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Figure 34. Revised vegetation mapping of survey corridor

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Figure 35. Revised vegetation mapping of survey corridor

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Figure 36. Revised vegetation mapping of survey corridor (Hurst Creek dam site)

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Plant species

Priority species recorded from the study area

Database information indicated a relatively low likelihood of threatened flora from much of the survey corridor (e.g. wet sclerophyll forests tend to have a low likelihood of occurrence of threatened flora, as do heavily modified grassy flats managed for primary production), although the heathier forests and woodlands in the northern part of the survey corridor, as well as the poorly-drained habitats, had a much higher likelihood of threatened flora being present. Field assessment confirmed that the majority of the survey corridor does not support vegetation types strongly associated with threatened flora. However, several species of threatened flora were detected as a consequence of the surveys, mainly from habitats and sites that are likely to be practical to avoid. All species are discussed in greater detail below. The distribution of threatened flora is indicated in Figures 37-50 and summarised in Table 3. Note that the data for threatened flora collected as part of the present assessment will be provided to the client in the requested format.

Table 3. Summary of threatened flora recorded from study area (and nearby sites) [EPBCA = Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; TSPA = Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995]

Status Summary of potential Species TSPA Comments impact of project on EPBCA species

EPBCA-listed species

Range extension: no Range infilling: yes Xerochrysum palustre v Recorded from the wetland north of New populations: yes Waterhouse Road near western end of (swamp paperdaisy) VU Significant impact: requires survey corridor. special consideration under EPBCA; recommend avoidance if possible Range extension: no Range infilling: no Reported by FPA (2013) from St Barbarea australis e Patricks River. Not confirmed by present New populations: no (riverbed wintercress) CR assessment (wrong time of year and Significant impact: requires water levels very high). special consideration under EPBCA; recommend avoidance if possible

TSPA-listed species

Range extension: no Range infilling: no Amphibromus neesii r Recorded from the wetland north of Waterhouse Road near western end of New populations: yes (southern swampgrass) - survey corridor. Significant impact: not likely to be significant Three previously reports patches near Range extension: no Epilobium pallidiflorum r South Springfield (SEMF 2013), two of which were confirmed as present (other Range infilling: no (showy willowherb) - likely to be present but not detected at New populations: yes time of survey).

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Status Summary of potential Species TSPA Comments impact of project on EPBCA species Novel population recorded from the Significant impact: not likely to wetland north of Waterhouse Road near be significant western end of survey corridor. Range extension: no Range infilling: yes Previously reported by SEMF (2013) Gratiola pubescens v from small wetland on south side of New populations: no (SEMF 2013) (hairy brooklime) - Waterhouse Road. Population confirmed – no additional sites. Significant impact: not likely to be significant as practical to avoid wetland Range extension: no Range infilling: yes Small patch recorded at site of Gratiola Asperula subsimplex r New populations: yes pubescens in small wetland on south (water woodruff) - side of Waterhouse Road. Significant impact: not likely to be significant as practical to avoid wetland Range extension: no Range infilling: yes Lepidosperma forsythii r Novel population detected between New populations: yes (stout rapiersedge) - Oxberry Creek and Campbells Road. Significant impact: not likely to be significant if patch of SHW can be avoided Range extension: no Range infilling: no Acacia ulicifolia r Single discovered in highly disturbed area next to farm machinery New populations: yes (juniper wattle) - and hay shed at “Ponderosa”. Significant impact: not likely to be significant if plant can be protected Range extension: no Range infilling: no Recorded from Oxberry Creek at Old Hypolepis muelleri r New populations: yes Waterhouse Road crossing – extent and (harsh groundfern) - abundance not determined. Significant impact: not likely to be significant as practical to avoid DOV

Xerochrysum palustre (swamp paperdaisy) [TSPA: vulnerable; EPBCA: Vulnerable] This species was detected from a wetland on the north side of Waterhouse Road near the far western extent of the proposed pipeline (Plates 21 & 22, Figure 37). The collections of Xerochrysum palustre and X. subundulatum held at the Tasmanian Herbarium have only very recently been reviewed by Richard Schahinger (DPIPWE) and Miguel de Salas (Tasmanian Herbarium), which has resulted in several previously reported populations of X. palustre being re-allocated to the non-threatened X. subundulatum (M. de Salas pers. comm.). The records now held in the Natural Values Atlas reflect this review of specimens (Figure 38), which has resulted in a much higher conservation status of the species in Tasmania because the number of recognised populations has been reduced markedly. The specimens from Waterhouse Road have been confirmed as X. palustre based on the glabrous involucral bracts, which are distinctly scabrous in X. subundulatum. This is one of the key differences between the species and is recognised in the formal description (Flann 1998) and formal keys (e.g. Flann 1999): another key difference is the degree of cobwebby hairs on the stems (much less in X. palustre). Until recently, however, many field workers were utilising the rhizomatous habit, higher stature and habitat (lowland to mid- elevation swamps) to identify specimens as X. palustre (including several of my own sites that

Ecological Assessment of Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme (Pipelines), Tasmania 69 ECOtas…providing options in environmental consulting were initially identified as X. palustre but have since been re-determined by Tasmanian Herbarium and DPIPWE staff as X. subundulatum).

