Environmental Assessment Report
Heritage Park Phase 2
Environmental Assessment Report
Prepared for Rockingham Park c/o Mortons Urban Solutions by Strategen
April 2016
Heritage Park Phase 2
Environmental Assessment Report
Strategen is a trading name of Strategen Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd Level 1, 50 Subiaco Square Road Subiaco WA 6008 ACN: 056 190 419
April 2016
Disclaimer and Limitation
This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of the Client, in accordance with the agreement between the Client and Strategen (“Agreement”).
Strategen accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for it in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report by any person who is not a party to the Agreement.
In particular, it should be noted that this report is a qualitative assessment only, based on the scope of services defined by the Client, budgetary and time constraints imposed by the Client, the information supplied by the Client (and its agents), and the method consistent with the preceding.
Strategen has not attempted to verify the accuracy or completeness of the information supplied by the Client.
Copyright and any other Intellectual Property arising from the report and the provision of the services in accordance with the Agreement belongs exclusively to Strategen unless otherwise agreed. This document may not be reproduced or disclosed to any person other than the Client without the express written authority of Strategen unless the document has been released for referral and assessment of proposals.
Client: Rockingham Park c/o Mortons Urban Solutions
Revision Strategen Submitted to Client Report Version Purpose No. author/reviewer Form Date Preliminary Draft Report A Client review S.Isbister / electronic 16 March 2016 D.Newsome Final Report B Submission to Client S.Isbister / electronic 6 April 2016 D.Newsome
Filename: RPA15010_01 R001 Rev B
Strategen was commissioned by Rockingham Park Pty Ltd (Rockingham Park) to prepare an Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) for Lots 986 & 993 Baldivis Road, Baldivis, [‘Heritage Park – Phase 2 (‘the site’)] for the purposes of supporting the development of a Structure Plan.
The site is adjacent to the Kwinana Freeway and the western boundary of the site is bordered by the regional Tramway Reserve. Urban development is adjacent to the north and Serpentine Road and rural properties are adjacent to the south. One of the rural properties to the south supports low intensity horse related activities. Given the separation and low intensity of use, this land use does not represent a potential source of conflict (dust, noise odour) to the proposed urban development.
The site has historically been used for agricultural purposes and as such, the majority of the site is devoid of native vegetation. A flora and vegetation survey was undertaken by ENV Australia Pty Ltd (ENV) on site in March 2007. Two targeted flora surveys have been undertaken on the site. ENV undertook a targeted flora survey in 2013, however given the survey was undertaken in late spring (19 November 2013) a second targeted survey was undertaken by Strategen on 20 October 2014. Neither of the surveys identified any flora of conservation significance on the site.
There is a portion of open woodland in the central south of the site and this has been recorded as ‘Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fascicularis and weeds’ that exists in a ‘Degraded’ to ‘Completely Degraded’ condition. A significant portion of this vegetation is proposed to be retained in an area of POS and utilised in the site’s drainage management solutions as well as adopting the strategies outlined in the DWMS. This will ensure the trees continue to receive the appropriate volumes of water post-development and in particular, are not flooded for prolonged periods.
A black cockatoo habitat assessment was undertaken on site by ENV in 2013 to determine the presence of foraging, breeding or roosting habitat for black cockatoo species. A follow up survey was undertaken by Strategen in 2014 to confirm the findings. Foraging habitat is limited to a total of 5 species. These species occur in low numbers in the degraded vegetated portion of the Multiple Use wetland and also as isolated trees (Marri and Jarrah). A total of four large trees were classified as being potential roosting sites in the survey area as they were of suitable height (12 to 25 m) and contained a dense canopy, however no roosting evidence (droppings or feathers) was recorded around the trees. The survey area contains three Marri, three Jarrah and twelve Flooded Gum trees that have suitable dimensions to be classified as potential breeding habitat (a total of 18 potential breeding trees). One Jarrah supports a hollow that is of suitable size for breeding. There is no visible evidence that the hollow is or has been used for breeding by black cockatoos. Landscaping of the development will be undertaken with native vegetation and existing remnant vegetation will be retained where practicable. .
The site is low lying, with the topography ranging from 7m AHD in the north western portion of the site to 3m AHD in the south eastern part of the site. The eastern half of the site is mapped by the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) as a ‘Multiple Use’ wetland and this area becomes seasonally waterlogged during the wetter months.
A Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) has been undertaken for the site and this determined there were no factors which suggest any evidence of contamination and therefore there is no requirement for further contamination investigations to be undertaken.
DPaW has mapped the Acid Sulfate Soil (ASS) risk for the site as ‘low to moderate’. There are risks of exposing ASS’s during excavation and dewatering activities due to the low lying nature of the site, the close depth to groundwater and known presence of ASS in the locality (i.e. as experience during construction of Phase 1 Heritage Park). An assessment of the likelihood of encountering ASS will be undertaken at the subdivision approval stage once details of excavation and dewatering activities are understood. If ASS is determined to be a risk, appropriate management and monitoring responses will be developed.
A District Water Management Strategy (DWMS) has been prepared for the site (ENV, 2013) to support the rezoning of the land. Protection of the hydrological characteristics of the site is deemed the most important environmental factor for the site, and as such, many of the management strategies being implemented are related to this factor. A Local Water Management Strategy will be prepared and lodged as part of the Structure Plan. During the subdivision stage(s) an Urban Water Management Plan(s) will be prepared in accordance with the Better Urban Water Management 2008 Guidelines.
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1. Introduction 1 1.1 Project description 1 1.2 Background context 1 1.3 Location and land use 1 1.4 Objectives 2 1.5 Structure 2 2. Legislative framework 5 2.1 Relevant planning framework 5 2.1.1 Metropolitan Region Scheme 5 2.1.2 City of Rockingham Town Planning Scheme No.2 District Zoning Scheme 5 2.2 Relevant environmental framework 5 2.2.1 Commonwealth legislation 5 2.2.2 State legislation, guidelines and standards 5 2.2.3 Local Scheme Provisions and Requirements 6 3. Existing environment 7 3.1 Topography, geology and soils 7 3.1.1 Topography 7 3.1.2 Geology and soils 7 3.2 Acid Sulfate Soils 7 3.2.1 Regional Acid Sulfate Soils Mapping 7 3.3 Potential contamination 11 3.4 Surrounding land uses 11 3.5 Hydrology 11 3.5.1 Wetlands 11 3.5.2 Surface hydrology 12 3.5.3 Groundwater 12 3.6 Flora and vegetation 16 3.6.1 Previous flora and vegetation investigations 16 3.6.2 General Vegetation Description 16 3.6.3 Vegetation Complex 16 3.6.4 Flora and Vegetation of Conservation Significance 19 3.7 Native fauna 20 3.7.1 Conservation significant listed species 20 3.8 Heritage 25 3.8.1 Aboriginal 25 3.8.2 European 25 4. Development proposal 27 5. Potential environmental impacts and management commitments 28 5.1 Surrounding Land Uses 28 5.1.1 Kwinana freeway 28 5.1.2 Horse stables 28 5.1.3 Baldivis Tramway Reserve 31 5.2 Hydrology 35 5.3 Flora and vegetation 35 5.4 Black Cockatoos 36 5.5 Acid sulfate soils 36 5.6 Contamination 36 5.7 Aboriginal heritage 36 6. Conclusions 38 7. References 39
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Table 1: Mean in-situ pH and electrical conductivity measures for bores on the site 15 Table 2: Mean nutrient results from samples taken from bores on the site. 15 Table 3: Mean metal concentration results taken from the bores on the site 16 Table 4: Conservation significant flora species identified as potentially occurring within 5 km of the site 19 Table 5: Conservation significant fauna identified in DPAW Database search (May 2013) 22 Table 6: Native Fauna ‘Matters of National Environmental Significance’ listed under EPBC Act 24
Figure 1: Site location 3 Figure 2: Site layout 4 Figure 3: Topography 8 Figure 4: Geology 9 Figure 5: Acid Sulfate Soil Risk 10 Figure 6: Wetlands 13 Figure 7: Groundwater Mapping 14 Figure 8: Surrounding land uses and heritage sites 26 Figure 9: Aerial view of Lot 1272 Baldivis Road and Lot 1 Serpentine Road 30 Figure 10: Landscape Master Plan 33 Figure 11: Native Vegetation 37
Appendix 1 Environmental Assessment – ENV 2007 Appendix 2 Black Cockatoo Habitat and Conservation Significant Flora Assessment – Greencap 2014 Appendix 3 Conservation Significant Flora and Black Cockatoo habitat Assessment – Strategen 2014
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Rockingham Park Pty Ltd (the client) is planning on developing Lots 986 & 993 Baldivis Road, Baldivis, (the site) for the purpose of residential subdivision (Figure 1). Development of this parcel of land will continue an urban development front to the south of the Baldivis townsite (to Sixty Eight Road), between Eighty Road and the Kwinana Freeway.
This Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) has been prepared to support the Structure Plan application to the City of Rockingham (CoR), for Heritage Park - Phase 2 (the development)..
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In approximately 2000, the client initiated a process of development at Heritage Park. This started with development of Phase 1 Heritage Park (to the north of Phase 2) (Figure 1), which is now almost complete. The client is now seeking to progress development of the Phase 2 area, to enable additional residential lots to be provided.
In early 2007, a preliminary environmental assessment (Appendix 1) was undertaken by ENV Australia Pty Ltd (‘ENV’) for the Phase 2 area and addressed the following key environmental factors at a broad scale: • surface geology and topography • hydrology • wetlands • flora and vegetation • indigenous heritage.
This assessment identified limited environmental significance for the site. The main environmental aspects to note from the due diligence report include: • the field visit confirmed that the majority of the property has been cleared and was being used as a horse paddock. The condition of vegetation across the site varied from ‘Degraded’ to ‘Completely Degraded’ • 65% of plant species identified in the field survey were introduced species • it was considered that a spring survey may be required by the then Department of Environment and Conservation [now the Department of Environment Regulation (DER)] to determine if any significant flora species are present. Many of the Priority and Declared Rare Flora (now known as ‘Threatened’) species listed in the report have a preferred habitat being wetland depressions (which are present on the site) and are also annual species, which would not be have been identifiable at the time of year that the survey was undertaken (March) • due to the low lying nature of the site the groundwater is close to the grounds surface, ranging from 1.5 to 2 m below ground level (BGL) in the western areas of the site and falling to 0.5 m BGL in the eastern areas of the site • since this due diligence was undertaken, the Kwinana Freeway extension has been constructed approximately 30 m to the east of the site. Appropriate noise studies have been undertaken by Lloyd George Acoustics at the time of freeway design and included recommendations for the freeway and Mundijong Road.
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The site is located at Lots 986 & 993 Baldivis Road, Baldivis, within the City of Rockingham. It is situated approximately 45 km south of the Perth Central Business District and about 13 km southeast of the Rockingham townsite (Figure 1).
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The site is situated between the Kwinana Freeway, which abuts the site’s eastern boundary, Serpentine Road in the south and associated rural properties, Heritage Park Residential Estate – Phase 1 to the north and Baldivis Road and the regional Tramway Reserve (that runs from Millar Road-Telephone-Lane in the north to the point where the southern boundary of the Department of Minerals and Energy’s Baldivis Explosives Reserve almost intersects the Kwinana Freeway) in the west.
The site was historically used for pastoral grazing and as such is essentially cleared of almost all native vegetation. At present, the land is unused freehold land.
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This EAR supports the Heritage Park - Phase 2 Structure Plan application by providing the following information: • evaluate and summarise the environmental status of the site • identify any critical opportunities and constraints to development as they relate to the environmental conditions of the site and in particular, identify any fatal flaws to development • develop and outline broad scale management strategies to protect the natural environment at the site and if relevant, provide design strategies to be considered and future investigations or reporting that will be required at later stages of the development process.
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This EAR provides all the necessary information to support the structure plan application and includes the following sections: • legislative framework • existing environment • development proposal • potential environmental impacts and management • surrounding land uses and buffers.
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The MRS is the statutory land use planning tool for the Perth Metropolitan Region. The MRS zones land, controls land development and reflects the agreed strategic direction for land use within the area. It also acts as a catalyst for changing local planning controls and associated planning.
The site is zoned Urban’ under the MRS to facilitate future residential development.
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The site is currently in the process of being rezoned ‘Development’ under the CoR TPS.
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An action that will have, or is likely to have, a significant impact on a ‘Matter of National Environmental Significance’ (MNES) must be referred to the Department of the Environment (DotE) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The DotE lists threatened species and communities in categories determined by criteria set out in the Act.
In considering the proposal to develop the site, it is important that MNES are considered and specifically whether the proposed development is likely to have a significant impact on any of these listed species.
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The main legislative tool to guide environmental impact assessment and protection in Western Australia is the EP Act. Threatened flora (previously known as Declared Rare and Priority Flora), Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) and Threatened Fauna Species are given special consideration in environmental impact assessments, and have special status as Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) under the EP Act.
Other Acts and Regulations potentially relevant to the site include: • Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WA) (WC Act) • Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 • Bush Fires Act 1954 • Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 • Contaminated Sites Act 2003 • Planning and Development Act 2005 ∗ Statement of Planning Policy 3.7: Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas • Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914.
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Applicable EPA Guidelines and Position Statements potentially relevant to the area include: • Guidance Statement No. 33: Environmental Guidance for Planning and Development (2008) • Guidance Statement No. 3: Separation Distances between Industrial and Sensitive Land Uses (2005) • Guidance Statement No. 18: Prevention of air quality impacts from land development sites (2000) • Position Statement No. 2: Environmental Protection of Native Vegetation in Western Australia (2000) • Position Statement No. 6: Towards Sustainability (2004).
Non-legislative protection of flora and fauna relevant to the area include: • DEC Priority Species Lists – flora and fauna • Informal Recognition of Flora and Fauna.
Certain populations or communities of flora or fauna may be considered to be of local significance or interest because of their patterns of distribution and abundance. For example, a species may be locally significant because they are range extensions to the previously known distribution, or are newly discovered taxa and have the potential to be listed as ‘Threatened’ in the future. In addition, many species are in decline as a result of threatening processes (land clearing, grazing, changed fire regimes), and relict populations of such species assume local importance for the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW).
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The site is subject to the provisions of the City of Rockingham’s Town Planning Scheme No. 2, which was written in accordance with the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2005. Town Planning Scheme No.2 -Map 9 indicates no ‘Environmental Conditions’ attached to the site which need to be implemented.
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The site is located on the inland (eastern) flank of a regional dunal feature and slopes very gently to the east. The topography of the site was surveyed by Whelans during 2006 (Figure 3). Topographic elevations range from approximately 7m AHD in the north western portion of the site to 3m AHD in the south eastern part of the site (Figure 3). Despite a minor variation in grade, the site can be described as predominantly flat.
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Based on Perth Metropolitan Region mapping 1:50,000 Environmental (1985) Geology Series, the site comprises two geomorphological units within the Swan Coastal Plain: • Guildford Formation (Mc2) in the eastern part of the site • Bassendean Sand (S8) in the western part of the site (Figure 4).
Summary descriptions of the two geological units making up the site, taken from Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) mapping 1:50,000 Surface Geology Series Maps, Rockingham Sheet (1986) are listed below: • Mc2 – CLAYEY SILT - dark greyish brown, mottled in part, soft when wet, plastic in part, blocky, variable clay content, of alluvial origin • S8 – SAND – very light grey at surface, yellow at depth, fine-medium grained, sub-rounded quartz, moderately well sorted, of eolian origin as relatively thin veneer over C2, M4 and Mc2.
