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The Brush-Tailed Rock Wallaby, a ground dwelling mammal, is one of the species confirmed to occur in the proposed Shannon Creek Storage area. The animal is mostly found in the rugged escarpments around the rim of the catchment.

The Green Tree Frog is a common native amphibian of the Clarence valley area. No threatened frog species were identified in the Species Impact Statement for the project

The Black Bittern is a threatened water bird that lives along rivers and streams. A pair inhabit the area around the proposed Shannon Creek Storage wall. The species is predicted to experience short term but no negative long term impacts from the project activities and operation.

Seven species of bat are represented within the proposed Shannon Creek Storage area -Greater Broad-nosed Bat, Hoary Bat, Little Bent-wing Bat, Common Bent-wing Bat, Eastern Falsistrelle, Large-footed Myotis, and Yellow-bellied Sheathtail Bat. Some bat foraging, roosting and breeding habitat will be inundated and lost. However, the new opportunities created by the storage area are predicted to benefit most if not all bats. These predictions were supported by peer review by Dr. Les Hall, a bat specialist during his address to the Project's Environmental Commission of Inquiry in August 1999.

Disused Fordson Model F Tractor,noted during European and Aboriginal cultural heritage assessments along the proposed pipeline routes for the Project. A Cultural Heritage Management Strategy is one of the four main strategies being implemented under the Project's Environmental Management Plan, and includes an Aboriginal Liason Plan, Cultural Heritage Sites Excavation and Salvage Plan, Keeping Place Management Plan and Aboriginal Sites Impact Monitoring and Management Plan.

Melichrus hirsutus has been identified as a threatened plant species occuring in the Project Study area. The core areas of threatened plant species at Shannon Creek Storage study area are above the proposed innundation area, in the sandstone hiilsides and escarpments that have not been cleared or greatly altered since European settlement.

	Species Impact Statements - 2005
	Environmental Impact Statement Summary
	Environmental Management Plan - EMP Progress Chart
	Environmental Management Plan - HMP Progress Chart
	Inter-Agency Review Committee-Environmental Monitoring Report

The Project's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), prepared by ERM Mitchell McCotter Pty Ltd, for Lower Clarence County Council (North Coast Water - NCW), was on public exhibition at 13 locations in the Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour during 1999 (30th January to 1st March; 12th June to 16th July). A brochure outlining the EIS was produced and is available on this website from the link above.

The complete EIS comprises 5 bound volumes - ISBN No. 07313 3049 8. Copies have been provided to public libraries in Grafton, Maclean and Coffs Harbour.

The EIS is available for purchase from the Project Office ($250.00 for set of 5 volumes, plus GST.

Volume 3 of the EIS is the Species Impact Statement (SIS). A Species Impact Statement Supplementary Report was produced in June 1999 and placed on public exhibition from 12th June to 16th July 1999.

Following exhibition of the EIS and SIS/Supplementary Report, submissions were considered and addressed in an "EIS Representations Response Report" prepared by Lower Clarence County Council (NCW). The Response Report was included in the Council's submission to the Project's independent Environmental Commission of Inquiry held in August-September 1999.

Project Approval

On 22nd March 2000 the Lower Clarence County Council (NCW) made the decision to proceed with construction of the Regional Water Supply Project, in accordance with conditions which ensure an acceptable balance of environmental effects.

This important decision was made after examining and considering extensive investigations and reports, representations by State Government Agencies and members of the community, together with the finding and recommendations of the Environmental Commission of Inquiry and advice by the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Healthy Rivers Commission. Project Newsletter Issue 9, dated May 2000, (Newsletters & Flyers) provides further information regarding the project approval.