LEVEL 1 FLORA AND VEGETATION SURVEY

Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

rpsgroup.com.au

LEVEL 1 FLORA AND VEGETATION SURVEY

Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

Prepared by: Prepared for:

RPS ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS 38 Station Street, SUBIACO WA 6008 130 Fauntleroy Avenue PO Box 465, SUBIACO WA 6904 REDCLIFFE WA 6104 T: 618 9211 1111 F: 618 9211 1122 E: [email protected] W: rpsgroup.com.au

Report No: L08189 Version/Date: Rev 1, February 2012

RPS Environment and Planning Pty Ltd (ABN 45 108 680 977) Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

Document Status

Review Format RPS Release Issue Version Purpose of Document Orig Review Date Review Approval Date Draft A Draft for Client Review AngMer KelMcC 03.02.09 DC 04.02.09 Rev 0 Final for Issue AngMer JohHal 17.02.09 SN 18.02.09 K. Bennetts 18.02.09 Rev 1 Final for Issue JohHal 17.02.12 DC 24.02.12 J. Haleen 24.02.12

Disclaimer

This document is and shall remain the property of RPS. The document may only be used for the purposes for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the Terms of Engagement for the commission. Unauthorised copying or use of this document in any form whatsoever is prohibited.

L08189, Rev 1, February 2012 DOCUMENT STATUS / DISCLAIMER

Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

SUMMARY

The findings of the Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey conducted in October 2008 of Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury, can be summarised as follows:

. Botanists recorded 122 taxa from thirty-eight plant families across the site; eighteen of these taxa are exotic species that are naturalised weeds.

No Declared Rare Flora (DRF) species, as listed under subsection (2) of Section 23F of the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 or Priority Flora species as listed by the Department of Environment and Conservation (Atkins, 2008) were located within the study area. No species governed by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 were located within the study area.

No other flora species of other conservation significance as stated in Guidance Statement 51 (EPA, 2004) or as listed in Bush Forever (Western Australian Planning Commission, 2000) were recorded within the study area.

. Three vegetation units were mapped for the study area. The vegetation units of the study area are inferred to represent Floristic Community Type (FCT) 21a Central Banksia attenuata – Eucalyptus marginata woodlands. This community type is centred on, but not exclusive to the Bassendean Dunes system. This community type is considered to be Well Reserved and Low Risk (Gibson et al. 1994).

. The vegetation condition of the study area ranged from Very Good to Completely Degraded (Figure 3).

. The south-eastern portion of the survey area has been mapped by Heddle et al. (1980) as part of the Serpentine River Complex. This complex has less than 10% remaining in the Perth Metropolitan Region of the Swan Coastal Plain (SCP) (Table 3), which makes it regionally significant under the Bush Forever criteria (Section 1.3.6). However, the vegetation on site is not representative of the ‘typical’ Serpentine River Complex; instead it is more similar to the Bassendean Complex, or may be a ‘transition area’ between the two. Also, the vegetation within the mapped Serpentine River Complex that is of Good or better condition is small and surrounded by many disturbance factors that make it unlikely to be viable in the long-term.

. FCTs and therefore potential Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) or other conservation significant plant communities can not be positively confirmed without conducting a statistical analysis of plot based data.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

SUMMARY ...... i

1.0 BACKGROUND ...... 1

1.1 Objectives ...... 1

1.2 Declared Rare Flora and Priority Flora ...... 1 1.2.1 State Legislation ...... 1 1.2.2 DRF and Priority Flora Database Search Results ...... 2 1.2.3 Federal Legislation ...... 3

1.3 Vegetation ...... 4 1.3.1 Vegetation Complexes ...... 4 1.3.2 Floristic Community Types ...... 6 1.3.3 Threatened Ecological Communities ...... 7 1.3.4 Other Vegetation of Conservation Significance ...... 10 1.3.5 TEC and PEC Database Search ...... 10 1.3.6 Regionally Significant Bushland ...... 11 1.3.7 Locally Significant Natural Areas ...... 11

2.0 METHODS ...... 13

2.1 Data Management and Interpretation ...... 14

3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ...... 15

3.1 Flora ...... 15 3.1.1 Introduced Flora (Weeds)...... 15 3.1.2 Declared Weeds ...... 16

3.2 Vegetation ...... 18 3.2.1 Vegetation Units ...... 18 3.2.2 Floristic Community Type (FCT) ...... 18

3.3 Vegetation Condition ...... 18

3.4 Regionally Significant Bushland ...... 19

3.5 Locally Significant Natural Areas ...... 20 3.5.1 Representation ...... 20 3.5.2 Diversity ...... 21 3.5.3 Rarity...... 22

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Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

3.5.4 Maintaining Ecological Processes or Natural Systems – Connectivity ...... 22 3.5.5 Protection of Wetland, Streamline and Estuarine Fringing Vegetation and Coastal Vegetation ...... 23

4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 25

5.0 LIMITATIONS ...... 27

6.0 REFERENCES ...... 29

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TABLES (contained within report text) Page

Table 1: DRF and Priority Flora within a 5 km Radius of Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury ...... 3

Table 2: Representation of Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury, remnant vegetation – Bassendean Complex – Central and South and Serpentine River Complex circa 1997 Remnant Vegetation Extent in the Swan Coastal Plain (Del Marco et al. 2004) ...... 5

Table 3: Representation of Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury, remnant vegetation – Bassendean Complex – Central and South and Serpentine River Complex circa 1997 Remnant Vegetation Extent in Bush Forever Study Areas in the Swan Coastal Plain of the Perth Metropolitan Region (Del Marco et al. 2004) ...... 5

Table 4: Four Major Floristic Groups – Super groups – of the Swan Coastal Plain (Gibson et al. 1994) ...... 6

Table 5: Reservation Status Categories (Gibson et al. 1994) ...... 7

Table 6: Conservation Status Categories (Gibson et al. 1994)...... 7

Table 7: Threatened Ecological Communities Category of Threat (English and Blyth 1997) ...... 8

Table 8: Threatened Ecological Communities within a 5 km radius of Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury ...... 10

Table 9: Ecological Criteria for use in determining Locally Significant Natural Areas of the Swan Coastal Plain (Del Marco et al. 2004) ...... 11

Table 10: Vegetation Condition Scale (Western Australian Planning Commission 2000) ...... 13

Table 11: Vegetation Structure Classes (Western Australian Planning Commission 2000) ...... 14

Table 12: Criteria for Environmental Weeds Strategy Rating ...... 15

Table 13: The EWSWA (CALM 1999) Rating of Weeds at Boomerang Road, Oldbury ...... 16

Table 14: Control Requirements of Declared Plants ...... 17

Table 15: Representation of Bassendean Complex – Central and South, and Serpentine River Complex within the City of Serpentine – Jarrahdale Local Government Area (Del Marco et al. 2004) ...... 21

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Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

FIGURES (compiled at rear of report)

Figure 1: Site Location

Figure 2: Vegetation Complexes

Figure 3: Vegetation Units and Condition

PLATES (contained within report text) Page

Plate 1: *Zantedeschia aethiopica ...... 16

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1: Species List

APPENDIX 2: Vegetation Unit Photographs

APPENDIX 3: DEC Response to Clearing Application

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Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

1.0 BACKGROUND

The suburb of Oldbury is located approximately 40 km south of the Perth CBD (Figure 1). GHD was commissioned in 2005 to conduct a flora and vegetation survey of Lot 6 Boomerang Road, Oldbury; the results of this survey are reported in GHD (2006). Following this survey work Rocla Quarry Products applied for a clearing permit for sand extraction purposes of Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury. In response, the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) required additional flora and vegetation survey work to be completed on Lots 300 and 301, namely a targeted DRF search and further information on the vegetation complexes likely to be present.

