EIS 21311 ABO1 7602 Flora & Fauna Survey & Impact

EIS 21311

ABO1 7602

Flora & fauna survey & impact assessment. Proposed Baal

Bone Colliery mine dewatering facility (Longwall 19) and

pipeline (Longwall 1). EIS 21311 NSA SEPT PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

ABOI 7602

MJAbWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL Flora & Fauna Survey & Impact Assessment . SERVICE SUPPORT Proposed Baal Bone Colliery mine dewatering facility (Longwall 19) and pipeline (Longwall 1)

RAYMONb MJADWESCH

ABN: 80 960 810 148

ph/fax: 02 6331 5858

26 Keppel Street BATHURST N5W 2795

[email protected] [1

Contents page

Section 1 - Introduction and Methodology 3

1.1 Introduction 3 1.2 Methodology 3

Section 2 - Site Description and the Proposal 4

2.1 Site Description 4 2.2 The Proposal 4

Section 3 - Results and Impact Assessment 5

3.1 Flora 5 3.2 Fauna 7 3.3 Water Quality 8 3.4 Impact Assessment 8

Section 4 - Conclusion and Recommendations 10

4.1 Conclusion 10 4.2 Recommendations 10

Bibliography 11

Appendix I - Locality (area surveyed) 12

Appendix 2 - Aerial Photograph (overlays of veg. and infrastructure) 13

Appendix 3— Flora Species List 14

Appendix 4— Fauna Species List 18

Appendix 5-8 Part Tests of Significance 20

Spi. Eucalyptus cannonhi 20 Persoonia marginata 22 Eulamprus leuraensis 24 Pseudophryne australis 26

Appendix 6— Water Analysis 27

Cover photograph - one of the escarpment formations adjacent to the proposal site, R Mjadwesch 2000.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 VA AN

1999 Section 1 - Introduction and Methodology

1.1 Introduction

This survey and assessment has been conducted to provide information and supporting detail on any effects or impacts that the proposed Baal Bone Colliery mine dewatering facility and pipeline (Longwall 19 and Longwall 1) will have on flora and fauna populations in the area and the ecological communities around it.

The area assessed is indicated in Appendix 1 - Locality.

Survey and assessment was carried out by Raymond Mjadwesch (Ba. App. Sci. - Environmental Technology) of Mjadwesch Environmental Service Support on Friday 28 July and Tuesday 1 August - Saturday 5 August 2000.

1.2 Methodology

Aerial photograph interpretation (Appendix 2 - Air Photograph) allowed broad vegetative communities to be identified (Appendix 2 - Overlay 2. Vegetation Communities).

An outline of routes and areas to be disturbed during construction and maintenance of the facility over these communities allowed areas to be identified where impacts would be greatest (Appendix 2 - Overlay 1. The Proposal). This includes areas affected by effluent from the facility.

Ground-truthing of API vegetative community maps, describing vegetation communities and other physiological characteristics of the site, identification of all vascular plants in each community and the fauna survey were done in accordance with the standards set by New South Wales National Parks & Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS), NSW Department of Agriculture (Animal Ethics) and the National Herbarium of New South Wales.

Flora survey included a quadrat (20x20m) within each community and opportunistic records taken traversing the routes to be affected by the proposal and during the fauna fieldwork. A species list of plants recorded is included as Appendix 3 - Flora Species List.

Fauna survey methods included pitfall, elliot and cage trapping (a total of 80 trap nights across all vegetation types), diurnal bird census, spotlighting, habitat and hand search. A species list of vertebrates recorded is included as Appendix 4 - Fauna Species List. Macro-invertebrates were recorded opportunistically (+ stream substrate search). These are attached to Appendix 4 as an addendum.

Water samples were taken from the swamp and analysed by Jim Watt (CSU - Bathurst) for pH, hardness, TSS, TDS, conductivity, filterable and total Fe, Zn, Sulfate, Al and Cr. These figures will provide a benchmark for future testing after effluent release.

A search was made of the NSW NPWS Wildlife Atlas database for flora and fauna recorded in the area of the 1:100 000 mapsheet (Wallerawang 8931) in which the site is located. Threatened species from this list (which follow in Section 3.1 - Tables 1 and 2) and their habitat requirements were compared to those recorded during the survey, and are considered in Section 3.4 - Impact Assessment. Those recorded during the survey or likely to occur in the area are addressed individually (8 Part Tests of Significance as required under the TSCA 1995) in Appendix 5 - 8 Part Tests.

Impacts of the construction and operation of the facility upon the communities described and species recorded were assessed, and recommendations made to minimise them.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 Section 2— Site Description and the Proposal

2.1 Site Description

The site area is comprised of open to swampy drainage lines, low ridges and slopes to escarpments (total relief lOOm). Vegetation in the area may be broken into 3 vegetation community types (Appendix 2 - Overlay 2. Vegetation Communities) according to Specht eta! (1974).

Type 1. Open woodland on poorly structured siliceous sands and lithosols dominated by Eucalyptus rossii and Eucalyptus sieberi, (understorey of Acacia terminalis and Oxolobium ilicifo!ium). Stands of Banksia marginata are locally dominant. This community covers ridges and slopes to 350, and extends to the base of discontinuous escarpments and rock outcrops.

Type 2. Tall open forest in gullies and the margins of swamps on the valley floor are dominated by Eucalyptus viminalis, Acacia decurrens, Acacia !ongifolia, Acacia melanoxylon, Banksia marginata, Indigo fera australls and Lomandra Ion gifolia.

Type 3. Closed / open swamp on deep alluvial clay - loam dominated by Leptospermum polyga!ifollum ssp. polygailfolium, Leptospermum obovatum, Schoonus melanostachys, Juncus sebsecundus and Blechnum wattsii. Standing and running water +1- continuous throughout the community (depth may be up to I m).

