Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Were Surveyed According to The

Site Site location description Zone Easting Northing Date Reach Sampling Length Method (m)

FPR- Frying Pan Run downstream of proposed 55 525788 5919001 22/10/2015 N/A WQ DS1 Nordic Bowl altitude training center

RVD Rocky Valley Dam reservoir 55 525959 5918863 21/10/2015 N/A WQ

Table notes: EF (BP) - Backpack Electrofisher, BT - Bait Trap, DN – Dip Net,

Aquatic macroinvertebrates were surveyed according to the techniques described in the Victorian AUSRIVAS Rapid Assessment Method developed by the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (Tiller & Metzeling 2002). This method involves the collection of samples two sampling techniques: slow-flowing river edges (dip- net technique) and fast-flowing riffles (kick-net technique). Macroinvertebrates were live-picked from the samples while in the field, preserved in 70% ethanol and later identified in the laboratory to family level or other taxonomic resolutions stipulated in the AUSRIVAS protocol (Tiller & Metzeling 2002). Results were then analysed using the AUSRIVAS software package, which contains predictive models that assess the ecological health of a monitoring reach by comparing its macroinvertebrate community with those of similar undisturbed reaches within the model.

Backpack electrofishing was undertaken at four sites using a Smith Root LR-24 backpack electrofisher. Backpack electrofishing consisted of 500 second of ‘power on’ time at each site.

Ten bait traps constructed of 2 millimetre mesh with entrance funnels of 40 millimetre in diameter were set overnight at Rocky Valley Creek Downstream site. Bait traps were deployed in depths of 0.25 to 0.5 metres, typically amongst cover of aquatic vegetation or other forms of cover. Bait Trapping was abandoned after this due to a lack of appropriate habitat and effectiveness.

Data from each sampling technique was processed and recorded separately at each site. The number of nets of each type, the duration of net deployment and the number and length of electrofishing shots taken at each site was recorded.

Site features including digital photographs, site coordinates, access information and general habitat features were recorded at all sites. Habitat assessment included measurement of water quality, estimates on physical and biological attributes (e.g. depth, substrate composition, flow, wetted instream cover, aquatic vegetation, riparian vegetation and shading etc.), and notes on existing sources of disturbance.

Water quality measurements of dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), temperature and turbidity were made at all sites using a calibrated Horiba U52 water quality meter. Further samples were taken for laboratory analysis of total nutrients. All water quality measurements were taken in accordance with EPA publication IWRG701: Sampling and analysis of waters, wastewaters, soils and wastes (EPA 2009).

Falls B Ch ogon Creek ri g Hig ! sti h Plains Rd eS t Snowgum Lane St Sitzmark ark St Telem lom S Rd Sla t Legend k A l C e St rlbe Bow t e uss rg S e r ch t C S g

a Parallel St l lls l i Fa V Study area

Fryingpan Raceline

d (! R Aquatic survey sites

(! FPR-US1 n i

l (! MCC-DS1 P

g Mckay Creek i

H Road 24 g n o g (! o RVC-DS1 B

(! RVC-US1

(! MCC-US1 RVT-DS1 (!

(! FPR-DS1

d Pretty Valley Rd R y e ll a V (! RVD n u S

Figure 4: Aquatic survey sites

Rocky Valley S t o r a g e 0 120 240 360 480 600

Metres Scale: 1:12,275 @ A3 Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone± 55 Biosis Pty Ltd

Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Wangaratta & Wollongong

Matter: 20424, Date: 11 January 2016, Checked by: MJAL, Drawn by: LH, Last edited by: mlooby Acknowledgements: Vicmap (c) State of Victoria Location:P:\20400s\20424\Mapping\ 20424_F4_AquaticSurveySites

Appendix 2: Flora

Notes to tables:

EPBC Act: DEPI 2014a:

CR - Critically Endangered e - endangered

EN - Endangered v - vulnerable

VU - Vulnerable r - rare

PMST – Protected Matters Search Tool

FFG Act: # - Native species outside natural range

L - listed as threatened under FFG Act

P - protected under the FFG Act (public land only)

Noxious weed status:

SP - State prohibited species RP - Regionally prohibited species RC - Regionally controlled species RR - Regionally restricted species

A2.1 Flora species recorded from the study area Table A2.1. Flora species recorded from the study area.

Status Scientific name Common name Indigenous species P Acacia obliquinervia Mountain Hickory Wattle Acaena novae-zelandiae Bidgee-widgee P Acrothamnus hookeri Mountain Beard-heath Asperula conferta Common Woodruff Asperula gunnii Mountain Woodruff P Baeckea gunniana Alpine Baeckea P Blechnum penna-marina subsp. alpina Alpine Water-fern Bossiaea foliosa s.l. Leafy Bossiaea Carex appressa Tall Sedge Carex breviculmis Common Grass-sedge Carex hebes Mountain Sedge r Carex jackiana Carpet Sedge P, r Celmisia costiniana Carpet Snow-daisy P Celmisia pugioniformis Slender Snow-daisy P, r Celmisia tomentella Silver Snow-daisy Chaerophyllum eriopodum Australian Caraway P Coronidium monticola Pale Everlasting P, r Craspedia crocata Crimson Billy-buttons Empodisma minus Spreading Rope-rush P Epacris gunnii Ace of Spades P Epacris paludosa Swamp Heath Epilobium billardierianum subsp. hydrophilum Robust Willow-herb r Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. hedraia Bogong Sallee P Euchiton involucratus s.l. Common Cudweed Gonocarpus micranthus subsp . micranthus - Creeping Raspwort Gonocarpus montanus Mat Raspwort Goodenia hederacea subsp. alpestris Ivy Goodenia P Grevillea australis Alpine Grevillea P, r Grevillea victoriae subsp. victoriae Royal Grevillea Hovea montana Alpine Rusty-pods Hydrocotyle algida Mountain Pennywort Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Shining Pennywort r Isolepis montivaga Fog Club-sedge Juncus bufonius Toad Rush P Lagenophora montana Mountain Bottle-daisy Luzula meridionalis var. flaccida Common Woodrush Luzula modesta Southern Woodrush P Lycopodium fastigiatum Mountain Clubmoss P Olearia algida Mountain Daisy-bush

