Flora and Fauna Assessment · 2020-06-04 · Flora and Fauna Assessment 2 Jarvisfield Road, Picton...
Transcript of Flora and Fauna Assessment · 2020-06-04 · Flora and Fauna Assessment 2 Jarvisfield Road, Picton...
Flora and Fauna Assessment
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Flora and Fauna Assessment
Lot 4 // DP 873571, 2 Jarvisfield Road, Picton, NSW, 2571
Proposed rezoning
Prepared for: Michael Brown Planning Strategies Pty Ltd
11 April 2018
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This report should be cited as: Ecoplanning (2018). Final Flora and Fauna Assessment – Lot 4
// DP 873571; 2 Jarvisfield Road, Picton, NSW. Prepared for Michael Brown Planning Strategies
Pty Ltd.
ECOPLANNING PTY LTD
74 HUTTON AVE BULLI NSW 2516
M: 0421 603 549
www.ecoplanning.com.au
Disclaimer: This report has been prepared by Ecoplanning Pty Ltd for Michael Brown Planning Strategies Pty Ltd
and may only be used for the purpose agreed between these parties, as described in this report. The opinions,
conclusions and recommendations set out in this report are limited to those set out in the scope of works and agreed
between these parties. Ecoplanning P/L accepts no responsibility or obligation for any third party that may use this
information or for conclusions drawn from this report that are not provided in the scope of works or following changes
occurring subsequent to the date that the report was prepared.
PROJECT NUMBER 2018 - 001
PROJECT NAME Flora and Fauna Assessment
PROJECT ADDRESS Lot 4 // DP 873571, 2 Jarvisfield Road, Picton, NSW
PREPARED FOR Michael Brown Planning Strategies Pty Ltd
AUTHOR/S Thomas Hickman
REVIEW Tammy Paartalu
VERSION
Version Draft/Final Date to client
1.0 Draft 23 March 2018
Final 11 April 2018
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Glossary and abbreviations
ABBR./TERM DESCRIPTION
BC Act Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016
DA Development Application
DNG Derived Native Grassland
DoPE Department of Planning and Environment
DotE Commonwealth Department of the Environment (now DoEE)
CEEC Critically Endangered ecological community
EP&A Act NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
EPBC Act Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
hectares Hectares
HBT Hollow bearing tree
LGA Local Government Area
mm/cm/m/km millimetres/centimetres/metres/kilometres
MNES Matters of National Environmental Significance
OEH Office of Environment and Heritage
TEC Threatened Ecological Community
TSC Act Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995
VMP Vegetation Management Plan
VRZ Vegetated riparian zone
WLEP Wollondilly Local Environment Plan 2011
WoNS Weed of National Significance
* Denotes exotic species
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Contents Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1
Purpose of report and legislative context .................................................................... 1
Site description ........................................................................................................... 2
Subject site and study area ................................................................................. 2
Locality ................................................................................................................ 2
Description of the planning proposal .......................................................................... 4
Methods ............................................................................................................................ 5
Literature and database review .................................................................................. 5
Field survey ................................................................................................................ 6
Vegetation communities and flora ....................................................................... 6
Fauna and fauna habitat ..................................................................................... 6
Survey limitations ................................................................................................ 7
Ecological constraints ................................................................................................. 7
Results .............................................................................................................................. 8
Literature and database review .................................................................................. 8
Topography, drainage, soils and biodiversity layer .............................................. 8
Threatened species, populations and migratory species ..................................... 8
State Environmental Planning Policy No.44 (SEPP 44) – Koala Habitat Protection
8
Vegetation and threatened ecological communities ........................................... 11
Field survey .............................................................................................................. 13
Vegetation communities and flora species ........................................................ 13
Shale Plains Woodland (MU10) ....................................................................................... 13
Exotic grassland/infrastructure ........................................................................................ 13
Planted ‘non-indigenous/exotic’ vegetation ...................................................................... 13
Condition thresholds under the EPBC Act ......................................................... 14
Flora species ..................................................................................................... 21
Fauna habitat .................................................................................................... 22
Fauna species ................................................................................................... 25
Corridors .................................................................................................................. 25
Summary of Ecological Values ........................................................................................ 26
Opportunities and constraints ................................................................................... 26
Development constraints ................................................................................... 26
Development opportunities ................................................................................ 26
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Considerations at Development Application stage ............................................. 26
Areas for inclusion as ‘sensitive land’ under the Natural Resources – Biodiversity and
Water Map (WLEP 2011) .................................................................................................... 27
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 30
Recommendations ................................................................................................... 30
References ...................................................................................................................... 31
Appendix A: Species likelihood of occurrence ........................................................................ 32
Appendix B: Flora and fauna species inventories ................................................................... 36
Figures Figure 1.1: Study area .............................................................................................................. 1
Figure 1.2: Strahler stream order and associated VRZ for the watercourses in the study area. 2
Figure 1.3: Locality (5 km), showing areas of native vegetation in green (Tozer et al. 2006). ... 3
Figure 3.1: Threatened species records (OEH 2018). ............................................................ 10
Figure 3.2: Regional vegetation mapping of the study area (NPWS 2002). ............................ 12
Figure 3.3: Field validated vegetation and hollow-bearing trees (Ecoplanning 2018). ............. 18
Figure 3.4: Shale Plains Woodland ‘underscrubbed’ in the study area. .................................. 19
Figure 3.5: Shale Plains Woodland ‘scattered trees’ in the study area. ................................... 19
Figure 3.6: Cleared land ‘exotic grassland’ in the study area. ................................................. 20
Figure 3.7: Planted ‘non-indigenous/exotic’ vegetation in the study area. ............................... 20
Figure 3.8: A large hollow in an over-mature E. tereticornis in the west of the study area. ...... 23
Figure 3.9: Underscrubbed vegetation providing potential foraging and roosting habitat for native
fauna. ..................................................................................................................................... 23
Figure 3.10: Dam in the west of the study area....................................................................... 24
Figure 3.11: Planted vegetation providing refugia and foraging habitat for native fauna. ........ 24
Figure 4.1: Ecological constraints in the study area. ............................................................... 28
Figure 4.2: Area proposed for inclusion as ‘sensitive land’ under the Natural Resources –
Biodiversity Map (WLEP 2011). .............................................................................................. 29
Tables Table 1.1: Legislative framework addressed in this report. ....................................................... 1
Table 2.1: Daily weather observation at Camden Airport (17.5 km north-east of the study area).
................................................................................................................................................. 6
Table 2.2: Ranking ecological constraints................................................................................ 7
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Table 3.1: Vegetation community nomenclature ..................................................................... 11
Table 3.2: Condition categories, rationale and thresholds for Cumberland Plain Shale Woodland
and Shale-Gravel Transition Forest. ....................................................................................... 15
Table 3.3: Vegetation types found in the study area showing the condition and area ............. 16
Table 3.4: Priority weeds and Weeds of National Significance (WoNS). ................................. 21
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Introduction
P u r p o s e o f r e p o r t a n d l e g i s l a t i v e c o n t e x t
This flora and fauna assessment has been undertaken for the proposed rezoning of Lot 4 // DP
873571 (2 Jarvisfield Road, Picton, NSW). The purpose of this report is to identify and assess
the flora and fauna within the study area and to identify ecological values and constraints that
may affect rezoning and the future use of the study area for seniors living. This report addresses
the legislative context provided in (Table 1.1).