Plates 21 & 22. Wetland on north side of Waterhouse Road supporting Xerochrysum palustre and Amphibromus neesii

Plate 23. (LHS) Xerochrysum palustre from Waterhouse Road showing the remnants of the yellow “paperdaisy” and withered leaves Plate 24. (MIDDLE) Rhizome of Xerochrysum palustre from Waterhouse Road – many flowering stems can arise from the one rhizome, making counting individuals impractical Plate 25. (RHS) Withered leaves of Xerochrysum palustre from Waterhouse Road – in the absence of the bright yellow flowerheads, detecting these stems is difficult Plate 26. (inset) Example of the bright yellow “paperdaisy” flowerhead of Xerochrysum palustre from a different site (South Lagoon near Longford)

The current formal listing statement (TSS 2016) properly reflects the most recent information, which identifies just 19 subpopulations, of which only five occur in some form of reserve, and ten have population information. This novel site does not represent a range extension nor range infilling

Ecological Assessment of Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme (Pipelines), Tasmania 70 ECOtas…providing options in environmental consulting with the nearest recognised population near Tomahawk (Figure 38). However, it does represent a significant population occurring in a threatened vegetation type (wetland) and associated with another two threatened flora species (Amphibromus neesii, Epilobium pallidiflorum) and ideal habitat for at least one species of threatened fauna (Litoria raniformis but possibly also Galaxiella pusilla). The extent of the species was estimated in approximate terms by way-pointing obvious patches (the species was far from obvious being well past the peak of its bright yellow flowering phase – see Plates 23-26), but the species extends beyond the limit of the nominal survey corridor (i.e. to the north, in the continuation of the wetland). Estimating the abundance of this rhizomatous herb is difficult but this site appears to number in the high 100s (this would need to be confirmed during peak flowering). Populations of Xerochrysum palustre can apparently tolerate high levels of disturbance. The site at Smiths Lagoon (near Epping Forest in the Midlands) persists through droughts and floods and infrequent fires, and the population at South Lagoon (near Longford) persists on the margin of an active rail line that passes through a wetland. That said, the appropriate management (ideally some form of protection) of all subpopulations is recognised in the national recovery plan for the species (Carter & Walsh 2011). With the “loss” of some of the previously recognised subpopulations (now recognised as X. subundulatum), it is suggested that this novel site is worthy of a high level of conservation management. This does not necessarily exclude construction of a pipeline through the wetland, because the species is likely to persist (perhaps even proliferate) under this form of disturbance (although this is somewhat untested – the rail line through a population at South Lagoon does provide some support for the supposition). In the first instance, it is recommended that the pipeline be routed to avoid the wetland e.g. go along the road verge. If this cannot be achieved, a permit under Section 51 of the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 will be required, and a formal referral under the provisions of the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 may be warranted (refer to DISCUSSION Legislative and policy implications for more details).

Barbarea australis (riverbed wintercress) [TSPA: endangered; EPBCA: Critically Endangered] FPA (2013) undertook targeted surveys for this species along the St Patricks River and Camden Rivulet. The species was detected at several sites (records appear in the Natural Values Atlas). FPA (2013) concluded that the Camden Dam would have a significant impact under the EPBCA and provided several recommendations for mitigation/offsets. It is beyond the scope of the present brief to comment further on the potential impacts of the Camden Dam on the species.

Plates 27 & 28. St Patricks River at approximate centre of present survey corridor – images taken on 18 May 2016 at time of high flow (unsuitable for Barbarea australis until flow is very low)

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The pipeline will cross the St Patricks River in one location. In my opinion, it should be possible to narrow the disturbance corridor to the minimum required to install the pipeline and locate this corridor away from sites supporting the species. The species can be geographically transient at a small scale so a survey immediately prior to installation is likely to be required. This would need to be undertaken at times of low flow. Installation at times of higher flow (if possible – see Plates 27 & 28) is unlikely to impact on the species because it actively colonises areas of bare gravel between river boulders in times of low flow.