Rocla Quarry Products then commissioned RPS to conduct supplementary flora and vegetation survey work during spring 2008. The aim of this was to both supplement the survey work completed by GHD in 2005 and extend the study area to include Lots 6, 300 and 301 (the study area) (Figure 1).

1.1 Objectives

Following correspondence from the DEC (Appendix 3) and after consultation with Craig Olejnik from the Native Vegetation Conservation Branch of the DEC, it was decided that the likelihood of any TECs being present on site was minimal. As an outcome of this, a Level 2 Flora and Vegetation assessment, in line with Guidance Statement 51 (GS51) (EPA, 2004) was not required. Therefore, even though survey work was of Level 2 standard, the report that was required was Level 1, as presented within this document.

The principal objectives of this Level 1 assessment include:

. vegetation unit mapping . confirmation of vegetation complexes present . vegetation condition mapping . identification and assessment of the potential impact on flora of conservation significance.

1.2 Declared Rare Flora and Priority Flora

1.2.1 State Legislation

Declared Rare Flora (DRF) are flora that have been adequately surveyed and are considered to be in danger of extinction, rare or otherwise in need of special protection within Western Australia. DRF are protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (as amended).

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Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

Additionally in Western Australia there are four categories of Priority Flora, which are not specifically covered under current legislation, but their conservation status warrants some protection. Three categories of Priority Flora are allocated to species that are poorly known (Priority 1 to 3). These require more information to be assessed for inclusion as DRF. The categories are arranged to give an indication of the priority for undertaking further surveys based on the number of known sites, and the degree of threat to those populations. A fourth category of priority (Priority 4) is included for those species that have been adequately surveyed and are considered to be rare but not currently threatened.

1.2.2 DRF and Priority Flora Database Search Results

The DEC’s databases for Threatened (Declared Rare) Flora, the Western Australian Herbarium (WAH) Specimen and Declared Rare Flora were searched for known records within a 5 km radius of the project area. The search coordinates used were 320 16’08’S - and 1150 53’31’E There were eighteen conservation significant species recorded of which six are DRF. The list of DRF and Priority Flora is provided in Table 1.

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Table 1: DRF and Priority Flora within a 5 km Radius of Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

Species Conservation Code1 Caladenia huegelii DRF (R) Diuris micrantha R Diuris purdiei R Drakaea elastica R Tetraria australiensis R Verticordia plumosa var. pleiobotrya R Acacia lasiocarpa var. bracteolata long peduncle variant Priority 1 (P1) Boronia juncea subsp. juncea P1 Synaphea sp. Pinjarra plain P1 Johnsonia pubescens subsp. cygnorum P2 Aotus cordifolia P3 Cyathochaeta teretifolia P3 Dillwynia dillwynioides P3 Stylidium longitubum P3 Synaphea sp. Serpentine P3 Aponogeton hexatepalus P4 Dodonaea hackettiana P4 Stylidium ireneae P4

1 R: Declared Rare Flora – Extant Taxa Taxa which have been adequately searched for and are deemed to be in the wild either rare, in danger of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection, and have been gazetted as such.

P1: Priority One – Poorly known Taxa Taxa which are known from one or a few (generally <5) populations which are under threat, either due to small population size, or being on lands under immediate threat, e.g. road verges, urban areas, farmland, active mineral leases, etc, or the plants are under threat, e.g. from disease, grazing by feral animals, etc. May include taxa with threatened populations on protected lands. Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora', but are in urgent need of further survey.

P2: Priority Two – Poorly Known Taxa Taxa which are known from one or a few (generally <5) populations, at least some of which are not believed to be under immediate threat (i.e. not currently endangered). Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora', but are in urgent need of further survey.

P3: Priority Three – Poorly Known Taxa Taxa which are known from several populations, and the taxa are not believed to be under immediate threat (i.e. not currently endangered), either due to the number of known populations (generally >5), or known populations being large, and either widespread or protected. Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora' but are in need of further survey. P4: Priority Four – Rare Taxa Taxa which are considered to have been adequately surveyed and which, whilst being rare (in Australia), are not currently threatened by any identifiable factors. These taxa require monitoring every 5–10 years.

1.2.3 Federal Legislation

Some flora species have additional protection under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). In Western Australia, this predominantly consists of DRF. These are defined as Threatened Flora Species under the EPBC Act. Penalties apply for any damage to individuals, populations or habitats of species protected.

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Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

1.2.3.1 Other Species of Conservation Significance

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Guidance Statement 51 (EPA 2004) lists species other than DRF and Priority Flora as of conservation significance where a species has:

. a keystone role

. relictual status

. anomalous features indicating a potential new discovery

. a representation of a species range (range extensions, extremes or an outlier population)

. status as a restricted subspecies, variety, or naturally occurring hybrid

. poor reservation

. status as a local endemic or has a restricted distribution.

This document states that conservation significance includes these criteria, but is not limited to them. It may include flora that are poorly represented in WAH and short range endemic flora (those with a known range less than 200 km).

1.3 Vegetation

1.3.1 Vegetation Complexes

Vegetation complexes are groups of vegetation types that occur in patterns relating to soil and geomorphology (and water availability). A large part of the Swan Coastal Plain has been mapped for vegetation complexes by Heddle et al. (1980) and the distribution of these complexes are largely related to the Dune Systems of the Quindalup, Spearwood, Bassendean and Pinjarra Plain. The secondary influences of these complexes are the north–south changes in climate.

Heddle et al. (1980) has mapped the vegetation within the study area as Bassendean Complex – Central and South, over the majority of the site with the Serpentine River Complex located near the south eastern boundary (Figure 2). Descriptions of both complexes are given below:

. Bassendean Complex – Central and South vegetation ranges from a Woodland of Eucalyptus marginata – Allocasuarina fraseriana - Banksia spp. to Low Woodland of Melaleuca spp. and Sedgelands on the moister sites. This area includes the transition of E. marginata to E. todtiana in the vicinity of Perth (Heddle et al. 1980).

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. The Serpentine River Complex consists of Closed Scrub of Melaleuca spp. and fringing Woodland of Eucalyptus rudis – Melaleuca rhaphiophylla along streams (Heddle et al. 1980).

The remnant vegetation extent and reservation status of the Bassendean Complex – Central and South and Serpentine River Complex within the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) subregion Swan Coastal Plain (SCP) between Moore River and Dunsborough (Del Marco et al. 2004) is presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Representation of Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury, remnant vegetation – Bassendean Complex – Central and South and Serpentine River Complex circa 1997 Remnant Vegetation Extent in the Swan Coastal Plain (Del Marco et al. 2004)

Vegetation Complex Pre- Present % of Present % of Present European Extent (ha) Extent Extent In Extent (ha) Remaining Remaining Secure Tenure# Bassendean Complex – 87 626 23 635 27* 0.7 Central and South Serpentine River Complex 19 855 2 103 10.6** 2.8

* Equivalent to < = 30% in 2004 based on the limitations of these statistics

** Equivalent to < = 10% in 2004 based on the limitations of these statistics

# refers to National Parks, Nature Reserves, Conservation Parks and Reserves from CALM Managed Lands 2002 GIS database.

The remnant vegetation extent and reservation status of the Bassendean Complex – Central and South and Serpentine River Complex within the Bush Forever (Western Australian Planning Commission, 2000) study area is presented in Table 3.

