NOVEMBER 2019

RESOURCE (WA) GROUP PTY LTD GRASS VALLEY HARD ROCK QUARRY FLORA & FAUNA ASSESSMENT

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Document Status Approved for Issue Rev. Author(s) Reviewer Date Name Distributed To Date Rob Sellers 0 S Grein 13/11/2019 S Grein G Kennedy 13/11/2019 Tim McCabe Rob Sellers 1 S Grein 29/11/2019 S Grein G Kennedy 29/11/2019 Tim McCabe

ecologia Environment (2019). Reproduction of this report in whole or in part by electronic, mechanical or chemical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, in any language, is strictly prohibited without the express approval of Resource Group (WA) Pty Ltd and ecologia Environment.

ecologia Environment 463 Scarborough Beach Rd OSBORNE PARK WA 6017 Phone: 08 6168 7200 Email: [email protected]

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ecologia Environment (ecologia) was commissioned by the Resource Group (WA) Pty Ltd to undertake a flora, vegetation and fauna survey of a proposed hard rock quarry at 792 Clydesdale Road, Grass Valley, in the Shire of Northam. The survey was conducted in response to a request from the Shire of Northam, to support a proposal to establish and operate a hard rock quarry at the location. The primary focus of the survey was to determine the ecological values associated with the proposed development area which covers approximately 15.2 ha and is located 3 km north-east of the Grass Valley township. Survey methodology was consistent with that recommended by EPA (2016a) and (EPA 2016b) for reconnaissance flora and vegetation and Level 1 fauna surveys, and incorporated a: • Desktop study to gather background information on the study area; and a • Reconnaissance and Level 1 field survey to verify the accuracy of the desktop study and further delineate and characterise flora, vegetation, and fauna assemblages. The field survey was conducted on the 2nd of October by two ecologia scientists Flora A reconnaissance flora survey was undertaken to characterise vegetation in the study area and to determine the presence of any Priority or Threatened Flora and/or Priority or Threatened Ecological Communities. Vegetation associations and all flora species were recorded on basis of data collected at seven relevés sites throughout the proposed development area. A total of 15 vascular plant taxa (species, subspecies, and varieties) representing 11 families and 13 genera were recorded from the study area during the survey. No EPBC Act listed or BC Act listed Threatened flora species or DBCA listed Priority flora species were recorded within the study area. Four introduced plant species (weeds) were recorded during the survey. None of these are listed as Weeds f National Significance. One species (Echium plantagineum) is listed as a ‘Declared Pest’. Three vegetation associations were described and mapped within the proposed development area and consisted predominately of Eucalyptus wandoo tall open woodland with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba and Avena fatua dominated grassland (53.9%). Most of the remainder consists of historically cleared grazing land (44.6%) with small pockets of Tall open shrubland Hakea preissii over mixed Ptilotus sp. and weedy grassland (0.8%) and Xanthorrhoea preissii tall open shrubland (0.1%). All three vegetation types were in ‘Degraded’ condition with little native understorey. Eucalyptus species recorded within the study area are key indicators of the WA listed ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ PEC and TEC. Vegetation consistent with ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ PEC represented 8.2 ha (53.9%) of the proposed development area. Due to the degraded condition of this vegetation within the study area (including weed cover at over 70%) the ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ TEC was not considered to be present. Fauna A level 1 fauna habitat assessment was undertaken to broadly describe fauna habitats distinguishable by vegetation, soil characteristics and land features. Habitat assessments were undertaken at six locations and one broad fauna habitat type was identified. Open Eucalypt woodland represents 55.4% while the remainder of the study area was assessed as Cleared/ Agricultural land. Open Eucalypt Woodlands is generally classed as being in Very Poor to Good condition with extensive areas almost completely devoid of native vegetation. Nine vertebrate species were recorded during the survey including seven bird species and two mammals. One introduced predator (red fox) was recorded. No EPBC Act listed ‘Threatened fauna’ taxa, BC Act listed ‘Threatened fauna’ taxa or DBCA-classified ‘Priority’ fauna taxa were recorded within

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment the study area. The desktop assessment identified a number of fauna taxa of conservation significance that may potentially occur within the study area, including the Carnaby’s cockatoo (‘Possible (2)’), peregrine falcon (‘Possible (2)’) and fork-tailed swift (‘Possible (2)’).

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... V

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ...... 1 1.2 SURVEY OBJECTIVES ...... 1 1.3 LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ...... 1

2 METHODOLOGY ...... 3 2.1 DESKTOP STUDY ...... 3 2.2 FLORA AND VEGETATION ...... 4 2.3 FAUNA ...... 6 2.4 ANIMAL ETHICS ...... 7 2.5 STUDY TEAM AND LICENCES ...... 7 2.6 LIMITATIONS AND CONSTRAINTS ...... 8

3 DESKTOP STUDY ...... 10 3.1 CLIMATE ...... 10 3.2 IBRA 7 BIOGEOGRAPHIC SUBREGIONS ...... 11 3.3 GEOLOGY...... 11 3.4 LAND SYSTEMS AND SOILS ...... 11 3.5 CONSERVATION RESERVES AND NATIONALLY IMPORTANT WETLANDS ...... 11 3.6 FLORA AND VEGETATION ...... 17 3.7 SIGNIFICANT ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES ...... 30 3.8 TERRESTRIAL FAUNA ...... 31

4 FIELD SURVEY RESULTS ...... 35 4.1 FLORA AND VEGETATION ...... 35 4.2 VERTEBRATE FAUNA ...... 43

5 DISCUSSION ...... 47 5.1 FLORISTIC DIVERSITY ...... 47 5.2 VEGETATION ...... 47 5.3 FAUNA ...... 48

6 REFERENCES ...... 49

7 APPENDICES ...... 52

TABLES

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Table 2.1: Databases queried for the desktop study...... 3 Table 2.2: Criteria used to assess the likelihood of occurrence of conservation significant species and communities...... 3 Table 2.3: EPA Vegetation Condition Scale (Environmental Protection Authority 2016c)...... 5 Table 2.5: Habitat Condition Assessment ...... 6 Table 2.9: Study team and licences...... 7 Table 2.10: Flora and vegetation survey limitations...... 8 Table 2.11: Fauna survey limitations...... 9 Table 3.1: Soil -land systems within the study area ...... 11 Table 3.2: Conservation significant flora from database searches likelihood of occurrence ...... 18 Table 3.3: Introduced species recorded within 20 km of the study area (NatureMap)...... 23 Table 3.4: Pre-European vegetation associations associated with the study area...... 28 Table 3.5: Threatened and Priority Ecological communities recorded within 15 km of study area. .... 30 Table 3.6: Summary of DBCA fauna records ...... 31 Table 3.7: Significant vertebrate fauna species records from the database searches ...... 33 Table 4.1: Summary of introduced species recorded within the study area...... 35 Table 4.2: Summary of vegetation types recorded within the study area...... 36 Table 4.3: Vertebrate species recorded...... 43

FIGURES Figure 1.1: Regional location of the survey area ...... 2 Figure 3.1: Climate data from Grass Valley and Northam BOM weather stations (Station No. 010150 and 010111)...... 10 Figure 3.2: IBRA 7 regions and subregions (Department of Sustainability Environment Water Population and Communities 2012)...... 13 Figure 3.3: Underlying Geology (Stewart et al. 2013) ...... 14 Figure 3.4: Soil-landscape units (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 2016) ...... 15 Figure 3.5: Conservation Reserves and Nationally Important Wetlands...... 16 Figure 3.6: DBCA Priority flora records within 20 km of the study area...... 27 Figure 3.7: Pre-European vegetation associations (Shepherd et al. 2001)...... 29 Figure 3.8: Conservation significant fauna species found within 30 km of the survey area (DBCA). ... 32 Figure 4.1: Representative photographs of vegetation units within the study area...... 38 Figure 4.2: Vegetation units within the proposed development area ...... 40 Figure 4.3: Vegetation corresponding to ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ PEC ...... 41 Figure 4.4: Vegetation condition...... 42

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Figure 4.5: Fauna habitat types and assessment sites...... 44

APPENDICES Appendix A Definitions ...... 53 Appendix B Vascular flora and vertebrate fauna Records (NatureMap) ...... 98 Appendix C EPBC protected matters search tool ...... 114 Appendix D Plant species Inventory ...... 130 Appendix E Sampling Site Data ...... 170 Appendix F Birdlife Birdata ...... 172 Appendix G Fauna Habitat site assessment data sheets ...... 176 Appendix H Track Log ...... 183

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

ACRONYMS

BAM Act Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 BC Act Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 BOM Bureau of Meteorology CALM Department of Conservation and Land Management (now DBCA and DWER) CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation DAFWA Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia DBCA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (previously DPaW) DBH Diameter at Breast Height DEC Department of Environment and Conservation (now DBCA) DWER Department of Water and Environmental Regulation DoEE Department of the Environment and Energy (previously DSEWPaC) DPaW Department of Parks and Wildlife (now DBCA) DPIRD Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (previously DAFWA) DSEWPaC Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (now DoEE) EPA Environmental Protection Authority EP Act Environmental Protection Act 1986 EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ESCAVI Executive Steering Committee for Australian Vegetation Information IBRA Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature NVIS National Vegetation Information System PEC Priority Ecological Community SAC Species accumulation curve TEC Threatened Ecological Community TPFL Threatened and Priority Flora List database TPFR Threatened and Priority Flora Report form WA Western Australia WAH Western Australian Herbarium WAHERB Western Australian Herbarium Specimen Database WAOL Western Australian Organism List WONS Weeds of National Significance

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ecologia Environment (ecologia) was commissioned by Resource Group (WA) Pty Ltd to conduct a reconnaissance flora and vegetation assessment and a Level 1 fauna and fauna habitat survey at 792 Clydesdale Road, Grass Valley, in the Shire of Northam to support a proposal to establish and operate a hard rock quarry at the location. The study area covers approximately 204.5 ha and contains a proposed development area of 15.2 ha (Error! Reference source not found.). The study area is located approximately 3 km north-east of the Grass Valley township.

1.2 SURVEY OBJECTIVES The Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) environmental objectives for the factors Flora and Vegetation (Environmental Protection Authority 2016a) are: “To protect flora and vegetation so that biological diversity and ecological integrity are maintained.” In the context, ‘ecological integrity’ is the composition, structure, function and processes of ecosystems, and the natural range of variation of these elements. The primary objective of this flora and fauna assessment was to provide sufficient information to assess the impact of any proposed development on the flora, vegetation and fauna of the study area, thereby ensuring that the EPA’s objectives can be met. To this end, the following were provided as part of this assessment: • A desktop study to evaluate biological values of the study area and surrounds, including a review of existing environmental values, threatened and priority flora and community databases, and other relevant available literature; • A flora, vegetation and conservation significant flora survey of the study area by way of a single- phase, reconnaissance Flora and Vegetation Survey; • A plant species inventory for the study area; • An inventory and a map of conservation significant species recorded within the study area, and the local and regional distribution of these species where data is available; • An inventory and a map of Declared Organisms within the study area; • Description and mapping of vegetation types within the study area; • An assessment of local and regional vegetation significance; • Assessment and mapping of the vegetation condition within the study area; and • Level 1 fauna and fauna habitat survey.

1.3 LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK The survey was designed and undertaken to comply with the following guidance documents: • Environmental Factor Guideline: Flora and Vegetation (Environmental Protection Authority 2016a); • Environmental Factor Guideline: Terrestrial Fauna (Environmental Protection Authority 2016b); • Technical Guidance: Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (Environmental Protection Authority 2016c); • Technical Guidance: Sampling methods for terrestrial vertebrate fauna (Environmental Protection Authority 2016d); • Technical Guidance: Terrestrial Fauna Surveys (Environmental Protection Authority 2016e; EPA 2016); • Approved Conservation Advice (including listing advice) for the Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt (Department of Environment and Energy 2015); and

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Project: 1806 Date: 8 November 2019 0 0.4 0.8 Author: RS Figure 1.1 Regional location of the study area Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Kilometers Projection: Transverse Mercator eE N VcI R OoN M lE NoT gia ° Absolute Scale: 1:15,000 @A3 Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

2 METHODOLOGY

2.1 DESKTOP STUDY The methodology adopted for the desktop study was consistent with that recommended by Environmental Protection Authority (2016c). A review of background environmental information for the study area was undertaken, including climate (BoM), biogeography (IBRA 7) (Department of Sustainability Environment Water Population and Communities 2012), soils (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 2016), and pre-European vegetation (Shepherd et al. 2001). Searches of the databases listed in Table 2.1 and a review of other relevant surveys were conducted to construct a list of conservation significant species and ecological communities previously recorded within or in the vicinity of the study area. The criteria listed in Table 2.2 were then applied to determine the likelihood of occurrence of significant species and communities occurring within the study area given the likely landforms and broad habitats present.

Table 2.1: Databases queried for the desktop study. Database Search details Records of matters of national significance under the EPBC Act EPBC Act Protected Matters database within a 10 kilometre (km) search buffer DBCA Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities All TECs and PECs within a 10 km search buffer Database DBCA Threatened and Priority Flora Database (TPFL) and Western Australian Herbarium Specimen Conservation significant plant species within a 10 km search area Database (WAHERB) DBCA NatureMap database All plant and fauna species records within a 30 km search buffer DBCA Threatened and Priority Fauna Database All fauna records within 10 km search buffer

Table 2.2: Criteria used to assess the likelihood of occurrence of conservation significant species and communities. Rating Criterion The species/community has been recorded within the study area previously or during the current Recorded survey. The species/community is likely to occur within the study area as suitable habitat is known to be present Likely and there are existing records very close to the study area (within ca. 10 km). The species/community may occur within the study area as there are existing records in the vicinity of the study area, and suitable habitat is likely to be present; Possible OR The species/community may occur within the study area as there is insufficient information available to exclude the possibility of occurrence. The species/community is unlikely to occur within the study area as suitable habitat is not present or is not likely to be present; Unlikely OR Suitable habitat is present within the study area, but the taxon/community has not been recorded despite reasonable survey effort. Does not The community is an existing regionally mapped vegetation association (e.g. Shepherd et al. 2011) or occur land system which does not occur within the study area.

