Environmental Impact Assessment and Soft Tools Assignment 1 Report

This report presents an analysis of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) assignment. The assignment begins with a discussion of the 'Limits to Growth' concept, exploring the challenges of resource scarcity and the impact of increasing human population, referencing Australia's investments in renewable energy sources to address these issues. The report then outlines the EIA process, specifically focusing on Queensland's regulations and procedures for project approval, including relevant legislation and the six major EIA procedures. The assignment also identifies and proposes solutions for common pitfalls in the EIA process, such as training deficiencies and ineffective auditing systems. Finally, the report includes an EIA report for the construction and expansion of roadways in Murujuga National Park, detailing the project's purpose, location, proponent details, proposed actions, objectives, timeframes, and environmental impact assessments, including mitigation measures for potential negative impacts on the environment and wildlife. The report emphasizes the importance of stakeholder consultation and provides a comprehensive overview of the environmental considerations involved in the project.

Assignment No.1 (35%) EIA and Soft Tools 1
ASSIGNMENT NO.1 (35%) EIA AND SOFT TOOLS
First name Last name
Professor’s Name
Institutional affiliation

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Question 1.
Some of the key learnings from the article which is accredited to Hall, C.A. (2009), in
terms of limit to growth include;
There are serious problems that are relate to the competition for scares resources by ever
increasing human population. This can be seen on the interdependence on oil for production
despite the fact that the fossil fuel is declining. It is also important to note that various ecological
researchers have raised concerns before over the increasing human population and the
diminishing resources. However, their ideas were not taken seriously as in the case of Donella H.
Meadows (1972).
The economic status of most countries like that of the US and those of European
countries has always been controlled with the availability of petroleum products like oil. The
increase in oil prices has always led to the increase of prices of various products like food which
essential for human survival. The production of food through mechanized agricultural also
depend greatly on the availability of oil, where the production has always remained high.
However, the main concern is that how the human population will survive when the
production of oil comes to peak or maximum given that there is no alternative for it equal that
has been identified and most human development needs like energy and transportation and also
the basic needs like food and cloth production, including medicine production depends on the
petroleum products. This therefore means that the growth of human beings in terms of
population is likely to decline when the production of eventually comes to its peak.
Some of the measures taken by the measures that Australia has taken to solve these issues
include her increased investments in the renewable sources of energy like the hydro power and
wind .According to Stephanie Chalmers (2018), in her report with figures obtained from
Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) show that there was a 150 per cent increase in
Australia's investment in renewable in 2017 sources with a record of $US9 billion.
The Australian Government has also embarked on various plans on the promotion of use
of alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol, (Parliament of Australia 2010).This has been
promoted by the increasing prices of oil imports and the need for healthy environments, free
from emissions. This therefore means that Australia will be able to have adequate energy for

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food production and the maintenance of human growth even as the production of oil tents to get
to the peak.
Question 2.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is includes the assessment of various
environmental impacts of a proposed development project and various ways of mitigating the
negative impacts if any. My chosen state is the Queensland State which is majorly concerned
with the reduction in carbon emissions by investment in renewable clean energy. There are
various steps that need to be followed for the approval of projects that need EIA .According to
Chris McGrath (2016),there are various statutes that have been provided by the state laws for the
process of EIA and its approval ,including:
1. Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (Qld) (SPA)
2. Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld) (EPA)
3. State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (Qld)
4. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
(EPBC Act)
Generally ,the there are six major EIA procedures that need to be undertaken by
individuals for assessing the impacts resulting from controlled actions for the approval of the
project (Chris McGrath 2016).They include:
 Charring out of assessment process that has been accredited by the state
 Carrying out of referral information assessment.
 The preliminary documentation assessment by state officials
 The submission of public environment report.
 The submission of environmental impact statement to the authorities.
 Carrying out of public inquiry.

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Question 3.
There are a lot of problems or pitfalls that are always involved in the process of EIA and
even in its results .According to the article by (Lawteacher.net 2018), some of the issue involved
include lack of experienced experts, examination procedure unavailability, training procedure
unavailability for various stakeholders involved, restricted public hearing, ineffective auditing
system and control and public decision making limitations.
Looking at two pitfalls, that is, training procedure unavailability and ineffective auditing
system and control, there are a number of solutions that can be provided for the problems. The
problem of unavailable training procedure for the available experts can be solved through
provision of facilities for potential developments. Resources such as funds need to be channeled
towards the creation or development of training centers which can offer high level of training to
the available experts. Also, clear policies and guidelines should developed in such centers for the
maintenance of standards.
The problem of ineffective auditing system and control can be solved through the
establishment of an effective communication system. The main problem involved in auditing is
the lack of flow of information among the officials who are always involved in decision making
stage. A smooth coordination of ideas among the officials can greatly improve the performance
of the EIA process if a good communication is established for sharing of ideas.
Question 4.
According to the Australian Government (2018),there are procedures developed for the
carrying out of Environmental Impact Assessment in National Parks inAustalia.as provided in
the below EIAR.
Environmental Impact Assessment Report
Construction of Expansion of Roadways in Murujuga National Park
Purpose

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The purpose of this Environmental impacts Assessment is to make sure that various
impacts resulting from this proposed development project are identified and evaluated on
potential impacts on the values of the Park before making decisions and approval.
Location
The location of Murujuga National Park is about 5 kilometers north-east of Dampier
town and 35 kilometers away from Karratha. This park can be accessed through the Burrup
Road, off the Dampier Highway. This Park was established by Murujuga with the Murujuga
Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) which also consists of the various traditional custodians such as
the Woon-goo-tt-oo and the Yaburara-Mardudhunera. This Park is composed of rock arts which
is mainly associated with the archeological activities in the Park. Also this park has a diverse
ecological and biological life forms (Western Australia Government 2018).
Proponent’s details
Organisation: Green Solutions

