ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

5 Woodland Complexes: Planning and Management for Conservation

5.1 the importance of addressing the conservation needs of threatened, declining and/or uncommon plants and Principles Underlying animals in an integrated way, and not separated from Conservation Planning for consideration of the ecological communities of which Lowland Woodland they are a part. An understanding of the key life history properties and habitat requirements of species, the Principles for a systematic approach to conservation dynamic processes operating within ecosystems, and planning in the ACT context were developed in 1995 the importance of connectivity in making fragmented when strategic options for native grassland communities more viable across a variety of local and conservation were prepared for Gungahlin (Williams et regional scales are accepted as being essential to al. 1995). The principles and the associated sound conservation planning. methodology were used to identify high priority areas for grassland conservation, based on vegetation In response to ‘the need for more detailed ecological qualities and habitat for threatened species. The ACT analyses to define better the botanical significance of Government adopted the approach at that time, and the understorey and the conservation value of each subsequently three nature reserves were established woodland patch’ (ACT Government 1999a, p. 5), in the Gungahlin area with the primary aim of considerable additional information has been collected protecting Natural Temperate Grassland (an since the 1999 Action Plans for Yellow BoxÐRed Gum endangered ecological community) and habitat for the Grassy Woodland and threatened birds were Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) (a vulnerable prepared. Still more information will be gathered as species). More recently, McIvor and McIntyre (2002) resources, time and seasonal conditions allow, and proposed principles for the conservation management this will be used progressively to improve decision of grassy woodland ecosystems. making for conservation planning and woodland management. The two sets of principles complement each other and are relevant to lowland woodland conservation in the A key objective of this Strategy is to establish a ACT into the foreseeable future. The principles have comprehensive, adequate and representative system been applied generally to development of this of reserves and other woodland areas protected for Strategy, with some directly reflected in its goals, their conservation values. Generally these areas will objectives and actions. Others are appropriate be those with the highest value in terms of meeting considerations when actions are being implemented local, regional and national objectives. Assessment of and can most appropriately be used to inform conservation value includes concepts of size (viability), decisions made by planning and management diversity, representativeness, distinctiveness (rarity) agencies, private landholders and governments. and naturalness.

When assessing conservation priorities, the Lowland Replication of protected areas containing lowland Woodland Conservation Strategy considers woodland woodland is an important safeguard against the remnants at scales that take into account their possibility of catastrophic loss or damage from potential contribution to the ACT nature conservation unforeseen circumstances (e.g. major bushfires), estate, as well as the relationship of the ACT to the changed land use priorities or management practices. Southern Tablelands region. The Strategy recognises Replication is essential at local and regional scales to

55 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY ensure natural diversity is maintained and as a hedge ■ Regional context: regional biodiversity against stochastic events causing local extinction of conservation significance; distribution across ACT. species. The importance of replication was ■ Ecological characteristics: vegetation condition; dramatically demonstrated in the January 2003 resident populations(s) of threatened species; bushfires that burnt almost all lowland woodland west habitat heterogeneity. of Canberra, while woodlands in the Jerrabomberra, ■ Physical data: size; area/perimeter ratio. Majura and Gungahlin areas were unaffected. With ■ Landscape context: connectivity with other native Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodlands having suffered vegetation; altitudinal range. major clearing since European settlement, replication ■ Planning and management: compatible adjacent of large woodland fragments across the region is land uses; potential for regeneration and probably no longer possible, rendering the remaining restoration management. large areas in the ACT significant at both the regional and local scale, particularly for known declining woodland birds. 5.2 Identifying Areas of Highest Canberra’s growth as a city continues to exert Conservation Significance significant development pressures on land in and around existing urban areas. Although some of this Information from woodland surveys carried out in the land is generally regarded as available for ACT since 1995, together with information on development, it may still retain natural features worthy threatened or declining birds and other animals is of consideration for their potential contribution to the summarised in a series of maps and accompanying nature conservation estate or to enhancing the natural notes that describe five woodland complexes for the environment of the city. Rehabilitation of woodland ACT (Figures 5.1aÐ5.5a). Methods used to derive fragments to improve habitat qualities, to enhance assessments of botanical significance and habitat ecological connectivity, or to assist with increasing the values are summarised in Chapter 3. effective size of remnants will be an important Consideration of conservation value is central to management priority for some time to come, planning and management decisions with regard to particularly in rural areas. Linking woodlands with natural ecosystems. Woodland areas may have both other natural ecological communities such as native natural and cultural heritage values, which may be grasslands, wetland areas and forests increases the related and are sometimes difficult to separate. Some overall conservation value of areas by building habitat people, including many Indigenous people, do not see heterogeneity in the landscape. these values as separate. Natural heritage, as distinct Planning for, and management of conservation areas from cultural heritage, focuses on natural and dynamic in the ACT must take into account the potential impact ecological processes, earth processes (e.g. soil of land uses and other activities on adjacent land. formation), evolutionary processes and the ability of Compatible land uses or management practices will ecosystems to be self-perpetuating (Australian help to moderate adverse external influences on Heritage Commission 2002). nature conservation values. Conservation The focus of this Strategy is conservation of natural management supported by research, monitoring and heritage (the natural values of woodland communities community participation are identified as key actions across the ACT), and the policies and actions required for this Strategy. to achieve conservation of woodland communities and In order to bring together the information on woodland their values. Cultural values are outside the scope of type, vegetation condition, habitat features and this Strategy, which must meet the requirements of an occurrences of threatened and declining species with Action Plan prepared under the Nature Conservation the relevant conservation planning and management Act 1980. The place to document cultural values (e.g. issues, the following attributes, derived from the artefacts of Aboriginal material culture, places of principles outlined above, have been incorporated into historical interest, or ‘cultural landscapes’) and some the material that is the basis for Chapters 5 and 6 of natural values (e.g. earth processes), not immediately the Strategy:

56 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY central to woodland conservation is in management locations for rare or declining birds (Taylor and COG plans or other planning and management documents 1992). These locations were also identified as focused on particular places. These documents bring important in the Action Plans for threatened birds (ACT together the complete range of natural and cultural Government 1999bÐe). Some of the areas are now values. More generalized or less area-specific issues included in ACT nature reserves (e.g. AinslieÐMajura, (e.g. greenhouse gas reduction measures or Mulligans Flat). However, other areas are managed ecologically sustainable development) are addressed under rural lease (with up to 99 year terms) or are in planning statements such as the Territory Plan, or subject to land use policies or short-term Government policy documents at the strategic level. arrangements that leave their future uncertain in terms of habitat maintenance or enhancement of natural Documenting the conservation values of ACT lowland values. woodlands requires an assessment and integration of several factors, namely: Once areas with the highest conservation significance have been identified, other conservation and ■ the intrinsic value of woodlands as remnants of the management principles can be considered (after previous extent of lowland grassy woodland; Williams et al. 1995). The extent to which these or ■ the value of woodlands as functioning ecosystems other areas may contribute to a comprehensive, and habitat for woodland flora and fauna, including adequate and representative conservation reserve microbiota; system and thus help achieve the vision for this ■ the presence of, and habitat for, threatened plants Strategy is outlined in Chapter 6. Application of and animals; and principles related to ecological connectivity, size and ■ the ecological role woodlands play at the area/perimeter ratio, habitat heterogeneity (e.g. Snow landscape scale such as connecting natural areas, Gum woodlands, wetlands, secondary grasslands) is and buffering other natural areas from adverse appropriately dealt with when identifying boundaries impacts of nearby land uses or activities. between different land uses and the compatibility of Using an approach similar to that used for the overlapping values. These issues are not fully resolved Gungahlin grasslands (Williams et al. 1995), the data in this Strategy, although some key issues are were used to identify areas with the highest potential identified in the following descriptions of the woodland value to the conservation of lowland woodlands and complexes. the flora and fauna dependent upon them. Some woodland areas that do not meet the primary Polygons with the following attributes were selected: criteria but which play a role in linking the key habitat ■ partially modified lowland woodland; areas in the ACT and into NSW include the Majura ■ Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Grassy Woodland Field Firing Range, the Newline Quarry, and Rob Roy endangered ecological community; Range. ■ good vegetation condition rating; and While the above process identifies areas with the ■ threatened or declining species. highest conservation significance that therefore Woodland areas in the ACT that satisfy all the above warrant a high priority for protection and management criteria and therefore identified as having the highest to conserve their values, it should not be construed conservation significance are located at: that other areas have no conservation value. Areas HallÐKinlyside; Mulligans Flat; Gooroo; Mt Majura; Mt that do not have all the attributes may: Ainslie (Campbell Park); Black MountainÐBelconnen ■ provide habitat for woodland fauna including Hills; Red HillÐCallum Brae; Castle Hill (Tharwa); and threatened species (even when the vegetation is Naas. Other areas satisfying the criteria, but which are moderately or substantially modified); not Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland are located at ■ contain sufficient remnants of former woodland North Gungahlin Hills, Bullen Range, and Booroomba. tree cover and/or understorey for regeneration to occur and to warrant restoration activities; Identification of these areas which have the ■ be important to provide or enhance links between combination of characters that give them high high conservation value areas; and conservation value, confirms previous assessments of ■ provide the means to enlarge core conservation the ACT’s natural resources, being either sites of areas and to reduce the perimeter area ratio. ecological interest (NCDC 1984), or significant

57 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

Examples of areas where remnant trees or substantially 5.3 modified woodlands are likely to have the above attributes include woodland trees at the Newline Quarry, ACT Lowland Woodland the Mugga property in the Jerrabomberra valley, and Complexes many smaller patches of trees in rural areas. The remaining lowland woodland in the ACT (Figure The greater the extent of modification of woodland the 2.3) has been grouped into five woodland complexes. more valuable scattered remnants such as paddock These are recognisable assemblages of lowland trees and clumps become. ‘When woodland levels are woodland vegetation (including secondary grassland), below 30%, scattered trees become a key resource for in particular geographic areas of the ACT, and in restoring viable amounts of woodland’ (McIntyre 2002, general separated by major land uses, especially p. 97). urban development, rural land use and arterial roads. The complexes, units within them and areas are The extent and condition of ACT lowland woodlands, shown in Table 5.1 and they are discussed in detail in particularly the Yellow Box Ð Red Gum Grassy the following sub-sections 5.4 to 5.8. Woodland endangered ecological community, in the regional and national context has been outlined in Figures quoted for the area of each type of woodland Chapter 2. It is clear that the remaining areas of in each complex or unit are estimates derived from lowland woodland in the ACT are likely to have greater computer calculations of mapped woodland units. conservation significance in the context of the clearing They should therefore be regarded as an estimate that of woodlands regionally and nationally and also in may be subject to minor mapping errors. Ecological terms of the ongoing degradation of remnants. survey is an ongoing activity and mapping is subject to continual refinement.