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

2.2 FLORA AND VEGETATION

2.2.1 Survey Timing and Methodology The reconnaissance flora and vegetation survey was conducted by ecologia’s Principal Ecologist (Shaun Grein) and lead zoologist Tim McCabe on the 2nd October 2019. Survey methodologies were in accordance with the Technical Guidance – Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (Environmental Protection Authority 2016c). The survey was conducted by describing vegetation units at several sampling points (relevés), supplemented by a series of traverses along which changes in vegetation unit and disturbance were periodically noted. To provide a more detailed inventory of plants species for the study area, all species encountered during the survey were recorded.

2.2.2 Sampling Vegetation communities were described from seven low-intensity sampling sites within the study area. Site locations were selected using a combination of aerial photography, topographic features, landforms, and field observations to represent the diversity of vegetation present within the study area. At each site, the following data were recorded: • Site number and location; • Photograph of the vegetation community; • Dominant growth form and up to three species for the three traditional strata (upper, mid and ground) compatible with NVIS Level V (Executive Steering Committee for Australian Vegetation Information 2003); • Vegetation condition and description of disturbance. Site and species data for each site is presented in Appendix E and Appendix D.

2.2.3 Conservation Significant Species Threatened and Priority flora species identified during the desktop study were targeted during the field survey, based on previous known locations and habitat preferences. The targeted survey involved searches for species within potential suitable habitat during traverses walked between sites. Where conservation significant species were observed the following parameters were recorded: recorder and date; location (for individual or localised plants) or population boundary (for more extensive populations, time permitting); number of plants (count, for individual or localised plants) or estimated number of plants for more extensive populations; reproductive state; vegetation type; and landform.

2.2.4 Specimen Identification and Vouchering Plant specimen identification was undertaken with reference to current taxonomic literature and herbarium reference specimens. Scientific names used in this report follow the species concepts currently adopted by the Western Australian Herbarium. Specimens that were believed to differ significantly from typical material were indicated with ‘affinity’ (aff.). Specimens that could not be definitively identified to genus or species level due to the absence of reproductive material required for positive identification were indicated with a question mark but were not considered to be otherwise anomalous.

2.2.5 Vegetation mapping Data collected from sampling sites, in addition to other field observations, were consolidated to decribe and map vegetation units within the study area. Vegetation units were described and mapped based on the dominant species present in the three traditional strata (if present), consistent with NVIS Level V. Extrapolative vegetation mapping based on aerial imagery and ground-truth data was used to map the described vegetation units within study area. Mosaic units were mapped in cases where two

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment or more vegetation units occurred in a pattern too detailed to map separately at the mapping scale being applied.

2.2.6 Vegetation Condition Vegetation condition at each traverse was assessed against the EPA Vegetation Condition Scale (Environmental Protection Authority 2016c) (Table 3.3). This was later extrapolated across the study area with the aid of site photos as well as additional observations made during the survey.

Table 2.3: EPA Vegetation Condition Scale (Environmental Protection Authority 2016c)

Vegetation condition Criterion

Pristine or nearly so, no obvious signs of disturbance or damage caused by human activities Pristine since European settlement. Vegetation structure intact, disturbance affecting individual species and weeds are non- Excellent aggressive species. Damage to trees caused by fire, the presence of non-aggressive weeds and occasional vehicle tracks. Vegetation structure altered, obvious signs of disturbance. Disturbance to vegetation Very Good structure caused by repeated fires, the presence of some more aggressive weeds, dieback, logging and grazing. Vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple disturbances. Retains basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate it. Disturbance to vegetation Good structure caused by very frequent fires, the presence of very aggressive weeds, partial clearing, dieback and grazing. Basic vegetation structure severely impacted by disturbance. Scope for regeneration but not to a state approaching good condition without intensive management. Disturbance to Degraded vegetation structure caused by very frequent fires, the presence of very aggressive weeds at high density, partial clearing, dieback and grazing. The structure of the vegetation is no longer intact, and the area is completely or almost Completely Degraded completely without native species. These areas are often described as ‘parkland cleared’ with the flora comprising weed or crop species with isolated native trees and shrubs.

2.2.7 Assessment of Vegetation Significance Any significant vegetation communities recorded at the study area were assessed, where relevant regional data were available, for National, State, regional and local significance, using the definitions described in Section Error! Reference source not found..

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

2.3 FAUNA A Level 1 vertebrate fauna and fauna habitat assessment was undertaken concurrently with the reconnaissance flora and vegetation survey on the 2nd October 2019 by ecologia Senior Zoologist Tim McCabe. The survey methods adopted accorded with the Technical Guideline for sampling terrestrial vertebrate fauna for conducting a Level 1 fauna and fauna habitat assessment published by the Environmental Protection Authority (2016d). Low-intensity fauna sampling was also undertaken to detect vertebrate fauna of conservation significance within the study area.

2.3.1 Habitat Descriptions and Mapping A fauna habitat type broadly describes an area of habitat that is distinguishable by its vegetation, soil characteristics and land features, and is likely to host a different fauna assemblage to that found in other fauna habitats. Habitat delineation and mapping was based upon interpretation of aerial photography and landforms, habitat site assessments, soil descriptions, and the complementary vegetation descriptions and mapping undertaken for this report. Particular attention was given to the likelihood that certain species of conservation significance may be present only in particular habitat types. Habitat assessments were conducted at six fauna assessment site locations (HA01-HA06) (Error! Reference source not found.) that were considered representative of each habitat type (Appendix G). For each fauna survey site, the following parameters were recorded: • broad habitat type; • digital photographs; • landform type; • soil colour, type and characteristics; • type and extent of non-vegetative surface cover; • type of vegetation in lower, middle and upper strata; • observable fire history and evidence of any disturbance; • presence and extent of leaf litter and coarse woody debris; • presence of, or distance to, water sources; • presence of significant microhabitats such as tree hollows and rocky outcrops; and • notes on suitability for hosting conservation significant fauna. A habitat condition rating was assigned to each habitat delineated based upon the habitat condition criteria described in Table 2.4.

Table 2.4: Habitat Condition Assessment

Habitat Condition Criteria

Pristine or nearly so, no obvious sign of damage caused by modern humans or introduced fauna (cattle, feral Excellent cat, dog and rabbit). No signs of recent, extensive fires.

Some relatively slight signs of damage caused by the activities of modern humans. e.g. damage to tree trunks by Very Good repeated fires, no significant signs of introduced fauna or occasional vehicle tracks.

More obvious signs of damage caused by the activities of modern humans, including some obvious impact to Good vegetation structure such as that caused by low levels of grazing or by selective logging. Some tracks or secondary evidence of introduced fauna. Some signs of recent fires.

Still retains basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate it after very obvious impacts of modern humans Poor such as partial clearing or very frequent fires. Presence of introduced fauna.

Severely impacted by grazing, introduced fauna, fire, clearing or a combination of these activities. Scope for Very Poor some regeneration but not to a state approaching good condition without intensive management.

Completely Areas that are completely or almost completely without vegetation communities and are heavily impacted by Degraded extensive fires and/or introduced species e.g. cow paddock

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

2.3.2 Fauna Survey At each of the six fauna sites established (HA01 to HA06) (Figure 4.5) all vertebrate fauna species observed were recorded and the following actions were undertaken: • fixed-time bird surveys of 10 minutes; • targeted searches involving direct observation of animals focussing on conservation significant species, as well as detection of secondary evidence including tracks, scats, remains and other traces; and • hand searching for cryptic species including raking leaf litter, searching beneath the bark of dead trees, breaking open old logs, stumps and dead free-standing trees, investigating burrows and over-turning logs and stones. Beyond the location of the six fauna sites, opportunistic observations were also made to provide additional data to supplement the site survey results, including tracks, diggings, scats, burrows and nests.

2.3.3 Targeted Conservation Significant Fauna Survey Prior to undertaking the field survey, a desktop assessment of the preferred habitats of the conservation significant species potentially occurring in the study area was undertaken to assess the likelihood of occurrence of conservation significant species (Section 3.8.2). These results were verified during the field survey and, based on the actual habitats present, searches were undertaken to determine the presence of potential conservation significant species occurring. Specific habitats that were targeted included tall mature trees and foraging plants (e.g. Black Cockatoo).

2.4 ANIMAL ETHICS The survey was conducted as per ecologia’s Animal Ethics Code of Practice, which conforms to Section 5 of the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (National Health and Medical Research Council 2004). In all cases, animals were identified in the field, and not captured or collected during the survey.

2.5 STUDY TEAM AND LICENCES The flora, vegetation and fauna assessment was planned, coordinated, executed and reported by those summarised below in Table 2.5.

Table 2.5: Study team and licences.

Project Staff

Name Qualification Role Project role B.App. Sc (Biology); Grad. Managing Director/Principal Field survey, project management, Shaun Grein Dip. Nat. Resources; MBA Scientist reporting, QA B.Sc EnvBiol, Dip Proj Mgt, Tim McCabe Senior Zoologist Field survey, reporting Cert III Vert Pest Mgt Licences - “Flora Taking (Biological Assessment) Licence” Shaun Grein Licence No: FB62000085 Valid until: 30/04/2022

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

2.6 LIMITATIONS AND CONSTRAINTS An assessment of survey-specific issues and limitations (Environmental Protection Authority 2016c) is detailed in Table 2.6 and Table 2.7.

Table 2.6: Flora and vegetation survey limitations. Aspect Constraint Comment Broad scale vegetation, soil, and geology mapping data were Availability of contextual available for the study area, in addition to Threatened and Priority information at a regional and local flora database records, and conservation significant vegetation

scale community records. This information was adequate to provide Nil appropriate contextual information for the current survey. Competency/experience of the The Principal Ecologist undertaking the field work and specimen team carrying out the survey, identification for the survey has conducted numerous botanical including experience in the Nil surveys in the Avon Wheatbelt region, with more than 25 years bioregion surveyed botanical survey. Representative specimens of all taxa identified in the field were collected for confirmation. Two of these could not be confidently identified to species level due to a lack of required reproductive Proportion of flora recorded and/or material. However, the small number of unidentified samples are collected, any identification issues Minor unlikely to have had any significant impact on the classification of vegetation communities, and none of these specimens were believed to correspond to any conservation significant species. Was the appropriate area fully All proposed development areas were sampled, this is considered surveyed (effort and extent) Nil adequate for a reconnaissance survey. Access restrictions within the survey All parts of the study area were accessible by walking from existing area Nil vehicle tracks. The survey was conducted in early October 2019, which is the Survey timing, rainfall, season of optimal timing for flora and vegetation survey in the Avon survey Nil Wheatbelt Disturbance that may have affected There were no natural or human interventions that constrained the the results of survey such as fire, Nil survey of the study area. flood or clearing

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Table 2.7: Fauna survey limitations. Aspect Constraint Comment The Senior Zoologist undertaking the fauna survey has more than Competency/experience of the Nil 12 years of experience in conducting terrestrial vertebrate fauna consultant carrying out the survey. surveys in Western Australia including the Avon Wheatbelt. Scope (what faunal groups were The fauna survey focussed on the fauna taxa of conservation sampled and were some sampling significance that may have the potential to occur in the study methods not able to be employed Nil area. The scope was well defined. Fauna and their habitats because of constraints such as were surveyed using standardised and well-established weather conditions). techniques. Relevant databases were reviewed. A comprehensive desktop study adequately gathered background information on the study area. A level 1 survey Proportion of fauna identified, Low verified the desktop results and characterised habitats and recorded and/or collected. terrestrial fauna likely to be present. All fauna taxa observed were identified. Sources of information (previously Database records, including conservation significant species, available information as distinct from Nil were available for the area and considered adequate to provide new data). appropriate contextual information for the study. The proportion of the task achieved Planned survey works were conducted and completed. No and further work which might be Nil further work is required to complete the survey scope. needed. Timing/weather/season/cycle. Nil The survey was conducted during an appropriate time/season Disturbances which affected results There were no natural or human interventions that constrained of the survey (e.g. fire, flood, Nil the survey of the study area. accidental human intervention). Given the access to available information from the area, the Intensity (in retrospect was the Nil survey intensity was considered adequate and is appropriate intensity adequate). for a Level 1 fauna assessment. Completeness (e.g. was relevant area The Level 1 survey was considered complete. Majority of the Nil fully surveyed). study area was sampled on foot. Resources were adequate to carry out the survey and survey Resources (e.g. degree of expertise participants were competent in the identification of species available in animal identification to Nil and likelihood of occurrence. Database searches and literature taxon level). reviews were used to prepare for the survey and used for the confirmation of any species. Remoteness and/or access problems. Nil The study area was easily accessible by vehicle and on foot. Availability of contextual (e.g. The data available was adequate for the level of survey work biogeographic) information on the Nil undertaken during this assessment. region. Efficacy of sampling methods (i.e. any A comprehensive desktop study adequately gathered groups not sampled by survey Nil background information on the study area. A reconnaissance methods). survey verified the desktop results and characterised habitats

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

3 DESKTOP STUDY

3.1 CLIMATE The study area is located within the western Avon Basin region of Western Australia, a region that experiences a temperate climate with cool wet winters and warm dry summers. Most of the winter rainfall is derived from frontal systems originating in the south-west. Average annual pan evaporation ranges from 1800 mm in the south to 3000 mm in the north. The Avon has a drying climate over the past 40 years with decreases in rainfall of as much as 18% (Hennig K. and Kelsey P. 2015). Rainfall data (Figure 3.1) from the nearest long-term (since 1887) Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) weather station were obtained from Grass Valley (Station No. 010150) (Bureau of Meteorology 2019) which is found approximately 3.6 km west of the study area (Figure 1.1). Rainfall in Grass Valley over the 12 months prior to the survey was 73% of mean annual rainfall (400 mm). Temperature data (Figure 3.1) were obtained from Northam (Station No. 010111) (Bureau of Meteorology 2019) which is located approximately 15 km west of the study area. Maximum daytime temperature regularly exceeds 35 °C during the summer months and minimum temperatures will occasionally drop to zero degrees in winter.