Amphibromus neesii (southern swampgrass) [TSPA: rare; EPBCA: not listed] This is a perennial grass, with a flush of growth and fertile material present from late spring through summer. It is widespread in Tasmania and often locally common. The species was located in a grassy wetland (Plate 29) north of Waterhouse Road (where it co-occurs with Xerochrysum palustre and Epilobium pallidiflorum). At the time of survey there were only scattered culms with identifiable material (Plates 30) but sufficient individuals to indicate the species is probably present throughout much of the wetland, including between the fenceline and the road verge (Figure 37). The site is a minor range extension (it is known from the Great Forester River near Bridport, Boobyalla River and near Mt William), although the species is probably more widespread than indicated by available database records because the habitat of Amphibromus species tends to be infrequently surveyed and the identification of the species relies on good fertile material (not present for much of the year). It is somewhat surprising that similar habitats along Waterhouse Road (e.g. southern side of road at this location; small wetland supporting Gratiola pubescens and Asperula subsimplex further to the east) did not appear to support the species. This is a novel site for the species but is likely to be outside any areas likely to be disturbed because the pipeline is unlikely to be installed within the wettest areas – this species has its “feet wet”, growing in seasonally inundated swamps, wetlands and drains. The species is likely to tolerate high levels of disturbance, such as the installation of a pipeline. However, see also discussion under Xerochrysum palustre for more detail on the management of this wetland, which supports other natural values requiring careful consideration.

Plate 29. (LHS) Habitat of Amphibromus neesii north of Waterhouse Road Plate 30. (RHS) Inflorescence of Amphibromus neesii from Waterhouse Road

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Epilobium pallidiflorum (showy willowherb) [TSPA: rare; EPBCA: not listed] This is a perennial herb, with a flush of growth and fertile material present from late spring through summer. It occurs in natural wetlands (occasionally in swamp forests), margins of slow-flowing rivers and creeks, floodplains, edges of farm dams and drainage ditches in seasonally inundated habitats. Until recently, this species was not considered to be widespread in Tasmania but in recent years there has been a large number of novel sites, mainly across the north coast. Unfortunately, many of these are not supported by voucher specimens lodged at the Tasmanian Herbarium. The species can be confused with the introduced Epilobium ciliatum and the native but non-threatened Epilobium billardierianum (which can also grow tall in swampy habitats). The original survey of the proposed dam and pipeline route by SEMF (2013) reported several populations of Epilobium pallidiflorum. ECOtas (2015) failed to confirm the species from the Camden Rivulet site – refer to that document for more detail. However, the present assessment confirmed two of the populations reported by SEMF (2013) from close to the Great Forester River between Headquarters Road and South Springfield Road (Figures 40 & 41): one other site, also in this area, was examined but the species could not be detected (presumed to have died down for winter – see Plates 33-35 for images of the species). The southern population is in two patches growing amongst dense blackberry under mature blackwoods adjacent to dairy paddocks (Plate 31). It is unlikely that the pipeline installation will disturb this patch. The northern population is on the immediate verge of South Springfield Road (southern side), also amongst dense blackberry and mature blackwoods in a boggy area (Plate 32). This site is now on the outer edge of the survey corridor and is unlikely to be impacted by the installation of the pipeline. An additional population of Epilobium pallidiflorum was also detected from the wetland on the northern side of Waterhouse Road near the end of the survey corridor (Figure 37). This wetland also supports Xerochrysum palustre and Amphibromus neesii. While Xerochrysum palustre is only present in the centre of the wetland (well away from the fence close to the road), Amphibromus neesii extends to the fringe of wetland between the fence and the road. Epilobium pallidiflorum only occurs in this section (Plates 36-38). Depending on how this wetland is managed in relation to the installation of the pipeline, there is unlikely to be a long-term deleterious impact on the species as it appears to proliferate on disturbed sites and persist in heavily modified and frequently maintained roadside ditches and drains. The rhizomatous habit and dense Typha made it impractical to estimate abundance but the species probably extended for approximately 5 m along the fenceline part of the wetland.

Plate 31. (LHS) Habitat of Epilobium pallidiflorum amongst dense blackberry west of Great Forester River Plate 32. (RHS) Habitat of Epilobium pallidiflorum in a boggy area along the fenceline on the southern side of South Springfield Road

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Plate 33. (LHS) Vegetative material and old fruit of Epilobium pallidiflorum from the South Springfield Road site Plates 34 & 35. (MIDDLE & RHS) Fresh flowers of Epilobium pallidiflorum from Sedgy Creek near Smithton showing the distinctive nodding large pale pink flowers

Plates 36. (LHS) Habitat of Epilobium pallidiflorum along Waterhouse Road Plate 37. (MIDDLE) Flowers of Epilobium pallidiflorum from Waterhouse Road site (unusual to be flowering at this time of year) Plate 38. (RHS). Leaves of Epilobium pallidiflorum from Waterhouse Road site