Table 5.1: ACT Lowland Woodland Complexes, Units and Areas

Total woodland* Yellow Box–Red Gum Percentage YBRG COMPLEX UNITS In complex (ha) in complex (ha) of total woodland

Gungahlin (a) North Gungahlin (b) Gooroo–Mulligans Flat (c) Central Gungahlin 4435 1920 43%

Majura–Kowen (a) Mt Ainslie–Mt Majura (b) East Majura (c) Kowen 4900 1560 32%

Callum Brae (a) Red Hill (b) Mugga Lane West (c) Mugga Lane East (d) Wanniassa Hills (e) Farrer Ridge 2325 1040 45%

Tuggeranong–Naas (a) Tidbinbilla–Booroomba (b) Rob Roy (c) Naas 18 800 5405 29%

North Murrumbidgee– (a) Bulgar Creek Lower Molonglo (b) Uriarra (c) Belconnen 6545 940 14%

Total All Units 37 005 10 865 29%

* Includes all woodland types in all states of modification.

58 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

5.4 Gum woodland remaining where the native groundlayer has been retained. Some woodland areas Gungahlin Woodland Complex have been planted with non-indigenous trees in forward planting and woodlot projects, with the result (Figures 5.1 a&b) that these may have a structure that is more forest (Units which make up this complex (North Gungahlin, than woodland in nature. GoorooÐMulligans Flat, Central Gungahlin) are The complex contains extensive habitat for many discussed below under 5.4.1Ð5.4.3.) threatened and declining bird species, particularly at Total area of woodland (All figures ha) Mulligans Flat, Gooroo and HallÐKinlyside, with 4435 records of Hooded Robin, Brown Treecreeper, White- Total YBRG community in complex winged Triller, Varied Sittella, Painted Honeyeater, 1920 Regent Honeyeater, Superb Parrot and four species of Lowland woodland (partially modified) declining woodland birds. The endangered Golden YBRG 915 Sun Moth and uncommon Key’s Matchstick Other 764 Grasshopper have been recorded from woodlands in Lowland woodland (moderately modified) this complex. YBRG 481 Other 603 The complex contains a population of the endangered Secondary grassland (moderately modified) Tarengo Leek Orchid at the Hall Cemetery and a YBRG 467 population of Austral Toadflax in Mulligans Flat Nature Other 209 Reserve. Remnants of Snow Gum woodland form an Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) ecotone between Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland and 985 natural grassland in Kinlyside (4.6 ha), at several sites in Kenny (9.1 ha), and one in Gungaderra Nature DESCRIPTION Reserve (0.3 ha).

The Gungahlin complex (4435 ha) retains continuous PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES areas of lowland woodland along the northern and ■ Resolution of structure planning proposals for eastern hills, inter-mixed with dry forest on the upper north Gungahlin, and future development areas slopes. It is one of the largest areas of contiguous east of the Town Centre in the suburbs of Throsby woodland in the ACT region. Woodland (including and Kenny. 1920 ha of Yellow BoxÐRed Gum) merges with native ■ Maintaining ecological connectivity from woodlands and exotic grasslands on the valley floors where near HallÐKinlyside, through Mulligans Flat Nature scattered trees of the former Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Reserve to Gooroo and Mt Majura. woodland are frequently retained. Highly modified ■ Protection of the conservation significance of large woodland, much of which contains only scattered areas of partially modified Yellow BoxÐRed Gum trees, as well as areas that have been cleared of trees woodland, secondary grassland and habitat for and native understorey and developed as part of new threatened birds in the Gooroo area. town of Gungahlin, form a major discontinuity in the ■ Implementing the Village of Hall Master Plan so central area. that the threat to the survival of orchids at Hall Cemetery is relieved and landscape protection for The Gungahlin complex is considered to be a the village is supported. ‘Variegated’ landscape (after McIntyre et al. 2002). ■ Protection of the small remnants of Snow Gum BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND woodland. FAUNA VALUES

Areas of vegetation in good to very good condition tend to occur on the mid slopes of the hills surrounding Gungahlin and the areas in poorer condition occur generally on the lower slopes and plains. Although there has been extensive clearance of trees mostly in the lower lying areas, there are large areas of secondary grassland derived from Yellow BoxÐRed

59 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

5.4.1 North Gungahlin Unit one of only three natural populations known to exist. The unit contains habitat, particularly in the western Total area of woodland (All figures ha) 2219 section, for the Hooded Robin, White-winged Triller, Varied Sittella and two species of declining woodland Total YBRG community 649 birds. The endangered Golden Sun Moth has been recorded from Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve (west of Lowland woodland (partially modified) YBRG 121 the Gundaroo Rd) and the uncommon Key’s Other 513 Matchstick Grasshopper has been recorded from Lowland woodland (moderately modified) woodlands near Hall. There are two remnants of YBRG 247 moderately modified Snow Gum woodland that form Other 549 an ecotone between Yellow Box Ð Red Gum woodland Secondary grassland (moderately modified) and natural grassland in Kinlyside (total 4.6 ha) and YBRG 281 several relictual stands of trees (total 4.8 ha) in the Other 180 vicinity of Hall and on Harcourt Hill. Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) 328 PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES ■ Finalising the boundary between urban development in north Gungahlin and woodland UNIT DESCRIPTION areas to be managed for nature conservation. The unit (2219 ha) extends along the hills and lower ■ Maintaining ecological connectivity from woodlands slopes from Hall Ð Kinlyside to Gundaroo Road near HallÐKinlyside to Mulligans Flat Nature (Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve). It is bounded by Reserve. forest and woodland on the border of NSW/ACT to the ■ Protection of conservation significance of large north and west, suburbs to the south and the areas of partially modified Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Mulligans Flat woodlands to the east. The unit includes woodland and habitat for threatened birds in the the section of Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve west of Kinlyside and border hills. the Gundaroo Road. One third of the unit (634 ha) is ■ Maintenance of the remaining Yellow BoxÐRed partially modified woodland, with some Yellow Gum woodland within a matrix of other lowland BoxÐRed Gum. Lower lying areas in the central part woodland types, including rehabilitation are highly modified or retain little of conservation value management on rural leases, strengthening due to past clearing of woodland remnants. To the ecological connectivity between woodland west, on the mid and lower slopes of Kinlyside, remnants and restoring where possible tree cover significant areas of partially and moderately modified in secondary grassland communities. areas of woodland remain. Almost one quarter of the ■ Maintenance of the remnant stands of Snow Gum woodland in the unit is Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland. woodland (649 ha). 5.4.2 Gooroo–Mulligans Flat Unit BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND FAUNA VALUES Total area of woodland (All figures ha) 1623 The vegetation condition in this unit varies greatly, with Total YBRG community some patches still in good to very good condition in 1146 the hilltop woodlands and at HallÐKinlyside, and others Lowland woodland (partially modified) in much poorer condition. Throughout much of the unit, YBRG 770 and particularly on the mid slopes the tree canopy has Other 215 been largely retained, providing good ecological Lowland woodland (moderately modified) connectivity. Areas in poorer condition tend to be on YBRG 191 the lower slopes, although there remains one area to Other 47 the north of Ngunnawal that is in good condition, with Secondary grassland (moderately modified) plant species that are sensitive to disturbance still YBRG 185 Other 0 retained. Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) There is a population of the Tarengo Leek Orchid 215 (Prasophyllum petilum) in the Hall Cemetery. This is

60 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

UNIT DESCRIPTION woodland types, including restoration management on rural leases, strengthening ecological The unit (1623 ha) occurs on the mid to lower eastern connectivity between woodland remnants, and slopes between Gundaroo Road and the Federal restoring, where possible, tree cover in secondary Highway, and includes the section of Mulligans Flat grassland communities. Nature Reserve east of the Gundaroo Rd). It is bounded to the west and south by highly modified or 5.4.3 Central Gungahlin Unit extensively cleared plains on which there has been more intense pastoral activity. More than half of the Total area of woodland (All figures ha) unit (985 ha) is partially modified woodland, and 579 almost 80% (770 ha) of this is Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Total YBRG community 68 woodland. Lowland woodland (partially modified) BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND YBRG 24 FAUNA VALUES Other 36 Lowland woodland (moderately modified) Much of the vegetation in the unit is in very good YBRG 43 condition, including areas of secondary grassland that Other 7 are derived from Yellow BoxÐRed Gum. Much of the Secondary grassland (moderately modified) woodland retains ground flora moderately to very YBRG 1 sensitive to disturbance. The unit contains one of the Other 29 largest, most intact and contiguous areas of Yellow Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) Box Red Gum grassy woodland and other woodland 439 types remaining in the ACT, providing habitat for threatened birds and other species. The nationally vulnerable species Austral Toadflax has been recorded UNIT DESCRIPTION in Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland in Mulligans Flat The unit (579 ha) comprises the lower slopes and Nature Reserve. undulating plains of central Gungahlin, where the The unit contains extensive habitat for many woodland merges into natural grassland and highly threatened and declining bird species, with records of modified former open woodland. Prior to European Hooded Robin, Brown Treecreeper, White-winged settlement the central valley of Gungahlin would have Triller, Varied Sittella, Painted Honeyeater (Mulligans been largely treeless or only sparsely treed. Only Flat), Regent Honeyeater and four species of declining highly fragmented areas of woodland now occur, woodland birds. Recent COG records indicate declines primarily on the slopes of hills at Palmerston and in the Hooded Robin and Brown Treecreeper at Mitchell and on Gungahlin Hill and Percival Hill Mulligans Flat (see Appendix 2). The Golden Sun (Canberra Nature Park). With the expansion of Moth, Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper and the Black- Gungahlin, the remaining woodland is now close to headed Snake (Suta spectabilis dwyeri), an urban development. Only a small amount (68 ha) of uncommon reptile in the ACT, have been recorded in Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland remains, although Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve. most of the woodland in the area would have been Yellow BoxÐRed Gum prior to clearing. PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND ■ Finalising the boundary between urban development in east Gungahlin and woodland FAUNA VALUES areas to be managed for nature conservation. Most of the remaining patches of woodland in this unit ■ Maintaining ecological connectivity from Mulligans are in poor condition, reflecting the high level of Flat Nature Reserve, through Gooroo to Mt Majura. clearance due to pastoral activities on the relatively ■ Protection of the conservation significance of large deep, fertile soils throughout the valley. Gungahlin Hill areas of partially modified Yellow BoxÐRed Gum and adjacent areas of woodland in the Gungaderra woodland, secondary grassland and habitat for Nature Reserve contain ground flora moderately threatened birds at Gooroo and the border hills. sensitive to disturbance. There are several remnants ■ Maintenance of the remaining Yellow BoxÐRed of modified Snow Gum woodland (total 9.1 ha) that Gum woodland within a matrix of other lowland form an ecotone between Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland and natural grassland in the unit. One of

61 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY these (0.3 ha) is in Gungaderra Nature Reserve and The Majura Valley woodlands are connected to there is a remnant stand of trees along Well Station woodland and forest in NSW and Gungahlin to the Road. north, via Gooroo and Greenwood Hill. They are also connected to the Callum BraeÐJerrabomberra complex Three declining woodland bird species have been via woodland at New Line quarry and east of recorded in the unit; one from Gungahlin Hill, and two Fyshwick, and other patches of remnant woodland from Crace Nature Reserve, south of Mitchell. vegetation. PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES The MajuraÐKowen complex is considered to be a ■ Protection for small woodland remnants and ‘Fragmented’ landscape becoming ‘Relictual’ in the mature trees, including the stands of Snow Gum Kowen area (after McIvor and McIntyre et al. 2002). woodland. BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND 5.5 FAUNA VALUES There are extensive areas of woodland vegetation of Majura–Kowen Complex high conservation value in the Majura Valley. The (Figures 5.2 a&b) natural temperate grassland adjacent to woodland on the eastern slopes of Mt Ainslie and to the north and (Units which make up this complex (Mt AinslieÐMt east of the Canberra International Airport provides Majura, East Majura Valley, Kowen) are discussed habitat for several threatened plants and animals, below under 5.5.1Ð5.5.3.) including the Grassland Earless Dragon, Striped Total area of woodland (All figures ha) Legless Lizard, Perunga Grasshopper, Golden Sun 4900 Moth and Button Wrinklewort.

