Environmental Corridor
and Stream Zone
Management Plan
Witchcliffe Ecovillage, Witchcliffe
Prepared December 2015 for Hulme and Perron Developments Pty Ltd
COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE This document has been prepared by Litoria Ecoservices for the express use of the client. Litoria Ecoservices accepts no responsibility to any third party who may rely upon this document.
All rights reserved. No section or element of this document may be removed from this document, reproduced, electronically stored or transmitted in any form without the written permission of Litoria Ecoservices.
Version Control Version Date Version Purpose Author Draft 1 26/10/2015 Draft for client review DMcK Final 10/12/2015 Final incl. changes DMcK FINAL 23/12/15 Final incl. changes and figs D McK Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 4 1.1 BACKGROUND ...... 4 1.2 THE PROPOSAL ...... 4 1.3 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THIS PLAN ...... 4 1.4 INTEGRATION BETWEEN THIS PLAN AND THE STORMWATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT ...... 6 2. CURRENT STATE: BIOPHYSICAL FEATURES ...... 7 2.1 SITE DESCRIPTION ...... 7 2.2 SOILS ...... 7 2.3 TOPOGRAPHY ...... 7 2.4 WATERWAY ASSESSMENT AND FORESHORE CONDITION ...... 8 2.5 FLORA AND VEGETATION ...... 8 2.6 FAUNA AND HABITAT VALUES ...... 10 2.7 CONNECTIVITY AND ECOLOGICAL LINKAGES ...... 11 3.0 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 12 3.1 STREAM ZONE EXTENT AND MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE ...... 12 3.2 OVERVIEW OF MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 12 3.3 ACCESS MANAGEMENT ...... 15 3.4 PROTECTION OF NATIVE VEGETATION AND HABITAT VALUES ...... 15 3.5 REVEGETATION ...... 15 3.6 HYDRAULOGICAL REGIMES AND AQAUATIC FAUNA MOVEMENT ..... 16 3.7 COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND INVOLVEMENT ...... 16 4.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ...... 17 REFERENCES ...... 18 APPENDIX 1: FORESHORE CONDITION ASSESSMENT GRADES...... 19 APPENDIX 2: FLORA SPECIES RECORDED ON-SITE ...... 20 APPENDIX 3: RECOMMENDED CONTROL METHODS FOR PRIORITY ENVIRONMENTAL WEEDS ...... 23 FIGURES ...... 24 FIGURE 1: SITE LOCATION FIGURE 2: FORESHORE CONDITION MAPPING FIGURE 3: VEGETATION COMPLEXES ACROSS THE SITE FIGURE4: VEGETATION CONDITION FIGURE 5: VEGETATION MAPPING UNITS FIGURE 6: ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORS/ STREAM ZONE MAPPING
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
Witchcliffe was originally identified as a future village site within State Planning Policy 6.1 Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge (1998). The Witchcliffe Village Strategy (2012) (the strategy) also identifies Witchcliffe as a future village site to accommodate projected population growth within the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and provides guidance as to the scope and nature of the expansion of the existing village site. The strategy identifies Location 2807 and Location 2812 to the east of Bussell Highway as potential eco-village sites. Litoria Ecoservices (LE) was commissioned by Perron & Hulme Developments (the proponent) to prepare this Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan (the plan) to help guide and support the preparation of the Structure Plan for an eco-village across parts of Locations 2807 and 2812.
1.2 THE PROPOSAL
The Witchcliffe Ecovillage is a 300 lot ecovillage planned for development in the town of Witchcliffe, the Witchcliffe Ecovillage vision is to create a model of a highly sustainable, self reliant community in a regional village setting, with the best of 21st century technology that enables the community to produce as much energy as it consumes; be self-sufficient in water; care for the local environment; generate ongoing economic and social opportunities for the area, and be self-sufficient in fresh food produce. A place in which people live, work, socialise and provide for their material needs sustainably, where most of what they consume on a daily basis will be produced within the ecovillage, in harmony with the permaculture principles of “earth care, people care, and fair share.
The Witchcliffe Ecovillage is designed with an extensive range of onsite infrastructure and services to create an example of sustainable development that achieves: • 100% net renewable power generation on site. • 100% self -sufficiency in water through onsite rainwater harvesting (rooftops and dams). • Self-sufficiency in seasonal fresh foods with surplus produce sold locally. • A local micro energy grid that utilises smart grid technology. • Class A recycled water. • Highly efficient solar passive homes that all front public open space and/or community gardens. • Employment and education opportunities on site and within the revitalised town centre. • Revegetation and protection of remnant vegetation and creek lines to create wildlife corridors. • Practical measures to encourage and prioritise alternative forms of transport— pedestrians, bikes, electric cars, car pooling and public transport.
1.3 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THIS PLAN
This plan was prepared to define and document the current state of the environmental features and assets of the site and to provide a management framework to ensure that the riparian, bushland and connectivity values of the site are maintained and enhanced by the project. A key consideration in the preparation of the plan was to ensure that riparian, biodiversity and connectivity values were integrated into the various other elements of the development and considered in the design of the structure plan.
