489-555 ROBINSONS ROAD, TRUGANINA
ASSESSMENT OF MATTERS OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE
MarksX Group Pty Ltd c/- EMKC
Suite 5 61–63 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn, VIC 3123 P.O. Box 337, Camberwell, VIC 3124 Ph. (03) 9815 2111 Fax. (03) 9815 2685 January 2017 Report No. 16005 (1.1) 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2. MNES – ANALYSIS OF LIKLIHOOD OF OCCURANCE ...... 3 2.1. Existing information ...... 3 2.1.1. Existing reporting ...... 3 2.1.2. Existing MNES records and habitat modelling ...... 3 2.2. Ecological communities ...... 4 2.3. Species ...... 4 3. TARGETED SURVEYS UNDERTAKEN FOR MNES ...... 13 3.1. Ecological communities ...... 13 3.1.1. Survey methods ...... 13 3.1.2. Survey limitations ...... 13 3.1.3. Results ...... 13 3.2. Flora species ...... 13 3.2.1. Survey methods ...... 13 3.2.2. Survey limitations ...... 14 3.2.3. Results ...... 14 3.3. Striped Legless Lizard...... 17 3.3.1. Species Biology ...... 17 3.3.2. Methods ...... 18 3.3.3. Limitations of field assessment ...... 20 3.3.4. Results ...... 22 3.4. Golden Sun Moth ...... 25 3.4.1. Species Biology ...... 25 3.4.2. Methods ...... 27 3.4.3. Results ...... 30 4. SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ASSESSMENT ...... 34 4.1. Ecological communities - NTGVVP ...... 34 4.2. Species ...... 36 5. IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 37 6. REFERENCES ...... 38
TABLES Table 1: EPBC Act listed species from the 10 km search region and likelihood of occurrence in the study area ...... 8
Page | i 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1) Table 2: Results of the tile grid survey ...... 24 Table 3: Weather conditions during the surveys and reference site location ...... 32 Table 4: Application of significant impact criteria for NTGVVP in the study area ...... 35
FIGURES Figure 1: Study area – locality map ...... 2 Figure 2: Spiny Rice-flower (SRF) plant recorded by Ecology Partners (2007) ...... 7 Figure 3: Study area and NTGVVP ...... 15 Figure 4: Suitable habitat for targeted flora species ...... 16 Figure 5: Distribution of Striped Legless Lizard in Victoria (Source: Viridians 2011) ...... 18 Figure 6: Location of tile grids in the study area ...... 21 Figure 7: Historical records of Striped Legless Lizard in close proximity to the study area...... 22 Figure 8: Blue-tongue Lizard detected during the targeted survey ...... 23 Figure 9: Male Golden Sun Moth ...... 25 Figure 10: Historical records of Golden Sun Moth in close proximity to the study area. .. 30 Figure 11: Location of Golden Sun moth transect area in the study area ...... 33
APPENDICES Appendix 1: Historical records of Striped Legless Lizard from 1990 to present within five kilometres of the study area (VBA 2016) ...... 42 Appendix 2: Historical records of Golden Sun Moth from 1990 to present within five kilometres of the study area (VBA 2016) ...... 46 Appendix 3: Protected Matters Search Tool report (4/1/2017) ...... 51
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1. INTRODUCTION The Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) contains a list of threatened species and ecological communities that are considered to be of national conservation significance. Any impacts on these species considered significant requires the approval of the Australian Minister for the Environment. If there is a possibility of a significant impact on Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES), a Referral under the EPBC Act should be considered. The Minister will decide after 20 business days whether the project will be a ‘controlled action’ under the EPBC Act, in which case it cannot be undertaken without the approval of the Minister. This approval depends on a further assessment and approval process (lasting between three and nine months, depending on the level of assessment). Brett Lane and Associates Pty Ltd (BL&A) were engaged by EMKC Developments Pty Ltd, on behalf of MarksX Group Pty Ltd, to undertake an assessment of MNES, specifically flora and fauna species and ecological communities listed under the EPBC Act within a portion of the property at 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina (the ‘study area’), in Melbourne’s western suburbs. The study area is proposed to developed into an industrial area. The location and extent of the study area is presented in figures 1 through 4, 6 & 7 and 10 & 11 throughout this report. This assessment is a follow up to similar assessments undertaken within and adjacent the study area in 2007 by BL&A and Ecology Partners Pty Ltd. During these assessments, one MNES was recorded in the study area – Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian volcanic Plain (NTGVVP), an ecological community listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act. Another MNES, Spiny Rice-flower – also listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act, was recorded immediately north of the study area. This assessment was commissioned to determine the current presence and status of any MNES which have the potential to occur in the study area, determine whether development of the study area would have a significant impact on any MNES found to occur there and provide recommendations on the next course of action. This assessment was undertaken by a team from BL&A, comprising Elinor Ebsworth (Senior Ecologist), Teisha Lay (Zoologist), Jackson Clarke (Zoologist), Curtis Doughty (Senior Zoologist), Davide Coppolino (Senior Ecologist) and Brett Macdonald (Senior Ecologist and Project Manager).
Page | 1 © OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
Metres Legend 0 250 500 1,000
Study area Figure 1: Locality map
Project:489-555 Robinsons Rd, Truganina
Client: MarksX Group Pty Ltd
Project No.: 16005 Date: 6/01/2017 Created By: N. May / B. MacDonald ¯ 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
2. MNES – ANALYSIS OF LIKLIHOOD OF OCCURANCE
2.1. Existing information
2.1.1. Existing reporting The reports below relating to past flora and fauna assessments of the study area were reviewed. . Brett Lane and Associates (BL&A) 2007 preliminary flora and vegetation assessment (BL&A 2007a); . Brett Lane and Associates (BL&A) 2007 flora and fauna assessment (BL&A 2007b); . BL&A 2008 Striped Legless Lizard targeted survey (BL&A 2008a); . BL&A 2008 expert witness statement of Brett Lane regarding the Shire of Melton Planning Scheme, Amendment C65 Panel Hearing (BL&A 2008b); . Ecology Partners (EP) 2008 expert witness statement of Aaron Organ regarding the Shire of Melton Planning Scheme, Amendment C65 Panel Hearing (Organ 2008); and . Ecology and Heritage Partners (EHP) 2015 biodiversity assessment (EHP 2015).
2.1.2. Existing MNES records and habitat modelling Existing EPBC Act listed flora and fauna species records and information about the potential occurrence of other MNES was obtained from an area termed the ‘search region’, defined here as an area with a radius of ten kilometres from the approximate centre point of the study area (coordinates: latitude 37° 47’ 50” S and longitude 144° 44’ 28” E). A list of the EPBC Act listed flora and fauna species recorded in the search region was obtained from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA), a database administered by DELWP (2016). The online Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Protected Matters Search Tool (PMST) (Department of the Environment 2017) was accessed to determine whether nationally listed species or communities potentially occurred in the search region based on existing records and habitat modelling.
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2.2. Ecological communities According the attached PMST report (Appendix 3), dated 4th January 2017, six EPBC Act listed ecological communities have the potential to occur in the study area: . Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain; . Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia; . Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain; . Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Temperate Lowland Plains; . Subtropical and Temperate Coastal Saltmarsh; and . White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland. Based on descriptions of the habitat in the study area from previous flora and fauna assessment reports (BL&A 2007a; 2007b; 2008a; 2008b; Organ 2008 & EHP 2015), only two of these six ecological communities were considered to occur or potentially occur there - Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (NTGVVP), which was identified as being present in the previous flora and fauna assessment reports, and Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Temperate Lowland Plains (SHWTLP), which may occur in seasonally inundated areas. It was noted in the Ecology Partners assessment report (Organ 2008) that NTGVVP was identified in the study area, though there is no indication that it was accurately assessed and mapped. Furthermore the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy (DoEE) have advised that they generally do not accept field based assessment results older than 5 years. It is important to note that the approximate extent of NTGVVP identified by Ecology Partners in 2007 and Ecology and Heritage Partners in 2015 extended much further to the north and north west of the current study area, as presented in Figure 2a of EHP 2015. The remaining four ecological communities were not considered to potentially occur in the study area, as the vegetation there is naturally treeless – excluding the three woodland communities and it is not coastal – excluding the saltmarsh community. Therefore, a targeted survey was undertaken at the study area in October 2016 to determine the presence and extent of NTGVVP and SHWTLP. The results of this survey are provided in the next section of this report.
2.3. Species The review of existing information indicated that 33 EPBC Act listed fauna species and 11 flora species have previously been recorded within the search region or for which potential habitat occurs according to the PMST. Based on the findings from the previous flora and fauna assessment reports (BL&A 2007a; 2007b; 2008a; 2008b; Organ 2008 & EHP 2015), the likelihood of occurrence of these species in the study area was analysed and the results are presented in Table 1.
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This analysis of potential occurrence of EPBC Act listed species excludes: . Marine fauna given that the study area is inland; . Freshwater fish given the absence of water bodies in the study area; . Wetland bird species given the absence of wetlands in the study area; . Migratory oceanic bird species (such as albatrosses and petrels) and migratory shorebirds given that the study area is inland and does not support any wetlands. Species considered ‘likely to occur’ are those that have a high chance of being in the study area given the existence of numerous records in the search region and suitable habitat in the study area. Using the precautionary approach, species considered to have the ‘potential to occur’ are those where suitable habitat exists, but either the habitat is degraded or marginal or recent records are scarce. This analysis indicates that 11 listed species are likely to occur or have the potential to occur in the study area. These species are: . Flora species: o Button Wrinklewort; o Clover Glycine; o Large-headed Fireweed; o Matted Flax-lily; o Small Golden Moths; o Spiny Rice-flower; o Sunshine Diuris; and o White Sunray. . Fauna species: o Golden Sun Moth. o Striped Legless Lizard; and o White-throated Needletail. Targeted surveys for the above listed species, except Golden Sun Moth and White- throated Needletail, were first undertaken in the study area in 2007 by BL&A and Ecology Partners Pty Ltd (BL&A 2007a; 2007b; 2008a; 2008b; Organ 2008) to determine their status there and susceptibility to impacts from development of the site. The results of these surveys were negative for all species except Spiny Rice-flower, where two plants were recorded immediately to the north of the study area in November 2007 by Ecology Partners (Figure 2). Follow up surveys for the above species, except Spiny Rice-flower and White- throated Needletail, were undertaken in the spring and summer of 2016, as the DoEE have advised that they generally do not accept field based assessment results older than 5 years. Despite this, a follow up targeted survey for Spiny Rice- flower was not undertaken in 2016, as it was considered that the status of a long- lived, low fecundity species such as Spiny Rice-flower would not have changed
Page | 5 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1) since 2007. A targeted survey for White-throated Needletail was not undertaken, as development of the study area will not have an impact on this species. The results of the 2016 targeted surveys undertaken by BL&A are provided in the next section of this report.
