Biodiversity Report

Kentbruck Green Power Hub: Interim Flora and Fauna Existing Conditions

Prepared for Neoen Australia Pty Ltd

21 December 2020

Biosis offices Document information

NEW SOUTH WALES Report to: Neoen Australia Pty Ltd

Albury Prepared by: Ian Smales, Matt Gibson, Inka Veltheim, Caitlin Potts Phone: (02) 6069 9200 Email: [email protected] Biosis project no.: 33361 File name: 33361.KGPW.FFEC.FIN02.20201210 Newcastle Phone: (02) 4911 4040 Citation: Biosis 2020. Kentbruck Green Power Hub: Interim Email: [email protected] Flora and Fauna Existing Conditions. Report for Neoen Australia Pty Ltd. Smales, I., Gibson, M., Veltheim, I. & Sydney Potts, C. Biosis Pty Ltd. Port Melbourne, VIC. Project no Phone: (02) 9101 8700 Email: [email protected] 33361.

Western Sydney Phone: (02) 9101 8700 Document control Email: [email protected]

Wollongong Version Internal reviewer Date issued Phone: (02) 4201 1090 Email: [email protected] Draft version 01 MJAL 06/08/2020 Final version 01 MJAL 14/08/2020

Final version 02 MSG/IS 10/12/2020

VICTORIA

Ballarat Acknowledgements Phone: (03) 5304 4250 Email: [email protected] Biosis acknowledges the contribution of the following people and Melbourne (Head Office) organisations in undertaking this study: Phone: (03) 8686 4800 Email: [email protected] • Neoen Australia Pty Ltd: Matt Parton and Damien Hegarty

Wangaratta • AECOM: David Knight Phone: (03) 5718 6900 Email: [email protected] • Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning for access to

the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas and Native Vegetation Information Tools

• Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for access to the Protected Matters Search Tool of the Australian Government

Biosis staff involved in this project were:

• Matt Jones, Kristin Campbell, John Muchan, Dan Gilmore (assistance in the field)

• Julian Turner, James Shepherd (mapping)

• Matt Looby (quality assurance) © Biosis Pty Ltd This document is subject to copyright and may only be used for the purposes in respect of which it was commissioned and in accordance with the Terms of Engagement of the commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is prohibited.

Disclaimer:

Biosis Pty Ltd has completed this assessment in accordance with the relevant federal, state and local legislation and current industry best practice. The company accepts no liability for any damages or loss incurred as a result of reliance placed upon the report content or for any purpose other than that for which it was intended.

Contents

Purpose of this report ...... 1

1. Introduction ...... 2

1.1 Project background ...... 2 1.2 Description of the project ...... 2 1.2.1 Wind farm site ...... 2 1.2.2 Transmission line options ...... 3 1.2.3 Battery storage facility...... 3 1.2.4 Other project elements ...... 3 1.3 Scope of assessment ...... 4 1.3.1 Environmental Effects Statement Scoping Requirements ...... 4 1.3.2 Key issues identified in the EES Scoping Requirements for the project ...... 5 1.4 Study area ...... 10

2. Site context ...... 11

2.1 Bioregions, landform and geology ...... 11 2.2 Land use and landscape context ...... 11 2.2.1 Pine plantations ...... 11 2.2.2 Blue-gum plantations ...... 12 2.2.3 Grazing land ...... 12 2.2.4 Nearby conservation reserves ...... 12 2.2.5 Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar site ...... 13 2.2.6 Groundwater dependent ecosystems ...... 14 2.2.7 Connectivity and fauna movement ...... 15

3. Methods ...... 16

3.1 Permits ...... 16 3.2 Definitions ...... 16 3.2.1 Taxonomy ...... 16 3.2.2 Significant species ...... 16 3.3 Consultation with government authorities ...... 17 3.4 Community consultation ...... 17 3.5 Database and literature review ...... 17 3.5.1 Information sources ...... 17 3.5.2 Investigation area ...... 18 3.6 Mapping ...... 18 3.7 Site investigation ...... 18 3.8 Qualifications ...... 18 3.9 Personnel ...... 18 3.10 Vegetation and habitat mapping ...... 19 3.11 General flora surveys ...... 20

3.12 General fauna surveys ...... 20 3.13 Targeted surveys for listed threatened flora species ...... 20 3.14 Targeted surveys for listed threatened fauna species ...... 25 3.14.1 Southern Bent-wing Bat (SBWB) ...... 25 3.14.2 South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo ...... 29 3.14.3 Orange-bellied Parrot...... 30 3.14.4 Brolga ...... 32 3.14.5 Australasian Bittern and other listed threatened waterbirds ...... 34 3.14.6 White-throated Needletail ...... 35 3.14.7 Shorebirds ...... 35 3.14.8 Owls ...... 39 3.14.9 Ground Parrot ...... 39 3.14.10 Rufous Bristlebird (Coorong subspecies) ...... 39 3.14.11 Terrestrial mammals ...... 39 3.14.12 Reptiles ...... 41 3.14.13 Growling Grass Frog ...... 42 3.14.14 Aquatic species ...... 43 3.14.15 Bird utilisation surveys ...... 44

4. Results - existing conditions ...... 45

4.1 Vegetation and fauna habitat ...... 45 4.1.1 Threatened ecological communities...... 47 4.2 Flora ...... 49 4.2.1 Flora species recorded ...... 49 4.2.2 Threatened species...... 49 4.3 Fauna desktop assessment results...... 49 4.3.1 Fauna species recorded ...... 49 4.3.2 Threatened species...... 49 4.4 Fauna field results...... 50 4.4.1 Southern Bent-wing Bat ...... 50 4.4.2 South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo ...... 56 4.4.3 Orange-bellied Parrot...... 56 4.4.4 Brolga ...... 58 4.4.5 Australasian Bittern and other listed threatened waterbirds ...... 61 4.4.6 White-throated Needletail ...... 62 4.4.7 Shorebirds ...... 62 4.4.8 Owls ...... 63 4.4.9 Ground Parrot ...... 63 4.4.10 Rufous Bristlebird (Coorong subspecies)...... 63 4.4.11 Terrestrial mammals ...... 63 4.4.12 Reptiles ...... 66 4.4.13 Growling Grass Frog ...... 67 4.4.14 Aquatic species ...... 67

4.5 Bird utilisation ...... 67 4.6 Victorian strategic biodiversity values ...... 67 4.6.1 Native vegetation location risk ...... 68 4.6.2 Strategic biodiversity score ...... 68 4.7 Existing threats ...... 68

Conclusion ...... 69

References ...... 70

Appendices ...... 74

Appendix 1 Flora ...... 75

Appendix 2 Fauna ...... 96

Appendix 3 Photos of the study area ...... 113

Appendix 4 Survey program ...... 121

Appendix 5 Map figures ...... 122

Tables

Table 1 Species listed in Table A1 of the scoping requirements...... 7 Table 2 Criteria for determining significance of species and ecological communities ...... 16 Table 3 List of Biosis staff involved in field surveys ...... 18 Table 4 Survey program – threatened flora ...... 21 Table 5 Bat detector sites for preliminary surveys (2018 to 2019) ...... 26 Table 6 Bat detector sites for current surveys ...... 27 Table 7 Details of Orange-bellied Parrot surveys, May 2020 to July 2020 (sunrise/sunset times from Portland) ...... 31 Table 8 Australasian Bittern surveys in 2018 and 2019 ...... 34 Table 9 Shorebird survey timing and survey effort (tide times from Portland) ...... 37 Table 10 Locations of mammal camera traps. Numbers refer to turbine ID (add T132 and replacement camera for one that was moved), (D) refers to cameras in a vertical configuration (facing down)...... 40 Table 11 Locations of Growling Grass Frog surveys 2018 and 2019 ...... 43 Table 12 Summary of vegetation and habitat types within the project area ...... 45 Table 13 Southern Bent-wing Bat recordings from preliminary surveys (December 2018 – April 2019) ...... 52 Table 14 Southern Bent-wing Bat (SBWB) call recordings from the four survey masts ...... 53 Table 15 Southern Bent-wing Bat (SBWB) call recordings from ground detectors (2020) ...... 55 Table 16 Orange-bellied parrot survey effort and results ...... 57 Table 17 Brolga observations – incidental, targeted and formal breeding season survey July 2020 ...... 58 Table 18 White-throated Needletail records ...... 62

Table 19 Species recorded on remote cameras (species confirmed included only). (D) refers to cameras in a vertical configuration (facing down) ...... 64 Table 20 Incidental records of listed reptile species ...... 66 Table 21 Threatened species recorded during the bird utilisation surveys in April 2020 and June 2020 ...... 67

Figures

Figure 1 Location of the study area ...... 123 Figure 2 Southern Bent Wing Bat acoustic survey locations ...... 124 Figure 3 Orange-bellied Parrot records and survey effort ...... 125 Figure 4 Australasian Bittern Records ...... 126 Figure 5 VBA aquatic species records ...... 127 Figure 6 Biosis brolga observations and flight paths 2018-2020 ...... 128 Figure 7 Growling Grass Frog Records ...... 129 Figure 8 VBA brolga records ...... 130 Figure 9 Ground Parrot Records ...... 131 Figure 10 Rufous Bristlebird records ...... 132 Figure 11 Threatened reptile records and survey locations ...... 133 Figure 12 Red-tailed Black Cockatoo records ...... 134 Figure 13 Listed shorebirds, gulls and terns recorded in Biosis 2020 surveys ...... 135 Figure 14 Listed threatened shorebirds, gulls and terns ...... 136 Figure 15 Non-listed threatened shorebirds, gulls and terns ...... 137 Figure 16 Threatened owl records ...... 138 Figure 17 White-throated Needletail records ...... 139 Figure 18 Nationally significant flora records listed as endangered on the EPBC register ...... 140 Figure 19 State significant flora records listed on the FFG Act list ...... 146 Figure 20 Bird utilisation survey sites ...... 147 Figure 21 Native vegetation location risk ...... 148 Figure 22 NVR strategic biodiversity scores ...... 149 Figure 23 Listed threatened mammal records ...... 150 Figure 24 Listed threatened waterbird records ...... 151 Figure 25 Locations of mammal camera traps ...... 152

Photos

Photo 1 Mature Pine plantation ...... 113 Photo 2 Young Pine plantation ...... 113 Photo 3 Recently cleared and re-established plantation ...... 114 Photo 4 Pine plantation showing understorey colonised by sedges Lepidosperma spp...... 114 Photo 5 Internal access track through Pine plantation ...... 115 Photo 6 Native vegetation along Johnsons Road, looking south ...... 115 Photo 7 Small patch of remnant vegetation within the Pine Plantation area ...... 116

Photo 8 Remnant tree (Drooping Sheoak Allocasuarina verticillata) within the Pine Plantation area ...... 116 Photo 9 Farmland dominated by introduced pasture species ...... 117 Photo 10 Farmland area with vegetated dunes (Coastal Alkaline Scrub) in the background ...... 117 Photo 11 Farmland in the eastern section of the wind farm area ...... 118 Photo 12 Blue-gum plantation in the eastern portion of the project area ...... 118 Photo 13 Potential underground grid route beneath Boiler Swamp Road. Lowland Forest EVC...... 119 Photo 14 Potential underground grid route beneath Boiler Swamp Road. Sedgy Riparian Woodland EVC...... 119 Photo 15 Farmland along the overhead grid route option ...... 120 Photo 16 Vegetated road reserve to be spanned by the potential overhead grid route ...... 120

Purpose of this report

The present report provides a preliminary consideration of existing biodiversity values for the Kentbruck Green Power Hub Project. The program of investigation of existing conditions is a work in progress and this report has been prepared for information only.

This report provides the following key aspects:

• A brief summary description of the Kentbruck Green Power Hub project.

• A summary of the regional and local environmental context of the project.

• An outline of methods in use to investigate flora and fauna values relative to the project.

• A summary of the results of investigations up to 30 June 2020.

• An appendix setting out the details of the biodiversity study plan for the project (Biosis 2020), as provided to Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) in early 2020.

Please note, as at the issue of this report in August 2020 investigations are continuing in fulfilment of a detailed study plan (Biosis 2020) and a complete report detailing existing conditions for the project will be prepared after investigations have been concluded in 2021.

This report does not consider potential impacts of the proposed development. An impact assessment report will be prepared for the purposes of the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) for the project after the completion of investigations and in light of a final project design. This preliminary report is intended to help guide the final project design.

While a key focus of assessments is on species and ecological communities that are listed as threatened or migratory, investigations for the Project encompass all flora and fauna of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems regardless of their conservation status.

This report also provides a basis for promoting engagement with interested parties that can contribute important local knowledge about the flora and fauna values of the region.

1. Introduction

1.1 Project background

Neoen is a developer and long-term renewable energy generator owner with an established Australian track record of constructing renewable energy projects in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Biosis has been commissioned by Neoen to provide information about flora and fauna of the area of land proposed for the Kentbruck Green Power Hub (the project); for ancillary infrastructure and for areas around the proposed development. This information will be used to:

• Inform ongoing design of the project in a responsive manner to avoid and minimise impacts to flora and fauna; and,

• Permit a comprehensive assessment of any residual impacts that may be associated with a fully developed project design.

1.2 Description of the project

The project would comprise:

• A wind farm, consisting of up to 157 wind turbines and associated infrastructure.

• A battery storage, comprising a lithium-ion battery facility with up to 500MW / 1,000MW hours of storage.

• A connection to the electricity grid via an overhead and/or underground transmission line connection.

These project elements are located within close proximity of each other, as described in the following sections.

1.2.1 Wind farm site The Portland-Nelson Road bisects the wind farm site in a generally east to west direction. The site is generally bound by plantation forestry to the north, highly-modified land used for grazing purposes to the east and west, Discovery Bay Coastal Park to the south, and the Lower Glenelg National Park and Cobboboonee National Park to the east and north-east (Figure 1).

The proposed wind farm site is approximately 7,500 hectares and comprises 107 individual land parcels. The site is located primarily within an area that has been substantially modified and is used for commercial Radiata Pine softwood forestry production, with a small portion of land used for agricultural purposes (primarily grazing). The plantation area has an existing network of public and private roads.

At this stage, 4 MW to 8 MW wind turbines are proposed and will have the following features:

• Maximum tip height of up to 270 metres above ground level.

• Maximum rotor diameter of up to 190 metres.

• Minimum lower blade sweep height of 45 metres above the ground or higher.

1.2.2 Transmission line options Two transmission line connection options are being considered at this stage: an underground route (option one) and overhead route (option two). Both routes extend east of the proposed wind farm. The locations of the routes being considered are described below and shown in Figure 1.

• Option One: underground and overhead route The option one route generally extends between the eastern boundary of the proposed wind farm site and the existing Heywood Terminal Station located inside the western boundary of the Narrawong Flora Reserve (on land owned by Ausnet). This transmission line connection option is approximately 32 kilometres long. There are two possible route options that will bisect the Cobboboonee National Park for approximately 15 kilometres. Within the Cobboboonee National Park, the transmission line would be located below or immediately adjacent to an existing road that bisects the National Park in an east to west direction. The route would also traverse private land used predominantly for grazing on either side of the National Park. To the east of Cobboboonee, the line will be overhead.

• Option Two: overhead route The option two route generally extends between the eastern boundary of the proposed wind farm site to a point on the Heywood-Portland 500kV transmission line north of Portland. The route would be around 45 kilometres long dependent on the final route selection and would be located primarily within freehold land used for grazing and potato farming.

1.2.3 Battery storage facility Two locations for the battery storage facility are being considered:

• Option One: A battery storage facility adjacent to the wind farm substation that will be located within the proposed wind farm site. The wind farm substation for the project is anticipated to be located at the eastern end of the site on land currently being used for either commercial plantation forestry or farming purposes.

• Option Two: A battery storage facility adjacent to the terminus of the transmission line. This would be either:

a adjacent to the Heywood Terminal Station at Heywood (transmission line option 1 described above), or

b on land adjacent to the 500kV Heywood to Portland Smelter line where it intersects with the end of transmission line option 2 (described above). This location (2b) would be to the north- west of Portland.

1.2.4 Other project elements The project is in the early stages of development and it is proposed to include (but is not limited to):

• Internal site access tracks and upgrades to existing access points from the public road network.

• Hardstand and lay down areas.

• Underground electricity cabling.

• Overhead power lines (up to 275 kV).

• Electricity collector stations and substation.

• Overhead and/or underground electricity cabling and a terminal station to provide connection to the 500 kV transmission line.

• Permanent meteorological monitoring masts (met masts).

• An operations and maintenance building.

• Temporary infrastructure including construction compounds, concrete batching plants, car parking, site buildings and amenities.

1.3 Scope of assessment

The primary objective of studies set out in this document is to:

• Provide an understanding of the existing flora and fauna values of the study area and surrounding areas that might be affected by the project. This includes all components of the project, including the proposed locations of:

– The wind farm infrastructure, including hardstands, roads, and permanent and temporary facilities.

– Battery storage facility.

– Quarry.

– Electrical substations and connections points.

– Electricity powerlines along connection routes.

– New roads and changed or upgraded roads and crossovers.

– Area or values on- or off-site that may be directly or indirectly subject to effects such as dust, noise, artificial light and changes to surface and groundwater due to construction, operation or decommissioning of the project.

It is important to note that the present report is a work in progress and has been prepared to include results of investigations up to 30th June 2020. Investigations are continuing in fulfilment of a detailed study plan (Biosis 2020). A summary of the study plan is provided in Appendix 4. A complete report detailing existing conditions for the project will be prepared after investigations are concluded in 2021.

This report does not consider potential impacts of the proposed development on flora and fauna. An impact assessment report will be prepared for the purposes of the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process for the project after the completion of investigations and in consideration of a final project design.

Assessment for the Project encompasses all flora and fauna of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems regardless of their conservation status. The significance of a species or ecological community is determined by its listing status under Commonwealth and State legislation and policy, including Victorian threatened species advisory lists (see also Section 3.2.2).

1.3.1 Environmental Effects Statement Scoping Requirements The final Environment Effects Statement (EES) Scoping Requirements for the Kentbruck Green Power Hub were issued in January 2020.

The project was also referred to the Commonwealth under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The project was determined to be a controlled action on 7 November 2019, requiring assessment and approval under the EPBC Act. The controlling provisions are:

• Ramsar wetlands

• Listed threatened species and ecological communities

• Listed migratory species.

The EES process is accredited to assess impacts on matters of national environmental significance (MNES) under the EPBC Act through the Bilateral Assessment Agreement between the Commonwealth and the State of Victoria.

Section 4.1 of the Scoping Requirements details the key issues and information requirements for the existing environment, likely effects, mitigation measures and performance objectives. The key issues and existing environment reporting requirements as set out in the EES scoping requirements are outlined below:

1.3.2 Key issues identified in the EES Scoping Requirements for the project • Potential for significant effects and their acceptability on Southern Bent-wing Bat Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii, South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne, Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus, White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudactus and Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster.

• Potential for significant effects and their acceptability on key threatened and listed fauna species including but not limited to those listed in Appendix A of the Scoping Requirements.

• Potential cumulative effects on key threatened and listed fauna species including but not limited to those listed in Appendix A from the project in combination with other projects.

• Disruption to the movement of fauna (both day and night) between areas of habitat across the broader landscape, including but not limited to movement between nearby conservation areas such as Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Lower Glenelg National Park and Long Swamp.

• Direct or indirect loss, disturbance and/or degradation of listed or other protected species and nearby habitat that may support listed species or other protected flora, fauna or ecological communities.

• Disturbance and increased risk of mortality for protected bird and bat species arising from project infrastructure, including collision with wind turbine blades and transmission lines.

• Potential for adverse effects on the ecological character and biodiversity values of the Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar site (including those listed in Appendix A of the Scoping Requirements).

• The availability of suitable offsets for the loss of native vegetation and habitat for listed threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) and EPBC Act.

Existing environment considerations A key objective of this report is to characterise the existing environment. The activities taken or underway to characterise the existing environment include:

• Characterise the type, distribution and condition of biodiversity values within a suitable study area, comprising the project site and its environs, including native vegetation, terrestrial and aquatic habitat and habitat corridors or linkages. This should include identifying and characterising any ephemeral wetlands/habitat for threatened species and communities listed under the FFG Act or EPBC Act.

• Identify and characterise any areas of native vegetation and groundwater dependant ecosystems that may be affected by groundwater drawdown or surface hydrological changes.

• Identify the presence and movements of Southern Bent-wing Bats within and near the project site, including locations of roosting or breeding sites within movement distances from the project site, in consultation with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).

• Identify the presence of foraging and roosting habitat for South Eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo within the project site and broader locality in consultation with the Department of Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and the National Recovery Team for the species.

• Describe the biodiversity values that could be directly or indirectly affected by the project, including:

– native vegetation and any ecological communities listed under the EPBC Act and FFG Act.

– presence of, or suitable habitats for, protected flora and fauna species (including migratory species), in particular species listed under the EPBC Act, FFG Act, and DELWP advisory lists.

– potential use of the site and its environs for movement and/or foraging by protected fauna species including: Southern Bent-wing Bat, Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Australasian Bittern, White- throated Needletail, Orange-bellied Parrot and Brolga.

• Describe any existing threats to biodiversity values, including:

– direct removal of individuals or destruction of habitat.

– historic or ongoing disturbance or alteration of habitat conditions (e.g. habitat fragmentation, severance of wildlife corridors or habitat linkages, changes to water quantity or quality, fire hazards, etc.

– background threats that lead to the mortality of listed threatened fauna.

– the presence of any declared weeds, pathogens and pest animals within and in the vicinity of the project area.

• Characterisation of the existing environment is to be informed by relevant databases, literature (and published data), community observations (including citizen science), appropriate targeted and/or seasonal surveys and modelling of the potential and actual presence of threatened species and communities consistent with Commonwealth and state survey guidelines, conservation advices and threatened species recovery plans. Where surveys do not identify a listed species or community, but past records and/or habitat analysis suggest that it may occur, a precautionary approach to the further investigation and assessment of its occurrence should be applied.

Appendix A of the Scoping Requirements includes a list of species that are known to occur locally and may be impacted by the project. Species listed in Appendix A of the Scoping Requirements are provided in Table 1.

Table 1 Species listed in Table A1 of the scoping requirements.

Note: taxonomy and nomenclature has been updated for consistency with the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA). Status codes are documented in Appendix 1 (Flora) and Appendix 2 (Fauna).

Species EPBC Act EPBC Act Ramsar FFG Act Vic Advisory VBA nomenclature (threatened) (migratory) listing List

Mammals

Southern Bent-wing Bat CR ✓ L cr Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii

Southern Brown Bandicoot EN L nt Isoodon obesulus obesulus

Heath Mouse EN L nt Pseudomys shortridgei

Spot-tailed Quall EN L en Dasyurus maculatus maculatus

Swamp Antechinus VU L nt Antechinus minimus maritimus

Long-nosed Potoroo VU L nt Potorous tridactylus tridactylus

Birds

Curlew Sandpiper CR ✓ ✓ L en Calidris ferruginea

Eastern Curlew CR ✓ ✓ L vu Numenius madagascariensis

Orange-bellied Parrot CR L ce Neophema chrysogaster

Australasian Bittern EN ✓ L en Botaurus poiciloptilus

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo EN L en Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne

Red Knot EN ✓ en Calidris canutus

White-throated Needletail VU ✓ L vu Hirundapus caudacutus

Hooded Plover VU ✓ L vu Thinornis rubricollis rubricollis

Fairy Tern V ✓ L en Sternula nereis nereis

Caspian Tern ✓ L nt Hydroprogne caspia

Sanderling ✓ ✓ nt Calidris alba

Fork-tailed Swift ✓ Apus pacificus

Species EPBC Act EPBC Act Ramsar FFG Act Vic Advisory VBA nomenclature (threatened) (migratory) listing List

Masked Owl L en Tyto novaehollandiae

Ground Parrot L en Pezoporus wallicus

Rufous Bristlebird (Coorong) L nt Dasyornis broadbenti broadbenti

Brolga L vu Grus rubicunda

Baillon’s Crake L vu Porzana pusilla palustris

Powerful Owl L vu Ninox strenua

Lewin’s Rail L vu Lewinia pectoralis

Red-capped Plover ✓ Charadrius ruficapillus

Frogs

Growling Grass Frog VU ✓ L en Litoria raniformis

Fishes

Yarra Pygmy Perch VU ✓ L vu Nannoperca obscura

Black Bream ✓ Acanthopagrus butcheri

Southern Shortfin Eel ✓ Anguilla australis

Common Galaxias ✓ Galaxias maculatus

Little Galaxias* VU ✓ L vu Galaxiella toourtkoourt

Mulloway ✓ Argyrosomus japonicus

Estuary Perch ✓ Macquaria colonorum

Tupong ✓ Pseudaphritis urvillii

Insects

Ancient Greenling Damselfly ✓ L en Hemiphlebia mirabilis

Species EPBC Act EPBC Act Ramsar FFG Act Vic Advisory VBA nomenclature (threatened) (migratory) listing List

Plants

Maroon Leek-orchid EN ✓ L en Prasophyllum frenchii

Colourful Spider-orchid EN Caladenia colorata

Mellblom’s Spider-orchid EN L en Caladenia hastata

Metallic Sun-orchid EN L en Thelymitra epipactoides

Coast Dandelion VU L en Taraxacum cygnorum

Swamp Everlasting VU L vu Xerochrysum palustre

Ornate Pink Fingers VU L vu Caladenia ornata

Swamp Fireweed VU vu Senecio psilocarpus

Clover Glycine VU L vu Glycine latrobeana

Green-striped Greenhood VU L vu Pterostylis chlorogramma

Swamp Greenhood VU ✓ Pterostylis tenuissima

Coast Ixodia VU vu Ixodia achillaeoides subsp. arenicola

Dense Leek-orchid VU en Prasophyllum spicatum

Square Raspwort VU vu Haloragis exalata var. exalata

Limestone Spider-orchid VU L en Caladenia calcicola

River Swamp Wallaby-grass VU Amphibromus fluitans * Little Galaxias Galaxiella toourtkoourt has been recently split as a separate species from Dwarf Galaxias Galaxiella pusilla. The listing status of this taxon is yet to be updated within the FFG and EPBC Acts. For the purpose of this study, Little Galaxias is considered to have the same status as Dwarf Galaxias (i.e. EPBC Vulnerable, FFG Act listed).