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
The plan has been prepared to comply with the requirement of the strategy that an Environmental Corridor/ Stream Zone Management Plan be prepared by proponents.
It is important that this plan is read in conjunction with the: • Flora and Vegetation Assessment; • Fauna and Habitat Assessment; • Local Water Management Strategy; and • Environmental Assessment Report.
LE prepared the plan over a three month period between August and October 2015 and it builds upon a previous report prepared by the Cape to Cape Catchments Group for Location 2807 in 2010 entitled Waterway and Vegetation Rehabilitation Plan: Witchcliffe Ecovillage, Bussell Hwy, Witchcliffe.
The preparation of the plan is based upon a site assessment of the five tributaries to the Chapman Brook running through the property (‘the waterways’). This site assessment also considered: • the remnant vegetation in the central eastern portion of the property; • Witchcliffe Reserve to the west of the property and across Bussell Highway; and • Remnant vegetation on adjoining private properties and road reserves.
In conjunction with the information collected during the site assessment, and the other plans prepared as part of the Structure Planning process, the report has also taken into consideration: • Chapman Brook River Action Plan (draft); • Snapshot of the condition of Chapman Brook 2012/13. • Shire of Augusta-Margaret River Draft Watercourse Restoration/ Management Guidelines; • Relevant components of the Water and Rivers Commission’s “River Restoration Manual”; • The Department of Water’s Operational policy 4.3: Identifying and establishing waterways foreshore areas; • EPA’s Guidance Statement 6 for the Assessment of Environmental Factors. Rehabilitation of Terrestrial Ecosystems in Western Australia; and • Current best practice in watercourse management and rehabilitation.
The purpose of this plan is to: 1. provide a clear description of the current condition of the site’s waterways and existing vegetation on site; 2. provide clear direction to the structure plan on riparian and ecological protection zones and areas to undergo rehabilitation 3. provide rehabilitation and management strategies to integrate into the structure plan in order to guide and facilitate protection and enhancement of the riparian and ecological values of the site; and 4. provides guidance for the ongoing management of environmentally sensitive areas.
In order to provide a very clear indication of the short to medium term management and rehabilitation of the environmentally sensitive riparian and corridor areas of the site the plan also includes a Foreshore Management Schedules as Appendices 3 to 6.
These include:
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
• A revegetation and rehabilitation plan for relevant areas; • A weed control program; • Completion criteria to guide the success of the rehabilitation program; and • A schedule for the timing and implementation of the works
Limitations must be acknowledged in relation to the term and timing of the project. The report is not intended to represent a detailed flora and fauna survey and only focuses on the portions of the site detailed above. If a detailed survey was to be undertaken, or if the site inspection was undertaken through all four seasons then additional species would likely have been recorded.
1.4 INTEGRATION BETWEEN THIS PLAN AND THE STORMWATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT
The Local Water Management Strategy details the proposed use of bioretention swales and wetlands for the treatment of stormwater generated by the site. It also details the proposed use of subsurface flow wetlands to provide secondary treatment of wastewater on site. It should be noted that whilst the Stream Zones Management recommendations have been prepared with the recommendations contained within the Local Water Management Strategy in mind, it should be noted that the areas and features used to treat stormwater and wastewater will all be placed outside of the streamzones leaving the streamzones to be managed and rehabilitated with foreshore, biodiversity and amenity values as the primary focus.
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
2. CURRENT STATE: BIOPHYSICAL FEATURES
2.1 SITE DESCRIPTION
The property consists of Locations 2807 and 2812 which are 62 ha and 57ha in area respectively and is bounded by Bussell Highway to the west, Davis Road to the south, Mill Road to the North and numerous private adjoining rural lots to the east. The site location is shown on Figure 1.
The site is located in western most portion of the Chapman Brook catchment and is dominated by vineyard, ex-vineyard and open pasture areas. A 3 hectare patch of remnant vegetation exists near the middle of the eastern boundary of the block and the site contains five ephemeral, waterways running approximately west to east across the property. There is also approximately 2 ha of dam area in the middle of the property, a number of small artificial soaks or dams, two degraded stands of predominantly Marri (Corymbia calophylla) and an intensively planted area along the western boundary adjoining Shirvington Ave, Witchcliffe. There are a number of isolated or clustered paddock trees.
The site also includes a number of dwellings, associated gardens and farm sheds and associated infrastructure.
2.2 SOILS
The site lies within the Cowaramup Uplands system which is described as a lateritic plateau with broad swampy depressions. It has a geology of weathered mantle over granitic rocks. Soils are a mix of loamy gravels, duplex sandy gravels, semi-wet and wet soils (Department of Agriculture, 2003).
