Mining activities, general ground disturbance (such as digging drains or building roads) and overburden dumps can make the land look unattractive, and can affect the topsoil, soil erosion and animal habitats.
Overburden dump
Taking groundwater from the aquifer under the mine has caused some land subsidence (lowering of the ground level) in and around the mine. The risk of causing subsidence further away is being monitored.
Overburden dumps are gradually rehabilitated (that is, shaped, covered with topsoil and re-vegetated) back to pasture or native bushland. Rehabilitation improves how the land looks, and makes it available for farm grazing or for native animals. So far, about 300 ha of land have been rehabilitated.
Top soil is stored in piles so it can be re-used in rehabilitation of the site. Also, different soil preparation and planting techniques are tested to find the best methods to suit the growth of particular plants.
Tree planting
In its tree planting program Loy Yang Power has planted more than 400,000 trees on site: 70,000 of these to create permanent wildlife habitats, and the rest as plantations of gums which will eventually be harvested for paper and other products, but in the meantime provide temporary wildlife habitats.
Loy Yang Power tries to keep as many native plants as possible on site.
The wetlands area not only cleans the water but also provides a suitable place to live for water birds (swans, pelicans and other birds) and other animals. Duck nesting boxes have been installed on one of the treatment ponds to protect the ducks from foxes, cats and rats.
Duck nesting boxes.
Fox and rabbit eradication programs are in place, as well as weed removal programs.
In 1999 the company carried out a plant and animal survey. This identified areas of land with native plants that need to be preserved, and suggested ways that should be done. The animals on site included many native bird species, mammals (including platypus, koala, antechinus and sugar gliders), reptiles (snakes, lizards and turtles) and frogs.
Replacing willows with native plants on the banks of Traralgon Creek has helped to restore river flow to a more natural pattern, reduce stream bank erosion, and encourage native birds and animals to return to the area.
