Environmental studies have been undertaken for the following areas:
- Vegetation and Flora Survey in accordance with the Level 2 survey requirements of the EPA
- Arboricultural survey (tree survey)
- Fauna habitat survey
- Re-commencement of the annual waterbird monitoring program
- Groundwater level and quality monitoring
- Preliminary onshore Acid Sulfate Soil assessment
- Estuarine water quality sampling
- Light attenuation monitoring within the Harvey Estuary and Dawesville Channel
- Seagrass mapping within the Harvey Estuary
- Meteorological monitoring
- Estuarine current measurements
- Aboriginal Heritage Studies
Studies undertaken for the original 1997 Environmental Assessment and subsequent management plans that have been used to assist with the current project planning and design include:
- Flora and Vegetation Survey
- Vertebrate Fauna Assessment
- Groundwater level and quality monitoring
- Phosphorus Export Modelling
- Landscape Analysis
- Seagrass mapping
These studies will continue to contribute to the overall design of the Point Grey site and development of subsequent management programmes. The environmental studies have been provided to State Government agencies and the Federal Government to assist in their assessment of Point Grey during the various statutory environmental approval processes.
The environmental focus is a high priority for Port Bouvard Ltd and these considerations have been reflected in the Outline Development Plan.
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACT 1999 (EPBC ACT) POINT GREY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSSSMENT (Reference Number 2010/5825)
The proposed residential development at Point Grey was subject to a formal environmental impact assessment in 1997 by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Subsequently in 1999 the residential development proposal was approved by the Minister for the Environment (Ministerial Statement 519). The updating of the original state environmental approval for the terrestrial component of the project was completed in March 2011.
The landholdings subject to this referral only applies to the Lots in the ownership of the Proponent which is inclusive of Lots 138, 139, 672 and 1132. The proposed Point Grey marina located on the western foreshore (within lot 672) is currently the subject of a separate bilateral formal environmental impact assessment (EPBC Referral 2010/5515). The area of the Point Grey residential development referral totals 261 ha.
The proposed action has been determined a 'controlled action' under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 due to potential impacts on listed threatened species and communities.
In accordance with Section 95A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, preliminary documentation was advertised to enable public viewing and public comment from 12 August 2011 until 8 September 2011, which provided 20 business days for public comment. The documents were made available for viewing at the Shire of Murray Library, the Department of Environment and Conservation and on Port Bouvard Limited's Point Grey website. No public comments were received during the advertising period.
The Point Grey EPBC Referral and supporting documents were subsequently readvertised for public viewing for 20 business days inclusive from 16th September to 14th October 2011.
The Point Grey residential development was granted approval on the 24th of April 2012 by the Commonwealth Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPC) in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
