Vegetation Formation Assessment at 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote 2233

Total Earth Care Pty Ltd February 18

Vegetation Formation Assessment

Chris Campbell 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote 2233 February 18

Quality Control © Total Earth Care Pty Ltd 2018

Revision/Version No. REV 0 Date of revision 5 February 2018

Prepared by: K Askew, D Perkovic, S Light

Approved by: K Askew

Prepared for: Chris Campbell

TEC Job No. C10773.1

37 Irrawong Road, North Narrabeen, NSW 2101 Telephone 02 9913 1432

Facsimile 02 9913 1434 [email protected] www.totalearthcare.com.au [email protected] [email protected] ABN: 14 043 484 770 [email protected]

February 18 Total Earth Care Pty Ltd

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 1 1.1 Background and Objectives 1 1.2 Subject Site and Study Area 1 1.3 The Proposal 1 1.4 Relevant legislation and planning instruments 1 Map 1. Subject Site, Study Area & Property Boundaries 2 2 Methods 3 2.1 Desktop Research 3 2.2 Site Survey 3 2.2.1 Stratification 3 2.3 BAM Plot locations and data 3 2.3.1 Flora 3 2.4 Limitations and Assumptions 4 3 Survey Effort 4 4 Results 4 4.1 General Site Description 4 4.2 Soils 4 4.3 Topography, Aspect and Hydrology 5 4.4 Fire History 5 4.5 Riparian Lands and Waterways 5 4.6 Adjacent Land 5 5 Results 6 5.1 Flora species 6 5.2 Plant Community Type (PCT) 6 5.2.1 Previous broad-scale vegetation mapping 6 5.2.2 Ground-truthed PCTs 6 5.2.3 Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) 9 Map 2. SMCMA Vegetation Mapping v3 (OEH 2016) 10 Map 3. TEC Verified Vegetation Communities and Survey Effort 11 6 The Keith (2004) vegetation classification system and Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006 (PBP) 12 7 Conclusions and Recommendations 12 8 Reference List 13 Appendix A. Species List 14 Appendix B. PBP Table A2.1. 17

Vegetation Formation Assessment Page i 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote 2233

Job No: C10773.1 Rev 0 February 18 Total Earth Care Pty Ltd

Table of Tables Table 1. Survey effort ...... 4 Table 2. Plot 1 Specht Assessment ...... 7 Table 3. Full species list for all plots ...... 14

Table of Figures Figure 1. Boundary Road, mown road verge, and edge of Study Site ...... 4 Figure 2. Study Site as viewed from mown road verge ...... 4 Figure 3. Site locality ...... 5 Figure 4. Start of Plot 1 (20 x 20m quadrat) ...... 7 Figure 5. End of Plot 1 ...... 7 Figure 6. Start of Plot 2 (20 x 20 m) ...... 8 Figure 7. End of Plot 2 ...... 8 Figure 8. Start of Plot 3 (20 x 20m) ...... 9 Figure 9. End of Plot 3 ...... 9

Vegetation Formation Assessment Page ii 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote 2233

Job No: C10773.1 Rev 0 February 18 Total Earth Care Pty Ltd

1 Introduction 1.1 Background and Objectives Total Earth Care (TEC) has been commissioned by Chris Campbell (the Client) to undertake an assessment of the vegetation formation present within a 140m radius from the western boundary of 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote. A Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment Report has already been submitted which classifies onsite vegetation as woodland (MacArthur 2017), but this has been rejected on the basis that the RFS has classified it as forest. In order to assist in resolving this issue, this Vegetation Formation Assessment will:  Include a desktop survey to assess the most up-to-date mapping to guide the vegetation survey;  Involve an on-site vegetation survey using the new Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) to determine the Plant Community Type (PCT) according to Keith (2004) and OEH;  Clarify the Keith (2004) vegetation classification system, which is the basis of assessment under Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006 (PBP);  Use the data generated from the BAM, Keith (2004), and OEH to determine which PCT best applies and discuss the results including plot data, maps and photographs, and;  Discuss the outcomes compared to the RFS conclusions. 1.2 Subject Site and Study Area The Subject Site (the Site) comprises of the area of land 140m in all directions from the western boundary of 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote (Lot 100 DP 1216619).This includes bushland within Boundary Road Reserve and Heathcote National Park including the three (3) survey plots undertaken therein. The Study Area comprises the Subject Site in addition to the surrounding land that may be potentially indirectly affect the Vegetation Formation Assessment. The locality encompasses a larger area that includes neighbouring properties and other areas of bushland nearby. The Site is located within the Sutherland Shire Council (SSC) Local Government Area (LGA) and includes the following titles: Lot 699 DP 752033 plus adjacent areas of Heathcote National Park. See Map 1 for Subject Site, Study Area, and property boundaries. 1.3 The Proposal The Client has made an application to subdivide 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote into a two (2) Lot residential subdivision (Lots 1 and 2) including any future structures within those Lot boundaries. 1.4 Relevant legislation and planning instruments An application to subdivide requires compliance with section 100B of the Rural Fires Act 1997 (NSW). The BAL components assessed for compliance include dominant vegetation, dominant slope under the dominant vegetation, Asset Protection Zone (APZ), and the Fire Danger Index (FDI) (Macarthur 2017). This Vegetation Formation Assessment will be written in accordance with: 1. NSW laws including:  Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW)  Rural Fires Act 1997 (NSW)  Sutherland Shire Local Environmental Plan 2015  Sutherland Shire Development Control Plan 2015 2. Guidelines including:  Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006  Australian Standard AS3959–2009 and amendments thereto “Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas”