Table 3: Representation of Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury, remnant vegetation – Bassendean Complex – Central and South and Serpentine River Complex circa 1997 Remnant Vegetation Extent in Bush Forever Study Areas in the Swan Coastal Plain of the Perth Metropolitan Region (Del Marco et al. 2004)

Vegetation Complex Pre- Present % of % of Complex European Extent (ha) Present Proposed for Extent Remaining Extent Protection within (ha) Remaining Bush Forever areas Bassendean Complex – 46 220 10 919 24 13* Central and South Serpentine River Complex 4 445 398 9 4*

* Equivalent to 400ha or 10% or less (whichever is the greater) in 2004 based on the limitations of these statistics

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The figures in Tables 2 and 3 for the percentage remaining of vegetation complexes are derived from dated aerial photography circa. 1997/1998 with limited ground-truthing. As a consequence the percentages of ecological communities remaining are generally an overestimate of the native vegetation remaining at present. The principal factors contributing to this overestimation are:

. the preferential mapping of treed landscapes, leading to some mapping of areas that are parkland cleared or completely degraded

. the inclusion of areas that are approved for clearing through development approvals and/or clearing permits

. some areas have been cleared since the time of the aerial photography (Del Marco et al. 2004).

Additionally, the figures provided in Table 2 and 3 do not address the condition of the remaining vegetation.

1.3.2 Floristic Community Types

Floristic Community Types (FCTs) are based on a survey of the vegetation of the Swan Coastal Plain from Seabird to Dunsborough, completed by Gibson et al. (1994). The purpose of the Gibson et al. (1994) survey was to determine the number and type of FCTs present across the southern SCP and to then assess how much of each remained and whether they were protected within reserves. Analysis by Gibson et al. (1994) distinguished four floristic ‘super groups’ (Table 4). Three of these ‘super groups’ relate to major geomorphic elements of the Swan Coastal Plain, whilst one is a wetland group distributed across all the major landforms (Gibson et al. 1994). A more detailed classification established thirty FCTs, with thirteen further subdivisions, making forty- three FCTs in total.

Table 4: Four Major Floristic Groups – Super groups – of the Swan Coastal Plain (Gibson et al. 1994)

Super Group Landform FCTs 1 Foothills/Pinjarra Plain 6 Types – 1 (a & b) , 2 and 3 (a, b & c) 17 Types – 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (a & b), 11, 2 Seasonal Wetlands 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 Uplands centred on Bassendean 9 Types – 20 (a, b & c), 21(a, b & c), 22 3 Dunes and 23 (a & b) Uplands centred on Spearwood 11 Types – 24, 25, 26 (a & b), 27, 28, 29 4 and Quindalup Dunes (a & b) and 30 (a, b & c)

Each FCT defined as a result of Gibson et al. (1994) was given a Reservation Status and a Conservation Status (Tables 5 and 6).

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Table 5: Reservation Status Categories (Gibson et al. 1994)

Reservation Status Description Well Reserved Known from two or more A class National Parks or Nature Reserves Poorly Reserved Known from a single A class National Park or Nature Reserve Unreserved Not known to occur in any A class National Park or Nature Reserve

Table 6: Conservation Status Categories (Gibson et al. 1994)

Conservation Status Description A community that is totally destroyed or so extensively modified that it Presumed Destroyed is unlikely to re-establish ecosystem processes in the foreseeable future. A community with most or all of its known occurrences facing severe Critical modification or destruction in the immediate future. A community in danger of severe modification or destruction throughout Endangered its range, if causal factors continue operating. A community likely to move into the endangered category in the near Vulnerable future if the causal factors continue operating. A community of concern because there is evidence that it can be Susceptible modified or destroyed by human activities or would be vulnerable to new threatening process. Low Risk A community that does not qualify for one of the above categories A community for which there is inadequate data to assign to one of the Insufficiently Known above categories.

Most of the SCPs Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) and/or Priority Ecological Communities (PECs) protected under state and/ or federal legislation (Section 1.3.3 to 1.3.5) are defined by their FCT in Gibson et al. (1994).

1.3.3 Threatened Ecological Communities

Within Western Australia, Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) are defined by DEC as those which are found to fit into one of the categories in Table 7. The categories ‘Data Deficient’ and ‘Lower Risk’ can be used to provide a list of communities not classified as threatened, but that require more information. Within Western Australia, TECs have limited protection under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (as amended). TECs will be protected by the proposed Biodiversity Conservation Act (in preparation).

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Table 7: Threatened Ecological Communities Category of Threat (English and Blyth 1997)

Category Definition Presumed An ecological community will be listed as presumed totally destroyed if there are Totally no recent records of the community being extant and either of the following Destroyed applies: (PD) A) Records within the last 50 years have not been confirmed despite thorough searches or known or likely habitats or B) All occurrences recorded within the last 50 years have since been destroyed. Critically An ecological community will be listed as Critically Endangered when it has Endangered been adequately surveyed and is found to be facing an extremely high risk of (CR) 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) 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: . 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 imminent (within approximately 5 years) . modification throughout its range is continuing such that in the immediate future (within approximately 5 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): . 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 5 years) . there are very few occurrences, each of which is small and/or isolated and extremely vulnerable to known threatening processes . 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 which may be capable of being rehabilitated if such work begins in the immediate future (within approximately 5 years).

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Category Definition Endangered An ecological community will be listed as Endangered when it has been (EN) 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 estimated geographic range, and/or total area occupied, and/or number of discrete occurrences since European settlement have been reduced by at least 70% and either or both of the following apply (i or ii) . 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 (within approximately 10 years) . modification throughout its range is continuing such that in the short term future (within approximately 10 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): . 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 10 years) . there are very few occurrences, each of which is small and/or isolated and extremely vulnerable to known threatening processes . 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 which may be capable of being rehabilitated if such work begins in the short term future (within approximately 10 years). Vulnerable An ecological community will be listed as Vulnerable when it has been (VU) adequately surveyed and is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk of total destruction in the medium to long-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 which are likely to be capable of being substantially restored or rehabilitated. B) The ecological community can be modified or destroyed 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 still be 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. Data An ecological community which has not been adequately evaluated with respect Deficient to status or where there is currently insufficient information to assign it to a (DD) particular category. (An ecological community with poorly known distribution or biology that is suspected to belong to any of the above categories. These ecological communities have a high priority for survey and/or research.) Lower Risk An ecological community that has been adequately surveyed and does not (LR) qualify for any of the above categories of threat and appears unlikely to be under threat of significant modification or destruction in the short to medium term future.

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The EPBC Act provides protection for a subset of the state listed TECs under federal legislation. TECs under the EPBC Act are defined as those communities which are:

. Critically Endangered (if, at that time, it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future).

