EIS: Proposed upgrade of the Pacific highway at Karuah : environmental impact statement

Environmental Impact Statement: Review of environmental factors : upgrading of Pacific Highway Karuah to Bulahdelah

The Roads & Traffic Authority (RTA) is proposing to upgrade the Pacific Highway at Karuah 1, on the mid-north coast of NSW (Figure 1.1). After a detailed route selection process, a route which bypasses the town of Karuah (the 'Horse Island' route) was selected as the 'preferred option' in preference to other options including the upgrade of the existing route through Karuah (Figure 1.2). The proposed Bypass diverges to the north from the existing Highway approximately 5km west of the town of Karuah and will pass approximately 3km to the north of the town, crossing the Karuah River at Horse Island, via a new bridge. The crossing at Horse Island was selected in part to reduce the required span of the proposed bridge. The proposed upgrade of this section of the Highway is part of the overall Pacific Highway Upgrading Program, which is a joint NSW State/Commonwealth Government initiative. The Program has committed some $2.2 billion over ten years for upgrading of the Pacific Highway between Hexham and the Queensland border. The proposal includes the construction of a dual carriageway four-lane road to the north of the town of Karuah, interchanges between the existing Highway (which will be retained for local access) and the new Highway, a major bridge over the Karuah River, and the associated stormwater management features. With respect to flora and fauna matters, the proposed roadworks will include an array of features designed to facilitate fauna movements and to minimise adverse impacts upon the natural environment, as well as compensatory habitat measures to offset the adverse impacts which will be imposed by the project.

The purpose of this report is to assess the likely impacts on threatened and regionally significant species that could arise from the proposed upgrading of the pacific highway between Karuah and Buladelah.

The purpose of this report is to assess the likely impacts on threatened and regionally significant species that could arise from the proposed upgrading of the pacific highway between Karuah and Buladelah.

As part of the ten year Pacific Highway Upgrade Program, the RTA has commissioned Ove Arup and Partners to undertake the route selection studies, concept design and preparation of an environmental Impact Statement for the upgrade of the highway at Karuah. The selected route will pass to the west and north of the Karuah township, crossing the Karuah River at Horse Island. The selected route passes through several wetlands designated under State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP 14), and so requires that assessment is made of the likely impact of the highway on the nominated wetland habitats. These include extensive areas of saltmarsh and mangrove forests. The Ecology Lab Pty Ltd was commissioned by Ove Arup to undertake studies of the wetland and riverine ecosystem, assess the likely impact of the highway on those habitats and suggest ameliorative measures that may reduce the identified impacts.

Arup Transportation Planning was commissioned to carry out a traffic assessment for the proposed upgrade of the Pacific Highway at Karuah, based on the adopted 'Horse Island' route alignment (See Figure 1). This report follows on from the Route Selection Study undertaken by Arup (June 1998) and forms part of the Concept Design and EIS process.

V. 1:1: Traffic assessment -- 2:Concept design -- 3:Noise and vibration -- 4:Air quality -- 5:Hydology and flooding -- 6:Cultural heritage -- V. 2: 7:Aquatic ecology and water quality -- 8:Flora and fauna -- 9:Geotechnical assessment -- 10:Visual assessment, landscape and urban design strategy -- 11:Planning, land use and socio-economic assessment -- 12:Hazard and risk assessment.

E. Assessment of environmental impacts – F. Ancillary activities – G. Cumulative impacts and environmental management – H. Conclusions -- References -- Appendices

This report for the Pacific Highway upgrade between Karuah and Bulahdelah assesses the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of the upgrade including concrete asphalt batching plant on the surrounding areas.