Ecological Guidelines for Fire, Fuel and Access Management Operations

ECOLOGICAL GUIDELINES FOR FIRE, FUEL AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS

Part 1 Background and Explanatory Section

Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate

2019

This document has been compiled by the Conservation Research Branch in consultation with the Fire Forests and Roads Branch. For comments or queries, contact: Brian Hawkins at [email protected] Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate ACT Government GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT 2601

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in his report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views, opinions or policy of the ACT Government.

© Australian Capital Territory, Canberra 2019 This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this work may be reproduced by any process without the written permission from the ACT Government.

Contents

Glossary (for the purposes of this document) ...... 3 Purpose ...... 4 Background ...... 4 Use of Ecological Guidelines ...... 6 Prescribed activities ...... 6 Prescribed Burns ...... 6 1. General Principles for Prescribed Burns ...... 6 2. Fire-fighting Foam ...... 6 3. Fire Fighting Retardant ...... 6 4. EHN Virus Exclusion Zone ...... 7 5. Aquatic Ecosystems (Waterways, Riparian Zones, Wetlands) ...... 7 6. Minimum tolerable fire interval ...... 7 Slashing ...... 7 7. General Principles for Slashing Operations ...... 7 Grazing ...... 8 8. The principles applicable for fuel management grazing will be determined by the primary purpose of the land. There are three types of land use where grazing for fuel management is undertaken: ...... 8 a). Agisted Land in Nature Reserves or land managed as Reserve ...... 8 b). Agisted Land (non-reserve)...... 8 c). Horse Paddocks ...... 8 Chemical Application ...... 8 9. General Principles for Chemical Application ...... 8 Physical Removal ...... 9 10. Native Vegetation Removal ...... 9 11. Rock Removal (Rock-Picking) ...... 9 Access Management ...... 11 12. General Principles for Access Management ...... 11 13. Maintenance Works – as defined in the ‘BOP Access Management Standards’ ...... 11 14. Vegetation Maintenance – (Trittering) as defined in the ‘BOP Access Management Standards’ ...... 12 15. Upgrade Works – as defined in the ‘BOP Access Management Standards’ ...... 13 Threatened and rare species and communities – specific information ...... 14 16. Yellow Box Red Gum Woodland (YBRG) ...... 14 17. Native Temperate Grassland (NTG) ...... 14 18. Lowland Snow Gum Woodlands ...... 14 19. Highland Bogs and Fens ...... 14 20. Threatened and Declining Birds ...... 15 21. Grassland Lizards (Pink-tailed Worm Lizard, Striped Legless Lizard and Grassland Earless Dragon) ...... 15 22. Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana) ...... 15 23. Button Wrinklewort (Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides) ...... 16 24. Drooping She-Oak (Allocasuarina verticillata) ...... 16 25. Black Cypress Pine (Callitris endlicheri) ...... 16 26. Leafless Bossiaea (Bossiaea grayi) ...... 16

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27. Pale Pomaderris (Pomaderris pallida) ...... 16 28. Austral Toadflax (Thesium australe) ...... 17 29. Smokey Mouse (Pseudomys fumeus) ...... 17 30. Northern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne pengeilleyi) ...... 17 31. Baeuerlen’s Gentian (Gentiana baeuerlenii) ...... 17 32. Canberra Spider Orchid (Arachnorchis actensis) ...... 17 33. Tarengo Leek Orchid (Prasophyllum petilum) ...... 17 34. Black Mountain, Aranda Bushland and Wilflower Triangle Orchids...... 17 35. Tuggeranong Lignum (Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong) ...... 17 36. Other rare plants...... 17 37. Two spined black fish (Gadopsis bispinosus)...... 18 38. Trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis)...... 18 39. Macquarie Perch (Macquaria australasica)...... 18 40. Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) ...... 18 APPENDIX A - Map of the EHN exclusion zone ...... 19 APPENDIX B – Phenology of Orchids in Mt Painter Wildflower Triangle, Aranda Bushland and Black Mountain...... 20 APPENDIX C – EHNV decontamination procedures for fire fighting equipment ...... 2

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Glossary (for the purposes of this document)

ACT Bushfire Management Standards: The ACT Bushfire Management Standards, as prescribed in the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan, are available online at https://esa.act.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-06/Fire-Managment-Standards-ACT-SBMPv31.pdf

Agistment land: Unleased Territory lands (reserve or off-reserve) grazed under licence.

Bushfire Operations Plan (BOP): The annual works plan prescribing the bushfire prevention and bushfire preparedness tasks in fulfilment of the Regional Fire Management Plan and Strategic Bushfire Management Plan components for PCS managed lands.

Conservation Research (CR): The administrative unit of the Environment and Planning Directorate that is responsible for providing ecological advice to the ACT Government and its agencies.

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

EHN Virus: Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus. A virus that affects fish.

Fire Management Unit (FMU): The administrative unit responsible for fire management related matters of the ACT Parks and Conservation Service, within the Environment Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) of the ACT Government.

NCA: Nature Conservation Act 2014.

Horse Paddocks: Lands managed by, or on behalf of the ACT Parks and Conservation Service or other Territory and Municipal Services Directorate administrative unit for the purpose of providing community horse agistment.

Prescribed Activity: An activity undertaken as part of an annual Bushfire Operations Plan (BOP) to the standard prescribed in the 2014-19 Strategic Bushfire Management Plan Version 4(SBMP v4).

Regional Fire Management Plan (RFMP): The RFMP is prepared for EPSDD managed lands and specific areas of TCCS tenure, and describes the full extent of fuel treatment and mitigation activities that inform the development of each annual BOP. A draft RFMP has been developed for 2019-28.

Snow Gum: includes Eucalyptus pauciflora (all subspecies and allied taxa) and Eucalyptus stellulata

Strategic Bushfire Management Plan (SBMP): The ACT Strategic Bushfire Management Plan (SBMP) (version four) has been published at https://esa.act.gov.au/about- esa/publications/strategic-bushfire-management-plan. The SBMP is a requirement of the Emergencies Act 2004.

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Purpose

The ecological guidelines in this document provide a set of actions to guide the conservation of the ACT’s ecological assets during the planning and implementation of the annual ACT Parks and Conservation Service (PCS) Bushfire Operational Plan (BOP).

These guidelines are applicable for prescribed actions. While they may be useful in unplanned fires, the guidelines do not supersede the PCS pre-suppression plans.

