Forests and Coastal Ecosystems of East Gippsland Regional Bushfire Recovery Workshop Report

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report Summary of outcomes from the regional co-design workshop 1 September 2020 Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

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This publication is available at http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/bushfire-recovery/regional-delivery- program

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 Telephone 1800 900 090 Web awe.gov.au

The Australian Government acting through the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has exercised due care and skill in preparing and compiling the information and data in this publication. Notwithstanding, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, its employees and advisers disclaim all liability, including liability for negligence and for any loss, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a result of accessing, using or relying on any of the information or data in this publication to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Acknowledgements

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment wants to thank workshop participants for their input. Thanks to Hannah Fraser, Terry Walshe, Peter Wilcock and Libby Rumpff for their workshop facilitation and for compiling this report.

Cover photo credits: East Gippsland, Darrian Traynor/Getty Images. Orbost Spiny Crayfish, Ecoshout CC BY-NC 2.0.

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment ii Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Contents

1 Executive summary...... 1 2 Background ...... 2 2.1 Regional bushfire recovery funding ...... 2 2.2 Workshop approach ...... 4 3 Workshop findings ...... 5 3.1 Proposed management actions ...... 5 3.2 Additional considerations ...... 8 Appendix A: East Gippsland workshop agenda ...... 11 Appendix B: Participating organisations ...... 13 Appendix C: Regional Profile for the Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland report ...... 15

Tables Table 1 Proposed budget breakdown for bushfire recovery actions in the Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region...... 9

Maps Map 1 A map of the seven bushfire affected regions that are the focus of regional investment ...... 2 Map 2 A map of the Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region, showing the severity of the 2019-20 bushfires ...... 3

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment iii Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

1 Executive summary

The Australian Government is investing $110 million to provide strategic on-ground support for the most impacted native species, ecological communities and natural assets across seven bushfire affected regions. A series of co-design workshops were held with regional stakeholders across the seven regions to guide the Australian Government's continued investment in bushfire recovery.

The aim of each workshop was to engage and collaborate with regional stakeholders to:

1) identify priorities amongst species, ecological communities and natural assets, identified as high priorities for urgent management intervention, that require additional funding to secure their recovery following the devastating 2019-20 summer bushfires 2) identify an action plan to guide the allocation of additional funds from the Australian Government to maximise the chances of recovery of those priority species, communities, and assets, and to build on existing planning and recovery work. This action plan can also act as a guide for other investors. The East Gippsland stakeholder workshop was held on 1 September 2020. With an indicative budget of $14 million, participants specified a detailed management strategy which included investing in traditional owner lead healing of country, species specific actions for identified priority species, herbivore control, weed control, feral predator control and targeted protection of refugia. Participants also emphasised the need to engage in community outreach and monitoring to accompany these actions.

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment 1 Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

2 Background 2.1 Regional bushfire recovery funding

The Australian Government is investing $110 million to provide strategic on-ground support for the most impacted native species, ecological communities and natural assets, such as World Heritage Areas and Ramsar listed wetlands, across seven bushfire affected regions: Rainforests of south-east Queensland, Rainforests of the NSW north coast and tablelands, The Greater Blue Mountains and World Heritage Area, Forests of the NSW south coast, Australian alpine environment, Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland, and Kangaroo Island (Map 1).

Map 1 A map of the seven bushfire affected regions that are the focus of regional investment

A series of co-design workshops were held across the seven bushfire affected regions. The broad aim of these workshops was to engage and collaborate with regional stakeholders to inform Australian Government investment in on-ground bushfire recovery, targeted at medium-term recovery of priority species.

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment 2 Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

The workshops were designed to build on existing recovery planning work for each region, by sharing and consolidating knowledge of existing and proposed efforts and identifying a plan for action that targets gaps in investment. Specifically, the workshops aimed to:

1) identify priorities amongst the large number of species, ecological communities and natural assets which have been identified as high priorities for urgent management intervention and that require additional funding to secure their recovery following the devastating 2019-20 summer bushfires 2) identify an action plan to guide the allocation of additional funds from the Australian Government to maximise the chances of recovery of those priority species, communities, and assets, and to build on existing planning and recovery work. The East Gippsland region (Map 2) has been allocated an indicative amount of $14 million to support action that targets gaps in investment for the relevant priority species. The agenda and list of attendees are found in Appendix 1 and 2, and the regional profile which outlines the priority species, priority actions and works underway/planned is found in Appendix 3. This was provided to workshop participants before the workshop, to inform discussions.

The Australian Government will use the action plans developed at this workshop to guide investment across the seven bushfire affected regions. Action plans will be reviewed by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and some aspects will be further explored with targeted stakeholders to identify key actions that can be delivered for priority environmental matters by June 2022. Investment decisions will also take into account community capacity and existing funding and recovery actions underway in the region. These investments will primarily be administered through existing delivery arrangements, for example with NRM regions and/or state governments. This will include developing or continuing formal and informal partnerships with other organisations and community groups where this will enhance recovery outcomes.

Map 2 A map of the Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region, showing the severity of the 2019-20 bushfires

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment 3 Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

2.2 Workshop approach

During the workshop for the Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region, the following steps were taken.

1) Participants heard perspectives from the Australian and Victorian Governments on the: a) impacts of the 2019-2020 fires, and the shared list of draft priority matters (which are species, ecological communities and natural assets) and actions b) existing management and planning efforts within the region, relevant to the priority matters c) any perceived gaps in investment (from the regional stakeholders). 2) After a short discussion on actions and priorities, participants were split into three groups to review the information in the regional profile (Appendix 3) and to develop an action plan that maximises the chances of recovery of priority matters by 2030. An indicative budget for the action plans were defined, and participants were informed the budget should be spent by June 2022. Action plans were designed to provide high level detail on discrete actions (e.g. pest management, weed control), including the locations within the regions that actions are to be implemented, the priority matters targeted by each action, and the approximate budget allocated to each action. Participants in each group were also asked to discuss how they would allocate an additional $2 million of funding if it became available. Participants were asked to assume that: a) monitoring was included in each action (and to budget accordingly) b) budget was likely to be available to continue actions beyond 2022, not from this source of funding but as part of ‘business-as-usual’ biodiversity conservation efforts by all levels of government and non-government sources. Participants were also asked to focus on action focused plans. Surveillance efforts could be included where addressing uncertainty is critical but should be accompanied with on- ground action. It was also noted that action plans should be developed given best available knowledge at the time of the workshop, noting that there will be flexibility to later refine and adapt details of the actions identified in the plan, if significant new information justified these changes. 3) Each group then presented their strategy to the larger group and other participants were asked to qualitatively evaluate each strategy, to provide a basis for discussion around preferred actions. Similarities and differences across plans were discussed as a group, to identify the actions that had achieved a consensus. The output for the workshop was one action plan, created based on these whole of group discussions.

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment 4 Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

3 Workshop findings

Participants specified a strategy for the indicative budget of $14 million which emphasised the need for community outreach and monitoring to accompany all management actions. All three groups of participants independently identified herbivore control, predator control and weed control as priority actions. In the group discussion to reach consensus, indicative budget was also assigned to traditional owner management; species specific interventions (e.g. for priority Spiny Crayfish, Galaxiids, fast responding plant species, and the Eastern Bristlebird); and targeted protection of identified refugia. 3.1 Proposed management actions Traditional owner led healing of country

Participants agreed to dedicate 10-15 per cent of the budget to support traditional owners undertake an assessment of country and identify actions that are needed to heal county throughout private and public land across the East Gippsland region. This incorporates assessment of country and impacted culturally significant species, place-based planning and implementation of actions, and fire management planning and implementation.

Further financial support is required to assist traditional owners to evaluate the impact of the recent catastrophic fires on culturally important species and locations. The scope and nature of these assessments is to be determined by traditional owners. This is to build upon funding being provided by the Victorian Government.

As the impact of fire on culturally important species and locations is determined, traditional owners will plan and conduct actions to ensure their health and integrity. Traditional owner led fire management was also proposed.

Weed control

Participants identified targeted weed control, including associated community outreach and monitoring, with a focus on private land (e.g. covenants and key refuge areas surrounding burnt public land), riparian areas, and roadsides. This targeted weed control focuses on minimising risk to threatened ecological communities including rainforest and banksia woodlands, threatened plant species (e.g. leafy nematolepis) and habitat for priority threatened species such as the long-footed potoroo.

Herbivore control

Participants dedicated 25-30 per cent of the budget to targeted herbivore control in areas with restricted populations of priority plant and animal species, and ecological communities (e.g. rainforests). Cape Howe was mentioned by two of the groups as a priority location. It was seen that focusing on key refuge areas was important on public land, as well as targeted sites on private land (surrounding freehold and covenants with priority species). This action is a focus of current investment in the region (ending in 2021), but there was consensus that continued funding is necessary to reduce the impacts of herbivores to enable post-fire recovery. This was

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment 5 Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report considered a strategic action that would assist in the post-fire recovery of many threatened plants, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, fish, and critical weight range mammals, as well as cool and warm temperate rainforest communities. Priority is given to control of deer, with effort also assigned to control of pigs, goats and horses (e.g. in upper snowy, Gelantipy).

Feral predator control

Workshop participants specified that feral predator control should be targeted around restricted populations of threatened prey species (e.g. Eastern Bristlebird, and priority ground dwelling mammals).

Foxes

Participants allocated approximately 10 per cent of the overall budget to fox control, intending to safeguard recovering populations of priority mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. There was mention of providing additional support for the Southern Ark program (i.e. first six months of 2022) and providing a small portion for (currently unfunded) private landholders in surrounding areas to bolster the effectiveness of the program.

Cats

Participants allocated approximately five per cent of the budget to cat control, to safeguard recovering populations of priority mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. There was some debate on the portion of the budget that should be directed to cat control, largely on the grounds of uncertainty with cat control methods. The consensus was to focus on trialling cat control methods across the region and expand effort if an extra $2 million was granted to the region. The upper snowy and Cape Howe were noted as two potential priority locations (for the spot- tailed quoll and eastern bristlebird, respectively).

Trout

Trout control was allocated approximately five per cent of the budget, as part of an action to create or maintain predator free habitat (barriers) areas for freshwater species including for the four priority Galaxiid species, the four priority spiny crayfish species, and other priority amphibians and fish species.

Species specific actions

Workshop participants allocated 30 per cent of the budget to species specific actions aimed at protecting the priority species. Species that were discussed in the workshop include Spiny Crayfish, Galaxiids, Eastern Bristlebird and the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby. Funding is to be divided between identifying suitable locations for translocation, seed collection and propagation and the implementation of actions identified in existing management planning.

Priority Galaxiid and spiny crayfish species

Participants considered it possible to achieve substantial benefit for priority spiny crayfish (Arte Spiny Crayfish, Cann Spiny Crayfish, East Gippsland Spiny Crayfish, West Snowy Spiny Crayfish, Orbost Spiny Crayfish) and Galaxiid species (East Gippsland Galaxias, Cann Galaxias, McDowall's Galaxias and Yalmy Galaxias) through carefully implemented translocations. This would involve

Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment 6 Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report identifying suitable source populations through genetic analysis, developing breeding programs/protocols, and identifying and improving potential locations (i.e. creating predator free barriers). Some workshop participants suggested allocating 10-15 per cent of the budget for implementing actions for the priority Galaxiid and spiny crayfish species.

Priority plant species

Priority plant species highlighted for action included the Genoa River correa, priority callistemon species (e.g. Forrester’s Bottlebrush, Betka Bottlebrush), priority banksia species (Gippsland Banksia), and the Leafy Nematolepis. Focusing on ‘fast responding’ plant species was seen as a priority, as both surveillance and action for some of the slower responding species may not be viable within the funding timeframe. Beyond strategic actions like weed and deer control, actions included genetic rescue, additional collection of locally sourced seed to develop native seed nurseries with local provenance, and translocation. To improve the chances for priority plant (and potentially invertebrate) species, establishment of an arboretum or ‘conservation botanic garden’ was flagged by some participants as a potential action if an additional $2 million was available for the region. This could provide important food sources for invertebrates.

Implement planning for Eastern Bristlebird

Current conservation management planning underway for the genetic rescue and establishment of a new population of the Eastern Bristlebird requires additional funding for implementation. Funding for this activity would allow the vital bushfire recovery actions to be put in place. Some participants suggested that 8-10 per cent of the budget may be required to fund actions under the recovery plan.

Implement planning for Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby

Funding to support the implementation of actions identified in existing planning documents was raised as a potential suggestion to support the recovery of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.

Other species

As with the Eastern Bristlebird, there are other priority species where cost-effective actions have been identified that should be considered.

Targeted refugia protection

There was a focus on targeting (short and long-term) refuge areas for action throughout the workshop. Participants discussed funding refugia as a separate suite of actions to ensure these areas were adequately funded. Actions may include planning (i.e. a risk-based approach to climate change, a fire management strategy, ‘climate adjusted approaches’ in vulnerable habitat, insurance populations), herbivore, feral predator and weed control, and fuel reduction burning. Extra covenanting of refuges on private land was raised as a potential action to be considered if an extra $2 million was available.

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3.2 Additional considerations Actions not included in the strategy

There were some actions identified by one group for investment that were not included in the consensus strategy. These were:

• Targeted invertebrate surveys and citizen science monitoring, including surveys to understand fire impacts on priority species, understanding the impacts of fire type (intensity, severity) on invertebrates and, understanding the needs of polylectic/oligolectic feeders (including relevant food sources). The need for long-term funding was important for invertebrates, as implementing actions within the time frame was considered unrealistic. • Assistance with fencing on private land for protection for priority species (i.e. stock, deer). • Other actions to support other freshwater priority species, including habitat restoration. • Targeted community outreach and engagement to facilitate nature-led social recovery (e.g. to support improve social wellbeing, connection and a sense of ownership). This was considered a guiding principle for all actions, but some considered specific funding was required to ensure it is funded adequately. • Monitoring. Though monitoring was to be included in the budget for all actions, some participants noted the expense associated with effective outcomes focused monitoring.

Additional budget

Some participants proposed that the additional $2 million could be spent on further investment in cat control, developing an arboretum for priority threatened plant species (and potentially food plants for invertebrates), and additional covenanting on private land to increase the network of refuges for priority species.

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Table 1 Proposed budget breakdown for bushfire recovery actions in the Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region Note: monitoring is assumed to accompany all actions.

