Rehabilitation of Wilsons Creek and Huonbrook/Wanganui...

Rehabilitation of Wilsons Creek and Huonbrook/Wanganui Valleys

Wilsons Creek Huonbrook Landcare Group

August 2006


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Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.1 BACKGROUND.................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.2 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS ...................................................................................................................... 5

2 PROJECT BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................ 5 2.1 THE PROJECT AREA........................................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 CLIMATE .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.3 GEOLOGY ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.4 LAND-USE HISTORY.......................................................................................................................................... 7

3 THE NATURAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................... 8 3.1 VEGETATION .................................................................................................................................................... 8 3.2 FLORA SPECIES OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE.......................................................................................... 10 3.3 THREATENED FAUNA SPECIES ........................................................................................................................ 11 3.4 CONTEXT - NATIONAL PARKS ........................................................................................................................ 11 3.5 THE COMMUNITY ........................................................................................................................................... 12 3.6 LANDCARE ACTIVITIES................................................................................................................................... 12

4 PROJECT ISSUES ............................................................................................................................................. 13 4.1 PAST VEGETATION CLEARING AND FRAGMENTATION, NEED FOR REPLANTING AND REGENERATION.............. 13 4.2 EROSION AND WATER QUALITY ...................................................................................................................... 13 4.3 WEED MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................................................................... 13 4.4 FLORA AND FAUNA OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE ................................................................................... 13

5 PROJECT AIMS AND OBJECTIVES............................................................................................................. 14 5.1 AIMS .............................................................................................................................................................. 14 5.2 OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................................................................... 14

6 MANAGEMENT ACTIONS.............................................................................................................................. 14 6.1 RESTORATION OF NATIVE VEGETATION.......................................................................................................... 14 6.2 WEED MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................................................................... 15 6.3 FENCING......................................................................................................................................................... 15 6.4 NURSERY TECHNIQUES................................................................................................................................... 15

7 PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT INADVERTENT DAMAGE DURING PROJECT WORKS................. 15 7.1 CHEMICAL USE ............................................................................................................................................... 15 7.2 CONTROL OF WEEDS IN RIPARIAN ZONE.......................................................................................................... 16 7.3 THREATENED SPECIES.................................................................................................................................... 16 7.4 CULTURAL HERITAGE .................................................................................................................................... 16

8 MONITORING AND EVALUATION.............................................................................................................. 16 9 REFERENCES.................................................................................................................................................... 17 LIST OF APPENDICES

APP 1 GUIDELINES FOR FELLING EXOTIC AND DEAD NATIVE TREE ON STATE PROTECTED LAND

APP 2 CHECKLIST FOR BUSH REGENERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE HABITAT OF THREATENED SPECIES, ENDANGERED POPULATIONS AND ENDANGERED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES

LIST OF FIGURES FIG 1 PROJECT AREA .............................................................................................................................. 6 FIG 2 VEGETATION ................................................................................................................................. 9


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1 Introduction 1.1 Background This project plan has been prepared by the Wilsons Creek/Huonbrook Landcare Group to guide landcare activities in our valleys, and as background for applications for funding and labour sources which support our project. The project will work towards rehabilitation of riparian and valley environments. The project area is characterized by high biodiversity values, and connections with surrounding National Parks. However, historical land clearing and invasion of environmental weeds has led to degradation affecting both the terrestrial and aquatic environments. 1.2 Relationship to other plans This plan is consistent with the objectives of the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Board Catchment Blueprint (NR Catchment Management Board 2002) and the Byron Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2004 (Byron Shire Council 2004). The plan forms an umbrella for planning within the project area, including:

• Wilsons Creek Reach Plan (Wilsons Creek Huonbrook Landcare Group 2006) • Wilsons Creek Huonbrook Weed Management Strategy (Landmark Ecological Services Pty Ltd

2006) • Action Plans developed for specific work sites (usually single properties within the project area)

In addition, a works plan has been developed for the recovery of the Eastern Freshwater Cod in the Richmond Catchment (NSW Dept. of Primary Industries 2004) and site specific action plans have been developed for sites in the project area. 2 Project background 2.1 The project area The project area is located west of Mullumbimby in north east NSW and consists of properties accessed from Wilsons Creek Road, and its arteries, beginning west of Alidenes Road. The headwaters of two separate creek systems, Coopers and Wilsons Creeks (both tributaries of the Wilsons/Richmond River system) define the valleys and include the localities of Upper Wilsons Creek, Wilsons Creek, Huonbrook and Wanganui (including Wanganui Gorge). These localities form a community based on connecting road systems and centred around the Wilsons Creek Community Hall and Public School. The valleys are surrounded by National Parks (Nightcap, Mt Jerusalem and Goonengerry) and share and complement many of their values (Fig. 1). Part of the Nightcap National Park is included in the World Heritage listed Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves of Australia.

Mount Jerusalem National Park


Nightcap National Park

Goonengerry National Park

Wilsons Creek Rd

Wanganui Rd

Huonbrook Rd

Uppe

r Wils

ons C

reek R

d

Mill Rd

Macphails Rd

Johnsons Rd

to Mullumbimby 6.3km

N1 0 1 2 3 Kilometers

Wilsons Creek / Huonbrook / WanganuiProject Area

Figure 1

A S Murray & Associates 2006

Project Area


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2.2 Climate The climate is subtropical with a well-defined summer-autumn wet season. From November onwards, in the build up to the wet season, electrical storms are accompanied by rain which can be heavy in one locality and completely miss neighbouring areas. A pattern of more generally distributed rainfall is usually established by February and may continue into the winter months. Tropical cyclones, moving down the Queensland coast from the Coral Sea, occasionally occur producing strong winds and flood rains, most commonly in summer and autumn. Flooding and strong winds can result in windthrow and breakage. However, winter rains are often substantial, and heavy rain is possible at any time of the year. Huonbrook has an average annual rainfall of 2380 mm being the highest average annual rainfall in NSW (Bureau of Meteorology). 2.3 Geology In the project area, Paleozoic and Mesozoic sediments (of the Neranleigh-Fernvale group) are overlain by Tertiary basaltic (Lismore basalt) and Miocene rhyolitic lava flows, which originated from the Mount Warning shield volcano. Outpourings of rhyolitic lavas (Nimbin rhyolite) were then followed by basaltic lava (Blue Knob basalt). This most recent lava flow has been eroded away, and the remains of the underlying rhyolite shield are deeply dissected, exposing Lismore basalt on the valley floors (1:250,000 Geological Series Sheet SH 56-3 Tweed Heads). The Wilsons and Coopers Creeks, which flow through the project area, are both tributaries of the Wilsons - Richmond River system which eventually reaches the ocean at Ballina, and is the prime force which has affected the erosion of the rhyolitic shield to expose underlying basalts. Soil types generally reflect the parent material types. Brown podzolics, which occur generally on acid volcanic rock types dominated by rhyolite, and basalt-derived krasnozems have been mapped in the project area (Forestry Commission of N.S.W. 1984). 2.4 Land-use history Aboriginals of the Bundjalung tribe inhabited the area prior to, and in the early days of, white settlement. Few details of their use of the specific forests of the study area are recorded, but it is likely that they used the ridges as routes from the coast to the hinterland, extracting seasonally available fruits and game from the rainforests of the valleys and lowlands, but spending little time in the inhospitable living conditions there. Contrary accounts of seasonal use have been put forward, including accounts of coastal Aboriginals moving inland in times of flood, very wet weather and during winter, while others believe that food was too scarce in the mountains in winter (references cited by Fox 2002). The Koonyum Range (part of Mt Jerusalem National Park) has been identified as belonging to the Widjabal people (pers. communications referred to by Fox 2002). Twenty-five rock shelters and cave sites some with archeological remains, have recently been documented on Koonyum Range (Fox 2002). Rock paintings have been found in the Doon Doon area to the west (Steele 1984), and rock formations and other landmarks in and around the Nightcap National Park are known to be of significance to the Aboriginal people (Forestry Commission of N.S.W. 1984). Brokenshaw (1988) alludes to a bora ring in the Wilsons Creek area. The more recent history of the Wilsons Creek and Huonbrook/Wanganui valleys is typical of rainforested areas of the north coast. The first red cedar (Toona ciliata) cutters are believed to have arrived in the