Total YBRG community in complex There is one remnant of modified Snow Gum 1560 woodland in Kowen (1 ha) that forms an ecotone Lowland woodland (partially modified) between Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland and natural YBRG 231 Other 110 grassland, and several relictual stands of trees along the edge of Mt Ainslie (near the Australian War Lowland woodland (moderately modified) YBRG 1312 Memorial) and Mt Pleasant. Other 1514 The unit contains habitat for several threatened and Secondary grassland (moderately modified) declining bird species, with records of Hooded Robin, YBRG 30 Other 146 Brown Treecreeper, White-winged Triller, Varied Sittella, Painted Honeyeater, Regent Honeyeater, Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) 1555 Superb Parrot and three declining woodland bird species. Surveys undertaken on different occasions in the last 20 years within the Majura Field Firing Range DESCRIPTION and on Mt MajuraÐMt Ainslie have recorded populations of Common Dunnarts (Sminthopsis The MajuraÐKowen complex (4900 ha) contains 1560 ha murina) and Yellow-footed Antechinus (Antechinus of Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland comprising the Mt flavipes) in these areas. Lace Monitors, an uncommon Ainslie Ð Mt Majura unit, and land on and adjacent to lizard in the ACT, have been occasionally observed in the Majura Field Firing Range south to the New Line woodlands on Mt Ainslie. quarry and east of Fyshwick. The woodland vegetation is well connected north to south on both sides of the PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES valley and can be regarded as an extension to the ■ Maintenance and enhancement of woodland Gungahlin Hills woodlands. Highly modified areas, condition in Mt Ainslie and Mt Majura Nature largely retaining the original mature trees, are found in Reserves, and the Majura Field Firing Range. the northern part, but these give way to naturally ■ Protection of ecological connectivity between east treeless native and exotic grasslands in the central facing slopes of Mt Ainslie and adjacent natural and southern parts of the valley. Following extensive grassland habitat (Campbell Park), and similarly development of pine plantations in the Kowen area, between woodland and grassland east of the only small remnant patches of woodland now remain. Canberra International Airport.

62 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

■ Maintenance of ecological connectivity with the BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND Callum BraeÐJerrabomberra woodland via the New FAUNA VALUES Line quarry area and woodlands east of Fyshwick. The unit contains partially modified woodland with a ■ Maintenance of connectivity across the Federal high diversity of native plant species. Areas of Highway to Gooroo. woodland in good condition occur on the lower slopes ■ Protection of the Snow Gum woodland remnant in of Mt Ainslie, near Fairbairn Ave and adjacent to Kowen. grassland near the Campbell Park Offices. There are several relictual stands of Snow Gum and Candlebark 5.5.1 Mt Ainslie–Mt Majura Unit trees on the southern edges of Mt Ainslie and Mt Total area of woodland (All figures ha) Pleasant. 1041 Mt Ainslie, particularly the lower slopes at Campbell Total YBRG community Park, contains habitat for several threatened and 697 declining bird species, with records of Hooded Robin, Lowland woodland (partially modified) Brown Treecreeper, White-winged Triller, Varied YBRG 176 Other 13 Sittella, Painted Honeyeater, Regent Honeyeater, Lowland woodland (moderately modified) Superb Parrot and one declining woodland bird YBRG 509 species. Two other declining woodland bird species Other 36 have been recorded at various locations within the Secondary grassland (moderately modified) unit. Yellow-footed Antechinus (Antechinus flavipes) YBRG 12 and Brown Antechinus (A. stuartii) were found on Mt Other 18 Majura and Mt Ainslie 20 years ago and have not been Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) recorded since. 277 PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES ■ UNIT DESCRIPTION Protecting ecological connectivity between the eastern slopes of Mt Ainslie and the adjacent The unit contains about 700 ha of Yellow BoxÐRed areas of natural grassland (Campbell Park offices). Gum woodland on all slopes of Mt Ainslie and Mt ■ Management of Mt Ainslie and Mt Majura Nature Majura and the saddle between them. The woodland Reserves for conservation and recreation, on the western side of AinslieÐMajura is bounded by including potential to improve ecological condition suburbs and on the eastern side by open woodland of the remaining woodland. and grassland. It merges into dry sclerophyll forest on ■ Management of woody weeds and other impacts the higher slopes of the hilltops. On the eastern facing on Yellow BoxÐ Red Gum from adjacent suburban slopes of Mt Ainslie, Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland development. is adjacent to an area of natural grassland that ■ Management of the Hackett horse holding provides habitat for several threatened plant and paddocks on Mt Majura in a manner that maintains animal species. Impacts on Yellow BoxÐRed Gum or improves condition of Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland from recreational and other activities on woodland. AinslieÐMajura pose a management challenge, if conservation values are to be protected. The woodland in the AinslieÐMajura unit connects to woodland on Gooroo to the north and is joined across Majura Valley to woodland in east Majura by woodland and highly modified woodland containing isolated and scattered trees. Small patches of woodland are scattered through the suburbs of Campbell and Duntroon. In this unit there are valuable examples of Snow Gum woodland that form ecotones between natural grassland and woodland.

63 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

5.5.2 East Majura Valley Unit PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES ■ Protecting ecological connectivity between Total area of woodland (All figures ha) 3448 woodlands and adjacent areas of natural grassland Total YBRG community (Majura Field Firing Range). 832 ■ Protecting habitat for threatened birds in Lowland woodland (partially modified) fragmented and modified habitats between Pialligo YBRG 55 Avenue and the Molonglo River. Other 91 ■ Creating habitat linkages between woodlands in Lowland woodland (moderately modified) the Majura and Jerrabomberra Valleys. YBRG 759 Other 1335 5.5.3 Kowen Unit Secondary grassland (moderately modified) YBRG 18 Total area of woodland (All figures ha) Other 78 409 Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) Total YBRG community 1112 44 Lowland woodland (partially modified) YBRG 0 UNIT DESCRIPTION Other 6 Lowland woodland (moderately modified) This unit contains 777 ha of Yellow BoxÐRed Gum YBRG 44 woodland well connected to dry sclerophyll forest on Other 143 the higher slopes and to natural grassland northeast of Secondary grassland (moderately modified) the Canberra International Airport. Other woodlands YBRG 0 occur on the higher slopes. Much of the woodland Other 50 (1167 ha) on the lower slopes and valley floors in the Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) north of the unit is highly modified, containing 166 scattered trees with an exotic groundlayer. There is some ecological connectivity north to woodland vegetation in NSW, and south through open woodland DESCRIPTION into the Jerrabomberra Valley. Much of the Kowen area is pine plantation, leaving BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND highly fragmented very small areas of woodland, FAUNA VALUES mostly adjacent to the Kings Highway. Of the remaining woodland fragments only 44 ha are Yellow Much of this unit is located within the Majura Field BoxÐRed Gum. Woodland in Kowen merges into Firing Range, which retains a very diverse flora. Yellow heavily cleared pasture away from the Kings Highway BoxÐRed Gum woodland occurs on the lower slopes and sparsely treed rural land in NSW to the east. where it merges into natural temperate grassland east of the airport. Woodland to the south has been more BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND highly modified and is more fragmented than that to FAUNA VALUES the north. Much of the woodland in the unit is moderately to The unit contains habitat for several threatened and severely modified. An area of secondary grassland at declining bird species. Hooded Robins have been the easternmost edge of the unit still retains a diversity recorded in woodlands at the Majura Field Firing of disturbance sensitive species. There are a small Range and from the Newline Quarry area. Regent number of Black Gum (Eucalyptus aggregata) trees Honeyeater and Brown Treecreeper have been growing along the roadside of the Kings Highway, the recorded mainly from the Newline Quarry area. White- only known naturally occurring population of this winged Triller, Varied Sittella and four declining species in the ACT. The unit contains woodland habitat woodland bird species have been recorded in the unit, for the Varied Sittella. There is a very small remnant of mostly from the Newline Quarry area and woodlands Snow Gum woodland (1 ha) that is moderately at the Majura Field Firing Range. modified, and a larger area of substantially modified Snow Gum woodland with an exotic understorey.

64 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES The Callum BraeÐJerrabomberra Valley complex is ■ Management for regeneration of the Black Gum considered to be a ‘Variegated’ landscape (after population. McIvor and McIntyre et al. 2002). ■ Retention of the secondary grassland in the east of BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND the area. FAUNA VALUES ■ Reinforcing connectivity between remaining There are extensive areas of woodland vegetation in fragments and other native vegetation, across rural very good condition. Areas in less good condition land, the former travelling stock reserve and occur generally on the lower slopes to the east and through pine plantations. south. This complex contains populations of Button ■ Protection of the Snow Gum woodland remnant. Wrinklewort in Red Hill and Stirling Ridge and habitat for the Brown Treecreeper, White-winged Triller, Varied 5.6 Sittella, Painted Honeyeater and two declining woodland bird species. Populations of the Pink-tailed Callum Brae–Jerrabomberra Worm Lizard have been found at Mt Mugga Mugga, Valley Complex Farrer Ridge and at Woden Property.

(Refer to Figures 5.3 a & b) There are several relictual stands of Snow Gum and Candlebark trees in the southern and eastern edges of (Units which make up this complex (Red Hill, Mugga the complex. Lane West, Mugga Lane East, Wanniassa Hills, Farrer Ridge) are discussed below under 5.6.1Ð5.6.5.) PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES ■ Total area of woodland (All figures ha) Resolution of the future status of land in the 2325 Callum BraeÐJerrabomberra Valley complex is Total YBRG community in complex urgently needed if conservation options are to be 1040 retained. Lowland woodland (partially modified) ■ Conservation management of the Callum Brae YBRG 294 woodlands east of the existing and former quarries Other 111 that contain substantial areas of Yellow BoxÐRed Lowland woodland (moderately modified) Gum woodland in good condition and provide YBRG 755 extensive habitat for woodland birds. Other 394 ■ Maintaining north-south ecological connectivity Secondary grassland (moderately modified) YBRG 65 from Red Hill to Fadden Hills (and from there, west Other 63 to Mount Taylor) and between the woodland and Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) natural grassland communities along the eastern 711 boundary are high priorities. ■ Extending the Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve to include Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodlands on the DESCRIPTION lower slopes of Isaacs Ridge, along Mugga Lane would protect lower altitude Yellow BoxÐRed Gum The Callum BraeÐJerrabomberra Valley complex (2325 woodland, strengthen north-south connectivity and ha) is one of the largest areas of contiguous woodland reduce possible impacts from any future in the ACT region. It includes about 1040 ha of Yellow developments located on the western side of BoxÐRed Gum woodland merging into natural Mugga Lane. grassland in the valley floor to the east and dry ■ sclerophyll forest on hilltops to the west. Highly Maintaining and, in some places, creating habitat modified areas of woodland, quarried hillsides and the links between the Callum BraeÐJerrabomberra Mugga landfill form major discontinuities in the central Valley complex: north to Majura Valley East (via area. Only roads and some more sparsely treed rural the natural grasslands of the Jerrabomberra Valley and across the Molonglo River to the New Line land break woodland connectivity from Red Hill to Quarry and land east of Canberra International Wanniassa and Fadden Hills. Stirling Park in Airport), and south via the ACT/NSW border to the Yarralumla would originally have been connected to Rob Roy Range will make a significant contribution Red Hill.