1.4 Study area

The proposed Kentbruck Green Power Hub is located around 330 kilometres west of Melbourne between Portland and Nelson, Victoria (Figure 1).

The flora and fauna study area encompasses a wind farm site of approximately 7,500 hectares of private and public land including some road reserves, a battery storage facility and a transmission line connection to the electricity grid. Two options for both the transmission line connection and battery storage facility are currently being considered.

The study area is within the:

• Glenelg Plain and Bridgewater Bioregions

• Glenelg River Basin

• Management area of the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (CMA)

• Glenelg Shire local government area.

A detailed description of the project is provided in Section 1.2.

2. Site context

2.1 Bioregions, landform and geology

Based on a review of desktop information, the study area spans three bioregions:

• Glenelg Plain (majority of the wind farm site)

• Bridgewater (southern sections of the wind farm site)

• Victorian Volcanic Plain (portions of the grid connection options).

Geomorphological Units for the study area are provided in the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Region Geomorphological Units Map (Victorian Resources Online). The study area includes the following main units:

• 6.1.4 – Western Plains: Volcanic derived plains with well-developed drainage and deep regolith (portions of the grid connection options).

• 6.2.1 – Western Plains: Sedimentary derived plains with ridges (portions of the grid connection and wind farm site in the eastern section).

• 6.2.3 – Western Plains: Sedimentary derived karst plains with depressions (majority of the wind farm site).

• 8.5.1 – Coast: Transgressive dunes: Sea level (coastal sections of the wind farm site).

The wind farm site is located within the Nelson land-system. This land system is associated with hardened limestone dunes of the coastal plains. These low-profile dunes produce soils ranging from sandy loams to orange sands with pockets of acid white sand.

2.2 Land use and landscape context

The following sections describe the land use and landscape context associated with the project (Figure 1).

2.2.1 Pine plantations The majority of the wind farm site is located within a commercial pine plantation. The Kentbruck plantation includes Monterey Pine Pinus radiata coupes of various ages, and is actively managed for timber production. The plantation area also includes a network of tracks, including some public roads and numerous smaller private roads and tracks used for plantation access. The plantation is located on both sides of Portland Nelson Road. The wind farm is mostly within the plantation situated south of the Portland Nelson road. The plantation is situated inland of Discovery Bay Coastal Park, approximately 2 to 3 kilometres from the coast.

Native vegetation and habitat has been cleared to establish the plantation, however there are signs of colonisation by some native understorey species within the plantation, particularly along the plantation fringe or adjacent to vegetated road reserves.

There are also small areas of remnant native vegetation within the plantation (Appendix 3, Photo 7). These areas were not cleared during plantation establishment, mostly due to the steep terrain, and these areas are excluded from disturbance by forestry operations.

2.2.2 Blue-gum plantations The wind farm study area also includes areas of Blue-gum Eucalyptus globulus plantations near the eastern end of the site (Figure 1). One plantation is situated between the Kentbruck Pine Plantation and Discovery Bay Coastal Park near Mount Richmond, and there is an extensive area of Blue-gum plantations in the north- eastern section of the study area, surrounded by Cobboboonee National Park. The Blue-gum plantations are more recently established than the pine plantations, and generally have a higher cover of regenerating native species in the understorey.

2.2.3 Grazing land The wind farm study area includes several areas of farmland, mostly at the eastern end of the study area near Mount Kincaid, and another section of farmland south of Portland-Nelson Road near Nelson. These farmland areas have been mostly cleared of native vegetation and are currently used primarily for dryland grazing by sheep and cattle. The cleared paddocks are dominated by introduced grasses, but may have scattered native species present, including grasses, rushes, Austral Bracken Pteridium esculentum and shrub species close to adjacent public land.

2.2.4 Nearby conservation reserves Conservation reserves near the study area are shown in Figure 1, and described in the following sections.

Discovery Bay Coastal Park The wind farm study area is located inland from Discovery Bay Coastal Park (DCBC), which extends along the coastline between Cape Nelson in the east and Nelson in the west (Figure 1). All sections of DCBC including and to the west of the Bridgewater Lakes are included within the Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar Site.

DCBC protects the coastline and dune environments and also includes wetlands and lakes including the Bridgewater Lakes, Lake Mombeong, The Sheepwash, Cain Hut Swamp, Long Swamp and the Glenelg River estuary. Most of the park supports EVC 858 Coastal Alkaline Scrub, which has a bioregional conservation status of ‘Least Concern’ within the Bridgewater Bioregion. The park also contains one of the largest expanses of bare mobile dunes within Victoria.

Lower Glenelg National Park Lower Glenelg National Park (LGNP) is located to the north of the wind farm site. The park shares a boundary with the wind farm in several locations, including to the east of Nelson and near Mount Piccaninny in the east of the proposed wind farm. LGNP protects a diverse suite of values including Heathy Woodlands, Damp- Sands Herb-rick Woodland, Wet Heathland and the Glenelg River Estuary and riverine corridor.

The Kentbruck Heath, which spans both LGNP and Cobboboonee National Park, is one of the largest areas of Wet Heathland in Victoria.

A large section of LGNP, to the west of the Winnap Nelson Road, is included within the Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar Site. This includes the Glenelg River and adjacent woodlands and heathlands.

The Glenelg River is included within the recently EPBC listed (endangered) community: Assemblages of species associated with open-coast salt-wedge estuaries of western and central Victoria ecological community. The lower 67.9 kilometres of the Glenelg River is included within the definition of this community. This entire length is located within LGNP, with the exception of the short section where the river crosses into South Australia near Donovans.

Cave systems are known to be present surrounding and underneath the Glenelg Estuary (White 1998).

Cobboboonee National Park and Cobboboonee Forest Park Cobboboonee National Park (CNP) was proclaimed as a national park in 2008. Prior to that is was included within Cobboboonee State Forest. Other adjacent sections of the State Forest were proclaimed as Cobboboonee Forest Park (CFP). CNP is continuous with the eastern section of LGNP, and could be considered as an extension of LGNP. These parks support extensive areas of Lowland Forest (EVC 16), Heathy Woodland (EVC 48), Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23) and Wet Heathland (EVC 8).

CNP and CFP are located to the east of the proposed wind farm. The northern grid route options include underground routes underneath existing roads through these parks, including Cut Out Dam Road and Boiler Swamp Road.

Mount Richmond National Park Mount Richmond National Park (MRNP) is located to the south-east of the proposed wind farm. This park contains extensive areas of Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland (EVC 3), Heathy Woodland (EVC 48), Damp Heathy Woodland (EVC 793), Damp Heathland and Wet Heathland (EVC 8).

Bushland Reserves and Flora Reserves Other small reserves close to the project area include:

• Jonstones Creek Flora Reserve

• Kentbruck H50 Bushland Reserve

• Mouzie Bushland Reserve

• Kentbruck H14 Bushland Reserve

• Hedditch Hill Scenic Reserve.

2.2.5 Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar site The Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar Site is located in far south-west Victoria. The Ramsar site protects the Glenelg River estuary and wetlands along the coastal dunes between Nelson and Cape Bridgewater. The boundary of the Ramsar site aligns with the boundary of the western portion of Lower Glenelg National Park (west of Winnap Nelson Road) and the majority of Discovery Bay Coastal Park, from Nelson in the west to the Bridgewater Lakes in the east. The site covers an area of approximately 22,289 hectares. The portion of the Glenelg River within South Australia is excluded from the Ramsar site.

The Ramsar site protects a diverse range of wetlands including:

• The Glenelg River salt wedge estuary extending from the river mouth upstream for a distance of approximately 75 meters to near Dartmoor. A portion of this estuary (67.9 kilometres) is also included within the EPBC Act listed (endangered) community: Assemblages of species associated with open-coast salt-wedge estuaries of western and central Victoria ecological community.

• Expanded wetlands near the estuary mouth, including Oxbow Lake.

• The beach and dune systems within Discovery Bay Coastal Park.

• Freshwater wetlands within behind the dune system, including the Long Swamp Complex (Sheepwash Lagoon, Cains Hut Swamp, Lake Mombeong, Black Swamp, McFarlanes Swamp and several unnamed lagoons) and the Bridgewater Lakes.

The ecological character definition (ECD) for the Ramsar site (DELWP 2017a) defines a set of critical components, processes and services (CPS) for the site.

Critical components include:

• Hydrology

• Vegetation – type and extent

• Fish – diversity and abundance

• Waterbirds – diversity and abundance.

The ECD identifies a single critical process: stratification of the Glenelg Estuary, which is considered important for ecosystem services and critical for successful recruitment of estuarine fish species.

Critical ecosystem services identified in the ECD include:

• Diversity of wetland types

• Special geomorphic features including dune slacks (damp or wet hollows within the coastal dune fields)

• Habitat for waterbirds

• Habitat for threatened wetland species and ecosystems

• Ecological connectivity.

The ECD also defines a set of Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) for the critical components, processes and services. These are presented in fully in Table 21 of the ECD (DELWP 2017a). In summary, the LAC relate to:

• Preservation of hydrological regime to allow permanent wetlands to remain inundated, and the estuary mouth to not remain closed for three or more consecutive years.

• Preservation of defined extents for vegetation types, including Coastal Saltmarsh and tall marshes.

• Continued representation of a diversity and abundance of fish life history strategies (estuarine, marine migrants and freshwater).

• Continued presence of defined waterbird guilds.

• Preservation of the diversity of wetland types and physical habitats for waterbirds.

• Ongoing presence of key threatened species:

– Maroon Leek-orchid Prasophyllum frenchii

– Swamp Greenhood Pterostylis tenuissima

– Yarra Pygmy Perch Nannoperca obscura

– Hooded Plover Thinornis rubricollis

– Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis

– Ancient Greenling Damselfly Hemiphlebia mirabilis. • Preservation of ecological connectivity relating to the estuary opening.

2.2.6 Groundwater dependent ecosystems To be included in the next report version.

2.2.7 Connectivity and fauna movement To be included in the next report version.

3. Methods

3.1 Permits

Flora and fauna assessments undertaken by Biosis have been under provisions of the following permits and approvals:

• Research Permit/Management Authorisation and Permit to Take/Keep Protected Flora & Protected Fish issued by DELWP under the Victorian Wildlife Act 1975, FFG Act, National Parks Act 1975 and Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 (Permit Number 10008711)

• Permit to catch and release fish issued by the Victorian Fisheries Authority under the Victorian Fisheries Act 1995 (Permit Number RP 1220, Personal File Number 13041)

• Approvals 30.17 and 19.18 issued by the Wildlife and Small Institutions Animal Ethics Committee of the Victorian Government Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR)

• Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence issued by DEDJTR’s Wildlife and Small Institutions Animal Ethics Committee (Licence Number 20020).

3.2 Definitions

3.2.1 Taxonomy Species names used throughout this report are consistent with the VBA.

Where there are inconsistencies between the VBA naming and the naming used by the federal government for listing species under the EPBC Act, this is noted in the report.

3.2.2 Significant species The significance of a species or ecological community is determined by its listing status under Commonwealth or State legislation / policy (Table 2).

Table 2 Criteria for determining significance of species and ecological communities

Significance

National Listed as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable under the EPBC Act

State Listed as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable in Victoria on a DELWP Advisory List (DSE 2009, DSE 2013, DEPI 2014) Listed as threatened under the FFG Act

Appendix A of the EES Scoping Requirements provides an indicative list of species and ecological communities to be considered in assessment for the project. It notes, that it is not necessarily definitive of all species or communities that may be relevant to investigations for the project. Appendix A of the EES Scoping Requirements includes some species that are not threatened but are included because they form part of the ecological character description of Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar Site (DELWP 2017a). Those species and ecological communities are considered in this report.

Complete lists of species considered within this report are provided in Appendix 1 (Flora) and Appendix 2 (Fauna).

3.3 Consultation with government authorities

In late 2018 and early 2019 Neoen and Biosis consulted with officers of DELWP. The consultation has assisted to determine which threatened and migratory species and ecological communities require investigation and to obtain and refine methods and effort for the various studies. The consultation with DELWP included taxa that are MNES under provisions of the EPBC Act and taxa that are covered by Victorian legislation and policies.

Neoen and AECOM also met with officers of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) in early 2019 and consulted with them about the project and MNES that it might affect.

3.4 Community consultation

Community consultation events specifically for the EES were held over two days in December 2019. They consisted of open drop-in sessions and were held in Portland, Mount Richmond and Nelson. During the course of these sessions, discussions were held with members of the public, landowners from the vicinity of the project and other community members. Discussions included many aspects relating to flora and fauna of the project area.

3.5 Database and literature review

3.5.1 Information sources In order to provide context for the study area for this assessment, information about flora and fauna from within 10 kilometres of the study area (the ‘local area’) was obtained from relevant biodiversity databases, many of which are maintained by DELWP and DAWE. Aquatic fauna records were searched for the Glenelg catchment. Records from the following databases were collated and reviewed:

• DELWP’s VBA including the ‘VBA_FLORA25, FLORA100 & FLORA Restricted’ and ‘VBA_FAUNA25, FAUNA100 & FAUNA Restricted’ datasets, undertaken on 26 June 2020. • DAWE’s Protected Matters Search Tool for matters protected by the EPBC Act. Other sources of biodiversity information were examined including:

• DELWP’s NatureKit mapping tool • DELWP’s Habitat Importance maps • DELWP’s Native Vegetation Information Management (NVIM) system • Planning Scheme overlays relevant to biodiversity based on https://planning- schemes.delwp.vic.gov.au/ • Non-government databases including the Atlas of Living Australia • Local knowledge provided by agency staff and landholders

• Multiple published and unpublished documents used in the assessment are listed in References.

3.5.2 Investigation area The investigation area for the database search included the wind farm project area and the grid connection options plus a 10-kilometre buffer of these features.

3.6 Mapping

Mapping was conducted using hand-held GPS-enabled tablets and aerial photo interpretation. The accuracy of this mapping is therefore subject to the accuracy of the tablets (generally ± 7 metres) and dependent on the limitations of aerial photo rectification and registration.

Mapping has been produced using a Geographic Information System (GIS). Electronic GIS files which contain our flora and fauna spatial data are available to incorporate into design concept plans.

3.7 Site investigation

As noted above, some field investigations have commenced, and a variety of further studies are either underway or are planned to be undertaken to coincide with appropriate seasonal or other conditions. A summary of the survey program is provided in Appendix 4.

For the purposes of assessing species and ecological communities, a program of investigations is being undertaken that is specifically targeted to maximise the potential of obtaining information for particular species and communities identified in the EES scoping requirements as being most at risk of impact. This entails timing of surveys to coincide with times when particular species are likely to be present and/or most likely to be detected, and the use of methods that also have the best potential to detect relevant taxa.

3.8 Qualifications

Ecological surveys provide a sampling of flora and fauna at a given time and season. There are a number of reasons why not all species will be detected at a site during survey, such as low abundance, patchy distribution, species dormancy, environmental conditions, and migration and breeding behaviours.

For the project, all investigations that are planned or underway are designed to maximise potential to detect relevant taxa. This includes surveys during appropriate seasons and environmental conditions, and the application of relevant methods and survey effort. Species that have at least medium likelihood of occurrence are given further consideration in this report. The need for targeted survey for these species is also considered.

3.9 Personnel

Biosis staff involved in field surveys and their qualifications are listed in Table 3.

Table 3 List of Biosis staff involved in field surveys

Name Position and qualifications Field studies

Matt Gibson Senior Ecologist, BAppSc Flora surveys Southern Bent-wing Bat survey

Inka Veltheim Senior Zoologist, BSc (Hons) PhD Fauna surveys

Ian Smales Principal Zoologist, MSc Fauna surveys

Daniel Gilmore Senior Zoologist, BConEcol Orange-Bellied Parrot survey Red-tailed Black Cockatoo survey

Caitlin Potts Consultant Zoologist, BenvSc (Hons) Fauna surveys Southern Bent-wing Bat survey

Kristin Campbell Senior Zoologist, BEnvSc (Hons) Red-tailed Black Cockatoo survey Bird utilisation survey

Matt Jones Research Assistant, BSc (EnvBio) Orange-bellied Parrot survey Brolga survey Terrestrial mammal survey

Jules Farquhar Zoologist, BEnvSc (Hons) Orange-bellied Parrot survey Brolga survey Reptile survey

John Muchan Project Botanist, BEng (Hons) Flora surveys

Samantha Barron Botanist, BAppSc Flora surveys

Georgina Zakc Botanist, BEnv (Hons) Flora surveys

3.10 Vegetation and habitat mapping

Vegetation and habitat mapping has commenced. The study is considering all geographic components of the project that may affect vegetation but is particularly focussed on native vegetation.

This involves:

• Mapping of native vegetation, using field surveys, aerial imagery and publicly available vegetation mapping products. Vegetation will be mapped according to accepted standards, as described in DEWLP (2017b), DSE (2004) and AS 4970-2009 – Australian Standard for Protection of trees on development sites.

• Vegetation mapping will be conducted within the preliminary project construction footprint, and a buffer area of 100 metres beyond the footprint. There are some exceptions to this 100 metre buffer, for example, within Cobboboonee National Park where the footprint will be extremely narrow along one of the roads.

• Mapping of potential habitat for threatened species where these habitats do not satisfy the definition of native vegetation (within the Guidelines) or are associated with non-native vegetation, including Blue-gum and Pine Plantations and aquatic areas with farmland

• Compilation of lists of native and introduced flora and fauna species occurring in mapped areas, and in the broader project area.

• Determination of Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs), with the aim of identifying which areas of native vegetation would require (if impacted) planning permission and offsets.

• Identification of areas where native vegetation corresponds with threatened ecological communities listed under the FFG Act or the EPBC Act.

• Assessment of the likelihood that areas of mapped vegetation provide potential habitat for threatened species.

The vegetation and habitat mapping will be used by the project team to further refine the project design to avoid and minimise disturbance to native vegetation and habitat where possible.

Areas where impacts cannot be avoided will be subject to further assessment, including:

• Vegetation Quality Assessment (DSE 2004).

• Targeted survey for threatened flora species in areas of identified potential impacted habitat.

• Targeted survey for threatened fauna species with potential to be directly impacted by habitat removal.

• Targeted survey for threatened fauna species in nearby habitat areas, with potential to be indirectly impacted by the project.

Following the results of these targeted surveys, the project design may be further modified to eliminate or reduce impacts.

A one-week survey was conducted in May 2020. The focus of this survey was to collect initial species lists and characterise types of vegetation and habitat present, to guide ongoing targeted flora and fauna surveys. This survey focussed on the wind farm site, and only involved a brief assessment of the two powerline options currently under consideration. Further surveys are planned for late August and September.

3.11 General flora surveys

The general flora survey is ongoing. A one week field survey has been undertaken as described above. All species observed during this survey and further site visits have been recorded and added to the database for the project. A list of species recorded in surveys to-date is provided in Appendix 1 (Table A1.2).

Further flora surveys are proposed throughout late Winter, Spring and early Summer of 2020. These surveys will involve EVC mapping, species inventories and vegetation quality assessment of potentially impacted areas, and will be conducted in conjunction with targeted surveys for significant species. Surveys will be conducted across the entire project, including the wind farm area, transmission lines and sub-stations.

3.12 General fauna surveys

Information on common fauna species was collected during targeted and incidental survey efforts and has been added to the database for the project. The final version of the existing conditions report will document all species recorded during the surveys.

3.13 Targeted surveys for listed threatened flora species

Targeted surveys for listed threatened flora will be undertaken in identified areas of habitat that have potential to be directly impacted by the project. Surveys will be conducted using accepted methods, following appropriate survey guidelines where available as detailed in Table 4. For some species this may include reference site checks to ensure surveys are conducted when species are locally detectable.

The targeted survey program and proposed methods will focus on species listed under the FFG Act and/or EPBC Act (Table 4). Other species, for example species listed only under Advisory Lists (DSE 2009, DSE 2013, DEPI 2014), will not be specifically targeted, but will be noted if recorded during general surveys or targeted surveys for other species. Impacts to habitat for species considered critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or rare on Advisory Lists are assessed using DELWP state-wide habitat models, following the process specified in the Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation (DELWP 2017b).

Table 4 Survey program – threatened flora Codes used for significant species status are provided in Appendix 1.

Species and status Potential survey areas Survey methods and Relevant survey timing guidelines

EPBC listed species

River Swamp Wallaby- Wetlands Transect surveys in suitable No specific survey grass habitat in spring (following guidelines Amphibromus fluitans inundation in winter). VU

Limestone Spider-orchid Limestone ridges Mid-September to early Recovery plan - Dickson et. Caladenia calcicola supporting native November. Reference site al. (2010) VU e L vegetation checks to confirm flowering. Survey guidelines – DoEE Area search using transects. (2013).

Colourful Spider-orchid Heathy woodland on sandy August to early October. Survey guidelines - DoEE Caladenia colorata soils over limestone. Reference site checks to (2013). EN e L confirm flowering. No recovery plan. Area search using transects.

Mellblom's Spider-orchid Damp Heathland and Damp October to November. Recovery plan – Todd Caladenia hastata Heathy Woodland on (2000). EN e L Reference site checks to Aeolian sand deposits. confirm flowering. Survey guidelines - DoEE (2013). Area search using transects.

Ornate Pink-fingers Heathlands and grassy November. Recovery plan – Duncan et. Caladenia ornata woodlands al. (2009). VU v L Reference site checks to confirm flowering. Survey guidelines - DoEE (2013). Area search using transects.

Wrinkled Cassinia Damp, low open forest or Flowers February to April. No specific survey Cassinia rugata dense heathy scrub guidelines. VU v L Transect surveys in suitable habitat. Recovery plan – Carter and Walsh (2006).

Clover Glycine Grasslands and grassy September to December. No specific survey Glycine latrobeana woodlands, particularly guidelines. VU v L Transect surveys in suitable those dominated by habitat. Recovery plan – Carter and Kangaroo Grass Sutter (2010).

Species and status Potential survey areas Survey methods and Relevant survey timing guidelines

Square Raspwort Damp riparian habitats Flowers October to March. No recovery plan. Haloragis exalata var. exalata Transect surveys in suitable No specific survey VU v habitat. guidelines.

Coast Ixodia Low coastal shrublands on Flowers November to Recovery plan – Carter Ixodia achillaeoides exposed limestone January. (2010a). subsp. arenicola headlands, often on steeply VU v Transect surveys in suitable No specific survey sloped sites habitat. guidelines.

Maroon Leek-orchid Grassland and grassy Flowers October to Recovery plan – Duncan Prasophyllum frenchii woodland environments on November. (2010a). EN e L sandy or black clay loam Reference site checks to Survey guidelines - DoEE soils that are generally confirm flowering. (2013). damp but well drained Area search using transects.

Dense Leek-orchid Coastal and near-coastal Flowers early October to Recovery plan – Duncan Prasophyllum spicatum heathlands and heathy early November. (2010b). VU e woodlands on sandy soils Reference site checks to Survey guidelines – DoEE that may be seasonally confirm flowering. (2013). waterlogged. Area search using transects.

Green-striped Heathy woodland; more Flowers July toSeptember. Survey guidelines - DoEE Greenhood specific habitat (2013). Pterostylis chlorogramma Reference site checks to requirements are poorly VU v L confirm flowering. known Area search using transects.

