Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Flora, vegetation and fauna survey
FINAL
Prepared for Water Corporation by Strategen
November 2018
Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Flora, vegetation and fauna survey
FINAL
Strategen is a trading name of Strategen Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd Level 1, 50 Subiaco Square Road Subiaco WA 6008 ACN: 056 190 419
November 2018
Limitations Scope of services This report (“the report”) has been prepared by Strategen Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd (Strategen) in accordance with the scope of services set out in the contract, or as otherwise agreed, between the Client and Strategen. In some circumstances, a range of factors such as time, budget, access and/or site disturbance constraints may have limited the scope of services. This report is strictly limited to the matters stated in it and is not to be read as extending, by implication, to any other matter in connection with the matters addressed in it. Reliance on data In preparing the report, Strategen has relied upon data and other information provided by the Client and other individuals and organisations, most of which are referred to in the report (“the data”). Except as otherwise expressly stated in the report, Strategen has not verified the accuracy or completeness of the data. To the extent that the statements, opinions, facts, information, conclusions and/or recommendations in the report (“conclusions”) are based in whole or part on the data, those conclusions are contingent upon the accuracy and completeness of the data. Strategen has also not attempted to determine whether any material matter has been omitted from the data. Strategen will not be liable in relation to incorrect conclusions should any data, information or condition be incorrect or have been concealed, withheld, misrepresented or otherwise not fully disclosed to Strategen. The making of any assumption does not imply that Strategen has made any enquiry to verify the correctness of that assumption. The report is based on conditions encountered and information received at the time of preparation of this report or the time that site investigations were carried out. Strategen disclaims responsibility for any changes that may have occurred after this time. This report and any legal issues arising from it are governed by and construed in accordance with the law of Western Australia as at the date of this report. Environmental conclusions Within the limitations imposed by the scope of services, the preparation of this report has been undertaken and performed in a professional manner, in accordance with generally accepted environmental consulting practices. No other warranty, whether express or implied, is made.
Client: Water Corporation Revision Strategen Submitted to Client Report Version Purpose No. author/reviewer Form Date Draft Report A Client review M Stone, L Stevens/ Electronic 12/01/2018 T.Sleigh Final Report B Client Copy C Lehman / D Newsome Electronic 23/11/2018 Filename: WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 - 23 November 2018
FINAL Table of Contents
Table of contents 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Purpose 1 1.2 Scope 1 2. Context 3 2.1 Legislative context 3 2.1.1 Conservation significant flora and ecological communities 3 2.1.2 Environmentally Sensitive Areas 4 2.1.3 Protection of native vegetation 4 2.1.4 Introduced (weed) species 5 2.1.5 Conservation Significant Fauna 5 2.2 Existing environment 7 2.2.1 Geology, landform and soils 7 2.2.2 Climate 7 2.2.3 Hydrology 8 2.2.4 Regional vegetation 8 2.2.5 Land use 9 2.2.6 Fauna habitat 13 3. Methods 14 3.1 Desktop assessment 14 3.2 Field survey 14 3.2.1 Flora and vegetation 14 3.2.2 Fauna 16 3.2.3 Survey limitations and constraints 17 4. Results 19 4.1 Flora 19 4.1.1 Desktop assessment 19 4.1.2 Field survey 26 4.2 Fauna 38 4.2.1 Desktop assessment 38 4.2.2 Field survey 39 4.2.3 Fauna Habitat 43 5. Discussion 45 5.1 Flora 45 5.1.1 Flora composition 45 5.1.2 Survey adequacy 45 5.1.3 Flora of conservation significance 45 5.1.4 Flora of other significance. 45 5.1.5 Unknown flora taxa 45 5.1.6 Introduced flora taxa 46 5.1.7 Vegetation types 46 5.1.8 Vegetation of significance 46 5.1.9 Vegetation condition 46 5.2 Fauna 46 5.2.1 Fauna of Conservation Significance 46 5.2.2 Black Cockatoo Habitat Assessment 47 5.2.3 Western Ringtail Possum Survey 48 6. Summary 49 6.1 Flora 49 6.2 Fauna 49 6.2.1 Black Cockatoo Habitat Assessment 50 6.2.2 Western Ringtail Possum 50 7. References 51
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 FINAL Table of Contents
List of tables Table 1: Beard (1981) vegetation associations within the project area 9 Table 2: Heddle et al. (1980) vegetation complexes within the project area 9 Table 3: Database searches conducted for the desktop assessment 14 Table 4: Survey personnel 14 Table 5: Vegetation condition scale (Keighery 1994) 15 Table 6: Flora and vegetation survey potential limitations and constraints 17 Table 7: Threatened and Priority flora potentially occurring within the project area 20 Table 8: TECs and PECs identified within and near the project area 24 Table 9: Introduced flora taxa recorded within the project area 28 Table 10: Vegetation condition within the project area 28 Table 11: Vegetation type and condition within project area 29 Table 12: Banksia woodland within the project area assessed against key diagnostic criteria 34 Table 13: Results of hierarchical analysis for plots from the project area 35 Table 14: Results of Nearest Neighbour analysis using the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity coefficient 36 Table 15: Conservation significant fauna potentially occurring in the project area 39 Table 16: Black Cockatoo potential breeding trees 41
List of figures Figure 1: Project area 2 Figure 2: Mean monthly climate data for rainfall (Roelands Station No. 009657) and temperature (Bunbury Station No. 009965) 8 Figure 3: Wetlands within 5 km of project area 10 Figure 4: Regional vegetation mapping (Beard 1990) 11 Figure 5: Regional vegetation mapping (Heddle et al. 1980) 12 Figure 6: Location of Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities within 5 km of the project area 25 Figure 7: Averaged randomised Species Accumulation Curve 26 Figure 8: Vegetation condition within the project area 32 Figure 9: Vegetation types 33 Figure 10: Threatened Ecological Communities mapped within the project area 37 Figure 11: Black Cockatoo habitat 42 Figure 12: Fauna habitat 44
List of appendices Appendix 1 Conservation significant flora and ecological community definitions Appendix 2 Modelled distribution of Black Cockatoo Appendix 3 Modelled distribution of Western Ringtail Possum Appendix 4 Flora database search results Appendix 5 Raw quadrat data Appendix 6 Inventory of vascular flora taxa Appendix 7 Flora species recorded from quadrats within the project area by vegetation type Appendix 8 Fauna database search results Appendix 9 Fauna Species List Appendix 10 Habitat Assessments
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This report presents the findings of a detailed flora and vegetation survey, and a level one fauna survey, undertaken to support the proposed rezoning of the Water Corporation’s former Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) site at Lot 522 Ditchingham Place, Australind in the Shire of Harvey (the project area, Figure 1).
The project area is currently reserved as ‘Public Utilities’ under the Shire of Harvey District Planning Scheme (DPS) No. 1 and zoned ‘Urban Deferred’ under the Greater Bunbury Region Scheme (GBRS). The proposed rezoning will facilitate future residential and/or mixed use.
All scheme amendments are referred by the Western Australian Planning Commission to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and other Western Australian agencies such as the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER). The clearing of native vegetation that may contain threatened flora or fauna habitat may also trigger requirement for a referral to the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy (DEE). The technical environmental investigations described herein were undertaken to support the proposed scheme amendment application, to meet agency guidelines, and to enable informed consideration of the proposal.
1.2 Scope
The scope of this flora, vegetation and fauna survey was to undertake a desktop assessment and field assessment within the project area (Figure 1).
The objectives were to: • conduct a desktop survey for Threatened and Priority flora and fauna, which have been identified as being present in or near the project area • collect and identify the vascular plant species present within the project area • search areas of suitable habitat for Threatened and/or Priority flora • define and map the native vegetation communities present within the project area • map vegetation condition within the project area • provide recommendations on the local and regional significance of the vegetation communities • identify the extent and quality of Black Cockatoo and Western Ringtail Possum habitat present within the project area • prepare a report summarising the findings.
The objectives and methods of the survey were in accordance with relevant regulatory guidelines, including: • Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Technical Guidance: Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA 2016a); • EPA Technical Guidance: Sampling Methods for Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna (EPA 2016b); • EPA Technical Guidance: Terrestrial Fauna Surveys (EPA 2016c)
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 1 382800 383100 6317400 6317400
Hewdon Rd
Piggott Dr 6317100 6317100
Binningup Location map
Indian ocean Brunswick Junction Homestead Gra Glentana App Roelands Aquila Dr
Burekup Grand Ent Ditchingham Pl
Bunbury
Apollo L Dardanup
382800 383100
Figure 1: The survey area
Scale 1:3,000 at A4 m Legend 0 30 60 90 ¹ Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Survey area Note that positional errors may occur in some areas Existing cadastre Date: 27/12/2017 Author: vdinh [email protected] www.strategen.com.au Source: Aerial image: Nearmap, flown 09/2017. Existing cadastre: Landgate 2017.
Path: Q:\Consult\2017\WCO\WCO17452\01_GIS_documents\ArcMap_documents\WCO17452_G002_RevA.mxd FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
2. Context
2.1 Legislative context
This biological survey has been conducted with reference to the following Australian and Western Australian legislation: • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) – Australian Government • Biodiversity conservation Act 2016 (BC Act) • Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WC Act) – State • Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) – State • Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act) – State. Non-legislative measures: • WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Priority lists for flora, ecological communities and fauna • Recognition of locally significant populations by DBCA.
2.1.1 Conservation significant flora and ecological communities
Conservation significant flora and ecological communities are determined at a state and federal legislative level.
Flora within Western Australia that is considered to be under threat may be classed as either Threatened flora or Priority flora. Where flora has been gazetted as Threatened flora under the WC Act, the taking of such flora without the written consent of the Minister is an offence. The WC Act defines “to take” flora as to gather, pluck, cut, pull up, destroy, dig up, remove or injure the flora or to cause or permit the same to be done by any means. DBCA (2017a) contains the current list of Threatened flora in Western Australia.
Priority flora are considered to be species which are potentially under threat, but for which there is insufficient information available concerning their distribution and/or populations to make a proper evaluation of their conservation status. Parks and Wildlife categorises Priority flora according to their conservation priority using five categories, P1 (highest conservation significance) to P5 (lowest conservation significance), to denote the conservation priority status of such species. Priority flora species are regularly reviewed and may have their priority status changed when more information on the species becomes available. Appendix 1 defines levels of Threatened and Priority flora (Western Australian Herbarium 1998-).
At the national level, the EPBC Act lists Threatened species as extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, or conservation dependent. Appendix 1 defines each of these categories of Threatened species. The EPBC Act prohibits an action that has or will have a significant impact on a listed Threatened species without approval from the Australian Government Minister for the Environment. The current EPBC Act list of Threatened flora may be found on the DEE (2017b) website.