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Brunswick area in 1849. The river of that name flows through the present town of Mullumbimby and provided a convenient route to the sea. By 1870, when most cedar had been cut from areas to the south, the Brunswick became the chief venue for the trade. The valleys to the inland had been penetrated by this time, and roads and tracks had been constructed to haul logs and supply new settlements (Brokenshaw 1988). Selection for dairying, which began towards the end of last century, resulted in large scale clearing. When the industry declined around the end of World War II many settlers left their holdings, or converted their focus to bananas on suitable sites. Large properties were carved up to produce hobby farms and limited small-scale intensive agricultural enterprises, and formerly forested lands began to revert to regrowth forest. 3 The natural and social environment 3.1 Vegetation The vegetation has been mapped from air photos (Fig. 2) during the Byron Flora and Fauna Study 1999, providing a broad indication of the vegetation types to be found in the project area. The mapping has limitations as follows:

• Based on mostly 1991 air photos • Minimum polygon size of 5 ha in areas of contiguous vegetation • Minimum polygon size of 1 ha for regrowth and remnant patches in largely cleared vegetation.

The ridges (mostly within National Parks) comprise dry sclerophyll Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) forest, with ecotonal wet sclerophyll forest dominated by Brush Box Lophostemon confertus on the lower slopes. Fine-scale mosaics of vegetation types result from rugged topography, soil boundaries and disturbance history. Brush Box forest and wet to moist sclerophyll forest are characteristically found on the lower hill slopes with subtropical rainforest occurring in the gullies and sheltered hill slopes. Dry sclerophyll forest occurs on the upper slopes and in exposed situations. Old growth eucalypt forest, important habitat for hollow-dependent threatened fauna species such as the Sooty Owl has been identified in several locations throughout the project area. Riparian rainforest fringes the creeks. The valleys were once largely cleared for grazing and bananas. Remnant subtropical and warm temperate rainforest, particularly on the south facing slopes and in gullies, is now expanding and providing seed sources to allow the reversion of some of the area to its original rainforest vegetation. Exotic woody weed species (especially Lantana Lantana camara, Camphor Laurel Cinnamomum camphora and Small-leaved Privet Ligustrum sinense compete with regenerating native plant communities. Serious infestations of Madeira Vine Anredera cordifolia occur on Wilsons Creek.



Nightcap National Park

Goonengerry National Park

Wilsons Creek Rd

Wanganui Rd

Huonbrook Rd

Uppe

r Wils

ons C

reek R

d

Mill Rd

Macphails Rd

Johnsons Rd

to Mullumbimby 6.3km

Vegetation MapWilsons Creek, Huonbrook and Wanganui

Figure 2

Byron Shire Vegetation MappingRainforest <10% Camphor Laurel presentRainforest + 10-50% Camphor Laurel presentCamphor Laurel 51-80%Camphor Laurel 81-100%Brush BoxBlackbuttEucalyptus spp and/or Brush Box + Camphor LaEucalyptus spp not specifiedBlack SheoakFlooded GumScribbly GumTeatreeMixed regrowth

A S Murray & Associates 2006

1 0 1 2 3 KilometersN


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3.2 Flora species of conservation significance The following threatened (TSC Act 1995) flora species have been recorded in the project area (compiled from a number of sources by Landmark et al. 1999, plus recent additions): Arrowhead Vine Tinospora tinosporoides Ball Nut Floydea praealta Basket Fern Drynaria rigida Corokia Corokia whiteana Durobby Syzygium moorei Green-leaved Rose Walnut Endiandra muelleri subsp. bracteata Peach Myrtle Uromyrtus australis Red Boppel Nut Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia Red Lilly Pilly Syzygium hodgekinsoniae Rough-shelled Bush Nut Macadamia tetraphylla Rusty Rose Walnut Endiandra hayesii Smooth Davidson's Plum Davidsonia johnsonii Southern Ochrosia Ochrosia moorei Spear Lily Doryanthes palmeri Thorny Pea Desmodium acanthocladum two threatened Orchid species In addition, numerous rare species (Briggs and Leigh 1996) have been recorded. In particular, Veiny Lace-Flower, Stream Lily and Rusty Tuckeroo are locally common while Silky Cucumber, Byron Bay Acronychia, Silver-leaf and Quassia are additional.


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3.3 Threatened Fauna species The following threatened fauna species (TSC Act 1995) have been recorded in the project area (compiled from a number of sources by Landmark et al. 1999): Albert's Lyrebird Barred Cuckoo-shrike Black Bittern Bush-hen Double-eyed Fig-parrot Eastern Long-eared Bat Glossy Black-cockatoo Golden-tipped Bat Koala Large-eared Pied Bat Large-footed Myotis Little Bentwing Bat Loveridge's Frog Marbled Frogmouth Masked Owl Osprey Pouched Frog Red-legged Pademelon Rose-crowned Fruit-dove Rufous Scrub-bird Sooty Owl Spotted-tailed Quoll Stephen's Banded Snake White-eared Monarch Wompoo Fruit-dove 3.4 Context - National Parks The conservation values of the parks which surround our community extend to, and are complemented by, land held within our community. For instance, habitat is frequently continuous across boundaries between parks and private land. More usually, since boundaries broadly follow contours between ridge and escarpment parks and valley slope and floor private lands, land of public and private tenures forms habitat mosaics critical to species which use both rainforest and sclerophyll forests, or which move along altitudinal gradients. For instance, Marbled Frogmouths move upslope during winter. Alberts Lyrebirds also move altitudinally. Species such as the Tube- nosed Bat and Stevens Banded Snake have large home ranges and require habitat mosaics. The movement patterns of the Pouched Frog are poorly understood, but as they occupy both soaks on top of ridges and valley rainforest habitats, and they are known to colonise readily, it is likely that they move relatively large distances. Land within our community has connectivity functions for parks and reserves. The most important may be the Doon Doon saddle area which connects Nightcap and Mt Jerusalem NPs. Species which may use this area (known and potential records) include Rufous Scrub Birds, Eastern Bristlebirds, Parma Wallabies, Alberts Lyrebirds and Red-legged Pademelons. In addition, the valleys function as corridors for rainforest pigeons which roost in the valleys and move out into rainforest remnants on the coast. Similar continuities and connections apply to flora species of conservation significance, and to many other native flora and fauna species.