All of these communities had components following subsidence cracking (to 0.5m wide) that may be described as dry. These areas are characterised by a lack of moisture under rocks and a corresponding paucity of invertebrates, fallen vegetation along subsidence lines, and the lack of water in part of the swamp (an area mainly extending to the south from the subsidence cracks to the Longwall I dewatering facility which would normally be classified as swamp had no running or standing water at the time of the survey). Vegetation health (esp. in the swamp - species such as Blechnum wattsll and Schoenus me!anostachys) appears to be declining in these areas.

Escarpments to the east of the proposed facility were not close enough to the site of the proposal to be considered part of the area likely to be impacted upon by construction or operation of the facility.

2.2 The Proposal

The new dewatering bore (Longwall 19, with the capacity to pump up to 12 ML I day) will be situated to the east of a saddle between 2 ridges at 229300E 6316900N (about 930m altitude). A settlement pond measuring 80 x 40m will be installed (minimum water retention time 48 hrs) as will an infrastructure of pipelines, access and utilities.

A pipeline will be installed taking water from the existing dewatering facility to the south (Longwall 1) to Baal Bone Creek.

The total area of disturbance would be up to 6 hectares. Combined discharge from these facilities is expected to average 4 ML / day.

These areas are indicated in Appendix 2 - Overlay 1. The Proposal.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 4 Section 3— Results and Impact Assessment

3.1 Flora

A total of 100 plant taxon were recorded from 43 families, notably PROTEACEAE (5 species), MYRTACEAE (11 species), FABACEAE - MIMOSOIDEAE (7 species), FABACEAE - FABOIDEAE (4 species), ASTERACEAE (11 species), EPACRIDACEAE (6 species), CYPERACEAE (4 species), JUNCACEAE (4 species) and POACEAE (4 species). Introduced species comprised 12% of the total, with 2 noxious species being present (Blackberry and Sweet Briar).

Eucalyptus cannonhi and Persoonia marginata (both listed under the TSCA 1995 as vulnerable (Schedule 2)) were recorded during the survey. The significance of impacts upon these species are addressed separately in Appendix 5— 8 Part Tests of Significance (as required under the TSCA 1995).

A species list from the survey and their occurrence by site is included as Appendix 3. As this is the only survey to be done before construction works for the development commence this data must be considered indicative only. Other species (especially orchids) may be present at different times of year, and some specimens collected did not possess sufficient vegetative characteristics to make identification beyond family possible (especially grasses).

Vegetation community descriptions for the area of the proposal are as follows:

Type 1. Open woodland from 900-930m sloping from 50 to 350 and including ridgetops. Northerly to easterly and westerly aspects. Soils well drained to dry close to subsidence cracks, rocky in places. Scattered to thick scrubby understorey. Leaf litter to 90% cover and 5cm depth.

Woodland at saddle adjacent to proposed bore I pump facility.

Canopy: Eucalyptus fossil and Eucalyptus sieberi to I 5m. 40% canopy cover.

U nderstorey: Acacia terminalis, Acacia buxifolia, Oxolobium ilicifolium, Banksia marginata, Monotoca scoparia, Persoonia ilnearis, Dillwynia phylicoides and Leptospermum sp. to 3m. Cover / abundance 20 - 80%

Groundcover: Poa sieberiana v. sieberiana, Gonocarpus tetragyna, Patersonia sericea, Lomandra filiformis. Cover! abundance 10 - 20%.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 5

Type 2. Tall open forest in gullies and the margins of swamps on the valley floor from 900-9 1Dm. Mostly easterly or westerly aspects. Alluvial soils well drained (upper gully areas) to wet (along swamp verges). Scattered to closed understorey. Leaf titter to 90% and 10cm depth.

Canopy: Eucalyptus viminalis, Eucalyptus sieberi to 30m, Acacia decurrens to 6m. 20- 50% canopy cover.

U nderstorey: Acacia Ion gifolia, Acacia buxifolia, Acacia melanoxylon, Acacia decurrens, Banksia marginata, Indigo fera australis, Dillwynia phylicoides, Oxolobium

ilicifolium, Leptospermum sp. to 3m. Cover / abundance 20 - 80%

Groundcover: Chionochloa pallida, Gonocarpus tetragyna, Patersonia sericea, Lomandra longifolia, Pteridium esculentum. Cover I abundance 20-60%.

Type 2 background. . Type 3foreground.

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Type 3. Closed / open swamp at +1- 900m. Aspects northerly and westerly. Soils

waterlogged deep alluvial clayey - loam. Water flowing or standing throughout.

Canopy: Occasional Eucalyptus vim/na/is and Acacia melanoxylon to 20m. Up to 20% canopy cover.

U nderstorey: Leptospermum polygalifolium ssp. polygalifolium, Leptospermum obovatum Acacia Ion gifo/Ia, Acacia melanoxylon, Acacia decurrens and Callistemon crinita to 3m. Cover I abundance 20-80%

Groundcover: Schoenus melanostachys, Juncus sebsecundus, Chionochloa pal/ida, Pteridium esculentum, Blechnum wattsii, Micro/aena stipoides and Hydrocotyle laxiflora. Cover I abundance 90-100%

1;] MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 Table 1. Threatened flora recorded (Wallerawang 1:100000 - NPWS Wildlife Atlas data)

FAMILY Genus Status Recorded

CELASTRACEAE Apatophyllum constablei El I pop. Glen Davis FABACEAE - FABOIDEAE Pultenaea glabra V Blue Mountains FABACEAE - FABOIDEAE Pultenaea sp. "Genowlan Point" El FABACEAE - MIMOSOIDEAE Acacia bynoeana El CC/CT HALORAGACEAE Haloragodendron lucasii El Sydney sandstone LAMIACEAE Protanthera cryptandroides V Wollemi NP LAMIACEAE Protanthera stricta V Sandy alluvium MYRTACEAE Da,winia peduncularis V West to Glen Davis MYRTACEAE Eucalyptus cannonhi V Transect I PROTEACEAE Grevillea diffusa ssp. evansiana V East of Rylstone . PROTEACEAE Persoonia marginata V Transect 3 RUTACEAE Boronia deanei V S of Lithgow RUTACEAE Leionema sympetalum V E of Rylstone

3.2 Fauna

A total of 45 vertebrate species were recorded from amphibian (isp), reptile (3sp), bird (30sp) and mammalian (11 sp) families. Habitat requirements for a large number of other vertebrate species are met, especially with the abundant water and the diversity of the understorey in the area. Introduced species comprised 9% of the total, however sign of them was not abundant.