A TEC is defined under the EP Act as an ecological community listed, designated or declared under a written law or a law of the Australian Government as Threatened, Endangered or Vulnerable. There are 1 four State categories of TECs (DEC 2010) : • presumed totally destroyed (PD) • critically endangered (CR) • endangered (EN)
1 The Department of Environment and Conservation is still listed as the author of all TEC and PEC databases and have been referred to as such in this document instead of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions [DBCA]).
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 3 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
• vulnerable (VU).
A description of each of these TEC categories is presented in Appendix 1. TECs are gazetted as such (Parks and Wildlife 2016a) and some Western Australian TECs listed by Parks and Wildlife (2016) are also listed as Threatened under the EPBC Act.
Under the EPBC Act, a person must not undertake an action that has or will have a significant impact on a listed TEC without approval from the Australian Government Minister for the Environment, unless those actions are not prohibited under the EPBC Act. A description of each of these categories of TECs is presented in Appendix 1.
Ecological communities identified as threatened, but not listed as TECs, are classified as Priority Ecological Communities (PECs). These communities are under threat, but there is insufficient information available concerning their distribution to make a proper evaluation of their conservation status. DBCA categorises PECs according to their conservation priority, using five categories, P1 (highest conservation significance) to P5 (lowest conservation significance), to denote the conservation priority status of such ecological communities (see Appendix 1 for full descriptions).
2.1.2 Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are protected under the EP Act, and include the following: • World Heritage areas • areas included on the National Estate Register • defined wetlands and associated buffers • vegetation within 50 m of a listed Threatened species • TECs.
2.1.3 Protection of native vegetation
Native vegetation is defined under the EP Act as “indigenous aquatic or terrestrial vegetation, and includes dead vegetation unless that dead vegetation is of a class declared by regulation to be excluded from this definition but does not include vegetation in a plantation”.
This definition of native vegetation does not include vegetation that was intentionally sown, planted or propagated unless either of the following applies: (a) the vegetation was sown, planted or propagated as required under the EP Act or another written law (b) the vegetation is declared to be native under Regulation 4 of the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004.
Regulation 4 prescribes the kinds of intentionally planted indigenous vegetation that are “native vegetation” and which therefore require a clearing permit or exemption to clear and includes: (a) planting that was funded (fully or partly) i. by a person who was not the owner of the land ii. for the purpose of biodiversity conservation or land conservation (b) intentionally planted vegetation that has one of the following: i. a conservation covenant or agreement to reserve under section 30B of the Soil and Land Conservation Act 1945 ii. a covenant to conserve under section 21A of the National Trust of Australia (WA) Act 1964 iii. restrictive covenant to conserve under section 129B of the Transfer of Land Act 1983 iv. some other form of binding or undertaking to establish and maintain, or maintain, the vegetation.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 4 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Native vegetation can only be cleared with a clearing permit, unless for some circumstances where exemptions apply pursuant to the EP Act and the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004 (the Regulations). Clearing permits issued pursuant to the Regulations may be issued as area permits or purpose permits. Exemptions for clearing under Regulation 5 of the Regulations do not apply within ESAs.
2.1.4 Introduced (weed) species
The Commonwealth of Australia, in collaboration with the states and territories, has identified 32 WoNS based on an assessment process that prioritised these weeds on their invasiveness, potential for spread and environmental, social and economic impacts. A list of 20 WoNS was endorsed in 1999 and a further 12 were added in 2012.
Landowners and land managers at all levels are responsible for managing WoNS. State and territory governments are responsible for legislation, regulation and administration of weeds. The WoNS were selected as they require coordination among all levels of government, organisations and individuals with weed management responsibilities.
The Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act) provides for management and control of listed organisms, including introduced flora species (weeds) in Western Australia. The main purposes of the BAM Act and its regulations related to Declared Plant Pests are to: prevent new plant pests (weeds) from entering Western Australia; manage the impact and spread of those pests already present in the state; and safely manage the use of agricultural chemicals. Species listed as declared pests under the BAM Act are classified under three categories: • C1 Exclusion: Pests assigned under this category are not established in Western Australia, and control measures are to be taken to prevent them entering and establishing in the State • C2 Eradication: Pests assigned under this category are present in Western Australia in low enough numbers or in sufficiently limited areas that their eradication is still a possibility • C3 Management: Pests assigned under this category are established in Western Australia, but it is feasible, or desirable, to manage them in order to limit their damage. Control measures can prevent a C3 pest from increasing in population size or density or moving from an area in which it is established into an area that is currently free of that pest.
Under the BAM Act, land managers are required to manage populations of declared pests as outlined under the relevant category.
2.1.5 Conservation Significant Fauna
EPBC Act
The EPBC Act aims to protect matters of national environmental significance, which are detailed in Appendix 1. Under the EPBC Act, the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy (DEE) lists protected species and Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) by criteria set out in the Act. Species are considered to be conservation significant if they are listed as Threatened (i.e. Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable) or Migratory.
Bird species protected as Migratory under the EPBC Act include those listed under international migratory bird agreements relating to the protection of birds which migrate between Australia and other countries, for which Australia has agreed. This includes the Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA), the China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA), the Republic of Korea-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention).
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 5 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Some marine fauna or terrestrial fauna that use marine habitats are listed as Marine under the EPBC Act. These species are only considered conservation significant when a proposed development occurs in a Commonwealth marine area (i.e. any Commonwealth Waters or Commonwealth Marine Protected Area). Outside of such areas, the EPBC Act does not consider these species to be matters of national environmental significance so are not protected under the Act. As such, species listed as Marine only under the EPBC Act are not considered to be conservation significant in this assessment.
WC Act
DBCA lists taxa under the provisions of the WC Act as protected and are classified as Schedule 1 to Schedule 7 according to their need for protection. The WC Act makes it an offence to ‘take’ threatened species without an appropriate licence. There are financial penalties for contravening the WC Act.
EP Act
Significant habitat necessary for the maintenance of fauna indigenous to Western Australia as well as TECs is given special consideration in environmental impact assessments, and areas covered by TECs have special status as Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) under the EP Act and the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004.
DBCA Priority Lists
DBCA lists ‘Priority’ fauna that have not been assigned statutory protection as ‘Scheduled’ under the WC Act, but which are under consideration for declaration as ‘Scheduled’ fauna. In summary, Priority 1 fauna are those with few, poorly known populations on threatened lands, Priority 2 fauna are species with few poorly known populations on conservation lands and Priority 3 fauna are those with several poorly known populations, some on conservation lands. Priority 4 fauna are species in need of monitoring: not currently threatened or in need of special protection, but could become so and usually represented on conservation lands. Priority 5 fauna are species in need of monitoring: not considered threatened, but the subject of a specific conservation programme, the cessation of which would result in the species becoming threatened within five years.
In addition, DBCA maintains a list of Priority Ecological Communities which identifies those communities that need further investigation before possible nomination for TEC status.
Although DBCA Priority species and communities have no formal legal protection, they are under consideration as ‘Scheduled’ taxa under the WC Act or as ESAs under the EP Act Informal Recognition of Fauna.
Informal Recognition of Threatened Fauna
Certain populations or communities of fauna may be of local significance or interest because of their patterns of distribution and abundance. For example, fauna may be locally significant because they are range extensions to the previously known distribution or are newly discovered species (and have the potential to be of more than local significance). In addition, many species are in decline as a result of threatening processes (land clearing, grazing, and changed fire regimes) and relict populations of such species assume local importance for DBCA. It is not uncommon for DBCA to make comment on these species of interest.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 6 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
2.2 Existing environment
2.2.1 Geology, landform and soils
The project area is located within the Swan Coastal Plain 2 (SWA2 – Swan Coastal Plain subregion) of Western Australia (Mitchell et al. 2002). The Swan Coastal Plain comprises five major geomorphologic systems that lie parallel to the coast, namely (from west to east) the Quindalup Dunes, Spearwood Dunes, Bassendean Dunes, Pinjarra Plain and Ridge Hill Shelf (Churchward & McArthur 1980; Gibson et al. 1994). Each major system is composed of further subdivisions in the form of detailed geomorphologic units (Churchward & McArthur 1980; Semeniuk 1990; Gibson et al.1994). Beard (1990) describes the Swan Coastal Plain as a low-lying coastal plain, often swampy, with sandhills also containing dissected country rising to the duricrusted Dandaragan plateau on Mesozoic, mainly sandy, yellow soils. The project area is situated within the Bassendean Dunes formation.
2.2.2 Climate
The Australind locality experiences a Mediterranean climate characterised by mild, wet winters and warm to hot, dry summers. The nearest Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) weather station with accurate long-term rainfall data is Roelands (Station No. 009657), located 2.7 km south-east of the project area. Average annual rainfall recorded at Roelands since 1942 is 883.7 mm (BoM 2018). Rainfall may occur at any time of the year, with most occurring during winter in association with cold fronts from the southwest (Figure 2). The nearest BoM weather station with accurate long-term temperature data is Bunbury (Station No. 009965), located 13.1 km south-west of the project area. The highest temperatures occur in January and February, with average monthly maximums ranging from 17.2°C in July to 30.1°C in February (Figure 2) (BoM 2017). The lowest temperatures occur in July and August, with average monthly minimums ranging from 7°C in July 7 to 15.9°C in February (BoM 2018).
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 7 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
35 200 Mean rainfall (mm) Meam minimum temperature (°C) 180 Mean maximum temperature (°C) 30
160
25 140
120 20
100
15 Rainfall (mm) 80 Temperature (°C)
60 10
40
5 20
0 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Figure 2: Mean monthly climate data for rainfall (Roelands Station No. 009657) and temperature (Bunbury Station No. 009965)
2.2.3 Hydrology
The project area is located within the Southwest Catchment Division, in the Collie River drainage basin, in the Leschenault Estuary-Lower Collie sub-catchment.
Mapping of the geomorphic wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain (Figure 3) identifies the entire project area as a Multiple Use Wetland (UFI 14329). No other wetlands are mapped within the lot boundary.
The nearest Conservation Category Wetland (CCW) (UFI 1539) is mapped 700 m west of the Project area (Figure 3).
2.2.4 Regional vegetation
Beard (1990) Botanical Subdistrict
The project area is within the Drummond Botanical Subdistrict which is characterised by low Banksia woodlands on leached sands; Melaleuca swamps on poorly-drained depressions; and Eucalyptus gomphocephala (Tuart), Eucalyptus marginata (Jarrah) and Corymbia calophylla (Marri) woodlands on less leached soils (Beard 1990).
IBRA subregion
The Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) divides Western Australia into 26 biogeographic regions and 53 subregions based on dominant landscape characteristics of climate, lithology, geology, landform and vegetation (McKenzie et al. 2003).