The northern portion is commonly associated with Cowaramup flats (CO) and the central portion east of the town site Cowaramup wet flat (COw) and Cowaramup wet vales (CVw) land units which are characterised by drainage depressions and swampy floors having constraints to development. The southern portion of the site comprises C (Cowaramup Flats and Gentle slopes) and W (Wilyabrup low slopes) land units to a greater extent than reflected on regional soil mapping (above). This land unit is generally well drained and has minor or moderate limitations to development with soils comprising gravely sands and loams with potential lateritic outcrops.
2.3 TOPOGRAPHY
The site is flat to gently undulating ranging in elevation between 73m and 86m AHD. The site generally falls from the Bussell Highway in the west toward agricultural land uses in the east. Gradients within the residential part of the site range from 0% to 6%.
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
2.4 WATERWAY ASSESSMENT AND FORESHORE CONDITION
The entire property lies within the Chapman Brook catchment. The Chapman Brook was the subject of condition assessment in 2012/13 by the South West Catchments Council this followed on from the Chapman Brook River Action Plan prepared in 2004. The 2012/13 study focused upon the main channel however found that the Chapman Brook supports valuable biological diversity despite native fringing vegetation only being present along approximately 50% of the channel length. A key recommendation included a focus on the maintenance and creation of refugia for biota during the summer months.
The property contains five minor tributaries all running approximately west to east across the block. The majority of these waterways originate within the property and assessed as predominantly considered as first order streams. The Northern most tributary is also connected to two minor first order streams from properties north of Mill Rd. As such the downstream portion of this waterway is considered a second order stream.
Foreshore condition across the various riparian zones was assessed using a modified version of the Penn-Scott method. This method provides a graded description of the waterway foreshore from pristine (A Grade) through to degraded ditch (D grade). A summary of the grades within the Penn-Scott system is provided at Appendix 1.
The foreshore zones across the property range significantly in condition from A3 in parts of the northern tributary through to D3 through parts of the central waterways. Figure 3 shows the foreshore condition of each reach of each waterway. Given the rehabilitation efforts already well underway and the level of rehabilitation proposed as part of the project, there is the potential to significantly improve the condition of this foreshore over the next five years.
2.5 FLORA AND VEGETATION
Broadscale (1:50,000) vegetation complex mapping has been undertaken for the Busselton – Augusta region by Mattiske and Havel 1998. Figure 3 details this system of classification of vegetation complexes across the site.
This mapping identifies a total of four distinct vegetation complexes represented within the remaining vegetation previously identified as ‘remnant’. These vegetation complexes are summarised below:
Wilyabrup (W1): Tall open forest of Eucalyptus diversicolor-Corymbia calophylla- Allocasuarina decussata-Agonis flexuosa on deeply incised valleys in the hyperhumid zone.
Wilyabrup (Ww1): Tall open forest of Eucalyptus diversicolor (karri) - Agonis flexuosa (WA peppermint) – Callistachys lanceolata (native willow/wonnich) with some Corymbia calophylla (marri) on flats and valleys in the hyperhumid zone.
Cowaramup Uplands (C1): Open to tall forest of Corymbia calophylla (marri) – Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) – Banksia grandis (bull banksia) on lateritic uplands
Cowaramup Valleys (Cw1): Mixture of open forest to woodland of Eucalyptus diversicolor (karri) - Corymbia calophylla (marri) and woodlands of Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) – Corymbia callophylla (marri) on slopes and low woodland of Melaleuca preissiana (moonah – Banksia littoralis (Swamp banksia) on depressions.
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
Of these four vegetation complexes only Cw1 and Ww1 apply to the riparian vegetation.
Both Cw1 and Ww1 are considered Vulnerable with only 28.2% and 1221ha of the original extent remaining respectively. As such, these complexes are a very high priority for retention and protection where possible.
A preliminary flora and vegetation assessment was undertaken in 2010 and this was supplemented by a Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey or Reconnaissance Survey over Spring 2015. This level of survey was considered appropriate given the nature of the vegetation present on site and the minimal disturbance proposed. The survey assessed the remnant native vegetation present on site and mapped vegetation units based on vegetation structure and vegetation condition as per the methodology of Bush Forever (WAPC 2000). The vegetation condition and vegetation units mapping is presented as Figures 5 and 6 respectively.
Vegetation condition across the site varied widely from completely degraded to very good condition.
The assessment identified 10 vegetation units across the site including six relevant to riparian areas described as follows:
CcEmVG - Very Good Condition Open Forest of Corymbia calophylla and Eucalyptus marginata over open shrubland of Acacia myrtifolia, Podocarpus drouynianus, Hovea elliptica, Tremandra stelligera, Taxandria parviceps, Hibbertia hypericoides.
CcEmG - Good Condition Open Forest of Corymbia calophylla and Eucalyptus marginata over open shrubland of Acacia myrtifolia, Podocarpus drouynianus, Hovea elliptica and low shrub/ herb layer of Xanthorrea gracillis, Sparaxis bulbifera, Briza maxima, Briza minor.