. Endangered (if, at that time, it is not critically endangered and is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future).

. Vulnerable (if, at that time, it is not critically endangered or endangered, and is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium term future).

1.3.4 Other Vegetation of Conservation Significance

1.3.4.1 Priority Ecological Communities

Possible TECs that do not meet survey criteria or that are not adequately defined are added to DEC’s 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 TECs. Ecological communities that are adequately known, and are rare but not threatened or meet criteria for Near Threatened (P1, 2 or 3), 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.

1.3.5 TEC and PEC Database Search

A search of the DECs Threatened Ecological Communities Database for known records of TEC and/or Priority Communities within a 5 km radius of Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury is presented below in Table 8. Two TECs and no PECs were identified from the search area.

Table 8: Threatened Ecological Communities within a 5 km radius of Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

Code Description State Federal Status* Status** Eucalyptus calophylla - Xanthorrhoea preissii Critically SCP 3c Endangered woodlands and shrublands, Swan Coastal Plain Endangered SCP 09 Dense shrublands on clay flats Vulnerable N/A

*Wildlife Conservation Act 1950. **EPBC Act 1999

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1.3.6 Regionally Significant Bushland

Within the SCP portion of the Perth Metropolitan Region, bushland of regional significance is identified by the criteria in Bush Forever (Western Australian Planning Commission, 2000). Regionally significant bushland that is to be protected has been designated within Bush Forever sites or identified as any bushland of a vegetation complex with only 400 ha or 10% or less (whichever is the greater) remaining and that has basic vegetation structure intact in the Bush Forever Study Area (Western Australian Planning Commission, 2000). Other natural areas of regional significance (e.g. wetlands, watercourses), have not yet been formally designated by the State Government within the Bush Forever Study Area.

1.3.7 Locally Significant Natural Areas

Locally Significant Natural Areas are Local Natural Areas that meet one or more ecological criteria of significance and have been verified in the field. The fact that a natural area is confirmed as ‘locally significant’ does not necessarily mean that it must and can be protected (Del Marco et al. 2004). Local Natural Areas refers to all natural areas, not just bushland, that exists outside of the DEC Managed Estates, regional parks and Bush Forever sites (Del Marco et al. 2004).

The ecological criteria for Locally Significant Natural Areas are listed in Table 9. Many of these criteria also have regional conservation value as they are directly based on the criteria for regional significance in Bush Forever. Del Marco et al. (2004) states that Local Governments, communities and developers must appreciate that Bush Forever excluded some sites of regional significance based on ecological value because of the social and economic constraints that existed at the time.

These ecological criteria were established by the ‘Local Government Biodiversity Planning Guidelines for the Perth Metropolitan Region’ (Del Marco et al. 2004) and are directly based on an extension of the State Government’s Bush Forever strategy (Western Australian Planning Commission 2000), along with the criteria proposed in the Urban Bushland Strategy (Government of Western Australia 1995).

Table 9: Ecological Criteria for use in determining Locally Significant Natural Areas of the Swan Coastal Plain (Del Marco et al. 2004)

ECOLOGICAL CRITERIA 1. Representation 1a. Regional Representation i) Any natural area with recognised International, National, State or Regional Conservation Value (outside Bush Forever Sites and Department of Conservation and Land Management [CALM] Managed Estate) that is not yet protected and/ or managed for conservation (Essential) ii) Natural areas of an ecological community with only 1500 ha or 30% or less (whichever is greater) of their pre-European extent remaining in the Interim Biogeographically Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) subregion (Essential – Jarrah Forest, Desirable – Swan Coastal Plain).

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ECOLOGICAL CRITERIA iii) Large (greater than 20 ha), viable natural area in good or better condition of an ecological community with over 30% of its pre-European extent remaining in the IBRA subregion (Desirable). v) Natural area of an ecological community with only 400 ha or 10% or less (whichever is greater) protected for conservation in the Bush Forever Study Area (Essential). 1b. Local Representation i) Natural area of an ecological community with 10% or less of its pre-European extent remaining within the Local Government area (Essential). ii) Natural area of an ecological community with 30% or less of its pre-European extent remaining within the Local Government area (Essential – Jarrah Forest, Desirable SCP). iii) Large (greater than 10 ha), viable natural areas in good or better condition of an ecological community with more than 30% of its pre-European extent remaining within the Local Government area (Desirable). 2. Diversity i) Natural areas in good or better condition that contain both upland and wetland structural plant communities (Essential). 3. Rarity i) Natural areas of an ecological community with only 1500 ha or 10% or less (whichever is the greater) of their pre-European extent remaining in the IBRA subregion (Essential). ii) Natural areas of an ecological community with only 400 ha or 10% or less (whichever is the greater) of their pre-European extent remaining in the Bush Forever Study Area (Essential). iii) Natural areas classified by CALM as containing Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) (English & Blyth 1997, 1999; CALM TEC GIS database, undated) (Essential). iv) Natural areas containing Declared Rare Flora (DRF), Specially Protected Fauna (SPF) or significant habitat for Specially Protected Fauna (Essential). v) Natural areas containing Priority or other significant flora or fauna or significant habitat for these fauna (Essential). 4. Maintaining Ecological Processes or Natural Systems – Connectivity i) Natural areas acting as stepping stones within a Regional Ecological Linkage (Essential). ii) Natural areas acting as stepping stones within a within a local ecological linkage determined by a Local Government (Essential). 5. Protection of Wetland, Streamline and Estuarine Fringing Vegetation and Coastal Vegetation i) Wetlands meeting the criteria for listing as Conservation Category or Resource Enhancement Wetlands plus an appropriate buffer (minimum 50 m) in addition to the wetland dependant vegetation (Essential). ii) Wetlands listed under the Environmental Protection (Swan Coastal Plain Lakes) Policy (EPP Lakes) plus an appropriate buffer (Essential). iii) Riparian vegetation along rivers, creeklines and other channel wetlands plus an appropriate buffer (minimum 50 m) in addition to the riparian (wetland dependant) vegetation (Essential). iv) Floodplains delineated on the basis of ecological and geomorphic features plus an appropriate buffer (minimum 50 m) in addition to the floodplain area (Essential). v) Estuarine fringing vegetation plus an appropriate buffer (minimum 50 m) of non-estuarine vegetation (Essential). vi) Coastal vegetation on the foredunes and secondary dunes (Essential).

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2.0 METHODS

Despite this report presenting a Level 1 assessment, survey methodology was based on a Level 2 Flora and Vegetation Survey as outlined in Guidance Statement 51 (EPA 2004). The baseline survey was completed on 1 October 2008 with a follow up survey completed on 28 October 2008.

Four 10 m x 10 m plots were established by botanists C. Dornan, A. Mercier and V. Yeomans in October 2008. These plots were revisited in October 2008 by botanists A. Mercier, V. Yeomans and K. McCreery. The information recorded at each 10 m x 10 m plot included:

. a GPS location at the north-west corner (WGS84, accuracy <5 m) . photographs . species present (including height and density) . soil description . landform description . aspect . bare ground and litter cover estimates . condition (Western Australian Planning Commission 2000) (Table 10) . vegetation structure (Western Australian Planning Commission 2000) (Table 11).