Status Scientific name Common name P, r Olearia brevipedunculata Rusty Daisy-bush P, r Olearia frostii Bogong Daisy-bush P, r Olearia phlogopappa var. flavescens Dusty Daisy-bush Orites lancifolia Alpine Orites P, r Ozothamnus alpinus Alpine Everlasting P Ozothamnus secundiflorus Cascade Everlasting r Phebalium squamulosum subsp. alpinum Alpine Phebalium P Picris angustifolia Native Picris r Pimelea axiflora subsp. alpina Alpine Bootlace Bush r Pimelea ligustrina subsp. ciliata Fringed Rice-flower Poa costiniana Bog Snow-grass Poa fawcettiae Horny Snow-grass Poa hiemata Soft Snow-grass Poa hothamensis var. hothamensis Ledge Grass Poa phillipsiana Blue Snow-grass Poa spp. Tussock Grass Podolobium alpestre Alpine Podolobium Polyscias sambucifolia subsp. 3 Mountain Panax P Polystichum proliferum Mother Shield-fern P Prostanthera cuneata Alpine Mint-bush r Ranunculus victoriensis Victorian Buttercup P Richea continentis Candle Heath Rubus parvifolius Small-leaf Bramble Scleranthus biflorus s.l. Twin-flower Knawel P Senecio gunnii Mountain Fireweed P Senecio linearifolius var. latifolius Fireweed Groundsel (montane variant) P, r Senecio pinnatifolius var. alpinus Snowfield Groundsel Stellaria pungens Prickly Starwort P Stylidium armeria Common Triggerplant Tasmannia xerophila Alpine Pepper Uncinia flaccida Mountain Hook-sedge Veronica serpyllifolia Thyme Speedwell Viola betonicifolia subsp. betonicifolia Showy Violet Wahlenbergia gloriosa Royal Bluebell Introduced species * Acetosella vulgaris Sheep Sorrel * Achillea millefolium Milfoil * Agrostis capillaris Brown-top Bent * Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal-grass * Cerastium glomeratum s.l. Common Mouse-ear Chickweed * Cerastium vulgare Common Mouse-ear Chickweed *RC Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle * Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawksbeard

Status Scientific name Common name * Dactylis glomerata Cocksfoot * Epilobium ciliatum Glandular Willow-herb * Festuca rubra Red Fescue * Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog *RC Hypericum perforatum subsp. veronense St John's Wort * Hypochaeris radicata Flatweed * Juncus articulatus Jointed Rush * Juncus effusus subsp. effusus Soft Rush * Lotus uliginosus Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil * Malus pumila Apple * Prunella vulgaris Self-heal *RC Rubus fruticosus spp. agg. Blackberry *RR Salix cinerea Grey Sallow * Sonchus asper s.s. Rough Sow-thistle * Taraxacum officinale spp. agg. Garden Dandelion * Trifolium repens var. r epens White Clover * Verbascum virgatum Twiggy Mullein

A2.2 Listed flora species The following table includes the listed flora species that have potential to occur within the study area. The list of species is sourced from the Victorian Flora Information System and the Protected Matters Search Tool (DoEE; accessed on 15.09.2016). Table A2.2. Listed flora species recorded / predicted to occur within 5 km of the study area.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for likelihood status recent records occurrence ranking EPBC Vic FFG database in study record area

National significance Euphrasia crassiuscula Thick Eyebright VU v L PMST Alpine grasslands, Low All records for this species subsp. glandulifera heathlands and herbfields. are outside the Falls Creek Resort and no Euphrasia species recorded during current survey. Euphrasia eichleri Bogong Eyebright VU v L PMST Low open heath, Low All records for this species grassland, and Sphagnum are outside the Falls Creek bogs in alpine and higher Resort and no Euphrasia subalpine tracts. species recorded during current survey. Glycine latrobeana Clover Glycine VU v L PMST Grasslands and grassy Low No suitable grassy woodlands, particularly woodland habitat present those dominated by and unlikely to occur in Themeda triandra . sub-alpine areas at Falls Creek. Thesium australe Austral Toad-flax VU v L PMST Most commonly in damp Low No suitable habitat grassland and woodland, present including subalpine grassy heathlands.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for likelihood status recent records occurrence ranking EPBC Vic FFG database in study record area

