Eastern Australia Woodlands

Conservation Management Zones of Australia

Prepared by the Department of the Environment Acknowledgements This project and its associated products are the result of collaboration between the Department of the Environment’s Biodiversity Conservation Division and the Environmental Resources Information Network (ERIN). Invaluable input, advice and support were provided by staff and leading researchers from across the Department of Environment (DotE), Department of Agriculture (DoA), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the academic community. We would particularly like to thank staff within the Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division, Parks Australia and the Environment Assessment and Compliance Division of DotE; Nyree Stenekes and Robert Kancans (DoA), Sue McIntyre (CSIRO), Richard Hobbs (University of Western Australia), Michael Hutchinson (ANU); David Lindenmayer and Emma Burns (ANU); and Gilly Llewellyn, Martin Taylor and other staff from the World Wildlife Fund for their generosity and advice.

Special thanks to CSIRO researchers Kristen Williams and Simon Ferrier whose modelling of biodiversity patterns underpinned identification of the Conservation Management Zones of Australia.

Image Credits Front Cover: Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens), Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve – Neal Foster/OEH Page 4: Gwydir watercourse Ramsar wetlands, Murray Darling Basin – D Albertson/ OEH Page 10: Red-winged Parrot (Aprosmictus erythropterus) – David Cook Page 14: Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) – Dan Lunney Page 16: Eastern Great Egret (Ardea alba modesta) – 0ystercatcher Page 17: Barking Owl (Ninox connivens) – Julie Edgley Page 18: Box gum grassy woodland – Andrew Tatnell, Copyright Department of the Environment Page 21: Pilliga Mouse, Poolkoo (Pseudomys pilligaensis) – Justin McDowell Page 22: Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) – David Ingram Page 23: Collared Delma (Delma torquata) – Angus McNab Page 25: Spiny-cheeked honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis) – Kevin Page 26: Ornamental Snake (Denisonia maculata) – Steve Wilson Page 30: Large-eared Pied Bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri) – Doug Beckers Page 31: Lower Gwydir (Big Leather) Watercourse RAMSAR Wetlands, Murray Darling Basin – D Albertson/OEH Page 32: Eucalyptus woodlands with a shrubby understorey, Pilliga – Gaye Drady Page 33: Eucalyptus open woodlands with a grassy understorey (Eucalyptus coolabah) – Murray Fagg Page 34: Eucalyptus woodlands with tussock grass (Eucalyptus populnea) – Murray Fagg Page 35: Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) forests and woodlands – Murray Fagg Page 36: Mulga (Acacia aneura) woodlands and shrublands – Murray Fagg Page 37: Other Acacia forests and woodlands (Acacia cambagei) – Murray Fagg Back Cover: Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens), Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve – Neal Foster/OEH

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Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Contents

Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and Country ��2 Introduction ��2 Zone at a glance ��3 Population characteristics ��6 Employment, volunteering and incomes ��9 Agriculture, Natural Resource Management practices and sources of NRM advice ��11 Land tenure, land use, Native Title and Local Government Areas �� 13 Zone vegetation characteristics �� 15 Ramsar and Nationally Important Wetlands ��17 World and National Heritage �� 18 Major National Reserve System properties �� 19 EPBC Act (1999) threatened ecological communities �� 20 EPBC Act (1999) threatened species �� 21 EPBC Act (1999) migratory species ��25 Threatened endemic species �� 26 Invasive species �� 28 Vegetation profiles and management recommendations �� 31

Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and Country The Australian Government acknowledges Australia’s Traditional Owners and pays respect to Elders past and present of our nation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We honour the deep spiritual, cultural and customary connections of Traditional Owners to the Australian landscape, including Australia’s waterways, land and sea country.

Introduction The 23 Conservation Management Zones of Australia are geographic areas, classified according to their ecological and threat characteristics. The zones are also aligned with the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia.

The Conservation Management Zones provide a way of understanding Australia’s natural environment that will assist in long-term conservation planning and help the Australian Government to better design, deliver and report on Natural Resource Management (NRM) investments, including ensuring alignment of national NRM priorities with local action.

The Conservation Management Zones also provide a filter through which to make national environmental and socio-economic data more accessible and comprehensible, and a framework for gathering on-ground knowledge and expertise about the environment. This will improve information flow to the Australian Government about regional NRM requirements, best practice management, emerging NRM issues and knowledge gaps.

The Conservation Management Zones do not represent any change to existing administrative boundaries or governance structures, but aim to support the NRM and wider community to cooperatively manage environmental assets across boundaries, where they share common threats, ecological characteristics and stakeholders.

Each Conservation Management Zone profile contains a standard suite of nationally available ecological and socio-economic information. We hope that this information will enable Australians of all ages and backgrounds to engage with, understand and appreciate Australian landscapes, and support all Australians to manage our natural resources more effectively.

The profile information provides an indicative, high-level stock-take of the environmental and socio-economic landscape and it is not intended to be comprehensive. It should also be noted that, at present, the profiles contain only limited information on aquatic ecosystems, coastal assets and Indigenous land management practices. In future, consultation and comprehensive literature reviews will enable us to provide more complete information.

2 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Zone at a glance

Area of zone: Population density: 18,538,111 hectares

% of Australia: 0.34 people 2.41% per square kilometre

Zone population characteristics Zone employment characteristics 70,000

4% 60,000 60,698

50,000

40,000

Number of people 30,000

20,000

10,000

0 otal T er 65 Ov a second language English as

ndigenous 96% I outh (15–24) Y

Employed Unemployed

Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data

3 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Rural centres Population Top five agricultural commodities Value (millions) Bourke 1,726 Other broadacre crops $1,085 Coonamble 2,459 Cereals for grain $961 Gilgandra 2,662 Beef $431 Goondiwindi 5,508 Legumes for grain $148 Lightning Ridge 1,495 Wool $86 Narrabri 1,856 Total value of agricultural commodities (including other $2,890 Narromine 3,783 commodities not listed here) Nygan 2,073 Roma 6,906 Climate characteristics* St. George 2,647 Mean annual temperature 19.3 Celsius Walgett 1,632 Mean Maximum of the Hottest Month 34.3 Celsius Warren 1,515 Mean Minimum of the Coldest Month 3.5 Celsius Wee Waa 1,662 Mean Annual Rainfall 487.9 mm Dominant rainfall season Summer

Natural Resource Management (NRM) regions * The figures are interpolated 75-year means (1921 to 1995) representing the period prior to the onset of rapid climatic warming. Central West Local Land Services NSW Cited in: Williams KJ, Belbin L, Austin MP, Stein J, Ferrier S (2012) North West Local Land Services NSW Which environmental variables should I use in my biodiversity model? International Journal of Geographic Information Sciences 26(11), Western Local Land Services NSW 2009–2047. (Data derived from Australian Climate surfaces version 2.1 for the ANUCLIM-BIOCLIM package). Queensland Murray Darling Committee Inc. QLD For future climate projections please refer to: http://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/ South West NRM Group Ltd QLD Fitzroy Basin Association QLD Desert Channels Group QLD

Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data

4 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Native Title area National Reserve System area

1% 2%

99% 98%

Native Title area Other area NRS area Other area

Native vegetation clearance level Number of threatened species by class

45% 9 28 55%

Cleared (ha) Uncleared (ha) Plants Birds Reptiles Mammals Fish

Status of EPBC Act listed threatened species, communities and migratory species

Vulnerable species 42

Endangered species 14

Critically endangered species 1

Migratory species 11

Threatened ecological 8 communities

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Source: Based on data from the National Native Title Register; Collaborative Australian Protected Area Database (CAPAD); National Vegetation Information System (NVIS); Species’ Profile and Threats Database (SPRAT).