120 40

35 100 30

80 C) 25 °

60 20

Rainfall (mm) 15

40 Temperature ( 10 20 5

0 0

Mean Rainfall (mm) Rainfall 2018/2019 (mm) Mean maximun temperature (°C) Mean minimum temperature (°C)

Figure 3.1: Climate data from Grass Valley and Northam BOM weather stations (Station No. 010150 and 010111).

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

3.2 IBRA 7 BIOGEOGRAPHIC SUBREGIONS The Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) classifies the Australian continent into regions or bioregions on the basis of similar geology, landform, vegetation, fauna and climate characteristics (Department of Sustainability Environment Water Population and Communities 2012a). The study area is situated within the Avon Wheatbelt region according to IBRA 7 (Department of Sustainability Environment Water Population and Communities 2012), which is further divided into two subregions: (AVW01) Merredin and (AVW02) Katanning. The study area is situated within the Katanning subregion (Figure 3.2). The Katanning subregion covers a total area of approximately 3,012,977 ha. The topography ranges from gently undulating rises, to low hills. Continuous stream channels are present that flow most years. The subregion is dominated by dry land agriculture and grazing but includes Proteaceous scrub-heaths and woodlands of Eucalyptus wandoo (wandoo), E. loxophleba (York gum), E. salmonophloia (salmon gum), Acacia acuminata (jam), and Allocasuarina spp. (sheoaks) (Beecham 2001).

3.3 GEOLOGY The study area is located within the south-western Yilgarn Craton. This Craton consists of six separate terrains, including the Narryer, Southwest, Youanmi, Kalgoorlie, Kurnalpi, and Burtville terranes. The terranes consist of greenstone belts that have been extensively intruded by granitic rocks. The Southwest Terrane in particular consists of granites and granitic gneisses interlayered with metasedimentary rocks, with a single preserved greenstone belt (Saddleback) (Stewart et al. 2013). The geology of the study area is composed of High-grade metamorphic rocks, generally with granulite facies assemblages; includes granitic gneisses (Raymond et al. 2012)(Figure 3.3).

3.4 LAND SYSTEMS AND SOILS In 2016 the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development consolidated soil-landscape mapping of Western Australia from two technical reports created by the Department of Agriculture and Food (Department of Agriculture Resource Management Technical Reports RMTR No. 280 (Purdie 2016) and RMTR No. 313 (Tille 2006)). The resulting spatial dataset (Soil-landscape mapping covering Western Australia at the best available scale (Version 05.01) (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 2016)) is a compilation of various surveys at different scales varying between 1:20,000 and 1:3,000,000. Mapping conforms to a nested hierarchy established to deal with the varying levels of information resulting from the variety of scales in mapping to provide soil-landscape data for all Western Australia. The study area is associated with one soil-landscape system (Table 3.1, Figure 3.4).

Table 3.1: Soil -land systems within the study area Soil-landscape ID Name Description Areas of soils derived from freshly exposed rock. This unit is typified by the red soils of the Avon Valley but also includes 1589 Jelcobine York Subsystem areas of similar, but often greyer and lighter textured soils to the east of the valley.

3.5 CONSERVATION RESERVES AND NATIONALLY IMPORTANT WETLANDS The Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy’s (DoEE) Protected Matters Search Tool (Department of the Environment and Energy 2018) and the DBCA’s managed lands and waters database were queried for Ramsar Wetlands, Nationally Important Wetlands, and DBCA managed lands and waters occurring near the study area. There are two Nature Reserves within 10 km of the study area; Meenaar Nature reserve (4.2 km to the east) and Throssell Nature Reserve (1.5 km to the east) (Figure 3.5).

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

The Avon Wheatbelt 2 subregion has 2.7% of their pre-European vegetation extent protected within the National Reserve System and includes four wetlands of national significance (Coyrecup, Dumbleyung, Toolibin and Yealering Lakes) and one of subregional significance (Mortlock River System). The study area is not located near any Ramsar wetlands or any other wetlands of conservation significance.

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460000 480000 500000 520000 0 0 0 0 2 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 5 6

Study area IBRA 7 bioregion 0 0

0 Avon Wheatbelt 0 8 4 6 Jarrah Forest IBRA 7 subregion Katanning Merredin Northern Jarrah Forest

Project: 1806 Date: 8 November 2019 0 5 10 Author: RS Figure 3.2 IBRA 7 regional context (Department of Sustainability Environment Water Population and Communities 2012). Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Kilometers Projection: Transverse Mercator eE N VcI R OoN M lE NoT gia ° Absolute Scale: 1:200,000 @A3 Service Layer Credits: 432000 444000 456000 468000 480000 492000 504000 516000 528000 Ag Ag 0 0 0 8 2 5 6

Ag 0 0 0 6 1 5 6

An 0 0 0 4 0 5 6

Ag

Ag 0 0 0 2 9 4 6

An

0 Ag 0 0 0 8 4 6

Study area Geologic unit Ag 0 0 0

8 Ag: Mainly felsic intrusive rocks. Range in composition from alkali feldspar granite to tonalite; includes associated rocks such as migmatite and minor gabbro and diorite. 6 4 6 An: High-grade metamorphic rocks, generally with granulite facies assemblages; includes granitic gneisses

Project: 1806 Date: 8 November 2019 0 5 10 Author: RS Figure 3.3 Underlying geology (Stewart et al. 2013) Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Projection: Transverse Mercator Kilometers eE N VcI R OoN M lE NoT gia ° Absolute Scale: 1:264,192 @A3 Service Layer Credits: 464000 472000 480000 488000 496000

7128 13309

7124

0 13312 0 0 2

1 1586 5 6

5095 7126 1607

13314

1585

6075 0 0 0 4

0 1583

5 1589 6 1602 1615

Study area 1605 Soil unit 13309: Cunderdin subsystem 13312: Phillips York subsystem 13314: Mortlock saline phase 1587 6076 1573: Avon Flats Subsystem 1583: Greenhills Steep Rocky Hills 2 Subsystem 1584: Greenhills York Subsystem 1585: Morbinning York Subsystem 1586: Greenhills Hamersley Subsystem 1587: Hamersley Subsy50s6te4m (Jc) 1601 1588: Steep Rocky Hills 2 Subsystem (Jc) 1573 0 0

0 1589: Jelcobine York Subsystem 6 9

4 7130 6 1594: Goomalling Mortlock Subsystem 7129 50911601: Ewarts 2 Phase 1584 1602: Ewarts 1 Phase 1605: Quailing 1 Phase 1607: Steep Rocky Hills 2 Subsystem 1615: Wallambin, Baandee Subsystem 5064: Avon flat wet, river Phase 5091: L1e58a8ver Subsystem (Jc) 1594 5095: Eaton Subsystem 6075: Greenhills 4 Subsystem 6076: Morbinning 4 Subsystem 7124: Greenhills Ewarts Phase 1 7125: Greenhills Ewarts Phase 2 7126: Avon Subsystem (Jelcobine) 7125 7128: Ewarts Phase 1 (Jelcobine) 7129: Ewarts Phase 2 (Jelcobine) 7130: Mortlock Subsystem (Jelcobine)

Project: 1806 Date: 8 November 2019 0 2.5 5 Author: RS Figure 3.4 Soil-landscape units (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 2016) Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Kilometers Projection: Transverse Mercator eE N VcI R OoN M lE NoT gia ° Absolute Scale: 1:100,000 @A3 Service Layer Credits: 476000 480000 484000 488000 492000 0 0 0 4 0 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 0 0 0 6 9 4 6 Study area Managed land Meenaar Nature Reserve Throssell Nature Reserve

Project: 1806 Date: 8 November 2019 0 1.25 2.5 Author: RS Figure 3.5 DBCA managed Lands and Waters within 10 km of the study area Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Kilometers Projection: Transverse Mercator eE N VcI R OoN M lE NoT gia ° Absolute Scale: 1:50,000 @A3 Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

3.6 FLORA AND VEGETATION

3.6.1 Floristic Diversity A total of 593 vascular plant taxa (including species, infraspecific taxa, and phrase name taxa) were identified from the desktop assessment within the study area (NatureMap, Appendix B), representing 81 families and 279 genera. The most diverse families are the Myrtaceae (Myrtales) (69 taxa), Fabaceae (peas) (68 taxa), Asteraceae (daisies) (61 taxa), Poaceae (grasses) (48 taxa) and Proteaceae (40 taxa). The most diverse genera are Acacia (29), Melaleuca (17), Eucalyptus (30), Caladenia (14), Verticordia (27), Tecticornia (11) and Grevillea (19).

3.6.2 Conservation Significant Species The NatureMap, TPFL and WAHERB database searches identified 31 conservation significant plant taxa within the 20 km buffer search area, including seven Threatened species, two Priority 1 taxa, one Priority 2 taxa, 17 Priority 3 taxa and four Priority 4 taxa (Table 3.2). The EPBC Act Protected Matters Report (Appendix C) identified 19 EPBC Act listed plant species as potentially occurring within the search area. The likelihood for Threatened or Priority vascular plant taxon to occur within the study area was assessed (Table 3.2) using the criteria outlined in Table 2.2 (Section 2.1). To assist in this assessment, habitat preferences were sourced, where available, from relevant taxonomic literature, FloraBase records (Western Australian Herbarium 1998–2018), Threatened species profiles (SPRATs) (Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2016), or specimen data from the Australasian Virtual Herbarium (AVH) database (CHAH 2017). Herbarium catalogue numbers are provided if habitat information was derived from specimen data. One Priority listed plant species has previously been recorded within the study area (Eremaea blackwelliana (P4)) (Figure 3.6). Based on the close proximity of previous records and the potential presence of suitable habitat, seven other taxa were considered likely to occur and nine taxa to possibly occur within the study area (Table 3.2). Fourteen taxa were considered unlikely to occur due to the probable absence of suitable habitat within the study area.

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Table 3.2: Conservation significant flora from database searches likelihood of occurrence Likelihood Likelihood of of Taxon Status Habitat Flowering period Notes occurrence occurrence post- pre-survey survey Occurs within 10km, last Sand, loam, clay loam. recorded in 2013, approximately Acacia aphylla T August to October Unlikely Unlikely Granite outcrops, hills. 115 individuals recorded within buffer in total. Occurs within 10km, last recorded in 2010, approximately Acacia campylophylla P3 Lateritic gravelly soils. July to August Likely Unlikely 14 individuals recorded within buffer in total. Occurs within 10km, last Acacia lirellata subsp. recorded in 2009, approximately P3 Sandy & loamy soils. June to August Likely Unlikely lirellata 31 individuals recorded within buffer in total.

Yellow brown sandy clay Doesn't occur within 10km, last January, February, October, November Androcalva fragifolia P1 over granite with some recorded in 2018, approximately Possible Unlikely or December. laterite. 10 individuals recorded within buffer in total. Doesn't occur within 10km, last Androcalva sp. York (C.F. P1 Unknown Unknown recorded in 2017, approximately Possible Unlikely Wilkins & A. Sole CW 2527) 14 individuals recorded within buffer in total.

Saline sandy soils. River Doesn't occur within 10km, last Angianthus micropodioides P3 edges, saline depressions, November to February recorded in 1967, approximately Unlikely Unlikely claypans. 1 individual recorded within buffer in total. Occurs within 10km, last Anigozanthos bicolor subsp. White sand, sandy clay recorded in 2009, approximately P3 August to October Likely Unlikely exstans loam. 176 individuals recorded within buffer in total.

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Likelihood Likelihood of of Taxon Status Habitat Flowering period Notes occurrence occurrence post- pre-survey survey Doesn't occur within 10km, last Grey or red clay soils over Blennospora doliiformis P3 October to November recorded in 1945, approximately Unlikely Unlikely ironstone. 1 individual recorded within buffer in total. Doesn't occur within 10km, last Chamelaucium sp. Wongan P3 Unknown Unknown recorded in 2018, approximately Possible Unlikely Hills (B.H. Smith 1140) 102 individuals recorded within buffer in total. Occurs within 10km, last Daviesia nudiflora subsp. Hill. Dry, gravelly brown recorded in 2017, approximately P3 Unknown Likely Unlikely drummondii clayey sand. 20 individuals recorded within buffer in total.

Sandy soils, often over Doesn't occur within 10km, last Dicrastylis reticulata P3 granite. Amongst granite September to December recorded in 1901, approximately Unlikely Unlikely rock, hills, flats. 2 individuals recorded within buffer in total. Wandoo woodland on ridges and low rises, generally on gravelly Drosera albonotata P2 slopes and pale yellow to September to October Doesn't occur within 10km, last Unlikely Unlikely brown sandy clay-loam recorded in 1901, approximately soils with a moderate to 1 individual recorded within dense shrub understorey. buffer in total. Occurs within 10km, last White sand. Sandy recorded in 1985, approximately Eremaea blackwelliana P4 depressions, gentle September to November Recorded Unlikely 10 individuals recorded within hillside. buffer in total.

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Likelihood Likelihood of of Taxon Status Habitat Flowering period Notes occurrence occurrence post- pre-survey survey Doesn't occur within 10km, last Eucalyptus loxophleba x P4 Sandy clay or loam. Unknown recorded in 2005, approximately Possible Unlikely wandoo 1 individual recorded within buffer in total. Doesn't occur within 10km, last Eucalyptus sargentii subsp. P3 Unknown August and September recorded in 2000, approximately Possible Unlikely onesis 12 individuals recorded within buffer in total. The species grows among other halophytic shrubs Doesn't occur within 10km, last Frankenia conferta T on clay sands with Unknown recorded in 1890, approximately Unlikely Unlikely gypsum or white-grey 1 individual recorded within shallow sand over clay buffer in total. Doesn't occur within 10km, last Frankenia glomerata P4 Associated with salt lakes. November recorded in 1967, approximately Unlikely Unlikely 3 individuals recorded within buffer in total.

Sandy, often gravelly soils Doesn't occur within 10km, last Gastrolobium hamulosum T or clay. Flats, slopes, August to October recorded in ?, approximately 1 Possible Unlikely ridges. individuals recorded within buffer in total. Heavy clay or loam soils, Occurs within 10km, last granite, sandstone, recorded in 2007, approximately Gastrolobium rotundifolium P3 August to September Unlikely Unlikely quartzite. Low rises, 70 individuals recorded within breakaways. buffer in total. Doesn't occur within 10km, last Grevillea roycei P3 White or yellow sand. August to October recorded in 1977, approximately Unlikely Unlikely 1 individual recorded within buffer in total.