Argyrotegium nitidulum Shining Cudweed VU r PMST Restricted to damp, open Low Previously recorded at grassland communities Falls Creek and restricted between Mt Cope and Mt to high elevation Nelse. grasslands and open heathlands, these habitats do not occur in the current study area. Pterostylis oreophila Blue-tongue CR e PMST Damp, shady habitat along Low All records for this species Greenhood watercourses. are outside the Falls Creek Resort and no Pterostylis species recorded during current survey. Colobanthus curtisiae Curtis' Colobanth VU v PMST Grassland and grassy Low Unlikely to occur in the woodlands commonly study area as habitat is found on gentle slopes unsuitable and there are with elevations between no records of the species 160 m in lowland areas in the Falls Creek area. and 1300 m in alpine areas. State significance Brachyscome sp. 3 Mountain Daisy v f 1998 Confined to a few locations Low Several records occur in on the Bogong and Dargo the resort but there is no High Plains and the Snowy suitable alpine grassland Plains in tussock grasslands habitat in the study area. and alpine herbfield, often on basaltic soils.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for likelihood status recent records occurrence ranking EPBC Vic FFG database in study record area

Cardamine franklinensis Franklin e f 1961 Low One old record from Bitter-cress southern part of resort in sub-alpine habitat, no Cardamine species recorded during current assessment. Celmisia sericophylla Silky Snow-daisy v f 2005 Rocky stream banks, Low Not observed in the among boulders and on current study area but rocks overhanging water, occurs in downstream occasionally in Sphagnum areas bogs and wet areas below snow patches.

Deyeuxia affinis Allied Bent-grass e f 2001 Confined to gravelly Low No suitable habitat in the seepage areas near near study area for this Sphagnum mossbeds in restricted species the vicinity of Mt Cope. Juncus antarcticus Cushion Rush v f 2004 Late-lying snow patches Low No suitable habitat in the and the margins of bogs study area for this species and creeks on the Bogong High Plains. Saxipoa saxicola Rock Poa v f 2001 Confined to rocky Low No high elevation grassland or open exposed grassland shrubland on the higher habitat present in the ranges. study area Utricularia monanthos Tasmanian v f 1998 High altitudes on the Low No habitat present in the Bladderwort Bogong High Plains and study area near Mt Nunniong in very wet soil by streams and pools.

Appendix 3: Fauna

Notes to tables:

EPBC Act: DSE 2013:

EX - Extinct ex - extinct

CR - Critically Endangered cr - critically endangered

EN - Endangered en - endangered

VU - Vulnerable vu - vulnerable

CD - Conservation dependent nt - near threatened dd - data deficient rx - regionally extinct

FFG Act: * - introduced species

L - listed as threatened under FFG Act N - nominated for listing as threatened

I - determined ineligible for listing

PS - pest species listed under the CaLP Act

Most recent database records are from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas unless otherwise specified as follows

# – Protected Matters Search Tool

BA – Birds Australia

Fauna species in these tables are listed in alphabetical order within their taxonomic group.

A3.1 Fauna species recorded from the study area Table A3.1. Vertebrate fauna recorded from the study area (present assessment)

Status Scientific name Common name

Birds

Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush

Corvus coronoides Australian Raven

Cracticus tibicen Australian Magpie

Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow

Petroica phoenicea Flame Robin

Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus Crescent Honeyeater

Platycercus elegans Crimson Rosella

Sericornis frontalis White-browed Scrubwren

Strepera graculina Pied Currawong

Strepera versicolor Grey Currawong

Mammals

PS Lepus europeaus European Hare en, N Mastacomys fuscus mordicus Broad-toothed Rat

PS Oryctolagus cuniculus European Rabbit

Vombatus ursinus Common Wombat

PS Vulpes vulpes Red Fox

Reptiles

Eulamprus tympanum tympanum Southern Water Skink

Fish

* Salmo trutta Brown Trout

Note: Details on the location of species recorded during the aquatic surveys are provided in A4.2 below.

A3.2 Aquatic fauna species Aquatic fauna species recorded within and in the vicinity of the study area (see Figure 4). Table A3.2. Aquatic fauna survey results.

Status Scientific name Common name Notes RVT- RVC-US1 RVC-DS1 MCC-US1 MCC-DS1 DS1

Fishes

Galaxias olidus Mountain Galaxias 16 1 3

* Salmo trutta Brown Trout 38

Macroinvertebrates

Riekoperla alpina 2 4

Riekoperla reticulata 41 5 23

EN Thaumatoperla alpina Alpine Stonefly 2 3

A3.3 Listed fauna species The following table includes a list of the listed fauna species that have potential to occur within the study area. The list of species is sourced from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas and the Protected Matters Search Tool (DoEE; accessed on 15.09.16). Table A3.3. Listed fauna species recorded, or predicted to occur, within 5 km of the study area.

Scientific name Common Conservation Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name status recent records occurrence likelihood ranking EPBC Vic FFG database in study record area Mammals Dasyurus Spot-tailed EN en L - PMST Spot-tailed Quolls formerly inhabited a wide Low No records from local maculatus Quoll variety of natural environments in Victoria area; most records maculatus from tall forests to dry, open habitats. The within broader region species is now extremely rare in Victoria are from lower outside of the eastern highlands and is altitudes. probably functionally extinct in the great majority of the State. Burramys parvus Mountain EN cr L 2005 PMST Restricted to alpine and subalpine regions Low No core habitat Pygmy-possum in Victoria above altitudes of 1430m, with present within or three know populations located between adjacent to the study Mount Hotham and Mount Bogong. area. Dependent on the subalpine heath communities of peri glacial rock screes and boulder fields where an important food source, the Plum-pine Podocarpus lawrencei is found. Potorous longipes Long-footed EN en L - PMST Occurring in the forests of East Gippsland, it Negligible No suitable habitat, Potoroo primarily inhabits areas where densely outside species' range. vegetated gullies provide shelter and more open drier forests can be exploited for foraging. Also thought to occur in the foothills of the Eastern Highlands.