Action class Actions Location Assets targeted Approximate budget per cent (%) Traditional owner led Assessment of country and impacted totem Throughout Culturally important species, other traditional 10-15% healing of country species owner values Place based planning and action Culturally important species, other traditional owner values; all Fire planning and management All Weed control Weed control, with monitoring and community Private land, streamside, roadsides Threatened plants, rainforest, banksia woodlands, 10-15% (with monitoring and outreach some mammals (e.g. Smoky Mouse, Long-footed community outreach) Potoroo) Herbivore control Deer (priority) Targeted around restricted Threatened plants, reptiles, amphibians, rainforest 25-30% populations of threatened species (cool and warm temperate), threatened (including plants) and rainforest invertebrates, fish, (habitat for) critical weight Pigs range mammals Goats and horses

Feral predator control Foxes Targeted around restricted Priority mammals and reptiles, amphibians, birds ~10% (with monitoring and populations of threatened species community outreach) Cats ~5% Trout Freshwater species - priority Galaxiid species, ~5% Spiny Crayfish, amphibians and fish

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Action class Actions Location Assets targeted Approximate budget per cent (%) Species specific actions Identify suitable locations (survey) plus habitat Targeted around restricted Priority spiny crayfish and Galaxiid species ~30% (with monitoring and management, genetic analysis and rescue, develop populations of threatened community outreach) breeding protocols wild to wild translocation species Implement planning (translocation etc) Eastern Bristlebird Survey, seed collection, growth etc (and arboretum Fast responding priority plant species with portion of extra $2 million) Implement planning e.g. Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Targeted refugia Including herbivore, feral predator and weed Targeted throughout region All priority species and threatened communities ~10% protection control, fuel reduction burning, (and covenanting with portion of extra $2 million)

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report Appendix A: East Gippsland workshop agenda

Tuesday 1 September 2020

Purpose: to build on existing recovery planning work being undertaken in this region, by sharing and consolidating knowledge of existing and proposed efforts and identifying a plan for action that targets gaps in investment.

Workshop aims to:

1) Work with regional partners to identify the regional priorities amongst the species, ecological communities, natural assets and heritage values that have been identified as high priorities for urgent management intervention, but require additional funding to secure their recovery following the devastating and unprecedented 2019-20 summer bushfires. 2) Identify an action plan for allocating additional funds from the Australian Government to maximise the chances of recovery of those priority species, communities, assets, and values. The workshop will focus on sharing information between participants to get a clear understanding of the current state of knowledge of:

• the impact of these wildfires on the relevant priority species and ecological communities • the key threats facing the priority species • the key management actions to address these threats, including their effectiveness and feasibility • the recent, current, and confirmed future management actions underway, with an understanding of where and when actions have been implemented • the gaps in investment for species/communities that if resolved, could result in maximising the chances of recovery. The workshop will be facilitated by Dr Libby Rumpff, University of Melbourne, and will focus on a structured elicitation of potential on ground actions for priority species and ecological communities that require additional funding to best maximise the chance of recovery. Potential actions will be explored to try and arrive at a consensus.

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Table 1 Detailed workshop agenda

Time Activity (AEST)

10:00am Videoconference begins Welcome – Dr Fiona Fraser, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

10:20am Facilitator will outline plan for the workshop – Dr Libby Rumpff

• aims, approach, outputs.

10:35am What do we know so far?

• Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment - Dr Fiona Fraser

• Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning – Anne Buchan

• Questions.

11:10am Short break

11:20am Participants will break into three groups to develop conservation strategies

• Groups will be given a funding envelope and be asked to allocate the funding to consolidate gaps in investment and maximise the chances of recovery for priority species/communities by 2030. Groups will be asked to identify where funding should be directed spatially using a worksheet mapping attachment.

• The allocation of participants to each discussion group will be provided separately.

12:50pm Lunch break

1:15pm Groups will come back together and present the strategies. Participants will provide feedback and vote on strategies (via Mentimeter) based on:

• likelihood of implementation

• estimated benefit.

2:00pm Facilitator will lead the discussion on strategies to determine if there is a preferred way forward or a consensus strategy asking:

• Where are the similarities and differences?

• Can we iterate and combine elements?

• Are differences about values, uncertainty, or something else?

• Candidates for adaptive management?

3:20pm Facilitator will outline next steps

3.30pm Workshop ends

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Appendix B: Participating organisations

Attendees

Arthur Rylah Institute

BirdLife Australia

Bushfire Recovery Expert Panel

Bushfire Recovery Victoria

Conservation Volunteers Australia

East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority

East Gippsland Conservation Management Network

East Gippsland Shire Council

Far East Victoria Landcare Network

Greening Australia

Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation

Landcare Victoria

Museums Victoria

New South Wales Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

Parks Victoria

Peter Robinson

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon Darren Chester MP

Trust for Nature

Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

Zoos Victoria

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Observers

Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

National Bushfire Recovery Agency

Office of the Minister for Environment, the Hon Sussan Ley MP

Office of the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon Darren Chester MP

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report Appendix C: Regional Profile for the Forests and coastal ecosystems of East

Gippsland report

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report 2019-20 Bushfires recovery planning regional profile Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland

August 2020

This regional profile draws from multiple sources of information and planning processes, including those undertaken by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and the Victorian Government Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Note: minor edits have been to the regional profile which was provided to workshop participants (27 August 2020) to allow for publication. Photo credit cover page: Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report Executive Summary

The Australian Government is investing $110 million over two years to provide strategic on- ground support for the most impacted native species, ecological communities and natural assets, such as World Heritage Areas and Ramsar wetlands, across seven bushfire affected regions. The forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland has been identified as one of these regions.

• An indicative allocation of $14 million will be used for discussion about how to direct investment in the forests and coastal ecosystems of the East Gippsland Region. • Recovery activities can occur on public and private land and must be completed by June 2022. • Funds can be spent anywhere within the region, not only in the burnt areas, if investment is supporting the recovery of matters directly affected by the recent bushfire. Analysis of available data, including burnt area, fire severity and impact on assets is summarised below.

• The long-footed potoroo, eastern bristlebird, four Galaxiid fish species (East Gippsland, Cann, McDowall's and Yalmy Galaxias), five species of spiny crayfish (Arte, Cann, East Gippsland, West Snowy and Orbost spiny crayfish), the sedge darter and 15 plant species are identified in the Australian Government analysis as priority matters for investment. • Additional species prioritised by the Victorian Government Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning includes the southern greater glider, spot-tailed quoll, southern brown bandicoot and southern long-nosed bandicoot, three birds (glossy black-cockatoo, ground parrot and masked owl), two fish species (Australian grayling and Macquarie perch), three frogs (large brown tree frog, giant burrowing frog and southern barred frog), the diamond python and 11 plant species. • Protection of unburnt areas, minimising impacts from human activities, predator and herbivore control, weed control, and translocation (plants) are identified as key actions for these priority matters. • Additional funding for weed, predator and herbivore control, and habitat protection and restoration appear to be the key investment gaps for post-bushfire recovery. • Current funding is supporting activities that are due to be completed by June 2021. While the regional recovery funding may be directed to additional short-term efforts to extend activities currently underway, as well as supporting new recovery actions, the focus of this funding will not be on supporting species surveying and mapping. Actions that survey or monitor species must be directly connected to on-ground recovery actions. The purpose of the workshop will be to:

1) test and validate or edit the priority matters and actions for the forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland 2) discuss where in the region recovery efforts should be focused.

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report The region

The forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland bushfire region is defined by the boundary of the East Gippsland natural resource management region and covers 2,104,730 hectares.

Traditional owners

Aboriginal people have a strong cultural connection with the lands and waters of East Gippsland and are actively engaged in managing and protecting the cultural heritage and environmental assets of the region.

The Gunaikurnia People are recognised as the traditional owners in Gippsland, west of the Snowy River, through their native title rights. Together with the state government they jointly manage 10 parks and reserves in their settlement area.

A number of traditional owners and groups have interest in the area east of the Snowy River and are known and consulted with as the traditional custodians of the region. 2019-20 fire extent and severity

Approximately 42 per cent of the region was burnt in the 2019-20 fires, with 96.5 per cent (848,819 hectares) of the fire scar occurring on public land. A summary of fire impact and severity in the region is shown in Table 1 and a fire severity map is at Map 1.

Fire mapping indicates that the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar site, situated at the southern end of the region, was not affected by the 2019-20 bushfires.

Table 1 Fire impact and severity in the forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region

Region Total Total Per cent (%) Fire Severity Per cent (%) hectares hectares of total Index burnt at high or burnt hectares very high burnt severity Forests and coastal ecosystems of East 2,104,730 879,442 42% 53 59% Gippsland

Note: Three classes of fire severity have been mapped (GEEBAM) with the most severe being “very high”. The fire severity index (max of 100) weights the three different classes of severity, with higher weights to more severe classes. This index is used in the calculation of the spatial priority index (SPI) discussed below. The “per cent burnt at high or very high severity” figure gives an alternative, complementary view of how severe the 2019-20 fires were. For context, the most severely burnt NRM region had a figure of 83 per cent for high and very high severity, and a severity index score of 76.

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Map 1 Fire severity mapping, Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region

Priority matters impacted by 2019-20 bushfires

The Wildlife and Threatened Species Bushfire Recovery Expert Panel has released provisional lists of species known or presumed to have been severely impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires and which are considered the highest priority for management intervention – referred to below as ‘priority matters.’

The potential impact of the 2019-20 fires on Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) listed matters of national environmental significance, and on priority non-listed EPBC species identified by the Expert Panel, has been further analysed using spatial data on the known and likely distributions of these species. Using currently available mapping, a total of 111 priority matters have been identified within the forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region:

• 36 priority vertebrate and 21 invertebrate species • 50 priority plant species • four Threatened Ecological Communities (an ecological community is a naturally occurring group of native plants, animals and other organisms that are interacting in a unique habitat. Some are listed as Threatened Ecological Communities under national environment law).

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

A full list of these matters including hectares burnt, fire severity and a spatial priority index score is provided in Appendix 1. For context, based on available data, the median number of matters across all NRM regions is 12, and the maximum is 320 (south-east NSW).

A spatial priority index (SPI) has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment as a relative value score for the potential degree of consequence of the 2019-20 bushfires for species and other natural values. The score is out of 100. High SPI matters are likely to have smaller, and therefore entirely burnt, ranges with a large proportion of high severity fire. Further information on the SPI is at Appendix 2. Areas of focus for recovery investment

Based on a review of the national data, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment suggests the following priorities for investment in the forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region. Priority vertebrates

• Long-footed potoroo – this priority listed mammal has 76 per cent of its range in the region, of which 74 per cent was burnt, 57 per cent at high or very high severity. • Eastern bristlebird – this priority listed bird has 10 per cent of its range in the region, of which 62 per cent was burnt, 52 per cent at high or very high severity. • Four Galaxiid fish species (East Gippsland Galaxias, Cann Galaxias, McDowall's Galaxias and Yalmy Galaxias) – these species have 100 per cent of their range within this region, and between 67-89 per cent of this was burnt. Of this, between 45–95 per cent burnt at high or very high severity. Priority invertebrates

• Five species of spiny crayfish (Arte spiny crayfish, Cann spiny crayfish, East Gippsland spiny crayfish, West Snowy spiny crayfish, Orbost spiny crayfish) – these species have 80-100 per cent of their range within this region, and between 50-86 per cent of this was burnt. Of this, between 37–85 per cent burnt at high or very high severity. • Sedge darter – this priority listed invertebrate has 16 per cent of its range in the region, of which 81 per cent burnt, 55 per cent at a high or very high severity. Priority plants

A number of priority listed plant species were identified that had 58-100 per cent of their range within the region, and between 54-100 per cent of this was burnt. Of this, between 46–90 per cent burnt at high or very high severity.

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Table 2 Australian Government identified priority plant species in the Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region

Matter Scientific name Range Range burnt Per cent within within region (%) range region (ha) (ha) burnt at high or very high severity

Gippsland Banksia Banksia croajingolensis 813 745 84%

Betka Bottlebrush Callistemon kenmorrisonii 2,846 2,832 89%

Buchan River Grevillea Grevillea pachylostyla 2,505 2,083 73%

- Leptospermum jingera 1,783 1,400 90%

- Pomaderris buchanensis 1,384 1,040 79%

Brumby Sallee Eucalyptus forresterae 1,321 972 86%

Leafy Nematolepis Nematolepis frondosa 1,898 1,639 52%

- Leucopogon riparius 3,680 2,293 54%

- Pomaderris oblongifolia 3,405 1,855 61%

Forrester's Bottlebrush Callistemon forresterae 3,351 2,480 46%

Woolly Wattle, Hairy Wattle Acacia lanigera var. gracilipes 2,117 1,795 60%

Snowy River Daisy Brachyscome riparia 4,765 3,258 63%

Olive Mallee Eucalyptus elaeophloia 2,420 1,459 84%

Brumby Mallee-gum Eucalyptus phoenix 315 187 50%

Tullach Ard Grevillea Grevillea polychroma 7,559 4,608 56%

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Victorian priority species

In addition to species identified as a priority at a national level by the Australian Government, the following fauna species have been identified as priority species in East Gippsland by the Victorian Government.

Table 3 Victorian Government identified priority animal species in the Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region

Common name Scientific name Primary discipline

Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami Terrestrial fauna

Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae Terrestrial fauna

Southern Greater Glider Petauroides volans Terrestrial fauna

Ground Parrot Pezoporus wallicus Terrestrial fauna

Large Brown Tree Frog Litoria littlejohni Terrestrial fauna

Spot-tailed Quoll Dasyurus maculatus Terrestrial fauna

Giant Burrowing Frog Heleioporus australiacus Terrestrial fauna

Southern Brown Bandicoot Isoodon obesulus Terrestrial fauna

Southern Long-nosed Bandicoot Perameles nasuta Terrestrial fauna

Southern Barred Frog Mixophyes balbus Terrestrial fauna

Diamond python Morelia spilota Terrestrial fauna

Australian Grayling Prototroctes maraena Aquatic fauna

Macquarie Perch Macquaria australasica Aquatic fauna

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

The following flora species have also been identified as priority species in East Gippsland by the Victorian Government.

Table 4 Victorian Government identified priority plant species in the Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region

Common name Scientific name Primary discipline

Genoa River Correa Correa lawrenceana var. genoensis Flora

Leafless Tongue-orchid Cryptostylis hunteriana Flora

Bent Pomaderris Pomaderris sericea Flora

Colquhoun Grevillea Grevillea celata Flora

Rufous Pomaderris Pomaderris brunnea Flora

Snowy River Westringia Westringia cremnophila Flora

Limestone Blue Wattle Acacia caerulescens Flora

Marble Daisy-bush Olearia astroloba Flora

Narrow-leaf Bent-grass Deyeuxia pungens Flora

Blue-tongue Greenhood Pterostylis oreophila Flora

Buff Hazelwood Symplocos thwaitesii Flora

A full list of priority species identified by the Victorian Government is provided at Appendix 3. A number of these species have also been identified by the Expert Panel for urgent management intervention and are also listed as priority species for investment by the Department.

The Australian and Victorian Governments are also aware that traditional owners of the East Gippsland region have identified culturally important species and locations as a priority for bushfire recovery and are interested in being engaged in the recovery of these matters. Priority Actions for Recovery

The Expert Panel has provided advice on the kinds of actions that can best encourage recovery and avoid the extinction of a species or ecological community. These actions apply specifically to matters on the Expert Panel’s published list of priority matters.