Trapping consisted of a pitfall line 50m in length with 5 pits, 14 elliot traps located 20 - 30m apart on a tansect approximately 300m long, and 1 cage trap (indicated in Appendix 1). These sampled from all three vegetation types and 2 Brown Antechinus were caught (I each in pitfall and elliot traps). There was a lot of wombat activity along the trapline.

No threatened species were recorded during the survey. Suitable habitat for some species (indicated on the Table 2) was. Threatened species of limited distribution occupying small territories and having their habitat requirements met at the site are addressed by 8 Part Tests of Significance in Appendix 5 (as required under the TSCA 1995).

A species list from the survey is included as Appendix 4. This list must not be considered complete, as other species (more cryptic ones, bats, reptiles and species with large territories) may be found at different times of year. 48 invertebrate species were recorded, and they are included in this appendix.

Table 2. Threatened fauna recorded (Wallerawang 1:100 000- NPWS Wildlife Atlas data)

Common Name Genus Status Habitat Req. Met

Spotted-tailed Quoll Dasyurus maculatus V Yes Koala Phascolarctos cinereus V Yes Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australis V No Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Petro gale penicillata V Yes Large Pied Bat Chailnolobus dwyeri V Yes Eastern False Pipistrelle Falsistrellis tasmaniensis V Yes Greater Broad-nosed Bat Scoteanax rueppellii V Yes Bathurst Copper Butterfly Paralucia spinifera El No

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 7 Common Name Genus Status Habitat Req. Met

Regent Honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia El Yes Barking Owl Ninox connivens V Yes Powerful Owl Ninox strenua V Yes Painted Honeyeater Grantiella picta V Yes Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura V Yes Red-tailed Black-cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii V No Glossy Black-cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami V Poor Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor El Yes Turquoise Parrot Neophema puichella V Poor Red-crowned Toadlet Pseudophryne australis V Yes Blue Mountains Water Skink Eulamprus Ieuraensis El Yes Broad-headed Snake Hoplocephalus bun garoides El Yes

3.3 Water Quality

The quality of the water within a system is indicative of the health of that system. If a pollution incident occurs the quality of water may be seriously affected, having consequences for the entire ecological community.

A benchmark set of values for Baal Bone Creek will be provided from samples taken from its' upper catchment (testing had not been concluded at the laboratory at the time of the printing of this report). These figures will be indicative only, as seasonal fluctuations naturally occur within hydrological systems, however comparison between these figures and those for the pumped water (after flocculation and settlement) will show any major differences in the quality of the water from the two sources.

The ANZECC Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters (1992) provides ranges that are conducive to stream health. Major variance between the 2 water supplies should be addressed / remedied before discharge of effluent into Baal Bone Creek. Regular monitoring beyond the discharge point would alert managers of major variations from the norm, and discharge should be discontinued until any problems have been identified and addressed.

3.4 !m.Pact Assessment Positioning of the facility and infrastructure in the right place will allow impacts on surrounding communities during construction and operation of the facility to be minimised.

The bore and pump compound will need to be where indicated on Appendix 2— Overlay 1 in order to maximise the effectiveness of the facility.

2 options exist for road and power access, settlement pond positioning and discharge of effluent from the proposed dewatering plant. These are shown in Appendix 2— Overlay 1, as is the proposed pipeline from the existing facility (Longwall I) to the vicinity of Baal Bone Creek.

Access and discharge routes running to the north of the proposed facility would disturb an otherwise pristine gully, and discharge additional water into the upper catchment of the swamp. This would also necessitate placement of the settlement pond adjacent to the bores on the saddle, requiring clearing and excavation of up to % ha of woodland.

Access and discharge to the east would require less disturbance (shorter route) and allow water treatment to be centralised. Construction of access trails and the settlement pond in this area would require minimal clearing and excavation in an already degraded area. Water released from this point

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 would replace the flow into Baal Bone Creek that would normally come from this branch of its catchment. Discharge would be best into a wide treeless area (as indicated In Appendix 2 - Overlay 1) to prevent waterlogging of species adjacent to the discharge point.

Waterlogging can cause death in Eucalyptus vim/nails.

Power to the plant may come from the east, requiring an easement through woodland in an area where Eucalyptus cannonil and Persoonia marginata was recorded, or from the south, where an access road is already in place. Should the eastern route be used impacts upon threatened species may be minimised by following the recommendations contained herein.

No other threatened flora (from Table 1) will be significantly affected by the development. If a species does occur in the area which was not identified by this survey the activities proposed are not of a scope or magnitude where a species would be removed from the community or region.

No threatened fauna (from Table 2) will be significantly affected by the proposed development. Any impacts that do occur may be minimised by following the recommendations contained herein.

Additional water from the facility will not be of a volume that would significantly change the hydrology of Baal Bone Creek. Provided the quality of the effluent water is similar to that of the creek at the discharge point, no impacts will affect species downstream from this point.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 Section 4— Conclusion and Recommendations

41 Conclusion

The overall impact of the proposed dewatering facilities construction and operation on the ecological community around the facility will not be significant. The area required for installation of the facility is small, and discharge from the facility will follow normal rainfall patterns and volumes. The rate at which water is pumped from the mine will not cause a significant lessening of available water at the surface.