Scientific name Common Conservation Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name status recent records occurrence likelihood ranking EPBC Vic FFG database in study record area Petrogale Brush-tailed VU cr L - PMST Currently known only from the tributaries Negligible No suitable habitat; penicillata Rock-wallaby of the Snowy River in East Gippsland and outside species' the Grampians in the west. Found in a range. variety of habitat types, including rainforest gullies, wet and dry sclerophyll forest, and open woodlands, preferring rock faces with large tumbled boulders, ledges and caves and areas that are relatively open and receiving direct sunlight for much of the day. Mastacomys Broad-toothed en L 2007 Occupies structurally dense vegetation Recorded All native vegetation fuscus mordicus Rat communities in high rainfall areas in south- with the study area is eastern Australia. Typically inhabits closed suitable habitat for vegetation communities such as heathland, this species. Indirect grassland and sedgeland and is a specialist evidence of the feeder on the stems of plants from the species was found in families Poaceae and Cyperaceae. the form of scats. Pseudomys Smoky Mouse EN cr L - PMST Disjunct Victorian distribution with Low No records within local fumeus populations in the Snowfields, Eastern area and majority of Highlands, East Gippsland, Otway Range records from broader and the Grampians. Recorded from a region are from lower variety of vegetation communities ranging altitudes. from coastal heath and heathy woodland in East Gippsland to subalpine heath and dry forest. The understorey vegetation is typically dominated by heathy shrubs, with seeds and berries providing an important food resource.

Scientific name Common Conservation Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name status recent records occurrence likelihood ranking EPBC Vic FFG database in study record area Canis lupus dingo Dingo dd L 2006 Restricted to the Eastern Highlands and Medium Wide-ranging species Snowfields west to about Marysville, and to with records from local East Gippsland, with potential sightings in area. the Lowan Mallee. Inhabits extensive tracts of wet and dry forest, subalpine woodland, and coast scrub and heath. Petauroides Greater Glider VU vu PMST Largely restricted to eucalypt forests and Low No suitable volans woodlands. forest/woodland habitat or hollow bearing trees present. Birds Calidris Curlew CE en PMST Curlew Sandpipers occur around the coasts Negligible No records within ferruginea Sandpiper and are also widespread inland, though in local area; suitable smaller numbers. Records occur in all states habitat not present. during the non-breeding period, and also during the breeding season when many non-breeding one year old birds remain in Australia.

Gallinago Latham's Snipe nt 2011 PMST A migrant to Australia from July to April High Likely to occur in hardwickii occurring in a wide variety of permanent areas of damp and ephemeral wetlands. Prefers open vegetation within the freshwater wetlands with nearby cover, but study area also recorded on the edges of creeks and rivers, river-pools and floodplains. Forages in soft mud at edge of wetlands and roosts in a variety of vegetation around wetlands including tussock grasslands, reeds and rushes, tea-tree scrub, woodlands and forests.

Scientific name Common Conservation Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name status recent records occurrence likelihood ranking EPBC Vic FFG database in study record area Numenius Eastern Curlew CE vu PMST A migratory shorebird arriving back to Negligible No records within madagascariensis Australia in August to feed on crabs and local area; suitable molluscs in intertidal mudflats. habitat not present.

Rostratula Australian EN cr L - PMST Generally found in shallow, terrestrial Negligible No records within australis Painted Snipe freshwater wetlands with rank, emergent local area; suitable tussocks of grass, sedges and rushes. habitat not present. Australian Painted Snipe can occur in well vegetated lakes, swamps, inundated pasture, saltmarsh and dams. Ardea modesta Eastern Great vu L 2011 PMST Usually found in terrestrial wetland, Negligible Suitable habitat not Egret estuarine and wet grassland habitats present. particularly permanent well-vegetated water bodies but also use freshwater meadows, channels and larger dams. Lathamus Swift Parrot EN en L - PMST Migrates to south-east mainland Australia Negligible No records within local discolor during the winter months where it prefers area, habitat not dry, open eucalypt forests and woodlands, present. especially Box Ironbark Forest in north- central Victoria. Has also been recorded in urban parks, gardens, street trees and golf courses with flowering ornamental trees and shrubs. Reptiles Liopholis guthega Alpine Egernia EN cr L 2006 Endemic to alpine areas where the species Low Habitat within the is typically associated with rocky areas in study area not snowgum woodlands, tussock grasslands particularly suited to and alpine heathlands above 1600m in the this species as it lacks Bogong High Plains, Victoria, and within the abundant rocky vicinity of Mt Kosciuszko, NSW. outcropping

Scientific name Common Conservation Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name status recent records occurrence likelihood ranking EPBC Vic FFG database in study record area Eulamprus Alpine Water cr L 2008 Victorian distribution extends from the Medium May occur in the kosciuskoi Skink adjacent Snowy Mountains population of study area but NSW. Inhabits alpine woodlands, heaths generally more likely and tussock grasslands. Basks on rocks and to occur in areas with tussocks, often near small streams. extensive treeless alpine sphagnum bogs and streams on the Bogong High Plains. Cyclodomorphus Alpine She-oak EN cr L 2008 Occurs in Sub-alpine Woodland, herbfields, Low Species typically praealtus Skink low heathlands and grasslands in the occurs in alpine Australian Alps, preferring grassy habitats grassland and alpine between 1400m and 2100m without a high grassy heathland. degree of Snow Gum canopy cover. The habitat within the Recorded in tussock grasslands and alpine study area is not heaths dominated by Horny Snow Grass considered to be Poa fawcettiae tussocks at Mt Hotham, but suitable for this also in disturbed areas (e.g. roadsides) that species. are dominated by exotic grasses often adjoining relatively intact Poa tussock grasslands. Pseudemoia Alpine Bog en L 2008 Typically occupies damp microhabitats High Previously recorded cryodroma Skink above 1000 metres within the Victorian Alps within local area and Bioregion, though has more recently been suitable habitat recorded in sub-alpine Woodland on Mt present. Stirling and Mt Buller. Pseudemoia Tussock Skink vu 2008 On the ground in a range of grasslands or High Previously recorded pagenstecheri sparse grassy woodlands from alps to within local area and coast. suitable habitat present.

