Pacific Hydro Australia Developments Pty Ltd, as part of its feasibility investigations for a proposed transmission line between the Argyle Diamond Mine and Savannah Nickel Mine, approximately 100 km to the south, appointed Ecoscape to conduct an ecological survey area of the proposed route.  The survey, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, was conducted during August 2019. 

The fauna survey identified 91 vertebrate fauna species, none of which were conservation-listed, during the survey and nine habitat types.  The flora and vegetation survey identified 217 vascular flora including two conservation-listed species, and 10 vegetation types.  A significant part of the survey area occurred within two Priority Ecological Communities, both defined by broad pre-European vegetation associations.

Both surveys were conducted according to current Environmental Protection Authority guidances, although the survey was conducted during the dry period and considered an out-of-season survey.  The season of survey and poor conditions due to lack of seasonal rainfall preceding the survey provided a significant limitation in regard to the survey results, however, the survey area was heavily grazed by cattle which had a greater effect on the survey results than seasonal conditions.  Pacific Hydro will use the survey results during the environmental approvals process should the project proceed.