Report for Beveridge Williams - latrobe.vic.gov.au€¦ · Cairnbrook Road, Glengarry January ......

Report for Beveridge Williams

Habitat Assessment and Targeted survey for Matted Flax-lily (Dianella amoena) at 101 Cairnbrook Road, Glengarry

January 2017

Tania Brooker

i Indigenous Design Environmental Management

Citation

Brooker, T (2017), Habitat Assessment and Targeted survey for Matted Flax-lily (Dianella amoena) at

101 Cairnbrook Road, Glengarry. Indigenous Design Environmental Management, Research, Victoria.

Indigenous Design Environmental Management

1635 Main Road, Research

www.iddesign.com.au

Disclaimer

Indigenous Design Environmental Management and any associated contractors engaged for this

project have endeavoured to provide an accurate and current document. However, this document is

not guaranteed to be without flaw or omissions. The information and recommendations provided

are current at the time of writing but do not account for any changes in circumstances after the time

of publication. Indigenous Design Environmental Management accepts no liability for any error, loss

or other consequence caused or arising from using the information provided within this report.

ii Indigenous Design Environmental Management

Acknowledgements

Nicole Stow – Town Planner, Beveridge Williams

Ben Imbery – Senior Consultant, Indigenous Design Environmental Management

Version Control

Status Date Revision type Reviewed by Amended by

Draft 1.1 25/01/2017 First draft, first review W. Doherty T.Booker

Draft 1.2 28/01/2017 First draft, second review N.Noy T.Brooker

Final 30/01/2017 Final released to client

Targeted Dianella amoena survey, 101 Cairnbrook Road, Glengarry | January, 2017

1 Indigenous Design Environmental Management

Contents

Contents .................................................................................................................................................. 1

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................. 2

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 Project Background ................................................................................................................. 3

1.2 Species Information ................................................................................................................ 3

1.3 Study Area ............................................................................................................................... 4

2 Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1 Data and Literature Review .................................................................................................... 5

2.2 Habitat Assessment ................................................................................................................ 5

2.3 Field Survey ............................................................................................................................. 6

2.4 Limitations............................................................................................................................... 6

3 Results & Discussion ....................................................................................................................... 7

3.1 Habitat Description ................................................................................................................. 7

3.2 Habitat Assessment ................................................................................................................ 7

3.3 Targeted Survey ...................................................................................................................... 8

4. Conclusion and Recommendations..................................................................................................... 9

Bibliography .......................................................................................................................................... 10

Photos ................................................................................................................................................... 11

Maps ..................................................................................................................................................... 12

Map 1 – Dianella amoena locations within Gippsland ..................................................................... 13

Map 2 – Dianella amoena locations adjacent to 101 Cairnbrook Road ........................................... 14



Executive Summary

Indigenous Design Environmental Management has been commissioned by Beveridge Williams to

undertake an assessment of habitat potential and conduct targeted surveys for the nationally

endangered Dianella amoena (Matted Flax-lily) adjacent to a proposed residential subdivision at 101

Cairnbrook Road, Glengarry. An Ecological Assessment of the site (Imbery, 2016) identified the

presence of Matted Flax-lily population(s) and suitable habitat within the adjacent Gippsland Plains

Rail Trail reserve (GPRT).

This project included a targeted search for Matted Flax-lily as identified by the Ecological Assessment

and assessed the habitat present on the site and those potentially impacted by the subdivisions

infrastructure requirements (such as access roads). This was then assessed against the requirements

of the Matted Flax-lily.

The following habitat assessment has been made in regard to the site and the two targeted search

areas:

• The majority of the 101 Cairnbrook Road site has been largely modified from its original

vegetation cover due to past and current management practices and does not contain

remnant native vegetation nor remnants of the Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) that the

Matted Flax-lily is likely to be found within. It is not considered to provide suitable or

important habitat for this species.

• The southern road reserve (adjacent to Cairnbrook Road) search area contains native

vegetation that is small in size (approx. 400m2), lacks diversity and whilst Themeda triandra

(Kangaroo Grass) is present, it is not the dominant species. This area is not considered to

provide high quality habitat for the Matted Flax-lily.

• Remnant native vegetation within the western search area contains species and structure

consistent with Plains Grassy Woodland (PGW), a preferred EVC for this species. It is

dominated by Kangaroo Grass, and has an open structure preferred by Matted Flax-lily, with

dispersed canopy trees and understorey trees. The proximity of previous records of the

Matted Flax-lily along with the suitability of the habitat in this area has resulted in this area

being considered of high importance to this species.

Eight Matted Flax-lily ‘patches’ were found adjacent to the subdivision in the western search area,

within the GPRT and road reserve (adjacent to Main Street). These ranged in size from individual

plants to 12m2 patches, with a varying number of estimated plants identified for each.