Swamp Greenhood Swamp scrub with a dense Flowers between October Recovery plan – Dickson et. Pterostylis tenuissima canopy and open and March. al.(2010). VU v understorey, often on or Reference site checks to Survey guidelines - DoEE beside animal tracks confirm flowering. (2013).

Area search using transects.

Swamp Fireweed Grassy and sedgy wetlands, Flowers between November No recovery plan. No Senecio psilocarpus mostly. and March. Most frequently specific survey guidelines. VU v recorded in November and December.

Area search using transects.

Species and status Potential survey areas Survey methods and Relevant survey timing guidelines

Coast Dandelion Confined to woodlands and Flowers October to Recovery plan – Carter Taraxacum cygnorum scrub on calcareous soils December. (2010b). EN e L Area search using transects. No specific survey guidelines.

Metallic Sun-orchid Moist or dry sandy loams or Flowers between Recovery plan – Coates et. Thelymitra epipactoides loamy sands, primarily in September and November. al. (2003). EN e L coastal heaths, grasslands Reference site checks to Survey guidelines - DoEE and woodlands confirm flowering. (2013).

Area search using transects.

Swamp Everlasting Sedge-swamps and shallow Flowers November to Recovery plan – Carter and Xerochrysum palustre freshwater marshes and March. Walsh (2011). VU v L swamps in lowlands, on Area search using transects. No specific survey black cracking clay soils guidelines.

Additional FFG listed species

Scented Spider-orchid Near-coastal heath or September to October. No specific guidelines. Caladenia fragrantissima heathy woodland in sandy Surveys will follow e L Reference site checks to loam guidelines specified in DoEE confirm flowering. (2013). Area search using transects.

Robust Spider-orchid Coastal or near coastal September to October. No specific guidelines. Caladenia valida heaths and heathy Surveys will follow e L Reference site checks to woodland guidelines specified in DoEE confirm flowering. (2013). Area search using transects.

Curly Sedge Seasonally wet, heavy clay Flowers in spring. No specific survey Carex tasmanica soils guidelines. v L Area search using transects.

Coast Helmet-orchid Raised clumps of ground in July to August No specific guidelines. Corybas despectans wet areas of Swamp Scrub, Surveys will follow v L Reference site checks to which have a dense guidelines specified in DoEE confirm flowering. overstorey of Woolly Tea (2013). Tree or Scented Paperbark Area search using transects.

Species and status Potential survey areas Survey methods and Relevant survey timing guidelines

Late Helmet-orchid Raised clumps of ground in September to October. No specific guidelines. Corybas sp. aff. wet areas of Swamp Scrub, Surveys will follow diemenicus (Coastal) Reference site checks to which have a dense guidelines specified in DoEE e L confirm flowering. overstorey of Woolly Tea (2013). Tree or Scented Paperbark Area search using transects.

Swamp Diuris Typically occurs in swampy August to October. No specific guidelines. Diuris palustris depressions Surveys will follow v L Reference site checks to guidelines specified in DoEE confirm flowering. (2013). Area search using transects.

Large-fruit Yellow Gum Undulating low hills of thin Conspicuous species will be No specific survey Eucalyptus leucoxylon loam over limestone in identified during vegetation guidelines. subsp. megalocarpa coastal Shrubland. Only mapping surveys. If e L known to occur close to required, targeted survey of Nelson. habitat areas using transects.

Coastal Leek-orchid Coastal scrub and heath on December to January. No specific guidelines. Prasophyllum litorale sand hills or headlands, in Surveys will follow v L Reference site checks to sand over moisture- guidelines specified in DoEE confirm flowering. retentive clays (2013). Area search using transects.

Small Sickle Greenhood In shaded, damp to wet November to February. No specific guidelines. Pterostylis lustra areas along stream banks, Surveys will follow e L Reference site checks to in wet soaks and swamps guidelines specified in DoEE confirm flowering. (2013). Area search using transects.

Leafy Greenhood Protected areas of stabilised August to October. No specific guidelines. Pterostylis cucullata coastal sand dunes within Surveys will follow subsp. cucullata Reference site checks to scrub communities with an guidelines specified in DoEE e L confirm flowering. open ground layer; (2013). occasionally in Coastal Area search using transects. Manna Gum woodland

Winter Sun-orchid Brown Stringybark June to August. No specific guidelines. Thelymitra hiemalis Eucalyptus baxteri or Surveys will follow e L Reference site checks to Western Peppermint E. guidelines specified in DoEE confirm flowering. falciformis woodland, (2013). typically with a heathy Area search using transects. understorey.

3.14 Targeted surveys for listed threatened fauna species

At the time of preparing this report targeted field surveys have been carried out for the following fauna species:

• Southern Bent-wing Bat

• South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

• Orange-bellied Parrot

• Brolga

• Australasian Bittern and other listed threatened water birds

• White-throated Needletail

• Migratory shorebirds

• Owls

• Ground Parrot

• Rufous Bristlebird

• Terrestrial mammals

• Growling Grass Frog

• Aquatic species

Survey methods and effort for each species are described below. These surveys are ongoing. Findings presented in this report are preliminary only.

3.14.1 Southern Bent-wing Bat (SBWB) The SBWB acoustic survey has involved two stages:

1. Preliminary surveys at ground locations and on one met mast – November 2018 to April 2019.

2. Surveys involving four met masts and additional ground locations – December 2019 to (ongoing).

Methods used in these surveys are outlined below.

Preliminary surveys – 2018 to 2019 Two rounds of passive echolocation surveys were conducted in November and December 2018 and February to April 2019 within the Kentbruck region (Figure 2 and Table 5). Surveys were conducted with the use of SM4BAT ZC Ultrasonic Recorders and SMM-U1 microphones. The detectors were scheduled to record from sunset to sunrise for every day of their deployment. Where surveys occurred over multiple months detectors were checked every four weeks to check microphone sensitivity, download data and change batteries. A total of 828 nights were surveyed across the two rounds.

The first survey involved ten recorders deployed from 27 and 28 November until 10 December 2018 at sites 1-10 (Figure 2). At each site detectors were deployed on trees at approximately 2 metres high and with the microphone facing the direction of a cleared path, identified as a likely flyway which bats use to move through vegetated areas. The ten sites were spread across the original study area with the inclusion of sites within Discovery Bay National Park (adjacent to the plantation), the Green Triangle Plantation and HVP Plantation to the north.

Eight detectors were redeployed at sites 1-6, 8 and 9 from 6 February until 1 April 2019. Detectors were deployed at site 7 and 10 (HPV Plantation) on the 6 February 2019 but were collected on the 6 March 2019. Site 7 and 10 will not be used in further surveys as the proposed wind farm will not be within HPV land.

In early March 2019, a met mast was installed within the Green Triangle Plantation nearby Lake Mombeong (Figure 2). Four detectors were deployed at different heights on the met mast from 6 March until 29 April 2019. For these surveys, each height location on the met mast was considered an individual site. Heights were approximately ground level (1 metre), and 28 metres, 56 metres and 84 metres above ground level. Except for the detector at ground level, which was attached to a star picket, the other detectors were suspended by individual pulley systems. The heights of each site were an approximate measure of the highest point of these pulleys. Each pulley system was placed in a different direction to the met mast in a triangle formation. The purpose of recording results at multiple heights at an individual location was to collect data showing stratification of bat-call data with height.

Table 5 Bat detector sites for preliminary surveys (2018 to 2019)

Total Site 2018 2019 2019 2019 nights # Site name Area type Dec. Feb. Mar. Apr. deployed

1 Strachan Lane GTFP plantation Y Y Y N 67

Mt Richmond 2 Harolds Track Park Y Y Y N 67

Discovery Bay 3 Swan Lake Park Y Y Y N 67

4 Spring Road Plantation GTFP plantation Y Y Y N 67

Discovery Bay 5 South Road Park Y Y Y N 66

6 Browns Road Coup GTFP plantation Y Y Y N 66

7 Airstrip Road East HPV plantation Y Y N N 40

Discovery Bay 8 Little Dam (Lake Mombeong) Park Y Y Y N 66

9 Nine Mile Road GTFP plantation Y Y Y N 66

10 HPV airstrip HPV plantation Y Y N N 40

11 Met mast top - 84m GTFP plantation N N Y Y 54

Met mast upper middle - 12 56m GTFP plantation N N Y Y 54

Met mast Lower Middle - 13 28m GTFP plantation N N Y Y 54

14 Met mast bottom - ground GTFP plantation N N Y Y 54

December 2019 to current surveys The expanded 12 month SBWB acoustic monitoring program involves detectors mounted on the existing met mast, and three additional 80 metre tall met masts installed for the monitoring.

The 12-month survey commenced in spring 2019. This survey will include sites 11 to 14. It will also include a further 12 sites, which will be made up of four detectors at different heights on three new met masts with heights similar to those at the existing mast.

Due to the met mast location used for the preliminary surveys described above being within a cleared plantation coupe near to Lake Mombeong it was proposed, in consultation with Lindy Lumsden (DELWP – Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research), that the three other met masts be located within the following sites:

• One site within mature pines close to a wetland which will not be harvested during study.

• One site within mature pines distant from any wetland which will not be harvested during study.

• One site that might be in a movement corridor near wetlands but away from pines. The objective of this site would be to act as a control site representing Southern Bent-wing Bat usage in a zone of preferred local habitat away from turbines.

The sites for the four met masts being used for the current surveys are shown in Figure 2 and summarised in Table 6. These sites have been selected based on where the parameters outlined above are met within the current study area and where project agreements are in place to install monitoring masts. The locations of the monitoring masts also allow for a general spread across the study area.

Table 6 Bat detector sites for current surveys

Site # Mast Height Note

15 1 Lower (28 m)

16 1 Middle (56 m)

17 1 Upper (84 m)

18 - Ground (1.5 m) New site

19 - Ground (1.5m) New site

20 2 Lower (28 m)

21 2 Middle (56 m)

22 2 Upper (84 m)

23 2 Ground (1.5 m)

24 - Ground (1.5 m) New site. Bat detector 24 was destroyed in a wildfire in January 2020. Use of this site has been discontinued, and an additional site (39) has been established as a replacement.

25 1 Ground (1.5 m)

26 3 Ground (1.5 m)

27 3 Lower (28 m)

28 3 Middle (56 m)

29 3 Upper (84 m)

30 - Ground (1.5 m) Original site 8

Site # Mast Height Note

31 4 Ground (1.5 m)

32 4 Lower (28 m)

33 4 Middle (56m)

34 4 Upper (84m)

35 - Ground (1.5 m) Original site 4

36 - Ground (1.5 m) New site

37 - Ground (1.5 m) Original site 6

38 - Ground (1.5 m) Original site 5

39 - Ground (1.5 m) Replacement for site 24 (burnt)

For all surveys the detectors and microphones used will be the same as described for the preliminary surveys. Detectors and microphones were deployed using the same methods as described for the preliminary surveys.

The approach will incorporate stratification for variables such as distances from caves known to be in use and heights above the ground. While there are uncertainties and assumptions embedded within this approach we consider it offers the best capacity for results that may help to quantify risk level for the future impact assessment because it:

• Measures a range of site types (forested, cleared, near-and-far from wetlands),

• Measures a spread of locations spread horizontally across the site,

• Measures at rotor-swept height at multiple locations,

• Allows for stratification data to be collected to see if there are patterns between height and number of calls detected

• Measures across all seasons in a single year and includes multiple years of measurements at a number of locations.

Bat call analysis Bat calls were analysed using the automated identification software AnaScheme, developed by Matthew Gibson (Biosis) and widely used in the automated analysis of microbat vocalisations within Australia. The system allows for development of identification keys based on analysis of reference calls. The key used to analyse bat calls for this project was developed and tested by Lindy Lumsden and Peter Griffroen of Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), DELWP (Key to bats of south-west Victoria, dated 20 June 2011).

The AnaScheme system applies a conservative approach to identifying calls in that only clear, high quality calls are assigned to a species. The system also counts recordings which match the criteria to be considered true bat calls but may be of insufficient quality to identify to species level. This allows a measure of overall bat activity to be calculated.

Any calls identified by the system as significant or uncommon species are checked manually, by visual comparison with published reference calls by an experienced bat expert, to ensure accurate results. A subset of suspect calls that were not clearly identifiable using the reference key were sent to Lindy Lumsden (DELWP

ARI) for further analysis and/or for confirmation. This is particularly important to verify potential calls of threatened or listed species.

The results presented in this report (Section 4.4.1) are preliminary. Further monitoring is underway, and further work is required to confirm identification results.

3.14.2 South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo The south-eastern subspecies of the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne occurs as a single population in an overall area of approximately 18,000 km² of south-western Victoria and adjacent South Australia (Commonwealth of Australia 2006). About 28% of the overall range contains suitable habitat and is known to be used by the population (Burnard & Hill 2002). The birds may occur widely within this range and they breed across much of it. The birds may form large flocks but often also occur in smaller groups of two or three individuals (Commonwealth of Australia 2006).

The annual co-ordinated count of South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoos in May 2019 recorded 1193 birds. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no co-ordinated search across all areas of suitable habitat was undertaken in 2020. But a co-ordinated smaller event conducted by people who live within the species range was undertaken. Taking into account sighting reports received in the week before and after the event, as well as several large flocks which were known but were not counted on the day, the number of birds counted was 1144 (BirdLife Australia http://www.redtail.com.au/results.html).

The subspecies is highly specialised, feeding primarily on the seeds of two closely related eucalypts, Desert Stringybark Eucalyptus arenacea and Brown Stringybark Eucalyptus baxteri, and seasonally on the seeds of Buloke Allocasuarina luehmannii (Commonwealth of Australia 2006). The birds feed in blocks of forest and scattered paddock trees. They feed almost entirely on whichever stringybark species has fruited most recently and marked periods of local food shortage between new seed crops may have a substantial effect on the birds' annual distribution, movements and nesting success (Newell, Millen, & White 2016, Commonwealth of Australia 2006).

The population does not make routine annual movements but apparently moves throughout the range in response to changes in the availability of stringybark and Buloke seed. In some years, most birds occur in the northern part of the range as they feed on Buloke and Desert Stringybark, and in other years most occur in the southern part of the range where they feed on Brown Stringybark.

In recognition of the unpredictable nature of the bird’s movements and use of its range, it is recognised that surveys to document Red-tailed Black Cockatoos in the study area and its environs would offer a very limited basis for understanding how the birds might use the site over the life of the project. DELWP has expressed the same view with regard to this species (DELWP letter to Neoen 25 January 2019). For this reason, the primary approach to consideration of their likely use of the site is to determine the occurrence of suitable habitat. This will be accomplished by consideration of pre-existing records of the birds from the local area and by determination of the presence and distribution of habitat tree species which will be investigated as a component of vegetation mapping.

In addition to consideration of pre-existing database records, the study program will include liaison with the Red-tail Recovery Team and other parties with a view to accessing any additional information about presence of the species in the local area.

Bird utilisation point counts (see below) are being undertaken at representative sites within the wind farm; the land where the optional overhead powerline may be aligned; and in adjacent land. Sites where Red-tailed Black Cockatoos have been previously documented within the wind farm site and adjacent land have been specifically included as point count sites.

Due to the comprehensive range of fauna surveys being undertaken throughout the year, ornithologists will be on-site and in the local area in all months of the year for approximately 200 person-days. Throughout all surveys any occurrences of Red-tailed Black Cockatoos will be documented and, on any occasion when the species is detected, observation of it will be given immediate priority.

3.14.3 Orange-bellied Parrot Orange-bellied Parrots migrate to the southern mainland and overwinter for the period from March-April to October. The majority of records of the species from mainland are from within two kilometres of the coast, although some recent records are from up to 10 kilometres inland (DEWHA 2010). The species uses coastal saltmarsh and heathland vegetation communities on the mainland. Discovery Bay Coastal Park coastal zone contains suitable habitat for the species, and the species has been historically recorded near Nobles Rocks (1989, 1991, 1993) and Swan Lake (1987, 1991). Orange-bellied Parrots are known to integrate into Blue- winged Parrot flocks and coastal heath habitat is suitable for both species (DEWHA 2010). On the mainland, the species is thought to move in response to resource availability. Non-breeding Orange-bellied Parrots fly between feeding and roosting areas, which are generally within a few kilometres of each other. Roosting habitat includes dense shrubs, and the species forage on saltmarsh vegetation including Beaded Glasswort Sarcocornia quinqueflora, Austral Seablight Suaeda australis, Shrubby Glassworth Tecticornia arbuscula, within dune scrub and in pastures and can feed on some introduced, weedy, plant species. Foraging areas are generally within 50 to 200 metres of water bodies.

The survey guidelines for Australia’s threatened birds (DEWHA 2010) outline the following considerations for Orange-bellied Parrot surveys:

• Winter habitat searches are conducted using area searches and point observations in suitable habitat by individual observers or small teams on foot. Area searches are employed during co-ordinated counts and incidental searches and rely mainly on flushing birds.

• Detection using only sight rarely confirms species identity in the first instance. It is therefore critical that observers are familiar with flight and alarm calls to distinguish from other Neophema species.

• In winter areas, typically encountered in small flocks, sometimes singly and in pairs.

• Contact call in flight and alarm call is diagnostic. Sometimes found in association with other Neophema parrots.

• Survey effort:

– for area searches (areas <50 hectares in suitable habitat at appropriate times of the year) 20 hours, 10 days.

– roost site point observations (1 hour before dusk to half hour after. Half hour before dawn to one hour after) 60 hours, 20 days.

Surveys have been undertaken at a time of the year, time of the day and at locations of suitable habitat where the species was likely to be present. The surveys considered aspects of the species behaviour and existing information as detailed below:

• Surveys were conducted in May, June and July 2020 when the species is known to be on the mainland. Further surveys will be undertaken in August 2020.

• Surveys were located near Noble Rocks and Swan Lake, within coastal heath habitat near historical Orange-bellied Parrot records (Figure 3).

• Given the size of potentially suitable habitat, and lack of recent records and knowledge of roost and foraging sites, we applied a combined approach of DEWHA (2010) survey effort recommendations,

surveying 2 hours from first and last light (Table 7). A single Orange-bellied Parrot was recorded near Swan Lake in June 2020, and the survey intensity was subsequently increased for the July 2020 surveys (Table 7).

• Surveys were undertaken by walking along the beach, parallel to dunes with suitable coastal heath habitat, and across the dunes through the habitat, scanning for the species and other Neophema parrots, and listening for calls.

Where Blue-winged Parrots were detected, careful observations were made to check for Orange-bellied Parrots. There is also potential for Elegant Parrots Neophema elegans (Vulnerable on the DELWP Advisory List) to occur within the project area.

Additionally, the bird utilisation survey (BUS) location T7 was 1.5 kilometres and BUS location C5 was 1.2 kilometres from known Orange-bellied Parrot records at Noble Rocks and Swan Lake respectively (Figure 20). A total of two hours was spent at these locations as part of the BUS (one hour in April, one hour in June), and each of the two BUS survey periods has included a morning, middle of the day, and late afternoon 20-minute count.

Table 7 Details of Orange-bellied Parrot surveys, May 2020 to July 2020 (sunrise/sunset times from Portland)

Date Location First Last Time Time Temp.e Wind Precipitation Cloud Observers light light start end (°C) direction and Sunrise Sunset speed km/h

29/5/2020 Nobles 7:10 17:22 07:49 09:45 7.5 N light Nil <1/8 IV, CEP Rocks 7:39 17:51

29/5/2020 Swan 7:10 17:22 15:30 17:30 15.8 NNW Nil 2/8 IV, CEP Lake 7:39 17:51 moderate

29/6/2020 Swan 7:21 17:22 7:58 9:50 3.7 N 9 Nil 0 CEP, MJJ Lake 7:51 17:52

29/6/2020 Swan 7:21 17:22 15:38 17:23 14.8 N 2 Nil 0 MJJ, IS Lake 7:51 17:52

29/6/2020 Nobles 7:21 17:22 15:53 17:41 13.7 N 3.4 Nil 0 CEP, DCG Rocks 7:51 17:52

30/6/2020 Swan 7:21 17:23 7:47 10:10 11.7 N 5 Nil 2/8 MJJ, DCG Lake 7:51 17:52

30/6/2020 Nobles 7:21 17:23 7:27 9:49 8.4 NNE 12 Nil 7/8 CEP, IS Rocks 7:51 17:52

30/6/2020 Swan 7:21 17:23 15:30 17:00 14.4 NW 9 Nil 2/8 MJJ, DCG Lake 7:51 17:52

30/6/2020 Nobles 7:21 17:23 15:53 17:42 13.4 N 1 Nil 2/8 CEP, IS Rocks 7:51 17:52

21/7/2020 Swan 7:14 17:36 7:46 10:18 9.0 SW 4 Nil 8/8 IV, MJJ Lake 7:43 18:05

21/7/2020 Nobles 7:14 17:36 7:53 9:46 7.5 NW 2 Nil 8/8 CEP, JF Rocks 7:43 18:05

Date Location First Last Time Time Temp.e Wind Precipitation Cloud Observers light light start end (°C) direction and Sunrise Sunset speed km/h

21/7/2020 Swan 7:14 17:36 15:36 17:47 11.8 SSW 17 Nil 4/8 IV, MJJ Lake 7:43 18:05

21/7/2020 Nobles 7:14 17:36 15:52 17:51 13.6 N 10.3 Nil 5/8 CEP, JF Rocks 7:43 18:05

22/7/2020 Swan 7:13 17:37 7:47 9:34 11.00 SW 8.6 Fog/periodic 8/8 CEP, JF Lake 7:42 18:06 drizzle

22/7/2020 Nobles 7:13 17:37 7:45 10:25 9.0 W 13.0 Fog/periodic 8/8 IV, MJJ Rocks 7:42 18:06 drizzle

22/7/2020 Swan 7:13 17:37 13:50 17:19 12.0 SW 16.0 Nil 3/8 CEP, JF Lake 7:42 18:06

22/7/2020 Nobles 7:13 17:37 15:46 18:17 11.0 W 10.0 Nil 7/8 IV, MJJ Rocks 7:42 18:06

3.14.4 Brolga The Interim guidelines for the assessment, avoidance, mitigation and offsetting of potential wind farm impacts on the Victorian Brolga population (DSE 2012) (Brolga guidelines herein) outline a staged three level assessment process for Brolga within the context of wind energy development. The Brolga assessment will include the wind farm area, powerline alignments and corresponding buffer areas.

Level 1 assessment requires the following:

• Identify all known and potential Brolga habitats within the radius of investigation.

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of all Brolga sightings within the radius of investigation.

• Estimate the likelihood and extent of Brolga use of radius of investigation, including past use.

Recommended methods to achieve these objectives are:

• Desktop studies into known and potential habitat areas for Brolga.

• Field inspection and local community consultation.

Level 1 assessment by Biosis was undertaken as per the Brolga guidelines recommendations (DSE 2012). To obtain an understanding of occurrence of the Brolga and its habitat within and around the project area, the following information was obtained:

• Database records within a 10-kilometre VBA search to understand occurrence and current and historical use of the area.

• Community and landholder liaison.

Preliminary discussions were held with R. Hill (DELWP Casterton), A. Govanstone (a retired DELWP officer from Portland), A. Moore (GTFP Plantation Manager) and R. Green (Avian Monitoring Services, Mount Gambier). During community consultation sessions held in Portland, Mount Richmond and Nelson in December 2019, discussions were also had with some members of Portland Field Naturalists Club Inc. and local landowners. These consultations did not provide any data about Brolgas in the local area additional to

what is contained in VBA and BirdLife Australia databases. Further discussions with landholders with suitable brolga habitat have been undertaken in 2020 and are ongoing.

Level 1 Brolga assessments identified that the trigger for a Level 2 assessment was met.

Level 2 assessment require the following:

• Obtain detailed information on the occurrence of Brolgas within the radius of investigation.

• Obtain data on Brolga flight behaviour suitable for collision risk modelling (CRM) should a Level 3 assessment be required.

• Assess the magnitude, extent and likelihood of potential direct and indirect impacts.

Level 2 Brolga assessment is underway and entails the following recommended methods based on the Brolga guidelines recommendations (DSE 2012):

• Field surveys:

– Known and potential breeding habitats surveyed for breeding Brolgas during July to December.

– Determination whether any non-breeding flocking habitats occur to permit them to be surveyed for Brolga flocks during December to June.

– Dawn and/or dusk censuses of any identified roost sites, recording detailed descriptions of time, height, direction and duration of any flights in relation to wind conditions.

• Field investigations using one or more of the methods below:

– Roaming surveys

– Aerial surveys

– Flight behaviour studies. To-date Level 2 assessment for Brolgas in 2020 aimed at improved understanding of occurrence of the Brolga and its habitat within and around the project area, has documented the following information:

• Mapped GIS layer of the DELWP current wetland layer (Victorian Wetland Inventory (Current)) was used to identify locations for roaming surveys and dawn/dusk surveys, to understand the extent of suitable habitat in the area

• Flight behaviour observations at sites where Brolga are found

• Incidental records during other Biosis fauna and bird utilisation surveys.