The guidelines are published in two parts: 1. This explanatory and background document. The document lists Prescribed Activities and general guidelines to be considered during planning and operational phases of BOP works plans 2. A spatially referenced database listing the known ecological assets of the ACT, their conservation status and their potential sensitivity to fire management related activities. At time of writing this spatial dataset is still in development.

Part one is arranged so that general guidelines pertaining to each Prescribed Activity are presented first and then taxon or community specific information for listed and rare groups are compiled.

Background

Requirements for the protection of the species and communities are outlined in various Acts. The Emergencies Act (2004) states the objective being “... to protect and preserve life, property and the environment”. The Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act (1999) requires the protection of species of National Environmental Significance (NES) of which the ACT has a number. The ACT’s Nature Conservation Act (2014) requires the protection of many species within the Territory and specifically the current declared species and communities. The guidelines indicate which species are listed under which legislation.

Preparation of the Ecological Guidelines has been through the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) Conservation Research (CR) Unit. The Unit provides scientific advice to land managers, policy makers and other decision makers on the environment of the ACT with a particular emphasis on biodiversity including declared species and communities. The compilation of the Ecological Guidelines is a synthesis of research knowledge at the time of publication from the ecologists in the Unit and other knowledge available through research networks or publication.

Annually the CR Unit undertakes a desk-top assessment of the PCS Bushfire Operational Plan. This assessment uses GIS analyses of the proposed fuel reduction activities and the mapped locations of nationally and ACT declared species and communities, to identify areas where adverse impacts could occur. GIS information relating to locally rare or otherwise scientifically significant taxonomic groups or ecological communities are also employed to assess the potential risk to those assets from fire management related operations. Fuel reduction actions that must occur due to a fuel reduction requirement, and where no alternative mechanisms are possible, are subject to mitigating actions. Mitigation is the implementation of measures designed to reduce undesirable effects on the environment. Many of these are outlined in these ecological guidelines and implemented by staff when undertaking the activity. Under specific circumstances where scientific evidence or opinion suggests ecological outcomes are best met by a variation to the guidelines, CR will notify the land manager of such a variation in writing.

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The SBMP acknowledges that there will be conflicts within Asset Protection Zones between bushfire risk reduction requirements and the management of ecological values, and that “bushfire risk reduction requirements will prevail if suitable alternatives cannot be achieved, consistent with the core principle of firefighter and public safety” (SBMP Version 2 Supporting Information, p. 19).

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Use of Ecological Guidelines The Ecological Guidelines applicable to individual fuel management activities are specified in the BOP document. If these guidelines cannot be achieved, CR should be contacted to discuss the issue(s) further.

Prescribed activities Prescribed Burns

1. General Principles for Prescribed Burns 1.1 For some objectives, high intensity fire is required to achieve environmental outcomes. Ensure the objectives of the burn match the type of burning required. 1.2 For ecological reasons it is recommended that burns generally be low intensity and patchy across the burn area, aiming to achieve 30% unburnt (in patches), 70% burnt and less than 10% crown scorch. 1.3 Vehicles should remain on existing tracks and form crossings wherever possible. 1.4 Vehicles should be washed down to remove weeds before and after attending burns to prevent the spread of weeds – especially when attending burns in high conservation areas such as Canberra Nature Park, Tidbinbilla and Namadgi National Park. 1.5 Habitat and hollow-bearing trees: a) Lowland / Urban areas – every practical measure is to be used to protect habitat and hollow bearing trees from burning or requiring felling. b) Forest / Large-scale burns – minimise burning and falling of habitat and hollow bearing trees along containment lines/roads. 1.6 Avoid burning moist gullies and drainage lines wherever possible.

2. Fire-fighting Foam 2.1 The use of fire-fighting foam should be minimised wherever possible. (use in unplanned fires should be consistent with guidelines specified in the pre-suppression plan) 2.2 Fire-fighting foam should not be used in the Cotter River Catchment, upstream of Cotter Dam. 2.3 Fire-fighting foam should not be used, as far as possible, in the following reserves: Namadgi NP, Tidbinbilla NR, Mulligan’s Flat/Goorooyarroo NR, Mt Ainslie/Majura NR, Black Mtn/Bruce Ridge/Aranda NR complex, Googong Foreshores, the Murrumbidgee River Corridor or any Grassland Reserve. 2.4 Fire-fighting foam use must be avoided near aquatic ecosystems (waterways, riparian zones, wetlands, bogs, fens): a) Fire-fighting foam must not be used, handled or mixed within 200 m of any bog or fen b) Fire-fighting foam must not be used, handled or mixed within 100 m of any standing water-body, wetland, major river, or waterway containing threatened fish, or where possible within 50m of any other aquatic ecosystem.

3. Fire Fighting Retardant 3.1 Fire-fighting retardant (including gels) should only be used in prescribed burn operations where a determination has been jointly made by FMU and CR that the use will not cause any potential adverse environmental impacts. (use in unplanned fires should be consistent with guidelines specified in the pre-suppression plan)

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4. EHN Virus Exclusion Zone 4.1 All prescribed burn operations in the ‘Cotter River Catchment EHN Exclusion Zone’ (See Appendix A) should minimise the potential for introduction of the EHN virus. 4.2 All water used for fire suppression in the Cotter River Catchment EHN Exclusion Zone should be sourced from potable supplies, or be extracted from the Cotter River above Cotter Dam, to prevent EHN virus being introduced to the catchment. 4.3 All drafting equipment used in EHN infected waters (the rest of the ACT) should be sterilized in a chorine solution before being used in Cotter Catchment, to prevent EHN virus being introduced. 4.4 Where possible fire water storage units (tankers, buoy-walls etc.) should be sterilised using chlorine before entering the Cotter Catchment, to prevent EHN virus being introduced. See Appendix C.

5. Aquatic Ecosystems (Waterways, Riparian Zones, Wetlands, Bogs, Fens) Habitat for EPBC and ACT Listed Endangered species 5.1 Aquatic Ecosystems should be excluded from planned burns wherever possible. Where aquatic habitats cannot be excluded from planned burn areas, apply Ecological Guidelines: 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5. 5.2 Every practical measure is to be undertaken to protect wet gullies and aquatic ecosystems from impact of fire

5.3 The use of fire-fighting foam must be avoided near aquatic ecosystems (waterways, riparian zones and wetlands): a) Fire-fighting foam must not be used, handled or mixed within 200 m of any bog or fen b) Fire-fighting foam must not be used, handled or mixed within 100 m of any standing water-body, wetland, major river, or waterway containing threatened fish, or where possible within 50m of any other aquatic ecosystem. 5.4 To protect water quality, sediment and erosion control requirements should be assessed prior to planned burns and following burning, and remedial measures implemented where necessary. 6. Minimum tolerable fire interval 6.1 Apart from in asset protection zones, minimum tolerable fire intervals should be considered in the design and implementation of individual burn plans.