Scientific name Common Conservation Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name status recent records occurrence likelihood ranking EPBC Vic FFG database in study record area Amphibians Litoria raniformis Growling Grass VU en L - PMST Occupies a variety of permanent and semi- Negligible No habitat present, Frog permanent water bodies generally outside species known containing abundant submerged and range. emergent vegetation, within lowland grasslands, woodlands and open forests. Pseudophryne Dendy's dd 1998 Occurs in wet and dry forests and alpine Medium May occur in drainage dendyi Toadlet areas in north-eastern Victoria. Individuals lines and soaks in the are often found beneath leaf litter and study area. other debris in moist depressions. Litoria verreauxii Alpine Tree VU cr L 2004 PMST The Alpine Tree Frog has undergone a Low Now thought to be alpina Frog dramatic decline throughout its range, had extinct on the Bogong apparently disappeared from the alpine High Plains, including zone in many areas. It is thought to be areas near Falls extinct at Mt Buller where it has not been Creek; habitat in recorded for several decades. Aqueduct rendered unsuitable due to high densities of introduced trout Fishes Maccullochella Murray Cod VU en L - PMST Found within the Murray River catchment Negligible No suitable habitat. peelii peelii usually in sluggish turbid rivers, in deep holes or amongst fallen timber and other debris. Also occurs in upper reaches of rivers where water is clear and there is little fallen timber.

Scientific name Common Conservation Most Other Habitat description Likely Rationale for name status recent records occurrence likelihood ranking EPBC Vic FFG database in study record area Macquaria Macquarie EN en L - PMST A riverine fish preferring deep holes, its Negligible No suitable habitat. australasica Perch natural distribution extends north of the Great Dividing Range in tributaries of the Murray River. Early this century it was introduced to many waters south of the Great Dividing Range but has only been recorded in the Yarra with any regularity since. Galaxias Flathead CE Vu I - PMST Lowland river and wetland systems below Negligible No suitable habitat. rostratus Galaxias 150 m elevation.

Invertebrates Thaumatoperla Alpine Stonefly EN vu L - PMST Found at elevations >760 m in streams in Medium Suitable habitat alpina north-east Victoria above the treeline. occurs downstream Typically found in steep, stony, cool of the study area but streams, often below a cascade of water no records occur underneath cobblestones or detritus. from the current or previous surveys near the study area. Crustaceans Euastacus Alpine Spiny e L - - The species occurs in cool streams in alpine High Suitable habitat crassus Crayfish and sub-alpine areas at sites with relatively occurs downstream undisturbed vegetation in north-east of the study area. Victoria.

A3.4 Migratory species (EPBC Act listed) Table A3.4. Migratory fauna species recorded or predicted to occur within 5 km of the study area.

Scientific name Common name Most recent record Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe 2011

Rostratula australis Australian Painted Snipe -

Ardea modesta Eastern Great Egret 2011

Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater -

Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail -

Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift -

Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail 1965

Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher 1991

Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch -

Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail -

Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret 1982

Appendix 4: Photos of the study area

Photo Point 1: An overview of the Nordic Bowl looking from the south-west to the northeast, 28 October 2015.

Photo Point 2: Sub-alpine Woodland (EVC 43) in the Nordic Bowl area, 28 October 2015.

Photo Point 3: Mosaic of Sub-alpine Woodland and Sub-alpine Shrubland (EVC 42) on north-east edge of Nordic Bowl, 13 November 2015.

Photo Point 4: Sub-alpine Woodland above the Bogong High Plains Road between Windy Corner and Nordic Bowl looking south, 13 November 2015.

Photo Point 5: Sub-alpine Shrubland above the Bogong High Plains Road between Windy Corner and Nordic Bowl looking south, 13 November 2015.

Photo Point 6: Regenerating Sub-alpine Woodland and Sub-alpine Shrubland below the Bogong High Plains Road between Windy Corner and Nordic Bowl looking south, this area was burnt in 2003, 13 November 2015.

Photo Point 7: Sub-alpine Wet Heathland (EVC 210) dominated by Alpine Baeckea and Swamp Heath on the western side of the Nordic Bowl. This area is proposed for removal. 28 October 2015.

Photo Point 8: Sub-alpine Wet Heathland dominated by Candle Heath on the southern side of the Nordic Bowl. This area is proposed for removal. 28 October 2015.

Photo Point 9: Sub-alpine Wet Sedgeland on the downslope (eastern) side of the Nordic Bowl. 13 November 2015.

Photo Point 10: Typical native vegetation along the gully that drains the Nordic Bowl into Rocky Valley Creek (Sub-alpine Woodland and Shrubland mosaic). 21 January 2016.