Vegetation Formation Assessment Page 1 of 21 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote 2233

Job No: C10773.1 Rev 0 Title: Subject Site, Study Area & Property Boundaries Map No: 1 Site: 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote Client: Chris Campbell Date: January 2018 Project No: C10773.1 Author: D Perkovic

Legend

Study Site

Subject Property

Study Area

Lot

0 12.5 25 50 Meters ±

Data Source: Total Earth Care Nearmap SMCMA (OEH 2016)

Copyright Total Earth Care Pty Ltd, 2018 Tel: 02 9913 1432 Fax: 02 9913 1434 February 18 Total Earth Care Pty Ltd

2 Methods 2.1 Desktop Research A preliminary desktop study was conducted to assess the most up-to-date mapping to guide the vegetation survey including:  Broad-scale mapping of the Sydney 1:100,000 map sheet by Benson and Howell (1994), and;  The Native Vegetation of the Sydney Metropolitan Area Version 3.0 (OEH 2016). Site-specific plans and reports relating to the site:  Macarthur, D. B. (2017) BAL Assessment of the subdivision site, 58 Boundary Rd. Heathcote, Sydney. 2.2 Site Survey 2.2.1 Stratification The site was stratified using the most recent vegetation mapping and aerial photos of the site. The desktop study revealed that three (3) vegetation types are mapped across the Study Site, with another two (2) vegetation type mapped within the broader Study Area. During a preliminary site visit, two (2) general vegetation formation assemblages were observed, woodland and heath, hence two (2) stratification units were used. 2.3 BAM Plot locations and data Three (3) plots were set up across the Site as per the BAM. Plot locations were chosen so as best to capture the actual vegetation structures present on site. Each plot consists of a 50m x 20m transect and a 20m x 20m plot. All flora species are recorded within the 400m2 plot including whether it is native, exotic or high threat exotic as well as the percentage cover, abundance, and stratum of each species. The Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of each tree within the entire 1000m2 area are recorded as well as the length of any fallen logs, and any hollow bearing trees. Four 1m x 1m plots are set up along the transect in order to record the percentage of litter cover, bare ground cover, cryptogam cover, and rock cover. Any physiography and site features that may help in determining the PCT were also recorded. GPS points are taken at the beginning and end of each transect as well as photographs and a midline bearing from 0m were recorded. Although the plots did not extend for the full 140m to the edge of the Site, the vegetation was continuous from plot 3 westwards as was confirmed by the desktop mapping and visual confirmation. 2.3.1 Flora A botanical survey was conducted with reference to existing vegetation community descriptions and mapping by others for the locality (OEH 2016). The survey was conducted as per the BAM which “sets out the requirements for a repeatable and transparent assessment of terrestrial biodiversity values on land” (OEH 2017). Particular attention was given to the assessment of vegetation structure which is defined as “the assessment of foliage cover for each growth form group within the 20m x 20m plot boundary” (OEH 2017). The structure of each growth form group in each 20m x 20m plot was recorded by the surveyors as the sum of all the individual foliage cover estimates of all native plant species recorded within each growth form group within each plot (OEH 2017). The survey included:  Three (3) BAM plots over two (2) stratification units;  The identification of native and exotic plant species according to Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney (Robinson, 2003), Weeds of the south-east: an identification guide for Australia (Richardson et al, 2006), Flora of NSW, Volumes 1-4 (Harden 1992, 1993, 2000, 2002) and PlantNET (Botanic Gardens Trust, 2008), with reference to recent taxonomic changes, and;  The identification and mapping of plant communities based on current site conditions, soils and species list, and previous broad-scale vegetation mapping including Smith and Smith (2008, 2009), and The Native Vegetation of the Sydney Metropolitan Area Version 3.0 (OEH 2016).

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2.4 Limitations and Assumptions The diurnal field surveys were conducted over two (2) days during January 2018. As stated by the DECC (2004), ‘The absence of a species from survey data does not necessarily mean it does not inhabit the survey area. It may simply mean that the species was not detected at that time with the survey method adopted and the prevailing seasonal or climatic conditions.’ As such, the relative brevity of the survey and its timing mean that the full spectrum of flora species and ecological processes likely to occur on the site cannot be fully quantified or described in this report. This limitation has been partly addressed by identifying the most up-to-date vegetation mapping to guide the survey and reviewing current species lists for any identified vegetation types on site. When reviewing maps please note that the hand-held GPS equipment used is only accurate to 3 metres.

3 Survey Effort The diurnal surveys were conducted over two (2) days on the 16th and 25th of January 2018. On the 16th of January weather conditions were mild (approximately 20˚C) with a light breeze and slightly overcast sky. On the 25th of January weather conditions over the day were hot and humid (approximately 28˚C) with no breeze and an overcast sky. Table 1. Survey effort Survey Date Survey Effort Survey Methods

Preliminary visit, random 16 January 2018 meander Throughout Study Preliminary Structural Assessment – Rapid assessment of Area vegetation structure according to Specht (1999) and Keith (2004).