Gratiola pubescens (hairy brooklime) [TSPA: vulnerable; EPBCA: not listed] This species was detected from a small wetland (Plates 39 & 40) on the southern side of Waterhouse Road (the same wetland in which Asperula subsimplex was recorded). This represents confirmation of the population reported by SEMF (2013). The current assessment found that at this site (Figure 42), Gratiola pubescens is quite restricted, occurring mainly along the fenceline where the sedges of the wetland are much sparser than in surrounding parts of the wetland. The population is conservatively estimated at c. 100-200 individuals occupying c. .5 m x 5 m. SEMF (2013) estimated the population to comprise c. 30 individuals. The site does not represent a significant range extension nor infilling. This is a perennial herb that is widespread in the northeastern portion of Tasmania with outlying occurrences on King Island. The notesheet (TSS 2014) for the species states:

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Plate 39. (LHS) Overview of wetland supporting Gratiola pubescens and Asperula subsimplex on the southern side of Waterhouse Road Plate 40. (RHS) View along fenceline through wetland: Gratiola pubescens was most prevalent along this semi-cleared linear strip

“About three-quarters of the twenty known sites in Tasmania have been discovered since the species was listed on the TSP Act in 1995, including all sites in the State’s east and northeast. Gratiola pubescens was not recognised in Tasmania until the late 1980s, having been included previously in Gratiola nana (Curtis 1967). Records of Gratiola nana in lowland areas of Tasmania that date to this period or earlier (& lack supporting herbarium specimens), should be considered questionable until the sites have been re-surveyed. A reassessment of the conservation status of Gratiola pubescens may be warranted following such surveys”.

Plate 41. (LHS) Growth habit of Gratiola pubescens from Waterhouse Road: the older fruiting material is obvious as ascending stems with the younger green growth showing as a mat behind and below Plate 42. (MIDDLE) Gratiola pubescens from Waterhouse Road: the younger growth is nearly hairless Plate 43. (RHS). More mature material of Gratiola pubescens from Waterhouse Road showing the more typical glandular pubescens

That said, the taxonomy remains somewhat confused and under review, with some notion that the material from the western part of the range in Tasmania may be different to the Midlands/eastern

Ecological Assessment of Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme (Pipelines), Tasmania 75 ECOtas…providing options in environmental consulting part of the range (M. de Salas pers. comm.). Further range extensions and infillings seem highly likely. It is likely that most of the lowland records of Gratiola nana (a non-listed species) from Tasmania will be determined as Gratiola pubescens, with the former species restricted to higher elevations. Young Gratiola pubescens can be glabrous and lack the glandular hairs that define the species, which has probably led to this confusion: material from the present site ranged from completely hairless to typically glandular (Plates 41-43). Despite the widespread distribution of the species and the possible future downlisting, and the fact that the species appears to tolerate quite high levels of disturbance, it is recommended that disturbance to the site along Waterhouse Road be avoided. The main reason for this is the localised nature of the occurrence, combined with the habitat (localised patch of threatened wetland vegetation), co-occurrence with another threatened flora species (Asperula subsimplex), and potential habitat of threatened fauna (as a minimum Litoria raniformis).

Asperula subsimplex (water woodruff) [TSPA: rare; EPBCA: not listed] This species was detected from a small wetland (Plate 44, Figure 42) on the southern side of Waterhouse Road (the same wetland in which Gratiola pubescens was previously found (SEMF 2013) and confirmed from as part of the present assessment). The patch was very small (c. 50 x 50 cm) supporting an unknown number of individuals (straggly scrambling herb through the sedges – Plate 45), and was on the road side of the fence (i.e. within the road reserve, not on private property).

Plate 44. (LHS) Habitat of Asperula subsimplex from Waterhouse Road Plate 45. (RHS) Growth habit of Asperula subsimplex from Waterhouse Road: note the tangled growth making counting individuals difficult

The identification of the material requires some discussion. In the most recent taxonomic treatment of the Rubiaceae (Asperula, Galium, Sherardia) in , Thompson (2009) states that Asperula subsimplex is “readily identifiable by its near glabrous state, maximally 4-partite whorls, small dull leaves, few-flowered cymes and female ovary with nectary recessed after corolla-fall”. The collected material keys out to Asperula subsimplex/A. gunnii based on the 4-partite whorls, relative length of stipules to leaves, and the length: width ratio of the leaves. However, the leaves have marginal scabridosities (short hairs), as does the mid-rib of most leaves: of greatest note is that the stem angles are not glabrous but possess very short hairs (Plate 46 & 47). The low density of hairs, however, and the lack of a conspicuous apical pale patch on the upper surface of the leaves suggests that the specimens are closest to Asperula subsimplex. The material was compared to all

Ecological Assessment of Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme (Pipelines), Tasmania 76 ECOtas…providing options in environmental consulting collections of Asperula subsimplex held at the Tasmanian Herbarium, several of which had confirmation slips by I.R. Thompson as part of the taxonomic review (Thompson 2009), and there were several collections that displayed the same scabrous hair characters. On this basis, the Waterhouse Road population has been allocated to Asperula subsimplex and will be lodged at the Tasmanian Herbarium as such.