Photo Point 11: Typical vegetation along the proposed upgrade to the Aqueduct, including Sub-alpine Woodland and predominantly introduced vegetation, looking north. Works are proposed to be contained to the disturbed area and native vegetation will be retained on the upslope (left bank) area. 21 January 2016.

Photo Point 12: Predominantly introduced vegetation typical of the Nordic Bowl area looking west, 28 October 2015.

Photo Point 13: Predominantly introduced vegetation on the upslope cut batter of the Bogong High Plains Road, 13 November 2015.

Appendix 5: Vegetation impact assessment results

A5.1 Quantification and significance of losses Table A5.1: Habitat hectares of native vegetation within the study area

Sub-alpine Sub-alpine Sub-alpine Sub-alpine Sub-alpine Sub-alpine Sub-alpine Sub-alpine EVC #: Name Wet Wet Wet Woodland Woodland Woodland Shrubland Shrubland Heathland Heathland Sedgeland Max Score Score Score Score Score Score Score Score Score Large Old Trees 10 10 10 10 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Canopy Cover 5 5 5 5 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Lack of Weeds 15 11 11 9 11 7 9 4 6 Understorey 25 15 15 15 15 15 15 10 15 Recruitment 10 3 3 6 3 3 3 6 3 Site Site Organic Matter 5 5 5 5 5 3 5 5 4 Condition Logs 5 2 4 4 0 0 n/a n/a n/a 34x1.15 = 28x1.15 = 32x1.36 = 25x1.36 = 28x1.36 = Total Site Score* 47 49 54 39 32 44 34 38 Patch Size 10 Neighbourhood 10 Landscape context score of 18 taken from DELWP Biodiversity Interactive Map Distance to Core 5 Value

Landscape Total Landscape Score 65 67 72 57 50 62 52 56 HABITAT SCORE 100 0.65 0.67 0.72 0.57 0.50 0.62 0.52 0.56 *site condition multiplier applied for treeless EVCs (DSE 2004).

Appendix 6: Glossary – Biodiversity assessment guidelines

Items marked with 'A' are cited from DEPI (2013a) ; items marked with 'B' are cited from DSE (2007b) and items marked with a 'C' are cited from DEPI (2014b).

Avoid A BushBroker A Avoiding removing any native vegetation when A program coordinated by DELWP to match undertaking a use or development. This can be parties that require native vegetation offsets either by not permitting or not going ahead with with third party suppliers of native vegetation the use or development, or locating it elsewhere offsets. so that removing native vegetation is not Canopy Tree C required. Is a mature tree greater than 3 m in height and Benchmark B is normally found in the upper layer of a A standard vegetation –quality reference point, vegetation type. Immature trees that are not yet dependent on vegetation type, which is applied able to flower and are less than three metres in in Habitat hectare assessments. Represents the height are considered part of the understorey average characteristics of a mature and (see definition of understorey). apparently long undisturbed state of the same Condition score vegetation type. The score assigned to a habitat zone that Biodiversity A indicates the quality of the vegetation relative to The variety of all life forms, the different plants, the ecological vegetation class benchmark, animals and microorganisms, the genes they usually expressed as a percentage or on a scale contain, and the ecosystems of which they form of 0 to 1. a part. Degraded treeless vegetation B Biodiversity Interactive Map (BIM) Vegetation that is neither a wetland, a remnant Web based interactive map available on the DSE patch nor scattered tree(s). website that provides information on the DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) B biodiversity of Victoria and displays flora and fauna data from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas. The diameter of the main trunk of a tree measured 1.3 m above ground level. Bioregion B Dispersed habitat A Biogeographic areas that capture the patterns of ecological characteristics in the landscape or Habitat for a rare or threatened species whose seascape, providing a natural framework for habitat is spread over a relatively broad recognising and responding to biodiversity geographic area. values. A landscape based approach to Ecological vegetation class (EVC) A classifying the land surface using a range of environmental attributes such as climate, A native vegetation type classified on the basis geomorphology, lithology and vegetation. of a combination of its floristic, life form, environmental and ecological characteristics.

EVC (see Ecological vegetation class) B Habitat hectares benchmark A Extent risk A A reference point for each vegetation type that represents the average condition of mature The level of risk to biodiversity from the removal stands that are likely to reflect pre-settlement of native vegetation based on the area and/or circumstances. number of scattered trees to be removed. Habitat hectares site assessment A Forb A site-based measure of the condition of native A herbaceous flowering plant that is not a vegetation with reference to the benchmark for graminoid (grass, sedge or rush). the same type of native vegetation. The A Gain assessment generates a condition score of Predicted improvement in the contribution to between 0 and 1. Victoria’s biodiversity achieved from an offset, Habitat importance map A calculated by combining site gain with the A map that indicates the importance of locations strategic biodiversity score or habitat as habitat for a particular rare or threatened importance score of the site. Gain is measured species. This map is based on modelled data. with biodiversity equivalence scores or units. Habitat importance score A Gain Target B Measure of the importance of the habitat The amount of gain that needs to be achieved to located on a site for a particular rare or offset a loss measured in Habitat hectares. threatened species. General biodiversity equivalence score / Habitat zone B units A A discrete area of native vegetation consisting of Score or units used to quantify the relative a single vegetation type (EVC) within an assumed overall contribution of a site to Victoria’s similar quality. This is the base spatial unit for biodiversity. conducting a Habitat hectare assessment. A General offset Separate Vegetation Quality Assessments (or An offset that is required when a proposal to Habitat hectare assessments) are conducted for remove native vegetation is not deemed, by each habitat zone within the designated application of the specific-general offset test, to assessment area. have a significant impact on habitat for any rare Highly localised habitat A or threatened species. Habitat for rare or threatened species whose A General provisions habitat is spread over a very restricted area (i.e. Operational requirements in planning schemes less than 2,000 ha). This can also be applied to a which are consistent across the state, relating to similarly limited sub-habitat that is matters such as administrative provisions, disproportionately important for a wide-ranging ancillary activities and referral of applications. rare or threatened species. Habitat hectares A Combined measure of condition and extent of native vegetation. This measure is obtained by multiplying the site’s condition score (measured between 0 and 1) with the area of the site (in hectares).