Page | 6 Spiny Rice-flower Spiny Rice-flower
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Study area Figure !: SRF plants recorded by Ecology Partners (2007)
Extent of suitable habitat for targetted flora species Project:489-555 Robinsons Rd, Truganina
Client: MarksX Group Pty Ltd
Project No.: 16005 Date: 6/01/2017 Created By: N. May / B. MacDonald ¯ 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
Table 1: EPBC Act listed species from the 10 km search region and likelihood of occurrence in the study area Number Date of last Common Name Scientific name EPBC-T EPBC-M Habitat of Likelihood of occurrence record records Flora
Suitable habitat present within the study area, although targeted surveys carried out in November 2007 and October and Button Rutidosis Basaltic grasslands between Rokewood and Melbourne (Jeanes EN 16 8/10/2009 December 2016 failed to detect the Wrinklewort leptorhynchoides 1999). species. Now considered unlikely to occur Regular flowering period: October to February (OEH 2012)
In Victoria, occurs mainly in grasslands and grassy woodlands on basalt soils dominated by Kangaroo Grass or within intermittently flooded streamlines co-dominated by Yellow Gum and Scentbark over mixed grasses and shrubs (in the Grampians/Black Range area). The species also occurs at the Nunniong Plateau in eastern Victoria within sub-alpine woodlands around 12oo metres above sea level on red- Targeted surveys carried out in November brown clays dominated by Snow Gum over an understorey of Small- 2007 and October and December 2016 fruit Hakea, various grasses (e.g. Kangaroo Grass, tussock grasses, Glycine failed to detect the species. Now considered Clover Glycine VU Bent Grass and Common Wheat-grass) and forbs. At Reef Hills State Nil NA latrobeana unlikely to occur Park in north-eastern Victoria plants occur in herb-rich woodland. At Regular flowering period: September to Yarra Valley Parklands and Meruka Park near Melbourne, vegetation December (DoEE SPRAT file) is described as Valley Grassy Forest, dominated by Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box), with scattered Acacia paradoxa (Hedge Wattle). Field layer comprises Austrodanthonia spp. (wallaby grasses) and various forbs. Other former sites in this area occurred in Grassy Dry Forest with Red Box. (Carter & Sutter 2010; D.Coppolino pers. Obs.). It is also found rarely in heathland (Carter & Sutter 2010).
Suitable habitat present within the study area, although targeted surveys carried out Occurs in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, sedgelands, in September 2007 and October 2016 Large-headed Senecio shrublands and woodlands, generally on sparsely vegetated sites on VU 9 20/01/2009 failed to detect the species. Now considered Fireweed macrocarpus sandy loam to heavy clay soils, often in depressions that are unlikely to occur waterlogged in winter (Sinclair 2010a). Regular flowering period: September to November (Sinclair 2010) Leafy Pterostylis Tea-tree scrubs on tall sandy and calcareous dunes, in moist, open or VU Nil NA Suitable habitat not present within the study Greenhood cucullata even deep shaded locations (Jones 1994). area - unlikely to occur Maroon Leek- Prasophyllum EN Favouring heathland and Grassland on black clays (Bates 1994). Nil NA Suitable habitat not present within the study orchid frenchii area - unlikely to occur
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Number Date of last Common Name Scientific name EPBC-T EPBC-M Habitat of Likelihood of occurrence record records Suitable habitat present within the study area, although targeted surveys carried out Lowland grassland and grassy woodlands on well-drained to in November 2007, October 2016 and seasonally waterlogged fertile sandy loams to heavy cracking soils Matted Flax-lily Dianella amoena EN 23 24/08/2010 December 2016 failed to detect the derived from sedimentary or volcanic Geology. It is widely distributed species. Now considered unlikely to occur from eastern to south-western Victoria (Carter 2010). Regular flowering period: October to April (Carter 2010) Inhabits both natural and man-made water-bodies, including swamps, River Swamp Amphibromus lagoons, billabongs and dams, and in roadside ditches Suitable habitat not present within the study VU 2 23/10/1991 Wallaby-grass fluitans predominantly in the north-central area along the Murray River area - unlikely to occur between Wodonga and Echuca (Walsh 1994). Suitable habitat present within the study area, although targeted surveys carried out Confined to the Keilor Plains on basalt of Melbourne's western in September 2007 and October 2016 Small Golden Diuris basaltica EN suburbs (e.g. Altona, Tottenham, Deer Park, Derrimut), growing in 5 21/07/2009 failed to detect the species. Now considered Moths native grassland and grassy woodland (Jeanes & Backhouse 2006). unlikely to occur Regular flowering period: September to October (DoEE SPRAT file) Suitable habitat present within the study area. Targeted surveys were carried out in August 2007, September 2007 and November 2007 and two individuals were Pimelea Grasslands or open shrublands on basalt derived soils (Entwisle detected in November 2007 immediately Spiny Rice- spinescens CR 1996). Prefers shallow depressions and drainage lines with moderate 189 29/09/2012 north of the study area. As the species was flower subsp. soil moisture (D.Coppolino pers. obs.). not recorded in the study area during any of spinescens the surveys, it is considered unlikely to occur. Regular flowering period: April to August (Carter & Walsh 2006) Suitable habitat present within the study area, although targeted surveys carried out Native grasslands dominated by Kangaroo Grass, on heavy basalt in November 2007 and October 2016 failed Sunshine Diuris soils, often with embedded basalt boulders. The sole remaining EN 1 9/09/2005 to detect the species. Now considered Diuris fragrantissima natural population at Sunshine occurs in a small (0.1 ha) remnant of unlikely to occur Western (Basalt) Plains Grassland (Murphy et al 2008). Regular flowering period: October to November (DoEE SPRAT file)
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Number Date of last Common Name Scientific name EPBC-T EPBC-M Habitat of Likelihood of occurrence record records In Victoria, occurs almost exclusively on acidic clay soils derived from basalt, occasionally on nearby sandy-clay soils derived from sedimentary material. All known Victorian occurrences are in Suitable habitat present within the study grassland communities dominated by Themeda triandra, Dichelachne area, although targeted surveys carried out crinita, Austrostipa spp., Short Wallaby-grass Austrodanthonia Leucochrysum in November 2007, October 2016 and carphoides and other Wallaby-grasses Austrodanthonia spp., along White Sunray albicans var. EN Nil NA December 2016 failed to detect the with the graminoids Common Bog-rush Schoenus apogon and Juncus tricolor species. Now considered unlikely to occur spp. Leucochrysum albicans var. tricolor is generally found in the Regular flowering period: spring to summer spaces between grass tussocks in association with other herb (DoEE SPRAT file) species, often including Blue Devil Eryngium ovinum, Lemon Beauty- heads Calocephalus citreus, Sheep’s Burr Acaena echinata and Leptorhynchos squamatus (Sinclair 2010b). Birds M (Bonn Black-faced Monarcha Rainforests, eucalypt woodlands, coastal scrub and damp gullies Convention Nil NA Suitable habitat not present within the study Monarch melanopsis (Higgins et al. 2006) (A2H)) area - unlikely to occur Inhabits box-ironbark forests and woodlands and mainly feeds on the fruits of mistletoe. Strongly associated with mistletoe around the Painted Suitable habitat not present within the study Grantiella picta VU margins of open forests and woodlands. Occurs at few localities. Nil NA Honeyeater area - unlikely to occur Uncommon breeding migrant from further north, arriving in October and leaving in February. (Higgins et al. 2001; Tzaros 2005).
This species inhabits native grasslands with sparse cover, preferring The lack of recent records in the search Plains- Pedionomus CR grasslands that include wallaby grass and spear grass species 2 1/01/1974 region and the dense grass cover at the site wanderer torquatus (Marchant and Higgins 1993). suggest that this species is unlikely to occur Inhabits dry box-ironbark eucalypt forests near rivers and creeks on Regent Anthochaera inland slopes of the Great Dividing Range. It could also occur in small Suitable habitat not present within the study CR M (JAMBA) Nil NA Honeyeater phrygia remnant patches or in mature trees in farmland or partly cleared area - unlikely to occur agricultural land (Higgins et al. 2001). M (Bonn Rhipidura Primarily found in dense, moist habitats. Less often present in dry Suitable habitat not present within the study Rufous Fantail Convention Nil NA rufifrons sclerophyll forests and woodlands (Higgins et al. 2006). area - unlikely to occur (A2H)) M (Bonn Satin Myiagra Tall forests and woodlands in wetter habitats but not in rainforest Suitable habitat not present within the study Convention Nil NA Flycatcher cyanoleuca (Higgins et al. 2006) area - unlikely to occur (A2H)) Prefers a narrow range of eucalypts in Victoria, including White Box, Red Ironbark and Yellow Gum as well as River Red Gum when this species supports abundant ‘lerp’. Breeds in Tasmania and migrates Lathamus to the mainland of Australia for the autumn, winter and early spring Suitable habitat not present within the study Swift Parrot CR 2 3/04/2000 discolor months. It lives mostly north of the Great Dividing Range, passing area - unlikely to occur through two areas of Victoria on migration: the Port Phillip district and Gippsland. (Emison et al. 1987; Higgins 1999; Kennedy and Tzaros 2005).
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Number Date of last Common Name Scientific name EPBC-T EPBC-M Habitat of Likelihood of occurrence record records May occasionally forage over the study area, Aerial, over all habitats, but probably more over wooded areas, M (JAMBA, though would not make any direct use of White-throated Hirundapus including open forest and rainforest. Often over heathland and less CAMBA, Nil NA habitat there - potential to occur, though Needletail caudacutus often above treeless areas such as grassland and swamps or ROKAMBA) would not be impacted by development of farmland (Higgins 1999). the study area M (JAMBA, Extremely uncommon migrant. Few sightings in Victoria. Mostly Suitable habitat not present within the study Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava CAMBA, occurs in well-watered open grasslands on the fringes of wetlands. Nil NA area - unlikely to occur ROKAMBA) Roosts in mangroves and other dense vegetation (DotE 2015). Mammals Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne are occupied continuously. Elsewhere, during spring, they are uncommon south of Nowra and widespread in other areas of their range. Roosts in Grey-headed Pteropus aggregations of various sizes on exposed branches. Roost sites are Suitable habitat not present within the study VU 4 11/02/2010 Flying-fox poliocephalus typically located near water, such as lakes, rivers or the coast. Roost area - unlikely to occur vegetation includes rainforest patches, stands of Melaleuca, mangroves and riparian vegetation, but colonies also use highly modified vegetation in urban and suburban. Reptiles The species is confined to native tussock grassland on basalt plains The lack of confirmed records in the region Grassland Tympanocryptis EN north and west of Melbourne, has not been confirmed in Victoria Nil NA since the 1960's suggest that this species is Earless Dragon pinguicolla since the 1960's (Robertson and Cooper 2000). unlikely to occur
Grassland specialist. Known to occur in some areas dominated by introduced species such as Phalaris aquatica, Serated Tussock (Nasella trichotoma) and Hypocharis radicata(Corrigan et al. 1996; Suitable habitat present within the study Coulson 1990; Hadden 1995; Kukolic 1994; O'Shea 1996; Rauhala area, although targeted surveys carried out 1996; Rauhala et al. 1995) and at sites with a history of grazing and Striped September to December 2007 and Delma impar VU pasture improvement (Coulson 1995; Dorrough 1995; Smith & 323 16/09/2014 Legless Lizard September to December 2016 failed to Robertson 1999). shelter in grass tussocks, thick ground cover, soil detect the species. Now considered unlikely cracks, under rocks, spider burrows, and under ground debris such as to occur timber (Smith & Robertson 1999). The majority of sites in Victoria and NSW occur on cracking clay soils with some surface rock which provide shelter for the species (Cogger et al. 1993; Coulson 1995). Frogs Permanent, still or slow flowing water with fringing and emergent Growling Grass vegetation in streams, swamps, lagoons and artificial wetlands such Suitable habitat not present within the study Litoria raniformis VU 222 14/02/2011 Frog as farm dams and abandoned quarries (Clemann and Gillespie area - unlikely to occur 2004). Invertebrates
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Number Date of last Common Name Scientific name EPBC-T EPBC-M Habitat of Likelihood of occurrence record records Areas that are, or have been native grasslands or grassy woodlands. Suitable habitat present at the study area, Golden Sun It is known to inhabit degraded grasslands with introduced grasses although targeted survey carried out in Synemon plana CR 103 14/12/2010 Moth being dominant, with a preference for the native wallaby grass being December 2016 failed to detect the present (DEWHA 2009). species. Now considered unlikely to occur
Notes: EPBC-T = threatened species status under EPBC Act; EX = presumed extinct in the wild; CE = critically endangered; EN = endangered; VU = vulnerable; EPBC-M = migratory status under the EPBC Act; M = listed migratory taxa; Bonn Convention (A2H) - Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals – listed as a member of a family; Bonn Convention (A2S) - Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals - species listed explicitly; CAMBA - China- Australia Migratory Birds Agreement; JAMBA - Japan-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement; ROKAMBA - Republic of Korea Australia Migratory Birds Agreement.