5 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Population characteristics

Population

Population by age group Indigenous population by age group

7% 15% 23%

32%

28%

11% 33%

15% 18% 18%

0–14 years 15–24 years 25–39 years 0–14 years 15–24 years 25–39 years 40–64 years 65 years and over 40–64 years 65 years and over

Farmer and farm managers by age group Gender of farmers and farm managers

21% 20% 1,206

3,105

55%

15–24 years 25–39 years Male Female 40–64 years 65 years and over

Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data

6 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Languages spoken at home English 91.18% Other languages 2.16% Not stated 6.62%

Non-English languages spoken at home* Indigenous languages spoken at home**

48 100%

0.31% 22.29% 12.37% 3.05% 1.07% 3.66%

8.55%

23.21%

14.58%

6.49% 4.43%

Northern European Non-specied Australian Indigenous Languages (including Scandinavia, Celtic, Germanic, Dutch) Southern European ** Please note, these gures are based on the proportion of the population who indicated in the 2011 ABS Census Eastern European that they spoke an Indigenous language at home. Central Asian, Turkic, Iranic and Semitic Southern Asian, Dravidan and Indo-Ayran South-East Asian East Asian Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander African Paci c / Oceanic Sign language

* Please note, these gures are based on the proportion of the population who indicated in the 2011 ABS Census that they spoke a language other than English at home.

Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data

7 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Education

Highest level of educational attainment Highest level of educational attainment – total population – Indigenous community

35% 60%

30% 50%

25% 40% 20% 30% 15% 20% 10%

5% 10%

0% 0% l l e e e e w w ve ve Le Le ti cat ti cat /Not stated /Not stated ti cate ti cate ee/Graduat ee/Graduat ee/Advanced ee/Advanced ears 11 and 12 ears 11 and 12 Y Y Cer Cer ears 10 or belo ears 10 or belo Y Y Diploma and Diploma and School School nadequately described nadequately described I I School School No Educational Attainment No Educational Attainment Bachelor Degr Bachelor Degr ostgraduate Degr ostgraduate Degr Diploma & Graduate Cer Diploma & Graduate Cer P P 15–24 years 25–39 years 15–24 years 25–39 years 40–64 years 65 years and over 40–64 years 65 years and over

Highest level of educational attainment Post-school qualication types* – farmers and farm managers 2,000 60%

1,600 50%

40% 1,200

30% 800

20% 400

10% 0 0% l e e w ve 65 years Le ti cat and above /Not stated 40–64 years old 25–39 years old 15–24 years old ti cate ee/Graduat ee/Advanced ears 11 and 12 Y Cer ears 10 or belo Y Natural and Physical Sciences Diploma and School

nadequately described Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies I School

No Educational Attainment Health and education Bachelor Degr ostgraduate Degr Diploma & Graduate Cer

P Architecture, building, society and culture and creative arts 15–24 years 25–39 years Information Technology, Management 40–64 years 65 years and over and Commerce and service industries

* Please note, this table omits quali cations of mixed eld, quali cations that are not adequately described, and information relating to census respondents who have not stated their quali cation or are not applicable (i.e. Not of age to have post-school quali cation). Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data

8 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Employment, volunteering and incomes

Employment

Employment status of general population* Employment by industry

80% 3% 70% 6%

60% 10% 25% 50%

40%

30% 12% 3% 20% 4% 10%

0% 7% 12% 65 years

and above 18% 15–24 years old 25–39 years old 40–64 years old

Employed Agriculture, forestry and sheries Unemployed Mining Not in labour force or not stated Manufacturing Utilities, construction and transport Employment* Please note the %status gures are of relative general to each population* of the age groupings of the population. The categories above are Employmentaggregates of the following status Au ofstra Indigenouslian Bureau of Statis population*tics categories: Employed = Employed full-time;Health, Employed Social par Assistance,t-time; Education and training and Employed away from work. Unemployed = Unemployed looking for full-time work; and Unemployed looking for part-time 80%100% Public administration and safety work. Not in the Labour Force or Not Stated = Not in the Labour Force; and Not Stated. Please note the ‘not applicable’ 70% category has been omitted from the analysis. Not applicable applies to the proportion of the populationWholesale that is not and of r etail trade working age (e.g. 0–15 year olds and retired). ABS 2011 Census Labour Force data has been utilised for Serthisvices report, 80% 60% as the national quarterly employment gures are derived from a relatively small sample of the population. Food, accommodation, arts and recreation 50% Unknown/not stated 60% 40%

30%40%

20% 20% 10%

0% 0% 65 years 65 years and above and above ndigenous ndigenous ndigenous ndigenous I I I I 15–24 years old 25–39 years old 40–64 years old 15–24 years old 40–64 years old 25–39 years old

EmployeEmployed d UnemployeUnemployed d Not Notin labour in labour force fo orrce not or statednot stated * Please note the % gures are relative to each of the age groupings of the population. The categories above are aggregates of the following Australian Bureau of Statistics categories: Employed = Employed full-time; Employed part-time; and Employed away from work. Unemployed = Unemployed looking for full-time work; and Unemployed looking for part-time work. Not in the Labour Force or Not Stated = Not in the Labour Force; and Not Stated. Please note the ‘not applicable’ category has been omitted from the analysis. Not applicable applies to the proportion of the population that is not of working age (e.g. 0–15 year olds and retired). ABS 2011 Census Labour Force data has been utilised for this report, as the national quarterly employment gures are derived from a relatively small sample of the population.

Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data

9 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Volunteering Income

Volunteering rates Total household income (% of households)*

80%

70% 14.1%

60% 27% 3.1% 50%

40% 9.5% 30%

20%

10%

0% 65 years

and above 46.3% 40–64 years old 25–39 years old 15–24 years old

Not a volunteer Under $20,800 $20,800–64,999 $65,000–$103,999 Volunteer Over $104,000 Not Stated/Partially Stated Not stated or not applicable * Please note these gures have been derived from the ABS Equivalised Total Household Income (HIED)Census 2011 data. ABS data categories have been aggregated for the purposes of this report. For more information see: http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome. nsf/home/statementsdwellinghied?opendocument&navpos=430 In the 2011–12 nancial year, persons who earned $67,500 or less were eligible for Low Income Tax Oset. Human Services applied the following de nitions of “low income” as eligibility criteria for the Low Income Supplement in the 2012–13 nancial year: Income below $30,000 for singles, $45,000 combined for couples, or $60,000 combined for couples or singles with a dependent child.

Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data

10 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Agriculture, Natural Resource Management practices and sources of NRM advice Australian farmers manage over 60% of the Australian continent and shoulder much of the burden of responsibility for maintaining and protecting Australia’s natural resource wealth. The information contained in this profile aims to assist the wider community, non-governmental organisations and government agencies to support Australia’s key environmental custodians.

Number of people employed in agriculture, shing, forestry and downstream industries

Agriculture industry 6,000 employment (production*)

Agriculture industry employment (downstream – including services, 607 food and beverage**)

Forestry industry* (including production, logging, sawmilling 112 and downstream wood and paper product manufacturing)

Agricultural commodity values

Value of agricultural commodities^ $1,200

$1,000

$800

$600 illions M

$400

$200

$0 y y rk ool ruit ops Ha Po F Beef Nuts Eggs W Dair Lamb e cr or seed or grain Oilseeds oadacr Cereals for grain egume f or consumption L egetables f V ther br O Nurseries and cut owers egetables f V

^ Data obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced. The value estimates in this publication are derived by the multiplication of price and quantity estimates of agricultural commodities. Price information is estimated based on the average unit value of a given commodity realised in the market place. For more information please refer to: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/7503.0Explanatory%20Notes12010-11?OpenDocument

Source: Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data

11 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Natural Resource Management practices and sources of NRM advice

Feral animal control* Native vegetation protection and regeneration* (% of agricultural holdings) (% of agricultural holdings) 80% 7%

70% 6%

60% 5%

50% 4% 40% 3% 30% 2% 20% 1% 10%

0% 0% e ol tio n ther O essur ral goats ral camels Fe eral animals Fe cluding stock of f No management ther (unspeci ed) Managing weeds eral animal contr f O Stopping mechanical or chemical destruc Reducing grazing pr encing o /ex F

* Data obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2012 Land Management Practices Survey (LaMPS) 2012. LaMPS collected land practices information from approximately 50,000 farm businesses across Australia. The data has been aligned to Conservation Management Zones from ABS Statistical Area 2 units and Australian Agricultural Environment units. The % figures presented here are indicative only. For more information on LaMPS please refer to: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/4630.0

Sought advice when adopting Sources of advice**^ native vegetation management**

18.78% s s s s s s s No No No No No No No Ye Ye Ye Ye Ye Ye Ye 81.22% oup oup egion nment ch and ver tion gr e or farmer rmer gr Go Resear Fa A/NRM r tension ocer oduc ex CM pr ivate consultant or agribusiness agent eers or neighbours Landcar employed facilitator P Pr

Yes No elopment Corporation Dev

** The sample for the Drivers of Practice Change 2012 survey consisted of a random subsample of 1228 broadacre farm managers from the Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey (AAGIS) frame. The data has been aligned to Conservation Management Zones from ABS Statistical Area 2 units. For this reason, the figures presented here are indicative only. ^ This chart indicates the sources of advice utilised for native vegetation management from respondents who identified they sought advice. For more information please refer to http://www.daff.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/forestry/domestic-forestry/prep-for-future/drivers-practice-change.pdf

12 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Land tenure, land use, Native Title and Local Government Areas

Land tenure Land use

14.65% 3% 8% 1% 2% 2%

39.89% 10.52% 12% 0.69% 0.23%

72%

34.02%

Crown Land – Private – Leased Conservation and Natural Environments Crown Land – Public Grazing Native Vegetation Crown Land – Public – Leased Production Forestry (native vegetation) Crown Land – Unknown – Leased Grazing Modi ed Pastures Freehold – Unknown Cropping and Horticulture No Data/Unknown Production from Irrigated Agriculture and Plantations Other

Source: Land tenure data based on Environmental Resources Information Network (ERIN) categorisation of Public Sector Mapping Authority (PSMA) State Tenure 2012; Land use mapping based on Australian Collaborative Land Use and Management Program (ACLUMP) 2012. For more information on Australian land use and management information and classification please refer to: http://www.daff.gov.au/ABARES/aclump/Pages/Default.aspx

Indigenous Land Councils New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council: www.alc.org.au

Native Title and Traditional Owners Traditional Owners Registered Native Title Body Corporate Hectares % of zone Gunggari Native Title Aboriginal Gunggari People 102,479 0.55 Corporation RNTBC Source: The Native Title Tribunal Register, October 2013. For more information please refer to: http://www.nntt.gov.au/Pages/Searchportal.aspx

13 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Local Government Areas Local Government Areas Bogan Shire Council NSW Walgett Shire Council NSW Bourke Shire Council NSW Warren Shire Council NSW Brewarrina Shire Council NSW Warrumbungle Shire Council NSW Coonamble Shire Council NSW Balonne Shire QLD Gilgandra Shire Council NSW Banana Shire QLD Gwydir Shire Council NSW Barcaldine Regional QLD Inverell Shire Council NSW Blackall Tambo Regional QLD Lachlan Shire Council NSW Goondiwindi Regional QLD Moree Plains Shire Council NSW Maranoa Regional QLD Narrabri Shire Council NSW Murweh Shire QLD Narromine Shire Council NSW Paroo Shire QLD Parkes Shire Council NSW Western Downs Regional QLD

14 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Zone vegetation characteristics

Major Vegetation Subgroups (MVS) with >1% original distribution within zone 25%

20%

15%

10%

0% s a ey ey ey ey ey ey rb ebla) fo ests with ests with r r fo fo ther shrublands O with tussock grass tussock grasslands ests and woodlands ests and woodlands ests and woodlands ests and woodlands a grassy understor r r r r tchell grass (Astr a shrubby understor a shrubby understor fo fo fo fo Mi other tussock grasslands with a grassy understor tussock grass understor with shrubby understor Eucalyptus woodlands with Casuarina and Allocasuarina Eucalyptus open woodlands Eucalyptus open woodlands Eucalyptus open Eucalyptus open Eucalyptus woodlands with Callitris Brigalow (Acacia harpophyylla) Eucalyptus low open woodlands ther Acacia O Saltbush and/or Bluebush shrublands shrublands +/- tussock grass Mulga (Acacia aneura) woodlands and

Pre 1750 percentage of CMZ area Present day percentage of CMZ area

15 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands The National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) framework is a nationally consistent vegetation classification system based on vegetation data collected by states and territories. It provides information on the extent and distribution of vegetation types across the Australian landscape.

Two products are used to provide the Zone Vegetation Characteristics graph. A modelled pre-European vegetation distribution (pre-1750), and extant (current extent) vegetation, which is based on contemporary vegetation mapping. The information presented here relates to Major Vegetation Subgroups (MVSs). There are 85 MVS types across Australia, describing the structure and floristic composition of dominant and secondary vegetation stratums (e.g. canopy and mid-storey species). Major Vegetation Subgroups only reflect the dominant vegetation type occurring in an area from a mix of vegetation types. Less-dominant vegetation groups which may also be present are therefore not represented.

It is important to note that the vegetation information is indicative only, as state and territory mapping in Australia is of variable resolution and scale. However, this data is the best available nationally consistent information on vegetation, and the dataset continues to evolve and increase in accuracy.