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment understands the following broad recovery actions as priorities for investment to assist the recovery of animals and plants in the forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region, noting that immediate actions such as rapid assessment and emergency salvage are not included in the list below given the focus on longer term recovery efforts.

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Actions for priority animals

Priority actions for priority animal species are:

• protection of unburnt areas of habitat • predator and herbivore control to reduce pressure on native species. Actions for priority plants

Priority actions for priority plant species are:

• alleviate herbivory and weed control • carefully planned translocation • excluding prescribed fire (although noting prescribed fire may be used to protect critical refugia from subsequent wildfire) • preventing illegal collection or over-collecting of germplasm or plants • excluding forestry/silvicultural impacts and minimising development impacts and habitat disturbance from human activities. For some fire-affected species recovery actions may not yet be well understood, and additional research may be needed to guide recovery and develop recovery strategies. A list of specific recovery actions identified by the Expert Panel for forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region vertebrate species which have less than 30 per cent of their range in the region, and priority plant species is at Appendix 4. Victorian priority actions

Broadly effective management actions for species located in East Gippsland are determined by the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Strategic Management Prospect (SMP) tool. Maps in Appendix 5 identify high value sites (benefit-cost value less than 90) within the 2019-20 bushfire extent which would have a demonstrable biodiversity benefit from:

• weed control (via direct removal or domestic stock grazing) • horse control • rabbit control • pig control • deer control • predator control (foxes and cats) • permanent protection from clearing.

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Species specific management actions for species of concern or those not covered by SMP are derived though a Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning specific needs assessment. This process uses expert elicitation to estimate probability of persistence under recommended actions compared to no (or current) management activity. As part of the latest specific needs assessment (currently ongoing) species and actions in Appendix 6 have been identified within East Gippsland. Analysis is currently underway of these actions to calculate the benefit to the species from each action and rank them in terms of cost-effectiveness. Actions funded to date

Australian Government

As part of the Australian Government’s initial $50 million Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery investment, $1.1 million has been directly invested in East Gippsland:

• $750,000 has been allocated to the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority for recovery actions including pest animal control, weed control and habitat restoration. • $336,090 has been provided to Cmore Pty Ltd to install hollows and create refuges for species impacted by bushfires. An additional $3.0 million has also been allocated to the Victorian Government for post-fire assessments on threatened species and ecological communities, habitat protection, captive breeding and translocation of fauna species and seed collection and storage.

A further $1.7 million (of the $50 million) has been granted for projects where some activities are being undertaken in East Gippsland. These activities include on-ground assessments and identifying priority recovery needs for species, including Eastern Bristlebirds and freshwater crayfish. Victorian Government

The Victorian Government took immediate action to support Victoria’s bushfire impacted wildlife and biodiversity with a total of $22.5 million of funding under the Bushfire Biodiversity Response and Recovery (BBRR) program. Funding of actions to December 2020 include:

• immediate reconnaissance and assessment of critical species and habitats • emergency extraction to prevent extinction and limit species decline • intensified and sustained management of threats (funding to June 2021) including, aerial deer control and fox control programs • knowledge, data and preparedness including prioritisation processes • maximising resilience, including through traditional owner reading and healing country activities, review of revegetation services in Victoria, genetic analysis of priority flora and fauna species, for ash reseeding experiment design and feasibility assessments of Wilsons Promontory and French Island as safe havens • community small grants program for environmental activities.

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Other funding

WIRES has funded some small grants in East Gippsland as part of its $1.185 million national investment in wildlife relief and recovery grants which may have specific relevance to the forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland region.

Appendix 7 provides information on known funding and project activities.

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report Caveats

The information presented in this document is largely drawn from the Bushfire Recovery Environmental Analysis Decision Support (BREADS) tool, version v20.04 17Aug2020. It was prepared by the Geospatial and Information Analytics (ERIN) Branch, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.

The BREADS tool has been developed to synthesise existing available environmental information to support broad level Natural Resource Management decision making needs in the context of the 2019-2020 bushfires. It includes a spatial priority index (SPI) which ranks a set of given Management Units (for example Regional Land Partnerships Management Units) by weighting and combining their potentially fire-affected environmental values, taking into account both their burnt and unburnt areas, as well as the size of their overall distribution.

The tool is being continuously improved in parallel with work across the portfolio on a national response to the environmental impacts of the 2019/20 bushfires. It is likely to evolve as new information and insight on priority setting for investments comes to bear. The BREADS tool uses outputs of a complex geospatial intersection across datasets for fire severity, fire history environmental values, tenure, and management units.

Data inputs:

• Fire History Index derived from MODIS MCD64A1 v006 (monthly, 500m, since 2000). • The severity data is GEEBAM July 2020. Search "GEEBAM" on: http://www.environment.gov.au/fed/catalog/main/home.page • Preliminary Analysis Area (PAA) comprising IBRA regions in southern and eastern Australia, as displayed at http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/a8d10ce5-6a49-4fc2- b94d-575d6d11c547/files/preliminary-analysis-area-19-jan-2020.pdf • The Database of Species of National Environmental Significance stores maps and point distribution information about Species of National Environmental Significance as listed in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. • NRM regions 2017. • Expert Panel list of priority matters and recommended recovery actions.

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report Appendix A: Priority matters with fire extent and severity information

Table 1 National priority vertebrate species impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires

Long-footed Potoroo Potorous longipes NSW Vic Endangered 582,294 442,557 76% 329,506 74% 52 57% 35

Smoky Mouse, Konoom Pseudomys fumeus ACT NSW Endangered 2,762,881 477,892 17% 167,081 35% 47 51% 2 Vic Long-nosed Potoroo (SE Potorous NSW Qld SA Vulnerable 8,087,787 682,675 8% 439,934 64% 50 54% 2 Mainland) tridactylus Vic Dusky Antechinus Antechinus Vic NSW - 9,881,659 843,770 9% 433,971 51% 50 53% 1 mimetes ACT Broad-toothed Rat Mastacomys ACT NSW Vulnerable 2,770,138 279,053 10% 98,720 35% 59 67% 1 (mainland), Tooarrana fuscus mordicus Vic Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australis NSW Qld SA - 22,190,938 1,740,674 8% 835,140 48% 53 59% 1 Vic Greater Glider Petauroides ACT NSW Vulnerable 24,997,159 1,967,654 8% 871,943 44% 53 59% 1 volans Qld Vic Spot-tailed Quoll, Dasyurus ACT NSW Endangered 26,144,091 1,711,571 7% 817,289 48% 53 58% 1 Spotted-tail Quoll, Tiger maculatus (South- Qld Vic Quoll (southeastern east mainland mainland population) population)

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Per cent Per Per cent Range (%) Range cent (%) of Range burnt Fire range Spatial Species within (%) range Matter Scientific name states EPBC listing within severity burnt at Priority total range region range burnt /territories region index high and Index (ha) within within (ha) very region region high Platypus Ornithorhynchus ACT NSW - 38,351,206 2,017,478 5% 876,374 43% 53 59% 1 anatinus Qld SA Tas Vic Brush-tailed Rock- Petrogale NSW Qld Vic Vulnerable 11,897,065 613,926 5% 167,891 27% 54 59% 1 wallaby penicillata Birds Pilotbird Pycnoptilus ACT NSW - 7,808,416 1,479,088 19% 793,434 54% 53 59% 4 floccosus Vic Superb Lyrebird Menura ACT NSW - 14,784,281 1,894,437 13% 879,156 46% 53 59% 2 novaehollandiae Qld Vic Eastern Bristlebird Dasyornis NSW Qld Vic Endangered 369,597 37,812 10% 23,609 62% 47 52% 2 brachypterus Red-browed Climacteris ACT NSW - 17,105,059 1,796,585 11% 834,644 46% 54 59% 2 Treecreeper erythrops Qld Vic Gang-gang Cockatoo Callocephalon SA Vic NSW - 15,497,484 1,564,149 10% 654,639 42% 53 58% 2 fimbriatum ACT Eastern Ground Parrot Pezoporus - 4,389,980 154,676 4% 92,914 60% 50 56% 1 wallicus Black-faced Monarch Monarcha NSW Qld Vic Migratory 67,599,486 2,101,944 3% 879,433 42% 53 59% 1 melanopsis Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus Vic NSW - 48,312,651 762,528 2% 327,509 43% 54 60% 0 (eastern) lathami ACT Qld Regent Honeyeater Anthochaera ACT, NSW, Critically 23,988,334 389,892 2% 69,913 18% 53 59% 0 phrygia Qld, SA, Vic Endangered Fish East Gippsland Galaxias Galaxias Vic - 13,607 13,607 100% 12,032 88% 88 95% 95 aequipinnis Cann Galaxias Galaxias species Vic - 10,366 10,366 100% 8,569 83% 57 62% 67 17 'Cann' McDowall's Galaxias Galaxias Vic - 8,955 8,955 100% 7,977 89% 40 45% 64 mcdowalli

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Per Per cent Per cent Range Range cent (%) of (%) Range burnt Fire Spatial Species within (%) range range Matter Scientific name states EPBC listing within severity Priority total range region range burnt burnt at /territories region index Index (ha) within within high and (ha) region region very high Yalmy Galaxias Galaxias sp. nov. Vic - 140,102 140,102 100% 94,391 67% 51 59% 51 'yalmy' Roundsnout Galaxias Galaxias terenasus NSW Vic - 488,966 116,885 24% 58,868 50% 45 46% 4

Dargo Galaxias Galaxias mungadhan Vic - 9,601 9,438 98% 705 7% 38 40% 3

Non-parasitic Lamprey Mordacia praecox NSW Qld Vic - 820,600 63,668 8% 52,027 82% 44 43% 2

Reptiles Glossy Grass Skink, Pseudemoia rawlinsoni ACT NSW SA - 13,268,674 1,906,348 14% 737,351 39% 52 57% 2 Swampland Cool-skink, Tas Vic Rawlinson’s Window- eyed Skink Southern Water-skink Eulamprus tympanum NSW SA Vic - 24,352,389 2,078,082 9% 878,623 42% 53 59% 1

Alpine Bog Skink, Alpine Pseudemoia cryodroma Vic - 2,297,580 481,077 21% 60,112 12% 58 66% 1 Bog-skink Alpine She-oak Skink Cyclodomorphus NSW Vic Endangered 106,191 2,192 2% 121 6% 33 32% 0 praealtus Frogs Littlejohn’s Tree Frog, Litoria littlejohni NSW Vic Vulnerable 1,432,628 111,925 8% 88,254 79% 56 63% 4 Heath Frog Giant Burrowing Frog Heleioporus NSW Vic Vulnerable 1,498,696 142,947 10% 72,105 50% 55 67% 2 australiacus Spotted Tree Frog Litoria spenceri NSW Vic Endangered 896,974 84,307 9% 16,019 19% 57 69% 1

Stuttering Frog, Southern Mixophyes balbus NSW Qld Vic Vulnerable 4,864,913 63,855 1% 44,247 69% 44 47% 0 Barred Frog (in Victoria) Alpine Tree Frog, Litoria verreauxii Vulnerable 550,941 86,767 16% 23,547 27% 55 60% 0 Verreaux’s Alpine Tree alpina Frog

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Table 2 National priority invertebrate species impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires Note: limited spatial information is currently available for invertebrates

Per cent Per cent Range Per cent Range Range burnt (%) of Fire (%) range Spatial EPBC Species within (%) range Matter Scientific name states within region range burnt severity burnt at Priority listing total range region within /territories (ha) within index high and Index (ha) region region very high

Crayfish

Arte Spiny Crayfish Euastacus sp. 1 Vic - 35,958 35,958 100% 30,932 86% 75 85% 85

Cann Spiny Euastacus sp. 2 Vic - 29,373 29,329 100% 22,546 77% 38 37% 37 Crayfish

East Gippsland Euastacus Vic - 361,510 287,783 80% 234,004 81% 51 56% 37 Spiny Crayfish bidawalus

West Snowy Spiny Euastacus sp. 3 Vic - 30,217 30,217 100% 15,540 51% 48 54% 34 Crayfish

Orbost Spiny Euastacus diversus Vic - 687,674 644,273 94% 321,038 50% 58 64% 21 Crayfish

Calyton's Crayfish Euastacus claytoni NSW Vic - 746,730 100,465 13% 49,233 49% 44 47% 2

Other invertebrates

Dingy Darter, Telicota eurychlora NSW, Qld, - Sedge Darter, Vic 4,910 770 16% 627 81% 19 48% 55% Southern Sedge Darter

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Annabelll's Paralaoma NSW, SA, Vic, - Pinhead Snail, annabelli ACT 14,330 856 6% 304 36% 20 74% 79% Prickle Pinhead Snail

Eastern Australatya NSW, Qld, - 32,508 2,417 7% 1,061 44% 16 69% 70% Freshwater Shrimp striolata Vic a dung beetle Aulacopris reichei NSW, Vic - 7,434 628 8% 314 50% 10 50% 70%

Kosciuszko Austrorhytida NSW, Vic, - 12,310 1,256 10% 673 54% 12 73% 88% Carnivorous Snail glaciamans ACT

Waterfall Redspot Austropetalia NSW, Vic - 3,307 314 9% 308 98% 20 22% 4% patricia

Lakes Entrance Diphyoropa illustra NSW, Vic - 5,026 314 6% 157 50% 20 77% 81% Pinwheel Snail

Depressed Mussel; Hyridella depressa NSW, Qld, - Knife-shaped Vic 6,911 942 14% 432 46% 17 29% 21% Mussel

Merimbula Pommerhelix NSW, Vic - 10,560 314 3% 262 83% 20 48% 58% Woodland Snail mastersi a jewel beetle Castiarina kershawi NSW, Vic - 1,885 314 17% 70 22% 13 22% 4%

Kosciuszko Bristle Austrochloritis NSW, Vic, - 12,427 1,050 8% 176 17% 6 36% 38% Snail kosciuszkoensis ACT

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Spotted Alpine Oreixenica orichora NSW, Vic, - 8,198 433 5% 4 1% 1 22% 5% Xenica ACT

Asteron grayi NSW, Qld, - 6,596 314 5% 50 16% 14 20% 0% Vic

Alpine Darner Austroaeschna NSW, Vic - 5,443 761 14% 18 2% 1 23% 8% flavomaculata

Storenosoma NSW, Qld, - 18,604 314 2% 247 79% 20 35% 32% terraneum Vic, ACT

Table 3 National priority plant species impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires

Per cent Per cent Per cent Range (%) (%) Range burnt (%) of Fire Spatial Range states Species within range Matter Scientific name EPBC listing range within range burnt severity Priority /territories total range region burnt at within region (ha) within index Index (ha) high and region region very high

Gippsland Banksia Banksia Vic 813 813 100% 745 92% 68 84% 44 croajingolensis

Betka Bottlebrush Callistemon Vic Vulnerable 2,846 2,846 100% 2,832 100% 77 89% 43 kenmorrisonii