Table 10: Vegetation Condition Scale (Western Australian Planning Commission 2000)

Condition Definition Pristine No obvious signs of disturbance. Vegetation structure intact, disturbance affecting individual species; weeds are Excellent non-aggressive species. Very Good Vegetation structure altered; obvious signs of disturbance. Vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple Good disturbance; basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate is retained. Basic vegetation structure severely impacted by disturbance; scope for Degraded regeneration but not to a state approaching good (sic) condition without intensive management. Completely Vegetation structure not intact; the area completely or almost completely without Degraded native species (‘parkland cleared’).

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Table 11: Vegetation Structure Classes (Western Australian Planning Commission 2000)

Life Form/ Canopy Cover (percentage) Height Class 100% – 70% 70% – 30% 30% – 10% 10% – 2% Trees 10–30 m Closed Forest Open Forest Woodland Open Woodland Low Open Trees <10 m Low Closed Forest Low Woodland Low Open Woodland Forest Closed Shrub Shrub Open Shrub Very Open Scrub Shrub Mallee Mallee Mallee Mallee Mallee Tall Open Shrubs >2 m Closed Tall Scrub Tall Shrubland Tall Open Shrubland Scrub Shrubs 1–2 m Closed Heath Open Heath Shrubland Open Shrubland Open Low Shrubs <1 m Closed Low Heath Low Shrubland Low Open Shrubland Heath Open Grasses Closed Grassland Grassland Very Open Grassland Grassland Herbs Closed Herbland Herbland Open Herbland Very Open Herbland Open Very Open Sedges Closed Sedgeland Sedgeland Sedgeland Sedgeland

In addition to the plot based survey, it was necessary to supplement the flora inventory and locate any additional species of significance. This included DRF and Priority Flora searches by conducting relevés and opportunistic collections across the study area.

2.1 Data Management and Interpretation

The flora inventory was compiled from flora specimens collected; including those from plots, relevés and opportunistic records and this data is presented in Appendix 1. A photo of each vegetation unit is presented in Appendix 2. Flora specimens were identified using the resources of the Western Australian Herbarium. The latest nomenclature and taxonomic references were used (Florabase 2009). Atkins (2008) was used as the authority for DRF and Priority Flora.

Condition assessment mapping was completed using aerial photo-interpretation and on- site confirmation, with mapping units based on the vegetation condition scale from Bush Forever (WAPC 2000) (Table 10). Results are presented in Figure 3.

Floristic community mapping was completed using a combination of aerial photo- interpretation and on-ground confirmation to determine community boundaries. The floristic composition and vegetation structure data collected during the field survey was later used to both confirm boundaries and describe floristic communities. The vegetation structure classes that were used to both define and describe the vegetation are presented in Table 11. Results are presented in Figure 3.

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3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Flora

Botanists recorded 122 taxa from thirty-eight plant families across the site; eighteen of these taxa are exotic species that are naturalised weeds. The list of species recorded within the study area is presented in Appendix 1.

There were a number of taxa that could not be positively identified due to inadequate fruiting or flowering material available at the time of the survey. These taxa are labelled with a ‘?’ in Appendix 1.

No Declared Rare Flora species, as listed under subsection (2) of Section 23F of the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 or Priority Flora species as listed by the Department of Environment and Conservation (Atkins 2008) were located within the study area. No species governed by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 were located within the study area.

No other flora species of other conservation significance as stated in Guidance Statement 51 (EPA 2004) or as listed in Bush Forever (Western Australian Planning Commission 2000) were recorded within the study area.

3.1.1 Introduced Flora (Weeds)

Eighteen introduced flora (weeds) were recorded from the survey site, which is 15% of the total flora recorded. The majority of introduced flora were from the Poaceae (grass) and Asteraceae (daisy) families.

The Environmental Weeds Strategy for WA (EWSWA) (CALM 1999), rated all the weeds known for Western Australia at the time of publication, according to invasiveness, distribution and environmental impact (Table 12). Weeds were classified into four categories; High, Moderate, Mild and Low. High rated species are those that all three criteria apply to (Table 12) and Moderate to which two criteria apply. The High and Moderate category weeds recorded in the study area that should be prioritised for control or eradication are listed in Table 13.

Table 12: Criteria for Environmental Weeds Strategy Rating

Criteria Description Ability to invade bushland in good to excellent condition or ability to invade Invasiveness waterways. Wide current or potential distribution including consideration of known Distribution history of wide spread distribution elsewhere in the world. Environmental Ability to change the structure, composition and function of ecosystems. In Impacts particular an ability to form a monoculture in a vegetation community.

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Table 13: The EWSWA (CALM 1999) Rating of Weeds at Boomerang Road, Oldbury

Weed Rating Weed Rating Disa bracteata (formerly * Bromus diandrus High * Moderate Monadenia bracteata) * Ehrharta calycina High * Ehrharta longiflora Moderate * Romulea rosea High * Gladiolus caryophyllaceus Moderate * Zantedeschia aethiopica High * Hypochaeris glabra Moderate * Arctotheca calendula Moderate * Pentaschistis airoides Moderate * Briza maxima Moderate * Sonchus oleraceus Moderate * Crassula glomerata Moderate * Ursinia anthemoides Moderate

3.1.2 Declared Weeds

The Agriculture Protection Board under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 can ‘Declare’ a plant that must be controlled or eradicated by landholders when it grows on their land. The control requirements of each plant species depends on the declaration status of the plant. There was one weed species found within the study area that is listed as a Declared Plant for the whole of the state; Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum Lilly). A description of this Declared Plant and its declaration status is given below. The control requirements for the declaration statuses are listed in Table 14.

Zantedeschia aethiopica (Arum Lilly) – status P1 and P4 Introduced as a garden plant, it has large white inflorescence that flowers in spring to early summer. It is toxic to cattle and found primarily in wet, swampy habitats (Hussey et al. 2007)

Plate 1: *Zantedeschia aethiopica

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Table 14: Control Requirements of Declared Plants

P1 The movement of plants or their seeds is prohibited within the state. REQUIREMENTS This prohibits the movement of contaminated machinery and produce Prohibits movement including livestock and fodder.

P3 The infested area must be managed in such a way that prevents the REQUIREMENTS spread of seed or plant parts within and from the property on or in Aims to control livestock, fodder, grain, vehicles and/or machinery. infestation by Treat to destroy and prevent seed set all plants: reducing area . within 100 metres inside of the boundaries of the infestation and/or density of infestation . within 50 metres of roads and high water mark on waterways . within 50 metres of sheds, stock yards and houses Treatment must be done prior to seed set each year. Of the remaining infested area: Where plant density is 1–10 per hectare treat 100% of infestation. Where plant density is 11–100 per hectare treat 50% of infestation. Where plant density is 101–1000 per hectare treat 10% of infestation. Properties with less than 2 hectares of infestation must treat the entire infestation. Additional areas may be ordered to be treated.

P4 The infested area must be managed in such a way that prevents the REQUIREMENTS spread of seed or plant parts within and from the property on or in Aims to prevent livestock, fodder, grain, vehicles and/or machinery. infestation Treat to destroy and prevent seed set all plants: spreading beyond . within 100 metres inside of the boundaries of the infested property existing boundaries of infestation. . within 50 metres of roads and high water mark on waterways . within 50 metres of sheds, stock yards and houses Treatment must be done prior to seed set each year. Properties with less than 2 hectares of infestation must treat the entire infestation. Additional areas may be ordered to be treated.

