Condah-Hotspur Upper Road – Crawford River Crossing: Flora and Fauna Assessment

Condah-Hotspur Upper Road – Crawford River crossing: Flora and fauna assessment

FINAL REPORT

Prepared for Tonkin Consulting

12 January 2017

Biosis offices Document information

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Report to: Tonkin Consulting

Canberra Prepared by: John Miller Phone: (02) 6102 1200 Email: [email protected] Biosis project no.: 22387 File name: 22387.Crawford River.FF.FNL01.20170112.docx

NEW SOUTH WALES Citation: Biosis 2016. Condah Hotspur Upper Road – Crawford River crossing: Flora and fauna report. Report for Tonkin Consulting. Author: Miller, Newcastle J., Biosis Pty Ltd, Ballarat. Project no 22387. Phone: (02) 4911 4040 Email: [email protected] Document control Sydney Phone: (02) 9101 8700 Email: [email protected] Version Internal reviewer Date issued Wollongong Draft version 01 msg 28/12/2016 Phone: (02) 4201 1090 Email: [email protected] Final version 01 msg 12/01/2017

QUEENSLAND Acknowledgements

Brisbane Phone: (07) 3831 7400 Biosis acknowledges the contribution of the following people and Email: [email protected] organisations in undertaking this study:

 Tonkin Consulting: Tim Thiel and Paul Simons TASMANIA

Hobart  Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning for access to Phone: (03) 8686 4821 the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas and Native Vegetation Information Email: [email protected] Tools

 Department of the Environment and Energy for access to the VICTORIA Protected Matters Search Tool of the Australian Government Ballarat  BirdLife Australia for access to the New Atlas of Australian Birds Phone: (03) 5304 4250 Email: [email protected] 1998-2013.

Melbourne (Head Office) Biosis staff involved in this project were: Phone: (03) 8686 4800 Fax: (03) 9646 9242  Anthony Curtis (mapping) Email: [email protected]

Wangaratta Phone: (03) 5718 6900 Email: [email protected]

 Biosis Pty Ltd This document is and shall remain the property of Biosis Pty Ltd. The document may only be used for the purposes for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the Terms of the Engagement for the commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is prohibited. Disclaimer:

Biosis Pty Ltd has completed this assessment in accordance with the relevant federal, state and local legislation and current industry best practice. The company accepts no liability for any damages or loss incurred as a result of reliance placed upon the report content or for any purpose other than that for which it was intended.

Contents

1. Introduction ...... 1

1.1 Project background ...... 1 1.2 Scope of assessment ...... 1 1.3 Location of the study area ...... 1

2. Methods ...... 3

2.1 Database review ...... 3 2.2 Definitions of significance ...... 4 2.3 Determining likelihood of occurrence of significant species ...... 4 2.4 Site investigation ...... 4 2.4.1 Flora assessment ...... 4 2.4.2 Fauna assessment ...... 5 2.4.3 Permits ...... 5 2.5 Qualifications ...... 5 2.6 Legislation and policy ...... 6 2.7 Mapping ...... 6

3. Results ...... 7

3.1 Vegetation & fauna habitat ...... 7 3.2 Landscape context ...... 10 3.3 Significant species and ecological communities ...... 10 3.3.1 EPBC Act and FFG Act listed species ...... 10 3.3.2 DELWP advisory list of rare and threatened species ...... 11 3.3.3 Significant ecological communities ...... 12 3.4 Other ecological values ...... 12 3.5 Further survey recommendations ...... 12

4. Biodiversity legislation and government policy ...... 14

4.1 Commonwealth ...... 14 4.1.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ...... 14 4.2 State ...... 15 4.2.1 Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) ...... 15 4.2.2 Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act) ...... 16 4.2.3 Planning and Environment Act 1987 (incl. Planning Schemes) ...... 16 4.2.4 Victoria's Biodiversity Assessment Guidelines ...... 16

5. Victoria's biodiversity assessment guidelines ...... 18

5.1 Proposed removal of native vegetation ...... 19 5.1.1 Habitat hectares ...... 19 5.2 Determining the risk-based pathway ...... 20 5.3 Offset requirements ...... 20

5.4 Proposed offset strategy ...... 21

6. Key ecological values and recommendations ...... 22

Appendix 1 Flora ...... 26 Appendix 2 Fauna ...... 32 Appendix 3 Photos of the study area ...... 44 Appendix 4 Biodiversity impact and offset requirement report ...... 47

Tables

Table 1 Criteria for determining significance of species & ecological communities ...... 4 Table 2 Summary of vegetation and habitat types within the study area ...... 8 Table 3 Summary of EPBC and FFG Act listed species most likely to occur in the study area ...... 10 Table 4 Summary of rare or threatened species' habitats modelled in the study area ...... 11 Table 5 Assessment of project in relation to the EPBC Act ...... 14 Table 6 Habitat hectares of native vegetation within the study area ...... 19 Table 7 Summary of DELWP Biodiversity Impacts and Offset Requirements report ...... 20 Table 8 Summary of key ecological values, potential implications of developing the study area and recommendations to minimise ecological impacts during the design phase...... 22

Figures

Figure 1 Location of study area, Condah-Hotspur Upper Road, Victoria ...... 2 Figure 2 Ecological features of the study area, Condah-Hotspur Upper Road, Victoria ...... 13

Photos

Photo 1 Predominantly introduced vegetation, east end of study area north side of road looking west...... 44 Photo 2 Tall Marsh on Crawford River, looking east. Predominantly introduced vegetation on road batter...... 44 Photo 3 Gorae Leek-orchid (to the right of tape) in seasonally inundated vegetation (see figure 2)...... 45 Photo 4 Swamp Scrub dominated by Woolly Tea-tree on north side of road, looking west (see Figure 2)...... 45 Photo 5 Aquatic herbland south side of road and west of Crawford River looking west (see Figure 2)...... 46 Photo 6 Plains Grassy Wetland north side of road and west of Crawford River looking west (see Figure 2)...... 46

Summary

Biosis Pty Ltd was commissioned by Tonkin Consulting to undertake an ecological assessment of the area around the Crawford River bridge on the Condah Hotspur Upper Road. The bridge and the approaches from the east and west are to be widened.

Ecological values Key ecological values identified within the study area are as follows:

 Patches of native vegetation which provide habitat for a suite of significant flora and fauna species.

 The known presence of the EPBC Listed Gorae Leek-orchid.

 Habitat for Glenelg Freshwater Mussel in the Crawford River

 Habitat for a range of threatened species.

Government legislation and policy An assessment of the project in relation to key biodiversity legislation and policy is provided and summarised below.

Legislation / policy Relevant ecological feature Permit / approval Notes on site required

EPBC Act Potential impacts on Gorae Referral not Management actions Leek-orchid and Glenelg recommended recommended will avoid or Freshwater Mussel. minimise impacts to non- significant levels.

FFG Act Protected species Protected Flora Permit If construction impact is not required limited to the current design no protected flora species are likely to be impacted.

Planning & Indigenous vegetation to Planning permit Low risk pathway so referral, Environment Act be cleared. required. to DELWP is not required. Note: Guidance provided in this report does not constitute legal advice.

Permitted clearing of native vegetation: Biodiversity assessment guidelines (the Guidelines) Based on the current design, the proposed road widening will require the removal of 0.360 hectares of native vegetation within location risk A. Therefore the planning permit application will be assessed on the low risk- based pathway. The strategic biodiversity score of the native vegetation to be removed is 0.607.

If a permit is granted, the offset requirements would be 0.124 general biodiversity equivalence units.

The general offset must be within the Glenelg Hopkins catchment management authority area and must have a minimum strategic biodiversity score of 0.486.

Recommendations To avoid and minimise unplanned impacts to ecological values it is recommended that:

 All construction staff must be inducted into the importance of the ecological features of the site and work methods.

 Vegetation clearance be limited to the extent of impact as shown on the design plans supplied by Tonkin Constructions 21 December 2016.

 The boundary of the works area, where it is adjacent to patches of native vegetation, be demarcated with high visibility tape and designated as a no-go area prior to construction commencing.