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Likelihood Likelihood of of Taxon Status Habitat Flowering period Notes occurrence occurrence post- pre-survey survey White or grey sand, often Doesn't occur within 10km, last saline. Winter-wet Hopkinsia anoectocolea P3 September to December recorded in 2018, approximately Possible Unlikely depressions, floodplains, 111 individuals recorded within salt lakes. buffer in total. Occurs within 10km, last recorded in 1962, approximately Lechenaultia laricina T Sand, gravelly loam. September to December or January Likely Unlikely 6 individuals recorded within buffer in total. Occurs within 10km, last recorded in 1973, approximately Levenhookia pulcherrima P3 Grey clayey sand, sand. October to November Likely Unlikely 2 individuals recorded within buffer in total.

Gravelly sand, clayey Doesn't occur within 10km, last Melaleuca sclerophylla P3 sand. Granite outcrops, June to September recorded in 2000, approximately Unlikely Unlikely rises. 150 individuals recorded within buffer in total. Doesn't occur within 10km, last Sandy soils, clay. Saline Roycea pycnophylloides T September recorded in 1992, approximately Possible Unlikely flats. 12 individuals recorded within buffer in total. Doesn't occur within 10km, last Salicornia globosa P3 Unknown Unknown recorded in 1973, approximately Possible Unlikely 1 individual recorded within buffer in total. Doesn't occur within 10km, last Scholtzia halophila subsp. Peaty sand. Swamps, P3 September to November recorded in 2003, approximately Unlikely Unlikely mortlockensis slopes. 257 individuals recorded within buffer in total.

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Likelihood Likelihood of of Taxon Status Habitat Flowering period Notes occurrence occurrence post- pre-survey survey Doesn't occur within 10km, last Stylidium scabridum P4 Open woodland or heath. September to November recorded in 1914, approximately Unlikely Unlikely 1 individual recorded within buffer in total. Occurs within 10km, last recorded in 2006, approximately Thomasia glabripetala T Yellow/brown sand. September to October Likely Unlikely 121 individuals recorded within buffer in total. Shallow leached sand. Doesn't occur within 10km, last Edges of playa lakes, Tribonanthes minor P3 Unknown recorded in 1988, approximately Unlikely Unlikely along saline drainage 1 individual recorded within lines. buffer in total. Doesn't occur within 10km, last Yellow sand. Near salt Verticordia hughanii T December recorded in 1958, approximately Unlikely Unlikely lakes. 1 individual recorded within buffer in total.

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

3.6.3 Introduced Species A NatureMap database search identified 116 introduced (weed) species within 20 km of the study area (Table 3.3), two of which are WONS: Asparagus asparagoides and Lycium ferocissimum. The WAOL lists five species as ‘Declared Pest’: Asparagus asparagoides; Echium plantagineum; Moraea flaccida; Moraea miniata and; Panicum hillmanii. The remaining species are listed as ‘Permitted - s11’.

Table 3.3: Introduced species recorded within 20 km of the study area (NatureMap). Ecological Taxon Common name WONS WAOL rating Invasiveness impact Aira cupaniana Silvery Hairgrass Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Amaranthus albus Tumbleweed Permitted - s11 U U Amsinckia calycina Yellow Burrweed Not listed Not listed Not listed Arctotheca calendula Cape Weed Permitted - s11 H R Asparagus Declared Pest - Bridal Creeper Yes H M asparagoides s22(2) Avellinia michelii Permitted - s11 U U Avena barbata Bearded Oat Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Brachychiton Kurrajong Permitted - s11 U U populneus Brachypodium False Brome Permitted - s11 U U distachyon Brassica nigra Black Mustard Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Brassica x juncea Indian Mustard Not listed Not listed Not listed Briza maxima Blowfly Grass Permitted - s11 H R Briza minor Shivery Grass Permitted - s11 H R Bromus diandrus Great Brome Permitted - s11 H R Bromus rubens Red Brome Permitted - s11 H R Capsella bursa- Shepherd's Purse Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed pastoris Carduus tenuiflorus Slender Thistle Permitted - s11 H R Carpobrotus edulis Hottentot Fig Permitted - s11 U M Carrichtera annua Ward's Weed Permitted - s11 U M Carthamus tinctorius Safflower Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Cenchrus echinatus Burrgrass Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Centaurea melitensis Maltese Cockspur Permitted - s11 M R Nettle-leaf Chenopodium murale Permitted - s11 L U Goosefoot Chrozophora tinctoria Turnsole Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Cichorium intybus Chicory Permitted - s11 U R Citrullus colocynthis Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Cotula bipinnata Ferny Cotula Permitted - s11 U R Cotula coronopifolia Waterbuttons Permitted - s11 U R Cynodon dactylon Couch Permitted - s11 H S Cyperus eragrostis Umbrella Sedge Permitted - s11 U R Datura inoxia Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Datura wrightii Hairy Thornapple Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Ecological Taxon Common name WONS WAOL rating Invasiveness impact Declared Pest - Echium plantagineum Paterson's Curse M R s22(2) Ehrharta longiflora Annual Veldt Grass Permitted - s11 U M Eragrostis cilianensis Stinkgrass Permitted - s11 U U Eragrostis curvula African Lovegrass Permitted - s11 H M Eragrostis mexicana Permitted - s11 U U Erodium botrys Long Storksbill Permitted - s11 L M Erodium moschatum Musky Crowfoot Permitted - s11 L M Fallopia convolvulus Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Frankenia Not listed Not listed Not listed pulverulenta Whiteflower Fumaria capreolata Permitted - s11 H U Fumitory Fumaria muralis Not listed Not listed Not listed subsp. muralis Gorteria personata Gorteria Permitted - s11 H M Gypsophila vaccaria Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Hyparrhenia hirta Tambookie Grass Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Hypochaeris glabra Smooth Catsear Permitted - s11 U R Juncus acutus subsp. Not listed H R acutus Juncus bufonius Toad Rush Permitted - s11 U R Juncus hybridus Not listed U U Perennial Sea Limonium sinuatum Permitted - s11 U U Lavender Linaria maroccana Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Lolium rigidum Wimmera Ryegrass Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Lupinus angustifolius Narrowleaf Lupin Permitted - s11 L S Lycium ferocissimum African Boxthorn Yes Permitted - s11 H M Lysimachia arvensis Pimpernel Permitted - s11 U R Medicago Burr Medic Permitted - s11 U U polymorpha Melinis repens Permitted - s11 H U Monoculus Permitted - s11 U R monstrosus Monopsis debilis var. Not listed Not listed Not listed depressa Declared Pest - Moraea flaccida One-leaf Cape Tulip H R s22(2) Moraea fugax Permitted - s11 H R Declared Pest - Moraea miniata Two-leaf Cape Tulip H R s22(2) Moraea setifolia Permitted - s11 H R Narcissus tazetta Not listed Not listed Not listed subsp. italicus Narcissus tazetta Not listed Not listed Not listed subsp. tazetta Nicotiana glauca Tree Tobacco Permitted - s11 U U

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Ecological Taxon Common name WONS WAOL rating Invasiveness impact White Evening Oenothera speciosa Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Primrose Oncosiphon Globe Chamomile Permitted - s11 U U piluliferum Orobanche minor Lesser Broomrape Permitted - s11 M R Oxalis flava Pinkbulb Soursob Permitted - s11 H S Oxalis glabra Permitted - s11 H S Largeflower Wood Oxalis purpurea Permitted - s11 M S Sorrel Declared Pest, Panicum hillmanii Prohibited - s12: Not listed Not listed C1 Exclusion Papaver rhoeas Field Poppy Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Parapholis incurva Coast Barbgrass Permitted - s11 U U Parentucellia latifolia Common Bartsia Permitted - s11 U R Pentameris airoides False Hairgrass Permitted - s11 U U Pentameris airoides Not listed Not listed Not listed subsp. airoides Petrorhagia dubia Permitted - s11 U R Phalaris paradoxa Paradoxa Grass Permitted - s11 U U Phyla canescens Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Phyllopodium Permitted - s11 U R cordatum Plantago coronopus Not listed Not listed Not listed subsp. commutata Poa pratensis Kentucky Bluegrass Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Polygonum bellardii Not listed Not listed Not listed Polypogon Annual Beardgrass Permitted - s11 U U monspeliensis Puccinellia ciliata Puccinellia Permitted - s11 H U Raphanus Wild Radish Permitted - s11 U R raphanistrum Romulea rosea var. Not listed Not listed Not listed communis Rumex hypogaeus Not listed Not listed Not listed Rumex pulcher subsp. Not listed Not listed Not listed woodsii Sagina apetala Annual Pearlwort Permitted - s11 U R Silene gallica var. Not listed Not listed Not listed gallica Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Threeflower Solanum triflorum Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Nightshade Solidago canadensis Goldenrod Permitted - s11 U U Sonchus oleraceus Common Sowthistle Permitted - s11 U R Sorghum bicolor Grain Sorghum Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Sorghum halepense Johnson Grass Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Ecological Taxon Common name WONS WAOL rating Invasiveness impact Symphyotrichum Bushy Starwort Not listed U M squamatum Trifolium arvense var. Not listed Not listed Not listed arvense Trifolium campestre Hop Clover Permitted - s11 U U Trifolium dubium Suckling Clover Permitted - s11 U U Trifolium hybridum Not listed Not listed Not listed var. hybridum Trifolium spumosum Bladder Clover Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Trifolium Subterranean Clover Permitted - s11 U U subterraneum Trifolium tomentosum var. Not listed Not listed Not listed tomentosum Triticum aestivum Wheat Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Ursinia anthemoides Not listed Not listed Not listed subsp. anthemoides Vellereophyton White Cudweed Permitted - s11 U R dealbatum Verbascum creticum Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Vicia villosa Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed Vulpia myuros forma Not listed Not listed Not listed megalura Vulpia myuros forma Not listed Not listed Not listed myuros Zaluzianskya Spreading Night Permitted - s11 U R divaricata Phlox

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450000 460000 470000 480000 490000 500000 510000 0 0 0 0 2 5 6 (!

/" (! 0 0 0 0 1 5 6

)"

)" Study area Threatened /" %, (! Acacia aphylla )" Frankenia conferta %, *# Gastrolobium hamulosum (! .$+! $+ Lechenaultia laricina (! .!$+%, %,*%,# %, Roycea pycnophylloides 0 0 $+*# 0 .! $+(! ! $+1 " 0 Thomasia glabripetala *# ( ) 0 (! %2 5 $+$+$+ 6 !. /" Verticordia hughanii /" $+. Priority 1 .! )" $+0#()!"*# )" *# (! Androcalva fragifolia $1$1 )" Androcalva sp. York (C.F. Wilkins & A. Sole CW 2527) %2%2 Priority 2 )" (! Drosera albonotata Priority 3 )."! (! Acacia campylophylla " ) Acacia lirellata subsp. lirellata )" *# Angianthus micropodioides $+ Anigozanthos bicolor subsp. exstans %, Blennospora doliiformis .! .! ! .! 0 )". 0 .! Chamelaucium sp. Wongan Hills (B.H. Smith 1140) 0 0 9

4 /" Daviesia nudiflora subsp. drummondii 6 0# Dicrastylis reticulata $1 Eucalyptus sargentii subsp. onesis %2 Gastrolobium rotundifolium (! Grevillea roycei (! )" Hopkinsia anoectocolea *# Levenhookia pulcherrima (! $+ $+ Melaleuca sclerophylla %, Salicornia globosa .! Scholtzia halophila subsp. mortlockensis $+ /" Tribonanthes minor )" Priority 4 )" /")(! (! Eremaea blackwelliana " 0 ) Eucalyptus loxophleba x wandoo 0 0

0 *# 8 Frankenia glomerata 4 6 $+ Stylidium scabridum

Project: 1806 Date: 8 November 2019 0 4.25 8.5 Author: RS Figure 3.6 DBCA Thretaened and Priority fllora records within 20km of the study area Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Projection: Transverse Mercator Kilometers eE N VcI R OoN M lE NoT gia ° Absolute Scale: 1:160,000 @A3 Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

3.6.4 Pre-European Vegetation Shepherd et al. (2001) mapped the extent of pre-European vegetation of Western Australia with updates reflecting NVIS standards. One vegetation associations is associated with the study area: 352 (Table 3.4, Figure 3.7). The pre-European and current extent of vegetation associations are available from the Statewide Vegetation Statistics dataset (Government of Western Australia 2018). Vegetation associations below 30% of their pre-European extent within a bioregion are classed as ‘Critical Assets’, according to according to the National Objectives and Targets for Biodiversity Conservation 2001-2005 (Department of Environment and Heritage 2001), as this is the threshold below which species loss appears to accelerate exponentially (Environmental Protection Authority 2000). The study area is associated with the vegetation association 352 (Medium woodland; York gum). The current extent of the vegetation association 352 is below the 30% threshold in the Katanning subregion (Table 3.4).

Table 3.4: Pre-European vegetation associations associated with the study area. Pre- Percentage Current Percentage of European Extent Beard Vegetation remaining in percentage post- extent in within Vegetation Association AVW02 protected for European AVW02 study area type Description (Katanning) conservation extent within (Katanning) (ha) (ha) (AVW02) study area (ha) Medium 352 woodland; 337871.7 10.7 0.2 204.5 0.6 York gum

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465000 470000 475000 480000 485000 490000 495000 500000 1080

128

694 0 0 0 0 1 5 6 1049 0 0 0 5 0

5 511 6 0 0 0 0 0 5 6

4 352 0 0 0 5 9 4 6

1048 Study area Vegetation association 1048 - Mosaic: Shrublands; melaleuca patchy scrub / Succulent steppe; samphire 1049 - Medium woodland; wandoo, York gum, salmon gum, morrel & gimlet 1080 - Succulent steppe with malle & thickets; Mallee and Melaleuca uncinata thickets on salt flats 128 - Bare areas; rock outcrops 0 0 0

0 352 - Medium woodland; York gum 9 4 6 4 - Medium woodland; marri & wandoo 511 - Medium woodland; salmon gum & morrel 694 - Shrublands; scrub-heath on yellow sandplain banksia-xylomelum alliance in the Geraldton Sandplain & Avon-Wheatbelt Regions

Project: 1806 Date: 11 November 2019 0 2.5 5 Author: RS Figure 3.7 Pre-European vegetation associations (Shepherd et al. 2001) Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Kilometers Projection: Transverse Mercator eE N VcI R OoN M lE NoT gia ° Absolute Scale: 1:100,000 @A3 Service Layer Credits: Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

3.7 SIGNIFICANT ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES DBCA database search results that indicate the occurrence of the state listed ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ PEC (P3) within the study area (Table 3.5, Appendix E). This indicates the potential occurrence of the EPBC Act listed (Critically Endangered) ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ TEC which includes a narrower range of Eucalyptus canopy species and has minimum patch size thresholds. No other TECs or PECs have been recorded within 15 km of the study area.