Improvement gain B Local Planning Policy Framework A This is gain resulting from management Framework outlining a Municipal Strategic commitments beyond existing obligations under Statement and the Local Planning Policies that legislation to improve the current vegetation apply to the local government area. quality. Achieving improvement gain is Location risk A predicated on maintenance commitments being already in place. For example, control of any The risk that removing native vegetation in a threats such as grazing that could otherwise particular location will have an impact on the damage the native vegetation must already be persistence of a rare or threatened species. agreed. Typical actions leading to an Loss A improvement gain include reducing or eliminating environmental weeds, enhancement Loss in the contribution to Victoria’s biodiversity planting or revegetation over a 10-year when native vegetation is fully or partially management period. If the vegetation is to be removed, as measured in biodiversity used as an offset, a commitment to maintain the equivalence scores or units. improvement gain (i.e. no subsequent decline in Maintenance Gain B quality) will be required in perpetuity. This is gain from commitments that contribute A Incorporated document to the maintenance of the current vegetation A document that is included in the list of quality over time (i.e. avoiding any decline). incorporated documents in a planning scheme. Includes foregoing certain entitled activities that These documents affect the operation of the could otherwise damage or remove native planning scheme. vegetation, such as grazing or firewood collection. Also typically requires a commitment B Indigenous vegetation to ensure no further spread of environmental The type of native vegetation that would have weeds that may otherwise result in the loss of normally been expected to occur on the site vegetation quality over time. If the vegetation is prior to European settlement. to be used as an offset, a commitment to maintain the vegetation quality will be required Landholder A in perpetuity. An owner, occupier, proprietor or holder of land. Minimise A Landowner A Locating, designing or managing a use or Owner of land. development to reduce the impacts on biodiversity from the removal of native Landscape scale information A vegetation. Mapped or modelled information based on data Native (indigenous) vegetation B collected across the landscape rather than just on a particular site. Native vegetation is plants that are indigenous to Victoria, including trees, shrubs, herbs and Large Old Tree (LOT) B grasses (as defined in Clause 72 of the planning A tree with a DBH equal to or greater than the scheme). large tree diameter as specified in the relevant Native vegetation credit A EVC benchmark. Gains in the contribution that native vegetation Listed species makes to Victoria’s biodiversity that are A flora or fauna species listed under the registered on the native vegetation credit Commonwealth Environment Protection and register. Native vegetation credits are offered Biodiversity Act 1999 or listed as threatened for sale to parties who are required to offset the under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee removal of native vegetation. Act 1988 .

Native vegetation credit register A Old tree B A statewide register of native vegetation credits A tree with a DBH equal to or greater than 0.75 that meet minimum standards for security and of the large tree diameter as specified in the management of sites. The register is relevant EVC benchmark. Includes medium old administered by the Department of trees and large old trees (see separate Environment and Primary Industries, and definitions). Some Regional Native Vegetation records the creation, trade and allocation of Plans additionally define very large old trees (1.5 credits to meet specific offset requirements. times large tree diameter). Native vegetation extent A On-site offset B Area of land covered by native vegetation or the An offset located on the same property as the number of scattered trees. clearing. Native Vegetation Information Management Particular Provisions A (NVIM) system A Provisions in the Victoria Planning Provisions An online tool used to access information about that relate to specific activities (for example, Victoria's native vegetation. native vegetation is a Particular Provision). Native vegetation particular provision A Patch (see Remnant Patch) Clause 52.17 in the Victoria Planning Provisions Permit A that relates to the removing, destroying or A legal document that gives permission for a use lopping of native vegetation. or development on a particular piece of land.

Perennial A No net loss A A plant that lives for more than two years. An outcome where a particular gain in the Perennials include species that are always visible contribution to Victoria’s biodiversity is e.g. shrubs and trees, but also include species equivalent to an associated loss in the that are not always visible above ground. contribution to Victoria’s biodiversity from Permitted clearing A permitted clearing. Removal of native vegetation for which a Offset A planning permit has been granted to remove Protection and management (including native vegetation. revegetation) of native vegetation at a site to Permitted clearing regulations A generate a gain in the contribution that native vegetation makes to Victoria’s biodiversity. An The rules in the planning system that regulate offset is used to compensate for the loss to permits for the removal of native vegetation. Victoria’s biodiversity from the removal of native Planning provisions – See Victoria Planning vegetation. Provisions. Offset Management Plan (OMP) Prior management gain A document which sets out the requirements for This gain acknowledges actions to manage establishment, protection and management of vegetation since State-wide planning permit an offset site. controls for native vegetation removal were Offset market A introduced in 1989. A A system which facilitates trade of native Planning scheme vegetation credits between parties requiring Policies and provisions for the use, development offsets and third party suppliers of offsets. and protection of land in a local government area.