 The known location of the Gorae Leek-orchid be identified on the ground and fenced with high- visibility para webbing prior to construction commencing. The fence must be located at least 3m from the known location of the orchids.

 Clearing for the construction of the bridge be limited to the footprint of the bridge and undertaken with hand tools. The bed of the river is not to be dredged or de-snagged.

 Stream flow within the Crawford River be maintained at all times at its natural flow level at the time of construction.

 Removal of woody debris within the river bed not be undertaken.

 Silt curtains be installed to minimise turbidity and siltation on the river.

 Piling works be undertaken from the banks of the river with a berm retained between the river and the machinery to catch any run-off.

 No work to be undertaken within 50m of the bridge for 24 hrs following rainfall of greater than 10mm.

 Adequate drainage be undertaken on the access track for the bridge construction machinery to ensure that silt laden water does not enter the river.

 Access tracks related to the bridge works be rehabilitated and revegetated immediately following completion of construction.

 All fences, tapes and pegs be removed at the end of the works program.

1. Introduction

1.1 Project background

Biosis conducted an ecological assessment of the area to be impacted by road works on the Condah Hotspur Upper Road to the east and west of the current study area in 2014 (Biosis 2014). The current assessment links the two sections of the previous assessment.

1.2 Scope of assessment

The objectives of this investigation are to:

 Describe the vascular flora (ferns, conifers, flowering plants) and vertebrate fauna (mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, fishes) and decapod crustacea (e.g. crayfish) likely to occur within the study area.  Map native vegetation and other habitat features.  Conduct a vegetation quality assessment in areas likely to be impacted by the proposed works.  Undertake targeted survey for the EPBC Act listed Gorae Leek-orchid Prasophyllum diversiflorum.  Review the implications of relevant biodiversity legislation and policy, including Victoria’s Permitted clearing of native vegetation: Biodiversity assessment guidelines ('the Guidelines').  Identify potential implications of the proposed works and provide recommendations to assist with development design.  Recommend any further assessments of the site that may be required.

1.3 Location of the study area

The study area is located along the Condah Hotspur Upper Road approximately 25km north of Heywood in western Victoria (Figure 1). The study area includes both sides of the road within the broad Crawford River valley to link the two sections of the earlier assessment (Biosis 2014). The assessment includes the entire road reserve, however impacts will be limited to the construction footprint (Figure 2)

The study area is within the:

 Glenelg Plain Bioregion.

 Glenelg River Basin (Crawford River catchment).

 Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (CMA).

 Glenelg Shire.

Kangaroo Creek

! Swan Hill ! Kerang ! ! Echuca ! Albury ! ! Wangaratta ! ! ! Bendigo ! ! Stawell ! Mansfield ! Cann ! Ballarat ! ! River Hamilton ! Melbourne ! ! Lakes ! ! Entrance Geelong ! ! ! ! Traralgon ! Warrnambool

Morven Rd

Crawford Lane

Crawford River

pper Rd Condah - Hotspur U GLENELG SHIRE

Portland Creek

Legend

Study area

Acknowledgement: VicMap Data ©State of Victoria Condah - Hotspur Lower Rd Figure 1: Location of study area, Condah-Hotspur Upper Road, Victoria. 0 250 500 750 1,000

Matter: 22387, ± Biosis Pty Ltd Metres Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Date: 23 December 2016, Newcastle, Sydney, Wangaratta & Wollongong Checked by: JM, Drawn by: AC, Last edited by: acurtis Scale 1:25,000 @ A4, GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55 Location:P:\22300s\22387\Mapping\22387_F1_Locality

2. Methods

2.1 Database review

In order to provide a context for the study area, information about flora and fauna from within 5 kilometres of the study area (the ‘local area’) was obtained from relevant biodiversity databases. Records from the following databases were collated and reviewed:

 Flora Information System (FIS) which includes records from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas ‘VBA_FLORA25, FLORA100 & FLORA Restricted’ August 2015 © The State of Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).  Victorian Biodiversity Atlas ‘VBA_FAUNA25, FAUNA100 & FAUNA Restricted’ August 2015 © The State of Victoria  DELWP Biodiversity Interactive Map (BIM)  DELWP Habitat Importance Models  BirdLife Australia Atlas of Australian Birds (BA)  Protected Matters Search Tool of the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy for matters protected by the EPBC Act.

Other sources of biodiversity information were examined including:

 DELWP Native Vegetation Information Management (NVIM) system.  DELWP NaturePrint; accessed through the Biodiversity Interactive Map  Planning Scheme overlays relevant to biodiversity based on http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/index.html.  Biosis (2014) report

2.2 Definitions of significance

The significance of a species or ecological community is determined by its listing status under Commonwealth or State legislation / policy (Table 1).

Table 1 Criteria for determining significance of species & ecological communities

Significance

National Listed as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable under the EPBC Act

State Listed as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or rare in Victoria on a DELWP Advisory List (DSE 2009; DSE 2013; DEPI 2014) Listed as threatened under the FFG Act

Lists of significant species generated from the databases are provided in Appendix 1 (flora) and Appendix 2 (fauna) and the species have been assessed to determine their likelihood of occurrence based on the process outlined below. These species are not discussed further in this report unless they:

 have a medium or greater likelihood of occurrence  are flora species listed as threatened under the FFG Act with a medium or greater likelihood of occurrence  are identified as having habitat on the site by the Habitat Importance Modelling by DELWP.

2.3 Determining likelihood of occurrence of significant species

Likelihood of occurrence indicates the potential for a species or ecological community to occur regularly within the study area. It is based on expert opinion, information in relevant biodiversity databases and reports, and an assessment of the habitats on site. Likelihood of occurrence is ranked as negligible, low, medium, high or recorded. Those species for which there is little or no suitable habitat within the study area are assigned a likelihood of low or negligible and are not considered further.

Species which have at least medium likelihood of occurrence are given further consideration in this report. The need for targeted survey for these species is also considered.

2.4 Site investigation

2.4.1 Flora assessment The flora assessment was undertaken on 6 December 2016 and a list of flora species was collected (U00ILKMX). This list will be submitted to DELWP for incorporation into the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas. Planted species have not been recorded unless they are naturalised.

Native vegetation is defined in the Victoria Planning Provisions as 'plants that are indigenous to Victoria, including trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses' (Clause 72).

The Guidelines classify native vegetation into two categories (DEPI 2013):

 A remnant patch of native vegetation (measured in hectares) is either:

– An area of native vegetation, with or without trees, where at least 25 percent of the total perennial understorey cover is native plants.

– An area with three or more indigenous canopy trees where the tree canopy cover is at least 20 percent. Remnant patch vegetation is classified into ecological vegetation classes (EVCs). An EVC contains one or more floristic (plant) communities, and represents a grouping of broadly similar environments. Definitions of EVCs and benchmarks (condition against which vegetation quality at the site can be compared) are determined by DELWP.

 A scattered tree is defined as (extent measured by number of trees):

– An indigenous canopy tree that does not form part of a remnant patch of native vegetation. A canopy tree is a mature tree that is greater than three metres in height and is normally found in the upper layer of a vegetation type. Ecological vegetation class descriptions provide a list of the typical canopy species. A condition score and extent is applied to each scattered tree based on information provided by DELWP's NVIM.

A Vegetation Quality Assessment was undertaken for all remnant patch native vegetation identified in the study area. This assessment is consistent with DELWP's Habitat hectare method (DSE 2004) and the Guidelines (DEPI 2013). For the purposes of this assessment the limit of the resolution for the Habitat hectare assessment process is taken to be 0.001 Habitat hectares (Hha). That is, if native vegetation is present with sufficient cover but its condition and extent would not result in the identification of at least 0.001 Habitat hectares then that vegetation will not be mapped or assessed as a separate habitat zone.

The targeted search for the Gorae Leek-orchid Prasophyllum diversiflorum was undertaken by walking systematically through the study area ensuring that all seasonally inundated sites, which are known habitat for the species, were thoroughly searched.

Species nomenclature for flora follows the Flora Information System (FIS).

2.4.2 Fauna assessment The study area was investigated on 6 December 2016 to determine its values for fauna. These were determined primarily on the basis of the types and qualities of habitat(s) present.