Analysing this information at Conservation Management Zone, rather than national level provides greater discrimination for decision makers, as clearance levels of vegetation types are not uniform across Australia. For example, eucalypt woodlands with a tussock grass understory is a vegetation type found across Australia. In the Brigalow Woodlands Conservation Management Zone, eucalypt open woodlands with a tussock grass understory originally covered approximately 36% of the zone, but today it only covers only 14.5 % of the zone (58.7% of this vegetation community has been cleared in the Brigalow). In the Northern Australia Tropical Savannah zone, this vegetation type originally occupied 19.6% of the zone. Today, it occupies approximately 19.4% of the zone (only 2.3% of this vegetation type has been cleared). It should be noted that this data only provides an indication of change in extent, and not vegetation condition.

For more information on the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) please refer to: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/science-and-research/databases-and-maps/national-vegetation-information-system

16 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Ramsar and Nationally Important Wetlands

Ramsar wetlands Jurisdiction Hectares The Macquarie Marshes – NSW 18,423 Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve Narran Lake Nature Reserve NSW 5,347 Gwydir Wetlands: Gingham and Lower Gwydir (Big Leather) NSW 845 For more information on Ramsar please refer to: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/water/water-our- Watercourses – Old Dromana environment/wetlands/ramsar-convention-wetlands

Nationally Important Wetlands Jurisdiction Hectares Criteria Myola-“Mulga Downs” Salt Lake and Claypans QLD 53.18 1 Balonne River Floodplain QLD 23,982.01 1, 2, 3 Culgoa River Floodplain NSW 14,691.95 1, 4, 5 Gwydir Wetlands NSW 28,149.70 1, 3, 5 Macquarie Marshes NSW 218,603.59 1, 3 Morella Watercourse/Boobera Lagoon/ NSW 0.11 1, 2, 3, 6 Pungbougal Lagoon The National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) framework is a nationally consistent vegetation classification Narran Lakes NSW 22,854.83 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 system based on vegetation data collected by states and territories. It provides information on the extent and Nationally important wetlands are defined according to the following criteria: distribution of vegetation types across the Australian landscape. 1. It is a good example of a wetland type occurring within a biogeographic region in Australia. 2. It is a wetland which plays an important ecological or hydrological role in the natural functioning of a major wetland system/complex. 3. It is a wetland which is important as the habitat for animal taxa at a vulnerable stage in their life cycles, or provides a refuge when Two products are used to provide the Zone Vegetation Characteristics graph. A modelled pre-European vegetation adverse conditions such as drought prevail. distribution (pre-1750), and extant (current extent) vegetation, which is based on contemporary vegetation mapping. 4. The wetland supports 1% or more of the national populations of any native plant or animal taxa. 5. The wetland supports native plant or animal taxa or communities which are considered endangered or vulnerable at the national level. The information presented here relates to Major Vegetation Subgroups (MVSs). There are 85 MVS types across 6. The wetland is of outstanding historical or cultural significance. Australia, describing the structure and floristic composition of dominant and secondary vegetation stratums Please note, the above are a subset of all the Nationally Important Wetlands found within the Zone. For more information on Nationally Important Wetlands please see: http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/directory-important-wetlands-australia-third-edition (e.g. canopy and mid-storey species). Major Vegetation Subgroups only reflect the dominant vegetation type occurring in an area from a mix of vegetation types. Less-dominant vegetation groups which may also be present are therefore not represented.

17 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands World and National Heritage

Heritage Heritage values World or National type Jurisdiction Hectares % of zone Brewarrina Aboriginal Fish Traps National Indigenous NSW 6.29 0.00003 (Baiames Ngunnhu)

Please refer to the Australian Heritage Database for detailed information on listing criteria for these heritage values: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/heritage/publications-and-resources/australian-heritage-database For more information on Australia’s world and national heritage please refer to: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/heritage/about-australias-heritage

18 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Major National Reserve System properties

Major National Reserve System properties IUCN Name Property type Jurisdiction Hectares % of zone category Castlevale Nature Refuge VI QLD 51,496 0.28 CCA Zone 3 State Pilliga West II NSW 36,494 0.20 Conservation Area Chesterton Range National Park II QLD 30,969 0.17 Culgoa Floodplain National Park II QLD 30,072 0.16 CCA Zone 3 State Pilliga II NSW 29,540 0.16 Conservation Area Narran Lake Nature Reserve IA NSW 26,831 0.14 Thrushton National Park II QLD 25,625 0.14 Culgoa National Park II NSW 22,437 0.12 Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve IA NSW 19,489 0.11 Eversfield Station Nature Refuge VI QLD 18,013 0.10 Narkoola National Park II QLD 11,810 0.06 Pilliga CCA Zone 1 National Park IA NSW 10,532 0.06 Ginghet Nature Reserve IA NSW 8,894 0.05 Pilliga West CCA Zone 1 National Park II NSW 7,955 0.04 Tregole National Park II QLD 6,802 0.04 Bikini NRS Addition – Gazettal in Progress II NSW 6,158 0.03 Warrinilla NRS Addition – Gazettal in Progress II NSW 5,918 0.03 Barwon State Conservation Area II NSW 5,336 0.03 Gwydir Wetlands State Conservation Area II NSW 4,299 0.02 Barwon Nature Reserve IA NSW 4,146 0.02 Weilmoringle Indigenous Protected Area IV NSW 4,062 0.02 Budelah Nature Reserve IV NSW 4,038 0.02 Bunnor Westholme NRS Addition – Gazettal in Progress II NSW 2,679 0.01 Macquarie Marshes State Conservation Area II NSW 2,440 0.01

The IUCN categories are as follows: Ia Strict Nature Reserve IUCN protected area management categories Ib Wilderness Area classify protected areas according to their II National Park management objectives. The categories are recognised by international bodies such as III Natural Monument or Feature the United Nations and are utilised by many IV Habitat/Species Management Area national governments, including the Australian V Protected Landscape/ Seascape Government, as the global standard for VI Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources defining and recording protected areas.

Please refer to the IUCN website for further explanation: http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/gpap_quality/gpap_pacategories/ For more information on Australia’s National Reserve System please refer to: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/land/national-reserve-system

Source: Collaborative Australian Protected Area Database 2012.

19 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands EPBC Act (1999) threatened ecological communities

Threatened ecological communities Name Listing status % of total distribution* % of zone** Coolibah – Black Box Woodlands of the Darling Riverine Plains and the Endangered 88.51 8.83 Brigalow Belt South Bioregions Weeping Myall Woodlands Endangered 46.5 4.63 Natural grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern New South Wales Critically Endangered 16.01 5.40 and southern Queensland Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant Endangered 16.39 0.61 and co-dominant) Semi-evergreen vine thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Endangered 9.24 0.14 Nandewar Bioregions Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands Endangered 14.16 1.33 of South-eastern Australia White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Critically Endangered 0.16 0.02 Native Grassland The community of native species dependent on natural discharge of groundwater from Endangered 0.6 0.04 the Great Artesian Basin * % of the total national distribution describes the proportion of the total national distribution of the Threatened Ecological Community that is found within the zone. ** % of the total zone area describes the proportion of the zone that the Threatened Ecological Community is likely or known to occur in.

