions, noise etc Fisheries Act 1982 This Act provides for the conservation, enhancement and management of fisheries, the regulation of fishing and the protection of certain fish It also provides for the protection of marine mammals and aquatic habitat To the extent that Transport SA construction activities may impact on the marine environment and thus pose a risk to fishery, certain provisions of the Act may apply Harbors and Navigation Act 1993 This Act is intended to provide for the administration, development and management of harbors and to provide for safe navigation in South Australian waters The Act also addresses the issue of environmental damage in ports and waterways under the jurisdiction of the Minister for Transport and Urban Planning Construction contractors using vessels must comply with the Act including controls on discharges and emissions from vessels Heritage Act 1993 This Act is intended to conserve places of heritage value in the State It is an offence to damage a place where a ‘stop order’ has been issued for emergency evaluation and protection It is an offence to intentionally damage a place listed on the State Heritage Register National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 In addition to establishing a range of reserve types and controlling activities within such reserves, the Act lists animal and plant species in need of protection and creates offences of injuring or damaging such plants or animals without authorisation 54 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Native Vegetation Act 1991 This Act creates the Native Vegetation Council to which application must normally be made for the clearance of native vegetation This requirement does not apply in most of Metropolitan Adelaide Neither does it apply in the case of TSA roadworks as such activities are exempt under the Native Vegetation Regulations from the approvals provisions of the Act A potential breach of the Act may occur if vegetation clearance occurs outside of that required for roadworks without approval Petroleum Products Regulation Act 1995 The Act applies to the keeping and selling or conveying of petroleum products (including motor spirit, LPG and diesel fuel) Licences may be required to keep the petroleum products Also there is a duty to take reasonable care in the handling, conveying, using or disposing of petroleum products Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987 This Act prohibits the discharge of oil, oily water, noxious substances and garbage from ships into State water other than in specified circumstances The Act also prohibits the discharge of oily and oily mixture into State waters from vehicles and apparatus on land Soil Conservation and Land Care Act 1989 One of the objects of the Act is to assist in the conservation of land, soil, vegetation and water needed to prevent and minimise land degradation Water Resources Act 1997 This Act controls the use of water within the State and requires that a person undertaking certain activities in relation to a watercourse or water resources to obtain a permit or a licence These include: • extraction of water • draining or discharging water directly or indirectly into a well • construction of a dam or structure that will divert water 55 PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK The Act prohibits certain activities contrary to a water plan, such as construction of structures on a watercourse, discharge to a watercourse, depositing material or obstructing a watercourse, destroying vegetation growing in a watercourse; and excavating or removing rock, sand or soil for a watercourse or lake, or the floodplain of a watercourse The Act established Catchment Water Management Boards, which have the responsibility for overseeing the protection and maintenance of water resources in their area COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATION Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1987 This Act is designed to protect Aboriginal heritage where State legislation fails to so It relies principally on the making of declarations in relation to areas or objects of Aboriginal significance Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 This Act established Commonwealth approval processes for proposals likely to have a significant impact on ‘matters of national environmental significance’ Matters of national environmental significance relevant to Transport SA include: • nationally threatened species and ecological communities • migratory species • Ramsar wetlands • World Heritage properties The project may have required approval under this Act which may have included conditions of approval 56 ...ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS for civil construction projects to PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK Environmental awareness for civil. .. 48 Appendix C: Environmental terms 49 Appendix D: Summary of environmental legislation 52 PARTICIPANT WORKBOOK ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS... appropriate work practices to minimise environmental damage ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS FOR CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SECTION Activities and environmental impacts To minimise environmental impact it is important