Environmental Impact Statement: Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion

This report analyzes the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Sunshine Coast Airport expansion project, focusing on the geological, water, soil, vegetation, flora, and fauna impacts. The project, initiated in 2016 and planned for completion by 2020, involves building a new runway and asso...Read More

Land Studies

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART B............................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
The environmental impact statement is a decision making tool inscribing the positive and
negative environmental effect over the proposed action of expansion of the Sunshine Coast
Airport. In the EIS process both short term and long term effects and considers the possible
measure to reduce such effects.
PART B
Scope:
The Environmental Impact statement process of the Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA)
Expansion present the geological, water, soil, vegetation, flora, fauna related factors which can
get effected by the expansion of the SCA. In this the factors related with soil, marine ecology,
terrestrial fauna, surface water and hydrology, terrestrial flora, aquatic ecology are considered.
Findings:
The Project of expansion of Sunshine coast Airport is about building a new runway and
associated infrastructure at the existing airport. The project commenced in 2016 and it to be
completed by 2020 and it is located in Marcoola, sunshine coast. The information related with
environmental factors affecting the plan are can be stated as minimisation the effect on site,
adjoining flora, fauna and the lands. A Summary of major findings. 2018Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS). 2018Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion. 2018significant reduction in noise
outcome is stipulates with reduction of around 5000 dwellings within the area of high aircraft
noise. With the expansion of the airport the need of private vehicle travel to Brisbane Airport for
accessing activation services (Summary of major findings, 2018). The soil found on the storing at
the pace of expansion is still soft which requires the filling for the purpose of building up the
platform upon the runway.
The north western plan of the expansion plan includes 2.5m of soft clay which directly
requires 1 meter of additional surcharge as a preload for a time of 12 months. The risk of soil
erosion is considered to be low as the ground surface is low lying. The surrounding waterways
and the ecosystem have negligible risk associated with treatment over ASS on the proposed
expansion plan. Groundwater levels across the site range from 0.2 m to 3.4 m below ground level
and reflect a shallow groundwater system.
The coffee rocks are present between the depth of 0.5m-5m, below the ground level
across the area of project. Above the ground rocks there is presence of groundwater which is

semi parched. The south west side of the site have possibility of facing the ground water impacts
with a negligent level of significance (Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), 2018). The project
implementation plan includes mitigation inherent in project design which includes placement of
a high quality liner on the site before the sand filling to reduce the risk of saline tailwater inflow
on the ground water. The is no value of the agriculture and this development would not affect the
agricultural value in the surrounding area. So no major effect can be seen on the floras and
vegetation in the vicinity. Groundwater is generally fresher than brackish in both the perched and
sub-surface aquifers, with groundwater quality in the sub-surface aquifer moderately acidic.
About the fauna the aquatic communities and their values with in the area of project are
likely to be get disturbed with a low level of risk. Almost all the waterways on the site are small
which starts either from within or near the airport which gives no connectivity to the higher value
waterways as well as the aquatic communities upstream. The comprehensive environmental
management plan which is being developed for this expansion project of Sunshine coast Airport
have maintained the sufficient level of consideration to maintain the present status of aquatic
habitat at the site (Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion. 2018). This is stated after taking into
consideration the fact that expansion plan with effect the food sources for the grey headed flying
fox.
The process of construction is likely to disturbed the marine life and for the same
temporary pipelines on the surfaces of the seabed are placed rather than buried. Minimisation in
the length of time for beach works and the extent of beach area affected by pipeline assembly
and operation.
CONCLUSION
With this can be stated that the EIS process is an integral part of resource management
report as for mitigating the high quality liner and cut off wall assists in reducing the tailwater
saline on the site. Furthermore, the natural habitat of the marine and other birds are maintained
without disturbing there natural habitat. Alongside, the EIS report the council, state and
commonwealth agencies are working together for ensuring the fact the ecological impact of the
runway expansion get recognised with regards to regional climate and changing strategies.

REFERENCES
Online
Summary of major findings. 2018. [Online]. Available
through:<http://eisdocs.dsdip.qld.gov.au/Sunshine%20Coast%20Airport%20Expansion/
EIS/Summary%20of%20major%20findings%20%2020Sep14.pdf>.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 2018. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au/corporate/expansion-project/eis/>
Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion. 2018. [Online]. Available
through:<http://statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/assessments-and-approvals/sunshine-coast-
airport-expansion.html>