Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Prepared for

Talis Consultants

8 March 2017

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

DOCUMENT TRACKING

Item Detail

Project Name Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey Project Number 6236 Sarah Dalgleish Project Manager Suite 1 & 2, 49 Ord Street West Perth 6005 (08) 9227 1070 Prepared by Jeni Morris, Sarah Dalgleish Reviewed by Joel Collins Approved by Joel Collins Status FINAL Version Number 3 Last saved on 8 March 2017 Cover photo Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanian Blue Gum) plantation © Eco Logical Australia 2017.

This report should be cited as ‘Eco Logical Australia 2017. Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey. Prepared for Talis Consultants.’

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This document has been prepared by Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd with support from Talis Consultants.

Disclaimer This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the contract between Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd and Talis Consultants. The scope of services was defined in consultation with Talis Consultants, by time and budgetary constraints imposed by the client, and the availability of reports and other data on the subject area. Changes to available information, legislation and schedules are made on an ongoing basis and readers should obtain up to date information. Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report and its supporting material by any third party. Information provided is not intended to be a substitute for site specific assessment or legal advice in relation to any matter. Unauthorised use of this report in any form is prohibited.

Template 29/9/2015

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Contents

1 Introduction ...... 1 1.1 Project background ...... 1 1.2 Legislative framework ...... 1

2 Desktop review ...... 2 2.1 Climate ...... 2 2.2 Database searches ...... 2 2.3 Bioregion ...... 3 2.4 Landform, geology and soils...... 3 2.5 Vegetation...... 4 2.6 Conservation significant areas and Environmentally Sensitive Areas ...... 4

3 Methodology ...... 8 3.1 Survey team and timing ...... 8 3.2 Survey limitations ...... 8 3.3 Reconnaissance flora and vegetation survey ...... 9 3.3.1 Specimen identification and nomenclature ...... 9 3.4 Level 1 fauna survey ...... 9 3.5 Conservation significant fauna and fauna habitat ...... 10 3.5.1 Opportunistic fauna observations ...... 10 3.5.2 Taxonomy and nomenclature ...... 10

4 Results ...... 11 4.1 Flora and vegetation ...... 11 4.1.1 Flora ...... 11 4.1.2 Conservation significant flora ...... 11 4.1.3 Introduced flora ...... 11 4.1.4 Vegetation communities ...... 11 4.1.5 Vegetation condition ...... 12 4.1.6 Threatened or Priority Ecological Communities ...... 13 4.2 Fauna ...... 16 4.2.1 Fauna species ...... 16 4.2.2 Conservation significant fauna ...... 16 4.2.3 Introduced fauna ...... 16 4.2.4 Fauna habitats ...... 16

5 Summary and conclusions ...... 19 5.1 Flora and vegetation ...... 19

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

5.2 Fauna ...... 19 5.3 Potential significance under the EPBC Act ...... 20

References ...... 22

Appendix A Framework for conservation significant flora and fauna in Western Australia ...... 24

Appendix B Likelihood of occurrence criteria ...... 32

Appendix C Flora likelihood of occurrence ...... 34

Appendix D Fauna likelihood of occurrence ...... 37

List of figures

Figure 1: Study area location ...... 5

Figure 2: Previously recorded conservation significant flora and fauna in the vicinity of the study area ... 6

Figure 3: Previously recorded Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities in the vicinity of the study area ...... 7

Figure 4: Vegetation communities within the study area ...... 14

Figure 5: Vegetation condition within the study area ...... 15

Figure 6: Fauna habitats within the study area ...... 18

List of tables

Table 1: Rainfall data collected at Merivale Farm Weather Station (009954) 12 months prior to the field survey and average monthly rainfall data ...... 2

Table 2: Field survey staff, qualifications, licences and experience ...... 8

Table 3: Survey limitations ...... 8

Table 4:Vegetation communities identified in the study area ...... 12

Table 5: Vegetation condition areas ...... 13

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Description

BoM Bureau of Meteorology

DAFWA Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia

DEC Department of Environment and Conservation

DER Department of Environment Regulation

DotEE Department of the Environment and Energy

DPaW Department of Parks and Wildlife

ELA Eco Logical Australia

EPA Environmental Protection Authority

EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)

ESA Environmentally Sensitive Area

ha Hectare

IBRA Interim Biogeographical Regionalisation for Australia

km Kilometre

mm millimetre

MNES Matters of National Environmental Significance

PEC Priority Ecological Community

PMST Protected Matters Search Tool

SEWPaC Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

TEC Threatened Ecological Community

WAH Western Australian Herbarium

WAM Western Australian Museum

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Abbreviation Description

WC Act WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WA)

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

1 Introduction

1.1 Project background Eco Logical Australia (ELA) was engaged by Talis Consultants, on behalf of the Shire of Esperance, to undertake a survey of Site 19 (the study area), which has been identified as a potentially suitable location for a proposed Waste Management Facility (the Proposal).

The study area is located approximately 11 kilometres (km) northeast of Esperance, covering a total area of approximately 331.7 hectares (ha). It is bound by Kirwan Road to the west and Merivale Road to the south. The eastern boundary is bound by agricultural land (Figure 1). The study area has historically been utilised for Pastoral purposes and is now a Tasmanian Blue Gum plantation (Eucalyptus globulus).

The objectives of the flora and fauna survey were to:

 Undertake a desktop assessment to identify potential presence of Threatened, Priority or other conservation significant flora and fauna species  Undertake a reconnaissance flora and vegetation survey to record, describe and map vegetation types  Targeted survey to record conservation listed flora and fauna species or habitats  Level 1 fauna survey to record fauna species and habitats

1.2 Legislative framework The reconnaissance flora and Level 1 fauna survey was undertaken in accordance with the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) guidelines in place at the time. Specifically, the survey was undertaken in accordance with the following:

 EPA Environmental Factor Guideline: Flora and Vegetation (EPA 2016a);  EPA Technical Guidance: Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA 2016b);  EPA Guidance Statement No. 56 - Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia (EPA 2004b);  EPA Position Statement No. 3 - Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection (EPA 2002);  EPA and Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) Technical Guide – Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA and DEC 2010); and  EPA Guidance Statement No. 33 – Environmental Guidance for Planning and Development (EPA 2008).

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

2 Desktop review

2.1 Climate The Esperance subregion experiences a warm, dry, Mediterranean climate with five to six dry months (Beard 1980). Based on climate data from the nearby Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) Merivale Farm Weather Station (Station number 009954, rainfall data 1972 – current, located approximately 4 km west of the study area), the study area received a total of 503.8 millimetres (mm) of rainfall in the 12 months prior to the field survey (BoM 2017; Table 1). This is below the annual average rainfall of 637.4 mm, with most rainfall occurring during the months of June, August and September (61.8 mm, 91.4 mm and 69.6 mm respectively) (Table 1). In the three months prior to the filed survey in February, 38.6 mm of rain was recorded, which was lower than the average rainfall for the same period (94.6 mm).

Mean monthly maximum temperatures in the area range from 17.2 °C in July to 26.2 °C in January and February, and a mean monthly minimum temperatures range from 8.3 °C in July to 16.2 °C in February (based on temperature data recorded at Esperance Weather Station (station number 009789); BoM 2017).