Diurnal Survey Throughout 25 January 2018 Vegetation Formation Assessment survey – Three (3) survey Study Area plots as per the BAM to assess vegetation structure and formation.

4 Results 4.1 General Site Description The Subject Site is located within the suburb of Heathcote within the Sutherland Shire Council LGA. The Site comprises of bushland from Boundary Road Reserve and Heathcote National Park. The property at 58 Boundary Road is separated from the Site by approximately 22m by Boundary Road and a mown road verge. The Site itself extends for 140m in all directions from the property boundary at 58 Boundary Road.

Figure 1. Boundary Road, mown road verge, and Figure 2. Study Site as viewed from mown road edge of Study Site verge 4.2 Soils Chapman et al. (1989) have mapped the site and surrounding land as having two soil landscapes.

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The southern and eastern parts of the site are mapped as the Faulconbridge (9029fb) soil landscape for approximately 100m from Boundary Road. Beyond this the site is mapped as the Bundeena (9029bu) soil landscape which is derived from Hawkesbury Sandstone with minor shale lenses. 4.3 Topography, Aspect and Hydrology The Site is characterised by steep slopes, precipitous sandstone outcrops, and a north-west aspect. Generally the high relief and freely draining sandy soil result in a dry environment. However, a plateau between sandstone outcrops in the middle of the Site has collected water runoff which is retained there by an impervious sandstone base. This area features permanently wet and boggy soils rich in organic material and is the cause of a change in vegetation structure in this area. The greater locality has a similarly steep and precipitous topography. 4.4 Fire History The fire history of the site is unknown. However, judging from dead stags in the middle of the Site as well as the presence of epicormic growth, bark charring, and the absence of a well-developed mid storey, it is possible that a medium intensity fire occurred on Site within the last 5-10 years. 4.5 Riparian Lands and Waterways There are no riparian lands or waterways within the Study Site. Scout Gully is approximately 100m north- west of the Site. 4.6 Adjacent Land The Site is situated within a mixed landscape of suburban residential development and bushland. There are very high levels of connectivity with other areas of bushland to the west, north-west, and south-west where Heathcote National Park extends. See Figure 3 below.

Figure 3. Site locality

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Job No: C10773.1 Rev 0 February 18 Total Earth Care Pty Ltd

5 Results 5.1 Flora species All flora recorded during the current survey are listed in Table 3 of Appendix A including species for each plot. A total of ninety-five (95) plant species were recorded during the flora survey. This included seventy-six (76) native species and nineteen (19) introduced species. No threatened flora species were observed. 5.2 Plant Community Type (PCT) 5.2.1 Previous broad-scale vegetation mapping The most up-to-date broad-scale vegetation mapping of the locality has been conducted by the Office of Environment and Heritage in their Native Vegetation of the Sydney Metropolitan Area version 3.0 (2016). See Map 2 for their locations and names. OEH (2016) describe the locality as being made up of five (5) vegetation communities: 1. Weeds and Exotics (Weed_Ex); 2. Urban Exotic/Native (Urban_E/N); 3. Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland (S_DSF05); 4. Coastal Sandstone Gully Forest (S-DSF09), and; 5. Coastal Sandstone Heath-Mallee (S_HL08). 5.2.2 Ground-truthed PCTs The Site was initially stratified using the most recent vegetation mapping (listed above) and aerial photos of the Site. The site and study area mapping was then ground truthed during the field survey. Any mapped vegetation outside of the study area was not field verified with data. See Map 3 for current vegetation. The Site and immediate surrounds contains four (4) vegetation types: 1. Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland (S_DSF05); 2. Coastal Sandstone Heath-Mallee (S_HL08) 3. Coastal Sandstone Gully Forest (S-DSF09), and; 4. Urban Exotic/Native (Urban_E/N), which had the formation of a woodland. 5.2.2.1 Plot 1: Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland (S_DSF05) Plot 1 was set up across the steep north-west facing slope closest to Boundary Road. See Figures 4 and 5 below. The plot was situated within a thin stand of Red Blood Woods (Corymbia gummifera) and Scribbly Gums (Eucalyptus haemastoma) with a sparse understorey of Old Man Banksia (Banksia serrata). The midstorey was composed primarily of Wattle species (Acacia linifolia, Acacia longifolia, Acacia parramattensis, Acacia suaveolens), several Mountain Devils (Lambertia formosa) and Large-leaf Hop- bushes (Dodonaea triquetra), and a few immature Pink Wax Flowers (Eriostemon australasius). Gymea Lilies (Doryanthes excelsa) were the dominant ground layer species amongst smaller herbaceous species and grasses. Most canopy trees were approximately 10m tall. The foliage of canopy trees did not touch and the total projected canopy cover was less than 30%. As such, the site was assessed as Corymbia gummifera/Eucalyptus haemastoma woodland as per a Specht Assessment (Specht et al 1999). See Table 1 below for data from the Specht Assessment. This area is mapped as Weeds and Exotics (Weed_Ex) in the SMCMA Vegetation Mapping (see Map 2) but was verified on site to be Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland (S_DSF05) except for the mowed road verge (see Map 3). The main weeds present were Mother of Millions (Bryophyllum delagoense) and Senna (Senna pendula var. glabrata) which infested approximately 15% of the otherwise resilient native bush. PCT Determination: A list of indicative species were entered into the BioNet Vegetation Classification Plant Community Identification Tool. The tool identified Red Bloodwood - Scribbly Gum - Silvertop

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Ash open forest on sandstone ridges of the Woronora Plateau (PCT 1777) as the PCT with the highest number of matches. This PCT is synonymous with Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland (S_DSF05) as mapped by the SMCMA. The fact that Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland is mapped as the dominant vegetation type in the area supports this determination. It is likely that the area was mapped by OEH as “Weeds and Exotics” due to an analysis of aerial photography without ground- truthing the determination.

