Annex 12 - Code 12 - Declared fish habitat area

  Performance outcomes                                   Acceptable outcomes   Response
                                                                               were assessed as being in relatively poor condition
                                                                               due to high sediment loads observed on and around
                                                                               the existing rocky reef and rubble areas, with some
                                                                               sections of reef having a high coverage of fine
                                                                               sediment.

                                                                               ESP also confirmed that given the speed at which
                                                                               Padina can colonise hard surfaces (dead oyster
                                                                               shell) elsewhere in the estuary, it is anticipated that
                                                                               supplementary habitat provided as part of the
                                                                               proposed restoration project would be colonised
                                                                               rapidly within 1 year of deployment, and that
                                                                               coverage would be similar to the current condition
                                                                               within 2 to 3 years post deployment, particularly in
                                                                               sections that particularly in sections that remain
                                                                               subtidal and not covered by fine silt.

                                                                               Mangroves and seagrasses are not within the
                                                                               footprint of this project and will not be impacted at
                                                                               any restoration site.

                                                                               Alternatives to the oyster ecosystem restoration
                                                                               methodology proposed are evaluated in the Project
                                                                               Restoration Plan, Section 6.3. Impact minimisation

                                                                               Oyster ecosystems are known to increase the
                                                                               biomass of fish relative to adjacent bare habitat. They
                                                                               also provided hard substrates, which are colonised

State Development Assessment Provisions – version 2.6
State code 12: Development in a fish declared habitat area                                                     Page 4 of 39