Field observation confirmed silty clay, typical for the Guildford Formation, in the south-eastern portion of the site and sand being dominant over the majority of the remaining site. Soil logs were documented during monitoring bore installation in September 2009. See Appendix A for the bore logs for the site.
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According to the DER’s regional Acid Sulfate Soil’s (ASS) mapping, the site is recognised as possessing a ‘Moderate to low risk of ASS occurring within 3 m of natural soil surface and a high to moderate risk of ASS beyond 3m of natural soil surface’ (DEC, 2010) (Figure 5). The closest area of ‘High to moderate risk of ASS occurring within 3m of natural soil surface’ to the site is approximately 800 m to the northeast.
There are risks of oxidising ASS’s during excavation and dewatering activities on the site due to its low lying nature of the ground surface to groundwater and the fact that ASS’s have been encountered directly north of the site within the Heritage Park Phase 1 area. If oxidised, ASS’s have the potential to acidify natural hydrological environments, as well as undermine infrastructure and building footings.
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Currently the site is essentially unused, cleared freehold land. The DER Contaminated Sites Database was reviewed on 20 August 2013. No contaminated sites within 1 km of the site are recorded on the database.
As an additional level of due diligence, Rockingham Park commissioned ENV to undertake a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) to establish the likelihood of soil or groundwater contamination being present. An inspection of the site was carried out on the 14 August 2013, but identified no areas of obvious contamination. A review of historical information including aerial photographs, previous environmental reports and government databases identified no signs of potential site contamination. Therefore, ENV advises that no further contamination investigations are necessary on the site.
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Adjacent land uses which require consideration in the context of urban development include; • Kwinana freeway • horse stables • Baldivis Tramway Reserve.
The impacts of these surrounding land uses on the proposed residential development have been assessed, taking into account: • EPA’s DRAFT Environmental Assessment Guideline for Separation Distances between Industrial and Sensitive Land Uses (EAG) (2015) • Statement of Planning Policy 3.7: Planning in Bushfire Prone areas (under separate cover) • Baldivis Tramway Reserve Management Plan (City of Rockingham).
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The eastern half of the site is mapped by DPaW in the Geomorphic Wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain dataset as ‘Multiple Use’ wetland (Figure 6). Multiple Use Wetlands are identified by DPaW in the then- Water and Rivers Commission’s ‘Position Statement: Wetlands (2001)’ as ‘Wetlands with few important ecological attributes and functions remaining’, whose ‘use, development and management should be considered in the context of ecologically sustainable development and best management practice catchment planning through landcare’. Hill et. al. (1996) maps the area as a vegetated portion of the regional palusplain wetland.
Field observation confirms the portion of the site classified as ‘Multiple Use’ wetland has been largely parkland cleared, with a stand of Melaleuca sp. in the northeast and an open drainage line running north- south parallel to the eastern site boundary. The limited remaining upper storey vegetation present within this wetland area is indicative of typical wetland vegetation. The weed species present in the cleared areas of the site are not typical of seasonally inundated soils, though there were some that can be found in both seasonally inundated, as well as upland, sites.
No Environmental Protection (Swan Coastal Plain Lakes) Policy 1992 (EPP) lakes exist on site. The closest EPP lake to the site is Maramanup Pool; a Resource Enhancement Wetland located approximately 600 m to the north east. Development of the site will not have a negative impact on Maramanup Pool due to groundwater and surface water flowing in a south-easterly direction, away from the wetland (Figure 7).
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There are no permanent surface water bodies located on the site. The eastern portion of the site is low- lying, with a seasonally waterlogged area in the north-eastern section. This is connected to a man-made drainage line which runs north-south, parallel and approximately 50 m west of the Kwinana Freeway. The surface hydrology of this site connects into a regional drainage system of wetlands and drainage lines, however, the linear drainage line has been disconnected hydraulically from the Peel Main Drainage system due to the presence of the Kwinana Freeway.
To the north of the site a subsoil pipe (300 mm in diameter) drains from the POS located in Phase 1 of the Heritage Park development. This pipe discharges into the open drain in the north of Phase 2. The open drain discharges from the site through a 700 mm diameter culvert under Serpentine Road to the south and then continues as a Water Corporation open drain and eventually connects to the Peel Main Drain over 3km south of the site near Boyanup Pool. The open drain located to the south of the site receives groundwater and surface water from the site and also subsoil drainage from the north of the site.
The site was previously mapped as being part of the Serpentine River floodplain, as before the Kwinana Freeway was built, the Peel Main Drain would flood the site in 100 year ARI events. The construction of the Kwinana Freeway has resulted in the site being hydraulically disconnected from the Peel Main Drain and is no longer in the Serpentine River floodplain.
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Pre-development groundwater monitoring was undertaken by ENV between September 2009 and February 2011. This included monitoring monthly groundwater levels, quarterly in-situ water quality and quarterly laboratory analysis for nutrients and metals from seven bores on the site (MW11 to MW17). This monitoring was to determine baseline groundwater conditions and will be used as a benchmark to measure post-development monitoring results against.
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Based on the Perth Groundwater Atlas (Department of Water, 2003), there is minimal information on historic groundwater levels for the site, but groundwater contours from May 2003 show groundwater levels on the site range from 3 m AHD to under 2 m AHD.
Average Annual Maximum Groundwater Levels (AAMGLs) across the site ranged from 2.87m AHD at MW17 (in the south-eastern corner) to 4.10m AHD at MW13 (central northern portion of the site). Calculated Maximum Groundwater Levels (MGLs) ranged from 3.36 m AHD at MW17 to 4.6 m AHD at MW13 (Figure 7).
Depth to groundwater for the site ranged from 2.98m below ground level (BGL) at MW11 (northwestern part of the site) to ponding at the surface at MW12 (north-eastern portion of the site) (Figure 7).
Regional groundwater flow is in a westerly direction towards the Indian Ocean (Department of Water, 2003), however, from the monitoring that was undertaken at the site, local groundwater flow is in a south- easterly direction.
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In-situ measurements were taken from four bores on the site. Measurements for pH were slightly acidic and outside the ANZECC & ARMCANZ (Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand) guidelines, in bores MW11, MW15 and MW16. Groundwater pH from MW17 was neutral to slightly alkaline. EC was fresh from bores MW11, MW15 and MW16, while groundwater from MW17 was marginal to brackish. The mean field results are detailed in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Mean in-situ pH and electrical conductivity measures for bores on the site Bore ID pH (units) Electrical Conductivity (jS/cm) MW11 5.17 340 MW15 5.57 230 MW16 5.15 70 MW17 7.57 1530
Nutrient concentrations were elevated in samples taken from groundwater bores for pre-development monitoring. This is not uncommon in urban areas or areas that have historically been used for agricultural purposes.
Total phosphorous concentrations were above ANZECC & ARMCANZ freshwater guidelines for slightly disturbed ecosystems in south west Australia in all samples taken. All samples taken from MW11, MW15 and MW16 were also above the Swan Canning Catchment Long and Short Term Planning (SCCP) guidelines for total phosphorous concentrations (Swan River Trust 2008).
Total nitrogen concentrations were greater than the ANZECC & ARMCANZ guideline value and the SCCP Long and Short Term guideline values. For most samples the majority of nitrogen was Total Kjehldahl Nitrogen (TKN). Approximately half of the samples collected for the pre-development monitoring had nitrate and nitrite (NOx) concentrations above the ANZECC & ARMCANZ fresh water guidelines. Mean nutrient results are presented in Table 2 below.
Table 2: Mean nutrient results from samples taken from bores on the site. Total Total Phosphate NO (nitrate + Ammonia Kjehldahl Total Nitrogen Bore ID Phosphorous X (PO ) nitrite) (NH ) Nitrogen (TN) 4 (TP) 3 (TKN) units mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L MW11 0.78 5.9 0.56 4.5 13 14 MW15 0.65 0.76 0.46 0.15 2.13 2.61 MW16 0.19 1.64 0.79 0.07 2.47 3.23 MW17 0.02 0.18 0.19 0.02 2.31 2.45 SCCP Short 0.20 2.00 Term Targets** SCCP Long 0.10 1.00 Term Targets ANZECC & 0.065 0.15 0.09 1.25 ARMANZ# Shading denotes concentrations above the relevant guideline values. #ANZECC & ARMCANZ 2000 Guidelines for slightly disturbed lowland river freshwater ecosystems in south west Australia. **Swan River Trust 2008, Healthy Rivers Action Plan, Government of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia.
Analysis of metals in the groundwater returned many results below the limit of reporting. All recorded levels were below the ANZECC & ARMCANZ long-term irrigation water guidelines. Mean metal concentration results are presented in Table 3 below.
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Table 3: Mean metal concentration results taken from the bores on the site Bore ID Arsenic Cadmium Chromium Copper Lead Nickel Zinc Mercury units mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L MW11 <0.001 <0.0001 <0.1 <0.012 <0.001 <0.001 <0.2 <0.0001 MW15 0.006 <0.0001 <0.005 <0.005 <0.001 0.003 0.165 <0.0001 MW16 0.009 <0.0001 0.051 0.043 0.035 0.009 0.028 0.0015 MW17 0.030 <0.001 0.018 0.014 0.012 0.010 0.055 <0.0001 Long-term 0.1 0.01 0.1 0.2 2 0.2 2 0.002 irrigation water Shading denotes concentrations above the relevant guideline values. #ANZECC & ARMCANZ 2000 long-term irrigation water guidelines.
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The following investigations have been conducted for the site: • ENV 2007, Environmental Assessment. Heritage Park Estate, Lots 986 And 993 Baldivis Rd, Baldivis (Appendix 1) ∗ flora and vegetation survey undertaken in March 2007 providing description of floristic and vegetative values of the site • Greencap Consulting 2013, Black Cockatoo Habitat and Conservation Significant Flora Assessment (Appendix 2) ∗ spring flora survey, supplementary to the flora and vegetation survey undertaken in 2007 • Strategen 2014, Heritage Park Phase 2, Conservation Significant Flora Assessment and Black Cockatoo Habitat Assessment (Appendix 3) ∗ spring flora survey.
The results of the investigations are presented as a composite summary.
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The majority of the site is essentially devoid of native vegetation. However, a linear strip of vegetation, which corresponds to the ‘Guildford Formation – Seasonally Inundated Swamps and Depressions’ soil unit, exists in a northeast to southwest orientation within Lot 993.
The ENV 2007 survey identified this patch of vegetation to be ‘Open woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fascicularis and weeds. Another smaller portion of Melaleuca sp. exists in the north- eastern portion of the site, within Lot 986. This is surrounded by essentially monocultures of the exotic reed and grass species.
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Heddle et al. (1978) mapped the site as containing two Swan Coastal Plain vegetation complexes, which are related to the underlying soil profiles: • Karrakatta Complex - Central and South: Predominantly open forest of Eucalyptus gomphocephala – Eucalyptus marginata – Corymbia calophylla and woodland of Eucalyptus marginata – Banksia species. This vegetation complex is found throughout majority of the site • Serpentine River Complex: Closed scrub of Melaleuca sp. and fringing woodland of Eucalyptus rudis – Melaleuca rhaphiophylla along streams. This vegetation complex is found along the far eastern boundary of the site.
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Plate A: Vegetation in the north-eastern portion of Lot 986 (photo taken in 2012)
Plate B: Melaleuca sp. in the north-eastern portion of Lot 986 (photo taken in 2012)
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The ENV report (2007) recognised that the site most likely contained three separate vegetation communities historically, however, only ‘Open woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fascicularis and weeds’ remained at the time of the survey. The vegetation was mapped during 2007 as being in a ‘Degraded’ to ‘Completely Degraded’ condition. Photographs of the ‘Open woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fascicularis and weeds’ were taken during a site visit on the 11th June 2013 and can be seen in Plates C and D. Since the survey in 2007, a stand of Melaleuca sp. has grown, that was identified during a site investigation during 2012 (Plates A and B).
Plate C: Open woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fascicularis and weeds (photo taken in 2012)
Plate D: Cleared portion of the site adjacent to the ‘Open woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fascicularis and weeds’ (photo taken in 2012)
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The desktop review determined any conservation significant species known to occur within a 5 km radius of a central point of the site (Table 4). An assessment was conducted of the likelihood of any of the species occurring within the site based on preferred habitat and known distribution of each species.
Table 4: Conservation significant flora species identified as potentially occurring within 5 km of the site Conservation status Species Likelihood of occurrence at site EPBC Act WC Act Andersonia gracilis - Endangered Threatened Unlikely. Species is currently only known from the Slender Andersonia Badgingarra, Dandaragan and Kenwick areas (DEC 2006) and thus unlikely to occur within Project Area. Caladenia huegelii - Endangered Threatened Unlikely. Occurs in areas of mixed woodland of Grand Spider Orchid Eucalyptus marginata, Banksia attenuata, B. ilicifolia and B. menziesii with scattered Allocasuarina fraseriana and Corymbia calophylla over a dense shrub understorey, tending to favour areas of dense undergrowth (DEC 2009a). This species is unlikely to occur due to the absence of preferred habitat in the Project Area. Centrolepis caespitosa Endangered Priority 4 Unlikely. C. caespitosa is known from locations from Busselton to Albany and in the wheatbelt (Gilfillan and Barrett 2004); as such, is unlikely to occur in the Project Area. Darwinia foetida - Critically Threatened Unlikely. D. foetida is known only from three Muchea Bell Endangered populations in swampy, seasonally wet habitat in the Muchea area (TSSC 2009). The restricted distribution indicates the species is unlikely to occur within the Project Area. Dillwynia dillwynioides Priority 3 Unlikely. Limited information is available for habitat and distribution of this species; however, given only four native understorey species were recorded in the Project Area (ENV 2007), this species is unlikely to occur. Diuris purdiei - Purdie’s Vulnerable Threatened Unlikely. D. purdiei occurs amongst native sedges Donkey Orchid and dense heath with scattered emergent Melaleuca preissiana, Corymbia calophylla, Eucalyptus marginata and Nuytsia floribunda (TSSC 2008). This species is unlikely to occur due to the absence of preferred habitat in the Project Area. Drakaea elastica - Endangered Threatened Unlikely. D. elastica occurs typically in mixed Glossy-leaved Hammer Banksia woodland or Kunzea glabrescens thicket Orchid vegetation (DEC 2009b) Drakaea micrantha - Vulnerable Threatened Unlikely. D. micrantha is known to occur on infertile Dwarf Hammer Orchid grey sands, in Banksia, Eucalyptus marginata and Allocasuarina fraseriana woodland or forest (TSSC 2008). This species is unlikely to occur due to the absence of preferred habitat in the Project Area. Lepidosperma rostratum Endangered Threatened Unlikely. L. rostratum is associated with Banksia - Beaked Lepidosperma telmatiaea and Calothamnus hirsutus among low heath in winter-wet swamps (TSSC 2008). This species is unlikely to occur due to the absence of preferred habitat in the Project Area. Schoenus capillifolius Priority 3 Unlikely. S. capillifolius is known to occur on brown muddy soils and in claypans (DPaW 2014b). This species is unlikely to occur due to the absence of preferred habitat in the Project Area.
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Conservation status Species Likelihood of occurrence at site EPBC Act WC Act Stylidium longitubum - Priority 3 Unlikely. Limited information is available for habitat Jumping Jacks and distribution of this species; however, given only four native understorey species were recorded in the Project Area (ENV 2007), this species is unlikely to occur. Synaphea stenoloba - Endangered Threatened Unlikely. S. stenoloba is restricted to a six kilometre Dwellingup Synaphea range near Pinjarra (Evans and English 2000); as such, is unlikely to occur within the Project Area.
