Distinctive Area and Landscape Standing Advisory Committee Surf

Distinctive Area and Landscape Standing Advisory Committee

Surf Coast Statement of Planning Policy and Proposed Planning Controls

Expert Witness Statement

Mark Trengove

March 4 2021

Surf Coast DAL Expert Witness Statement Mark Trengove March 2021 1

Mark Trengove, of

Mark Trengove Ecological Services 2200 Geelong–Ballan Rd Anakie PO Box 1502 Geelong 3220 [email protected] ph 0428 298087

Mark Trengove, of Mark Trengove Ecological Services, has extensive expertise in terrestrial ecology and related legislation and policies in Victoria. His qualifications and experience are summarized in Appendix 1.

Instructions

I have been engaged by the Surf Coast Energy Group to prepare an expert evidence statement to present at the Planning Panel hearing in relation to their concerns. My instructions are to: “Provide expert evidence for presentation to the C395 Planning Panel based on your area of expertise. Your evidence should focus on the species and vegetation communities of high conservation value, the threats to these values, and the impact of residential subdivision in the Spring Creek and Breamlea Karaaf Wetlands areas.”

As part of my submission, I have undertaken the following actions: • Inspected Spring Creek on February 12 2021. • Inspected Karaaf wetlands and the Sands at Torquay north on February 19 2021. • Undertaken a review of the relevant literature.

I have made all the inquiries that I believe are desirable and appropriate and no matters of significance which I regard as relevant have to my knowledge been withheld from the Panel.

Summary of the Surf Coast Energy Group’s Position with respect to the ecological impacts of residential development on the Spring Creek Valley

The Spring Creek valley study area, an area of approximately 240 ha located west of Duffield Road, contains one of the world’s most important stands of Bellarine Yellow Gums, a species listed on the Victorian Fauna and Flora Guarantee Act with a global range of occurrence mostly between Torquay and Ocean Grove. The Spring Creek area contains the Grassy Woodland Ecological Vegetation Community (EVC), classified as ‘Endangered’ in the Otway Plain bioregion. There is scientific evidence and local experience of species being extirpated from residential subdivisions. There is scientific uncertainty about the potential for residential subdivisions to conserve Bellarine Yellow Gums in the long-term. These conservation values add objective scientific arguments to support the local community and State government in rejecting development of this land.

Surf Coast DAL Expert Witness Statement Mark Trengove March 2021 2

Scope of Evidence

This statement represents my opinion as an independent ecologist. This statement addresses the impact of residential subdivision in the Grassy Woodland EVCs, and specifically Bellarine Yellow Gum woodland of Spring Creek as well as the Breamlea Karaaf Wetlands areas.

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Contents

1 Global Context ...... 5 1.1 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ...... 5 2 Bellarine Yellow Gum Grassy Woodlands and Spring Creek ...... 5 2.1 National Context ...... 5 2.2 State Context ...... 5 2.3 Regional Context ...... 6 2.4 Local Context Bellarine Yellow Gum ...... 7 2.5 State Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 ...... 7 2.6 Swift Parrot ...... 9 2.7 Ocean Grove Bellarine Yellow Gum populations ...... 13 2.8 Implications ...... 15 2.9 References ...... 18 3 Karaaf Wetlands Bellbrae ...... 20 3.1 Context ...... 20 3.2 Biodiversity values ...... 20 3.3 Implications ...... 22 3.4 References ...... 23 Plates 1 – 4 ...... 24 Appendix 1 Abbreviated Curriculum Vitae ...... 27

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1 Global Context

1.1 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15.5 is to ‘Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.’

2 Bellarine Yellow Gum Grassy Woodlands and Spring Creek

2.1 National Context

Following European settlement the relatively fertile woodland soils quickly attracted attention and large areas were cleared for cropland and towns or were grazed and converted to exotic pastures….... The loss of temperate eucalypt woodlands has resulted in widespread local, regional and global extinctions of flora and fauna. In many cases the woodlands which remain are under continued threat form further clearing….... Despite their iconic status, temperate eucalypt woodlands are amongst the most poorly conserved and threatened ecosystems in Australia having borne the brunt of agricultural development and land degradations for well over 150 years. (C J Yates and R J Hobbs Temperate Eucalypt Woodlands in Australia, an overview, in Biology, Conservation, Management and Restoration Temperate Eucalypt Woodlands in Australia, Biology, Conservation, Management and Restoration (2000).

2.2 State Context

Before European Settlement, temperate woodlands occupied large areas of northern, western and southern Victoria. Nowadays, most woodlands have been transformed to agricultural pastures and crops, and conservation status of virtually all woodland communities is extremely poor.

Prior to European settlement, temperate woodlands occupied over 7 million ha in Victoria, 32% of the State. By 1987 92% of woodlands had been cleared (mostly for agriculture) and only 575,000 ha remained. The 1987 estimates were obtained from aerial-photo analysis of tree stands and do not reflect the condition of the understorey, which is grossly degraded in most woodland remnants.

