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17. Yabulu refinery maintains an environmental assessment and management program to preserve local ecosystems
The QNI Yabulu nickel refinery at Halifax Bay in north Queensland, Australia, is situated on 2500 hectares of land that includes areas of conservation significance. Since operations commenced in 1974, environmental monitoring has occurred at the refinery. In 1997, the monitoring strategy was expanded, and the Environmental Assessment and Management (EA&M) program was established. This program includes actions to protect coastal wetlands and the adjacent Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The EA&M program classified the refinery site into three management zones - buffer, infrastructure and industrial - based on their environmental values and proposed land uses.
The objectives of the EA&M program are to:
- establish a model for the various ecosystems within the buffer zone
- monitor environmental conditions within the buffer zone and adjacent marine ecosystems
- establish key environmental ‘health’ indicators
- assess the health of the various ecosystems
- recommend remedial actions where required
- develop a scientifically defensible environmental monitoring data set.
The initial scope for the EA&M program was four years, and this period was concluded after completion of the 2001 monitoring season. Having proved to be a valuable management tool, the program was adopted by the refinery as part of its routine environment plan.
The monitoring program covers the marine zone, buffer zone, aquatic ecosystems and buffer zone terrestrial ecosystems.
Within the program there is a broad range of monitoring sub-programs and methods, reflecting the need to understand the key drivers of the various ecosystems and the range of ecosystems present.
Each year, the results from the EA&M program are compiled into a summary report supported by extensive appendices containing the monitoring data. This report is used to set annual environmental programs, as well as long-term objectives, within the context of the refinery's business plans.
Results of the studies show the refinery's long-term land management strategy has protected many ecosystems that would otherwise have been lost if the land had been cleared for residential development. The studies confirm that current environmental management activities and programs are effective in preserving valuable local ecology.
The buffer zone supports many species of plants and animals, with a diversity and richness comparable to other undisturbed lands along the north Queensland coast. The assessment of the zone shows that all key indicator species for each ecosystem are present and, importantly, each ecosystem is stable. Several distinct ecosystems have been identified, including sand dunes, mangroves and salt flats, open forest, and eucalypt and melaleuca woodlands. The broad variety of identified fauna includes endangered migratory birds that use the buffer zone for breeding.
The EA&M program is a Company initiative and does not form part of the statutory controls applied by the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Reflecting its open relationship with the EPA, the refinery provides the Agency with an annual briefing on the data from the program.
The program's detailed database has also proved useful for other purposes, such as the work undertaken by the refinery with local and state government organisations on regional initiatives to address risks posed by fire, weeds and feral animals.
The annual monitoring and assessment component of the EA&M program is conducted on behalf of the Company by Central Queensland University's Centre for Land and Water Resources Management. In turn, the Centre utilises resources of James Cook University and the University of Queensland.