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3.5 The Community The population of the project area is approximately 750 (local estimate in absence of accurate census data). The environmental interests of the community are represented by the Wilsons Creek-Huonbrook Landcare Group. The group was formed in the mid 1990s and has a core of active members. A Local Area Management Plan was prepared by the local Progress Association in 1998. A survey of community views was undertaken, and 120 forms were returned (i.e. 120 households), with a return rate of 85%. Some findings of the survey of particular relevance to this project include:

• 75% of respondents are undertaking forest regeneration of their properties • 53% feel there is a problem with water quality in their area • 82% think there should be an increase in the active conservation of native plants and animals in

the area • 36% consider Camphor Laurel to be a problem on their property • 87% would support community efforts to eradicate weeds • 86% would support community efforts to eradicate pests • 81 % would support community efforts to implement sediment and soil erosion control measures.

During consultation early in the development of landcare activities, the Landcare Group obtained the impression that many land holders felt isolated in dealing with environmental problems, and lacked information and motivation to deal with them. A focus of landcare activities has been to foster community co-operation and improve access to technical advice. Landholders and other community members have had opportunities to work and learn with Green Corps teams and other volunteers, and with their supervisors and visiting technical advisors. Examples of rehabilitation work are now readily accessible, throughout the valleys. The local school has participated in landcare and Green Corps project activities as part of their existing environmental education program. 3.6 Landcare activities Wilsons Creek/Huonbrook Landcare Group works on riparian restoration projects and general revegetation activities. The group has a nursery including shade houses, potting shed and growing-on and hardening area. Plants are propagated from locally collected seed for distribution to landholders. Work days are held on field sites and at the nursery. The group hosts field days, an information stall at a local market and has held plant identification and ecology workshops. A quarterly newsletter is distributed to the community (300 households). Members of the group attend training sessions and conferences, bringing new skills and information back to the group. We are continually refining our planning and improving our background information resources. Weed mapping has taken place to assist strategic planning for weed management. A preliminary survey of land snails has been undertaken with enthusiasm by Green Corps teams and landowners, and will continue in the future with assistance from the Queensland Museum. Recently the group has cooperated with the Queensland Department of Mines and Resources in an experimental release of a rust for biocontrol of the pink-flowered form of Lantana.


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4 Project Issues 4.1 Past vegetation clearing and fragmentation, need for replanting

and regeneration Historical land clearing has dramatically reduced the area of native vegetation cover in the project area. Trees, other plants and fauna species have been reduced in number as a result. Small areas of vegetation are frequently not large enough to support fauna species with large territory and home range requirements. Land clearing also results in fragmentation, which produces an increase in the edge/unit area value, so that weeds can invade and other edge effects degrade the vegetation. Biotic interactions such as seed dispersal and pollination are disrupted. Restoration of the connectivity of the riparian vegetation along the two creek systems in the project area is a major focus of the project. 4.2 Erosion and water quality Wilsons Creek provides the water supply for Mullumbimby. It is also important to improve water quality in Coopers Creek, listed as a high priority waterway in the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Board First Catchment Blueprint (NR Catchment Management Board 2002). High sediment and nutrient loads resulting from run-off during heavy rain and flooding are major concerns, and affect the aquatic environment as well as having adverse effects on water required for human usage. Gravelled creek crossing, especially at Upper Wilsons Creek, are major contributants to sediment load. 4.3 Weed management Infestations of serious environmental weeds, including Madeira Vine, occur throughout the project area. Most of these weed species appear to be in the early stages of an expansion phase, since seed/propagule sources are present, vectors including seed and fruit eating fauna species, wind and flood waters are present, and cleared and highly disturbed habitat conditions are widespread. Long-term residents can, at least anecdotally, describe the spread of many weeds through the valleys. At this stage, the Huonbrook/Wanganui is less degraded than the Wilsons Creek valley. It is therefore important that infestations of weeds such as Madeira Vine and Morning Glory are dealt with in their early stages. It is also critical that serious weeds are not allowed to penetrate Wanganui Gorge with its high conservation values. Many instances where weeds compete with native vegetation, and actively degrade it, can be identified. Action to simultaneously manage weed problems while improving the condition and distribution of native vegetation is urgently required to prevent future degradation and loss of biodiversity. 4.4 Flora and fauna of conservation significance Rehabilitation of the habitat of the Smooth Davidsonia, an Endangered (Schedule 1 TSC Act 1995) is required at two of the three sites where this species occurs in the project area, and major landcare effort has been directed at the Huonbrook site. Major successes have been achieved, with the release of trees from Lantana and vine competition, stimulation of sucker regrowth and improvement of habitat to limit future Lantana establishment. Follow-up work is on-going. Two other flora species of conservation significance (Red Lilly Pilly and Thorny Pea) occur in the immediate riparian zone. Rehabilitation of riparian vegetation will improve the habitat of these species.


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Many of the Threatened fauna species depend on rainforest habitats, including fruit-eating rainforest pigeons. Landcare activities are extending and improving the quality of habitat for many fauna species of conservation significance. 5 Project aims and objectives 5.1 Aims

• Maintain and improve existing biodiversity values • Restore and maintain natural processes and dynamics of both the terrestrial and riparian

ecosystems in both the Wilsons Creek and Huonbrook/Wanganui valleys Maintain and enhance the riparian/aquatic ecosystem and thus water quality

• Encourage a greater appreciation of the high conservation values attributed to the environment in which our community lives, and the surrounding protected areas Stimulate a greater level of community interest and active involvement in rehabilitation of the Wilsons Creek and Huonbrook/Wanganui valleys.

5.2 Objectives

• To increase the area covered by, and the diversity of, native plant species in the terrestrial and riparian zones of the headwaters of the Wilsons and Coopers Creeks To improve connectivity of vegetation linking National Parks, riparian zones and other areas of significant habitat.

• To systematically reduce/control/manage Madeira Vine, Morning Glory, Lantana, Kudzu, Small-leaved Privet and Camphor Laurel in the terrestrial and riparian zones of the headwaters of the Wilsons and Coopers Creeks

• To gather data on the extent of the presence of the Mitchell's Rainforest Snail and other snail species in Wilsons Creek and Huonbrook/Wanganui valleys

• To refine existing mapping of weed distribution, and of vegetation of conservation significance, in Wilsons Creek and Coopers Creek riparian zones and surrounds

• To reduce stream bank erosion and improve water quality • To reduce the impact of grazing stock on native vegetation.

6 Management actions 6.1 Restoration of native vegetation Many sites requiring revegetation have been identified and include riparian and valley slope sites. A contribution to a project to revegetate a corridor between Nightcap and Mt Jerusalem NPs has been undertaken and will be ongoing. Local rainforest species, grown from local seed sources are used where planting is required. In many locations, neighbouring seed sources may be sufficient to initiate regeneration and maintain development, so long as weeds are managed. Revegetation techniques described by Kooyman (1996) and Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Group (1998) are used for guidance. The group has recently trialled the use of water crystals to improve planting and establishment success through dry periods, and now recommends their use. Wallaby guards are also produced and distributed.