IBRA describes a system of 85 ‘biogeographic regions’ (bioregions) and 403 subregions covering the entirety of the Australian continent (Thackway & Cresswell 1995). Bioregions are defined based on climate, geology, landforms, vegetation and fauna.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 8 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
The project area occurs within the Swan Coastal Plain 2 IBRA subregion which is dominated by Banksia or Tuart on sandy soils, Casuarina obesa on outwash plains and paperbark (Melaleuca) in swampy areas (Mitchell et al. 2002).
System 6 and vegetation system association mapping
Vegetation occurring within the region was initially mapped at a broad scale (1: 1 000 000) by Beard during the 1970s. This dataset formed the basis of several regional mapping systems, including the biogeographical region dataset (Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia) for Western Australia (DEE 2017a), physiographic regions defined by Beard (1981), and System 6 Vegetation Complex mapping undertaken by Heddle et al. (1980).
The project area comprises two Beard (1981) vegetation associations (Table 1; Figure 4). Most of the project area is mapped as vegetation association Bassendean 1000, of which 25.1% remains in the IBRA bioregion (GoWA 2017a). A small portion in the north west corner of the project area is mapped as Pinjarra 1182, of which 11.4% remains in the IBRA bioregion (GoWA 2017a).
Table 1: Beard (1981) vegetation associations within the project area Percent Vegetation Description remaining in Association IBRA Region Bassendean 1000 Mosaic: Medium forest; jarrah-marri / Low woodland; banksia / 25.1 Low forest; teatree (Melaleuca spp.) Pinjarra 1182 Medium woodland; Eucalyptus rudis & Melaleuca rhaphiophylla 11.4
Based on regional vegetation complex mapping (Heddle et al. 1980) the project area comprises only one vegetation complex, Bassendean Complex - Central and South (Table 2, Figure 5). A total of 25.7% of this complex remains in the IBRA bioregion (GoWA 2017b).
Table 2: Heddle et al. (1980) vegetation complexes within the project area Percent Vegetation Complex Description remaining in IBRA Region Bassendean Vegetation ranges from woodland of Eucalyptus marginata (Jarrah) - 25.7 Complex - Central Allocasuarina fraseriana (Sheoak) - Banksia species to low woodland of and South Melaleuca species, and sedgelands on the moister sites. This area includes the transition of Eucalyptus marginata (Jarrah) to Eucalyptus todtiana (Pricklybark) in the vicinity of Perth.
Conservation areas
There are no Bush Forever sites or Conservation Reserves within 5 km of the project area. The nearest DBCA managed land is 4.3 km north of the project area. Wardandi Reserve occurs directly adjacent to the project area which is approximately 19 ha. Wardandi reserve forms part of the Greater Bunbury Regional Open Space and is part of the South-west ecological connectivity link which connects pockets of vegetation throughout the Bunbury area and forms part of the Greater Bunbury Regional Scheme Regional Open Space reservations.
2.2.5 Land use
The primary land uses within the Swan Coastal Plain 2 subregion are agriculture, conservation, Unallocated Crown Land and Crown Reserves, urban, rural residential, forestry and infrastructure. Historically, the project area has been utilised for a waste water treatment plant and comprises revegetated areas, cleared areas and remnant vegetation. Surrounding land uses include rural residential, urban, and crown reserves.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 9 383500
UFI UFI UFI UFI UFI UFI 1364 1618 1699 2004 6324500 1528 1700 UFI 6324500 UFI UFI UFI 2150 1373 UFI 1530 1701 1619 UFI UFI UFI UFI UFI 2067 2014 1732 1381 1716 UFI UFI UFI 1860 1731 1861 UFI UFI UFI 1382 1862 UFI 1531 UFI 2156 UFI UFI 1298 UFI 1532 UFI UFI 2061 2163 1706 1864 UFI UFI UFI 1511 1691 UFI 1999 UFI Forrest Hwy UFI 1693 1512 1371 UFI UFI 1694 15225
UFI UFI UFI 2147 1514 UFI 1717 UFI 1513 UFI 15717 UFI 1515 UFI 1516 UFI 1296 UFI UFI 1696 1520 UFI 14521 UFI UFI 1522 1855 1617 UFI UFI UFI UFI 2054 1525 1856 UFI 2148 2055 UFI UFI UFI UFI 14311 UFI 2001 2000 1297 1526 UFI UFI 15513 1527
UFI UFI 1303 13250 UFI 6318000 6318000 UFI 1709 1538 UFI UFI UFI 1305 UFI 1730 1866
1539 Forrest Hwy UFI UFI UFI UFI 1711 1868 1714 UFI 1540 14513 UFI 2066
Australind Roelands Link UFI UFI UFI 1310 UFI 1748 UFI 1553 UFI 1733 1403 UFI UFI 15223 UFI UFI 1737 1734 UFI UFI UFI 1311 1735 1545 1542 1738 UFI UFI 1719 1384 UFI UFI UFI UFI UFI 1383 1870 1546 1720 1736
UFI UFI 1227 15222 UFI 1548 UFI UFI 1387 1621 UFI UFI UFI 1315 UFI 1534 1223 UFI 1626 UFI 1375 UFI 1707 1224 UFI UFI UFI 14329 1627 14323 UFI UFI 1727 1299 UFI UFI UFI 1300 1377 UFI 1865 UFI UFI 1708 1301 Thomson Rd UFI 1225 UFI 1728 UFI UFI UFI UFI UFI 1631 2165 6311500 1302 1226 1378 1379 6311500
Willinge Dr UFI UFI UFI UFI 1239 1551 UFI 2168 1240 UFI South Western Hwy 1721 UFI 1399 UFI UFI 1237 1242 UFI 1552 1400 UFI UFI UFI 1328 1402 1768
383500
Figure 3: Wetlands within 5 km of the survey area
Scale 1:65,000 at A4 Legend m Survey area Geomorphic wetland 0 650 1,300 1,950 ¹ Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Conservation Note that positional errors may occur in some areas Multiple Use Date: 27/12/2017 Author: vdinh [email protected] Resource Enhancement www.strategen.com.au Source: Aerial image: Nearmap, flown 09/2017. Existing cadastre: Landgate 2017.
Path: Q:\Consult\2017\WCO\WCO17452\01_GIS_documents\ArcMap_documents\WCO17452_G006_RevA.mxd 382800 383100 6317400 6317400
Hewdon Rd
Piggott Dr 6317100 6317100
Homestead Gra Glentana App Aquila Dr
Grand Ent Ditchingham Pl
Apollo L
382800 383100
Figure 4: Regional vegetation mapping: system association (Beard)
Scale 1:3,000 at A4 Legend m Survey area 0 30 60 90 ¹ System association (Beard) Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Existing cadastre Bassendean 1000 Note that positional errors may occur in some areas Date: 27/12/2017 Pinjarra 1182 Author: vdinh [email protected] www.strategen.com.au Source: Aerial image: Nearmap, flown 09/2017. Existing cadastre: Landgate 2017.
Path: Q:\Consult\2017\WCO\WCO17452\01_GIS_documents\ArcMap_documents\WCO17452_G004_RevA.mxd 382800 383100 6317400 6317400
Hewdon Rd
Piggott Dr 6317100 6317100
Homestead Gra Glentana App Aquila Dr
Grand Ent Ditchingham Pl
Apollo L
382800 383100
Figure 5: Regional vegetation mapping: vegetation complex (Heddle)
Scale 1:3,000 at A4 Legend m Survey area 0 30 60 90 ¹ Vegetation complex (Heddle) Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Existing cadastre Bassendean complex - central and south Note that positional errors may occur in some areas Date: 27/12/2017 Swan complex Author: vdinh [email protected] www.strategen.com.au Source: Aerial image: Nearmap, flown 09/2017. Existing cadastre: Landgate 2017.
Path: Q:\Consult\2017\WCO\WCO17452\01_GIS_documents\ArcMap_documents\WCO17452_G003_RevA.mxd FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
2.2.6 Fauna habitat
Black Cockatoo
Three species of Black Cockatoo are found in south-west WA; Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, Forest Red- tailed Black Cockatoo (FRTBC) and Baudin’s Black Cockatoo. All three Black Cockatoos have suffered a substantial decline in numbers and breeding distribution in the past 50 years (Johnstone & Storr 1998a). Direct causes of population decline include the large numbers shot by orchardists (mainly associated with Baudin’s Black Cockatoo), clearing and fragmentation of habitat (especially the loss of breeding hollows), the impact of hollow competitors including the Galah (Cacatua roseicapilla), corellas including Butler’s Corella (Cacatua pastinator butleri), Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides), Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata), the feral European honey bee (Apis mellifera), and also vehicle strikes. Around 60% of the original vegetation on the Swan Coastal Plain has been cleared and up to 85% in other parts of the south-west region for agriculture (crops), meat production, dairying, farms, orchards, vineyards, pine plantations, mining, timber and wood chipping, cities and towns. At present, extensive tracts of uncleared land only remain in State forest and conservation reserves and what is left of remnant vegetation (in roadside verges etc.) is often disturbed to a varying degree (Johnstone & Kirkby 2011).
The south-west region is now a severely fragmented landscape and the further loss of foraging habitat, the lack of suitable breeding sites, climate change, and alterations in the landscape led to significant changes in forest structure. Almost every part of the Jarrah-Marri forest has been logged in the past, and most present day trees are too young to form hollows, and competition with exotic species, exacerbate the future conservation of Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, FRTBC’s and Baudin’s Black Cockatoo (Johnstone & Kirkby 2011).
The modelled distribution of all three Black Cockatoo species can be seen in the 2017 DEE distribution maps in Appendix 2. The project area is within the known distribution of all three Black Cockatoos.
Western Ringtail Possum
Western Ringtail Possum (WRP) populations have declined or become locally extinct over much of their former range in the south-west as a result of clearing and fragmentation of habitat associated with agricultural development (Jones et al. 1994; Shedley & Williams 2014). However, even in the relatively intact forested regions of the south-west, populations have declined significantly, particularly since 1998 (Shedley & Williams 2014; Woinarski et al. 2014). Threatening processes include logging intensity, inappropriate fire regimes, dieback, and a drying climate may have all contributed to the degradation of WRP habitat, and increased the exposure of WRP to predation by foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and cats (Felis catus) or to heat stress (Jones et al. 1994; Wayne et al. 2006; Woinarski et al. 2014).
The highest population densities of WRP are now found around the Bunbury (Binningup) to Dunsborough coastal strip, which coincides with an area of urban development and loss of prime habitat (Shedley & Williams 2014). This coastal strip is considered to be a stronghold for the WRP and is therefore a focus for recovery and conservation of the species (Harewood 2008; DPaW 2014). High WRP population densities have been recorded in some urban areas, particularly where mature Peppermint trees (Agonis flexuosa) with large, dense and overlapping canopies have been retained (Harewood 2008). This habitat type is thought to provide high quality shelter and food. High population densities may indicate that WRP have benefited from some forms of urbanisation, or alternatively have been displaced from the broader setting by vegetation clearing and are confined to smaller pockets of remnant habitat.