Slashing

7. General Principles for Slashing Operations 7.1 Wherever possible, slashing for fuel reduction should occur outside Reserve boundaries. Where new slashing is required within Reserve boundaries, the Herbage Mass Working Group (HMWG) Management Timings should be consulted (Appendix C); however, it is acknowledged that the ACT Bushfire Management Standards, as prescribed in the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan, have priority. 7.2 Slashing widths should not be extended beyond the previously slashed extent. 7.3 Slashing should not be undertaken below 10 cm in Reserves or other areas of high conservation value. 7.4 In each area, commence slashing in the areas of fewest weeds (higher conservation value) before moving into areas of more weeds (lower conservation value). 7.5 Wash down all machinery, implements and vehicles between slashing areas. 7.6 Avoid slashing when weeds seeds are viable.

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Grazing

8. The principles applicable for fuel management grazing will be determined by the primary purpose of the land. There are three types of land use where grazing for fuel management is undertaken: a) Agisted Land in Nature Reserves or land managed as reserve. b) Agisted Land (non-reserve). c) Horse Paddocks. a) Agisted Land in Nature Reserves or land managed as Reserve 8.1 Grazing for fuel management should be done in consultation with the HMWG and HMWG Management Timings (Appendix C), and should comply with the Conservation Management Plan/Strategy for the Reserve, and any conditions listed in the Conservators agreement. However, it is acknowledged that the ACT Bushfire Management Standards, as prescribed in the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan, have priority. 8.2 Before grazing with introduced stock, grass fuel hazard measures should be assessed to determine if required standards are already being met by native herbivore grazing and/or drought. If standards are being met, further grazing should not be undertaken. 8.3 Continuous grazing should be avoided. Crash or mob grazing over short periods interspersed by lengthy rest periods is the preferred strategy. 8.4 Native ground layer vegetation should not be grazed below 20 cm. 8.5 Fertilizers should not be applied and exotic pasture species should not be sown. 8.6 Supplementary feeding should be minimised. While the necessity to use ‘licks’ to maintain animal health is recognised, they must not be used to maintain stock in an area longer than is necessary to achieve fuel standards. 8.7 Weed populations should be controlled and the area monitored for new weed emergence. b) Agisted Land (non-reserve) 8.8 Fertilizers should not be applied and exotic pasture species should not be sown. 8.9 Supplementary feeding should be minimised. While the necessity to use ‘licks’ to maintain animal health is recognised, they must not be used to maintain stock in an area longer than is necessary to achieve fuel standards. 8.10 Weed populations should be controlled and the area monitored for new weed emergence. c) Horse Paddocks 8.11 Unless otherwise specified, there are no ecological guidelines for horse paddocks.

Chemical Application

9. General Principles for Chemical Application 9.1 Chemical application must be undertaken within Environment Protection (EP) approvals and guidelines, including protocols for use in water catchments. 9.2 In Reserves and conservation areas, restrict chemical application to the target species only, and minimise application in areas not previously sprayed.

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9.3 Every practical measure should be undertaken to protect aquatic ecosystems (waterways, riparian zones, wetlands) and their dependant biodiversity: a) No herbicide other than Roundup Bioactive (or equivalent) should be used within 50 m of any aquatic habitat b) Mixing of chemical solutions should not be undertaken within 50 m of any aquatic habitat. c) Boom spraying should not be undertaken within 50 m of any aquatic habitat. 9.4 No chemical spray-application should be used within 10 m of any mapped ACT threatened plant, cut and dab application should be used only where essential. 9.5 As far as possible, chemical use for native vegetation control must only be applied to shrubby and regrowth vegetation and should not be applied to ground cover vegetation. 9.6 Boom spraying is recommended to cease if wind conditions cause spray drift onto non-target native vegetation. 9.7 Chemical application operations in the Cotter River Catchment EHN Exclusion Zone should minimise the potential for introduction of the EHN virus. 9.8 All water used for chemical application in the Cotter Catchment EHN Exclusion Zone, should be sourced from potable supplies or be extracted from the Cotter River above Cotter Dam, to prevent EHN virus being introduced to the catchment. 9.9 All drafting equipment used in EHN infected waters (the rest of the ACT) should be sterilized in a chorine solution before being used in Cotter Catchment, to prevent EHN virus being introduced. See Appendix 3.

Physical Removal

10. Native Vegetation Removal 10.1 Consultation with CR is required before the removal of native trees over 20 cm dbh or Snow Gum over 10 cm dbh. 10.2 Consultation with CR is required before the removal of any habitat tree (hollow-bearing or standing dead). 10.3 As far as possible, native vegetation removal operations should be minimised during spring to avoid disturbance to threatened and declining bird breeding. 10.4 Removed vegetation or disturbed soil should not be dumped, scattered or windrowed in adjacent native vegetation or grassland areas for extended periods of time. 10.5 Full excavation of tree stumps is not recommended in native vegetation areas due to the high level of soil disturbance. 10.6 Plant and other vehicles should not be driven or parked in undisturbed native vegetation. Keep equipment on tracks and slash zones only. 10.7 Vegetation removal should not be undertaken in riparian zones (trimming of limbs is acceptable). 10.8 Not all occurrences of threatened and rare species are mapped. In the event that CR advises of any new rare or threatened species occurrences in the area of work, these should be protected by appropriate buffers as per Section 14.10.

11. Rock Removal (Rock-Picking) 11.1 Rock removal should be minimised as far as possible. 11.2 Any animal unearthed during rock removal, which does not retreat down a burrow, must be relocated back under similar type rocks in the closest nearby habitat (out of the disturbance area), and the sighting reported CR for record.

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11.3 Rocks removed from an area must be scattered evenly into nearby areas. They must not be stacked on top of each other, or taken out of the area.

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Access Management

There are four categories of access management work identified in the BOP: Construction, Maintenance, Upgrade and Vegetation Maintenance. The permitted works carried out under each of these categories is defined in the Parks and Conservation ‘BOP Access Management Standards’.