None of the three flora surveys undertaken on site have recorded flora species of conservation significance. The Strategen flora survey was undertaken in October 2014 in recognition that previous surveys had been undertaken at sub-optimal times of the year for the detection of the potentially present flora of conservation significance.
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A search of the State and Commonwealth databases did not identify any Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities (TECs and PECs). Two sub-communities of one TEC and three PECs were identified as occurring within 5 km of the site.
The TEC’s sub-communities recorded within 5km of the site include: • ‘Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales of the southern Swan Coastal Plain (SCP19a)’ • ‘Woodlands over sedgelands in Holocene dune swales of the southern Swan Coastal Plain (SCP19b)’. The closest TEC potential occurrence, taking into account its buffer, is ‘SCP19a’, located 2.8 km from the site. This TEC is considered unlikely to occur on the site due to the absence of sedgelands.
The PEC’s sub-communities recorded within 5km of the site include: • ‘Low lying Banksia attenuata woodlands or shrublands (Community Type 21c)’ • ‘Southern Eucalyptus gomphocephala-Agonis flexuosa woodlands (Community Type 25)’ • ‘Microbial community of a coastal saline lake (Lake Walyungup)’.
The closest potential PEC occurrence is ‘Community Type 21c’, which is located approximately 1.4km from the site. However, this is unlikely to occur on the site due to the absence of Banksia.
The vegetation community identified as present on the site, ‘Open woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fascicularis and weeds’ is not consistent with any of the TEC’s or PEC’s recorded within 5 km of the site.
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ENV requested a search of the DPaW’s conservation-significant species databases in May 2013 to obtain information on Threatened and Priority Fauna occurring within a 6km radius of the site. A total of 15 fauna of conservation-significance were recorded in the database searches.
Of the 15 fauna species recorded, four have been gazetted as ‘Threatened’ under the WC Act, one has been gazetted as ‘Other Specifically Protected Fauna’, seven have been gazetted as ‘birds under international agreement’ and three are denoted as ‘Priority’ species.
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The likelihood of these species having potential to occur at the Heritage Park Phase 2 site is presented in Table 5 following assessment of the species’ preferred habitat and the habitat still remaining on site. Four species are considered ‘likely’ to have the potential to utilise the site, seven species are considered ‘possible’ to utilise the site and four species are considered ‘unlikely’ to have the potential to utilise the site.
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Table 5: Conservation significant fauna identified in DPAW Database search (May 2013)
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All of the species that are considered ‘likely’ or ‘possible’ to occur on site have a wide distribution and highly variable habitat preference. Therefore, it is considered that development of the site will not have an impact on the survival of these species, as there are many other areas surrounding the site that they are able to inhabit. Also, the majority of the ‘Open woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fascicularis and weeds’ will be retained as part of the development within public open space (POS) that will provide continued habitat should any fauna be currently utilising this area.
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The ‘Protected Matters’ search undertaken by ENV in 2013 identified 18 fauna species having the potential to occur at the site. The likelihood of these species actually occurring at the Heritage Park Phase 2 site is represented in Table 6 below, following assessment of the species’ preferred habitat and the habitat still remaining on site. Two species are considered ‘likely’ to occur on site, nine species are considered ‘possible’ to occur on site and seven species are considered ‘unlikely’ to occur on site. Two black cockatoo species are likely to occur on site: • Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (FRBC), Calyptorhynchus banksii subsp. naso • Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus latirostris.
Baudins Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus baundinii are considered to possibly occur at the site.
A black cockatoo habitat survey was conducted by Greencap (2014). The site was assessed on three key functions that the black cockatoos undertake within the vegetation that includes: foraging, roosting and breeding.
The site contains five known foraging resource species for the black cockatoos. Foraging evidence of the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (FRBC) was recorded during the field survey. Due to the site occurring within the known range of all three black cockatoo species and containing food species consumed by these species it is classified as foraging habitat for black cockatoos. The DSWEPaC referral guidelines state that clearing of more than 1 ha of quality foraging habitat would be considered a ‘high risk of significant impact’.
A total of four large trees were classified as being potential roosting sites in the survey area as they were of suitable height (12V25 m) and contained a dense canopy. However no roosting evidence (droppings or feathers) was recorded around the trees.
The survey area contains three Marri, three Jarrah and twelve Flooded Gum trees that have suitable dimensions to be classified as potential breeding habitat (a total of 18 potential breeding trees). One Jarrah tree has a medium hollow that is considered to be of suitable breeding habitat.
Strategen undertook a black cockatoo habitat assessment of the site in October 2014 (Appendix 3), with particular emphasis on the Jarrah hollow identified by Greencap (2013). The hollow was inspected from ground level using appropriate magnification to identify any signs of recent black cockatoo use (i.e. chew marks, feathers or habitation). There was no evidence of black cockatoo utilisations of the hollow. Strategen also failed to identify any evidence of black cockatoo utilisation of the site for foraging or roosting purposes.
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Table 6: Native Fauna ‘Matters of National Environmental Significance’ listed under EPBC Act
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A search of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs’ (DAA) ‘Aboriginal Heritage Sites’ database undertaken on 25 June 2013 found that no registered Aboriginal sites are known to exist within the site. The Serpentine River, Registered Aboriginal Heritage Site (ID 3582), exists to the southern and eastern boundaries of the site, with the closest point being 600 m to the east of the site (Figure 8).
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A search of the State Register of Heritage Places on the 25 June 2013 did not find any heritage listings of European significance within the site.
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The proposed development includes a range of forms including single residential lots at R25 and grouped housing sites to R60.
The development will incorporate a large area of public open space (POS) in the centre of the site, where native Eucalyptus rudis woodland exists. The POS will provide active and passive recreational opportunities and drainage functions, as well as adding to the aesthetics of the development by retention of the native bushland (Figure 11).
Development of the site will also enable rehabilitation of the degraded sections of the adjacent Tramway Reserve; further adding to the natural aesthetics of the area.
The site is adjacent to the Kwinana Freeway, enabling good connectivity to transport routes (road, rail) and is located within a rapidly developing suburb.
The key environmental opportunities and constraints for the site are addressed in Section 5 of this report.
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The Kwinana Freeway, which is 140km in length in total, is a major transport route from Perth to the south west. Since its construction, the extension of the Kwinana Freeway has increased further south over time.
In 2006, construction works commenced on the Freeway to extend it further south from Safety Bay Road, to Pinjarra Road at North Yunderup. This resulted in the Freeway running north-south approximately 30 m to the east of the Heritage Park site.
Noise impacts from the Freeway have the potential to impact residential development and requires management. A Transportation Noise Assessment has been undertaken by Lloyd George Acoustics and management strategies will be implemented to manage noise for future residents.
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Horse related activities have been identified within Lot 1272 Baldivis Road and Lot 1 Serpentine Road, to the south of Heritage Park Phase 2. The keeping of horses (specifically horse stables) is considered an intensive rural land use. The EAG identifies that potential impacts to sensitive receptors (residents) from horse stables, includes noise, dust and odour. The recommended separation ‘buffer’ distance between a ‘horse stable’ and a ‘sensitive receptor’ is 100 m - 500 m, depending on the size and intensity of the horse keeping facility (EGA 2015). The horse related activities within both lots have been observed to be of extremely low intensity and domestic in nature, based on knowledge of horse operations, aerial imagery and road-side observations.
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The property to the south of Serpentine Road (Lot 1), adjacent the site, appears to support three large paddocks suitable for grazing horses. Given the large size of the paddocks and that not more than two horses have been observed in any one paddock, these paddocks have extremely low potential to generate noise and odour.
It is uncertain as to whether the Serpentine Road property contains ‘horse stables’, considered a more intensive land use than ‘paddocks’. There is one shed evident from aerial imagery which has the potential to contain stables; however, it is not likely to contain more than two stables given its small size. If there are stables present within this shed, the potential to general odour is expected to be very low given the building is 150 m south of the site, and the climate is hot and dry the majority of the year which assists with maintaining dry stable bedding.
With regards to potential generation of dust, aerial imagery from 2003 to 2015 indicates the front paddocks appear to remain well pastured throughout the year. This is a reflection of the low number of horses kept within the paddocks and the availability of water, resultant from a high groundwater table. Given these observations, the risk of dust impacts to future residents generated by keeping horses within the paddocks, is considered to be extremely low. Further, there are no horse exercise facilities evident within the property with the potential to generate dust.
It is considered unlikely keeping horses on this property within the two paddocks, or within the horse stables if present; will impact adjacent future residents (sensitive receptors) within Heritage Park. Therefore, it is not considered necessary to have a buffer between horse keeping facilities on this property and the site.
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Lot 1272 is located on Baldivis Road; however, the northern extent of the property is bordered by Serpentine Road and is therefore adjacent to the site. The property appears to support five large paddocks suitable for grazing horses, plus two smaller horse yards. It is uncertain as to whether the property contains ‘horse stables’. The larger shed within Lot 1272 is more likely to contain vehicles and/or machinery, given there is a smaller horse shelter in the northern paddock and another sheltering the two smaller horse yards. These open horse shelters are not expected to generate odour emissions.
With regards to potential generation of dust, aerial imagery from 2003 to 2015 indicates partial irrigation of the property as demonstrated by round green areas. Irrigation will significantly reduce dust generation from the paddocks throughout the summer months. The greatest potential for dust generation is from the two horse exercise areas within Lot 1272. The exercise areas are situated within the southern extent of the property, with the small exercise area approximately 158 m from the site at its closest point. With irrigation, the potential for dust to impact future residents within the site is greatly reduced and therefore, dust is considered to be a low risk.
Given the intensity of the horse operations observed, a buffer of 100 m, which is the smallest buffer recommended in the EAG (2015) is considered sufficient between these exercise areas and the site, to ensure dust does not present a risk to residents. Given the current separation distance of 158 m, no additional measures are considered necessary to separate these areas from the proposed residential development area.
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Figure 9: Aerial view of Lot 1272 Baldivis Road and Lot 1 Serpentine Road Source: Google Earth
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The Baldivis Tramway Reserve is adjacent along the length of the site’s western boundary. The Tramway Reserve supports intact but degraded native vegetation. This vegetation represents a bushfire risk to the future development. The consideration of bushfire risk is under separate cover and the management response to protect future residents is contained within the Structure Plan.
The City of Rockingham has developed the Baldivis Tramway Master Plan (2014). This document defines the recreation and conservation objectives for the Tramway Reserve. The Master Plan identifies the portion of the Tramway Reserve adjacent to the site as supporting relatively intact vegetation and proposes the establishment of a pedestrian pathway and bridal trail. The Master Plan also provides for the establishment of a 4m wide firebreak on the eastern boundary of the Tramway Reserve, adjacent to the site.
In response to the requirement to import fill onto the site to achieve an appropriate drainage outcome, a batter is required to extend into the Tramway reserve in a number of locations. As agreed with the City of Rockingham, this outcome triggers a requirement for the proponent (the client) to design and fund the establishment of the pedestrian path and bridal trail. As discussed with the City of Rockingham, it is proposed that the pedestrian path and bridal trail are combined and also perform the function of the fire break. As such, the combined path would be located approximately on the eastern boundary of the Tramway Reserve. An assessment of the vegetation along this approximate alignment has been undertaken by Strategen with the objective of identifying the alignment that is both functional and limits impacts to native vegetation.
The resultant proposed alignment, achieving the combined firebreak, pedestrian path and bridal trail is the best outcome in terms of limiting clearing within the Tramway Reserve. It is proposed that the alignment is provided in the subdivision application providing an opportunity for agencies to consider the alignment through this process and negating the requirement for a subsequent clearing permit.
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Figure 10: Landscape Master Plan
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A District Water Management Strategy has been prepared for Heritage Park Phase 2 (ENV, 2013) in accordance with the BUWM 2008 Guidelines. The post-development stormwater design is based on protection of 13 sub-catchments. In the post-development scenario, stormwater from the sub-catchments will be discharged into one of three detention basins located within the centralised POS area (Figure 11). These basins will provide storage and infiltration of stormwater runoff generated from the residential development. The drainage basins will be landscaped to facilitate treatment of the stormwater prior to infiltration into the soil profile, whereby further nutrients are absorbed before reaching the groundwater.
A treatment swale is proposed between Basin A and B to allow for overflow. Similarly overland flow from Basin C and Basin B is proposed via a swale into the road drainage. The location of the POS and drainage basins within the POS has been determined to maximise retention of as much remnant native vegetation as possible. A small swale is also proposed in the south-east of the site to provide some detention of stormwater prior to being discharged to the south of the site.
The Department of Water, City of Rockingham and Water Corporation have agreed that the existing linear, open drain can be filled in as it has limited ability for surface water drainage due to the low grade of the site. Since construction of the Kwinana Freeway, the need for this drain has become somewhat superfluous, as the site is no longer hydrologically connected to the Peel Main Drainage system. The open drain will be converted to an underground, closed pipe system and will extend from the current 300mm diameter sub-soil drain, which discharges into the site from the north, and run within the proposed road reserve where possible, generally maintaining the same alignment that the drain currently takes. The pipe will still discharge into the culvert under Serpentine Road to ensure the existing hydrology from the site is maintained.
The site will require fill to ensure adequate separation to groundwater and ultimate protection of groundwater resources, particularly in the eastern half. As there are no wetlands or sensitive receiving water bodies on site or immediately downstream to the site, the management of hydrology will be focused mostly on water volumes and provision of adequate storage to enable acceptable detention, treatment and infiltration of urban water occurs. This will protect groundwater resources below the site and ensure water discharged from the site is of suitable quality and acceptable flow rates. Basins and swales will be landscaped with native wetland species aimed at nutrient stripping.
A Local Water Management Strategy has been prepared to support the and an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), or series of UWMPs, will be prepared in accordance with the BUWM 2008 Guidelines to support each stage of subdivision. These documents will provide increasingly detailed water management strategies (quantity & quality) in an attempt to protect downstream surface and groundwater resources, and aim to enhance existing hydrological quality.
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No Sate or Commonwealth listed ecological community was identified on the site. The majority of the site is devoid of native vegetation. Native vegetation present on site consists of ‘Open woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fascicularis and weeds’ (Figure 11), a stand of Melaleuca sp. surrounded by essentially monocultures of the exotic reed and grass species and a few scattered trees that could provide potential habitat for native fauna species.
No State or Commonwealth listed species were found during the three flora surveys that have been undertaken on the site.
The following management measures have been developed to protect the existing native vegetation onsite and improve the quality of the degraded portions of the adjacent Tramway Reserve: • retain as much Eucalyptus rudis woodland within the central POS as possible • native flora species will be used in the landscaping and within road verges to enhance the natural biodiversity within the development.
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Native vegetation within the ‘Open woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fascicularis and weeds’ provide some, but limited habitat for significant fauna. For example, black cockatoos protected under the EPBC Act and the WC Act are known to utilise habitat within the region for foraging, roosting and breeding. A significant portion of the Eucalypt woodland present on site will be retained as a means of providing habitat opportunities for native fauna such as black cockatoos and to improve the ultimate aesthetics of the resulting subdivision through retention of mature trees.
The proponent will endeavour to retain the Marri tree that exists along the western site boundary. This provides potential habitat for black cockatoo species and Marri is known to provide foraging, roosting and breeding opportunities for black cockatoo species.