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6.2 Weed management Weed management is conducted using methods recommended by landcare and bush regenerators, with reference to Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Group (2000) and other sources of technical advice. Weeds are removed in a manner that encourages natural regeneration, where necessary in combination with plantings to rapidly recreate natural vegetation resistant to further weed invasion i.e. closed tree canopy. Staging of weed management is recommended to minimise erosion risks and to avoid large scale removal of fauna habitat. Weed management is conducted from two overlapping perspectives:

• on a site basis, to achieve restoration objectives for the site • on a species basis, to strategically contain or eradicate weed species (guided by the Wilsons Creek

Huonbrook Weed Management Strategy). •

6.3 Fencing Exclusion of stock from regeneration and new plantings is conducted as required, and stock are fenced out of riparian zones whenever possible. 6.4 Nursery techniques Landcare group members and teams assisting them collect seeds of local native species, and carry out propagation and nursery techniques. Plants produced are used in revegetation in the project area. 7 Precautions to prevent inadvertent damage during project

works Well-meaning environmental rehabilitation works can occasionally produce unintended negative results. For instance:

• Inappropriate weed management can result in reinfestation with the same or differing weed species, damage to native vegetation, depletion of fauna habitat or erosion.

• Herbicide can pose dangers to non-target vegetation, native fauna and human users. Aboriginal cultural sites can also be damaged.

• Efforts to restore the original vegetation can be inhibited if non-local native species are planted, or if planting material is of inappropriate genetic origin.

Safeguards to minimise risks of environmental damage are included in currently recommended management practices and relevant legislation, approval and licensing procedures. The Landcare Group provides guidance to landholders and/or bush-regenerators conducting rehabilitation works, however, landholders are advised to check with relevant authorities to ensure that advice is complete and current. 7.1 Chemical use Use of chemicals such as herbicides and their additives should only be carried out by personnel who hold current chemical users certificates. These chemicals must be used in accordance with label directions unless an off-label use permit is procured from the APVMA (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority). Chemical use records must also be kept for conditions, areas treated, amounts used and application rates in accordance with the NSW Pesticides Act (1999).


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7.2 Control of weeds in riparian zone Landholders are referred to the Guideline for the Felling of Exotic and Dead Native Trees on State Protected Land (Appendix 1). 7.3 Threatened Species Depending on their experience and skills, landowners are encouraged to work alongside bush regenerators whenever opportunities arise. Bush regenerators contracted to work in the project area are advised to obtain a current S132 license to work in habitat of Threatened Species or endangered ecological communities. Contractors are to be experienced and must follow the Guidelines for Working in Threatened Species Habitat (Appendix 2). Application forms for a S132 licence can be downloaded from the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation website. Bush regenerators should be experienced in identification of local Threatened Species. 7.4 Cultural Heritage It is an offence against the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (Section 90:1) if a person, without obtaining the consent of the Director General, knowingly destroys, defaces or knowingly causes or permits destruction or defacement or damage to a relic or Aboriginal place. If Aboriginal sites or artefacts are encountered during restoration works at this or adjacent sites, work must stop and the NSW DEC Regional Archaeologist, Coffs Harbour or the Sites Officer DEC Alstonville notified immediately. 8 Monitoring and evaluation The success of the project will be monitored at various levels. A great deal of work is conducted privately and informally by landowners on their own properties. Much of this work has not been documented, though the results may be evident in larger scale improvements in vegetation condition, connectivity and fauna habitat. Careful records of the extent of weed clearing, tree planting and survival have been kept for projects requiring formal reporting. Current and proposed monitoring areas include: Increased area of native vegetation This will be possible at a landscape scale following proposed revision of existing air photo mapping (1991 air photos) by Byron Shire Council. Details of expansion, through assisted natural regeneration and planting, are/will be available for individual sites (measurements, mapping and planting records). Improved connectivity From revised air photos (as above) and records at individual sites. Weed management Existing air photo mapping includes Camphor Laurel, future revision may illustrate changes. Project area scale mapping will provides baseline data for many species, to be updated as required. Work records, photographic records, transect and quadrat data (to demonstrate changes in weed cover, and rates of weed re-infestation in treated areas) are available for many sites. Improved information base New ecological knowledge gained from the project is compiled on an ongoing basis.


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Stream bank erosion Improvements in stream bank stability are noted in site records. Stock-exclusion fencing Details of lengths of fencing and areas of native vegetation and stream bank protected are available in the landcare group’s records. 9 References Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Group, 2000. Common Weeds of Northern NSW: A practical manual on

their identification and control. Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Group, 2005. Subtropical Rainforest Restoration - A practical manual and

data source for landcare groups, land managers and rainforest regenerators, Second Edition. Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H., 1996. Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. CSIRO, Canberra. Brokenshaw, J., 1988. The Brunswick: another river and its people. Brunswick Valley Historical Society,

Mullumbimby. Forestry Commission of NSW, 1984. Management Plan for the Murwillumbah Management Area.

Forestry Commission of NSW, Sydney. Fox., I., 2002. Geoarcheological modelling for indigenous cultural heritage site management, Mt

Jerusalem National Park, New South Wales. Unpublished third year undergraduate report. School of Resource Science and Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore.

Kooyman, R., 1996. Growing Rainforest – Rainforest Restoration and Regeneration. Greening Australia and State Forests of NSW.

Landmark, Ecograph and Terra Focus, 1999. Byron Flora and fauna Study 1999. Byron Shire Council, Mullumbimby.

Steele, A.G., 1984. Aboriginal pathways in south-east Queensland and the Richmond River. University of Queensland Press, St Lucia.

SPL_Guideline_Apr06.doc 1

GUIDELINE FOR THE CLEARING OF EXOTIC TREESAND DEAD NATIVE TREES ON STATE PROTECTED LAND

PART 1 PRELIMINARY

1. Purpose of the GuidelineThis Guideline sets out the circumstances in which the clearing of living and deadexotic trees and dead native trees on all land that is State protected land under theNative Vegetation Conservation Act 1997 is deemed to cause no more than minimalenvironmental harm (Clause 30(3) of the Native Vegetation Regulation 2005).

This Guideline applies to all three categories of State protected land A, B and Cacross NSW. However, there are two areas where State protected land has beenabolished. These are the areas covered by the repealed Mid-Lachlan and RiverinaHighland regional vegetation management plans.

Clearing of living or dead exotic trees and dead native trees on State protected landin accordance with this Guideline does not require consent under the NativeVegetation Conservation Act 1997.

This Guideline deals only with the clearing of living or dead exotic trees and deadnative trees on State protected land. It does not address the clearing of live nativevegetation on State protected land or elsewhere. All clearing of live native vegetationin areas subject to the Native Vegetation Act 2003 is subject to that Act unlessexcluded by it.

2. Transitional arrangementsUnder the transitional arrangements of the Native Vegetation Act 2003, specificprovisions of the Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997 continue to apply to Stateprotected land until such time as a State Environmental Planning Policy for protectedlands is provided (Schedule 4(2) of the Native Vegetation Act 2003 and clause 30 ofthe Native Vegetation Regulation 2005).

3. Circumstances under which clearing is deemed to cause no more than minimalenvironmental harmThere are no circumstances where the clearing of dead native trees on StateProtected land is deemed to cause no more than minimal environmental harm.

The circumstances where the clearing of living or dead exotic trees is deemed tocause no more than minimal environmental harm are set out in Parts 2 and 3.

4. ExemptionsThe exemptions under the previous Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997 forclearing on State protected land continue to operate in addition to this Guideline.These exemptions continue only to the extent that they apply to the clearing of livingor dead exotic trees and dead native trees.

For the full list of exemptions for clearing on State protected land see Part 5.

Clearing of living or dead exotic trees and dead native trees on State protected landin accordance with the exemptions does not require consent under the NativeVegetation Conservation Act 1997.