65 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

to regional conservation by linking major remaining PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES woodland fragments. ■ Maintenance and enhancement of the ecological condition of the Red Hill Nature Reserve. 5.6.1 Red Hill Unit ■ Management of weeds from adjacent residential Total area of woodland (All figures ha) and golf course leases. 346 ■ Protection of threatened species habitat. Total YBRG community ■ 261 Connectivity across Hindmarsh Drive to Mt Mugga Lowland woodland (partially modified) Mugga. YBRG 46 ■ National Capital uses that may impact on Lowland woodland (moderately modified) woodland conservation values of Stirling Park. YBRG 212 ■ Control of woody weeds and protection of Button Other 25 Wrinklewort (endangered species) at Stirling Park Secondary grassland (moderately modified) and Red Hill. YBRG 3 Other 21 5.6.2 Mugga Lane West Unit Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) 39 Total area of woodland (All figures ha) 577 Total YBRG community UNIT DESCRIPTION 292

This unit (346 ha) comprises the Red Hill ridgeline and Lowland woodland (partially modified) YBRG 98 its upper slopes. It is surrounded by urban Other 34 development and separated from Mugga Lane west by Lowland woodland (moderately modified) a major arterial road. Much of the Yellow BoxÐRed YBRG 185 Gum woodland has been moderately modified (212 Other 160 ha) but some parts in the north and west remain Secondary grassland (moderately modified) partially modified (46 ha) or have been substantially YBRG 9 modified (39 ha). Secondary grassland occurs along Other 39 the ridge tops at the southern end. Stirling Park Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) contains 46 ha of moderately modified woodland 52 between Lake Burley Griffin and the suburb of Yarralumla, broken internally by Alexandrina Drive, State Circle and some areas of exotic vegetation. The UNIT DESCRIPTION unit is largely isolated from other areas of woodland This unit (577 ha) comprises the Isaacs Ridge and Mt and other native vegetation by urban development and Mugga hilltop and their east-facing slopes and is Lake Burley Griffin. bounded by a pine plantation (west), Mugga Lane BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND (east), Hindmarsh Drive (north) and Long Gully Road FAUNA VALUES (south). The unit is predominantly moderately modified lowland woodland (345 ha) with some areas of Much of the vegetation in the unit is woodland and partially modified woodland, two patches (52 ha) of open forest in good condition. Areas of vegetation in highly modified woodland and several areas of lower condition occur in the secondary grassland to secondary grassland. Almost half of the unit contains the south and adjacent to urban developments and Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland, mostly on the lower road infrastructure to the north. Over 5000 Button slopes, grading upslope into other woodland types. Wrinklewort plants occur in several populations and as individuals in Red Hill Nature Reserve. Stirling Park BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND contains more than 70 000 Button Wrinklewort plants, FAUNA VALUES one of the largest remaining populations of the Much of the vegetation in this unit is in very good species. condition. Areas in poorer condition are adjacent to The unit contains habitat for the Varied Sittella and one more intensively used areas (the former quarry, parts declining woodland bird species. of O’Malley and on the corner of Mugga Lane and

66 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

Hindmarsh Drive). The unit contains habitat for the BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND Varied Sittella, Painted Honeyeater (Mugga Lane FAUNA VALUES woodland) and one declining woodland bird species. A About one third of the woodland in this unit is in very record of the Perunga Grasshopper comes from the good condition. Much of the area is in moderate hilltop at O’Malley. The Pink-tailed Worm Lizard has condition, characterised by retention of tree cover and been recorded from Mt Mugga Mugga. loss of the native component in the groundlayer. There PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES are several relictual stands of Snow Gum and ■ Maintenance of ecological connectivity between Candlebark trees remaining in the unit. Red Hill and Wanniassa units of Canberra Nature The lower slopes of the unit tend to be in poorer Park. vegetation condition than the upper slopes, but there ■ Potential to adjust Public Land (Nature are notable exceptions on the ‘Callum Brae’ property Conservation) boundaries along Mugga Lane to to the north and small areas in ‘Woden’ property to the secure Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodlands on lower south. The northern third of the unit contains high slopes. quality habitat for threatened and declining species ■ Opportunities to restore habitat values in with records of Brown Treecreeper, White-winged Triller, Varied Sittella, Painted Honeyeater (‘Woden’) woodlands modified by past land uses. and two declining woodland bird species. The Pink- 5.6.3 Mugga Lane East Unit tailed Worm Lizard has been recorded from the south- eastern part of the unit, on ‘Woden’ property. Total area of woodland (All figures ha) 872 PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES Total YBRG community ■ Potential to conserve a large area of the Callum 395 Brae woodland containing Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Lowland woodland (partially modified) and other woodland habitat for threatened and YBRG 116 declining woodland birds. Other 14 ■ Maintaining ecological connectivity between Lowland woodland (moderately modified) YBRG 231 woodland and native grassland (‘Woden’ property). Other 102 ■ Rehabilitation of stabilized landfill areas. Secondary grassland (moderately modified) ■ Maintenance of tree cover to assist connectivity YBRG 48 Other 1 across future development areas. Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) 360 5.6.4 Wanniassa Hills Unit Total area of woodland (All figures ha) 369 UNIT DESCRIPTION Total YBRG community 113 The unit (872 ha) is on the lower eastern facing slopes Lowland woodland (partially modified) of Mt Mugga separated from Mugga Lane West YBRG 4 woodland by a minor road and from Wanniassa Hills Other 22 by the Mugga Lane landfill and sparsely treed, highly Lowland woodland (moderately modified) modified woodland. The northern and southern thirds YBRG 109 of this unit, comprising mostly moderately modified Other 85 woodland and some partially modified woodland are Secondary grassland (moderately modified) separated by substantially and severely modified YBRG 0 woodland containing predominantly exotic understorey Other 0 and isolated trees. The unit contains 395 ha of Yellow Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) BoxÐRed Gum woodland and is one of the larger 149 contiguous areas left in the ACT. Along the unit’s eastern edge, the woodland merges into natural temperate grassland and exotic grass pasture in the Jerrabomberra Valley. The unit contains an active quarry and the Mugga landfill.

67 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

UNIT DESCRIPTION suburbs to the north and south, and Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserve to the east, separated by an arterial The Wanniassa Hills unit (369 ha) comprises the road. Approximately 40 percent (71 ha) is partially southern facing slopes of Mt Wanniassa separated modified woodland. Areas to the south and patches to from the Mugga Lane west woodland by a road and the north are highly modified, especially along the from Farrer Ridge by an arterial road. The unit is border of Sulwood Drive. One third of the Farrer Ridge adjacent to residential development to the south. One unit is Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland. third of the unit (113 ha) contains Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland most of which is part of the Rose BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND Cottage Horse Paddocks. The unit contains mostly FAUNA VALUES moderately modified woodland with some partially Much of the vegetation in this unit is in good to very modified woodland along the southern edge. In the good condition. The edges of Fadden Hills, particularly eastern part of the horse paddocks Yellow BoxÐRed where roads abut, tend to be in poorer condition. Gum woodland merges into highly modified woodland Much of the unit contains ground flora moderately with scattered trees. sensitive to disturbance. The unit contains habitat for BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND the Varied Sittella and one declining woodland bird FAUNA VALUES species. The Pink-tailed Worm Lizard has been recorded in the unit. Most of Wanniassa Hills contains vegetation in good to very good condition, particularly on the upper slopes. PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES The lower slopes are more disturbed. Much of the unit ■ Recovery of fire affected areas (from January 2003 contains ground flora moderately sensitive to fires), and maintenance and enhancement of disturbance and is good quality fauna habitat. woodland habitat in the Farrer Ridge Nature PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES Reserve, and connectivity to Mt Taylor and ■ Maintenance and enhancement of habitats in the Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserves. Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserve. ■ Restoration of degraded parts could enhance ■ Management of horse holding paddocks in a habitat for woodland flora and fauna. manner that maintains or improves condition of Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland contained within 5.7 them. Tuggeranong–Naas Complex 5.6.5 Farrer Ridge Unit (Refer to Figures 5.4 a & b) Total area of woodland (All figures ha) (Units which make up this complex 174 (TidbinbillaÐBooroomba, Rob Roy Range, Naas) are Total YBRG community discussed below under 5.7.1Ð5.7.3.) 53 Lowland woodland (partially modified) Total area of woodland (All figures ha) YBRG 30 18 800 Other 41 Total YBRG community in complex Lowland woodland (moderately modified) 5405 YBRG 18 Lowland woodland (partially modified) Other 22 YBRG 2213 Secondary grassland (moderately modified) Other 4224 YBRG 5 Lowland woodland (moderately modified) Other 5 YBRG 3220 Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) Other 2357 56 Secondary grassland (moderately modified) YBRG 154 Other 1563 UNIT DESCRIPTION Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) 5010 The unit (174 ha) comprises the southeast facing upper slopes of Farrer Ridge and is bounded by