In order to avoid further consideration of this species in regard to the Environment Protection &

Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 Significant Impact Criteria, the following measures are

recommended:

• Any infrastructure development to support the subdivision of 101 Cairnbrook Road should

be located to the south of the known locations of the Matted Flax-lily;

• Works should avoid the suitable important habitat identified in the western search area

containing the Matted Flax-lily within the GPRT corridor in Plains Grassy Woodland habitat

zones; and

• Prior to construction of any access infrastructure, the area of impact be specifically surveyed

for the presence of the Matted Flax-lily.



1 Introduction

1.1 Project Background

Indigenous Design Environmental Management has been commissioned by Beveridge Williams to

undertake an assessment of habitat potential and conduct targeted surveys for the Matted Flax-lily

adjacent to a proposed residential subdivision at 101 Cairnbrook Road, Glengarry.

An Ecological Assessment of the site and its surrounds (Imbery, 2016) identified the presence of

Matted Flax-lily population(s) and suitable habitat within the adjacent GPRT reserve and in response

made the following recommendation:

• Undertake further targeted Matted Flax-lily surveys to more thoroughly identify the

presence of this species within the GPRT during spring. Apply results to determine a location

of roadway linkages from the proposed estate to Main Street which avoids any removal and

impacts to this species (Imbery, 2016).

The Matted Flax-lily is listed as nationally endangered under the EPBC Act 1999 (DEE, 2016). In

addition to its national listing, the Matted Flax-lily is also listed as a threatened species under the

Victorian State Flora and Fauna Guarantee (FFG) Act 1988 (DSE, 2016) and endangered by the State

advisory list (DSE, 2007).

The scope of this assessment and survey are to:

• Assess the study site’s habitat for potential to host Matted Flax-lily; and

• Determine the location of Matted Flax-lily through targeted spring surveys.

The outcomes of this study are to be used by Beveridge Williams and planning authorities to plan

the service road access to the site whilst minimising impacts on the Matted Flax-lily’s known

locations and identified habitat.

1.2 Species Information

The Matted Flax-lily is a small, perennial, tufted, mat-forming lily that is rhizomatous and forms

loose clumps up to 5m wide (DEE, 2016). The species is considered to be endemic to Victoria, with a

natural range encompassing south-eastern mainland Australia and Tasmania. The species typically

occurs in grassland and grassy woodland habitats (Carter, O, 2010).

The closest record of the Flax-lily to the Cairnbrook Road site dates from 2005 and relates to a

record contained within the GPRT, 200 metres to the north of the proposed subdivision (DELWP,

2016). Map 1 displays the Gippsland records of the Matted Flax-lily taken from the Department of

Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA) (DELWP, 2016).



1.3 Study Area

The Ecological Assessment (Imbery, 2016) describes the study area as follows:

The study area is located on the north-eastern fringe of Glengarry…which is located approximately

170 km southeast of Melbourne in Gippsland. 101 Cairnbrook Road measures approximately 18.1

hectares and the predominant land use is agricultural with moderate grazing by cattle and horses.

(Imbery, 2016)

Little if any native vegetation remains within the proposed subdivision site, with past land use

including regular grazing, pasture improvement and sowing of pasture grass species (Imbery, 2016).

An area of Grassland / Grassy Woodland habitat was identified in the Ecological Assessment (Figure

1) to be targeted for specific Matted Flax-lily survey. This was due to the presence of remnant

vegetation from the preferred EVC for this species and the locations of Matted Flax-lily found during

the initial site visit. The remainder of the subdivision site was deemed by the Ecological Assessment

to not be suitable for Matted Flax-lily to occur.

Figure 1: Study Area



2 Methodology

2.1 Data and Literature Review

Relevant literature, on-line resources and numerous databases were reviewed to provide an

assessment of the habitat suitability and locaiton of previous Matted Flax-lily records. The following

were reviewed:

• The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) Biodiveristy Interactive

Map (DELWP, 2017) for:

o Modelled data for Matted Flax-lily habitat;

o Graminoid Threatened Flora Lifeforms locations.

• The Vicorian Biodiversity Atlas (DELWP, 2016) for previously documented flora records

within the project and Gippsland locality;

• Relevant environmental legislation and policies, including:

o National Recovery Plan for Matted Flax Lily (Dianella amoena) (Carter, O, 2010);

• Previous Ecological Assessment of the site (Imbery, 2016).

2.2 Habitat Assessment

An assessment of the site’s potential to provide habitat for the Matted Flax-lily was undertaken

using the resources as defined above, the Ecological Assessment (Imbery, 2016) and a site visit for

both the proposed subdivision site and within the adjacent GPRT and road reserves.