When clearing living or dead exotic trees or dead native trees landholders areencouraged to minimise land degradation and any impacts on watercourses.


5. Consent to clearIf the exemptions or Guideline are not used, landholders can apply for developmentconsent to clear living or dead exotic trees or dead native trees on State protectedunder the Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997.

When consent to clear is required please contact the local office of theDepartment of Natural Resources (DNR).

6. Obligations to other relevant legislationClearing in accordance with this Guideline or the exemptions does not removeobligations under other relevant legislation. Other legislation that can be relevantincludes, but is not limited to:

• Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (includes Council LEPrequirements);

• the Water Management Act 2000;• the Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act 1948;• the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995;• the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (eg in respect of threatened species

and Aboriginal heritage);• the Heritage Act 1977;• the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 (eg in respect of the

registration and use of herbicides);• Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (eg in respect of the use

of herbicides near waterways); and the• Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

1999.

Advice on these matters should be sought from the local Council, CatchmentManagement Authority (CMA), Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC)or DNR.

7. Meaning of wordsExpressions used in this Guideline have the same meaning as in the NativeVegetation Conservation Act 1997 as set out in the Dictionary in Part 4 of thisGuideline.

PART 2 GENERAL CONDITIONS

8. Dead exotic trees treated as live exotic treesDead exotic trees may be cleared, whether standing or fallen, in the same way as ifthey were live exotic trees.

9. General circumstances in which clearing of live and dead exotic trees mayoccur without consentSubject to any additional requirements in clauses 10 and 11, live and dead exotictrees may be cleared without consent if:

(a) the clearing is carried out using an approved control technique as defined in Part3; and

(b) the cleared land is either revegetated using appropriate native species within 12months of clearing or allowed to naturally regenerate (non-persistent exoticgroundcovers can be used to stabilise the soil); and


(c) the land on which the clearing is proposed generally has a slope less than 30degrees from the horizontal; and

(d) appropriate actions are taken to prevent any foreseeable negative impacts onstream-bank stability, channel stability, water quality or soil erosion levels, and

(e) soil disturbance necessary for or resulting from the removal of the vegetation isminimised; and

(f) stacking and/or burning to dispose of debris resulting from the clearing does notoccur within 20 metres of native vegetation or within 20 metres of a prescribedstream or within 20 metres of the property boundary. A permit under the RuralFires Act 1997 may be required for such burning.

When undertaking revegetation in 9(b) landholders are encouraged to useappropriate local native species, where available.

10. Additional requirements for clearing live and dead exotic trees without consenton Category A State protected landCategory A State protected land is land generally over 18 degrees of slope identifiedin maps gazetted for that purpose. A map of Category A State protected land can beviewed at CMA principal offices and DNR regional offices.

(1) If the proposed clearing of live or dead exotic trees is to occur on Category AState protected land at least 25% of the total exotic and native canopy coverexisting prior to the clearing must be retained until at least 2 years afterrevegetation of the cleared land; and

(2) Where practicable, a larger percentage of the total canopy cover should beretained and spread evenly over the treated area.

11. Additional requirements for clearing live and dead exotic trees without consenton Category B State protected land.Category B State protected land is land mapped or gazetted as land within or within20 metres of the bed or bank of any prescribed stream. A map and list of prescribedstreams can be viewed at CMA principal offices and DNR regional offices.

If the proposed clearing is to occur on Category B State protected land the followingadditional criteria must be complied with:

11.1 General requirements(a) Trees must be felled in such a way that damage to remaining vegetation is

minimised;(b) Trees must not be felled into streams or wetlands;(c) Debris resulting from the clearing must be removed from flood-prone areas as

soon as practicable but within a maximum of 6 months from commencement ofclearing; and

(d) Action is taken to stabilise soil disturbed as a result of the clearing.

11.2 Clearing without the written agreement of the Catchment ManagementAuthority (or General Manager):

(1) On any one property:(a) sections of bank length of a prescribed stream on which any clearing of

live or dead exotic trees under these Guidelines occurs must not exceed500 metres;

(b) clearing of live or dead exotic trees may be undertaken on more than onesection of a bank of a prescribed stream if buffers comprising at least 500metres on which no clearing has been undertaken are retained betweensections of the bank on which clearing has occurred:


(c) a total of not more than 2.5 kilometres of bank length of a prescribedstream may be cleared of live or dead exotic trees on each property in acalendar year; and

(d) any buffers referred to in sub-clause 11.2(1)(b) must not be cleared of liveor dead exotic trees until at least two years after the establishment ofreplacement native revegetation on the adjoining cleared sections.

(2) For the purposes of sub-clause 11.2(1)(a) the length of bank that has beencleared is to be calculated by including cleared areas and areas wherevegetation has been retained between cleared areas (but not including buffersreferred to in sub-clause 11.2(1)(b).

The limits above apply to each bank separately. Accordingly if both banks of aprescribed stream are within a property it would be possible to clear 500 metressections on each bank up to a maximum of 2.5 kilometres of each bank percalendar year without approval being required under the Native VegetationConservation Act 1997.

For streams in high rainfall areas sections of continuous clearing should beminimised. Catchment Management Authorities may produce local advice on thebest pattern of clearing.

11.3 Clearing with the written agreement of the Catchment ManagementAuthority (or General Manager):(a) The agreement of the Catchment Management Authority (or General

Manager of a CMA) must be in writing;(b) The landholder must retain the written agreement for a period of 5 years

following the agreement and must comply with any conditions of theagreement;

(c) The recommended total is no more than 5 kilometres of bank length of aprescribed stream to be cleared of live and dead exotic trees on eachproperty in a calendar year; and

(d) The Catchment Management Authority (or General Manager) can vary therecommended total in 11.3(c) and include any conditions to protect theenvironment and to ensure no more than minimal environmental harm.

The limits above apply to each bank separately. Accordingly if both banks of aprescribed stream are within a property it would be possible to clear 500 metressections on each bank up to a recommended total of 5 kilometres of each bankper calendar year without approval being required under the Native VegetationConservation Act 1997.


PART 3 APPROVED CONTROL TECHNIQUES

This Part lists removal techniques approved for use under this Guideline. Othertechniques are not approved for use under this Guideline.

12. Machine removal(1) Machine removal means the following: lifting a cut stem of a plant by machine;

and the cutting or mulching of vegetation with a machine.(2) When removing any vegetation species with a machine, the stump and roots must

be left in place to prevent soil erosion.(3) When vegetation is removed using machines, unnecessary soil disturbance or

damage to existing native vegetation must not occur.

13. Hand removal(1) Hand removal means the following: pulling the whole stem of each plant from the

ground by hand; the digging out of plants with a hand held tool and the cutting oflarger trees with a chainsaw or axe.

(2) When removing any tree species with a saw or axe, the stump and roots must beleft in place to prevent soil erosion.

(3) When trees are dug out using mattocks or similar tools, unnecessary soildisturbance must not occur. Live and dead exotic trees are not to be dug outwithin 5 metres of a stream or wetland.

14. Cut and paint(1) Cut and paint means cutting each tree trunk or stem off completely followed by

the immediate application of an appropriate herbicide to the cut surface in themanner prescribed on the label.

(2) Trunks or stems must be cut at a level below the first branch or as near aspractical to ground level.

(3) Cutting must be immediately followed by the application of an appropriateherbicide to the cut surface of the cut trunk or stems.