Table 1: Rainfall data collected at Merivale Farm Weather Station (009954) 12 months prior to the field survey and average monthly rainfall data

Month Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Total

Total monthly rainfall 2015- 16.4 40.2 44.4 50.6 61.8 56.4 91.4 69.6 34.4 6.0 26.4 6.2 503.8 16 (mm)

Average monthly 19.5 35.9 44.0 71.4 75.4 94.1 87.7 68.4 46.4 33.7 23.4 37.5 637.4 rainfall (mm) *Data obtained from BoM (2017)

2.2 Database searches The following Commonwealth and State databases were searched for information relating to conservation significant flora, fauna and ecological communities in order to compile and summarise existing data to inform the field survey:

 Commonwealth Protected Matters Search Tool (PMST) for Threatened species and communities listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act; Department of the Environment and Energy [DotEE] 2017a);  Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) and Western Australian Museum (WAM) NatureMap online flora and fauna database (DPaW 2007-2017);  DPaW Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities database (DPaW 2017a);  DPaW databases for Threatened Flora listed under the latest WA Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice and Priority listed flora (DPaW 2017b);  DPaW databases for Scheduled fauna listed under the latest WA Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice and Priority listed fauna (DPaW 2017c);  Department of Environment Regulation (DER) ESA database (DER 2017); and  Western Australian Organism List (DAFWA 2017a).

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

The likelihood of occurrence for conservation significant species in the survey area was determined based on the location of database records, the presence of suitable habitat in the survey area, and knowledge of the species’ ecology. A total of 39 conservation significant flora species and 46 conservation significant fauna species have previously been recorded within a 20 km radius of the study area. There are no previous records of conservation significant flora or fauna species recorded within the study area (Figure 2).

Conservation codes, categories and criteria for flora and fauna protected under the EPBC Act and WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WC Act) are provided in Appendix A. Specific criteria were used to assess the likelihood of occurrence of conservation listed flora. The likelihood of occurrence assessment was based on the species matching the criteria described in Appendix B The likelihood of occurrence assessment for each conservation significant species was based on the species matching one or more of these criteria.

2.3 Bioregion The Interim Biogeographical Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) Version 7 recognises 89 geographically distinct bioregions based on common climate, geology, landform, native vegetation and species information. The 89 bioregions are further refined into 419 subregions which are more localised and homogenous geomorphological units in each bioregion (DotEE 2017b).

The study area lies within the Esperance Plains bioregion. The Esperance Plains bioregion is further divided into two subregions:

 Esperance 1 (ESP1 – Fitzgerald subregion): variable relief, comprising subdued relief on the sandplains of the coastal region, punctuated with metamorphosed granite and quartzite ranges both inland and on the coastal plain. It lies mainly on the Bremer Sedimentary Basin and the eastern and western sections of the ESP1 subregion within the Albany-Fraser Orogen of the Yilgarn Craton. It has extensive western plains over Eocene marine sediment basement with small areas of Gneiss outcropping. Archaean greenstones – sand sheets with varying levels of lateritisation with gravel soils also occurs. The region is dominated by duplex soils and deep and shallow sands on the plains and dissected areas and by shallow sandy soils on the mountain ranges. Vegetation types are diverse, often cryptic and significantly endemically localised in nature. Eucalypts dominate most systems in an unparalleled array of diversity.  Esperance 2 (ESP2 – Recherche subregion): variable relief, comprising the Quaternary coastal sandplains and dunes overlying Proterozoic gneiss and granite as well as Eocene and more recent coastal limestones. Numerous granitic islands occur in the near shore area of this subregion. Vegetation comprises heath, coastal dune scrub, mallee, mallee-heath and granite heath. Vegetation types are diverse.

The study area falls within the ESP2 – Recherche subregion, and is characterised by Eucalyptus open mallee shrubland, Lambertia mixed shrubland and Andersonia mixed heath (DAFWA 2017b).

2.4 Landform, geology and soils The study area lies on the Esperance Plains, overlying Eocene sediments on abrupt granite and quartzite ranges that rise from the plain. The Esperance Plains subregion comprises the Quaternary coastal sandplains and dunes overlying Proterozoic gneiss and granite as well as Eocene and more recent coastal limestones (DotEE 2017b).

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Soils comprise of sand or gravel plains; quartz sand sheets commonly with ferruginous pisoliths or pebbles, minor clay; local calcrete, laterite, silcrete, silt, clay, alluvium, colluvium or Aeolian sand (DAFWA 2017b).

2.5 Vegetation Vegetation type and extent has been mapped at a regional scale by Beard (1975) who categorised vegetation into broad vegetation associations. Based on Beard’s (1975) mapping at a scale of 1:1,000,000, DAFWA (2017b) has compiled a list of the types and extent of vegetation associations across WA (Shepherd et al. 2002).

One broad vegetation association has been previously mapped across the study area:

 Vegetation association 47: shrublands; tallerack mallee-heath: Eucalyptus open mallee shrubland, Lambertia mixed shrubland and Andersonia mixed heath.

The extent of vegetation association 47 remaining within the ESP2 – Recherche subregion is 15.06% of its pre-European extent (Government of Western Australia 2015). Due to the previously historic clearing of the study area it is expected that vegetation association 47 does not occur.

2.6 Conservation significant areas and Environmentally Sensitive Areas Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are defined in the Environmental Protection (Environmentally Sensitive Areas) Notice 2005 under section 51B of the WA Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act). ESAs include areas declared as World Heritage, areas included on the Register of the National Estate1, defined wetlands, vegetation containing Threatened flora, Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs), and Bush Forever sites.

There are no known TEC’s or PEC’s occurring within the study area. However, there are several occurrences of the Proteaceae Dominated Kwongan Shrublands of the Southeast Coastal Province of Western Australia outside of the study area. This vegetation community is listed on DPaW’s Priority Ecological Community list (Priority 3), and as a Threatened Ecological Community (Endangered) under the EPBC Act (DPaW 2017a). The study area occurs within several buffer areas of the Proteaceae Dominated Kwongan Shrublands, however the community does not occur within the study area itself (DPaW 2017a; Figure 3).

Mullet Lake Nature Reserve occurs approximately 2 km to the west of the study area. A portion of Mullet Lake Nature Reserve also comprises Wetland listed under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for international cooperation for the conservation of wetland habitats (CALM 1999). Portions of the Recherche Archipelago Nature Reserve are located approximately 9 km to the south/southwest of the study area, and Cape Le Grand National Park is located approximately 14.5 km to the south of the study area.

1 The Register of National Estate was closed in 2007 and is no longer a statutory list. The Register of National Estate has been replaced by the National Heritage List under the EPBC Act.

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Figure 1: Study area location

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Figure 2: Previously recorded conservation significant flora and fauna in the vicinity of the study area

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Figure 3: Previously recorded Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities in the vicinity of the study area

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

3 Methodology

3.1 Survey team and timing A reconnaissance flora and vegetation survey and a Level 1 fauna survey was conducted on the 8 February by ELA Senior Botanist / Ecology Manager Joel Collins. The timing of the survey was considered outside of the recommended survey timing for the South-West (EPA 2016b). This is not considered a constraint as the study area has been previously cleared and the area is not likely to support significant flora and fauna species. Joel Collins’s qualifications and relevant licences held are provided in Table 2.

Table 2: Field survey staff, qualifications, licences and experience

Name Qualification Licences Relevant experience

Thirteen years’ experience undertaking Flora scientific collection ecological surveys licence no. SL011816 Joel Collins B. Agribus Hort (hons) throughout WA, south DRF collection licence no. west and Swan Coastal 08-1617 Plain, as well as the Wheatbelt.

3.2 Survey limitations The EPA Technical Guide – Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA 2016b) recommends including discussion of the constraints and limitations of the survey methods used. Constraints and limitations for the Level 2 flora and vegetation, and Level 1 fauna survey for the study area are summarised in Table 3.