After an incidental record of Brolgas on 28 May 2020, prior to the formal breeding season survey (July– November 2020), survey effort for Brolgas was increased in June at the locations where Brolgas were observed and were thought to be flying to an unnamed wetland (wetland 20522) and Swan Lake (Figure 6).

One month of the breeding season surveys has been completed. The July 2020 surveys included roaming surveys of some of the accessible wetlands within 5 kilometres the project area footprint (Figure 6). Further surveys will include monitoring wetlands that were deemed suitable for brolgas as well as additional accessible wetlands within 5 kilometres of the project area footprint not yet surveyed.

The nearest known flocking area is approximately 50 to 70 kilometres north/north-west of the project area, known as the Strathdownie (Kaladbro/Mingbool) flocking area, which can support up to 300 individuals annually during the flocking season (SWIFFT website). As the nearest known flocking area is outside of the radius of investigation, flocking season surveys have not been undertaken.

3.14.5 Australasian Bittern and other listed threatened waterbirds Surveys of wetland birds will be undertaken at wetlands within the site and the adjacent Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar Site. Of particular importance is the series of wetlands including Lake Mombeong, Dead Horse Swamp, Black Swamp, McFarlanes Swamp and Long Swamp (Figure 4). Investigations of relevant wetlands will encompass all threatened wetland bird species.

Observation of targeted foraging habitat and call-broadcast surveys have been undertaken for Australasian Bittern at suitable habitat close to the proposed wind farm during December 2018 and February 2019. Whilst no individuals were observed during these surveys, it is known that bitterns are present within Discovery Bay Coastal Park (Herring, Veltheim, & Silcocks 2016).

Observational and call- broadcast surveys will be undertaken for Australasian and Little Bitterns, Ballion’s Crake and Lewin’s Rail as per the Survey Guidelines for Australia’s threatened birds (DEWHA 2010). Australasian Bitterns breed between October and March. The peak of male bittern calling is 30 minutes before sunrise followed by 2 hours around sunset during the breeding season. Surveys during 2020 include months during both breeding and non-breeding seasons for Australasian Bittern.

Bird utilisation point counts are located at representative sites within the wind farm; the land where the optional overhead powerline may be aligned; and in adjacent land. Sites where Australasian Bitterns have been previously documented near the project area at Mcfarlanes Swamp and Long Swamp/ Black Swamp have been specifically included as point count sites and include months during both breeding and non- breeding seasons for Australasian Bittern.

Surveys for the Australasian Bittern were undertaken in 2018 and 2019 in conjunction with Growling Grass Frog surveys at a number of wetlands (Table 8, Figure 7). Surveys in 2020 will begin in September. Surveys for other threatened waterbirds are incorporated into these and the shorebird and brolga targeted surveys.

Table 8 Australasian Bittern surveys in 2018 and 2019

Date Location

27/11/2018 Wetland south of Swan Lake

27/11/2018 Wetland 1 Mt. Richmond

27/11/2018 Wetland 2 Mt. Richmond

27/11/2018 Wetland Harolds Track, Mt. Richmond

28/11/2018 Lake Mombeong

28/11/2018 Little Creek, Quarry Road, Mt. Richmond

5/02/2019 Wetland 2 Mt. Richmond

5/02/2019 Wetland Harolds Track, Mt. Richmond

5/02/2019 Swan Lake

6/02/2019 Wetland Harolds Track, Mt. Richmond

6/02/2019 Swan Lake

6/02/2019 Small wetland east of Lake Mombeong

7/02/2019 Small wetland east of Lake Mombeong

3.14.6 White-throated Needletail White-throated Needletails migrate from the northern hemisphere to Australia for their non-breeding season and are annually present in south-eastern Australia between November and March–April. Whilst in Australia, White-throated Needletails spend the great majority of their time high in the air and, while they may spend more time above woodlands than some other terrestrial environments, they are not strictly tied to any particular land-based habitat type. The species roosts in trees amongst dense foliage in the canopy or in hollows, but roost sites are generally poorly known. It has been suggested that White- throated Needletails are often associated with the arrival of frontal weather changes or atmospheric disturbances, which would influence the appropriate timing of any surveys, although that correlation has been contested (Higgins 1999).

The Conservation Advice for White-throated Needletail (TSSC 2019) notes that it is difficult to systematically survey for the species in Australia. It also notes that some collisions with wind turbines have been documented in Australia. The species has been detected during preliminary investigations for the Kentbruck project.

Bird utilisation point counts (Section 3.14.15) are located at representative sites within the wind farm; the land where the optional overhead powerline may be aligned; and in adjacent land. During all point counts between November and March to April, observers will scan all airspace for the species and document the locations and activity of any birds detected.

3.14.7 Shorebirds All species of listed threatened and migratory waders, terns and gulls are included under this component of the targeted surveys. Species that are international migrants and that are year-round residents in Australia are included here. Red-capped Plover is not a threatened species, however it is included as it is a species that forms part of the ecological character description of the Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar Site. A number of listed threatened and migratory waders, terns and gulls have been recorded within 10 kilometres of the project area (Appendix 2).

The EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.21 Industry guidelines for avoiding assessing and mitigating impacts on EPBC Act listed migratory shorebirds species (DoEE 2017) (shorebird survey guidelines herein) provides the basis for surveys for these species. It is noted that the guideline requirements for surveys to determine whether sites constitute ‘important habitat’ for migratory species are generally not applicable because the sites in question are already considered important and that has led to designation of the Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar site.

The recommendations in the shorebird survey guidelines (DoEE 2017) for survey effort will be followed:

• Four surveys for roosting shorebirds at a time of the year when majority of shorebirds are present.

• Replicate surveys, with one survey in December, two surveys in January, and one survey in February is considered adequate.

• Four surveys for foraging shorebirds, including two surveys at spring low tide and two surveys at neap low tide.

• One survey during the northern hemisphere breeding season to record over-wintering shorebirds, and the double-banded plover (March to August).

Targeted surveys for migratory and threatened birds are being undertaken in 2020 in the following months: January, February, June, October, November and December. Surveys will be used to determine the species occurring in proximity to the proposed wind farm site and the locations of key resources such as high productivity foraging areas and roost locations.

In addition to planned surveys it is noted that an existing body of data demonstrates the use of Glenelg River estuary by a suite of shorebirds, terns and gulls and the beaches of Discovery Bay by Hooded Plover, Sandling, and species of terns and gulls. Vegetated interdune swamps and areas of damp pasture are known habitats for Latham's Snipe.

The January, February and July 2020 surveys focused on areas where migratory shorebirds have been previously recorded (Figure 13) — the estuary of Glenelg River and non-tidal areas within Discovery Bay Coastal Park. The latter have been identified to include the whole or portions of Swan Lake, Dead Horse Swamp, The Sheepwash, and Lake Mombeong and associated wetlands.

The January 2020 survey included checking several mapped wetlands in the area, Swan Lake shoreline and the Glenelg Estuary. The survey of mapped wetlands was undertaken to understand the habitat potential of lakes, swamps and interdunal wetland habitat to migratory shorebirds and their potential suitability particularly as high tide roosting and foraging habitat. The January survey period allowed for only one low tide survey within a 24-hour period over two days, which were undertaken at two locations – Swan Lake shoreline and the Glenelg Estuary (including ocean-side shoreline) (Table 9). Nobles Rocks shoreline was added to the survey schedule in February and July 2020. The ocean-side shoreline at Glenelg Estuary was not surveyed in the July 2020 survey due to tide preventing access.

Table 9 Shorebird survey timing and survey effort (tide times from Portland)

Date Spring or neap Location Time Time Temperature Wind direction and Precipitation Cloud Observers Tide, time, height (in start end (°C) speed km/h meters)

21/1/2020 Spring Swan Lake 11:33 11:46 18.8 E 5.0 Nil 2/8 IV, CEP HT 01:35 0.88 Shoreline near Swan 13:20 14:40 18.8 SE 9.0 Nil <1/8 IV, CEP LT 13:21 0.31 Lake

23/1/2020 Spring Cain Hut Swamp 10:59 11:09 14.5 SW 12 Drizzle/light 7/8 IV, CEP HT 01:28 1.04 The Sheepwash 12:19 12:26 16.0 SW 17 rain/heavy rain 5/8 IV, CEP LT 17:13 0.29 Lake Mombeong 12:38 13:00 16.0 SW 20 Drizzle/light rain 2/8 IV, CEP Glenelg Estuary 15:32 18:40 16.8 W 10.5 Nil 7/8 IV, CEP

26/2/2020 Spring Swan Lake 10:18 10:51 16.0 SW 22 Nil 5/8 IV, CEP LT 09:17 0.38 Swan Lake 15:30 16:06 23.0 WSW 10 Nil 2/8 IV, CEP HT 14:50 0.84 Shoreline near Swan 13:03 14:38 16.0 SW 30 Nil 2/8 IV, CEP Lake

27/2/2020 Spring Nobles Rocks 13:39 14:39 15.0 W 25 Nil 5/8 IV, CEP LT 09:32 0.35 Lake Mombeong 10:52 10:58 15.0 WNW 10 Nil 5/8 IV, CEP HT 15:18 0.88 Lake Mombeong 14:20 14:22 17.0 W 15 Nil 8/8 IV, CEP Unnamed wetland 4 11:06 11:10 15.0 NW 10 Nil 5/8 IV, CEP Unnamed wetland 4 14:10 14:12 18.0 W 10 Nil 8/8 IV, CEP

Date Spring or neap Location Time Time Temperature Wind direction and Precipitation Cloud Observers Tide, time, height (in start end (°C) speed km/h meters)

22/7/2020 Spring Nobles Rocks 7:50 8:15 9.3 W 13 Nil 8/8 IV, MJ LT 06:15 0.35 Nobles Rocks 15:46 16:10 10.8 SW 7 Nil 7/8 IV, MJ HT 14:01 1.30 Shoreline near Swan 7:47 8:20 11.0 SW 8.6 Fog/periodic drizzle 8/8 CEP, JF Lake 13:50 15:32 12.0 SW 16 Nil 3/8 CEP, JF Shoreline near Swan 12:50 13:01 12.9 SW 6 Nil 7/8 CEP, JF Lake 12:38 - 11.1 WNW 7 Nil 8/8 IV, MJ Swan Lake 14:42 14:47 11.0 WSW 12 Nil 7/8 IV, MJ Glenelg Estuary 14:59 15:02 11.0 WSW 12 Nil 7/8 IV, MJ Lake Mombeong 14:59 15:02 11.0 WSW 12 Nil 7/8 IV, MJ Unnamed wetland 4 Unnamed wetland 5

23/7/2020 Spring Glenelg Estuary* 8:37 10:01 7.7 WNW 5.5 Nil 8/8 IV LT0 06:50 0.34 Glenelg Estuary 9:44 9:45 7.7 WNW 5.5 Nil 8/8 IV HT 14:27 1.26 saltmarsh 9:54 10:01 7.7 WNW 5.5 Nil 8/8 IV Glenelg Estuary east (Oxbow Lake)

*Early morning fog, shorebirds within the estuary were counted between 0837 and 0902 hours

3.14.8 Owls Previous desktop investigations indicate the presence of Powerful Owl, Masked Owl and Barking Owl within 10 kilometres of the project area.

Listening and broadcast surveys will be undertaken for these species, as per the Survey guidelines for Australia’s threatened birds (DEWHA 2010) and DSE (2011). A variety of habitats will be surveyed to determine the presence of owls throughout the site, particularly within habitats where turbines are proposed, to assist with qualitative determination of collision risk. Locations and number of surveys undertaken will be informed by the preliminary design and vegetation and habitat mapping.

Call playback surveys for owls will be conducted during calm, dry weather and will be concentrated on spring. Call playback sessions will include periods of 2-5 minutes of continuous owl calls of the three species. Recorded calls will be broadcast at approximately natural volume and will be interspersed with periods (2-5 minutes) of silent listening and watching for a response from owls. Listening will be continued after playback whilst a spotlighting search is conducted to search for owls that may have responded by flying quietly to the playback site. Call playback will not be undertaken if nesting or roosting sites are located as call playback has the potential for detrimental effects on nesting owls.

Daytime investigation to detect roost or nest sites in potential habitat within the proposed disturbance footprint of the project and will also be undertaken during spring-summer. It will entail carefully looking for owls roosting among the foliage of dense trees and tall shrubs, and also in the eucalypt canopy. Searches will also look for faeces and owl pellets.

3.14.9 Ground Parrot The Ground Parrot inhabits densely vegetated habitat, which includes heathlands and sedgelands in coastal areas, including dunes and estuarine floodplains. Near the project area such habitat occurs at Long Swamp. The species can be detected from their call, particularly immediately after dusk but can also be heard calling around dawn. Targeted surveys for this species will be undertaken in spring and early summer (October to December).

3.14.10 Rufous Bristlebird (Coorong subspecies) The Rufous Bristlebird inhabits dense coastal heath and sedge communities and can occur in dense thickets of shrubs, such as coastal tea trees and woodland gullies. There is potential for this species to occur within pine plantations where suitable habitat is present within the understorey. The species can be detected from their calls particularly at dawn. Monitoring for this species will be undertaken as an adjunct to bird utilisation surveys in appropriate habitats particularly in potential locations within the proposed disturbance footprint of the project.

3.14.11 Terrestrial mammals Remote cameras were used to identify small mammals at multiple locations across the study area in May 2020 and June 2020. The focus of the survey was potential locations within the proposed disturbance footprint of the project (including the wind farm and powerline alignments) in areas identified as potentially suitable habitat for threatened species, during the vegetation assessment. Threatened mammal species previously recorded within, or in the vicinity of, the project area with a medium likelihood of occurrence include:

• Heath Mouse Pseudomys shortridgei

• Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus trisulcatus

• Southern Brown Bandicoot Isoodon obesulus obesulus

• Swamp Antechinus Antechinus minimus maritimus.

These species were considered as potentially occurring within the study area, and the survey method was designed to detect them. Each camera trap was deployed for a minimum of 30 days and nights in May 2020 to June 2020, with the actual days deployed ranging from 34 to 38. Another deployment will occur in September 2020 to October 2020 and will target areas not previously surveyed, to increase coverage across the project area.

Camera traps were baited with a standard bait (rolled oats, peanut butter and honey) as described in the Survey guidelines for Australia’s threatened mammals (DEWHA 2011) with the inclusion of truffle oil for the Long- nosed Potoroo. Vertical configuration (camera facing down) has been shown to increase the detection probability and ease the identification for Southern Brown Bandicoots and Long-nosed Potoroo (Smith & Coulson 2012). White-flash cameras can assist with identification of species, particularly for identifying the Heath Mouse in the project area. A mix of vertical and horizontal camera configurations was employed in the first deployment (Table 10). A total of 10 cameras were set in a vertical orientation and five white-flash cameras were deployed next to an infra-red camera. These locations were selected based on identifying them as most likely to potentially detect threatened mammal species, based on nearby records, presence of potential habitat, being along edges adjacent to intact habitat, and ensuring each 10-year pine age class had at least one camera in vertical orientation.

The Survey guidelines for Australia’s threatened mammals (DEWHA 2011) recommend camera trap surveys should be complemented with another survey technique. In addition, the specific survey guidelines for the Long-nosed Potoroo recommend using spotlighting, cage trapping or hair surveys in addition to using camera traps to survey for the species. Hair sampling will be added to the survey techniques in the same areas used for cameras during the spring 2020 camera trap deployment. Locations of camera traps are shown in Figure 25.

Table 10 Locations of mammal camera traps. Numbers refer to turbine ID (add T132 and replacement camera for one that was moved), (D) refers to cameras in a vertical configuration (facing down)

Habitat type Edge Inside Remnant Date deployed Date Total Notes collected days & nights deployed

Farmland 97 168 27/5; 28/5 2/7 37; 36 Additional white flash camera deployed at 97 18/6 (15 days)

Farmland Substation 161 30/5; 26/5 2/7 34; 38

Bluegum 136 170 27/5; 27/5 2/7 37; 37 Additional white flash camera deployed at 136 18/6 (15 days)

Bluegum 84 37 2/7/2020 Yet to be Yet to be Deployed on this date due collected collected to no access at an earlier date.

Pine 159 (D) 66 28/5; 27/5 2/7 36; 37 Additional white flash 2010-2020 142 27 28/5; 28/5 36; 36 camera deployed at 159 18/6 (15 days)

Habitat type Edge Inside Remnant Date deployed Date Total Notes collected days & nights deployed

Pine 93 7 (D) 26/5; 28/5 2/7 38; 36 Camera at 143 moved to 2000-2010 143 (166) 80 27/5 (18/6); 27/5 23 (15); 37 166 due to harvest operations

Pine 180 17 27/5; 27/5 2/7; 23/7 37; 58 Additional white flash 1996-2000 camera deployed at 180 18/6 (15 days)

Pine 111 (D) 147 (D) 28/5; 28/5 2/7 36; 36 1991-1995

Pine 5 (D) 24 (D) 28/5; 26/5 2/7 36; 38 Additional white flash 1981-1990 65 (D) 128 (D) 30/5; 30/5 34; 34 camera deployed at 24 18/6 (15 days)

Recently 129 27/5 2/7 No replication due to this cleared being the only location with remnant native vegetation within recently cleared

Roadside Johnsons Rd 27/5 2/7 37

Roadside McLeans Rd 30/5 2/7 34

Roadside Dry Blocks Rd 30/5 2/7 34

Roadside Browns Rd 30/5 2/7 34

3.14.12 Reptiles Four threatened reptile species may occur in, or near the project area (see Appendix 2 for status). These are:

• Striped Worm-lizard Aprasia striolata

• Swamp Skink Lissolepis coventryi

• Four-toed Skink Hemiergis peronii

• Glossy Grass Skink Pseudomoia rawlinsonii.

The Striped Worm-lizard, Swamp Skink and Four-toed Skink have been previously recorded within 10 kilometres of the project area. The Glossy Grass Skink has not been previously recorded, but it may occur based on its distribution and presence of potentially suitable habitat within 10 kilometres of the project area.

The Striped Worm-lizard inhabits woodlands, heathlands with sandy soils and rocky outcrops in western Victoria (Robertson & Coventry 2019, Wilson & Swan 2017). They are considered likely to occur along roadsides and areas of low disturbance across the study area. Swamp Skink occurs in swampy and wet habitats, within heathlands, sedgelands and saltmarsh vegetation and inhabits edges of dune lakes, damp areas and drainage lines. The species prefers dense reeds, sedges and Melaleuca vegetation, which can be used for basking (Robertson & Coventry 2019, Smales 1981). Four-toed Skink has a restricted distribution and in Victoria the species is largely confined to the south-west coastal area from Portland to the South Australian border. It is found in forest, woodland and heathland vegetation communities in areas with sandy soils

(Robertson & Coventry 2019, Wilson & Swan 2017). The Glossy Grass Skink inhabits swamps, wetlands and marshes.

No survey guidelines exist for these species. However, the Survey guidelines for Australia’s threatened reptiles (Commonwealth of Australia 2011d) outline general recommendations, which will be followed, including:

• Optimal timing for target species (time of year, and time of day)

• Optimal location of surveys (within the limitations outlined above on suitable habitat and impact areas)

• Spatial and temporal sampling

• Selecting observers with knowledge and identification skills for surveying the target species

• Documenting survey methods and results

• Use of multiple survey techniques

– Diurnal active searching under rocks and logs

– Visual searches of sedges and rushes using binoculars, around swamps

– Roof tiles. Aprasia species have been successfully surveyed and recorded using roof tiles (Nature Glenelg Trust [no date] I. Veltheim pers. obs.). The Four-toed Skink uses logs and other ground debris, and active searching under rocks and logs can be used to survey for this species. Active visual searching using binoculars around swamp edges and sedges can be used to survey Swamp Skinks (G. Peterson pers. comm.).

A combination of methods will therefore be used to maximise the probability of species detection. Methods used for surveying these species will include roof tiles, active searching and visual searching in suitable habitats, focusing on areas most likely to be impacted. This will include potential locations within the proposed disturbance footprint of the project and key areas of suitable microhabitats identified through vegetation and other fauna surveys across the project area. Twenty-three rows of 15 tiles (345 tiles) spaced 10 metres apart have been deployed in July 2020 (Figure 11) and will be checked once in October, November and December.

3.14.13 Growling Grass Frog With the exception of one database record for the species (see section 4.4.13), no habitat suitable for Growling Grass Frog has been identified anywhere within the project area, including an optional underground power transmission route (Option 1). Surveys for Growling Grass Frog are being undertaken at bodies of freshwater that exist close to the project area because the species can travel overland between suitable wetlands and there is thus a possibility that occasional individuals might enter the project area. Due to the lack of suitable waterbodies within the project area this is considered to be a low probability. Whichever option is selected for an external transmission design and alignment, consideration will be given to ensure any freshwater habitats suitable for the species are appropriately assessed.

Surveys for the species are being conducted in accordance with methods set out in Significant impact guidelines for the vulnerable Growling Grass Frog (Commonwealth of Australia 2009). For this species call playback and listening surveys are supplemented by spotlighting. Initial surveys were be carried out in November and December 2018 and in February 2019. Further surveys are planned to be undertaken during October, November and December 2020.

Surveys are carried out during a minimum of two nights by two zoologists at each wetland. Call playback and listening for male advertisement calls are the primary mechanism employed for these surveys. In all frog

surveys precautions are employed against spread of Chytrid fungus as per standards provided by Murray et al. (2011).

Listening for the characteristic calls of Growling Grass Frog will be undertaken during all other nocturnal surveys, such as for bitterns, at freshwater wetlands.

Early surveys in conjunction with surveys for Australasian Bittern were undertaken at various wetlands as set out in Table 11 (Figure 7).

Table 11 Locations of Growling Grass Frog surveys 2018 and 2019

Date Location

27/11/2018 Wetland south of Swan Lake

27/11/2018 Wetland 1 Mt. Richmond

27/11/2018 Wetland 2 Mt. Richmond

27/11/2018 Wetland Harolds Track, Mt. Richmond

28/11/2018 Lake Mombeong

28/11/2018 Little Creek, Quarry Road, Mt. Richmond

5/02/2019 Wetland 2 Mt. Richmond

5/02/2019 Wetland Harolds Track, Mt. Richmond

5/02/2019 Swan Lake

6/02/2019 Wetland Harolds Track, Mt. Richmond

6/02/2019 Swan Lake

7/02/2019 Small wetland east of Lake Mombeong

3.14.14 Aquatic species Appendix A of the EES Scoping Requirements includes several threatened fish species along with a number that are not threatened. The non-threatened species are included because they contribute to the ecological character of the Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar site (DELWP 2017d).

The species noted in Appendix A of the EES Scoping Requirements are:

• Yarra Pygmy Perch Nannoperca obscura L vu VU

• Little Galaxias Galaxiella toourtkoourt L vu (listed under FFG Act as Glaxaxiella pusilla)

• Black Bream Acanthopagrus butcheri

• Southern Shortfin Eel Anguilla australis

• Common Galaxias Galaxias maculatus

• Mulloway Argyrosomus japonicus

• Estuary Perch Macquaria colonorum

• Congolli (Tupong) Pseudaphritis urvillei.

Additionally, Appendix A of the EES scoping requirements mentions one aquatic insect species:

• Ancient Greenling Damselfly Hemiphlebia mirabilis (listed under FFG Act as Hemiphlebia Damselfly).

This species is known to occur within Long Swamp, where it was first recorded in 2008.

Two additional threatened invertebrate species of floodplain wetlands and flooded vegetated habitats have been documented from the local area:

• Portland Burrowing Crayfish Engaeus strictifrons

• Western Bush Yabby Geocharax falcata.

Assessment of freshwater aquatic habitats that have potential to be directly or indirectly influenced by the project will evaluate their potential to support these species in light of specific habitat attributes, known distribution and pre-existing records for these species. Consideration will be given to whichever option is selected for an external transmission design and alignment to ensure any freshwater habitats suitable for these species are appropriately assessed.

3.14.15 Bird utilisation surveys Diurnal bird utilisation surveys are being undertaken during a regime of fixed-time point counts in every alternate month from April 2020 to December 2020. They are designed to provide understanding of the bird fauna using the study area and to inform potential collision risk modelling (Smales et al. 2013). Activity data for all bird species is being obtained and includes numbers of flights, flight heights and numbers of birds.

Methods used for fixed-time point counts are adapted from Reynolds et al. (1980), incorporating an effective detection range (Buckland et al. 1993).

Twenty-seven point count sites were selected across the study area and nearby locations. They include 17 ‘treatment’ sites and ten ‘control sites’ as shown in Figure 20. Point count sites were representative of locations for turbines with additional sites of some known threatened bird records.