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Contact person: James Clays
Postal Address: P.O. Box 78, Australia.
Telephone and email: [e-mail]
Date: 21/05/2019
Environmental record and experience of proponent
Green Solutions have been involved in various EIA throughout the country. However
most of studies or assessments have always been done by Poyry Energy Oy on its behalf.
Description of proposed action
The proposed action will involve the expansion and upgrade of the various lanes of
roadways in the Park. Materials such as crushed stone gravels will be used during the
construction process. Petroleum products such as bitumen will also be used in laying out of
pavement with heavy equipment such as bulldozers and asphalt spreaders put into use in the
Park.
Proposed action objective(s) and justification
The main objective of the expansion and upgrading of the roadways in the park is
improve movement of vehicles and tourists. There has been a challenge on the transportation
especially during the peak tourist periods hindering the faster movement of both tourists and the
wildlife officials throughout the Park. This will therefore improve performance and faster
response to emergencies that may arise.
Detailed description of proposed action
The proposed upgrading will be done in various stages which will involve planning,
construction or implementation and handing over. The project will be done by Smart Contractors
Limited Company, who will develop plans and various design drawings for use. The
construction process will start by clearing the areas in which the road is to expand up to after
which excavations will be carried out and laying and compaction out of subgrade materials done
before finally laying the bitumen pavements.

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The complete roads will be subjected to inspections before finally getting opened for use.
It is also important to note that a portion of existing road will remain in use during the
construction period and therefore there will be no any road diversions created.
Timeframes
The time frame for the completion this project has be is estimated to be about 8 months.
The scheduled time periods for the completion of each stage is as shown below
Planning -----------------------21/10/2018
Resource mobilization--------21/11/2018
Construction -------------------21/04/2019
Handover -----------------------21/05/2019
Legislative and planning requirements
This Park is classified as a Commonwealth reserve and is therefore considered to be
falling under Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) 1999. The
Park is managed by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) which prepares management
plans prepared under the EPBC Act, providing the policies for managing the park, which may
also include what kind of activities that can be considered and approved in the park. Proposed
activities in the park should be assessed for their potential environmental impacts based on
Section 8.1.
Alternative to taking the proposed action
The various alternatives for undertaking the proposed construction is only on the
materials that will be used. The process will employ the use of materials such as bitumen,
gravels, cement and water. This therefore means that a flexible pavement made of bitumen will
be developed. However, a rigid pavement which is made of cement and steel reinforcement can
be constructed as an alternative.
Personnel
The various personnel that will be involved include, the officials in the park, engineers,
scientists and other works who will be hired from the community around the park

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Community and stakeholder consultation
There has been to wide consultation of the general public on the proposed activity
because it will take place inside the park and only affect the inside activities. However, various
stakeholders like the government has been adequately consulted and the views of visiting tourists
also taken by se of questionnaires.
Description of the environment and proposals likely impacts
The natural environment is made of tall grass and trees. The roads run through the grasses
and trees with appropriate distances of trees provided away from roadways.
The only impacts on the environment is that grasses will be cleared with some trees fell
down.
Fauna and fauna habitat values
The animals in the park include lions, cheetahs, birds, elephants, rhinos etc. The animals
are likely to get scared from their habitat which include trees by the sound from moving engines
and equipment.
Human Health and Safety
The health and safety of workers is likely to get compromised by the wild animals I the
park who may attack them in protest of disruption their peaceful living in their habitat. The
safety of workers may also be affected due to injuries from equipment being used during the
construction process.
Monitoring activities to assess and measure likely impacts.
The various identified impacts will be measured or assessed through various means like
observation of the movement of the animals as they respond to the activities being undertaken in
the park.
Impact avoidance or mitigation measures
Some of the mitigation measures include

Assignment No.1 (35%) EIA and Soft Tools 9
a) There will be an erection of fence along the roadway in which
the project will be taking place to prevent animals from getting to the workers.
b) The movement of machines and equipment need to be minimised
as possible to avoid the disruption of animals from their habitat.
c) The clearance of trees and grass will only be limited to small
portions where the roadway is to pass so as to avoid impacts on the vegetation.
Significance and summary of likely impacts
The disruption of movement of animals with the erected fences in the park may affect
their migration patterns and their well-being affairs. This will further affect the number of
visiting tourists and consequently reducing the quantity of revenues over the period of
construction in the park.
Cutting of some trees and grasses also gets against the environmental laws which
have been established to guide and provide procedures when undertaking proposed activities
in parks as seen in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC
Act) 1999.
Question 4.
Based on ID ending 0, design strategy based on soft tools for reducing congestion on a
specific section of the road would be to persuade persons to use formal bus services while
ensuring that bus services are made accessible, cost-effective, of much convenience and
significant comforts, with utmost safety provisions while regulating informal paratransit services
to ensure low instances of noise pollution, reduced congestion and traffic incidents through
measures or strategies such as outright prohibitions and acceptance. Also, other modifications
would include differentiation and/ or creation of bus lanes on planned, developed and developing
roads thus ensuring suitable and efficient formal bus services. As a measure to improve the
quality of bus services, systems and ease congestion, creation of bus lanes been recommended
given its implementation requires low-cost strategy in achieving efficiency in road networks in
cities. At intersections, vehicles at bus lanes are given priority as related to vehicles from other
lanes. This is regulated by installation of traffic lights specifically designed to automatically

Assignment No.1 (35%) EIA and Soft Tools 10
indicate green for buses and high occupancy vehicles and red for car at pints where the
intersections are common.

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2018].
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