Table 3: Survey limitations

Factor Limitations

Sources of Database searches provide adequate information about threatened and priority flora and information fauna, TECs and PECs that may be present, or likely to occur, within the study area.

Scope of works The scope of works provided adequate detail to achieve the survey objectives.

The survey requirements of a reconnaissance flora and vegetation survey and a Level 1 fauna survey were adequately met. Vegetation condition and community were described, Completeness of and targeted sampling was undertaken to effectively search for Threatened and Priority survey flora. Habitat assessments were conducted to effectively determine likelihood of occurrence of the relevant conservation significant flora and fauna species.

The survey effort was satisfactory for a reconnaissance flora and vegetation survey and Intensity of survey Level 1 fauna survey, and considering the size and location of the study area as per EPA Technical Guide (EPA 2016b).

The timing of the survey was appropriate for a reconnaissance flora and vegetation survey Timing, weather, and Level 1 fauna survey, and in accordance with EPA Technical guide (EPA 2016b) and season, cycle Guidance Statements 56 (EPA 2004)

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Factor Limitations

There were indications of disturbance within the study area, including historical clearing Disturbances and little to no native vegetation remaining.

The team members that completed the surveys are suitably qualified in their respective Resources fields to identify specimens, assess habitat, and detect species.

Accessibility All relevant areas in the study area were easily accessed and surveyed on foot.

3.3 Reconnaissance flora and vegetation survey The flora and vegetation survey was undertaken in accordance with the EPA Environmental Factor Guideline: Flora and Vegetation (EPA 2016a) and the EPA Technical Guidance: Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA 2016b).

A reconnaissance survey was undertaken on the 9 February, 2017 by ELA Senior Botanist Joel Collins, to provide context and gather broad information about the study area (EPA 2016b). The following tasks were undertaken as part of the reconnaissance flora survey:

 Describe and map vegetation types present;  A vegetation condition assessment in accordance with Keighery (1994) and EPA Technical Guidance (2016b); and  A targeted survey was completed within the study area for conservation listed flora and ecological communities, including: o Threatened flora listed under the EPBC Act o Threatened (Declared Rare) Flora listed under the latest WA Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice o Priority flora recognised by DPaW.

3.3.1 Specimen identification and nomenclature Nomenclature used for the flora species within this report follows the WA Plant Census as available on FloraBase (DPaW 2017e). Voucher specimens were collected in the field of all actual or potential conservation listed flora species. Collections were made of other species, if required, that commonly occurred in the habitat of the conservation listed species to enable correct identification. All collections were assigned a unique collecting number.

Specimen identification was undertaken by ELA Senior Botanist Joel Collins. Species identification utilised taxonomic literature and keys with required specimens confirmed using the Western Australian Herbarium (WAH) reference collection. Suitable material that meets WAH specimen lodgement requirements, such as flowering material and range extensions, will be submitted along with Threatened and Priority Report forms to DPaW, as required by conditions of collection licences issued under the WC Act.

3.4 Level 1 fauna survey The survey design was aligned with methodology outlined in EPA Guidance Statement No. 56: Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia (EPA 2004), the principles outlined in EPA Position Statement No. 3: Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection (EPA 2002), and the Technical Guide – Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA and DEC 2010).

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

3.5 Conservation significant fauna and fauna habitat An assessment of fauna habitat in terms of its ability to support and sustain populations of fauna, along with an assessment of the likelihood of occurrence of conservation significant fauna species (Appendix D) was undertaken during the survey. The habitat characteristic and fauna database records used in assessing likelihood of occurrence for fauna included:

 Vegetation community type, structure and condition;  Soil and landform type;  Extent and connectivity of potential habitat;  Fauna species habitat preferences;  Proximity of conservation significant fauna records; and  Signs of species presence.

3.5.1 Opportunistic fauna observations Opportunistic fauna recording was an integral technique of this fauna study. Opportunistic recordings were made at all times during the field survey. These included visual sightings of active fauna such as reptiles and birds; records of bird calls; and signs of species presence such as tracks, diggings, burrows, scats and any other signs of fauna activity.

3.5.2 Taxonomy and nomenclature Nomenclature used for the vertebrate fauna species within this report follows the Western Australian Museum (WAM) Checklist of the Vertebrates of Western Australia (WAM 2017). Where common names were not stated for certain species, the following references were consulted:

 Amphibians and reptiles: Bush et al. (2010);  Reptiles: Wilson and Swan (2013);  Birds: Simpson and Day (2010); and  Mammals: Menkhorst and Knight (2011).

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

4 Results

4.1 Flora and vegetation

4.1.1 Flora A total of 13 dominant flora species were recorded within the study area. This total included six (46% of the total) native and seven (54% of the total) introduced taxa. The taxa comprised nine families and 13 genera.

Native species recorded within the study site include:

 Acacia cyclops;  Eucalyptus globulus (eastern states species - plantation);  Ficinia nodosa;  Hypolaena exsulca;  Juncus kraussii subsp. australiensis; and  Typha domingensis.

4.1.2 Conservation significant flora No conservation significant flora species have previously been recorded within the study area (DPaW 2017b). An initial 39 conservation listed flora species were identified from database records as having previously been recorded within 20 km of the study area.

There was no conservation significant flora recorded within the study area. This was due to the study area lacking suitable habitat as a result of being historically cleared.

A full list of conservation listed flora species is presented in Appendix C.

4.1.3 Introduced flora Introduced (weed) species represented 54% of the total flora species recorded in the study area with a total of 7 taxa recorded:

 *Bromus diandrus (Great Brome);  *Carduus pycnocephalus (Slender Thistle);  *Cynodon dactylon (Couch);  *Eragrostis curvula (African Lovegrass);  *Lagurus ovatus (Hare’s Tail Grass);  *Pentameris airoides (False Hairgrass); and  *Pelargonium capitatum (Rose Pelargonium).

4.1.4 Vegetation communities Three vegetation communities were recorded within the study area:

 Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanian Blue Gum) plantation (303.75 ha; 91.6%);  Typha domingensis and Juncus kraussii subsp. australiensis scattered sedges (2.52 ha, 0.8%); and  Juncus kraussii subsp. australiensis scattered sedges with introduced grasses (8.90 ha; 2.7%).

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Table 4:Vegetation communities identified in the study area

Hectares Vegetation community Image (ha)

Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanian Blue Gum) plantation on grey sand over clay/gravel. The plantation has been established approximately 7-10 years ago on previously cleared 303.75 farmland. Acacia cyclops was also occasionally present in the mid storey. This species has either been planted or as germinated from the soil seed bank.

Typha domingensis and Juncus kraussii subsp. australiensis scattered sedges 2.52 growing on white clay within man made dams.

Juncus kraussii subsp. australiensis scattered sedges and *Eragrostis curvula and 8.90 N/A other introduced grasses growing on previously cleared areas

4.1.5 Vegetation condition All areas of vegetation within the study area was classed as Completely Degraded, based on the Keighery (1994) Vegetation Scale (Table 5; Figure 5). This area has been historically cleared with little to no native vegetation remaining, and a Tasmanian Blue Gum plantation has subsequently been established. Tracks throughout the study area accounted for 5% of the total area (16.56 ha).

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Table 5: Vegetation condition areas

Vegetation condition Total Area (ha) Portion of the study area (%)

Completely Degraded 315.17 95

Tracks 16.56 5

Total 331.73 100

4.1.6 Threatened or Priority Ecological Communities There are no State or Commonwealth listed TECs or PECs inferred to be present within the study area.