It should be noted that the identification of any given Threatened Ecological Community above does not imply that the Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) is found uniformly across the Conservation Management Zone. Rather, the % of the TEC’s total distribution (*) within the zone is an indication of its importance to that zone in terms of conservation efforts. The % of the zone (**) indicates how rare, or difficult the ecological community may be to find within the zone.

The threatened ecological communities above are listed underThe Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), which is the Australian Government’s principal environmental legislation. For more information, please refer to http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities

20 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands EPBC Act (1999) threatened species

Threatened mammals % of total % of Common name Scientific name Status distribution* zone** Pilliga Mouse, Poolkoo Pseudomys pilligaensis Vulnerable 45.98 2.13 South-eastern Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus corbeni Vulnerable 16.24 98.48 Koala (combined populations of Queensland, New South Wales and Phascolarctos cinereus Vulnerable 13.05 99.93 the Australian Capital Territory) Large-eared Pied Bat, Large Pied Bat Chalinolobus dwyeri Vulnerable 10.61 28.67 Northern Quoll Dasyurus hallucatus Endangered 1.95 14.07 Greater Bilby Macrotis lagotis Vulnerable 0.02 0.29 Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Petrogale penicillata Vulnerable 0.01 0.01

21 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Threatened birds % of total % of Common name Scientific name Status distribution* zone** Superb Parrot Polytelis swainsonii Vulnerable 13.04 18.0 Squatter Pigeon (southern) Geophaps scripta scripta Vulnerable 11.8 45.6 Star Finch (eastern), Star Finch (southern) Neochmia ruficauda ruficauda Endangered 10.89 23.9 Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus Endangered 6.12 21.7 Red Goshawk Erythrotriorchis radiatus Vulnerable 4.15 50.7 Australian Painted Snipe Rostratula australis Endangered 3.9 100.0 Regent Honeyeater Anthochaera phrygia Endangered 1.31 3.4 Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata Vulnerable 1.26 13.4 Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor Endangered 0.24 0.9 Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis modestus Vulnerable 0.03 0.1

22 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Threatened reptiles % of total % of Common Name Scientific name Status distribution* zone** Five-clawed Worm-skink, Anomalopus mackayi Vulnerable 36.83 15.78 Long-legged Worm-skink Collared Delma Delma torquata Vulnerable 16.21 28.79 Yakka Skink Egernia rugosa Vulnerable 12.44 52.96 Dunmall’s Snake Furina dunmalli Vulnerable 11.86 22.56 Ornamental Snake Denisonia maculata Vulnerable 7.84 17.20 Fitzroy River Turtle, Fitzroy Tortoise, Rheodytes leukops Vulnerable 3.68 2.83 Fitzroy Turtle, White-eyed River Diver Border Thick-tailed Gecko, Uvidicolus sphyrurus Vulnerable 0.85 0.21 Granite Belt Thick-tailed Gecko Pink-tailed Worm-lizard, Aprasia parapulchella Vulnerable 0.46 0.36 Pink-tailed Legless Lizard May be May be Plains Death Adder Acanthophis hawkei Vulnerable present present

Other threatened fauna % of total % of Common name Scientific name Status distribution* zone** Mary River Cod Maccullochella mariensis Endangered 0.29 0.002 May be May be Trout Cod Maccullochella macquariensis Endangered present present May be May be Murray Cod Maccullochella peelii Vulnerable present present

23 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Threatened flora % of total % of Common Name Scientific name Status distribution* zone** a shrub Bertya calycina Vulnerable 100 0.02 None Calytrix gurulmundensis Vulnerable 27.48 0.14 None Bertya opponens Vulnerable 20.55 0.22 Ooline Cadellia pentastylis Vulnerable 19.88 9.75 None Rulingia procumbens Vulnerable 12.62 0.65 Slender Darling-pea, Slender Swainson, Swainsona murrayana Vulnerable 12.54 16.33 Murray Swainson-pea None Eucalyptus virens Vulnerable 10.3 0.69 Belson’s Panic Homopholis belsonii Vulnerable 8.65 0.01 Finger Panic Grass Digitaria porrecta Endangered 8.29 2.34 Cobar Greenhood Orchid Pterostylis cobarensis Vulnerable 8.04 1.60 Spiny Pepper-cress Lepidium aschersonii Vulnerable 6.88 0.04 Red Darling-pea, Red Swainson-pea Swainsona plagiotropis Vulnerable 6.37 0.20 None Philotheca ericifolia Vulnerable 6.31 1.13 None Westringia parvifolia Vulnerable 3.69 0.10 Salt Pipewort, Button Grass Eriocaulon carsonii Endangered 2.49 0.01 Basalt Pepper-cress, Peppercress, Lepidium hyssopifolium Endangered 2.12 0.12 Rubble Pepper-cress, Pepperweed None Tylophora linearis Endangered 1.71 0.16 Curly-bark Wattle Acacia curranii Vulnerable 1.39 0.14 None Austrostipa metatoris Vulnerable 1.23 0.36 a spike rush Eleocharis obicis Vulnerable 1.08 0.01 Lobed Blue-grass Bothriochloa biloba Vulnerable 0.49 0.02 bluegrass Dichanthium setosum Vulnerable 0.42 0.01 Winged Pepper-cress Lepidium monoplocoides Endangered 0.32 0.17 Chariot Wheels Maireana cheelii Vulnerable 0.26 0.04 May be May be None Atriplex infrequens Vulnerable present present May be May be Hairy-joint Grass Arthraxon hispidus Vulnerable present present May be May be a shrub Homoranthus decumbens Endangered present present Prasophyllum sp. Wybong Critically May be May be a leek-orchid (C.Phelps ORG 5269) Endangered present present

* % of total distribution describes the proportion of the total national distribution of the threatened species that is found within the zone. ** % of zone describes the proportion of the zone that the threatened species is likely or known to occur in. The % of zone indicates how rare, or difficult the species may be to find within the zone. The above species are listed under The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the Australian Government’s principal environmental legislation. Please note that the list of threatened flora species is not comprehensive. The flora listed here have a significant proportion of their total national distribution within the zone. For more information please refer to: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species or the Species Profiles and Threats Database http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl

24 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands EPBC Act (1999) migratory species

Migratory birds Migratory birds Common name Scientific name Common name Scientific name Rostratula benghalensis Cattle Egret Ardea ibis Painted Snipe (sensu lato) Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus Great Egret, Ardea alba White Egret Rufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifrons Latham’s Snipe, Gallinago hardwickii Satin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca Japanese Snipe White-bellied Marsh Sandpiper, Haliaeetus leucogaster Tringa stagnatilis Sea-Eagle Little Greenshank White-throated Hirundapus caudacutus Needletail

25 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Threatened endemic species

Threatened endemic species Taxonomic group Scientific name Reservation status EPBC Act status IUCN status Plants Bertya calycina Recorded in Reserve Vulnerable n/a

26 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Concentrations of unreserved endemic species

0 50 100 200 Kilometres

Data Sources: - All biodiversity data have been derived from the Australian Natura l Heritage Assessment Tool, which includes species location records from Australian museums, Australian herbaria, Birds Australia, CSIRO, state and territory governments and other sources. - Weighted endemism / richness scores are calculated for all species within a specified group with the exception of vascular plants (includes Australian Natural Heritage Concentration of endemics only 75 families) and vertebrates (does not include fish species). Assessment Tool For a full list of taxa included in ANHAT see 1 www.environment.gov.au/heritage/index.html Eastern Australia Temperate 2 - Drainage and waterbodies have been derived from the Geoscience Woodlands CMZ 3 - 4 Australia GEODATA TOPO 10M 2002 - Locality data have been derived from the Geoscience Australia GEODATA TOPO 10M 2002 data layer Concentrations of unreserved Eastern Australia temperate woodlands CMZ Boundaries Caveat: While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and endemic species completeness, no guarantee is given, nor responsibility taken by the Parks and Reserves Commonwealth for errors or omissions and the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility in respect of any information or advice given in relation to, or as a consequence of, anything contained herein.