Plate 46. (LHS) Close-up of the stems, leaves and stipules of a specimen of Asperula subsimplex from Waterhouse Road: note the disconcerting degree of marginal leaf hairiness and scabridosities on the stem angles Plate 47. (RHS) Same specimen but also showing the sparse short hairs on the mid-rib of the leaves and a better view of the short, slightly recurved, hairs on the stem angles

The Waterhouse Road population has some biogeographic significance. The Natural Values Atlas only includes 67 records of the species, several of which are effectively from the same site/population (Figure 43). The site represents a significant range extension of c. 50 km on mainland Tasmania, with no records from the northeast coast (although it is known from the Furneaux Group so this range infilling is perhaps not wholly unexpected). While the species is represented by c. 25-30 subpopulations and has a wide geographic extent, it is poorly represented in reserves. The species is tolerant of high levels of disturbance as exemplified by sites such as Coarse Marsh near Buckland (where it occurs in a heavily sheep-grazed grassy “wetland”: M. Wapstra pers. obs.) and South Lagoon near Longford (where it occurs on the immediate fringes of railway ballast in a Lepidosperma longitudinale wetland: M. Wapstra pers. obs.). However, the site along Waterhouse Road is extremely localised and represents a significant range extension/infilling. It is also associated with a natural wetland (a threatened vegetation type in its own right), another threatened plant species (Gratiola pubescens), and potential habitat of threatened fauna (as a minimum Litoria raniformis). These combined values indicate that this wetland should be avoided entirely by the installation of the pipeline.

Lepidosperma forsythii (stout rapiersedge) [TSPA: rare; EPBCA: not listed] This is a perennial sedge that occurs in wet heathlands, within Tasmania known from very few populations on the east and north coasts, and Cape Barren Island (TSU 2003). There is a known site on the western side of Old Waterhouse Road west of the proposed pipeline route (Figure 44). The species was not detected on the margin of the road and into the buttongrass-wet heathland at this location. The database record is of relatively low precision (± 100 m) and places the record south of the swampy habitat in the adjacent heathy forest, which seems unlikely. The record is

Ecological Assessment of Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme (Pipelines), Tasmania 77 ECOtas…providing options in environmental consulting supported by a voucher held at the Tasmanian Herbarium, which is labelled “Old Waterhouse Road”, supporting this general location. Since the date of collection (30 April 1986) there has been considerable disturbance to this swamp (mainly on the eastern side of the road) and upgrades to the road. As such, the most recent survey is probably the most reliable to determine if the species occurs in the pipeline corridor. A novel site for the species was detected in a dense wet heathland west of Old Waterhouse Road between Oxberry Creek and Campbells Road (Figure 45, Plate 48). This represents a minor range extension on mainland Tasmania, and just the 13th population for mainland Tasmania (Figure 46). TSU (2003) states that “there is not enough information available to enable a meaningful reassessment of Lepidosperma forsythii” but the database information indicates that most of the records have a low precision and lack detailed population information. Protecting this novel site from disturbance is important from a biogeographic perspective and because the site is localised. The grid references collected define the extent of the population, which probably supports several hundred clumps – counting individuals is problematic because many culms arise from the one rhizome (Plate 50) and the flowering culms form a tangled mass (Plates 49 & 50).

Plate 48. (LHS) Wet heathland habitat of Lepidosperma forsythii between Oxberry Creek and Campbells Road Plate 49. (RHS) The lack of leaves means the flowering culms tangle together like barbed wire, giving the species a highly distinctive appearance above the other sedges in a wet heathland Plate 50. (LHS) Basal portion of Lepidosperma forsythii showing the numerous culms and leaves reduced to basal sheaths