The modelled distribution of the WRP can be seen in the 2014 DEE distribution maps in Appendix 3. The project area is within the known distribution of the WRP.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 13 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
3. Methods
3.1 Desktop assessment
Database searches were undertaken to generate a list of vascular flora and vertebrate fauna previously recorded within, and nearby the project – with an emphasis on species of conservation significance and introduced species (Table 3). Five database searches were conducted around a central coordinate (50H, 382920 mE, 6317305 mS). Search buffers differed due to the technical capabilities of individual databases as well as ecological features surrounding the project area relevant to different species groups.
Table 3: Database searches conducted for the desktop assessment Buffer Custodian Database Taxonomic group Reference (km) Flora, Vegetation and DEE Protected Matters DEE 2017c 5 Fauna DBCA NatureMap Flora and Fauna DBCA 2017b 5 Threatened and Priority Ecological Flora, Vegetation and DBCA DBCA 2017c 5 Communities Fauna DBCA Threatened and Priority Flora Flora DBCA 2017d 5 DBCA Threatened and Priority Fauna Fauna DBCA 2017e 10
Reports that document regional flora, vegetation and fauna within the surrounds of the project area were also reviewed prior to the field assessment.
3.2 Field survey
The field survey was conducted by two Senior Ecologists from Strategen on 6 October 2017 with appropriate qualifications (Table 4). All plants collected were taken under flora collecting permit SL012164 pursuant to the WC Act Section 23C and Section 23F
Table 4: Survey personnel Name Role M Stone Flora survey, plant identification, data interpretation and report Botanist preparation L Stevens Fauna survey, fauna identification, and report preparation Zoologist
3.2.1 Flora and vegetation
Quadrats were sampled to characterise vegetation types and condition, and ensure appropriate representation of the flora and vegetation present. Indicative site locations were identified prior to commencement of the field survey using aerial photography, topographic maps and existing vegetation maps, to ensure that all broad vegetation types and landforms within the project area would be sampled. A total of eight quadrats were surveyed within the project area.
At each quadrat the following information was recorded: • GPS co-ordinates (recorded in GDA94 UTM 50H); • photograph of the vegetation; • vegetation condition • brief vegetation description; • vascular flora taxa present (with average height and total percentage foliage cover of each taxon); • topography (landform type and aspect)
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 14 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
• soil type and colour • geology (type, size and cover of any rocks, stones, gravel or outcropping) • average percentage cover of leaf litter and bare ground; and • disturbance details including fire history (time since last fire), and physical disturbance including evidence of erosion, grazing and weed invasion.
Any flora taxa observed opportunistically around quadrats or while traversing on foot within the project area were also recorded. For any populations of taxa known to be conservation significant or introduced flora observed, a GPS location and a count of the individuals present, or percentage foliar cover for a given area, were recorded.
Prior to the survey, a list of conservation significant flora with the potential to occur within the project area was compiled. Field personnel familiarised themselves with photographs, reference samples and descriptions of these taxa before conducting the survey and once on the ground actively searched for them around quadrats, while traversing on foot within the project and in known locations or preferred habitat encountered in the field.
All plant specimens collected during the field surveys were identified using appropriate reference material or through comparisons with pressed specimens housed at the Western Australian Herbarium where necessary. Nomenclature of the species recorded is in accordance with Western Australian Herbarium (1998-).
Vegetation condition was recorded at all quadrats, and opportunistically within the project area during the field assessment where required. Vegetation condition was described using the vegetation condition scale for the South West Botanical Province (Keighery 1994; Table 5). Vegetation condition polygon boundaries were developed using this information in conjunction with aerial photography interpretation, and were digitised as for vegetation type mapping polygon boundaries.
Table 5: Vegetation condition scale (Keighery 1994) Condition rating Description Pristine (1) Pristine or nearly so, no obvious sign of disturbance. Excellent (2) Vegetation structure intact, disturbance affecting individual species and weeds are non- aggressive species. Very Good (3) Vegetation structure altered obvious signs of disturbance. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by repeated fires, the presence of some more aggressive weeds, dieback, logging and grazing. Good (4) Vegetation structure significantly altered by obvious signs of multiple disturbances. Retains basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate it. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by very frequent fires, the presence of some very aggressive weeds at high density, partial clearing, dieback, grazing. Degraded (5) Basic vegetation structure severely impacted by disturbance. Scope for regeneration but not to a state approaching good condition without intensive management. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by very frequent fires, the presence of very aggressive weeds, partial clearing, dieback and grazing. Completely Degraded The structure of the vegetation is no longer intact and the area is completely or almost (6) completely without native species. These areas are often described as ‘parkland cleared’ with the flora comprising weed or crop species with isolated native trees or shrubs.
Vegetation types were delineated using a combination of results site observations and cluster analysis. Aerial photography interpretation and field notes taken during the survey were then used to develop VT mapping polygon boundaries over the project area. These polygon boundaries were then digitised using Geographic Information System (GIS) software.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 15 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
VT descriptions (though floristic in origin) have been adapted from the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual Version 6.0 (ESCAVI 2003), a system of describing structural vegetation units (based on dominant taxa). This model follows nationally-agreed guidelines to describe and represent vegetation types, so that comparable and consistent data is produced nation-wide. For the purposes of this report, a VT is considered equivalent to a NVIS sub-association as described in ESCAVI (2003).
To identify possible TECs and PECs in the project area, vegetation quadrats (and subsequently, Vegetation Types) were compared to Floristic Community Types (FCTs) defined by Gibson et al. (1994). An association matrix was prepared using the Bray-Curtis coefficient, resulting in pairwise coefficients of similarities between quadrats (both recorded during the survey and from the SCP dataset). Agglomerative hierarchical clustering, using flexible UPGMA (β=-0.1) was used to generate quadrat classification dendrograms for each quadrat within the project area.
The broad nature of FCTs lead many vegetation types to comprise admixtures and transition zones between FCTs. In addition, the project area was mapped based on extrapolated quadrat data from a single flora assessment, rather than accumulated species data over successive seasons within known vegetation community types as per Gibson et al. (1994). Consequently, assigned FCTs within the project area are inferred and not absolute; i.e. a vegetation code assigned to an FCT is inferred to resemble floristic aspects of that FCT as defined by Gibson et al. (1994).
An averaged randomised Species Accumulation Curve, based on accumulated species compared against sites surveyed was used to provide an indication as to the level of adequacy of the survey effort. As the number of survey sites, and correspondingly the size of the area surveyed increases, there should be a diminishing number of new species recorded. At some point, the number of new species recorded becomes essentially asymptotic. As the number of new species being recorded for survey effort expended approaches this asymptotic value, the survey effort can be considered to be adequate.
3.2.2 Fauna
Habitat Assessment
The purpose of the field assessment was to verify the accuracy of the desktop assessment and to further delineate and characterise the fauna assemblages and fauna habitat in the project area. The field survey consisted primarily of a fauna habitat assessment and opportunistic observations.
Opportunistic Observations
Fauna were opportunistically observed and recorded during the assessment. The assessment included looking through leaf litter, overturning rocks, looking under decorticating bark and searches for scats, tracks, burrows and other traces of animals throughout the project area. If conservation significant species were located, the coordinates were recorded with a GPS.
Taxonomy
For species identified in the desktop assessment, where there is doubt to their true taxonomy (through subsequent name changes or taxonomic reviews), an effort was made to determine the current scientific name for each taxon. In some cases, old scientific names may be presented where correct nomenclature could not be determined due to name changes. Some taxon names may be followed by ‘sp.’, meaning that the species name was not given in the data source or the identification is in doubt. Where there are previously recorded taxa such as this that have the potential to be a conservation significant species, they are discussed specifically in the results and discussion section.
Taxonomy and nomenclature in this report follows the accepted listing of published terrestrial vertebrate species. The listing for amphibians and reptiles follows Cogger (2014); birds follow Christidis and Boles (2008) and mammals follow Van Dyck and Strahan (2008).
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 16 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Black Cockatoo Habitat Assessment
The Black Cockatoo habitat assessment was undertaken on 6th October 2017 and involved traversing the project area by foot. Any trees meeting the following criteria for potential breeding and foraging habitat were recorded, marked and electronically logged using a hand held Global Positioning System (GPS) unit: • Native trees (e.g. Jarrah, Tuart, Marri) • Diameter at breast height (DBH) > 500 mm (300 mm for Wandoo and Salmon Gum) • Hollows > 120 mm diameter
Trees were placed in the following size class categories: • A = 500 – 1000 mm DBH • B = 1000 – 2000 mm DBH • C = >2000 mm DBH
The Black Cockatoo habitat assessment involved assessing the habitat for tree and shrub species known to be important dietary items e.g. Marri and Banksia sp. It also included looking for: • Evidence of feeding (chewed cones, seed and nut material) • Opportunistic observations of Black Cockatoos in the project area.
Western Ringtail Habitat Assessment
The WRP habitat assessment was undertaken on 6th October 2017 and involved traversing the project area on foot.
During the assessment the following was undertaken: • Daytime searches for signs of activity, such as dreys in trees, scratches on tree trunks and scats on the ground below trees with hollows or dreys • Daytime searches for potential den sites in hollow-bearing trees.
3.2.3 Survey limitations and constraints
There are possible limitations and constraints that can impinge on the adequacy of vegetation, flora and fauna surveys. The flora and vegetation assessment has been evaluated against a range of potential limitations (Table 6). Based on this evaluation, the assessment has not been subject to limitations or constraints that have affected the thoroughness of the assessment and the conclusions reached.