68 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

DESCRIPTION ■ Maintaining and/or enhancing woodland condition where protected in the Murrumbidgee River The TuggeranongÐNaas complex (18 800 ha) is corridor, in Namadgi National Park and the Rob another of the few remaining large areas of contiguous woodland in the ACT region. It contains 5405 ha of Roy and Tuggeranong Hill Nature Reserves. Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland that merges into ■ Recovery of fire affected areas (from January 2003 highly modified woodland along the Murrumbidgee fires), and maintenance of the remaining Yellow River (at LanyonÐLambrigg) and into dry sclerophyll BoxÐRed Gum woodland within a matrix of other forest in Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature lowland woodland types, including restoration Reserve to the south and west. Yellow BoxÐRed Gum management on rural leases, strengthening woodland occurs in a relatively narrow band (600Ð900 ecological connectivity between woodland m) between the valley floors and the steeper slopes remnants and restoring where possible tree cover covered with dry woodland (to about 1100 m) or forest. in secondary grassland communities. Ecological connectivity across this complex is ■ Ensuring that any development in the area takes generally good and only broken by rural roads, the into account its potential impact on woodland village of Tharwa and small areas of farmland from vegetation, flora and fauna conservation, and which trees have been cleared. Large parts of the maintenance of ecological connectivity across the woodlands in this complex were burnt in the January rural landscape. 2003 bushfire, although Castle Hill and some surrounding woodlands escaped major impact. 5.7.1 Tidbinbilla–Booroomba Unit The TuggeranongÐNaas complex is considered to be a Total area of woodland (All figures ha) ‘Variegated’ landscape (after McIvor and McIntyre et 6432 al. 2002). Total YBRG community BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND 1806 FAUNA VALUES Lowland woodland (partially modified) YBRG 843 This complex contains extensive areas of woodland Other 1338 and secondary grassland (approximately 13 000 ha) Lowland woodland (moderately modified) that are partially modified or modified to the extent that YBRG 812 there is still 50% or more native cover in the Other 851 understorey. Areas that are highly modified tend to be Secondary grassland (moderately modified) YBRG 151 on the lower slopes. These parts have an exotic Other 999 understorey but contain scattered or isolated trees, Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) providing continuous connectivity of tree cover for 1438 some fauna. The complex contains habitat for many threatened and declining bird species including, Hooded Robin, Brown Treecreeper, White-winged UNIT DESCRIPTION Triller, Varied Sittella, Regent Honeyeater and four The unit (6428 ha) encompasses land in several declining woodland bird species. The Pink-tailed Worm valleys west of the Murrumbidgee River, including Lizard is found along the Murrumbidgee River and on Sawyers Gully, Blue Gum Creek to Namadgi National Tuggeranong Hill. Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper has Park, Paddy’s River to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and been recorded from near Castle Hill and in easements Tanners Flat Creek. Woodland is generally found from for the Monaro Highway and railway. altitudes of 550 m to over 1200 m. Yellow BoxÐRed There are extensive areas of Snow Gum grassy Gum grassy woodland (1769 ha) occurs within the woodland dominated by Snow Gum, Candlebark and 575 m to 900 m range, generally merging into other Black Sallee remaining at higher elevations woodland, mostly dominated by Broad-leafed (700-1250 m) in the Naas and Tidbinbilla Valleys. Peppermint, Mealy Bundy and Scribbly Gum or into PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES forest at the higher altitudes and on steeper slopes. Castle Hill and surrounding woodland is a prominent ■ Providing support to landholders to manage feature and significant area of Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodlands under rural lease according to best woodland. Woodland patches are separated by practice management. cleared areas that retain secondary grassland

69 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY characteristics, or by exotic pastures with some 5.7.2 Rob Roy Range Unit remnant trees. Total area of woodland (All figures ha) BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND 4094 FAUNA VALUES Total YBRG community 1012 Almost one third of the unit (2181 ha) is partially Lowland woodland (partially modified) modified woodland. Areas of highly modified woodland YBRG 44 can be found along the lower slopes and open plains Other 67 towards the Murrumbidgee River. Secondary Lowland woodland (moderately modified) grassland patches retain the native groundlayer YBRG 968 species (more than 50% total cover). Several Other 511 populations of the nationally vulnerable plant species, Secondary grassland (moderately modified) Austral Toadflax, occur within woodland in Tidbinbilla YBRG 0 Other 0 Nature Reserve. Several areas of higher altitude Snow Gum woodland occur within the land unit, including Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) 2504 remnant stands of trees within Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

The Castle Hill area has extensive areas of partially UNIT DESCRIPTION modified woodland, much of which is Yellow BoxÐRed This unit (4094 ha) is bounded by suburban Gum and contains high quality habitat for many Tuggeranong to the north, the Murrumbidgee River to threatened and declining bird species (Hooded Robin, the west and the ACT/NSW border to the east. It Brown Treecreeper, White-winged Triller, Varied Sittella includes the Tuggeranong Hill, Rob Roy and Gigerline and Regent Honeyeater). Four other species of Nature Reserves and connects with similar woodland declining woodland birds have been recorded at communities in the Royalla area (NSW). Rob Roy various locations within this unit. The uncommon Key’s Range, mainly covered with forest vegetation, runs Matchstick Grasshopper has been recorded in Yellow north to south but is surrounded by slopes on which BoxÐRed Gum habitat near Castle Hill. Parts of this Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland frequently occurs. woodland complex in rural, plantation and nature Woodland vegetation on Tuggeranong Hill is well reserve areas were subject to bushfires in January connected to forest and woodland on the lower slopes 2003, although Castle Hill and surrounds were less of Mt Rob Roy. severely affected and will provide a source of recolonising species for woodlands as they recover. Very little of the unit now contains woodland that is partially modified (111 ha). Woodland with a modified PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES understorey is patchy, surrounded by highly modified ■ Maintaining the intact landscape mosaic of partially woodland that retains trees but with few native species modified woodland on and around the Castle Hill in the groundlayer. One quarter of the woodland area and retention of treed connectivity from north remaining in this unit is Yellow BoxÐRed Gum (1012 to south, and to the Rob Roy Range to the east. ha), much of which is moderately modified following a ■ Maintaining and enhancing woodland habitat long history of rural use. Only a relatively small part of conditions on Castle Hill for threatened and the complex was affected by the 2003 bushfires. declining birds. BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND ■ Recovery of fire affected areas (from January 2003 FAUNA VALUES fires), and maintenance of the remaining Yellow Less than one third of the woodland in this unit has BoxÐRed Gum woodland within a matrix of other retained its former native understorey vegetation, lowland woodland types, including restoration although there is an almost continuous coverage of management on rural leases, strengthening trees throughout. Nevertheless the unit contains ecological connectivity between woodland habitat for threatened and declining bird species. remnants and restoring where possible tree cover Hooded Robins and Varied Sittellas have been in secondary grassland communities. recorded in the higher quality woodland areas to the north and south, and Hooded Robins have been recorded in the central area close to the

70 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

Murrumbidgee River. Brown Treecreepers have been 625 m and 1100 m. Many of the mid and lower slopes recorded mostly from areas close to the Murrumbidgee are very steep. River. One declining woodland bird species has been Most of the woodland now remaining in this unit is recorded in this unit, and two others have been partially modified or moderately modified woodland. recorded from adjacent areas in NSW and ACT Highly modified woodland occurs in the lower areas of (mainly from areas close to the Murrumbidgee River). the valley floor, mostly within the Naas River valley. The uncommon Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper has One third of the woodland in this unit (2316 ha) is been recorded in suitable habitat on easements for the Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland. Lower elevation Monaro Highway and railway. The Pink-tailed Legless woodland in this complex was subject to moderate to Lizard has been recorded from the lower slopes of high fire severity in the 2003 bushfires. Tuggeranong Hill and several locations along the Murrumbidgee River. BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND FAUNA VALUES There is a remnant of higher elevation Snow Gum grassy woodland in the unit. Much of unit contains woodland with more than 50% native species cover in the groundlayer (over 5 000 PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES ha). Areas dominated by exotic species in the ■ Maintenance of the woodland and forested groundlayer tend to occur in the Naas Valley. The unit connectivity between Mt Tuggeranong, Mt Rob Roy contains habitat for several threatened and declining and Gigerline. bird species, with records of Hooded Robin, Brown ■ Maintenance of the remaining Yellow BoxÐRed Treecreeper and White-winged Triller mainly from Gum woodland within a matrix of other lowland areas close to the Murrumbidgee River. Varied woodland types, including restoration management Sittellas have been recorded in forest to the south on rural leases, strengthening ecological west of the unit. Three declining woodland bird connectivity between woodland remnants and species have been recorded from various locations restoring where appropriate tree cover in highly within the unit. The Pink-tailed Worm Lizard has been modified woodland vegetation. recorded in the north of this unit along the Murrumbidgee River.

5.7.3 Naas Unit There are extensive areas of higher elevation Snow Total area of woodland (All figures ha) Gum woodland within the Naas Valley. 7306 PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES Total YBRG community ■ 2769 Resolution of land tenure arrangements south of Lowland woodland (partially modified) the Namadgi Visitor Centre and around the site of YBRG 1326 a possible future water supply dam. Other 2819 ■ Recovery of fire affected areas (from January 2003 Lowland woodland (moderately modified) bushfires), and maintenance of the remaining YBRG 1440 Other 995 Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland within a matrix of other lowland woodland types—including Secondary grassland (moderately modified) YBRG 3 restoration management on rural leases, Other 564 strengthening ecological connectivity between Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) woodland remnants, and restoring where possible, 1068 tree cover in secondary grassland communities.

UNIT DESCRIPTION

The unit (7306 ha) includes the north facing, mid and lower slopes of Mt Tennant and Billy Range and the valley floor of the Naas River. It is bounded by the higher forested margins of Namadgi National Park to the west and south and by the Murrumbidgee River to the northeast. Woodland occurs between altitudes of

71 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

5.8 O’Connor Ridge and patches of woodland that occur in the Mt Stromlo area. The unit contains habitat for North Murrumbidgee–Lower several threatened and declining bird species, with Molonglo Complex records of Hooded Robin, Brown Treecreeper, White- winged Triller, Varied Sittella, Painted Honeyeater, (Refer to Figures 5.5 a & b) Superb Parrot and three declining woodland bird (Units which make up this complex (Bulgar Creek, species. The Pink-tailed Worm Lizard has been Uriarra, West Belconnen) are discussed below under recorded along the Murrumbidgee and Molonglo River 5.8.1Ð5.8.3.) corridors and Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper has been recorded from the Murrumbidgee River corridor and Total area of woodland (All figures ha) 6488 close to Hall. A few specimens of the Small Purple Pea (Swainsona recta) have been located in woodland Total YBRG community in complex 912 near Caswell Drive. Lowland woodland (partially modified) The complex contains one of the few remaining YBRG 121 partially modified Snow Gum woodland areas that Other 283 forms an ecotone between Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Lowland woodland (moderately modified) woodland and natural grassland (Aranda Bushland, YBRG 655 Other 700 0.5 ha) as well as a relictual stand of trees to the east of Caswell Drive. Secondary grassland (moderately modified) YBRG 136 PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES Other 57 ■ Maintenance and enhancement of woodlands Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) 4536 along the Murrumbidgee River and nearby rural lands used by honeyeaters during their late summer migration. DESCRIPTION ■ Recovery of fire affected areas (from January 2003 bushfires) and maintenance of the remaining The North MurrumbidgeeÐLower Molonglo complex (6545 ha) covers rural land to the west of Belconnen, Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland within a matrix of Woden and Weston Creek and includes several quite other lowland woodland types, especially Snow large patches of Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland Gum woodland; including restoration management totalling 940 ha. Two-thirds of the woodland in this on rural leases, strengthening ecological complex is now highly modified with scattered trees to connectivity between woodland remnants, and open woodland over mainly exotic pasture. This restoring where possible, tree cover in secondary complex is connected southwards to woodland in the grassland communities. Tuggeranong Ð Naas area and northwards along the Murrumbidgee valley into NSW. Urban developments 5.8.1 Bulgar Creek Unit to the north and east and pine forests to the west Total area of woodland (All figures ha) separate this complex from other areas of woodland 3997 and forest in the ACT. Total YBRG community 361 Large areas of this woodland complex in both rural, plantation and Canberra Nature Park areas were Lowland woodland (partially modified) YBRG 49 subject to bushfires in January 2003. Other 176 The North MurrumbidgeeÐLower Molonglo complex is Lowland woodland (moderately modified) considered to be a ‘Relictual’ landscape (after McIvor YBRG 311 Other 275 and McIntyre et al. 2002). Secondary grassland (moderately modified) BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND FAUNA YBRG 1 VALUES Other 57 Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) There are few areas of vegetation in very good 3128 condition. Of note are woodlands in Aranda Bushland and Black Mountain, along the western edge of