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Figure 4: Vegetation communities within the study area

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Figure 5: Vegetation condition within the study area

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

4.2 Fauna

4.2.1 Fauna species A total of 11 fauna species were observed opportunistically or signs of them detected during the field survey. This comprised seven birds and four mammals.

The bird species observed included:

 Corvus coronoides (Australian Raven);  Cracticus (Butcherbird);  Cracticus tibicen (Australian Magpie);  Falco berigora (Brown Falcon);  Grallina cyanoleuca (Magpie-lark);  Manorina flavigula (Yellow-throated Miner); and  Tachybaptus novaehollandiae (Australasian Grebe).

The mammal species observed, or signs of them observed, included:

 Macropus fuliginosus (Western Grey Kangaroo);  Oryctolagus cuniculus (European Rabbit; scats observed);  Ovis aries (Sheep; scats observed); and  Vulpes vulpes (European Fox).

4.2.2 Conservation significant fauna No conservation significant fauna species have previously been recorded within the study area (DPaW 2017c). An initial 46 conservation listed flora species were identified from database records as having previously been recorded within 20 km of the study area.

There was no conservation significant fauna recorded within the study area. Following the field survey, it was determined that the vegetation present has the potential to support four conservation significant fauna species:

 Calyptorhynchus baudinii (Baudin’s Black Cockatoo), listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act, WC Act and/or the IUCN red list;  Calyptorhynchus latirostris (Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo), listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act, WC Act and/or the IUCN red list;  Falco peregrinus (Peregrine Falcon), listed as Schedule 7: Other specially protected fauna under the WC Act; and  Merops ornatus (Rainbow Bee-eater), listed as Schedule 5: Migratory birds protected under an international agreement under the WC Act.

A full list of conservation listed fauna species is presented in Appendix D.

4.2.3 Introduced fauna Three introduced fauna species were observed, or signs of them observed, during the field survey. These included European Fox, European Rabbit and Sheep.

4.2.4 Fauna habitats The study area contains two fauna habitat types: Tasmanian Blue Gum plantation with small cleared areas (312.65 ha; 94.5%); and small, man-made dams with Typha sp. and sedges (2.52 ha; 0.8%).

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Tracks throughout the study area accounted for 5% of the total area (16.56 ha). Fauna habitats within the study area were in Completely Degraded condition.

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Figure 6: Fauna habitats within the study area

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

5 Summary and conclusions

5.1 Flora and vegetation A total of 13 dominant flora taxa were identified within the study area (six native and seven introduced taxa). There were no conservation significant flora species recorded. This was due to the study area lacking suitable habitat as a result of being historically cleared.

Three vegetation communities were recorded within the study area: Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanian Blue Gum) plantation (91.6%), Typha domingensis and Juncus kraussii subsp. australiensis scattered sedges (0.8%) and Juncus kraussii subsp. australiensis scattered sedges with introduced grasses (2.7%). Tracks accounted for 5% of the study area. Condition throughout the study area was Completely Degraded, due to the historic clearing.

To the south of the study area, along Merivale Road, there is adjoining native vegetation that forms part of the drainage system that drains into Doombup Lake. This vegetation predominately consists of communities dominated by Melaleuca cuticularis with Gahnia trifidia and Juncus kraussii and mallee woodlands of Eucalyptus occidentalis and other mixed mallee species over Acacia cyclops and Xanthorrhoea sp. shrublands. There are occurrences of Proteaceae Dominated Kwongan Shrublands of the Southeast Coastal Province of Western Australia along this drainage system to Doombup Lake. This vegetation community is listed on DPaW’s Priority Ecological Community list (Priority 3), and as a Threatened Ecological Community (Endangered) under the EPBC Act (DPaW 2017a). It is considered unlikely that the Proposal will have a detrimental effect on the ecological values of this system if all precautionary steps are taken to ensure that the landfill is secure and contained to the study area.

5.2 Fauna A total of 11 fauna species were observed or traces observed opportunistically within the study area. This included seven bird species and four mammal species. Three of these mammal species, European Fox, European Rabbit and Sheep are introduced to the study area. There were no conservation significant fauna species observed during the field survey.

The study area contains two fauna habitat types, comprising: Tasmanian Blue Gum plantation with small cleared areas (94.2%), and small, man-made dams with Typha sp. and sedges (0.8%). These habitats are in Completely Degraded condition. Tracks accounted for 5% of the study area.

Following the field survey, it was determined that Baudin’s Black Cockatoo and Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo have the potential to occur within the study area, as both of these species could potentially utilise the Tasmanian Blue Gum species for night roosting (SEWPaC 2012). However, as the Proposal does not propose to clear all Tasmanian Blue Gum trees in this plantation, and as these Black Cockatoo species do not utilise these trees for breeding or foraging, it is unlikely that the Proposal will have a detrimental impact on this species. The trees that will be retained within the study area may be utilised as roosting trees in the future. The study area is not currently known as a confirmed roosting site and was not monitored during the 2016 Great Cocky Count (Peck et al 2016). The closest known roosting site is located approximately 4-6 km to the north-west of the study area (Peck et al 2016).

In addition to the Black Cockatoo species, it was found that the Peregrine Falcon and the Rainbow Bee- eater also have the potential to occur. This assessment is based on the availability of suitable habitat for these species, with sandy soils available for the Rainbow Bee-eater to utilise for nesting/burrowing, and

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foraging habitat available for the Peregrine Falcon. In addition, there are records of both species within 2 km of the study area. However, neither species has previously been recorded within the study area. Due to the already highly degraded nature of the study area, and the availability of suitable habitat in nearby areas, any potential impacts to these species from the Proposal are unlikely to be significant on these species.

5.3 Potential significance under the EPBC Act Proposed clearing actions that have, will have, or are likely to have, a significant impact on a Matter of National Environmental Significance (MNES), such as Black Cockatoos and RAMSAR wetlands, are required to be referred to the Commonwealth under the EPBC Act.

The results of the Black Cockatoo habitat assessment have been considered in reference to the EPBC Act referral guidelines (SEWPaC 2012), which state that actions at high risk of having a significant impact on Black Cockatoos should be referred to the Commonwealth environment minister.

The Proposal is considered to have a low risk of significant impacts to Black Cockatoos as the study area does not appear to contain any important habitat values to support Black Cockatoo species (e.g. foraging habitat, breeding habitat, known roosting sites). There is the potential for trees within the study area to be used as roosting trees, however, it is not currently known as a confirmed roosting site and was not monitored during the 2016 Great Cocky Count (Peck et al 2016). The closest known roosting site is located approximately 4-6 km to the north-west of the study area (Peck et al 2016). This roosting site is most likely situated in close proximity to quality foraging habitat, such as a pine plantation. The trees that will be retained within the study area may be utilised as roosting trees in the future, however, as they are still relatively young (approx. 7-10 years old) they will potentially only be used once they reach a greater height as the trees mature. Generally, night roosts for Black Cockatoos are located in the tallest trees in an area, that are near water and foraging habitat (SEWPaC 2012). It is considered that the loss of trees would not have a significant impact on the species as there are other suitable roosting trees in the local area that are currently been utilised, the study area is not a known roosting site and that the trees are most likely still too young to be suitable for roosting. As many of the other trees are intended to be retained across the site these trees will still be available to be utilised in the future as roosting trees and therefore the Proposal is considered to have a low risk of significant impacts to Black Cockatoos.