The following management measures are to be implemented at the site: • retention of potential black cockatoo habitat trees within the site where design and construction constraints allow • street tree species will be chosen with a focus on species that are known habitat for black cockatoos.
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An Acid Sulfate assessment consistent with DER guidance will be undertaken to support the subdivision application. The assessment will be responsive to excavation and dewatering design. The assessment will inform the requirement for the development of an ASS Management Plan.
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The PSI indicated no signs of potential contamination. Therefore, it is considered that no further investigatory works are required.
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If any artefacts are found during construction of the site, all works will be ceased immediately and the DAA will be contacted.
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Development of this site will continue a planning front of residential development from the north and west. The concept design for the site has been prepared to the level it has to principally ensure drainage and general hydrology of the site can be adequately managed. In addition to management of hydrological resources, protection of as much native vegetation at the site black cockatoo habitat as is practicable are the most important environmental factors to be considered.
Implementation of the development proposal is not anticipated to provide a significant environmental impact for the site due to the following factors: • the land is predominantly cleared and degraded • adjacent land uses have do not represent a constraint to developable area, with appropriate mitigation strategies employed to manage potential impacts from Freeway noise and bushfire risk • the proposed alignment of the pedestrian path and bridal trail to combine to provide the firebreak along the eastern boundary of the Tramway Reserve reduces the amount of clearing required within the Tramway Reserve • a significant portion of the open Eucalypt woodland will be retained within the POS, where practicable • the design of the central POS area has sought to preserve as much vegetation as possible, including black cockatoo habitat as well as achieving an appropriate and compliant fire and drainage outcome for the site • adequate broad-scale water management strategies have been defined within the DWMS and the LWMS has refined drainage management outcomes and strategies • no conservation-significant wetlands exist on site • the PSI indicated there is no evidence of contamination on site • an ASS assessment will be prepared to support the subdivision application and inform whether ASS management is required • no known Aboriginal Heritage Sites or European Heritage Sites exist on the site.
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ANZECC & ARMCANZ 2000, Guidelines for slightly disturbed lowland river freshwater ecosystems in south west Australia.
Department of Conservation and Land Management (DCLM) 2003, Wing-Fruited Lasiopetalum (Lasiopetalum pterocarpum) Interim Recovery Plan, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Wanneroo.
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2008a, Tufted Plumbed Featherflower (Verticordia plumosa var. ananeotes) Recovery Plan, Department of Environment and Conservation.
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2008b, Glossy-leaved Hammer Orchid (Drakaea elastica) Recovery Plan, Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington.
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2009, Grand Spider Orchid (Caladenia huegelii) Recovery Plan, Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra.
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2010, Acid Sulfate Soils Risk Map, Swan Coastal Plain, Department of Environment and Conservation.
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2013a, DEC database Search 51-0513FL: WA Herbarium database, Department of Environment and Conservation.
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2013b, The Quenda, Available from: http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/management-and-protection/animals/fauna-speciesprofiles.html?id=7009.
Department of Environment and Heritage 2005, Australian Threatened Species: Bush stone-curlew: Burihinus grallarius, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/pubs/tsd05bush-stonecurlew.pdf.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) 2011a, Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/marsupials/25.html.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) 2011b, The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus): Factsheet, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/peregrine-fact.html.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) 2012, EPBC Act referral guidelines for three threatened black cockatoo species: Carnaby’s cockatoo (‘Endangered’) Calyptorhynchus latirostris, Baudin’s cockatoo (‘Vulnerable’) Calyptorhynchus baudinii and Forest red-tailed black cockatoo (‘Vulnerable’) Calyptorhynchus banksii naso.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/pubs/referralguidelines-wa-black-cockatoo.pdf.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) 2013a, Drakaea elastica in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) 2013b, Tetraria australiensis in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat.
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Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) 2013c, Diuris drummondii in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) 2013d, Numenius madagascariensis in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) 2013e, Ardea ibis in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) 2013f, Ardea modesta in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) 2013g, Calidris acuminata in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 2013h, Calidris ruficollis in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 2013i, Merops ornatus in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 2013j, Tringa nebularia in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra, Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat.
ENV Australia 2007, Environmental Assessment- Heritage Park Estate, Lots 986 and 993 Baldivis Road, Baldivis, ENV Australia, Western Australia.
ENV Australia 2013, Heritage Park Phase: Two District Water Management Strategy, ENV Australia, Western Australia.
Environmental Protection Authority 2005, EPA’s Guidance Statement No. 3: Separation Distances between Industrial and Sensitive Land Uses, Environmental Protection Authority.
Geological Survey of Western Australia 1985, Perth Metropolitan Region mapping 1:50,000 Environmental Geology Series, Geological Survey of Western Australia.
Geological Survey of Western Australia 1986, Perth Metropolitan Region mapping 1:50,000 Environmental Geology Series Maps, Rockingham Sheet, Geological Survey of Western Australia.
Heddle EM, Loneragan OW, and Havel JJ 1978, Vegetation complexes of the Darling System (WA) – Perth Sheet 1:250 000, Department of Conservation and Land Management.
Hill AL, Semeniuk CA, Semeniuk V and Del Marco A 1996, Wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain Volume 2B. Wetland Mapping, Classification and Evaluation, Wetland Atlas, Water and Rivers Commission, East Perth, Western Australia.
Johnstone R and Storr G 1998, The Handbook of Western Australian Birds Volume 1- Non Passerines, Western Australian Museum, Perth.
Köhler F 2011, ‘Westralunio carteri’. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2, Available from: www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 25 June 2013.
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Swan River Trust 2008, Healthy Rivers Action Plan, Government of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia.
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) 2008, Approved Conservation Advice for Tetraria australiensis (Southern Tetraria), Threatened Species Scientific Committee, March 2008.
Water and Rivers Commission 2001, Position Statement: Wetlands.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1998, Acacia lasiocarpa var. bracteolata long peduncle variant (G.J. Keighery 5026), Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/14932.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1999, Synaphea odocoileops A.S.George, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/16865.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 2007, Synaphea sp. Pinjarra Plain (A.S. George 17182), Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/30751.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1997a, Acacia benthamii Meisn, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/3237.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1996a, Cardamine paucijuga Turcz, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/3006.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1997b, Acacia horridula Meisn, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/3373.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1997c, Acacia oncinophylla Lindl. subsp. oncinophylla, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/14129.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1996b, Dillwynia dillwynioides (Meisn.) Druce, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/3863.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1993, Schoenus capillifolius D.A.Cooke, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/980.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 2003, Sphaerolobium calcicola R.Butcher, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/20348.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1996c, Stylidium longitubum Benth, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/7756.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1994a, Thelymitra variegata (Lindl.) F.Muell, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/1717.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1994b, Aponogeton hexatepalus H.Bruggen, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/141.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1996d, Dodonaea hackettiana W.Fitzg, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/4763.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1995, Eucalyptus rudis subsp. cratyantha Brooker & Hopper, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/13512.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1996e, Jacksonia sericea Benth, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/4027.
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Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1996f, Parsonsia diaphanophleba F.Muell, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/6573.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 2000, Johnsonia pubescens subsp. cygnorum Amanda Spooner, Available from: https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/19272.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 2006, Stylidium ireneae Lowrie & Kenneally, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/17850.
Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Environment and Conservation (WAH) 1996g, Verticordia lindleyi Schauer subsp. Lindleyi, Available from: http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/14714.
Western Australian Herbarium (WAH) 2013, Florabase - Information on the Western Australian Flora, Retrieved June 24, 2013, from http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/.
STRATEGEN 2014 REFERENCES
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2006, Slender Andersonia (Andersonia gracilis) Recovery Plan, Interim recovery plan No. 228, Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington.
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2009a, Grand Spider Orchid (Caladenia huegelii) Recovery Plan, Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra.
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2009b, Glossy-leafed Hammer Orchid (Drakaea elastica) Recovery Plan, Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington.
Department of the Environment (DotE) 2014, Protected Matters Search Tool, [Online], Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/about-us/legislation/environment-protection-and-biodiversity- conservation-act-1999/protected [October 2014].
Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) 2014a, Naturemap, [Online], Available from: http://naturemap.dpaw.wa.gov.au/default.aspx [October 2014].
Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) 2014b, Florabase, [Online], Available from: https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ [October 2014].
ENV 2007, Environmental Assessment. Heritage Park Estate, Lots 986 And 993 Baldivis Rd, Baldivis, report prepared for Taylor Burrell Barnett, Subiaco.
ENV 2013, Lots 986 & 993 Baldivis Road, Baldivis, Heritage Park – Phase 2, Environmental Assessment Report, report prepared for Rockingham Park Pty Ltd.
Evans R and English V 2000, Dwellingup Synaphea (Synaphea Stenoloba) Interim Recovery Plan 2000- 2003, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Kensington.
Gilfillan S and Barrett S 2004, Matted Centrolepis (Centrolepis Caespitosa) Interim Recovery Plan 2004- 2008, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Kensington.
Greencap Consulting 2014, Black Cockatoo Habitat and Conservation Significant Flora Assessment, report prepared for Acumen Development Solutions, South Perth.
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) 2008, Approved Conservation Advice for Drakaea micrantha (Dwarf Hammer-orchid), [Online], Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/81853-conservation-advice.pdf [October 2014].
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Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) 2008, Approved Conservation Advice for Diuris purdiei (Purdie’s Donkey-orchid), [Online], Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/12950-conservation-advice.pdf [October 2014].
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) 2008, Approved Conservation Advice for Lepidosperma rostratum (Beaked Lepidosperma), [Online], Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/14152-conservation-advice.pdf [October 2014].
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) 2009, Approved Conservation Advice for Darwinia sp. Muchea (B.J.Keighery 2458) (Muchea Bell), [Online], Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/82443-conservation-advice.pdf [October 2014].
('
1 1 N+6 <<7
making up the site, taken from Geological Survey of Western Australia mapping (Gozzard, 1983), are listed below:
S8 – SAND – very light grey at surface, yellow at depth, fine-medium grained, sub- rounded quartz, moderately well sorted, of eolian origin. (Bassendean Sands)
Mc2 – CLAYEY SILT - dark greyish brown, mottled in part; variable clay content alluvial origin (Guildford Formation)
Field observation confirmed sandy clay, typical for the Guildford Formation, in the south-eastern portion of the site with sand being dominant over the majority of the site.
HYDROLOGY
The surface hydrology does not indicate any permanent water bodies on the site, no open water or drainage lines were observed during the site visit. Field work by ENV indicates the water table was encountered at 1.5 to 2 m bgl (estimated to be at 3.5 to 3.0m AHD) in the western areas of the site and falling to about 0.5 m bgl (around 2.5m AHD) in the eastern areas of the site, thus confirming the easterly groundwater flow direction.
Hydrographic data of the DoE monitoring bore # 3042 and 3043, located 1 km north east of the site, shows that static water levels (SWL) are relatively stable with seasonal groundwater level variations of about 1.5m.
The general direction of groundwater flow is easterly towards the Folly Pool/Maramanup Pool Drain to the east of the site. The drain extends from Maramanup Pool (about 1 km north east of the site) to the Serpentine River (about 6km south of the site).
FLORA AND VEGETATION
An investigation of flora and fauna for the site was undertaken consisting of the following:
METHODS
PHASE 1
On 9 March 2007 a database search request was submitted to the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) to obtain a list of Declared Rare and Priority Flora species and Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) that occur within the surrounding area of the subject property. The search was within co-ordinates from 389179.5mE, 6421014.5mN to 391201.4mE, 6419252.8mN (GDA94).
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc Page 2 PHASE 2
On 21 March 2007 an ENV botanist visited the site and conducted a vegetation survey by traversing the property on foot. Photographs were taken (see Appendix D), the vegetation community was described and a condition statement made. Weed species that were insufficiently mature, dead, or for which there are insufficient taxonomic references available at the Western Australian Herbarium were not collected. In these cases, they have been identified to Genus or Family level only.
PHASE 3
On 4 April 2007, a desktop review was undertaken of the following databases and documents to determine whether the site has previously been identified as being of particular conservation or heritage significance:
The Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia.
Register of the National Estate.
Conservation Reserves for Western Australia The Darling System – System 6 (Department of Conservation and Environment, 1983).
Bush Forever (Government of Western Australia, 2000).
Department of Indigenous Affairs Aboriginal Heritage Enquiry System.
Vegetation communities were then mapped (see Figure 3). The vegetation community descriptions for all communities across the site where then referenced against Gibson et. al. (1994) to determine the potential for the site to support TECs.
RESULTS
DATABASE SEARCH
A database search of the area resulted in 18 Priority and seven Declared Rare Flora species being identified as potentially occurring in the area. The database produces a list of species that were found from surveys that have been undertaken within surrounding land of the property. The 25 species are included in Appendix A.
Of the listed species there are several that could occur within Lots 986 and 993 due to the preferred habitat being wetland depressions. Many of the listed species are annual which do not grow at the time of year that this survey was undertaken.
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc Page 3 The DEC database search showed that there are no known occurrences1 of any Threatened Ecological Communities within the search area. There are, however, occurrences of the TEC Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales of the southern Swan Coastal Plain (SCP19) within a 7.5 kilometre radius of Lots 986 and 993 Baldivis Rd.
SCP19: Sedgelands in Holocene Dune Swales of the Southern Swan Coastal Plain is listed as Critically Endangered Part B, Section 2, by the WA Threatened Species and Communities Unit – endorsed by the Minister for the Environment, and listed as Endangered under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act (1999).
FIELD VISIT
The field visit confirmed that the majority of the property has been cleared and is currently being used as horse paddocks. There is small area of vegetation in the southern portion of the site and about 0.5ha in size within the area classified as Multiple Use Category wetland.
A total of 10 families, 18 genera and 20 taxa2 were recorded in the survey area, of which 13 were introduced species (taxa). The species found at the site were:
FAMILY TAXA Poaceae *3 Ehrharta longiflora Poaceae * Hordeum leporinum Poaceae * Pennisetum clandestinum Poaceae * Vulpia myuros (dead) Asparagaceae * Asparagus asparagoides Polygonaceae * Acetosella vulgaris Polygonaceae * Rumex sp. (dead) Mimosaceae Acacia pulchella Papilionaceae Jacksonia furcellata Myrtaceae Astartea fasicularis Myrtaceae Eucalyptus marginata Myrtaceae Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis Myrtaceae * Eucalyptus sp. (planted) Myrtaceae Kunzea glabrescens Myrtaceae Melaleuca preissiana Asclepiadaceae * Gomphocarpus fruticosus Boraginaceae * Lolium sp. (dead) Lamiaceae * Mentha pulegium
1 The information supplied by the DEC is only an indication of the TECs that may be present.
2 To successfully record all species from an area surveys should be undertaken several times throughout the year. The majority of species occur through spring, however, there are some species that occur at different times of year, for example, Restionaceae and Cyperaceae families flower in autumn.
3 *: denotes introduced species.
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc Page 4 Asteraceae * Hypochaeris radicata Asteraceae * Ursinia anthemoides
Though the property probably originally contained three separate vegetation communities (based on neighbouring vegetation, soils and hydrology at the site), only one remains: a closed woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fasicularis and weeds (photo 1).
The condition of the vegetation varied between Degraded (almost no understorey remaining but overstorey intact) and Completely Degraded (cleared – see photo 2). The condition scale commonly used in the Perth metropolitan area and Bush Forever, Keighery (1994), was used for this assessment due to it providing a standardised scaling system that is widely known by Government agencies.