Table 3.5: Threatened and Priority Ecological communities recorded within 15 km of study area.

Name Description Eucalypt-dominated woodlands in the Western Australian Wheatbelt region as defined by the IBRA Avon Wheatbelt 1 and 2 and Western Mallee subregions with the specific exceptions of: woodlands and forests dominated by Jarrah (E. marginata) or Marri (Corymbia calophylla) where they occur without York Gum present; and non-woodland Eucalypt Woodlands of communities dominated by eucalypts, specifically those dominated by eucalypts with a the Western Australian mallee growth form. Community is defined primarily by its structure as a woodland. The Wheatbelt PEC presence in the canopy layer of eucalypt trees - most commonly salmon gum (Eucalyptus (Priority 3) salmonophloia), York gum (Eucalyptus loxophleba), red morrel (Eucalyptus longicornis) or gimlet (Eucalyptus salubris) defines the Wheatbelt woodlands. Several of the other emergent eucalypt species which may be present as a defining species (e.g. Kondinin blackbutt (E. kondinensis), E. myriadena, salt river gum (E. sargentii), silver mallet (E. ornata) and mallet (E. singularis) are found only in the Western Australian Wheatbelt.

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3.8 TERRESTRIAL FAUNA

3.8.1 Faunal Diversity A total of 227 vertebrate fauna species have been recorded from within 20 km of the study area according to NatureMap database searches (Appendix B) including 173 birds, 33 reptiles, eight mammals, six fish and five amphibians (Table 3.6). Birdlife Birdata recorded 105 species within 20 km of the study area (Appendix F).

Table 3.6: Summary of DBCA fauna records

Database Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish Invertebrates

NatureMap (all taxa) 8 173 33 7 6 101

DBCA Threatened and Priority Fauna 5 12 2 0 2

Birdlife Birdata 105

3.8.2 Vertebrate Fauna of Conservation Significance Nineteen vertebrate fauna species of conservation significance were returned from Threatened and Priority fauna database searches within 30 km of the study area including five Threatened mammals, 12 birds and two reptiles. Furthermore, two species of invertebrate were outlined by DBCA database searches. Eight Threatened species and six Migratory species were identified from the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (Appendix E). Significant fauna locations, as provided by DBCA database searches, in relation to the study area are presented in Figure 3.8. An assessment of likelihood of occurrence for relevant conservation significant fauna species recorded during the desktop assessment was undertaken (Table 3.7). For the relevant species, the likelihood of occurrence was determined by investigating the following: • Fauna habitats likely to exist within the study area based on the desktop study; • Distance of previously recorded conservation significant species based on publicly available records; • Frequency of occurrence of conservation significant species records; and • Time passed since conservation significant species were recorded.

Each relevant conservation or biologically significant species assessed as potentially occurring within the study area was assigned a likelihood of occurrence rating (Table 3.7) based on the four categories described in (Table 2.2). Results were based on the desktop survey, the data collected in the field survey, species recorded, and actual habitats present within the study area.

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Table 3.7: Significant vertebrate fauna species records from the database searches Likelihood Likelihood Number of EPBC WA Latest of Common name Scientific name of Comments occurrence status status record occurrence records post- pre-survey survey Mammals banded hare-wallaby Lagostrophus fasciatus fasciatus VU VU 1 1922 Extremely old records, no suitable habitat Unlikely Unlikely bilby Macrotis lagotis VU VU 6 1969 Extremely old records, no suitable habitat Unlikely Unlikely chuditch, western quoll Dasyurus geoffroii VU VU 3 2008 No suitable habitat found within study area Unlikely Unlikely numbat Myrmecobius fasciatus EN EN 1 2007 No suitable habitat found within study area Unlikely Unlikely western brush wallaby Notamacropus irma P4 1 ? No suitable habitat found within study area Unlikely Unlikely Birds Baudin's cockatoo Calyptorhynchus baudinii EN EN 3 2002 Study area outside of known distribution Unlikely Unlikely Records in vicinity, low quality foraging EN EN 188 2013 Carnaby's cockatoo Calyptorhynchus latirostris within and adjacent study area Possible Possible forest red-tailed black cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii naso VU VU 2 2012 Study area outside of known distribution Unlikely Unlikely black bittern (southwest subpop.) Ixobrychus flavicollis australis (southwest subpop.) P2 2 1948 Extremely old records, no suitable habitat Unlikely Unlikely blue-billed duck Oxyura australis P4 19 2012 No suitable habitat found within study area Unlikely Unlikely common greenshank Tringa nebularia MI IA 1 2010 No suitable habitat found within study area Unlikely Unlikely May overfly study area without utilising MI IA 2 2000 fork-tailed swift Apus pacificus any habitat type in particular Possible Possible malleefowl Leipoa ocellata VU VU 5 1993 Extremely old records, no suitable habitat Unlikely Unlikely masked owl (southwest) Tyto novaehollandiae novaehollandiae P3 2 1972 Extremely old records, no suitable habitat Unlikely Unlikely peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus OS 54 2013 May utilise study area occasionally Possible Possible red-necked stint Calidris ruficollis MI IA 2 2010 No suitable habitat found within study area Unlikely Unlikely wood sandpiper Tringa glareola MI IA 3 2012 No suitable habitat found within study area Unlikely Unlikely Reptiles black-striped snake Neelaps calonotos P3 2 ? No suitable habitat found within study area Unlikely Unlikely

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Likelihood Likelihood Number of EPBC WA Latest of Common name Scientific name of Comments occurrence status status record occurrence records post- pre-survey survey Due to long-term degradation, it is unlikely P1 2 ? that this species will persist within the woma (southwest subpop.) Aspidites ramsayi (southwest subpop.) study area Unlikely Unlikely Invertebrate Carter's freshwater mussel Westralunio carteri VU VU 3 1973 Extremely old records, no suitable habitat Unlikely Unlikely Due to long-term degradation, it is unlikely EN 14 2007 that this species will persist within the shield-backed trapdoor spider Idiosoma schoknechtorum study area Unlikely Unlikely

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4 FIELD SURVEY RESULTS

4.1 FLORA AND VEGETATION

4.1.1 Floristic Diversity A total of 15 vascular plant taxa (species, subspecies, and varieties) representing 11 families and 13 genera were recorded during the survey (Appendix D). The most dominant families in terms of species richness were the Myrtaceae (3 taxa), Poaceae (2) and Asteraceae (2). At the generic level, the most dominant groups were Eucalyptus (3 taxa). Most genera (13) were represented by only one taxon. A large proportion of species recorded were introduced (27%), and a large proportion (53%) were perennials.

4.1.2 Conservation Significant Flora No EPBC Act or BC Act listed Threatened flora species or DBCA listed Priority flora were recorded from the study area during the current survey. Although two specimens were unable to be identified to species level (Ptilotus sp. and Maireana sp.), neither were considered to represent Threatened or Priority flora species, nor were any considered to be anomalous (i.e. potentially new species). There were no locally endemic species recorded, and no species were considered representative of taxonomic groups that no longer occur widely in the broader landscape (i.e. relictual species). Due to historic clearing and grazing vegetation condition across almost the entire study area was in Completely Degraded to Degraded condition with little or no remaining native understorey; therefore, most of the conservation significant plant species identified from TPFL and WAHERB databases searches are unlikely to be present. While Priority 4 listed Eremaea blackwelliana was recorded from the study area in 1985, the current absence of suitable habitat (including intact understorey) indicates that its persistence in the area is no longer considered likely.

4.1.3 Introduced Flora Four introduced plant species (weeds) were recorded during the survey ( Table 4.1). None of these are listed as WONS (Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia 2016). One species (Echium plantagineum) is listed as a ‘Declared Pest’. The remaining three species are listed as ‘Permitted – s11’ on the WAOL (Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia 2016). Ecological impact and invasiveness ratings (see Appendix A for definitions) have been determined for introduced species in the wheatbelt region (Department of Parks and Wildlife 2013) ( Table 4.1). One species recorded during the survey has a ‘High’ ecological impact rating, and three have a ‘Rapid’ invasiveness rating.

Table 4.1: Summary of introduced species recorded within the study area. Identified Common Ecological Family WONS WAOL rating Invasiveness name name impact Avena fatua Wild oats Poaceae No Permitted - s11 H R Paterson's Declared Pest - Echium Boraginaceae No M R plantagineum curse s22(2) Hordeum Barley Poaceae No Permitted - s11 U R leporinum grass Taraxacum Dandelion Asteraceae No Permitted - s11 Not listed Not listed khatoonae

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4.1.4 Vegetation Types and Condition Three vegetation types were recorded from the study area (Table 4.2, Figure 4.2). The proposed hard rock quarry development area is associated predominately of Eucalyptus wandoo tall open woodland with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba over Avena fatua dominated grassland (53.9%). Most of the remainder consists of historically cleared grazing land (44.6%) with small pockets of tall open shrubland Hakea preissii over mixed Ptilotus sp. and weedy grassland (0.8%) and Xanthorrhoea preissii tall open shrubland (0.1%). All three vegetation types were in ‘Degraded’ condition with little native understorey (Figure 4.4).

4.1.5 Significant Vegetation The following Eucalypt species recorded within the study area are key indicators of the WA listed ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ PEC and EPBC listed TEC of the same name: 1. Eucalyptus loxophleba subsp. loxophleba (York gum); 2. Eucalyptus salmonophloia (salmon gum); and 3. Eucalyptus wandoo subsp. wandoo (wandoo). Within the Avon Wheatbelt bioregion the dominance of the above three Eucalypt species is sufficient to indicate that areas mapped as Eucalyptus wandoo tall open woodland with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba and Avena fatua dominated grassland corresponds with the ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ PEC (Department of Biodiversity and Conservation and Attractions 2019). The proposed development area supports 8.2 ha (53.9%) of the WA listed ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ PEC. In order to meet minimum requirements to be considered ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ TEC vegetation must meet the following ((Department of Environment and Energy 2015)): 1. Vegetation be in ‘Degraded’ to ‘Good’ condition (not ‘Degraded’ condition only); and 2. Exotic plant species account for more than 50, but no more than 70% total vegetation understorey cover. Areas mapped as Eucalyptus wandoo tall open woodland with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba and Avena fatua dominated grassland within the proposed development area are in ‘Degraded’ condition (Table 4.2) according to the vegetation condition scale of Keighery (1994) and EPA (Environmental Protection Authority 2016c) and contain more than 70% exotic understorey cover. Therefore, this vegetation does not meet minimum requirements to be considered ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ TEC.

Table 4.2: Summary of vegetation types recorded within the study area. Representative Vegetation Area Code Description (NVIS V) Disturbance sites condition (ha) Eucalyptus wandoo open woodland with scattered 251, 252, 254, Historical clearing, EwElAf Eucalyptus loxophleba and Degraded 8.20 255 grazing, weeds Avena fatua dominated grassland Hakea preissii tall open Historical clearing, HpPs shrubland over Ptilotus sp. 253 Degraded 0.12 grazing, weeds and mixed weeds.

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Representative Vegetation Area Code Description (NVIS V) Disturbance sites condition (ha)

Xanthorrhoea preissii tall Historical clearing, Xp Degraded 0.09 open shrubland. grazing, weeds

Historical clearing, Cleared Area cleared for agriculture 250 Degraded 6.78 grazing, weeds Total 15.19

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EwElAf: Eucalyptus wandoo open woodland with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba and Avena fatua dominated grassland (Sites 251 and 252).

HpPs: Hakea preissii tall open shrubland over Ptilotus sp. and mixed weeds (Site 253).

Figure 4.1: Representative photographs of vegetation units within the study area.

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Xp: Xanthorrhoea preissii tall open shrubland (Site 256).

Figure 4.1 (cont.)

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483000 483500 484000

250 (! 0 0 0 2 0 5 6 0 0 5 1 0 5 6

251 (!

252 (! 0 0 0 1 0 5 6 253 (! 254 256 (! (!

255 (!