In regards to potential impacts of the Proposal on other MNES, wetlands of International Importance under the RAMSAR Convention will need to be considered by the proponent as it has been identified in the PMST database search (DoTEE 2017a). It is noted that the study area is located in the Doombup Catchment and not in the Lake Warden System, which contains the RAMSAR listed wetland Lake Warden. A recent review undertaken by Talis Consultants (2017) has indicated that the Doombup Catchment is not hydrologically connected to the Lake Warden Catchment area (or thus the RAMSAR listed wetland). It is understood that Talis Consultants are currently undertaking a Hydrological Risk Assessment to determine and assess any potential impacts associated with the Proposal on the groundwater and surface water values on and surrounding the study area (Talis 2017). The outcomes of this assessment will provide an indication of whether the RAMSAR Lake Warden System could potentially be impacted significantly by the Proposal. However, in advance of the risk assessment being prepared, the findings of Talis (2017) suggest it is unlikely that the proposal will have a significant impact on the RAMSAR Lake Warden System. There are no other MNES that are relevant to the study area and the Proposal.

Any decision on whether to refer should be based on a number of factors including potential significance of impact to MNES and the risk of a government agency requesting the Proposal be referred, or a member

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of the public notifying DotEE of the Proposal and suggesting that it may need approval under the EPBC Act.

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References

Beard, J.S. 1975. The Vegetation Survey of Western Australia. Vegetation, Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 179-187.

Beard, J. S. 1980. A new phytogeographic map of Western Australia. Western Australian Herbarium Research Notes (3): 37–58.

Bush, B., Maryan, B., Browne-Cooper, R. and Robinson, D. 2010. Field Guide to Reptiles and Frogs of the Perth Region.

Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA). 2017a. Western Australian Organism List (WAOL). Available from: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/bam/western-australian-organism-list-waol.

Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA). 2017b. Soil-landscape systems mapping of Western Australia, version 5. Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, Perth. Available from: http://catalogue.beta.data.wa.gov.au/dataset/soil-landscape-systems .

Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM). 1999. Esperance Lakes Nature Reserves Management Plan 1999-2009. Available from: https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/parks/management-plans/decarchive/wetlands- esperance_lakes-managment-plan.pdf

Department of the Environment and Energy (DotEE). 2017a. EPBC Protected Matters Search Tool. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/pmst/.

Department of the Environment and Energy (DotEE) 2017b. Australia’s bioregions (IBRA). Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/nrs/science/bioregion-framework/ibra/.

Department of Environment Regulation (DER). 2017. Clearing Permit System. Available from: https://cps.der.wa.gov.au/main.html#[{%22xclass%22%3A%22app.map.Main%22}%2C{%22xclass%22 %3A%22app.Content%22} darks and Wildlife (DPaW). 2007-2017. NatureMap. Available from: http://NatureMap.dec.wa.gov.au/default.aspx.

Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW). 2017a. Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities database search. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth.

Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW). 2017b. Threatened and Priority Flora database search. Reference number. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth.

Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW). 2017c. Threatened and Priority Fauna database search. Reference number FAUNA#5394. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth.

Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW). 2017e. FloraBase. Available from: https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/.

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC). 2012. EPBC Act referral guidelines for three threatened black cockatoo species. Commonwealth of Australia.

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). 2002. Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection. Position Statement No. 3. Perth, Western Australia.

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Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). 2004. Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia. Guidance Statement No. 56. Perth, Western Australia.

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). 2016a. Environmental Factor Guideline: Flora and Vegetation. Perth, Western Australia. Available from: http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/Policies_and_Guidance/Guideline-Flora-Vegetation- 131216_4.pdf

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). 2016b. Technical Guidance: Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment. Perth, Western Australia. Available from: http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/Policies_and_Guidance/EPA%20Technical%20Guidance% 20-%20Flora%20and%20Vegetation%20survey_Dec13.pdf

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). 2010. Technical Guide – Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment t (eds. B.M. Hyder, J. Dell and M.A Cowan). Perth, Western Australia.

Government of Western Australia. 2015. 2015 Statewide Vegetation Statistics (formerly the CAR Reserve Analysis) - Full Report. SLIP Enabler. Available from: https://www2.landgate.wa.gov.au/web/guest/home.

Keighery, B. J. 1994. Bushland Plant Survey: A guide to plant community survey for the community. Wildflower Society of Western Australia, Nedlands.

Menkhorst, P. and Knight, F. 2011. Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. Oxford University Press, Victoria, Australia.

Peck, A, Barrett, G and Williams, M. 2016. The 2016 Great Cocky Count: A community‐based survey for Carnaby’s Black‐Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) and Forest Red‐tailed Black‐Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso). BirdLife Australia, Floreat, Western Australia.

Shepherd, D.P., Beeston, G.R. and Hopkins, A.J.M. 2002. Native Vegetation. In: Western Australia. Technical Report 249. Department of Agriculture, South Perth, Western Australia.

Simpson, K. and Day, N. 2010. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Eighth Edition. Penguin Group, Victoria, Australia.

Talis Consultants (2017). Information Sheet 2 Lot 12 Kirwan Road. Wetlands and Catchment Areas. Unpublished report for the Shire of Esperance.

Western Australian Museum (WAM) 2017. Checklist of the Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna of Western Australia. Available from: http://museum.wa.gov.au/research/departments/terrestrial-zoology/checklist- terrestrial-vertebrate-fauna-western-australia.

Wilson, S. and Swan, G. 2013. A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. Fourth Edition. New Holland Publishers, Sydney, Australia.

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Appendix A Framework for conservation significant flora and fauna in Western Australia

CATEGORIES OF THREATENED SPECIES UNDER THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACT 1999 (EPBC ACT)

Threatened fauna and flora may be listed in any one of the following categories as defined in Section 179 of the EPBC Act. Species listed as 'conservation dependent' and 'extinct' are not Matters of National Environmental Significance and therefore do not trigger the EPBC Act.

Category Definition

Extinct (EX) There is no reasonable doubt that the last member of the species has died.

Taxa known to survive only in captivity or as a naturalised population well outside its past range; or taxa has not been recorded in its known and/or expected habitat Extinct in the Wild (EW) at appropriate seasons, anywhere in its past range, despite exhaustive surveys over a time frame appropriate to its life cycle and form.

Critically Endangered (CE) Taxa considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered (EN) Taxa considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable (VU) Taxa considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Taxa has been evaluated against the criteria but does not qualify for Critically Near Threatened (NT) Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable now, but is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

Taxa has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for Critically Least Concern (LC) Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

There is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of taxa’s Data Deficient (DD) risk extinction based on its distribution and/or population status.

Not Evaluated (NE) Taxa has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.

Not an IUCN category. Species are defined as migratory if they are listed in an international agreement approved by the Commonwealth Environment Minister, including: • the Bonn Convention (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animal) for which Australia is a range state; Migratory (M) • the agreement between the Government of Australian and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the Protection of Migratory Birds and their environment (CAMBA); • the agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of Australia for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Birds in Danger of Extinction and their Environment (JAMBA); or

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Category Definition • the agreement between Australia and the Republic of Korea to develop a bilateral migratory bird agreement similar to the JAMBA and CAMBA in respect to migratory bird conservation and provides a basis for collaboration on the protection of migratory shorebirds and their habitat (ROKAMBA).

CONSERVATION CODES FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA FLORA AND FAUNA

Specially protected fauna or flora are species which have been adequately searched for and are deemed to be, in the wild, either rare, at risk of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection, and have been gazetted as such.

