Local Biodiversity Strategy
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Serpentine-Jarrahdale Shire Local Biodiversity Strategy Final version 8 July 2008 Ironbark Environmental Acknowledgements This draft Strategy has been prepared by Ironbark Environmental for the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire with assistance from the South West Biodiversity Project (SWBP) and the South West Catchments Council (SWCC). It uses the approach developed in Local Government Biodiversity Planning Guidelines for the Perth Metropolitan Region (WALGA & PBP, 2004). Funding for this project was received from the Commonwealth of Australia’s Natural Heritage Trust and the Western Australian National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality through the South West Catchments Council. The following people are thanked for their involvement in the project: Suzette van Aswegen, Mangala Khadpekar, Brad Gleeson, Meredith Kenny, Jocelyn Ullman, Chris Portlock, Mark Angeloni, Paula Haro, and Jenni Andrews, of the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Carol Bryant (SJ Landcare Centre), and Michael Taylforth (Belton-Taylforth Consultants), and Jodie Wood and Natalie Olsen of the South West Biodiversity Project. All photographs were provided by Andrew Del Marco unless otherwise indicated. Thanks to Karen Clarke for photos of vegetation complexes. Photos by Kiri Lochman used with permission. Serpentine-Jarrahdale Shire Final Local Biodiversity Strategy Abbreviations CCW Conservation Category Wetlands DRF Declared Rare Flora EPA Environmental Protection Authority LNA Local Natural Area MUC Multiple Use Corridor NASCA Natural Area Special Control Area PBP Perth Biodiversity Project SPF Specially Protected Fauna SWBP South West Biodiversity Project TEC Threatened Ecological Community LPS Local Planning Scheme VNA Verified Natural Area WALGA WA Local Government Association WAPC WA Planning Commission Reader’s note and qualifications on native vegetation information This is a consultant’s report produced for the Serpentine-Jarrahdale Shire. All reasonable efforts have been made by Ironbark Environmental and the South West Biodiversity Project to ensure the accuracy of mapping and statistics included in this draft Strategy. The native vegetation statistics used in this Draft Strategy are approximate only and have been produced by the South West Biodiversity Project for the purposes of developing the Shire’s Local Biodiversity Strategy. Remnant native vegetation mapping was undertaken in 2007 by interpretation of 2005 aerial photography with adjustments for major clearing known to have occurred between 2005 and 2006. The mapping of vegetation complexes was undertaken at a regional scale and will need to be verified through site-specific assessments. Information supplied on threatened species and specially protected species is indicative only given the paucity of ecological survey in parts of the Shire. Remnant native vegetation mapping has not included the assessment and verification of the vegetation’s condition. As a result, statistics of remaining native vegetation in each vegetation complex are likely to be an over-estimate of the amount remaining of each complex. Vegetation condition assessment will show that some areas of mapped native vegetation are in very poor condition and may not be a priority for protection. Any decision relating to the retention, protection or management of a Local Natural Area should be supported by site-specific assessments using standardised formats. Reference This document is to be referenced as: Del Marco A & Penna A (2007) Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale Local Biodiversity Strategy, Stage One: Draft Public draft Strategy, A consultant’s report to the Shire, Perth. Page 3 Serpentine-Jarrahdale Shire Final Local Biodiversity Strategy Contents Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... 2 President’s Message ...................................................................................................................... 6 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 7 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 10 1.1 Natural area statistics ............................................................................................................ 11 1.2 Vision, objectives and goals .................................................................................................. 14 1.3 Biodiversity, natural areas and trees ...................................................................................... 14 2. A local biodiversity strategy .................................................................................................... 17 2.1 Why is local biodiversity conservation important? .................................................................. 17 2.2 Why a local biodiversity strategy? ......................................................................................... 17 2.3 Complementing Bush Forever ............................................................................................... 18 2.4 Long-term protection ............................................................................................................. 19 3. Threats to our Biodiversity ..................................................................................................... 20 4. Existing legislation .................................................................................................................. 21 5. Biodiversity values to retain and protect ................................................................................ 22 5.1 Retention of all natural areas (Goal 1) ................................................................................... 22 5.2 Protection targets (Goals 2 and 3) ......................................................................................... 23 5.3 Protection of specific biodiversity values ............................................................................... 29 6. Restoration and management (Goal 4) .................................................................................... 34 7. Selecting priority areas to protect ........................................................................................... 35 7.1 Maximum environmental benefit ............................................................................................ 35 7.2 Ecological assessment .......................................................................................................... 35 7.3 Working with landowners ....................................................................................................... 37 8. Potential incentives .................................................................................................................. 39 8.1 Development-based incentives .............................................................................................. 39 8.2 Stewardship program ............................................................................................................ 42 8.3 Grants program ..................................................................................................................... 43 8.4 Rate relief .............................................................................................................................. 43 9. Urban development ................................................................................................................. 45 9.1 Landscaping and revegetation in Multiple-Use Corridors ....................................................... 45 10. Existing and future local reserves ......................................................................................... 46 11. Local Planning Scheme ......................................................................................................... 47 11.1. Local Planning Strategy and Scheme ................................................................................ 47 11.2. Policy for biodiversity conservation ..................................................................................... 48 11.3 Minimal loss of natural areas and offsets ............................................................................. 48 12. Proposed protection system ................................................................................................. 49 12.1 Proposed Natural Area Special Control Area (NASCA) ....................................................... 49 12.2 Verifying natural areas ......................................................................................................... 50 12.3 Conservation Zone .............................................................................................................. 51 13. Suggested implementation framework ................................................................................. 52 14. State Government endorsement ............................................................................................ 53 15. Costs and potential funding options ..................................................................................... 53 15.1 Local levies: Serpentine-Jarrahdale habitat fund ................................................................. 54 15.2 Other funding options .......................................................................................................... 54 16. Summary of actions