Proposed development area (! Sample site Vegetation type Eucalyptus wandoo open woodland with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba over Avena fatua dominated grassland Hakea preissii tall open shrubland over Ptilotus sp. and weedy grassland Historic clearing for grazing Xanthorrhoea preissii tall open shrubland

Project: 1806 Date: 28 October 2019 0 0.1 0.2 Author: TM Figure 4.2 Vegetation types within the proposed development area Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Kilometers Projection: Transverse Mercator eE N VcI R OoN M lE NoT gia ° Absolute Scale: 1:4,000 @A3 Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community 483000 483500 484000 0 0 0 2 0 5 6 0 0 5 1 0 5 6 0 0 0 1 0 5 6

Proposed development area Eucalyptus wandoo open woodland with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba over Avena fatua dominated grassland

Project: 1806 Date: 12 November 2019 0 0.1 0.2 Author: RS Figure 4.3 Vegetationcorresponding to 'Eucalypt Woodlands Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Kilometers Projection: Transverse Mercator of the Western Australian Wheatbelt' PEC eE N VcI R OoN M lE NoT gia ° Absolute Scale: 1:4,000 @A3 Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community 483000 483500 484000 0 0 0 2 0 5 6 0 0 5 1 0 5 6 0 0 0 1 0 5 6

Proposed development area Vegetation condition Degraded

Project: 1806 Date: 28 October 2019 0 0.1 0.2 Author: TM Figure 4.4 Vegetation condition Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Kilometers Projection: Transverse Mercator eE N VcI R OoN M lE NoT gia ° Absolute Scale: 1:4,000 @A3 Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

4.2 VERTEBRATE FAUNA

4.2.1 Broad Fauna Habitats A fauna habitat assessment was undertaken to describe and map broad fauna habitat types that have the potential to support conservation significant fauna species. After assessing the various vegetation types, soil units, and landforms, one broad fauna habitat type was identified within the study area. Open Eucalypt Woodland accounted for 55.4% of the study area with Cleared/ Agricultural Land (44.6%) accounting for the remainder. Cleared/ Agricultural Land is not considered as a habitat type. Fauna habitat assessments were undertaken at eleven sites (HA01 to HA06) (Figure 4.5) to describe habitats and identify areas most likely to support conservation significant fauna species. Data from individual site assessments are presented in Appendix G and habitat mapping is provided in Figure 4.5. From a local perspective, habitat features that are disjunct and provide sources of shelter, food and mesic qualities required for restricted species may be considered important. The threatening processes, which may affect biodiversity within the study area, are considered to include: • impacts of introduced predators and grazing introduced herbivores; • weed invasion along roadside and drainage areas; and • clearing of native vegetation. Open Eucalypt Woodlands covers approximately 55.4% of the study area and has been categorised as having a habitat condition rating of Very Poor to Good. The overstorey of this habitat type is dominated by Eucalyptus wandoo (wandoo), although E. loxophleba (York gum) is found throughout the study area. This habitat type generally lacks native species in the middle and understory strata, which were dominated by introduced grass species including *Ehrharta calycina, *Avena barbata, *Lolium perenne and *Briza maxima. The mature wandoo trees within the study area lack nesting hollows as they have previously been cut down and have regenerated from root stock. Niches utilised by fauna within this habitat type include the canopy, hollows, cracking bark, woody debris and leaf litter. Lizards, snakes, small mammals and birds may utilise this habitat type for shelter, foraging and breeding.

4.2.2 Fauna assemblage Nine vertebrate fauna species were recorded during the survey including seven bird species and two mammals (Table 4.3). No fauna taxa listed as ‘Threatened fauna’ under the EPBC Act, ‘Threatened fauna’ under the BC Act or DBCA-classified ‘Priority’ fauna taxa were recorded by the field survey. Tracks of the introduced red fox were recorded.

Table 4.3: Vertebrate species recorded. Common Name Scientific Name Mammals Western grey kangaroo Macropus fuliginosus red fox Vulpes vulpes Birds galah Eolophus roseicapilla Australian ringneck Barnardius zonarius little corella Cacatua sanguinea yellow-throated minor Manorina flavigula Australian wood duck Chenonetta jubata willie wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Australian raven Corvus coronoides

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483000 483500 484000 6502000 6501500 6501000

Study area Habitat assessment site Fauna habitat type Open Eucalypt Woodland Cleared/ Agricultural Land

Project: 1806 Date: 12 November 2019 4.5 0 0.1 0.2 Author: TM Figure Fauna habitat mapping Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Kilometers Projection: Transverse Mercator ecoENVIRONMENTlogia ° Absolute Scale: 1:4,000 @A3 Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

4.2.3 Conservation Significant Fauna Conservation significant vertebrate fauna includes species that have been adequately surveyed and are deemed to be, in the wild, either rare, at risk of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection, and have been gazetted as such. As identified above, no fauna taxa listed as ‘Threatened fauna’ under the EPBC Act, ‘Threatened fauna’ under the BC Act or DBCA-classified ‘Priority’ fauna taxa were recorded during the field survey. The likelihood of occurrence assessment (Section 3.8.2) identified a number of fauna taxa of listed conservation significance which may have the potential to occur within the study area. The Carnaby’s cockatoo, peregrine falcon and fork-tailed swift were assessed with a likelihood of occurrence category of ‘Possible (2)’. Conservation significant vertebrate species recorded or assessed as having a ‘Possible (2)’ likelihood of occurrence, are summarised below. Nine species of bird, five species of mammal, two reptiles and two species of invertebrate were deemed ‘Unlikely (3)’ to occur within the study area due to a lack of suitable habitat or extremely old records of the species occurring in the area. Species classed as ‘Unlikely (3)’ are not discussed further.

4.2.3.1 Species deemed as ‘Possible (2)’ to occur within the study area Carnaby’s cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) (Endangered BC Act and EPBC Act) Carnaby’s cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris), also known as the Short-billed Black-cockatoo, is a large, black cockatoo with white tail panels, white cheek patches and a short bill (Threatened Species Network 2008). It is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia, ranging from the lower Murchison River in the north, throughout the south-west corner, and east to Cape Arid. This species has been classified as ‘Threatened Species’ of fauna under the EPBC Act and declared as ‘Threatened Species’ of fauna under the BC Act. Carnaby’s cockatoos are typically observed in pairs, triples or small flocks. In the non-breeding season, however, they can occur in large flocks of up to 10,000 birds that wander in search of food, particularly in banksia woodland and pine plantations on the northern Swan Coastal Plain (Johnstone et al. 2007). They forage mainly in shrubland or kwongan heath, eucalypt woodland and pine plantations, feeding on the seeds, nuts and flowers of a large variety of proteaceous species such as Banksia, Dryandra, Grevillea and Hakea, as well as Eucalyptus, Pinus and Allocasuarina (Johnstone and Storr 1998; Shah 2006). This species breeds mainly in the Wheatbelt, in large tree hollows usually high in eucalypt, karri or marri trees, and then moves west following breeding to feed in coastal and near-coastal areas from late December to July (Morcombe 2000; Shah 2006). Breeding trees are known to consist of any patch of woodland or forest which contains live or dead trees of salmon gum, wandoo, tuart, jarrah, flooded gum, York gum, karri or marri (Department of Sustainability Environment Water Population and Communites 2012). The study area falls within the known distribution of the Carnaby’s cockatoo and DBCA search results identified 176 records of the Carnaby’s Cockatoo and a further 12 records of White-tailed Black cockatoos (classed as Carnaby’s Cockatoos due to location) within 30 km of the study area (Figure 3.8). This species was given a likelihood of occurrence of ‘Possible (2)’ due to the paucity of nesting, roosting and foraging habitat within the study area. No foraging habitat was identified due to a lack of middle story vegetation and few suitable mature nesting trees were recorded. Peregrine falcon The species is widespread in Australia but requires specific nesting sites. It does not build a nest but requires cliffs, rocky outcrops, or large tree hollows (Johnstone and Storr 1998). Suitable breeding habitat is unlikely to occur in the study area; however, due to its widespread movements, the species may also overfly all habitats of the study area intermittently. Peregrine falcons feed almost entirely on

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5 DISCUSSION

5.1 FLORISTIC DIVERSITY A total of 15 vascular plant taxa (species, subspecies, and varieties) representing 11 families and 13 genera were recorded during the survey. The most dominant families in terms of species richness were Myrtaceae (3 taxa), Poaceae (2 taxa) and Asteraceae (2 taxa). At the generic level, the most dominant groups were Eucalyptus (3), other genera were represented by only one species. There was a high percentage of weed species present (27%). More than half the species recorded were perennial (53%).

5.1.1 Significant Species No EPBC Act listed or BC Act listed Threatened flora species or DBCA listed Priority flora species were recorded within the study area. Vegetation condition across almost the entire study area had been historically cleared and was in Completely Degraded to Degraded condition with little or no remaining native understorey; therefore, most of the conservation significant plant species identified from TPFL and WAHERB databases searches are unlikely to be present.

5.1.2 Introduced Species Four introduced plant species (weeds) were recorded during the survey (Table 4.1). None of these are listed as WONS (Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia 2016). One species (Echium plantagineum) is listed as a ‘Declared Pest’. The remaining three species are listed as ‘Permitted – s11’ on the WAOL (Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia 2016). Ecological impact and invasiveness ratings (see Appendix A for definitions) have been determined for introduced species in the wheatbelt region (Department of Parks and Wildlife 2013) ( Table 4.1). One species recorded during the survey has a ‘High’ ecological impact rating, and three have a ‘Rapid’ invasiveness rating.

5.2 Vegetation Three vegetation types were recorded in the study area (Table 4.2). The proposed development area consists predominately of Eucalyptus wandoo tall open woodland with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba and Avena fatua dominated grassland (53.9%). Most of the remainder consists of historically cleared grazing land (44.6%) with small pockets of Tall open shrubland Hakea preissii over mixed Ptilotus sp. and weedy grassland (0.8%) and Xanthorrhoea preissii tall open shrubland (0.1%). All three vegetation types were in ‘Degraded’ condition with little native understorey.

5.2.1 Listed Vegetation Communities Eucalyptus species recorded within the study area are key indicators of the WA listed ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ PEC and TEC. Areas mapped as Eucalyptus wandoo tall open woodland with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba and Avena fatua dominated grassland within the proposed development area are in ‘Degraded’ condition (Environmental Protection Authority 2016c) and contain more than 70% exotic understorey cover. Consequently, this vegetation is not considered to meet minimum requirements to be considered the ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ TEC. Within the Avon Wheatbelt bioregion the dominance of Eucalypt species Eucalyptus loxophleba, Eucalyptus salmonophloia or Eucalyptus wandoo indicates the presence of ‘Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt’ PEC. Vegetation type Eucalyptus wandoo tall open woodland with scattered and Avena fatua dominated grassland corresponds to this PEC and covers 8.2 ha (53.9%) of the proposed development area.

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5.3 FAUNA After assessing the various vegetation types, soil units, and landforms at six habitat assessment sites, one broad habitat type was identified. Open Eucalypt Woodlands account for 55.4% of the study area while the remainder of the study area was assessed as Cleared/ Agricultural land. The condition of Open Eucalypt Woodlands is generally classed as being Very Poor to Good with extensive areas almost completely devoid of native vegetation. Eucalypt trees (wandoo and York gum), some of which contain hollows, are scattered throughout much of the study area. The lack of middle and understory limits the number of niches available for fauna to occupy. The lack of shelter in the middle and lower story increases the effectiveness of feral predators on native fauna. Nine vertebrate species were recorded during the survey including seven bird species and two mammals. No EPBC Act listed ‘Threatened fauna’ taxa, BC Act listed ‘Threatened fauna’ taxa or DBCA- classified ‘Priority’ fauna taxa were recorded within the study area. The desktop assessment identified a number of fauna taxa of conservation significance that may potentially occur within the study area, including the Carnaby’s cockatoo (‘Possible (2)’), peregrine falcon (‘Possible (2)’) and fork-tailed swift (‘Possible (2)’). The effects of long-term grazing and agriculture within the study area are obvious and the paucity of quality habitat renders the study area unfavourable to species of conservation significance.

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6 REFERENCES Beecham, B. 2001. Avon Wheatbelt 2 (AW2 - Re-juvinated Drainage subregion). A Biodiversity Audit of Western Australia's 53 Biogeographic Subregions in 2002. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth, Western Australia. Bureau of Meteorology. 2019. Climate Data Online. Available at http://www.bom.gov.au/. Accessed CHAH. 2017. Australia's Virtual Herbarium. Available at http://avh.chah.org.au. Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia. 2016. Western Australian Organism List (WAOL) - Declared pest list. Available at https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/bam/western- australian-organism-list-waol. Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia. Government of Western Australia., South Perth. Department of Biodiversity and Conservation and Attractions. 2019. Priority Communities of Western Australia Version 28. Government of Western Australia. Department of Environment and Energy. 2015. Approved Conservation Advice (including listing advice) for the Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt. Canberra: Department of the Environment and Energy. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi- bin/sprat/public/publicshowcommunity.pl?id=128. Department of Environment and Heritage. 2001. National Objectives and Targets for Biodiversity Conservation 2001–2005, Canberra. Department of Parks and Wildlife. 2013. Invasive Plant Prioritisation Process for DPaW. Available at: http://dec.wa.gov.au/management-and-protection/plants/invasive-plants/invasive-plant- prioritisation-process.html. Department of Parks and Wildlife. Government of Western Australia. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. 2016. Soil-landscape mapping Western Australia - Best available soils, Western Australia. Department of Sustainability Environment Water Population and Communites. 2012. EPBC Act referral guidelines for three threatened black cockatoo species: Carnaby's cockatoo (endangered) Calyptorhynchus latirostris, Baudin's cockatoo (vulnerable) Calyptorhynchus baudinii, Forest red-tailed black cockatoo (vulnerable) Calyptohynchus banksii naso. Department of Sustainability Environment Water Population and Communities, Canberra. Department of Sustainability Environment Water Population and Communities. 2012. Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) Version 7. Australian Government, Canberra. Department of the Environment and Energy. 2018. Directory of Important Wetlands. Canberra: Department of the Environment and Energy. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/wetlands/search.pl?smode=DOIW. DSEWPaC. 2012. Weeds of National Significance (WONS). Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Commonwealth of Australia. Available at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/weeds/lists/wons.html. Environmental Protection Authority. 2000. Environmental Protection of Native Vegetation in Western Australia. Clearing of native vegetation, with particular reference to the agricultural area. Position Statement No. 2. December 2002 in Authority, E. P., ed. EPA, Western Australia.