No threatened flora or fauna will be significantly affected by the proposal. If the recommendations contained herein are followed impacts on other native and protected species in the area will be negligible, and impacts that do occur will be minimised. The area may even experience some rehabilitation. Recommendations

Flag all Eucalyptus cannonii and Persoonia marginata before cutting easements and access routes. These species should not be removed during construction of the facility.

Minimise development in pristine areas. The area designated as subsidence affected in Appendix 2 - Overlay 2 has very little value as swamp habitat (too dry). Consolidating the development into this area will minimise the developments impact upon the region as a whole, and the discharge from the facility will restore an environmental flow from this section of its' catchment to Baal Bone Creek.

Easements should be kept to a minimum width where possible. Understorey species should be allowed to regenerate in these strips freely.

No trees greater than 250mm should be removed during construction of the facility.

Fallen timber should be left undisturbed.

Monitoring of water quality should be regular (at least daily during heavy pumping periods).

Noxious plants and animals should have management plans for their control implemented.

The possibility of excavating the subsidence cracks across the subsidence affected southern arm of the swamp area with a view to resealing the swamp base (there-by carrying run-off over the subsidence cracks) should be explored. This would not only allow rehabilitation of the swamp area, but would reduce the amount of water that would need to be pumped from Longwall 19.

A hydrological assessment should be made to assess the change in water availability along the margins of subsidence cracks. This assessment would also address the issue of how much the water table will be lowered by pumping from the mine, and at what rate.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 10 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Australia and New Zealand Environmental Conservation Council 1992 Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters. ANZECC Canberra

Barker J, Grigg GC, Tyler MJ. 1995 A Field Guide to Australian Frogs Surrey Beatty & Sons, Chipping Norton

Brooker MIH, Kleinig DA. 1999 Field Guide to Eucalypts - South Eastern Australia. Volume 1. 2nd Edition. Bloom ings Books, Hawthorn, Victora

Churchill S. 1998 Australian Bats Reed New Holland, Sydney

Cogger HG. 1992 Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia Reed Books, Sydney

Costermans L. 1992 Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia Weldon Publishing, Sydney

Cunningham GM, Mulham WE, Milthorpe PL, Leigh JH. 1981 Plants of Western New South Wales. lnkata Press, Sydney

Hadlington PW, Johnston JA. 1990 An Introduction to Australian Insects New South Wales University Press, Hong Kong

Harden G. (Ed) 1990 Flora of New South Wales. Volumes I - 4. University Press, Sydney

Keeton WT, Gould JL. 1986 Biological Science WW Norton & Company, New York London

King DP. 1993 Soil Landscapes of the Wallerawang 1:100 000 Sheet Department of Conservation and Land Management, Sydney

NSW DLWC Draft Flora and Fauna Survey Guidelines

NSW NPWS 1996-1997 Field Survey Methods

NSW NPWS Atlas of NSW Wildlife. Database - incremental update

NSW NPWS Threatened Species Conservation Act. 1995

Pizzey G, Knight F. 1997 Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus & Robertson, Hong Kong

Strahan R. (Ed) 1983 Complete Book of Australian Mammals Angus & Robertson, Hong Kong

Swan G. 1990 A Field Guide to the Snakes & Lizards of New South Wales. Three Sisters Productions Pty Ltd Winmalee NSW

Triggs B. 1996 Tracks, Scats & Other Traces. A Field Guide to Australian Mammals. Oxford University Press Melbourne

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 11 1221000 I 228000I E90OJ

Appendix 1 - Locality .. - -

- - 6320000

163190001 Key: ''----

P Pitfalitraps - I E Elliot traps I,

C Cage trap

, Veg transects

Bird census I habitat 3 T t and hand search . .

SpotlightIng route L1 I 317000 Scale

1km I $ -T - I

- 31 I 6316000 I

jo / - j S fj Al F - . S 163100 I = I I

1 ./- Source: Cullen Butlen 1:25000(893-3-N) . Ben Bullen 1:25000 (8931-4-5) 16314000 I (i) The Land Information Centre : Panorama Avenue - 8ATHURSTNSW 2795 -

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT — August 2000 12 Overlay 2. Vegetation Communities

1-1 TI. Open woodland Riparian

Swamp

Subsidence affected I

4 •• V

I . S

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 13

jod Longwalt ia ant J4%*

W -

/ U ? / V wrw I /

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'ITT

PEpIr c

Sflfrmen D4iwqiSimq ponds pjq t41

pl Over'ay 2. Vegettkkn Communities

IL Open woo ö

13 Swamp

j Subsidence affected -

ngwalt 14qw4teringio p'ant

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 13 T_____ • 'S

4-1 •• • H.. •

311

Overlay 2. Vegetahon Commumties • • • •W L1Ti Open wood'and 2¼ T2.Ripanan

13 Swamp ••• I Subsidence affected • • . •e • ••• •

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 13 Longwall 1 dewatering plant Ovi Appendix 3 - Flora Species List (Families arranged according to modified Dahlgren system as in The Flora of New South Wales (1990. Editor G Harden))

FAMILY Occurrence Genus species Common Name TI T2 T3

CLASS FILICOPSIDA - Ferns

SINOPTERIDACEAE Chellanthes sieberi ssp. sieberi Rock Fern +

DENNSTAEDTIACEAE Pteridium esculentum Bracken + + +

ASPLENIACEAE Asplenium flabellifolium Necklace Fern +

BLECHNACEAE Blechnum wattsii Hard Water Fern +

CLASS CONIFEROPSIDA - Conifers

PINACEAE *Pinus radiata Radiata Pine +

CLASS MAGNOLIOPSIDA - Flowering Plants

Dicotyledons

RANUNCULACEAE Clematis aristata + +

CARYOPHYLLACEAE Ste//aria flaccida + + Stellaria pungens Prickly Starwort + + +

POLYGONACEAE *Rumex con glomeratus Clustered Dock +

DILLENIACEAE Hibbertia obtusifolia Hoary Guinnea Flower + + Hibbertia riparia Erect Guinnea Flower +