Figure 4. Start of Plot 1 (20 x 20m quadrat) Figure 5. End of Plot 1

Table 2. Plot 1 Specht Assessment Structural Foliage cover Estimated spp. diversity Height Dominant species Layer (%) (20mx20m) C. gummifera Canopy 8–12m <30 3 E. haemastoma Sub-canopy ~6m <10 1 B. serrata A. longifolia Mid-storey 3–4m ~40 20+ L. squarrosum Senna sp. I. cylindrica Ground layer 50cm ~40 20+ Entolasia spp. G. dicarpa Herbs / 5cm ~10 10+ Leucopogon sp. Mosses Xanthosia sp.

5.2.2.2 Plot 2: Coastal Sandstone Heath-Mallee (S_HL08) and Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland (S_DSF05) Plot 2 was set up across the flat plateau between sandstone outcrops in the middle of the Site. See Figures 6 and 7 below. Besides a few Silvertop Ashes (Eucalyptus sieberi) at the very edges of the plot, the area was dominated by a midstorey of Pink Tea Tree (Leptospermum squarrosum) approximately 2m tall. Various species of grass trees, sedges, rushes, ferns, epacrids, and herbs made up a dense groundcover over the waterlogged soil. Damage from foraging deer and wallabies was evident in the area. The site was assessed as Leptospermum squarrosum heathland as per a Specht Assessment (Specht et al 1999). This area was mapped as Weeds and Exotics (Weed_Ex) and Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland (S_DSF05) in the SMCMA Vegetation Mapping (see Map 2). The current survey found that a large patch of Coastal Sandstone Heath-Mallee (S_HL08) occurs here which is surrounded largely by Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland (S_DSF05) (see Map 3). To the south of this area is an infestation of weeds (Cortaderia selloana, Lantana camara, Senna pendula var. glabrata, Eragrostis curvula) which follow drainage lines and the altered hydrology/nutrification they cause.

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PCT Determination: A list of indicative species were entered into the BioNet Vegetation Classification Plant Community Identification Tool. The tool identified Mallee - Banksia - Tea-tree - Hakea heath- woodland of the coastal sandstone plateaus of the Sydney basin (PCT 1824) as the PCT with the highest number of matches. This PCT is synonymous with Coastal Sandstone Heath-Mallee (S_HL08) as mapped by the SMCMA. Coastal Upland Damp Swamp Heath (S_FRW01; PCT 1803) was returned as the PCT with the second highest number of matches and the area did have many species consistent with the typical species for this area. However, the visible evidence of expanding and contracting vegetation boundaries in response to fire history (dead stags) is typical of Coastal Sandstone Heath-Mallee (OEH 2016). The fact that Coastal Sandstone Heath-Mallee is mapped in the locality to the north further supports this determination. The Tool also identified Red Bloodwood - Scribbly Gum - Silvertop Ash open forest on sandstone ridges of the Woronora Plateau (PCT 1777) as occurring where the hydrology changed as a result of topographic variation. This PCT is synonymous with Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland (S_DSF05) as mapped by the SMCMA and is consistent with their mapping.

Figure 6. Start of Plot 2 (20 x 20 m) Figure 7. End of Plot 2

5.2.2.3 Plot 3: Coastal Sandstone Heath-Mallee (S_HL08) and Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland (S_DSF05) Plot 3 was set up across a moderately inclined slope below the flat plateau on which Plot 2 was conducted. See Figures 8 and 9 below. Most of the plot had a sparse canopy consisting of Sydney Red Gums (Angophora costata), Silvertop Ashes (Eucalyptus sieberi), and a single Grey Gum (Eucalyptus punctata). Significant canopy death was evident with multiple charred stags throughout the area. This is likely the result of the encroachment of Eucalypt species into the heath which have since been killed off by fire and is typical of Coastal Sandstone Heath-Mallee. Banksia and Acacia species, Pink Tea trees, Gymea Lilies, Grass trees (Xanthorrhoea spp.), and several grasses and herbs made up open mid and ground-stories. PCT Determination: A list of indicative species were entered into the BioNet Vegetation Classification Plant Community Identification Tool. The tool identified Mallee - Banksia - Tea-tree - Hakea heath- woodland of the coastal sandstone plateaus of the Sydney basin (PCT 1824) and Red Bloodwood - Scribbly Gum - Silvertop Ash open forest on sandstone ridges of the Woronora Plateau (PCT 1777) as the PCTs with the highest number of matches. These PCTs are synonymous with Coastal Sandstone Heath-Mallee (S_HL08) and Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland (S_DSF05) as mapped by the SMCMA. The fact that Coastal Sandstone Heath-Mallee is mapped within the locality to the north further supports this determination. Beyond this plot, towards the northern corner of the Site, a transition to Coastal Sandstone Gully Forest (S-DSF09) was evidenced by an increase in the density of canopy species including Silvertop Ashes

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Job No: C10773.1 Rev 0 February 18 Total Earth Care Pty Ltd

(Eucalyptus sieberi) and Sydney Red Gums (Angophora costata). This is consistent with the SMCMA mapping (see Map 2).