Acacia ulicifolia (juniper wattle) [TSPA: rare; EPBCA: not listed] This is a widespread shrub of near-coastal heathlands and heathy woodlands known from close to 400 records with sites ranging from Bruny Island in the southeast to Arthur River in the northwest, with numerous sites in the northeast. Much of the survey corridor along Old Waterhouse Road and Waterhouse Road supporting heathy forest and woodland is potential habitat. However, only one site was detected, this at “Ponderosa”, where a single plant was detected on the grassy bank adjacent to the equipment/tractor shed (Plates 51 & 52 for site and Plates 53 & 54 for individual; Figure 47). This is perhaps one of the most disturbed sites for the species in Tasmania. Identification of Acacia ulicifolia is usually straightforward with the growth habit and phyllode morphology highly distinctive. However, in this case, the specimen is somewhat unusual in its phyllode morphology (A. Gray pers. comm.) and matches quite closely some collections from Freycinet Peninsula (M. Wapstra pers. comm.) that have been putatively placed in Acacia gunnii, a

Ecological Assessment of Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme (Pipelines), Tasmania 78 ECOtas…providing options in environmental consulting non-threatened species. While a small specimen of the “Ponderosa” individual will be lodged at the Tasmanian Herbarium, supplementing the collection with fresh flowers and seed pods will be useful. The individual was marked with yellow and blue flagging tape so that it can be protected during pipeline installation. It is suggested that the site be further buffered with barrier mesh during construction. While the long-term prognosis of this one plant is far from secure given its context, encouraging informal protection (e.g. wire cage) is suggested.

Plate 51. (LHS) Habitat of Acacia ulicifolia at “Ponderosa” (arrow indicates approximate position of individual) Plate 52. (RHS) Closer up image showing flagged individual of Acacia ulicifolia (arrow indicates flagged plant)

Plate 53. (LHS) Growth habit of Acacia ulicifolia at “Ponderosa” – note the dense pasture grass behind the plant Plate 54. (RHS) Phyllodes and branchlets (with budding flowerheads) of Acacia ulicifolia at “Ponderosa”

The variability in the morphology of Acacia gunnii and its sometime superficial similarity to Acacia ulicifolia was highlighted by the detection of a population of the former species from a slope between Oxberry Creek and the Great Forester River (Plates 55 & 56). The specimens varied from “classic” A. gunnii with the ploughshare phyllode shape (and hairy branchlets and stems) to material much closer to A. ulicifolia (Plates 57 & 58). While this population has been confirmed as A. gunnii (A. Gray pers. comm.), protecting it from disturbance is suggested (the pipeline is likely to pass by this small patch of highly disturbed native vegetation).

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Plate 55. (LHS) Habitat of Acacia gunnii south of Oxberry Creek: this was once a patch of heathy Eucalyptus amygdalina woodland but is now dominated by Pteridium esculentum and Lomandra longifolia Plate 56. (RHS) Close-up of habitat showing location of Acacia gunnii

Plate 57. (LHS) Classic form of Acacia gunnii from Oxberry Creek slope showing ploughshare phyllode shape and hairiness Plate 58. (RHS) Near-glabrous form of Acacia gunnii from Oxberry Creek slope showing much narrower phyllodes that start to approach A. ulicifolia

Hypolepis muelleri (harsh groundfern) [TSPA: rare; EPBCA: not listed] SEMF (2013) reported several sites of this species from along the Great Forester River. The revised route of the pipeline now avoids these sites and crosses the river at one location only. That location is highly disturbed (essentially remnant trees over pasture right to the river bank) and Hypolepis muelleri was not detected. The species usually occurs in riparian areas on broad river flats, usually in quite wet forest. Within the survey corridor, potential habitat is quite limited. One of the most likely locations (Oxberry Creek, just north of the Great Forester River crossing and known sites) supports ideal habitat (broad flat with Eucalyptus ovata wet sclerophyll forest) and this is the only location at which the species was recorded (Plates 59-62; Figure 48). All other sites supporting Hypolepis were identified as the widespread and non-threatened H. rugosula. The precise extent of H. muelleri (and its abundance, especially relative to H. rugosula, which was also present) is not known because the material was only identified in the laboratory from several

Ecological Assessment of Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme (Pipelines), Tasmania 80 ECOtas…providing options in environmental consulting collected pinnae (Plates 63 & 64). A subsequent site assessment on 9 June 2016 was unsuccessful due to recent severe flood restricting access to the Oxberry Creek flats. While H. muelleri is widespread across northern Tasmania with numerous subpopulations, it remains quite poorly-reserved and subject to ongoing threats such as agricultural clearing (TSU 2003). The species can tolerate high levels of disturbance such as forestry roads across creeklines and natural flood events (M. Wapstra pers. obs.) and the installation of a pipeline may not be particularly threatening to this rhizomatous perennial fern. However, given the supporting vegetation type is a threatened vegetation type (Eucalyptus ovata wet sclerophyll forest) in very good condition, avoiding both the vegetation type and the population of Hypolepis muelleri is highly desirable. This could be achieved, if practical from an engineering perspective, by running the pipeline along the road verge.

