Sugarloaf Pipeline Project

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Potential environmental impacts

The table below outlines some of the potential impacts of the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project and the proposed management of these potential impacts:

Potential impacts Proposed management of impacts
Presence of striped legless lizard on Carey Rd, Limestone Rd and Killingworth Rd; pitfall surveys are continuing to identify additional locations and numbers
  • Approved pipeline corridor designed to minimise impacts to threatened species.
  • Manage construction works in peak breeding seasons for threatened fauna species (e.g. August to December) to avoid potential impacts on species.
  • Protective fencing around open trenches to reduce the risk of injury or mortality to animals that may fall into trench lines.
National Heritage listed Yea Flora Fossil Site located on Limestone Rd
  • Approved pipeline corridor designed to avoid impacts.
  • Investigate potential for trenchless technology or other methods to minimise impacts.
Presence of Matted Flax-lily along the pipeline corridor. This is listed as 'Endangered' under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Protection Act 1999
  • Approved pipeline corridor designed to minimise impacts to threatened species.
  • Translocation to protected sites.
  • Inclusion in Environmental Management Plan.
Presence of the threatened Hemiphlebia Damselfly around the Yea wetlands
  • Approved pipeline corridor designed to minimise impacts to threatened species.
  • Manage construction works in peak breeding seasons for threatened fauna species (e.g. August to December) to avoid potential impacts on species.
Visual impacts at the proposed pump station site near Killingworth reserve, and at numerous other locations along the preliminary pipeline corridors
  • Use landscaping and building design to minimise impact around pump station sites.
  • Align pipeline to avoid and minimise visual and landscape impacts.
  • Remove vegetation only if there is no practical alternative option.
Potential erosion, surface and groundwater impacts around the Goulburn and Yea floodplains, as well as Steels Creek (Yarra Glen) and other tributries and waterways
  • Minimise the area of disturbance, in particular the extent of vegetation clearing.
  • Implement an erosion and sediment control plan during construction.
  • Undertake works in accordance with an environmental management plan.
Sensitive cultural heritage sites around the Yea River floodplain and moderate potential for cultural heritage sites around Steels Creek High potential for impacts on private land owners, current land use, businesses, and residences and emotional stress identified along numerous sections of the preliminary pipeline corridors.






Presence of Roundleaf Pomaderis in Castella region

Presence of Brown Toadlet in Glenburn region
  • Avoid identified heritage sites.
  • Comply with Cultural Heritage Management Plan.
  • Work with affected landowners and communities to minimise impacts on private land.
  • Undertake works in accordance with a land reinstatement plan.
  • Work with local communities to identify and maximise potential benefits for the community.

  • Seed corridor

  • Align pipeline to avoid impacts.

Related information

See the Environmental Management page for more on the management of environmental issues during construction.

View the Environmental Management Framework (link to EMF as a pdf) for a detailed strategy for environmental management.