Figure 8. Start of Plot 3 (20 x 20m) Figure 9. End of Plot 3

5.2.3 Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) No TECs are present within the Site (see Map 3).

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Job No: C10773.1 Rev 0 Title:SMCMA Vegetation Mapping v3 (OEH 2016) Map No: 2 Site: 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote Client: Chris Campbell Date: January 2018 Project No: C10773.1 Author: D Perkovic

Legend

Study Site

Subject Property

Study Area

Lot SydneyMetroArea_v3_2016_E_4489 MapUnitNam S_DSF05: Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland

S_DSF09: Coastal Sandstone Gully Forest

S_HL08: Coastal Sandstone Heath-Mallee

Urban_E/N: Urban Exotic/Native

Weed_Ex: Weeds and Exotics

0 12.5 25 50 Meters ±

Data Source: Total Earth Care Nearmap SMCMA (OEH 2016)

Copyright Total Earth Care Pty Ltd, 2018 Tel: 02 9913 1432 Fax: 02 9913 1434 Title: TEC Verified Vegetation & Survey Effort Map No: 3 Site: 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote Client: Chris Campbell Date: January 2018 Project No: C10773.1 Author: D Perkovic

Legend

Study Site

Subject Property

Study Area

Plot Transects

20_x_20_m_quadrats

Coastal Sandstone Gully Forest (S-DSF09)

Urban Exotic/Native (Urban_E/N)

Coastal Sandstone Heath-Mallee (S_HL08)

Mown Road Verge 2 3 t Sydney South Exposed Sandstone Woodland (S_DSF05) t lo o l P Lot P

1 t lo P

0 10 20 40 Meters ±

Data Source: Total Earth Care Nearmap SMCMA (OEH 2016)

Copyright Total Earth Care Pty Ltd, 2018 Tel: 02 9913 1432 Fax: 02 9913 1434 February 18 Total Earth Care Pty Ltd

6 The Keith (2004) vegetation classification system and Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006 (PBP) PBP (2006) uses a simplified vegetation classification system based on Keith (2004) in order to determine the “Predominant Vegetation Class Formation” which affects the bushfire hazard for nearby properties. In Ocean Shores to Desert Dunes: The Native Vegetation of NSW and the ACT, Keith establishes a statewide vegetation classification that allows for the description of native vegetation at three levels of a hierarchy: formations, classes, and communities (Keith 2004, p. 21): 1. Vegetation Formations are at the top level of the hierarchy and are broad groups distinguished by structural, physiognomic, and functional features. These are very broad and only twelve formations are recognised. 2. Vegetation Classes are at the middle level of the hierarchy and are groups of vegetation defined by overall floristic similarities (i.e. shared species) as well as structural and habitat characteristics. Each vegetation class are assigned to a particular formation according to its most common structural form, although there may be high degrees of variation within these. 3. Plant Community Types (PCTs) are at the bottom level of the hierarchy and are assemblages of plant species that live together at the same time. They are the most detailed and homogenous units in hierarchy and are closely related to vegetation groupings identified in regional/local mapping studies (i.e. SMCMA mapping). There are one thousand nine hundred and fifteen (1915) PCTs within NSW as of November 2017. By determining the PCTs present at a site using the BAM, the vegetation classes and formations will also be accurately determined. According to PBP “[t]he following procedure is to be adopted when assessing a development at a defined precinct level in order to determine whether the development is bush fire prone and if so, which setbacks will be appropriate: (a) Determine vegetation formations, as follows: (i) Identify all vegetation in all directions from the site for a distance of 140 metres: (ii) Consult Table A2.1 to determine the predominant vegetation type; and (iii) Select the predominant vegetation formation as described in Table A2.1.” (RFS 2006) See Appendix B for PBP Table A2.1.

7 Conclusions and Recommendations This study found that the majority of vegetation within the land subject to a bushfire risk assessment for 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote is a mixture of: - Woodland, and; - Heath. See Map 3. Forested community is only found approximately 122m from the northern corner of 58 Boundary Road. This report may be used as evidence to support the findings within BAL Assessment of the subdivision site, 58 Boundary Rd. Heathcote, Sydney report by Bruce Macarthur (2017).

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8 Reference List Australian Standard AS3959–2009 and amendments thereto “Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas”.

Benson D and Howell J. (1994) The natural vegetation of the Sydney 1:100,000 map sheet. Cunninghamia 3(4) 677-787.

Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW).

Broad-scale mapping of the Sydney 1:100,000 map sheet by Benson and Howell (1994).

Chapman GA, Murphy CL, Tille PJ, Atkinson G & Morse RJ. (1989).Sydney 1:100000 Soil Landscape Series Sheet 9130. Soil Conservation Service of NSW, Sydney. DECC (2004) Threatened Biodiversity Survey and Assessment: Guidelines for Developments and Activities. Working Draft. NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, Sydney. Harden GJ (Ed) (1992) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 3. New South Wales University Press, Kensington.