The extent of Coastal grassy woodland (of which the Bellarine Yellow Gum grassy woodland is a part) has been reduced in area from 173,000 ha to 35,000 ha.

Conservation of the flora and fauna of temperate woodlands in Victoria poses a formidable challenge because this ecosystem has already experienced profound change. Remaining natural areas are mostly distributed as fragments amongst intensively settled rural lands and occur as thousands of patches in farmland, as strips along roadsides, streams and rail reserves, and as occasional small conservation reserves.

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Three broad elements are particularly important considerations in the future conservation of the biota of temperate woodlands: protection of existing natural areas to prevent further degradation and loss; management of habitats to enhance conservation values; and long- term restoration of the ecosystem.

To maintain viable populations, many species require much greater areas of habitat than are available in single isolated woodlands, while other species regularly move between a number of woodland patches to obtain necessary resources. Last, because so much change has already occurred, there is a need for a long-term strategic, and visionary, restoration of the temperate woodland ecosystem.

(I Lunt and A F Bennett Temperate Woodlands in Victoria: distribution, composition and conservation in Biology, Conservation, Management and Restoration Temperate Eucalypt Woodlands in Australia, Biology, Conservation, Management and Restoration (2000).

2.3 Regional Context

Within the Otway Plains bioregion (in which the study area occurs) Ecological Vegetation Class 175 Grassy Woodland has a Bioregional Conservation Status of Endangered. Endangered is defined as an Ecological Vegetation Class where less than 10% of pre- european extent remains within the bioregion. Refer to Figure 1 for the pre-european (1750) distribution of Ecological Vegetation Classes and to Figure 2 for the current (2005) distribution of Ecological Vegetation Classes with the Spring Creek area. Ecological Vegetation Class 175 Grassy Woodland is shown in orange GW. The Bellarine Yellow Gum is a dominant species within Ecological Vegetation Class 175 Grassy Woodland.

Another dominant Ecological Vegetation Class within the Spring Creek Valley, Ecological Vegetation Class 83 Swampy Riparian Woodland (shown as light blue SRW in Figures 1 and 2) is confined the riparian sector. It also has a Bioregional Conservation Status of Endangered. Bellarine Yellow Gum, along with Swamp Gum, is the major floristic component of this Ecological Vegetation Class.

The other dominant Ecological Vegetation Class within the Spring Creek Valley, Ecological Vegetation Class 892 Heathy Woodland/Sand Heathland Mosaic (shown as red HWm in Figures 1 and 2) has a Bioregional Conservation Status of least concern (i.e., greater than 50% of pre-european extent remains within the bioregion). However, as Figure 2 shows, within the Spring Creek Valley and within the study area more broadly, even this Ecological Vegetation Class is greatly depleted (NatureKit. Department of Environment Land Water and Planning).

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2.4 Local Context Bellarine Yellow Gum

The Bellarine Yellow Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. bellarinensis) was first described as a new subspecies in 1996 by Kevin Rule (rule 1997). The type specimen comes from Ocean Grove Park (formerly Ingamells Reserve) where it was first observed by this author as having differences to the nearby inland Yellow Gum populations (Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. connata) of which it was previously thought to be. The species is known from two populations, the Bellarine population, centred around Ocean Grove; and the Surf Coast population, centred around Torquay and Jan Juc. The distribution of the two populations were first mapped by this author (Trengove, M (2001). Bellarine Yellow Gums in the Surfcoast Shire. Surf Coast Shire) and (Trengove, M (2008). The distribution of Bellarine Yellow Gum in the City of Greater Geelong. City of Greater Geelong).

In 2003 this author also described the vegetation of Torquay and Jan Juc (Trengove, M. (December 2003). Torquay Jan Juc Neighbourhood Character Study Vegetation Report. Surf Coast Shire) including the extant distribution of Bellarine Yellow Gum. (Figure 3).

The Bellarine Yellow Gum is listed as an endangered taxon in Victoria on the DELWP Advisory list or rare or threatened plants in Victoria 2014. The definition of Endangered in Victoria is: ‘at risk of disappearing from the wild state if present land use and other causal factors continue to operate’.

2.5 State Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988

Bellarine Yellow Gum is listed as Threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. In keeping with the Act and Action Statement (Action Statement 180 Bellarine Yellow Gum) has been prepared by the State.

Distribution

The Bellarine Peninsula supports the only known locations of this subspecies. The sites occur in coastal regions close to Bass Strait. It is estimated that Bellarine Yellow Gum currently occupies approximately 110ha (Trengove 2001); the main populations occur in the vicinity of Ocean Grove and Torquay with scattered occurrences in Wallington and Jan Juc. The size of existing populations varies from 20 to 200 individuals, however most plants occur as isolated scattered trees. The populations of Bellarine Yellow Gum are severely fragmented with an estimated population reduction of 95% over the last three generations. Bellarine Yellow Gum occurs in dry coastal and near coastal habitats and hence is influenced by environmental attributes such as coastal winds. Bellarine Yellow Gum occurs in the Grassy Woodland Ecological Vegetation Class that currently occupies 2% of its former range.