The current investigation did not include a survey of aquatic species within the Crawford River.

2.4.3 Permits Biosis undertakes flora and fauna assessments under the following permits and approvals:

 Research Permit/Management Authorisation and Permit to Take Protected Flora & Protected Fish issued by DELWP under the Wildlife Act 1975, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and National Parks Act 1975 (Permit number 10007569).

2.5 Qualifications

Ecological surveys provide a sampling of flora and fauna at a given time and season. There are a number of reasons why not all species will be detected at a site during survey, such as low abundance, patchy distribution, species dormancy, seasonal conditions, and migration and breeding behaviours. In many cases these factors do not present a significant limitation to assessing the overall biodiversity values of a site.

The current ecological assessment was conducted in early summer, which is a suitable time for survey in this environment. Gorae Leek-orchid is a summer flowering species and the survey was timed to maximise the opportunities of recording it within the study area.

There are no seasonal or other external factors which limit the results.

Biodiversity Assessment Reports (BAR) and Biodiversity Impact Offset Requirement (BIOR) reports are prepared through DELWP's NVIM system or requested through DELWP's Native Vegetation Transitional Guidance team. Biosis supplies relevant site-based spatial information as inputs to DELWP and we are entirely reliant on DELWP's output reports for moderate and high risk pathway applications. Biosis makes every effort to ensure site and spatial information entered into the NVIM, or supplied to DELWP, is an accurate reflection of proposed native vegetation removal. The BIOR can be viewed in Appendix 4.

2.6 Legislation and policy

The implications for the project were assessed in relation to key biodiversity legislation and policy including:

 Matters listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), associated policy statements, significant impacts guidelines, listing advice and key threatening processes  Threatened taxa, communities and threatening processes listed under Section 10 of the Flora & Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act); associated action statements and listing advice  Permitted Clearing of native vegetation: Biodiversity assessment guidelines (DEPI 2013)  Native Vegetation Management Plans prepared by Catchment Management Authorities  Planning and Environment Act 1987 – specifically Clauses 12.01-2, 52.17 and 66.02 and Overlays in the Glenelg Planning Scheme  Noxious weeds and pest animals lists under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act)

2.7 Mapping

Tonkin Consulting provided the proposed design of the road works as a digital file on 21 December 2016.

Mapping was conducted using hand-held (uncorrected) GPS units (WGS84) and aerial photo interpretation. The accuracy of this mapping is therefore subject to the accuracy of the GPS units (generally ± 7 metres) and dependent on the limitations of aerial photo rectification and registration.

Mapping has been produced using a Geographic Information System (GIS). Electronic GIS files which contain our flora and fauna spatial data are available to incorporate into design concept plans. However this mapping may not be sufficiently precise for detailed design purposes.

3. Results

The ecological features of the study area are described below and mapped in Figure 2.

Species recorded during the flora and fauna assessment are listed in Appendix 1 (flora) and Appendix 2 (fauna). Unless of particular note, these species are not discussed further.

Those species recorded or predicted to occur in the local area is also provided in those appendices, along with an assessment of the likelihood of the species occurring within the study area.

3.1 Vegetation & fauna habitat

The study area is a matrix of introduced weedy species and areas of native vegetation (Figure 2). The existing road has been elevated above the natural plain level throughout most of the study area. As a result the area for approximately 3m either side of the current pavement has been significantly disturbed and now supports predominantly introduced vegetation. However, some areas outside the road environs and along Crawford River support sufficient cover of native species to be considered as patches of native vegetation. These features are described further in Table 2 and mapped in Figure 2.

Photos are provided in Appendix 3.

Table 2 Summary of vegetation and habitat types within the study area

Vegetation or habitat type Description Location Significant values Plains Grassy Wetland EVC A patch of Plains Grassy Wetland, characterised by West of the Crawford Seasonally inundated wetland areas provide habitat Common Tussock-grass Poa labillardierei occurs to the River on the northern for a range of fauna species and potential habitat for west of the Crawford River. The patch is contiguous with a side of the road. Gorae Leek-orchid. large area of similar vegetation in the adjacent paddock. Represented by Habitat Zone 13A.

Tall Marsh EVC A narrow strip along the banks of the Crawford River is Adjacent to Crawford Tall Marsh EVC and adjacent wetlands provide dominated by Cumbungi Typha domingensis and Tall Reed River. potential habitat for a suite of listed fauna species Phragmites australis. It is likely that some of this vegetation (see Appendix 2). will be lost.

Aquatic Herbland The area to the south of the road and west of the South of the road Aquatic Herbland and adjacent wetlands provide Crawford River is dominated by low sedges in and west of the potential habitat for a suite of listed fauna species particular Common Spike-sedge Eleocharis acuta, Crawford River. (see Appendix 2). rushes Juncus spp. and a few herbaceous species such as Buttercups Ranunculus spp. The site has been previously disturbed, presumably during the construction of the causeway upon which the current road sits, so the mix of species does not correspond well with the EVC benchmark however there is sufficient cover of native species to be considered a native vegetation patch.

Vegetation or habitat type Description Location Significant values

Swamp Scrub EVC A small patch of Swamp Scrub dominated by Woolly Restricted to a small The patch and its surrounding area support the Tea-tree Leptospermum lanigerum occurs on the the area on the EPBC Act Listed Gorae Leek-orchid. eastern side of the Crawford River. Much larger areas eastern side of the of Swamp Scrub occur adjacent to the Crawford River Crawford River. to the north and south of the study area.

Basalt Shrubby Woodland Depleted remnants of Basalt Shrubby Woodland occur Restricted to a small Due to the small extent of the patch and the lack EVC on the southern side of the road to the east of area east of of overstorey trees the vegetation is of limited Crawford River. The sites are identified by the Crawford River. habitat value. occasional Black Wattle Acacia mearnsii, Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra and Kneed Spear-grass Austrostipa bigeniculata.

Crawford River The Crawford River provides a range of habitats Crawford River. The River provides a range of habitats for or a including open water pools; pools surrounded by reeds suite of significant fauna species. and sites where water flow through reeds and other vegetation.

3.2 Landscape context

The majority of the study area abuts cleared farmland. However, the Crawford River and the associated seasonally inundated or water-logged flats both within the study area and the adjacent paddocks provide habitat and landscape connectivity for a number state and nationally listed fauna species.

3.3 Significant species and ecological communities

3.3.1 EPBC Act and FFG Act listed species Lists of EPBC Act and FFG Act listed species recorded or predicted to occur within 5 kilometres of the study area or from the relevant catchment (aquatic species) are provided in Appendix 1 (flora) and Appendix 2 (fauna). An assessment of the likelihood of these species occurring in the study area and an indication of where within the site (i.e. which habitats or features of relevance to the species) is included. A summary of those species recorded or with a medium or higher likelihood of occurring in the study area is provided in Table 3.

Table 3 Summary of EPBC and FFG Act listed species most likely to occur in the study area

Species name Listing status Area of value within the study area

Curley Sedge Vulnerable under EPBC Act Areas around Crawford River Carex tasmanica Listed under FFG Act

Square Raspwort Vulnerable under EPBC Act Margins of Crawford River Haloragis exalata subsp. exalata var. exalata

Gorae Leek-orchid Endangered under EPBC Act Seasonally inundated areas around Prasophyllum diversiflorum Listed under FFG Act Crawford River

Swamp Fireweed Vulnerable under EPBC Act Swampy areas around Crawford River Senecio psilocarpus

Australasian Bittern Endangered under EPBC Act Tall dense vegetation in proximity to Listed under FFG Act Crawford River

Australian Grayling Vulnerable under EPBC Act Crawford River Listed under FFG Act

Yarra Pygmy Perch Vulnerable under EPBC Act Crawford River Listed under FFG Act

Glenelg Freshwater Mussel Critically endangered under Crawford River EPBC Act Listed under FFG Act

Brolga Listed under FFG Act Ephemeral wetlands and farmland adjacent to the Crawford River

Eastern Great Egret Listed under FFG Act Ephemeral wetlands associated with the Crawford River

Baillon's Crake Listed under FFG Act Dense vegetation associated with Crawford River

Species name Listing status Area of value within the study area

Latham's Snipe Listed as Migratory Ephemeral wetlands associated with Crawford River

3.3.2 DELWP advisory list of rare and threatened species To support decision making under the Guidelines, DELWP has produced models for Victoria describing the extent of habitat for most listed rare or threatened species. These models are called 'habitat importance models' and they assign a 'habitat importance score' to a location based on the importance of that location in the landscape as habitat for a particular rare or threatened species, in relation to other suitable habitat for that species (DEPI 2013).