Harden GJ (Ed) (1993) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 4. New South Wales University Press, Kensington.

Harden GJ (Ed) (2000) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 1. Revised Edition. University of New South Wales Press, Sydney.

Harden GJ (Ed) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2. Revised Edition. University of New South Wales Press, Sydney.

Higgins PJ. (Ed) (1999) Handbook of Australian New Zealand and Antarctic Birds Volume 4. Royal Australian Ornithological Union. Oxford University Press.

Keith, D. (2004) Ocean Shores to Desert Dunes: The Native Vegetation of NSW and the ACT, DECC, Sydney.

Macarthur, D. B. (2017) BAL Assessment of the subdivision site, 58 Boundary Rd. Heathcote, Sydney. NSW OEH (2016) Biodiversity Assessment Method, OEH, Sydney.

NSW OEH (2018) BioNet Vegetation Classification Tool, viewed 31 January 2018, http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NSWVCA20PRapp/search/keysearch.aspx#.

NSW RFS (2006) Planning for Bush Fire Protection, RFS.

OEH (2016) NSW Guide to Surveying Threatened Plants. Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Sydney.

OEH (2016). The Native Vegetation of the Sydney Metropolitan Area. Volume 2: Vegetation Community Profiles. Version 3.0. Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Sydney.

Robinson L (2003). Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney. Kangaroo Press, Sydney.

Rural Fires Act 1997 (NSW).

Specht et al (1999) Australian Plant Communities: Dynamics of Structure, Growth and Biodiversity, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Sutherland Shire Development Control Plan 2015

Sutherland Shire Local Environmental Plan 2015

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Appendix A. Species List Table 3. Full species list for all plots TSC EPBC Plot Plot Plot Family Exotic Scientific Name Common Name Status Status 1 2 3 Fabaceae Acacia linifolia White Wattle 1 2 (Mimosoideae) Fabaceae Acacia longifolia 1 3 (Mimosoideae) Fabaceae Acacia parramattensis Parramatta Wattle 1 (Mimosoideae) Fabaceae Acacia suaveolens Sweet Wattle 1 2 (Mimosoideae) Fabaceae Acacia ulicifolia Prickly Moses 2 3 (Mimosoideae) Lesser Flannel Apiaceae Actinotus minor 1 2 Flower Alliaceae * Agapanthus spp. 1 Asteraceae * Ageratina adenophora Crofton Weed 1 Asphodelaceae * Aloe spp. 1 Poaceae * Andropogon virginicus Whisky Grass 2 Myrtaceae Angophora costata Sydney Red Gum 1 3 Asparagaceae * Asparagus aethiopicus Asparagus Fern 1 Heath-leaved Proteaceae Banksia ericifolia 1 2 Banksia Proteaceae Banksia marginata Silver Banksia 3 Fern-leaved Proteaceae Banksia oblongifolia 1 2 3 Banksia Proteaceae Banksia serrata Old-man Banksia 1 3 Proteaceae Banksia spinulosa Hairpin Banksia P 2 3 Asteraceae * Bidens pilosa Cobbler's Pegs 1 Fabaceae Bossiaea heterophylla Variable Bossiaea 1 2 3 (Faboideae) Crassulaceae * Bryophyllum delagoense Mother of millions 1 Dicksoniaceae Calochlaena dubia Rainbow Fern 3 Downy Dodder- Lauraceae Cassytha pubescens 2 laurel Cyperaceae Caustis flexuosa Curly Wig P 3 Cyperaceae Caustis pentandra Thick Twist Rush P 3 Cyperaceae Caustis spp. P 1 Anthericaceae * Chlorophytum comosum Spider Plant 1 Native Wandering Commelinaceae Commelina cyanea 1 Jew Poaceae * Cortaderia selloana Pampas Grass Myrtaceae Corymbia gummifera Red Bloodwood 1 Phormiaceae Dianella caerulea Blue Flax-lily 2 Dianella caerulea var. Phormiaceae 1 producta Phormiaceae Dianella revoluta Blueberry Lily 2 Convolvulaceae Dichondra repens Kidney Weed 1 Large-leaf Hop- Sapindaceae Dodonaea triquetra 1 2 bush Doryanthaceae Doryanthes excelsa Gymea Lily P 1 2 3 Droseraceae Drosera binata Forked Sundew 1 Poaceae * Ehrharta erecta Panic Veldtgrass 1 Elaeocarpaceae Elaeocarpus reticulatus Blueberry Ash 2

Vegetation Formation Assessment Page 14 of 21 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote 2233