Survey time for point counts was 20 minutes, with observers allowing for an additional 5 minutes of time for birds to settle prior to commencing surveys. During the count the observer recorded all species sighted and documented the height from ground and distance from observer of all bird flights. Three replicate counts were made at each of the 27 sites in each monitoring session to representatively sample different times of day, variable weather conditions and different seasons. The entire program includes 15 counts at each of the 27 locations and an overall total of 405 counts. In addition to collecting data for the 20-minute survey time, species heard and seen were recorded 5 minutes prior to the official survey time.

The pine plantation has active harvest operations throughout the year. In some instances, some point count sites could not be accessed due to harvesting operations. When this occurred, the survey for the given point count site was undertaken from the nearest adjacent track.

4. Results - existing conditions

4.1 Vegetation and fauna habitat

A summary of the vegetation and habitat types recorded within the project area is provided in Table 12.

Table 12 Summary of vegetation and habitat types within the project area

Site component, Description and significant values vegetation or habitat type

Within wind farm area

Pine Plantations Plantations of Radiata Pine at a range of ages (Photos 1 to 3). Shading and high cover of pine needles on the ground generally suppress growth of understorey plants (Photo 1).

Some areas, particularly near the edge of the plantation, include an understorey of recolonising native species such as Coast Wattle Acacia longifolia subsp. sophorae, Common Beard-heath Leucopogon parviflorus, Seaberry Saltbush Rhagodia candolleana subsp. candolleana and Bidgee-widgee Acaena novae-zelandiae and Sword-sedges Lepidosperma spp. (Photo 4).

Internal Pine The plantation area includes an extensive network of internal access tracks (private land), Plantation tracks generally in a gridded pattern (Photo 5).

Generally, these tracks are maintained with slashing or herbicide, and the ground cover is sparse or dominated by weed species. Narrow tracks, in particular, are highly shaded with very little understorey growth.

In some areas, these tracks support a similar suite of opportunistic native species to those within the plantation area.

Public roads within The plantation area also includes some public roads, managed by Glenelg Shire. Most of these the Plantation area roads run in a north-south direction from Portland Nelson Road. These roads are generally wider than the internal plantation tracks, and in some cases (e.g. Johnsons Road – Photo 6, Dry Block Road, Mcleans Road and Browns Road) support areas of remnant native vegetation.

Where native vegetation is present in these road reserves, it occurs as degraded examples of Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland (EVC 3). Species recorded in these areas include Coast Wattle, Coast Beard-heath, Sweet Bursaria Bursaria spinosa, Coast Sword Sedge Lepidosperma gladiatum, Slender Rice-flower Pimelea linifolia, Common Boobialla Myoporum insulare, Knobby Club-sedge Ficinia nodosa, Bidgee-widgee and Black-anther Flax-lily Dianella revoluta s.l.

Remnant vegetation The initial establishment of the pine plantation involved almost complete clearance of the within the Pine plantation area. There are, however, small patches of remnant vegetation (Photo 7) and some plantation scattered trees including Drooping Sheoak Allocasuarina verticillata (Photo 8).

The patch of vegetation shown in Photo 7 is likely present due to the steepness of the location making it unsuitable for plantation establishment. This location contains a degraded example of Coastal Alkaline Scrub (EVC 858). Species present include Coast Beard-heath, Coast Wattle,

Site component, Description and significant values vegetation or habitat type

Moonah Melaleuca lanceolata, Golden Wattle Acacia pycnantha, Seaberry Saltbush and Spear Grass Austrostipa spp., Bidgee-widgee and Austral Bracken.

Portland-Nelson The Portland Nelson Road reserve is included in the project area as a potential path for the Road internal transmission line, as well as the primary route for construction and maintenance traffic. For most of the project area the road passes through the Pine Plantation, but the road reserve does include patches of remnant vegetation and scattered trees as well as cleared areas and areas of planted vegetation. Detailed assessment and mapping of the full road reserve is yet to be undertaken.

Blue-gum The project area includes several blocks of commercial Blue-gum Plantation (Photo 12). These Plantations areas generally support a higher cover and diversity of native understorey species, potentially due to the lower level of shading and more recent establishment, compared with the Pine Plantations.

Blue-gum Plantations close to the dune system support a similar suite of species native to the Pine Plantations, including, Common Boobialla, Coast Beard-heath, Coast Wattle, Sea Box Alyxia buxifolia, Knobby Club-sedge, Seaberry Saltbush, Austral Bracken.

The Blue-gum Plantations in the north-east support a more diverse range of native understorey species, which have affinities with the adjacent Wet Heathland (EVC 8) and Heathy Woodland (EVC 48) areas of Lower Glenelg National Park. Species present in these areas include Mitchell’s Wattle Acacia mitchellii, Prickly Moses Acacia verticillata, Spike Wattle Acacia oxycedrus, Prickly Tea-tree Leptospermum continentale, Dusty Miller Spyridium parvifolium, Scented Paperbark Melaleuca squarrosa, Bundled Guinea-flower Hibbertia fasciculata var. prostrata, Broom Spurge Amperea xiphoclada var. xiphoclada, Red-fruit Saw-sedge Gahnia sieberiana, Tassel Cord-rush Baloskion tetraphyllum subsp. tetraphyllum, Dwarf Wire-lily Laxmannia orientalis and Hairy Rice-grass Tetrarrhena distichophylla.

Farmland The wind farm area includes areas of farmland near the pine plantation, at the eastern and western ends (Photos 9 to 11). The land is used for dryland grazing, and most areas show signs of pasture improvement, being dominated by a range of introduced pasture grasses. Scattered native species are present in these areas, including Austral Bracken, Knobby Club-sedge and Rushes Juncus spp.

Powerline routes

Underground Options for the grid connection include underground cabling beneath roads running east from sections the wind farm area towards the Heywood terminal station. Two roads are being considered: Boiler Swamp Road (Photos 13 and 14) and Cut Out Dam Road. Both roads pass through areas of Cobboboonee Forest Park and Cobboboonee National Park.

For most of the length, these roads pass through Lowland Forest (EVC 16), with small areas of Sedgy Riparian Woodland (EVC 198) where the roads cross waterways, including tributaries of the Surrey River.

Detailed assessment of these corridors is yet to be undertaken.

Site component, Description and significant values vegetation or habitat type

Overhead sections The southern (Overhead) grid route includes a range of options passing through farmland (Photo 15) to the south of Portland Nelson Road. Remnant Heathy Woodland (Photo 16) is present along road reserves throughout this area.

4.1.1 Threatened ecological communities Detailed vegetation mapping has not yet been completed for the entire project area.

Based on the 2005 EVC layer, the following EVCs may be present within the project area (bioregional conservation status indicated in parentheses):

• EVC 48 – Heathy Woodland (Least Concern)

• EVC 16 – Lowland Forest (Least Concern)

• EVC 23 – Herb-rich Foothill Forest (Vulnerable)

• EVC 3 – Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland (Vulnerable)

• EVC 8 – Wet Heathland (Least Concern)

• EVC 198 – Sedgy Riparian Woodland (Vulnerable)

• EVC 681 – Deep Freshwater Marsh (Vulnerable)

• EVC 53 – Swamp Scrub (Endangered).

FFG Act threatened communities The following ecological communities listed under provisions of the FFG Act may occur in proximity to the study area, but they are not considered likely to occur within areas requiring vegetation removal:

• Coastal Moonah (Melaleuca lanceolata subsp. lanceolata) Woodland Community

• Red Gum Swamp Community No. 1

• Victorian Temperate Woodland Bird Community (including Red-tailed Black Cockatoo)

• Western (Basalt) Plains Grassland Community

• Western Basalt Plains (River Red Gum) Grassy Woodland.

Stands of Moonah Melaleuca lanceolata are known to be present within the vicinity of the project area. The Coastal Moonah Woodland Community is open grassy woodland that is dominated by Moonah Melaleuca lanceolata ssp. lanceolata and found along parts of the Victorian coastline. Commonly associated species are Wirilda Acacia retinodes var. uncifolia, Coast Swainson-pea Swainsona lessertiifolia, Thyme Rice-Flower Pimelea serpyllifolia, Coast Tea-tree Leptospermum laevigatum, Coast Beardheath Leucopogon parviflorus and Kidney- weed Dichondra repens. Other associated species include various grasses and sedges. Coastal Moonah Woodlands tend to occur on high-level dunes along the coast where soils are strongly alkaline and developed on moderately organic aeolian sands or on dune calcarenites. The community has a scattered distribution between Phillip Island and Lorne, with disjunct occurrences west of Portland. Assessment of the presence of this community will be included within the detailed vegetation mapping of the project footprint.

The northern grid connection passes through a small area of the Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion to the west of Heathmere. There is potential for small areas of Western (Basalt) Plains Grassland to be present. This will be confirmed when flora surveys of the grid route options are completed.

EPBC Act threatened communities The PMST has identified five EPBC Act listed threatened ecological communities as potentially present:

• Assemblages of species associated with open-coast salt-wedge estuaries of western and central Victoria ecological community (Salt Wedge Estuary Community)

• Giant Kelp Marine Forests of South East Australia

• Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain

• Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain

• Subtropical and Temperate Coastal Saltmarsh.

The Salt Wedge Estuary Community is present within the Glenelg River Estuary. The ecological community is characterised by obligate estuarine taxa, with associated coastal, estuarine, brackish and freshwater taxa that may reside in the estuary for periods of time or visit the estuary for specific purposes such as reproduction, feeding, refuge or migration (DoEE 2018). The community is limited to Victoria, and the lower 67.9 kilometres of the Glenelg River the western-most occurrence. The conservation advice (DoEE 2018) defines the extent of the community, and also specifies buffer zones which should be considered when determining likely significant impacts on the community. Buffer zones include:

• A lateral zone of at least 50 metres from the edge of the estuary.

• A radius of 1 kilometre of the estuary mouth, including the ocean, beach and dune areas.

• A groundwater buffer zone of at least 200 metres from the edge of the estuary.

The Giant Kelp Marine Forests of South East Australia occurs on rocky substrates at depths of greater than 8 metres, along the southern Australian coastline, including Tasmania (Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2012). This community is expected to be present in off shore marine habitats along the coastline of Discovery Bay Coastal Park. Detailed assessment of this community is not included in the current studies for the project, due to the low likelihood of impacts resulting from the development and operation of the facility.

The Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP) EPBC Act threatened ecological community is limited to the Victorian Volcanic Plain, as defined in the Interim Biogeographical Regionalisation of Australia version 6 (DSEWPC 2011), which is consistent with the current Victorian Bioregion map in the Portland region. There is a small section of the VVP to the west of Heathmere, which the northern grid route passes through. This community is typically dominated by River Red-gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis, but can have an overstorey of Manna Gum Eucalyptus viminalis or Swamp Gum Eucalyptus ovata in areas that receive more than 700 millimetres of rainfall per year. Manna Gum and Swamp Gum are both present in the area, but are generally associated with EVCs that are not considered to represent this community. The status of this community within the grid route corridor will be confirmed following detailed surveys.

Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain can occur within the VVP bioregion and adjacent bioregions. There is some potential for this community to be present within farmland areas along the grid routes, but likelihood is expected to be low due to the high rainfall and dominance of introduced species in most pastures. The status of this community within the grid route corridor will be confirmed following detailed surveys.

Subtropical and Temperate Coastal Saltmarsh is present near the Glenelg River estuary mouth, associated with Oxbow Lake. Approximately 13 hectares of the Coastal Saltmarsh EVC is present. This community is protected via the EPBC Act threatened community listing, and preservation of this 13 hectares area as Coastal Saltmarsh is specified as a “Limits of Acceptable Change” within the Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay Ramsar Site Ecological Character Definition (DELWP 2017a).

An additional threatened ecological community has been nominated for listing as endangered, and may be listed during the assessment process for this project:

• Karst Springs and Associated Alkaline Fens of the Naracoorte Coastal Plain Bioregion (Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2020).

The primary defining features of this community are the underlying limestone geology, karst fed (alkaline) freshwater springs, soaks, pools or streams and fringing fens which include herblands, peatlands, sedgelands and/or shrubland vegetation. The ecological community is part of a once extensive system of wetlands that occurred on low lying areas over Gambier limestone bedrock near the coastal zone of the Otway Basin (Geoscience Australia 2018 – Otway Basin) in South Australia and western Victoria (Grimes, Mott, & White 1999). The community occurs between Portland in Victoria and Millicent in South Australia. It is expected that many or all of the freshwater wetlands within Discovery Bay Coastal Park would be included in the definition of this community.

4.2 Flora

4.2.1 Flora species recorded Flora recorded within the project area during assessments to date are listed in Appendix 1, Table A1.1.

4.2.2 Threatened species Pre-existing records of threatened species recorded within the project area, including a 10 km buffer, are listed in Appendix 1, Table A1.2. The distribution of nationally significant species is provided in Figure 18, and state significant species in Page 1 of 6

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Figure 19. The only significant species recorded in surveys for the project to-date is the Dune Fan-flower Scaevola calendulacea, which is considered as vulnerable on the Victorian advisory list.

4.3 Fauna desktop assessment results

4.3.1 Fauna species recorded Searches of databases from a zone within 10 kilometres of the project area revealed a total of 456 terrestrial and freshwater fauna species. This includes vertebrates and identified invertebrates. Species that are wholly marine were excluded from consideration. Of the total, 427 species are native and 29 are introduced.

During the course of fieldwork for the project to-date, 156 species of fauna have been recorded from the project area and adjacent investigation area.

4.3.2 Threatened species Pre-existing database records of listed species from the wind farm project area, the transmission route options and a 10 km radius around these areas.

All threatened species listed under the EPBC Act and the FFG Act that have been recorded or are predicted to occur in the local area are detailed in Appendix 2 (fauna) along with an indication of the significant species detected during the course of the present investigations. Of a total of 36 fauna species listed as threatened under provisions of the EPBC Act, 30 have been recorded within 10 kilometres of the project area and the generally accepted distribution of a further six species includes the local area. Field investigations to-date have recorded six EPBC-listed threatened species. Existing records also include 81 species from within 10 kilometres of the project area that are listed as threatened under the FFG Act or on an Advisory list of Threatened Fauna in Victoria (DSE 2009, 2013). Fourteen of these species have been documented during investigations to-date (Appendix 2, Table A2.1).

Most pre-existing records of threatened fauna species are from outside the project area. The project is substantially confined to commercial pine plantations and farmland. By comparison with adjacent areas of natural habitats for fauna that are protected within Lower Glenelg National Park, Cobboboonee National Park and Discovery Bay Coastal Park, the project areas generally represent lower values for threatened fauna.

Consideration of individual species is provided in Results of detailed threatened fauna species studies in Section 4.4.

Species listed as migratory under provisions of the EPBC Act are protected under international agreements to which Australia is a signatory. Many migratory species are also listed as threatened under the EPBC Act and/or the FFG Act. Appendix 2 (fauna) includes a list of migratory species resulting from a search of the EPBC Act PMST for the area within 10 kilometres of the project area. It includes 56 species of birds. Databases include records of 41of those species and 15 that have potential to occur there.

4.4 Fauna field results

4.4.1 Southern Bent-wing Bat The Southern Bent-wing Bat Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii is listed as critically endangered under the Commonwealth EPBC Act. In Victoria it is listed as threatened under the FFG Act and as vulnerable on the DELWP Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria (DSE 2013). A draft recovery plan for the subspecies was issued in 2015:

• Lumsden, L. F. and Jemison, M. L. (2015). National Recovery Plan for the Southern Bent-wing Bat Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

The range of the subspecies is described in the draft recovery plan as:

“As an obligate cave-dwelling subspecies, the distribution of the Southern Bent-wing Bat largely reflects the distribution of caves in south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia. The current known distribution of the Southern Bent-wing Bat encompasses the area between Robe, Naracoorte and Port MacDonnell in South Australia, extending eastwards across south-west Victoria. The most easterly sites confirmed by genetic analysis are at Lorne and Pomborneit (Cardinal & Christidis 2000).”

There are two maternity caves regularly-used by Southern Bent-wing Bats at Warrnambool and Naracoorte, and potentially another recently discovered maternity cave in the Portland area. Other caves across the distributional range are used as non-breeding roost sites throughout the year and some may occasionally be used as maternity sites. There is also a significant non-breeding roost within the Portland area that hosts the largest known overwintering population outside of Warrnambool maternity roost. The limestone geology of south-eastern S.A. and adjacent south-western Victoria is important for the provision of appropriate cave formations.

Foraging habitat for Southern Bent-wing Bats is described in the draft recovery plan as follows:

“Foraging habitat is also a critical habitat requirement. The Southern Bent-wing Bat has a fast, direct flight pattern and typically forages in open spaces (Dwyer 1965). Where there are trees it typically forages above the canopy, but can fly closer to the ground in more open areas. Limited information is available on foraging habitat used by the Southern Bent-wing Bat. Individuals radio tracked from the Naracoorte maternity site predominantly foraged along a forested ridgeline within 3-4 km of the cave (Grant 2004). Wetlands are also used extensively, with individuals recorded flying considerable distances to reach these foraging areas. Limited foraging occurred in open pastures and Radiata Pine Pinus radiata plantations, likely due to the low availability of insects in these habitats during summer when the surveys were performed (Grant 2004). Foraging also occurs over vineyards at times (Bourne 2010). Further south in the Lower South East of SA, wetlands are the preferred foraging habitat, although tracks through both native forest and pine plantations are commonly used (Stratman 2005). Swamps with terrestrial vegetation occurring around the fringes and aquatic vegetation within the swamp itself characterise the wetland habitat used by the subspecies (Stratman 2005). All swamp sites used by the subspecies provided open areas for flight and most were prone to seasonal inundation (Stratman 2005). The typical foraging strategy involves individuals constantly in flight, sometimes meandering between areas after 5-15 minutes of foraging, or flying to a particular foraging area and remaining there for one or more hours (Grant 2004). The Southern Bent-wing Bat can travel long distances from the roost site, with lactating females recorded repeatedly returning to areas 23 – 25 km from the Naracoorte maternity cave (Grant 2004, Bourne 2010). One radio tracked male was recorded 35 km from the roost site (Bourne 2010).”

More recently collected information about Southern Bent-wing Bat usage of caves in the Portland area, including a potential maternity cave in the Portland area, has been provided to Biosis by DELWP. It is also noted that recent information indicates that individuals can fly as far as 70 kilometres from a roost site in a single night and that use of roost caves may vary considerably on a night-by-night and/or seasonal basis with little predictability (E. Van Harten; L. Lumsden pers. comm.). This challenges previously held concepts of roost fidelity and temporal patterns of roost use.

Bat survey results Species recorded in the acoustic surveys include:

• Gould’s Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldii

• Chocolate Wattled Bat Chalinolobus morio

• Eastern False Pipistrelle Falsistrellus tasmaniensis

• Free-tailed Bats Mormopterus spp.

• Southern Bent-wing Bat Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii (EPBC Act listed, FFG Act listed and considered critically endangered on the Victorian advisory list)

• Southern Myotis Myotis macropus (considered near threatened on the Victorian advisory list)

• Long-eared bats Nyctophilus spp. (Likely N. geoffroyi and N. gouldi)

• White-striped Freetail Bat Tadarida australis

• Large Forest Bat Vespadelus darlingtoni

• Southern Forest Bat Vespadelus regulus

• Little Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnus.

This preliminary report focusses on preliminary results for the Southern Bent-wing Bat. Further confirmation of call identifications is underway, and will be detailed in future reports once the field monitoring is completed. Detailed results for the other species will be presented in the final version of the existing conditions report.

Southern Bent-wing Bat survey results (preliminary surveys December 2018 to April 2019)

The number of SBWB recordings from the preliminary surveys carried out in December 2018 to April 2019 are summarised in Table 13. Error! Not a valid bookmark self-reference.SBWB were recorded across all ground detectors (sites 1 to 10 in Table 13). SBWB were also recorded at the ground detector at the one mast that was installed for these preliminary surveys (site 14 in Table 13) (installed prior to the March 2019 survey period). No SBWB calls were detected from the other three higher detectors on the mast (sites 11 to 13 in Table 13).

Table 13 Southern Bent-wing Bat recordings from preliminary surveys (December 2018 – April 2019)

Sit Site name Area type Within Dec. Feb. Mar. Apr. Total nights Total number of e # current 2018 2018 2019 2019 deployed SBWB calls project recorded boundary (confirmed)

1 Strachan Lane GTFP Outside Y Y Y N 67 3 plantation

2 Harolds Track Mt Outside Y Y Y N 67 55 Richmond Park

3 Swan Lake Discovery Outside Y Y Y N 67 126 Bay Park

4 Spring Road GTFP Within Y Y Y N 67 70 Plantation plantation

5 South Road Discovery Outside Y Y Y N 66 1 Bay Park

Sit Site name Area type Within Dec. Feb. Mar. Apr. Total nights Total number of e # current 2018 2018 2019 2019 deployed SBWB calls project recorded boundary (confirmed)

6 Browns Road GTFP Within Y Y Y N 66 1 Coup plantation

7 Airstrip Road East HPV Outside Y Y N N 40 14 plantation

8 Little Dam (Lake Discovery Outside Y Y Y N 66 3 Mombeong) Bay Park

9 Nine Mile Road GTFP Within Y Y Y N 66 15 plantation

10 HPV airstrip HPV Outside Y Y N N 40 125 plantation

11 Met mast top – GTFP Within N N Y Y 54 0 84m plantation

12 Met mast upper GTFP Within N N Y Y 54 0 middle – 56m plantation

13 Met mast Lower GTFP Within N N Y Y 54 0 Middle- 28m plantation

14 Met mast bottom - GTFP Within N N Y Y 54 4 Ground plantation

Southern Bent-wing Bat survey results (current surveys) – mast mounted detectors

The number of SBWB calls recorded to-date as part of the 12-month SBWB survey at the mast mounted detectors is summarised in Table 14. The locations of the four masts being used for this survey are shown in Figure 2. SBWB calls have been recorded at all masts, although not at all masts across all survey months. Call activity reduced in late autumn (May) and early winter (June). The majority of calls were recorded on the ground detector (1.5 metres above ground), with a small number of calls at the lower detector (28 metres) and single recordings from the middle (56 metres) and upper (84 metres) detectors.

Table 14 Southern Bent-wing Bat (SBWB) call recordings from the four survey masts

Month Mast Species id Ground Lower Middle Upper Total (1.5 m) (28 m) (56 m) (84 m)

January 1 SBWB 15 - - 1 16

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 17 - - - 17

2 SBWB 2 1 - - 3

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 4 - - - 4

3 SBWB 10 - - - 10

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 10 - - - 10

Month Mast Species id Ground Lower Middle Upper Total (1.5 m) (28 m) (56 m) (84 m)

4 SBWB 3 1 - - 4

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 9 1 - - 10

February 1 SBWB 23 - - - 23

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 38 1 - - 39

2 SBWB 21 - - - 21

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 13 - - - 13

3 SBWB 11 - - - 11

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 14 - - - 14

4 SBWB 19 1 - - 20

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 31 - - - 31

March 1 SBWB 25 - - - 25

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 36 - - - 36

2 SBWB 19 - - - 19

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 29 - 1 - 30

3 SBWB 4 - - - 4

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 8 - - - 8

4 SBWB - - - - -

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed - - - - -

April 1 SBWB 9 - - - 9

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 12 - - 12

2 SBWB 4 - - - 4

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 2 - - - 2

3 SBWB 5 - - - 5

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 14 - - - 14

4 SBWB 21 - - - 21

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 17 - - - 17

May 1 SBWB 1 1 - - 2

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 4 - - - 4

2 SBWB - - - - -

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed - - - - -

Month Mast Species id Ground Lower Middle Upper Total (1.5 m) (28 m) (56 m) (84 m)

3 SBWB - - - - -

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 10 - - - 10

4 SBWB 6 - - - 6

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 3 - - - 3

June 1 SBWB - - - - -

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed - - - - -

2 SBWB - - - - -

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed - - - - -

3 SBWB 2 - - - 2

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 4 - - - 4

4 SBWB 3 - - - 3

Potential SBWB – to be confirmed 3 - - - 3

Total SBWB 203 4 0 1 208

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed 278 2 1 0 278

Southern Bent-wing Bat survey results (current surveys) – ground-based detectors

Recordings of SBWB from ground-based detectors (including detectors at the base of the four masts) are summarised in Table 15. The locations of the ground-based detectors are shown in Figure 2. SBWB have been recorded across the project area. Detectors with the highest numbers of recorded calls are in the west of the project area, including site 18 which is close to the southern edge of Lower Glenelg National Park, and site 25, at the base of the western-most survey mast. Note – omitted from the table are several survey periods/locations where Anabat Swift Detectors were used. The data recorded from these detectors requires a separate identification process, which is currently under way.