Under the Guidelines, these models form the basis for determining the impact of potential native vegetation clearing on rare and threatened species. The models only apply where a clearing proposal is considered on the moderate or high risk-based application pathways. The habitat importance scores are used to calculate the type and extent of biodiversity offsets required for native vegetation removal that impacts on individual rare or threatened species habitat for moderate or high risk application pathways.

A summary of those species for which habitat is modelled in the study area is provided in Table 3. Two of the threatened species were recorded within the study area during the current assessment.

Determination of the requirement for a specific offset based on the extent of impact to one or more rare or threatened species is addressed in Section 5.

Table 4 Summary of rare or threatened species' habitats modelled in the study area

Species Species common name Species scientific name Recorded on site during number Biosis assessment?

10045 Lewin's Rail Lewinia pectoralis pectoralis No

10050 Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla palustris No

10154 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola No

10170 Australian Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis australis No

10177 Brolga Grus rubicunda No

10186 Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia No

10187 Eastern Great Egret Ardea modesta Yes

10195 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus dubius No

10197 Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus No

10212 Australasian Shoveler Anas rhynchotis No

10214 Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa No

10215 Hardhead Aythya australis No

10216 Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis No

10217 Musk Duck Biziura lobata No

10220 Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae No

Species Species common name Species scientific name Recorded on site during number Biosis assessment?

novaehollandiae

10226 White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster No

10230 Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura No

10238 Black Falcon Falco subniger No

12407 Swamp Skink Lissolepis coventryi No

12683 Glossy Grass Skink Pseudemoia rawlinsoni No

13207 Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis No

4701 Dwarf Galaxias Galaxiella pusilla No

4882 Yarra Pygmy Perch Nannoperca obscura No

501456 Clover Glycine Glycine latrobeana No

503625 Wavy Swamp Wallaby- Amphibromus sinuatus No grass

504659 Swamp Fireweed Senecio psilocarpus Yes

505337 Austral Crane's-bill Geranium solanderi var. solanderi No s.s.

In addition to the modelled habitat the following DELWP Advisory list species was recorded during the site assessment:

 Gorae Leek-orchid Prasophyllum diversiflorum

3.3.3 Significant ecological communities There are no significant ecological communities within the study area.

3.4 Other ecological values

The Crawford River and immediate surrounds provides potential habitat for a range of significant species.

3.5 Further survey recommendations

The current assessment was adequate with respect to terrestrial and seasonally inundated areas and no further survey is recommended.

The Crawford River provides habitat for a range of significant fauna species. However, the current footprint of the proposed bridge works across the river, as supplied by Tonkin Consulting, indicates that potential impacts would be minimal. In addition, specific works management requirements, as recommended within this report, will further minimise any potential impacts. As a result, no further survey for aquatic species is recommended.

Study area

Edge of roadwork disturbance

GF Gorae Leek-orchid

Parcel boundaries

Ecological Vegetation Classes 125 Plains Grassy Wetland 53 Swamp Scrub 642 Basalt Shrubby Woodland 653 Aquatic Herbland 821 Tall Marsh

Gorae Leek-orchid Gorae Leek-orchid GFGF Con dah - H o ts pu r U pp er Crawford River Rd

Figure 2: Ecological features of the study area, Condah-Hotspur Upper Road, Victoria

0 50 100 150

Metres Scale: 1:5,000 @ A4 Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 54 ± Biosis Pty Ltd

Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Wangaratta & Wollongong

Matter: 22387, Date: 11 January 2017, Checked by: JM, Drawn by: AC, Last edited by: lharley Location:P:\22300s\22387\Mapping\ Acknowledgements: Vicmap (c) State of Victoria 22387_F2_EcologicalFeatures

4. Biodiversity legislation and government policy

This section provides an assessment of the project in relation to key biodiversity legislation and government policy. This section does not describe the legislation and policy in detail. Where available, links to further information are provided.

4.1 Commonwealth

4.1.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 The EPBC Act applies to developments and associated activities that have the potential to significantly impact on Matters of National Environmental Significance (NES) protected under the Act.

Link for further information including a guide to the referral process is available at: http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/index.html

Matters of National Environmental Significance relevant to the project are summarised in Table 5. It includes an assessment against the EPBC Act policy statements published by the Australian Government which provide guidance on the practical application of EPBC Act.

Table 5 Assessment of project in relation to the EPBC Act

Matter of NES Project specifics Assessment against significant impact guidelines

Threatened species The PMST search tool predicts the None of the threatened ecological communities and ecological occurrence of threatened ecological occur within the study area. The aquatic herbland communities communities: present is part of the riverine or floodplain system  Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the associate with the Crawford River and is therefore Victorian Volcanic Plain not included under the Seasonal Herbaceous  Volcanic Plain (Critically Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Temperate Endangered). Lowland Plains listing.  Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South- eastern Australia (Endangered).  Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (Critically Endangered).  Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Temperate Lowland Plains (Critically Endangered).  White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland (Critically Endangered).

Twenty seven species have been recorded or Gorae Leek-orchid occurs within the study area

Matter of NES Project specifics Assessment against significant impact guidelines

predicted to occur in the project search area. but is outside the area that will be impacted by The likelihood of these species occurring in the road work. the study area is assessed in Appendix 1 There is potential for a suite of EPBC Act listed (flora) and Appendix 2 (fauna). species to occur in and adjacent to the Crawford River. The most at risk from the current proposal is the Glenelg Freshwater Mussel. It is considered that due to the small area of impact and the recommended management actions during the construction of the bridge that potential impacts have been minimised and referral is not required.

Migratory species Eighteen migratory species have been While some of these species would be expected to recorded or predicted to occur in the project use the study area on occasions, and some of search area (Appendix 2). them may do so regularly or may be resident, it does not provide important habitat for an ecologically significant proportion of any of these species.

Wetlands of The study area is not within the catchment of The study area does not drain directly into any international any Ramsar sites. Ramsar site and the development is not likely to importance result in a significant impact. (Ramsar sites).

On the basis of potential for significant impacts on NES, the EPBC Act is unlikely to be triggered and referral of the proposed action to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Energy is not recommended.

4.2 State

4.2.1 Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) The FFG Act is the key piece of Victorian legislation for the conservation of threatened species and communities and for the management of potentially threatening processes. Under the FFG Act a permit is required from DELWP to 'take' protected flora species from public land. A permit is generally not required for removal of protected flora from private land. Authorisation under the FFG Act is required to collect, kill, injure or disturb listed fish.

Link for further information: http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/environment-and-wildlife/threatened-species-and- communities/flora-and-fauna-guarantee-act-1988

Native vegetation on site is not a listed community. However, protected flora species, listed threatened species and habitat for them is present (Appendix 2).

The study area is on public land so a protected flora permit from DELWP would be required if any of the protected or listed species will be affected by the proposal.

4.2.2 Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act) The CaLP Act identifies and classifies certain species as noxious weeds or pest animals, and provides a system of controls on noxious species. No declared noxious weeds or established pest animals were recorded within the study area.

4.2.3 Planning and Environment Act 1987 (incl. Planning Schemes) The Planning and Environment Act 1987 controls the planning and development of land in Victoria, and provides for the development of planning schemes for all municipalities.

Reforms to the native vegetation permitted clearing regulations were gazetted on 20 December 2013 through planning scheme amendment VC105. The reforms made changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions including the State Planning Policy Framework (SPPF), Clause 52.16 and 52.17 of all planning scheme within Victoria and introduced the Permitted clearing of native vegetation: Biodiversity Assessment Guidelines (DEPI 2013).