Special In the case of P4 infestations where they continue across property Considerations boundaries there is no requirement to treat the relevant part of the property boundaries as long as the boundaries of the infestation as a whole are treated. There must be agreement between neighbours in relation to the treatment of these areas .

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3.2 Vegetation

3.2.1 Vegetation Units

Three vegetation units were mapped across the study area, as shown in Figure 3. Photographs of each vegetation unit can be found in Appendix 2. Descriptions of the vegetation units for the study area are as follows:

1. BaBm – Scattered Allocasuarina fraseriana over Low Woodland of Banksia attenuata and Banksia menziesii over Tall Open Shrubland Jacksonia furcellata over an Open Shrubland of Macrozamia fraseri over a Sedgeland of Lyginia barbata and Desmocladus flexuosus with an Open Herbland of Burchardia congesta and Dasypogon bromeliifolius.

2. AfBaBm – Low Woodland of Allocasuarina fraseriana, Banksia attenuata and Banksia menziesii over Tall Open Shrubland of Kunzea glabrescens over Low Shrubland of Hibbertia hypericoides, Macrozamia fraseri and Xanthorrhoea preissii over Herbland of Burchardia congesta over Very Open Sedgeland of Mesomelaena pseudostygia and Desmocladus flexuosus.

3. EmAf – Open Woodland of Eucalyptus marginata and Allocasuarina fraseriana over Low Open Woodland of Banksia ilicifolia over Tall Open Shrubland of Kunzea glabrescens over Low Shrubland of Pteridium esculentum and weeds.

3.2.2 Floristic Community Type (FCT)

The vegetation of the survey area is inferred to represent FCT 21a Central Banksia attenuata – Eucalyptus marginata woodlands. This community may also include E. marginata, Corymbia calophylla, Banksia attenuata woodlands with Allocasuarina fraseriana and Eucalyptus gomphocephala. This community type is centred on, but not exclusive to the Bassendean Dunes system. It is also found on the Spearwood Dunes and less commonly on the Pinjarra Plain from Perth to Capel. This community type is considered to be Well Reserved and Low Risk (Gibson et al. 1994) (Table 5 and 6).

The survey work for this report did include a plot based survey. However, due to a redefined scope the data was not statistically analysed, which is required for objective FCT and Threatened Ecological Community identification; therefore, the FCT for the study area has only been inferred for this report.

3.3 Vegetation Condition

The vegetation condition of the study area ranged from Very Good to Completely Degraded (Figure 3).

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Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

The study area is split into three separate Lots; Lots 6 and 300 each have a private residence, Lot 301 has a private residence as well as a dirt racing track. The vegetation surrounding the private residence in each Lot and the race track ranges from Good – Degraded to Completely Degraded. This is the result of varied degrees of disturbance from weeds, ornamental garden plantings and clearing (Figure 3).

Remaining remnant vegetation across the study area varies depending on disturbance and weeds. All three Lots have patches of vegetation in Very Good condition surrounded by vegetation in various degrees of degradation due to weed invasion and land use disturbances (Figure 3).

3.4 Regionally Significant Bushland

The south-eastern portion of the survey area has been mapped by Heddle et al. (1980) as part of the Serpentine River Complex. This complex has less than 10% remaining in the PMR of the SCP (Table 3), which makes it regionally significant under the Bush Forever criteria (Section 1.3.6).

3.4.1.1 Serpentine River Complex FCTs

On a broader regional scale there is 10.6% of the Serpentine River Complex remaining within the SCP between Moore River and Dunsborough (Table 2). According to Del Marco et al. (2004) there is an approximate over estimate of about 10% in these figures, which means that there may be as little as 1% remaining of the Serpentine River Complex within the SCP.

The Serpentine River Complex is grouped under the Pinjarra Plain geomorphic unit. This correlates to floristic Supergroup 1 – Foothills/Pinjarra Plain, which is represented by six FCTs (Gibson et al. 1994) (Table 4). These FCTs were not inferred from the study area. Instead FCT 21a Central Banksia attenuata – Eucalyptus marginata woodlands was inferred. FCT 21a is part of Supergroup 3 – Uplands centred on Bassendean Dunes. This supergroup is represented by nine FCTs (Table 4) which are centred on, but not exclusive, to the Bassendean Dunes (Gibson et al. 1994).

3.4.1.2 Serpentine River Complex Condition/Conservation Viability within the Study Area

Within the proposed clearing area (Figure 2), the mapped Serpentine River Complex covers 5.5 ha. Vegetation in Good or better condition, within the mapped Serpentine River Complex covers approximately 2.9 ha and the remaining 2.6 ha ranges from Good – Degraded to Completely Degraded condition.

Size is an important factor when considering whether a conservation area will be viable long-term, for example areas between 1 ha and 4 ha have lower viability and high management costs (Del Marco et al. 2004). Condition is another measure of long-term viability. The patch of Good or better vegetation within the Serpentine River Complex

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of the study area is contained within residential Lots (Figures 2 and 3). As a result this vegetation is under continuous pressure from surrounding land uses, weeds, feral animals and partial clearing; therefore it is likely the condition of this area will degrade over time.

3.4.1.3 Summary

In summary the vegetation on site is not representative of the ‘typical’ Serpentine River Complex; instead it is more similar to the Bassendean Complex, or may be a ‘transition area’ between the two. Also, the vegetation within the mapped Serpentine River Complex that is of Good or better condition is small and surrounded by many disturbance factors that make it unlikely to be viable in the long-term.

3.5 Locally Significant Natural Areas

The ecological criteria for determining LSNAs of the SCP (Table 9), in relation to the study area, have been addressed in the following Sections 3.5.1 to 3.5.5. According to these criteria, the study area is a LSNA on the basis of meeting the ‘Essential’ criteria detailed in Sections 3.5.1 and 3.5.3 (Refer to Table 7 in Del Marco et al. 2004).

3.5.1 Representation

1a) i) Recognised for International, National, State or Regional conservation value. No A desktop search of: The Australian Heritage Database, Protected Matters Database, Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia and RAMSAR Sites revealed the Oldbury study area is not currently formally recognised for International, National, State, or Regional Conservation Significance. No threatened flora or Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) as defined by the EPBC Act 1999 were recorded within the study area.

1a) ii) Community with <30% remaining within IBRA region. Yes (Desirable) According to Del Marco et al. (2004) 27% of the Bassendean Complex – Central and South, and 10.6% of the Serpentine River Complex remains within the Swan Coastal Plain between Moore River and Dunsborough (Table 2). Del Marco et al. (2004) states that there is an approximate overestimate of about 10% in these figures, which means that there may be as little as 12% remaining of the Bassendean Complex – Central and South Complex and <1% of the Serpentine River Complex (Table 2).

1a) iii) Large viable (>20ha) conservation areas regionally in good or better condition and 1b) iii) locally. No The area proposed for clearing within study area is 11.2ha; the total area of the mining footprint is 15.2 ha. Less than half of this area is in Good or better condition (Figure 3).