There were two trees on the western boundary of the property that are considered “habitat trees”. These were a Eucalyptus marginata (Jarrah), which contained potential nest hollows (photo 3: 389802mE, 6419632mN AMG84) and a Corymbia callophylla (Marri) which contained at least five large birds’ nests (photo 4: 389799mE, 6419784mN AMG84) (See Figure 3). The remnant vegetation stand in the middle of the property may also provide some habitat for wildlife, though no specific nesting sites were observed.
DISCUSSION
A total of 10 families, 18 genera and 20 taxa4 were recorded in the survey area, of which 13 were introduced species (taxa). This is a low level of diversity for a site of this size in this location. None of the taxa found were Declared Rare or Priority Flora taxa.
The condition of the vegetation across the property varies from Degraded (almost no native understorey remaining) to Completely Degraded (cleared) therefore has minimal ecological value and is not considered a constraint to development. The main area of vegetation that may be worthy of retention is the remaining stand of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. Rudis which is associated with the area mapped at Multiple Use Wetland (see next section). In addition to this there were two potential habitat trees on the western boundary of the property, adjacent to uncleared vegetation that would be worthy of retention in POS or Road Reserve (see Figure 3).
4 To successfully record all species from an area surveys should be undertaken several times throughout the year. The majority of species occur through spring, however, there are some species that occur at different times of year, for example, Restionaceae and Cyperaceae families flower in autumn.
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc Page 5 Due to the degraded nature and past land use of the property it is unlikely that any Declared Rare or Priority Flora species will be present within the property. Due to the scope of work and timing of the survey, several annual Declared Rare or Priority Flora species that have been found in surrounding areas could not be searched for. It is therefore considered that a spring survey may be required by DEC to determine if any significant flora species are present and to collect comprehensive flora data.
It is recommended that such a survey is undertaken this spring to avoid such a survey being required as a condition of subdivision.
Though the property probably originally contained three separate vegetation communities (based on neighbouring vegetation and hydrology at the site), only one remains: a closed woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fasicularis and weeds (photo 1). This is inferred as being equivalent to the floristic community type defined by Gibson et. al. (1994) as SCP11 Wet forests and woodlands. SCP11 is characterised by the dominant species E. rudis, A. fasicularis and Lepidosperma longitudinale. The site also had some similarity to the floristic community type SCP14 Deeper wetlands on sandy soils or SCP 13 Deeper Wetlands on heavy soils, which can contain some of the same species. Neither of these is listed as a Threatened Ecological Community.
In conclusion, the flora and vegetation does not appear to provide any obvious impediments to development on the site. However, a spring survey is recommended to definitely determine if any significant flora species are present and to collect comprehensive flora data. The vegetation provides opportunities for retention of habitat areas that would contribute to the landscape aesthetic of the ultimate development.
WETLANDS
The Department of Environment and Conservation categorises wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain based on an assessment of their conservation value. The eastern half of the site is identified as Multiple Use Category (MUC) Wetland by the DEC geomorphic wetland database (see Figure 4). Field observation confirms the portion of the site classified as Multiple Use Wetland has been largely cleared having limited conservation value.
The remaining vegetation present within this area is consistent with and indicative of wetland hydrology. The weed species present in the cleared areas of the site were not those typically present in seasonally inundated soils, though there were some that can be found in both seasonally inundated sites as well as upland sites. The site does not appear to be valued for its wetland characteristics, being fenced with no public access and used for horse grazing. The wetland is not currently identified as significant under any State or Federal Government listing or policy.
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc Page 6 Although the larger area of MUC wetland is not considered to have environmental value, the remnant vegetation within the MUC is considered to environmental value and is considered worthy of conservation.
INDIGENOUS HERITAGE
A preliminary review of indigenous heritage issues was undertaken for the site. A search on the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System for the area (MGA Zone 50 N 6419317 E 389727 and N 6420330 and E 390589) encompassing Lots 986 and 993 Baldivis Road. The search did not return any results which identified sites in the area designated (Appendix B). A search of surveys of Aboriginal Heritage indicated that 12 surveys have been conducted relevant to the area (Appendix C).
CONCLUSION
The site slopes very gently to the east, with elevations ranging from about 4m AHD to 2m AHD and can be described as predominantly flat.
Groundwater is 1.5 to 2m bgl (estimated to be at 3.5 to 3.0 m AHD) in the western areas of the site and falling to about 0.5 m bgl (around 2.5m AHD) in the eastern areas of the site, flowing in an easterly direction.
The flora and vegetation does not appear to provide any obvious impediments to development on the site but provide some opportunities for retention of habitat areas that would contribute to the landscape aesthetic of the ultimate development.
Due to the scope of work and timing of the vegetation survey, it is considered that a spring survey may be required by DEC to determine if any significant flora species are present and to collect comprehensive flora data.
The eastern half of the site is identified as Multiple Use Category (MUC) Wetland by the DEC geomorphic wetland database (see Figure 4). The site does not retain any wetland characteristics, being fenced with no public access and used for horse grazing and has been largely cleared apart from a small patch of remnant trees.
A preliminary review of indigenous heritage issues did not return any results which identified sites in the area designated.
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc Page 7
REFERENCES
Environment Australia (2001). A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia, Third Edition. Environment Australia, Canberra.
Department of Conservation and Environment (1983). Conservation Reserves for Western Australia as recommended by the Environmental Protection Authority, 1983. The Darling System. System 6, Part I and II. Department of Conservation and Environment, Perth, Western Australia.
Department of the Environment and Heritage (2007). Australian Heritage Database. [URL = http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl]
Department of Indigenous Affairs (2007). Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System. [URL = http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/Heritage/Inquiry/]
Government of Western Australia (2000). Bush Forever Volume 2: Directory of Bush Forever Sites. Department of Environmental Protection, Perth.
Gozzard JR. 1983. Fremantle Part Sheets 2033 I and 2033 IV, 1:50 000, Perth Metropolitan Region, Environmental Geology Series, Geological Survey of Western Australia.
LeProvost, Semeniuk & Chalmer (1987). The environmental significance of wetlands in the Perth to Bunbury Region. Western Australian Water Resources Council, Perth, Western Australia.
Ramsar.org (2006). The List of Wetlands of International Importance, 9 August 2006. [URL= http://www.ramsar.org/sitelist.pdf].
Gibson, N., Keighery, B, Keighery, G., Burbidge, A. and Lyons, M. (1994). A Floristic Survey of the Southern Swan Coastal Plain. Prepared by Department of Conservation and Land Management and the Western Australian Conservation Council for the Australian Heritage Commission, Perth.
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc Page 9 STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS
Scope of Services This environmental site assessment report (“the report”) has been prepared in accordance with the scope of services set out in the contract, or as otherwise agreed, between the Client and ENV.Australia Pty Ltd (ENV) (“scope of services”). In some circumstances the scope of services may have been limited by a range of factors such as time, budget, access and/or site disturbance constraints.
Reliance on Data In preparing the report, ENV has relied upon data, surveys, analyses, designs, plans and other information provided by the Client and other individuals and organisations, most of which are referred to in the report (“the data”). Except as otherwise stated in the report, ENV has not verified the accuracy or completeness of the data. To the extent that the statements, opinions, facts, information, conclusions and/or recommendations in the report (“conclusions”) are based in whole or part on the data, those conclusions are contingent upon the accuracy and completeness of the data. ENV will not be liable in relation to incorrect conclusions should any data, information or condition be incorrect or have been concealed, withheld, misrepresented or otherwise not fully disclosed to ENV.
Environmental Conclusions Within the limitations imposed by the scope of services, the monitoring, testing, sampling and preparation of this report have been undertaken and performed in a professional manner, in accordance with generally accepted practices and using a degree of skill and care ordinarily exercised by reputable environmental consultants under similar circumstances. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made.
Report for Benefit of Client The report has been prepared for the benefit of the Client and no other party. ENV assumes no responsibility and will not be liable to any other person or organisation for or in relation to any matter dealt with or conclusions expressed in the report, or for any loss or damage suffered by any other person or organisation arising from matters dealt with or conclusions expressed in the report (including without limitation matters arising from any negligent act or omission of ENV or for any loss or damage suffered by any other party relying upon the matters dealt with or conclusions expressed in the report). Other parties should not rely upon the report or the accuracy or completeness of any conclusions and should make their own enquiries and obtain independent advice in relation to such matters.
Other Limitations
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc Page 10 ENV will not be liable to update or revise the report to take into account any events or emergent circumstances or facts occurring or becoming apparent after the date of the report.
The scope of services did not include any assessment of the title to or ownership of the properties, buildings and structures referred to in the report nor the application or interpretation of laws in the jurisdiction in which those properties, buildings and structures are located.
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc Page 11 FIGURES
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc N
GOLF LINKS DRIVE Client: Taylor Burrell Barnett Job No: 07.045 Project: Lots 986 and 993 Baldivis Rd, Heritage Park Drawn By: NH FIGURE 1: Site Location Checked By: Scale: NTS 390000 Guildford Formation 390500 Seasonally Inundated Swamps & Depressions
Spearwood Sand Flat to Gently Lot 986
6420000 Undulating 6420000 Sand Plain Bassendean Sand Flat to Gently Undulating
advsRoad Baldivis Spearwood Sand Sand Plain Dune Ridges Guildford Formation Guildford Formation Swamp Poorly Drained Flats
Lot 993
Spearwood Sand Lower Slopes Serpentine Road of Dune Ridge
390000 390500
Legend Figure 2: Geomorphology & Soils Client: Taylor Burrell Barnett Study Area Boundary 0 100 200 Meters Job #: 07.045 Drawn: G Harewood Checked: E Oe Cadastral Boundaries MGA Zone 50 Date: 04/12/2005 Revision Number: 1 Very Good Good
Degraded Completely Degraded Marri (habitat tree)
Degraded
Jarrah (habitat tree) Open woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fasicularis and weeds
Very Good Good
Very Good
FIGURE 3: Vegetation
CLIENT: TBB
JOB NUMBER: 07.045 SCALE: NTS
DRAWN BY: RP CHECKED BY: DN DATE: 9 April 2007 SITE
Client:TBB Job No:07.045 Project: Heritage Park Drawn By: GR (16/3/2007) FIGURE 4: GEOMORPHIC WETLANDS Checked By: MD (date) Scale: NTS APPENDIX A SPECIES LIST
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc APPENDIX A
Conservation Conservation Family Taxa Code: FEDERAL Code: STATE
Amaranthaceae Ptilotus sericostachyus subsp. roseus Not listed 1 Anthericaceae Johnsonia pubescens subsp. cygnorum Not listed 2 Eryngium pinnatifidum subsp. palustre Apiaceae Keighery ms Not listed 3 Apiaceae Hydrocotyle lemnoides Not listed 4 Apocynaceae Parsonsia diaphanophleba Not listed 4 Aponogetonaceae Aponogeton hexatepalus Not listed 4 Asteraceae Angianthus micropodioides Not listed 3 Asteraceae Picris compacta Not listed 1 Brassicaceae Lepidium pseudohyssopifolium Not listed 1 Crassulaceae Crassula colorata var. miriamiae Not listed 2 Goodeniaceae Goodenia filiformis Not listed 4 Mimosaceae Acacia aphylla Vulnerable R Mimosaceae Acacia benthamii Not listed 2 Acacia lasiocarpa var. bracteolata long Mimosaceae peduncle variant Not listed 1 Myrtaceae Eucalyptus rudis subsp. cratyantha Not listed 4 Orchidaceae Caladenia huegelii Endangered R Orchidaceae Cyanicula ixioides subsp. ixioides Not listed 4 Orchidaceae Diuris drummondii Vulnerable R Orchidaceae Diuris purdiei Endangered R Orchidaceae Drakaea elastica Endangered R Orchidaceae Drakaea micrantha ms Vulnerable R Orchidaceae Thelymitra stellata Endangered R Papillionaceae Dillwynia dillwynioides Not listed 3 Papillionaceae Jacksonia sericea Not listed 4 Stylidiaceae Stylidium longitubum Not listed 3
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc APPENDIX B ABORIGINAL HERITAGE SEARCHES
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Register of Aboriginal Sites
Search Criteria
0 sites in street address '993 Baldivis Rd Baldivis'.
Disclaimer
Aboriginal sites exist that are not recorded on the Register of Aboriginal Sites, and some registered sites may no longer exist. Consultation with Aboriginal communities is on-going to identify additional sites. The AHA protects all Aboriginal sites in Western Australia whether or not they are registered.
Copyright
Copyright in the information contained herein is and shall remain the property of the State of Western Australia. All rights reserved. This includes, but is not limited to, information from the Register of Aboriginal Sites established and maintained under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA).
Legend
Restriction Access Status Coordinate Accuracy
N No restriction C Closed I Interim register Accuracy is shown as a code in brackets following the site coordinates.
M Male access only O Open P Permanent register [Reliable] The spatial information recorded in the site file is deemed to be reliable, due to methods of capture.
F Female access V Vulnerable S Stored data [Unreliable] The spatial information recorded in the site file is deemed to be unreliable due to errors of spatial data capture and/or quality of spatial information reported.
Spatial Accuracy
Index coordinates are indicative locations and may not necessarily represent the centre of sites, especially for sites with an access code “closed” or “vulnerable”. Map coordinates (Lat/Long) and (Easting/Northing) are based on the GDA 94 datum. The Easting / Northing map grid can be across one or more zones. The zone is indicated for each Easting on the map, i.e. '5000000:Z50' means Easting=5000000, Zone=50.
© Government of Western Australia Report created 10 Apr 2007 14:20:40. Identifier: 340510. Page 1 Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Register of Aboriginal Sites
Legend
Highlighted Area
Town
Map Area
Search Area
Copyright for base map information shall at all times remain the property of the Commonwealth of Australia, Geoscience Australia - National Mapping Division. All rights reserved.
Copyright for Native Title Land Claim, Local Government Authority, Mining Tenement boundaries shall at all times remain the property of the State of Western Australia, All rights reserved.
For further important information on using this information please see the Department of Indigenous Affairs’ Terms of Use statement at http://www.dia.wa.gov. au/terms.aspx
© Government of Western Australia Report created 10 Apr 2007 14:20:40. Identifier: 340510. Page 2 APPENDIX C ABORIGINAL HERITAGE SURVEYS
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Heritage Survey Database
Search Criteria
2 surveys in a search box. The box is formed by these diagonally opposed corner points:
MGA Zone 50 Northing Easting 6419222 389189 6420466 390872
Disclaimer
Heritage Surveys have been mapped using information from the reports and / or other relevant data sources. Heritage Surveys consisting of small discrete areas may not be visible except at large scales. Reports shown may not be held at DIA. Please consult report holder for more information. Refer to www.dia.wa.gov.au/heritage for information on requesting reports held by DIA.
Copyright
Copyright in the information contained herein is and shall remain the property of the State of Western Australia. All rights reserved. This includes, but is not limited to, information from the Register of Aboriginal Sites established and maintained under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA).
Legend
Access
Some reports are restricted. The type of restriction is shown as a code in brackets following the catalogue number. No code indicates an unrestricted report.