Table 6: Flora and vegetation survey potential limitations and constraints Potential limitation Impact on Comment assessment Sources of information and Not a constraint. The survey has been undertaken in the Drummond availability of contextual Botanical Subdistrict on the Swan Coastal Plain which has information (i.e. pre-existing been well studied and documented with ample literature background versus new available (Beard 1990). material). Scope (i.e. what life forms, etc., Not a constraint. Number of species recorded, number of quadrats sampled were sampled). and timing of the survey (i.e. spring) were adequate for this level of survey. The scope of this project was to undertake a Level 1 fauna survey (reconnaissance survey and an assessment of habitats in the project area), primarily focussing on undertaking a habitat assessment for the WRP and all three species of Black Cockatoo.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 17 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Potential limitation Impact on Comment assessment Proportion of flora/fauna Not a constraint. The proportion of flora surveyed was adequate. The entire collected and identified (based project area was traversed and flora species were on sampling, timing and recorded systematically. All vertebrate fauna observed intensity). were identified. Given the level of survey, many species that occur in the project area would not have been observed, particularly small ground-dwelling fauna that are normally captured by methods such as trapping. All conservation significant species previously recorded in the area have been considered. Based on the habitat present, those species deemed to potentially occur in the project area have been addressed in this report. Completeness and further work Not a constraint. The information collected during the survey was sufficient which might be needed (i.e. was to assess the vegetation that was present during the time the relevant project area fully of the survey. A total of ten fauna habitat assessments surveyed). were carried out. Searches for potential WRP dens and dreys (and other signs such as scats) in suitable habitat were undertaken. All trees considered to be potential Black Cockatoo breeding trees were measured and searches of their foraging (chewed nuts and cones) was also undertaken in the project area. Mapping reliability. Not a constraint. Aerial photography of a suitable scale was used to map the project area. Sites were chosen from these aerials to reflect changes in community structure. Opportunistic sites were also used if differences were observed during on ground reconnaissance. Vegetation types were assigned to each site based on topography, soil type and presence/absence and percent foliage cover of vegetation. Timing, weather, season, cycle. Not a constraint. Flora and vegetation surveys are normally conducted following winter rainfall in the South-West Province, ideally during spring (EPA 2016). The field assessment was conducted in November (i.e. spring) in fine weather conditions and therefore these factors are not deemed to be constraints for the spring survey. The timing, weather and season of the fauna survey did not impact the results of the assessment as the level of survey (Level 1) is not season dependent. Disturbances (fire flood, Not a constraint. The project area and regional surrounds have been accidental human intervention, subject to disturbance over a significant period of time. etc.). Given the wide range of this disturbance, this is not considered to be a limitation within the project area. Intensity (in retrospect, was the Not a constraint. The project area was traversed on foot and all differences intensity adequate). in vegetation structure were recorded appropriately. The project area was traversed on foot and fauna habitat recorded appropriately. Resources (i.e. were there Not a constraint. The available resources were adequate to complete the adequate resources to complete survey. the survey to the required standard). Access problems (i.e. ability to Not a constraint. The project area was easily traversed on foot enabling access project area). adequate access to survey the vegetation and fauna habitat within the project area. Experience levels (e.g. degree Not a constraint. All survey personnel have the appropriate training in of expertise in species sampling and identifying the flora and fauna of the region. identification to taxon level).
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 18 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
4. Results
4.1 Flora
4.1.1 Desktop assessment
Threatened and Priority flora
A total of 33 flora taxa of conservation significance were identified by the database searches (Table 7; Appendix 4). Of these, 16 species listed as Threatened under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WC Act), or the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) (see Appendix 1 for information on the conservation codes) were identified. The remaining 17 flora taxa identified are priority listed flora species (Table 7). None of the conservation significant flora species identified from the desktop assessment were identified as occurring within the project area by the database searches.
The potential for these plants to occur within the project area was assessed based on general habitat requirements and distribution (Table 7). One Threatened, and seven Priority flora species were considered to have the potential to occur within the project area: • Drakaea micrantha (T) • Dillwynia dillwynioides (P3) • Verticordia attenuata (P3) • Acacia flagelliformis (P4) • Acacia semitrullata (P4) • Caladenia speciosa (P4) • Pultenaea skinneri (P4) • Rumex drummondii (P4)
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 19 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Table 7: Threatened and Priority flora potentially occurring within the project area Conservation status Species Description Potential to occur EPBC Act WC Act Acacia flagelliformis Not listed P4 A rush-like, erect or sprawling shrub, 0.3 to 0.75 (up to 1.6) m high. Flowers Possible due to presence of preferred are yellow, from May to September. Occurring in sandy soils in winter-wet habitat. areas. Acacia semitrullata Not listed P4 A slender, erect, pungent shrub, typically 0.2 to 0.7 m high. Flowers are Possible due to presence of preferred cream-white, from May to October. Occurring in white or grey sand, habitat and the nearest known location being sometimes over laterite or clay on sandplains and swampy areas. only 600 m north of the project area. Andersonia gracilis Endangered T A slender, erect or open straggly shrub, 10 to 100 cm high. Flowers are Unlikely as the nearest known location is white to pink to purple from September to November. Habitat for this over 100 km from the project area. species occurs in white/grey sand, sandy clay, gravelly loam within winter- wet areas and near swamps (Western Australian Herbarium 1998-). Aponogeton hexatepalus Not listed P4 A rhizomatous aquatic perennial herb. Flowers are green-white and visible Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. between July to October. Habitat for this species occurs in mud and freshwater ponds, rivers and claypans (Western Australian Herbarium 1998-). Banksia nivea subsp. Endangered T A dense, erect, non-lignotuberous shrub, 0.2 to1.5 m high. Flowers yellow Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. uliginosa to brown, from August to September. Occurring on sandy clay, gravel. Banksia squarrosa subsp. Vulnerable T An erect, open, non-lignotuberous shrub, 1.2 to 4 m high. Flowers yellow, Unlikely as the project area is outside of the argillacea from June to November. Occurring on white/grey sand, gravelly clay or distribution of this species. loam at winter-wet flats and clay flats. Brachyscias verecundus Critically T Annual (or ephemeral), herb, 0.012 to 0.022 m high, entirely glabrous. Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. Endangered Flowers white/cream. Occurring in a moss sward on granite outcrops. Caladenia huegelii Endangered T A slender orchid 30 to 50 cm tall. One or two striking flowers characterised Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. by a greenish-cream lower petal with a maroon tip. Other petals are cream with red or pink suffusions. Habitat for this species occurs within well- drained, deep sandy soils in low mixed Banksia, Allocasuarina and Jarrah woodlands (Western Australian Herbarium 1998-, DEE 2017b). Caladenia speciosa Not listed P4 A tuberous, perennial orchid, 0.35 to 0.6 m high. Flowers white-pink, Possible due to presence of preferred between September and October. Occurring on white, grey or black sand. habitat, and the nearest known location is approximately 2.5 km from the project area. Carex tereticaulis Not listed P3 A monoecious, rhizomatous, tufted perennial, sedge, 0.7 m high. Flowers Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. are brown, between Sep and October Black peaty sand. Chamaescilla gibsonii Not listed P3 A clumped tuberous, herb. Flowers blue in September. Occurring in clay to Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. sandy clay in winter-wet flats and shallow water-filled claypans.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 20 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Conservation status Species Description Potential to occur EPBC Act WC Act Chamelaucium sp. S coastal Vulnerable T An intricately branched spreading shrub up to 120 cm tall and 60 cm Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. plain (R.D.Royce 4872) across. It has inconspicuous greenish-white flowers and young branches are coloured fawn to reddish (DEE 2017b). This species occurs on the Southern Swan Coastal Plain below the Whicher Range, near Busselton, Western Australia (Brown et al. 1998). There are a number of populations, many in close proximity, scattered between Capel, Busselton, Tutunup and Ambergate (Williams et al. 2001). This species is confined mainly to remnant heathland along the abandoned Nannup-Busselton Railway (in the Tutunup-Ruabon area). The extent of occurrence is calculated to be 5 km². Craspedia sp. Waterloo (G.J. Not listed P2 Limited description available. There are six records of this taxon between Unknown as there is no habitat description Keighery 13724) from Pinjarra, Meelon, Waterloo. Flowers between August and October. available, however the nearest location is only 6 km from the project area. Darwinia whicherensis Endangered T An erect or sometimes spreading shrub, up to 70 cm tall by 40 cm wide. Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. The green linear leaves, 3–5 mm long, are triangular in cross-section, crowded at the end of branches, and bend backwards. The flowers are nodding and enclosed by red and green bracts that are arranged in several rows. The ribbed floral tube is brown, 3 mm long, with small triangular calyx lobes. The petals are about 1 mm long and there is a red, curved style 10– 16 mm long (Brown et al. 1998). The species is known from three locations (one natural and two translocated) at the base of the Whicher Range, east of Busselton, in a winter-wet area of shrubland over shallow red clay over ironstone (Stack et al. 1999). Dillwynia dillwynioides Not listed P3 A decumbent or erect, slender shrub, 0.3 to 1.2 m high. Flowers red and Possible due to presence of preferred yellow/orange between August and December. Occurring on sandy soils habitat. The nearest location is 6.5 km from and winter-wet depressions. the project area. Diuris drummondii Vulnerable T A tuberous, perennial orchid that grows up to 105 cm tall (Brown et al. Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. 1998; Hoffman & Brown 1998). The species has between three and eight widely spaced pale yellow flowers, 3—4.5 cm long and 2.3—3.5 cm wide (Brown et al. 1998). It often forms dense colonies. Found in low-lying depressions in peaty and sandy clay swamps. Plants are frequently observed standing in several centimetres of water even during the summer flowering period (Brown et al. 1998; Hoffman & Brown 1998). Diuris micrantha Vulnerable T A slender orchid to 60 cm tall. Flowers are yellow with reddish-brown Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. markings and visible from September to October. Habitat for this species occurs within clay-loam substrates in winter-wet depressions or swamps (DEE 2017b).
