Performance Outcome
Both of the following apply:
• There will be no direct or indirect release of contaminants to groundwater from the operation
of the activity.
• There will be no actual or potential adverse effect on groundwater from the operation of the
activity.
Or, the activity will be managed to prevent or minimise adverse effects on groundwater or any
associated surface ecological systems. Some activities involving direct releases to groundwater are
prohibited by the EP Regulation.
6.2.1. Values
No wetlands of international or national importance, or high ecological value wetlands were identified
within or proximal to the Project area. The Dee River flows between the Mount Morgan Mine and the
Mount Morgan township to the Don and Dawson Rivers and then into the Fitzroy River, within the Fitzroy
Basin (Basin 130). The Dee River catchment represents 0.63% of the entire Fitzroy Basin. The
Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 (EPP Water) is relevant to the
Project with respect to the protection of EVs and water quality objectives (WQOs).
The Callide Creek Catchment Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives (DEHP, 2013)
prescribes EVs for the Dee River and tributaries in developed areas as follows:
Aquatic ecosystems;
•
Irrigation;
•
Farm supply/use;
•
Stock water;
•
Human Consumer;
•
Primary recreation;
•
Secondary recreation;
•
Visual recreation;
•
Drinking water;
•
Industrial use; and
•
Cultural and spiritual values.
•
The Dee River is classified as highly disturbed from the Mount Morgan Mine to the confluence of the
Don River. ARD is the key environmental concern at the mine site, posing a significant adverse risk to
downstream catchments, namely the Dee, Don and Dawson rivers. ARD is caused by oxidised sulphide
minerals in rocks and soils being mobilised by water moving over or through the sulphide minerals
(Unger et al., 2003). This sulphidic waste material was dumped across a large area, including the slopes
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Wulguru Technical Services Pty Ltd – Supporting Information to Amend an Environmental Authority
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