Table 1.1: Legislative framework addressed in this report.
Instrument Considerations Context
Commonwealth
Environment
Protection and
Biodiversity
Conservation (EPBC)
Act 1999
Matters of National
Environmental
Significance
An action will require approval from the Minister if
the action has, will have, or is likely to have, a
significant impact on a matter of national
environmental significance.
State (New South Wales)
Biodiversity
Conservation Act 2016
Part 4, Divisions 2 and
5
Lists threatened species, populations, ecological
communities and key threatening processes to be
considered under Section 5A EP&A Act.
Biosecurity Act 2015 Priority weeds Describes the state and regional priorities for
weeds in New South Wales.
Environmental
Planning and
Assessment (EP&A)
Act 1979
Section 5A
Assessment of the potential for an action or
activity to have a significant effect on threatened
species, populations or ecological communities,
or their habitats.
Local
Wollondilly
Development Control
Plan (WDCP) 2016
Chapter 9.1 –
Environmental
Protection
To improve and maintain environmental
outcomes for the areas mapped as natural
resources biodiversity and natural resources
water under WLEP 2011, as well as unmapped
areas of biodiversity and/or riparian value.
Maintain habitat and riparian corridors to area
identified as environmentally sensitive land.
This report does not include impact assessment pursuant to section 5A of the NSW
Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) (i.e. Assessment of Significance)
and the associated guidelines (DECC 2007) or the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 Commonwealth
Department of the Environment (DotE) (2013). However, from data collected, a list of species
likely to require assessment for a Development Application (DA) have been nominated.
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S i t e d e s c r i p t i o n
Subject site and study area
The Threatened species assessment guidelines: the assessment of significance (DECC 2007)
defines the subject site as the area ‘directly impacted upon by the proposal’, and includes all
vegetation proposed to be removed following approval of the subdivision. The study area is
defined as the subject site and all areas that are indirectly impacted upon by the proposal. For
the remainder of this report the subject site is considered synonymous with the study area and
will be referred to as such. The study area is Lot 4 // DP 873571 (2 Jarvisfield Road, Picton,
NSW) (Figure 1.1) and is situated in the Wollondilly Local Government Area (LGA).
The study area comprises approximately 5.5 hectares (ha) of land that is predominantly cleared.
The cleared land has a high proportion of exotic species, due to a history of pasture
improvement, soil disturbance and grazing. The study area contains several stands of remnant
native vegetation in a modified condition, which is dispersed amongst non-indigenous, endemic
and exotic plantings. Where native canopy species are present the midstorey has been
underscrubbed (vegetation in which the midstorey has been cleared, leaving native canopy and
groundcover vegetation) and the groundlayer is heavily modified and mostly consists of exotic
grasses and herbaceous weeds.
The study area contains two farm dams, which are associated with a 1st order watercourses in
the east and west of the site (Figure 1.2). The Vegetated Riparian Zone (VRZ) of the two
watercourses are substantially degraded and have a low cover and abundance of native
vegetation, particularly the watercourse in the east of the study area.
Locality
Unless otherwise stated, the locality is described as the area within 5 kilometres (km) of the
study area (Figure 1.3). The locality predominantly consists of cleared agricultural land, most
of which is zoned RU2 – Rural Landscape under the Wollondilly Local Environmental Plan 2011
(WLEP). Native vegetation in the locality is patchy and is mostly associated with riparian land
along the Nepean River and its tributaries. Fragmented vegetation is found directly to the south
and north of the study area on undulating terrain, which is likely to have impeded cattle access
and, therefore, grazing pressures. The township of Picton is located approximately 2 km to the
south west of the study area.
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Figure 1.1: Study area
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Figure 1.2: Strahler stream order and associated VRZ for the watercourses in the study area.
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Figure 1.3: Locality (5 km), showing areas of native vegetation in green (Tozer et al. 2006).
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D e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e p l a n n i n g p r o p o s a l
The study area is currently zoned RU2 – Rural Landscape (WLEP 2011). The planning
proposal would require the rezoning of the study area to support a proposal for a seniors living
complex. Wollondilly Council has advised that they will consider an application to investigate
the potential for rezoning the study area to support the proposed seniors living. However,
have advised that the Department of Planning and Environment (DoPE) will require studies to
be prepared and submitted with the Planning Proposal before being considered through the
Gateway Process.
The flora and fauna reports will be used as the basis for determining the ecological constraints
(ecological values) in the study area. The ecological constraints will be mapped across the
study area and will highlight areas that are suitable for inclusion under the Natural Resources
– Biodiversity Map and the Natural Resources – Water Map (WLEP 2011). Recommendations
will be made on how to conserve and enhance the biodiversity values in the subject site.
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Methods
L i t e r a t u r e a n d d a t a b a s e r e v i e w
A site specific literature and database review was undertaken prior to undertaking field survey
and the preparation of this report. This included desktop analysis of aerial photography and
regional scale resources from the following sources:
• NSW Planning Viewer (NSW Dept. of Planning and Environment 2018)
• BioNet Atlas of NSW Wildlife (NSW Office of Environment and Heritage 2018)
• Protected Matters Search Tool (Commonwealth Department of Environment and
Energy 2018)
• Native vegetation of the Cumberland Plain (NPWS 2002)
• SIX Maps (LPI 2018)
• Native Vegetation of South East NSW (Tozer et al.2010)
Policies and guidelines relating to the proposal:
• Threatened Species Assessment Guidelines – the Assessment of Significance
(DECC 2007)
• Controlled activities on waterfront land – Guidelines for riparian corridors on
waterfront land (NSW Department of Primary Industries 2012)
Threatened species, populations and migratory species recorded within 5 km of the study area
in a search of the Atlas of NSW Wildlife (OEH 2018) were consolidated and their likelihood of
occurrence was assessed by:
• review of location and date of recent (<5 years) and historical (>5-20 years)
records
• review of available habitat within the study area and surrounding areas
• review of the scientific literature pertaining to each species and population
• applying expert knowledge of each species
The potential for threatened species, populations and/or migratory species to occur was then
considered and the necessity for targeted field surveys was determined. Following field
surveys and review of available habitat within the study area, the potential for species to utilise
the site and to be affected directly or indirectly by the proposal were considered as either:
• “Recent record” = species has been recorded in the study area within the past 5
years
• “High” = species has previously been recorded in the study area (>5 years ago) or
in proximity to (for mobile species), and/or habitat is present that is likely to be
used by a local population
• “Moderate” = suitable habitat for a species is present onsite but no evidence of a
species detected and relatively high number of recent records (5-20 years) in the
locality or species is highly mobile
• “Low” = suitable habitat for a species is present onsite but limited or highly
degraded, no evidence of a species detected and relatively low number of recent
records in the locality
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• “Not present” – suitable habitat for the species is not present onsite or adequate
survey has determined species does not occur in the study area
F i e l d s u r v e y
A field survey was undertaken on 7 March 2018 by Thomas Hickman (Ecologist). The field
survey included a general flora and fauna habitat and vegetation community assessment over
a total of 2.5 person hours. The ecological resilience and recovery potential of the native
vegetation in the study area was considered during the field assessment Weather conditions
on the day were warm, with approximately 2.4 mm of rain recorded on the day of field survey
(Table 2.1).
Table 2.1: Daily weather observation at Camden Airport (17.5 km north-east of the study area).