Table 15 Southern Bent-wing Bat (SBWB) call recordings from ground detectors (2020)

Site Species id Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Total

18 SBWB - 51 41 7 1 1 101

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed - 128 90 42 8 3 271

19 SBWB - 7 8 5 - - 20

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed - 40 31 7 - - 78

23 SBWB 2 21 19 4 - - 46

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed 4 13 29 2 - - 48

Site Species id Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Total

25 SBWB 15 23 25 9 1 - 73

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed 17 38 36 12 4 - 107

26 SBWB 10 11 4 5 6 2 38

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed 10 14 8 14 10 4 60

30 SBWB 3 3 - 5 3 - 14

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed 7 11 - 23 19 - 60

31 SBWB 3 19 - 21 6 3 52

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed 9 31 - 17 3 3 63

35 SBWB 3 16 - 3 1 - 23

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed 2 15 - 2 - - 19

36 SBWB 17 12 - 15 3 - 47

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed 11 12 - 22 20 - 65

37 SBWB - - - 5 1 - 6

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed - - - 5 2 - 7

38 SBWB - - - 1 - - 1

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed - 1 - - 1 - 2

39 SBWB - 22 - 37 3 - 62

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed - 58 - 31 5 - 94

Total SWBWB 53 185 97 117 25 6 483

Potential SBWB - to be confirmed 60 361 194 177 72 10 874

4.4.2 South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo There is a body of past records of South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoos in appropriate habitat close to the project area. These are substantially concentrated in Lower Glenelg National Park to the north of the wind farm portion of the project area. There are a very small number of previous records from the project area itself and from Discovery Bay Coastal Park to the south of the project area.

Red-tailed Black Cockatoos have not been detected during investigations for the project to-date. BirdLife Australia (http://www.redtail.com.au/results.html) notes that in early 2020 the majority of the population appeared to be in the northern part of the range, especially in the Wimmera region, and that it is likely the birds were taking advantage of the good seed crop then available for them in Desert Stringybark which occurs in that part of the species range.

4.4.3 Orange-bellied Parrot The current survey effort from May 2020 to July 2020 is 36 hours and 20 minutes over five days at two sites, including:

• Noble Rocks.

– 4 dawn/sunrise surveys.

– 4 dusk/sunset surveys. • Swan Lake.

– 4 dawn/sunrise surveys.

– 5 dusk/sunset surveys. A single Orange-bellied Parrot was recorded in the interdunal heathland vegetation on 29 May 2020 (Table 16, Figure 3). The record has been reported to the Recovery Team Chair (DELWP employee) who passed it onto the local Regional Coordinator for Orange-bellied Parrot surveys in the area.. The survey team walked along the beach south of Swan Lake and walked onto a dune after hearing what sounded like a Neophema call. The team stopped to listen and subsequently flushed a Neophema as they walked. The parrot flew silently, low above the heath towards west and against setting sun and landed approximately 200 metres away. The survey team walked to this location, where one of them saw the bright green parrot at 2-3 metres, moving under a heathy shrub. The team heard the distinctive Orange-bellied Parrot call shortly after, approximately 20 metres and 70 metres away. The individual then took off, flying high towards the west, calling while flying. A total of 25 minutes from the first detection of the call was spent searching, listening, watching and looking for the individual.

Table 16 Orange-bellied parrot survey effort and results

Date Location Time Time Total survey Number of Other Neophema parrots start end hours Orange-bellied recorded (species, number for parrot recorded each observation)

29/5/2020 Nobles Rocks 07:49 09:45 1 hr 55 min 1 0

29/5/2020 Swan Lake 15:30 17:30 2 hr 0 0

29/6/2020 Swan Lake 7:58 9:50 1 hr 52 min 0 0

29/6/2020 Swan Lake 15:38 17:23 1 hr 45 min 0 0

29/6/2020 Nobles Rocks 15:53 17:41 1 hr 47 min Blue-winged Parrot 0 6

30/6/2020 Swan Lake 7:47 10:10 2 hr 18 min Blue-winged Parrot 0 7, 3, 1

30/6/2020 Nobles Rocks 7:27 9:49 2 hr 22 min Blue-winged Parrot 0 5, 11

30/6/2020 Swan Lake 15:30 17:00 1 hr 30 min 0 0

30/6/2020 Nobles Rocks 15:53 17:42 1 hr 49 min 0 0

Date Location Time Time Total survey Number of Other Neophema parrots start end hours Orange-bellied recorded (species, number for parrot recorded each observation)

21/7/2020 Swan Lake 7:46 10:18 2 hr 32 min Blue-winged Parrot 0 1

21/7/2020 Nobles Rocks 7:53 9:46 1 hr 53 min 0 0

21/7/2020 Swan Lake 15:36 17:47 2 hr 11 min 0 0

21/7/2020 Nobles Rocks 15:52 17:51 1 hr 59 min 0 0

22/7/2020 Swan Lake 7:47 9;34 1 hr 47 min Blue-winged Parrot 0 2

22/7/2020 Nobles Rocks 7:45 10:25 2 hr 40 min 0 0

22/7/2020 Swan Lake 13:50 17:19 3 hr 29 min 0 0

22/7/2020 Nobles Rocks 15:46 18:17 2 hr 31 min 0 0

Total 36 hr 20 min 1

4.4.4 Brolga The VBA database includes records of Brolgas south of the project area, along the Long Swamp, Lake Mombeong and in agricultural land within the eastern part of the project area. Brolgas have also been recorded to the north and east of the project area including around Portland. These records include breeding observations (Figure 8).

Discussions and community consultation did not provide any data about Brolgas in the local area additional to what is contained in VBA and BirdLife Australia databases. Further discussions with landholders indicate Brolgas regularly occur within the agricultural land on the eastern and western parts of the project area.

Brolgas have been observed during the field surveys, during breeding season survey in 2020 and other fauna surveys (Table 17, Figure 8). In 2020, the species has been recorded at a number of locations between early May and late July. The maximum number of individuals was observed in the agricultural land in the eastern part of the project area with a total of 11 Brolgas in multiple groups. The pair in the western part of the project area is likely to be additional to this. A breeding pair was seen in wetland 20522 in July 2020, with one Brolga on a nest and one foraging (Figure 6). This wetland is 300 metres north of the proposed powerline easement. An estimated minimum of 15 Brolgas is likely to occur within the project area and 5 kilometres around it. Flight path and roost observations suggest a pair of Brolgas with immature young from 2019 breeding season were regularly flying between the agricultural land and wetland 20522 in the eastern part of the project area and roosting at Swan Lake between late May and mid-June. No roosting Brolgas were observed at Swan Lake in late June or during the July 2020 surveys. This may be due to water levels that were too low in June or too high in July to provide roosting habitat for Brolgas.

Most of the Brolga activity is occurring within the agricultural land in the eastern part of the project area, where Brolgas forage. Early morning and evening observations indicate that the majority of these individuals fly elsewhere to roost. One individual appears to roost at this location. It also appears that some individuals remain in the paddock, feeding in the morning and afternoon, whilst other individuals fly in and out. Individuals also fly within and across the eastern and western paddocks (near wetlands 20522 and 20532) with most activity to date observed between sunrise and midday. Wetland 20522 has a drain through it, however some suitable breeding habitat is present.

Table 17 Brolga observations – incidental, targeted and formal breeding season survey July 2020

Date Time Location* Type of record Number Behaviour recorded

28/11/2018 11:49 Unnamed wetland 50 Incidental 1 Roosting. metres east Lake During Growling Grass Mombeong Frog and bittern survey

8/7/2019 14:15 Lake Mombeong Incidental 3 Flying east to west over the lake.

2/5/2020 11:52 Agricultural land Bird utilisation survey (T2) 2 Adults. western part of project Flying from west/south-west area to north-east, soaring.

28/5/2020 17:15 Agricultural land Incidental 4 Foraging, calling, flew eastern part of the During mammal camera towards south/south-east in project area, wetland set up the direction of Swan Lake at 20522 17:30.

28/5/2020 17:15 Agricultural land Incidental 2 Adults, unison calling, eastern part of the During mammal camera foraging, flew north/north- project area, wetland set up east at 17:43. 20522

29/5/2020 18:01 Swan Lake Targeted, to check if the 4 4 Roosting at the east end, brolga from 28/5/2020 middle of the lake. roost at Swan Lake

16/6/2020 16:41 Agricultural land Bird utilisation survey (T15) 2 Foraging. eastern part of the project area

16/6/2020 16:41 Agricultural land Bird utilisation survey (T15) 4 2 adult; 2 immature eastern part of the Foraging. Flew south/south- project area east in the direction of Swan Lake at 17:48.

17/6/2020 17:45 Swan Lake Targeted, to check if 4 4 Flew in at 17:45. brolga from 16/6/2020 Lake almost dry. roost at Swan Lake

21/7/2020 14:24 At or near wetland July 2020 breeding season 2 Heard unison call 20566 survey approximately 1 kilometre to the south (survey from Blacks Rd, wetland 20633).

21/7/2020 14:26 At or near wetland July 2020 breeding season 2 Heard unison call 20566 survey approximately 0.5 kilometre to the south (survey from Blacks Rd, wetland 20633).

23/7/2020 8:15 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 2 Foraging. eastern part of the survey project area, at and

Date Time Location* Type of record Number Behaviour recorded

near wetland 20522

23/7/2020 9:11 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 1 Foraging. eastern part of the survey project area, at and near wetland 20522

23/7/2020 9:56 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 4 Flew to this location from the eastern part of the survey west. project area, 300 metres east of wetlands 20532

23/7/2020 16:29 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 2 Foraging. eastern part of the survey project area, 350 metres north-east of wetland 20535

23/7/2020 17:05 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 1 1 adult. Foraging. eastern part of the survey project area, wetland 20522

23/7/2020 17:08 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 2 Heard unison call 1 kilometre eastern part of the survey to the west of BUS T15. project area, wetland 20522

23/7/2020 17:10 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 3 2 adults; 1 immature. eastern part of the survey Foraging. project area, wetland 20522

23/7/2020 17:17 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 4 Foraging. Single bird eastern part of the survey observed at 17:05 joined this project area, wetland group. Group consists of 4 20522 adults; 1 immature. All 5 individuals walking back and forth under powerline between 17:17 and 18:04. Pair in this group of 5 unison calling at 17:19 and 17:31. A pair heard responding with a unison call 1-2 kilometres west at 17:24, 17:29 and 17:38. Immature individual flew 150 metres south/south- west in response to being chased.

Date Time Location* Type of record Number Behaviour recorded

23/7/2020 17:34 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 1 Flew from north-east to join eastern part of the survey group of 5. project area, wetland 20522

23/7/2020 17:49 Agricultural land near July 2020 breeding season 1 Flying south to north. wetland 20566 survey

23/7/2020 18:14 Agricultural land near July 2020 breeding season 2 Heard unison call. wetland 20566 survey

24/7/2020 7:37 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 1 Foraging. eastern part of the survey project area, wetland 20522

24/7/2020 7:47 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 1 Flew in from the east. eastern part of the survey project area, wetland 20522

24/7/2020 7:48 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 2 Foraging. Unison calling at eastern part of the survey 8:17, 8:40, 9:27 in response to project area near unison calls heard west of wetland 20532 here (paddock with wetland 20522). Walking and foraging west to east up to 500 metre distance 8:54–9:16. Pair continued to forage in this area until 12:00.

24/7/2020 7:51 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 1 Flew in from the east. eastern part of the survey project area, wetland 20522

24/7/2020 8:07 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 1 Flew to join the two single eastern part of the survey brolga which flew in at 7:47 project area, wetland and 7:51. 20522

24/7/2020 8:16 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 2 Foraging. eastern part of the survey project area, wetland 20522

24/7/2020 8:38 Agricultural land July 2020 breeding season 2 Heard unison calling in eastern part of the survey response to other pairs project area, wetland calling.

Date Time Location* Type of record Number Behaviour recorded

20522 * Wetlands without accepted names are identified using the Wetland_ID field in the DELWP Current Wetland layer.

4.4.5 Australasian Bittern and other listed threatened waterbirds Australasian Bittern has been recorded from the Long Swamp, in the middle and east sections (near Mcfarlanes Swamp), in Lower Glenelg National Park and in wetlands near Portland (Figure 4). Satellite tracking as part of the ‘Bitterns in Rice’ project has also recorded a juvenile Australasian Bittern moving from the Riverina rice growing area into Long Swamp, shortly after wetland restoration works. This individual intensively used the Long Swamp and Picaninny Ponds wetlands in South Australia prior to the transmissions ceasing (Herring et al. 2016).

The VBA and BirdLife Shorebirds 2020 databases have records of threatened species from the extensive wetland habitats within 10 kilometre of the project area (Figure 23).

One Australasian Bittern was recorded flying north-east 20 minutes after last light on 28 May 2020, during mammal camera set up (Figure 4). Most other threatened waterbirds were recorded at the Glenelg Estuary, with some species also recorded at Swan Lake and Lake Mombeong. Threatened species recorded during studies to-date are indicated in Appendix 2, Table A2.1, and records of threatened shorebirds are described in Section 4.4.7.

4.4.6 White-throated Needletail White-throated Needletails have been recorded in the 10 kilometre VBA search area and were observed during Biosis surveys (Table 18, Figure 17).

Table 18 White-throated Needletail records

Date Time Location Number of individuals recorded

23/1/2020 14:13 Lake Mombeong 2

27/2/2020 12:59 600 metres north of Lake Mombeong at met mast 3 70

4.4.7 Shorebirds A number of listed threatened and non-threatened migratory and resident shorebirds, including gulls and terns occur along the shoreline of the Discovery Bay National Park and the Glenelg Estuary (Figure 14, Figure 16). Limited suitable habitat for most migratory shorebirds, apart from the Long Swamp, exists within the dunes and elsewhere within the 10 kilometre search area. Wetland habitat within the project area is confined to a few locations along the southern boundary. Many of these wetlands are inaccessible for on-ground surveying, due to extensive areas of dense inundated shrubby vegetation around the margins of the wetlands. Cain Hut Swamp, Lake Sheepwash, Lake Mombeong, Swan Lake and unnamed wetlands, accessible for surveying, have limited shorebird habitat and consists of short sections of unexposed sandy shores, which could be suitable for roosting and may occasionally be used for foraging by shorebirds. Swan Lake is considered to have the highest likelihood of supporting some species, most likely Red-necked Stint, Sharp- tailed Sandpiper and Curlew Sandpiper. Latham’s Snipe may also occur in a number of the inland and interdunal wetlands. No shorebird species were recorded at any of these wetlands during the surveys (Figure 13).

The majority of the roosting and foraging shorebirds were recorded at Glenelg Estuary, near the river mouth, and included:

• Bar-tailed Godwit

• Red-necked Stint

• Curlew Sandpiper

• Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

• Red-capped Plover

• Double-banded Plover

• Sanderling

• Common Greenshank

The following species were recorded at the ocean-side shoreline near Swan Lake, including a flock of 115 Sanderling on 22 July 2020 observed foraging in the morning and afternoon:

• Hooded Plover

• Kelp Gull

• Pacific Gull

• Pied Oystercatcher

• Silver Gull

• Sanderling

• Red-capped Plover

• Double-banded Plover

At Nobles Rocks, species recorded were:

• Hooded Plover

• Pied Oystercatcher

• Pacific Gull

• Kelp Gull

• Silver Gull

• Sanderling

• Red-capped Plover

4.4.8 Owls Powerful Owl, Masked Owl and Barking Owl have been recorded within the 10 kilometre search area (Figure 16). Surveys for owls will be undertaken from September to November 2020. No owl species have been recorded to date during other Biosis field surveys.

4.4.9 Ground Parrot Ground Parrot has been previously recorded at Long Swamp and Nobles Rocks and Lake Mombeong (Figure 9). No Ground Parrots have been recorded during Biosis surveys to date, targeted surveys for this species will be undertaken from October to December 2020.

4.4.10 Rufous Bristlebird (Coorong subspecies) The Rufous Bristlebird has been frequently recorded within 10 kilometres of the project area. It has also been recorded several times in heathland vegetation surrounding the Kentbruck pine plantation during Biosis fauna surveys (Figure 10).

4.4.11 Terrestrial mammals Nine threatened mammal species have previously been recorded within 10 kilometres of the project area (other than Southern Bent-wing Bat) (Error! Reference source not found.). These species are:

• Heath Mouse

• Long-nosed Potoroo

• Southern Brown Bandicoot

• Swamp Antechinus

• Spot-tailed Quoll

• Smoky Mouse

• Grey-headed Flying-fox

• White-footed Dunnart

• Eastern Pygmy Possum.

The majority of these records are from intact, contiguous habitat outside of the wind farm footprint (Error! Reference source not found.). No threatened species were confirmed from the camera surveys to date (Table 19). Some of the photos are currently being analysed further and are not included in this table. Only species recorded where identification could be confirmed are included in Table 19.

Table 19 Species recorded on remote cameras (species confirmed included only). (D) refers to cameras in a vertical configuration (facing down)

Habitat type Edge Inside Remnant Species recorded

Farmland 97 Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis Cattle Bos taurus

Farmland 168 Red Fox Vulpes vulpes

Farmland Substati Sheep Ovis aries on House Mouse Mus musculus

Farmland 161 Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen

Habitat type Edge Inside Remnant Species recorded

Bluegum 136 Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor House Mouse Mus musculus Short-beaked Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus Fallow Deer Dama dama Raven Corvus sp. Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes Koala Phascolarctos cinereus Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Deer sp.

Bluegum 170 Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor Koala Phascolarctos cinereus Raven Corvus sp. House Mouse Mus musculus

Pine plantation (trees 159 (D) Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes planted 2010-2020) Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus Short-beaked Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus Pied Currawong Strepera graculina

Pine plantation (trees 66 House Mouse Mus musculus planted 2010-2020) Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen Brush Bronzewing Phaps elegans Pig (feral) Sus scrofa

Pine plantation (trees 142 House Mouse Mus musculus planted 2010-2020) Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus

Pine plantation (trees 27 Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes planted 2010-2020)

Pine plantation (trees 93 House Mouse Mus musculus planted 2000-2010) Agile Antechinus Antechinus agilis Deer sp.

Pine plantation (trees 7 (D) Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes planted 2000-2010)

Pine plantation (trees 143 Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor planted 2000-2010) Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus Deer sp.

Pine plantation (trees 166 House Mouse Mus musculus planted 2000-2010) Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus

Habitat type Edge Inside Remnant Species recorded

Pine plantation (trees 80 Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica planted 2000-2010) Red Fox Vulpes vulpes

Pine plantation (trees 180 Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes planted 1996-2000) Red-necked Wallaby Notamacropus rufogriseus banksianus Antechinus Antechinus sp. House Mouse Mus musculus Deer sp. Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor

Pine plantation (trees 17 Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes planted 1996-2000) Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus

Pine plantation (trees 111 (D) House Mouse Mus musculus planted 1991-1995) Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor

Pine plantation (trees 147 (D) House Mouse Mus musculus planted 1991-1995)

Pine plantation (trees 5 (D) Raven Corvus sp. planted 1981-1990) House Mouse Mus musculus Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes

Pine plantation (trees 24 (D) Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes planted 1981-1990) Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen Red Fox Vulpes vulpes

Pine plantation (trees 65 (D) Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes planted 1981-1990) Pied Currawong Strepera graculina House Mouse Mus musculus

Pine plantation (trees 128 (D) Camera failed planted 1981-1990)

Recently cleared pine 129 House Mouse Mus musculus plantation Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes White-browed Scrucbwren Sericornis frontalis Red-necked Wallaby Notamacropus rufogriseus banksianus

Roadside Johnson Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes s Rd House Mouse Mus musculus White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor

Habitat type Edge Inside Remnant Species recorded

Roadside McLean House Mouse Mus musculus s Rd Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor

Roadside Dry House Mouse Mus musculus Blocks Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes Rd Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Brush Bronzewing Phaps elegans

Roadside Browns House Mouse Mus musculus Rd White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes

4.4.12 Reptiles Data collection for the formal reptile survey will begin in October 2020. Incidental threatened reptile records are summarised in Table 20 and include observations of a Striped Worm-lizard and Four-toed Skinks at Swan Lake, under a piece of iron sheet on a roadside verge (Error! Reference source not found.). Incidental records of threatened species are presented in Table 20. Neither of these sightings are within the project area.

Table 20 Incidental records of listed reptile species

Date Location Habitat Species Number of individuals

30/6/2020 Swan Lake Grassy road verge, under tin Striped Worm-lizard 1

30/6/2020 Swan Lake Grassy road verge, under tin Four-toed Skink 3

4.4.13 Growling Grass Frog Surveys undertaken for Growling Grass Frogs to-date have not detected the species. There are two VBA database records of the species from within the wind farm portion of the project area. One of them is at a small wetland amongst a pine plantation just inside the boundary of the project area close to the south- eastern extremity of the wind farm area. A second record is from close to the centre of the Kentbruck pine plantation (1979, Figure 7. There is no wetland at the location of the record. The VBA also has records of Shy Albatross and Southern Giant Petrel at the same location and we consider the location of this record is likely to be an error.

4.4.14 Aquatic species To-date, no suitable habitats have been identified for listed threatened freshwater fish or aquatic invertebrates within the wind farm project area and there are no database records of these species with the project area. There are several database records of Yarra Pygmy Perch from Glenelg River, Surry River and Lake Mombeong, where there is also a record of Variegated Pygmy Perch. Ancient Greenling Damselfly is known from existing records to occur in Long Swamp within Discovery Bay Coastal Park.

The underground cable route option may cross several waterways. Assessment of these locations will be conducted in Spring 2020.

4.5 Bird utilisation

Bird utilisation surveys commenced in April 2020 and will continue until December 2020. All point count sites were surveyed three times in April 2020 and three times in June 2020, except for C1 due to flood waters cutting off access. Four threatened or listed species have been recorded during the surveys to date: Bar-tailed Godwit, Brolga, Musk Duck and Rufous Bristlebird (Table 21).

Table 21 Threatened species recorded during the bird utilisation surveys in April 2020 and June 2020

BUS survey Species BUS site Number of birds EPBC FFG DSE Advisory list observed

April 2020 Brolga T1 2 L vu

June 2020 Bar-tailed Godwit C1 4 VU, Mi

June 2020 Brolga T15 2, 4 L vu

June 2020 Musk Duck C1 1, 20 Vu

June 2020 Rufous Bristlebird T4, T3 1, 1 L nt

4.6 Victorian strategic biodiversity values

Victoria's Guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation (the Guidelines) are incorporated into the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes in Victoria (DELWP 2017b).

The purpose of the Guidelines is to guide how impacts to biodiversity should be considered when assessing a permit application to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation. The objective for the guidelines in Victoria is 'No net loss to biodiversity as a result of the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation'.

A detailed assessment of the implications for the project under the Guidelines will be provided in the impact assessment phase of this project.

DELWP has provided biodiversity information tools to assist with determining the assessment pathway associated with the removal of native vegetation and the contribution that native vegetation within the study area makes to Victoria's biodiversity. These tools include native vegetation location risk, strategic biodiversity score and habitat models for advisory list species. A summary of these data layers, in relation to the project, is provided in the following sections.

4.6.1 Native vegetation location risk Native vegetation location risk for the study area is shown in Figure 21. To be completed in the next version.

4.6.2 Strategic biodiversity score Strategic biodiversity score for the project area is shown in Figure 22. -To be completed in the next version.

4.7 Existing threats

To be completed in the next version.

Conclusion

Results presented here provide a preliminary consideration of existing biodiversity values for the Kentbruck Green Power Hub project.

Results set out in the report cover investigations up to 30 June 2020 (Appendix 4). Investigations are continuing in fulfilment of a detailed study plan (Biosis 2020) and a complete report detailing existing conditions for the project will be prepared after investigations have been concluded in 2021.

An impact assessment report will be prepared for the purposes of the EES for the project after the completion of investigations and in light of a final project design.

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Appendices

Appendix 1 Flora

The following abbreviations and symbols are relevant to this Appendix:

Code Meaning Reference National listings (EPBC Act) CR Critically endangered EN Endangered Commonwealth Environment Protection and VU Vulnerable Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) PMST Protected Matters Search Tool State listings (FFG Act and Advisory List) L Listed as threatened P Protected species (public land only) Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 N Nominated for listing as threatened (FFG Act) I Determined ineligible for listing D Delisted e Endangered v Vulnerable DELWP's Advisory List of Rare or Threatened r Rare Plants in Victoria (DEPI 2014a) k Poorly known Noxious weed status (CaLP Act) SP State prohibited species RP Regionally prohibited species Victorian Catchment and Land Protection Act RC Regionally controlled species 1994 (CaLP Act) R Restricted species Other # Native species outside its natural range Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA)

This table provides a list of flora species recorded during the initial flora surveys in April 2020. All species recorded in future surveys will incorporated in to the completed existing conditions report.