- Grevillea Vic 2,505 2,505 100% 2,083 83% 64 73% 42 pachylostyla

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

- Leptospermum Vic 1,783 1,783 100% 1,400 79% 77 90% 30 jingera

- Pomaderris Vic 1,384 1,384 100% 1,040 75% 74 79% 30 buchanensis

Brumby Sallee Eucalyptus Vic 2,292 1,321 58% 972 74% 73 86% 29 forresterae

Leafy Nematolepis Nematolepis Vic Vulnerable 1,898 1,898 100% 1,639 86% 50 52% 29 frondosa

- Leucopogon Vic 3,680 3,680 100% 2,293 62% 49 54% 26 riparius

- Pomaderris Vic 3,405 3,405 100% 1,855 54% 55 61% 24 oblongifolia

Forrester's Callistemon NSW, Vic Vulnerable 4,639 3,351 72% 2,480 74% 46 46% 23 Bottlebrush forresterae

Woolly Wattle, Hairy Acacia lanigera NSW, Vic 3,613 2,117 59% 1,795 85% 52 60% 22 Wattle var. gracilipes

Brachyscome Vic 5,079 4,765 94% 3,258 68% 58 63% 22 riparia

- Eucalyptus Vic 2,442 2,420 99% 1,459 60% 73 84% 22 elaeophloia

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Brumby Mallee-gum Eucalyptus Vic 315 315 100% 187 59% 44 50% 20 phoenix

- Grevillea Vic 7,559 7,559 100% 4,608 61% 50 56% 20 polychroma

Climbing Bent-grass Deyeuxia NSW, Vic 628 628 100% 368 59% 51 63% 18 ramosa

Eucalyptus Vic 14,599 14,266 98% 8,100 57% 53 59% 18 mackintii

Snowy River Westringia Vic Vulnerable 2,281 2,281 100% 1,303 57% 48 49% 17 Westringia cremnophila

Genoa River Correa Correa NSW, Vic Endangered 3,942 3,384 86% 2,401 71% 47 49% 16 lawrenceana var. genoensis

- Olearia rugosa Vic 5,654 5,340 94% 3,559 67% 48 55% 16 subsp. angustifolia

Smooth Tea-tree Leptospermum Vic 9,873 9,165 93% 5,630 61% 48 52% 15 glabrescens

Blotchy Mintbush Prostanthera NSW, Vic 9,631 7,175 74% 4,103 57% 46 52% 14 walteri

- Monotoca NSW, Vic 3,814 1,918 50% 1,291 67% 77 87% 13 rotundifolia

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Bush-pea Pultenaea NSW, Vic Vulnerable 3,071 1,697 55% 1,656 98% 51 67% 13 parrisiae

- Tetratheca NSW, Vic 15,638 9,470 61% 6,168 65% 47 50% 12 subaphylla

Howe Guinea-flower Hibbertia NSW, Vic 628 406 65% 183 45% 24 10% 10 notabilis

- Viola improcera ACT, Vic 2,013 821 41% 782 95% 68 78% 10

Woolly-bear Wattle, Acacia lucasii NSW, Vic 8,384 2,611 31% 2,148 82% 73 84% 9 Lucas's Wattle

- Dampiera fusca ACT, NSW, 6,604 2,167 33% 2,053 95% 65 74% 8 Vic

Tiny Spyridium Spyridium NSW, Vic 5,621 2,314 41% 1,923 83% 70 83% 8 cinereum

Mountain Banksia Banksia canei NSW, Vic 31,107 9,980 32% 4,908 49% 67 76% 7

Dwarf Bottlebrush Callistemon NSW, Vic 20,543 4,842 24% 4,300 89% 55 62% 5 subulatus

Blue-tongued Orchid, Pterostylis ACT, NSW, Critically 1,088,418 226,483 21% 92,384 41% 55 62% 5 Kiandra Greenhood oreophila Vic endangered

- Deyeuxia NSW, Vic 1,789 1,428 80% 312 22% 75 91% 4 talariata

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Harsh Nematolepis Nematolepis Vic Vulnerable 3,258 2,944 90% 1,335 45% 72 87% 4 squamea subsp. coriacea

- Grevillea ACT, NSW, 1,256 628 50% 308 49% 54 65% 3 neurophylla Vic

- Grevillea NSW, Vic 12,967 2,737 21% 1,772 65% 33 26% 3 parvula

- Persoonia NSW, Vic 4,170 547 13% 391 71% 40 42% 3 brevifolia

Bent Pomaderris Pomaderris NSW, Vic Vulnerable 18,070 2,437 13% 2,167 89% 53 60% 3 sericea

Colquhoun Grevillea, Grevillea celata Vic Vulnerable 6,973 6,973 100% 2,135 31% 40 45% 2 Nowa Grevillea

Narrow-leaf Bower Acacia NSW, Vic 10,838 2,042 19% 621 30% 53 54% 1 Wattle, Sticky Bower subporosa Wattle, River Wattle, Bower Wattle

Wiry Flannel-flower Actinotus NSW, Vic 10,162 406 4% 406 100% 88 97% 1 forsythii

Thick-lipped Spider- Caladenia ACT, NSW, Vulnerable 2,792,042 944,973 34% 530,581 56% 53 57% 1 orchid, Daddy long tessellata Vic legs

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Leafless Tongue- Cryptostylis Qld, NSW, Vulnerable 1,880,919 291,319 15% 214,978 74% 46 48% 1 orchid hunteriana Vic, SA

White Mountain Ash, Eucalyptus NSW, Vic 29,539 1,254 4% 325 26% 27 15% 1 White Ash fraxinoides

Net-veined Wattle Acacia NSW, Vic 17,684 1,031 6% 974 94% 66 83% 0 subtilinervis

Marble Daisy-bush Olearia Vic Vulnerable 319 319 100% 28 9% 21 2% 0 astroloba

Rufous Pomaderris Pomaderris NSW, Vic Vulnerable 697,162 13,192 2% 9,873 75% 48 56% 0 brunnea

Cotoneaster Pomaderris NSW, Vic Endangered 783,338 6,937 1% 5,656 82% 52 57% 0 Pomaderris cotoneaster

Mignonette Leek- Prasophyllum NSW, Vic Vulnerable 36,762 302 1% 62 20% 42 48% 0 orchid, Cobungra morganii Leek-orchid, Dense Leek-orchid

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report

Table 4 Australian Government priority threatened ecological communities impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires Note: the information on threatened ecological communities has been updated from the original profile provided to workshop participants to provide more accurate data on fire extent.

Matters Range states/ EPBC listing Expert Panel – Total ha Total ha Per cent Total ha Ha within Per cent territories regional nationally within fire (%) within fire extent (%) within priority extent within fire region in region fire extent nationally extent in region nationally

Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated NSW, ACT, Vic, Endangered Very High 15,778 3,187 20% 1,181 168 14% Fens Tas

Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Critically Qld, NSW, Vic Very High 36,499 168 0.50% 294 62 21% Thickets of Eastern Australia endangered

Qld, NSW, Subtropical and Temperate Coastal ACT, Vic, Tas, Vulnerable High 211,319 2,090 1% 2,104 326 15% Saltmarsh SA, WA

White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Qld, NSW, Critically Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Medium 464,095 16,862 4% 10,473 825 8% ACT, Vic endangered Native Grassland

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report Appendix B: the Spatial Priority Index (SPI)

This index:

• Is intended to indicate the degree of consequences of fire for species persistence, with species near the top having smaller, more severely burnt ranges. • Should be taken as a broad guide only, and not used solely for determining priorities for action. It has not been scientifically peer reviewed. • Was developed by bushfire analysts within the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, as part of development of the BREADS tool, described above. • Is derived from overlapping the fire severity data with the known and likely habitat for each matter in a region. • Is weighted by the species distribution model (SDM) total known and likely area, so large ranging species are treated equivalently to narrow endemics. • Is weighted by the SDM area, so large ranging species are scored less than endemics. • Takes into account the importance of unburnt areas for highly impacted species. • Includes fire severity using an index which weights ‘very high’ severity as five times that of ‘low/moderate’ severity and 1.7 times that of ‘high’ severity. • Includes a fire history index for the last twenty years derived from MODIS MCD64A1 v006 (monthly, 500m, since 2000). Class "Low" combines unburnt areas with areas burnt only once and so in this version has a weight set of zero. Class 2 and Class 3 reflect increasing numbers of fires and decreasing of intervals between fires. Weights applied to fire history are currently set at about half those of fire severity. This reflects the early stage of development of our fire history index, uncertainty around the ecological consequences of fire history as it plays out across different ecosystems, and that the bushfire response efforts currently underway are more driven by perceived impacts of the 2019/20 fire season than fire history. • Is not ‘set in stone’ but intentionally changeable depending on the weights applied in the BREADS tool. We are currently working on a sensitivity analysis approach to show the implications of changing weights. • Could be added to in the future to incorporate a range of other criteria relevant to decision making for bushfire recovery.

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Picture 1 Picture from BREADS tool showing SPI calculations

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report Appendix C: Victorian priority species

The following tables have been taken from Victoria’s bushfire emergency: Biodiversity response and recovery Version 2.

Table 1 Fauna species of most concern across Victoria Note: Includes per cent of modelled habitat in the current fire extent, per cent of modelled habitat impacted by high severity fire, genetic risk rating and localised impacts. Localised impacts were gathered through consultation with species experts, regional Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning staff and other regional biodiversity experts from partner agencies. No thresholds or criteria were used to determine these localised impacted, other than seeking advice primarily on species that had large proportions of their habitat impacted by the fires or if advice was that they were especially vulnerable to wildfire. Green shading is EPBC and italics is the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning staff Advisory List listed species (a species listed on both lists is bold and italics). Species marked with an asterisk (*) are Priority Species under the Australian Government's Threatened Species Strategy. Species marked with a caret (^) are currently being reviewed under the EPBC Act. Species marked with a hash (#) are migratory species with a smaller impact in their Victorian extent, but which have had their habitat impacted in other states.

Common Name Scientific Name Per cent (%) of Per cent (%) of Genetic Risk Localised impacts modelled habitat in modelled habitat in Victoria within the Victoria impacted current fire extent by high severity fire Amphibians Alpine Tree Frog Litoria verreauxii alpina 15% 8% High Blue Mountains Tree Frog Litoria citropa 66% 32% High Booroolong Tree Frog^ Litoria booroolongensis 39% 13% Very high Two of three Victorian populations impacted Dendy's Toadlet Pseudophryne dendyi 46% 23% High Giant Burrowing Frog^ Heleioporus australiacus 75% 38% Very high Green and Golden Bell Populations around Mallacoota may be impacted. Some Litoria aurea 53% 24% High Frogs individuals observed in Cape Conran National Park since fires Keferstein's Tree Frog Litoria dentata 84% 53% High Large Brown Tree Frog^ Litoria littlejohni 88% 47% Very high All known populations may be impacted Leaf Green Tree Frog Litoria nudidigita 66% 34% High Martin's Toadlet Uperoleia martini 31% 13% Very high Over 30% of Gippsland populations may be impacted

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Common Name Scientific Name Per cent (%) of Per cent (%) of Genetic Risk Localised impacts modelled habitat in modelled habitat in Victoria within the Victoria impacted current fire extent by high severity fire No confirmed records in Victoria since 1982. All known (pre Southern Barred Frog Mixophyes balbus 96% Currently unknown Very high 1982) sites have been impacted. Spotted Tree Frog^ Litoria spenceri 22% 13% Very high Four significant populations impacted by high severity fire Aquatic fauna Australian Grayling^ Prototroctes maraena Currently unknown Currently unknown Low Eastern Victorian populations may be impacted Burrunan Dolphin Tursiops australis Currently unknown Currently unknown Moderate 'Cann' Galaxias Galaxias sp. 17 Almost all populations impacted in sediment event. Individuals Currently unknown Currently unknown Very high extracted. No more located within known range. Dargo Galaxias^ Galaxias mungadhan 16% Currently unknown High All populations impacted. Individuals extracted. East Gippsland Galaxias^ Galaxias aequipinnis 100% Currently unknown High All populations may be impacted Flatheaded Galaxias Galaxias rostratus ~25% Currently unknown Very high Impacts unknown due to difficulty in sampling. Key population in south of range may be impacted (~85% of Galaxis olidus complex Galaxis olidus complex Currently unknown Currently unknown Moderate populations occur within current fire extent). Gippsland Blackfish Gadopsis sp. Currently unknown Currently unknown Very high Key populations in East Gippsland may be impacted. Population in Lake Dartmouth and Buffalo River impacted. Macquarie Perch Macquaria australasica ~20% Currently unknown High Individuals extracted. McDowall's Galaxias^ Galaxias mcdowalli 77% Currently unknown High All populations may be impacted. Individuals extracted. 'Moroka' Galaxias Galaxias sp. 16 Currently unknown Currently unknown Very high Only known population outside of fire footprint. Mountain Galaxias Galaxias olidus Currently unknown Currently unknown Moderate Key populations in south of range may be impacted Entire Victorian population may be impacted. No access Roundsnout Galaxias Galaxias terenasus 97% Currently unknown Very high possible for extraction due to fires. Entire population impacted in major sediment event post-fire. 'Yalmy' Galaxias Galaxias sp. 14 94% Currently unknown Very high Individuals extracted. No more located within known range Birds Impact on East Gippsland population linked to extent of Warm Brown Gerygone Gerygone mouki 52% 26% Moderate Temperate Rainforest and Riparian Forest burnt.

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Common Name Scientific Name Per cent (%) of Per cent (%) of Genetic Risk Localised impacts modelled habitat in modelled habitat in Victoria within the Victoria impacted current fire extent by high severity fire Fire boundaries very close to key sites. Individuals extracted Eastern Bristlebird* Dasyornis brachypterus 58% 39% Very high and returned. The population in adjacent Nadgee Nature Reserve has been severely impacted. Most of the population in East Gippsland has been impacted; Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami 64% 26% Moderate effect of fire on food (Casuarina seeds) likely to be severe. Has since been observed eating other sheoak species Most of the population in East Gippsland has been impacted. Ground Parrot Pezoporus wallicus 33% 21% Very high Species may have been in decline across Victorian Range before fires. Lewin's Honeyeater Meliphaga lewinii 39% 20% Moderate Area burnt includes best habitat in Victoria and covers most of Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae 54% 26% High the recent records. Powerful Owl Ninox strenua 26% 13% Moderate Red-browed Treecreeper Climacteris erythrops 31% 16% High Likely impacted by fire, impact on species depends on fire Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa 47% 24% High severity Spotted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma punctatum 29% 14% High Mammals Mastacomys fuscus Very High Broad-toothed Rat 23% 14% Populations in sub-alpine areas may be impacted mordicus (mainland) Brush-tailed Rock- Petrogale penicillata 43% 26% Very high Wild Little River Gorge population not directly impacted wallaby* Miniopterus schreibersii Most important Gippsland cave site is outside burnt area Eastern Bent-wing Bat 21% 10% Moderate oceanensis Eastern False Pipistrelle Falsistrellus tasmaniensis 26% 13% Moderate Eastern Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus megaphyllus 39% 18% High Some cave sites within burnt area High proportion of best habitat in East Gippsland has been Eastern Pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus 25% 13% High burnt; some tableland sites have been impacted. Most highest density sites in EG (on tableland near Bendoc) not burnt.