CcCD- Completely Degraded Open Forest of Corymbia calophylla over Lolium rigidum, Avena fatua, Arctotheca calendula, Cotula turbinata,
CcEmCD- Completely Degraded Open Forest of Corymbia calophylla and Eucalyptus marginata over scattered Eucalyptus utilis over a herb/grass layer of Lolium rigidum, Avena fatua, Arctotheca calendula, Cotula turbinata, Raphanus raphanistrum, Medicago polymorpha and Erodium cicutarium.
TlAfD – Degraded Shrubland of Taxandria linearifolia with scattered Agonis flexuosa, Eucalyptus diversicolor and Eucalyptus patens emergents over a grassland of introduced annual grasses and rushes such as Juncus microcephalus and Cenchrus clandestinus.
TlEdG – Good Condition Shrubland of Taxandria linearfolia, Callistachys lanceolata and Astartea laricifolia with scattered Agonis flexuosa, Eucalyptus diversicolor, Eucalyptus patens and Corymbia calophylla emergents over a grassland of introduced annual grasses and rushes such as Juncus microcephalus and Cenchrus clandestinus.
EdVG – Very Good Condition Open Forest of Eucalyptus diversicolor with occasional scattered Eucalytpus patens, Agonis flexuosa, Eucalyptus megacarpa, Callistachys lanceolata over a shrub layer of Taxandria linearifolia, Astartea laricifolia over a sedge/ rush layer of Lepidosperma tetrequetrum and Juncus microcephalus.
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
TlCD – Completely Degraded Shrubland of Taxandria linearifolia over a rush/grass/herb layer of Juncus microcephalus, Cenchrus clandestinus, Holcus lanatus, Isolepis prolifera and Arcotheca calendula.
TlD – Degraded Shrubland of Taxandria linearifolia, Acacia myrtifolia, Melaleuca incana with an isolated Corymbia callophylla emergent over a sedge/rush/grass/herb layer of Juncus microcephalus, Cenchrus clandestinus, Juncus pallidus, Juncus pauciflorus, Juncus planifolius, Lepidosperma tetrequetrum, Holcus lanatus, Isolepis prolifera and Arcotheca calendula.
TlG – Good Condition Shrubland of Taxandria linearifolia with scattered Agonis flexuosa, Eucalyptus diversicolor and Eucalyptus patens emergents over a over a sedge/rush/grass/herb layer of Lepidosperma tetrequetrum, Juncus pallidus, Juncus pauciflorus, Juncus microcephalus, Cenchrus clandestinus, Holcus lanatus, and Arcotheca calendula.
It should be noted that the riparian areas of the site also contain large lengths with no to minimal native vegetation cover.
The vegetation assessment also developed a species list based on opportunistic sightings during a reconnaissance survey of site. This list is attached as Appendix 2. This list has helped guide the species selection for revegetation and rehabilitation work within the Foreshore Management Plan provided as Appendix 3.No DRF, Priority Flora, Threatened or Priority Ecological Communities were identified on site.
2.6 FAUNA AND HABITAT VALUES
The stream zones hold a range of habitat values and a number of significant fauna were detected or inferred through the fauna assessment. A summary of significant fauna either utilising the site or occurring immediately adjacent to the site is provided below: • Western ringtail possums were confirmed to occur within the adjacent Witchcliffe townsite, Witchcliffe reserve and also the private property immediately east of the central portion of the property. Whilst not confirmed on the property through the level one survey, it is possible that Western Ringtail possums utilise some of the vegetation on site and very possible that the stream zone vegetation and revegetation can occur in such a way as to both provide habitat for this species and facilitate movement of the species between the existing populations to the east and west. • Southern Brown Bandicoot or quenda diggings were observed in the northern creekline. The potential exists with improved vegetation condition and a significant increase in native vegetation cover and foreshore vegetation width to provide habitat for this species within the broader bushland and riparian areas of the site. • Reports of Brush tailed Phascogale sightings have been made by landholders to the immediate east and north of the site. These were not observed during the reconnaissance visits, however the potential exists that they do indeed utilise elements of the site with the Northern creekline and eastern remnant considered suitable habitat. • Black Cockatoos – Flocks of Baudins Black Cockatoos were regularly observed on site – primarily feeding on the Storksbill (Erodium cicutarium) growing within the pasture areas of the site. Evidence of Forest Red-tailed black cockatoos feeding was found within the eastern remnant. The site is also likely utilised from time to time
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
by Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo and Forest Red tailed black cockatoo. No nesting sites were observed during the course of the site work.
It is noted that the major waterways still support populations of native fish (Western Minnow) and in at least the instance of the southern waterway populations of Gilgies and a range of other macroinvertebrates.
It is also noted that some significant pest species were observed on site including the Red Fox (detected via camera trapping) and Yabbys (Cherax destructor) (detected in the minor soak between the southern and central waterways.