Date Temp (oC) Rainfall (mm) Max wind
Min Max Direction Speed (km/h)
7/03/18 16.3 25.3 2.4 SE 39
Vegetation communities and flora
The field survey involved traversing the study area, whilst recording native and exotic flora
species, with a focus on identifying viable habitat for threatened flora species. Areas of intact,
resilient vegetation were surveyed more extensively than degraded areas of the site.
Nomenclature follows the Flora of NSW (Harden 1990-2002) and updates provided in
PlantNET (RBGDT 2018).
Field survey was undertaken to validate regional vegetation mapping of NPWS (2002) and
Tozer (et. al 2010) within the study area. Vegetation communities were checked against
described Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) listed under either the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) or the Biodiversity
Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act). Targeted survey for threatened flora species, including
Grevillea parviflora subsp. parviflora (Small-flower Grevillea), Persoonia bargoensis (Bargo
Geebung) and Persicaria elatior (Tall Knotweed).
Fauna and fauna habitat
Opportunistic fauna survey was undertaken for birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals,
which included opportunistic observations along with signs of direct and indirect occupancy
(i.e. scats, owl pellets, fur, bones, tracks, bark scratches, foliage chew marks and chewed
cones of Allocasuarina spp. or Pinus spp. as well as some of the other cultivars known to be
used by native fauna).
Fauna habitat searches were conducted for potential foraging, roosting, breeding or nesting
habitat of nocturnal and diurnal species. This includes inspection for the presence of tree
hollows, stags, bird nests, possum dreys, decorticating bark, rock shelters, rock
outcrops/crevices, mature / old growth trees, food trees (Banksia spp., Allocasuarina spp., and
winter-flowering eucalypts), culverts, dens, dams, riparian areas and refuge habitats of man-
made structures.
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Primary sources of literature accessed for species nomenclature were:
• Birds - Christidis and Boles (2008)
• Mammals - Van Dyck and Strahan (2008)
• Reptiles and amphibians - Cogger (2014)
• Terrestrial invertebrates - Australian Faunal Directory (AG 2015)
Survey limitations
The flora survey aimed to record as many species as possible. However, a definitive list of
the flora within the study area cannot be gathered without systematic traverses and survey
across a number of seasons. Given the poor condition of the vegetation on the site and site
history, this level of survey effort was not deemed necessary for this assessment. Additional
species would be recorded during a longer survey over various seasons. However, the
techniques used in this investigation are considered adequate to gather the data necessary to
validate the vegetation communities and vegetation condition in the study area and assess
the likelihood of occurrence of any threatened flora species.
A full fauna survey following Threatened Species Survey and Assessment Guidelines (OEH
2013) was not undertaken as sufficient detail to determine the likelihood of occurrence of
threatened and migratory species for the purpose of this report was achieved through habitat
assessment during the field survey.
E c o l o g i c a l c o n s t r a i n t s
Ecological values identified through literature review and field survey were ranked according
their likely ecological constraints. Ecological constraints were scored from “no constraints” to
“high constraint” based on their ecological values (refer to Table 2.2).
Table 2.2: Ranking ecological constraints
Level of Ecological
Constraint Description
High • Hollow bearing trees (including a 10 m buffer)
Moderate
• Shale Plains Woodland in an ‘undersrubbed’ and ‘scattered
trees’ condition
• Watercourses and associated buffers for 1st order streams (10 m
VRZ from hydroline)
Low • Planted ‘non-indigenous/exotic’ vegetation
No constraint • Cleared land ‘exotic grassland’
• Infrastructure
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Results
L i t e r a t u r e a n d d a t a b a s e r e v i e w
Topography, drainage, soils and biodiversity layer
The study contains two un-named 1st order tributaries of Racecourse Creek. The
watercourses flow in a north easterly direction through the study area into Antill Park Country
Golf Course. The 1st order tributaries incorporate several large dams, which have been
constructed for agricultural purposes within the study area and the Golf Course. Two large
dams are located in the study area, in the west and east of the site. The study area is mostly
flat, although generally slopes in a north easterly direction.
Regional scale mapping of soil landscape (DECCW 2009) maps the entirety of the study area
within the Monkey Creek (mk) soil landscape group. Soils of the Monkey Creek landscape
consist of alluvial soils comprised of Yellow Sodsols and Solodic Soils. The soil hyrodology is
slowly permeable and poorly drained, as a result of the soils typically consisting of clay loams,
with light clays and medium clays present in the lower soil horizons (B1 and B2).
The study area is not mapped as ‘sensitive land’ on the Natural Resources – Biodiversity Map
or the Natural Resources – Water Map under the WLEP (2011).
Threatened species, populations and migratory species
A search of relevant databases and literature identified a potential 28 threatened or migratory
species in the locality including five threatened flora species and 23 threatened or migratory
fauna species (13 birds, five microbats, one flying-fox, one gastropod and three arboreal
mammals) in the locality (Figure 3.1).
The likelihood of occurrence analysis undertaken prior to field survey reduced the primary list
to eight threatened species which have a ‘moderate’ likelihood to use the study area, and thus
may be impacted by the proposed works. Field survey further reduced this list to the following
six species (see Appendix A):
• Threatened birds
o Artamus cyanopterus cyanopterus (Dusky Woodswallow)
o Hieraaetus morphnoides (Little Eagle)
• Threatened mammals
o Mormopterus norfolkensis (Eastern Freetail-bat)
o Myotis macropus (Southern Myotis)
o Pteropus poliocephalus (Grey-headed Flying-fox)
State Environmental Planning Policy No.44 (SEPP 44) – Koala Habitat Protection
State Environmental Planning Policy applies to land that is listed in Schedule 1 of SEPP 44,
and that has:
(i) Has an area of more than 1 ha, or
(ii) Has, together with any adjoining land in the same ownership, an area of more than
1 ha, whether or not the development application applies to the whole, or only part,
of the land.
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The study area is in Wollondilly LGA which is listed in Schedule 1 of SEPP 44 and is >1 ha,
hence the SEPP 44 applies to the study area.
To determine if a development consent can be granted using SEPP 44, a two-step
assessment is required:
• Step 1: Is the land potential koala habitat (where potential koala habitat means areas of
native vegetation where the trees of the types listed in Schedule 2 constitute at least
15% of the total number of trees in the upper or lower strata of the tree component)?
The study area contains Eucalyptus tereticornis (Forest Red Gum), which is a
listed feed tree under Schedule 2 of SEPP 44. The site also contains Eucalyptus
moluccana (Grey Box) which is not currently listed under the SEPP 44, although
it is one of several Eucalyptus spp. proposed for addition under amendments to
the SEPP. The proportion of E. tereticornis to E. moluccana was not calculated
based on the comparative abundance of the two species onsite. E. moluccana is
the dominant canopy species in the study area. Nevertheless, it is likely that E.
tereticornis constitutes >15% of the canopy trees onsite and therefore the site
constitutes potential Koala habitat.
• Step 2: Is the land core koala habitat (where core koala habitat means an area of land
with a resident population of koalas, evidenced by attributes such as breeding females
(that is, females with young) and recent sightings of and historical records of a
population)?
The most recent record of the Koala was recorded on 31/12/2015, approximately
4.41 km from the study area (OEH 2018). The closest record of the Koala was
made approximately 1.02 km from the study area on 23/08/2015. Ten Koala
observations have been made in the region since the mid 1990’s (OEH 2018).