Life history and ecology

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The original extent and situation of the Bellarine Yellow Gum in the landscape is poorly known. The species distribution appears to be adjacent to areas of the related floristic communities Coastal Moonah Woodland and Allocasuarina Woodland, with some overlap occurring. Bellarine Yellow Gum can be dominant or co-dominant with other Eucalypt species in grassy woodland habitat. Bellarine Yellow Gum is considered a long-lived tree. This species is winter flowering and it provides an important source of nectar during this period when little else is flowering. Pollination vectors are unknown, although pollination is thought to involve insects and nectarivorous birds.

Decline and threats

There are few extant populations of Bellarine Yellow Gum and those remaining include many trees with canopy dieback and have inadequate regeneration. Most occurrences of Bellarine Yellow Gum are of scattered mature individuals on the outskirts of developing townships, where clearing for residential development, infrastructure and agricultural activities have left remnants on roadsides, small nature reserves and farms. Most remnants are not reserved and are threatened by residential development. Bellarine Yellow Gum recruitment is insufficient to adequately replace senescence of mature trees. In the Surf Coast Shire, for example, 86% of sites are without regeneration (Trengove 2001). The lack of suitable microsites for germination may be due to inappropriate disturbance regimes, weed invasion, stock grazing or soil compaction.

Existing mature plants are suffering from defoliation and dieback, the causes of which are unknown (SAC 1998). However, the abundance of Noisy Miners (with the consequent effects perhaps including modifying insect populations and depleting populations of insectivorous birds) and the degraded nature of the tree’s habitats (through weed invasion, surfactant pollution, stock grazing and trampling) may be contributing factors. This species is declining in area, extent and quality of habitat, and in the number of sub- populations and mature individuals. Populations are highly fragmented and population sizes are often small, hence genetic diversity and therefore seed viability are of concern.

Existing conservation measures There are few existing conservation measures for this subspecies. Extant populations of Bellarine Yellow Gum are predominantly on freehold land with scattered small populations on road, coastal and nature reserves.

Conservation objectives Long term objective To ensure that the Bellarine Yellow Gum can survive, flourish and retain its potential for evolutionary development in the wild.

Objectives of this Action Statement

• To protect key populations. • To secure habitat to allow natural recruitment within, and adjacent to, extant populations. Recruitment will need to be assisted in some circumstances.

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• Endeavour to protect and enhance stands of Bellarine Yellow Gum on private land by negotiating management agreements with landholders and providing incentives, such as rate rebates and fencing assistance. • Incorporate actions to protect, enhance and restore Bellarine Yellow Gum habitat into relevant Regional Catchment Strategies or their subordinate strategies via Biodiversity Action Plans.

2.6 Swift Parrot

Although Ecology & Heritage Partners Pty Ltd (2016) conclude that “the Swift Parrot and Grey-headed Flying-fox are not considered to make significant use of the study area and are unlikely to be significantly impacted by any future development activities”, they also state that a site is of national significance if…”it regularly supports, or has a high probability of regularly supporting individuals of a taxon listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ or ‘Endangered’ under the EPBC Act”.

Aa a winter flowering species, Bellarine Yellow Gum is crucial for the survival of this species.

Figure 1. Distribution of 1750 Ecological Vegetation Classes in the Spring Creek area (DELWP data)

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Figure 2. Distribution of 2005 Ecological Vegetation Classes in the Spring Creek area (DELWP data),

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Figure 3. Distribution of native and exotic vegetation communities, Torquay, Jan Juc and Breamlea 2003 (Trengove 2003). Note that only the eastern sector of Spring Creek valley was included within this study area.

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Figure 4. Surf Coast DAL Study area 1986 (Google Earth).

Figure 5. Surf Coast DAL Study area 2020 (Google Earth).

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2.7 Ocean Grove Bellarine Yellow Gum populations

At Ocean Grove there are two relatively large (in the context of the Bellarine Peninsula) conservation reserves, the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve (Figure 6) and the eastern sector of Kingston Park (Figure 7). Both of these reserves support populations of Bellarine Yellow Gum, suggesting that the Bellarine populations might be relatively secure. However, an inspection of the distribution of native vegetation in both of these reserves shows that this is not the case. At both reserves the occurrence of Bellarine Yellow Gum is relative minor (refer to Figures 6 and 7) as the reserves are primarily comprised of poorer sandy soils that do not support Bellarine Yellow Gum. The majority of the Bellarine Yellow Gum at Ocean Grove and elsewhere on the Bellarine peninsula occur on private property outside of the current conservation reserves (Trengove 2008). This situation is to be expected as it has been determined by the relationship between agriculture and fertile soils.