12. General Principles for Access Management 12.1 Plant and vehicles undertaking access management should not impact on adjacent vegetation and habitat for the purpose of parking, refuelling, passing or turn-around requirements. If new turn-around or passing bays are required, CR must be consulted prior to any works. 12.2 Consultation with CR is required before the removal of native trees over 20cm dbh, Snow Gum over 10cm dbh or any habitat tree (hollow-bearing or standing dead). 12.3 Environment and Protection (EP) guidelines for sediment and erosion control, must be implemented at all work sites. 12.4 Access management works should not impact on aquatic ecosystems or cause sedimentation of waterways. 12.5 Excess earth and rock requiring dumping must be taken off site, or in weed free areas, incorporated in the construction works – no rock or earth is to be dumped on adjacent native vegetation. 12.6 Revegetation plantings must be use local species (refer to the provenance guidelines by Greening Australia www.greeningaustralia.org.au). 12.7 Hay bales used for sediment control in high conservation areas must contain only sterile materials.

13. Maintenance Works – as defined in the ‘BOP Access Management Standards’ 13.1 Only works fitting within the bounds specified by the document ‘BOP Access Management Standards’ should be undertaken as maintenance. If works outside these bounds are required, it is recommended that CR be consulted. 13.2 As far as possible maintenance works should be contained to within the previous extent of disturbance. 13.3 Excess spoil from culvert cleaning operations should be removed from the site and disposed in appropriate spoil dumps. In weed free areas, spoil may be distributed over the existing road pavement. Spoil should not be allowed to run-off into any aquatic ecosystem. 13.4 Access management works, including changes in design, undertaken at crossings on permanent waterways, should adhere to the document “Fish Passage Requirements for Waterway Crossings” (NSW Fisheries 2003), with the exception of road crossings which prevent upstream colonisation by exotic species. If any further information is required, consult with the CR aquatic ecologist 13.5 Access management operations in the Cotter River Catchment EHN Exclusion Zone (see appendix A) should minimise the potential for introduction of the EHN virus. 13.6 Water used for access management operations in the Cotter Catchment EHN Exclusion Zone, should be sourced from potable supplies or be extracted from the Cotter River above Cotter Dam, to prevent EHN virus being introduced to the catchment. 13.7 All drafting equipment used in EHN infected waters (the rest of the ACT) should be sterilized in a chorine solution (see appendix C) before being used in Cotter Catchment, to prevent EHN virus being introduced 13.8 Where works occur in threatened vegetation communities, vehicles, plant and fuel should not be stored or parked off road or trail surfaces.

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14. Vegetation Maintenance – (Trittering) as defined in the ‘BOP Access Management Standards’ 14.1 Consultation with CR is required before the removal of native trees over 20 cm dbh, Snow Gum over 10 cm dbh or any habitat tree (hollow-bearing or standing dead). 14.2 Trimming of limbs must be restricted to the bounds specified by the standards document under vegetation maintenance works. 14.3 Any use of chemicals for vegetation maintenance should be undertaken according to ‘Chemical Application’ guidelines (guidelines 9.1-9.11) detailed in this document. 14.4 Not all occurrences of threatened and rare species are mapped. In the event that CR advises of any new rare or threatened species occurrences in the area of work, these should be protected by appropriate buffers as per Section 14.10. 14.5 Movement of machinery is to be limited to existing fire trails and access roads. Machinery is to be cleaned of weeds and mud when moving between sites. 14.6 No habitat trees are to be removed, especially those trees with hollows or standing dead trees unless they present a clear and present danger to crews. 14.7 All proposed treatment areas and an appropriate buffer be intersected with spatial data for known locations of protected plants and threatened fauna records to establish possible impacts sites. A buffer of 100 m recommended due to accuracy and age of some location recorded. This is to be interpreted to mean that where a record does not appear to be on a fire trail, but is within 100m of a fire trail, that the mid-point of an intersection between a 100m buffer of the grid reference and the fire trail be treated as the grid reference point; 14.8 Spatial data to support the intersect analysis must be provided by Conservation Research to ensure the most up to date data are used; 14.9 All sites where a protected plant or threatened species overlaps with the treatment area or buffer must be inspected in the field by a trained botanist. Site inspection should extend along the road at least 100 metres either side of the indicated GPS co-ordinates and a minimum 5 metres in from the road edge; 14.10 If the species / habitat of concern occurs within 5 metres of the edge of the fire trail pavement, and therefore within the working zone and potential impact zone of the tritter, the trained botanist will determine its distribution at the site and the boundary will be buffered by 10 metres. If the trained botanist is of the opinion that a 10m buffer is inadequate to protect a focal organism or community from the effects of mulching, the trained botanist will then propose a larger buffer for consideration by Conservation Research and the Fire Unit; 14.11 In the event that no protected species are located at inspection sites at the time of inspection and the focal species is likely to be adversely impacted by the treatment at the time the treatment will occur, a 10 metre buffer is to be established at the GPS co-ordinates as the timing of the survey may not be ideal for location/identification of target species; If the trained botanist is of the opinion that a 10m buffer is inadequate to protect a focal organism or community from the effects of mulching, the trained botanist will then propose a larger buffer for consideration by Conservation Research and the Fire Unit. 14.12 Within this identified buffer area Conservation Research will advise whether vegetation control is possible (and if necessary determine restrictions) or should be excluded; 14.13 No storage of equipment, parking or refuelling of equipment is to occur within any buffer area; 14.14 Consistent with previous ESO advice, all works must be in accordance with the “Protocol for cultural heritage assessment of vegetation management activities along PCS tracks and trails”; 14.15 All buffers will be marked in the field and the tritter operator shown each location; 14.16 Parks and Conservation must ensure that information on registered heritage places along the fire trails is current – i.e., if the search of ACT Heritage mapping is greater than three months old, the search should be updated;

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14.17 In the event that currently unrecorded heritage items are observed during fire trail works, existing Parks and Conservation protocols for unexpected finds should be implemented

15. Upgrade Works – as defined in the ‘BOP Access Management Standards’ 15.1 All upgrade works should be planned in consultation with CR.

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Threatened and rare species and communities – specific information Actions relating to each group below are coded with coloured symbols for their type:

∆ Burning ∆ Slashing ∆ Grazing ∆ Chemical Application ∆ Physical Removal ∆ Access Maintenance ∆ Access Vegetation Removal

15.2 The HMWG Management Timings (Appendix C) should be considered for all management activities in grassland communities. In case of discrepancies between the HMWG Timings in Appendix C and the timings indicated in the text below, the text is the preferred source of timing information. It is acknowledged that the ACT Bushfire Management Standards, as prescribed in the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan, have priority.