(4) Cut surfaces must not come in contact with the ground when there is a risk ofthem taking root.

(5) When used to kill Willows, the cut and paint stump method is not effective onstems that have a diameter at breast height of more than 10 cm. Its use willcreate tree debris that can take root. For treatment of larger Willows, adviceshould be sought from the local CMA, the Department of Primary Industries or theWeeds Officer of the local Council.

Under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 it is an offence to allowherbicide not registered for use over waterways to enter any waterway. If a risk ofcontamination exists, a licence must be obtained from the appropriate authoritybefore work commences.

Under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 and Pesticides Act1999, herbicides must only be used in accordance with their registration permit andconditions.

15. Spot spraying(1) This Guideline covers the following forms of spot spraying of an appropriate

herbicide applied in the manner prescribed on the label:(a) Spraying the foliage of individual plants or clumps with an appropriate

herbicide using a hand-held spray or wand,(b) Spraying the basal stems of plants with an appropriate herbicide using a

hand-held spray or wand,


(c) In the Western Division of NSW only, spot spraying with an appropriateherbicide of the ground around the root zone of individual plants using a hand-held spray or wand.

(2) This Guideline does not cover the use of wands or nozzles mounted in fixedposition on vehicles, tractors or aircraft.

(3) Wherever they are approved for the purpose, selective herbicides must be used.(4) Spray drift must be minimised and spray must always be directed away from any

nearby stream or wetland.(5) When undertaking removal of live exotic trees in wetlands by spot-spraying,

extreme caution must be exercised to limit spray to the target plants only.



16. Stem injection and ringbarking(1) Ringbarking means the removal of a section of bark from around the entire

circumference of the trunk of a plant, undertaken with an axe or chainsaw.(2) Stem injection means the making of one or more drill-holes or cuts around the

trunk below the lowest branches, followed by immediate injection of anappropriate herbicide into each hole or cut in the manner prescribed on the label.Holes and cuts must be angled downwards into the trunk to prevent herbicideescape.



17. Wick wiping in native pasture(1) Wick wiping in native pasture means the control of weeds that stand up above

native pasture using an appropriate herbicide applied in the manner prescribed onthe label via wicks, sponges or similar material, contained in a frame mounted onor towed behind a vehicle or tractor.

(2) Native pasture must be grazed low prior to treatment.(3) This Guideline does not approve wick wiping in other circumstances such as

amongst woody native regrowth.




18. Slashing and boom spraying(1) Slashing means the use of a device with cutting blades designed to leave the

roots and part of the above-ground vegetation intact and in place.(2) Boom spraying means the application of an appropriate herbicide in the manner

prescribed on the label via a boom with multiple nozzles, usually mounted on ortowed behind a vehicle or tractor.(a) Slashing or boom spraying of individual plants or clumps or dense infestations

of live exotic trees where the clearing must be limited to those areas and doesnot extend to areas of native vegetation between the plants or clumps.(1) This method must not be used in riparian areas, including (but not limited

to) all Category B State protected land.(2) Selective herbicides must be used, where available.

(b) Boom spraying of wider areas rather than individual target plants.(1) This technique does not include spraying from the air.(2) This technique must not be used in riparian areas, including (but not

limited to) all Category B State protected land.(3) All work must be documented and records retained for at least 5 years.

Documents and records to be kept are date of treatment, weather,technique(s) used, chemical and rate used and photo(s) taken beforetreatment.

(4) Only selective herbicides may be used that will not harm native vegetationwhether within the treated area or nearby.



PART 4 DICTIONARY

Expressions marked with an asterisk below are those having the same meaning as in theNative Vegetation Conservation Act 1997.

* Clearing State protected land means any one or more of the following:(a) cutting down, felling, thinning, logging or removing any vegetation on protected land,(b) killing, destroying, poisoning, ringbarking, uprooting or burning any vegetation on

protected land,(c) severing, topping or lopping branches, limbs, stems or trunks of any vegetation on

protected land,(d) substantially damaging or injuring any vegetation on protected land in any other way.

Exotic tree means a tree that is not indigenous native vegetation. That is, it is vegetation of aspecies that did not exist in NSW before European settlement.

Native pasture means native vegetation that is groundcover comprising more than 50%indigenous species. Approval under the Native Vegetation Act 2003 is not required to clearnative vegetation that is only groundcover if it comprises less than 50% of indigenousspecies and there is at least 10% total vegetation cover whether dead or alive.


* Native vegetation means any of the following types of indigenous vegetation: trees,understorey plants, groundcover and plants occurring in a wetland.

Non-selective herbicide is one that controls most vegetation to which it is applied.Glyphosate is one example of a non-selective herbicide.

Property: is a contiguous area of land under the same ownership or management. Land is tobe regarded as contiguous despite interruption in ownership by Crown land (including publicroads or watercourses) that is less than 100 m in width.

Riparian areas are any lands that adjoins, directly influences, or are directly influenced by abody of water.

Selective herbicide is one that controls a specific group of plants but is inactive againstothers. Picloram is one example of a selective herbicide.

Soil erosion here means the unnaturally accelerated loss of soil from the land surface.

Spray drift is the movement of airborne spray particles away from the intended area ofapplication, either horizontally or vertically.

* State protected land means:• land that is identified in an order under section 7 of the Native Vegetation

Conservation Act 1997 as State protected land, and• any land defined as protected land under section 21AB of the Soil Conservation

Act 1938 (as in force immediately before the repeal of that section by the NativeVegetation Conservation Act 1997).

State protected land does not include any land to which the Mid-Lachlan regionalvegetation management plan and Riverina Highlands regional vegetationmanagement plan applied immediately before their repeal.

Stream means any river, creek, or natural watercourse, whether artificially improved or not, inwhich water usually flows, either continuously or intermittently, in a defined bed or channel.

* Tree includes a sapling or a shrub, or scrub. In all cases these are woody perennial plants.

Water quality is the biological, chemical, and physical conditions of a waterbody.

* Wetland includes any shallow body of water (such as a marsh, billabong, swamp orsedgeland) that is:

(a) inundated cyclically, intermittently or permanently with water, and

(b) vegetated with wetland plant communities.

Western Division of NSW means the Western Division as defined by the Crown LandsConsolidation Act 1913 immediately before its repeal (subject to any regulations made undersection 4(3) of the Crown Lands Act 1989 that affect the boundary between the WesternDivision and the Eastern and Central Division).


PART 5 EXEMPTIONS APPLYING ON STATE PROTECTED LAND FOR LIVINGAND DEAD EXOTIC TREES AND DEAD NATIVE TREES

19. The following exemptions may be used to clear living and dead exotic trees and deadnative trees on State protected land.

The following exemptions can also be used to clear any living native vegetation butonly on State protected land in the local government areas listed in Schedule 1 to theNative Vegetation Conservation Act 1997 (mainly the Sydney and Newcastle localgovernment areas, but not Wollongong).

State protected land no longer exists in the areas covered by the repealed Mid-Lachlan and Riverina Highland regional vegetation management plans.

20. Exemptions applying to Category A State protected landCategory A State protected land is land generally over 18 degrees of slope identifiedin maps gazetted for that purpose. A map of Category A State protected land can beviewed at Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and selected DNR offices.

20.1 SurveysThe cutting down, felling, destruction, topping, lopping, injury or removal of any treeon protected land by a registered surveyor where such cutting down, felling,destruction, topping, lopping, injury or removal is necessary in order to carry out asurvey as defined in the Surveyors Act 1929.