However, no signs of Koalas were recorded within the study area, such as scratch
marks or scats during field assessment. The study area is unlikely to constitute
core koala habitat, as no evidence of Koalas were recorded during field
assessment and the vegetation in the study area is poorly connected to larger
expanses of bushland.
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Figure 3.1: Threatened species records (OEH 2018).
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Vegetation and threatened ecological communities
Desktop assessment identified one native vegetation community in the study area (NPWS
2002), as provided in Table 3.1 and Figure 3.2. This community is Shale Plains Woodland
(MU10) (NPWS 2002). Shale Plains Woodland is a sub-community of Cumberland Plain
Woodland, which is listed under the BC Act and the EPBC Act as a Critically Endangered
Ecological Community (CEEC).
Table 3.1: Vegetation community nomenclature
Vegetation
communities
(NPWS 2002)
Threatened Ecological Communities
BC
Act
EPBC
Act
Shale Plain Woodland
(MU10)
Cumberland Plain Woodland in the Sydney Basin
Bioregion CE CE
CE = critically endangered
Shale Plains Woodland has been mapped in the western portion of the study area in a low
(TX; TXR) condition. The eastern portion of the study area consists of scattered vegetation
and has not been mapped (NPWS 2002). To the south of the study area are patches of
vegetation that have been mapped as Shale Hills Woodland (MU9) and Moist Shale Woodland
(MU14) (NPWS 2002). Alluvial Woodland (MU11) has been mapped to the north east of the
study area in close proximity to Racecourse Creek. Additional regional vegetation mapping
(Tozer et al. 2006) has not classified the native vegetation communities in the study area.
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Figure 3.2: Regional vegetation mapping of the study area (NPWS 2002).
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F i e l d s u r v e y
Vegetation communities and flora species
Field survey confirmed the regional vegetation mapping of NPWS (2002) to be consistent with
remnant native vegetation in the study area (Figure 3.3 and Table 3.3).
Shale Plains Woodland (MU10)
Several distinct patches of native canopy are present in the study area and are consistent with
Shale Plains Woodland (MU10) (NPWS 2002). The vegetation is dominated by E. moluccana.
E. tereticornis occurs sporadically through the site, most of which are in an early mature –
mature growth form. The Shale Plains Woodland has been mapped under the condition class
‘underscrubbed’ (Figure 3.4) and ‘scattered trees’ (Figure 3.5). The patches of Shale Plains
Woodland are confined to the western and central portions of the study area where E.
moluccana and E. tereticornis are present.
The Shale Plains Woodland has a heavily modified groundlayer, which mostly consists of
exotic grasses and herbaceous weeds, including Cynodon dactylon* (Couch), Cenchrus
clandestinus* (Kikuyu Grass), Chloris gayana* (Rhodes Grass) and Senecio
madagascariensis* (Fireweed). As the vegetation has been subject to underscrubbing,
pasture improvement and ongoing management (i.e. grazing and/or mowing), few native
midstorey species were present onsite.
The cleared areas of the site were assessed for their potential to constitute Derived Native
Grassland (DNG). Field assessment determined that the cleared areas of the site generally
had a low cover and abundance of native grasses and forbs. The grasses and groundcovers
in the study area were heavily grazed making assessments of cover difficult. However, where
present, native groundayer species occurred homogenously throughout the site and were not
concentrated in any defined areas that could be categorised as DNG.
Exotic grassland/infrastructure
The cleared areas of the study area are highly modified and predominantly consist of exotic
grasses and herbaceous weeds, including Bromus sp.*, Cenchrus clandestinus*, Cynodon
dactylon*, Hypochaeris radicata* (Flatweed), Plantago lanceolata* (Plantain) and Sida
rhombifolia* (Paddy’s Lucerne) (Figure 3.6). Native grasses and forbs, such as Aristida
ramosa, Bothriochloa macra (Red-legged Grass), Dichondra repens, Rytidosperma sp. and
Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass) occur sporadically through the exotic grassland.
Planted ‘non-indigenous/exotic’ vegetation
This vegetation zone consists of planted non-indigenous and exotic vegetation along the
southern perimeter of the study area and around the residential premises and tennis courts
(Figure 3.7). Planted species that occur commonly in the study area are listed in (Table 3.3).
However, this study did not aim to identify all the horticultural species planted onsite. As such,
the horticultural species listed in Appendix B represents only a portion of the species found
in the study area.
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Condition thresholds under the EPBC Act
Cumberland Plain Shale Woodland and Shale Gravel Transition Forest (Shale Plains Woodland)
The Conservation Advice (including listing advice) for Cumberland Plain Shale Woodlands
and Shale-Gravel Transition Forest (TSSC 2014) provides condition thresholds for when a
patch of the community retains sufficient conservation value to be considered as a Matter of
National Environmental Significance (MNES). This rationale is provided in Table 3.2. Two
condition classes of Cumberland Plain Woodland have been mapped in the study area;
‘underscrubbed’ and ‘scattered trees’. The total area of vegetation in the study area has been
calculated based on the dripline of the Eucalyptus sp. canopy in the study area, which equates
to 0.5 ha of Cumberland Plain Woodland in an ‘underscrubbed’ condition and 0.07 ha in a
‘scattered trees’ condition.
The vegetation surrounding the study area mostly consists of cleared land within the Antill
Park Country Golf Course and surrounding residential lots. As the groundlayer is heavily
disturbed and the cleared land mostly consists of exotic grassland, the spaces between the
scattered trees in surrounding lots and the adjoining golf course significantly alters the overall
functionality of the ecological community. Therefore, impeding the easy movement of wildlife
or dispersal of spores, seeds and other plant propagules (TSSC 2014). Furthermore, the
vegetation in the golf course and lots immediately to the west and south of the study area
appears to be planted vegetation and is unlikely to constitute Cumberland Plain Woodland.
The precautionary principal has been applied to include all Cumberland Plain Woodland in the
study area as the patch, which equates to 0.57 ha, of which 0.5 ha is in an ‘underscrubbed’
condition and 0.07 ha is in a ‘scattered trees’ condition, It is likely that the vegetation to the
north of the dam in the west of the study area also forms part of the patch and therefore, the
overall patch size is larger than the 0.57 ha within the study area.
The groundlayer is marginally comprised of >30% native species, as the vegetation has been
subject to ongoing disturbances. The patch is not contiguous with a native vegetation remnant
>5 ha in area. However, the patch does have at least one tree with hollows per hectare and
therefore meets the requirements of Category D: As such the Cumberland Plain Woodland in
the study area is a MNES and will require impact assessment under the EPBC Act Significant
Impact Guidelines.
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Table 3.2: Condition categories, rationale and thresholds for Cumberland Plain Shale Woodland and Shale-Gravel Transition Forest.
Category and Rationale Thresholds
A. Core thresholds that
apply under most
circumstances: patches with
an understorey dominated
by natives and a minimum
size that is functional and
consistent with the minimum
unit size applied in NSW.
Patch size >0.5ha
And
>50% of the perennial understorey vegetation cover is made up of
native species.
B. Larger patch sizes that
are inherently valuable due
to their rarity.
Patch size >5ha And
>30% of the perennial understorey vegetation cover is made up of
native species.
C. Patches with connectivity
to other large native
vegetation remnants in the
landscape.