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Common Name Scientific Name Per cent (%) of Per cent (%) of Genetic Risk Localised impacts modelled habitat in modelled habitat in Victoria within the Victoria impacted current fire extent by high severity fire Feathertail Glider Acrobates pygmaeus 22% 11% High Greater Glider Petauroides volans 32% 16% High Populations on foothill sites may be impacted Grey-headed Flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus 23% 11% Low Major population in Mallacoota may be impacted. Koala Phascolarctos cinereus 13% 6% Moderate Populations may be impacted. Very high proportion of East Long-footed Potoroo^ Potorous longipes 79% 41% Very high Gippsland distribution burnt. Evidence of individuals in recently burnt areas Long-nosed Bandicoot Perameles nasuta 35% 17% High Very high proportion of East Gippsland distribution has been Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus 45% 22% Very high burnt. Recent (pre fire) detections of this species have been few; high priority to assess status Mountain Pygmy-possum* Burramys parvus 7% 4% Very high Platypus Ornithorhynchus 14% 6% Moderate anatinus Smoky Mouse^ Pseudomys fumeus 20% 11% High Southern Brown Very high proportion of East Gippsland distribution has been Isoodon obesulus 28% 14% High Bandicoot burnt. Most Upper Snowy sites (north of Gelantipy) were not in the Spot-tailed Quoll^ Dasyurus maculatus 36% 19% Very High current fire extent White-footed Dunnart Sminthopsis leucopus 36% 18% High Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australis 35% 18% High Populations on foothill sites may be impacted Reptiles Alpine Bog Skink Pseudomoia cryodroma 14% 9% Very high Some populations may be impacted Alpine She-oak Skink Cyclodomorphus 5% 2% Minor impacts on southern edge of Bogong High Plains praealtus Very high population. Extensive impacts in NSW and from previous bushfires Alpine Water Skink Eulamprus kosciuskoi 22% 14% High Likely > 50% of populations may be impacted

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Common Name Scientific Name Per cent (%) of Per cent (%) of Genetic Risk Localised impacts modelled habitat in modelled habitat in Victoria within the Victoria impacted current fire extent by high severity fire Preference for rocky habitat which may be less impacted by Copper-tailed Skink Ctenotus teniolatus 19% 9% Moderate fires Most of the population may be impacted. Likely to be Diamond Python Morelia spilota 86% 45% High individuals on Howe Flat Majority of populations may be impacted. Likely to be Eastern She-oak Skink Cyclodomorphus michaeli 55% Currently unknown High individuals on Howe Flat Some individuals observed but numbers severely reduced in Intellagama lesueurii Gippsland Water Dragon 42% 20% High some areas. Oviposition sites in some areas impacted by stream howittii sediment Lace Monitor Varanus varius 16% 8% High High proportion of East Gipps distribution has been burnt. Red-throated Skink Acritoscincus platynotus 36% 22% Very High Likely all populations may be impacted Much of its range in East Gippsland (population stronghold) has Swamp Skink Lissolepis coventryi 17% 7% High been impacted. Few individuals observed at each site (in burrows) Yellow-bellied Water Eulamprus heatwolei 39% 20% High Numerous sightings since fire, appears to be a resilient species Skink

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Table 2 Invertebrate species of concern Species groups are written in bold. Green shading is EPBC and italics is Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Advisory List listed taxon. Includes genetic risk (if known) and known fire impacts within range. Impact assessment is based on aerial surveys of fire severity overlayed with acceptable species records from the Atlas of Living Australia and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning records. Species deemed particularly vulnerable to fire are non-flying or have low mobility, are litter and/or log dwelling and/or are aquatic-dependent in at least one life stage.

Common name(s) Scientific name Genetic risk Highly Known fire impact vulnerable to fire

Bees

Metallic Green Carpenter Bee Xylocopa aeratus Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Beetles

fam. Elmidae gen. Simsonia Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent fam. Elmidae gen. Kingolus fam. Dytiscidae gen. Lancetes

Minute Moss Beetle fam. Hydraenidae gen. Hydraena Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Plate-thigh beetles Eucinetidae spp. Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Rove Beetle supf. Staphylinoidea fam. Staphylinidae Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Water Beetle fam. Dytiscidae gen. Necterosoma Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Water Scavenger Beetle fam. Hydrophilidae gen. Berosus Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent fam. Hydrophilidae gen. Notohydrus

Butterflies and Moths

Alpine Silver Xenica/Small Alpine Oreixenica latialis/ Oreixenica theddora High N Partial area of known range in current fire extent Xenica/Mount Buffalo Xenica

Australian Hairstreak/Orange Tit/Silky Hairstreak/Victorian Pseudalmenus chlorinda fisheri/zephyrus Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent Hairstreak

Bronze Flat Netrocoryne repanda Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

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Brown Azure/Western Dark Ogyris otanes (otanes) Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent Azure/Small Brown Azure

Common name(s) Scientific name Genetic risk Highly Known fire impact vulnerable to fire

Chequered Sedge-skipper Hesperilla mastersi Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Common Pencilled-blue Candalides absimilis/ Candalides edwardsi Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Copper Ant-blue Acrodipsas cuprea Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Golden Ant-blue Acrodipsas aurata Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Large Ant Blue Butterfly/Bronze Acrodipsas brisbanensis High N Partial area of known range in current fire extent Ant-blue

Orange Ringlet Butterfly Hypocysta adiante Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Silver-studded Ochre Trapezites iacchoides Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Painted Sedge-skipper Hesperilla picta Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Small Orange-spotted Sun-moth Synemon discalis Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Southern Sedge-darter Butterfly/ Majority area of known range in Victoria in current fire Telicota eurychlora Currently unknown Y Dingy Darter extent

Tasmanica Skipper/Two-spotted Pasma tasmanica Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent Skipper/Grass-skipper

Wonder Brown Heteronympha mirifica Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Yellow Ochre Butterfly Trapezites luteus Very high N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Crayfish and other Crustaceans

Majority of known range in current fire extent, southern Alpine Spiny Crayfish Euastacus crassus High Y population primarily impacted

Majority of known range in current fire extent. Individuals Arte Spiny Crayfish Euastacus sp. 1 Very high Y extracted

Majority of known range in current fire extent. Seeking to Cann Spiny Crayfish Euastacus sp. 2 Very high Y extract individuals

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Claytons Spiny Crayfish Euastacus claytoni High Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Common name(s) Scientific name Genetic risk Highly Known fire impact vulnerable to fire

Entire known Victorian range in current fire extent. East Gippsland Spiny Crayfish Euastacus bidawalus Uncertain Y Individuals extracted.

Harpactacoid Copepod Canthocamptus longipes Currently unknown Y Entire known range in current fire extent

Mallacoota Burrowing Crayfish Engaeus mallacoota Very high Y Entire known Victorian range in current fire extent.

Majority of known range in current fire extent. Individuals Orbost Spiny Crayfish Euastacus diversus Very high Y extracted

Phreatoicid isopod Colubotelson joyneri Currently unknown Y Majority of known range in current fire extent

Riffle Shrimp/Eastern Freshwater Australatya striolata Moderate Y Majority of known range in current fire extent Shrimp

Entire known Victorian range in current fire extent. Young Variable Spiny Crayfish Euastacus yanga Moderate Y individuals extracted, no adults located.

West Snowy Spiny Crayfish Euastacus sp. 3 Uncertain Y Entire known range in current fire extent

Dragonflies

fam. Leptophlebiidae gen. Garinjuga fam. Leptophlebiidae gen. Ulmerophlebia fam. Caenidae gen. Tasmanocoenis fam. Diphlebiidae gen. Diphlebia Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent fam. Gomphidae gen. Hemigomphus fam. Telephlebiidae gen. Notoaeschna fam. Synthemistidae gen. Eusynthemis

Austroaeschna (Austroaeschna) Alpine Darner Dragonfly Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent flavomaculata

Darner Dragonfly Austroaeschna spp. Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

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Waterfall Redspot Austropetalia patricia Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Flies

Common name(s) Scientific name Genetic risk Highly Known fire impact vulnerable to fire

Alpine Stonefly Thaumatoperla alpina Very high Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

fam. Ceratopogonidae gen. Forcipomyia Biting Midge Ceratopogonidae sp. 1, 8 (DNRE), 12, 20, 32 Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent (EPA)

Austrosimulium spp. Black Fly Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent Simuliidae spp.

fam. Hydrobiosidae gen. Koetonga fam. Ecnomidae gen. Ecnomina E group fam. Tasimiidae gen. Tasiagma fam. Tasimiidae gen. Tasimia fam. Conoesucidae gen. Matasia Aphilorheithrus stepheni fam. Leptoceridae gen. Hudsonema fam. Micronectidae gen. Micronecta

Caddisfly fam. Odontoceridae gen. Genus P Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent Hydrobiosidae spp. Conoesucidae spp. Apsilochorema spp. Ethochorema spp. Psyllobetina spp. Ptychobiosis spp. Taschorema spp. Ulmerochorema spp. Agapetus spp. Chimarra spp. Hydrobiosella spp. Asmicridea spp. Smicrophylax spp. Coenoria spp. Conoesucus spp. Costora spp. Helicopsyche spp. Tamasia spp. Austrheithrus spp. Kosrheithrus spp.

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Anisocentropus spp. Notalina spp.

Triplectides spp. Archaeophylax canarus

Ecnomus neboissi Majority of known range in current fire extent

Common name(s) Scientific name Genetic risk Highly Known fire impact vulnerable to fire

Ecnomus nibbor Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Ramiheithrus virgatus Majority of known range in current fire extent

Triaenodes cuspiosa Majority of known range in current fire extent

Triaenodes uvida Majority of known range in current fire extent

Tipulidae sp. 1, 7-9, 13, 29 (EPA) Crane Fly Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent Tipulidae sp. 4, 5, 17-19, 25, 28, 33 (SRV)

Dobsonfly Archichauliodes spp. Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Lacewing Kempyninae sp. 1 Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Large Blue Lake Mayfly Tasmanophlebi lacuscoerulei Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Large Riverdamsel Caliagrion billinghursti Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

March/Horse Flies Tabanidae spp. Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Coloburiscoides spp. Leptophlebiidae spp. Mayfly Atalophlebia spp. Austrophlebioides spp. Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent Mirawara spp. Nousia spp.

supf. Hydroptiloidea fam. Hydroptilidae fam. Hydroptilidae gen. Hellyethira Microcaddisfly Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent fam. Hydroptilidae gen. Hydroptila fam. Hydroptilidae gen. Oxyethira

Cheumatopsyche spp. Netspinning Caddisfly Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent Diplectrona spp.

Tanypodinae spp. Non-biting Midge Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent Chironomini spp.

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Common name(s) Scientific name Genetic risk Highly Known fire impact vulnerable to fire

fam. Notonemouridae gen. Austrocercella, Gripopterygidae spp. Cosmioperla spp. Stonefly Dinotoperla spp. Leptoperla spp. Illiesoperla Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent spp. Eunotoperla spp. Riekoperla spp. Trinotoperla spp.

Water Snipe-flies Athericidae spp. Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Grasshoppers

Alpine Yellow-Bellied Grasshopper Praxibulus uncinatus Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Brown Kosciuscola Kosciuscola cuneatus Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Chameleon Grasshopper Kosciuscola tristis Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Common Montane Grasshopper Kosciuscola cognatus Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Key's Matchstick Grasshopper Keyacris scurra Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Pyrgomorph Grasshopper fam. Pyrgomorphidae gen. Monistria Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Land snails

Kosciuszko Carnivorous Snail Austrorhytida glaciamans Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Snowy Mountains Carnivorous Vitellidelos helmsiana Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent Snails

Kershaw's Panda-snail Pygmipanda kershawi Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Snowy Mountains Pinhead Snail Paralaoma gelida Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Bairnsdale Pinwheel Snail Egilodonta bairnsdalensis Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Lakes Entrance Pinwheel Snail Diphyoropa illustra Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Snowy River Pinwheel Snail Banjoropa snowyensis Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

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Mount Feathertop Pinwheel Snail Alpiniropa okeana Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Bell's Pinwheel Snail Macrophallikoropa belli Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Common name(s) Scientific name Genetic risk Highly Known fire impact vulnerable to fire

Kosciuszko Bristle Snail Austrochloritis kosciuszkoensis Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Merimbula Woodland Snail Pommerhelix mastersi Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Molluscs

Entire known Victorian range in current fire extent. No Austral Mussel Hyridella (Hyridella) australis High Y individuals could be located for extraction

Entire known Victorian range in current fire extent. Depressed Mussel Hyridella (Hyridella) depressa High Y Individuals extracted from 2 populations

Partial area of known range in current fire extent. Fire Glenelg Freshwater Mussel Hyridella glenelgensis High Y impacted upstream of main population

Gunn's Screw Shell Gazameda gunnii Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Spiders

Peacock Spider Maratus rainbowi , Maratus pavonis Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Worms and other invertebrates

Giant Gippsland Earthworm Megascolides australis Very High N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Arachnocampa sp. = Arachnocampa lucifera Mt Buffalo glow-worm buffaloensis Currently unknown N Partial area of known range in current fire extent

Planarian Planarian sp. 3, 4 (RSC) Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent

fam. Onychophora gen. Peripatopsidae, Ooperipatellus duwilensis, Velvet Worm Currently unknown Y Partial area of known range in current fire extent Ooperipitas pulchellus, Planipapillus biacinaces

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Table 3 Flora species of most concern across Victoria Includes per cent of modelled habitat in the current fire extent, per cent of modelled habitat impacted by high severity fire, genetic risk rating and localised impacts. Localised impacts were gathered through consultation with species experts, regional Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning staff and other regional biodiversity experts from partner agencies. No thresholds or criteria were used to determine these localised impacted, other than seeking advice primarily on species that had large proportions of their habitat impacted by the fires or if advice was that they were especially vulnerable to wildfire. Green shading is EPBC and italicised rows are Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Advisory List. Note: this table will be updated as new analyses and advice arises.