Job No: C10773.1 Rev 0 February 18 Total Earth Care Pty Ltd

TSC EPBC Plot Plot Plot Family Exotic Scientific Name Common Name Status Status 1 2 3 Poaceae Entolasia marginata Bordered Panic 1 2 3 Poaceae Entolasia stricta Wiry Panic 2 3 Ericaceae Epacris microphylla Coral Heath 1 2 3 Ericaceae Epacris obtusifolia Blunt-leaf Heath 2 Poaceae * Eragrostis curvula African Lovegrass Rutaceae Eriostemon australasius Pink Wax Flower 1 2 3 Broad-leaved Myrtaceae Eucalyptus haemastoma 1 Scribbly Gum Myrtaceae Eucalyptus punctata Grey Gum 3 Myrtaceae Eucalyptus sieberi Silvertop Ash 2 3 Pouched Coral Gleicheniaceae Gleichenia dicarpa 1 2 3 Fern Goodeniaceae Goodenia hederacea Ivy Goodenia 3 Grey Spider Proteaceae Grevillea buxifolia 1 2 Flower Grey Spider Proteaceae Grevillea sphacelata 3 Flower Proteaceae Hakea dactyloides Finger Hakea 1 2 3 Proteaceae Hakea teretifolia Needlebush 2 3 Poaceae Imperata cylindrica Blady Grass 1 2 Juncaceae Juncus usitatus 1 Proteaceae Lambertia formosa Mountain Devil 1 2 3 Verbenaceae * Lantana camara Lantana Cyperaceae Lepidosperma laterale 1 2 3 Leptospermum Myrtaceae Pink Tea Tree 1 2 3 squarrosum Myrtaceae Leptospermum trinervium Slender Tea-tree 1 Small-leaved Oleaceae * Ligustrum sinense 1 Privet Lindsaeaceae Lindsaea spp. 2 Lobeliaceae Lobelia anceps 2 Lobeliaceae Lobelia dentata 3 Lomandraceae Lomandra filiformis Wattle Matt-rush 1 2 Spiny-headed Lomandraceae Lomandra longifolia 3 Mat-rush Lomandraceae Lomandra obliqua 2 3 Proteaceae Lomatia silaifolia Crinkle Bush P 1 2 3 Poaceae Microlaena stipoides Weeping Grass 1 Davalliaceae Nephrolepis cordifolia Fishbone Fern 1 2 Mickey Mouse Ochnaceae * Ochna serrulata 1 Plant Tussock Poaceae * Paspalum quadrifarium 1 Paspalum Passifloraceae * Passiflora suberosa Cork Passionfruit 1 Adiantaceae Pellaea falcata Sickle Fern 2 Broad-leaved Proteaceae Persoonia levis P 2 3 Geebung Pine-leaved Proteaceae Persoonia pinifolia P 1 2 Geebung Pittosporaceae Pittosporum undulatum Sweet Pittosporum 1 Apiaceae Platysace linearifolia 2 3

Vegetation Formation Assessment Page 15 of 21 58 Boundary Road, Heathcote 2233

Job No: C10773.1 Rev 0 February 18 Total Earth Care Pty Ltd

TSC EPBC Plot Plot Plot Family Exotic Scientific Name Common Name Status Status 1 2 3 Poaceae Poa labillardierei Tussock Grass 3 Dennstaedtiaceae Pteridium esculentum Bracken 2 Fabaceae Pultenaea linophylla 2 (Faboideae) Fabaceae Pultenaea scabra Rough Bush-pea 2 (Faboideae) Fabaceae Pultenaea stipularis 1 2 3 (Faboideae) Rosaceae Rubus parvifolius Native Raspberry 2 Goodeniaceae Scaevola ramosissima Purple Fan-flower 1 3 Cyperaceae Schoenoplectus spp. 1 Fabaceae Senna pendula var. * 1 2 3 (Caesalpinioideae) glabrata Poaceae * Setaria parviflora 1 Asteraceae * Sonchus spp. Sowthistle 1 Elaeocarpaceae Tetratheca thymifolia Black-eyed Susan 2 3 Violaceae Viola hederacea Ivy-leaved Violet 3 Ericaceae Woollsia pungens 2 3 Xanthorrhoeaceae Xanthorrhoea arborea P 1 2 3 Xanthorrhoeaceae Xanthorrhoea resinosa P 2 Apiaceae Xanthosia pilosa Woolly Xanthosia 1 2 3

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Job No: C10773.1 Rev 0 February 18 Total Earth Care Pty Ltd

Appendix B. PBP Table A2.1.

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Job No: C10773.1 Rev 0 Table A2.1 Classification of Vegetation Formations (after Keith, 2004)

Keith (2004) Formations

Formation class Formation (Sub formation) Description F (r)/F(t)* (t/ha)

Rainforests Closed and continuous tree canopy composed of relatively soft, 8/10 (Closed forest) horizontally-held leaves. Generally lacking in eucalypts. Understorey ppendix 2

A typically includes ferns and herbs. Vines often present in canopy or understorey. Occur mainly in areas that are reliably moist, mostly free of fire and have soils of moderate to high fertility. Typically coastal and escarpment locations.

Wet sclerophyll High open tree canopy dominated by tall (typically >30m), straight- forests (Tall open trunked eucalypt species. Luxuriant understorey composed of soft forest) leaved shrubs, ferns and herbs. Many understorey plants are rainforest species. Found on moderately fertile soils in areas of high (>900mm) rainfall.

Shrubby sub formation Many soft-leaved shrubs and small trees in understorey. Eg. 25/30 Typically sub-alpine and tableland locations.

Grassy sub formation Fewer soft-leaved shrubs allowing a more substantial cover of 20/25 grasses and herbs on the forest floor. Reflects drier habitat. Eg. Typically coastal and escarpment locations.