Patch size >0.5ha And
>30% of the perennial understorey vegetation cover is made up of
native species. And
The patch is contiguous with a native vegetation remnant (any
native vegetation where cover in each layer present is dominated
by native species) >5ha in area.
D. Patches that have large
mature trees or trees with
hollows (habitat) that are
very scarce on the
Cumberland Plain.
Patch size >0.5ha And
>30% of the perennial understorey vegetation cover is made up of
native species. And
The patch has at least one tree with hollows per hectare or at least
one large locally indigenous tree (>80 cm dbh) per hectare.
A patch is defined as a discrete and continuous area that comprises the ecological community, outlined in the
Description. Patches should be assessed at a scale of 0.04 ha or equivalent (e.g. 20m x 20m plot). The
number of plots (or quadrats or survey transects) per patch must take into consideration the size, shape and
condition across the site. Permanent man-made structures, such as roads and buildings, are typically
excluded from a patch but a patch may include small-scale disturbances, such as tracks or breaks or other
small-scale variations in native vegetation that do not significantly alter the overall functionality of the
ecological community, for instance the easy movement of wildlife or dispersal of spores, seeds and other plant
propagules.
Perennial understorey vegetation cover includes vascular plant species of both the ground layer and
mid/shrub layer (where present) with a lifecycle of more than two growing seasons. Measurements of
perennial understorey vegetation cover exclude annuals, cryptogams, leaf litter or exposed soil.
Contiguous means the patch of the ecological community is continuous with, or in proximity (within 100 m) to
another area of vegetation that is dominated by native species in each vegetation layer present.
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Table 3.3: Vegetation types found in the study area showing the condition and area
Vegetation type Vegetation zone
(condition class)
BC
Act
EPBC Act
(Condition
category)
Description Area (ha)
Shale Plains Woodland
Underscrubbed
Y Y
Underscrubbed vegetation consisting of E. moluccana and
E. tereticornis. The zone contains no native midstorey
species. The groundlayer has a low cover of native grasses
and forbs, and mostly consisted of exotic grasses and
herbaceous weeds, including Cynodon dactylon*, Cenchrus
clandestinus*, Chloris gayana* and Senecio
madagascariensis*.
0.5
Scattered trees
Scattered E. moluccana and E. tereticornis in a similar
condition to the ‘underscrubbed’ Shale Plains Woodland,
although defined by scattered trees surrounded by large
expanses of exotic grassland. Vegetation in this condition
class is mostly situated along the southern perimeter of the
study area.
0.07
Total Shale Plains Woodland 0.57
Other vegetation Exotic grassland/infrastructure - -
Exotic grassland dominated by herbaceous weeds and
exotic grasses including, Cenchrus clandestinus*, Solanum
pseudocapsicum*, Taraxacum officinale*, Sida rhombifolia*
and Cynodon dactylon*. The residential dwelling and
associated infrastructure, including a tennis court, driveway
and pathways are also include under this vegetation zone.
4.3
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Vegetation type Vegetation zone
(condition class)
BC
Act
EPBC Act
(Condition
category)
Description Area (ha)
Planted ‘non-indigenous/exotic’
Planted non-indigenous and exotic vegetation along the
southern perimeter of the study area and around the
residential premises and tennis courts. Planted species in
the study area included Eucalyptus microcorys
(Tallowwood), Callistemon viminalis (Weeping Bottlebrush),
Callistemon citrinus and Westringia fruticosa (Coastal
Rosemary).
0.29
Dams Two large farm dams situated in the east and west of the
study area. 0.39
Total other vegetation 4.98
Total vegetation 5.55
Total area of vegetation subject to rounding
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Figure 3.3: Field validated vegetation and hollow-bearing trees (Ecoplanning 2018).
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Figure 3.4: Shale Plains Woodland ‘underscrubbed’ in the study area.
Figure 3.5: Shale Plains Woodland ‘scattered trees’ in the study area.
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Figure 3.6: Cleared land ‘exotic grassland’ in the study area.
Figure 3.7: Planted ‘non-indigenous/exotic’ vegetation in the study area.
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Flora species
A total of 66 flora species were identified in the study area during the field survey, of which 27
were native and 39 were exotic (Appendix B). The native species also included several
planted non-indigenous species to the Wollondilly LGA, such as E. microcorys. Four weeds
listed under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 in accordance with the Wollondilly LGA were
recorded in the study area, three of which are recognised as Weeds of National Significance
(WoNS) (Table 3.4)
Table 3.4: Priority weeds and Weeds of National Significance (WoNS).
Common
name Scientific name WoNS Duty
Bridal
Creeper
Asparagus asparagoides Y Prohibition on dealings
Must not be imported into the
State or sold
*this requirement also applies to
the Western Cape form of bridal
creeper
African
Olive
Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata N Regional Recommended
Measure
An exclusion zone is established
for all lands in Blue Mountains City
Council and Central Coast local
government areas. The remainder
of the region is classified as the
core infestation area.
Whole region: The plant or parts of
the plant are not traded, carried,
grown or released into the
environment. Exclusion zone: The
plant is eradicated from the land
and the land kept free of the plant.
Core infestation area: Land
managers prevent spread from
their land where feasible.
Willows Salix sp. Y Prohibition on dealings
Must not be imported into the
State or sold Fireweed Senecio madagascariensis Y
No threatened flora species listed under the BC or EPBC Acts were recorded in the study
area. All six of the threatened flora species recorded in the locality (5 km) were assessed as
‘not present’ in the study area based on the degraded condition of the vegetation and sufficient
survey that was conducted for these species.
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Fauna habitat
The study area contains habitat components that may provide refuge for a small range of
native fauna:
• Hollow bearing trees (Figure 3.8)
• Underscrubbed woodland (Figure 3.9)
• Scattered trees
• Dams (Figure 3.10)
• Planted vegetation (Figure 3.11)
• Open pasture
The study area was found to contain six hollow bearing trees (HBTs), which were located in
the overmature E. moluccana and E. tereticornis in the western portion of the study area
(Figure 3.3). Shale Plains Woodland was mapped over approximately 0.57 ha in the condition
classes ‘underscrubbed’ (0.5 ha) and ‘scattered trees’ (0.07 ha). The Shale Plains Woodland
may provide potential foraging, roosting, breeding and nesting resources for species that rely
on large areas for food resources, particularly microbats and the Grey-headed Flying-fox. The
remaining 4.98 ha (approximately 90%) of the study area consists of exotic
grassland/infrastructure (4.3 ha), planted ‘non-indigenous/exotic’ vegetation (0.29 ha) and
dams (0.39 ha).
The two dams in the study area were found to contain a reasonable diversity of waterfowl
species, including Anas gracilis (Grey Teale), Anas superciliosa (Pacific Black Duck),
Chenonetta jubata (Australian Wood Duck), Elseyornis melanops (Black-fronted Dotterel)
and Poliocephalus poliocephalus (Hoary-headed Grebe). The dams are mostly devoid of
fringing macrophyte vegetation. No frog activity was recorded in the study area, or in close
proximity to the dams during field survey. Nevertheless, it is possible that common frog
species utilise the aquatic habitat found onsite. Furthermore, the dams may be utilised by
microbats as watering habitat.
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Figure 3.8: A large hollow in an over-mature E. tereticornis in the west of the study area.
Figure 3.9: Underscrubbed vegetation providing potential foraging and roosting habitat for native fauna.
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Figure 3.10: Dam in the west of the study area.