As the land use pattern of the Bellarine Peninsula is already established and development pressures continue, there is no opportunity to provide a meaningful Bellarine Yellow Gum conservation reserve at Ocean Grove or on the Bellarine peninsula.

Figure 6. Distribution of vegetation communities within the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve. The area of Bellarine yellow Gum is shown in yellow (Beacon Ecological).

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Figure 7. Existing Vegetation Communities Kingston Park Ocean Grove. The area of Bellarine Yellow Gum is shown in brown A (Thompson Berrill Landscape Design and Mark Trengove Ecological Services).

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2.8 Implications

The Surf Coast DAL options provided for Spring Creek are as follows:

• Option 1 Low Density ecologically sustainable development. • Option 2 Green break area.

The position of Surf Coast Energy Group is to support Option 2 and to extend the Option 2 green break area further west to encompass all of the valley to Bellbrae.

This option is also recommended by this author for the following reasons.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15.5 to ‘Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.’

The FFG Act Bellarine Yellow Gum Action Statement Long term conservation objective is ‘To ensure that the Bellarine Yellow Gum can survive, flourish and retain its potential for evolutionary development in the wild. ‘

The only remaining option to ensure that these objectives can be met for the Bellarine Yellow Gum is to enact Option 2 and to extend the Option 2 green break area further west to Bellbrae.

It is evident that, in terms of meeting the objectives of the FFG act and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal the Ocean Grove/Bellarine peninsula populations are now fully compromised by past clearing and development (past/present and proposed). The two Ocean Grove conservation reserves do not support large populations of Bellarine Yellow Gum and are not physically able to. Tress amongst developments are compromised by developments and are not guaranteed to survive or to be replaced upon loss. The options for medium to large scale regeneration are at best spasmodic and in practical terms are non-existent. For example, due to pressures from new dwellings in the vicinity of areas of native vegetation, that native vegetation is now under increased pressure to be managed as fuel reduced areas due to perceived fire risks, rather than for conservation outcomes. It is known that owners of land at the Yellow Gums Estate are applying to the City of Greater Geelong to remove Bellarine Yellow Gum trees from within their properties. This author has attended to at least four such requests. Conservation objectives for the Goandra Drive Yellow Gum reserve appear to have not been met.

Within the Torquay/Jan Juc Bellarine Yellow Gum areas the situation is very much the same, for the same reasons (past agricultural clearing, historic township layouts, development pressures and the physical limitations of the natural distribution of the species). The Bellarine Yellow Gums in the Surf Coast Shire report (Trengove 2001) found that 71% of all Bellarine Yellow Gums occurred on private property and that no regeneration was occurring at 86% of sites and limited regeneration was occurring at 16% of sites.

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The Torquay Jan Juc Neighbourhood study (Trengove 2003) found that 500 mature Bellarine Yellow Gum were recorded for the Spring Creek valley (note that this survey did not extend to Bellbrae (Figure 3). A recent inspection by this author on February 12 2021 estimated that at a the minimum, an additional 200 mature Bellarine Yellow Gum trees occur within the valley upstream of the 2003 study boundary.

The former natural distribution of Bellarine Yellow Gum within the study area includes the majority of the township of Torquay (Figure 3). Bellarine Yellow Gums within that area are already largely cleared or have limited opportunities for regeneration.

A comparison of Figures 4 and 5, the Google Earth images of the study area from 1986 and 2020, clearly show the extent of development that has occurred within the study area over that time. What was once two discrete settlements, and some shacks in the dunes at Breamlea, is now a sprawling suburbia. The salient point here is that, when compared with Figure 3, that sprawl has mostly occurred on what was the natural distribution of Bellarine Yellow Gum.

Recent developments in the Spring Creek valley, such as at 240-248 Great Ocean Road Jan Juc have already led to impacts upon significant biodiversity values with the removal of Bellarine Yellow Gums and the fragmentation of remnant populations (Trengove 2014).

Consequently, for most of the study area (as well as for the Bellarine peninsula populations) there are no real opportunities to allow Bellarine Yellow Gum woodlands to ‘survive, flourish and retain its potential for evolutionary development in the wild’ (FFG Act Action Statement.

The retention of the remainder of Spring Creek valley, west of Duffield Road to Bellbrae, as per the extended version of Option 2, with appropriate management, as proposed by the Surf Coast Energy Group is now the only viable option to ensure the survival, flourishing and retained potential for evolutionary development in the wild for the Bellarine Yellow Gum as well as all of the associated native species which occur within this grassy woodland community.

It is the only area remaining, both within the study area and within the broader natural distribution of the Bellarine Yellow Gum, that is large enough to provide a location for the woodland to prosper in accordance with the definitions of the FFG Act and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Surf Coast DAL provides a unique opportunity to enable this land to become available for this outcome (Plate 1, photographs by this author).