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3. TARGETED SURVEYS UNDERTAKEN FOR MNES
3.1. Ecological communities
3.1.1. Survey methods A targeted survey for Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (NTGVVP) and Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Temperate Lowland Plains (SHWTLP) was undertaken in the study area on the 4th October 2016, by a suitably qualified and experienced botanist from BL&A. During this survey, the landform and vegetation in the study area was assessed against the published qualifying criteria for the NTGVVP (Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2008) and SHWTLP (Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2012) communities. Any vegetation in the study area found to meet the qualifying criteria for NTGVVP or SHWTLP was mapped using a hand held GPS unit (accurate to approximately 5 metres).
3.1.2. Survey limitations There were no significant limitations during the field assessment, which was undertaken at an optimal time of year and under ideal survey conditions.
3.1.3. Results 3.265 hectares of vegetation in the study was found to meet the qualifying criteria for NTGVVP. The location and extent of this confirmed NTGVVP in the study area is provided below in Figure 3. None of the vegetation in the study area met the qualifying criteria for SHWTLP, including the criteria for the community in drought conditions – as the survey was not undertaken in a time of drought.
3.2. Flora species
3.2.1. Survey methods Targeted EPBC Act listed flora surveys were undertaken at the study area in October and December 2016, by a suitably qualified and experienced botanist from BL&A. The known regular flowering periods of the species and the timing of the surveys for each species is provided below. Button Wrinklewort Flowering period: October to February (OEH 2012). Targeted survey undertaken on 7/12/2016 and 20/12/2016. Clover Glycine Flowering period: September to December (DoEE SPRAT file). Targeted survey undertaken on 4/10/2016, 7/12/2016 and 20/12/2016. Large-headed Fireweed Flowering period: September to November (Sinclair 2010).
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Targeted survey undertaken on 4/10/2016. Matted Flax-lily Flowering period: October to April (Carter 2010). Targeted survey undertaken on 4/10/2016, 7/12/2016 and 20/12/2016. Small Golden Moths Flowering period: September to October (DoEE SPRAT file). Targeted survey undertaken on 4/10/2016. Sunshine Diuris Flowering period: October to November (DoEE SPRAT file). Targeted survey undertaken on 4/10/2016. White Sunray Flowering period: spring to summer (DoEE SPRAT file). Targeted survey undertaken on 4/10/2016, 7/12/2016 and 20/12/2016.
The targeted surveys for each species were undertaken in accordance with the field methods set out in the relevant online DoEE Species Profile and Threats Databases (SPRAT Profiles), national recovery plans and where relevant, the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment’s (DSE) Biodiversity Precinct Structure Planning Kit (DSE 2010). This involved visually searching all suitable habitat in the study area (as depicted in Figure 4 below) along transects spaced at five metres apart or less. This transect spacing was considered adequate for detection of the targeted species as it is in accordance with the relevant survey guidelines. The locations of any of the targeted species recorded were marked with a hand- held GPS. Specimens requiring identification using laboratory techniques were collected.
3.2.2. Survey limitations Targeted flora surveys can fail to record some species (or individuals of the same species) that are present for various reasons such as short survey duration or vegetation condition. However, the targeted surveys were carried out during the peak flowering periods of all targeted species. The survey period was therefore considered optimal for detecting any presence and locations of all the targeted species.
3.2.3. Results None of the targeted flora species listed above were detected during the targeted surveys, therefore they are now considered unlikely to occur in the study area.
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2.861 ha
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Study area
!"# $ #%
NTGVVP - Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volvcanic Plain &' MarksX Group Pty Ltd
+, / ,..0 & -+.-+ / ' ¯ Metres Legend 0 160 320
Study area Figure : Suitable habitat
Extent of suitable habitat for targetted flora species Project:489-555 Robinsons Rd, Truganina
Client: MarksX Group Pty Ltd
Project No.: 16005 Date: 6/01/2017 Created By: N. May / B. MacDonald ¯ 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
3.3. Striped Legless Lizard
3.3.1. Species Biology
Description The Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) is a member of the family Pygopodidae, the legless or flap footed lizards (Cogger 2000). The key distinguishing features of this species include: . Visible ear openings; . A rounded tongue; and . Presence of scaly hind limb flaps. While it shows considerable variation in colour and pattern, this species of legless lizard is usually pale grey-brown above and cream on the ventral surface, with a series of longitudinal dark brown or black stripes along the length of the body that breaks into rows of spots on tail (Cogger 2000). It is slightly thicker than a pencil and grows up to approximately 30 centimetres in length (Webster et al. 1992).
Habitat The Striped Legless Lizard inhabits dense native grasslands, often with rocky rises, that were once extensive on the volcanic plains west of Melbourne (Webster et al. 1992). It utilises rocks, soil cracks, burrows and grass tussocks for sheltering (Smith and Robertson 1999). Work on the species has found that it can also occur in grasslands dominated by introduced species, in secondary grasslands (Dorrough and Ash 1999, Koehler 2004, O’Shea 2004) and in habitats where rocks are absent but deep cracking clay soil is present (Coulson 1990).
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Distribution The species is primarily found in Victoria, with some populations being present in eastern South Australia and southern New South Wales (Figure 5).
Species Record Figure 5: Distribution of Striped Legless Lizard in Victoria (Source: Viridians 2011)
Threats The main threats to the species are habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. In particular agricultural practices have resulted in a significant population decline and in some cases local extinctions (Coulson 1990).
Legislative protection The Striped Legless Lizard is listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act, listed under the FFG Act and listed as endangered on the DELWP threatened species Advisory list (DSE 2013).
3.3.2. Methods
Existing Information BL&A carried out a targeted survey for the Striped Legless Lizard in 2007 and the results were negative (BL&A 2008). However, due to the presence of suitable habitat and historical records within the search region, it was considered necessary to undertake a further targeted survey to confirm their current status in the study area. The existing information on the status of the Striped Legless Lizard and its habitat in the study area listed below was reviewed for the current investigation. . Brett lane and Associates Report 7136 (3.0): Robinson’s and Middle Roads, Ravenhall – Targeted Striped Legless Lizard Assessment (BL&A 2008a).
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Existing information has been obtained from a wider area, termed the ‘search region’ defined for this assessment as an area with radius ten kilometres from the approximate centre point of the study area of coordinates: latitude 37° 47’ 50” S and longitude 144° 44’ 28” E. A list of the Striped Legless Lizard records in the search region was obtained from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA), a database administered by DELWP (Victorian Biodiversity Atlas 2013). The online Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Protected Matters Search Tool (DoEE 2016) was consulted to determine whether nationally listed fauna species potentially occurred in the search region, based on existing records and habitat modelling. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (formerly known as DSE) issued survey standards outlined in the “Biodiversity Precinct Planning Kit” in early 2010. The current targeted survey was therefore undertaken on the basis of these survey guidelines and to ensure the entire study area is assessed (DSE 2010).
Habitat Assessment At each survey site, the vegetation type, structure and habitat quality were examined during the day before the commencement of survey. These habitat components, considered important in influencing the distribution of threatened Striped Legless Lizard, were assessed for each survey site. Habitat suitability was assessed during the initial flora and fauna assessment (BL&A 2007a & 2007b). The targeted survey was then undertaken in sites identified as being potentially suitable Striped Legless Lizard habitat, with a good cover of basaltic surface rock and some dense tussock-forming grasses. Three main habitat quality categories were used and described below. High: Habitat components listed below are usually all present. . High-density native tussock grassland present (e.g. Kangaroo Grass - Themeda triandra, wallaby grass - Austradanthonia spp. and spear grass - Stipa) . Large, extensive and continuous areas of native tussock grassland. . High proportions of surface and embedded rocks, and cracking soil. . Connectivity with other areas of suitable habitat. Moderate: Some fauna habitat components are often missing although linkages with other remnant habitats in the landscape are usually intact. . Some native tussock grassland present. . Large, extensive and continuous areas of mixed native and exotic grassland. . Some surface and embedded rocks, and cracking soil. . Some connectivity.
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Low: Many habitat elements have been lost. Grassland habitats that are: . Low density and small areas of native tussock grassland present. . Native tussock grassland species may be absent. . Surface and embedded rocks are often absent. . Isolated and little to no connectivity. . Showing signs of disturbance (such as soil erosion and compaction and/or grazing pressures).
Field Methodology The Striped Legless Lizard survey was undertaken using methods consistent with the DELWP Biodiversity Precinct Planning Kit (DSE 2010), including using the tile grid method, previously used successfully to survey for Striped Legless Lizard in the basalt plains grasslands of Melbourne (O’Shea 2004). A total of two grids were set up in the study area, the location of which was determined based on habitat suitability. Habitats included areas of native grassland with tussock-forming grasses combined with rocky outcrops (Figure 6). In each grid, 50 grooved terracotta or concrete roof tiles were placed in a 20 x 45 metre grid configuration, with tiles spaced five metres apart. The north-west corner of the grid was recorded using a handheld GPS. The tile grids were laid out on 25th July 2016 and monitored at fortnightly intervals. The first monitoring took place on 5th September, with the last check on 12th December 2016. Each grid was checked a total of eight times. The grids were checked between 9am and 11am. The time of checking the grids was randomised, to eliminate time-of-day differences. The weather conditions during the monitoring ranged from cool to warm and varied from overcast to clear skies. These conditions were considered suitable for detecting the Striped Legless Lizard using the tile grid method. All field work undertaken in the study area was conducted in accordance with the Wildlife Act 1975 and Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 (Permit number: 10005410).
3.3.3. Limitations of field assessment The timing of the Striped Legless Lizard survey, its duration and the weather conditions were considered suitable for detecting the species. The tiles, which were used as the main method for detecting this species in the study area, do not trap the animals. Hence, it is important to time the monitoring to maximise the chances of detecting this species while the animals are utilising the tiles. Every effort was made during the current survey to ensure that monitoring took place under suitable conditions to detect the threatened species. The overall survey effort (800 tiles checked) was considered sufficient to detect significant populations of Striped Legless Lizard in the study area.
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Metres Legend 0 50 100 200 300 Figure 6: Study area and SLL tile grids Study area Project:489-555 Robinsons Rd, Truganina SLL tile grids Client: MarksX Group Pty Ltd NTGVVP - Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volvcanic Plain Project No.: 16005 Date: 13/01/2017 Created By: K. Callister / D. Coppolino ¯ 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
3.3.4. Results
Existing Information The VBA holds 405 records of Striped Legless Lizard within ten kilometres of the study area, dated from 1980 to 2015. Records within five kilometres are presented in Appendix 1. Many records are from Ravenhall Nature Conservation Reserve Figure 7 shows the location of records in the surrounding area.
Figure 7: Historical records of Striped Legless Lizard in close proximity to the study area. Note: Study area = Red. SLL records = yellow circles
Habitat Assessment Both tile grids were located in Natural Temperate Grassland of Victorian Volcanic Plain (NTGVVP). Species comprised Kangaroo Grass, Spear Grasses, Wallaby Grasses as well as introduced Wild Oats, Chilean Needle Grass, Boxthorn and Artichoke Thistle. Very little bare ground was observed while outcropping basalt rock covered much of these patches.