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Environmental Protection Authority. 2016a. Environmental Factor Guideline: Flora and Vegetation, Environmental Protection Authority. EPA, Western Australia. Environmental Protection Authority. 2016b. Environmental Factor Guideline: Terrestrial Fauna,. EPA, Western Australia. Environmental Protection Authority. 2016c. Technical Guidance: Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment. EPA, Western Australia. Environmental Protection Authority. 2016d. Technical Guidance: Sampling Methods for Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna. EPA, Western Australia. Environmental Protection Authority. 2016e. Technical Guidance: Terrestrial Fauna Surveys. December 2016. . EPA, Western Australia. EPA. 2016. Technical Guidance: Terrestrial Fauna Surveys. December 2016. Environmental Protection Authority, Western Australia. . Executive Steering Committee for Australian Vegetation Information. 2003. Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual: National Vegetation Information System (NVIS), Version 6.0. Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra. Government of Western Australia. 2018. 2017 Statewide Vegetation Statistics incorporating the CAR Reserve Analysis (Full Report). Current as of December 2017. WA Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Perth, https://catalogue.data.wa.gov.au/dataset/dbca- statewide-vegetation-statistics Hennig K. and Kelsey P. 2015. Avon Basin hydrological and nutrient modelling. Water Science Technical Series, report no. 74, Water Science Branch, Department of Water,, Perth, Western Australia. Higgins, P. J. 1999. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 4: Parrots to Dollarbird. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. International Union for Conservation of Nature. 2014. Guidelines for using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, Version 11. Prepared by the IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee. Downladable from http://www.iucnredlist.org/documents/RedListGuidelines.pdf. Johnstone, R.E., Johnstone, C. and Kirkby, T. 2007. Assessment of Significant Habitat for Carnaby's Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus latirostris in the Eneabba region. Unpublished Report for Iluka Resources. December 2007. 2007 Johnstone, R. E. and Storr, G. M. 1998. Handbook of Western Australian Birds, Volume I - Non- Passerines (Emu to Dollarbird). Western Australian Museum, Perth. Morcombe, M. 2000. Field Guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd, Archerfield, Australia. National Health and Medical Research Council. 2004. Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. . National Health and Medical Research Council, Canberra. Purdie, B. R., Tille, P J, and Schoknecht, N R.,. 2016. Resource Management Technical Report 280 - Soil- landscape mapping in south-Western Australia: an overview of methodology and outputs. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia, Perth. Raymond, O. L., Gallagher, R., and Highet, L. M. 2012. Surface Geology of Australia, 1:25 00 000, 2012 edition (digital dataset) in Geoscience Australia, ed. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra. Shah, B. 2006. Conservation of Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo on the Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia.

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Shepherd, D. P., Beeston, G. R., and Hopkins, A. J. M. 2001. Native vegetation in Western Australia: Extent, type and status. Technical Report 249. Department of Agriculture, South Perth, Western Australia. Stewart, A. J., Raymond, O. L., Totterdell, J. M., Zhang, W., and Gallagher, R. 2013. Australian Geological Provinces, 2013.01 edition [Digital Dataset]. Geoscience Australia, Commonwealth of Australia., Canberra. Threatened Species Network. 2008. Australian Threatened Species, Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus latirostris. Accessed 30/01/2009. http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/pubs/black- cockatoo.pdf. Threatened Species Scientific Committee. 2016. Species Profile and Threats Database (retrieved from http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl). Threatened Species Scientific Committee. Tille, P. J. 2006. Soil-landscapes of Western Australia's rangelands and arid interior. Report 313. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, Perth. Western Australian Herbarium. 1998–2018. FloraBase – The Western Australian Flora. Department of Parks and Wildlife. http://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au.

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7 APPENDICES

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APPENDIX A DEFINITIONS

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DEFINITIONS SIGNIFICANT FLORA According to the EPA Factor Guideline: Flora and Vegetation (Environmental Protection Authority 2016a), plant taxa (or records) may be considered significant for a number of reasons including, but not restricted to, the following: • Being listed as a ‘Threatened Species’ under the Biodiversity Conservation (BC) Act 2016 (WA) or the EPBC Act (Cwlth); • Being classified by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) as a ‘Priority Flora’ species; • Locally endemic species or those associated with a restricted habitat type (e.g. surface water or groundwater dependent ecosystems); • New species or those having anomalous features that indicate a potential new species; • Being representative of the range of a species (particularly, at the extremes of range, recently discovered range extensions, or isolated outliers of the main range); • Unusual species, including restricted subspecies, varieties or naturally occurring hybrids; and • Being representative of taxonomic groups that no longer occur widely in the broader landscape (relictual species/populations).

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) (Cwlth) At a Commonwealth level, Threatened Flora species are protected under the EPBC Act, which lists species in accordance with the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (International Union for Conservation of Nature 2014), that is, ‘Critically Endangered’, ‘Endangered’, ‘Vulnerable’, ‘Conservation Dependant’, ‘Extinct’, or ‘Extinct in the Wild’ (refer to Appendix A for category definitions).

Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (WA) At a State level, Threatened Flora species are protected under the BC Act. These are taxa which have been adequately surveyed and are deemed to be either rare, in danger of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection in the wild and are gazetted as Threatened (Declared Rare) Flora. Threatened Flora are further categorised by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) according to their level of threat using the IUCN red list criteria ((International Union for Conservation of Nature 2014) (Appendix A).

Priority Flora (DBCA) The DBCA maintains a list of Priority Flora species, which are considered poorly known, uncommon or under threat but for which there is insufficient justification to be listed as Threatened, based on known distribution and population sizes. Priority Flora species are assigned to one of four categories, described in Appendix A. DBCA-listed Priority Flora species do not have any statutory protection. SIGNIFICANT VEGETATION According to EPA Factor Guideline: Flora and Vegetation (Environmental Protection Authority 2016a), vegetation may be considered significant for a number of reasons including, but not restricted to, the following: • Being identified as a ‘Threatened Ecological Community (TECs)’ under the BC Act and/or the EPBC Act; • Being classified as a ‘Priority Ecological Communities (PECs)’ by DBCA; • Having a restricted distribution; • The degree of historical impact from threatening processes; • Playing a role as a refuge;

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• Providing an important function required to maintain ecological integrity of a significant ecosystem.

The WA Minister for Environment has endorsed 69 ecological communities as threatened in the following categories:

• 20 critically endangered • 17 endangered • 28 vulnerable • 4 presumed total destroyed

Twenty-five of these are listed under the EPBC Act. Possible threatened ecological communities that do not meet survey criteria or that are not adequately defined are added to the priority ecological community list under priorities 1, 2 and 3. These three categories are ranked in order of priority for survey and/or definition of the community, and evaluation of conservation status, so that consideration can be given to their declaration as threatened ecological communities. Ecological communities that are adequately known, and are rare but not threatened or meet criteria for near threatened, or that have been recently removed from the threatened list, are placed in priority 4. These ecological communities require regular monitoring. Conservation dependent ecological communities are placed in priority 5. INTRODUCED FLORA

Weeds of National Significance (WONS) At a national level, there are 32 weed species listed as Weeds of National Significance (WONS). The Commonwealth National Weeds Strategy: A Strategic Approach to Weed Problems of National Significance (DSEWPaC 2012) describes broad goals and objectives to manage these species.

Declared Pests The purpose of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act) is to prevent serious animal and plant pests and diseases from entering WA and becoming established, and to minimise the spread and impact of those that are already present. The BAM Act (and associated regulations) replaces the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 (and associated regulations). The BAM regulations were enacted on 1 May 2013, placing organisms into one of five legal status categories: Declared Pest - Prohibited, Declared Pest, Permitted, Permitted – Requires Permit, and Unlisted (Appendix A). The Western Australian Organism List (WAOL) (Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia 2016) lists organisms in each of these categories. Unlisted organisms must not be imported (unless in accordance with an import permit and regulations). The BAM Act further categorises Declared Pests in one of three control categories: C1 Exclusion, C2 Eradication, and C3 Management (Appendix A).

Environmental Weeds

At a regional level, DBCA rates weed species against four criteria based on the Weed Prioritisation Process (Department of Parks and Wildlife 2013): invasiveness, ecological impact, potential and current distribution, and feasibility of control. Currently, only species with a rating for both the ecological impact and invasiveness criteria are listed (see Appendix A). SIGNIFICANT FAUNA According to EPA Factor Guideline: Terrestrial Fauna (Environmental Protection Authority 2016b), terrestrial fauna may be considered significant for a number of reasons including, but not restricted to:

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• Being identified as a Threatened or Priority species (Appendix A); • Species with restricted distribution; • Degree of historical impact from threatening processes; and • Providing an important function required to maintain the ecological integrity of a significant ecosystem. Additionally, as described in EPA Guidance (Environmental Protection Authority 2016e) terrestrial fauna may be considered significant for the following reasons: • Species is protected by international agreement or treaty (i.e. migratory fauna); • Species is a short-range endemic; • Species has declining populations or distribution; • Species is at the extreme of its range, or is part of an outlying population; and • Species is undescribed. Fauna habitats may be significant if they provide habitat important to the life history of a significant species, i.e. breeding, feeding and roosting or aggregation areas, or where they are unique or isolated habitats, for example wetlands, in the landscape or region (Environmental Protection Authority 2016b).

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) At the Commonwealth level, Threatened Fauna are protected under Section 178 of the EPBC Act, which may list species as: extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, and conservation dependent. In addition, under sections 209 and 248 of the Act, some migratory and marine species are protected under international agreements. EPBC Act conservation code definitions can be found in Appendix A.

Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (WA) At a State level, fauna species are protected under the BC Act. Threatened, Extinct and Specially Protected fauna are species which have been adequately searched for and are deemed to be, in the wild, threatened, extinct or in need of special protection, and have been gazetted as such. BC Act conservation code definitions can be found in Appendix A. Threatened fauna is that subset of ‘Specially Protected Fauna’ listed under schedules 1 to 3 of the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice 2018 for Threatened Fauna. Listed by order of the Minister as Threatened in the category of critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable under section 19(1), or is a rediscovered species to be regarded as threatened species under section 26(2) of the BC Act. Specially protected fauna under section 13(1) of the BC Act are species that meet one or more of the following categories: species of special conservation interest; migratory species; cetaceans; species subject to international agreement; or species otherwise in need of special protection.

Priority Fauna (DBCA) Possibly Threatened species that do not meet survey criteria, or are otherwise data deficient, are added to the Priority Fauna Lists under Priorities 1, 2 or 3. These three categories are ranked in order of priority for survey and evaluation of conservation status so that consideration can be given to their declaration as Threatened fauna. Species that are adequately known, are rare but not Threatened, or meet criteria for near Threatened, or that have been recently removed from the Threatened species or other specially protected fauna lists for other than taxonomic reasons, are placed in Priority 4. These species require regular monitoring. Assessment of Priority codes is based on the Western Australian distribution of the species, unless the distribution in WA is part of a contiguous population extending into adjacent States, as defined by the known spread of locations. Priority conservation code definitions can be found in Appendix A.

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Threatened Flora and Fauna Categories (EPBC Act)

Code Definition

Extinct EX Taxa which at a particular time if, at that time, there is no reasonable doubt that the last member of the species has died. Extinct in the Wild EW Taxa which is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population well outside its past range; or it has not been recorded in its known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate seasons, anywhere in its past range, despite exhaustive surveys over a time frame appropriate to its life cycle and form. Critically Endangered CR Taxa which at a particular time if, at that time, it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria. Endangered EN Taxa which is not critically endangered and it is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate or near future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria. Vulnerable VU Taxa which is not critically endangered or endangered and is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria. Conservation Dependent CD Taxa which at a particular time if, at that time, the species is the focus of a specific conservation programme, the cessation of which would result in the species becoming vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered within a period of 5 years.

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Threatened Flora and Fauna Categories (BC Act) Category Code Definition Schedule Threatened species considered to be “facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future, as determined in accordance with criteria set out in the ministerial guidelines.” Listed as critically endangered under section 19(1)(a) of the BC Act in Critically CR accordance with the criteria set out in section 20 and the ministerial Schedule 1 Endangered guidelines. Published under schedule 1 of the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice 2018 for critically endangered fauna or the Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice 2018 for critically endangered flora. Threatened species considered to be “facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future, as determined in accordance with criteria set out in the ministerial guidelines”. Listed as endangered under section 19(1)(b) of the BC Act in accordance with Endangered EN Schedule 2 the criteria set out in section 21 and the ministerial guidelines. Published under schedule 2 of the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice 2018 for endangered fauna or the Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice 2018 for endangered flora. Threatened species considered to be “facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future, as determined in accordance with criteria set out in the ministerial guidelines". Listed as vulnerable under section 19(1)(c) of the BC Act in accordance with Vulnerable VU Schedule 3 the criteria set out in section 22 and the ministerial guidelines. Published under schedule 3 of the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice 2018 for vulnerable fauna or the Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice 2018 for vulnerable flora. Species where “there is no reasonable doubt that the last member of the species has died”, and listing is otherwise in accordance with the ministerial guidelines (section 24 of the BC Act). Published as Schedule 4 Extinct species EX presumed extinct under schedule 4 of the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice 2018 for extinct fauna or the Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice 2018 for extinct flora. Currently there are no Species that “is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as threatened fauna or a naturalised population well outside its past range; and it has not threatened flora species listed been recorded in its known habitat or expected habitat, at Extinct in the wild as extinct in the wild. If listing EW appropriate seasons, anywhere in its past range, despite surveys species of a species as extinct in the over a time frame appropriate to its life cycle and form”, and listing wild occurs, then a schedule is otherwise in accordance with the ministerial guidelines (section 25 will be added to the applicable of the BC Act). notice. Fauna that periodically or occasionally visit Australia or an external Territory or the exclusive economic zone; or the species is subject of an international agreement that relates to the protection of migratory species and that binds the Commonwealth; and listing is otherwise in accordance with the ministerial guidelines (section 15 of the BC Act). Includes birds that are subject to an agreement between the government of Australia and the governments of Japan (JAMBA), China (CAMBA) and The Republic of Korea (ROKAMBA), Migratory MI and fauna subject to the Convention on the Conservation of Schedule 5 Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention), an environmental treaty under the United Nations Environment Program. Migratory species listed under the BC Act are a subset of the migratory animals, that are known to visit Western Australia, protected under the international agreements or treaties, excluding species that are listed as Threatened species. Published as migratory birds protected under an international agreement under schedule 5 of the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice 2018. Fauna of special conservation need being species dependent on Species of special ongoing conservation intervention to prevent it becoming eligible for conservation listing as threatened, and listing is otherwise in accordance with the interest CD Schedule 6 ministerial guidelines (section 14 of the BC Act). (conservation Published as conservation dependent fauna under schedule 6 of the dependent fauna) Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice 2018. Fauna otherwise in need of special protection to ensure their conservation, and listing is otherwise in accordance with the Other specially Schedule 7 OS ministerial guidelines (section 18 of the BC Act). protected species Published as other specially protected fauna under schedule 7 of the Wildlife Conservation (Specially Protected Fauna) Notice 2018.