Per cent (%) of Per cent (%) of modelled habitat modelled habitat in Scientific Name Common Name in Victoria Genetic Risk Localised impacts Victoria within the impacted by high current fire extent severity fire

Conifers

Podocarpus aff. lawrencei (Goonmirk Errinundra Plum-pine 8% 1% Moderate Rocks)

Dicotyledons

Confined to the largely cleared limestones of the Buchan-Nowa Acacia caerulescens Limestone Blue Wattle 23% 9% Very high Nowa area

Currently Acacia dawsonii Poverty Wattle 21% 9% unknown

Acacia irrorata subsp. Currently Green Wattle 96% 61% Restricted to two populations in Victoria, both impacted Irrorata unknown

Acacia maidenii Maiden's Wattle 23% 6% High Only Victorian site, southernmost occurrence/end of range

Currently Acacia subtilinervis Net-veined Wattle 82% 37% Restricted to two populations in Victoria, both entirely impacted unknown

Currently Acacia ureniae 100% Currently unknown Single population which was impacted. Plant material extracted. unknown

Aciphylla glacialis Snow Aciphyll 13% 9% Uncertain

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Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Actinotus forsythii Ridge Flannel-flower 56% 41% Uncertain impacted

Currently Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Alectryon subcinereus Native Quince 92% 39% unknown impacted

Restricted in Victoria to single population which was likely Allocasuarina nana Stunted Sheoak 95% 32% Very high impacted

Currently Androcalva rossii Native Hemp 96% 54% Some, but probably not all populations, likely impacted unknown

Currently Angophora floribunda Rough-barked Apple 92% 59% unknown

Currently Astrotricha crassifolia Thick-leaf Star-hair 41% 18% Only known Victorian occurrence unknown

Currently Banksia canei Mountain Banksia 33% 16% Population at Burrowa Pine Mountain impacted unknown

Restricted to a single population in Croajingolong National Park, Banksia croajingolensis Gippsland Banksia 65% 45% Very high impacted by fire. Ongoing persistence depends on fire severity.

Currently Bertya findlayi Mountain Bertya 59% 28% All of the Victorian population impacted by fire unknown

Currently Boronia ledifolia Showy Boronia 69% 35% unknown

Currently Boronia sp. Currently unknown Currently unknown An unnamed species apparently confined to Mt Typo unknown

Currently Brachyscome riparia Snowy River Daisy 34% 14% unknown

Brachyscome salkiniae Elegant Daisy 93% 52% Very high

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Currently Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Brunoniella pumilio Dwarf Brunoniella 93% 69% unknown impacted

Restricted to six small populations in Gippsland, majority likely Callistemon forresterae Forrester’s Bottlebrush 88% 45% Very high impacted

Callistemon Betka Bottlebrush 93% 71% Very high Restricted to two populations in Gippsland, both impacted kenmorrisonii

Callistemon subulatus Dwarf Bottlebrush 92% 48% Very high

Cassinia maritima Coast Cassinia 86% 49% Very high

Cassinia venusta Elegant Cassinia 69% 45% Very high

Currently Commersonia dasyphylla Kerrawang 99% 86% Single population only, not seen recently, but likely impacted unknown

Currently Conospermum taxifolium Variable Smoke-bush 86% 58% unknown

Currently Coopernookia barbata Purple Coopernookia 93% 51% unknown

Correa lawrenceana var. Currently Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Pink Mountain-correa 93% 37% cordifolia unknown impacted. Also likely impacted in NSW.

Correa lawrenceana var. Currently Restricted in Victoria to a few small populations which were Genoa River Correa 86% 33% genoensis unknown impacted

Currently Corymbia gummifera Red Bloodwood 92% 65% unknown

Mountain Forest Billy- Currently Identified as high priority for emergency extraction of Craspedia sp. 1 0% Currently unknown buttons unknown seed/cuttings.

Currently Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Daviesia wyattiana Long-leaf Bitter-pea 96% 44% unknown impacted

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Rainforest species restricted to areas around Mallacoota, likely Dendrophthoe vitellina Long-flower Mistletoe 86% 46% Moderate impacted.

Currently Discaria nitida Shining Anchor Plant 42% 20% unknown

Snowy River Gorge and Pine Mountain populations likely Dodonaea rhombifolia Broad-leaf Hop-bush 70% 37% Uncertain impacted by fire

Currently Dodonaea truncatiales Angular Hop-bush 90% 36% Restricted in Victoria to single population which was impacted unknown

Currently Epacris microphylla s.s. Coast Coral Heath 77% 51% All of Victorian population impacted by fire unknown

Currently Eucalyptus agglomerata Blue-leaf Stringybark 96% 48% unknown

Although species is not of a concern overall, some areas have Eucalyptus delegatensis been impacted by multiple burns over the last 20 years (see Alpine Ash 24% 14% Moderate subsp. delegatensis below). Because of vulnerability of this species to multiple burns, areas of where this is the dominant tree species are of concern.

This is a keystone species of the Errinundra subalpine forests, and only a small, single seed lot is held at RBGV. Significant Eucalyptus denticulata Errinundra Shining Gum 42% 21% Moderate numbers of seed will be required if any kind of regenerative work is to be carried out in the area in future.

Currently Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Eucalyptus elaeophloia Olive Mallee 52% 38% unknown impacted

Currently Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Eucalyptus forresterae Brumby Sallee 50% 36% unknown impacted

Currently Eucalyptus mitchelliana Buffalo Sallee 23% 10% Buffalo endemic, collections required, at risk of repeated burns unknown

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Eucalyptus perriniana Spinning Gum 26% 17% Moderate

Impact is isolated to easternmost areas. Although species is not of a concern overall, because of vulnerability of this species to Eucalyptus regnans Mountain Ash 8% 4% Moderate multiple burns, areas of where this is the dominant tree species are of concern.

Currently Eucalyptus saxatilis Rock Mallee 15% 7% unknown

Only known Victorian population impacted at Howe Range, Eucryphia moorei Eastern Leatherwood 77% 19% Very high population has likely been impacted.

Currently Euphrasia scabra Rough Eyebright 28% 16% unknown

Currently Eupomatia laurina Bolwarra 93% 50% unknown

Ficus coronata Sandpaper Fig 89% 52% Moderate

Currently Only location for Victoria, currently known only by photograph, 1 Gingidia algida Currently unknown Currently unknown unknown site E of Mt Hotham

Goodenia bellidifolia Currently Daisy Goodenia 93% 51% subsp. bellidifolia unknown

Currently Grevillea alpivaga Buffalo Grevillea 30% 12% Buffalo endemic; Grevillea is particularly fire-susceptible unknown

Grevillea celata Colquhoun Grevillea 56% 24% Very high Majority if not all populations impacted

Currently Grevillea jephcottii Green Grevillea 50% 35% All Victoria populations impacted by fire. unknown

Currently Not currently in seed collectoin, 2 localities only; susceptible to Grevillea pachylostyla Buchan River Grevillea 51% 27% unknown successive fires

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Currently Grevillea parvula Genoa Grevillea 92% 45% unknown

Currently Grevillea polychroma Tullach Ard Grevillea 74% 38% unknown

Grevillea ramosissima Currently Fan Grevillea 58% 31% Population at Burrowa Pine Mountain impacted by fire. subsp. hypargyrea unknown

Currently Hakea dactyloides Finger Hakea 93% 49% unknown

Hakea macraeana Willow Needlewood 93% 35% Moderate

Currently Hibbertia dentata Trailing Guinea-flower 93% 50% unknown

Currently Restricted in Victoria to single population which was likely Hovea purpurea Tall Hovea 94% 34% unknown impacted

Currently Irenepharsus magicus Elusive Cress 54% 28% Limited occurrence in Victoria unknown

Kelleria bogongensis Snow Daphne 4% 2% High Extreme range restriction, threatened by horses

Korthalsella rubra subsp. Currently Jointed Mistletoe 22% 12% rubra unknown

Lasiopetalum Currently Rusty Velvet-bush 86% 44% ferrugineum unknown

Extraordinary eastern outlying occurrence at Lake Omeo. Almost Currently Lepidium aschersonii Spiny Peppercress 1% 0% certainly distinct genetic races (or cryptic taxa) of this across its unknown range

Currently Leptomeria acida s.s. Sour Currant-bush 91% 58% unknown

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Leptospermum Currently Smooth Tea-tree 98% 88% glabrescens s.s. unknown

Leptospermum Currently Paperbark Tea-tree 91% 47% trinervium unknown

Leptostigma breviflorum Mountain Nertera 10% 5% Moderate

Currently Lobelia dentata Toothed Lobelia 90% 51% unknown

Currently Marsdenia flavescens Yellow Milk-vine 73% 40% Thought to be the only site left in Victoria unknown

Currently Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Mirbelia pungens Prickly Mirbelia 96% 43% unknown impacted.

Currently Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Mirbelia rubiifolia Heathy Mirbelia 88% 53% unknown impacted

Currently Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Monotoca rotundifolia Trailing Monotoca 53% 38% unknown impacted

Muehlenbeckia Slender Lignum 83% 41% Very high Restricted to two populations, both potentially impacted gracillima

Both this and its common host, Banksia serrata, susceptible to Muellerina celastroides Coast Mistletoe 10% 5% Uncertain fire with no obvious recruitment strategy post-fire

Myoporum floribundum Slender Myoporum 16% 7% Very high Extremely rare in nature despite being common in horticulture

Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Nematolepis frondosa Leafy Nematolepis 45% 20% Uncertain impacted

Notothixos subaureus Golden Mistletoe 89% 61% Moderate

Olax stricta Olax 95% 36% Moderate

Olearia astroloba Marble Daisy-bush 22% 12% High Only population in Victoria not currently impacted by fire.

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Olearia iodochroa Violet Daisy-bush 42% 22% Very high

Olearia tomentosa Toothed Daisy-bush 80% 20% Very high

Ozothamnus adnatus Winged Everlasting 27% 13% Very high

Ozothamnus argophyllus Spicy Everlasting 86% 50% Very high

Persoonia levis Smooth Geebung 92% 48% High

Majority of populations impacted, recovery will depend on fire Persoonia silvatica Forest Geebung 54% 28% Moderate severity.

Philotheca myoporoides Currently 4% 1% Only known Victorian occurrence subsp. brevipedunculata unknown

Currently Philotheca virgata Tasmanian Wax-flower 90% 49% unknown

Picris angustifolia subsp. Currently Highland Picris 20% 10% merxmuelleri unknown

Currently Pittosporum revolutum Rough-fruit Pittosporum 84% 39% Disjunct westerly outlier on Mt Nowa unknown

Currently Podolobium ilicifolium Prickly Podolobium 93% 49% unknown

Currently Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Polyscias murrayi Pencil Cedar 79% 19% unknown impacted. Also likely impacted in NSW.

Currently Key population impacted by fire, likely all populations impacted Pomaderris brunnea Rufous Pomaderris 84% 30% unknown and possibly twice burnt in the last six years.

Currently Pomaderris costata Veined Pomaderris 92% 45% unknown

Currently Pomaderris sericea Bent Pomaderris 89% 37% Restricted in Victoria to single population which was impacted unknown

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Restricted in Victoria to single small population which was Pomaderris virgata Upright Pomaderris 88% 54% Very high entirely impacted

Currently Poranthera corymbosa Clustered Poranthera 95% 79% unknown

Prostanthera incisa Cut-leaf Mint-bush 83% 35% Very high Majority if not all populations impacted

Prostanthera monticola Buffalo Mint-bush 24% 14% High

Only population in Victoria impacted by fire, NSW populations Prostanthera walteri Monkey Mint-bush 66% 31% Very high also likely impacted

Restricted to small colonies around Mallacoota Inlet and Genoa Santalum obtusifolium Blunt Sandalwood 93% 37% High River upstream of Princes Highway, which have mostly been impacted.

Currently Scutellaria mollis Soft Skullcap 90% 48% unknown

Currently Solanum silvestre Violet Nightshade 94% 69% unknown

Currently Spyridium cinereum Tiny Spyridium 58% 40% Restricted to two populations in Victoria, one of which burnt unknown

Currently Stylidium laricifolium Giant Triggerplant 96% 76% unknown

Currently Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Symplocos thwaitesii Buff Hazelwood 47% 30% unknown impacted

Currently Tetratheca thymifolia Thyme Pink-bells 92% 40% Restricted to two populations in Victoria, both impacted unknown

Currently Viola improcera Dwarf Violet 45% 32% Known only from 3 localities in Australia, one at Brumby Point unknown

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Currently Wahlenbergia gloriosa Royal Bluebell 28% 17% unknown

Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Westringia cremnophila Snowy River Westringia 68% 31% Very high impacted

Restricted in Victoria to single population which was entirely Zieria citriodora Lemon-scented Zieria 70% 29% NA impacted

Fern and allies

Currently Adiantum formosum Black Stem 95% 46% Both populations likely impacted by fire unknown

Botrychium lunaria Grassy Moonwort 45% 31% Very high

Currently Cyathea leichhardtiana Prickly Tree-fern 93% 60% unknown

Gleichenia rupestris Rock Coral-fern 70% 51% Both populations likely impacted by fire

Lastreopsis microsora Currently Creeping Shield-fern 93% 57% Majority of populations likely impacted subsp. microsora unknown

Polystichum formosum Broad Shield-fern 59% 31% Very high

Pteris vittata Chinese Brake 84% 49% High Majority of populations likely impacted

Sticherus flabellatus var. Shiny Fan-fern 93% 62% High flabellatus

Monocotyledons

Currently Caladenia ancylosa Genoa Spider-orchid 79% 48% unknown

Currently Carex jackiana Carpet Sedge 20% 13% unknown

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Cryptostylis erecta Bonnet Orchid 80% 49% Very high

Cryptostylis hunteriana Leafless Tongue-orchid 79% 34% Very high Restricted to two populations, both potentially impacted

Currently Cyathochaeta diandra Sheath Sedge 94% 73% unknown

Dendrobium speciosum Rock Orchid 94% 63% Very Some populations impacted and species is susceptible to fire. var. speciosum

Currently Deyeuxia crassiuscula Thick Bent-grass 21% 13% unknown

Currently Deyeuxia decipiens Devious Bent-grass 82% 37% Restricted to two populations in Victoria, both impacted unknown

Currently Deyeuxia frigida Forest Bent-grass 21% 10% unknown

Deyeuxia pungens Narrow-leaf Bent-grass 3% 1% Uncertain Only 2 known Victorian occurrences, both in this region

Dipodium interaneum Currently Extremely rare in Victoria, Beechworth population not sited in Yellow Hyacinth-orchid 18% 9% [hamiltonianum] unknown decades, possibly restricted to McKillops Rd sites within the state

Echinopogon caespitosus Currently Bushy Hedgehog-grass 8% 3% var. caespitosus unknown

Currently Grass of restricted occurrence, thought to be preferentially Hookerochloa eriopoda Snow Fescue 44% 25% unknown grazed by horses

Iconic, only Victorian site and southernmost locality for the Livistona australis Cabbage Fan-palm 62% 21% High species.

Patersonia sericea var. Currently Dwarf Purple-flag 97% 34% longifolia unknown

Plectorrhiza tridentata Tangle Orchid 93% 49% High

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Currently Plinthanthesis paradoxa Wiry Wallaby-grass 91% 60% unknown

Currently Species only known from one small area, 100% of the known Prasophyllum uvidulum Summer Leek-orchid 55% 29% unknown population was impacted by fire.

Currently Known from few sites in Victoria, more or less centred on Pseudoraphis paradoxa Slender Mud-grass 0% 0% unknown Colquhoun Forest

Currently Restricted in Victoria to single population which was impacted Pterostylis acuminata Pointed Greenhood 94% 78% unknown by fire. Also likely impacted in NSW.