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The study area is well connected to Ravenhall Nature Conservation Reserve, which is situated immediately north. This reserve provides suitable native grassland habitat for the species, which has previously been recorded here.
Survey Results No Striped Legless Lizards were detected during the targeted survey. A total of four vertebrate species were recorded within the study area during the current investigation and included Tussock Skink, Eastern Blue-tongue Lizard (Figure 8), Tiger Snake and House Mouse. Tussock Skink is listed as vulnerable of DELWP’s Advisory List of Threatened Fauna (DSE 2013). The results of the tile grid search are presented in Table 2. Figure 8: Blue-tongue Lizard detected during the targeted survey
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Table 2: Results of the tile grid survey Date Visibility Wind Strength Wind Direction Cloud Cover (%) Rain Grid Number Time Tambient (°C) Hambient (%) Tbelow (°C) Hbelow (%) Species 1 10:30 17.6 48 23 43 - 5/09/2016 Good Gentle SW 50 None 2 10:40 17.4 46 25 44 - 1 9:45 16.3 48 20 48 - 20/09/2016 Good Fresh NE 10 None 2 10:00 17.1 52 19 67 Blue-tongue Lizard 1 10:40 14 65 15.2 75 Tussock Skink x 2 4/10/2016 Good Fresh SE 90 Light 2 11:06 14.4 60 15.1 72 Blue-tongue Lizard x 1 1 10:15 16.1 43 18.7 55 - 18/10/2016 Good Fresh W 30 None 2 10:45 15.7 46 19.4 66 - 2 10:00 16.5 48 21.1 65 Tussock Skink x 1, Tiger Snake x 1 2/11/2016 Good Fresh W 40-80 None 1 10:30 16.8 48 21.5 70 Tussock Skink x 2 2 10:15 20 47 22 63 House Mouse x 1 16/11/2016 Good Gentle SW 60 None 1 10:35 22 44 23 63 Tussock Skink x Blue-tongue Lizard x1, Tussock 1 10:10 18.9 63 21.1 78 Skink x1, House Mouse x1 28/11/2016 Good Gentle None 80-30 None Blue-tongue Lizard x1, House Mouse 2 10:45 18.3 49 25 49 nest 2 9:55 24.6 40 24.9 60 - 12/12/2016 Good Gentle None 0-10 None 1 10:20 26.7 35 28.5 48 - *T ambient (°C) = Air Temperature; H ambient (%) = Air Humidity; T below (°C) = Temperature under tile; H below (%) = Humidity under tile
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3.4. Golden Sun Moth
3.4.1. Species Biology
Status and Description The Golden Sun Moth is listed as ‘critically endangered’ under the EPBC Act, threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) and is listed as critically endangered in Victoria (DSE 2013). An action plan has been prepared for this species in Victoria (No. 106) (DSE 2004). The small diurnal GSM belongs to the family Castiniidae. The females are semi- flightless and are relatively immobile. Dispersal appears to be low with a range of up to 100 metres (Cook and Edwards 1993). The forewings of the male are dark brown with grey scales and the hind wings are bronze-brown and black (Figure 9). The underside of the male is pale grey with brown patches. The forewings of the female are brown and grey and the hind wings are bright orange with black submarginal spots. The male has a wingspan of about 3.5 centimetres whilst the female is smaller with a wingspan of about 3 centimetres (Common 1990).
Figure 9: Male Golden Sun Moth
Life-cycle The Golden Sun Moth life-cycle is characterised by two stages: larval stage and adult stage. Larvae of GSM are thought to feed on the underground parts of wallaby grasses. The reproductive life cycle is estimated to be 2-3 years (Common 1990). Eggs are laid between the tillers of the food plant and the soil. The larvae remain underground and feed on the roots of the wallaby grass. When they are ready to pupate, the larvae prepare a tunnel to the surface through which the pupa eventually emerges (Van Praagh 2005). Adults emerge around mid November to mid December to mate and lay eggs. Adult GSM are short-lived, surviving only a few days as they lack functional mouthparts and cannot feed (Van Praagh 2005). The females are semi-flightless
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and are therefore relatively immobile (DSE 2004). Dispersal from their natal area appears to be low, travelling no further than 100m (Cook and Edwards 1993).
Distribution Once wide-spread over south-eastern Australia, the Golden Sun Moth is now restricted to fragmented populations across Victoria, NSW and ACT (DEWHA 2009). They are found in native grassland with a good cover of wallaby grass (Austrodanthonia spp.) (Edwards 1993). More recently it has been recorded in sites that support a limited cover of wallaby grass and even in sites dominated by exotic species, such as Chilean Needle-grass (Nasella neesiana). It is thought that urbanisation and certain agricultural practices have reduced the habitat and therefore increased local extinctions of this species. It is estimated that less than 1% of the original temperate grasslands remain, and much of this is heavily degraded by weeds and overgrazing (Specht 1981).
Habitat The Golden Sun Moth requires a specialised habitat of grasslands dominated by wallaby grass. Many species of wallaby grass are low growing tussock grasses, usually separated by bare ground. Species composition and density of the grassland are important components to the survival of this species (Van Praagh 2004). A critical density of wallaby grass is required because the moths lay their eggs at the base of the wallaby grass tussocks (Edwards 1993). Previous studies indicate that the species requires at least a 40% cover of wallaby grass for survival (O’Dwyer and Attiwill 1999), although recent findings suggest that small populations may persist in more disturbed habitats with less wallaby grass cover than what is considered optimal for the species. Any disturbance to the soil is particularly destructive for these grass feeding moths. Soil disturbance destroys the subterranean larval stages in addition to killing the native perennial grasses that are their host plants (Douglas 2004).
Threats Golden Sun Moth populations have been restricted due to a number of environmental pressures and stressors but the main threats to the species survival and viability are: . Vegetation removal; . Inappropriate fire regimes; . Weed invasion; . Overstocking; . Changes to agricultural practices; . Changes to vegetation structure; and . Soil compaction (DEWHA 2009).
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These threats are particularly damaging to the viability of GSM populations as limited dispersal ability, specific vegetation and structural requirements lowers recruitment (i.e. young unable to replace adults and increase population). Additionally, isolated distribution and short adult life-span prevents them from adapting to changes in environmental conditions. Impacts to this species are considered significant when they have an adverse long-term impact on the population size. In particular, a reduction in habitat quality and availability, fragmentation of an existing population, disruption to breeding cycles and the introduction of non-indigenous species (flora and fauna) can have significant impacts on the species.
3.4.2. Methods
Existing Information Existing information has been obtained from a wider area, termed the ‘search region’ defined for this assessment as an area with radius ten kilometres from the approximate centre point of the study area of coordinates: latitude 37° 47’ 50” S and longitude 144° 44’ 28” E. A list of the Golden Sun Moth records in the search region was obtained from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA), a database administered by DELWP (Victorian Biodiversity Atlas 2013). The online Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Protected Matters Search Tool (DoEE 2016) was consulted to determine whether nationally listed fauna species potentially occurred in the search region, based on existing records and habitat modelling. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (formerly known as DSE) issued survey standards outlined in the “Biodiversity Precinct Planning Kit” in early 2010. The current targeted survey was therefore undertaken on the basis of these survey guidelines and to ensure the entire study area is assessed (DSE 2010).
Habitat Assessment The quality of Golden Sun Moth habitat was assessed based on the criteria detailed below. These are based on habitat components that include dominant grass species and percentage of cover, bare ground and connectivity. Three quality categories were used, as described below: Three main habitat quality categories were incorporated and described below. High: Habitat components listed below are usually all present. . Grassland dominated by wallaby grasses; . At least 40% cover of wallaby grasses; . Bare ground present; . Connectivity with other areas of suitable habitat. Moderate: Some habitat components are often missing although linkages with other remnant habitats in the landscape are usually intact. . Grasslands dominated with exotic vegetation but has at least 25% cover of native vegetation;
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. Some areas are dominated by wallaby grasses; . Some connectivity with other areas of suitable habitat. . Grassland shows some evidence of disturbance (such as soil erosion, high weed invasion, high levels of phosphorus in soils) Low: Many habitat elements have been lost. Grassland habitats that are: . Higher than 75% cover of exotic vegetation; . Little or no areas that contain wallaby grasses; . Isolated (little or no connectivity); . Showing signs of disturbance (e.g. cultivation, erosion, weed invasion).
Field Methodology To determine if Golden Sun Moth were present at the study area, a series of transect surveys were undertaken. Surveys were conducted from 7th December 2016 to 28th December 2016. Potential habitats were surveyed for Golden Sun Moth following the EPBC Act policy statement 3.12 – Significant impact guidelines for the critically endangered golden sun moth (Synemon plana) published by the Commonwealth Government in 2009 (DEWHA 2009). Golden Sun Moth are not as active on cooler days and do not fly as freely as on warm to hot days. When undertaking surveys to prove absence of Golden Sun Moth from an area, surveys of a nearby reference site that support Golden Sun Moth are required to determine if the species are flying on the day of the survey. Surveys were conducted in suitable conditions, specifically including the following. . Surveys were timed to coincide with the Golden Sun Moth activity season, i.e. November to January. . Where practicable, surveys were undertaken during suitable weather conditions, including the following: o Warm to hot days (above 20°C by 10 am); o During the warmest part of the day; o Clear to mostly cloudless sky; o Still or relatively still wind conditions during the survey period; o At least two days since rain. . Surveys were undertaken when male moths were flying. This was determined by visiting a nearby reference site known to support a population of the species on the day of the survey of the study area. The nearest reference sites to the study area were Derrimut Grassland Reserve and William Angliss Grassland Reserve in Laverton. These reference sites have been known to be unreliable in recent years and Golden Sun Moth was not recorded at either site during this survey. Therefore the survey results were verified by observations of flying Golden Sun Moth at a reliable reference site at O’Herns Road Epping. . Where practicable, surveys commenced from 10 am and terminated at 3:00 pm. . Transect locations were recorded using a hand-held GPS.
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. Surveying involved walking transects at the following spacings: o During the first survey, transects 20 metres apart; o During the second, third and fourth surveys, transects 10 metres apart. . Surveys were approximately one week apart. The aim of the surveys was to identify presence/absence. As per the guidelines this is achieved by undertaking a total of four surveys in areas of suitable habitat. Suitable habitat for Golden Sun Moth in the study area occurred within and adjacent the recorded NTGVVP, as presented in Figure 11. Any Golden Sun Moth observed would have been captured to confirm identification and their locations recorded on a hand held GPS to five metre accuracy. Where practicable, all surveys took place during fine and sunny conditions, on days when temperatures reached 20°C by 10:00am.
Limitations Where practicable, all efforts are made to schedule GSM field surveys in optimal weather conditions and times of year. However, the survey effort was irregularly scheduled due to rainfall events. Ideally, the survey would have commenced in suitable weather conditions at weekly intervals. Although conducted at irregular intervals and beginning times, all surveys were spaced at least one week apart. As such, the timing of the GSM survey and the weather conditions were considered suitable for detecting the species and estimating its abundance and distribution. In addition to the survey effort, the detection of adult females is considered very difficult due to their poor flying ability, as they are more likely to walk between tussock grasses (DEWHA 2009). Males can only be surveyed with reasonable confidence as searching for females has proven laborious and unreliable (Gibson and New 2007). However, it is assumed that GSM have an equal sex ratio (Gibson 2006), like many other similar invertebrates. Since ecologists are searching relatively large areas for a very small moth it is always possible that moths are not seen in optimal conditions even on reference sites and hence sites are surveyed several times at different transect spacings.