The definition of “survey” in the Surveyors Act 1929 (which was repealed by theSurveying Act 2002 is:

Survey means a measurement or delimitation of land authorised or required:(a) under any Act dealing with the alienation, leasing or occupation of Crown lands or

lands of the Crown or affecting titles to land, or(b) subject to section 25, under any Act dealing with mining, or(c) by the Crown, the proprietor, lessee or mortgagee of the land or a prospective

proprietor, lessee or mortgagee thereof, or(d) in connection with the dedication, reservation, compulsory acquisition or disposal

thereof for any purpose under the authority of any Act,(e) and includes all matters prescribed which are incidental to or consequent upon

such measurement or delimitation, and surveying has a meaning correspondingwith that of “survey”.

20.2 Works under the Soil Conservation Act 1938Ringbarking, cutting down, felling, poisoning or otherwise destroying, or causing to beringbarked, cut down, felled, poisoned or otherwise destroyed, or topping, lopping,removing or injuring, or causing to be topped, lopped, removed or injured, any tree,by or under the authority of:

(a) the Commissioner of the Soil Conservation Service, or an officer, employee oragent of the Commissioner authorised in that behalf;

(b) any person in accordance with any project under section 10 of the SoilConservation Act 1938, or pursuant to any agreement made under, or anyrequirement imposed by or under, that Act; or

(c) a person who is required or authorised to do so by or under any Act or anylicence, permit, authority or consent granted or issued under any Act.


20.3 VariousThis exemption may be used by any person who is the owner or occupier of CategoryA protected land.

Ringbarking, cutting down, felling, poisoning or otherwise destroying or topping,lopping or removing in any period of one year:(1) not more than seven trees on any area of one hectare of the protected land;(2) the trees growing on not more than 2 hectares of each separate area of protected

land where the area of not more than two hectares does not comprise more thanone quarter of the separate area of protected land and the ringbarking, cuttingdown, felling, poisoning or otherwise destroying or topping, lopping or removing isfor a purpose other than the construction of a vehicular track or road, or thedevelopment of the land for a banana plantation, horticulture or the growing orcrops; or

(3) the trees comprising a banana plantation or orchard where the ringbarking, cuttingdown, felling, poisoning or otherwise destroying or topping, lopping or removing isnecessary for the harvesting of the produce of, or the management of, theplantation or orchard, but not if it results in the complete destruction of theplantation or orchard.

20.4 Power linesThe topping or lopping by a person who is employed or contracted by a localgovernment or electricity supply authority of any tree or the poisoning or destroyingby such person of any tree not exceeding three metres in height, provided such treeis to be topped or lopped, or poisoned or destroyed in the case of a tree notexceeding three metres in height, for the purpose of maintaining necessary safetyclearances under or within fifteen metres of an existing power line.

20.5 Noxious weedsRingbarking, cutting down, felling, poisoning or otherwise destroying, or causing to beringbarked, cut down, felled, poisoned or otherwise destroyed, or topping, lopping,removing or injuring, or causing to be topped, lopped, removed or injured, any tree,provided that:

(1) any such tree involved is of a type statutorily identified as being a noxious weed, anotifiable weed or any other type of noxious plant within that portion of New SouthWales in which exists the protected land;

(2) the action or work being undertaken does not involve disturbance of the soil; and(3) the action or work is required or authorised under any Act.

21. Exemptions applying to Category B State protected landCategory B State protected land is land mapped and gazetted as land within or within20 metres of the bed or bank of any prescribed stream. A map and list of prescribedstreams can be viewed at CMA or selected DNR offices.

21.1 Functions of the Department of Natural Resources (formerly WaterResources)For the purpose of carrying out a function of the Department of Natural Resources,the topping, lopping, felling or removal by a person who is employed or contracted bythe Department of Natural Resources of any tree on protected land that is situationwithin, or within 20 metres of, the bed or bank of the Tumut River from BloweringDam to its junction with the Murrumbidgee River, the Murray River from Yarrawongato Khancoban, or any river or lake within the Hunter Valley Conservation Trust Districtas defined in the Schedule to the Hunter Valley Conservation Trust Act 1950.



21.3 Motor traffic safetyThe topping or lopping by a person who is employed by or contracted by the Roadsand Traffic Authority or a local government authority of any tree, or the poisoning ordestroying by such person of any tree not exceeding three metres in height, for thepurpose of motor traffic safety, within fifteen metres of the longitudinal centre-line ofan existing road or bridge.

21.4 Power linesThe topping or lopping by a person who is employed or contracted by a localgovernment or electricity supply authority of any tree or the poisoning or destroyingby such person of any tree not exceeding three metres in height, provided such treeis to be topped or lopped, or poisoned or destroyed in the case of a tree notexceeding three metres in height, for the purpose of maintaining necessary safetyclearances under or within fifteen metres of an existing power line.




22. Exemptions applying to category “C” State protected landCategory C State protected land is land mapped and gazetted as sensitiveenvironmental land. A map of Category C State protected land can be viewed at CMAand selected DNR offices.


22.2 Various exemptions – Yass and other areasThis exemption applies to land identified as Category C protected land on theprotected land maps of Yass (1:50,000), Gunning (1:50,000), Bedulluck (1:25,000),Lake George (1:25,000), Hall (1:25,000), Sutton (1:25,000) and Bungendore(1:25,000) but not land identified on such maps as being susceptible to massmovement.

Ringbarking, cutting down, felling, poisoning or otherwise destroying or topping,lopping, removing or injuring:


(1) not more than seven trees on any area of one hectare of such protected land inany period of one year;

(2) trees for the purpose of domestic and farm building construction;(3) trees for the purpose of fence construction, fence maintenance, access track

maintenance, firebreaks and domestic powerlines, within a twenty metre widecorridor;

(4) trees comprising an orchard where the ringbarking, cutting down, felling,poisoning or otherwise destroying or the topping, lopping, removing or injuring isnecessary for the harvesting of the produce of, or the management of, theorchard, but not if it results in the complete destruction of the orchard;

(5) trees that have been planted for ornamental purposes adjacent to or in the vicinityof a road, track, path, house or outbuilding;

(6) trees growing on an area of not more than half a hectare of protected land for thepurpose dam construction; or

(7) trees that are declared by the Governor in pursuance to the Local GovernmentAct 1919 to be noxious plants within that portion of the State which contains theprotected land in question, provided that the ringbarking, cutting down, felling,poisoning or otherwise destroying or the topping, lopping, removing or injuring iscarried out by a person who is required or authorised to do so under the LocalGovernment Act 1919 on the basis that such activity shall not involve disturbanceof the soil.

22.3 Clearing of lignum of protected land within Lowbidgee districtThis exemption applies to Category “C” protected land as mapped on the protectedland maps of Paika, Maude, Balranald and Toogimbie (in the Lowbidgee District).

This exemption may be used by owners or occupiers of land to which this exemptionapplies and by any person who is employed or contracted by a local governmentcouncil or electricity supply authority.

Clearing of lignum includes destroying lignum by chaining, pushing, ploughing,slashing, burning and the use of herbicides.