Habitat requirements of the species have been defined as follows:

The Matted Flax-lily generally occurs in grassland and grassy woodland habitats, on well drained to

seasonally wet fertile sandy loams to heavy cracking clay soils derived from Silurian or Tertiary

sediments, or from volcanic geology (Carr & Horsfall 1995; Gray & Knight 2001). The native grasses

Themeda triandra, Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides, Elymus scaber var. scaber, Poa labillardierei

and Austrodanthonia racemosa var. racemosa generally dominate the ground layer at most sites

(Carr & Horsfall 1995). Associated tree species include Acacia melanoxylon, Eucalyptus pauciflora

subsp. pauciflora, E. ovata, E. camaldulensis, E. melliodora, E. goniocalyx, E. polyanthemos subsp.

vestita and E. macrorhyncha subsp. macrorhyncha. Some sites lack a tree canopy. Most D. amoena

sites also contain a high cover of introduced plant species. Commonly occurring introduced species

include Briza maxima, B. minor, Holcus lanatus, Hypochoeris radicata, Plantago lanceolata, Romulea

rosea, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata and Phalaris aquatica.

(Carter, 2010)

As no specific Department of Energy and Environment guidelines have been released in regard to the

assessment of potential habitat for this species, the following have been used to determine the

suitability of the site as habitat:

• a comparison of the EVC’s and species present against those known to frequently occur with

the Matted Flax-lily; and

• the location of previous records of the species in the immediate area.



2.3 Field Survey

A targeted field survey for the Matted Flax-lily was undertaken within the species’ flowering season,

with both areas identified in Figure 1 traversed slowly on foot. Flower and fruiting material were

searched for, as well as leaf sheath characteristics of the species.

Any identified patches of the species were recorded with a handheld GPS and the size of each patch

and the potential number of plants it contained estimated.

2.4 Limitations

The site survey was undertaken in December during the flowering and fruiting season of the species.

However, depending on the success of the growing season and climatic conditions, not all plants will

be flowering / fruiting within the spring / summer period. Also, long grass within the assessment

areas can hide its presence, especially if no reproductive material is present. Therefore it cannot be

guaranteed that all plants were found.



3 Results & Discussion

3.1 Habitat Description

Vegetation of the 101 Cairnbrook Rd site has been described as follows:

The native vegetation exists primarily as scattered remnant trees and as ephemeral vegetation

around the dam and drainage line. The vast majority of the development site is comprised of open,

cleared grazing paddocks that are largely dominated by exotic pasture grasses with a sparse

scattering of common and persistent indigenous grasses.

Large and very large old remnant trees are scattered across the property in low densities and include

the species Eucalyptus tereticornis subsp. mediana (Gippsland Red-gum), Eucalyptus bridgesiana

(Apple Box) and Eucalyptus polyanthemos (Red Box).

The ground storey is composed of exotic grasses and herbs including Agrostis capillaris (Brown-top

Bent), Paspalum dilatatum (Paspalum), Lolium perenne (Perennial Rye-grass), Trifolium repens

(White Clover) and Hypochaeris radicata (Cat’s Ears). Scatterings of Microlaena stipoides var.

stipoides (Weeping Grass) and Rytidosperma sp. (Wallaby Grass) were sparsely intermingled with the

exotic species.

(Imbery, 2016)

Vegetation of the adjacent GPRT and Road reserves has been described as follows:

Gippsland Plains Rail Trail

The canopy consists of immature Apple Box to a height of 12-15 metres with no large remnant trees

present. The occasional Blue Gum of similar height to the Apple Box can be found in the areas of

exotic vegetation. The canopy sits above a patchy shrub layer containing Acacia melanoxylon

(Blackwood) and Kunzea ericoides (Burgan). The ground storey layer is dominated by Themeda

triandra (Kangaroo Grass) and scatterings of native herbs including Pimelea humilis (Common Rice-

flower) and Gonocarpus tetragynus (Common Raspwort).

Southern Road Reserve

A range of native canopy trees are present including Eucalyptus polyanthemos (Red Box), River-red

Gum and Apple Box. The middle storey layer is sparse across the area with only the occasional shrub

present in the form of the native Blackwood and the exotic Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn).

A remnant grassland tract is present at the western edge of the roadside which includes a high

coverage of native grasses including the species Austrostipa sp. (Spear Grass) and Kangaroo Grass.

The remaining groundlayer is dominated by exotic grasses such as Dactylis glomerata (Cocksfoot).

(Imbery, 2016)

3.2 Habitat Assessment

The majority of the 101 Cairnbrook Road site has been largely modified from its original vegetation

cover and does not contain remnant native vegetation nor remnants of the EVC that the Matted

Flax-lily is likely to be found within. Whilst the Matted Flax-lily can persist within areas of high weed



coverage, the likelihood of this habitat being suitable for the long term viability of the species is low,

particularly in light of past land use, current grazing, pasture improvement and slashing regimes. This

site is therefore considered to not contain habitat for this species.