Pterostylis oreophila Blue-tongue Greenhood 52% 29% Very high

Small Autumn Currently Pterostylis reflexa 94% 44% Greenhood unknown

Pterostylis sp. aff. Currently Hill Greenhood 96% 45% alveata (Montane) unknown

Currently Ripogonum album White Supplejack 90% 48% unknown

Sarcochilus falcatus Orange-blossom Orchid 88% 28% High

Currently Schelhammera undulata Lilac Lily 93% 50% unknown

Currently Schoenus melanostachys Black Bog-sedge 93% 49% unknown

Currently Xyris juncea Dwarf Yellow-eye 26% 15% All of Victorian population impacted by fire unknown

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Table 4 Ecological Vegetation Classes across Victoria and the proportion of their extent impacted by fire

Ecological Vegetation Class Area within current fire extent (Ha) Area impacted by high severity fire (Ha) Total Per cent (%) Per cent (%) extent total EVC area of EVC of EVC within impacted by (Ha) current fire high severity extent fire

Montane Grassy Shrubland 85 42 85 100% 49%

Foothill Box Ironbark Forest 526 310 584 90% 53%

Gallery Rainforest 310 146 348 89% 42%

Banksia Woodland 33107 16159 39,413 84% 41%

Sub-alpine Wet Heathland/Sub-alpine Grassland Mosaic 128 60 158 81% 38%

Warm Temperate Rainforest 12997 5499 16,663 78% 33%

Gallery Rainforest - former niche 532 262 709 75% 37%

Cut-tail Forest 34051 17946 46,015 74% 39%

Warm Temperate Rainforest - former niche 18786 8610 26,092 72% 33%

Coastal Sand Heathland 483 412 710 68% 58%

Clay Heathland 1869 709 3,222 58% 22%

Blackthorn Scrub 7137 4716 12,745 56% 37%

Dry Rainforest 24 8 54 44% 14%

Riparian Scrub/Swampy Riparian Forest Mosaic 12720 5621 29,582 43% 19%

Damp Forest 242561 109730 577,526 42% 19%

Dry Rainforest - former niche 59 22 144 41% 15%

Lowland Forest 216438 91986 541,094 40% 17%

Montane Herb-rich Woodland 8983 6798 24,278 37% 28%

Shrubby Dry Forest 294303 143174 795,413 37% 18%

Montane Grassy Woodland 17517 9245 48,659 36% 19%

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Shrubby Damp Forest 24585 10244 68,293 36% 15%

Wet Heathland 8970 4051 28,936 31% 14%

Montane Dry Woodland 100046 53358 333,486 30% 16%

Coastal Lagoon Wetland 253 54 902 28% 6%

Montane Damp Forest 48251 26806 178,706 27% 15%

Riverine Escarpment Scrub 2608 1605 10,031 26% 16%

Dry Valley Forest 5122 1707 21,342 24% 8%

Coast Banksia Woodland 1554 906 6,473 24% 14%

Littoral Rainforest - former niche 108 63 450 24% 14%

Granitic Hills Woodland 9895 7646 44,976 22% 17%

Alpine Crag Complex 118 48 536 22% 9%

Sub-alpine Woodland 24180 14968 115,141 21% 13%

Riparian Forest/Swampy Riparian Woodland Mosaic 1577 601 7,510 21% 8%

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report Appendix D: Specific recovery actions identified by the Expert Panel for priority species

Table 1 Recovery actions for priority animal species (limited to those species with less than 30 per cent of their modelled range in the region)

Priority species Rapid on-ground Protecting Emergency salvage of plant and animal species for ex-situ Supplementary shelter, food, and Feral predator and herbivore control to reduce Additional actions assessment: unburnt areas conservation or wild-to-wild translocation. water for animals the pressure on native species where establish extent of appropriate population loss, & baseline for Salvage/capture into ex situ Salvage/translocate to nearby Exclude herbivores Control introduced monitoring (careful risk assessment unburnt habitat or havens from unburnt and predators required) regenerating vegetation

Mammals

Long-footed Potoroo Potorous yes yes Maybe; if founders required for Maybe; nearby unburnt habitat Yes; artificial shelters in burnt Yes Yes longipes later reintroductions. may be saturated. areas could be an option in some circumstances

Smoky Mouse, Konoom yes yes Maybe; existing ex-situ Maybe; has disappeared from some Yes; artificial shelters in burnt Yes Yes Habitat very susceptible to Phytophthora Pseudomys fumeus population at Priam Breeding habitat patches where it used to areas could be an option in some dieback. Any salvage efforts and surveys Facility in NSW occur. circumstances should ensure no spread.

Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous Yes; there is little yes Maybe; may be required to create Unlikely; nearby unburnt habitat Yes; artificial shelters in burnt Yes Yes tridactylus information on founders for later may be saturated areas could be an option in some population status in reintroductions. circumstances Qld

Mainland Dusky Antechinus yes yes Unlikely Maybe Maybe; artificial shelters in burnt Yes Yes Antechinus mimetes (swainsonii) areas could be an option in some circumstances

Broad-toothed Rat Mastacomys yes yes Maybe Unlikely; nearby unburnt habitat Yes; artificial shelters in burnt Yes Yes. High densities of fuscus mordicus may be saturated areas could be an option in some predators around ski circumstances resorts (near habitat) has been identified as a threat by IUCN.

Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus yes yes Maybe Unlikely; nearby unburnt habitat Yes; hollows No No australis may be saturated or unsuitable

Greater Glider Yes; northern yes Maybe Unlikely; nearby unburnt habitat Yes; hollows No No subspecies less of a may be saturated or unsuitable Petauroides volans concern, although it was heavily impacted in 2018 by fire

Spotted Quoll yes yes Unlikely; (and note that Qld do Maybe Unlikely Yes Yes; especially fox. Education campaign to stop people killing not support ex situ or salvage quolls that are wandering for food Dasyurus maculatus (SE actions) mainland)

Platypus yes yes Maybe Unlikely; nearby unburnt habitat No Yes Yes may be saturated Ornithorhynchus anatinus

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Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Yes; In old surveys yes Unlikely; ex situ already exists; Unlikely Yes but now unlikely; short term Yes Yes; especially fox. Petrogale penicillata are needed to note that Qld don’t support ex feeding an option until veg identify the core situ or salvage actions regenerates, but only required populations, and where fire has been intense, and their status unlikely to be required now.

Grey-headed Flying-fox Pteropus yes yes No; ex situ not required, but No; they are sufficiently mobile No; for wild animals No No Engage with community as flying foxes can poliocephalus salvage into care for welfare move into adjacent urban areas following reasons drought and fire.

Birds

Pilotbird yes yes Maybe Maybe; if surveys can identify No Unlikely Maybe suitable unoccupied habitat Pycnoptilus floccosus

Superb Lyrebird yes yes No No; unburnt habitat likely to be No Unlikely Maybe occupied Menura novaehollandiae

Eastern Bristlebird yes yes Maybe; Ex situ captive breeding Yes; emergency salvage undertaken No Yes Yes facilities already exist, but there is in Vic, with temporary housing for Dasyornis brachypterus no capacity for new founders in EBBs to rescue from imminent fire. captive breeding program and Need analysis for considering best facilities may not be financially options and see if this species secure to continue. would benefit from translocation to other habitat.

Red-browed Treecreeper yes yes No No; unburnt habitat likely to be No No No occupied Climacteris erythrops

Gang-gang Cockatoo yes yes No No; they are sufficiently mobile No No Yes; protect nests from predators (native and Callocephalon fimbriatum introduced)

Mainland Ground Parrot yes yes Yes Maybe; especially to empty habitat No Yes Yes to east Pezoporus wallicus

Black-faced Monarch yes yes No No; they are sufficiently mobile No No No Monarcha melanopsis

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South-eastern Glossy Black- yes yes No No; they are sufficiently mobile Yes; erect extra nest boxes in areas Yes; protect No • On-ground assessment should include Cockatoo known to have breeding pairs, and regenerating mapping unburnt stands of Allocasuarina, near existing food resources casuarinas from assessing availability of hollows in Calyptorhynchus lathami grazing (this is for proximity to these, and determining fire longer-term recovery) impacts on hollow availability.

• Longer-term: Re-establish food supply in areas where fire has resulted in long-term loss of Allocasuarina stands and natural regeneration will be insufficient to meet future needs; seeds will only become available after 10 years.

• Re-establish water resources where erosion and sedimentation post fire has drained/filled in critical water holes.

Anthochaera phrygia yes yes Maybe; if starvation is evident; ex No; they are sufficiently mobile Unlikely Unlikely Unlikely Control for native competitors such as Noisy Regent Honeyeater situ captive breeding facilities Miner in some places. already exist at Taronga Zoo.

Fish

East Gippsland Galaxias yes yes No; sufficient salvage already No; none available No No Maybe; only if predators No salmonid stockings in entire Goolengook Galaxias aequipinnis done (Trout) have invaded River catchment. upstream into Galaxiid population

Cann Galaxias yes yes Yes; some salvage done but No; suitable translocation sites No No Maybe; only if predators • No salmonid stockings in Cann River Galaxias sp. 17 'Cann' insufficient. need to be located first. (Trout) have invaded catchment upstream of Noorinbee. upstream into Galaxiid population • Formal description of species. • Consistent conservation assessment (e.g. SEAP) across freshwater fish, including the priority species

McDowall's Galaxias yes yes No; sufficient salvage already No; none available No No Maybe; only if predators • No salmonid stockings in entire Rodger Galaxias mcdowalli done (Trout) have invaded River catchment. upstream into Galaxiid population • Locate suitable translocation sites. • Captive breeding, reinforcement stocking and establishing new populations

Yalmy Galaxias yes yes Yes but now unlikely; salvage No; suitable translocation sites No No Maybe; only if predators • No salmonid stockings in entire Rodger Galaxias sp. nov. 'yalmy' attempted but insufficient fish need to be located first. (Trout) have invaded River catchment. caught. Captive breeding, upstream into Galaxiid reinforcement stocking and population • Formal description of species. establishing new populations is a • Consistent conservation assessment (e.g. priority. SEAP) across freshwater fish, including the priority species.

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Roundsnout Galaxias yes yes Yes; no salvage done to date. No; suitable translocation sites No No Maybe; only if predators No salmonid stockings in Genoa River Galaxias terenasus need to be located first. (Trout) have invaded catchment. upstream into Galaxiid population

Dargo Galaxias yes yes No; salvage already conducted No; none available No No Maybe; only if predators No salmonid stockings in entire upper Dargo Galaxias mungadhan (Trout) have invaded River catchment upstream of Miners Flat Trk upstream into Galaxiid population

Non-parasitic Lamprey yes yes No; marine migratory so not No No No No Mordacia praecox necessary/feasible

Crayfish

Arte Spiny Crayfish yes yes Yes No, but maybe later; all of range No Unknown Yes; predatory fish • Formal description of species. Euastacus sp. 1 impacted so no options now, but (trout) there may be options later • Consistent conservation assessment (e.g. SEAP) across crayfish, including the priority species

Cann Spiny Crayfish yes yes Yes No, but maybe later; all of range No Unknown Yes; predatory fish • Formal description of species. Euastacus sp. 2 impacted so no options now, but (trout) there may be options later • Consistent conservation assessment (e.g. SEAP) across crayfish, including the priority species

East Gippsland Spiny Crayfish yes yes No; some salvage already No No Yes; horses, pigs Maybe; pigs, foxes plus • Consistent conservation assessment (e.g. Euastacus bidawalus undertaken, and wild-to-wild predatory fish (Trout & SEAP) across crayfish, including the translocations possible in the Redfin) priority species future

West Snowy Spiny Crayfish yes yes Yes No, but maybe later; all of range No Unknown Yes; predatory fish • Formal description of species. Euastacus sp. 3 impacted so no options now, but (trout) there may be options later • Consistent conservation assessment (e.g. SEAP) across crayfish, including the priority species

Orbost Spiny Crayfish yes yes Yes; some already conducted (but No, but maybe later; range 100% No Yes; horses, pigs Maybe; pigs, foxes plus Consistent conservation assessment (e.g. Euastacus diversus insufficient) fire-affected, so translocations predatory fish (Trout & SEAP) across crayfish, including the priority unlikely to be feasible now, but Redfin) species could be considered in the future.

Clayton's Spiny Crayfish yes yes Maybe; need to assess feasibility Maybe; wild-to-wild translocations No Yes; horses, pigs Maybe; pigs, foxes plus Consistent conservation assessment (e.g. Euastacus claytoni possible in the future predatory fish (Trout & SEAP) across crayfish, including the priority Redfin) species

Reptiles

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Glossy Grass Skink yes yes Unlikely Unlikely No Yes; grazing and Maybe; predation by Pseudemoia rawlinsoni trampling by foxes, pigs, cats introduced herbivores a potential threat.

Southern Water-skink yes yes Unlikely Unlikely No Yes; grazing and Maybe; predation by Eulamprus tympanum trampling by foxes, pigs, cats introduced herbivores, including by livestock, a potential threat.

Pseudemoia cryodroma, Alpine yes yes Maybe; no existing captive No No Maybe; habitat Yes; high densities of Control weeds bog skink breeding programs to our degradation by feral predators around ski knowledge herbivores identified resorts (near habitat) as a threat by IUCN. has been identified as a threat by IUCN.

Cyclodomorphus praealtus yes yes Maybe; there are existing No No Yes; habitat Yes; predation from rats, Weed control (Hieracium aurantiacum), and Alpine She-oak Skink holdings at Healesville degradation through foxes, cats, dogs protect habitat from development, ski runs grazing and trampling etc. by cattle, feral horses, deer and pigs

Frogs

Litoria littlejohni yes yes No No No Maybe Unknown Assessment of chytrid levels at burnt verses Littlejohn's Tree Frog, Heath Frog unburnt sites. Assessment of genetic diversity to identify potential bottlenecking.

Heleioporus australiacus yes yes Maybe; especially for southern No No Yes Yes Artificial ponds (Vic). Giant Burrowing Frog population/species The threat of the disease, chytrid, might be altered post-fire, but it is unknown whether this will be positive or negative. Partnership/research project with the University of Newcastle to support fire and disease management and reduce threats such as fire. University of Newcastle also assisting with the development of a fire response plan.