RHAMNACEAE Ci'ytandra amara v. amara +

VIOLAC EAE Viola betonicifolia +

CASUARINACEAE Allocasuarina distyla +

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 14 FAMILY Occurrence Genus species Common Name TI 12 T3

ROSACEAE Rubus pa,vifolius Native Raspberry + t ij/j fruticosis (sp. aggregate) Blackberry + + Acaena novae-zelandiae Bidgee-widgee + + t rubiginosa Sweet Briar +

PROTEACEAE Persoonia marginata + Persoonia levis Broad-leaved Geebung + Persoonia linear/s Narrow-leaved Geebung + + Lomatia sila/folia Crinkle Bush + Banksia marginata + + +

MYRTACEAE Eucalyptus viminalls Ribbon Gum Eucalyptus cannon/i Red Stringybark Eucalyptus paucifiora Snow Gum Eucalyptus sieberi Silvertop Ash Eucalyptus rossi/ Scribbly Gum Leptospermum trinervium Leptospermum continentale Prickly Teatree Leptospermum polygailfolium ssp. polygalifo/um Leptospermum obovatum Leptospermum sphaerocarpum Callistemon citrinus Crimson Bottlebrush

ONAGRACEAE Epilobium billardierianum ssp. hydrophilum

HALORAGACEAE Gonocarpus tetragynus

RUTACEAE Boronia microphylla Small-leaved Boronia

FABACEAE - MIMOSOIDEAE Acacia Ion gifolia Sydney Golden Wattle Acacia melanoxylon Blackwood Acacia ulic/folia Prickly Moses Acacia gunnhi Ploughshare Wattle Acacia buxifolia Box-leaved Wattle Acacia term/na/is Sunshine Wattle Acacia decurrens Black Wattle

FABACEAE - FABOIDEAE Indigo fera austral/s + + + Hardenbergia violacea False Sarsparilla + + + Oxolob/um il/cifollum Prickly Shaggy Pea + + Dillwynia phylicoides + + +

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 15 0 n

FAMILY Occurrence Genus species Common Name Ti T2 T3

OXALIDACEAE Oxalis sp. + +

GERANIACEAE Geranium solanderi v. solanderi Native Geranium + + +

LORANTHACEAE Amyema pendulum ssp. pendulum Drooping Mistletoe + +

SANTA LAC EAE Exocarpos cupressiformis Native Cherry + Exocarpos strictus Dwarf Cherry + +

APIACEAE Oreomyrrhis eriopoda + + Hydrocotyle lax/flora Stinking Pennywort + + + Platysace ericoides + +

CAMPANULACEAE Wahienbergis sp. Native Bluebell + +

ASTERACEAE *Conyzasp Fleabane + + Gnaphalium sphaericum Japanese Cudweed + + Cassinia laevis Cough Bush + Helichi'ysum scorpioides Button Everlasting + Chrysocephalum apiculatum Common Everlasting Senecio diaschides + + Cymbonotus lawsonianus Bears-ear + + *Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle + + + *Hypochaeris radicata Catsear + + + *Taraxacum officionale Dandelion + + *Sonchus oleraceus Common Sowthistle +

ASCLEPIADACEAE *Gomphocarpus fruticosus Narrow-leaved Cotton Bush

CON VOLVULACEAE Dichondra repens Kidney Weed + +

EPACRIDACEAE Styphelia triflora Lissanthe strigosa Peach Heath + Monotoca scoparia + + Leucopogon virgatus + Leucopogon lanceolatus + Brachyloma daphnoides + +

GOODENIACEAE Goodenia hederacea ssp. Hederacea Forest Goodenia + +

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 16 FAMILY Occurrence Genus species Common Name TI T2 T3

RUBIACEAE Galium gaudichaudii Rough Bedstraw + Pomax umbellata + +

GENTIANACEAE *Centaurium erythraea Common Centaury + +

SCROPHULARIACEAE Veronica plebeia Trailing Speedwell + +

PLANTAGINACEAE Plantago varia Variable Plantain + +

VERBENACEAE *Verbena bonariensis Purpletop + +

LAMIACEAE Prostanthera densa + Ajuga australis Austral Bugle +

Monocotyledons

LOMANDRACEAE Lomandra Ion gifolia Spiny-headed Mat-rush + + Lomandra fi/iformis Wattle Mat-rush + +

PHORMIACEAE Dianella revoluta var. revoluta Spreading Flax-lily + + +

IRIDACEAE Patersonia sericea + +

JUNCACEAE Juncus continuus + Juncus subsecundus Finger Rush + + Juncus remotiflorus + Juncus fockei +

CYPERACEAE Schoenus melanostachys + Lepidosperma laterale Variable Sword-sedge + + Caustis flexuosa + Gahnia sieberiana +

POACEAE Chionochloa pal/ida Wallaby Grass + + + Echinopogon ovatus Forest Hedgehog Grass + + Poa sieberiana var sieberiana + + Microlaena stipoides Weeping Meadow Grass + +

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 17 0 .