2.7 CONNECTIVITY AND ECOLOGICAL LINKAGES
It is noted that the remnant upland vegetation is directly connected to a large patch of high quality private remnant vegetation to the east. It is also identified that the revegetation of the southern and central waterways provide significant opportunity for increasing connectivity between the remnant vegetation west of the site forming part of the Witchcliffe Reserve to the private remnant vegetation to the east of the site.
The South West Regional Ecological Linkages project classified the connectivity value of vegetation throughout the south west. Under the mapping produced through this project, an axis line was identified as running east – west through the central portion of the site. Subsequently, the remnant vegetation through the site has also been identified as 1a – with an edge touching or <100m from a linkage (the highest level of proximity to an axis line).
It is noted however, in considering the property as a whole that the Southern waterway may represent an equal or better linkage across the property to the adjoining remnants to the east and west.
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
3.0 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Stream zone or Foreshore Areas are critically important components of the landscape. As such the following management recommendations have been prepared in order to ensure that the development’s management of the foreshore area considers the following aspects: • Protection and enhancement of riparian vegetation and habitat/foreshore condition • Erosion control and bank stability; • Maintenance and enhancement of water quality; • Protection of environmental flows; • Fish and aquatic fauna movement and migration; • Visual amenity; • Recreational use and appreciation including education; • Cultural heritage values; and • Public health considerations.
The recommendations have been carefully considered to ensure that the environmental corridor/ streamzone is not only protected but significantly enhanced in both condition and extent as a result of the development. They have drawn upon the findings and recommendations of the full range of environmental assessments undertaken on the site and in consideration with and understanding of the overall intention of the broader development.
The following provides an overview.
3.1 STREAM ZONE EXTENT AND MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
The stream zone extent has been developed after careful consideration of the following factors: • The current condition of the foreshore; • The stream order to be protected; • Ecological and habitat values; • Water quality and environmental flows; • Proposed surrounding landuses; • Topography and habitat components of the potential foreshore zone; • Amenity and recreational opportunities; and • Visual amenity.
Figure 6 details the layout of the proposed Environmental Corridor/Stream Zones throughout the property.
It is proposed that this Stream Zone area will remain as common property under the Strata (Community) title structure of the development. This will facilitate the community ownership and ongoing management and monitoring of the area.
3.2 OVERVIEW OF MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
The management recommendations for the environmental corridor/ stream zone are summarised in Table 1 below:
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
Table 1: Summary of recommendations
Management Objectives Methods Responsibility Aspect Recreational, • Prevent stock from • Fence the streamzone as required to exclude stock. • Proponent for the first three Stock and Vehicle accessing stream zone. Fencing construction will vary according to the years access • Facilitate appropriate requirements of the adjacent stock. • Strata body responsible for pedestrian access through the • Provide permanent walking paths and boardwalks ongoing long term stream zone. along the creeklines and remnant vegetation close management. • Facilitate vehicle to settlement areas. crossings in designated areas. • Provide structural sound vehicle crossings sympathetic to the local landscape and environment. Protection of • Retain all native • Structure plan design to accommodate retention of • Proponent for the first three existing native vegetation mapped as remnant. native vegetation wherever possible. years remnant • Where ever possible • Undertake bush regeneration and environmental • Strata body responsible for vegetation and retain native naturally weed control actions detailed within the Foreshore ongoing long term habitat values occurring vegetation. Management Schedules management. • Undertake strategic • Undertake minor supplementary plantings for prioritised weed control and diversity as detailed in the Foreshore Management bush regeneration to enhance Schedules. retained vegetation. • Undertake monitoring and control as required for • Manage terrestrial and feral fauna species. aquatic feral fauna species. • Prepare a disease hygiene and treatment plan for • Minimise the impact of relevant areas including upland vegetation. tree diseases like Phytophthora • Small low key patch burning for regeneration dieback and Marri Canker. within upland areas.
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
Revegetation and • Undertake best practice • Extensive planting recommended within the • Proponent for the first three Rehabilitation revegetation and regeneration of stream zone utilising exclusively local native years the stream zone areas not species as detailed within the Foreshore • Strata body responsible currently dominated by native Management Schedules; for ongoing long term vegetation • Sensitive site preparation to ensure Foreshore management and • Promote expansion of Areas are protected and isolated pockets of native monitoring. existing native vegetation. vegetation are retained and supported
Hydrological • Ensure hydrological • Ensure sizing, location, management and design of • Proponent then strata body regimes regimes are not negatively or dams is matched to reduce impact on hydrological significantly altered as a result regimes; of the development • Use of best practice bypass structures to ensure Autumn flows are not impeded. Aquatic fauna • Ensure that native • Ensure the use of best practice bypass structures as • Proponent for the first three Aquatic fauna movement is part of dam design and retrofit existing dams to years facilitated and not inhibited by facilitate aquatic fauna movement. • Strata body responsible for the dam construction • Investigate the extent of the Feral Yabby ongoing long term • Address priority feral population within the Southern waterway and management. aquatics where feasible develop a plan for control. Community • Educate local residents Develop a community ecological awareness program • Proponent, strata and education and and the broader community including: community including involvement about the values, threats and • Interpretive signage through the foreshore areas; collaboration with other important actions to protect • Continuation of local school involvement in fauna groups where possible. Stream Zone; monitoring; • Maintain direct • Landholder induction/ welcome sessions; community ownership and • Community monitoring of rehabilitation and fauna management control of response progress foreshore through use of • Provide support for the establishment of “Friends Community or Strata title of” Group for the foreshore
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
3.3 ACCESS MANAGEMENT
Access control through the site needs to consider three main elements – stock, vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Stock need to be excluded from all stream zones and native vegetation at all times. Fencing is the most effective way to achieve this. It is recommended that appropriate stock fencing be maintained or established on the boundary of the stream zone where stock are to be kept in adjoining areas. This will be particularly relevant to the two northern waterways.