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 21 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Conservation status Species Description Potential to occur EPBC Act WC Act Diuris purdiei Endangered T A slender orchid to 0.35 m tall. Flowers are yellow and visible from Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. September to October. Habitat for this species is grey-black sand substrates in winter-wet swamps which have high moisture (Western Australian Herbarium 1998-). Diuris purdiei occurs from Perth south to near the Whicher Range, within the Swan (Western Australia) Natural Resource Management Region. It grows on sand to sandy clay soils, in areas subject to winter inundation, and amongst native sedges and dense heath with scattered emergent Melaleuca preissiana, Corymbia calophylla, Eucalyptus marginata and Nuytsia floribunda (DEE 2017b). Drakaea elastica Endangered T A slender orchid to 30 cm tall with a prostrate, round to heart shaped leaf. Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat, Singular, bright green, glossy flower. Drakaea elastica is currently known however the nearest known location is only only from the Swan Coastal Plain over a range of approximately 350 km 2 km from the project area between Cataby in the north and Busselton in the south. The species is known to grow on bare patches of sand within otherwise dense vegetation in low-lying areas alongside winter-wet swamps (DEE 2017b). The species typically grows in Banksia (Banksia menziesii, B. attenuata and B. ilicifolia) woodland or Spearwood (Kunzea glabrescens) thicket vegetation. Drakaea micrantha Vulnerable T A tuberous, terrestrial herb which has a diminutive red and yellow flower, Possible in VT2 and VT3 due to presence of 1.2–2.5 cm long, on a stem that grows to 30 cm. Flowering occurs form preferred habitat. September to October. Its heart-shaped leaf, about 1.5 cm long, is silvery grey with prominent green veins. Habitat for this species occurs within cleared firebreaks or open sandy patches that have been disturbed, where competition from other plants has been removed (Western Australian Herbarium 1998-, DEE 2017b). Occurs in infertile grey sands, in Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and Common Sheoak (Allocasuarina fraseriana) woodland or forest associated with Banksia species. It is often found under thickets of Spearwood (Kunzea ericifolia) Eleocharis keigheryi Vulnerable T A rhizomatous, clumped perennial, sedge, to 0.4 m high. Flowers green, Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. between August and November. Occurring in clay and sandy loam or emergent in freshwater creeks and claypans. Lambertia echinata subsp. Endangered T A prickly, much-branched, non-lignotuberous shrub, to 3 m high. Flowers Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. occidentalis yellow, February, April or December. Occurring in white sandy soils over laterite and orange/brown-red clay over ironstone on flats to foothills, and winter-wet sites. Lasiopetalum Not listed P3 A multi-stemmed shrub, 0.2-1 m high. Flowers pink-blue-purple, from Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. membranaceum September to December. Occurring in sand over limestone. Ornduffia submersa Not listed P4 No description available. Unknown, however the nearest known location is only 5 km from the project area. Pterostylis frenchii Not listed P2 A tuberous herb, to 0.35 m high, with rosette leaves. Occurring on Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. calcareous sand with limestone or laterite on flatlands and gentle slopes.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 22 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Conservation status Species Description Potential to occur EPBC Act WC Act Pultenaea skinneri Not listed P4 A slender shrub, 1-2 m high. Flowers yellow/orange and red, July to Possible due to presence of preferred September. Occurring in sandy or clayey soils on winter-wet depressions. habitat. The nearest location is 3 km from the project area. Rumex drummondii Not listed P4 An erect perennial herb, 0.6-0.9 m high. Occurring in winter-wet disturbed Possible due to presence of preferred areas. habitat. The nearest location is 6.5 km from the project area. Schoenus capillifolius Not listed P3 A semi-aquatic tufted annual, sedge, 0.05 m high. Flowers green, from Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. October to November. Occurring in brown mud and claypans. Stylidium paludicola Not listed P3 Reed-like perennial, herb, 0.35-1 m high. Flowers pink, from October to Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat, December. Occurring in Peaty sand over clay in winter wet habitats, however the nearest known location is only particularly Marri and Melaleuca woodland and Melaleuca shrubland. 5 km from the project area. Synaphea odocoileops Not listed P1 A tufted, compact shrub, 0.2-0.5 m high. Flowers yellow, August to October. Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. Occurring in brown-orange loam and sandy clay on granite, in swamps and winter-wet areas. Synaphea sp. Fairbridge Critically T A dense, clumped sub-shrub 25–65 cm tall by 20–80 cm wide. The species Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. Farm (D. Papenfus 696) Endangered is endemic to the Pinjarra Plain. Habitat for the species occurs on grey, clayey sand with lateritic pebbles in low woodland areas near winter-wet flats. Associated species include Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata), Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea preissii), Cone Flowers (Conostylis sp.) and Dwellingup Synaphea (Synaphea stenoloba). Two subpopulations occur in seasonally wet Swamp Teatree (Pericalymma ellipticum) dominated shrubland, with Teatrees (Leptospermum sp.), Blue Lechenaultia (Lechenaultia biloba), Semaphore Sedge (Mesomelaena tetragona), Adenanthos meisneri, White Myrtle (Hypocalymma angustifolium) and Dwarf Sheoak (Allocasuarina humilis). Synaphea stenoloba Endangered T A caespitose shrub, 0.3-0.45 m high. Flowers yellow, from August to Unlikely due to absence of preferred habitat. October. Occurring in sandy or sandy clay soils on winter-wet flats and granite. Verticordia attenuata Not listed P3 A shrub, 0.4-1 m high. Flowers pink, December or January to May. Possible due to presence of preferred Occurring in white or grey sand on winter-wet depressions. habitat. The nearest location is 6 km from the project area.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 23 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities
The Parks and Wildlife Threatened and Priority Ecological Community Database search (DBCA 2017c) identified one TEC within the project area. In addition, one TEC and one proposed TEC were identified within the 5 km of the project area (Table 8, Figure 6).
Table 8: TECs and PECs identified within and near the project area Conservation Status Community EPBC WC Description Act Act Banksia woodlands of T P3 Canopy is most commonly dominated or co-dominated by Banksia the Swan Coastal Plain attenuata and/or Banksia menziesii. Other Banksia species that can dominate in the community are Banksia prionotes or Banksia ilicifolia. It typically occurs on well drained, low nutrient soils on sandplain landforms, particularly deep Bassendean and Spearwood sands and occasionally on Quindalup sands; it is also common on sandy colluvium and aeolian sands of the Ridge Hill Shelf, Whicher Scarp and Dandaragan Plateau and, in other less common scenarios. Southern Eucalyptus Not P3 Mostly confined to Quindalup Dunes and Spearwood Dunes from Jurien gomphocephala- listed Bay to the Sabina River, with outliers along some rivers. Tuart is the key Agonis flexuosa dominant canopy species however Tuart communities comprise a variety woodlands of flora and fauna assemblages. Flora commonly occurring with Tuart include Peppermint (Agonis flexuosa), Banksia attenuata, Banksia grandis, Allocasuarina fraseriana, Xylomelum occidentale, Macrozamia riedlei, Xanthorrhoea preissii, Spyridium globulosum, Templetonia retusa and Diplolaena dampieri. Subtropical and T P3 Consists of the assemblage of plants, animals and micro-organisms Temperate Coastal associated with saltmarsh in coastal regions of sub-tropical and Saltmarsh temperate Australia (south of 23oS latitude).
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 24 383500 6324500 6324500 Forrest Hwy
Forrest Hwy 6318000 6318000
Australind Roelands Link
6311500 Willinge Dr 6311500
South Western Hwy
383500
Figure 6: Location of TECs and PECs within 5 km of the survey area
Scale 1:65,000 at A4 Legend m Survey area Threatened & priority ecological communities 0 650 1,300 1,950 ¹ Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Priority Ecological Community Note that positional errors may occur in some areas Vulnerable Date: 27/12/2017 Author: vdinh [email protected] Endangered www.strategen.com.au Source: Aerial image: Nearmap, flown 09/2017. Existing cadastre: Landgate 2017.
Path: Q:\Consult\2017\WCO\WCO17452\01_GIS_documents\ArcMap_documents\WCO17452_G005_RevA.mxd FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
4.1.2 Field survey
A total of eight quadrats sites were sampled across the project area. Raw quadrat and data is provided in Appendix 5.
Flora composition
A total of 47 native vascular plant taxa (including subspecies and variants) from 20 families were recorded within the project area (Appendix 6). The most frequently occurring families were Orchidaceae (ten taxa), Myrtaceae (seven taxa) and Fabaceae (six taxa), which together represented 49% of the species recorded. Species by site data is provided in Appendix 7.
Survey adequacy
A total of eight quadrats were sampled across the project area, with approximately 0.6 sites completed per hectare. This was considered adequate for ensuring that at least three flora sites were sampled in all vegetation types large enough (some vegetation types were only large enough for one quadrat), and for ensuring that coverage across the site was sufficient.
A species-area curve (Figure 7), based on a species accumulation analysis, was used to evaluate the adequacy of sampling (Colwell 2013). The asymptotic value was determined using Michaelis-Menten modelling. Using this analysis, the incidence based coverage estimator of species richness (ICE) was calculated to be 65.55 (Chao 2005). Based on this value, and the total of 44 species recorded from quadrats during the survey, approximately 67% of the flora species potentially present within the project area were recorded within quadrats.
Note that 23 additional flora species were recorded opportunistically while traversing through the site, so the data presented is conservative. With opportunistic records included the total number of vascular flora taxa recorded within the project area was 67.
The low flora species richness potentially present is expected due to much of the project area being disturbed, and the low number of quadrats sampled, which was appropriate for the limited vegetation present within the project area.
70
60
50
40
30
Numberoftaxa 20
10
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sites surveyed
Cumulative number of taxa Theoretical asymtope
Figure 7: Averaged randomised Species Accumulation Curve
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 26 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Flora of conservation significance
No flora species listed as Threatened under the WC Act or EPBC Act were recorded during the field survey.
One Priority flora taxon Caladenia speciosa (P4) was recorded within the project area. A single individual, Caladenia speciosa (P4) was recorded within the project area (GDA 94 50H 382999 m E, 6317088 m N). The individual recorded was growing in grey loamy sand associated with Kunzea glabrescens with Banksia ilicifolia and Banksia attenuata tall shrubland over Xanthorrhoea preissii mid sparse shrubland.
Plate 1: Caladenia speciosa photographed within the project area
Flora of other conservation significance
There were no range extensions or flora with anomalous features recorded from within the project area
Unknown flora taxa
Five specimens were unable to be confidently identified to species level, these were: • Eucalyptus sp. • Orchidaceae sp. 1. (leaf only) • Orchidaceae sp. 2 (leaf only) • *Oxalis sp. • Pterostylis sp.
Of the taxa that were not identified to species levels, none are analogous with any of the ‘Possible’ threatened and priority flora with potential to occur in the Study Area.
Introduced flora taxa
Twenty introduced flora taxa were also recorded within the project area (Table 9). Due to the degraded nature of the project, it is likely that other introduced species occur away from survey quadrats and transects.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 27 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
None of the introduced species recorded are Weeds of National Significance, or Declared Plant species in Western Australia pursuant to section 22 of the BAM Act according to the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA 2017).
Table 9: Introduced flora taxa recorded within the project area Family Species Araliaceae *Trachymene pilosa Asteraceae *Cotula turbinata *Hypochaeris glabra *Lupinus angustissimus *Sonchus oleraceus *Ursinia anthemoides Brassicaceae *Brassica tournefortii Fabaceae *Trifolium campestre Geraniaceae *Geranium dissectum Iridaceae *Ferraria crispa subsp. crispa *Romulea rosea Orobanchaceae *Parentucellia viscosa Oxalidaceae *Oxalis sp. Papaveraceae *Fumaria muralis subsp. muralis Poaceae *Aira caryophyllea *Briza maxima *Cynodon dactylon *Ehrharta calycina Primulaceae *Lysimachia arvensis Solanaceae *Solanum nigrum
Vegetation condition
Vegetation condition within the project area ranged from completely degraded throughout the cleared areas, to very good (Table 10;Figure 8). Over half of the project area was Completely Degraded or Degraded. The completely degraded area, located near the centre of the project area, was historically cleared, and had since been colonised by aggressive weed species. The degraded area, located in the north-western part of the project area had also been cleared, and the landform reshaped to form three infiltration channels. This area has since been planted with a monoculture of native species Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Sparse native vegetation was observed in the mid and understorey od the degraded area, however intensive management would be required to return the area to good condition. The remainder of the project area was considered very good to good, with disturbances including edge effects from the disturbed surrounds, weeds, access tracks, and minor amounts of rubbish.