Appendix 4 - Fauna Species List

Vertebrates Class FAMILY Genus soecies Common Name

Amphibia MYOBATRACHIDAE Cnn/a signifera Common Froglet

Reptilia SCINCIDAE Eulepis duperreyi Three-lined Skink Hemiergis decresiensis Saproscincus mustelina Weasel Skink ELAPIDAE Pseudechis porphyriacus Red-bellied Black Snake (U)

Ayes ANATIDAE Chenonetta jubata Australian Wood Duck ACCIPITRIDAE Aquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle CACATU I DAE Calyptorhynchus funereus Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo PSITTACIDAE Alisterus scapular/s Australian King-parrot Platycercus elegans Crimson Rosella STRIGIDAE Ninox novaeseelandiae Southern Boobook CAPRIMULGIDAE Aego the/es cr/status Australian Owlet-nightjar HALCYONIDAE Dacelo novae guinae Laughing Kookaburra MENURIDAE Menura novaehollandiae Superb Lyrebird CLIMACTERIDAE Cormobates leucophaeus White-throated Tree Creeper MALURIDAE Ma/urus cyaneus Superb Fairy-wren PAR DALOTI DAE Sericornis frontalis White-browed Scrubwren Ananthiza pusilla Brown Thornbill Acanthiza ch,ysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill MELIPHAGIDAE Anthochaera caruncu/ata Red Wattlebird Lichenostomos virescens Singing Honeyeater Lichenostomos leucotis White-eared Honeyeater Me/ithreptus lunatus White-naped Honeyeater Phy//donyris nigra White-cheeked Honeyeater A cantho rhynchus tenuirostris Eastern Spinebill PETROICI DAE M/croeca fascinans Jacky Winter Tre gel/asia capito Pale-yellow Robin CI NCLOSOMATI DAE Psophodes olivaceus Whip Bird PACHYCEPHALI DAE Col/uricincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush ARTAMIDAE Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird Gymnorhina tib/cen Magpie Strepera graculina Pied Currawong CORVI DAE Coivus coronoides Australian Raven CORCORACIDAE Corcorax me/anorhamphos White-winged Chough ZOSTEROPI DAE Zosterops lateral/s Silvereye

Mammalia DASYURIDAE Antechinus stuart/i Brown Antechinus VOMBATIDAE Vombatus ursinus Common Wombat PETAURI DAE Pseudocheiris peregrinus Common Ringtail Possum Petauroides volans Greater Glider MACROPODIDAE Macropus rufogriseus Red-necked Wallaby Macropus giganteus Eastern Grey Kangaroo Wa/labia bicolor Swamp Wallaby LEPORI DAE Otycto/agus cuniculus Rabbit CANI DAE Can/s familiar/s ssp. (U) Dog or dingo SUIDAE Sus scrofa Feral Pig BOVIDAE Bos taurus Cow

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 18 0 Invertebrates Class so. Known OFGs I Common Name or Description

2 Nematodes, 1 pale yellow with dark stripes, the other black 1 Earthworm 1 Red worm (located in mud I stream substrate) Mollusca 2 Gastropoda / slug and snail (15mm diam shell) Crustacea 1 AMPHIPODA / amphipod Arachn ida 1 Chelonethida I pseudoscorpion 2 Scorpionida Lychas marmoreus I marbled scorpion + forest scorpion 4 Araneida I Wolf, crab, jumping and house spiders Chilopoda 3 Ethmostigmus I large red, Aiothereua maculate I wooli, slender yellow centipede Diplopoda I Millipede S Insecta 1 Isoptera I termites 2 Blattodea I cockroaches. Small black and yellow spotted tail lifting varieties 1 Orthoptera GRYLLIDAE Teleogryllus commodus I crickets 2 Dermaptera / earwigs. 1 very big brown one (50mm) + tiny black ones 2 Hemiptera - Heteroptera /2 bugs, flat and stink 1 Hemiptera - Homoptera CICADIDAE I cicada larvae found 5 Coleoptera / beetles inc. Euiylychnus sp, Mastochilus sp, scarabs, weevils, click 2 Lepidoptera PIERIDAE Pieris.rapae / Cabbagewhite Butterfly + hairy caterpilla 2 Diptera / blowfly + large slow black fly I Hymenoptera - Symphyta PERGIDAE Perga sp. I sawflies 2 Hymenoptera - Apocrita SPHECIDAE / mud-dauber + another wasp 9 Hymenoptera - Apocrita FORMICIDAE / ants including goldrumps, sugar ants, greenants, bullants

Lower Plants

Algae 1 Green algae (filamentous) Lichen 6 All lichen types thriving after recent rain and cold weather. Fungi 3 2 small cap fungi + bracket fungi Moss 2 Dense rock cover + large spreading variety

Species marked "U" were not confirmed by this report.

Fauna species are arranged according to Keeton & Gould (1986), Swan (1990), Pizzey et a! (1997), Strahan (1983) and modified Hadlington eta! (1990).

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 19 0 fl

Appendix 5-8 Part Tests

Pursuant to the Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995) the following 8 Part Tests of Significance give individual regard to threatened species when deciding whether there is likely to be a significant effect on individuals or populations of these threatened species, or their habitats, by the proposal.

Spi. Eucalyptus cannonhl

Common name: A Red Stringybark

Status: TSCA 1995 Schedule 2 - Vulnerable Species

Habitat I Distribution: Sclerophyll woodland on shallow soil and rises.

Distribution: Rylstone to upper Wolgan Valley.

Behaviour:

Threatening Processes: Clearing, infrequent occurrence.

Assessment: 1 specimen was found over the course of the fieldwork. 14 records exist on the NPWS Wildlife Atlas for the 1:100 000 mapsheet on which the site is located. On these grounds an 8 Part Test is warranted to assess the significance of the proposal on populations of Eucalyptus cannonii in the area. 8 Part Test:

In the case of a threatened species, whether the life cycle of the species is likely to be disrupted such that a viable local population of the species is likely to be placed at risk of extinction.

If mature trees are removed from the area during construction of the facility the life cycle of this species in the area may be affected (they are not common in the area at all).