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1a) v) Ecological Community with <10% in Bush Forever Conservation. Yes (Essential) Approximately 13% of the pre-European Bassendean Complex – Central and South, and 4% of the pre-European Serpentine River Complex ecological communities are proposed for protection in Bush Forever areas. These are regionally significant bushland areas and not necessarily secure tenure (Table 3) (Del Marco et al. 2004).

1 b) i) Community with <10% remaining within local government area. Yes (Essential) This criterion requires a 10% minimum of pre-European extent remaining within the local government area. Approximately 31% of the pre-European Bassendean Complex – Central and South, and 7% of the pre-European Serpentine River Complex remains within the City of Serpentine – Jarrahdale Local Government area (Table 15).

Table 15: Representation of Bassendean Complex – Central and South, and Serpentine River Complex within the City of Serpentine – Jarrahdale Local Government Area (Del Marco et al. 2004)

Community Pre European Remaining extent of Pre European as of 2001 (ha) ha % Bassendean Complex – 9854 3011 31 Central and South Serpentine River 783 51 7 Complex

1 b) ii) Community with <30% remaining within local government area. Yes (Desirable) This criterion requires a 30% minimum of pre-European extent remaining within the local government area. Approximately 31% and 7% of the Bassendean Complex – Central and South, and Serpentine River Complex, respectively, remains within the City of Serpentine – Jarrahdale Local Government area (Table 15).

3.5.2 Diversity

2) i) Natural area containing upland and wetland communities. No (only upland communities) There was one inferred Floristic Community Type (FCT 21a Central Banksia attenuata – Eucalyptus marginata) in the study area, which is an upland community. This community type is considered to be Well Reserved; with low conservation risk (Gibson et al. 1994). There were no wetland plant communities.

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3.5.3 Rarity

3) i) Ecological community with <10% remaining within IBRA.. Yes (Essential) The Bassendean Complex – Central and South, and Serpentine River Complex has 27% and 10.6%, respectively of there pre-European extent remaining within the SCP (Table 2). Del Marco et al. (2004) states that there is an approximate over estimate of about 10% in these figures, which means that this figure may be reduced to 17% for Bassendean Complex – Central and South and <1% for the Serpentine River Complex.

3) ii) Ecological community with <10% in Bush Forever Conservation. Yes (Essential) 13% of the Bassendean Complex – Central and South and 4% of the Serpentine River Complex has been proposed for protection within Bush Forever areas (Table 3).

3) iii) Does the area contain TECs. Unlikely No TECs as defined by the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 or the EPBC Act 1999 were located within the study area.

3) iv) Does the area contain DRF. Unlikely No Declared Rare Flora species, as listed under subsection (2) of Section 23F of the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 as listed by the Department of Environment and Conservation (Atkins 2008) were located within the study area. No Threatened Flora governed by the EPBC Act 1999 were located within the study area.

3) v) Does the area contain Priority or significant flora. Unlikely No Priority or significant flora species as listed by the Department of Environment and Conservation (Atkins 2008) were located within the study area.

3.5.4 Maintaining Ecological Processes or Natural Systems – Connectivity

4) i) Is the area part of a Regionally Significant Ecological Linkage. No The study area is not part of any defined Regionally Significant Ecological Linkage (Western Australian Planning Commission 2000).

4) ii) Is the area part of a Locally Significant Ecological Linkage. No No locally significant ecological links containing the study area have been identified by the City of Serpentine – Jarrahdale (Del Marco & Penna 2007).

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3.5.5 Protection of Wetland, Streamline and Estuarine Fringing Vegetation and Coastal Vegetation

5) i) Conservation or Resource Enhancement Category Wetlands. No No Conservation Category or Resource Enhancement Wetlands were located within the study area.

5) ii) Environmental Protection Policy Lakes. No No wetlands as listed under the Environmental Protection (Swan Coastal Plain Lakes) Policy 1992 (EPP Lakes 1992) were located within the study area.

5) iii) Riparian vegetation. No There is no riparian vegetation within the study area.

5) iv) Floodplains. No No floodplains exists within the study area.

5) v) Estuarine vegetation. No No estuarine vegetation exists on site.

5) vi) Coastal vegetation on the foredunes and or secondary dunes. No No coastal vegetation exists on site.

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4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

The Environmental Weeds and Declared Plant recorded within the study area, (Tables 13 and 14) (Sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.2), are known to be invasive and have a negative impact on the environment. Therefore, in the event that bushland management is required, these weeds should be prioritised for control or eradication.

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5.0 LIMITATIONS

As with any biological survey, additional flora species including potential rare, priority or other conservation significant species could be detected in subsequent surveys. For example, ephemeral species such as orchids are not always present in each year/season or at the particular time a single botanical survey is conducted. This is a limitation to all botanical surveys.

Approximately 10% of Western Australian flora species are undescribed, with new species found regularly. The flora identifications for this project were completed in line with the taxonomic resources and expertise available at the time.

The statistics for percentage of vegetation complexes is derived from dated aerial photography circa. 1997–1998 with limited ground-truthing. As a consequence the percentages of ecological communities remaining may be an overestimate of the native vegetation remaining at present. This limitation is common to all assessments utilising this regional vegetation complex information. Additionally, the percentage figures stated in Tables 2 and 3, as discussed throughout Sections 3.4 and 3.5, do not take into account the condition of the remaining vegetation.

FCTs and therefore potential TECs or other conservation significant plant communities can not be positively confirmed without conducting a statistical analysis of plot based data.

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6.0 REFERENCES

Atkins, K.L. (2008). Declared Rare and Priority Flora List for Western Australia, 6 October 2008. Department of Environment and Conservation. Wildlife Branch, Como.

CALM. (1999). Environmental Weeds Strategy for Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Environment, Como.

Del Marco, A. and Penna, A. (2007). Shire of Serpentine–Jarrahdale Local Biodiversity Strategy, Stage One: Draft Public draft Strategy. A consultant’s report to the Shire, Perth.

Del Marco, A., Taylor, R., Clarke, K., Savage, K., Cullity, J. and Miles, C. (2004). Local Government Biodiversity Planning Guidelines for the Perth Metropolitan Region. Perth Biodiversity Project, Western Australian Local Government Association. West Perth.

English, V. and Blyth, J. (1997). Identifying and Conserving Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) in the South West Botanical Province. ANCA National Reserves System Cooperative Program: Project Number N702. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Wanneroo.

EPA. (2004). Guidance for the Assessment of Environmental Factors (in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986) Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia. Guidance No. 51, June 2004.

EPA. (2006). Guidance Statement 10. Guidance for the Assessment of Environmnetal Factors. Level of Assessment for Proposals Affecting Natural Areas within the System 6 region and Swan Coastal Plain Portion of the System 1 Region. June 2006

Florabase®. (2009). Department of Environment, Western Australian Herbarium http:// florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/. Accessed online, January 2009.

GHD. (2006). Lot 6 Banksia Road, Oldbury Flora Survey. Prepared for Rocla Quarry Products, Perth.

Gibson, N., Keighery, B.J., Keighery, G.J., Burbidge, A.H. and Lyons, M.N. (1994). A Floristic survey of the southern Swan Coastal Plain. Unpublished Report for the Australian Heritage Commission prepared by Department of Conservation and Land Management and the Conservation Council of Western Australia (Inc.).

Government of Western Australia. (1995). Urban Bushland Strategy. Ministry for Planning, Perth.