The colour grids and numbers are an indication of the location and number of endemic species that have all their known range outside of the National Reserve System. Concentrations of unreserved endemic species may be useful focal areas for private land conservation efforts. Endemism analyses were provided by the Australian Government Department of Environment Australian Natural Heritage Assessment Tool (ANHAT). The ANHAT database has been compiled from specimens and site records held in state agency wildlife atlases, museum collections, and the work of individual researchers. For more information please refer to: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/heritage/ publications-and-resources/australian-natural-heritage-assessment-tool

27 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Invasive species

Invasive mammals Common name Scientific name % of total distribution* % of zone** Red Fox, Fox Vulpes vulpes 3.01 100.00 Cat, House Cat, Domestic Cat Felis catus 2.41 100.00 Pig Sus scrofa 5.17 98.01 Rabbit, European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus 2.64 78.03 Goat Capra hircus 5.09 58.81 House Mouse Mus musculus 3.06 58.73 Brown Hare Lepus capensis 8.28 44.39 Domestic Cattle Bos taurus 3.86 35.45 Domestic Dog Canis lupus familiaris 2.61 35.09 Black Rat, Ship Rat Rattus rattus 2.51 15.07 Horse Equus caballus 0.62 4.97 Feral deer species in Australia Feral deer 0.83 1.72

Other invasive fauna Common name Scientific name % of total distribution* % of zone** House Sparrow Passer domesticus 5.73 91.35 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 6.79 79.09 Cane Toad Rhinella marina 7.33 76.47 Rock Pigeon, Rock Dove, Domestic Pigeon Columba livia 5.09 69.97 Common Blackbird, Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula 2.94 14.51 Spotted Turtle-Dove Streptopelia chinensis 2.48 11.16 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 2.12 8.08 Common Myna, Indian Myna Acridotheres tristis 2.06 5.75 Skylark Alauda arvensis 1.52 5.30 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 0.56 2.70 Asian House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus 1.22 1.49 Nutmeg Mannikin Lonchura punctulata 0.32 0.46

* % of the total national distribution of the invasive species found within the zone. ** % of the total zone area that the invasive species is likely or known to occur in.

28 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Invasive flora Common name Scientific name % of total distribution* % of zone** Parthenium Weed, Bitter Weed, Parthenium hysterophorus 7.35 24.34 Carrot Grass, False Ragweed Prickly Acacia Acacia nilotica subsp. indica 3.79 23.54 Blackberry, European Blackberry Rubus fruticosus aggregate 5.21 23.40 Prickly Pears Opuntia spp. 11.39 23.32 Buffel-grass, Black Buffel-grass Cenchrus ciliaris 1.23 22.86 Salix spp. except Willows except Weeping Willow, S.babylonica, S.x 5.45 19.36 Pussy Willow and Sterile Pussy Willow calodendron & S.x reichardtii African Boxthorn, Boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum 5.8 16.45 Athel Pine, Athel Tree, Tamarisk, Athel Tamarisk, Athel Tamarix, Desert Tamarisk, Tamarix aphylla 4.17 16.26 Flowering Cypress, Salt Cedar Parkinsonia, Jerusalem Thorn, Parkinsonia aculeata 1.26 10.77 Jelly Bean Tree, Horse Bean Prickly Pears Cylindropuntia spp. 15.39 5.22 Mesquite, Algaroba Prosopis spp. 1.58 5.15 Lantana, Common Lantana, Kamara Lantana, Large-leaf Lantana, Pink Flowered Lantana, Red Flowered Lantana camara 1.58 4.17 Lantana, Red-Flowered Sage, White Sage, Wild Sage Radiata Pine Monterey Pine, Pinus radiata 1.21 2.99 Insignis Pine, Wilding Pine Water Hyacinth, Water Orchid, Nile Lily Eichhornia crassipes 3.71 1.88 Prickly Acacia, Blackthorn, Vachellia nilotica 0.49 1.48 Prickly Mimosa, Black Piquant, Babul Hymenachne, Olive Hymenachne, Water Stargrass, West Indian Grass, Hymenachne amplexicaulis 1.07 1.30 West Indian Marsh Grass Fireweed, Madagascar Ragwort, Senecio madagascariensis 1.63 1.29 Madagascar Groundsel Cotton-leaved Physic-Nut, Bellyache Bush, Cotton-leaf Physic Nut, Jatropha gossypifolia 0.49 1.05 Cotton-leaf Jatropha, Black Physic Nut Rubber Vine, Rubbervine, India Rubber Vine, India Rubbervine, Cryptostegia grandiflora 0.2 0.74 Palay Rubbervine, Purple Allamanda Madeira Vine, Jalap, Lamb’s-tail, Mignonette Vine, Anredera cordifolia 1.11 0.56 Anredera, Gulf Madeiravine, Heartleaf Madeiravine, Potato Vine Climbing Asparagus, Asparagus africanus 7.61 0.51 Climbing Asparagus Fern

29 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Invasive flora Common name Scientific name % of total distribution* % of zone** Cat’s Claw Vine, Yellow Trumpet Vine, Dolichandra unguis-cati 1.55 0.47 Cat’s Claw Creeper, Funnel Creeper Silver Nightshade, Silver-leaved Nightshade, White Horse Nettle, Silver-leaf Nightshade, Tomato Weed, White Nightshade, Solanum elaeagnifolium 0.54 0.44 Bull-nettle, Prairie-berry, Satansbos, Silver-leaf Bitter-apple, Silverleaf-nettle, Trompillo Climbing Asparagus-fern Asparagus plumosus 2.46 0.43 Climbing Asparagus-fern, Ferny Asparagus Protasparagus plumosus 2.46 0.43 Salvinia, Giant Salvinia, Salvinia molesta 0.12 0.20 Aquarium Watermoss, Kariba Weed Serrated Tussock, Yass River Tussock, Nassella trichotoma 0.12 0.19 Yass Tussock, Nassella Tussock (NZ) Bridal Creeper, Bridal Veil Creeper, Asparagus asparagoides 0.04 0.19 Smilax, Florist’s Smilax, Smilax Asparagus * % of the total national distribution of the invasive species found within the zone. ** % of the total zone area that the invasive species is likely or known to occur in.

