Flora and Vegetation Assessment Mt Helena
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Flora and Vegetation Assessment Mt Helena Prepared for: Land Insights Prepared by: Del Botanics PO Box 119 Mt Helena WA 6082 Mobile 0427700496 Email [email protected] November 2012 Flora and Vegetation Assessment Mt Helena EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report has been prepared by Del Botanics on behalf of Land Insights to review remnant vegetation within the study area bounded by Elliott Road to the north, Lion Street to the east, Hummerston Street to the south and Johnston Street to the west. During the time of the survey access was granted to survey eleven properties. The properties surveyed consist of Lot/Number 1,2,3,4 and 38 Bernard Street; Lot 1625 Lion Street, Lot 19, 31 and 49 Johnston Street, and Lot 16 Dean Street and Lot 315 Hummerston Street, Mt Helena. The additional seventeen properties within the study area were assessed for vegetation condition and type from the road in conjunction with aerial photography. This report is the result of a spring botanical survey of the flora and vegetation on the site. The location of the property is shown in Figure 1 and the extent of the property is shown in Figure 2. The recent Flora and Vegetation Assessment within the study area identified a number of flora species within the study area. The vegetation ranged from “Completely Degraded” to “Very Good” Condition, and existing tracks were rated as “Completely Degraded”. Three Vegetation Types at a local level were recorded during the survey. No species of Threatened (T), Priority Flora or Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) pursuant to subsection 2 of section 23F of the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and listed by Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) were located during the time of the survey. Based on the results of this survey, Del Botanics is of the opinion that development of the site would not pose significant or unacceptable impacts on flora and vegetation with consideration to the following recommendations: • Large trees are retained for fauna habitat; • Buffers are developed to protect vegetation from weeds and dieback; • Vegetation in good or better condition is retained where possible; • Properties not surveyed may require an on ground assessment to determine the presence/absence of Rare and Priority Flora; and • Further investigations are undertaken regarding the wetland. ii Flora and Vegetation Assessment Mt Helena STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS This environmental report has been prepared in accordance with the scope of services set out in the original quotation. In preparing the report, Del Botanics has relied on data, surveys, analyses, designs, plans and other information provided by the Client and other individuals and organisations, most of which are referred to in the report. Del Botanics has not verified the accuracy or completeness of the data to the extent that the statements, opinions, facts, information, conclusions and/or recommendations in the report are based in whole or in part on the data, those conclusions are contingent upon the accuracy and completeness of the data. Del Botanics will not be liable in relation to incorrect conclusions should any data, information or condition be incorrect or have been concealed, withheld, unavailable, misrepresented or otherwise not fully disclosed. In accordance with the scope of services, Del Botanics has have relied on the data and have conducted environmental field monitoring in the preparation of the report. The nature and extent of monitoring conducted is described in the report. Within the limitations imposed by the scope of services, the monitoring, and preparation of this report have been undertaken and performed in a professional manner, in accordance with generally accepted practices and using a degree of skill and care. No other warranty, express or implied, is made. The report has been prepared for the benefit of the Client and for no other party. Del Botanics assumes no responsibility and will not be liable to any other person or organisation for or in relation to any matter dealt with or conclusions expressed in the report, or for any loss or damage suffered by any other person or organisation arising from matters dealt with or conclusions expressed in the report. Other parties should not rely upon the report or the accuracy or completeness of any conclusions, and should make their own enquiries and obtain independent advice in relation to such matters. iii Flora and Vegetation Assessment Mt Helena TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. II 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT ............................................................................................................... 1 2. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................. 1 2.1 SOILS AND LANDFORMS .................................................................................................................. 1 2.2 CLIMATE ......................................................................................................................................... 2 3. FLORA AND VEGETATION ................................................................................................. 3 3.1 VEGETATION METHODS .................................................................................................................. 3 3.2 DECLARED RARE AND PRIORITY FLORA ......................................................................................... 4 3.3 ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACT (1999) – SPECIES LEVEL SIGNIFICANCE ................................................................................................................................. 6 3.3.1 Threatened Ecological Communities .................................................................................. 7 3.4 VEGETATION ASSESSMENT RESULTS............................................................................................ 7 3.4.1 Introduced species .............................................................................................................. 8 3.4.2 Threatened and Priority Flora ............................................................................................ 8 3.4.3 EPBC listed and Threatened Ecological Communities ....................................................... 8 3.4.4 Local Vegetation Communities ........................................................................................... 8 3.4.5 Vegetation Condition ........................................................................................................ 10 4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................. 12 5. REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 13 iv Flora and Vegetation Assessment Mt Helena TABLES Table 1 Definition of Threatened and Priority Flora Species Table 2 Threatened and Priority species in close proximity to the site Table 3 Categories of Threatened Species Table 4 Categories of DEC Threatened Ecological Communities Table 5 Vegetation Structure Classes Table 6 Local Vegetation Communities Recorded Table 7 Vegetation Condition Scale FIGURES Figure 1 Site Location Figure 2 Extent of the subject site Figure 3 Vegetation Condition Figure 4 Vegetation Types PHOTOGRAPHIC PLATES Plates 1 Habitat Trees APPENDICES Appendix A Vascular Plant Species Recorded in Vegetation Communities Appendix B Quadrat data v Flora and Vegetation Assessment Mt Helena 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND This report has been prepared by Del Botanics on behalf of Land Insights to review remnant vegetation within the study area bounded by Elliott Road to the north, Lion Street to the east, Hummerston Street to the south and Johnston Street to the west. A botanical survey of the flora species and vegetation of the site was undertaken in October 2012. The site is approximately 41.5 kilometres east of the Perth central area. The location of the property is shown in Figure 1 and the extent of the property is shown in Figure 2. 1.2 PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT This report was prepared to document the flora and vegetation that occurs within the subject area. The flora species and vegetation were used to determine the significance of the site in regards to Threatened and Priority Flora and Threatened Ecological Communities. In summary this report provides: • Threatened Flora (T) and Threatened Ecological Communities (TEC) DEC Database search to determine results for the site; • A spring botanical survey; and • An assessment of vegetation types and condition. 2. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 2.1 SOILS AND LANDFORMS The site is within what is commonly known as the Darling Plateau. The Darling Plateau lies to the east of the Swan Coastal Plain. It is characterised by an undulating hilly landscape and lateritic uplands with major valleys along the scarp. Large rock outcrops are a dominant feature along slopes and crests. The soil types associated with the Darling Plateau are: • Darling Scarp – shallow red and yellow earths with large granite outcrops a common feature; • Dwellingup – consists of duri-crust on ridges and sands and gravels