Figure 3.11: Planted vegetation providing refugia and foraging habitat for native fauna.
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Fauna species
The field survey undertaken for this report recorded a total of 19 fauna species, all of which
were birds. Eighteen of the 19 species recorded onsite were native, with exception for
Sturnus tristis* (Common Myna*) (Appendix B). No threatened fauna was recorded during
the field survey.
C o r r i d o r s
The vegetation in the study area is highly fragmented and poorly connected with native
vegetation in the locality (Figure 1.3). The vegetation in the surrounding lots and Antill Park
Country Golf Course to the north of the study area contains minimal native vegetation and
mostly consists of cleared land or planted vegetation. Improvements to the vegetation in the
study area will not result in a viable increase in fauna habitat corridors, unless substantial
efforts were made to improve the cover and density of native vegetation in the Golf Course
to the north and R5 – Large Lot Residential land to the north east of the study area. At best,
this may result in a habitat corridor between the vegetation along Racecourse Creek and the
study area. However, the location of the Old Hume Highway prevents the establishment of a
viable habitat corridor any further south of the study area.
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Summary of Ecological Values
O p p o r t u n i t i e s a n d c o n s t r a i n t s
Development constraints
Ecological constraints were identified in the study area (Figure 4.1) and ranked in accordance
with Table 2.2. Areas of high ecological constraints were limited to HBTs and a 10 m radius
surrounding each tree. The Shale Plains Woodland in an ‘underscrubbed’ and ‘scattered
trees’ condition had no established native midstorey species and a heavily modified
groundlayer. As such, the Shale Plains Woodland was assessed as a moderate ecological
constraint. However, the Shale Plains Woodland in an ‘underscrubbed’ and ‘scattered trees’
condition in the east of the study area is of lesser conservation importance, as it is fragmented,
contains trees of a younger growth and is otherwise surrounded by exotic grassland. As such,
these areas have been excluded from the areas proposed for inclusion as ‘sensitive land’
under the Natural Resources – Biodiversity Map (WLEP 2011) (Figure 4.2).
The two 1st order watercourse and a 10 m VRZ was also assessed as a moderate ecological
constraint, which incorporates a portion of the each of the dams situated along the drainage
lines. It is requirement that VRZ width is measured from the top of the highest bank for both
sides of the watercourse (DPI 2012). However, as this data was not available, VRZ was
determined from the hydroline for both sides of the watercourse.
Development opportunities
A substantial portion of the study area contains potential opportunities for development,
specifically areas identified as ‘low’ and ‘no’ ecological constraints, which consists of exotic
grassland/infrastructure and planted ‘non-indigenous/exotic’ vegetation (Figure 4.1); covering
approximately 82.7% of the study area. The remainder of the study area consists of Shale
Plains Woodland in an ‘underscrubbed’ and ‘scattered trees’ condition and the two farm dams.
The native vegetation has been assessed a ‘moderate’ constraint and is less suitable for
development.
Considerations at Development Application stage
As this is a rezoning proposal a layout has not been generated for the study area. Should
impacts to the Shale Plains Woodland (Cumberland Plain Woodland) be likely at the DA stage,
then offsets to account for vegetation loss may be necessary. The provision of offsets would
need to be consistent with the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) ‘Principles for the
use of biodiversity offsets’ and any other relevant offset methodologies such as the
Biodiversity Assessment Methodology (BAM 2017).
A list of threatened species that have been assessed to have a ‘moderate’ likelihood of
occurring in the study area has been determined (see Section 3.1.2 and Section 4.2). Once
a development footprint has been finalised, these species should be subject to impact
assessment in accordance with the Significant Impact Guidelines (DotE 2013) and s5A of the
EP&A Act. One species listed under the Commonwealth EPBC Act has been assessed as
having a ‘moderate’ likelihood of occurring in the study area. This species is Pteropus
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poliocephalus (Grey-headed Flying-fox). An assessment against the relevant components of
the Significant Impact Guidelines (DotE 2013) criteria should be undertaken if the proposed
development is likely to impact on the aforementioned species.
Three threatened species listed under the BC Act have been assessed as having a ‘moderate’
likelihood of occurring in the study area, including:
• Artamus cyanopterus cyanopterus (Dusky Woodswallow)
• Hieraaetus morphnoides (Little Eagle)
• Pteropus poliocephalus (Grey-headed Flying-fox)
An impact assessment in accordance with s5A EP&A Act (i.e. 7-part test) and the associated
guidelines (DECC 2007) should be undertaken if the proposed development is likely to impact
on these species or their habitat.
A r e a s f o r i n c l u s i o n a s ‘ s e n s i t i v e l a n d ’ u n d e r t h e N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s – B i o d i v e r s i t y a n d W a t e r M a p ( W L E P 2 0 1 1 )
The patch of Shale Plains Woodland in an ‘underscrubbed’ condition in the west of the study
area should be rezoned as E3 – Environmental Management and included as ‘sensitive land’
under the Natural Resources – Biodiversity Map (WLEP 2011) (Figure 4.1). This area would
incorporate five of the six HBTs in the study area, the dam and a reasonable portion of the 1st
order watercourse and its VRZ. The remainder of the Shale Plains Woodland in the study
area consists of scattered vegetation, otherwise surrounded by exotic grassland. There was
little benefit seen in incorporating these areas as ‘sensitive land’ under the Natural Resources
– Biodiversity Map (WLEP 2011). Similarly, the 1st order watercourse in the east of the study
has not been recommended for inclusion as ‘sensitive land’ under the Natural Resources –
Water Map (WLEP 2011).
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Figure 4.1: Ecological constraints in the study area.
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Figure 4.2: Area proposed for inclusion as ‘sensitive land’ under the Natural Resources – Biodiversity Map (WLEP 2011).
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Conclusion
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s
It is recommended that impacts are avoided in areas of high constraint and moderate
constraint, where possible. HBTs (including a 10 m radius around each tree) were mapped
as areas of high ecological constraint. Areas of moderate ecological constraint were confined
to Shale Plains Woodland in an ‘underscrubbed’ and ‘scattered trees’ condition, as well as the
two 1st order watercourses and their associated VRZs. The VRZ for the two 1st order
watercourse was calculated from hydroline, as top of bank mapping was not available for this
assessment.
It is recommended that the area proposed to be included as ‘sensitive land’ under the Natural
Resources – Biodiversity Map (WLEP 2011) is restored in accordance with a Vegetation
Management Plan (VMP). The VMP should detail the methodology for restoring the riparian
corridor and Shale Plains Woodland. This will be achieved through revegetation, as opposed
to assisted natural regeneration, due to the low resilience, therefore recovery potential of the
vegetation. With exception for the large mature – overmature canopy species, the vegetation
is heavily modified, contains no native midstorey and has a groundlayer dominated by
Cenchrus clandestinus*. The VMP should outline appropriate methods for the eradication of
exotic species in study area and appropriate species to reconstruct the vegetation community
Shale Plains Woodland (MU10).
In summary, field and desktop survey have identified some high and moderate ecological
values in the study area, including Cumberland Plain Woodland CEEC, HBTs and riparian
corridors, which future development should be sympathetic towards. However, it is noted that
the study area mostly consists of other vegetation, including exotic grassland/infrastructure
(4.3 ha), planted ‘non-indigenous/exotic’ vegetation (0.29 ha), which comprise 4.59 ha, or
approximately 82.7% of the study area and have low ecological value. Therefore, rezoning of
areas of low and no ecological constraint for future development could be considered although
mitigation measures would need to be identified at the DA stage to ensure areas of moderate
and high constraint are not indirectly impacted by the proposed development.