Appropriate management would consist of the following actions, in keeping with the FFG Act Action statement:

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• Develop and implement management plans for Crown land reserves and publicly owned freehold that support Bellarine Yellow Gum, including specific measures to protect and enhance populations. • Include Bellarine Yellow Gum sites in Environmental Significance Overlays and applying planning restrictions to ensure their long-term protection. • Incorporate actions to protect, enhance and restore Bellarine Yellow Gum habitat into relevant Regional Catchment Strategies or their subordinate strategies via Biodiversity Action Plans. Implement these actions, according to priority, as resources become available, in conjunction with other agencies, community groups and landholders. • Erect signs to alert maintenance crews to the location, extent and significance of Bellarine Yellow Gum populations to prevent or minimise disturbance. • Liaise with landholders adjoining Crown land reserve or roadside sites to prevent or minimise disturbance to Bellarine Yellow Gum populations. • Discourage the planting of other subspecies of Yellow Gum near stands of Bellarine Yellow Gum. • Assess the threat posed by weed infestations, especially exotic perennial tussock grasses, at Bellarine Yellow Gum sites and manage these where required. • Fence Bellarine Yellow Gum stands to exclude domestic stock so as to encourage natural recruitment. • Collect seed, propagate and plant Bellarine Yellow Gum to reinforce populations where natural recruitment is not adequate.

All of these actions are in line with the current or proposed management plans of the Surf Coast Energy Group.

Further to this there would exist an opportunity to create a passive recreation link between Bellbrae and Torquay.

There is no substantive evidence that Option 1 would succeed in achieving the aims of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15.5 and the FFG Act for the Bellarine Yellow Gum. Further, there are no defined parameters as to how Option 1 ecologically sustainable development would occur and therefor no guarantee that the outcomes of Option 1 would not lead to further erosion of the viability of Bellarine Yellow Gum Woodlands.

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2.9 References

Beacon Ecological (2020). Ocean Grove Nature Reserve Ecological Values and Conservation Needs.

C J Yates and R J Hobbs eds (2000). Temperate Eucalypt Woodlands in Australia Biology, Conservation, Management and Restoration. Surrey Beaty and Sons, Sydney.

Department of Environment Land Water and Planning NatureKit. http://maps.biodiversity.vic.gov.au/viewer/?viewer=NatureKit

Department of Environment Land Water and Planning. Advisory list of rare or threatened plants in Victoria - 2014 https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0021/50448/Advisory-List-of- Rare-or-Threatened-Plants-in-Victoria-2014.pdf

Ecology & Heritage Partners Pty Ltd (2016) Biodiversity Assessment of the Spring Creek Urban Growth Area. Unpublished report prepared for Surf Coast Shire.

Rule K. (1998). A new, rare Victorian subspecies of Eucalyptus leucoxylon F. Muell. Muelleria. 11: 133-136.

SAC (1998). Final Recommendation on a nomination for listing: Bellarine Yellow Gum Eucalyptus leucoxylon subsp. bellarinensis (Nomination No. 435). Flora and Fauna Guarantee, Scientific Advisory Committee, Department of Natural Resources and Environment: Melbourne.

Trengove M (1997). Bellarine Yellow Gum Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act nomination. DNRE.

Trengove M (1999). Reilly’s Property Thacker Street Ocean Grove Yellow Gum Reserve Vegetation management and restoration prescriptions. Goandra Pty Ltd.

Trengove, M (2001). Bellarine Yellow Gums in the Surfcoast Shire. Surf Coast Shire.

Trengove, M. (December 2003). Torquay Jan Juc Neighbourhood Character Study Vegetation Report. Surf Coast Shire.

Trengove, M (2008). The distribution of Bellarine Yellow Gum in the City of Greater Geelong. City of Greater Geelong.

Trengove, M. (2007).Thacker Street Ocean Grove Yellow Gum Reserve Environment Management Plan. Yurnga Developments.

Trengove M (2012). Kingston Park Assessment of Conservation Significance. City of Greater Geelong.

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Trengove M (2012). Kingston Park Ocean Grove Bellarine Yellow Gum Assessment. City of Greater Geelong.

Trengove M (2014). 240-248 Great Ocean Road Jan Juc Vegetation Assessment. Christian College Geelong.

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3 Karaaf Wetlands Bellbrae

3.1 Context

While seasonal or intermittent increases of freshwater into estuaries are essential for the maintenance of ecosystems at the scale of the whole estuary and adjacent coastal waters, at a more local scale within estuaries, increased freshwater inputs may lead to changes within individual sites.

In urban areas and in many coastal settlements, storm water drains discharge directly into saltmarshes. It is a common observation that these discharges are often associated with the development of dense stands of tall freshwater or brackish marsh species (such as Phragmites australis or Typha spp.). In addition to freshwater, stormwater drains are likely to convey sediment, visible rubbish, chemical contaminants, and weed propagules (Paul Adam in Sainty, Hosking, Carr and Adam 2012).