Passive recreation of the streamzone is encouraged and the waterways adjoining and within the residential areas should facilitate and manage this through the provision of a network of trails through and along the streamzone. The exact location of each walkway will be detailed within the Landscape Plan for the site. Where possible walkways on the edge of the streamzone can help delineate and separate landscaped or productive areas from bushland and riparian areas. This hard boundary can assist in managing weed incursion. The walkways will be supported by interpretive signage, viewing platforms and boardwalks through low lying damp lands.
Only one vehicle crossing over an existing waterway is proposed and this is at an existing crossing located on the southern waterway. Two new crossings through the bioretention wetlands are proposed in areas currently lacking native vegetation.
3.4 PROTECTION OF NATIVE VEGETATION AND HABITAT VALUES
The current proposal retains all the native vegetation present on site that is mapped as remnant by the current Department of Agriculture remnant vegetation mapping. The proposal retains a total of approximately 6.16ha of naturally occurring native vegetation out of a current extent of native vegetation cover on the site of approximately 6.79 ha. This includes approximately 2.57 ha of which is riparian vegetation. The non remnant native vegetation to be lost has been mapped as either degraded or completely degraded.
This plan will be supported in subsequent stages of the planning process by a Foreshore Management Plan. The plan will include a number of bushland management and bush regeneration activities which will assist in the regeneration and ongoing protection and restoration of these areas. The key components of the Foreshore Management Plan will include strategic control of high priority environmental weeds, feral animal control and monitoring, strategic management of domestic animals, supplementary planting, some minor regenerative burning in some upland areas and management of disease and disease risk.
3.5 REVEGETATION
Significant revegetation of the streamzone is proposed including active revegetation across all of the streamzones. This revegetation will contribute significantly to the connectivity, ecological health, foreshore and waterway health and the amenity of the development. Species have been carefully chosen from the reference list of locally native species occurring within the site or in some instances the local subcatchment. Appendix 3 includes details on the control of priority weeds located on site.
These recommendations have been developed in accordance with the Shire of Augusta Margaret River’s Guidelines for Revegetation.
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
3.6 HYDRAULOGICAL REGIMES AND AQAUATIC FAUNA MOVEMENT
A key element with respect to the sustainability of the stream zone and waterway management is to ensure that the proposed changes water use and to stream management do not adversely impact on the hydrological regimes for downstream reaches and that impacts on aquatic fauna movement are minimised.
The Local Water Management Strategy addresses the water balance of the development and the impacts on downstream environmental flows as a result of the proposed dams and water usage. In addition to total water usage and storage it is critical that dam design and construction be undertaken in such a way as to maintain natural stream flows during the low flow period (i.e. November to April in the South West). It is strongly recommended that all three proposed and existing dams incorporate best practice bypass channels to not only bypass low flows downstream but also to ensure that the dam walls do not act as a barrier to fish and other aquatic fauna movement upstream.
It should also be noted that the presence of feral Yabbies within the lower portions of the southern waterway represent a significant threat to aquatic fauna and needs to be further investigated and a control plan developed following the investigation.
3.7 COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND INVOLVEMENT
It is proposed that the Stream Zone and bushland within the development will remain as common property through the use of Strata/ community title across the development. This is consistent with other elements of the development and is intended to facilitate and promote the community ownership and involvement in the ongoing management and monitoring of the area.
Interested residents will be supported and encouraged to take an ongoing interest in the management of the streamzone and bushland areas through the development of a ‘Friends of the Foreshore’ Group or similar. Whilst the Strata group will maintain responsibility for the ongoing management of the streamzone and bushland areas, the establishment of the ‘Friends of the Foreshore’ group would help to engage interested community members to co- ordinate and implement some of the ongoing/ longer term maintenance and monitoring.
This on-going community involvement and ownership is considered an important aspect of both maximising the benefits of the stream zone and ensuring proactive, efficient management of the area into the future. A number of key recommendations to encourage and support this aspect of the development include: • Preparation of Stream Zone and bushland interpretative material for on-site signage, website and brochures; • Introductory walks and workshops for new residents; • Timely articles in newsletters and social media; and • Continued support and involvement of local schools in monitoring the vegetation regeneration, habitat creation and fauna responses.