A1.1 Flora species recorded from the study area

Table A1.1 Flora species recorded from the study area

Status Scientific name Common name

Native species

Acacia longifolia subsp. sophorae Coast Wattle

Acacia melanoxylon Blackwood

Acacia mitchellii Mitchell's Wattle

Acacia oxycedrus Spike Wattle

Acacia pycnantha Golden Wattle

Acacia verticillata Prickly Moses

Acaena novae-zelandiae Bidgee-widgee

Alyxia buxifolia Sea Box

Amperea xiphoclada var. xiphoclada Broom Spurge

Amphibromus spp. Swamp Wallaby-grass

Amyema pendula Drooping Mistletoe

Asperula oblanceolata Otway Woodruff

Asperula spp. Woodruff

Stenanthera conostephioides Flame Heath

Austrostipa spp. Spear Grass

Baloskion tetraphyllum subsp. tetraphyllum Tassel Cord-rush

Banksia marginata Silver Banksia

Beyeria lechenaultii Pale Turpentine-bush

Boronia nana var. nana Dwarf Boronia

Bossiaea cinerea Showy Bossiaea

Brachyloma ciliatum Fringed Brachyloma

Bursaria spinosa Sweet Bursaria

Carex appressa Tall Sedge

Carpobrotus rossii Karkalla

Clematis microphylla s.l. Small-leaved Clematis

Status Scientific name Common name

Conyza bonariensis Flaxleaf Fleabane

Conyza spp. Fleabane

Coprosma quadrifida Prickly Currant-bush

Crassula decumbens var. decumbens Spreading Crassula

Cynodon dactylon Couch

Dianella revoluta s.l. Black-anther Flax-lily

Dichondra repens Kidney-weed

Dillwynia glaberrima Smooth Parrot-pea

Dillwynia spp. Parrot Pea

Epilobium spp. Willow Herb

Erodium spp. Heron's Bill

Eucalyptus baxteri s.l. Brown Stringybark

Eucalyptus baxteri s.s. Brown Stringybark

Eucalyptus globulus Southern Blue-gum

Eucalyptus viminalis Manna Gum

Euchiton involucratus s.s. Star Cudweed

Euchiton japonicus s.l. Clustered/Creeping Cudweed

Euchiton sphaericus Annual Cudweed

Exocarpos cupressiformis Cherry Ballart

Ficinia nodosa Knobby Club-sedge

Gahnia sieberiana Red-fruit Saw-sedge

Genista monspessulana Montpellier Broom

Geranium solanderi s.l. Austral Crane's-bill

Geranium spp. Crane's Bill

Gonocarpus spp. Raspwort

Gonocarpus tetragynus Common Raspwort

Helichrysum luteoalbum Jersey Cudweed

Hibbertia fasciculata var. prostrata Bundled Guinea-flower

Hibbertia sericea s.l. Silky Guinea-flower

Hibbertia spp. Guinea Flower

Status Scientific name Common name

Hydrocotyle hirta Hairy Pennywort

Hydrocotyle laxiflora Stinking Pennywort

Hydrocotyle spp. Pennywort

Isopogon ceratophyllus Horny Cone-bush

Isotoma fluviatilis subsp. australis Swamp Isotome

Juncus spp. Rush

Kennedia prostrata Running Postman

Kunzea pomifera Muntries

Lachnagrostis filiformis s.s. Common Blown-grass

Laxmannia orientalis Dwarf Wire-lily

Lepidosperma congestum Clustered Sword-sedge

Lepidosperma gladiatum Coast Sword-sedge

Lepidosperma spp. Sword Sedge

Leptospermum continentale Prickly Tea-tree

Leptospermum laevigatum Coast Tea-tree

Leptospermum lanigerum Woolly Tea-tree

Leucopogon parviflorus Coast Beard-heath

Lobelia anceps Angled Lobelia

Lomandra filiformis Wattle Mat-rush

Lomandra longifolia Spiny-headed Mat-rush

Lythrum hyssopifolia Small Loosestrife

Melaleuca lanceolata Moonah

Melaleuca squarrosa Scented Paperbark

Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides Weeping Grass

Muehlenbeckia australis Climbing Lignum

Myoporum insulare Common Boobialla

Myosotis spp. Forget-me-not

Oxalis perennans Grassland Wood-sorrel

Persoonia juniperina Prickly Geebung

Pimelea linifolia Slender Rice-flower

Status Scientific name Common name

Platylobium obtusangulum Common Flat-pea

Poa labillardierei Common Tussock-grass

Pteridium esculentum subsp. esculentum Austral Bracken

Rhagodia candolleana subsp. candolleana Seaberry Saltbush

Rhagodia spp. Saltbush

Rubus anglocandicans Common Blackberry

Rubus parvifolius Small-leaf Bramble

Rytidosperma spp. Wallaby Grass

v Scaevola calendulacea Dune Fan-flower

Senecio biserratus Jagged Fireweed

Senecio glomeratus Annual Fireweed

Senecio linearifolius Fireweed Groundsel

Senecio minimus Shrubby Fireweed

Senecio odoratus Scented Groundsel

Senecio spp. Groundsel

Solanum aviculare Kangaroo Apple

Solanum prinophyllum Forest Nightshade

Spyridium parvifolium Dusty Miller

Tetragonia implexicoma Bower Spinach

Tetrarrhena distichophylla Hairy Rice-grass

Veronica calycina Hairy Speedwell

Viola hederacea sensu Entwisle (1996) Ivy-leaf Violet

Xanthorrhoea australis Austral Grass-tree

Xanthosia dissecta s.s. Native Parsley

Introduced species

Acetosella vulgaris Sheep Sorrel

Agrostis capillaris Brown-top Bent

Alopecurus geniculatus Marsh Fox-tail

Ammophila arenaria Marram Grass

Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal-grass

Status Scientific name Common name

Arctotheca calendula Cape Weed

Asparagus asparagoides Bridal Creeper

Asphodelus fistulosus Onion Weed

Catapodium spp. Fern Grass

Centaurium spp. Centaury

Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle

Cotula coronopifolia Water Buttons

Dactylis glomerata Cocksfoot

Dittrichia graveolens Stinkwort

Euphorbia peplus Petty Spurge

Fumaria spp. Fumitory

Hedera helix English Ivy

Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog

Hypericum perforatum subsp. veronense St John's Wort

Hypochaeris radicata Flatweed

Lagurus ovatus Hare's-tail Grass

Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass

Lycium ferocissimum African Box-thorn

Marrubium vulgare Horehound

Modiola caroliniana Red-flower Mallow

Pelargonium australe Austral Stork's-bill

Phalaris aquatica Toowoomba Canary-grass

Pinus radiata Radiata Pine

Plantago lanceolata Ribwort

Prunella vulgaris Self-heal

Romulea rosea Onion Grass

Rumex crispus Curled Dock

Senecio elegans Purple Groundsel

Solanum nigrum s.l. Black Nightshade

Solanum nigrum s.s. Black Nightshade

Status Scientific name Common name

Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle

Trifolium spp. Clover

Ulex europaeus Gorse

Vicia spp. Vetch

Watsonia spp. Watsonia

A1.2 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 VBA and PMST (accessed on 25 June 2020). Where years are specified for the most recent database records, these refer to records from the VBA unless otherwise specified. Where no year is specified, the PMST has predicted that the species has potential to occur. A proportion of the flora habitat descriptions have been reproduced with permission from the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV 2020).

Table A1.2 Listed flora species recorded or predicted to occur within 10 km of the study area

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record National significance Amphibromus fluitans River Swamp Wallaby-grass VU I 1989 PMST Swampy areas, mainly along the Murray River between Wodonga and Echuca with scattered records from southern Victoria.

Caladenia calcicola Limestone Spider-orchid VU e L 2005 PMST Heathy woodland on sandy soils over limestone. Caladenia colorata Colourful Spider-orchid EN e L 2007 PMST Open areas in low, mixed eucalypt woodland with heathy understorey on calcareous sands and sandy loams.

Caladenia hastata Mellblom's Spider-orchid EN e L 2013 PMST Dense coastal heath and heathy woodlands, commonly on the margins of swampy depressions. Caladenia ornata Ornate Pink-fingers VU v L 2003 PMST Heathy and grassy woodlands. Cassinia rugata Wrinkled Cassinia VU v L 2010 PMST Damp, low open forest or dense heathy scrub. Glycine latrobeana Clover Glycine VU v L 2015 PMST Grasslands and grassy woodlands, particularly those dominated by Kangaroo Grass.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record Haloragis exalata subsp. Wingless Raspwort VU PMST Known from a range of vegetation types, exalata all of which appear to have a history of recurrent disturbance.

Haloragis exalata var. Square Raspwort VU v 2010 Damp riparian habitats. exalata Ixodia achillaeoides subsp. Coast Ixodia VU v 2008 PMST Low coastal Shrublands on exposed arenicola limestone headlands, often on steeply sloped sites. Prasophyllum Gorae Leek-orchid EN e L 1949 Along watercourses and around swamps diversiflorum in open forests, and in Western Basalt Plains Grasslands. Habitat characteristics vary, however, all known locations are subject to seasonal inundation. Prasophyllum frenchii Maroon Leek-orchid EN e L 2009 PMST Grassland and grassy woodland environments on sandy or black clay loam soils that are generally damp but well drained. Prasophyllum pallidum s.l. Pale Leek-orchid VU I 1980 Fertile soils in woodland and well-grassed open forests Prasophyllum spicatum Dense Leek-orchid VU e 2009 PMST Heath and heathy woodlands. Pterostylis cheraphila Floodplain Rustyhood VU v L 2009 Bare, open ground in floodplain Black Box Black Box woodlands. Pterostylis chlorogramma Green-striped Greenhood VU v L 2007 PMST Heathy woodland; more specific habitat requirements are poorly known. Pterostylis cucullata Leafy Greenhood VU L PMST Sand dune scrubs in coastal areas, and inland on slopes and river flats in moist foothill and montane forests. Pterostylis tenuissima Swamp Greenhood VU v 2010 PMST Swamp scrub with a dense canopy and open understorey, often on or beside animal tracks.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record Senecio psilocarpus Swamp Fireweed VU v 2013 PMST Seasonally inundated herb-rich swamps, growing on peaty soils or volcanic clays. Stackhousia aspericocca Rough-nut Stackhousia VU k 2009 Known in Victoria from only a few subsp. 1 collections in the Sunset Country, where growing on sandy rises.

Taraxacum cygnorum Coast Dandelion VU e L 2012 PMST Confined to woodlands and scrub on calcareous soils. Thelymitra epipactoides Metallic Sun-orchid EN e L 2000 PMST Moist or dry sandy loams or loamy sands, primarily in coastal heaths, grasslands and woodlands, but also in similar communities at drier inland sites.

Thelymitra matthewsii Spiral Sun-orchid VU v L PMST Typically on well-drained soils on slightly elevated sites, but also on coastal sandy flats. Often in open situations following disturbance.

Xerochrysum palustre Swamp Everlasting VU v L 1947 PMST Sedge-swamps and shallow freshwater marshes and swamps in lowlands, on black cracking clay soils.

State significance Acrotriche cordata Coast Ground-berry r 2015 Limestone-derived soils, often near coastal or riparian cliffs in coastal scrub, Mallee or woodland.

Adriana quadripartita Coast Bitter-bush v 1991 Coastal dunes and sand plains. Argentipallium dealbatum Silver Everlasting r 1991 Disjunct distribution in near-coastal heathlands of the south-west (Portland- Digby areas) and in South Gippsland (Cape Liptrap to Yarram).

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record Asplenium trichomanes Common Spleenwort r 1980 Commonly associated with limestone. subsp. quadrivalens Atriplex billardierei Glistening Saltbush x L 1980 Scattered along sandy seashores from the western to eastern extremities of Victoria. Austrostipa mundula Neat Spear-grass r 2011 Uncommon to rare, occurring on sandy soils in Mallee-scrub and in low woodland, e.g. Big and Little Deserts, Mt Arapiles, with an isolated occurrence on limestone in the lower Glenelg area of the south- west.

Baumea laxa Lax Twig-sedge r 2009 Wet sandy areas in heathlands and heathy swamps. Billardiera scandens s.s. Velvet Apple-berry r 1969 Common in heathland, woodland and forests from near sea level to the subalps. Boronia nana var. Dwarf Boronia r 2011 On rocky substrates in open forests, pubescens woodland and heath. Boronia pilosa subsp. Hairy Boronia r 2011 Occurs in heathlands and heathy torquata woodlands of the far south-west (e.g. Casterton and Portland areas), usually on sandy soils.

Bossiaea cordigera Wiry Bossiaea r 2006 Moist habitats in heathland, heathy woodland and open-forest. Burnettia cuneata Lizard Orchid r 2013 Usually on acidic, low-nutrient soils which are frequently waterlogged and dominated by Scented Paperbark Melaleuca squarrosa.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record Caladenia bicalliata Limestone Ridge Spider- e 2015 From a single locality in the Discovery Bay subsp. bicalliata orchid Coastal Park in coastal scrub on sand over limestone.

Caladenia carnea var. Striped Pink-fingers x L 1947 Well-drained sandy loams or dry skeletal subulata soils in coastal heaths and scrubs, woodlands and open forests.

Caladenia flavovirens Christmas Spider-orchid r 1952 Heathy woodland and moist foothill forest. Caladenia fragrantissima Scented Spider-orchid e L 2015 Known only from far south-west Victoria, between Nelson and Portland, where it grows in coastal and near-coastal heath or heathy woodland in sandy loam.

Caladenia reticulata s.s. Veined Spider-orchid v 1925 Open Eucalyptus leucoxylon woodland on poorly structured clay loams. Caladenia valida Robust Spider-orchid e L 2012 Coastal or near coastal heaths and heathy woodland. Caladenia venusta Large White Spider-orchid r I 2006 Heath and heathy woodlands primarily in coastal areas, extending inland in Western Victoria.

Caladenia vulgaris Slender Pink-fingers r 2001 Scattered across southern Victoria where sometimes locally common in heathland and coastal scrub on moisture-retentive sandy soils.

Cardamine papillata Forest Bitter-cress v 1983 Hilly or mountainous forest areas. Carex tasmanica Curly Sedge v L 2015 Seasonally wet areas, such as around drainage lines and freshwater swamps, on fertile, clay soils derived from basalt.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record Cladium procerum Leafy Twig-sedge r 2009 Waterlogged soils, often along slow- flowing streams and lake margins. Colobanthus apetalus var. Coast Colobanth r 2013 Coastal areas, typically on sheltered dune apetalus slopes or in swales. Comesperma polygaloides Small Milkwort v L 1991 Grasslands on the western basalt plains; less commonly in grassy woodlands between Bendigo and the Wimmera.

Coronidium gunnianum Pale Swamp Everlasting v 1984 Widespread and sometimes locally common, particularly in high-rainfall areas of Victoria; often in moist sites in open forests and woodlands.

Correa alba var. pannosa Velvet White Correa r 2004 Calcareous sands and coastal cliffs; likely to be extinct from the Port Phillip region. Corunastylis nuda Tiny Midge-orchid r 1980 Mainly found in eastern Victoria with a disjunct occurrence near Portland. Usually growing in moist grassy areas in open forest, from low to moderate elevations.

Corybas despectans Coast Helmet-orchid v L 2016 Sandy soils in moist, shady situations within coastal scrubs of Coast Tea-tree Leptospermum laevigatum and Moonah Melaleuca lanceolata.

Corybas sp. aff. Late Helmet-orchid e L 2008 Raised clumps of ground in wet areas of diemenicus (Coastal) Swamp Scrub, which have a dense overstorey of Woolly Tea Tree or Scented Paperbark.

Dianella callicarpa Swamp Flax-lily r 2005 Dense heathland and woodlands often in waterlogged sites.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record Dipodium pardalinum Spotted Hyacinth-orchid r 1994 Scattered in higher rainfall parts of western Victoria. Diuris behrii Golden Cowslips v 1991 Grasslands, open grassy woodlands and Box Ironbark Forests. Diuris palustris Swamp Diuris v L 2006 Grasslands and open woodlands, often in swampy depressions; confined to the west of the State.

Eucalyptus diversifolia Coast Gum v 2004 Restricted to the Cape Nelson area in subsp. megacarpa Victoria. Eucalyptus falciformis Western Peppermint r 2016 Sandy soils in forest, woodland or heath communities on hillslopes and plains. Eucalyptus kitsoniana Bog Gum r 2011 Damp alluvial soils or boggy flats. Eucalyptus leucoxylon Large-fruit Yellow-gum e L 2012 Coastal, near Nelson. subsp. megalocarpa Eucalyptus ovata subsp. West-coast Swamp-gum r 1986 Swampy flats and poorly drained soils, grandiflora less commonly on slightly higher, undulating sites with gravelly clay soils.

Eucalyptus sabulosa Wimmera Scentbark r 1980 Sandy soils west of the Grampians to the Little Desert and south west to Cavendish. Eucalyptus splendens Apple Jack e 2014 Known only from near Mt Richmond. Euphrasia collina subsp. Purple Eyebright r 1770 In Victoria largely confined to sandy tetragona mallee-heaths of the Big and Little Deserts, isolated records from the lower Glenelg River area and Wilsons Promontory requiring confirmation.

Euphrasia scabra Rough Eyebright e L 1936 Grassy woodlands and clearings in subalpine woodlands or sclerophyll forests.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record Exocarpos syrticola Coast Ballart r 2016 Calcareous sands of coastal dunes and cliffs. Semi-parasitic on the roots of nearby plants.

Galium compactum Compact Bedstraw r 2015 Sandy soils of coastal and near-coastal environments. Galium curvihirtum Tight Bedstraw r 2006 Moist, shaded sites in open-forest and woodland. Geranium solanderi var. Austral Crane's-bill v 1946 Grasslands or grassy woodlands where solanderi s.s. hydrology is not a limiting factor. Goodenia lineata Grampians Goodenia r 1983 Heathland on sandy soils. Goodia pubescens Silky Golden-tip r 1980 Wet and dry sclerophyll forests. Gratiola pumilo Dwarf Brooklime r 2016 Seasonally inundated depressions, typically river flats and lake margins, on alluvial soils.

Grevillea micrantha Small-flower Grevillea r 2010 Poor stony soils in mallee or Ironbark woodlands. Haloragis myriocarpa Prickly Raspwort v 1985 confined to the west between Little Desert and Portland where it grows in wet habitats.

Hibbertia pallidiflora Pale Guinea-flower r 2010 Coastal heath and mallee vegetation in SW Victoria. Hydrorchis orbicularis Swamp Onion-orchid v 1990 This semi-aquatic species often flowers in shallow water around the margins of swamps. It occurs in south-west Victoria (e.g. Portland, Grampians, Little Desert) and east of Melbourne on French Island, Wonthaggi area (where possibly now extinct) and Wilsons Promontory.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record Isolepis wakefieldiana Tufted Club-sedge r 1999 Scattered in cooler areas. Lachnagrostis punicea Purple Blown-grass r L 1991 Predominantly grassland, but occasionally subsp. filifolia observed in woodland communities in saline depressions of the volcanic plain.

Lachnagrostis rudis subsp. Rough Blown-grass r 2008 Uncommon, occurs in moist, shaded rudis forests and swamp margins near the coast.

Lasiopetalum schulzenii Drooping Velvet-bush r 2009 Confined to clifftop and dune woodland and heathland, favouring sandy soils derived from limestone.

Lepidium desvauxii Bushy Peppercress r 1946 On coastal dunes in far south-west of the state and south Gippsland. Lepidium foliosum Leafy Peppercress v 1960 Found on coastal islands and less commonly on the mainland coast. Lepidosperma canescens Hoary Rapier-sedge r 1999 Sandy heaths and woodland. Levenhookia sonderi Slender Stylewort r 1980 Lowland areas in seasonally damp grounds and drying swamps. Lobelia beaugleholei Showy Lobelia r 2016 Black loamy soils (rarely red clays) on waterlogged sites near swamps and other wetlands.

Logania ovata Oval-leaf Logania r 2009 Woodlands on rocky, calcareous soils, often near coast but not on beach sands. Lomandra micrantha Small-flower Mat-rush r 1984 Dry sclerophyll forest chiefly in the subsp. tuberculata Grampians and Highlands. Melaleuca armillaris Giant Honey-myrtle r 2012 Near coastal heath/scrub, rocky coast and subsp. armillaris foothill outcrops.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record Melaleuca halmaturorum Salt Paperbark v L 2012 In Victoria mostly fringing salt lakes in the north-west (where becoming rare), with an isolated near-coastal occurrence on saline ground at Tyrendarra, near Portland. Microlepidium pilosulum Hairy Shepherd's Purse e 1980 Primarily near-coastal sites west of Cape Otway, usually associated with saltmarsh vegetation.

Olearia asterotricha Rough Daisy-bush r 2011 Moist forests and swampy heathlands. Olearia passerinoides Shiny Daisy-bush e L 1891 Rare, restricted in Victoria to a single subsp. glutescens population near Inglewood, growing at the edges of Box-Ironbark forest dominated by Eucalyptus leucoxylon and E. microcarpa.

Ornduffia umbricola var. Lax Marsh-flower v 1966 Known in Victoria only from swampland umbricola at Bridgewater Lakes, near Casterton and at Lake Fyans.

Orthrosanthus multiflorus Morning Flag r 2014 Heathland communities. Picris squarrosa Squat Picris r 1770 Usually found on coastal sand-dunes or in alluvial soils on river banks and floodplains, mainly at low altitudes.

Pimelea hewardiana Forked Rice-flower r 2016 Rocky ground in gullies and mallee shrubland; only recorded in the western half of the State.

Pneumatopteris pennigera Lime Fern e 2010 Rare in Victoria, confined to the lower tract of the Glenelg River and its tributaries, and stream banks near Port Campbell. It grows on damp limestone or calcareous soils.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record Poa billardierei Coast Fescue r 2007 Coastal dunes. Poa fax Scaly Poa r 1980 Mostly confined to dune mallee and gypsum plains in the northwest, with a few occurrences from near-coastal sands around Nelson and Port Fairy in the far south-west.

Poa halmaturina Dwarf Coast Poa v 2016 Known in Victoria from near Cape Bridgewater and Port Fairy in the far south-west and occurring on coastal calcareous sands, usually overlying dune limestone or sometimes basalt.

Poa poiformis var. ramifer Dune Poa r 2007 Scattered areas along the coast. Pomaderris halmaturina Glenelg Pomaderris r 2011 Occasional along the lower Glenelg river subsp. continentis in the far south-west of Victoria where occurring on limestone-derived and alluvial soils, with a disjunct easterly occurrence near Torquay. Usually growing in shrubland or shrubby open-forest.

Prasophyllum lindleyanum Green Leek-orchid v I 1958 Fertile soils in woodland or scrubby heath. Prasophyllum litorale Coastal Leek-orchid v L 2016 Coastal scrub and heath on sand hills or headlands, in sand over moisture- retentive clays.

Prasophyllum Marsh Leek-orchid e L 1983 Snow plains in grassy alpine heath, niphopedium usually near watercourses. Prasophyllum parviflorum Slender Leek-orchid v I 1980 Coastal heaths. Prasophyllum pyriforme Silurian Leek-orchid e 1958 Dry foothill forest with shrubby s.s. understorey.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record Prasophyllum sp. aff. White Leek-orchid v 2008 Wide range of habitats. odoratum C Pterostylis cucullata Leafy Greenhood e L 2001 Protected areas of stabilised coastal sand subsp. cucullata dunes within scrub communities with an open ground layer; occasionally in Coastal Manna Gum woodland.

Pterostylis dolichochila Long-tongue Shell-orchid r 2006 Often growing under Mallee-scrub or Callitris gracilis - Eucalyptus leucoxylon woodland on well-drained sandy soil.

Pterostylis lustra Small Sickle Greenhood e L 2014 In shaded, damp to wet areas along stream banks, in wet soaks and swamps. Pterostylis X ingens Sharp Greenhood r 1991 Moist areas in open forest. Pultenaea canaliculata Coast Bush-pea r 1999 Coastal dunes and limestone cliffs. Pultenaea prolifera Otway Bush-pea r 1983 Restricted to eastern Victoria in dry or moist forests. Roepera billardierei Coast Twin-leaf r 1982 Dunes and limestone cliffs in scrubby vegetation. Salsola tragus subsp. Coast Saltwort r 1980 Saline, coastal environments. pontica Scaevola calendulacea Dune Fan-flower v 2007 Scattered and uncommon in Victoria. Mainly found on coastal dunes between the mouth of the Glenelg River and Gabo Island, often forming low hummocks through accretion of windblown sand.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record Schoenus carsei Wiry Bog-sedge r 1991 Scattered but uncommon in Victoria, where known from damp heaths in the far south-west near Portland, the Victoria Valley in the Grampians and disjunct occurrences in the Gembrook-Tonimbuk area and Wilsons Promontory.

Schoenus deformis Small Bog-sedge v 1975 Coastal mallee on sandy soils near Cape Nelson. Senecio hispidissimus Sand Fireweed r 2006 Grows in sandy soil in heathlands, woodlands and shrublands in lowland areas of Western Victoria south from Little Desert and east to the Grampians with a disjunct occurrence at Wilson’s Promontory.