Threatened species (T) Published as Specially Protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, and listed under Schedules 1 to 4 of the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice for Threatened Fauna and Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice for Threatened Flora (which may also be referred to as Declared Rare Flora).

Threatened fauna is that subset of ‘Specially Protected Fauna’ declared to be ‘likely to become extinct’ pursuant to section 14(4) of the Wildlife Conservation Act.

Threatened flora is flora that has been declared to be ‘likely to become extinct or is rare, or otherwise in need of special protection’, pursuant to section 23F(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Act.

The assessment of the conservation status of these species is based on their national extent and ranked according to their level of threat using IUCN Red List categories and criteria as detailed below.

Schedule Code Description

Threatened species considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Published as Specially Protected under the Schedule 1 Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife S1 (CR) Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice for Threatened Critically Endangered species Fauna and Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice for Threatened Flora.

Threatened species considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Published as Specially Protected under the Schedule 2 Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, in Schedule 2 of the Wildlife S2 (EN) Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice for Threatened Endangered species Fauna and Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice for Threatened Flora.

Threatened species considered to be facing a high risk of extinction Schedule 3 in the wild. Published as Specially Protected under the Wildlife S3 (VU) Conservation Act 1950, in Schedule 3 of the Wildlife Conservation Vulnerable species (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice for Threatened Fauna and Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice for Threatened Flora.

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Schedule Code Description

Species which have been adequately searched for and there is no Schedule 4 reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. Published as Specially Protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, in Presumed extinct species S4 (EX) Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice for Presumed Extinct Fauna and Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice for Presumed Extinct Flora.

Birds that are subject to an agreement between the government of Schedule 5 Australia and the governments of Japan (JAMBA), China (CAMBA) and The Republic of Korea (ROKAMBA), and the Bonn Convention, Migratory birds protected S5 (IA) relating to the protection of migratory birds. Published as Specially under an international Protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, in Schedule 5 agreement of the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice.

Fauna of special conservation need being species dependent on Schedule 6 ongoing conservation intervention to prevent it becoming eligible for S6 (CD) listing as threatened. Published as Specially Protected under the Conservation dependent fauna Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, in Schedule 6 of the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice.

Schedule 7 Fauna otherwise in need of special protection to ensure their conservation. Published as Specially Protected under the Wildlife S7 (OS) Other specially protected Conservation Act 1950, in Schedule 7 of the Wildlife Conservation fauna (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice.

Priority species (P) Possibly threatened species that do not meet survey criteria, or are otherwise data deficient, are added to the Priority Fauna or Priority Flora Lists under Priorities 1, 2 or 3. These three categories are ranked in order of priority for survey and evaluation of conservation status so that consideration can be given to their declaration as threatened flora or fauna.

Species that are adequately known, are rare but not threatened, or meet criteria for near threatened, or that have been recently removed from the threatened species or other specially protected fauna lists for other than taxonomic reasons, are placed in Priority 4. These species require regular monitoring.

Assessment of Priority codes is based on the Western Australian distribution of the species, unless the distribution in WA is part of a contiguous population extending into adjacent States, as defined by the known spread of locations.

Category Code Definition Poorly-known species Species that are known from one or a few locations (generally five or less) which P1 are potentially at risk. All occurrences are either: very small; or on lands not Priority 1 managed for conservation, e.g. agricultural or pastoral lands, urban areas, road and rail reserves, gravel reserves and active mineral leases; or otherwise under threat of habitat destruction or degradation. Species may be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more locations but do not meet adequacy of

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Category Code Definition survey requirements and appear to be under immediate threat from known threatening processes. Such species are in urgent need of further survey. Poorly-known species Species that are known from one or a few locations (generally five or less), some of which are on lands managed primarily for nature conservation, e.g. national parks, conservation parks, nature reserves and other lands with secure tenure being Priority 2 P2 managed for conservation. Species may be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more locations but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and appear to be under threat from known threatening processes. Such species are in urgent need of further survey. Poorly-known species Species that are known from several locations, and the species does not appear to be under imminent threat, or from few but widespread locations with either large population size or significant remaining areas of apparently suitable habitat, much Priority 3 P3 of it not under imminent threat. Species may be included if they are comparatively well known from several locations but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and known threatening processes exist that could affect them. Such species are in need of further survey. Rare, Near Threatened and other species in need of monitoring (a) Rare. Species that are considered to have been adequately surveyed, or for which sufficient knowledge is available, and that are considered not currently threatened or in need of special protection, but could be if present circumstances change. These species are usually represented on conservation lands. Priority 4 P4 (b) Near Threatened. Species that are considered to have been adequately surveyed and that are close to qualifying for Vulnerable, but are not listed as Conservation Dependent. (c) Species that have been removed from the list of threatened species during the past five years for reasons other than taxonomy.

DEFINITIONS, CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA FOR THREATENED AND PRIORITY ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES

An Ecological Community is described as “a naturally occurring biological assemblage that occurs in a particular type of habitat”.

A threatened ecological community (TEC) is one which is found to fit into one of the following categories; “presumed totally destroyed”, “critically endangered”, “endangered” or “vulnerable”.

Possible TECs that do not meet survey criteria are added to DPaW’s Priority Ecological Community Lists under Priorities 1, 2 and 3. Ecological Communities that are adequately known, are rare but not threatened, or meet criteria for Near Threatened, or that have been recently removed from the threatened list, are placed in Priority 4. These ecological communities require regular monitoring. Conservation Dependent ecological communities are placed in Priority 5.

Definitions and Criteria for Presumed Totally Destroyed, Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable Ecological Communities

Presumed Totally Destroyed (PD)

An ecological community that has been adequately searched for but for which no representative occurrences have been located. The community has been found to be totally destroyed or so extensively

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modified throughout its range that no occurrence of it is likely to recover its species composition and/or structure in the foreseeable future.

An ecological community will be listed as presumed totally destroyed if there are no recent records of the community being extant and either of the following applies (A or B):

A) Records within the last 50 years have not been confirmed despite thorough searches of known or likely habitats,

B) All occurrences recorded within the last 50 years have since been destroyed.

Critically Endangered (CR)

An ecological community that has been adequately surveyed and found to have been subject to a major contraction in area and/or that was originally of limited distribution and is facing severe modification or destruction throughout its range in the immediate future, or is already severely degraded throughout its range but capable of being substantially restored or rehabilitated.

An ecological community will be listed as Critically Endangered when it has been adequately surveyed and is found to be facing an extremely high risk of total destruction in the immediate future. This will be determined on the basis of the best available information, by it meeting any one or more of the following criteria (A, B or C):

A) The estimated geographic range, and/or total area occupied, and/or number of discrete occurrences since European settlement have been reduced by at least 90% and either or both of the following apply (i or ii):

i) geographic range, and/or total area occupied and/or number of discrete occurrences are continuing to decline such that total destruction of the community is imminent (within approximately 10 years);

ii) modification throughout its range is continuing such that in the immediate future (within approximately 10 years) the c

B) Current distribution is limited, and one or more of the following apply (i, ii or iii):

i) geographic range and/or number of discrete occurrences, and/or area occupied is highly restricted and the community is currently subject to known threatening processes which are likely to result in total destruction throughout its range in the short term future (within approximately 20 years);

ii) there are few occurrences, each of which is small and/or isolated and all or most occurrences are very vulnerable to known threatening processes;

iii) there may be many occurrences but total area is small and all or most occurrences are small and/or isolated and very vulnerable to known threatening processes.

C) The ecological community exists only as very modified occurrences that may be capable of being substantially restored or rehabilitated if such work begins in the short-term future (within approximately 20 years).