Planning system A Recruitment B Victoria’s land-use planning system that includes The production of new generations of plants, the Victoria Planning Provisions and each local either by allowing natural ecological processes government’s planning scheme. to occur (regeneration etc), by facilitating such processes such as regeneration to occur, or by Property Vegetation Plan B actively revegetating (replanting, reseeding). See A plan which relates to the management of Revegetation. native vegetation within a property, and which is Referral authority A contained within an agreement made pursuant to section 69 of the Conservation, Forests and An authority that a permit application is referred Lands Act 1987. to for decision under Section 55 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. All referral Protected species requirements are specified in Clause 66 of A flora species protected under the Victorian planning schemes. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Remnant patch of native vegetation A Protection (of a tree) B Either: An area with twice the canopy diameter of the • tree(s) fenced and protected from adverse an area of native vegetation , with or impacts: grazing, burning and soil disturbance without trees, where at least 25 per cent of not permitted, fallen timber retained, weeds the total perennial understorey plant controlled, and other intervention and/or cover is native plants management if necessary to ensure adequate • an area with three or more indigenous natural regeneration or planting can occur. canopy trees where the tree canopy cover Rare or threatened species A is at least 20 per cent. B A species that is listed in: Remnant vegetation • DELWP’s Advisory List of Rare or Native vegetation that is established or has Threatened Plants in Victoria as regenerated on a largely natural landform. The ‘endangered’, ‘vulnerable’, or ‘rare’, but species present are those normally expected in does not include the ‘poorly known’ that vegetation community. Largely natural category landforms may have been subject to some past surface disturbance such as some clearing or • DELWP’s Advisory List of Threatened cultivation (or even the activities of the Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria as ‘critically nineteenth century gold rushes) but do not endangered’, ‘endangered’ or ‘vulnerable’, include man-made structures such as dam walls but does not include ‘near threatened’ or and quarry floors. ‘data deficient’ categories Responsible authority A • DELWP’s Advisory List of Threatened Invertebrate Fauna in Victoria as ‘critically The authority charged with the responsibility for endangered’, ‘endangered’ or ‘vulnerable’, administering and enforcing particular aspects but does not include ‘near threatened’ or of a planning scheme. ‘data deficient’ categories. Revegetation B Establishment of native vegetation to a minimum standard in formerly cleared areas, outside of a remnant patch.

Scattered tree C Species persistence A An indigenous canopy tree that does not form The continued existence of a species into the part of a remnant patch of native vegetation future. (see definition of remnant patch of native Specific biodiversity equivalence vegetation). score / units A Section 173 agreements B With reference to a specific species, a score or A management agreement primarily between a units used to quantify the relative contribution landowner and the responsible authority of a site to Victoria’s biodiversity. according to section 173 of the Planning and Specific-general offset test A Environment Act 1987. A test used to determine whether a general or Security Gain specific offset is required based on the impact of This is gain from actions to enhance security of native vegetation removal on the habitat for the on-going management and protection of rare or threatened species. native vegetation at the offset site, either by Specific offset A entering into an on-title agreement (for example under Section 173 of the Planning and An offset that is targeted to a particular species Environment Act 1987 ), or by locating the offset (or multiple species) impacted by the removal of on land that has greater security than the native vegetation. clearing site, or by transferring private land to a State Planning Policy Framework A secure public conservation reserve. A collection of clauses in the Victoria Planning A Site Provisions that inform planning authorities and An area of land that contains contiguous responsible authorities of those aspects of state patches of native vegetation or scattered trees, planning policy which they are to take into within the same ownership. account and give effect to in planning and administering their respective areas. Site-based information A Strategic biodiversity map A Information that is collected at a site. A map that shows the relative value of a location Site gain A in the landscape with regard to its condition, Predicted improvement in the condition, or the extent, connectivity and the support function it condition and extent, of native vegetation at a plays for species. The map is based on modelled site (measured in Habitat hectares) generated data. by the landowner committing to active Strategic biodiversity score A management and increased security. A score that quantifies the relative value of a Site loss A location in the landscape with regard to its Loss in the condition, or condition and extent, of condition, extent, connectivity and the support native vegetation when native vegetation is fully function it plays for species. or partially removed, measured in Habitat Strategic planning A hectares. A coordinated approach to planning where sp. areas for conservation and areas which can be Species (one species). cleared are strategically identified. spp. Species (more than one species).

Supplementary planting Vegetation Quality Assessment Establishment of overstorey and/or understorey The standard DELWP method for assessing plants within a remnant patch. Typically remnant patches of vegetation. Details of the includes the planting or direct-seeding of method are outlined in the Vegetation Quality understorey life forms. Assessment Method (DSE 2004). The results of the assessment are expressed in Habitat Taxon (plural taxa) hectares. Also referred to as a ‘Habitat hectare A term used to describe any taxonomic unit. assessment’ This term is typically used when referring Victoria Planning Provisions A broadly to any scientifically recognised species, subspecies or variety. A list of planning provisions that provides a standard template for individual planning Third-party offset B schemes. An offset located on a property owned by a Zone A person other than the landowner who incurs the native vegetation loss being offset. A zone in the Victoria Planning Provisions is a set of permitted uses of land which are defined Understorey spatially. Understorey is all vegetation other than mature canopy trees – includes immature trees, shrubs, grasses, herbs, mosses, lichens and soil crust. It does not include dead plant material that is not attached to a living plant. More information on understorey life forms is set out in the Vegetation Quality Assessment Manual (DSE 2004).

Appendix 7: Biodiversity impact and offset requirements report