It should be noted that the identification of any given invasive species above does not imply that the species is found uniformly across the Conservation Management Zone. The % of the zone area (**) indicates how common or rare the species may be within the zone. For more information on invasive species please refer to: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/biodiversity/invasive-species

30 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Vegetation profiles and management recommendations

Vegetation extent information and species lists contained in the vegetation profiles are based on analysis from the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS), including analysis of Major Vegetation Subgroups and NVIS Level V descriptions. Please see http://www.environment.gov.au/node/18930 for more information.

The management recommendations have been drawn from EPBC Act Recovery Plans, EPBC Act Ecological Communities Listing Advice and other sources. The recommendations are indicative only. Systematic reviews of management literature, consultation processes and improved Natural Resource Management program monitoring and evaluation will support development of a comprehensive set of management recommendations over time.

31 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Eucalyptus woodlands with a shrubby understorey vegetation profile

Change in extent

21.4%

55.41% 11.9% Remaining

Commonly found species within this community Eucalyptus populnea; Eucalyptus crebra; Eucalyptus largiflorens; Acacia aneura; Eucalyptus exserta;

Eucalyptus melanophloia; Eremophila mitchellii; Geijera y

parviflor; Canthium oleifolium; Apophyllum anomalum; -1750 Pre

Muehlenbeckia florulenta; Thyridolepis mitchelliana; esent da Aristida jerichoensis; Paspalidium constrictum; Themeda Pr triandra, tussock grass.

Management recommendations

Protection Sustainable Rehabilitation Fire Wildlife Weed Feral Disease Agricultural Management Management Management Animal Management Practice Management

Encourage uptake Avoid high-intensity Allow natural of conservation set stocking and regeneration agreements manage total grazing through and covenants on pressure. fencing and stock private land. management. Avoid fertiliser drift Protect from from adjacent crops Replant where firewood harvesting. and pastures. appropriate using locally-sourced seed. Protect paddock trees.

32 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Eucalyptus open woodlands with a grassy understorey vegetation profile

Change in extent

14.4%

18.68% Remaining

Commonly found species within this community 2.7% Eucalyptus coolabah; Eucalyptus populnea; Eucalyptus intertexta; Eucalyptus camaldulensis; Acacia stenophylla; Eremophila mitchellii; Muehlenbeckia y

florulenta; Chenopodium auricomum; Enchylaena -1750 Pre tomentosa; Bothriochloa decipiens; Bothriochloa esent da bladhii; Chrysopogon fallax; Dichanthium sericeum. Pr

Management recommendations

Protection Sustainable Rehabilitation Fire Wildlife Weed Feral Disease Agricultural Management Management Management Animal Management Practice Management

Purchase Coolibah, Protect and encourage Revegetate gullies All fire management Maintain and protect Actively manage Control feral grazers Manage underlying Black Box and Grey regeneration of and stream banks should be in paddock trees perennial (rabbits, goats) causes of dieback Box remnants paddock trees where vegetation accordance as these provide invasive woody and erect fences in New England into reservation. and riparian zones has been cleared and with local and critical landscape and grass species. where appropriate Peppermint and through fencing. widen the strip of State regulations. linkages for fauna. (e.g. of stock dams, Grey Box, such as Encourage uptake riparian vegetation. Mow/slash Graze period 3-days on; individual guards over-population of conservation Do not revegetate high Apply mosaic If few hollow-bearing sporadically and in 28-day rest in Summer. for targeted plants). of leaf-eating agreements quality condition and/ burning in trees are present a mosaic pattern 7-days on; 56-day rest or derived grassland insects through on private land. small areas at within remnants, in late summer Control feral periods throughout sites. These sites should management staggered intervals. provide nesting or autumn after predators autumn and winter. naturally regenerate of surrounding Retain and planting disturbs boxes. Monitor native ground layer including foxes, exotic grasses hollow-bearing Maintain 80% compositional Retain unburnt areas. these regularly for plants have seeded. dogs, cats and pigs. and crop lands. trees and ensure groundcover and balance and natural invasive species. that trees are a sward height of succession patterns. Ensure that Hand pulling, Do not push fallen always left to 10cm at all times. Plant indigenous appropriate weed If fallen timber has spot spraying and timber into stacks grow to maturity. species only if the control measures been removed weed wiping are or windrows Avoid herbicide and site shows no signs of follow any from sites, replace appropriate weed as these form pesticide application Retain fallen timber. natural regeneration. burning activity. coarse woody control measures. harbours for foxes, in, or near, remnants. Replicate the debris (e.g. recycled rabbits and cats. Do not divert run-off Encourage wise composition and A minimum fire untreated timbers). Prevent weed water use to into remnant areas. density of species interval of five years, introduction through evident in local, prevent changes Avoid soil compaction maximum of 40 years Monitor and manage adopting good to water flows and good quality grassy is recommended. from vehicles / woodland sites. densities of Eastern hygiene measures water table levels. machinery or stock Use seed of local However, please Grey Kangaroos. and minimising camps. Avoid provenance if possible. seek advice from If the sward height soil disturbance. cultivation, ripping Thin tree recruits once your local NRM reduces below 10cm and excavation. well-established, organisation because of kangaroo Don’t stockpile leaving the healthiest for advice on grazing, seek advice topsoil within Limit or exclude specimens. Please seek burning regimes. from your local remnant areas. grazing during advice from your local NRM organisation drought periods, and in NRM organisation as on appropriate Spring/Summer when to whether this is an control measures. native groundcover is appropriate action in flower or seed. for your site.

33 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Eucalyptus woodlands with a tussock grass understorey vegetation profile

Change in extent

13.7%

18.63% Remaining

Commonly found species within this community 2.6% Eucalyptus populnea; Eucalyptus melanophloia; Eucalyptus camaldulensis; Eucalyptus crebra; Angophora floribunda;

Eremophila mitchellii; Geijera parviflora; Bothriochloa y

decipiens; Themeda triandra; Aristida ramosa; Tripogon -1750 Pre loliiformis; tussock grass. esent da Pr

Management recommendations

Protection Sustainable Rehabilitation Fire Wildlife Weed Feral Disease Agricultural Management Management Management Animal Management Practice Management

