The Minister deleted this species from the vulnerable category, effective from 23/05/2013

Advice to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population & Communities from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) on Amendment to the list of Threatened Species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

1. Reason for Conservation Assessment by the Committee This advice follows assessment of new information on: venusta (a shrub)

2. Summary of Species Details Taxonomy Conventionally accepted as Grevillea venusta R.Br. State Listing Status Listed as vulnerable1 under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. Description An erect shrub growing 2–5 m tall. Leaves are 3.5–19 cm long with margins that are flat or slightly curved downwards, the lower surface with a sparse to dense cover of silky hairs. Flowers are aggregated into 10–20 flowers. Flowering occurs in June–September (Makinson, 2000). Distribution Endemic to the central coast of Queensland and occurs in two areas: the Coast and Peninsula Ranges (Shoalwater Bay – Byfield) area just north of Rockhampton and in the Many Peaks Range south of Calliope (Olde and Marriott, 1995; Makinson, 2000). One population occurs in Byfield State Forest, one population occurs in Castletower National Park and three populations occur in the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area (Queensland Herbarium, 2009). The species is reported to be very common along creeks, forming thickets in places near Mt Parnassus, Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area. Relevant Details of the ages of sexual maturity, life expectancy and Biology/Ecology natural mortality of this species are unknown. Threats Known No substantiated threatening processes have been recorded (Barker, 1998). Potential Potential threats include timber harvesting in Byfield State Forest, destruction of habitat by clearing (populations in remnant vegetation or high value regrowth are protected from clearing by the Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999), inappropriate fire regimes and inappropriate grazing regimes (that may affect populations in state forest and on freehold land) (Barker, 1998).

3. Public Consultation Notice of the proposed amendment was made available for public comment for 30 business days. Any comments received that are relevant to the survival of the species have been considered by the Committee.

1 State/Territory listing status subsequently may change to align with EPBC Act listing status

Grevillea venusta (a shrub) Listing Advice Page 1 of 3 The Minister deleted this species from the vulnerable category, effective from 23/05/2013

4. How judged by the Committee in relation to the EPBC Act criteria and Regulations Criterion 1: It has undergone, is suspected to have undergone or is likely to undergo in the immediate future a very severe, severe or substantial reduction in numbers

Not eligible

Criterion element Evidence Reduction in numbers Not required to be demonstrated for this assessment

Criterion 2: Its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species and is very restricted, restricted or limited

Not eligible

Criterion element Evidence Geographic distribution Restricted – has an extent of occurrence of 3600 km2 and an unknown area of occupancy (Queensland Herbarium, 2009). AND

Geographic distribution No – This species is known from only two locations and precarious five populations. There are no known current threats (Barker, 1998); however, several potential threats have been identified. This species is considered to be naturally fragmented, with the likelihood of locating additional locations high (Queensland Herbarium, 2009).

Criterion 3: The estimated total number of mature individuals is very low, low or limited; and either (a) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a very high, high or substantial rate; or (b) the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival

Not eligible

Criterion element Evidence Total no. of mature Insufficient data – Population data are unavailable, however, individuals herbarium labels from two Shoalwater Bay populations state that the species is locally common at one site and very AND common at another (Queensland Herbarium, 2009). Continued rate of decline Not required to be demonstrated for this assessment OR Total no. of mature Insufficient data – Population data are unavailable, however, individuals herbarium labels from two Shoalwater Bay populations state that the species is locally common at one site and very AND common at another (Queensland Herbarium, 2009). Continued decline likely Not required to be demonstrated for this assessment AND Geographic distribution Insufficient data – See Criterion 2 precarious

Grevillea venusta (a shrub) Listing Advice Page 2 of 3 The Minister deleted this species from the vulnerable category, effective from 23/05/2013

Criterion 4: The estimated total number of mature individuals is extremely low, very low or low

Not eligible

Criterion element Evidence Total no. of mature Insufficient data – See Criterion 3 individuals

Criterion 5: Probability of extinction in the wild that is at least (a) 50% in the immediate future; or (b) 20% in the near future; or (c) 10% in the medium-term future

Not eligible

Criterion element Evidence Probability of extinction in Not required to be demonstrated for this assessment the wild

5. Recommendations Based on available information on this species’ population size and geographic distribution, including no evidence of decline, the Committee notes that this species does not meet any of the required criteria for listing in any category. (i) The Committee recommends that the list referred to in section 178 of the EPBC Act be amended by deleting from the list in the vulnerable category: Grevillea venusta

Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2 December 2010

References cited in the advice Barker M (1998). Grevillea venusta, Species Management Profile. In: ‘Species Management Manual’ (ed. Queensland Department of Natural Resources). Department of Natural Resources. Brisbane. Brown R (1811). On the of Jussieu. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 10: 175. Makinson RO (2000). Grevillea. In: ‘ vol. 17A’ (ed AJG Wilson). Australian Biological Resources Study/ Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Melbourne. Olde PM and Marriott NR (1995). The Grevillea Book, Volume 3. Kangaroo Press. Kenthurst, New South Wales. Queensland Herbarium (2009). Specimen label information, viewed 30 October 2009.

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