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References
Commonwealth Dept. of the Environment and Energy (DoEE) (2018). Protected Matters
Search Tool. Accessed at: http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/protected-matters-search-
tool
Department of the Environment (DotE) (2013). Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1 - Matters of
National Environmental Significance.
Harden, G. J. (ed.) (1990-2002). Flora of New South Wales Volume 1-4, and including
revisions and supplements. New South Wales University Press, Sydney.
NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) (2007). Threatened species assessment guidelines: The assessment of significance Assessment of Significance Guidelines.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) (2012) Office of Water Controlled Activities on
Waterfront Land – Guidelines for Riparian Corridors on Waterfront Land.
NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) (2018). NSW Planning Viewer Beta.
NSW Government. Accessed at: https://maps.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/Terms
NSW Land and Property Information (LPI) (2018). SIX Maps. Accessed at:
https://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) (2002). Interpretation Guidelines for the
Native Vegetation Maps of the Cumberland Plain, Western Sydney, Final Edition. NSW
NPWS, Hurstville.
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) (2018). BioNet Atlas of NSW Wildlife.
Accessed at:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/atlaspublicapp/UI_Modules/ATLAS_/AtlasSearch.aspx
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) (2013). Threatened Species Survey and
Assessment Guidelines. Accessed at:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspecies/surveyassessmentgdlns.htm
PlantNET (RBGDT, 2018). NSW Flora Online. Accessed at: http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) (2014). Approved Conservation Advice
(including listing advice) for Cumberland Plain Shale Woodlands and Shale-Gravel Transition
Forest.
Tozer, M.G., Turner, K., Keith, D.A., Tindall, D., Pennay, C., Simpson, C., MacKenzie, B.,
Beukers, P. and Cox, S. (2010). Native vegetation of southeast NSW: a revised classification
and map for the coast and eastern tablelands. Cunninghamia 11(3): 359–406 [plus
Appendices]
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Appendix A: Species likelihood of occurrence
The potential for each threatened species, population and/or migratory species to occur was
then considered and the necessity for targeted field surveys was determined. Following field
surveys and review of available habitat within the study area, the potential for species to utilise
the site and be affected directly or indirectly by the proposal were considered as either:
• “Recent record” = species has been recorded in the study area within the past 5
years
• “High” = species has previously been recorded in the study area (>5 years ago) or
in close proximity (for mobile species), and/or habitat is present that is likely to
utilised by a local population
• “Moderate” = suitable habitat for a species is present onsite but no evidence of a
species detected and relatively high number of recent records (5-20 years) in the
locality or species is highly mobile
• “Low” = suitable habitat for a species is present onsite but limited or highly degraded,
no evidence of a species detected and relatively low number of recent records in
the locality
• “Not present” – suitable habitat for the species is not present onsite or adequate
survey has determined species does not occur in the study area
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Scientific Name
Common Name Legal Status
Number of
records
Closest record and
date
Most recent and
proximity
Likelihood of occurrence
Prior to field
assessment
Post field
assessment
KINGDOM: Animalia; CLASS: Aves
Anthochaera phrygia
Regent Honeyeater
BC Act: E4A
EPBC Act: CE 3
2.69km
(29/10/1996)
30/10/1996
(2.75km) Low Low
Artamus cyanopterus cyanopterus
Dusky Woodswallow BC Act: V 1
1.5km
(31/12/1995)
31/12/1995
(1.5km) Moderate Moderate
Callocephalon fimbriatum
Gang-gang Cockatoo BC Act: V 4
1.5km
(31/12/1995)
1/10/2009
(3.15km) Low Low
Calyptorhynchus lathami
Glossy Black-Cockatoo BC Act: V 4
2.96km
(22/12/2008)
22/12/2008
(2.96km) Low Low
Climacteris picumnus victoriae
Brown Treecreeper (eastern subsp.) BC Act: V 1
1.22km
(8/07/2010)
8/07/2010
(1.22km) Low Low
Daphoenositta chrysoptera
Varied Sittella BC Act: V 1
4.02km
(29/06/2006)
29/06/2006
(4.02km) Low Low
Hieraaetus morphnoides
Little Eagle BC Act: V 2
1.5km
(31/12/1995)
30/07/2013
(4.54km) Moderate Moderate
Hirundapus caudacutus
White-throated Needletail EPBC Act: C,J,K 1
2.69km
(1/12/1996)
1/12/1996
(2.69km) Low Low
Lathamus discolor
Swift Parrot
BC Act: E1
EPBC Act: CE 1
4.6km
(1/06/2006)
1/06/2006
(4.6km) Low Low
Lophoictinia isura
Square-tailed Kite BC Act: V 1
4.61km
(20/04/2010)
20/04/2010
(4.61km) Low Low
Melanodryas cucullata cucullata
Hooded Robin (south-eastern form) BC Act: V 2
1.83km
(15/02/1992)
29/11/2012
(4.78km) Low Low
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Scientific Name
Common Name Legal Status
Number of
records
Closest record and
date
Most recent and
proximity
Likelihood of occurrence
Prior to field
assessment
Post field
assessment
Petroica boodang
Scarlet Robin BC Act: V 4
1.5km
(31/12/1995)
14/11/2014
(4.5km) Moderate Low
Stagonopleura guttata
Diamond Firetail BC Act: V 1
1.83km
(22/09/1990)
22/09/1990
(1.83km) Low Low
KINGDOM: Animalia; CLASS: Gastropoda
Meridolum corneovirens
Cumberland Plain Land Snail BC Act: E1 11
1.23km
(19/02/2013)
11/05/2016
(3.9km) Moderate Not present
KINGDOM: Animalia; CLASS: Mammalia
Chalinolobus dwyeri
Large-eared Pied Bat
BC Act: V
EPBC Act: V 3
1.39km
(19/02/2013)
30/07/2013
(4.43km) Low Low
Miniopterus australis
Little Bentwing-bat BC Act: V 1
1.38km
(19/02/2013)
19/02/2013
(1.38km) Low Low
Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis
Eastern Bentwing-bat BC Act: V 1
4km
(1/10/2009)
1/10/2009
(4km) Low Low
Mormopterus norfolkensis
Eastern Freetail-bat BC Act: V 1
1.38km
(19/02/2013)
19/02/2013
(1.38km) Moderate Moderate
Myotis macropus
Southern Myotis BC Act: V 1
1.38km
(19/02/2013)
19/02/2013
(1.38km) Moderate Moderate
Petaurus australis
Yellow-bellied Glider BC Act: V 1
4.72km
(1/10/2009)
1/10/2009
(4.72km) Low Low
Petaurus norfolcensis
Squirrel Glider BC Act: V 1
4.23km
(7/04/2017)
7/04/2017
(4.23km) Low Low
Phascolarctos cinereus
Koala
BC Act: V
EPBC Act: V 10
1.02km
(23/08/1995)
31/12/2015
(4.41km) Moderate Low
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Scientific Name