[CLOSED] Closed
[OWE] Open with exception
[TBD] To be determined
[RESTRICTED PENDING] Restricted pending
© Government of Western Australia Report created 15 Mar 2007 11:12:24. Identifier: 7315111227. Page 1 Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Heritage Survey Database
Survey 2268
Project Kwinana Freeway Southern Extension, Thomas road Start Date 01 Jul 1987 Proponents Main Roads Department Consultants Gary Quartermaine R. O'Connor Survey Types Archaeological and Ethnographic Aboriginal People Consulted? Yes Related Reports
Report ID Catalogue Number Title Recorders Held At
104248 HSR MW 1987 OCO Report on the Survey for Aboriginal Sites in the Vicinity of the Proposed Kwinana Gary Quartermaine DIA Freeway Southern Extension, Thomas Road to MRS Boundary. July-Aug 1987. Rory O'Connor P. Bennell
Survey 2274
Project The Perth Area. Start Date 01 Apr 1970 Proponents University of Western Australia Consultants University of Western Australia Survey Types Archaeological and Archaeological and Ethnographic Aboriginal People Consulted? No Related Reports
Report ID Catalogue Number Title Recorders Held At
103564 HSR MW 1972 UWA An Archaeological Survey Project: The Perth Area, Western Australia. Apr 1972. University of Western DIA Australia H. Polach
© Government of Western Australia Report created 15 Mar 2007 11:12:24. Identifier: 7315111227. Page 2 Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Heritage Survey Database
Survey 2274 (continued)
Related Reports (continued)
Report ID Catalogue Number Title Recorders Held At
104023 HSR MW 1971 HAL An Archaeological Survey Project. The Perth Arch. Area. Western Australia Report University of Western DIA no.4 April 1971. Australia H. Polach
© Government of Western Australia Report created 15 Mar 2007 11:12:24. Identifier: 7315111227. Page 3 Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System Heritage Survey Database
Legend
Highlighted Area
Town
Map Area
Search Area
Copyright for base map information shall at all times remain the property of the Commonwealth of Australia, Geoscience Australia - National Mapping Division. All rights reserved.
Copyright for Native Title Land Claim, Local Government Authority, Mining Tenement boundaries shall at all times remain the property of the State of Western Australia, All rights reserved.
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© Government of Western Australia Report created 15 Mar 2007 11:12:24. Identifier: 7315111227. Page 4 APPENDIX D PHOTOGRAPHS
07.045 RP001 Final.Doc Appendix D
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14 January 2014
Executive ManagerR Rockingham Park Pty Ltd c/o R Acumen Development Solutions Level 1, 14 Lyall Street SOUTH PERTH WA 6151
ATTENTION: Jarrod Rendell
Dear Jarrod,
SUBJECT: BLACK COCKATOO HABITAT AND CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANT FLORA ASSESSMENT Rockingham Park Pty Ltd (‘the client’) is embarking on development of the land known as Lots 986 & 993 Baldivis Road, Baldivis, [‘Heritage Park – Phase 2 (‘the survey area’)] for the purposes of residential subdivision (Figure 1). Greencap were engaged to undertake an assessment of black cockatoo habitat and conservation significant flora habitat on the survey area to ensure there are no major constraints to development. Location and Land use
The survey area is 18.8 ha in size and is located within the City of Rockingham, approximately 45km south of the Perth Central Business District and 13km southeast of the Rockingham town site (Figure 1).
The survey area was historically used for pastoral grazing and is essentially cleared of the majority of native vegetation. At present, the land is unused freehold land.
Objectives
The objectives of the black cockatoo habitat and conservation significant flora assessment were to:
Determine the presence of any potential black cockatoo foraging, roosting and/or breeding habitat within the survey area; Undertake a survey of the remnant vegetation on the survey area to determine the likely presence of any Conservation Significant Flora; Inform the local structure plan and subdivision design processes.
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Flora and Vegetation
The majority of the survey area is essentially devoid of native vegetation. However, a linear strip of vegetation, which corresponds to the ‘Guildford Formation – Seasonally Inundated Swamps and Depressions’ soil unit, exists in a northeast to southwest orientation within Lot 993.
A survey undertaken by ENV in March 2007 identified this patch of vegetation to be ‘Open woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fascicularis and weeds’ (Figure 2). Another smaller portion of Melaleuca sp. exists in the north-eastern portion of the survey area, within Lot 986. This is surrounded by essentially monocultures of the exotic reed and grass species.
There are a few additional potential habitat trees scattered over the survey area. The regional Tramway Reserve is located immediately adjacent to the western survey area boundary and this portion of the linear corridor is reasonably well vegetated with native vegetation, except the very northern portion and southern area adjacent to the survey area (Figure 2).
Black Cockatoo Background Information
Based on the 2011 distribution maps for black cockatoos in the south west of Western Australia in the referral guidelines (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities [DSEWPaC] 2012), all three of the black cockatoo species are likely to occur in the project area: the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo ((Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) FRBC), Baudin’s Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) and Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris). These species are protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and the WC Act (Table 1).
Table 1: Conservation status of black cockatoo species that potentially occur in the project area.
COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Conservation Code
EPBC Act WC Act Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii naso VU S1 Baudin’s Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus baudinii VU S1 Carnaby's Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus latirostris EN S1 Key: EPBC= Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 , WC= Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, VU = vulnerable, EN = endangered and S1 = Schedule 1.
There is an increasing focus by regulatory authorities on proposals that have the potential to impact on black cockatoo habitat. The 2012 referral guidelines for black cockatoos have been developed in order to determine whether a proposed action is likely to have a significant impact and whether a referral is required (Table 2).
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Table 2: DSEWPaC Black Cockatoo Referral Guidelines (DSEWPaC 2012).
High risk of significant impacts: referral recommended Clearing of any known nesting tree.
Clearing or degradation of any part of a vegetation community known to contain breeding habitat. Clearing of more than 1 ha of quality foraging habitat.
Clearing or degradation (including pruning the top canopy) of a known night roosting site. Creating a gap of greater than 4 km between patches of black cockatoo habitat (breeding, foraging or roosting).
Uncertainty: referral recommended or contact the department Degradation (such as through altered hydrology or fire regimes) of more than 1 ha of foraging habitat. Significance will depend on the level and extent of degradation and the quality of the habitat.
Clearing or disturbance in areas surrounding black cockatoo breeding habitat that has the potential to degrade habitat through introduction of invasive species, edge effects, hydrological changes, increased human visitation or fire.
Actions that do not directly affect the listed species but that have the potential for indirect impacts such as increasing competitors for nest hollows.
Actions with the potential to introduce known plant diseases such as Phytophthora spp. to an area where the pathogen was not previously known.
Low risk of significant impacts: referral may not be required but you may refer for legal certainty Actions that do not affect black cockatoo habitat or individuals. Actions whose impacts occur outside the modeled distribution of the three black cockatoos.
METHODS
All surveys undertaken by Greencap were performed to meet the requirements of the following Federal and State legislation:
EPBC Act; Environmental Protection Act 1986; and Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WC Act).
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The survey also complied with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for environmental surveying and reporting in Western Australia, as set out in:
EPA Position Statements 2, 3 and 4; and EPA Guidance Statements 10, 51 and 56. Conservation Significant Flora Assessment Methods
Database Review A database review provided background information on the flora and vegetation of the survey area. The following databases were searched for:
Threatened Flora and Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) listed under the EPBC Act;
Declared Rare and Threatened Flora listed under the WA Wildlife Conservation Notice;
Priority Flora listed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW);
Other conservation significant flora;
TECs endorsed by the Western Australian Minister for the Environment;
Priority Ecological Communities (PECs) recognised by the DPaW;
Other conservation significant vegetation;
Declared plants listed under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976; and
Other significant weed species. Conservation Significant Flora Field Assessment A field assessment was conducted on the 19th of November 2013 by a Principal Botanist. The botanist conducted transect searches for conservation significant flora across the vegetated areas of the survey area. If any plant or population were suspected to be of a Threatened or Priority status, coordinates were recorded. If the identity of some specimens could not be validated in the field they were taken back to the office for further examination.
Black Cockatoo Habitat Assessment Methods
Black Cockatoo Foraging Assessment During the black cockatoo field survey on the 19th of November 2013, known foraging resources were recorded including their distribution throughout the survey area, particularly species that are dominant on the survey area. In areas where black cockatoos have been feeding, the remains of food on the ground (often chewed eucalypt nuts) can be attributed to one of the three black cockatoo species. One of the most
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important indicators is the fruit of the Corymbia calophylla (Marri tree). Marri fruit that has only minor damage to the outer lip of the fruit indicates Baudin’s Cockatoo foraging, as it uses its long bill to access the seeds inside. Where the fruit is damaged more extensively, especially on the main body of the fruit, it is likely that Carnaby’s Cockatoo or Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (FRBC) have been feeding. The severed new growth, developing flower heads and chewed seed pods of Banksias are also a good indicator of black cockatoo feeding. Recent damage to bark is regarded as black cockatoo feeding activity along with the stripping of pine needles and cones (Cale 2003). Potential foraging plants were identified and the ground under these plants was searched for any evidence of black cockatoo foraging. The distribution of known foraging resources within the survey area was recorded.
Black Cockatoo Roosting Assessment The black cockatoo referral guidelines regard roosting habitat for black cockatoos as any tall tree in the Perth metropolitan area (DSEWPaC 2012). Outside of the metropolitan area, roost sites are generally found in or near riparian environments or natural and artificial water sources for Baudin’s and Carnaby’s Cockatoos and tall Eucalyptus marginata (Jarrah) and Marri trees in or on the edge of forests for FRBC (DSEWPaC 2012). Any tall Jarrah and Marri trees were examined for evidence of roosting activity (presence of feathers and droppings) and if found were recorded (GPS location, species and height).
Black Cockatoo Breeding Assessment Breeding habitat assessment is particularly important for any assessment of impacts upon black cockatoos. To determine the breeding potential of the survey area in accordance with DSEWPaC referral guidelines, a habitat assessment was undertaken.
In the DSEWPaC black cockatoo referral guidelines, any patch of woodland or forest that contains live or dead trees of the appropriate species with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 50 cm or greater, or the presence of a suitable nest hollow is classified as breeding habitat (DSEWPaC 2012).
Native trees of suitable species that are 50 cm or greater DBH are classified as mature trees and have the potential for breeding hollows to develop (DSEWPaC 2012).
To determine if trees in the survey area have suitable breeding hollows, the following criteria were assessed for each mature tree (based on Gibbons & Lindenmayer 2002):
Minimum entrance width of a hollow; Diameter of the branch on which the hollow occurred; Whether the branch was living, part-dead or dead; and Whether the tree has multiple hollows.
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RESULTS
State Listed Flora Species Greencap requested a search of the Department of Parks and Wildlife’s (DPaW’s) database on the 4 th of November 2013 to obtain information on Threatened and Priority Flora species occurring within a 10km radius of the survey area. These database searches have been produced from a list of species that were recorded from surveys undertaken in areas surrounding the survey area. A total of 29 flora species were listed on the DPaW’s significant flora databases (November, 2013). Of the 29 flora species found in the DER databases, six have been gazetted as ‘Threatened’ under the WC Act and 23 are listed ‘Priority’ species (Table 3).
Table 3: Conservation significant flora identified in the DPaW’s Database search (DPaW 2013a).
Conservation Status Species Caladenia huegelii Drakea elastica Threatened/ Critically Endangered Synaphea sp. Verticordia plumosa var. ananeotes Tetraria australiensis Threatened/ Vulnerable Diuris drummondii Acacia lasiocarpa var. bracteolata Priority 1 Boronia juncea subsp. juncea Synaphea odocoileops Acacia benthamii Priority 2 Cardamine paucijuga Johnsonia pubescens subsp. cygnorum Beyeria cinerea subsp. cinerea Cyathochaeta teretifolia Dillwynia dillwynioides Eryngium pinnatifidum subsp. Palustre Jacksonia gracillima Priority 3 Pimelea calcicola Schoenus capillifolius Sphaerolobium calcicola Stylidium longitubum Thelymitra variegata Aponogeton hexatepalus Priority 4 Dodonaea hackettiana Eucalyptus rudis subsp. cratyantha
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Conservation Status Species Jacksonia sericea Parsonsia diaphanophleba Stylidium ireneae Verticordia lindleyi subsp. lindleyi
No State listed flora species were found during the spring field assessment on the 19th of November 2013.
Threatened Ecological Communities and Priority Ecological Communities Greencap requested a search of the DPaW’s database on the 17th of May 2013 to obtain information on Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities (TECs and PECs). The search did not identify any TECs or PECs occurring on survey area. However, two sub-communities of one TEC and three PECs were identified as occurring within 5km of the survey area (DPaW 2013b).
The TEC’s recorded within 5km of the survey area include:
‘Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales of the southern Swan Coastal Plain (SCP19a)’ ‘Woodlands over sedgelands in Holocene dune swales of the southern Swan Coastal Plain (SCP19b)’
The closest TEC potential occurrence, taking into account its buffer, is ‘SCP19a’, located 2.8km from the survey area.
The PEC’s recorded within 5km of the survey area include:
‘Low lying Banksia attenuata woodlands or shrublands (Community Type 21c)’ ‘Southern Eucalyptus gomphocephala-Agonis flexuosa woodlands (Community Type 25)’ ‘Microbial community of a coastal saline lake (Lake Walyungup)’
The closest potential PEC occurrence is ‘Community Type 21c’, which is located approximately 1.4km from the survey area.
No TEC’s or PEC’s were found during the spring field assessment on the 19th of November 2013.
Federally Listed Flora Species Greencap undertook a DSEWPaC ‘Protected Matters’ search for the survey area on the 4th of November 2013 to obtain information on whether any ‘Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES)’ occur within 5km of the survey area. The ‘Protected Matters’ search identified 11 flora species as potentially occurring within the survey area (Appendix A and Table 4).
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Table 4: Flora species listed as ‘Threatened’ MNES under the EPBC Act. Scientific name Common Name Conservation Status as listed under EPBC Act
Andersonia gracilis Slender Andersonia Endangered Caladenia huegelii King Spider-orchid Endangered Centrolepis caespitosa Matted Centrolepis Endangered Darwinia foetida Muchea Bell Critically Endangered Diuris micrantha Dwarf Bee-orchid Vulnerable Diuris purdiei Purdie’s Donkey-orchid Endangered
Drakea elastica Glossy-leaved Hammer Critically Endangered Orchid Drakaea micrantha Dwarf Hammer-orchid Vulnerable Eucalyptus balanites Cadda Road Mallee, Cadda Endangered Mallee Lepidosperma rostratum Beaked Lepidosperma Endangered Synaphea stenoloba Dwellingup Synaphea Endangered
No Federally listed flora species were found during the spring field assessment on the 19th of November 2013.
Black Cockatoos
Black Cockatoo Foraging Assessment The vegetation of the survey area consists of woodland that is dominated by Eucalyptus rudis (Flooded Gum), Astartea fasicularis and weeds, none of which are foraging resources. A total of five plant species that are known foraging resources for black cockatoos (Shah 2006; Valentine & Stock 2008) were recorded in the survey area during the assessment (Table 5). Foraging evidence of a FRBC was found underneath one Marri tree (HT3).
Table 5: Black Cockatoo Foraging Resources.
Species Foraging Resource Callistemon viminalis Flower, Seed Corymbia calophylla Flower, Seed, Nectar Eucalyptus marginata Seed
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Species Foraging Resource Jacksonia furcellata Flower, Seed Melia azedarach Flower
Black Cockatoo Roosting Assessment A total of four large trees were classified as being potential roosting sites in the survey area as they were of suitable height (12R25 meters [m]) and contained a dense canopy. However no roosting evidence (droppings or feathers) was recorded around the trees.