Of particular relevance to the development proposal are controls relating to the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation contained within the Glenelg Planning Scheme (the Scheme), including permit requirements. The Scheme (Clause 72) defines ‘native vegetation’ as 'Plants that are indigenous to Victoria, including trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses'. It is an objective of Clause 12.01-2 of the SPPF (Native Vegetation Management) that permitted clearing of native vegetation results in no net loss in the contribution made by native vegetation to Victoria’s biodiversity. For more information on these reforms refer to http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/environment-and-wildlife/biodiversity/native-vegetation.

Clause 52.17 (Native Vegetation) requires a planning permit to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation including some dead native vegetation. Decision guidelines are contained in Clause 52.17-5. Clause 52.17 does not apply if a Native Vegetation Precinct Plan corresponding to the land is incorporated in the Scheme. It should be noted that where native vegetation does not meet the definition of a remnant patch or scattered trees, as described in Section 3.1, the Guidelines do not apply. However, a permit may still be required to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation under the provisions of the Scheme.

Under Clause 66.02 a permit application to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation is required to be referred to DELWP as a recommending referral authority if any of the following apply:

 the area of native vegetation to be removed is greater than 0.5 hectares  the class of application is on the high risk-based pathway  a property vegetation precinct plan applies to the site or  the native vegetation is on Crown land occupied or managed by the Responsible Authority. The study area is not covered by any overlays relevant to biodiversity under the Scheme.

4.2.4 Victoria's Biodiversity Assessment Guidelines The Guidelines are incorporated into the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes in Victoria (DEPI 2013). The Guidelines replace Victoria's Native Vegetation Management – A Framework for Action.

The purpose of the Guidelines is to guide how impacts to biodiversity should be considered when assessing a permit application to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation. The objective for permitted clearing of native vegetation in Victoria is 'No net loss in the contribution made by native vegetation to Victoria's biodiversity'.

A detailed assessment of the implications for the project under the Guidelines is provided in Section 5 of this report. Under the Guidelines, there are three risk-based pathways for assessing an application for a permit to remove native vegetation: low, moderate and high.

A detailed determination of the risk-based pathway for the planning application relevant to the proposed development is provided in Section 5.2. In summary, the planning application for removal of native vegetation must meet the requirements of, and be assessed in, low risk-based pathway. These requirements are provided in Appendix 4.

5. Victoria's biodiversity assessment guidelines

The Guidelines were introduced in December 2013, and they describe the following objective for permitted clearing of native vegetation in Victoria:

"No net loss in the contribution made by native vegetation to Victoria's biodiversity"

This objective is to be achieved through Victoria's planning system using a risk-based approach that relies on strategic planning and the permit and offset system. The key strategies for achieving no net loss at the permit level are:

 avoiding the removal of native vegetation that makes a significant contribution to Victoria's biodiversity  minimising impacts to Victoria's biodiversity from the removal of native vegetation  where native vegetation is permitted to be removed, ensuring it is offset in a manner that makes a contribution to Victoria's biodiversity that is equivalent to the contribution made by the native vegetation to be removed.

The steps that have been taken during the design of the development to ensure that impacts on biodiversity from the removal of native vegetation have been minimised include:

 Minimising the extent of disturbance adjacent to the roadworks  Designing the road to avoid some EVC patches and significant species

DELWP has provided biodiversity information tools to assist with determining the risk associated with permitted clearing and the contribution that native vegetation within the study area makes to Victoria's biodiversity.

All planning permit applications to remove native vegetation are assigned to a risk-based pathway determined by the extent and location of proposed clearing. The risk-based pathway will dictate the information to be provided in a planning permit application and the decision guidelines the responsible authority (e.g. Council) and/or DELWP as a referral authority will use to assess the permit application.

The biodiversity information tools have two components:

Site-based information The site-based information is observable at a particular site. Biosis has collected the requisite site-based information for the assessment against the Guidelines.

Landscape scale information Landscape scale information requires consideration of information beyond the site. This information is managed by DELWP and can be accessed via the NVIM. Biosis has submitted the site-based data and location information to DELWP and a Biodiversity Information and Offset Requirements (BIOR) report has been prepared to accompany the planning application.

The following section summarises the results of the site-based assessment and the outputs generated by the BIOR report. The BIOR report identifies the risk-based pathway on which the planning application will be assessed. The full BIOR report can be viewed in Appendix 4.

5.1 Proposed removal of native vegetation

The extent of native vegetation patches and the number of scattered trees were mapped within the study area (Figure 2) and the condition was assessed in relation to standard methods provided by DSE (2004). The condition of native vegetation was assessed using the DSE Vegetation Quality Assessment Sheet (DSE 2004) and pre-determined EVC benchmarks: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/conservation-and-environment/ecological- vegetation-class-evc-benchmarks-by-bioregion.

The proposed removal of native vegetation was assessed in accordance with the concept design provided by Tonkin Consulting on 21 December 2016. It is proposed to remove 0.137 Habitat hectares as shown in Table 6. The proposed vegetation removal is summarised in the following sections.

5.1.1 Habitat hectares Areas of uniform quality for each EVC within the patches are termed ‘habitat zones’ and are assessed separately. The condition score of the habitat zone is multiplied by the extent of the zone to give a value in Habitat hectares.

Six habitat zones are identified (Table 6). The results of the condition assessment are provided in Table, with the number of Habitat hectares in each habitat zone.

Table 6 Habitat hectares of native vegetation within the study area

Site ID 1 2 3 4 5 6 Habitat Zone ID A A A A A A Basalt Plains Basalt Swamp Tall Aquatic EVC #: Name Shrubby Grassy Shrubby Scrub Marsh Herbland Woodland Wetland Woodland Max Score Score* Score* Score* Score* Score Total Score Large Old Trees 10 0 NA NA NA NA 0

Canopy Cover 5 0 3 NA NA NA 0

Lack of Weeds 15 6 9 0 6 9 6

Understorey 25 10 10 5 15 10 10

Site Recruitment 10 0 5 3 3 3 0 Condition Condition Organic Matter 5 4 5 5 4 4 4 Logs 5 0 NA NA NA NA 0 Total Site Score 20 43 18 38 35 20 Patch Size 10 1 1 4 1 1 1 Neighbourhood 10 0 0 0 0 0 0

Value Value Distance to Core 5 1 1 1 1 1 1

Landscape Landscape Total Landscape Score 2 2 5 2 2 2

HABITAT SCORE 100 22 45 23 40 37 22

Habitat points = #/100 1 0.22 0.45 0.23 0.40 0.37 0.22 Habitat Zone area (ha) Nil Nil 0.041 0.319 Nil Nil 0.360 Habitat hectares (Hha) Nil Nil 0.009 0.128 Nil Nil 0.137 * - standardised site condition score

There are no scattered remnant trees within the study area.

Summary of Habitat hectares within the study area In summary, the study area supports 0.137 Habitat hectares.

5.2 Determining the risk-based pathway

To determine the risk based pathway for the permit application, two factors are considered: location risk and extent risk.

Location risk has been pre-determined by DELWP for all locations in Victoria. The location of a particular site is determined using the Native vegetation location risk map available in the Native Vegetation Information Management (NVIM) system (http://nvim.depi.vic.gov.au).

The extent risk is based on the extent of native vegetation proposed to be removed. Extent risk is determined with reference to the

 area of any remnant patches of native vegetation proposed to be removed  number of any scattered trees proposed to be removed. It is proposed to remove < 0.5 hectare of native vegetation from within location A, therefore the application for removal of this native vegetation must meet the requirements of, and be assessed in, the low risk-based pathway. These requirements are provided in Appendix 4.

5.3 Offset requirements

In order to ensure a gain to Victoria’s biodiversity that is equivalent to the loss resulting from permitted clearing of native vegetation, compensatory offsets are required. Losses and gains are measured in biodiversity equivalence scores or units.

For a low risk-based pathway application, the specific-general offset test will determine if a general offset, specific offset or combination of both is required.

The results of the specific-general offset test are provided in Appendix 4. and summarized in Table 7.