The position of coastal saltmarshes in the upper intertidal zone of sheltered bays and estuaries exposes them to the threats associated with human activity and coastal development. Much of the loss and degradation to saltmarshes is due to drainage and reclamation for agricultural, industrial, residential and seaport development, as well as mosquito control and waste disposal. With 86 percent of Australians living along its coastal fringe, the extent and intensity of these pressures on saltmarshes and other coastal wetlands are likely to increase as populations grow (Billows 2006).

3.2 Biodiversity values

The Breamlea Saltmarsh has significant environmental values and is a primary feeding ground for the threatened Orange-bellied Parrot. This small parrot migrates annually to winter in South Australia from Tasmania, passing through Victoria on-route. Other bird species sighted in the Breamlea area include: White-faced Heron, Masked Lapwing, Double-banded Plover, Red-capped Plover, Silver Gull, Grey Teal, Red-necked Stint, Greenshank Crested Tern and White-fronted Chat. The aquatic and emergent vegetation of the Breamlea wetland provides physical shelter for fish and other aquatic fauna. Thompsons Creek was locally known as Bream Creek, indicating its historical role as a Bream fishery. Other fish know to inhabit the creek and wetland include: Big-headed Gudgeon, Black Bream, Greenback Flounder, Long-snouted Flounder, Small-mouthed Hardyhead, Tommy Ruff, Yellow-eyed Mullet, Common Galaxias and Australian Salmon. The regular appearance of pelicans on the estuary is a good indicator of the presence of fish.

Other fringing vegetation has a particular role as well. Chaffy Saw Sedge (Gahnia filum) is home to the threatened Altona Skipper Butterfly. This butterfly specifically inhabits this species of sedge. (City of Greater Geelong Wetlands Wandering website)

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The Breamlea Saltmarsh is described in the City of Greater Geelong Biodiversity Management Plan (Ecology Australia 2001) as containing Dry Saltmarsh Shrubland, Chaffy Sawsedge sedgeland, Blue Tussock-grass Grassland (the best Blue Tussock-grass Grassland in the City of Greater Geelong) vegetation communities. The nationally endangered Spiny Pepper Cress (Lepidium aschersonii) also occurs. The site is assessed as having Regional- State botanical significance and high fauna habitat values

Figure 8. Karaaf wetlands at The Sands north Torquay drainage system outfall. Note extensive algal blooms adjacent to the outfall.

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3.3 Implications

Reports that investigate the impacts of freshwater inputs into the Karaaf wetlands via the Torquay North Drainage Scheme record that there are inputs of freshwater, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen etc.), pollutants and weed propagules flowing from the drainage scheme into the Karaaf wetlands (GHD 2010, 2015 and 2017).

It is evident, both from these reports and from the observations of this author that these inputs are causing changes to the composition and health of the vegetation of the Karaaf wetlands. The obvious changes include the influx of tall freshwater or brackish marsh species and the increase in algal blooms (Figure 8 and Plates 2-4, photographs by this author).

It appears to be the case that storm water flows from urban developments located upstream of The Sands are flowing through The Sands at rates that are, at times, beyond the capability of the wetland system to cope with the flows and consequently, to provide the intended service of limiting the amount of water flow into the Karaaf wetlands as well as improving water quality.

The damage to the Karaaf Wetlands appears to have begun in around 2006 (GHD reports 2010, 2015 and 2017 combined) and appears to be increasing (Andrew MCauley, The Sands Chairman of Communications and Finance pers comm). Storm water flows have doubled in quantity over the predictions of the Craigie report (Craigie and Condina July 2001) under the existing level of development. It is noted that the Stretton Development and the Dunes development are as yet not completed. When they are completed additional storm water flows will occur.

It is evident that the creation of more urban developments that cause additional freshwater inputs into the Karaaf wetlands (either through the existing North Torquay drainage scheme or through new additional drainage schemes) will lead to a further decline in the values of the Karaaf wetlands. Consequently, the effectiveness of the North Torquay Stormwater Master Plan is in doubt.

Further to these issues, it is predicted that sea level rises due to climate change will alter the composition of the Karaaf wetlands and Bream Creek (City of Greater Geelong Amendment C394 Land subject to inundation Overlay). It is assumed that these alterations will also contribute to the degradation of the wetlands and lead to a decrease in the ability of the wetlands to successfully accommodate the freshwater inputs from the drainage schemes.

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3.4 References

ALS Water Certificate of analysis. The Sands November 2020.

Billows C (2006). Ecological Responses to Improved Tidal Flows into the Karaaf Wetlands, Breamlea, Victoria CCMA knowledgebase. https://www.ccmaknowledgebase.vic.gov.au/resources/Ecological_Responses_to_Improve d_Tidal_Flows_into_the_Karaaf_Wetlands.pdf

City of Greater Geelong Wetlands Wandering website https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/ssl/calendar/task/article/item/8cf9096da39629d.asp

City of Greater Geelong Amendment C394 Land subject to inundation Overlay. https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/amendments/item/8d6fe3cb76c04fa.aspx

Craigie N and Condina P (July 2001). Torquay Sands Development Surface Water Management System.