Endangered (EN)

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An ecological community that has been adequately surveyed and found to have been subject to a major contraction in area and/or was originally of limited distribution and is in danger of significant modification throughout its range or severe modification or destruction over most of its range in the near future.

An ecological community will be listed as Endangered when it has been adequately surveyed and is not Critically Endangered but is facing a very high risk of total destruction in the near future. This will be determined on the basis of the best available information by it meeting any one or more of the following criteria (A, B, or C):

A) The geographic range, and/or total area occupied, and/or number of discrete occurrences have been reduced by at least 70% since European settlement and either or both of the following apply (i or ii):

i) the estimated geographic range, and/or total area occupied and/or number of discrete occurrences are continuing to decline such that total destruction of the community is likely in the short term future (within approximately 20 years);

ii) modification throughout its range is continuing such that in the short term future (within approximately 20 years) the community is unlikely to be capable of being substantially restored or rehabilitated.

B) Current distribution is limited, and one or more of the following apply (i, ii or iii):

ii) there are few occurrences, each of which is small and/or isolated and all or most occurrences are very vulnerable to known threatening processes;

iii) there may be many occurrences but total area is small and all or most occurrences are small and/or isolated and very vulnerable to known threatening processes.

Vulnerable (VU)

An ecological community that has been adequately surveyed and is found to be declining and/or has declined in distribution and/or condition and whose ultimate security has not yet been assured and/or a community that is still widespread but is believed likely to move into a category of higher threat in the near future if threatening processes continue or begin operating throughout its range.

An ecological community will be listed as Vulnerable when it has been adequately surveyed and is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk of total destruction or significant modification in the medium to long-term future. This will be determined on the basis of the best available information by it meeting any one or more of the following criteria (A, B or C):

A) The ecological community exists largely as modified occurrences that are likely to be capable of being substantially restored or rehabilitated.

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B) The ecological community may already be modified and would be vulnerable to threatening processes, is restricted in area and/or range and/or is only found at a few locations.

C) The ecological community may be still widespread but is believed likely to move into a category of higher threat in the medium to long term future because of existing or impending threatening processes.

Definitions and Criteria for Priority Ecological Communities

Possible threatened ecological communities that do not meet survey criteria or that are not adequately defined are added to the Priority Ecological Community List under priorities 1, 2 and 3. These three categories are ranked in order of priority for survey and/or definition of the community, and evaluation of conservation status, so that consideration can be given to their declaration as threatened ecological communities. Ecological communities that are adequately known, and are rare but not threatened or meet criteria for Near Threatened, or that have been recently removed from the threatened list, are placed in Priority 4. These ecological communities require regular monitoring. Conservation Dependent ecological communities are placed in Priority 5.

Priority One: Poorly-known ecological communities

Ecological communities that are known from very few occurrences with a very restricted distribution (generally ≤5 occurrences or a total area of ≤ 100ha). Occurrences are believed to be under threat either due to limited extent, or being on lands under immediate threat (e.g. within agricultural or pastoral lands, urban areas, active mineral leases) or for which current threats exist. May include communities with occurrences on protected lands. Communities may be included if they are comparatively well-known from one or more localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements, and/or are not well defined, and appear to be under immediate threat from known threatening processes across their range.

Priority Two: Poorly-known ecological communities

Communities that are known from few occurrences with a restricted distribution (generally ≤10 occurrences or a total area of ≤200ha). At least some occurrences are not believed to be under immediate threat of destruction or degradation. Communities may be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements, and/or are not well defined, and appear to be under threat from known threatening processes.

Priority Three: Poorly known ecological communities

(i) Communities that are known from several to many occurrences, a significant number or area of which are not under threat of habitat destruction or degradation or:

(ii) communities known from a few widespread occurrences, which are either large or with significant remaining areas of habitat in which other occurrences may occur, much of it not under imminent threat, or;

(iii) communities made up of large, and/or widespread occurrences, that may or may not be represented in the reserve system, but are under threat of modification across much of their range from processes such as grazing by domestic and/or feral stock, and inappropriate fire regimes.

Communities may be included if they are comparatively well known from several localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and/or are not well defined, and known threatening processes exist that could affect them.

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Priority Four: Ecological communities that are adequately known, rare but not threatened or meet criteria for Near Threatened or that have been recently removed from the threatened list. These communities require regular monitoring.

(i) Rare. Ecological communities known from few occurrences that are considered to have been adequately surveyed, or for which sufficient knowledge is available, and that are considered not currently threatened or in need of special protection, but could be if present circumstances change. These communities are usually represented on conservation lands.

(ii) Near Threatened. Ecological communities that are considered to have been adequately surveyed and that do not qualify for Conservation Dependent, but that are close to qualifying for Vulnerable.

(iii) Ecological communities that have been removed from the list of threatened communities during the past five years.

Priority Five: Conservation Dependent ecological communities

Ecological communities that are not threatened but are subject to a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the community becoming threatened within five years.

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Appendix B Likelihood of occurrence criteria

Likelihood Rating Criteria

The species has previously been recorded within study area from database searches and/or from previous surveys of the study area.

The species has been confirmed through a current vouchered specimen at WA Recorded Herbarium.

Recent evidence of species positively identified within study area such as fresh scats, foot prints or burrows, or foraging residues.

The species has not previously been recorded from within the study area. However:

 the species has been recorded in close proximity (<5 km) to the study area, and occurs in similar habitat to that which occurs within the study area

 core habitat and suitable landforms for the species occurs within the study area Likely either year-round or seasonally. In relation to fauna species, this could be that a host plant is seasonally present on site, or habitat features such as caves are present that may be used during particular times during its life cycle e.g. for breeding. In relation to both flora and fauna species, it may be there are seasonal wetlands present

 there is a medium to high probability that a species uses the study area.

The species has not previously been recorded from within the study area. However:

 targeted surveys may locate the species based on records occurring in proximity to the study area and potentially suitable habitat occurring in the study area

 extensive survey effort has not detected the species, however species is known to be cryptic and no effective standardised procedure is available, therefore occurrence should not be ruled out without further investigation

 the species is highly mobile and has an extensive foraging range so may not have been detected during previous surveys. Potential The species has been recorded in the study area by a previous survey or there is historic evidence of species occurrence within the study area. However:

 doubt remains over taxonomic identification, or the majority of habitat does not appear suitable (although presence cannot be ruled out due to factors such as species ecology or distribution)

 coordinates may be incorrect

 while not considered locally extinct, species is occasionally/rarely recorded locally based on available data.

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Likelihood Rating Criteria

The species has been recorded locally through database searches. However, it has not been recorded within the study area and:

 it is unlikely to occur due to the site lacking critical habitat, having at best marginally suitable habitat, and/or being severely degraded

 it is unlikely to occur due to few historic record/s and no other current collections in the local area

Unlikely  extensive on-site searching has not detected species.

The species has been recorded within the bioregion based on literature review but has not been recorded locally or within the study area through database searches.

The species has not been recorded in the study area despite adequate survey efforts, such as a standardised methodology or targeted searching within potentially suitable habitat.

The species is not known to occur within the IBRA bioregion based on current literature and distribution.

The study area lacks important habitat for a species that has highly selective habitat No requirements.

The species has been historically recorded within study area or locally; however, it is considered locally extinct due to significant habitat changes such as land clearing and/or introduced predators.

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Appendix C Flora likelihood of occurrence

Conservation status Likelihood of Scientific name Preferred habitat WC occurrence EPBC Act/ Act DPaW

Loamy sand. Granitic slopes & Acacia incanicarpa - P2 No ridges.