Table 7 Summary of DELWP Biodiversity Impacts and Offset Requirements report

Attribute Outcome Notes

Location risk A

Native vegetation removal 0.360 hectares extent

Risk-based pathway Low

Habitat hectares to be 0.137 removed

Strategic Biodiversity Score 0.607

Modelled habitat for rare or No threatened species

Attribute Outcome Notes

Specific-general offset test General result

General Biodiversity 0.083 . Equivalence Score

Offset type General

Offset risk factor 1.5

Offset amount: General Biodiversity Equivalence 0.124 Units

Offset habitat for species NA

Offset Vicinity General Offset Equivalence Glenelg Hopkins CMA or Glenelg Shire Council Units

Offset minimum Strategic 0.486 Biodiversity Score

5.4 Proposed offset strategy

Glenelg Shire intends to purchase the offset credits from the Victorian native vegetation credit register.

6. Key ecological values and recommendations

The study area within the Crawford River valley provides habitat for a range of significant species, particularly in the areas in the immediate vicinity of Crawford River and other low-lying seasonally inundated areas.

The primary measure to reduce impacts to biodiversity values within the study area is to minimise removal of native vegetation and terrestrial and aquatic habitat. The current road design minimises those impacts.

A summary of potential implications of development of the study area and recommendations to minimise impacts during the design phase of the project is provided in Table 8.

Table 8 Summary of key ecological values, potential implications of developing the study area and recommendations to minimise ecological impacts during the design phase.

Ecological feature Implications of development Recommendations (Figure 2)

Native vegetation The permanent removal of up to 0.139 Habitat Avoid and minimise removal of native hectares of native vegetation. vegetation, in accordance with the Guidelines (no net loss). Refer to Section 5.

Removal of habitat for significant species, the The boundary of the works area where it is most important of which are identified as: adjacent to patches of native vegetation should  Gorae Leek-orchid be demarcated with high visibility tape and designated as a no-go area prior to construction  Glenelg Freshwater Mussel commencing.

Potential habitat for Glenelg Freshwater Construction of the bridge over the Crawford Mussel River should be undertaken in a way that minimises the disturbance to the banks and bed of the Crawford River. Detailed management requirements are provided below.

Known presence of Gorae Leek-orchid within The area identified as supporting Gorae Leek- the study area. orchid should be fenced, using sturdy para- webbing, and identified as a no-go area prior to commencement of construction activities. The fence should be located no closer than 3m to the known locations of the orchid.

The application will be assessed on the low Identify and implement appropriate specific risk-based pathway. offsets for vegetation losses as outlined in Section 5.3. The planning Application is to be referred to DELWP.

Construction and post-construction management The road widening works must be managed and controlled to ensure impacts to surrounding native vegetation and habitats is minimised and within the design boundaries.

To ensure impacts are minimised the following management requirements must be undertaken:

 All construction staff must be inducted into the importance of the ecological features of the site and work methods.

 Vegetation clearance is to be limited to the extent of impact as shown on the design plans supplied by Tonkin Constructions 21 December 2016.

 The boundary of the works area, where it is adjacent to patches of native vegetation, is to be demarcated with high visibility tape and designated as a no-go area prior to construction commencing.

 The known location of the Gorae Leek-orchid be identified on the ground and fenced with high- visibility para-webbing prior to construction commencing. The fence must be located at least 3m from the known location of the orchids.

 Clearing for the construction of the bridge should be limited to the footprint of the bridge. The bed of the river is not to be dredged or de-snagged.

 Stream flow within the Crawford River is to be maintained at all times at its natural flow level at the time of construction.

 Woody debris within the river bed is to be maintained in situ and not removed.

 Silt curtains are to be installed to minimise turbidity and siltation in the river.

 Piling works must be undertaken from the banks of the river with a berm constructed or retained between the river and the machinery to catch any run-off.

 No work is to be undertaken within 50m of the bridge for 24 hrs following rainfall of greater than 10mm.

 Adequate drainage is to be undertaken on the access track for the bridge construction machinery to ensure that silt laden water does not enter the river.

 Rehabilitate and revegetate the access tracks are to be undertaken immediately following completion of construction.

 All fences, tapes and pegs related to the construction are to be removed at the end of the works program.

References

Biosis 2014. Condah Hotspur Upper Road: Flora and fauna assessment. Report for Glenelg Shire Council. Authors: Miller, J. & Willis, K. Biosis Pty Ltd, Ballarat. Project no. 18576

DEPI 2013. Permitted clearing of native vegetation - Biodiversity assessment guidelines. Victorian Government Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Melbourne (September 2013).

DEPI 2014. Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Plants in Victoria – 2014. Victorian Government Department of Environment & Primary Industries, East Melbourne.

DNRE 2002. Victoria's Native Vegetation Management: A Framework for Action. Victorian Government Department of Natural Resources & Environment, East Melbourne.

DSE 2004. Native Vegetation: Sustaining a living landscape. Vegetation Quality Assessment Manual – Guidelines for applying the Habitat hectares scoring method. Version 1.3. Victorian Government Department of Sustainability & Environment, Melbourne.

DSE 2009. Advisory List of Threatened Invertebrate Fauna in Victoria - 2009. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria.

DSE 2010. Victorian Biodiversity Atlas ‘VBA_FAUNA25, FAUNA100 & FAUNARestricted, FLORA25, FLORA100 & FLORARestricted’ August 2010 © The State of Victoria. Victorian Government Department of Sustainability & Environment, Melbourne.

DSE 2013. Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria – 2013. Victorian Government Department of Environment & Primary Industries, Melbourne.

Appendices

Appendix 1 Flora

Notes to tables:

EPBC Act: DEPI 2014: CR - Critically Endangered e - endangered EN - Endangered v - vulnerable VU - Vulnerable r - rare

PMST – Protected Matters Search Tool

FFG Act: L - listed as threatened under FFG Act P - protected under the FFG Act (public land only)

A1.1 Flora species recorded from the study area

Table A1.1 Flora species recorded from the study area

Status Scientific name Common name

Indigenous species

vP Acacia exudans Casterton Wattle

P Acacia mearnsii Black Wattle

Acacia melanoxylon Blackwood

Acaena novae-zelandiae Bidgee-widgee

Acaena ovina Australian Sheep`s Burr

Anthosachne scabra Common Wheat-grass

Austrostipa bigeniculata Kneed Spear-grass

Austrostipa pubinodis Tall Spear-grass

P Calocephalus lacteus Milky Beauty-heads

Carex inversa Knob Sedge

Craspedia paludicola Swamp Billy-buttons

Cyperus tenellus Tiny Flat-sedge

Eleocharis acuta Common Spike-sedge

Eleocharis sphacelata Tall Spike-sedge

Glyceria australis Australian Sweet-grass

Haloragis heterophylla Varied Raspwort

Hypericum gramineum spp. agg. Small St John`s Wort

Isolepis platycarpa Flat-fruit Club-sedge

Juncus amabilis Hollow Rush

Juncus holoschoenus Joint-leaf Rush

Juncus procerus Tall Rush

Leptospermum lanigerum Woolly Tea-tree

Lycopus australis Australian Gipsywort

Lythrum hyssopifolia Small Loosestrife

Microtis arenaria Notched Onion-orchid

Montia australasica White Purslane

Phragmites australis Common Reed

Status Scientific name Common name

Poa labillardierei Common Tussock-grass

Polygonum aviculare Wireweed

fEe Prasophyllum diversiflorum Gorae Leek-orchid

Ranunculus amphitrichus Small River Buttercup

Ranunculus inundatus River Buttercup

Rumex bidens Mud Dock

Rytidosperma semiannulare Wetland Wallaby-grass

VvP Senecio psilocarpus Swamp Fireweed

P Senecio quadridentatus Cotton Fireweed

Tricoryne elatior Yellow Rush-lily

Typha domingensis Narrow-leaf Cumbungi

Introduced species

Alopecurus spp. Fox Tail

Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal-grass

Atriplex prostrata Hastate Orache

Daucus carota Carrot

Festuca arundinacea Tall Fescue

Helminthotheca echioides Ox-tongue

Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog

Juncus articulatus subsp. articulatus Jointed Rush

Leontodon taraxacoides Lesser Hawkbit

Mentha pulegium Pennyroyal

Nasturtium officinale Watercress

Parentucellia viscosa Yellow Bartsia

Paspalum dilatatum Paspalum

Phalaris aquatica Toowoomba Canary-grass

Rubus fruticosus Blackberry

Rumex crispus Curled Dock

Veronica catenata Pink Water-speedwell

A1.2 Listed flora species The following table includes the listed flora species that have potential to occur within the study area. The list of species is sourced from the Victorian Flora Information System and the Protected Matters Search Tool (DoE; accessed on 30.11.16).