Plates 59 & 60. Eucalyptus ovata wet sclerophyll forest along Oxberry Creek – this stand extends upstream and downstream of Old Waterhouse Road: apart from a few incursions of blackberry, it is a patch in excellent condition that is entirely undocumented on TASVEG 3.0

Plate 61. (LHS) Hypolepis muelleri just below Old Waterhouse Road on western side of road and northern side of Oxberry Creek Plate 62. (RHS) Hypolepis muelleri further downstream of Old Waterhouse Road crossing on western side of Oxberry Creek

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Plates 63 & 64. Undersurface of pinna of Hypolepis muelleri from Oxberry Creek showing sori held away from the pinnule margins (i.e. not partly protected by the folding in of the pinnule margin to form a false indusium) and the fine white hairs emergent from the sori (RHS), which is one of the most distinctive characters of the species

Australina pusilla subsp. muelleri (large shade nettle) [TSPA: rare; EPBCA: not listed] Australina pusilla (shade nettle) is represented by two subspecies in Tasmania: subsp. pusilla (small shade nettle) is a widespread and common herb of wet forests and other damp habitats, while subsp. muelleri (large shade nettle) is restricted to a single site on North West Bay River on the lower slopes of Mount Wellington and a single site on the Sea Elephant River on King Island (TSS 2008). Oddly, subsp. muelleri is a locally abundant herb of wet forests in Victoria but is apparently absent from superficially identical vegetation in Tasmania, and subsp. pusilla is extremely rare, known only from the Otway Range and Wilsons Promontory (Entwisle 1996). During the course of preparing for field assessments, Tasmanian Irrigation supplied a shape file of significant flora locations supplied to them by the previous consultants. This included a single location for Australina pusilla subsp. muelleri, reportedly detected on 14 Jan. 2013 by Richard Barnes & Colin McCoull, from 540048mE 5430032mN with a precision of ± 100 m. This is in the wet sclerophyll forest between East Diddleum Road and Headquarters Dam, nominally on or close to an old logging track along the ridge (Figure 49). SEMF (2013) did not make mention of this species in the report, and while all other records of threatened flora reported from the survey area have been supplied to DPIPWE’s Natural Values Atlas database, this record does not appear. If valid, the site is of very high conservation significance. TSS (2008) states “the species is currently known in Tasmania from only two small populations — uplisting to vulnerable may be warranted (currently listed as rare on the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995). At present, there is no apparent photographic evidence of the veracity of the reported site within the survey corridor nor voucher specimens lodged at the Tasmanian Herbarium. As such, it is impossible to confirm the veracity of the record. The present assessment deliberately targeted the specific and general location of the supplied record. At this location, there is an old track through Eucalyptus regnans forest with a dense broad-leaf shrub and ground fern understorey (Plates 65 & 66). Australina pusilla subsp. pusilla (small shade nettle) was found to be locally frequent along the edge of the track and occasional in adjacent forest. Note that the present survey was not restricted to the track but extended into adjacent forest, criss-crossing the notional survey corridor in a somewhat random fashion.

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While there is some dispute over the taxonomic validity of the recognition of subspecies in Australina pusilla in some States such as New South Wales where just one species is recognised (e.g. RBGDT 2016), Tasmanian authorities accept the infrataxa in both the Census of Vascular of Tasmania (de Salas & Baker 2015) and on lists of threatened species. While Entwisle (1996) notes that “some intermediates exist between the 2 subspecies, subsp. pusilla, with its small roundish laves, is quite distinctive in Victoria”. Populations of the subspecies in Victoria and Tasmania appear to be highly distinctive: subspecies pusilla is a creeping herb, only ascending through undergrowth, rooting frequently at the nodes, with small leaves (usually less than 1.5 cm long) that have few marginal teeth (usually 2-3); while subspecies muelleri is a more erect herb, only rooting from the lower nodes, and with much larger leaves (1.5-6 cm) that have more marginal teeth (usually 4-6). Material from the site will be lodged at the Tasmanian Herbarium as Australina pusilla subsp. pusilla (Plates 67-70 provide images of the plants of A. pusilla subsp. pusilla from the survey corridor and Plate 71 an image of typical Tasmanian-form A. pusilla subsp. muelleri). On this basis, no special management is required for this site.