72 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

UNIT DESCRIPTION 5.8.2 Uriarra Unit

The unit (3997 ha) includes mostly rural land in the Total area of woodland (All figures ha) Bulgar Creek catchment and south of the lower 904 Molonglo River, and two Canberra Nature Park units: Total YBRG community Mt Taylor and Coolamon Ridge. Very little of the unit 15 contains partially modified or moderately modified Lowland woodland (partially modified) woodland, and only 361 ha (9%) of the woodland in YBRG 0 Other 0 the unit is Yellow BoxÐRed Gum, including three relatively large patches. More than 75% of the Lowland woodland (moderately modified) YBRG 15 woodland is highly modified, containing scattered trees Other 348 over exotic pasture. Much of the latter would have Secondary grassland (moderately modified) comprised Yellow BoxÐRed Gum prior to modification. YBRG 0 Other 0 BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND FAUNA VALUES Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) 541 Few areas in good condition remain in the unit. The exceptions are small remnants of woodland within Stromlo Forest, some of which are floristically diverse UNIT DESCRIPTION and partially modified. Areas subject to greater The unit (904 ha) is on the lower slopes of the Blue modification tend to be where introduced pastures Range, west of the Murrumbidgee River near the have been established. A population of the confluence with the Molonglo River and adjacent to endangered Small Purple Pea occurs on Mt Taylor. A similar low lying areas in NSW. It is bounded by pine population of the nationally vulnerable plant species, plantations (burnt in the 2003 fires) to the west, and Austral Toadflax occurs in woodland above Kambah the Murrumbidgee River to the east. Very little (15 ha) Pool. of Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland remains in this The remaining woodlands retain habitat for several area. More than half of the woodland is highly threatened and declining bird species, with records of modified, particularly in the southern parts of the unit. Hooded Robin (southwest of Mt Stromlo), Brown BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND Treecreeper (patches between Murrumbidgee River FAUNA VALUES and Cotter Road, and Mt Stromlo), White-winged Triller (near Uriarra), Varied Sittella (various locations), Much of the unit has been highly modified for pastoral Painted Honeyeater (Mt Taylor and historical records use. However, remaining woodlands retain habitat for from along the Murrumbidgee and Molonglo Rivers) several threatened and declining bird species. Brown and two declining woodland bird species (various Treecreepers have been recorded from the locations). The Pink-tailed Legless Lizard has been Murrumbidgee River Corridor, Varied Sittella from the recorded from various locations, particularly along the north of the unit, and one declining woodland bird Murrumbidgee and Molonglo Rivers. Key’s Matchstick species has been recorded from various locations Grasshopper has been recorded from the within this unit. The Pink-tailed Worm Lizard has been Murrumbidgee River corridor in the south of this unit. recorded from various locations, particularly along the Murrumbidgee River. PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES ■ Recovery of areas burnt in January 2003 fires and PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES maintenance of remaining Yellow BoxÐRed Gum ■ Connectivity with woodlands in adjacent land units. woodland within a matrix of other lowland woodland types, including restoration management on rural leases. ■ Strengthening ecological connectivity between woodland remnants and to the Murrumbidgee River corridor. ■ Restoring tree cover in secondary grassland communities on Coolamon Ridge. ■ Possible consideration as future urban land.

73 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

5.8.3 Belconnen Unit Treecreeper, White-winged Triller, Varied Sittella (all from the area Black Mountain to the Pinnacle) Superb Total area of woodland (All figures ha) 1587 Parrot (west of Higgins, Dunlop area and close to Hall), and two species of declining woodland birds Total YBRG community 536 (various locations). The Pink-tailed Worm Lizard has been recorded from the lower Molonglo River corridor. Lowland woodland (partially modified) YBRG 72 Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper has been recorded Other 107 from woodlands close to Hall in the north of this unit.

Lowland woodland (moderately modified) PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ISSUES YBRG 329 Other 77 ■ North to south link as honeyeater migration route Secondary grassland (moderately modified) particularly tree connectivity between the Molonglo YBRG 135 River through Glenloch Interchange to the western Other 0 slopes of Black Mountain and O’Connor Ridge. Lowland woodland vegetation (substantially & severely modified) ■ Recovery of fire affected areas, and maintenance 867 of remaining Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland within a matrix of other lowland woodland types, DESCRIPTION including restoration management on rural leases. ■ Strengthening ecological connectivity between The unit (1753 ha) is on the southwest facing lower woodland remnants and to the Molonglo River and mid slopes of Black Mountain, Mt Painter and the corridor. Pinnacle and is bounded by suburbs to the north and ■ the lower Molonglo River to the south. The woodlands Maintenance of the Snow Gum woodland in merge into natural grassland near Aranda Bushland Aranda Bushland and the remnant trees east of and the Glenloch Interchange. Of the woodland in the Caswell Drive. unit, over 500 ha is Yellow BoxÐRed Gum woodland, ■ Protection of Small Purple Pea near Caswell Drive. of which only 72 ha is partially modified. Secondary ■ Restoring tree cover in secondary grassland grassland derived from Yellow BoxÐRed Gum also communities on Mt Painter. occurs in the unit. Areas that are highly modified occur ■ Possible consideration as future urban land. mainly on the lower slopes of the Belconnen Hills where there has been a greater degree of modification due to introduction of exotic pasture. 5.9 BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE, HABITAT AND Woodland Management for FAUNA VALUES Conservation The woodland that is in better condition tends to be the mid slopes of hill units of Canberra Nature Park. 5.9.1 Conservation Management of However, areas in better condition occur on rural land Lowland Woodlands in the ACT also, particularly on Kama, where it merges with open About two-thirds of the lowland woodlands remaining woodland and secondary grassland, connecting the in the ACT are located on land that is subject to Belconnen Hills with the Molonglo River corridor. There Territory Plan land use policies that would prevent are significant areas that have retained ground flora clearance for urban or similar activities (Hills, Ridges moderately sensitive to disturbance, both within the and Buffers, River Corridors, Mountain and Bushlands reserves and on rural land. and Urban Open Space). This land includes There is a remnant Snow Gum woodland (0.5 ha) that 4930 hectares that are contained in nature reserves. forms an ecotone between Yellow BoxÐRed Gum Additionally, Broadacre and Rural land use policies woodland and natural grassland on the edge of Aranda apply to another 30% of remaining woodland, leaving Bushland and a stand of remnant trees east of about 6% that is subject to urban and related land use Caswell Drive on the southwest edge of Black policies. Mountain. Several specimens of the Small Purple Pea If the conservation values of the ACT’s remaining have been located near Caswell Drive. lowland woodlands are to be retained or enhanced, The unit contains habitat for several threatened and there will be an ongoing requirement for informed declining bird species, with records of Brown management, whether this is in association with other

74 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY activities or where nature conservation is the primary during periods when animals are susceptible to the purpose (nature reserves). Existing management lack of shelter and/or food. In some sites and in some activities include grazing for economic return on the years there may be no need to remove biomass to land, or in some (mostly urban) areas for fuel retain conservation values in grassy ecosystems. reduction; weed and pest control; fencing to improve In areas subject to grazing, appropriate rates of grazing management; planting of indigenous trees and stocking, and low levels of cropping and fertiliser use other species to enhance woodland habitat; fire hazard contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity. Burning fuel reduction (burning and removal of woody at different times of the year, at different frequencies material); provision and maintenance of recreational and with different fuel loads can be used to manipulate facilities. Many of these activities support the species composition (McIvor 2002). Some of these conservation of woodlands and the species dependent management practices are already being used by upon woodland habitats. Managers of woodlands will public and private land managers, contributing to the need to continue such activities on their land, link with quality and quantity of remaining woodland in the ACT. others to achieve broader objectives and introduce new ideas as these are shown to be capable of Adaptive management allows for testing of improving conservation outcomes. management practices in situ to determine if they are achieving the desired outcomes, and adapting them if The following section outlines important aspects of the required. A flexible approach to applying management conservation management of lowland woodlands, with is therefore required (McIvor and McIntyre 2002). This particular emphasis to management principles and form of management is also referred to as protection and management of woodlands on rural experimental management. leases in the ACT. A list of management issues follows each of the items discussed. These relate to the While the understanding of how to use a range of objectives and actions for the Strategy in Table 6.1. management practices for conservation outcomes is developing, the challenge of learning how to improve 5.9.2 Best Practice Management and the use of management tools remains. The following Adaptive Management guiding principles for the conservation of grassy woodlands have been identified in McIvor and Whatever type of formal or informal protection is McIntyre (2002) with particular application to provided for individual woodland areas, the key factor woodlands in rural production landscapes: for their successful long-term conservation is the ■ application of management practices that will maintain, vary the management of native pastures to provide and preferably enhance, biodiversity values. for a variety of species; Management that is regarded by experts in a particular ■ favour natural regeneration of existing trees over field to be of the highest standards at the time is planting and re-creating habitat; termed ‘best practice management’. In the context of ■ retain trees of different ages within stands to retain biodiversity conservation, best practice management is the long-term viability of tree populations; that which best promotes biodiversity and healthy ■ retain critical habitat elements such as mature ecosystem function. It is underpinned by research and trees, understorey vegetation and standing dead monitoring that assist in providing up to date and fallen timber for animals; information about the biodiversity effects of different ■ management practices. protect conservation areas from heavy or continuous grazing; An example of a management technique that is ■ manage exotic plants and fire; considered by many as being ‘best practice’ in grassy ■ connect conservation areas to others in the ecosystems is the manipulation of vegetation biomass in order to maintain or enhance the biodiversity at a landscape; site. It involves the removal of excess vegetative ■ maintain vegetation along watercourses; and material in the understorey by grazing, burning or ■ limit the amount of bare ground. While McIvor and slashing to create spaces for native plants to McIntyre (2002) suggest exposure of no more than reproduce, whilst retaining the optimum habitat 30% of the ground surface in grassy woodland structure for native animals. It requires limiting pastures, a limit of 20% is recommended for the defoliation of native plants during the flowering, seed Southern Tablelands, and the maintenance of full production and seedling establishment phases, and cover in areas with more erodible soils.