16. Yellow Box Red Gum Woodland (YBRG) EPBC Listed: Critically Endangered; ACT Listed: Endangered 16.1 ∆ While burning is considered to be a low impact activity in woodlands, efforts to minimise the impact on regrowth, mature trees and course woody debris should be implemented. 16.2 ∆ Avoid any new slashing with tractor mounted or ride-on implements, under the canopy of YBRG Woodland trees. Where new slashing is required in YBRG Woodland apply Ecological Guideline 16.3 16.3 ∆ New slashing in YBRG Woodland under trees, should be undertaken with a brush-cutter, to avoid root/trunk damage and compaction. 17. Native Temperate Grassland (NTG) EPBC Listed: Critically Endangered; ACT Listed: Endangered 17.1 ∆ Burns should be patchy to allow for faunal refugia and conducted when plants are not in reproductive phases of their life cycle. 17.2 ∆ Slashing (other than in asset protection zones) should not be lower than 20 cm. 17.3 ∆ Crash grazing is preferred over set stocking in areas of high quality grassland.

18. Lowland Snow Gum Woodlands Locally rare 18.1 ∆ Burning techniques should minimise impact on snow gum trees and seedlings and avoid canopy scorch. 18.2 ∆ Metsulfuron-methyl and allied herbicides must not be used within the drip line of snow gum species.

19. Highland Bogs and Fens Sphagnum is EPBC Listed: Endangered 19.1 ∆ These communities are highly fire sensitive and should be excluded from planned burns. 19.2 ∆ Every practical measure is to be undertaken to protect bogs and fens from burning. 19.3 ∆ Fire-fighting foam and fire retardant and gels should not be allowed to enter any highland bog or fen 19.4 ∆ Fire-fighting foam must not be used, handled or mixed within 200 m of any bog or fen.

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19.5 ∆ Boom spraying should not be undertaken within 50 m of any highland bog/fen. 19.6 ∆ Hand application only should be undertaken within 50 m of any bog/fen. 19.7 ∆ Slashing debris must not enter aquatic ecosystems or bogs and fens, or be left where water could wash them into these habitats.

20. Threatened and Declining Birds Habitat for EPBC and ACT Listed Endangered and Vulnerable species 20.1 ∆ Generally areas with significant patches/thickets of shrubby vegetation should not be burnt in spring (Sep to Nov) to avoid the primary nesting season. If identified bird habitat must be burnt in spring, apply Ecological Guidelines: 20.3 and 20.4 20.2 ∆ Areas with regular Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) sightings should not be burnt between Jul and Dec (burn during autumn or early winter). 20.3 ∆ Where spring burning is undertaken in bird habitat, patches or thickets of shrubby vegetation should be left unburnt to provide habitat and nesting areas. 20.4 ∆ Lighting crews should avoid igniting individual shrubs or thickets where nests are observed.

21. Grassland Lizards (Pink-tailed Worm Lizard, Striped Legless Lizard and Grassland Earless Dragon) EPBC and ACT Listed: Endangered for GED; EPBC and ACT Listed: Vulnerable for PTWL and SLL 21.1 ∆ Slashing is preferable to burning in grassland lizard habitat. Where burns are determined as necessary, apply Ecological Guidelines: 21.2, 21.3, and 21.4 21.2 ∆ Grassland lizards require specific timing of burns to ensure minimal impact on their breeding: a) Pink-tailed Worm Lizard (Aprasia parapulchella) (PTWL): Burning should be restricted to between May to July and late November to late February b) Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) (SLL): Burns should be restricted to early autumn (Mar-Apr) to ensure sufficient regrowth of vegetation before winter. Burning between October and late February may be considered with the recommendation of Conservation Research. c) Grassland Earless Dragon (Tympanocryptis pinguicolla) (GED): The use of fire in GED habitat can only be undertaken with the recommendation of Conservation Research and will only be considered where the grass biomass is too high for the species. Burning should be restricted to between March and May and October to late November. 21.3 ∆ Burns in grassland lizard habitat must be patchy and low-intensity. 21.4 ∆ Burns should be conducted during the middle of the day or evening, rather than early morning when the lizards may be cold and slow moving. 21.5 ∆ Slashing in grassland lizard habitat, excluding Inner Asset Protection Zones, should not be undertaken below 20 cm. 21.6 ∆ As far as possible, slashing should occur during the middle of the day or afternoon, rather than early morning when the lizards may be cold and slow moving. 21.7 ∆ In grassland lizard habitat, every practical measure is to be undertaken not to graze grass tussocks below 15 cm. It is important to maintain tussock structure and inter-tussock spaces.

22. Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana) EPBC Listed: Critically Endangered; ACT Listed: Endangered 22.1 ∆ Slashing is preferable to burning in Golden Sun Moth (GSM) habitat. Where burns are determined as necessary, apply Ecological Guidelines: 22.2, 22.3

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22.2 ∆ Burns should be restricted to between March and April and September to mid October in GSM habitat, to avoid the summer adult flying season; Autumn burning is preferred. 22.3 ∆ Burns in GSM habitat must be patchy and low-intensity. 22.4 ∆ Where possible, slashing in GSM habitat should be minimised between late October and December, to avoid the adult flying season. 22.5 ∆ Slashing in GSM habitat should not be undertaken below 10 cm. 22.6 ∆ In GSM habitat, every practical measure is to be undertaken not to graze grass tussocks below 20 cm. It is important to maintain tussock structure and inter-tussock spaces.

23. Button Wrinklewort (Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides) EPBC and ACT Listed: Endangered 23.1 ∆ Burns should be restricted to between March and May in Button Wrinklewort habitat, to avoid the summer flowering and fruiting season. 23.2 ∆ Burns in Button Wrinklewort habitat must be patchy and low-intensity. 23.3 ∆ No ground disturbance (rake hoe lines, vehicle tracks/parking) should occur within 50 metres of known colonies.

24. Drooping She-Oak (Allocasuarina verticillata) Habitat for the Glossy Black Cockatoo, EPBC Listed: Endangered; ACT Listed: Vulnerable 24.1 ∆ This species is critical habitat for the declared species Glossy Black Cockatoo, and should only be burnt in accordance to the recommendations of CR Internal Report 12/2009 “Allocasuarina verticillata in northern ACT – distribution habitat and management”. Available from Conservation Research. 24.2 ∆ Where possible lighting patterns and/or other techniques should be used to protect older trees.

25. Black Cypress Pine (Callitris endlicheri) Fire sensitive – killed by fire and regenerates from seed 25.1 ∆ This species is fire sensitive and, as far as possible should not be burnt. 25.2 ∆ In urban areas, known Callitris trees should be located and raked around to minimise the risk of fire impact.