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
4.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Key aspects of the existing environmental conditions of the site include: • The property contains five minor tributaries to the Chapman Brook all of which run approximately west to east across the block. The majority of these waterways originate within the property and with the exception of the lower portion of the Northern tributary, are assessed as predominantly first order streams. Foreshore condition across the various riparian zones varied from pristine (A Grade) through to degraded (D grade) as assessed using a modified version of the Penn-Scott method. • The site contains a range of native vegetation including four previously mapped vegetation complexes (two of which are considered vulnerable and a high priority for retention), ten vegetation units and three additional areas where either purely native revegetation or mixed native/ non native plantings have been undertaken. Vegetation condition across the site ranges from very good condition through to completely degraded. • The site contains some important fauna habitat including either containing, or being immediately adjacent to populations of listed species like Baudin’s Black Cockatoo, Western ringtail possum, Brushtailed Phascogale and Southern Brown Bandicoot. The potential for the site to support increased numbers of and to provide improved connectivity for these species through improvements to vegetation condition, revegetation and improved feral predator management is significant.
The foreshore and bushland areas of the site are considered as very key environmental assets of the site providing multiple functions and roles in the environmental/ biodiversity and the liveability outcomes for the development. As such, the following key management and design outcomes are proposed as part of the development: • All remnant native vegetation retained as part of the Structure plan design; • Significant portions of all native vegetation on site retained through the development; • Large areas of revegetation (primarily riparian) proposed throughout the development to both increase the vegetation cover and vegetation condition across the site; • Community title management of the foreshore and bushland areas to encourage greater ownership, engagement and contribution to the sites protected areas; • Significant infrastructure including both a network of trails and interpretative materials to encourage pedestrian and general recreational use and appreciation of the foreshore areas; • Low flow bypass channel’s to be fitted or retrofitted to dams to allow for diversion downstream of low flow and allow for movement of aquatic fauna; • Careful consideration of the water balance of the site to ensure downstream ecological water requirements are not adversely impacted; • Best practice stormwater management and treatment through use of bioretention swales and wetlands prior to surface water reaching the foreshore or stream zone areas.
Management schedules are provided outlining the approach to be taken for the revegetation and rehabilitation of the streamzones over a three year implementation and maintenance period.
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Environmental Corridor and Stream Zone Management Plan Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015
REFERENCES
Brown, K. and Brooks, K. (2002). Bushland Weeds: A practical guide to their management. Environmental Weeds Action Network (Inc.), Greenwood. Cape to Cape Catchments Group (2004). Cape to Cape Landcare Companion, CCG, Natural Heritage Trust, Margaret River, WA. Department of Water (2012) Operational policy 4.3: Identifying and establishing waterways foreshore areas ’ Department of Water, Perth Environmental Protection Agency (2006) Guidance for the Assessment of Environmental Factors. Rehabilitation of Terrestrial Ecosystems in Western Australia Guidance Statement 6, Environmental Protection Authority, Perth, Western Australia.
Geocatch (2006). Converting dams to Living Wetlands Brochure, Geocatch, Busselton WA
Keighery, BJ. (1994). Bushland Plant Survey: A guide to plant community survey for the community. Wildflower Society of Western Australia (Inc.), Nedlands.
Lower Blackwood LCDC (2004) Chapman Brook Action Plan (draft) Mattiske, E. M and Havel, J. J (1998). Regional Forest Agreement vegetation complexes. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth. Molloy, S., Wood,J.,Hall,S., Wallrodt,S. And Whisson, G (2009) South West Regional Ecological Linkages Technical Report, Western Australian Local Government Association and Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth. Moore, J and Wheeler, J (2002). Southern Weeds and their control. Department of Agriculture, WA. Scott, J and Negus, P (2002). Field Guide to the Wildflowers of Australia’s South West, Augusta – Margaret River Region. Cape to Cape Publishing, Fremantle. Shire of Augusta-Margaret River (undated). Draft Watercourse restoration/ management guidelines. South West Catchments Council (2014). Snapshot of the condition of Chapman Brook 2012/13. Water and Rivers Commission (2002). A Guide to the Nature, Protection, Rehabilitation and Long-Term Management of Waterways in Western Australia (The “River Restoration Manual”). Wheeler, J, Marchant, N and Lewington, M. (2002). Flora of the South West. Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra, ACT.
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APPENDIX 1: FORESHORE CONDITION ASSESSMENT GRADES
Source: Water and Rivers Commission. (2002). A Guide to the Nature, Protection, Rehabilitation and Long-Term Management of Waterways in Western Australia (The “River Restoration Manual”).