75 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

As a threshold, McIvor and McIntyre (2002) ■ Restoration means returning existing habitats to a recommend that there should be a minimum of 30% known past state or to an approximation of the woodland or forest cover on rural properties. natural condition by repairing degradation, by removing introduced species or by reinstatement. MANAGEMENT ISSUES FOR THE ACT Vegetation restoration may require weed control, direct (Refer to Actions in Table 6.1) seeding or planting with species known to have grown ■ An ongoing monitoring program for lowland in the area. Habitat restoration involves artificially re- woodlands in the ACT is essential to improve creating habitat such as replacing logs or rocks for understanding of the dynamics of local woodland fauna or planting of species to provide for specific ecosystems. animal habitat requirements. ■ Encouragement for landholders to adopt an ■ Reinstatement means to introduce to a place one adaptive management approach. or more species or elements of habitat or ■ The value of research in assessing the geodiversity that are known to have existed there effectiveness of conservation management naturally at a previous time, but that can no longer practices (see, for example, Prober et al. 2002a, be found at that place. 2002b; Spooner et al. 2002). Restoration and reinstatement are generally costly and time consuming, and should only be used if natural 5.9.3 Rehabilitation, Regeneration regeneration is not possible, or will not achieve the and Restoration of Grassy Woodlands desired results. Natural regeneration is comparatively Rehabilitation of woodland fragments to improve cheap, often requiring only the temporary removal of habitat qualities, to enhance ecological connectivity or grazing. This is also necessary for plantings (McIntyre increase the size of remnants, particularly in rural 2002). Many restoration projects fail if follow-up areas is an important management priority for this maintenance is not undertaken to control weeds, Strategy. Linking woodlands with other natural grazing, and competition from other species such as ecological communities such as native grasslands, grasses or to provide adequate moisture until the wetland areas and forests increases the overall plants are established. Tree, shrub or groundlayer conservation value of areas by supporting habitat planting may be required if natural regeneration is heterogeneity in the landscape. unsuccessful or areas do not contain adequate seed or conditions for regeneration to occur. Rehabilitation may be undertaken in a variety of ways and with varying degrees of human intervention. Restoration needs to be consistent with the natural Definitions adopted for this Strategy are from the significance of the area (Australian Heritage Australian Natural Heritage Charter, 2nd Edit. Commission, 2002) including consideration of the (Australian Heritage Commission 2002). choice of species to be planted and the density of planting. In the ACT, knowing the source of plants or ■ Regeneration means the natural recovery of the provenance of seed used is important to ensure natural integrity following disturbance or that new plants have the best chance of surviving local degradation. climatic conditions, and to avoid contaminating the Changes to management practices may be required to genetic composition of local threatened species. Given enable particular species to regenerate. Domestic that replanting is expensive it should be prioritised to stock and other grazers such as kangaroos and ensure that the best ecological outcomes are rabbits will preferentially graze the most palatable achieved. species, resulting in the loss of some species, and Although some native plant species may remain in some areas becoming overgrazed (McIntyre 2002). substantially and severely modified woodlands (Table Fencing out parts of paddocks or spelling entire 2.3), restoration of the native understorey to resemble paddocks from grazing by domestic stock allows for the former ecological community would be a regeneration of the tree, understorey and groundlayer considerable task in terms of cost and human effort. species. Fencing larger areas into smaller paddocks The potential for restoration depends upon the size of and rotation of grazing can assist this. Domestic stock, the substantially and severely modified area, the particularly horses and sheep, also inhibit tree proximity of less disturbed areas, the extent of the regeneration, and control of their grazing pressure native component, use of the area (in particular, if the may be all that is required to enhance regeneration of area is grazed), and whether intensive, ongoing trees and some shrubs.

76 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY rehabilitation work can be maintained over the long ■ replacing inappropriate introduced species. term. In a strategic sense, limited resources would be Principles for undertaking regeneration and plant better directed to maintaining and restoring partially restoration activities (after McIntyre et al. 2002; Eddy and moderately modified areas (McIntyre and Hobbs 2002) are: 1999). This approach, of working outwards from the ■ areas in best condition, has been the basis for ensure that the reasons for undertaking the successful community based restoration work (e.g. the activities are clear, that the project is viable, and ‘Bradley method’ (Bradley 1988)). However, that the activities will achieve the desired community or neighbourhood groups often wish to outcomes; undertake work in their local areas and these may ■ consider managing to increase natural contain substantially modified woodland. Work regeneration before undertaking planting to undertaken by some Park Care groups in the ACT recreate habitat; shows that intensive efforts may result in significant ■ encourage natural regeneration by controlling improvements, especially when combined with control grazing and weeds, using fire, or preventing of grazing. This work involves removing exotic erosion or soil compaction; plantings, wildings and non-local native trees, ■ consider requirements for the regeneration of undertaking weed control, and reintroducing grassy groundlayer and understorey species, as well as woodland species. for tree regeneration; While these improvements to local bushland may not ■ where possible, collect seed for restoration necessarily equate to restoration of the grassy activities from local populations to maintain local woodland ecological community in a strict sense, they genetic provenances; can make a valuable contribution to grassy woodland ■ and woodland species conservation overall by avoid soil disturbance while planting trees where maintaining and improving habitat, improving native groundlayer is present; connectivity, protecting occurrences of rare or ■ if appropriate, plant trees within secondary threatened species, and controlling the spread of grasslands to restore the previous tree cover; invasive weeds. Research is currently underway in the ■ use restoration to provide buffer areas to core NSW South Western Slopes on recovery of degraded conservation areas, to increase size of remnants understoreys and there is considerable scope for and to enhance connectivity; and undertaking rehabilitation trials with the aim of ■ minimise opportunities for re-invasion by developing successful restoration methods for wider introduced species after rehabilitation. application. RESTORATION OF HABITAT FOR FAUNA Generalised purposes of rehabilitation of woodlands include: In many areas, particularly in urban Canberra, fallen ■ providing for, or increasing connectivity for animal timber is removed for safety, for firewood use or to movement where only scattered trees remain in a keep an area ‘tidy’. There have been studies showing correlation between the presence of woody debris and landscape; bird species richness and occurrence of some taxa ■ increasing the age diversity of tree species, (see sections 4.3.2 and 4.6.2). For example, especially where paddock trees are old or subject reintroduction of fallen timber in floodplain forests of to dieback; the Murray River increased the density of the ■ increasing the size of remnants to at least 10 ha to threatened Brown Treecreeper (Mac Nally et al. in increase habitat for birds and other animals, press). increase landscape heterogeneity and minimize Many woodland areas contain woody weeds that are the impact of edge effects from adjacent land uses; highly invasive (especially Cotoneaster, Pyracantha ■ restoring specific habitat elements for reptiles, and Hawthorn), but they provide valuable habitat for birds, small mammals and invertebrates especially many native animals, particularly birds. Control of for threatened species; these weeds is required to minimize their spread, but ■ mitigating against erosion in gullies or on steep replacement with suitable native shrubs will provide slopes and to control salinity; alternative and compensating natural habitat for the ■ rehabilitating weed infested areas in otherwise species that are displaced. good sites; and

77 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY

Activities that can be undertaken to enhance fauna western edges of Belconnen, Weston Creek and habitat in woodland include retaining woody debris and Tuggeranong. leaf litter, reintroducing logs and branches and The fire burnt through woodland in the North preventing overgrazing to retain tussock structure and MurrumbidgeeÐLower Molonglo, TuggeranongÐNaas, allow natural tree and shrub regeneration. New and Callum BraeÐJerrabomberra Valley complexes. In plantings to supplement natural regeneration of trees July 2003 Environment ACT completed an audit of the and shrubs and especially to replace introduced extent of the burns and the likely outcomes for both shrubs and trees will also enhance animal habitat. flora and fauna. Programs are being developed to MANAGEMENT ISSUES FOR THE ACT monitor the effects of the burns on the vegetation and wildlife (Carey et al. 2003). It is expected that the (Refer to Actions in Table 6.1) native woodland vegetation will recover relatively ■ Identifying priority sites (such as habitat for quickly from the fire and that there will be extensive threatened species) where modifying existing regeneration. However, the long-term impacts of the management will maximise regeneration fire on fauna are not clear, especially as few pockets opportunities. of unburnt vegetation remain west of the urban area. ■ Encouragement of natural regeneration and The Castle Hill area is a notable exception, with little restoration planting in the areas where woodland is of the Yellow Box Ð Red Gum grassy woodland burnt. fragmented or relictual (north Murrumbidgee, As birds have very diverse responses to fire (Martin southern Majura Valley to northern Jerrabomberra and Green 2002), the resultant recovery will be varied, Valley and Kowen). and for some species may take many years. ■ Development of guidelines for rehabilitation of MANAGEMENT ISSUES FOR THE ACT vegetation and habitat for use by government (Refer to Actions in Table 6.1) agencies, non-government organizations and ■ community groups. The 2003 bushfires have created opportunities to re-fence areas in ways that will assist future best ■ Establishment of seed banks as a seed source for practice management of remnant lowland local projects. woodlands. 5.9.4 The Use of Fire in Managing ■ An ongoing monitoring program will provide Lowland Woodland valuable information on the recovery of burnt woodlands. Burning is a form of biomass removal that can be used ■ Tree planting or other plantings may enhance to manipulate species composition and abundance. Fire can assist regeneration through stimulating seed recovery of some species after the fire. germination of some species and the creation of space ■ There are opportunities arising from the fires to that minimises competition by plants for resources, research the ecological response of species or especially moisture and light. Fire can also be used to groups of species to fire and thus provide remove accumulated rank material that builds up in managers with better information on the impact of ungrazed or other unmanaged areas. However, there frequency, seasonality and severity of fire on these may be a resultant loss of soil and a decrease in the species. infiltration of moisture following fire in heavily stocked and disturbed sites, and some alteration to arthropod 5.9.5 Stock Grazing as a composition (Martin and Green 2002). For these Management Tool reasons it is more appropriate to burn in a mosaic Grazing by stock for production purposes is pattern leaving unburnt areas that can be used as undertaken extensively in many woodlands located on refuges. rural leases in the ACT. In many of these and other IMPACTS OF THE JANUARY 2003 BUSHFIRES IN areas (mostly nature reserves) free-ranging mobs of WOODLANDS IN THE ACT kangaroos also graze, often in native or exotic grasslands, and use nearby woodlands for shelter. In January 2003 a wildfire from the west burnt 70% Plants differ in their response to defoliation and (164 914 ha) of the ACT, including Namadgi National animals selectively graze areas and both the species Park, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, pine plantations and and parts of plants they eat (McIvor 2002). This results rural lands (about 30 000 ha) up to and including the in differences in species composition reflecting the