In the case of an endangered population, whether the life cycle of the species that constitutes the endangered population is likely to be disrupted such that the viability of the population is likely to be significantly compromised.

An endangered population is defined as a population specified in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the TSCA 1995.

No populations of Eucalyptus cannonhi are listed in this schedule. On this basis the proposed development will not have any effect on any endangered population of Eucalyptus cannonil.

In relation to the regional distribution of the habitat of a threatened species, population or ecological community, whether a significant area of known habitat is to be removed or modified.

Eucalyptus cannonhi is quite widely distributed. The area of the proposed development is not large, and is not significant when compared to this distribution.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 20 Whether an area of known habitat is likely to become isolated from currently interconnecting or proximate areas of habitat for a threatened species, population or ecological community.

The area proposed for the development does not constitute any sort of linkage of populations of Eucalyptus cannon/i or disjunct vegetation communities. The proposal itself is not of a nature which would make communities in which it is located become fragmented or disjunct from neighboring communities.

Whether critical habitat will be affected.

The TSCA 1995 defines critical habitat as habitat declared under Part 3 of the Act.

The area of the proposal is not listed as critical habitat for any species listed on any schedules of the TSCA (1995)

Whether a threatened species, population or ecological community, or their habitats, are adequately represented in conservation reserves (or other similar protected areas) in the region.

Regionally there are The Gardens of Stone NP (adjoining to the north) and Wollemi NP (10 km to the east) which represent the same range of communities as recorded during this survey. These parks contain most of the records for the species. The Ben Bullen (in which the site is located) and Newnes State Forest areas are also extensive tracts in the area, and they also offer a degree of protection.

Whether the development or activity proposed is of a class of development or activity that is recognised as a threatening process.

The TSCA 1995 defines a threatening process as a process that threatens, or may have the capability to threaten, the survival or evolutionary development of a species, population or ecological community.

The proposal is not a process which is listed as a threatening process.

Whether any threatened species, population or ecological community is at the limit of its known distribution.

This area is toward the south-western limits of the known distribution of the species.

Conclusion: While the species has been recorded in the area, the proposal is not of a nature that would significantly affect individuals or populations of Eucalyptus cannon/i in the area, especially if the recommendations contained within this report are followed.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 21 Sp2. Persoonia marginata

Common name:

Status: TSCA 1995 Schedule 2 - Vulnerable Species

Habitat I Distribution: Dry scierophyll forest on sandstone.

Distribution: Capertee district.

Behaviour:

Threatening Processes: Clearing, infrequent occurrence.

Assessment: 1 specimen was found over the course of the fieldwork. I record exists on the NPWS Wildlife Atlas for the 1:100 000 mapsheet on which the site is located. On these grounds an 8 Part Test is warranted to assess the significance of the proposal on populations of Persoonia marginata in the area. 8 Part Test:

In the case of a threatened species, whether the life cycle of the species is likely to be disrupted such that a viable local population of the species is likely to be placed at risk of extinction.

If mature plants are removed from the area during construction of the facility the life cycle of this species in the area may be affected (they are not common in the area at all).

An endangered population is defined as a population specified in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the TSCA 1995.

No populations of Persoonia marginata are listed in this schedule. On this basis the proposed development will not have any effect on any endangered population of Persoonia marginata.

In relation to the regional distribution of the habitat of a threatened species, population or ecological community, whether a significant area of known habitat is to be removed or modified.

Persoonia marginata is not widely distributed, however the area of the proposed development is not large, and is not significant when compared to its' overall distribution.

Whether an area of known habitat is likely to become isolated from currently interconnecting or proximate areas of habitat for a threatened species, population or ecological community.

The area proposed for the development does not constitute any sort of linkage of populations of Persoonia marginata or disjunct vegetation communities. The proposal itself is not of a nature which would make communities in which it is located become fragmented or disjunct from neighboring communities.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 22 Whether critical habitat will be affected.

The TSCA 1995 defines critical habitat as habitat declared under Part 3 of the Act.

The area of the proposal is not listed as critical habitat for any species listed on any schedules of the TSCA (1995)

Whether a threatened species, population or ecological community, or their habitats, are adequately represented in conservation reserves (or other similar protected areas) in the region.

Whether the development or activity proposed is of a class of development or activity that is recognised as a threatening process.

The proposal is not a process which is listed as a threatening process.

Whether any threatened species, population or ecological community is at the limit of its known distribution.

This area is at the southern limits of the known distribution of the species.

Conclusion: While the species has been recorded in the area, the proposal is not of a nature that would significantly affect individuals or populations of Persoonia marginata in the area, especially if the recommendations contained within this report are followed.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 23 Sp3. Eulamprus Ieuraensis

Common name: Blue Mountains Water Skink

Status: TSCA 1995 Schedule I Part 1 - Endangered Species

Habitat I Distribution: Wet heath or hanging swamp

Distribution: Newnes Plateau - Wentworth Falls

Behaviour: Terrestrial diurnal lizard found in wet swampy areas.

Threatening Processes: Clearing, infrequent occurrence.

Assessment: As habitat suited to this species was recorded, and 5 records exist on the NPWS Wildlife Atlas for the 1:100 000 mapsheet on which the site is located, an 8 Part Test is warranted to assess the significance of the proposal on populations of Eulamprus Ieuraensis in the area. 8 Part Test:

In the case of a threatened species, whether the life cycle of the species is likely to be disrupted such that a viable local population of the species is likely to be placed at risk of extinction.

The proposal will not disrupt the life cycle of Eulamprus Ieuraensis during construction or by its operation.

An endangered population is defined as a population specified in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the TSCA 1995.

No populations of Eulamprus Ieuraensis are listed in this schedule. On this basis the proposed development will not have any effect on any endangered population of Eulamprus Ieuraensis.

In relation to the regional distribution of the habitat of a threatened species, population or ecological community, whether a significant area of known habitat is to be removed or modified.