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3.4.3. Results
Existing Information The VBA holds 104 records of Golden Sun Moth within ten kilometres of the study area, dated from 2005 to 2015 (Appendix 2). Figure 10 shows the location of records in the surrounding area.
Figure 10: Historical records of Golden Sun Moth in close proximity to the study area. Note: Study area = red; GSM records = blue triangles.
Habitat Assessment Transects were located in and adjacent areas NTGVVP recorded in the study area, as presented in Figure 11. Species comprised Wallaby Grasses, Kangaroo Grass, Spear Grasses. Invasive weed species were also present throughout including Chilean Needle Grass, Boxthorn and Artichoke Thistle.
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Survey Results Where practicable, all surveys were conducted in optimal weather conditions for detecting flying moths as evidenced by moths being present at reference sites on all of the four survey days. However, no Golden Sun Moth was detected in the study area. Timing and temperatures recorded during the surveys are presented below in Table 3.
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Table 3: Weather conditions during the surveys and reference site location Study area Reference Site
Transect GSM Cloud Wind Wind Temp range Date Separation Time start Time end Name at ref Cover (%) Strength Direction (°C) Distance (m) site? O'Herns Rd, 07/12/2016 20m 10 N Gentle 11:10 13:40 25 - 30 Yes Epping O'Herns Rd, 12/12/2016 10m 10 None None 10:54 14:05 30.6 – 35.7 Yes Epping William Angliss Reserve & Derrimut No 19/12/2016 10m 20 Fresh NW 11:30 13:55 26.1 – 31.6 Grassland Reserve O'Herns Rd, Yes Epping O'Herns Rd, Yes Epping 28/12/2016 10m 30 Strong NW 3:20 4:50 35 – 37.8 Derrimut Grassland No Reserve
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Metres 0 50 100 200 300 Legend Figure 11: Study area and GSM transect area Study area Project:489-555 Robinsons Rd, Truganina GSM transect area Client: MarksX Group Pty Ltd NTGVVP - Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volvcanic Plain Project No.: 16005 Date: 13/01/2017 Created By: K. Callister / D. Coppolino ¯ 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
4. SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ASSESSMENT
4.1. Ecological communities - NTGVVP Proposed development of the study area would involve the removal of 3.265 hectares of confirmed NTGVVP. When assessed against the criteria in DoEE's Matters of National Environmental Significance: Significant impact guidelines 1.1 (DoE 2013), it was determined that development of the study area would likely result in a significant impact on NTGVVP, as it meets five out of the seven criteria for a significant impact on the community (see Table 4 below) . The relevant significant impact criteria in the significant impact guidelines are as follows (DoE 2013): 1) An action is likely to have a significant impact on a critically endangered or endangered ecological community if there is a real chance or possibility that it will: a) Reduce the extent of an ecological community; b) Fragment or increase fragmentation of an ecological community, for example by clearing vegetation for roads or transmission lines; c) Adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of an ecological community d) Modify or destroy abiotic (non-living) factors (such as water, nutrients, or soil) necessary for an ecological community’s survival, including reduction of groundwater levels, or substantial alteration of surface water drainage patterns; e) Cause a substantial change in the species composition of an occurrence of an ecological community, including causing a decline or loss of functionally important species, for example through regular burning or flora or fauna harvesting; f) Cause a substantial reduction in the quality or integrity of an occurrence of an ecological community, including, but not limited to: - Assisting invasive species, that are harmful to the listed ecological community, to become established, or - Causing regular mobilisation of fertilisers, herbicides or other chemicals or pollutants into the ecological community which kill or inhibit the growth of species in the ecological community, or g) Interfere with the recovery of an ecological community. 2) Habitat critical to the survival of a species or ecological community refers to areas that are necessary: a) for activities such as foraging, breeding, roosting, or dispersal; b) for the long-term maintenance of the species or ecological community (including the maintenance of species essential to the survival of the species or ecological community, such as pollinators); c) to maintain genetic diversity and long term evolutionary development; or d) for the reintroduction of populations or recovery of the species or ecological community. An assessment of impacts on NTGVVP, as a result of development of the study area (the ‘proposed action’), against the forgoing significant impact criteria is provided below in Table 4.
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Table 4: Application of significant impact criteria for NTGVVP in the study area
Significant Significant impact Critical Assessment impact criterion habitat? likelihood a) Reduce the extent The removal of 3.265 hectares of NTGVVP from of an ecological the study area will reduce the overall extent of Likely N/A community this community.
As noted in Section 2.2 above, the NTGVVP in the study area represents approximately half of b) Fragment or a greater isolated fragment of NTGVVP, the increase other half extending to the north and north west Likely N/A fragmentation of an of the study area. As such, removal of NTGVVP ecological community from the study area would fragment the community.
According to the 'habitat critical to the survival c) Adversely affect of a species or ecological community' criteria habitat critical to the above (Criteria 2), the ‘greater’ isolated Unlikely Unlikely survival of an fragment of NTGVVP in and north of the study ecological community area would not be considered as critical habitat for the community. d) Modify or destroy abiotic (non-living) factors (such as water, nutrients, or As the proposed action entails the removal of soil) necessary for an approximately half of an isolated fragment of ecological NTGVVP, it is likely to modify abiotic factors Likely N/A community’s survival, necessary for the survival of that fragment of including reduction of the community. groundwater levels, or substantial alteration of surface water drainage patterns e) Cause a substantial change in the species composition of an occurrence of an As previous. Likely N/A ecological community, including causing a decline or loss of functionally important species f) Cause a substantial reduction in the quality or integrity of As previous. Likely N/A an occurrence of an ecological community
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Significant Significant impact Critical Assessment impact criterion habitat? likelihood g) Interfere with the The loss of a small isolated fragment of NTGVVP recovery of an from the study area is unlikely to interfere with Unlikely N/A ecological community the overall recovery of the community.
Overall assessment of likelihood of significant impact Likely Unlikely
4.2. Species As none of the EPBC Act listed species, considered to potentially occur in the study area, were detected during the targeted surveys, there will no significant impacts on such resulting from development of the study area.
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5. IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS One Matter of National Environmental Significance (MNES) listed under the EPBC Act was recorded in the study area during the current (2016) and previous (2007) site investigations. This was 3.265 hectares of confirmed NTGVVP. As it was determined in the previous section that development of the study area would likely result in a significant impact on NTGVVP, it is recommended that the proposed action be referred to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment under the EPBC Act. The Minister would then decide after 20 business days whether the proposed action will be a ‘controlled action’ or not. Should the Minister decide that the proposed action will be a controlled action, approval will be required under the EPBC Act, which would most likely be assessed by preliminary documentation, which is a detailed report in which all aspects of the proposed action are detailed. Should the Minister decide that the proposed action will not be a controlled action, then approval under the EPBC Act will not be required. From past experience with similar projects it is considered likely that the Minister will decide that the proposed action be a controlled action.
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6. REFERENCES Bates RJ 1994, 'Prasophyllum', in NG Walsh & TJ Entwisle (eds), Flora of Victoria, Volume 2: Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, Inkata Press, Melbourne, pp. 869-886. Brett Lane and Associates (BL&A) 2007a, Interim Reports: Robinson’s and Middle Roads, Truganina – Flora and Vegetation Assessment. Report 7136 (1.0) consultants report prepared for Marksx Property Group Pty Ltd, Brett Lane and Associates Pty Ltd, North Carlton, Victoria. Brett Lane and Associates (BL&A) 2007b, Robinson’s and Middle Roads, Truganina – Flora and Vegetation Assessment. Report 7136 (2.4), consultants report prepared for Marksx Property Group Pty Ltd, Brett Lane and Associates Pty Ltd, North Carlton, Victoria. Brett Lane and Associates (BL&A) 2008a, Robinson’s and Middle Roads, Ravenhall – Targeted Striped Legless Lizard Assessment. Report 7136 (3.0), consultants report prepared for Marksx Property Group Pty Ltd, Brett Lane and Associates Pty Ltd, North Carlton, Victoria. Brett Lane and Associates (BL&A) 2008b, At the Victorian Planning Panels, in the matter of Shire of Melton Planning Scheme, Amendment C65, the “Marksx Land”, corner of Robinsons and Middle Roads, Expert Witness Statement of Brett Alexander Lane, Expert of Marksx Property Group Pty Ltd, Brett Lane and Associates Pty Ltd, North Carlton, Victoria. Carter O & Sutter G 2010, National Recovery Plan for the Clover Glycine (Glycine latrobeana), Department of Sustainability and Environment, now Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, East Melbourne, Victoria. Carter O 2010, National Recovery Plan for the Matted Flax-lily (Dianella amoena), Department of Sustainability and Environment, now Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, East Melbourne, Victoria. Carter, O. and Walsh, N. 2006. National Recovery Plan for the Spiny Rice-flower Pimelea spinescens subsp. spinescens. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne. Clemann N & Gillespie GR 2004, Recovery Plan for Litoria raniformis 2004 – 2008, Department of Environment and Heritage, now Department of the Environment, Canberra. Cogger, H, 2000, ‘Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia Reed Books’, Australia. Common, IFB 1990, Moths of Australia. Melbourne University Press, Carlton. Cook, L & Edwards T 1993, Population Monitoring of Endangered Moth Synemon plana 1992-93, York Park, Barton. CSIRO Division of Entomology report to the National Capital Planning Authority. Coulson, G, 1990, Conservation biology of the Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) an initial investigation. Report to the National Parks and Wildlife Division. Department of Conservation and Environment, Melbourne.
