Perth, Western Australia - Ghems Revegetation Environmental

Client: Gas Net / APA
Project Period: 2006 -2008

GHEMS Role

GHEMS environmental managers initially visited the site to assess the area and report on its requirements in terms of current vegetation condition, resources and treatment methods.

Logistics, timing and being fully self-sufficient in a very remote location was a key requirement of these works.

Treatments for different areas along the pipeline included:

• Site assessment and revegetation plans.
• Installation of jute netting and brush application to dunes
• Dozer scalloping to roughen soil surface, breaking compaction and create germination niches.
• Direct seeding into bare areas.
• Bunding and diversion of surface water to prevent pooling.
• Swampy tracking and blading to crimp wattles and improve line of sight

Outcomes

The site was monitored in 2007 and a maintenance program for the following two seasons was implemented. Monitoring in 2008 indicated that remedial treatments were very successful, with dune stabilisation evident and re-colonisation occurring.

Relevant Components

Identify and source the right quantity of suitable, local provenance seed material for the project and apply the appropriate treatments to suit the specific needs of the site. Our experience with arid areas from extensive flora surveys, seed collection projects and mine site rehabilitation and monitoring in the Pilbara and Goldfields was applied to this project to devise a revegetation plan, an appropriate maintenance program and monitoring criteria.

The project required careful planning, not only to devise the revegetation and maintenance treatments, but to ensure the right materials, personnel and equipment were mobilised to the site to maintain an efficient, autonomous operation.

Dozer scalloping is a technique that traps storm water run-off and wind-borne seed, also providing protection for young germinates from wind to increase germination success and seedling survival.