Land & Biodiversity

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Land & Biodiversity

Tarong Energy owns land surrounding the Power Stations at Tarong and Wivenhoe, in the areas of Glen Wilga, Surat Basin and Fernvale in Queensland. We implement land management strategies relating to flora and fauna, erosion, fire and control of feral species to enhance the environmental value of our land.

In terms of creating new habitat, Tarong Energy has planted more than 20,000 trees on land adjacent to Tarong Power Station to restore 20 hectares along Berlin and Neumgna roads to its original habitat and create a wildlife corridor for a diverse range of animal and bird life. A revegetation initiative in cooperation with Greening Australia has also resulted in more than 1,200 trees being planted at the Wivenhoe Power Station site.

In January 2009, Tarong Energy purchased a 50ha property approximately 5km south west of Meandu mine to voluntarily offset clearing of native vegetation caused by mining activities. The property has been named Quail on Rouge, after the distinctive red basalt soil that covered much of the property. Previously, the site had been a cattle grazing property, with infestations of weeds and exotic grasses. Quail on Rouge was chosen as an offset area due to patches of regrowth as habitat for the Black Breasted Button Quail already on site. More importantly, Quail on Rouge is a strategic offset that, once fully revegetated, will become an important wildlife corridor by providing connectivity to surrounding native forest.

TE also recognises the importance of environmental education and has partnered with Nanango State High School to purchase seedlings that the students will propagate to help revegetate Quail on Rouge. Senior school students are also undertaking a long term monitoring study at the site.

Tarong Energy takes a cooperative approach to managing feral animals on its properties. A feral pig survey and trapping program has previously been carried out at the Wivenhoe property in cooperation with SEQWater. At Tarong Power Station, a Wild Dog Assessment and Trapping Program is undertaken. This Program is managed in conjunction with QNPWS and Forestry Plantations Queensland, with assistance from the South Burnett Vertebrate Control Officer.

Tarong Energy recognises the importance of cultural heritage sites to local traditional owners. In order to avoid impacting such sites in the South Burnett, a Cultural Heritage Investigation Agreement was signed in 2006. The agreement describes the obligations of both parties in the location, avoidance and protection of cultural heritage in the Native Title Claim area and demonstrates the good will shown. For more information, refer to the indigenous relations page.