Table A1.2 Listed flora species recorded or predicted to occur within 5 km of the study area

Scientific name Common Conservation status Most recent Other Habitat Likely Rationale for name database records description occurrence likelihood ranking EPBC DSE FFG record in study area

National Significance Carex tasmanica Curly Sedge VU v L 1983 PMST Seasonally wet High Has been previously areas, such as recorded adjacent to around drainage Crawford River in or lines and freshwater close proximity to swamps, on fertile, the study area. clay soils derived from basalt. Glycine latrobeana Clover VU v L 1998 PMST Grasslands and Low Has been recorded Glycine grassy woodlands, to the south of the particularly those study area on the dominated by Condah Hotspur Themeda triandra. Lower Road but habitat within the current study area is unsuitable.. Haloragis exalata subsp. Square VU v - PMST Damp riparian Medium Some potential on exalata var. exalata Raspwort habitats. the banks of the Crawford River but the closest previous record is from Dartmoor

Scientific name Common Conservation status Most recent Other Habitat Likely Rationale for name database records description occurrence likelihood ranking EPBC DSE FFG record in study area

approximately 25km to the west. Prasophyllum Gorae Leek- EN e L 1997 PMST Along watercourses Recorded Recorded on the diversiflorum orchid and around swamps eastern side of in open forests, and Crawford River and in Western Basalt north of the road Plains Grasslands. within the study area Habitat but outside the characteristics vary, works footprint. however, all known locations are subject to seasonal inundation. Senecio psilocarpus Swamp VU v - PMST Seasonally- Recorded Recorded near the Fireweed inundated herb-rich southern fenceline of swamps, growing the study area to the on peaty soils or west of Crawford volcanic clays. river. Outside the current works footprint. Thelymitra epipactoides Metallic Sun- EN e L - PMST Moist or dry sandy Negligible Habitat generally orchid loams or loamy unsuitable. Closest sands, primarily in record is coastal heaths, approximately 25km grasslands and to the west of the woodlands. study area from 1980.

Scientific name Common Conservation status Most recent Other Habitat Likely Rationale for name database records description occurrence likelihood ranking EPBC DSE FFG record in study area

Thelymitra matthewsii Spiral Sun- VU v L - PMST Typically on well- Negligible Habitat unsuitable. orchid drained soils on Closest record is slightly elevated approximately 40km sites, but also on to the east of the coastal sandy flats. study area from 1998. Xerochrysum palustre Swamp VU v L - PMST Sedge-swamps and Low Some potential to Everlasting shallow freshwater occur in swampy marshes and areas adjacent to swamps in Crawford River but lowlands, on black closest recent record cracking clay soils. (2009) 40km south of the study area. State Significant Eucalyptus falciformis Western r 1980 Negligible Not recorded and Peppermint habitat unsuitable. Levenhookia sonderi Slender r 1964 Lowland areas in Low One previous record Stylewort seasonally damp near the western grounds and drying end of the study area swamps. but from 1964. Sporadanthus tasmanicus Branching r 1992 Wet heathlands in Low No suitable habitat. Scale-rush the Grampians and Closest recent record south-western (1992) approximately Victoria. 5km west of the study area.

Appendix 2 Fauna

Notes to tables:

EPBC Act: DSE 2009, DSE 2013:

EX - Extinct ex - extinct CR - Critically Endangered cr - critically endangered EN - Endangered en - endangered VU - Vulnerable vu - vulnerable CD - Conservation dependent nt - near threatened dd - data deficient rx - regionally extinct

FFG Act:

L - listed as threatened under FFG Act N - nominated for listing as threatened

I - determined ineligible for listing

Most recent database records are from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas unless otherwise specified as follows

# – Protected Matters Search Tool

BA – Birds Australia

Fauna species in these tables are listed in alphabetical order within their taxonomic group.

A2.1 Listed fauna species The following table includes a list of the listed fauna species that have potential to occur within the study area. The list of species is sourced from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas and the Protected Matters Search Tool (DoE; accessed on 30.11.16).

Table A2.1 Listed fauna species recorded, or predicted to occur, within 5 km of the study area

Scientific Common Conservation status Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name name recent recor occurrence likelihood EPBC DSE FFG databa ds in study ranking se area record Mammals Typically occurs in heathland, shrubland, heathy forest and Isoodon Southern woodland habitat across southern No suitable obesulus Brown EN nt L 2007 PMST Victoria. Previously recorded on Negligible habitat. obesulus Bandicoot the outskirts of Stawell and also known from within the Grampians National Park. Six populations of Long-nosed Potoroo occur in Victoria within a Potorous Long-nosed range of habitats from open forests No suitable tridactylus VU nt L 2005 PMST Negligible Potoroo to heathy woodlands. The majority habitat. tridactylus of their habitat are dominated by Eucalypts. Utilises a wide range of habitats from lowland rainforest in East Gippsland and coastal Stringybark Pteropus Grey-headed forests to agricultural land and No suitable VU vu L - PMST Negligible poliocephalus Flying-fox suburban gardens, with habitat. permanently established colonies in Melbourne, Geelong and Mallacoota.

Scientific Common Conservation status Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name name recent recor occurrence likelihood EPBC DSE FFG databa ds in study ranking se area record Occurs in woodlands near large natural wetlands, river basins and agricultural areas in south-west No suitable Miniopterus Southern Bent- Victoria, roosting in caves, mine habitat. No schreibersii CR cr L - PMST Low wing Bat adits or road culverts. Dispersal previous bassanii from the maternity caves at records. Warrnambool and Naracoorte occurs from April to August. Inhabits cool-temperate heathlands and forest with a heathy understorey, recorded extensively throughout the Grampians and the southern half Pseudomys of the Wannon region, south of No suitable Heath Mouse VU nt L - PMST Negligible shortridgei Dergholm and the west of Mt Clay. habitat. Readily exploits suitable areas that have recently been burnt, with populations declining as the heathland ages and regeneration slows down. Birds Occurs in a variety of densely vegetated terrestrial and coastal Suitable wetlands including billabongs, habitat along Porzana pusilla Baillon's Crake vu L 1980 High swamps, creeks and rivers, Crawford including freshwater, brackish and River saline environments.

Scientific Common Conservation status Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name name recent recor occurrence likelihood EPBC DSE FFG databa ds in study ranking se area record Inhabits well vegetated shallow Limited freshwater wetlands with emergent Wood habitat along Tringa glareola vu 1980 aquatic plants and dense fringing Low Sandpiper Crawford vegetation. River

Occupies a wide variety of Limited Common ephemeral and permanent inland habitat along Tringa nebularia vu 1980 Low Greenshank wetlands and sheltered coastal Crawford wetlands. River Generally found in shallow, No Previous terrestrial freshwater wetlands with records rank, emergent tussocks of grass, limited Rostratula Australian sedges and rushes. Australian EN cr L - PMST Negligible habitat australis Painted Snipe Painted Snipe can occur in well present along vegetated lakes, swamps, the Crawford inundated pasture, saltmarsh and River dams.

Prefers shallow marshland areas, Previous usually less than 50 cm deep with close-by emergent vegetation. Feeds records but Grus rubicunda Brolga vu L 2008 Low predominantly on wetland plants, no suitable but also forages in crops and habitat within pasture. study area.

Potential Ardea Intermediate Breeds in flooded or fringing trees en L 1977 Low habitat along intermedia Egret alongside wetlands. Crawford

Scientific Common Conservation status Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name name recent recor occurrence likelihood EPBC DSE FFG databa ds in study ranking se area record River.