Table 10: Vegetation condition within the project area Condition rating Area (ha) Very Good 2.74 Good 3.28 Degraded 5.87 Completely Degraded (Cleared) 2.29 Total 14.18
Vegetation types
Four native vegetation types were recorded within the project area (Table 11, Figure 9). Cleared areas were also observed and have been included in Table 11 below.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 28 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Table 11: Vegetation type and condition within project area Area (ha) Vegetation Description Condition within project Photograph type area VT1 Eucalyptus camaldulensis (planted) low closed Degraded 5.87 woodland to woodland over Xanthorrhoea preissii low sparse shrubland on grey white loamy sand
VT2 Corymbia calophylla low closed to open woodland over Very Good - Good 3.64 Xanthorrhoea preissii mid to low shrubland to scattered shrubs
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 29 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Area (ha) Vegetation Description Condition within project Photograph type area VT3 Kunzea glabrescens with Banksia ilicifolia and Banksia Good 1.21 attenuata tall shrubland over Xanthorrhoea preissii mid sparse shrubland on grey white loamy sand
VT4 Eucalyptus marginata low woodland over Acacia Good 1.18 longifolia subsp. longifolia tall shrubland over Xanthorrhoea preissii mid open shrubland n grey white loamy sand
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 30 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Area (ha) Vegetation Description Condition within project Photograph type area C Cleared Completely 2.29 Degraded
Total 14.18
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 31 382700 382800 382900 383000 383100 6317500 6317500
WC04 WC01 )" )" 6317400 6317400 WC02 )"
WC03 )"
6317300 WC06 Hewdon Rd 6317300 )"
Piggott Dr
WC05 )" 6317200 6317200
WC08 WC07 )" )" 6317100 6317100
GlentanaHomestead Gra App 6317000 Aquila Dr 6317000 Grand Ent Ditchingham Pl
382700 382800 382900 383000 383100
Figure 8: Vegetation condition within the survey area
Scale 1:3,000 at A4 Legend m )" 0 50 100 ¹ Quadrat Vegetation condition Degraded Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Project area Very Good Completely Degraded Note that positional errors may occur in some areas Date: 27/12/2017 Existing cadastre Good Author: JCrute [email protected] www.strategen.com.au Source: Aerial image: Nearmap, flown 09/2017. Existing cadastre: Landgate 2017.
Path: Q:\Consult\2017\WCO\WCO17452\01_GIS_documents\ArcMap_documents\WCO17452_G008_RevA.mxd 382700 382800 382900 383000 383100 6317500 6317500
WC04 WC01 )" )" 6317400 6317400 WC02 )"
WC03 )"
6317300 WC06 Hewdon Rd 6317300 )"
Piggott Dr
WC05 )" 6317200 6317200
WC08 WC07 )" )" 6317100 6317100
GlentanaHomestead Gra App 6317000 Aquila Dr 6317000 Grand Ent Ditchingham Pl
382700 382800 382900 383000 383100
Figure 9: Vegetation type
Scale 1:3,000 at A4 Legend )" Quadrat Vegetation type VT3 m 0 50 100 ¹ Project area VT1 VT4 Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Existing cadastre VT2 Cleared Note that positional errors may occur in some areas Date: 4/01/2018 Author: JCrute [email protected] www.strategen.com.au Source: Aerial image: Nearmap, flown 09/2017. Existing cadastre: Landgate 2017.
Path: Q:\Consult\2017\WCO\WCO17452\01_GIS_documents\ArcMap_documents\WCO17452_G007_RevA.mxd FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Vegetation of conservation significance
Site observations and quadrat data collected during the survey indicated that two TECs are potentially represented by vegetation types within the project area. These are:
1. Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands, Swan Coastal Plain potentially represented by VT2; and 2. Banksia Dominated Woodlands of the swan Coastal Plain IBRA Region potentially represented by VT2 and VT3.
The Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands, Swan Coastal Plain TEC, only occurs on the Guildford Unit of the Fluviatile Deposit group (the Guildford clays) or on or near the junction of that Unit with the Ridge Hill Shelf group. The project area comprises only Bassendean Complex - Central and South. For this reason, the VT2 does not represent the Corymbia calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii woodlands and shrublands, Swan Coastal Plain TEC despite having analogous dominant species/
The TEC/PEC database search (DBCA 2017c) identified the entire project area as comprising Banksia Dominated Woodlands of the swan Coastal Plain IBRA Region or the associated buffer. Vegetation within the study area was assessed against the key diagnostic criteria for the Banksia woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain TEC (TSSC 2016). Two vegetation types within the project area, VT2 and VT3, were found to meet the diagnostic criteria provided in the approved conservation advice for the Banksia woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain TEC (Table 12; Figure 10).
Table 12: Banksia woodland within the project area assessed against key diagnostic criteria Key diagnostic criteria (TSSC 2016) Banksia woodlands within the project area Location: Yes. Banksia woodlands within the project Occurs in the Swan Coastal Plain or Jarrah Forest IBRA bioregions. area occur on the Swan Coastal Plain. Soils and landform: Yes. Banksia woodlands within the project Occurs on: area occur on Bassendean sands. • well drained, low nutrient soils on sandplain landforms, particularly deep Bassendean and Spearwood sands and occasionally on Quindalup sands • sandy colluviums and aeolian sands of the Ridge Hill Shelf, Whicher Scarp and Dandaragan Plateau • transitional substrates and sandflats. Structure: Yes. VT2 and VT3 represent a low Low woodland to forest with: woodland structure. • a distinctive upper sclerophyllous layer of low trees (occasionally large shrubs more than 2 m tall), typically dominated or co-dominated by one or more of the banksia species identified below • emergent trees of medium or tall (>10 m) height. Eucalyptus or Allocasuarina species may sometimes be present above the banksia canopy • an often highly species-rich understorey. Composition: Yes. VT2 and VT3 contain Banksia Contains at least one of the following species: attenuata, Banksia grandis and/or Banksia ilicifolia. • Banksia attenuata • Banksia menziesii • Banksia prionotes • Banksia ilicifolia.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 34 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Key diagnostic criteria (TSSC 2016) Banksia woodlands within the project area Condition (Keighery 1994): Yes. Banksia woodlands within the project ‘Pristine’: no minimum patch size area are in Very Good or Good condition. One patch of Banksia woodland in the ‘Excellent’: 0.5 ha project area comprises 2.74 ha in Very ‘Very Good’: 1 ha Good condition and 1.21 ha in good ‘Good’: 2 ha. condition. Another smaller patch in the north east corner of the project area comprises 0.89 ha of Banksia woodland, which alone does not meet the diagnostic characteristics, however given that this small portion of the project area is connected to Banksia woodland in good to very good condition outside the project area it is also considered to meet the criteria.
FCT analysis
The results of the hierarchical clustering and nearest neighbour analysis provided limited results for all vegetation types (Table 13; Table 14). Vegetation types VT1 and VT4 represent previously disturbed communities with a high frequency of weed species and planted native species. Given this, FCTs for VT1 and VT2 were unable to be determined.
Vegetation type VT2 was sampled at three quadrats within the project area. Analysis from the hierarchical clustering produced undeterminable results due to low species richness and high weed frequency from the quadrats. The closest FCTs calculated in the Nearest Neighbour analysis were FCT11, 21a, 21c and 28, however this was with very low to no correlation (<0.35 similarity).
Vegetation type VT3 was sampled at one quadrat only, given its small distribution within the project area. Analysis from the hierarchical clustering produced undeterminable results due to low species richness and high weed frequency form the quadrat. The closest FCTs calculated in the Nearest Neighbour analysis were FCT21c and 28, however this was with very low to no correlation (<0.35 similarity).
Table 13: Results of hierarchical analysis for plots from the project area All species Natives only FCT of FCT of Site VT FCT First FCT First Likely FCT nearest main nearest main fusion fusion group fusion group fusion WC01 VT1 6 6 6 22, 21c, 23b Undetermined – high number of introduced species, low native species richness WC02 VT1 11 6 11 6, 19a, 19b, Undetermined – high 24 number of introduced species, low native species richness WC03 VT1 11 6 11 18 Undetermined – high number of introduced species, low native species richness WC04 VT2 11 6 11 6, 9, 5, 4 Undetermined – high number of introduced species, low native species richness WC05 VT2 11 6 11 6, 14, 11 Undetermined – high number of introduced species, low native species richness WC06 VT4 6 6 11 6, 11, 4, 12, 5 Undetermined – high number of introduced species, low native species richness
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 35 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
All species Natives only FCT of FCT of Site VT FCT First FCT First Likely FCT nearest main nearest main fusion fusion group fusion group fusion WC07 VT3 11 6 11 6, 22, 19a, Undetermined – high 19b, 24 number of introduced species, low native species richness WC08 VT2 11 6 11 18, 14, 19b, Undetermined – high 19a number of introduced species, low native species richness
Table 14: Results of Nearest Neighbour analysis using the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity coefficient 2nd Nearest Neighbour 3rd Nearest Neighbour Site VT Nearest Neighbour (FCT) (FCT) (FCT) WC01 VT1 Card4 (6) Card10 (6) Woodv-2 (28) WC02 VT1 Card4 (6) Rowe01 (11) Paga-8 (25) WC03 VT1 Rowe01 (11) Coron-2 (25) Ellen-6 (3c) WC04 VT2 Card4 (6) King-2 (28) Card10 (6) WC05 VT2 Low07 (21c) Neer-3 (28) Guthr-3 (21a) WC06 VT4 Neer-3 (28) Austra-1 (21a) King-2 (28) WC07 VT3 Modo-2 (21c) King-2 (28) Rowe01 (11) WC08 VT2 Rowe01 (11) Low13a (21a) King-2 (28)
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 36 382800 383100 6317400 6317400
Hewdon Rd
Piggott Dr 6317100 6317100
GlentanaHomestead Gra App Aquila Dr Grand Ent Ditchingham Pl
382800 383100
Figure 10: TECs mapped within the project area
Scale 1:3,000 at A4 Legend m 0 50 100 ¹ Project area Threatened Ecological Communities Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Note that positional errors may occur in some areas Existing cadastre Banksia Dominated Woodlands of the Date: 4/01/2018 swan Coastal Plain IBRA Region Author: JCrute [email protected] www.strategen.com.au Source: Aerial image: Nearmap, flown 09/2017. Existing cadastre: Landgate 2017. No TEC or PEC
Path: Q:\Consult\2017\WCO\WCO17452\01_GIS_documents\ArcMap_documents\WCO17452_G009_RevA.mxd FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
4.2 Fauna
4.2.1 Desktop assessment
Database searches returned 183 vertebrate species from 67 families as potentially occurring in the vicinity of the project area. Of these, seven species were amphibians from three families, 17 were reptiles from seven families, 133 were bird species from 39 families and 26 were mammals from 18 families.