26. Leafless Bossiaea (Bossiaea grayi) ACT Listed: Endangered 26.1 ∆ This declared species is only known in the ACT, and it’s response to fire is unknown. Burning in Bossiaea grayi habitat should not be undertaken without consultation with CR. 26.2 ∆ Burns in Bossiaea grayi habitat should be excluded between Sep and Dec, to avoid the flowering and fruiting season.

27. Pale Pomaderris (Pomaderris pallida) EPBC Listed: Vulnerable 27.1 ∆ This declared species is only known in the ACT, and it’s response to fire is unknown. Burning in Pomaderris pallida habitat should not be undertaken without consultation with CR. 27.2 ∆ Burns in Pomaderris pallida habitat should be excluded in spring and summer (Sep to Feb inclusive), to avoid the flowering and fruiting season.

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28. Austral Toadflax (Thesium australe) EPBC Listed: Vulnerable 28.1 ∆ This declared species’ response to fire is unknown. Burning in Thesium australe habitat should not be undertaken without consultation with CR. 28.2 ∆ Inter-tussock space is essential for species germination. Burning of native grasslands may be required to reduce thatch and create suitable habitat conditions for germination. 28.3 ∆ Burns in Thesium australe habitat should be restricted to autumn or winter.

29. Smokey Mouse (Pseudomys fumeus) EPBC and ACT Listed: Endangered 29.1 ∆ If burning is required in areas of Smokey Mouse habitat; burn operations and lighting patterns should be planned to ensure burns are mostly low intensity, and leave patches of suitable habitat unburnt within the area.

30. Northern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne pengeilleyi) EPBC Listed: Vulnerable; ACT Listed: Endangered 30.1 ∆ Every practical measure is to be undertaken to protect this species and its habitat (Sphagnum bogs) from burning.

31. Baeuerlen’s Gentian (Gentiana baeuerlenii) EPBC and ACT Listed: Endangered 31.1 ∆ This species is known from only a single location which must not be burnt, unless as an ecological burn under the direction of Conservation Research.

32. Canberra Spider Orchid (Arachnorchis actensis) EPBC Listed: Critically Endangered; ACT Listed: Endangered 32.1 ∆ This species is subject to a National Recovery Plan and should not be burnt, unless as an ecological burn under the direction of Conservation Research.

33. Tarengo Leek Orchid (Prasophyllum petilum) EPBC and ACT Listed: Endangered 33.1 ∆ Every practical measure is to be undertaken to protect this species from burning.

34. Black Mountain, Aranda Bushland and Wildflower Triangle Orchids. 34.1 ∆ Where possible planned burns should be undertaken during non-vegetative stages of orchid growth (see Appendix B). Where this is not possible, populations should be protected from fire impact.

35. Tuggeranong Lignum (Muehlenbeckia tuggeranong) EPBC and ACT Listed: Endangered (natural and planted locations) 35.1 ∆ Every practical measure is to be undertaken to protect this species from burning.

36. Other rare plants. ∆ Burning ∆ Slashing ∆ Grazing

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∆ Chemical Application ∆ Physical Removal ∆ Access Maintenance 36.1 All treatments. Avoid impact on known locations of rare plant species, a list is available for ACT Government staff at Database Connections\CGD\ENVIRONMENT.ACT_RAREPLANT_LIST_REVISED

37. Two spined black fish (Gadopsis bispinosus). ACT listed: Threatened 37.1 ∆ Avoid treatments that could cause siltation in waterways where this species breeds. This is particularly important in spring.

38. Trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis). EPBC and ACT Listed: Endangered 38.1 ∆ Avoid treatments that could cause siltation in waterways where this species breeds. This is particularly important in spring.

39. Macquarie Perch (Macquaria australasica). EPBC and ACT Listed: Endangered 39.1 ∆ Avoid treatments that could cause siltation in waterways where this species breeds. This is particularly important in spring.

40. Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) ACT listed: Vulnerable 40.1 ∆ Avoid burning within the vicinity of Little Eagle nesting sites. A buffer 200m radius should be planned for nesting sites.

41. Add in Ginninderra Peppercress. 41.1 Burns should be conducted between March and May and only with advice from Conservation Research. Burns must be patchy and low intensity and must avoid burning individual plants.

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APPENDIX A - Map of the EHN exclusion zone

Figure 1: Map of the EHN Exclusion Zone (indicated by orange hatching)

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APPENDIX B – Phenology of Orchids in Mt Painter Wildflower Triangle, Aranda Bushland and Black Mountain. Species Site* Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Acianthus A,B leaves flowers flowers flowers flowers leaves leaves collinus buds leaves leaves leaves leaves dying Acianthus B ? leaves flowers leaves ? exsertus buds leaves buds Arachnorchis A,B,P leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves flowers atrovespa buds buds flowers capsules Bunochilus A,B leaves leaves leaves flowers flowers umbrinus buds buds leaves leaves Caleana minor B ? flowers flowers leaves Calochilus B ? leaves ? montanus flowers Calochilus A,B,P leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves platychilus buds flowers capsules Chiloglottis B ? leaves ? seminuda flowers Corunastylis A,B,P flowers flowers flowers capsules clivicola capsules Corunastylis A,B flowers flowers flowers capsules capsules capsules capsules cornuta dehiscing Corysanthes B ? flowers flowers flowers leaves ? hispida leaves leaves leaves capsules Corysanthes B ? leaves leaves leaves leaves incurva flowers flowers flowers Cyanicula A,B leaves leaves leaves leaves flowers flowers caerulea buds leaves leaves Cyrtostylis A,B leaves leaves leaves leaves flowers flowers flowers reniformis buds leaves leaves leaves Diplodium A,B flowers flowers leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves revolutum leaves dying Diplodium laxum A ? flowers flowers ? leaves Diplodium A,B,P leaves flowers leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves truncatum flowers leaves dying Dipodium roseum A,B flowers flowers Diuris chryseopsis A,B,P leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves capsules buds buds flowers flowers finishing Diuris hybrid P leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves flowers flowers Diuris A,B,P leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves buds flowers capsules nigromontana flowers leaves leaves Diuris sulphurea A,B,P leaves leaves buds flowers flowers leaves leaves Eriochilus A,B,P flowers flowers leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves cucullatus leaves dying dying Gastrodia B,P flowers sesamoides Glossodia major A,B,P leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves flowers flowers flowers buds buds leaves leaves finishing Lyperanthus B ? leaves leaves flowers suaveolens leaves Microtis A,B,P capsules capsules leaves leaves flowers flowers parviflora buds Oligochaetochilus A,B ? flowers ? aciculiformis leaves finished Orthoceras B ? leaves ? strictum Petalochilus A,B,P ? flowers carneus leaves Petalochilus A,B,P leaves leaves flowers flowers fuscatus leaves