Department of Environment Land Water and Planning NatureKit. http://maps.biodiversity.vic.gov.au/viewer/?viewer=NatureKit

Ecology Australia (2001). City of Greater Geelong Biodiversity Management Plan.

Ecology and Heritage Partners (2020). Opportunities and Constraints Assessment Torquay North East Future Residential Investigation Area DELWP.

GHD (2015). Surf Coast Shire Council. Investigation of The Sands Torquay storm water system to determine its suitability for Council to assume responsibility.

GHD (2017). The Sands Onsite Lakes Assessment. The Sands Owner Corporation.

GHD (2010). Surf Coast Shire. Report for Stormwater Master Plan - Torquay North Technical Report.

Sainty, Hosking, Carr and Adam (2012). Estuary plants and what’s happening to them in south-east Australia. Sydney Australia.

Trengove M (1998). Report on the vegetation of the Golden Wood development site near Point Impossible with particular reference to the recently damaged areas of Saltmarsh, Wetland and Moonah woodland. Golden Wood Pty Ltd.

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Plates 1 – 4

Plate 1. Bellarine Yellow Gum woodland in the middle reaches of the Spring Creek valley.

Plate 2. Freshwater tall marsh invading Karaaf saltmarsh.

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Plate 3. Freshwater tall marsh invading Karaaf saltmarsh with the Sands adjacent.

Plate 4. Algal blooms in the final holding wetland within The Sands prior to flows into Karaaf wetlands.

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Declaration

Provisional Opinions

None.

Inaccuracies and Additional Matters

To my knowledge, there are no inaccuracies in this report or matters related to ecological assessment which fall outside my expertise.

I have made all inquiries that I believe are desirable and appropriate and no matters of significance which I regard as relevant have, to my knowledge, been withheld from the Committee.

Signed:

Mark Trengove

Director Mark Trengove Ecological Services 2200 Geelong-Ballan Road Anakie Victoria

4th of March 2021.

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Appendix 1 Abbreviated Curriculum Vitae

Mark Trengove

Mark Trengove Ecological Consultant and Director of Mark Trengove Ecological Services

2200 Geelong-Ballan Road Anakie, Victoria

Professional Summary

• Comprehensive knowledge of the flora of south-east Australia. • Extensive experience with the identification and management of the indigenous flora of the Geelong Region and Victoria. • Experience in fauna habitat assessment. • Extensive experience working with landholders, community groups and government. • Experience in environmental education, communication and public speaking. • Photographic experience and comprehensive image library. • Experience with GPS data collection and GIS mapping. • Experience and DELWP Certificate of Competency (#HH120) in ‘Net Gain’ Vegetation Quality Assessments. • Proprietor of the Geelong Indigenous Nursery from 1987 to 2003. • Advanced Certificate in Resource Management (Gordon Technical College). • Board Member Corangamite Catchment Management Authority from 2000 to 2006.

Summary of Work Undertaken

Ecological Reports • Dog Rocks (Batesford) Flora and Fauna Sanctuary Ecological Assessment and Vegetation Management Plan. Batesford Landcare 2011. • Waubra, Smythesdale, Beaufort, Blackwood and Gordon Small Towns Sewerage Scheme Vegetation Net Gain assessments – Water Infrastructure Group 2010/2011. • Toolern Vale Biodiversity Action Plan- DSE, 2006. • Toolern Vale Merriang & Macclesfield Bush Tender Project- DSE, 2007 • Shell Geelong Refinery Sustainable Land Management Plan, 2006. • Barwon Heads Bluff Management Plan Review- Barwon Coast CoM, 2006. • Anglesea Vegetation Study- Surfcoast Shire, 2003. • Torquay-Jan Juc Vegetation Study- SCS, 2003. • Aireys Inlet Vegetation Study- SCS, 2004. • Deans Marsh-Pennyroyal Valley Vegetation Study, SCS, 2005. • Winchelsea Vegetation Study- SCS, 2006. • Skenes Creek to Apollo Bay Sewer Scheme Vegetation and Habitat Report, Maunsell P/L for Barwon Water, 2003. • Otway Gas Project Vegetation Assessment (Port Campbell), Maunsell P/L for Woodside Energy Ltd, 2003. • Bendigo East Structure Plan Environment Assessment, Maunsell P/L for City of Greater Bendigo,2005. • Grassy Ecosystem Mapping Project- Shire of Melton, 2002. • Grassy Ecosystem Mapping Project- Shire of Moorabool, 2002. • Heathdale Glenorden Wetland Vegetation Assessment, City of Wyndham, 2003. • Ford You Yangs Proving Ground Vegetation Survey, Ford Australia P/L, 2004. • Queenscliff Narrows Vegetation Management Plan- DNRE, Queenscliff Community Association, 2001.