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Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) 2016, Victorian Biodiversity Atlas 3.1.0, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, East Melbourne, Victoria, viewed 22nd December 2016, < https://vba.dse.vic.gov.au>. Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts 2009, Significant Impact Guidelines for the Critically Endangered Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana). Canberra, ACT Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) 2009, Background Paper to EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.12 – Significant Impact Guidelines for the Critically Endangered Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana), Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, now Department of the Environment, Canberra. Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004. Action Statement No. 106, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, Golden Sun Moth. Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment. Department of Sustainability and Environment 2010, Biodiversity Precinct Structure Planning Kit, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, East Melbourne, Victoria. Department of Sustainability and Environment 2013, Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria. Department of the Environment (DoE) 2013. ‘Matters of National Environmental Significance, Significant impact guidelines 1.1, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999'. Department of the Environment, Canberra. Department of the Environment 2015, Referral guideline for 14 birds listed as migratory species under the EPBC Act, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra. Department of the Environment 2016, 'Delma impar', in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment, Canberra, accessed 31st May 2016, http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat. Department of the Environment 2016, 'Pteropus poliocephalus', in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment, Canberra, accessed 12th July 2016. Department of the Environment and Energy 2016, EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool, Department of the Environment, Canberra, http://www.environment.gov.au Department of the Environment and Energy 2017, EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool, Department of the Environment, Canberra, viewed 4th January 2017,
Page | 39 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
Ecology and Heritage Partners (EHP) 2015, Biodiversity assessment at 489-555 Robinsons Road, Truganina, Victoria, consultants report prepared for the Agar Family, Ecology and Heritage Partners Pty Ltd, Brunswick, Victoria. Edwards, T 1993, ‘Golden Sun Moth’. Australian Natural History 24 (16) 16-17. Entwisle TJ 1996, 'Thymelaceae', in NG Walsh & TJ Entwisle (eds), Flora of Victoria, Volume 3: Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae, Inkata Press, Melbourne, pp. 912-930. Higgins PJ 1999, Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 4: Parrots to Dollarbird, Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Higgins PJ, Peter JM & Cowling SJ 2006, Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 7: Boatbills to Starlings, Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Higgins PJ, Peter JM & Steele WK (eds) 2001, Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 5: Tyrant-flycatchers to Chats, Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Jeanes J & Backhouse G 2006, Wild Orchids of Victoria, Australia, Aquatic Photographics, Seaford, Australia. Jeanes, JA, 1999, 'Asteraceae', in NG Walsh & TJ Entwisle (eds), Flora of Victoria, Volume 4: Dicotyledons Cornaceae to Asteraceae, Inkata Press, Melbourne, pp. 652-984. Jones DL 1994, 'Pterostylis', in NG Walsh & TJ Entwisle (eds), Flora of Victoria, Volume 2: Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, Inkata Prass, Melbourne, pp. 798-830. Kennedy SJ & Tzaros CL 2005, 'Foraging ecology of the Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor in the box-ironbark forests and woodlands of Victoria', Pacific Conservation Biology 11: 158--173. Koehler, L E 2004, The current distribution, status and habitat preferences of the Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) in far south-western Victoria. Honours thesis. School of Applied Sciences, Applied Chemistry, RMIT University. Marchant S & Higgins PJ (eds) 1993, Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds, Volume 2: Raptors to Lapwings, Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Murphy, A.H., Webster, A., Knight, C. and Lester, K. 2008, National Recovery Plan for the Sunshine Diuris Diuris fragantissima, Department of Sustainability, East Melbourne. O’Shea, M, 2004, Methods for assessment and techniques for management of Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar populations in South-eastern Australia (DRAFT). PhD thesis. Victoria University of Technology, Victoria. O'Dwyer, C & Attiwill PM 1999, A comparative study of habitats of the Golden Sun Moth Synemon plana. Walker (Lepidoptera: Castniidae): implications for restoration. Biological Conservation. 89:131-142. Office of Environment and Heritage (NSW) 2012. National Recovery Plan for Button Wrinklewort Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides. NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Hurstville.
Page | 40 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
Organ, A 2008, Expert Witness Statement: Flora and Fauna Investigations for the Proposed Amendment C65 – Melton Planning Scheme (489-555 Robinsons Road, Truganina, Ecology Partners Pty Ltd, Brunswick, Victoria. Robertson P & Cooper P 2000, 'Recovery Plan for the Grassland Earless Dragon Tympanocryptis pinguicolla'. Unpublished report to Environment Australia, Canberra. Sinclair, S.J, 2010a, National Recovery Plan for the Large-fruit Groundsel Senecio macrocarpus, Department of Sustainability, Melbourne Sinclair, S.J. 2010b. National Recovery Plan for the Hoary Sunray Leucochrysum albicans var. tricolor. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne. Smith, WJS and Robertson, P 1999, National Recovery Plan for the Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) 1999-2003. Unpublished report to Environment Australia, Canberra. Specht, R. L. 1981, ‘Conservation of vegetation types’. Pages 393-410 in R.H. Groves, ed. Australian vegetation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2008. Commonwealth Listing Advice on Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/pub s/42-listing-advice.pdf. Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2012. Commonwealth Listing Advice on Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Temperate Lowland Plains. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Canberra, ACT: Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/pub s/97-listing-advice.pdf. Tzaros C 2005, Wildlife of the Box-Ironbark Country, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood." Van Praagh, BD 2005, ‘New sightings of the Golden Sun Moth Synemon plana (Lepidoptera; Castniidae) at Craigieburn and Cooper St Grasslands, Melbourne Victoria 2003/2004’. Unpublished report to the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Walsh NG 1994, 'Poaceae', in NG Walsh & TJ Entwisle (eds), Flora of Victoria, Volume 2: Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, Inkata Press, Melbourne, pp. 356-627. Webster, A, Fallu, R, & Preece, K, 1992, Action Statement No. 17 Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar. Action Statement prepared under section 19 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 under delegation from the Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and Environment. April, 1992.
Page | 41 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
Appendix 1: Historical records of Striped Legless Lizard from 1990 to present within five kilometres of the study area (VBA 2016)
Date Count Site Location Description Latitude Longitude Survey method
Paramount Grasslands, 200 m W of Western Ring Road, 30/10/2014 1 -37.786 144.78643 General observations Derrimut 21/09/2014 1 Foleys Rd, Derrimut -37.78575 144.78504 Tile (roof) census 21/09/2014 1 Foleys Rd, Derrimut -37.78575 144.78504 Tile (roof) census 21/09/2014 1 Foleys Rd, Derrimut -37.78575 144.78504 Tile (roof) census 16/09/2014 2 Northern Paddock -37.77323 144.72555 Translocation 22/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.80749 144.73242 Targeted search 18/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.79797 144.73412 Targeted search 12/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.78728 144.73624 Targeted search 11/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.7659 144.73875 Targeted search 11/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.77436 144.74643 Targeted search 11/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.7743 144.74333 Targeted search 10/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.77441 144.74342 Targeted search 10/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.77446 144.74337 Targeted search 10/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.77458 144.74356 Targeted search 9/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.78111 144.73679 Targeted search 5/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.77388 144.74414 Targeted search 5/10/2012 Ravenhall -37.77398 144.74418 Targeted search 5/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.77389 144.744 Targeted search 5/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.77399 144.74398 Targeted search 4/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.77397 144.74444 Targeted search 4/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.7741 144.74418 Targeted search
Page | 42 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
Date Count Site Location Description Latitude Longitude Survey method
4/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.78008 144.73798 Targeted search 4/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.78005 144.73787 Targeted search 4/10/2012 1 Ravenhall -37.78001 144.73788 Targeted search 29/10/2010 1 Derrimut Grassland Reserve -37.801 144.79526 Tile (roof) census 29/10/2010 1 Derrimut Grassland Reserve -37.801 144.79526 Tile (roof) census 18/12/2009 1 W of Christies Rd, N of rail line, Caroline Springs -37.7646 144.73401 General observations 18/12/2009 1 W of Christies Rd, N of rail line, Caroline Springs -37.7651 144.73533 General observations 4/12/2009 1 W of Christies Rd, N of rail line, Caroline Springs -37.7646 144.73401 General observations 4/12/2009 1 W of Christies Rd, N of rail line, Caroline Springs -37.7651 144.73533 General observations 25/11/2009 1 Deer Park -37.75656 144.72775 General observations 11/11/2009 1 W of Christies Rd, N of rail line, Caroline Springs -37.7651 144.73533 General observations 27/10/2009 1 Deer Park -37.75656 144.72775 General observations WestLink industrial estate development, S of Ballarat Rd 3/02/2009 1 (Western Hwy) and E of Western Hwy-Christies Rd intersection, -37.7589 144.74361 Herp census - active Ravenhall
WestLink industrial estate development, S of Ballarat Rd 2/02/2009 1 (Western Hwy) and E of Western Hwy-Christies Rd intersection, -37.7589 144.74361 Herp census - active Ravenhall
WestLink industrial estate development, S of Ballarat Rd 21/01/2009 1 (Western Hwy) and E of Western Hwy-Christies Rd intersection, -37.7589 144.74361 Herp census - active Ravenhall
Page | 43 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
Date Count Site Location Description Latitude Longitude Survey method
WestLink industrial estate development, S of Ballarat Rd 9/12/2008 1 (Western Hwy) and E of Western Hwy-Christies Rd intersection, -37.7589 144.74361 Herp census - active Ravenhall 5/11/2008 1 GAA Project Area -37.81115 144.70631 Incidental 11/01/2008 1 Derrimut Road, Tarneit -37.81115 144.70631 General observations 24/04/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.77069 144.74599 General observations 24/04/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.77103 144.74628 General observations 24/04/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.77291 144.74619 General observations 24/04/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.78584 144.74859 General observations 23/04/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.7729 144.74662 General observations 23/04/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.77262 144.74611 General observations 31/03/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.77246 144.74572 General observations 30/03/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.77062 144.74568 General observations 29/03/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.76439 144.73892 General observations 29/03/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.77176 144.7459 General observations 29/03/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.77219 144.74602 General observations 28/03/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.77194 144.74572 General observations 27/03/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.76999 144.74583 General observations 26/03/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.77167 144.74669 General observations 19/03/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.77176 144.7459 General observations 9/03/2007 1 Deer Park Bypass -37.78903 144.74902 General observations 11/01/2004 1 ST ANDREW'S FIELD ESTATE -37.77836 144.77057 Pitfall with drift fence 11/01/2004 1 ST ANDREW'S FIELD ESTATE -37.77836 144.77057 Pitfall with drift fence