Grassy woodlands Dominated by an open to sparse layer of eucalypts (typically 10/15 (Woodlands) boxes and red gums) with the crowns rarely touching (ie <30% foliage cover). Typically 15-35m high (may be shorter at sub- alpine altitudes). Diverse ground cover of grasses and herbs. Long lived perennial tussock grasses form the structural matrix of the understorey. Shrubs are sparsely distributed. Found on fine textured soils of moderate to high fertility, principally on flat to undulating terrain. Rainfall 500-900mm Tablelands, western slopes, and low rainfall coastal lowlands.

Grasslands Dominated by large perennial tussock grasses and the presence 6 of broad-leaved herbs in the inter-tussock spaces. Lack of woody plants. Associated with fertile heavy clay soils on flat topography on in regions with low to moderate rainfall. Plants include grasses, daisies, legumes, geraniums, saltbushes and copperburrs.

Dry sclerophyll Dominated by eucalypts 10-30m tall with crowns that touch or forests overlap (ie foliage cover of 20-50%). Prominent layer of hard- (Open forest) leaved shrubs. Infertile soils. Rainfall >500mm. Coast, tablelands and western slopes.

Shrub/grass sub formation 20/25 Conspicuous presence of grasses in the understorey. Also have a significant shrub component, including a mixture of hard leaved and soft-leaved plants. Includes native timber plantations.

Shrubby sub formation 20/25 fire P rotection Understorey dominated by shrubs including waratahs, banksias, spider flowers, wattles, pea-flowers, gum trees, tea-trees,

6 native fuschias, boronias and wax flowers. Sparse ground cover comprised mainly of hard-leaved sedges. Found on sandy infertile for B us h 200 soils on exposed sites.

Heathlands Shrubby vegetation. Principal plant species include banksias, spider (Shrublands) flowers, wattles, legumes, eucalypts, tea-trees, paper barks, dece m ber P lannin g sheoaks, grass trees, cord rushes and sedges. Grasses are scarce. Found on infertile soils and is dependant on fire. Not found in arid 54 and semi arid locations. Table A2.1 Classification of Vegetation Formations (after Keith, 2004)

Formation class Formation (Sub formation) Description F (r)/F(t)* (t/ha) A

Heathlands Tall Heaths (Scrub) 25 ppendix 2 (Shrublands) Heathlands greater than 2 metres tall. Includes Hawkesbury Sandstone vegetation with scattered overstorey trees and predominantly healthy understorey and coastal heath. May include some mallee eucalypts in coastal locations.

Short Heath (Open Shrub) 15 Heathlands less than 2 meters in height. Often more open in canopy.

Alpine complex Structural dominance by small-leaved shrubs, herbs and tussocky (Sedgelands) grasses. Seasonal dormancy and snow tolerance. A lack of trees. 17

Freshwater Areas permanently or temporarily inundated either by standing or wetlands running water (swamps). Dominated by sedges, shrubs or herbs. 15 Excludes wetlands dominated by trees and those with significant quantities of salt. Coast, tablelands, western slopes and plains.

Forested wetlands Restricted to riverine corridors and floodplains subject to periodic inundation. Dominated by eucalypts, tea-trees and paperbarks 15/20 or sheoaks. Distinguished by presence of hydrophytes, woody plants that can live in flooded environments eg. sedges, rushes, buttercups, knot weeds, lignum, ferns and grasses. Found generally low altitudes. Soils vary from peaty and semi-humic loam soils to mineral clays and sandy loams. Coast, tablelands, and inland.

Saline wetlands Distinguished by an abundance of salt. Halophytes abundant. Eg mangrove swamps, salt marshes and seagrass meadows. Coast (tidal estuaries) and western plains (salt lakes). -

Semi-arid Widely spaced tree canopies, trees 5-20m tall. Dominance of woodlands (Low sclerophyllous trees (box eucalypts, mallee eucalypts, sheoaks, woodlands) wattles and cypress pines), drought resistant shrubs and ephemeral grasses and herbs. Rainfall 250-500mm/year. Western plains.

Grassy sub formation Occurs on floodplains. Understorey predominantly grassy, although chenopod shrubs may be common in some local areas. Can be 5/18 distinguished from grassy woodlands by their more ephemeral ground cover and predominant trees and shrubs, all of which have inland distributions.

Shrubby sub formation Occurs on more elevated areas or uplands. Shorter trees <15m and less cover of grasses than the grassy formation. Abundant 8 drought resistant shrubs and variable grass cover. Eg. Mallee woodland

Arid shrublands Dominated by drought-tolerant shrubs, including chenopods. Occur where the rainfall or local soil moisture is too low to support tree- dominated vegetation. Rainfall <500mm. Western plains.

Chenopod sub formation (Low shrublands) fire P rotection Dominated by low shrubs (mostly <1.5m tall) such as saltbushes, bluebushes and copperburrs. Ground cover of perrenial tussock 9 grass (never hummock grass). Found on lime-rich calcareous or 6 saline soils. for B us h 200

Acacia sub formation (Tall shrublands) Shrubs usually taller than 2m, dominated by various acacia species and other large shrubs. May have abundant hummock grass (spinifex) 9 dece m ber ground cover. Found on silica rich soils. Eg. Mulga shrubland P lannin g 55 * Fuel loads are expressed as fuels contributing to rates of spread [F(r)] and total fuel loads [F(t)] that contribute to intensity. Single figures denote same values for both based on bush fire behaviour models.