A total of 72 conservation significant vertebrate species (including Priority species) from 29 families were identified during the desktop review of the database searches (Appendix 8). These were comprised of four reptile species from three families, 56 bird species from 16 families, and 12 mammals from 10 families.
Conservation Significant Fauna
The 10 km DBCA threatened fauna database, 5 km NatureMap database and 5 km EPBC PMST search returned a number of marine species, in particular marine mammals, marine reptiles and sea birds. These species require specific habitats (i.e. oceans and coastal shorelines) that are not present in the project area. The coastline is approximately 6 km from the project area and while many of these marine and coastal species in the databases may occur nearby, given the absence of suitable habitat in the project area, all marine species are unlikely to occur in the project area itself.
A number of wetland species were also returned in the database searches, in particular ducks and wading birds. These species require specific habitats (i.e. wetlands or lakes) that are not present in the project area. The project area is approximately 3 km from Leschenault Estuary and while many of these wetland species in the databases may occur nearby, given the absence of suitable habitat in the project area, all wetland species are unlikely to occur in the project area itself.
A number of species returned were also known to be historical records of species now extinct (e.g. Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellate) and Western Quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii) in the local area and more broadly in the region (e.g. Coastal Plains Skink (Ctenotus ora). These species have been omitted from any further discussion.
Occasionally there are inconsistencies in the database searches, for example the Grey Wagtail has only two confirmed sightings in north-west WA (Johnstone & Storr 2004) yet it was present in the EPBC PMST. These species have been omitted from any further discussion.
It is important to note, that the EPBC PMST is not entirely based on point records, but also on broader information, for example bioclimatic distribution models. Whereas DBCAs NatureMap and threatened fauna database is, consequently, the results of the EPBC PMST are in some cases less accurate, particularly at a local scale. Consequently, the EPBC PMST will include species that do not occur in the search area because for example there is no habitat or they are now known to be locally extinct.
In addition, many fauna are not distributed evenly across the landscape, are more abundant in some places than others are, and consequently more detectable (Currie 2007). Furthermore, some small, common ground-dwelling reptile and mammal species tend to be habitat specific, and many bird species can occur as regular migrants, occasional visitors or vagrants. Therefore all these species have been omitted from any further discussion regarding fauna results.
With the afore mentioned marine species removed, a total of seven conservation significant species (including Priority species) from the database searches are potentially considered to either be likely, possibly or unlikely to occur in the project area. These seven species comprise of four bird and three mammal species.
Of these seven conservation significant species, one species was recorded during the field assessment and the remaining six species are all considered ‘Likely’ to occur in the project area (Table 15).
The Likelihood of each species is based on the following criteria: • Recorded: Recorded during the field assessment
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 38 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Likely: Suitable habitat is present in the project area and the project area is in the species’ known distribution • Possible: Limited or no suitable habitat is present in project area, but is nearby. The species has good dispersal abilities and is known from the general area • Unlikely: No suitable habitat is present in project area but is nearby, the species has poor dispersal abilities, but is known from the general area; or suitable habitat is present, however the project area is outside of the species’ known distribution.
Table 15: Conservation significant fauna potentially occurring in the project area Conservation Species Common Name Likelihood Status Birds Calyptorhynchus banksii naso Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Vu, S1 Recorded Calyptorhynchus baudinii Baudin’s Black Cockatoo Vu, S1 Likely Calyptorhynchus latirostris Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo En, S1 Likely Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater Ma Likely Mammals Isoodon obesulus Southern Brown Bandicoot P4 Likely Phascogale tapoatafa Southern Brush-tailed Phascogale S3 Likely Pseudocheirus occidentalis Western Ringtail Possum Vu, S1 Likely
En = Listed as Endangered under the EBPC Act, Vu = Listed as Vulnerable under the EBPC Act, Mi = Listed as Migratory under the EBPC Act, Ma = Listed as Marine under the EBPC Act, S = Scheduled under the WC Act, and P = Listed as Priority by the DPaW.
4.2.2 Field survey
During the field assessment 26 species from 17 families were recorded. This consisted of two reptiles from one family, 23 bird species from 15 families and one mammal species.
Amphibians
From the database searches, seven amphibian species have been previously recorded from the following three families in the surrounding area: Limnodynastidae, Myobatrachidae and Hylidae (Appendix 9). During the survey, no amphibian species were recorded.
Reptiles
From the database searches, a total of 17 reptile species have been previously recorded from the following six families in the surrounding area; Cheloniidae, Dermochelyidae, Cheluidae, Pygopodidae, Gekkonidae, Scincidae and Elapidae. A total of two reptile species Buchana ns Snake-eyed Skink (Cryptoblepharus buchananii) and Shingleback (Tiliqua rugosa) were recorded during the field assessment (Appendix 9).
Birds
From the database searches, a total of 133 bird species from 39 families have been previously recorded in the surrounding area. During the field assessment 23 bird species were recorded from the following 15 families: Columbidae, Threskiornith, Cacatuidae, Psittacidae, Halcyonidae, Maluridae, Acanthizidae, Meliphagidae, Camphagidae, Pachycehagidae, Dicruridae, Cracticidae, Corvidae and Hirundinidae. (Appendix 9).
Mammals
From the database searches, a total of 26 mammal species from 18 families have been previously recorded in the surrounding area, (of these, five were marine species from four families). During the field assessment one mammal species was recorded; the Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus). (Appendix 9)
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 39 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Black Cockatoo Survey
All three Black Cockatoo species were returned in the database searches. During the survey, numerous FRTBC were observed throughout the project area, resting in Marri (Corymbia calophylla) trees and feeding on Marri nuts. Foraging evidence in the way of chewed Marri nuts was recorded throughout the project area (Plate 2).
Plate 2: Chewed Marri nuts within the project area
During the assessment a total of 11.89 ha of potential Black Cockatoo habitat was recorded, which includes both foraging and potential breeding habitat (Plate 2).
Potential Breeding Habitat
Two species of Eucalypts, Marri and Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) recorded in the project area are considered Black Cockatoo potential breeding habitat.
The project area contains 22 potential future breeding trees with a DBH of more than 500 mm (Marri [20] and Jarrah [2]. The dimensions and the locations of the potential breeding trees are displayed in Table 16 and Figure 11. No suitable hollows in which Black Cockatoos could potentially nest were observed from the ground during the assessment.
Foraging Habitat
Three species of Eucalypts, Marri, Jarrah and River Red Gum recorded in the project area are considered Black Cockatoo foraging species. In addition, a number of Banksia species as well as Xanthorrhoea preissii were recorded in the project area and are known dietary items of Black Cockatoos.
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 40 FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Table 16: Black Cockatoo potential breeding trees Tree No Species DBH Class Hollow Easting Northing 1 Jarrah A 0 383063 6317507 2 Marri A 0 383068 6317478 3 Marri A 0 383077 6317479 4 Marri A 0 383080 6317479 5 Marri A 0 383070 6317463 6 Marri B 0 383043 6317348 7 Jarrah A 0 383013 6317033 8 Marri A 0 383007 6317038 9 Marri A 0 382861 6317075 10 Marri A 0 382943 6317109 11 Marri A 0 382835 6317103 12 Marri A 0 382840 6317136 13 Marri A 0 382821 6317122 14 Marri A 0 382804 6317116 15 Marri B 0 382804 6317114 16 Marri A 0 382764 6317135 17 Marri A 0 382754 6317144 18 Marri A 0 382836 6317281 19 Marri A 0 382833 6317267 20 Marri A 0 382835 6317247 21 Marri A 0 382855 6317252 22 Marri A 0 382850 6317236
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 41 382800 383100
(!
(! (!(! (! 6317400 6317400
(!
Hewdon Rd (! (! Piggott Dr (! (! (!
(! (! (! (! (! (! (! 6317100 6317100
(!
(! (!
GlentanaHomestead Gra App Aquila Dr Grand Ent Ditchingham Pl
382800 383100
Figure 11: Black Cockatoo Habitat
Scale 1:3,000 at A4 Legend m (! Black cockatoo potential breeding tree Cleared 0 50 100 ¹ Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Project area Note that positional errors may occur in some areas Date: 11/01/2018 Existing cadastre Author: JCrute [email protected] www.strategen.com.au Source: Aerial image: Nearmap, flown 09/2017. Black Cockatoo Foraging Habitat Existing cadastre: Landgate 2017. Path: Q:\Consult\2017\WCO\WCO17452\01_GIS_documents\ArcMap_documents\WCO17452_G010_RevA.mxd FINAL Australind Wastewater Treatment Plant
Western Ringtail Possum Survey
During the Western Ringtail Possum (WRP) survey 10.69 ha of potential WRP habitat was recorded. This includes both potential foraging and potential denning habitat in which they could build dreys (no suitable hollows were observed). No WRP individuals, dreys or scats were recorded during the survey, however database searches returned a total of 228 WRP from the vicinity of the project area, including a number of records from less than 150m from the project area.
4.2.3 Fauna Habitat
A total of 10 Habitat Assessments were undertaken during the field survey (Appendix 10) and two fauna habitat types were recorded in the project area, Eucalypt Woodland and Kunzea Shrubland (Figure 12).
Eucalyptus Woodland
A total of 10.69 ha of Eucalypt Woodland was recorded in the project area (Figure 12). This habitat has an overstorey that includes Marri, Jarrah and River Red Gum, a midstorey that comprises of species including Acacia, Banksia and Kunzea over an understory of Xanthorrhoea preissii and low shrubs.
The large Eucalypt trees provide potential breeding habitat for Black Cockatoos, while along with the Acacia, Banksia and Xanthorrhoea, the trees and shrubs provide foraging habitat for Black Cockatoos.
The large Eucalypt trees also provide potential breeding habitat for WRP as well as foraging habitat. Although hollows were not observed from the ground during the survey, hollows and hollow logs would provide potential denning habitat for the WRP.
Eucalypt Woodland habitat has vegetation in multiple strata (canopy, midstorey and understorey), woody debris and leaf litter that provides habitat for small reptile, bird and mammal species.
Kunzea Shrubland
A total of 1.21 ha of Kunzea Shrubland was recorded in the project area (Figure 12). This habitat has an overstorey that includes Kunzea glabrescens with Banksia ilicifolia and Banksia attenuata tall shrubland over Xanthorrhoea preissii and mid sparse shrubland.
The Banksia and Xanthorrhoea provide foraging habitat for Black Cockatoo species and the vegetation in multiple strata (canopy, midstorey and understorey), woody debris and leaf litter that provide habitat for small reptile, bird and mammal species
WCO17452_01 R001 Rev B0 23-Nov-18 43