The clearing of lignum only, provided that the clearing is:(1) within 50 metres of an existing shed, silo, pump house, residence or air strip,(2) for the purpose of fence maintenance or stock management involving the clearing

of not more than 30 metres either side of a fence,(3) for the purpose of maintaining an existing flood control work or storage control

bank involving the clearing of not more than 30 metres from the toe of the outsidebatter of the work or bank,

(4) for the purpose of maintaining an existing irrigation channel involving the clearingof not more than 30 metres from the toe of the outside batter of the channel,

(5) for the purpose of maintaining a Shire road or an existing farm road or track thathas been built up at least 50 centimetres above the adjacent floodplain levelinvolving the clearing of not more than 30 metres from the toe of the outsidebatter of the road or track,

(6) within 50 metres of an existing ground tank or trough that is used for stockwatering,

(7) for the purpose of stock management or internal paddock access involving theclearing of any number of parallel strips of lignum up to 20 metres in width,provided that:(a) cleared strips exceeding 10 metres in width must be bounded on both sides

by uncleared strips of lignum at least 1,000 metres wide,


(b) cleared strips of lignum between 5 metres and 10 metres in width must bebounded on both sides by uncleared strips of lignum at least 500 metres wide,and

(c) cleared strips of lignum less than 5 metres in width must be bounded on bothsides by uncleared strips of lignum at least 250 metres wide.






Appendix 2 Checklist For Bush Regeneration Activities In The Habitat Of Threatened Species, Endangered Populations And Endangered Ecological Communities

Management Planning: yes no more info attached

The proposed activities will be in accordance with a management plan or site plan (map). Please attach the plan or relevant sections of the plan or strategy to the licence application.

The project has been discussed with the relevant Landcare coordinator. If not, provide details of any other professional advice you have sought, e.g. from a qualified bush regenerator.

A NPWS Wildlife Atlas database search of a 5km radius of the site has been undertaken to identify threatened flora/fauna species known or likely to occur on the site. The Wildlife Atlas is accessible on the NPWS Web Site www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.Prior to commencing any works on site, a permit or permission will be obtained from the relevant landowner(s) or land manager(s). Training and supervision: All workers carrying out bush regeneration and associated works will be supervised by a trained and experienced co-ordinator who has completed a recognised bush regeneration course (e.g. the Certificate of Bushland Regeneration) or a minimum of 2 years bush regeneration experience. If ‘yes’, please provide below the name and qualifications of the co-ordinator. Name: ……………………………………………………………………… Qualifications/experience:………………………………………………….

Other members of the group that have bush regeneration training or experience. Name: ……………………………………………………………………… Qualifications/experience: ………………………………………………… Name: ……………………………………………………………………… Qualifications/experience:…………………………………………………. Name: ……………………………………………………………………… Qualifications/experience:…………………………………………………. Name: ……………………………………………………………………… Qualifications/experience:…………………………………………………. Name: ……………………………………………………………………… Qualifications/experience:………………………………………………….

All activities by workers will be regularly checked and approved by the co-ordinator.

All workers will be informed of any threatened species or endangered ecological communities in the area or which may occur in the area and the potential impacts of activities on these species/communities. e.g. vines on the edge of a littoral rainforest remnant may protect the remnant from salt-bearing winds.



yes no more info attached

All workers have adequate weed and native plant identification skills. i.e. all workers can identify and differentiate between weeds and native plants that occur on the site.

Workers will be familiar with the identifying features of threatened flora that are known or likely to occur in the project area. Where threatened species known from the area are similar to weed species, the distinguishing features between these will be understood prior to commencing the work.

Access to sites All vehicular access to sites will be restricted to formed roads.

Unnecessary damage to sites will be avoided. e.g. avoid working in wet weather to lessen soil compaction.

Impacts on flora: Prior to any works being undertaken, the presence or absence of threatened flora will be determined by a thorough walking search of the area.

All threatened flora will be tagged with highly visible flagging tape before work commences. If a number of individuals occur in a clump, that area should be marked out with flagging tape. Cutting or damaging of threatened flora will be avoided. All plants will be positively identified before they are removed (pulled, cut, poisoned etc).

Weed removal within 2m of a threatened species will be undertaken by hand.

To reduce the possibility of introducing plant diseases and weeds the following measures will be applied: 1. Secateurs will be sharp and cleaned with methylated spirits. 2. Footwear will be cleaned of loose soil and preferably treated with bleach between sites.

Impacts on fauna: All workers will be aware of any threatened fauna that are known or likely to occur on site, and the potential impacts of the proposed activities on those species.

The habitat and refuge potential of weeds and rubbish will be considered prior to removal. e.g. Lantana can provide cover for threatened fauna such as the Bush-hen. Dead Lantana and poisoned Camphor Laurels should, where possible, be left in situ.

Weeds will be removed gradually in areas where an infestation is extensive. Ideally, 50% of weeds that may provide habitat should be left until native plant species have re-established and provide alternative refuge.

Disturbance to, and removal of rocks, logs and other potential refuge sites will be avoided.

A herbicide registered for use near waterways will be used within 5m of waterways.

Herbicide spraying will be prohibited within 5 metres from watercourses where threatened frogs are known or likely to occur and within a 10m radius of records of threatened frogs.



A buffer of 1m along other watercourses will be maintained in which no herbicide will be sprayed.

Care will be taken to minimise disturbance to shy or cryptic species. e.g. the Marbled Frogmouth roosts in vine ‘curtains’. Care will be taken to minimise disturbance to the leaf litter layer.

Reconstruction through revegetation: This section does not address propagation or planting of threatened species – this activity would need to be separately addressed. Seed collection or cuttings will be from species, populations or ecological communities other than those listed as threatened (unless licensed by NPWS).

Prior to collecting any seed or cuttings permission will be obtained from the relevant landholder or manager of the site. e.g. a licence is required to collect native plants on National Parks estate. Seed collection from any one species will be limited to less than 10% of the available crop at that site.

Seed collection from any individual plant will be limited to less than 10% of the available crop.

If your seed source is used by other seed collectors, has consideration been given to minimising any cumulative impacts to the source plants? Some individual plants are known as a reliable seed source and their seed is collected extensively. This may result in – (i) a reduction in genetic diversity); (ii) an impediment to the individual’s natural ability to regenerate. When collecting propagation material from a wild population, collection will be random from as many individuals as possible across the population to ensure a representative range of genetic material is collected. Collectors will avoid selection of propagation material on the basis of physical attributes. e.g. tallest, most attractive, greatest amount of seed or flowers. Plantings will be sourced from stock of local provenance.*

Propagated plants will be used only at the subject site. i.e. excess material will only be used at other sites if it meets the provenance criteria.

A buffer of 5 metres will be maintained around all threatened plant specimens. Planting will only be undertaken outside this buffer. This requirement is intended to protect the roots of the threatened plant from damage, introduction of disease or impacts of herbicide. Care will be taken to ensure that mulch does not introduce weeds or impede natural regeneration at the site.

Care will be taken to ensure that weeds and/or phytopthora are not introduced to a site from any plantings.

Consideration will be given to the possible impacts of plantings on the ecological requirements of threatened species at the site e.g. reduced light, competition, etc. Species will be planted within their natural habitat and range. Plantings will be guided by the plants’ local habitat preferences. e.g. the species used for plantings along watercourses should be those that naturally occur in that habitat in your local area.



*Local provenance species should be regarded as those species propagated from material that has been collected from a natural wild population as close as possible to a site. For example, within the local catchment – which may be based on a local creek.

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