The remnant vegetation of the PGW vegetation contained within the southern road reserve search

area, is small in size (approx. 400m2), lacks diversity and whilst Kangaroo Grass is present, it is not

the dominant species. The exotic grass species, Cocksfoot, dominates the ground storey. This area is

not considered to provide high quality habitat for the Matted Flax-lily.

Remnant vegetation still remaining within the western search area contains species and structure

consistent with PGW, a preferred EVC for this species. It is dominated by Kangaroo Grass, and has an

open structure preferred by Matted Flax-lily, with dispersed canopy trees and understorey trees

such as Blackwoods. Weed coverage is high in some areas from exotic pasture grass such as Sweet

Vernal-grass however Matted Flax-lily is known to tolerate some weed invasion.

Previous records of the Matted Flax-lily occur in close proximity to the western search area, with one

record 200 metres to the north and the other 800 metres to the south (DELWP, 2016), both within

the GPRT corridor. In the broader landscape, 39 locations for the species have been recorded on the

VBA (DELWP, 2016) in the Latrobe Valley, from Churchill through to Rosedale (Map 1).

The western targeted search area is therefore considered to be suitable habitat of high importance

to this species.

3.3 Targeted Survey

Eight Matted Flax-lily plants were identified in the targeted surveys completed within those areas

identified in Figure 1. This included four additional to those identified in the Ecological Assessment

(Imbery, 2016), which are all new records of the species at this site. Table 1 details the location of

the patches, along with their size. No plants were identified within the southern road reserve search

area.

Table 1 – Dianella amoena locations within the search area

Patch # Patch Size Easting Northing Comments

1 462785 5780597 1 individual

2 4m2 462866 5780780 5 - 6 individuals

3 3m2 462876 5780798 3 individuals

4 8m2 462898 5780859 5 individuals

5 462777 5780548 1 individual

6 0.5m2 462805 5780658 2 individuals - west side of Rail Trail beside drain

7 12m2 462782 5780600

Very large patch >12 individuals on embankment

west side of trail

8 0.5m2 462818 5780692

4 individuals on edge of embankment west side of

Rail Trail



4. Conclusion and Recommendations

Assessments have concluded that the grassland / grassy woodland habitat adjacent to the west of

101 Cairnbrook Road is considered to be suitable habitat of high importance to Matted Flax-lily.

Whilst some remnant vegetation occurs within the southern road reserve, it is not considered

important habitat, nor is the proposed subdivision site due to its past vegetation clearing and

current management practices.

Eight Matted Flax-lily plants were identified adjacent to 101 Cairnbrook Road within the GPRT

corridor. Four of these are new records of the species at this site and were in addition to those

previously recorded at this site. No plants were found within the southern search area adjacent to

Cairnbrook Road.

In order to avoid further consideration of this species in regard to the EPBC Significant Impact

Criteria, the following are recommended:

• Any infrastructure development to support the subdivision of 101 Cairnbrook Road should

be located to the south of the known locations of the Matted Flax-lily;

• Works should avoid the suitable important habitat identified in the western search area

containing the Matted Flax-lily within the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail corridor in Plains Grassy

Woodland habitat zones; and

• Prior to construction of any access infrastructure, the area of impact be specifically surveyed

for the presence of the Matted Flax-lily.



Bibliography

Carter, O. (2010). National Recovery Plan for the Matted Flax-lily Dianella amoena. Melbourne:

Department of Sustainability & Environment.

DEE. (2016, December 1). EPBC Act List of Threatened Flora. Retrieved 12 12, 2011, from

Commonwealth Government Department of Environment & Energy:

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=1870

DEE. (2016, December 12). Species Profile and Threats Database. Retrieved from Australian

Government Department of Environment and Energy: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-

bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=64886

DELWP. (2016, December 21). Victorian Biodiversity Atlas. Retrieved from Vicotrian Government

Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning: https://vba.dse.vic.gov.au/vba/

DELWP. (2017, January 4). Biodiversity Interactive Map. Retrieved November 22, 2011, from

Victorian Government Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning:

http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/about-dse/interactive-maps

DSE. (2007). Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria. Melbourne: Victorian

Government Department of Sustainability and Environment.

DSE. (2016, December 16). Flora and Fauna Guanatee Act - Listed Taxa. Retrieved December 12,

2011, from Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment:

http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/103136/20101021_FFG_threatene

d_list_Oct_10.pdf

Imbery, B. (2016). Ecological Assessment of 101 Cairnbrook Road, Glengarry. Research, Melbourne:

Indigenous Design Environmental Management.



Photos

Photo 1 – Dianella amoena patch (01/12/2016)

Photo 2 – Dianella amoena habitat within GPRT (01/12/2016)



Maps

Maps commence on the next page



Map 1 – Dianella amoena locations within Gippsland



Map 2 – Dianella amoena locations adjacent to 101 Cairnbrook Road

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