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Species Site* Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Prasophyllum B ? flowers ? brevilabre Pterostylis A,B leaves leaves leaves flowers flowers flowers flowers nutans buds buds leaves leaves leaves leaves Pterostylis A,B,P leaves leaves leaves leaves flowers flowers flowers pedunculata buds leaves leaves capsules leaves dying Speculantha A,B buds flowers flowers capsules leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves rubescens flowers leaves leaves dying Stegostyla B ? flowers ? congesta leaves Stegostyla A,B ? flowers flowers cucullata leaves Stegostyla A,B,P ? flowers moschata leaves Stegostyla A,B ? flowers flowers ustulata leaves leaves Thelymitra B,P leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves capsules brevifolia buds buds buds flowers Thelymitra A,B ? flowers flowers juncifolia Thelymitra B,P leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves capsules megacalyptra buds flowers leaves dying Thelymitra A,B,P leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves leaves capsules pauciflora flowers

* A: Aranda Bushland B: Black Mountain P: Mt Painter Wildflower Triangle Species names according to Field Guide to the Orchids of the ACT, by DL Jones, J Egan and T Wood, NPA ACT, 2008. Data curtesy of John and Cathy Busby

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APPENDIX C – Herbage Mass Working Group Ecological Guidelines for Grassland Communities

Grassy Layer Type Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Comm Fire may not be appropriate for this com

Native C3 Components NE NE CN CN UN UN UN UN CN CN CN UN tackle dominance of annual grasses. Refs

Fire Careful consideration needed in long unb Native C4 Components CN BE BE BE CN CN UN UN UN CN CN UN post-fire weed establishment. Refs 1, 2, 3

Slashing November can be beneficial but Native C3 Components UN UN UN UN BE BE UN UN CN CN CN NE flowering of native plants. Refs 5, 13, 14. Slashing November can be beneficial but

Slashing Native C4 Components UN UN UN UN BE BE UN UN CN CN CN NE flowering of native plants. Refs 5, 13, 14. Graze in spring only if required to contro Native C3 Components BE BE BE BE BE UN CN CN CN CN NE NE removed mid October and can return mi

seeding. Ref 12.

Stock Graze in spring only if required to contro Native C4 Components NE NE BE BE BE UN CN CN CN CN NE NE removed mid October and can return mi seeding. Ref 12.

Conservation Value Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Comm

Native Forb rich community CN CN BE BE CN CN UN UN UN CN CN CN Refs 1, 3, 6.

Box-gum woodland

Golden Sun Moth UN UN CN CN CN UN UN UN UN CN CN CN Burn in spring only where herbage mass

Striped Legless Lizard CN CN BE BE UN UN UN UN UN CN CN CN Refs 1, 10. Fire Pink-tailed Worm-lizard OK OK UN UN OK OK OK NE NE NE CN OK PTWL can be killed by fire (W Osbourne, GED can be killed by fire (Robertson and Grassland Earless Dragon UN UN CN CN CN UN UN UN UN CN CN UN quality for GED Ref 1.

Button Wrinklewort UN UN CN CN CN UN UN UN NE NE NE UN Ref 19.

Ginninderra Peppercress UN UN CN CN CN UN UN UN NE NE NE NE Smoke can increase germination rates. R

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Superb parot UN UN UN UN OK OK OK UN CN NE CN NE Ref 15.

Native Forb rich community UN UN UN UN BE BE UN UN UN UN CN BE Refs 3, 13.

Box-gum woodland

Golden Sun Moth CN CN UN UN CN CN CN UN BE BE NE NE Slashing in spring only if herbage mass to

Striped Legless Lizard UN UN UN UN UN UN UN UN UN UN UN UN

Slashing risks disturbing habitat rocks an Pink-tailed Worm-lizard OK OK UN UN OK OK OK NE NE NE CN OK Brushcutting within PTWL is permitted. R Slashing Grassland Earless Dragon UN UN UN UN UN UN UN UN UN UN UN UN

Button Wrinklewort NE CN CN CN CN UN UN UN UN NE NE NE Ref 19.

Ginninderra Peppercress NE CN CN CN CN UN UN UN UN NE NE NE

Superb parot UN UN UN UN OK OK OK UN CN NE CN NE Ref 15.

Providing respite from grazing for at leas only to tackle annual grass dominance. L and can return mid Feburary to limit imp Native Forb rich community NE NE BE BE BE CN CN CN CN CN NE NE where necessary, avoid having stock in w (most relavent to cattle), avoid continuo 12.

Box-gum woodland

Stock Golden Sun Moth OK OK OK OK OK CN CN CN OK NE NE OK Avoid grazing with cattle/horses if soil is

Striped Legless Lizard OK OK OK OK OK CN CN CN OK OK OK OK Avoid grazing with cattle and horses if so

Pink-tailed Worm-lizard OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK Avoid grazing during hatching (Jan/Feb), Grassland Earless Dragon NE NE OK OK OK CN CN CN OK OK NE OK Aug), or when dragons are laying (Nov).

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Button Wrinklewort NE NE CN CN CN UN UN UN UN NE NE NE Ref 19.