Page | 44 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
Date Count Site Location Description Latitude Longitude Survey method
1/12/2003 1 ST ANDREW'S FIELD ESTATE -37.77836 144.77057 Pitfall with drift fence 10/09/2003 1 Rail Reserve Deer Park: West of Robinsons Road -37.77173 144.75374 General observations Cairnlea Estate: Deer Park (former Albion Explosive Relocated 24/06/1999 -37.76498 144.77779 Incidental to Melb Zoo 4/12/1998 8 Denton avenue Grasslands: St Albans -37.75683 144.75965 Pitfall with drift fence 2/08/1995 17 Deer Park -37.78243 144.74774 General observations 20/10/1994 3 Junc Riding Boundary & Robinsons Roads: Deer Park -37.78469 144.77152 General observations 9/11/1992 1 Albion Explosives Factory: Saint Albans -37.76687 144.78227 General observations 8/02/1992 1 Kororoit Creek -37.75829 144.75755 Pitfall with drift fence 8/02/1992 1 Kororoit Creek -37.75739 144.75758 Pitfall with drift fence 8/02/1992 1 Kororoit Creek -37.75649 144.75761 Pitfall with drift fence 27/06/1991 1 2 km SE of Mount Atkinson -37.7735 144.70966 General observations 14/10/1990 1 2 km NNW of Deer Park Railway Station -37.76189 144.75745 General observations 24/09/1990 1 ROUGHLY 3 KM E OF MOUNT ATKINSON -37.75656 144.71448 Incidental 1/09/1990 1 3 km NNW of Deer Park Railway Station -37.75683 144.75965 General observations
Page | 45 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
Appendix 2: Historical records of Golden Sun Moth from 1990 to present within five kilometres of the study area (VBA 2016)
Date Count Site Location Description Latitude Longitude 9/11/2015 1 Western Grasslands Reserve, Mount Cottrell -37.76125 144.66236 20/01/2012 1 Kororoit Creek Road, Altona -37.8476 144.8228 14/12/2010 1 Australia Post, Brooklyn -37.8106 144.81013 14/12/2010 2 Australia Post, Brooklyn -37.8097 144.81001 14/12/2010 1 Australia Post, Brooklyn -37.8096 144.80965 5/01/2010 4 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8535 144.74362 5/01/2010 3 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8524 144.74506 30/12/2009 6 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8527 144.74356 30/12/2009 1 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8515 144.74517 30/12/2009 2 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8499 144.74486 30/12/2009 2 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8491 144.74446 29/12/2009 3 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8534 144.74494 29/12/2009 8 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8529 144.74501 29/12/2009 1 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8526 144.74504 29/12/2009 1 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8492 144.7416 21/12/2009 1 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8442 144.73268 21/12/2009 1 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8436 144.73122 20/12/2009 1 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8472 144.73537 20/12/2009 1 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8447 144.73121 20/12/2009 1 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8432 144.73083 20/12/2009 2 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8418 144.73044 20/12/2009 1 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8406 144.73076
Page | 46 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
Date Count Site Location Description Latitude Longitude 15/12/2009 5 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8131 144.7975 15/12/2009 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8142 144.79667 15/12/2009 2 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8477 144.7367 15/12/2009 1 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8474 144.73089 15/12/2009 2 Marquands and Leakes Rd, Truganina -37.8488 144.73843 2/12/2009 4 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8536 144.74493 2/12/2009 3 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8531 144.74502 2/12/2009 1 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290 Sayers Rd and 25 Palmers Rd -37.8517 144.7442 14/11/2009 5 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8131 144.7975 14/11/2009 4 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8125 144.7975 14/11/2009 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8119 144.7975 14/11/2009 12 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8119 144.79694 14/11/2009 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8114 144.79694 6/11/2009 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8097 144.79694 29/12/2008 2 GAA Project Area -37.75639 144.64335 11/12/2008 6 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8131 144.7975 11/12/2008 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8119 144.7975 11/12/2008 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8119 144.79694 11/12/2008 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8108 144.79694 11/12/2008 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8092 144.79778 6/12/2008 6 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8125 144.7975 6/12/2008 3 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8119 144.7975 6/12/2008 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8103 144.79833 4/12/2008 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8125 144.79889
Page | 47 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
Date Count Site Location Description Latitude Longitude 4/12/2008 3 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8125 144.7975 4/12/2008 3 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8119 144.7975 4/12/2008 2 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8131 144.79667 4/12/2008 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8119 144.79694 30/11/2008 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8136 144.79806 30/11/2008 2 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8131 144.7975 30/11/2008 2 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8125 144.7975 30/11/2008 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8097 144.79833 30/11/2008 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8092 144.79778 30/11/2008 2 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8103 144.79694 30/11/2008 1 Derrimut Grassland monitoring site -37.8097 144.79694 18/11/2008 1 GAA Project Area -37.75516 144.66074 18/11/2008 1 Troups Road, Mount Cottrell -37.75516 144.66074 18/11/2008 1 GAA Project Area -37.755 144.6621 6/11/2008 1 GAA Project Area -37.76808 144.64751 6/11/2008 1 GAA Project Area -37.77129 144.65435 6/11/2008 1 GAA Project Area -37.76921 144.65333 6/11/2008 1 GAA Project Area -37.76687 144.65331 11/10/2008 1 Argoona Road, Mambourin -37.755 144.6621 11/06/2008 1 Downing Street, Mount Cottrell -37.76808 144.64751 11/06/2008 1 Downing Street, Mount Cottrell -37.77129 144.65435 11/06/2008 1 Downing Street, Mount Cottrell -37.76921 144.65333 11/06/2008 1 Downing Street, Mount Cottrell -37.76687 144.65331 13/11/2007 1 Maidstone St, Altona. -37.855 144.81131
Page | 48 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
Date Count Site Location Description Latitude Longitude 13/11/2007 1 Maidstone St, Altona. -37.855 144.81221 13/11/2007 1 Maidstone St, Altona. -37.8549 144.81195 13/11/2007 1 Maidstone St, Altona. -37.8548 144.81099 13/11/2007 1 Maidstone St, Altona. -37.8546 144.81148 13/11/2007 1 Maidstone St, Altona. -37.8545 144.81216 13/11/2007 1 Maidstone St, Altona. -37.855 144.81418 13/11/2007 1 Maidstone St, Altona. -37.855 144.81304 13/11/2007 1 Maidstone St, Altona. -37.8545 144.81371 11/11/2007 10 Laverton North Grassland -37.84179 144.762 11/11/2007 4 Koroit Creek Road reserve (north side), south of Laverton North Grassland, Altona North -37.84132 144.79524 11/11/2007 1000 Land bounded by Princess Fwy to the north, Laverton North Grassland to the west -37.8397 144.80075 11/11/2007 1 Land south of Kororoit Creek Rd, Altona -37.83132 144.81646 11/11/2007 3 Land south of Gordon Luck Ave, Altona North -37.83132 144.81646 11/11/2007 2 Land south of Gordon Luck Ave, Altona North -37.83132 144.81646 11/11/2007 10 Land south of Gordon Luck Ave, Altona North -37.83132 144.81646 11/11/2007 5 Land south of Gordon Luck Ave, Altona North -37.83132 144.81646 11/11/2007 31 Land east of Maidstone St and south of the railway line, Altona -37.85515 144.81188 11/11/2007 5 Land bounded by Ajax Road and the railway line, Altona -37.85504 144.8062 11/11/2007 5 Land bounded by Charles Crt and Lugg St, Altona -37.85525 144.81756 11/11/2007 100 Land bounded by Grieve Pde, The Gateway, Toll Dr and Kororoit Creek Rd, Altona -37.84646 144.82918 11/11/2007 1 Land off Grieve Pde, north of Taras Ave and south of Clift Crt, Altona -37.84208 144.8244 11/11/2007 2 Land at corner of Clift Crt and Grieve Pde, Altona North -37.84002 144.82468 11/11/2007 10 Land bounded by Grieve Pde, Taras Dr and Kororoit Creek Rd, Altona -37.84666 144.82325 25/11/2006 100 Prix Cars, Altona -37.84489 144.8061
Page | 49 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
Date Count Site Location Description Latitude Longitude 25/11/2006 100 Prix Cars, Altona -37.84489 144.8061 24/11/2006 10 Prix Cars, Altona -37.84507 144.80538 24/11/2006 10 Prix Cars, Altona -37.84507 144.80538 21/11/2006 500 720-808 Kororoit Creek Road, Altona -37.83948 144.80783 21/11/2006 500 720-808 Kororoit Creek Road, Altona -37.83948 144.80783 19/11/2006 1 William Angliss Grassland -37.81955 144.78035 19/11/2006 1 William Angliss Grassland -37.81955 144.78035 10/11/2006 10 Derrimut Grasslands -37.81199 144.79722 10/11/2006 10 Derrimut Grasslands -37.81199 144.79722 11/12/2005 1 Deer Park -37.79016 144.79299
Page | 50 489-555 Robinson’s Road, Truganina – Assessment of MNES Report No. 16005 (1.1)
Appendix 3: Protected Matters Search Tool report (4/1/2017)
Page | 51 EPBC Act Protected Matters Report
This report provides general guidance on matters of national environmental significance and other matters protected by the EPBC Act in the area you have selected.
Information on the coverage of this report and qualifications on data supporting this report are contained in the caveat at the end of the report.
Information is available about Environment Assessments and the EPBC Act including significance guidelines, forms and application process details.
Report created: 04/01/17 11:25:43
Summary Details Matters of NES Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act Extra Information Caveat Acknowledgements
This map may contain data which are ©Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia), ©PSMA 2010
Coordinates Buffer: 10.0Km Summary
Matters of National Environmental Significance
This part of the report summarises the matters of national environmental significance that may occur in, or may relate to, the area you nominated. Further information is available in the detail part of the report, which can be accessed by scrolling or following the links below. If you are proposing to undertake an activity that may have a significant impact on one or more matters of national environmental significance then you should consider the Administrative Guidelines on Significance.
World Heritage Properties: None National Heritage Places: None Wetlands of International Importance: 1 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: None Commonwealth Marine Area: None Listed Threatened Ecological Communities: 6 Listed Threatened Species: 32 Listed Migratory Species: 12
Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act
This part of the report summarises other matters protected under the Act that may relate to the area you nominated. Approval may be required for a proposed activity that significantly affects the environment on Commonwealth land, when the action is outside the Commonwealth land, or the environment anywhere when the action is taken on Commonwealth land. Approval may also be required for the Commonwealth or Commonwealth agencies proposing to take an action that is likely to have a significant impact on the environment anywhere.
The EPBC Act protects the environment on Commonwealth land, the environment from the actions taken on Commonwealth land, and the environment from actions taken by Commonwealth agencies. As heritage values of a place are part of the 'environment', these aspects of the EPBC Act protect the Commonwealth Heritage values of a Commonwealth Heritage place. Information on the new heritage laws can be found at http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage
A permit may be required for activities in or on a Commonwealth area that may affect a member of a listed threatened species or ecological community, a member of a listed migratory species, whales and other cetaceans, or a member of a listed marine species.
Commonwealth Land: 3 Commonwealth Heritage Places: 2 Listed Marine Species: 20 Whales and Other Cetaceans: None Critical Habitats: None Commonwealth Reserves Terrestrial: None Commonwealth Reserves Marine: None
Extra Information
This part of the report provides information that may also be relevant to the area you have nominated.