78 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY intensity and frequency of specific grazing regimes. MANAGEMENT ISSUES FOR THE ACT Species can be regarded as ranging from being highly (Refer to Actions in Table 6.1) sensitive to disturbance through to tolerant to ■ The importance of providing up to date information disturbance (see Table 3.1 for examples of plants). and advice to land managers who graze stock in Species that are more sensitive to grazing are lowland woodlands. frequently not found in grazed areas (Prober and ■ The role of grazing as a tool in conservation Thiele 1995; Hamilton 2001), and even if a seed store management of lowland woodlands. remains, it is unlikely that species will return to those sites without changes to management. In addition, 5.9.6 Maintaining Integrity and Links stock compact soil along trails, in camps and near between Remnants: Connectivity and watering points (Martin and Green 2002). They may Buffers also spread weeds through their faeces or transport seed or plant material on their bodies. Therefore, Maintenance and enhancement of ecological grazing is not appropriate in sites that have not been connectivity across the landscape is an important previously grazed or not for a long time, as new management priority in this Strategy. Ecological grazing stock are likely to cause the loss of grazing connectivity—‘the degree to which the landscape sensitive species that still occur at those sites. facilitates or impedes movements among patches’ (Bennett 1999) is enhanced by linking woodland Nevertheless, many areas that have been grazed by fragments together and by linking woodlands with stock over a long period of time still retain habitat with other natural ecological communities such as native considerable conservation value. Studies have grasslands, wetland areas and forests. Ecological indicated that grazed land where natural integrity is connectivity increases the overall conservation value best retained is likely to have been grazed of areas by building habitat heterogeneity in the intermittently rather than continuously, and lightly landscape. Long-term viability of populations of many rather than heavily (McIvor 2002). Continuation of species in fragmented landscapes is dependant on the grazing may well be appropriate in other sites that extent to which individuals are able to move between have been subject to previous grazing, especially fragmented populations. Such movement is necessary where other methods of defoliation (fire or slashing) to maintain gene flow between populations, to facilitate are not feasible. If grazing is being undertaken immigration to (or re-colonisation of) populations that currently, and where the more sensitive species are are not self-sustaining and for dispersal of offspring or likely to have already been lost, it is probable that seeds. The impacts of fragmentation (loss of grazing will at least maintain the existing values, as connectivity) on fauna and the different forms of long as it is managed according to best practice connections between patches are discussed in detail principles. in section 4.3.1. Principles for conservation grazing (after McIvor and Buffers are areas that separate habitat from more McIntyre 2002; Eddy 2002) are: intensive land-uses, and hence provide natural areas ■ avoid introducing grazing into areas that have not with some protection (buffer) from ‘edge-effects’ such been grazed for a long time; as human disturbance, weed invasion and presence of ■ use the likely past history of grazing intensity and domestic animals such as cats and dogs. Buffers are frequency (for instance, by assessing the commonly used where protected areas (national parks abundance of disturbance sensitive species) to or nature reserves) adjoin populated areas. Buffer determine the most appropriate levels of grazing; areas can be incorporated into the boundary of the ■ undertake some form of planned rotational grazing protected area (for example, lower quality habitat) or be outside the protected area (e.g. rural land uses). to allow for regeneration of trees, shrubs and Woodland of lower vegetation condition or habitat groundlayer species; and quality can provide a buffer to woodland of higher ■ graze to maintain more than 80% ground cover in conservation value. Similarly, other ecosystems such pastures. as grasslands or forest can provide a buffer to woodlands (and vice versa). In many places in the ACT, open grazed areas provide a buffer for woodland and other natural ecosystems.

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Assessment of the overall conservation value of 5.9.7 Monitoring woodland patches should take into account the Monitoring is the repeated assessment of a particular contribution to landscape pattern (size, shape, feature at selected sites for an identified purpose. To connectivity, buffer), in addition to vegetation condition assess whether management activities for and habitat value for fauna. Vegetation condition and conservation purposes are achieving the desired habitat value are intrinsic attributes of a woodland results, it is important to undertake some form of patch and generally will change only with changes in monitoring to measure changes or to record the vegetation structure and composition. In contrast, the results of management activities. value of a patch for connectivity is related to overall landscape pattern and hence this value may increase The results of monitoring can show whether species, or decrease as changes (such as clearing or habitats and ecological communities are being restoration) occur elsewhere in the landscape. adequately conserved. The results of monitoring are used to help determine whether changes should be Principles adopted in the Strategy for maintaining made to management aims or activities. Monitoring habitat connectivity are: results can provide information that advances ■ linking large woodland patches in the ACT; collective knowledge about the impacts of particular ■ linking ACT woodland patches to the surrounding management activities on the ecological community or region; species that is the main focus. Management that is ■ linking woodlands to other ecological communities recommended today is based on such work in the (grassland, forest, riparian communities); past, and new information continually helps to inform ■ maintaining key east-west and north-south wildlife and improve recommended management actions (see s. 5.9.2). corridors; ■ maintaining riparian areas as corridors; MANAGEMENT ISSUES FOR THE ACT ■ linking by ‘stepping stone’ patches should be (Refer to Actions in Table 6.1) considered where corridors are impractical. Monitoring is a fundamental part of any management ■ woodland areas with lower conservation value, and program as it will: other ecosystems and rural areas can provide ■ Detect positive or negative short or long term buffers to high conservation value woodlands; and changes that require management intervention; ■ paddock trees and clumps of trees can provide a ■ Assist in tracking changes in distribution and valuable basis for building connectivity between abundance of populations of threatened species; fragments. ■ Identify changes in species composition in Connectivity can be considered at many scales, from threatened ecological communities; that necessary to facilitate movement of small animals ■ Identify whether management activities are between adjoining leases, to maintenance of large producing the desired results; and uninterrupted corridors at the regional landscape level. ■ It is beyond the scope of this Strategy to assess the Assist land managers with future planning and fine-scale connectivity and buffer values of individual management. patches. Priorities for broad landscape level connections between remaining woodlands in the ACT, 5.9.8 Land Management Agreements based on the above principles, are outlined in section Land Management Agreements (LMAs) are required 6.5.1 and shown in Figure 6.1. under the Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991 MANAGEMENT ISSUES FOR THE ACT for all non-urban leases in the ACT. Linked to the granting of long-term leases (20 and 99 years), the (Refer to Actions in Table 6.1) purpose of LMAs is to establish a co-operative ■ The application of connectivity and buffer principles management regime for non-urban land in the ACT. to land use planning and environmental impact Over seventy agreements were in place in 2003. assessment in the ACT and adjoining areas of The principal objective of LMAs is to establish New South Wales. management practices on leases that support the land management aims of both the lessee and the ACT Government. This involves agreement on general

80 ACT LOWLAND WOODLAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY management goals and responsibilities; documentation Where the project involves a continuing commitment of the current state of the property (including nature by a lessee to a particular management strategy, conservation, cultural heritage or other significant relevant details of the commitment are entered in the values); and identification of land management issues Land Management Agreement for the land in question. and the means for their resolution. Environment ACT The intention is to protect the investment that has provides environmental information to lessees, been made and to ensure longer-term conservation drawing attention to conservation issues, in particular, outcomes. presence of, or habitat for, threatened species and ecological communities. 5.9.9 Conservation Management Networks Lessees are required to address the following objectives in the LMA within a framework of A Conservation Management Network (CMN) is a sustainable agricultural and pastoral land use network of remnants of an ecological community, their practices: owners and managers as well as other people with an ■ retain or improve the ecological functioning and interest in that community (Rehwinkel 2002). There is integrity of the natural and modified resources of a particular focus on sites, including encouragement of protection measures and the adoption of conservation the leased area; management. The CMN provides opportunities for ■ preserve the extent and character of any information dissemination (including regular threatened ecological community or population of a newsletters) and participation in knowledge sharing threatened species; and decision-making. A CMN can assist land ■ pursue all development and management of the managers to access technical and funding assistance, land in a way that is consistent with any Action develop site management plans, establish formal Plan for a threatened species or ecological protection measures such as voluntary agreements, community; and link up with people with similar interests. ■ manage vegetation identified in the LMA as being Membership can provide a sense of being part of a of significant conservation value, with the aim of larger system, and facilitate access to a range of maintaining its structure, floristics and habitat quality sites (Oliver 2003). value; and One of the most important goals of CMNs is to help ■ ensure that any activities do not adversely impact integrate conservation principles and practices into on riparian or other wetland areas. land use management. CMNs are a potential way of developing an integrated conservation estate that is The LMA also provides for Land Action Plans to be more than the existing nature conservation estate on prepared for a range of issues, including drought risk public land, where the existing landholders would management, pest plants and animals, sites of continue to manage their own sites, with support and significant natural or cultural heritage value, advice from the CMN (Oliver 2003). maintenance of water quality, and protection of riparian zones and other native vegetation. Lessees are In the ACT region, CMNs have been developed for required to ensure that a flexible grazing strategy is in White Box Woodlands in NSW, Monaro Grasslands place designed to achieve conservation objectives. and Southern Tablelands (NSW) Grasslands. There is potential for Environment ACT to link with this initiative In 2000, the ACT Government established the Rural of the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation Fund with the primary objective of Conservation and become part of an enlarged ACT fostering ecologically and economically sustainable and Southern Tablelands CMN for grassy ecosystems. rural land management. Applications for financial assistance must target practical biodiversity MANAGEMENT ISSUES FOR THE ACT conservation outcomes through on-ground works, an (Refer to Actions in Table 6.1) education program or demonstration project, or the ■ gathering of information about conservation assets and An ACT based grassy ecosystem CMN with links their management requirements. Funded projects are to NSW CMNs would provide a means to bring typically on-ground works e.g. fencing to protect native together all those with an interest in grassy vegetation remnants or better managing grazing woodland conservation. pressure, off-stream watering facilities to protect streamlines, and revegetation to provide habitat links.

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5.9.10 Voluntary Agreements Conservation Management Network, as well as the community networks that currently play a significant Voluntary agreements enable landholders to role in conserving lowland woodland. acknowledge the conservation values of their land through mechanisms designed to provide a level of Community groups and individuals provide an protection but allow for current land uses to continue. extensive and invaluable contribution with voluntary Some involve arrangements that are binding on future work in the on-ground maintenance of areas (e.g. Park landholders, some are binding for current landholders Care groups in Canberra Nature Park, urban and rural and others can be revoked by landholders at any time. Landcare groups, and the Rural Lessees Association Examples of some of the arrangements that exist in and Greening Australia in rural areas), as well as NSW are Voluntary Conservation Agreements, Joint involvement in policy, management planning, Management Agreements and Wildlife Refuges. education and liaison (e.g. Friends of Grasslands, Similar arrangements do not exist in the ACT, although Australian Native Plant Society). These groups have Memoranda of Understanding have been signed with regular newsletters and meetings that disseminate major Commonwealth landholders in the ACT information about the conservation and management (Department of Defence, CSIRO and National Capital of woodlands. Authority), and these provide protection for large areas Communication and education is recognised as a very of land that contain lowland woodland. important part of conservation activity by Government. Landholders with such agreements contribute land, Environment ACT undertakes regular ranger guided their skills, labour, time and materials towards the walks in woodlands and other ecosystems, provides conservation of native ecosystems, which in turn signage for sites, regularly publishes or updates provide of a range of ecosystem services such as brochures and pamphlets, presents talks to community clean water and air and healthy soils (Stephens 2002). groups and holds field days. There are liaison or For such voluntary agreements to work well, it has extension officers who work with Park Care and been shown that landholders require sufficient support, Landcare groups, rural lessees and landholders to particularly on-ground labour, advice on non-financial encourage and assist with the conservation as well as funding sources, technical advice, management of grassy ecosystems. evaluation of remnant vegetation and habitat values, MANAGEMENT ISSUES FOR THE ACT and links with other landholders (Stephens 2002). (Refer to Actions in Table 6.1) The Conservation Management Network described ■ Education and communication needs to be above can provide such support, and is therefore seen provided strategically and efficiently to landholders as a way of maintaining management agreements and assisting in their implementation. and stakeholders, through a range of media.

MANAGEMENT ISSUES FOR THE ACT

(Refer to Actions in Table 6.1) ■ Voluntary agreements provide another means of conserving grassy woodlands (and other ecological communities) in the ACT.

5.9.11 Education and Communication

In the ACT, lowland woodland occurs on public and leased land under a range of land tenures and on National Land. Remnants occur on rural leases, roadsides, cemeteries, in nature reserves, urban parks and other open space and special purpose sites (e.g. National Land in the Majura valley managed by the Department of Defence). As a result, potential interest in conservation of lowland woodland is wide ranging (Environment ACT 2002). Stakeholder involvement is assisted by education and communication programs. These can be facilitated through the establishment of a

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