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Heddle, E.M., Loneragan, O.W., and Havel, J.J. (1980). Vegetation of the Darling System. In: Atlas of Natural Resources, Darling System, Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth.

Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007). Western Weeds 2nd Edition: A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. The Weeds Society of Western Australia (Inc), Perth.

Western Australian Planning Commission. (2000). Bush Forever: Volume 2 Directory of Bush Forever Sites, Perth.

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FIGURES

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38 Station Street Subiaco | T +61 8 92111111 | F +61 8 92111122| www.rpsgroup.com.au

LEGEND Site Boundary Lot 28 Revised Clearing Application Area (15.2ha) Cadastre Lot 29 Drain Reserve Lot 30 Heddle Vegetation Complex Theme Lot 1121 Lot 53 BOOMERANG RD

BANKSIA RD

Bassendean Complex-Central And\South

Lot 33

Lot 36

Serpentine River Complex

Lot 54

Lot 33 Lot 6

Lot 55 Lot 244 Lot 1 Lot 38 Lot 7 Job Number: L07396 Date: 16.02.12 Lot 56 ° Figure 2 Revision: A Scale: 1:3000 @ A3 Drafted by: SC metres Source: Orthophoto - Landgate, August 2011 Heddle Vegetation - Heddle, 1980 0 25 50 100 150 200 Vegetation Complexes and Proposed Clearing Application Area

APPENDIX 1

Species List

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Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

APPENDIX 1: Species List

* denotes a weed species

Family Species 011C DENNSTAEDTIACEAE Pteridium esculentum 016A ZAMIACEAE Macrozamia fraseri 31 POACEAE Amphipogon turbinatus Austrodanthonia acerosa Austrostipa compressa Austrostipa semibarbata * Briza maxima * Bromus diandrus * Ehrharta calycina * Ehrharta longiflora Microlaena stipoides Neurachne alopecuroidea * Pentaschistis airoides 32 CYPERACEAE Lepidosperma squamatum Mesomelaena pseudostygia Schoenus curvifolius 35 ARACEAE * Zantedeschia aethiopica 39 RESTIONACEAE Desmocladus flexuosus Hypolaena exsulca Lyginia barbata Lyginia imberbis 40 CENTROLEPIDACEAE Centrolepis glabra 054C DASYPOGONACEAE Dasypogon bromeliifolius Lomandra caespitosa Lomandra hermaphrodita Lomandra micrantha subsp. micrantha Lomandra sonderi 054D XANTHORRHOEACEAE Xanthorrhoea gracilis Xanthorrhoea preissii 054E PHORMIACEAE Dianella revoluta var. divaricata 054F ANTHERICACEAE Arnocrinum preissii Chamaescilla corymbosa var. corymbosa Corynotheca micrantha var. micrantha Laxmannia squarrosa Sowerbaea laxiflora Thysanotus multiflorus Thysanotus patersonii Tricoryne elatior 054J COLCHICACEAE Burchardia congesta 55 HAEMODORACEAE Anigozanthos humilis subsp. humilis Anigozanthos manglesii Conostylis aculeata subsp. aculeata Conostylis juncea Haemodorum laxum Phlebocarya ciliata

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Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

Family Species 60 IRIDACEAE * Gladiolus caryophyllaceus Patersonia occidentalis * Romulea rosea 66 ORCHIDACEAE Caladenia discoidea Caladenia flava subsp. flava Caladenia latifolia Caladenia sp. * Disa bracteata Diuris longifolia Elythranthera brunonis Prasophyllum parvifolium Pterostylis ? barbata Pterostylis ? vittata Pyrorchis nigricans 70 CASUARINACEAE Allocasuarina fraseriana Allocasuarina humilis 90 PROTEACEAE Adenanthos cygnorum subsp. cygnorum Banksia attenuata Banksia ilicifolia Banksia menziesii Petrophile linearis Synaphea spinulosa subsp. spinulosa Xylomelum occidentale 110A MOLLUGINACEAE Macarthuria australis 111 PORTULACACEAE Calandrinia liniflora 113 CARYOPHYLLACEAE * Petrorhagia dubia 143 DROSERACEAE Drosera erythrorhiza Drosera macrantha subsp. macrantha Drosera menziesii 149 CRASSULACEAE Crassula colorata var. colorata Crassula decumbens var. decumbens * Crassula glomerata 163 MIMOSACEAE Acacia applanata Acacia huegelii * Acacia longifolia subsp. longifolia Acacia pulchella var. glaberrima 165 PAPILIONACEAE Bossiaea eriocarpa Gompholobium tomentosum Hovea trisperma Isotropis cuneifolia subsp. cuneifolia Jacksonia furcellata Jacksonia sternbergiana 167 GERANIACEAE * Erodium cicutarium 185 EUPHORBIACEAE Poranthera microphylla 226 DILLENIACEAE Hibbertia hypericoides 243 VIOLACEAE Hybanthus calycinus 273 MYRTACEAE Calytrix fraseri Eucalyptus marginata Kunzea glabrescens

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Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

Family Species 281 APIACEAE Homalosciadium homalocarpum Trachymene pilosa Xanthosia huegelii 288 EPACRIDACEAE Astroloma pallidum Conostephium sp. Leucopogon propinquus 302 LOGANIACEAE Phyllangium paradoxum 310 BORAGINACEAE * Echium plantagineum 313 LAMIACEAE Hemiandra pungens 340 LOBELIACEAE Lobelia tenuior 341 GOODENIACEAE Dampiera linearis 343 STYLIDIACEAE Levenhookia pusilla Levenhookia stipitata Stylidium adpressum Stylidium brunonianum Stylidium piliferum Stylidium schoenoides 345 ASTERACEAE * Arctotheca calendula Brachyscome iberidifolia * Hypochaeris glabra Lagenifera huegelii Podolepis gracilis Podotheca chrysantha Podotheca gnaphalioides Quinetia urvillei Siloxerus humifusus * Sonchus oleraceus * Ursinia anthemoides

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APPENDIX 2

Vegetation Unit Photographs

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Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

APPENDIX 2: Vegetation Unit Photographs

BaBm – Scattered Allocasuarina fraseriana over Low Woodland of Banksia attenuata and Banksia menziesii over Tall Open Shrubland Jacksonia furcellata over an Open Shrubland of Macrozamia fraseri over a Sedgeland of Lyginia barbata and Desmocladus flexuosus with an Open Herbland of Burchardia congesta and Dasypogon bromeliifolius.

AfBaBm – Low Woodland of Allocasuarina fraseriana, Banksia attenuata and Banksia menziesii over Tall Open Shrubland of Kunzea glabrescens over Low Shrubland of Hibbertia hypericoides, Macrozamia fraseri and Xanthorrhoea preissii over Herbland of Burchardia congesta over Very Open Sedgeland of Mesomelaena pseudostygia and Desmocladus flexuosus.

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Level 1 Flora and Vegetation Survey Lots 6, 300 and 301 Boomerang Road, Oldbury

EmAf – Open Woodland of Eucalyptus marginata and Allocasuarina fraseriana over Low Open Woodland of Banksia ilicifolia over Tall Open Shrubland of Kunzea glabrescens over Low Shrubland of Pteridium esculentum and weeds.

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APPENDIX 3

DEC Response to Clearing Application

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