The swampy areas of suitable habitat for Eulamprus Ieuraensis in the area will not be significantly impacted upon by construction of operation of the development. Up to 1/3 of the swamp in the immediate region will experience these effects, however this area already appears to be in a degraded state. The area which may be affected by the development represents an insignificant fraction of the area where the species may be found.

Whether an area of known habitat is likely to become isolated from currently interconnecting or proximate areas of habitat for a threatened species, population or ecological community.

The area proposed for the development does not constitute any sort of linkage of populations of Eulamprus Ieuraensis or disjunct swampy habitat communities. The proposal itself is not of a nature which would make communities in which it is located become fragmented or disjunct from neighboring communities.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 24 Whether critical habitat will be affected.

The TSCA 1995 defines critical habitat as habitat declared under Part 3 of the Act.

The area of the proposal is not listed as critical habitat for any species listed on any schedules of the TSCA (1995)

Whether a threatened species, population or ecological community, or their habitats, are adequately represented in conservation reserves (or other similar protected areas) in the region.

Whether the development or activity proposed is of a class of development or activity that is recognised as a threatening process.

The proposal is not a process which is listed as a threatening process.

Whether any threatened species, population or ecological community is at the limit of its known distribution.

This area is toward the western limits of the known distribution of the species.

Conclusion: Eulamprus Ieuraensis is generally found in swamps described vegetatively as Newnes Plateau swamps. The swamp around the proposal site is classified vegetatively as an Upper Coxs' Catchment swamp. This would make occurrence of the lizard very unlikely in the area in the first place. The proposal itself would have minimal impacts upon populations of the species in the area in any case, especially if the recommendations contained herein are followed.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 25 Sp4. Pseudophryne australis

Common name: Red-crowned Toadlet

Status: TSCA 1995 Schedule 2 - Vulnerable Species

Habitat I Distribution: A variety of damp situations.

Distribution: Hawkesbury Sandstone country from Stanwell Park in the south to Newcastle

Behaviour:

Threatening Processes: Loss of habitat, infrequent occurrence.

Assessment: As habitat suited to this species was recorded, and 8 records exist on the NPWS Wildlife Atlas for the 1:100 000 mapsheet on which the site is located, an 8 Part Test is warranted to assess the significance of the proposal on populations of Pseudophryne australis in the area. 8 Part Test:

In the case of a threatened species, whether the life cycle of the species is likely to be disrupted such that a viable local population of the species is likely to be placed at risk of extinction.

The proposal will not disrupt the life cycle of Pseudophryne australis during construction or by its operation.

An endangered population is defined as a population specified in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the TSCA 1995.

No populations of Pseudophryne australis are listed in this schedule. On this basis the proposed development will not have any effect on any endangered population of Pseudophryne australis.

In relation to the regional distribution of the habitat of a threatened species, population or ecological community, whether a significant area of known habitat is to be removed or modified.

The swampy areas of suitable habitat for Pseudophryne australis in the area will not be significantly impacted upon by construction of operation of the development. Up to 1/3 of the swamp in the immediate region will experience these effects, however this area already appears to be in a degraded state. The area which may be affected by the development represents an insignificant fraction of the area where the species may be found.

Whether an area of known habitat is likely to become isolated from currently interconnecting or proximate areas of habitat for a threatened species, population or ecological community.

The area proposed for the development does not constitute any sort of linkage of populations of Pseudophryne australis or disjunct swampy habitat communities. The proposal itself is not

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 26 of a nature which would make communities in which it is located become fragmented or disjunct from neighboring communities.

Whether critical habitat will be affected.

The TSCA 1995 defines critical habitat as habitat declared under Part 3 of the Act.

The area of the proposal is not listed as critical habitat for any species listed on any schedules of the TSCA (1995)

Whether a threatened species, population or ecological community, or their habitats, are adequately represented in conservation reserves (or other similar protected areas) in the region.

Whether the development or activity proposed is of a class of development or activity that is recognised as a threatening process.

The proposal is not a process which is listed as a threatening process.

Whether any threatened species, population or ecological community is at the limit of its known distribution.

This area is toward the western limits of the known distribution of the species.

Conclusion: Pseudophryne australis is found in swamps in a variety of wet situations from swamps to sandstone crevices over a large area. The proposal itself would have minimal impacts upon habitat for the species or populations of the species in the area in the first instance. The distribution of the species would make any impacts upon populations in this area negligible to the species as a whole. If the recommendations contained herein are followed any impacts that do occur would be minimised.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 27 Appendix 6 - Water Analysis

2 samples were taken from upstream of the discharge point from the proposed facility in order to obtain some benchmark figures for comparison with the facilities effluent.

Samples were refrigerated until analysis was made, however standards from the Australian Standards for Collection and Preservation of Water Samples (AS 2031.1 - 1986) were not adhered to during collection and before analysis of the samples (all samples were collected in polyethylene containers and stored for 6 days before analysis commenced - no fixing or acidification of samples took place).

These figures must therefore be considered approximations only.

Component Sample 1 Sample 2 Av. pH 6.23 6.31 6.28 Hardness (mg/L CaCO3) 6.26 7.68 6.97 Conductivity (p.S/cm) 240 240 240 TDS(mg/L) 18 16 17 TSS (mg/L) 7 1 4 Fe(sol.mg/L) 1.58 1.17 1.37 Fe (total mg/L) 2.00 1.17 1.58 Zn(mgIL) 0.13 3.2 1.66 Cr (mg/L) 0.33 0 0.16 SO4 (mg/L) 5.01 5.01 5.01 PO4 (sol. mg/L) 0 0 0 PO4 (total mg/L) 0.04 0.02 0.03

Analysis was performed by J Poposki of CSU Bathurst.

MJADWESCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE SUPPORT - August 2000 28 11