Black Cockatoo Breeding Assessment During the black cockatoo habitat assessment a total of 18 trees with a DBH of 50 cm or greater were recorded in the survey area (Table 6). This consists of three Marri, three Jarrah and 12 Flooded Gum trees. One Jarrah tree contains two breeding hollows, one small and one medium (Figure 3). Habitat trees with a hollow entrance diameter of greater than 10 cm and are considered to be of suitable breeding habitat for black cockatoos. The medium hollow in the Jarrah tree is considered to be of suitable breeding habitat.
Table 6: Habitat trees found within the survey area.
Height Foraging Size of Habitat Tree Species Name #Eastings #Northings DBH (cm) (m) Evidence Hollows
HT1 Corymbia calophylla 389937 6419950 120 12 No Nil HT2 Corymbia calophylla 389935 6419946 120 12 No Nil Yes HT3 Corymbia calophylla 389945 6419935 250 20 Nil FRBC HT4 Eucalyptus marginata 389940 6419825 50 10 No Nil HT5 Eucalyptus marginata 389945 6419811 90 10 No Nil 1 x small HT6 Eucalyptus marginata 389944 6419775 300 12 No 1 x medium HT7 Eucalyptus rudis 390037 6419648 100 8 No Nil HT8 Eucalyptus rudis 390055 6419674 110 8 No Nil HT9 Eucalyptus rudis 390061 6419675 60 8 No Nil HT10 Eucalyptus rudis 390068 6419678 60 5 No Nil HT11 Eucalyptus rudis 390094 6419708 50 7 No Nil HT12 Eucalyptus rudis 390115 6419724 140 8 No Nil HT13 Eucalyptus rudis 390108 6419741 60 8 No Nil HT14 Eucalyptus rudis 390114 6419741 250 9 No Nil HT15 Eucalyptus rudis 390161 6419738 120 7 No Nil HT16 Eucalyptus rudis 390176 6419844 100 7 No Nil
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Height Foraging Size of Habitat Tree Species Name #Eastings #Northings DBH (cm) (m) Evidence Hollows
HT17 Eucalyptus rudis 390184 6419861 60 6 No Nil HT18 Eucalyptus rudis 390138 6420047 90 7 No Nil
Definition of Hollow Size Size Entrance Diameter Small Under 10 cm diameter Medium 10R20 cm diameter Large 20 cm or more
DISCUSSION Conservation Significant Flora The majority of the survey area is essentially devoid of native vegetation and was not found to support any flora species of conservation significance at either a State or Federal level during the field assessment. It is considered highly unlikely that any flora species of conservation significance occur in the survey area as the field survey was undertaken in spring, which is when majority of the flora species found within the databases flower and are therefore identifiable.
Black Cockatoos The survey area was assessed on three key functions that the black cockatoos undertake within the vegetation that includes: foraging, roosting and breeding. The referral guidelines state that any area within the range of black cockatoos that contains known food or nesting plant species is considered to be habitat for these species (DSEWPaC 2012).
The survey area contains five known foraging resource species for the black cockatoos. Foraging evidence of the FRBC was recorded during the field survey. Due to the survey area occurring within the known range of all three black cockatoo species and containing food species consumed by these species it is classified as foraging habitat for black cockatoos. The DSWEPaC referral guidelines state that clearing of more than 1 ha of quality foraging habitat would be considered a ‘high risk of significant impact’. As the proposed concept plan for the study area is to retain the majority of Eucalypt woodland, which is by far the biggest patch of potential black cockatoo habitat, clearing of minor foraging habitat would not cause a significant impact.
A total of four large trees were classified as being potential roosting sites in the survey area as they were of suitable height (12R25 m) and contained a dense canopy. However no roosting evidence (droppings or feathers) was recorded around the trees.
The survey area contains three Marri, three Jarrah and twelve Flooded Gum trees that have suitable dimensions to be classified as potential breeding habitat (a total of 18 potential breeding trees). One Jarrah
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REFERENCES
Cale, B. (2003). Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) Recovery Plan. Perth: Department of Conservation and Land Management.
Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) (2013a). DPaW database Search 11-1113FL. Department of Parks and Wildlife.
Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) (2013b). DPaW database Search 51-0513FL. Department of Parks and Wildlife.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC). (2012). EPBC Act referral guidelines for three threatened black cockatoo species: Carnaby’s cockatoo (‘Endangered’) Calyptorhynhus latirostris, Baudin’s cockatoo (‘Vulnerable’) Calyptorhynchus baudinii and Forest red-tailed black cockatoo (‘Vulnerable’) Calyptorhynchus banksii naso. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/pubs/referral-guidelines-wa-black-cockatoo.pdf
Gibbons, B., and Lindenmayer, D. (2002). Tree Hollows and Wildlife Conservation in Australia. Melbourne: CSIRO Publishing.
Shah, B. (2006). Conservation of Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo on the Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia. Perth: Birds Australia.
Valentine, L. E., & Stock, W. (2008). Food Resources of Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) in the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy Study Area. Western Australia: Edith Cowan University and Department of Environment and Conservation.
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FIGURES
J122474-001-RH 13
Maramup Pool Kwinana
Ba ld iv is
Lot 986
Road
Lot 993
F
r
eeway
0 10 Perth CBD
Kilometres
Fremantle
Rockingham Baldivis Site Location
CLIENT JOB NO. DATE Rockingham Park Pty Ltd J122474 14-01-14 Site Location AUTHOR DRAWN SCALE ± R. Halton M. Mikkonen 1:10,000 @ A4 0 100 200 Heritage Park Phase 2 Flora and PROJECTION Black Cockatoo Habitat GDA 94 MGA 50 Metres Assessment FIGURE 1 Flooded Gum
Marri Marri Marri
Jarrah Jarrah
Jarrah
Legend
Phase 2 Boundary Potential Habitat Tree Open woodland of Eucalyptus rudis subsp. rudis over Astartea fasicularis and weeds (ENV 2007) Stand of Melaleuca sp. (ENV 2012)
CLIENT JOB NO. DATE Rockingham Park Pty Ltd J122474 14-01-14 Native Vegetation AUTHOR DRAWN SCALE ± R. Halton M. Mikkonen 1:3,000 @ A4 0 50 100 PROJECTION Heritage Park Phase 2 Flora and GDA 94 MGA 50 Metres Black Cockatoo Habitat FIGURE Assessment 2 GF
Legend
Phase 2 Boundary GF Tree with hollow Corymbia calophylla (Marri) Tree without hollow Eucalyptus marginata (Jarrah) HT3- Foraging Evidence Eucalyptus rudis (Flooded Gum)
CLIENT JOB NO. DATE Rockingham Park Pty Ltd J122474 14-01-14 Potential Black Cockatoo AUTHOR DRAWN SCALE ± Breeding Habitat Trees R. Halton M. Mikkonen 1:3,000 @ A4 0 50 100 PROJECTION Heritage Park Phase 2 Flora and GDA 94 MGA 50 Metres Black Cockatoo Habitat FIGURE Assessment 3
APPENDICES
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EPBC Act Protected Matters Report
This report provides general guidance on matters of national environmental significance and other matters protected by the EPBC Act in the area you have selected.
Information on the coverage of this report and qualifications on data supporting this report are contained in the caveat at the end of the report.
Information is available about Environment Assessments and the EPBC Act including significance guidelines, forms and application process details.
Report created: 04/11/13 18:55:39
Summary Details Matters of NES Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act Extra Information Caveat Acknowledgements
This map may contain data which are ©Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia), ©PSMA 2010
Coordinates Buffer: 5.0Km Summary
Matters of National Environmental Significance
This part of the report summarises the matters of national environmental significance that may occur in, or may relate to, the area you nominated. Further information is available in the detail part of the report, which can be accessed by scrolling or following the links below. If you are proposing to undertake an activity that may have a significant impact on one or more matters of national environmental significance then you should consider the Administrative Guidelines on Significance.
World Heritage Properties: None National Heritage Places: None Wetlands of International Importance: 2 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: None Commonwealth Marine Areas: None Listed Threatened Ecological Communities: 1 Listed Threatened Species: 22 Listed Migratory Species: 7
Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act
This part of the report summarises other matters protected under the Act that may relate to the area you nominated. Approval may be required for a proposed activity that significantly affects the environment on Commonwealth land, when the action is outside the Commonwealth land, or the environment anywhere when the action is taken on Commonwealth land. Approval may also be required for the Commonwealth or Commonwealth agencies proposing to take an action that is likely to have a significant impact on the environment anywhere.
The EPBC Act protects the environment on Commonwealth land, the environment from the actions taken on Commonwealth land, and the environment from actions taken by Commonwealth agencies. As heritage values of a place are part of the 'environment', these aspects of the EPBC Act protect the Commonwealth Heritage values of a Commonwealth Heritage place and the heritage values of a place on the Register of the National Estate.
This part of the report summarises other matters protected under the Act that may relate to the area you nominated. Approval may be required for a proposed activity that significantly affects the environment on Commonwealth land, when the action is outside the Commonwealth land, or the environment anywhere when the action is taken on Commonwealth land. Approval may also be required for the Commonwealth or Commonwealth agencies proposing to take an action that is likely to have a significant impact on the environment anywhere.
A permit may be required for activities in or on a Commonwealth area that may affect a member of a listed threatened species or ecological community, a member of a listed migratory species, whales and other cetaceans, or a member of a listed marine species.
Commonwealth Land: 1 Commonwealth Heritage Places: None Listed Marine Species: 7 Whales and Other Cetaceans: None Critical Habitats: None Commonwealth Reserves Terrestrial: None Commonwealth Reserves Marine None Extra Information
This part of the report provides information that may also be relevant to the area you have nominated.
Place on the RNE: 10 State and Territory Reserves: None Regional Forest Agreements: None Invasive Species: 36 Nationally Important Wetlands: None Key Ecological Features (Marine) None
Details
Matters of National Environmental Significance Wetlands of International Importance (RAMSAR) [ Resource Information ] Name Proximity Becher point wetlands Within 10km of Ramsar Peel-yalgorup system Upstream from Ramsar
Listed Threatened Ecological Communities [ Resource Information ] For threatened ecological communities where the distribution is well known, maps are derived from recovery plans, State vegetation maps, remote sensing imagery and other sources. Where threatened ecological community distributions are less well known, existing vegetation maps and point location data are used to produce indicative distribution maps. Name Status Type of Presence Sedgelands in Holocene dune swales of the Endangered Community known to southern Swan Coastal Plain occur within area Listed Threatened Species [ Resource Information ] Name Status Type of Presence Birds Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern [1001] Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area Calyptorhynchus banksii naso Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo [67034] Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area Calyptorhynchus baudinii Baudin's Black-Cockatoo, Long-billed Black- Vulnerable Species or species Cockatoo [769] habitat likely to occur within area Calyptorhynchus latirostris Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo, Short-billed Black- Endangered Breeding likely to occur Cockatoo [59523] within area Leipoa ocellata Malleefowl [934] Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area Rostratula australis Australian Painted Snipe [77037] Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Sternula nereis nereis Australian Fairy Tern [82950] Vulnerable Species or species habitat known to occur within area Name Status Type of Presence Mammals Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi Woylie [66844] Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area Dasyurus geoffroii Chuditch, Western Quoll [330] Vulnerable Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Pseudocheirus occidentalis Western Ringtail Possum [25911] Vulnerable Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Setonix brachyurus Quokka [229] Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area Plants Andersonia gracilis Slender Andersonia [14470] Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area Caladenia huegelii King Spider-orchid, Grand Spider-orchid, Rusty Endangered Species or species Spider-orchid [7309] habitat likely to occur within area Centrolepis caespitosa [6393] Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Darwinia foetida Muchea Bell [83190] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Diuris micrantha Dwarf Bee-orchid [55082] Vulnerable Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Diuris purdiei Purdie's Donkey-orchid [12950] Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Drakaea elastica Glossy-leafed Hammer-orchid, Praying Virgin Endangered Species or species [16753] habitat likely to occur within area Drakaea micrantha Dwarf Hammer-orchid [56755] Vulnerable Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Eucalyptus balanites Cadda Road Mallee, Cadda Mallee [24264] Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Lepidosperma rostratum Beaked Lepidosperma [14152] Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Synaphea stenoloba Dwellingup Synaphea [66311] Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area Listed Migratory Species [ Resource Information ] * Species is listed under a different scientific name on the EPBC Act - Threatened Species list. Name Threatened Type of Presence Migratory Marine Birds Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift [678] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Migratory Terrestrial Species Name Threatened Type of Presence Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle [943] Species or species habitat known to occur within area Leipoa ocellata Malleefowl [934] Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater [670] Species or species habitat may occur within area Migratory Wetlands Species Ardea alba Great Egret, White Egret [59541] Species or species habitat known to occur within area Ardea ibis Cattle Egret [59542] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Rostratula benghalensis (sensu lato) Painted Snipe [889] Endangered* Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act Commonwealth Land [ Resource Information ] The Commonwealth area listed below may indicate the presence of Commonwealth land in this vicinity. Due to the unreliability of the data source, all proposals should be checked as to whether it impacts on a Commonwealth area, before making a definitive decision. Contact the State or Territory government land department for further information. Name Commonwealth Land -
Listed Marine Species [ Resource Information ] * Species is listed under a different scientific name on the EPBC Act - Threatened Species list. Name Threatened Type of Presence Birds Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift [678] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Ardea alba Great Egret, White Egret [59541] Species or species habitat known to occur within area Ardea ibis Cattle Egret [59542] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle [943] Species or species habitat known to occur within area Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater [670] Species or species habitat may occur within area Pandion haliaetus Osprey [952] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Rostratula benghalensis (sensu lato) Painted Snipe [889] Endangered* Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Extra Information Places on the RNE [ Resource Information ] Note that not all Indigenous sites may be listed. Name State Status Natural Baldivis Swamp WA Indicative Place Beenyup Swamp WA Indicative Place Churcher Swamp WA Indicative Place Folly Pool WA Indicative Place Maramanup Pool WA Indicative Place Outridge Swamp WA Indicative Place Stakehill Swamp WA Indicative Place Tamworth Hill Swamp WA Indicative Place Lakes Cooloongup and Walyungup and Surrounds WA Registered Lowlands West Block WA Registered
Invasive Species [ Resource Information ] Weeds reported here are the 20 species of national significance (WoNS), along with other introduced plants that are considered by the States and Territories to pose a particularly significant threat to biodiversity. The following feral animals are reported: Goat, Red Fox, Cat, Rabbit, Pig, Water Buffalo and Cane Toad. Maps from Landscape Health Project, National Land and Water Resouces Audit, 2001. Name Status Type of Presence Birds Acridotheres tristis Common Myna, Indian Myna [387] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Anas platyrhynchos Mallard [974] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch [403] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Columba livia Rock Pigeon, Rock Dove, Domestic Pigeon [803] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Passer domesticus House Sparrow [405] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Passer montanus Eurasian Tree Sparrow [406] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Name Status Type of Presence Streptopelia chinensis Spotted Turtle-Dove [780] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Streptopelia senegalensis Laughing Turtle-dove, Laughing Dove [781] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling [389] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Turdus merula Common Blackbird, Eurasian Blackbird [596] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Mammals Bos taurus Domestic Cattle [16] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Canis lupus familiaris Domestic Dog [82654] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Felis catus Cat, House Cat, Domestic Cat [19] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Funambulus pennantii Northern Palm Squirrel, Five-striped Palm Squirrel Species or species [129] habitat likely to occur within area Mus musculus House Mouse [120] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit, European Rabbit [128] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Rattus norvegicus Brown Rat, Norway Rat [83] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Rattus rattus Black Rat, Ship Rat [84] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Vulpes vulpes Red Fox, Fox [18] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Plants Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper, Bridal Veil Creeper, Smilax, Species or species Florist's Smilax, Smilax Asparagus [22473] habitat likely to occur within area Brachiaria mutica Para Grass [5879] Species or species habitat may occur within area Cenchrus ciliaris Buffel-grass, Black Buffel-grass [20213] Species or species habitat may occur within area Chrysanthemoides monilifera Bitou Bush, Boneseed [18983] Species or species habitat may occur within area Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera Boneseed [16905] Species or species habitat likely to occur Name Status Type of Presence within area Genista linifolia Flax-leaved Broom, Mediterranean Broom, Flax Species or species Broom [2800] habitat likely to occur within area Genista sp. X Genista monspessulana Broom [67538] Species or species habitat may occur within area Lantana camara Lantana, Common Lantana, Kamara Lantana, Species or species Large-leaf Lantana, Pink Flowered Lantana, Red habitat likely to occur Flowered Lantana, Red-Flowered Sage, White within area Sage, Wild Sage [10892] Lycium ferocissimum African Boxthorn, Boxthorn [19235] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Olea europaea Olive, Common Olive [9160] Species or species habitat may occur within area Opuntia spp. Prickly Pears [82753] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Pinus radiata Radiata Pine Monterey Pine, Insignis Pine, Wilding Species or species Pine [20780] habitat may occur within area Rubus fruticosus aggregate Blackberry, European Blackberry [68406] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Salix spp. except S.babylonica, S.x calodendron & S.x reichardtii Willows except Weeping Willow, Pussy Willow and Species or species Sterile Pussy Willow [68497] habitat likely to occur within area Salvinia molesta Salvinia, Giant Salvinia, Aquarium Watermoss, Species or species Kariba Weed [13665] habitat likely to occur within area Tamarix aphylla Athel Pine, Athel Tree, Tamarisk, Athel Tamarisk, Species or species Athel Tamarix, Desert Tamarisk, Flowering habitat likely to occur Cypress, Salt Cedar [16018] within area Reptiles Hemidactylus frenatus Asian House Gecko [1708] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Coordinates -32.35285 115.83178
Caveat The information presented in this report has been provided by a range of data sources as acknowledged at the end of the report. This report is designed to assist in identifying the locations of places which may be relevant in determining obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It holds mapped locations of World Heritage and Register of National Estate properties, Wetlands of International Importance, Commonwealth and State/Territory reserves, listed threatened, migratory and marine species and listed threatened ecological communities. Mapping of Commonwealth land is not complete at this stage. Maps have been collated from a range of sources at various resolutions.