Aldrovanda vesiculosa - P2 Shallow freshwater billabongs. No

Grows in moist sandy soil in heath Anigozanthos bicolor subsp. minor EN - communities and in shallow soils No over granite.

Ridge. Grey sand over ironstone Astartea eobalta - P2 No gravel. Winter wet.

White sand over limestone. Coastal Banksia prolata subsp. calcicola - P4 No areas.

Caladenia huegelii EN - Deep grey-white sand. No

Calcareous or semi-saline clay Comesperma calcicola - P3 loams, limestone. Areas around No saline water.

White sand. Marine plains, sand Comesperma lanceolatum - P2 No dunes, quartzite ridges.

Cyathostemon sp. Esperance (A. - P1 Sandy gravel. No Fairall 2431)

Dampiera decurrens - P2 Sandy soils. Granite rocks. No

White or grey sand over laterite or Dampiera sericantha - P3 No limestone. Flats.

White or grey sand over laterite or Daviesia pauciflora - P3 No limestone. Flats.

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Conservation status Likelihood of Scientific name Preferred habitat WC occurrence EPBC Act/ Act DPaW

Shallow soils over granite. Shallow Eucalyptus aquilina - P4 No valleys, creek beds, hillsides.

Eucalyptus insularis subsp. Occurs on slopes of granite rocks in EN - No continentalis either sand or loam.

Sand, sandy clay, rocky loam, Eucalyptus ligulata subsp. ligulata - P4 granite. Near large coastal granite No domes.

White sand over laterite, silty sand Eucalyptus semiglobosa - P3 on edge of granite shelf, limestone. No Hillslopes, gullies, cliffs.

Sand over limestone or granite. Eucalyptus x missilis - P4 No Coastal sites.

Peaty sand. Swamps, seasonally Gonocarpus simplex - P4 No inundated areas.

Sand dunes, granite slope & Goodenia quadrilocularis - P2 No outcrops.

Grevillea baxteri - P4 Sand. Sandplains. No

Well-drained gravelly sand, yellow Hibbertia carinata - P1 No sand with gravel.

Sand. Dry or seasonally damp Hopkinsia adscendens - P3 No habitats along streams.

Inhabits shallow pockets of soil on Kennedia glabrata VU - granite outcrops, in association with No mosses and herbs.

Inhabits sandy loams over granite Lambertia echinata subsp. echinata EN - and laterite sheeting on windswept No coastal slopes.

Lasiopetalum maxwellii - P2 Sandy soils. Granite slopes. No

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Conservation status Likelihood of Scientific name Preferred habitat WC occurrence EPBC Act/ Act DPaW

Lepidium fasciculatum - P3 Plains. Brown cracking clay. No

Peaty swampy sand. Seasonally Lepyrodia fortunata - P2 No inundated swamps.

Skeletal sandy or stony soils over quartzite or granite. Granite Leucopogon apiculatus - P3 No outcrops & hills, quartzite ridges, rocky slopes.

Leucopogon corymbiformis - P2 Dry white sand, coastal dunes. No

Leucopogon interruptus - P3 Grey sand over granite. No

Skeletal soils. Granite outcrops, Leucopogon rotundifolius - P3 No steep hillslopes.

Growing in deep sand, on a Lobelia archeri - P1 No stabilised acid sand mound.

Pityrodia chrysocalyx - P3 Sandy soils. No

Pleurophascum occidentale - P4 Gentle slope. Sand on laterite. No

Pultenaea vestita - P3 Sandy soils. Coastal cliffs, granite. No

Scaevola paludosa - P2 Sandy soils. No

White to brown-grey sand. Near the Tecticornia indefessa - P2 No edges of salt lakes.

In shallow water 5-15 cm deep. Utricularia helix - P2 No Seasonal swamps.

Wet soils. Swamps, small shallow Utricularia westonii - P2 No pools.

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Appendix D Fauna likelihood of occurrence

Conservation status1 Likelihood of Scientific name Common name EPBC WC Act/ occurrence Act DPaW

Acanthophis antarcticus Southern Death Adder - P3 Unlikely

Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper M S5 No

Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift M S5 No

Ardea ibis Cattle Egret - S5 No

Ardea modesta Great Egret, White Egret - S5 No

Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone M S5 No

Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern EN S2 No

Calidris acuminata Sharp-tailed Sandpiper M S5 No

Calidris alba Sanderling M S5 No

Calidris canutus Red Knot, Knot M S5 No

Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper CR, M S3, S5 No

Calidris melanotos Pectoral Sandpiper M S5 No

Calidris ruficollis Red-necked Stint M S5 No

Calidris tenuirostris Great Knot CR, M S3, S5 No

Calyptorhynchus baudinii Baudin's Black Cockatoo VU S2 Potential

Calyptorhynchus latirostris Carnaby's Black Cockatoo EN S2 Potential

Cereopsis novaehollandiae subsp. Recherche Cape Barren VU, M S3 No grisea Goose

Charadrius leschenaultii Greater Sand Plover VU, M S3, S5 No

Charadrius mongolus Lesser Sand Plover EN, M S2, S5 No

Charadrius rubricollis Hooded Plover - P4 No

Dasyurus geoffroi Chuditch, Western Quoll VU S3 No

Elanus scriptus Letter-winged Kite - P4 No

Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon - S7 Potential

Isoodon obesulus subsp. Quenda, Southern Brown - P4 No fusciventer Bandicoot

Leipoa ocellata Malleefowl VU S3 No

Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit M S5 No

Site 19 Esperance Flora and Fauna Survey

Conservation status1 Likelihood of Scientific name Common name EPBC WC Act/ occurrence Act DPaW

Western Alaskan Bar-tailed Limosa lapponica subsp. baueri VU S3 No Godwit

Limosa lapponica subsp. Northern Siberian Bar-tailed CR S3 No menzbieri Godwit

Macropus irma Western Brush Wallaby - P4 No

Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater - S5 Potential

Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew CR, M S3, S5 No

Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel M S5 No

Oceanites oceanicus Wilson's Storm-petrel M S5 No

Oxyura australis Blue-billed Duck - P4 No

Pezoporus flaviventris Western Ground Parrot CR S1 No

Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis M S5 No

Pluvialis fulva Pacific Golden Plover M S5 No

Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover M S5 No

Puffinus carneipes Flesh-footed Shearwater M S3, S5 No

Puffinus huttoni Hutton's Shearwater - S2 No

Puffinus tenuirostris Short-tailed Shearwater M S5 No

Stercorarius parasiticus Arctic Jaeger, Arctic Skua M S5 No

Thalassarche cauta Shy Albatross VU, M S3, S5 No

Atlantic Yellow-nosed Thalassarche chlororhynchos M S3, S5 No Albatross

Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper M S5 No

Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank M S5 No 1EN = listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act, WC Act and/or the IUCN red list. VU = listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act, WC Act and/or the IUCN red list. CR = listed as Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act, WC Act and/or the IUCN red list. M = listed as Migratory species under the EPBC Act. P3 = Priority 3: Poorly-known species. P4 = Priority 4: Rare, Near Threatened and other species in need of monitoring. S2 = Schedule 2: Fauna that is rare or is likely yo become extinct as endangered fauna (EN). S3 = Schedule 3: Fauna that is rare or likely to become extinct as vulnerable fauna (VU). S5 = Schedule 5: Migratory birds protected under an international agreement. S7 = Schedule 7: Other specially protected fauna (OS).

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