Plate 65. (LHS) Eucalyptus regnans wet sclerophyll forest at the site supporting Australina pusilla subsp. pusilla above Headquarters Dam Plate 66. (RHS) Track through E. regnans forest along which Australina pusilla subsp. pusilla is locally common

Plate 67. (LHS) Most typical growth habit of Australina pusilla subsp. pusilla at the above sites Plate 68. (RHS) Uprooted specimen of Australina pusilla subsp. pusilla from the above sites showing the roots at the nodes and the long creeping stem

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Plate 69. (LHS) Upper surface of the leaves of Australina pusilla subsp. pusilla from the above sites showing their small size, rooting at the upper nodes, few-toothed leaf margins and rounded leaf apices Plate 70. (MIDDLE) As per LHS but for lower leaf surface Plate 71. (RHS) Leaves and flowers of Australina pusilla subsp. muelleri from North West Bay River

Tetratheca ciliata (northern pinkbells) [TSPA: rare; EPBCA: not listed] While currently listed as rare, TSS (2014) states “there is currently insufficient data available on the number of mature individuals and area occupied to enable reassessment of the conservation status of the species in Tasmania”. However, there are very few confirmed subpopulations with accurate or detailed demographic information such that any subpopulation warrants a high level of conservation management. Near Halfway Road, east of Old Waterhouse Road, there are several patches of point locations for ciliata (Figure 50), which were recorded by Tim Leaman & Jason Wiersma (Forest Practices Authority) in October 2014, and all have accurate and detailed demographic information. The proposed pipeline route passes very close to two of the patches and were therefore investigated. It appears that the southwesterly cluster of point locations has now been cleared (Plate 72) and cultivated under turnips (the Forest Practices Authority are aware of this, T. Leaman pers. comm.). The patch closest to Halfway Road is within shrubby Eucalyptus obliqua- E. amygdalina dry forest (Plate 73), which was also investigated. Unfortunately, Tetratheca ciliata could not be detected (only T. pilosa was found). The other locations further to the east were briefly investigated for context but also appear to have been lost to cultivation. The most likely route of the pipeline is along the north-south fenceline and then northeast across the cultivated slope towards Halfway Road, following an existing gap in the native vegetation close to Halfway Road between the DOB vegetation on the slope to the west and the DOV vegetation along the creek to the east. Disturbance to native vegetation of any condition (and therefore potential habitat) and known sites of Tetratheca ciliata can be practically avoided. Potential habitat for Tetratheca ciliata is possibly widespread within the survey corridor but nowhere extensive. The species is usually very near-coastal and within dry coastal heathland vegetation, which is not represented within the survey corridor. However, more inland sites near Liffey (2007) and now Halfway Road (2014) within dry sclerophyll forest suggests a broader habitat range, and on that basis, larger parts of the survey corridor support potential habitat. While detection of the species is facilitated by the presence of flowers, detection of this highly distinctive shrub is practical year-round. The species was not detected from any additional locations.

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Plate 72. (LHS) Southwesterly site of Tetratheca ciliata, nominally just outside the survey corridor Plate 73. (RHS) Habitat of Tetratheca ciliata closest to Halfway Road, nominally on the western edge of the survey corridor

Comments on priority flora recorded from databases

Appendix D provides a listing of priority flora from within 5,000 m of the study area (nominal buffer width usually used to discuss the potential of a particular study area to support various species listed in databases), with comments on whether potential habitat is present for the species, and possible reasons why a species was not recorded. Some species not listed on databases but considered by the author to have potential to occur in the survey area are also discussed. Note that the field assessment was not restricted to the species listed in Appendix D but considered any threatened flora with the potential to be present. While the database analysis utilises a nominal buffer of 5,000 m, the author’s own experience of the greater northeast region, especially the coastal hinterlands and forested slopes, combined with database interrogation, meant that the specific potential for numerous other species previously recorded from the wider area were taken into account.

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Figure 37. Distribution of threatened flora within and close to survey corridor – wetland species (Xerochrysum palustre, Amphibromus neesii, Epilobium pallidiflorum) near western end of survey area

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Figure 38. Context of population of Xerochrysum palustre (arrowed)

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Figure 39. Distribution of threatened flora within and close to survey corridor – Barbarea australis

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Figure 40. Distribution of threatened flora within and close to survey corridor – Epilobium pallidiflorum near Springfield (northern site – species not re-detected)

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Figure 41. Distribution of threatened flora within and close to survey corridor – Epilobium pallidiflorum near Springfield (southern sites – species re-detected)

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Figure 42. Distribution of threatened flora within and close to survey corridor – Gratiola pubescens and Asperula subsimplex in wetland south of Waterhouse Road: blue labels, red circles = ECOtas; red labels, pink squares = SEMF (2013)

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Figure 43. Context of population of Asperula subsimplex (arrowed)

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Figure 44. Distribution of threatened flora within and close to survey corridor – Lepidosperma forsythii (known site west of Old Waterhouse Road)

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Figure 45. Distribution of threatened flora within and close to survey corridor – Lepidosperma forsythii (new population between Oxberry Creek and Campbells Road)

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