Usually found in terrestrial wetland, Suitable estuarine and wet grassland habitat and Eastern Great habitats particularly permanent has been Ardea modesta vu L 2006 PMST High Egret well-vegetated water bodies but recorded also use freshwater meadows, close to the channels and larger dams. study area

Occurs in wetlands with tall, dense vegetation where it forages in shallow water at the edges of pools Habitat Botaurus Australasian present along EN en L 2007 or waterways. Prefers permanent High poiciloptilus Bittern freshwater habitats, particularly Crawford when dominated by sedges, rushes River and reeds.

Uses aquatic and terrestrial habitat, Limited Anseranas although most activity occurs on habitat along Magpie Goose nt L 2007 PMST Low semipalmata wetlands such as those associated Crawford with flood plains. River

Scientific Common Conservation status Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name name recent recor occurrence likelihood EPBC DSE FFG databa ds in study ranking se area record

Prefers large, permanent lakes and Limited Australasian swamps with deep water, stable habitat along Anas rhynchotis vu 2001 Low Shoveler conditions and abundant aquatic Crawford vegetation River

Freckled Ducks are usually found on densely vegetated freshwater wetlands. During dry conditions the Stictonetta No suitable Freckled Duck en L 1978 birds move from ephemeral Negligible naevosa habitat. wetlands to large areas of permanent open water, particularly lakes and reservoirs.

A mainly aquatic species preferring Limited large, deep freshwater habitat along Aythya australis Hardhead vu 2001 environments with abundant Low Crawford aquatic vegetation, including slow River moving areas of rivers.

A largely aquatic species preferring deep, large permanent wetlands Blue-billed No suitable Oxyura australis en L 1981 with stable conditions and Negligible Duck habitat. abundant aquatic vegetation, including Melaleuca swamps.

Scientific Common Conservation status Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name name recent recor occurrence likelihood EPBC DSE FFG databa ds in study ranking se area record

A largely aquatic species preferring deep water on large, permanent No suitable Biziura lobata Musk Duck vu 2013 Negligible swamps, lakes and estuaries with habitat. abundant aquatic vegetation.

Occurs in marine habitats and Haliaeetus White-bellied Habitat not vu L - PMST terrestrial wetlands along or near Negligible leucogaster Sea-Eagle present coastal areas in eastern Victoria.

Primarily occurs in arid and semi- arid zones in the north, north-west May fly over and west of Victoria, though can be the study area Falco subniger Black Falcon vu 1977 Medium forced into more coastal areas by from time to droughts and subsequent food time. shortages Prefers tall open sclerophyll forest and woodlands and requires large, No suitable Ninox strenua Powerful Owl vu L 1999 Negligible hollow-bearing eucalypts for habitat. breeding. Generally forage within stringybark eucalypts and Buloke trees. Large Calyptorhynchus Red-tailed No suitable EN en L 2008 hollow-bearing trees and stags Negligible banksii Black-Cockatoo habitat. provide a critical nesting resource for this species.

Scientific Common Conservation status Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name name recent recor occurrence likelihood EPBC DSE FFG databa ds in study ranking se area record Prefers dry, open eucalypt forests Lathamus and woodlands, especially Box No suitable Swift Parrot EN en L - PMST Negligible discolor Ironbark Forest in north-central habitat. Victoria. An almost exclusively aerial species Hirundapus White-throated within Australia, occurring over No suitable vu 2009 PMST Negligible caudacutus Needletail most types of habitat, particularly habitat. wooded areas.

Reptiles Inhabits native and modified Striped Legless grasslands, where sufficient cover No suitable Delma impar VU en L - PMST Negligible Lizard is available to provide protection habitat. from predators Frogs Occupies a variety of habitats in south-eastern Australia, such as open forests, lowland woodlands Pseudophryne Southern No suitable vu 2011 and heathlands where adults Negligible semimarmorata Toadlet habitat. shelter beneath leaf litter and other debris in moist soaks and depressions.

Scientific Common Conservation status Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name name recent recor occurrence likelihood EPBC DSE FFG databa ds in study ranking se area record Occupies a variety of permanent and semi-permanent water bodies generally containing abundant Litoria Growling Grass No suitable VU en L - PMST submerged and emergent Negligible raniformis Frog habitat. vegetation, within lowland grasslands, woodlands and open forests. Fishes A diadromous species which spends most of its life in freshwater Species is within rivers and large creeks. considered to Juveniles inhabit estuaries and Prototroctes Australian no longer VU vu L 1979 PMST coastal seas. Adults occur in Low maraena Grayling occur within freshwater habitats, typically rivers the Glenelg and streams with cool, clear waters catchment. and gravel substrates, but occasionally also in turbid waters. Occurs in relatively shallow still or Habitat slow flowing water bodies including present within streams, wetlands, drains, that in Galaxiella and Dwarf Galaxias VU en L - many instances are ephemeral and High pusilla downstream partially dry up over summer. of the study Typically requires abundant area. marginal and aquatic vegetation.

Scientific Common Conservation status Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name name recent recor occurrence likelihood EPBC DSE FFG databa ds in study ranking se area record A freshwater, non-migratory fish Previously preferring heavily vegetated, slow recorded Nannoperca Yarra Pygmy VU vu L 1990 PMST flowing or still aquatic habitats but High within the obscura Perch also known to occur in tiny semi- Crawford permanent habitats. River A freshwater, non-migratory fish Previously preferring heavily vegetated, slow recorded Nannoperca Variegated VU vu L - PMST flowing or still aquatic habitats but High within the variegata Pygmy Perch also known to occur in tiny semi- Crawford permanent habitats River. Invertebrates

This medium-sized diurnal moth Golden Sun No suitable Synemon plana CR cr L - PMST inhabits grassy woodlands and Negligible Moth habitat. grasslands.

In Victoria, the Glenelg Spiny Crayfish is found within the Glenelg Habitat River system. The species inhabits present but cool, shaded, flowing areas of very small Euastacus Glenelg Spiny rivers and streams which have EN en L - PMST Moderate impact and no bispinosus Crayfish intact riparian vegetation and high previous water quality. Springs discharging records within fresh water and deeper pools are the study area important summer refuges for the crayfish.

Scientific Common Conservation status Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name name recent recor occurrence likelihood EPBC DSE FFG databa ds in study ranking se area record Glenelg Freshwater Mussels are Suitable known to occur in freshwater habitat and streams with stable flows of species is only approximately 1 m/sec, coarse known to Glenelg Hyridella sandy substrates, instream debris occur in the Freshwater CR cr L 2000 PMST High glenelgensis and overhanging riparian Crawford Mussel vegetation, in the Crawford River. River. However impact area is minimal.

A2.2 Migratory species (EPBC Act listed)

Table A2.2 Migratory fauna species recorded or predicted to occur within 5 km of the study area

Scientific Name Common Name Most recent record

Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret 1999

Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper 1980

Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank 1980

Calidris ruficollis Red-necked Stint 1977

Calidris acuminata Sharp-tailed Sandpiper 1980

Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe 2006

Rostratula australis Australian Painted Snipe -

Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis 1981

Ardea modesta Eastern Great Egret 2006

Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle -

Pandion cristatus Eastern Osprey -

Calyptorhynchus banksii Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo 2008

Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater 1979

Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail 2009

Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift 1985

Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail -

Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher -

Acrocephalus stentoreus Clamorous Reed Warbler 2008

Appendix 3 Photos of the study area

Photo 1 Predominantly introduced vegetation, east end of study area north side of road looking west.

Photo 2 Tall Marsh on Crawford River, looking east. Predominantly introduced vegetation on road batter.

Photo 3 Gorae Leek-orchid (to the right of tape) in seasonally inundated vegetation (see figure 2).

Photo 4 Swamp Scrub dominated by Woolly Tea-tree on north side of road, looking west (see Figure 2).

Photo 5 Aquatic herbland south side of road and west of Crawford River looking west (see Figure 2).

Photo 6 Plains Grassy Wetland north side of road and west of Crawford River looking west (see Figure 2).

Appendix 4 Biodiversity impact and offset requirement report