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Definition of codes for Priority Flora and Fauna (BC Act)

Code Definition

Poorly-known species Species that are known from one or a few locations (generally five or less) which are potentially at risk. All occurrences are either: very small; or on lands not managed for conservation, e.g. agricultural or pastoral lands, P1: Priority One urban areas, road and rail reserves, gravel reserves and active mineral leases; or otherwise under threat of habitat destruction or degradation. Species may be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more locations but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and appear to be under immediate threat from known threatening processes. Such species are in urgent need of further survey.

Poorly-known species Species that are known from one or a few locations (generally five or less), some of which are on lands managed P2: Priority Two primarily for nature conservation, e.g. national parks, conservation parks, nature reserves and other lands with secure tenure being managed for conservation. Species may be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more locations but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and appear to be under threat from known threatening processes. Such species are in urgent need of further survey.

Poorly-known species Species that are known from several locations, and the species does not appear to be under imminent threat, or P3: Priority Three from few but widespread locations with either large population size or significant remaining areas of apparently suitable habitat, much of it not under imminent threat. Species may be included if they are comparatively well known from several locations but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and known threatening processes exist that could affect them. Such species are in need of further survey.

Rare, Near Threatened and other species in need of monitoring (a) Rare. Species that are considered to have been adequately surveyed, or for which sufficient knowledge is available, and that are considered not currently threatened or in need of special protection but could be if present P4: Priority Four circumstances change. These species are usually represented on conservation lands. (b) Near Threatened. Species that are considered to have been adequately surveyed and that are close to qualifying for vulnerable but are not listed as Conservation Dependent. (c) Species that have been removed from the list of threatened species during the past five years for reasons other than taxonomy.

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Control categories for Declared Pests (Weeds) Declared plant category Description Pests assigned to this category are not established in WA and control measures are to be taken, C1 - Exclusion including border checks, in order to prevent them entering and establishing in the State. Pests assigned to this category are present in WA in low enough numbers or in sufficiently limited areas C2 - Eradication that their eradication is still a possibility. Pests assigned to this category are established in WA 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 C3 - Management or density or moving from an area in which it is established into an area which currently is free of that pest.

Categorisation of Environmental Weeds Field Description Code Impact of species within the Region, from low impact (causes minimal disruption to ecological processes or loss of biodiversity) to high (causes acute disruption of ecological processes, dominates and/or significantly alters vegetation structure, composition and function of ecosystems).

Examples of impact attributes to consider: - changed fire regime Low (L) - changed nutrient conditions Medium (M) Ecological Impact - changed hydrological patterns High (H) - changed soil erosion patterns Unknown (U) - changed geomorphological processes - changed biomass distribution - changed light distribution - loss of biodiversity - substantially reduces regeneration opportunities of native plants - allelopathic effects Rate of spread of a weed in native vegetation, encompassing factors of establishment, reproduction and long distance dispersal (>100m).

Examples of establishment factors include: - ability to outcompete (light, moisture, nutrients, rapid root growth) - sexual or asexual establishment - need for disturbance to establish Examples of reproduction factors include: Slow (S) - time to seeding Moderate (M) Invasiveness - seed production Rapid (R) - vegetative reproduction Unknown (U) Examples of long distance dispersal mechanisms include: - wind - water - flying/ground animals - deliberate/accidental human spread - vehicles - produce contaminant

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BAM Act Definitions (Declared Pests) Legal status Definition Prohibited organisms are declared pests by virtue of section 22(1), and may only be imported and kept subject to Declared Pest, permits. Permit conditions applicable to some species may only be appropriate or Prohibited - s12 available to research organisations or similarly secure institutions. Declared pests must satisfy any applicable import requirements when imported, and may be subject to an import Declared Pest - permit if they are potential carriers of high-risk organisms. They may also be subject to control and keeping s22(2) requirements once within Western Australia. Permitted organisms must satisfy any applicable import requirements when imported. They may be subject to an Permitted - s11 import permit if they are potential carriers of high-risk organisms. Regulation 73 permitted organisms may only be imported subject to an import permit. These organisms may be Permitted, subject to restriction under legislation other than the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007. Permit Requires Permit conditions applicable to some species may only be appropriate or available to research organisations or similarly - r73 secure institutions. If you are considering importing an unlisted organism/s you will need to submit the name/s for assessment, as unlisted Unlisted - s14 organisms are automatically prohibited entry into WA. Control Definition categories C1 Exclusion Organisms which should be excluded from part or all of Western Australia. C2 Eradication Organisms which should be eradicated from part or all of Western Australia. Organisms that should have some form of management applied that will alleviate the harmful impact of the organism, C3 reduce the numbers or distribution of the organism or prevent or contain the spread of the organism. Management

Unassigned: Declared pests that are recognised as having a harmful impact under certain circumstances, where their Unassigned subsequent control requirements are determined by a Plan or other legislative arrangements under the Act.

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Definition of codes for Threatened Ecological Communities

Code Definition

An ecological community that has been adequately searched for but for which no representative occurrences have been located. The community has been found to be totally destroyed or so extensively modified throughout its range that no occurrence of it is likely to recover its species composition and/or structure in the PD: Presumed Totally foreseeable future. An ecological community will be listed as presumed totally destroyed if there are no recent Destroyed records of the community being extant and either of the following applies ( A or B): A) Records within the last 50 years have not been confirmed despite thorough searches of known or likely habitats or B) All occurrences recorded within the last 50 years have since been destroyed. An ecological community that has been adequately surveyed and found to have been subject to a major contraction in area and/or that was originally of limited distribution and is facing severe modification or destruction throughout its range in the immediate future, or is already severely degraded throughout its range but capable of being substantially restored or rehabilitated. An ecological community will be listed as Critically Endangered when it has been adequately surveyed and is found to be facing an extremely high risk of total destruction in the immediate future. This will be determined on the basis of the best available information, by it meeting any one or more of the following criteria (A, B or C): A) The estimated geographic range, and/or total area occupied, and/or number of discrete occurrences since European settlement have been reduced by at least 90% and either or both of the following apply (i or ii): i) geographic range, and/or total area occupied and/or number of discrete occurrences are continuing to decline such that total destruction of the community is CR: Critically imminent (within approximately 10 years); ii) modification throughout its range is continuing such that in the Endangered immediate future (within approximately 10 years) the community is unlikely to be capable of being substantially rehabilitated. B) Current distribution is limited, and one or more of the following apply (i, ii or iii): i) geographic range and/or number of discrete occurrences, and/or area occupied is highly restricted and the community is currently subject to known threatening processes which are likely to result in total destruction throughout its range in the immediate future (within approximately 10 years); ii) there are very few occurrences, each of which is small and/or isolated and extremely vulnerable to known threatening processes; iii) there may be many occurrences but total area is very small and each occurrence is small and/or isolated and extremely vulnerable to known threatening processes. C) The ecological community exists only as highly modified occurrences that may be capable of being rehabilitated if such work begins in the immediate future (within approximately 10 years). An ecological community that has been adequately surveyed and found to have been subject to a major contraction in area and/or was originally of limited distribution and is in danger of significant modification throughout its range or severe modification or destruction over most of its range in the near future. An ecological community will be listed as Endangered when it has been adequately surveyed and is not Critically Endangered but is facing a very high risk of total destruction in the near future. This will be determined on the basis of the best available information by it meeting any one or more of the following criteria (A, B, or C): A) The geographic range, and/or total area occupied, and/or number of discrete occurrences have been reduced by at least 70% since European settlement and either or both of the following apply (i or ii): i) the estimated geographic range, and/or total area occupied and/or number of discrete occurrences are continuing to decline such that total destruction of the community is likely in the short term future (within approximately 20 years); EN: Endangered ii) modification throughout its range is continuing such that in the short term future (within approximately 20 years) the community is unlikely to be capable of being substantially restored or rehabilitated. B) Current distribution is limited, and one or more of the following apply (i, ii or iii): i) geographic range and/or number of discrete occurrences, and/or area occupied is highly restricted and the community is currently subject to known threatening processes which are likely to result in total destruction throughout its range in the short term future (within approximately 20 years); ii) there are few occurrences, each of which is small and/or isolated and all or most occurrences are very vulnerable to known threatening processes; iii) there may be many occurrences but total area is small and all or most occurrences are small and/or isolated and very vulnerable to known threatening processes. C) The ecological community exists only as very modified occurrences that may be capable of being substantially restored or rehabilitated if such work begins in the short-term future (within approximately 20 years). An ecological community that has been adequately surveyed and is found to be declining and/or has declined in distribution and/or condition and whose ultimate security has not yet been assured and/or a community that is still widespread but is believed likely to move into a category of higher threat in the near future if threatening processes continue or begin operating throughout its range. An ecological community will be listed as Vulnerable when it has been adequately surveyed and is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk of total destruction or significant modification in the medium (within approximately 50 years) to long- VU: Vulnerable term future. This will be determined on the basis of the best available information by it meeting any one or more of the following criteria (A, B or C): A) The ecological community exists largely as modified occurrences that are likely to be capable of being substantially restored or rehabilitated. B) The ecological community may already be modified and would be vulnerable to threatening processes, is restricted in area and/or range and/or is only found at a few locations. C) The ecological community may be still widespread but is believed likely to move into a category of higher threat in the medium to long-term future because of existing or impending threatening processes.

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Definition of codes for Priority Ecological Communities

Code Definition

Ecological communities that are known from very few occurrences with a very restricted distribution (generally ≤5 occurrences or a total area of ≤ 100ha). Occurrences are believed to be under threat either due to limited extent, or being on lands under immediate threat (e.g. within agricultural or pastoral lands, urban areas, active mineral leases) or for which current threats exist. P1: Priority One May include communities with occurrences on protected lands. Communities may be included if they are comparatively well-known from one or more localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements, and/or are not well defined, and appear to be under immediate threat from known threatening processes across their range. Communities that are known from few occurrences with a restricted distribution (generally ≤10 occurrences or a total area of ≤200ha). At least some occurrences are not believed to be under immediate threat (within approximately 10 years) of destruction or degradation. Communities may P2: Priority Two be included if they are comparatively well known from one or more localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements, and/or are not well defined, and appear to be under threat from known threatening processes. (i) Communities that are known from several to many occurrences, a significant number or area of which are not under threat of habitat destruction or degradation or: (ii) communities known from a few widespread occurrences, which are either large or with significant remaining areas of habitat in which other occurrences may occur, much of it not under imminent threat (within approximately 10 years), or;

P3: Priority Three (iii) communities made up of large, and/or widespread occurrences, that may or may not be represented in the reserve system, but are under threat of modification across much of their range from processes such as grazing by domestic and/or feral stock, inappropriate fire regimes, clearing, hydrological change etc. Communities may be included if they are comparatively well known from several localities but do not meet adequacy of survey requirements and/or are not well defined, and known threatening processes exist that could affect them. Ecological communities that are adequately known, rare but not threatened or meet criteria for Near Threatened, or that have been recently removed from the threatened list. These communities require regular monitoring. (i) Rare. Ecological communities known from few occurrences that are considered to have been adequately surveyed, or for which sufficient knowledge is available, and that are considered not currently threatened or in need of special protection, but P4: Priority Four could be if present circumstances change. These communities are usually represented on conservation lands. (ii) Near Threatened. Ecological communities that are considered to have been adequately surveyed and that do not qualify for Conservation Dependent, but that are close to qualifying for a higher threat category. (iii) Ecological communities that have been removed from the list of threatened communities during the past five years. Ecological communities that are not threatened but are subject to a specific conservation program, P5: Priority Five the cessation of which would result in the community becoming threatened within five years.

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment APPENDIX B VASCULAR FLORA AND VERTEBRATE FAUNA RECORDS (NATUREMAP)

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment APPENDIX C EPBC PROTECTED MATTERS SEARCH TOOL

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

APPENDIX D PLANT SPECIES INVENTORY

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Family Species Amaranthaceae Ptilotus sp. Asteraceae *Taraxacum khatoonae Lawrencella rosea Boraginaceae Echium plantagineum Casuarinaceae Allocasuarina huegeliana Chenopodiaceae Maireana sp. Cyperaceae Gahnia trifida Fabaceae Acacia acuminata Myrtaceae Eucalyptus wandoo Eucalyptus loxophleba Eucalyptus salmonophloia Poaceae *Avena fatua *Hordeum leporinum Proteaceae Hakea preissii Xanthorrhoeaceae Xanthorrhoea preissii *Introduced plant species

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment APPENDIX E SAMPLING SITE DATA

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment

Site Site type Date Vegetation condition Disturbance Vegetation type Vegetation description 250 Releve 2/10/2019 Degraded Historical clearing, grazing Cleared Area cleared for agriculture Eucalyptus wandoo open woodland with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba and Avena fatua 251 Releve 2/10/2019 Degraded Historical clearing, grazing EwElAf dominated grassland Eucalyptus wandoo open woodland with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba and Avena fatua 252 Releve 2/10/2019 Degraded Historical clearing, grazing EwElAf dominated grassland 253 Releve 2/10/2019 Degraded Historical clearing, grazing HpPs Hakea preissii tall open shrubland over Ptilotus sp. and mixed weeds. Eucalyptus wandoo open woodland with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba and Avena fatua 254 Releve 2/10/2019 Degraded Historical clearing, grazing EwElAf dominated grassland Eucalyptus wandoo open woodland with scattered Eucalyptus loxophleba and Avena fatua 255 Releve 2/10/2019 Degraded Historical clearing, grazing EwElAf dominated grassland 256 Releve 2/10/2019 Degraded Historical clearing, grazing Xp Xanthorrhoea preissii tall open shrubland.

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment APPENDIX F BIRDLIFE BIRDATA

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment APPENDIX G FAUNA HABITAT SITE ASSESSMENT DATA SHEETS

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Resources Group(WA) Pty Ltd Grass Valley Hard Rock Quarry Flora and Fauna Assessment APPENDIX H TRACK LOG

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