Not all species listed under the EPBC Act have been mapped (see below) and therefore a report is a general guide only. Where available data supports mapping, the type of presence that can be determined from the data is indicated in general terms. People using this information in making a referral may need to consider the qualifications below and may need to seek and consider other information sources.
For threatened ecological communities where the distribution is well known, maps are derived from recovery plans, State vegetation maps, remote sensing imagery and other sources. Where threatened ecological community distributions are less well known, existing vegetation maps and point location data are used to produce indicative distribution maps.
For species where the distributions are well known, maps are digitised from sources such as recovery plans and detailed habitat studies. Where appropriate, core breeding, foraging and roosting areas are indicated under 'type of presence'. For species whose distributions are less well known, point locations are collated from government wildlife authorities, museums, and non-government organisations; bioclimatic distribution models are generated and these validated by experts. In some cases, the distribution maps are based solely on expert knowledge.
Only selected species covered by the following provisions of the EPBC Act have been mapped: - migratory and - marine The following species and ecological communities have not been mapped and do not appear in reports produced from this database: - threatened species listed as extinct or considered as vagrants - some species and ecological communities that have only recently been listed - some terrestrial species that overfly the Commonwealth marine area - migratory species that are very widespread, vagrant, or only occur in small numbers The following groups have been mapped, but may not cover the complete distribution of the species: - non-threatened seabirds which have only been mapped for recorded breeding sites - seals which have only been mapped for breeding sites near the Australian continent Such breeding sites may be important for the protection of the Commonwealth Marine environment. Acknowledgements This database has been compiled from a range of data sources. The department acknowledges the following custodians who have contributed valuable data and advice: -Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales -Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria -Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania -Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Australia -Parks and Wildlife Service NT, NT Dept of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts -Environmental and Resource Management, Queensland -Department of Environment and Conservation, Western Australia -Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water -Birds Australia -Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme -Australian National Wildlife Collection -Natural history museums of Australia -Museum Victoria -Australian Museum -SA Museum -Queensland Museum -Online Zoological Collections of Australian Museums -Queensland Herbarium -National Herbarium of NSW -Royal Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium of Victoria -Tasmanian Herbarium -State Herbarium of South Australia -Northern Territory Herbarium -Western Australian Herbarium -Australian National Herbarium, Atherton and Canberra -University of New England -Ocean Biogeographic Information System -Australian Government, Department of Defence -State Forests of NSW -Geoscience Australia -CSIRO -Other groups and individuals
The Department is extremely grateful to the many organisations and individuals who provided expert advice and information on numerous draft distributions.
Please feel free to provide feedback via the Contact Us page.
© Commonwealth of Australia Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia +61 2 6274 1111
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Strategen was commissioned to undertake a flora assessment of the Heritage Park Phase 2 Project Area (the Project Area).
The scope of work undertaken was as follows: • significant flora assessment – desktop and targeted field assessment in accordance with State Government endorsed methodology and the Draft Survey Guidelines for Australia’s Threatened Orchids Guidelines for Detecting Orchids Listed as ‘Threatened’ Under The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 published by the Commonwealth Department of the Environment • inspection of a previously identified tree hollow to identify any recent use by black cockatoos.
A desktop review was undertaken prior to mobilising for the field component of the flora assessment, and included: • developing a list of Threatened and Priority Flora species potentially occurring within or near the Survey Area by undertaking searches of the following databases: ∗ Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) Protected Matters Search Tool (2 km buffer) (DotE 2014) ∗ Department of Parks and Wildlife Naturemap database (5 km buffer) (DPaW 2014a) • reviewing checklists appended to Draft Survey Guidelines for Australia’s Threatened Orchids Guidelines for Detecting Orchids Listed as ‘Threatened’ Under The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The following reports pertaining to environmental assessments of the Project Area were also reviewed for relevant information: • Black Cockatoo Habitat and Conservation Significant Flora Assessment (Greencap Consulting 2014) • Lots 986 & 993 Baldivis Road, Baldivis, Heritage Park – Phase 2, Environmental Assessment Report (ENV 2013) • Environmental Assessment. Heritage Park Estate, Lots 986 And 993 Baldivis Rd, Baldivis (ENV 2007).
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The desktop review determined any conservation significant species known to occur within a 5 km radius of a central point of the Project Area (Table 1). An assessment was conducted of the likelihood of any of the species occurring within the Project Area based on preferred habitat and known distribution of each species.
Table 1: Conservation significant species identified as potentially occurring within 5 km of Project Area Conservation status Species Likelihood of occurrence at site EPBC Act WC Act Andersonia gracilis - Endangered Threatened Unlikely. Species is currently only known from the Slender Andersonia Badgingarra, Dandaragan and Kenwick areas (DEC 2006) and thus unlikely to occur within Project Area. Caladenia huegelii - Endangered Threatened Unlikely. Occurs in areas of mixed woodland of Grand Spider Orchid Eucalyptus marginata, Banksia attenuata, B. ilicifolia and B. menziesii with scattered Allocasuarina fraseriana and Corymbia calophylla over a dense shrub understorey, tending to favour areas of dense undergrowth (DEC 2009a). This species is unlikely to occur due to the absence of preferred habitat in the Project Area. Centrolepis caespitosa Endangered Priority 4 Unlikely. C. caespitosa is known from locations from Busselton to Albany and in the wheatbelt (Gilfillan and Barrett 2004); as such, is unlikely to occur in the Project Area. Darwinia foetida - Critically Threatened Unlikely. D. foetida is known only from three Muchea Bell Endangered populations in swampy, seasonally wet habitat in the Muchea area (TSSC 2009). The restricted distribution indicates the species is unlikely to occur within the Project Area. Dillwynia dillwynioides Priority 3 Unlikely. Limited information is available for habitat and distribution of this species; however, given only four native understorey species were recorded in the Project Area (ENV 2007), this species is unlikely to occur. Diuris purdiei - Purdie’s Vulnerable Threatened Unlikely. D. purdiei occurs amongst native sedges Donkey Orchid and dense heath with scattered emergent Melaleuca preissiana, Corymbia calophylla, Eucalyptus marginata and Nuytsia floribunda (TSSC 2008). This species is unlikely to occur due to the absence of preferred habitat in the Project Area. Drakaea elastica - Endangered Threatened Unlikely. D. elastica occurs typically in mixed Glossy-leaved Hammer Banksia woodland or Kunzea glabrescens thicket Orchid vegetation (DEC 2009b). Drakaea micrantha - Vulnerable Threatened Unlikely. D. micrantha is known to occur on infertile Dwarf Hammer Orchid grey sands, in Banksia, Eucalyptus marginata and Allocasuarina fraseriana woodland or forest (TSSC 2008). This species is unlikely to occur due to the absence of preferred habitat in the Project Area. Lepidosperma rostratum Endangered Threatened Unlikely. L. rostratum is associated with Banksia - Beaked Lepidosperma telmatiaea and Calothamnus hirsutus among low heath in winter-wet swamps (TSSC 2008). This species is unlikely to occur due to the absence of preferred habitat in the Project Area. Schoenus capillifolius Priority 3 Unlikely. S. capillifolius is known to occur on brown muddy soils and in claypans (DPaW 2014b). This species is unlikely to occur due to the absence of preferred habitat in the Project Area. Stylidium longitubum - Priority 3 Unlikely. Limited information is available for habitat Jumping Jacks and distribution of this species; however, given only four native understorey species were recorded in the Project Area (ENV 2007), this species is unlikely to occur.
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Conservation status Species Likelihood of occurrence at site EPBC Act WC Act Synaphea stenoloba - Endangered Threatened Unlikely. S. stenoloba is restricted to a six kilometre Dwellingup Synaphea range near Pinjarra (Evans and English 2000); as such, is unlikely to occur within the Project Area.
A site visit of the Project Area was conducted on 20 October 2014 to search for Threatened and Priority Flora species identified during the desktop review. Survey timing was considered suitable as Threatened and potential Priority Flora species that have the potential to occur are largely spring flowering species.
With regard to Threatened orchid species, a number of Caladenia species were observed to be in flower the week prior to the survey and, as such, timing was ideal to capture flowering of these species. Strategen notes that the optimal survey time for D. elastica is July, when this species’ distinctive leaves are present, however this site visit captured the flowering period for the orchid. Additionally, D. purdiei flowers only after summer fire and thus a targeted survey cannot be done for this species outside of these specific conditions.
Two botanists traversed the Project Area, focussing on areas of remnant vegetation, using systematic targeted search parallel transects where possible, as described in Section 4.1.1 of the Draft Survey Guidelines for Australia’s Threatened Orchids Guidelines for Detecting Orchids Listed as ‘Threatened’ Under The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Specifically, botanists conducted: • traverses through the completely degraded portion of the Project Area, including one pass through remnant vegetation along the western boundary by the existing fence, and one pass along a stand of Melaleucas in a drainage line in the east of the Project Area • parallel transects lengthwise through remnant vegetation in Lot 993 (i.e. from northeast to southwest), with additional search effort through areas of low weed foliage cover.
Indicative locations of transects are shown in Figure 1.
Greencap Consulting (2014) identified one potential tree hollow within the Project Area that has the potential to be utilised by black cockatoos. This hollow was inspected from ground level using appropriate magnification to identify any signs of recent black cockatoo use (i.e. chew marks, feathers or habitation).
Within areas of remnant vegetation, understorey ranged from heavy grassy weed infestations to areas of lower weed cover and higher leaf litter. Botanists focussed efforts on areas with lower weed cover as these were considered more likely to potentially yield native species due to lower competition from introduced species. Two orchid species were recorded within the remnant vegetation; namely, Microtis sp. and Caladenia sp. As the two Caladenia sp. plants were not in flower at the time of the survey, photographs of the leaves were sent to Andrew Brown (expert orchid taxonomist at the Department of Parks and Wildlife) to request any possible taxonomic information. The orchids were considered to be Caladenia latifolia (Brown A [Department of Parks and Wildlife] 2014, pers. comm. 21 October), a common orchid species on the Swan Coastal Plain. No orchids were recorded elsewhere within the Project Area.
Other than the orchid species above, no native understorey species additional to those recorded by ENV (2007) were observed during the October 2014 site visit; as such, no Threatened or Priority Flora species were considered to be present within the Project Area.
There were no resent signs of black cockatoo foraging or roosting activity within the project area. The tree hollow identified by Greencap Consulting (2014) was inspected from ground level using appropriate magnification to identify any signs of recent black cockatoo use (i.e. chew marks, feathers or habitation). There was no evidence of black cockatoo utilisations of the hollow.
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Figure 1: Indicative location of survey transects
Legend Scale 1:3,752 at A4
m Indicative location of survey transects 0 20 40 60 80 100 ¹ Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Project boundary Note that positional errors may occur in some areas Existing cadastre Date: 23/10/2014 [email protected] Author: JCrute www.strategen.com.au Source: Aerial image: ESRI online, 2010. Cadastre: Client 2014.
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Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2006, Slender Andersonia (Andersonia gracilis) Recovery Plan, Interim recovery plan No. 228, Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington.
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2009a, Grand Spider Orchid (Caladenia huegelii) Recovery Plan, Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra.
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2009b, Glossy-leafed Hammer Orchid (Drakaea elastica) Recovery Plan, Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington.
Department of the Environment (DotE) 2014, Protected Matters Search Tool, [Online], Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/about-us/legislation/environment-protection-and-biodiversity- conservation-act-1999/protected [October 2014].
Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) 2014a, Naturemap, [Online], Available from: http://naturemap.dpaw.wa.gov.au/default.aspx [October 2014].
Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) 2014b, Florabase, [Online], Available from: https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ [October 2014].
ENV 2007, Environmental Assessment. Heritage Park Estate, Lots 986 And 993 Baldivis Rd, Baldivis, report prepared for Taylor Burrell Barnett, Subiaco.
ENV 2013, Lots 986 & 993 Baldivis Road, Baldivis, Heritage Park – Phase 2, Environmental Assessment Report, report prepared for Rockingham Park Pty Ltd.
Evans R and English V 2000, Dwellingup Synaphea (Synaphea Stenoloba) Interim Recovery Plan 2000- 2003, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Kensington.
Gilfillan S and Barrett S 2004, Matted Centrolepis (Centrolepis Caespitosa) Interim Recovery Plan 2004- 2008, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Kensington.
Greencap Consulting 2014, Black Cockatoo Habitat and Conservation Significant Flora Assessment, report prepared for Acumen Development Solutions, South Perth.
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) 2008, Approved Conservation Advice for Drakaea micrantha (Dwarf Hammer-orchid), [Online], Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/81853-conservation-advice.pdf [October 2014].
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) 2008, Approved Conservation Advice for Diuris purdiei (Purdie’s Donkey-orchid), [Online], Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/12950-conservation-advice.pdf [October 2014].
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) 2008, Approved Conservation Advice for Lepidosperma rostratum (Beaked Lepidosperma), [Online], Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/14152-conservation-advice.pdf [October 2014].
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) 2009, Approved Conservation Advice for Darwinia sp. Muchea (B.J.Keighery 2458) (Muchea Bell), [Online], Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/82443-conservation-advice.pdf [October 2014].
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