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• Blue Waters Lake, Ocean Grove Vegetation Management Plan- CoGG, 2000. • Ocean Grove (Ingamells) Park Vegetation Management Plan, 1998. • The Management of the Coastal Remnants of the Borough of Queenscliffe, 1992. • Remnant Roadside Vegetation of the Surfcoast Shire (with Peter Moulton), 1997. • Remnant Roadside Vegetation of the Golden Plains Shire (with Tim Barlow), 1995. • The Vegetation of “Ballara”, Point Lonsdale- Trust for Nature, 1992. • The Vegetation of the Bannockburn Recreation Reserve -Friends of Bannockburn Bush,1996. • Vegetation Management Guidelines for Pt Edwards Flora and Fauna Reserve- Friends of Pt Edwards, 1999. • Management Guidelines for the Remnant Vegetation of Seaview Park (Belmont Escarpment) Geelong- City of Greater Geelong, 1998. • Vegetation of the Shell Geelong Refinery- Shell Australia, 1998. • Vegetation Management Guidelines for Citizens Park, Queenscliff- Borough of Queenscliffe, 1998. • Vegetation of South West Natural Gas Pipeline- Gas Transmission Corporation, 1998. • Vegetation of Golden Woods Development Site, Pt Impossible- Golden Wood Pty Ltd, 1998. • Vegetation Assessment -Live Bomb Range Reserve, City of Wyndham, 1999.

Ecological Input Into Reports • Melbourne Geelong Water Interconnector Project (KBR Consulting) - Barwon Water, 2007. • Tullamarine Airport Vegetation Assessment (Phillips Agribusiness), 2005/2006. • Pt Richards Fauna Reserve Management Plan (Thompson Berrill Landscape Design)- GoGG, 2005. • Geelong Ring Road Stage 1 Biodiversity Assessment (PPK Consulting), 2005. • Pt Nepean Ecological Assessment (PPK Consulting)- Department of Defence, 2003. • City of Greater Geelong Biodiversity Management Plan (Ecology Australia)- CoGG, 2002. • Environment Management Systems, Biodiversity in Agriculture (Western Ecological Services)- DNRE, 2002. • Ford Lara Proving Ground Biodiversity Management Plan (Earth Tech P/L)- Ford Australia, 2002. • Geelong Ring Road Strategic Study (Greening Australia Victoria)- Vicroads, 2002. • Magyar Barracks Vegetation Assessment (Brett Lane & Associates)- DoD 2001. • Somerton RAN Barracks Vegetation Assessment (Brett Lane & Associates)- Do D, 2001. • Pt Lonsdale Lighthouse Coastal Plan (DNRE), 2000. • Limeburners Bay Management Strategy (TBLD)- CoGG, 1999. • Swan Island Weed Management Strategy (Egis Consulting)- DoD, 1999. • Torquay Foreshore Management Plan (TBLD)- Torquay Public Reserves Committee, 1999. • Breamlea Foreshore Management Plan (TBLD)- CoGG, 1999. • Carrum Lowlands Water Activity Plan (TBLD)- Parks Victoria, 1998. • Corio Bay Foreshore Management Plan (Egis Consulting)-CoGG, 1994.

Hearings • Pt Lillias Hazardous Chemicals Storage Complex- Independent Panel Hearing, Geelong, 1995. • Ocean Grove Park (Ingamells)- Independent Panel Hearing, Ocean Grove, 1996. • Barwon Sewer Aqueduct- Independent Panel Hearing, Geelong, 1996. • Corio Landfill Amendment RL 184- Independent Panel Hearing, Geelong, July 1997. • Reilly’s Woodland Ocean Grove- Independent Panel Hearing, Geelong, February 2000. • Ord St Saint Leonards- Independent Panel Hearing, Geelong, March 2003. • Bendigo East Structure Plan- Independent Panel Hearing, Bendigo, 2006. • 220 Great Ocean Road Torquay – Independent Panel Hearing March 2011. • 124 Sunset Strip Jan Juc - Independent Panel Hearing August 2011. • Ocean Grove North-east Precinct Amendment C203, December 2014. • Geelong Planning Scheme Amendment C395, 2019.

Submissions • Parliamentary Inquiry into Ecologically Sustainable Land Management, 1996. • Environment and Natural Resources Committee Inquiry into Pest Plants in Victoria, 1996. • Senate Inquiry into Commonwealth Environment Powers, 1997.

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Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act Nominations • Coast Tussock Grass Grasslands 1995. • Bellarine Yellow Gum 1996.

Publications • Indigenous Plants of the Geelong Region (CoGG), 1999. • Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of the West Port Phillip Region (DNRE), 2000. • CSIRO Deakin University. ‘Geelong’s Changing Landscape. Vegetation changes since European arrival’ 2019.

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