State and Territory Reserves: 10 Regional Forest Agreements: 1 Invasive Species: 42 Nationally Important Wetlands: None Key Ecological Features (Marine) None Details
Matters of National Environmental Significance Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) [ Resource Information ] Name Proximity Port phillip bay (western shoreline) and bellarine peninsula Within 10km of Ramsar
Listed Threatened Ecological Communities [ Resource Information ] For threatened ecological communities where the distribution is well known, maps are derived from recovery plans, State vegetation maps, remote sensing imagery and other sources. Where threatened ecological community distributions are less well known, existing vegetation maps and point location data are used to produce indicative distribution maps. Name Status Type of Presence Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Critically Endangered Community likely to occur Plain within area Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands Endangered Community may occur and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern within area Australia Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Critically Endangered Community likely to occur Plain within area Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands (Freshwater) of the Critically Endangered Community likely to occur Temperate Lowland Plains within area Subtropical and Temperate Coastal Saltmarsh Vulnerable Community likely to occur within area White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Critically Endangered Community may occur Woodland and Derived Native Grassland within area Listed Threatened Species [ Resource Information ] Name Status Type of Presence Birds Anthochaera phrygia Regent Honeyeater [82338] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern [1001] Endangered Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper [856] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Grantiella picta Painted Honeyeater [470] Vulnerable Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot [744] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area
Limosa lapponica baueri Bar-tailed Godwit (baueri), Western Alaskan Bar-tailed Vulnerable Species or species habitat Godwit [86380] known to occur within area
Limosa lapponica menzbieri Northern Siberian Bar-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit Critically Endangered Species or species habitat (menzbieri) [86432] may occur within area
Neophema chrysogaster Orange-bellied Parrot [747] Critically Endangered Species or species Name Status Type of Presence habitat known to occur within area Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew, Far Eastern Curlew [847] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Pachyptila turtur subantarctica Fairy Prion (southern) [64445] Vulnerable Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Pedionomus torquatus Plains-wanderer [906] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Rostratula australis Australian Painted Snipe [77037] Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Fish Galaxiella pusilla Eastern Dwarf Galaxias, Dwarf Galaxias [56790] Vulnerable Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Maccullochella peelii Murray Cod [66633] Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area
Prototroctes maraena Australian Grayling [26179] Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area
Frogs Litoria raniformis Growling Grass Frog, Southern Bell Frog, Green and Vulnerable Species or species habitat Golden Frog, Warty Swamp Frog [1828] known to occur within area
Insects Synemon plana Golden Sun Moth [25234] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Mammals Petauroides volans Greater Glider [254] Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area
Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying-fox [186] Vulnerable Foraging, feeding or related behaviour likely to occur within area Plants Amphibromus fluitans River Swamp Wallaby-grass, Floating Swamp Vulnerable Species or species habitat Wallaby-grass [19215] may occur within area
Dianella amoena Matted Flax-lily [64886] Endangered Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Diuris basaltica Small Golden Moths Orchid, Early Golden Moths Endangered Species or species habitat [64654] likely to occur within area
Diuris fragrantissima Sunshine Diuris, Fragrant Doubletail, White Diuris Endangered Species or species habitat [21243] likely to occur within area
Glycine latrobeana Clover Glycine, Purple Clover [13910] Vulnerable Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Name Status Type of Presence Leucochrysum albicans var. tricolor Hoary Sunray, Grassland Paper-daisy [56204] Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Pimelea spinescens subsp. spinescens Plains Rice-flower, Spiny Rice-flower, Prickly Pimelea Critically Endangered Species or species habitat [21980] known to occur within area
Prasophyllum frenchii Maroon Leek-orchid, Slaty Leek-orchid, Stout Leek- Endangered Species or species habitat orchid, French's Leek-orchid, Swamp Leek-orchid likely to occur within area [9704] Pterostylis cucullata Leafy Greenhood [15459] Vulnerable Species or species habitat may occur within area
Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides Button Wrinklewort [7384] Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Senecio macrocarpus Large-fruit Fireweed, Large-fruit Groundsel [16333] Vulnerable Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Reptiles Delma impar Striped Legless Lizard [1649] Vulnerable Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Tympanocryptis pinguicolla Grassland Earless Dragon [66727] Endangered Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Listed Migratory Species [ Resource Information ] * Species is listed under a different scientific name on the EPBC Act - Threatened Species list. Name Threatened Type of Presence Migratory Marine Birds Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift [678] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Migratory Terrestrial Species Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail [682] Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch [609] Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail [644] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher [612] Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail [592] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Migratory Wetlands Species Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper [856] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe, Japanese Snipe [863] Species or species habitat may occur within area Name Threatened Type of Presence Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit [844] Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew, Far Eastern Curlew [847] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Pandion haliaetus Osprey [952] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank, Greenshank [832] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Other Matters Protected by the EPBC Act Commonwealth Land [ Resource Information ] The Commonwealth area listed below may indicate the presence of Commonwealth land in this vicinity. Due to the unreliability of the data source, all proposals should be checked as to whether it impacts on a Commonwealth area, before making a definitive decision. Contact the State or Territory government land department for further information. Name Commonwealth Land - Defence - RADIO RECEIVING STATION - ROCKBANK Defence - WILLIAMS - LAVERTON RAAF BASE
Commonwealth Heritage Places [ Resource Information ] Name State Status Historic Officers Mess - RAAF Williams Laverton Base VIC Listed place RAAF Williams Laverton - Eastern Hangars and West Workshops VIC Listed place Precincts Listed Marine Species [ Resource Information ] * Species is listed under a different scientific name on the EPBC Act - Threatened Species list. Name Threatened Type of Presence Birds Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift [678] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Ardea alba Great Egret, White Egret [59541] Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Ardea ibis Cattle Egret [59542] Species or species habitat may occur within area
Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper [856] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe, Japanese Snipe [863] Species or species habitat may occur within area
Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle [943] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail [682] Species or species habitat known to occur Name Threatened Type of Presence within area Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot [744] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat may occur within area
Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit [844] Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater [670] Species or species habitat may occur within area
Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch [609] Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail [644] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher [612] Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Neophema chrysogaster Orange-bellied Parrot [747] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew, Far Eastern Curlew [847] Critically Endangered Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Pachyptila turtur Fairy Prion [1066] Species or species habitat known to occur within area
Pandion haliaetus Osprey [952] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail [592] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Rostratula benghalensis (sensu lato) Painted Snipe [889] Endangered* Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank, Greenshank [832] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Extra Information State and Territory Reserves [ Resource Information ] Name State Altona N.C.R. VIC Angliss Grassland (Laverton North) N.C.R. VIC Cairnlea Estate N.C.R. VIC Clarke Road SS.R. VIC Derrimut Grassland N.C.R. VIC Gilbertsons Grassland N.C.R. VIC Laverton Grasslands F.R. VIC Mount Cottrell N.C.R. VIC Mount Derrimut N.C.R. VIC Ravenhall N.C.R. VIC
Regional Forest Agreements [ Resource Information ] Note that all areas with completed RFAs have been included. Name State West Victoria RFA Victoria
Invasive Species [ Resource Information ] Weeds reported here are the 20 species of national significance (WoNS), along with other introduced plants that are considered by the States and Territories to pose a particularly significant threat to biodiversity. The following feral animals are reported: Goat, Red Fox, Cat, Rabbit, Pig, Water Buffalo and Cane Toad. Maps from Landscape Health Project, National Land and Water Resouces Audit, 2001.
Name Status Type of Presence Birds Acridotheres tristis Common Myna, Indian Myna [387] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Alauda arvensis Skylark [656] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Anas platyrhynchos Mallard [974] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch [403] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Carduelis chloris European Greenfinch [404] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Columba livia Rock Pigeon, Rock Dove, Domestic Pigeon [803] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Passer domesticus House Sparrow [405] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Passer montanus Eurasian Tree Sparrow [406] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Pycnonotus jocosus Red-whiskered Bulbul [631] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Streptopelia chinensis Spotted Turtle-Dove [780] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling [389] Species or species habitat likely to occur Name Status Type of Presence within area Turdus merula Common Blackbird, Eurasian Blackbird [596] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Turdus philomelos Song Thrush [597] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Mammals Bos taurus Domestic Cattle [16] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Canis lupus familiaris Domestic Dog [82654] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Capra hircus Goat [2] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Felis catus Cat, House Cat, Domestic Cat [19] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Lepus capensis Brown Hare [127] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Mus musculus House Mouse [120] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit, European Rabbit [128] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Rattus norvegicus Brown Rat, Norway Rat [83] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Rattus rattus Black Rat, Ship Rat [84] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Vulpes vulpes Red Fox, Fox [18] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Plants Alternanthera philoxeroides Alligator Weed [11620] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Anredera cordifolia Madeira Vine, Jalap, Lamb's-tail, Mignonette Vine, Species or species habitat Anredera, Gulf Madeiravine, Heartleaf Madeiravine, likely to occur within area Potato Vine [2643] Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper, Bridal Veil Creeper, Smilax, Florist's Species or species habitat Smilax, Smilax Asparagus [22473] likely to occur within area
Austrocylindropuntia spp. Prickly Pears [85132] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Cenchrus ciliaris Buffel-grass, Black Buffel-grass [20213] Species or species habitat may occur within area
Chrysanthemoides monilifera Bitou Bush, Boneseed [18983] Species or species Name Status Type of Presence habitat may occur within area Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera Boneseed [16905] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Cytisus scoparius Broom, English Broom, Scotch Broom, Common Species or species habitat Broom, Scottish Broom, Spanish Broom [5934] likely to occur within area
Eichhornia crassipes Water Hyacinth, Water Orchid, Nile Lily [13466] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Genista linifolia Flax-leaved Broom, Mediterranean Broom, Flax Broom Species or species habitat [2800] likely to occur within area
Genista monspessulana Montpellier Broom, Cape Broom, Canary Broom, Species or species habitat Common Broom, French Broom, Soft Broom [20126] likely to occur within area
Lycium ferocissimum African Boxthorn, Boxthorn [19235] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Nassella neesiana Chilean Needle grass [67699] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Nassella trichotoma Serrated Tussock, Yass River Tussock, Yass Tussock, Species or species habitat Nassella Tussock (NZ) [18884] likely to occur within area
Opuntia spp. Prickly Pears [82753] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Rubus fruticosus aggregate Blackberry, European Blackberry [68406] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area
Salix spp. except S.babylonica, S.x calodendron & S.x reichardtii Willows except Weeping Willow, Pussy Willow and Species or species habitat Sterile Pussy Willow [68497] likely to occur within area
Solanum elaeagnifolium Silver Nightshade, Silver-leaved Nightshade, White Species or species habitat Horse Nettle, Silver-leaf Nightshade, Tomato Weed, likely to occur within area White Nightshade, Bull-nettle, Prairie-berry, Satansbos, Silver-leaf Bitter-apple, Silverleaf-nettle, Trompillo [12323] Ulex europaeus Gorse, Furze [7693] Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Caveat The information presented in this report has been provided by a range of data sources as acknowledged at the end of the report.
This report is designed to assist in identifying the locations of places which may be relevant in determining obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It holds mapped locations of World and National Heritage properties, Wetlands of International and National Importance, Commonwealth and State/Territory reserves, listed threatened, migratory and marine species and listed threatened ecological communities. Mapping of Commonwealth land is not complete at this stage. Maps have been collated from a range of sources at various resolutions.
Not all species listed under the EPBC Act have been mapped (see below) and therefore a report is a general guide only. Where available data supports mapping, the type of presence that can be determined from the data is indicated in general terms. People using this information in making a referral may need to consider the qualifications below and may need to seek and consider other information sources.
For threatened ecological communities where the distribution is well known, maps are derived from recovery plans, State vegetation maps, remote sensing imagery and other sources. Where threatened ecological community distributions are less well known, existing vegetation maps and point location data are used to produce indicative distribution maps.
Threatened, migratory and marine species distributions have been derived through a variety of methods. Where distributions are well known and if time permits, maps are derived using either thematic spatial data (i.e. vegetation, soils, geology, elevation, aspect, terrain, etc) together with point locations and described habitat; or environmental modelling (MAXENT or BIOCLIM habitat modelling) using point locations and environmental data layers.
Where very little information is available for species or large number of maps are required in a short time-frame, maps are derived either from 0.04 or 0.02 decimal degree cells; by an automated process using polygon capture techniques (static two kilometre grid cells, alpha-hull and convex hull); or captured manually or by using topographic features (national park boundaries, islands, etc). In the early stages of the distribution mapping process (1999-early 2000s) distributions were defined by degree blocks, 100K or 250K map sheets to rapidly create distribution maps. More reliable distribution mapping methods are used to update these distributions as time permits.
Only selected species covered by the following provisions of the EPBC Act have been mapped: - migratory and - marine The following species and ecological communities have not been mapped and do not appear in reports produced from this database:
- threatened species listed as extinct or considered as vagrants - some species and ecological communities that have only recently been listed - some terrestrial species that overfly the Commonwealth marine area - migratory species that are very widespread, vagrant, or only occur in small numbers The following groups have been mapped, but may not cover the complete distribution of the species: - non-threatened seabirds which have only been mapped for recorded breeding sites - seals which have only been mapped for breeding sites near the Australian continent Such breeding sites may be important for the protection of the Commonwealth Marine environment.
Coordinates
-37.79831 144.74034 Acknowledgements This database has been compiled from a range of data sources. The department acknowledges the following custodians who have contributed valuable data and advice: -Office of Environment and Heritage, New South Wales -Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Victoria -Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania -Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, South Australia -Department of Land and Resource Management, Northern Territory -Department of Environmental and Heritage Protection, Queensland -Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia -Environment and Planning Directorate, ACT -Birdlife Australia -Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme -Australian National Wildlife Collection -Natural history museums of Australia -Museum Victoria -Australian Museum -South Australian Museum -Queensland Museum -Online Zoological Collections of Australian Museums -Queensland Herbarium -National Herbarium of NSW -Royal Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium of Victoria -Tasmanian Herbarium -State Herbarium of South Australia -Northern Territory Herbarium -Western Australian Herbarium -Australian National Herbarium, Canberra -University of New England -Ocean Biogeographic Information System -Australian Government, Department of Defence Forestry Corporation, NSW -Geoscience Australia -CSIRO -Australian Tropical Herbarium, Cairns -eBird Australia -Australian Government – Australian Antarctic Data Centre -Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory -Australian Government National Environmental Science Program -Australian Institute of Marine Science -Reef Life Survey Australia -American Museum of Natural History -Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Inveresk, Tasmania -Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania -Other groups and individuals
The Department is extremely grateful to the many organisations and individuals who provided expert advice and information on numerous draft distributions.
Please feel free to provide feedback via the Contact Us page.
© Commonwealth of Australia Department of the Environment GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia +61 2 6274 1111