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APPENDIX 2: FLORA SPECIES RECORDED ON-SITE
Weed Genus Species AfD AfG CcCD CcEmG CcEmCD CcEmVG EdVG TlCD TlD TlG
Acacia browniana X Acacia myrtifolia X X X Acacia pulchella X X X X X X Agonis flexuosa X X X X Alternanthera nodiflora X X * Arctotheca calendula X X X X X X Astartea scoparia Astroloma pallidum X X Astroloma sp. Nannup X X * Avena fatua X X X X Baumea vaginalis X X Billardiera variifolia X Bossiaea linophylla X X Bossiaea ornata X * Briza maxima X X X X * Briza minor X X X X Burchardia umbellata X Caladenia flava X Callistachys lanceolata X X X * Cenchrus clandestinus X X X X X X * Cirsium vulgare X X Centella asiatica X X X X Chamaescilla corymbosa X X Chorizema nanum X Chorizema rhombeum X Clematis pubescens X Conostylis laxiflora X * Conyza sumatrensis X X Corymbia callophylla X X X X X X * Cotula turbinata X X Cyrtostylis huegelii X Dampiera linearis X X Diuris longifolia X * Dodoneae viscosa cv. purpurea X Drosera pallida X X Eucalyptus diversicolor X Eucalyptus marginata X X X Eucalyptus megacarpa X * Eucalyptus utilis X Eucalyptus patens X * Eragrostis curvula X
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Weed Genus Species AfD AfG CcCD CcEmG CcEmCD CcEmVG EdVG TlCD TlD TlG
* Erodium cicutarium X * Fumaria capreolata X Gastrolobium lineare X Gladiolus undulatus X Hakea amplexicaulis X X Hakea lissocarpha X X Hakea ruscifolia X X Hardenbergia comptoniana X Hibbertia hypericoides X X Hibbertia cunninghamii X X * Histiopteris incisa X X * Holcus lanatus X Hovea chorizemifolia X Hovea elliptica X X * Hyparrhenia hirta X * Hypochaeris radicata X X X X X X X * Isolepis prolifera X Johnsonia lupulina X * Juncus microcephalus X X X X X X Juncus pallidus X X X X X X Juncus pauciflorus X X Juncus planifolius X Lepidosperma effusum X Lepidosperma tetraquetrum X X Lepidosperma squamatum X X Leucopogon sp. X Leucopogon verticillatus X Lobelia alata X X X * Lolium rigidum X Lomandra nigricans X Lomandra pauciflora X Lomandra purpurea X * Lonicera japonica X * Lotus sp. X X X Macrozamia riedlei X X * Malva parviflora X * Medicago polymorpha X X X Melaleuca incana X X * Mentha pulegium X X X Mesomelaena tetragona X X Microlaena stipoides X X Mirbellia alata X X X X X X Opercularia hispidula X X * Oxalis purpurea X
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Weed Genus Species AfD AfG CcCD CcEmG CcEmCD CcEmVG EdVG TlCD TlD TlG
Patersonia occidentalis X * Pennisetum clandestinum X X X X X X Pimelea rosea X Pimelea spectabilis X Podocarpus drouynianus X X Prasophyllum brownii X * Raphanus raphanistrum X * Romulea rosea X X X X X X * Rubus anglocandicans * Rumex crispus X X X X X X Scaevola calliptera X Scaevola microphylla X * Solanum nigrum X * Sparaxis bulbifera X X X Stylidium amoenum X Stylidium calcaratum X Stylidium schoenoides X Taxandria linearifolia X X X X X X Taxandria parviceps X Thelymitra macrophylla X Tremandra stelligera X * Trifolium sp. X X Trymalium floribundum X X Velleia trinervis X Xanthorrhoea gracillis X Xanthorrhoea preissii X * Zantedeschia aethiopica X X X X
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APPENDIX 3: RECOMMENDED CONTROL METHODS FOR PRIORITY ENVIRONMENTAL WEEDS
Timing Method
Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) Any month Handpull seedlings, drill and fill larger individuals
Batswing Fern (Histiopteris incisa) Autumn Spot spraying regrowth with 1.5% glyphosate plus 25ml pulse. Arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) Late winter/ spring Spot spraying isolated plants: use 1g Chlorsulfuron plus 25ml control of Pulse per 10L water. Tambookie grass (Hyparrhenia hirta) November to March Slash then spot spraying regrowth with 3% glyphosate plus spraytech oil. Purple hop bush (Dodoneae viscose cv. purpurea) Any time Manual control – followed by ongoing monitoring Wavy gladioli (Gladiolus andulatus) Late winter/ early Spot spraying isolated plants: using 0.2g /15L Metsulfuron spring methyl Bracelet Honey Myrtle (Melaleuca armillaris) Any time • Cut and paint large plants with neat glyphosate (450g/L) • Hand pull seedlings Early black wattle (Acacia decurrens) Any time • Cut and paint large plants with neat glyphosate (450g/L) • Hand pull seedlings Blackberry (Rubus anglocandicans) Summer control. Spot spraying with 1g/10L Metsulfuron methyl plus wetting agent. (Will require several years follow up and persistent control) Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) During active • Hand pull seedlings under moist soil conditions growth • Cut/scrape paint larger vines with 100% glyphosate
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FIGURES
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