Ginninderra Peppercress NE NE CN CN CN UN UN UN UN NE NE NE

Superb parot OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK Compatiable but not undertaken for the

KEY Action likely to have a benefit BE Action may have a benefit but consideration needed. CN Action likely to have a negative impact NE Action unlikely to impact OK Impact unknown UN

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References: Herbage Mass Working Group Ecological Guidelines 1. B Howland, pers. comm. 2. Lunt, I.D., 1990. Impact of an autumn fire on a long-grazed Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass) grassland: implications for management of invaded, remnant vegetations. Victorian Naturalist, 107(2), pp.45-51. 3. Prober, S.M., Thiele, K.R. and Lunt, I.D., 2007. Fire frequency regulates tussock grass composition, structure and resilience in endangered temperate woodlands. Austral Ecology, 32(7), pp.808-824. 4. Morgan, J.W. and Lunt, I.D., 1999. Effects of time-since-fire on the tussock dynamics of a dominant grass (Themeda triandra) in a temperate Australian grassland. Biological Conservation, 88(3), pp.379-386. 5. Prober, S.M., Lunt, I.D. and Thiele, K.R., 2008. Effects of fire frequency and mowing on a temperate, derived grassland soil in south-eastern Australia. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 17(5), pp.586-594. 6. Bradstock, R.A., Williams, J.E. and Gill, M.A. eds., 2002. Flammable Australia: the fire regimes and biodiversity of a continent. Cambridge University Press. 7. Lunt, I., Prober, S., & Morgan, J. W. (2012). How do fire regimes affect ecosystem structure, function and diversity in grasslands and grassy woodlands of southern Australia? In A. M. G. R. A. Bradstock, & R. J. W. R. J. J Williams (Eds.), Flammable Australia: Fire Regimes, Biodiversity and Ecosystems in a Changing World (1 ed., pp. 253-270). Collingwood Australia: CSIRO Publishing. 8. Sinclair, S.J., Duncan, D.H. and Bruce, M.J., 2014. Mortality of native grasses after a summer fire in natural temperate grassland suggests ecosystem instability. Ecological management & restoration, 15(1), pp.91-94. 9. Morgan, J.W., 1999. Defining grassland fire events and the response of perennial plants to annual fire in temperate grasslands of south-eastern Australia. Plant ecology, 144(1), pp.127-144. 10. O'Shea, Megan (2005) Methods for assessment and techniques for management of striped legless lizard Delma impar populations in South-Eastern Australia. PhD thesis, Victoria University of Technology. 11. Dorrough, J., Ash, J. and McIntyre, S., 2004. Plant responses to livestock grazing frequency in an Australian temperate grassland. Ecography, 27(6), pp.798-810. 12. Dorrough, Stol and McIntyre (2008) “Biodiversity in the Paddock: A Land Managers Guide’; Rawlings, K. et al (2010) ‘A Guide to Managing Box Gum Grassy Woodlands’; Langford et al (2004) ‘Managing Native Pastures for Agriculture and Conservation’ NSW DPI; Grassy Box Woodlands Conservation Management Network www.gbwcmn.net.au; Communities in Landscapes www.cil.landcarensw.org.au; Florabank www.florabank.org.au; 13. Smith, A.L., Barrett, R.L. and Milner, R.N., 2018. Annual mowing maintains plant diversity in threatened temperate grasslands. Applied vegetation science, 21(2), pp.207-218. 14. Prober, S.M., Lunt, I.D. and Thiele, K.R., 2008. Effects of fire frequency and mowing on a temperate, derived grassland soil in south-eastern Australia. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 17(5), pp.586-594. 15. Rayner, L., Stojanovic, D., Heinsohn, R., and Manning, A., 2016. 'Breeding ecology of the Superb Parrot Polytelis swainsonii in northern Canberra'. https://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/906945/Breeding-ecology-of-the- superb-parrot.pdf 16. ACT Government, 2015. Molongolo River Reserve and Offset Areas Ecological Management Guidelines. https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/hdp.au.prod.app.act- yoursay.files/5515/1780/9501/Molonglo_River_Reserve_-_Ecological_Management_Guidelines.pdf 17. A Rowell, pers. comm. 18. Seed banking and germination research for rare and threatened plant species in the ACT. Australian National Botanic Gardens. Australian Government. 19. ACT Government, 2017. Button Wrinklewort Rutidosis leptorhynchoides Action Plan. https://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/1136052/Grassland-Strategy-Final- WebAccess-Part-B-3-Button-Wrinklewort.pdf

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APPENDIX D – EHNV decontamination procedures for firefighting equipment

This procedure has been drafted to assist in the prevention of the spread of Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis (EHN) virus that effects fish including threatened native species in the ACT. This viral disease has been responsible for fish kills in lakes and streams in many parts of the ACT but has not been found in the Cotter Catchment above Cotter Dam. Threatened fish species found in the Cotter Catchment include Macquarie Perch, Two-spined black fish and Trout cod. The disease can be spread by infected fish, infected water or equipment that has been in contact with infected water. The virus appears to be very resistant to drying and has been found active in tanks after several months drying. As firefighting equipment is often used for drafting water from lakes and streams where the virus is known, it is important that the equipment and any water be decontaminated prior to use for hazard reduction activities in the Cotter Catchment above Cotter Dam.

Relatively low concentrations of chlorine solutions (0.02% or 200 parts per million [ppm]) have been found to kill the virus and can be used to decontaminate firefighting equipment. Household bleach is around 5.25% available chlorine, the table below shows the approximate amounts of household bleach required for a solution of 200ppm.

Table 1

Volume of water in tank (litres) Required volume of bleach (5.25% available Cl) 25 100mL 50 200mL 100 400mL

OH&S • Personal protective equipment (PPE) - wear cotton overalls (or similar), impervious gauntlet style gloves. face shield and impervious boots • Material safety data sheet (MSDS) e.g. White King Premium Bleach MSDS • Spill and clean up procedures (see MSDS)

Equipment required • PPE (see above) • 10 litre plastic bucket • Large plastic tub ~100 litre capacity • Household bleach (~5.25% available chlorine).

Procedure Tanker, Light Unit and slip on units. 1. Drain all water from unit 2. Fill unit with Canberra town water or rainwater to a point just above the outlet to the pump. Estimate the volume of water in the tank this should be around 50 litres. 3. Wearing PPE listed above, half fill a 10 litre bucket with Canberra town water or rainwater. Add bleach to the bucket at the rate specified in table 1. Pour the contents of the bucket into the tank, taking care not to spill the contents anywhere else. 4. Adjust the valves on the unit to recirculate from the tank, back into the tank.

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5. Start pump and run at about half throttle for 2 minutes. 6. All reel hoses and unit hoses are then decontaminated by placing the branch inside the lid of the tank and closing the lid so as to trap the hose. Ensure the hose cannot accidently leave the tank. Adjust valves to allow some solution to pass through the hoses AT LOW PRESSURE for at least 2 minutes. 7. Decontaminate suction hoses and associated fittings by placing in a large plastic tub containing the solution and soaking for 2 minutes. 8. Discharge all of the solution onto bare ground or gravelled area. (Be aware that the solution is mildly toxic to plants and highly toxic to aquatic life forms but breaks down quickly in the environment). 9. Refill tank with Canberra town water or rainwater and rinse through all hoses. 10. Discharge tank 11. Refill tank with Canberra town water or rainwater. 12. Label vehicle as EHN decontaminated and the date.

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