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Portman Iron Ore Ltd Koolyanobbing Iron Ore Expansion

The proposal would require clearing of 93hectares (ha) of native bush at Mt Jackson and 490hectares at Windarling. This would impact on both Declared Rare Flora (DRF) and geographically restricted vegetation communities. The transport corridor would require clearing of approximately 500ha.

In assessing the proposal the EPA became aware of the issue of landscape and geoheritage values but considered biodiversity to be the critical issue. The EPA commended Portman Iron Ore Limited for its professional approach in relation to the environmental significance of the Windarling Range.

After considering the submissions made in response to the PER, the proponent decided to progress instead the second option alluded to in the PER, in order to reduce the impact on Tetratheca paynterae. This would be accomplished by reduction of the mining footprint at Windarling.

The second option would result in removal of 60% of the Tetratheca paynterae population, leaving intact 1060 of the original 2852 individual plants. This represents a 50% loss of the estimated 4 hectares (ha) containing the Tetratheca paynterae population.

Other species of conservation significance are Ricinocarpus brevis (Priority 1) and Jacksonia jackson (Priority 2). The second option would result in 28% (2240 individuals) removal of R. brevis at Windarling and 7% of the total population of J.jackson in the Jackson Range.

The high quality transport corridor flora and vegetation survey work undertaken by ecologia Environment provided a wealth of information about the Declared Rare Flora species Tetratheca paynterae in the Windarling Range as well as the vegetation communities. Both Tetratheca paynterae and the vegetation communities are unique to that range.

More details to follow...