Sporadanthus tasmanicus Branching Scale-rush r 1992 Restricted to the Grampians and the south-west, occurs mainly in swampy heathland, at swamp margins and along rocky margins of watercourses.

Thelionema umbellatum Clustered Lily r 1950 Sandy, often poorly drained soils of heathy woodlands and heathlands. Thelymitra azurea Azure Sun-orchid v 2012 Widespread but uncommon in mallee scrublands, heathy woodlands and heathland on deep sand, sandy loam or peaty soils around swamp margins.

Thelymitra benthamiana Blotched Sun-orchid v 2006 Found mostly in heathland, heathy woodlands and open forests on well- drained sand and clay loams.

Scientific name Common name Conservation Most recent Other Habitat description status database records EPBC VIC FFG record Thelymitra hiemalis Winter Sun-orchid e L 2010 Brown Stringybark Eucalyptus baxteri or Promontory Peppermint E. willisii woodland, typically with a heathy understorey.

Thelymitra inflata Inflated Sun-orchid v 1981 Seasonally wet sites in woodlands and forest, often in disturbed areas. Thelymitra mucida Plum Orchid v 1980 Grows in moist depressions and around swamp margins, under dense scrubland, heathy woodland or heathland on peaty sand that remains moist for most of the year.

Thelymitra X macmillanii Crimson Sun-orchid v 1938 The habitat requirements of this species are poorly known. Triglochin mucronata Prickly Arrowgrass r 1980 Herbfields on damp saline soils of salt flats and coastal saltmarshes. Veronica hillebrandii Coast Speedwell v 2009 Rare in Victoria, confined to coastal shrubland, in sand over dune limestone. Viola seppeltiana Tiny Violet r 1989 Lowland heaths, and alpine heathlands and grassland. Wurmbea uniflora One-flower Early Nancy r 2006 Moist, heathy lowland environments. Xanthorrhoea caespitosa Tufted Grass-tree r 2012 Sandy and sometimes rocky soils in mallee and heathland communities. Xanthosia leiophylla Parsley Xanthosia r 1996 Sandy heathland and heathy woodland. Xanthosia tasmanica Southern Xanthosia r 2011 Occurring mainly in coastal areas in heath on sand. .

Appendix 2 Fauna

The following abbreviations and symbols are relevant to this Appendix:

Code Meaning Reference National listings (EPBC Act) EX Extinct CR Critically endangered EN Endangered VU Vulnerable Commonwealth Environment Protection and NT Near threatened Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) CD Conservation dependent PMST Protected Matters Search Tool State listings (FFG Act and Advisory List) L Listed as threatened N Nominated for listing as threatened Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 I Determined ineligible for listing (FFG Act) D Delisted ex Extinct rx Regionally extinct ew Extinct in the wild cr Critically endangered DELWP's Advisory Lists of Threatened Fauna in en Endangered Victoria (DSE 2009; DSE 2013) vu Vulnerable nt Near threatened dd Data deficient Pest animal status (CaLP Act) Victorian Catchment and Land Protection Act PS Declared pest animal 1994 (CaLP Act) Other * Introduced species Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA)

A2.1 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 VBA and PMST (accessed on 25 June 2020). Where years are specified for the most recent database records, these refer to records from the VBA unless otherwise specified. Where no year is specified, the PMST has predicted that the species has potential to occur.

Table A2.1 Listed fauna species recorded or predicted to occur within 10 km of the study area

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

National significance Leipoa ocellata Malleefowl VU en L 1991 Records are outside accepted range in mallee environments.

Pedionomus torquatus Plains-wanderer CR cr L 1972 PMST Native grassland with a sparse, open structure.

Rostratula australis Australian Painted-snipe EN cr L 2005 PMST Shallows of well-vegetated freshwater wetlands.

Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern EN en L 2010 PMST Yes Shallow freshwater and brackish wetlands with abundant emergent aquatic vegetation.

Calyptorhynchus banksii Red-tailed Black- EN en L 2014 PMST Desert Stringybark, Brown Stringybark graptogyne Cockatoo and Buloke woodlands. (south-eastern)

Neophema chrysogaster Orange-bellied Parrot CR cr L 2000 PMST Yes Coastal vegetation including saltmarshes, dunes, pastures, shrublands, sewage plants, saltworks, islands, and beaches.

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot CR en L 2011 PMST A range of forests and woodlands, especially those supporting nectar- producing tree species. Also well-treed urban areas.

Pezoporus occidentalis Night Parrot EN rx PMST Low vegetation in arid and semi-arid areas dominated by Triodia spp., chenopod, and samphire shrublands.

Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated VU vu L 2011 PMST Yes An almost exclusively aerial species Needletail within Australia, occurring over most types of habitat, particularly wooded areas. Sternula nereis Fairy Tern VU en L 2012 PMST Fairy Terns inhabit coastal environments including intertidal mudflats, sand flats and beaches. Nests above high-water mark on sandy shell-grit beaches.

Thinornis cucullatus cucullatus Hooded Plover (eastern) VU vu L 2011 PMST Yes Sandy ocean beaches, estuaries and inland lakes.

Charadrius leschenaultii Greater Sand Plover VU cr 1979 Intertidal mudflats and sandbanks of sheltered bays and estuaries.

Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew CR vu L 2005 PMST Large intertidal sandflats, banks, mudflats, estuaries, inlets, sewage farms, saltworks, harbours, coastal lagoons and bays.

Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit VU 2012 PMST Yes Estuarine mudflats, beaches and mangroves.

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper CR en L 2006 PMST Large intertidal sandflats, banks, mudflats, estuaries, inlets, sewage farms, saltworks, harbours, coastal lagoons and bays.

Calidris canutus Red Knot EN en 2001 PMST Large intertidal sandflats, banks, mudflats, estuaries, inlets, sewage farms, saltworks, harbours, coastal lagoons and bays.

Calidris tenuirostris Great Knot CR en L 2012 Large intertidal sandflats, banks, mudflats, estuaries, inlets, sewage farms, saltworks, harbours, coastal lagoons and bays.

Anthochaera phrygia Regent Honeyeater CR cr L 1958 A range of dry woodlands and forests dominated by nectar-producing tree species.

Potorous tridactylus tridactylus Long-nosed Potoroo (SE VU nt L 2014 PMST Forest, heathy woodlands and mainland) heathlands.

Dasyurus maculatus maculatus Spot-tailed Quoll EN en L 2008 PMST Rainforest and wet and dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands.

Antechinus minimus maritimus Swamp Antechinus VU nt L 2007 PMST Dense wet heath and heathy woodland, sedgeland and dense tussock grassland.

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

Pseudomys fumeus Smoky Mouse EN en L 2005 PMST Coastal heath and heathy woodland, wet forest, sub-alpine heath and dry sclerophyll forest.

Pseudomys shortridgei Heath Mouse EN nt L 2010 PMST Lowand heathland and heathy sclerophyll forest.

Isoodon obesulus obesulus Southern Brown EN nt L 2014 PMST Heathland, shrubland, sedgeland, heathy Bandicoot open forest and woodland; also exotic vegetation, such as blackberry thickets and rank grasses where native vegetation has been removed.

Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying-fox VU vu L 2013 PMST Rainforest, wet and dry sclerophyll forest, woodland and urban areas. Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii Common Bent-wing Bat CR e L 2000 PMST Yes Breeds and roosts in caves and rock (southern ssp.) crevices; forages widely over various treed environments.

Litoria raniformis Growling Grass Frog VU en L 2002 PMST Still or slow-flowing waterbodies and surrounding terrestrial vegetation.

Prototroctes maraena Australian Grayling VU vu L PMST Adults inhabit cool, clear, freshwater streams. Galaxiella toourtkoourt (listed Little Galaxias (listed as VU en L 2010 Shallow lakes, billabongs, small creeks. as G. pusilla) Dwarf Galaxias) Nannoperca obscura Yarra Pygmy Perch VU vu L 2015 PMST Lakes, pools and slow-flowing streams with abundant aquatic vegetation.

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

Nannoperca variegata Variegated Pygmy Perch VU vu L 2001 PMST Shallow freshwater streams with moderate to high water flow and a high cover of aquatic vegetation.

Euastacus bispinosus Glenelg Spiny Crayfish EN en L 2016 PMST Cool, shaded, flowing areas of rivers and streams, which have intact riparian vegetation and high water quality.

Hyridella glenelgensis Glenelg Freshwater CR cr L 2015 Freshwater streams with coarse sandy Mussel substrates, instream debris and overhanging riparian vegetation.

State significance Dromaius novaehollandiae Emu nt 2015 Yes Most environments from semi-arid grasslands to dense forests and alpine areas, moving in response to seasonal conditions.

Synoicus chinensis King Quail en L 1990 Swampy grassland, sedgeland and heathland. Turnix velox Little Button-quail nt 1980 Dense grasslands, grassy woodlands and the margins of wetlands as well as modified habitats including pastures, crop and stubble.

Geopelia cuneata Diamond Dove nt L 1938 Drier woodlands and scrub, spinifex and mulga. Lewinia pectoralis Lewin's Rail vu L 2011 Swamps, dense riparian vegetation and saltmarsh.

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

Porzana pusilla Baillon's Crake vu L 2005 Vegetated wetlands including swamps, billabongs, lakes and temporarily inundated areas.

Phalacrocorax fuscescens Black-faced Cormorant nt 2017 Yes Marine and estuarine habitats and forages over inshore waters and reefs. Phalacrocorax varius Pied Cormorant nt 2012 Marine and coastal waters including beaches also lakes and billabongs.

Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe nt 2011 PMST Wide variety of permanent and ephemeral wetlands.

Burhinus grallarius Bush Stone-curlew en L 1978 Open woodland, treed farmland.

Antigone rubicunda Brolga vu L 2011 Yes Shallow freshwater and brackish wetlands, crops, grassland and pasture.

Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis nt 2008 Permanent and ephemeral wetlands.

Platalea regia Royal Spoonbill nt 2015 Permanent and ephemeral wetlands.

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

Egretta garzetta Little Egret en L 2012 Wide variety of permanent and emphemeral wetlands.

Ardea intermedia plumifera Intermediate Egret en L 2007 Yes Densely-vegetated freshwater wetlands including lakes, swamps and billabongs. Breeds in trees standing in water.

Ardea alba modesta Eastern Great Egret vu L 2013 Wide variety of permanent and emphemeral wetlands.

Nycticorax caledonicus Nankeen Night-Heron nt 2013 Estuarine and terrestrial wetlands.

Ixobrychus dubius Australian Little Bittern en L 1991 Freshwater swamps, lakes and rivers with dense reedbeds, saltmarsh and coastal lagoons.

Anseranas semipalmata Magpie Goose nt L 2011 PMST Swamps, lakes, sewage ponds, flooded pasture, dams.

Spatula rhynchotis Australasian Shoveler v 2011 Large, permanent lakes and swamps with deep water.

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

Stictonetta naevosa Freckled Duck en L 2008 Large freshwater wetlands, generally with dense vegetation.

Aythya australis Hardhead vu 2014 Yes Large, permanent lakes and swamps with deep water.

Oxyura australis Blue-billed Duck en L 2001 Open or densely vegetated wetlands.

Biziura lobata Musk Duck vu 2015 Yes Large, permanent lakes and swamps with deep water.

Circus assimilis Spotted Harrier nt 2006 Open and wooded country; occasional to coastal Victoria. Accipiter novaehollandiae Grey Goshawk vu L 2012 Rainforest, gallery forest, tall wet forest and woodland. Also partially cleared agricultural land.

Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle vu L 2012 PMST Yes Coastal areas such as beaches and estuaries, inland wetlands and major inland streams.

Lophoictinia isura Square-tailed Kite vu L 1978 Eucalypt woodlands, open forest and partially cleared farmland. Falco subniger Black Falcon vu L 2010 Woodlands, open country and around terrestrial wetlands areas.

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

Ninox connivens Barking Owl en L 2003 Open woodland forest habitats often where forests adjoin open land. Rare in SW Victoria.

Ninox strenua Powerful Owl vu L 2013 Eucalypt forests and woodlands, well- treed urban areas. Tyto novaehollandiae Masked Owl en L 2014 A variety of lowland forests and woodlands. Lophochroa leadbeateri Major Mitchell's vu L 1957 Mallee, mulga, treed farmland, cereal Cockatoo crops and Callitris woodland. Neophema elegans Elegant Parrot vu 2005 Woodlands, open woody grasslands, partially cleared farmlands and the fringes of clearings in forests, tree-lined watercourses and Mallee environments.

Pezoporus wallicus Ground Parrot en L 2001 Coastal heathland and swamps.

Ceyx azureus Azure Kingfisher nt 2013 Well-vegetated freshwater wetlands and slow-flowing rivers and creeks. Chrysococcyx osculans Black-eared Cuckoo nt 1978 PMST Open vegetation communities such as open eucalypt woodlands and shrublands in lower rainfall areas. In Victoria, mainly found north of the Great Dividing Range and in Western Victoria.

Chlidonias hybrida Whiskered Tern nt 2014 Breeding migrant to Australia from September to March. Wetlands with sedges, reeds and rushes.

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

Gelochelidon macrotarsa Australian Gull-billed en L 1999 Floodplains, saltmarsh, claypans and Tern flooded pasture.

Hydroprogne caspia Caspian Tern nt L 2013 Estuaries, inlets, bays, lagoons, inland lakes, flooded pasture, sewage ponds.

Sterna striata White-fronted Tern nt 2011 Regular migrant from March to October, where it can be found in Victoria's offshore waters, bays, reefs and Islands.

Sternula albifrons Little Tern vu L 2012 PMST Bays, lagoons and estuaries.

Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone vu 2002 PMST Mainly found on coastal beaches, exposed reefs, and rock platforms.

Haematopus fuliginosus Sooty Oystercatcher nt 2014 Rocky coastal shorelines, including cliff and reef areas, and sandy beaches between rocky headlands.

Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover en 2010 Mudflats, saltmarsh, tidal reefs and estuaries. Pluvialis fulva Pacific Golden Plover vu PMST A range of coastal habitats including mudflats, sandflats rocky shores and saltmarsh.

Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel v 1949 Coastal mudflats, sandy shores and rock platforms. Rarely recorded inland. Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper vu PMST Well-vegetated shallow freshwater wetlands with emergent aquatic plants and dense fringing vegetation.

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

Tringa brevipes Grey-tailed Tattler cr L 1980 Large intertidal sandflats, banks, mudflats, estuaries, inlets, sewage farms, saltworks, harbours, coastal lagoons and bays.

Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper vu 2015 PMST Coastal and inland wetlands with muddy margins. Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank vu 2015 PMST Yes A variety of ephemeral and permanent inland wetlands and sheltered coastal wetlands.

Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper vu 2003 PMST Permanent or ephemeral wetlands, mudflats and saltmarshes in coastal and inland environments.

Xenus cinereus Terek Sandpiper en L 2000 Large intertidal sandflats, banks, mudflats, estuaries, inlets, sewage farms, saltworks, harbours, coastal lagoons and bays.

Calidris alba Sanderling nt 2015 PMST Yes Sandy beaches, particularly among piles of seaweed. Calidris melanotos Pectoral Sandpiper nt 2006 PMST Large intertidal sandflats, estuaries, inlets and bays. Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit vu 2006 Estuarine mudflats, beaches and mangroves.

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

Larus pacificus Pacific Gull nt 2014 Yes Coastal bays, estuaries and lagoons. May occur up to 10 kms inland at wetlands.

Melanodryas cucullata Hooded Robin nt L 1998 Woodlands of eucalypt, Mallee, semi- cleared farmland. Coracina maxima Ground Cuckoo-shrike vu L 1957 Open woodland, farmland, mulga, spinifex with scattered trees. Cinclosoma punctatum Spotted Quail-thrush nt 2013 Dry forests, woodlands and scrub.

Pomatostomus temporalis Grey-crowned Babbler en L 1938 Open forests and woodlands. Calamanthus pyrrhopygius Chestnut-rumped vu L 1980 Woodland habitat with a dense, shrubby Heathwren understorey. Pyrrholaemus sagittatus Speckled Warbler vu L 1940 Open forest and Box Ironbark Woodlands, with scattered shrubs. Stagonopleura guttata Diamond Firetail nt L 1998 Open forests and woodlands with a grassy understory. Dasyornis broadbenti Rufous Bristlebird nt L 2015 Yes Dense coastal heathlands and broadbenti (Coorong) undergrowth of wet forests.

Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper nt 2012 Open eucalypt forests, woodlands and mallee. Sminthopsis murina murina Common Dunnart v 1962 Dry sclerophyll forest; open woodlands; mallee heath with high rock and crevice density.

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

Sminthopsis leucopus White-footed Dunnart nt L 1978 Lowland heathy woodland and forest, coastal scrub and coastal grasslands. Cercartetus nanus Eastern Pygmy-possum nt I 2014 Subalpine woodland, wet forest, Box Ironbark Forest, coast scrub, heathy woodland.

Thylogale billardierii Rufous-bellied rx L 1980 Extinct on the mainland, occurs in Pademelon Tasmania. Rainforest and wet forest is the preferred habitat, although wet gullies in dry open eucalypt forest are also used. Myotis macropus Southern Myotis nt 2004 Yes Generally roosts in caves, tunnels and tree hollows and feeds over water bodies, with most Victorian records associated with wetlands or waterways.

Aprasia striolata Striped Worm-Lizard nt L 2010 Yes Open woodlands and heathlands with abundant leaf litter on loamy soils.

Pogona barbata Bearded Dragon v 2014 Woodlands, forests and heathlands with abundant cover of course woody debris. Lissolepis coventryi Swamp Skink vu L 2009 Densely vegetated swamps and associated watercourses, and adjacent wet heaths, sedgelands and saltmarshes.

Hemiergis peronii Four-toed Skink nt 2006 Yes Found in forest and woodlands in coastal and subcoastal areas.

Scientific name Common name Conservation status Most recent Other Recorded Habitat description EPBC VIC FFG database records during record current study

Pseudophryne semimarmorata Southern Toadlet v 2011 Moist soaks and depressions in open forests, lowland woodlands and heathlands.

Hemiphlebia mirabilis Ancient Greenling en L 2008 Permanent freshwater ponds, riverine Damselfly lagoons and swamps that may seasonally dry out.

Ogyris halmaturia Large Bronze Azure rx L 1872 Relatively open habitats within heathland Butterfly and mallee-heath communities on light or sandy soils.

Hygrobia australasiae Squeak beetle vu L 1973 Still and ephemeral freshwater habitats, with coarse and sandy substrates. Engaeus strictifrons Portland Burrowing v 2014 Creeks, swamps, and in drainage Crayfish channels. Most often in soils with heavy clay component.

Geocharax falcata Western Bush Yabby e 1999 Permanent swamps or creeks and drains connected to swamps.

A2.2 Migratory species (EPBC Act listed)

Table A2.2 Migratory fauna species recorded or predicted to occur within 5 km of the study area

Scientific name Common name Most recent record

Gallinago megala Swinhoe's Snipe PMST

Gallinago stenura Pin-tailed Snipe PMST

Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe 2011

Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis 2008

Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail 2011

Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift 2007

Pandion haliaetus Osprey PMST

Ardenna grisea Sooty Shearwater PMST

Ardenna tenuirostris Short-tailed Shearwater 2014

Ardenna carneipes Flesh-footed Shearwater PMST

Diomedea exulans Wandering Albatross 1985

Thalassarche melanophris Black-browed Albatross 2009

Thalassarche carteri Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 1981

Thalassarche chrysostoma Grey-headed Albatross 2011

Thalassarche cauta Shy Albatross 2013

Phoebetria fusca Sooty Albatross 2013

Phoebetria palpebrata Light-mantled Sooty Albatross 1980

Stercorarius parasiticus Arctic Jaeger 2006

Macronectes giganteus Southern Giant-Petrel 2011

Thalassarche bulleri Buller's Albatross PMST

Macronectes halli Northern Giant-Petrel 1981

Sterna hirundo Common Tern 2011

Diomedea epomophora Southern Royal Albatross 1986

Diomedea sanfordi Northern Royal Albatross PMST

Diomedea antipodensis New Zealand Wandering PMST Albatross

Thalassarche salvini Salvin's Albatross PMST

Thalassarche steadi White-capped Albatross PMST

Scientific name Common name Most recent record

Thalassarche impavida Campbell Albatross PMST

Hydroprogne caspia Caspian Tern 2013

Thalasseus bergii Crested Tern 2015

Sternula albifrons Little Tern 2012

Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone 2002

Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover 2010

Pluvialis fulva Pacific Golden Plover PMST

Charadrius bicinctus Double-banded Plover 2015

Charadrius leschenaultii Greater Sand Plover 1979

Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew 2005

Numenius minutus Little Curlew PMST

Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit 2012

Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper PMST

Tringa brevipes Grey-tailed Tattler 1980

Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper 2015

Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank 2015

Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper 2003

Xenus cinereus Terek Sandpiper 2000

Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper 2006

Calidris ruficollis Red-necked Stint 2015

Calidris acuminata Sharp-tailed Sandpiper 2014

Calidris canutus Red Knot 2001

Calidris tenuirostris Great Knot 2012

Calidris alba Sanderling 2015

Calidris melanotos Pectoral Sandpiper 2006

Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit 2006

Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail PMST

Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail 2012

Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher 2012

Appendix 3 Photos of the study area

Photo 1 Mature Pine plantation

Photo 2 Young Pine plantation

Photo 3 Recently cleared and re-established plantation

Photo 4 Pine plantation showing understorey colonised by sedges Lepidosperma spp.

Photo 5 Internal access track through Pine plantation

Photo 6 Native vegetation along Johnsons Road, looking south

Photo 7 Small patch of remnant vegetation within the Pine Plantation area

Photo 8 Remnant tree (Drooping Sheoak Allocasuarina verticillata) within the Pine Plantation area

Photo 9 Farmland dominated by introduced pasture species

Photo 10 Farmland area with vegetated dunes (Coastal Alkaline Scrub) in the background

Photo 11 Farmland in the eastern section of the wind farm area

Photo 12 Blue-gum plantation in the eastern portion of the project area

Photo 13 Potential underground grid route beneath Boiler Swamp Road. Lowland Forest EVC.

Photo 14 Potential underground grid route beneath Boiler Swamp Road. Sedgy Riparian Woodland EVC.

Photo 15 Farmland along the overhead grid route option

Photo 16 Vegetated road reserve to be spanned by the potential overhead grid route

Appendix 4 Survey program

This appendix provides a summary of the flora and fauna survey program. This report provides findings of surveys completed prior to the end of June 2020. The report also includes results of preliminary studies, prior to 2020 and incidental findings of species recorded during surveys.

A4.1 Summary of fauna survey program

Survey Bats incl. Point Shorebirds Listed Orange- Brolga Listed Bittern, Striped type Southern counts incl. all terrestrial bellied owls Rufous Worm- Bent- for all listed mammals Parrot Bristlebird, lizard & wing Bat birds species Ground listed Parrot & skink Growling species Grass Frog

Studies included in this report Jan-20 Feb-20 Mar-20 Apr-20 May-20 Jun-20 Studies to be completed Jul-20 Aug-20 Sep-20 Oct-20 Nov-20 Dec-20

A4.1 Summary of flora survey program

Survey Flora survey and Winter Early Late Early Vegetation quality type vegetation mapping flora spring spring summer assessment flora flora flora Studies included in this report Mar-20 Apr-20 May-20 Jun-20 Jul-20 Studies to be completed Aug-20 Sep-20 Oct-20 Nov-20 Dec-20

Appendix 5 Map figures

Figure 1 Location of the study area

Figure 2 Southern Bent Wing Bat acoustic survey locations

Figure 3 Orange-bellied Parrot records and survey effort

Figure 4 Australasian Bittern Records

Figure 5 VBA aquatic species records

Figure 6 Biosis brolga observations and flight paths 2018-2020

Figure 7 Growling Grass Frog Records

Figure 8 VBA brolga records

Figure 9 Ground Parrot Records

Figure 10 Rufous Bristlebird records

Figure 11 Threatened reptile records and survey locations

Figure 12 Red-tailed Black Cockatoo records

Figure 13 Listed shorebirds, gulls and terns recorded in Biosis 2020 surveys

Figure 14 Listed threatened shorebirds, gulls and terns

Figure 15 Non-listed threatened shorebirds, gulls and terns

Figure 16 Threatened owl records

Figure 17 White-throated Needletail records

Figure 18 Nationally significant flora records listed as endangered on the EPBC register

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Figure 19 State significant flora records listed on the FFG Act list

Figure 20 Bird utilisation survey sites

Figure 21 Native vegetation location risk

Figure 22 NVR strategic biodiversity scores

Figure 23 Listed threatened mammal records

Figure 24 Listed threatened waterbird records

Figure 25 Locations of mammal camera traps