Encourage uptake Protect and encourage Revegetate gullies All fire management Maintain and protect Actively manage Control feral grazers of conservation regeneration of and stream banks should be in paddock trees perennial invasive (rabbits, goats) agreements paddock trees where vegetation accordance as these provide woody and and erect fences on private land. and riparian zones has been cleared and with local and critical landscape grass species. where appropriate through fencing. widen the strip of riparian vegetation. State regulations. linkages for fauna. (e.g. of stock dams, Retain hollow- Graze period 3-days on; Mow/slash individual guards for bearing trees and Do not revegetate high Apply mosaic If few hollow-bearing sporadically and in 28-day rest in Summer. quality condition and/ targeted plants). ensure that trees 7-days on; 56-day rest or derived grassland burning in small trees are present a mosaic pattern are always left to periods throughout sites. These sites should areas at staggered within remnants, in late summer Control feral grow to maturity. autumn and winter. naturally regenerate intervals. provide nesting or autumn after predators Maintain 80% and planting disturbs boxes. Monitor native ground layer including foxes, Retain fallen timber. groundcover and compositional Retain unburnt these regularly for plants have seeded. dogs, cats and pigs. a sward height of balance and natural areas. invasive species. Encourage wise 10cm at all times. succession patterns. Hand pulling, Do not push fallen water use to Plant indigenous Ensure that Avoid herbicide and If fallen timber has spot spraying and timber into stacks prevent changes species only if the appropriate weed been removed weed wiping are or windrows pesticide application site shows no signs of to water flows and in, or near, remnants. control measures from sites, replace appropriate weed as these form water table levels. natural regeneration. follow any burning Do not divert run-off Replicate the coarse woody control measures. harbours for foxes, Encourage uptake into remnant areas. composition and activity. debris (e.g. recycled rabbits and cats. of conservation untreated timbers). Prevent weed Avoid soil compaction density of species agreements evident in local, good A minimum fire introduction through from vehicles/ and covenants quality grassy woodland interval of five years, Monitor and manage adopting good machinery or stock on private land. sites. Use seed of local maximum of 40 years densities of Eastern hygiene measures camps. Avoid provenance if possible. cultivation, ripping is recommended. Grey Kangaroos. If and minimising and excavation. Thin tree recruits once However, please the sward height soil disturbance. well-established, seek advice reduces below 10cm Limit or exclude leaving the healthiest from your local because of kangaroo Don’t stockpile grazing during specimens. Please seek NRM organisation topsoil within advice from your local grazing, seek advice drought periods, for advice on remnant areas. and in Spring/ NRM organisation as from your local Summer when native to whether this is an burning regimes. NRM organisation groundcover is in appropriate action on appropriate flower or seed. for your site. control measures. Create or restore wildlife corridors and linkages.

34 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) forests and woodlands vegetation profile

Change in extent

11.9%

18.52% Remaining

Commonly found species within this community 2.2% Acacia harpophylla; Eucalyptus populnea; Casuarina cristata; Carissa ovata; Eremophila mitchellii; Geijera parviflora; Alectryon oleifolius; Paspalidium caespitosum; y

Enteropogon acicularis; Paspalidium criniforme; -1750 Pre

Nyssanthes erecta; tussock grass. esent da Pr

Management recommendations

Protection Sustainable Rehabilitation Fire Wildlife Weed Feral Disease Agricultural Management Management Management Animal Management Practice Management

Purchase Manage grazing Connect shade-lines In general, the Retain standing dead Manage high Manage foxes, high quality/large practices and to one another and most appropriate trees and allow fallen biomass exotic feral pigs and cats. remnants into stocking rates. keep them as wide fire regime for timber and leaf litter grasses (buffel reservation. Exclude grazing as possible (ideally Brigalow stands is to rot where it falls. grass, Rhodes grass, entirely from more than 100 m). fire-exclusion. green panic grass). Encourage uptake intact stands Re-introduce of conservation where possible. Facilitate restoration microhabitat features Prevent agreements of high value (e.g. rocks, logs and soil disturbance. on private land. Avoid application regrowth sites and other woody debris) of fertiliser, or the revegetation of to sites that have Use spot application Create buffer zones aerial/broad degraded sites. been disturbed. of herbicides. around remnants. scale spraying of herbicides. Encourage woodland Protect Minimise tree Protect paddock regeneration close woodland birds thinning. trees and Implement water to areas of from noisy miners. clumps of regrowth. management, existing woodland. sediment erosion Protect shrubby and pollution understorey and control actions. maintain dense stands of vegetation.

35 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Mulga (Acacia aneura) woodlands and shrublands +/- tussock grass +/- forbs vegetation profile

Change in extent

5.9%

38.43% Remaining

2.3% Commonly found species within this community Acacia aneura; Eucalyptus populnea; Eucalyptus melanophloia; Eremophila mitchellii; Thyridolepis mitchelliana; Dodonaea viscosa subsp. Angustissima; Aristida jerichoensis; Cheilanthes y

sieberi; Thyridolepis mitchelliana;tussock grass. -1750 Pre esent da Pr

Management recommendations

Protection Sustainable Rehabilitation Fire Wildlife Weed Feral Disease Agricultural Management Management Management Animal Management Practice Management

Encourage uptake Do not high Protect fire-sensitive Identify and mange Manage Undertake exotic of conservation intensity set stock. mulga shrublands key refugia and exotic plants. predator and rabbit agreements from replacement wildlife habitats. eradication in key and covenants Avoid fodder with fire-tolerant Manage rubber refugia particularly on private land. over-harvesting. spinifex when Manage vine (Cryptostegia following major implementing fire native species grandiflora), rainfall events. Protect aquifers, regimes. Seek advice (e.g. Kangaroos) mother of millions surface waters from your local (Bryophyllum and overland flow NRM organisation tubiflorum), from changes in on appropriate and parkinsonia water flow/water fire management (Parkinsonia table level. practices. aculeata). Protect from soil Prevent weeds disturbance and from establishing water flow changes in high-value caused by livestock refugia and trampling and wildlife habitat. track construction.

36 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands Other Acacia forests and woodlands vegetation profile

Change in extent

2.4%

46.87% Remaining 1.1%

Commonly found species within this community Acacia cambagei; Acacia maranoensis; Acacia pendula; Eucalyptus thozetiana; Eremophila mitchellii; Eucalyptus exserta; Geijera parviflora; Enchylaena tomentosa; Croton y

phebalioides; Aristida caput-medusae; tussock grass. -1750 Pre esent da Pr

Management recommendations

Protection Sustainable Rehabilitation Fire Wildlife Weed Feral Disease Agricultural Management Management Management Animal Management Practice Management

Encourage uptake Use lopping Replant understorey Implement fire Keep stock away Manage sites to Control Bag shelter of conservation methods that do not species (such regimes that protect from known nesting prevent introduction moth outbreaks in agreements result in the death of as chenopods) chenopod shrubs sites of ground of invasive significant stands and covenants acacia species. where they (e.g. saltbushes dwelling birds. plant species. of Weeping Myall. on private land. have been depleted. and native Prevent cotton bushes). Allow fallen Manage grassy Control introduced Prioritise protection trampling and Repair and timber and leaf weeds such pest animals of Weeping excessive grazing expand and litter to remain on as Buffel grass at known sites. Myall remnants. pressure at known connect remnants. ground to provide (Cenchrus ciliaris) Weeping Myall fauna habitat. and Coolatai grass Protect acacia Woodlands sites. Collect and (Hyparrhenia hirta). species from clearing store seeds for Do not remove and lopping for Use strategic future plantings. mistletoe from Avoid cultivating drought fodder. grazing, including Weeping Myall or disturbing the stock exclusion, trees and other soil to prevent Avoid firewood to allow regeneration acacias and weed invasion. collection and retain to occur. eucalypts as these standing dead trees provide important and fallen timber. Avoid fertiliser food resources and herbicide for birds and application in or mammals. near remnants.

37 / Conservation Management Zones of Australia, Eastern Australia Woodlands ALC100.0915