Litoria spenceri yes yes Maybe; through expansion of Maybe; species may have low No No Unknown Spotted Tree Frog small-scale existing ex situ recruitment and may need (existing captive breeding translocation/captive support - program (10 breeding pairs, analysis required. ~200 young/year))

Mixophyes balbus yes yes Maybe No No Maybe Unknown Stuttering Frog, Southern Barred Frog (in Victoria)

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Table 2 Recovery actions for priority plant species

Common name Scientific Name Criteria [1]

Gippsland Banksia Banksia croajingolensis A, E Betka Bottlebrush Callistemon kenmorrisonii A, E - Grevillea pachylostyla C, E - Leptospermum jingera C, E - Pomaderris buchanensis A, B, E, J Brumby Sallee Eucalyptus forresterae C, E Leafy Nematolepis Nematolepis frondosa J - Leucopogon riparius A, B, E - Pomaderris oblongifolia A, B, J Forrester's Bottlebrush Callistemon forresterae A, B, C Woolly Wattle, Hairy Wattle Acacia lanigera var. gracilipes A, B, E, J - Brachyscome riparia A, E - Eucalyptus elaeophloia C, E Brumby Mallee-gum Eucalyptus phoenix C, E - Grevillea polychroma B, J Climbing Bent-grass Deyeuxia ramosa A, E Eucalyptus mackintii A, B, E Snowy River Westringia Westringia cremnophila A, B, E, J Genoa River Correa Correa lawrenceana var. genoensis A, C, J - Olearia rugosa subsp. angustifolia A, E Smooth Tea-tree Leptospermum glabrescens A, E Blotchy Mintbush Prostanthera walteri A, E - Monotoca rotundifolia C, E Bush-pea Pultenaea parrisiae A, D, E, J - Tetratheca subaphylla A, D Howe Guinea-flower Hibbertia notabilis A - Viola improcera C, E Woolly-bear Wattle, Lucas's Wattle Acacia lucasii C, E - Dampiera fusca C Tiny Spyridium Spyridium cinereum A, J Mountain Banksia Banksia canei H, J Dwarf Bottlebrush Callistemon subulatus A, E Blue-tongued Orchid, Kiandra Pterostylis oreophila - Greenhood - Deyeuxia talariata A, C Harsh Nematolepis Nematolepis squamea subsp. coriacea - - Grevillea neurophylla A, J - Grevillea parvula A, J - Persoonia brevifolia A, B, E Bent Pomaderris Pomaderris sericea J Colquhoun Grevillea, Nowa Grevillea Grevillea celata - Narrow-leaf Bower Wattle, Sticky Acacia subporosa A, J Bower Wattle, River Wattle, Bower Wattle Wiry Flannel-flower Actinotus forsythii A, E, J Thick-lipped Spider-orchid, Daddy Caladenia tessellata - long legs Leafless Tongue-orchid Cryptostylis hunteriana - Pale Golden Moths Diuris ochroma - White Mountain Ash, White Ash Eucalyptus fraxinoides E, H - Philotheca myoporoides subsp. E, J brevipedunculata Net-veined Wattle Acacia subtilinervis D, J Marble Daisy-bush Olearia astroloba - Rufous Pomaderris Pomaderris brunnea J Cotoneaster Pomaderris Pomaderris cotoneaster J Mignonette Leek-orchid, Cobungra Prasophyllum morganii - Leek-orchid, Dense Leek-orchid

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Picture 1: Suggested management actions for high priority plant species

Criteria [1] Management Action Urgency of action [2] A B C D E F G H I J

Field inspections – damage and threats x x x x x Immediate

Germplasm collection x x x Immediate

Field inspections - resprouting assessment x x x Immediate

Field inspections - seedling emergence assessment x x x x Immediate

Disease – field assessments and emergency germplasm x Immediate collection of cuttings where resprouting is affected

Exclude forestry/silvicultural impacts x x x x x Immediate

Alleviate herbivory x x x Immediate

Field inspections - recovery assessment x Medium-term

Irrigation x Medium-term

Carefully planned translocation x x x x x x x x x Medium-term

Weed control x x x Medium-term

Exclude prescribed fire x x x x x x x x x x Medium-term

Rapid response to wildfire x x x x x x x x x x Medium-term

Minimise development impacts x x x x x x x x x x Ongoing

Alleviate pollinator competition from feral bees and x x x x Medium-term / Ongoing European wasp

Prevent illegal collecting or over-collecting of germplasm x x x x x x x x x x Ongoing or plants

Minimise habitat disturbance from human activities x x x x x x x x x x Ongoing

Criteria are: A Interactive effects of fire and drought; B Short fire intervals (impacts of high fire frequency); C Post-fire herbivore impacts; D Fire-disease interactions; E High fire severity; F Weed invasion; G Elevated winter temperatures or changed temperature regimes; H Fire sensitivity; I Post-fire erosion; J Cumulative exposure to high risks. Note that species listed under Criterion K will likely need some of the management actions outlined as well as actions identified by experts nominating the taxa.

Management actions are: Immediate actions are essential actions to undertake in the short-term; Medium-term actions are to be undertaken before the 2020-2021 fire season; Ongoing actions should be universally applied when managing threatened or sensitive species against a background suite of potential threats.

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report Appendix E: Victorian high priority actions in East Gippsland fire extent

Management actions for species within East Gippsland identified through Victorian Government Strategic Management Prospects tool. Areas within the fire extent with a high benefit-cost ranking (less than 90) should be prioritised for each action.

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Map 1 Weed control cost-effectiveness

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Map 2 Domestic stock grazing and weed control

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Map 3 Horse control cost-effectiveness

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Map 4 Rabbit control cost-effectiveness

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Map 5 Pig control cost-effectiveness

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Map 6 Deer control cost-effectiveness

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Map 7 Predator control cost-effectiveness

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Map 8 Permanent protection cost-effectiveness

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report Appendix F: Victorian potential bespoke priority actions

Specific needs assessments are currently underway as of August 2020. The actions and species below are those identified partway through the process. More information will be obtained over the next few weeks covering a greater breath of taxon. Preliminary views of unreleased assessments suggest actions below (particularly habitat restoration, gene mixing, herbivore and predator control) will be beneficial for a broad range of species in East Gippsland. Actions are listed in no particular order as cost-benefit calculations are forthcoming. Benefits to species of each action is calculated as increased likelihood of persistence compared to no action and ranked relative to other actions in terms of cost-effectiveness.

Table 1 Management actions for species within East Gippsland identified through Victorian Government Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Specific Needs assessment

Actions Target locations within East Gippsland Beneficiary species

Protect hollow-bearing trees (during fire Southern Great Glider management) Masked Owl

Install artificial hollows Southern Great Glider Masked Owl Genoa Glossy Black-cockatoo

Provide artificial water sources Southern Great Glider

Gene mixing Southern Great Glider Galaxias Olidus Complex (12 spp.)

Install tree bands to prevent predation Masked Owl

Wild release (re-establish populations) from Long-footed Potoroo captivity Galaxias Olidus Complex (12 spp.)

Translocation from Barry Mountains Long footed Potoroo from Cranbourne/Westernport Southern Brown Bandicoot from La Trobe Valley/Central Highlands Southern Long-nosed Bandicoot Mallacoota\Shipwreck Creek, Cape Eastern Ground Parrot Conran

Harvesting for translocation Glossy Black-cockatoo Eastern Ground Parrot

Supplementary planting Genoa Glossy Black-cockatoo

Fire management Howe Flat Glossy Black-cockatoo Eastern Ground Parrot

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Actions Target locations within East Gippsland Beneficiary species

Predator control Eastern Ground Parrot

Exotic fish control Galaxias Olidus Complex (12 spp.)

Install barriers Galaxias Olidus Complex (12 spp.)

Identify drought refuges Galaxias Olidus Complex (12 spp.)

Habitat restoration Galaxias Olidus Complex (12 spp.) Lake Dartmouth and tributaries Macquarie Perch Non-regulated coastal rivers Estuary Perch Non-regulated coastal rivers Australian Grayling

Education and fisheries regulations Lake Dartmouth and tributaries Macquarie Perch

Provide environmental flows Lake Dartmouth and tributaries Macquarie Perch

Protect natural flows Non-regulated coastal rivers Estuary Perch Non-regulated coastal rivers Australian Grayling

Install fishways/remove barriers Non-regulated coastal rivers Estuary Perch Non-regulated coastal rivers Australian Grayling

Close season Coastal rivers Estuary Perch

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Forests and coastal ecosystems of East Gippsland regional bushfire recovery workshop report Appendix G: Funding investment

Table 1 Current investment in predator and herbivore animal control / habitat restoration and protection

Funder Title Description Recipient Timing Amount Australian Support to RLP Service • Protection of EPBC listed ecological communities East Gippsland 2019-20 to $750,000* Government providers for through an aerial pest animal control program CMA 2020-21 *This is the total Emergency Pest targeting deer in Croajingolong National Park and both project funding Mitigation and habitat deer and pigs in the eastern section of the EGCMA amount, including protection Alpine Peatland area; and weed control and habitat the actions listed. restoration activities within burnt peatlands and weed Other activities control within littoral rainforest supported under • Woody weed control along the Buchan headwaters and this project are plains listed separately Victorian Eastern Victoria Fires New seed stocks and directly sow forest areas by hand and $7.7 million Government 2019-20 State Recovery helicopter Plan Victorian Bushfire Biodiversity Intensified and sustained threat management – pest $12 million Government Response and Recovery predators, herbivores and weeds, including aerial deer control and fox control programs WIRES Genoa Catchment Rehabilitation Project Habitat Restoration Fund

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Table 2 Current investment in species-specific recovery actions

Funder Title Description Recipient Timing Amount

Australian Support to RLP Service • Artificial additional breeding hollows for Glossy Black East Gippsland 2019-20 to $750,000* Government providers for Cockatoos in Lake Tyers SP, Croajingolong NP and State CMA 2020-21 *This is the total Emergency Pest Forest near Genoa and Tostaree project funding Mitigation and habitat • Post fire assessment of occupancy of Spot-tailed Quolls amount, including protection and associated Fox control the actions listed. • New Holland Mouse surveys to understand populations Other activities supported under and guide management this project are listed separately Australian State Emergency Maximising the resilience of species, including: Vic Government 2019-20 to $1.86 million Government intervention funding • genetic sampling and testing of priority plants to support 2020-21 potential genetic rescue • genetic analysis of priority rodents including Broad- toothed Rat, Smoky Mouse, New Holland Mouse and Spotted Tree Frog to support potential genetic rescue • preparation and planning for the establishment of a new population of Eastern Bristlebird and genetic rescue of Eastern Bristlebird at Cape Howe • $300,000 for reading and healing country actions by traditional owners • Other projects still in planning phase – pending results of specific needs analysis Australian Introduced hollows for The project will install hollows for a range of species, such as Cmore Pty Ltd 2019-20 to $336,090 Government priority species Greater Gliders, Yellow-Bellied Gliders, Glossy Black 2020-21 impacted by wildfire in Cockatoos, Red-browed Treecreeper, Gang-Gang Cockatoo, East Gippsland (GA- and create refuges for species that utilise fallen logs and 2000629) timber, including Smoky Mice, Broad-toothed Rat, Southern Water Skink and Glossy Grass Skink. Australian State Emergency Emergency extraction of a number of species, including Vic Government 2019-20 to $390,000 Government intervention funding freshwater fish species, for temporary ex-situ housing or 2020-21 wild-to-wild translocation. Victorian Bushfire Biodiversity Emergency extraction to prevent extinction and limit species $2.4 million Government Response and Recovery decline – for Eastern Bristlebird and priority plant species

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Table 3 Current investment in knowledge projects

Funder Title Description Recipient Timing Amount

Australian State Emergency Assessments of fire impacts on priority species including: Vic 2019-20 to $750,000 Government intervention funding Government 2020-21 • Surveys for hollow bearing trees to support identified species such as Greater Glider

• Assessment of the impacts of bushfires on fungal food source for species such as Long-footed and Long-nosed Potoroos

• Invertebrate assessments

• Plant quadrat surveys for priority species of concern

• Spotted Tree Frog surveys

• Broad-toothed Rat surveys

Victorian Bushfire Biodiversity Immediate reconnaissance and assessment of critical species and habitats $1.85 Government Response and Glossy Black Cockatoo million Recovery • Cave-breeding bats

• Arboreal mammals and large forest owls e.g. Greater Glider, Masked Owl

• Spot-tailed Quoll

• Invertebrates

• Large Brown Tree Frog and other threatened East Gippsland frogs and reptiles

• Eastern Ground Parrot

Victorian Bushfire Biodiversity Knowledge, data and preparedness including prioritisation processes $1.75 Government Response and million Recovery

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Funder Title Description Recipient Timing Amount

Victorian Bushfire Biodiversity Maximising resilience across the landscape including: $3 million Government Response and Recovery • $1.75 million for traditional owner Reading and healing country activities.

• review of revegetation services in Victoria

• Genetic analysis of priority flora and fauna species to support potential genetic rescue

• Analysis and design for ash reseeding experiment Feasibility assessments of Wilsons Prom and French Island as safer havens for to spread the risk of species impacts from events such as the 2019-20 bushfires

WIRES Assessing landscape-scale impacts of bushfires on platypus using East environmental DNA and citizen scientists Gippsland Landcare Network

WIRES Local communities monitoring wildlife response to fire recovery in East Far East Gippsland Stage 1 Victoria Landcare Inc

WIRES Community monitoring wildlife recovery after bushfire in Eastern Victoria Victorian National parks Association

Australian Bushfire recovery of A comprehensive, national assessment of fire-affected Mainland Ground BirdLife 2019-20 to $170,200 Government cryptic threatened Parrots and Eastern Bristlebirds across their known ranges to identify Australia 2020-21 birds in the eastern critical gaps in bushfire recovery efforts. heathlands (GA- 2000318) *

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Funder Title Description Recipient Timing Amount

Australian Saving the spinys: The project will support the recovery of the 22 priority Euastacus species The Trustee 2019-20 to $654,500 Government urgent actions to (freshwater crayfish) affected by the bushfires, by identifying critical for Nature 2020-21 conserve the Euastacus populations, exploring the feasibility of conservation translocations, and Glenelg freshwater crayfish determining how to best conserve each species. Trust (GA-2000463) *

Australian Conserving Victoria’s The project will assess the impacts of the 2019-20 fires on the Alpine La Trobe 2019-20 to $271,370 Government unique alpine stonefly Stonefly, establish the distribution of the species, and identify priority University 2020-21 genus Thaumatoperla actions to support recovery and conservation efforts. (GA-2000485) *

Australian Determining This project will assess impacts of the recent bushfires on freshwater Monash 2019-20 to $255,060 Government landscape-scale biodiversity and 14 Priority Matters across south-eastern Australia using University 2020-21 impacts of fire on environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling. This project will enable the biodiversity using identification of species and areas in urgent need of management eDNA (GA-2000488) *

Australian Impacts of severe and Focussed on reptiles and the broad-toothed rat, the project will examine how Deakin 2019-20 to $328,131 Government extensive fire and fire and large feral herbivores impact on these populations and inform University 2020-21 interactions with feral whether translocations and/or feral animal management could be needed. herbivores (GA- 2000607) *

* Note: Project activities (and investment) not confined to East Gippsland

Table 4 Current investment in species welfare

Funder Title Description Recipient Timing Amount Victorian Bushfire Biodiversity Wildlife welfare $1 million Government Response and Recovery

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