Common Name Legal Status
Number of
records
Closest record and
date
Most recent and
proximity
Likelihood of occurrence
Prior to field
assessment
Post field
assessment
Pteropus poliocephalus
Grey-headed Flying-fox
BC Act: V
EPBC Act: V 1
3.44km
(14/06/2017)
14/06/2017
(3.44km) Moderate Moderate
KINGDOM: Plantae
Cynanchum elegans
White-flowered Wax Plant
BC Act: E1
EPBC Act: E 7
2.55km
(19/02/1999)
1/05/2017
(4.79km) Low Not present
Eucalyptus macarthurii
Paddys River Box, Camden Woollybutt
BC Act: E1
EPBC Act: E 1
1.5km
(31/12/1995)
31/12/1995
(1.5km) Low Not present
Grevillea parviflora subsp. parviflora
Small-flower Grevillea
BC Act: V
EPBC Act: V 5
3.64km
(18/10/1997)
19/05/2006
(4.23km) Low Not present
Persicaria elatior
Tall Knotweed
BC Act: V
EPBC Act: V 1
1.83km
(23/04/1949)
23/04/1949
(1.83km) Low Not present
Persoonia bargoensis
Bargo Geebung
BC Act: E1
EPBC Act: V 6
1.83km
(10/08/1894)
8/12/2005
(4.61km) Low Not present
Unless other stated, text is taken from the OEH Threatened Species (http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspecies/); Legal Status codes from the Atlas of NSW Wildlife: V
= Vulnerable, E1 = Endangered, E2 = Endangered Population, E4A = Critically Endangered, C = China and Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA), J = Japan and Australia
Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA); BC Act = Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, EPBC Act = Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
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Appendix B: Flora and fauna species inventories
Flora
Family Scientific Name Common name Native/Exotic Form
Alliaceae Agapanthus praecox African Lily Exotic F
Amaranthaceae Alternanthera denticulata Lesser Joyweed Native F
Anacardiaceae Schinus areira Pepper Tree Exotic T
Apocynaceae Araujia sericifera Moth Vine Exotic L
Apocynaceae Gomphocarpus fruticosus Narrow-leaved Cotton Bush Exotic F
Asparagaceae Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper Exotic L
Asteraceae Aster novi-belgii Michaelmas Daisy Exotic F
Asteraceae Bidens pilosa Cobblers Pegs Exotic F
Asteraceae Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle Exotic F
Asteraceae Conyza sp. Exotic F
Asteraceae Hypochaeris radicata Flatweed Exotic F
Asteraceae Senecio madagascariensis Fireweed Exotic F
Asteraceae Sonchus oleraceus Common Sowthistle Exotic F
Asteraceae Taraxacum officinale Dandelion Exotic F
Caprifoliaceae Lonicera japonica Japanese Honeysuckle Exotic L
Caryophyllaceae Paronychia brasiliana Chilean Whitlow Exotic F
Casuarinaceae Casuarina glauca Swamp Oak Native# S/T
Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium album Fat Hen Exotic F
Chenopodiaceae Einadia trigonos Fishweed Native F
Commelinaceae Commelina cyanea Native F
Convolvulaceae Dichondra repens Kidney Weed Native F
Cyperaceae Carex inversa Native V
Euphorbiaceae Triadica sebifera Chinese Tallowood Exotic S/T
Hypericaceae Hypericum gramineum Small St. John's Wort Native F
Iridaceae Dietes sp. Exotic F
Juncaceae Juncus usitatus Native R
Lamiaceae Westringia fruticosa Coastal Rosemary Native# S
Lomandraceae Lomandra longifolia Spiny-headed Mat-rush Native# R
Malvaceae Modiola caroliniana Red-flowered Mallow Exotic F
Malvaceae Sida rhombifolia Paddy's Lucerne Exotic F
Myrtaceae Callistemon citrinus Native# S
Myrtaceae Callistemon viminalis Weeping Bottlebrush Native# S
Myrtaceae Eucalyptus grandis Flooded Gum Native# T
Myrtaceae Eucalyptus microcorys Tallowwood Native# T
Myrtaceae Eucalyptus moluccana Grey Box Native T
Myrtaceae Eucalyptus sideroxylon Mugga Ironbark Native# T
Myrtaceae Eucalyptus tereticornis Forest Red Gum Native T
Oleaceae Ligustrum lucidum Large-leaved Privet Exotic S/T
Oleaceae Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata African Olive Exotic S
Onagraceae Epilobium sp. Native F
Phormiaceae Dianella caerulea subsp. caerulea Blue Flax-lily Native# F
Plantaginaceae Plantago lanceolata Lamb's Tongue Exotic F
Poaceae Aristida ramosa Purple Wiregrass Native G
Poaceae Avena sp. Exotic G
Poaceae Axonopus fissifolius Narrow-leafed Carpet Grass Exotic G
Poaceae Bothriochloa macra Red-leg Grass Native G
Poaceae Bromus sp. Exotic G
Poaceae Cenchrus clandestinus Kikuyu Grass Exotic G
Poaceae Chloris gayana Rhodes Grass Exotic G
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Family Scientific Name Common name Native/Exotic Form
Poaceae Cynodon dactylon Couch Exotic G
Poaceae Eleusine indica Crowsfoot Grass Exotic G
Poaceae Eragrostis curvula African Lovegrass Exotic G
Poaceae Lachnagrostis filiformis Native G
Poaceae Microlaena stipoides Weeping Grass Native G
Poaceae Paspalum dilatatum Paspalum Exotic G
Poaceae Rytidosperma sp. Native G
Poaceae Sporobolus elongatus Slender Rat's Tail Grass Native G
Poaceae Themeda triandra Kangaroo Grass Native G
Polygonaceae Persicaria sp. Native F
Portulacaceae Portulaca oleracea Pigweed Exotic F
Primulaceae Lysimachia arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel Exotic F
Rosaceae Cotoneaster sp. Exotic S
Salicaceae Salix sp. Exotic S/T
Solanaceae Datura sp. Exotic F
Solanaceae Solanum nigrum Black-berry Knightshade Exotic F
Verbenaceae Verbena bonariensis Purpletop Exotic F
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Fauna
Class Family Scientific name Common name Native/ Exotic
Ecoplanning (07/03/18)
Aves Anatidae Anas gracilis Grey Teal Native O
Aves Anatidae Anas superciliosa Pacific Black Duck Native O
Aves Anatidae Chenonetta jubata Australian Wood Duck Native OW
Aves Artamidae Cracticus tibicen Australian Magpie Native OW
Aves Artamidae Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird Native W
Aves Charadriidae Elseyornis melanops Black-fronted Dotterel Native OW
Aves Charadriidae Vanellus miles Masked Lapwing Native OW
Aves Columbidae Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon Native OW
Aves Corvidae Corvus coronoides Australian Raven Native OW
Aves Meliphagidae Manorina melanocephala Noisy Miner Native OW
Aves Meliphagidae Philemon corniculatus Noisy Friarbird Native W
Aves Monarchidae Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-lark Native OW
Aves Pardalotidae Pardalotus punctatus Spotted Pardalote Native W
Aves Podicipedidae Poliocephalus Hoary-headed Grebe Native O
Aves Psittacidae Platycercus eximius Eastern Rosella Native OW
Aves Psittacidae Psephotus haematonotus Red-rumped Parrot Native W
Aves Rallidae Gallinula tenebrosa Dusky Moorhen Native O
Aves Rhipiduridae Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail Native W
Aves Sturnidae Sturnus tristis* Common Myna* Exotic OW
O = Observed; W = Heard; OW = Observed and heard