Appendix a – Site Surveys 40

Home , Athrotaxis cupressoides, Baeckea gunniana, Leptospermum rupestre, Orites acicularis, Orites revolutus, Poa gunnii

Walls of Jerusalem National Park Recreation Zone Plan Implementation Project

NATURAL VALUES ASSESSMENT

4 April 2019

For Parks and Wildlife, Tasmania (PWS013)

Andrew North [email protected] Philip Barker [email protected] 163 Campbell Street Hobart TAS 7000 Telephone 03. 6231 9788 Facsimile 03. 6231 9877

Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Solomons Throne from unnamed tarn near Dixons Kingdom Camp

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment Summary Background The Walls of Jerusalem National Park - Recreation Zone Plan 2013 recommends infrastructure improvements to camping sites and walking tracks to accommodate growth in visitation to the Walls of Jerusalem National Park. The Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service have identified four implementation projects:  Lake Adelaide - formalised campsite set back from the lake including toilets.  Wild Dog Creek – Additional set of tent platforms.  Dixons Kingdom - formalised campsite to the southwest of the existing cabin with platforms and toilets plus new tracks linking to the Walls of Jerusalem Track and to Dixons Kingdom hut.  Dixons Kingdom to Lake Ball, Jaffa Vale – track realignment and upgrade. Vegetation There are five listed threatened native vegetation communities (Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002) within or in close proximity to the proposed developments.  Highland Poa grassland (GPH)  Highland grassy sedgeland (MGH)  Sphagnum peatland (ASP)  Athrotaxis cupressoides open woodland (RPW)  Athrotaxis cupressoides rainforest (RPP) Sphagnum peatland equates to the nationally listed ecological community Alpine sphagnum bogs and associated fens. The total extent of vegetation impacted is approximately 3000 sqm. Much of this will not be entirely removed but will be modified in some way through branch and shrub removal for tracks, or smothering or shading from boardwalks, bridges, toilets and tent platforms. Threatened communities will be impacted and cannot be entirely avoided. However, any losses are mitigated by the areas of currently disturbed vegetation in inappropriately located informal tracks and camping sites that will better regulated through the formalisation of these facilities. The extent of impact to the Alpine sphagnum bogs and associated fens is not considered to be significant and so will not trigger the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Threatened Flora Two threatened flora species were recorded:  spreading daisy Brachyscome radicata (TSPA rare)  alpine violet Viola cunninghamii (TSPA rare) Due to the season of survey whereby flowering was finished it is possible that both species may be more widespread than mapped. They are both located in grassy vegetation near Dixons Kingdom. Although not present in the camping area they were both recorded in close proximity to the northern access track western option. The Viola may also occur in the eastern option.

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North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment Threatened Fauna Evidence of activity of Tasmanian devils was observed in Jaffa Vale and it is very likely that this and two other vertebrate carnivore species (spotted-tail quoll and eastern quoll) are wide ranging throughout the study area. There is nothing to suggest that any disturbance to significant habitat features will result. Although dens may be present in the vicinity that could result in temporary disturbances impacts to any threatened fauna that may utilise habitat in the area is unlikely to be significant. Significant Weeds Plant Pathogens – Phytophthora cinnamomi (PC) No significant or declared weeds were recorded. No symptomatic evidence of PC was observed. The area is outside the altitudinal range of PC Impact Assessment The proposed works will have minor impact to native vegetation including some threatened vegetation communities. It may also affect two threatened flora species abut is unlikely to impact upon the breeding success of threatened fauna. Impact to the most sensitive vegetation community Sphagnum peatland (ASP) can be minimised by utilising appropriate infrastructure to limit trampling. The proposed developments can comply with the Meander Valley Interim Planning Scheme 2013. .

Acknowledgments

Field work and photographs: Andrew North Report: Andrew North, NBES Mapping: Linda Drummond, NBES

Acknowledgements: Daniel Johansson; PWS, Client contact

North Barker Ecosystem Services, 2019. This work is protected under Australian Copyright law. The contents and format of this report cannot be used by anyone for any purpose other than that expressed in the service contract for this report without the written permission of North Barker- Ecosystem Services.

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION AND METHODS 1 1.1 Background ...... 1 1.2 Study Area and Methods ...... 2 1.2.1 Study Area ...... 2 1.2.2 Geoconservation...... 2 1.2.3 Landscape ...... 2 1.2.4 Water Quality ...... 3 1.2.5 Field survey ...... 4 1.2.6 Limitations ...... 4

2. RESULTS – BIOLOGICAL VALUES 6 2.1 Vegetation ...... 6 2.1.1 TASVEG communities ...... 6 2.1.2 RFA priority communities ...... 7 2.1.3 Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens...... 7 2.1.4 Lake Adelaide Camp ...... 8 2.1.5 Wild Dog Creek ...... 10 2.1.6 Dixons Kingdom ...... 12 2.1.7 Lake Ball Track ...... 124 2.2 Plant Species of Conservation Significance ...... 18 2.2.1 Previous records from vicinity ...... 18 2.2.2 Current Survey ...... 19 2.2.3 Significant / Sensitive Species ...... 20 2.2.4 WHA flora values ...... 21 2.3 Introduced plants ...... 21 2.4 Plant Pathogens ...... 21 2.5 Fauna Species of Conservation Significance ...... 22 2.5.1 Threatened Mammals ...... 22 2.5.2 Threatened Birds ...... 23 2.5.3 Other threatened or migratory species ...... 24 2.5.4 WHA Fauna Values ...... 25

3. SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO NATURAL VALUES 26 3.1 Lake Adelaide Camp ...... 26 3.2 Wild Dog Creek camp extension ...... 27 3.3 Dixons Kingdom ...... 28 3.4 Lake Ball Track ...... 30

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment 3.5 Vegetation Loss ...... 31

4. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AVOIDANCE, COMPLIANCE AND MITIGATION 35 4.1 General ...... 35 4.2 Threatened – Significant Vegetation Communities ...... 35 4.3 Threatened - Significant Flora ...... 35 4.4 Threatened Fauna – Significant Fauna ...... 35 4.5 Weeds and Pathogens ...... 36

5. LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS 36 5.1 Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ...... 36 5.2 Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 ...... 37 5.3 Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999 ...... 37 5.4 Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002 ...... 37 5.5 Meander Valley Interim Planning Scheme 2013 ...... 37 5.5.1 Environmental Management Zone ...... 37 5.5.2 Biodiversity Code ...... 38

6. REFERENCES 39

APPENDIX A – SITE SURVEYS 40

APPENDIX B - VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES 43

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment 1. Introduction and Methods

1.1 Background The Walls of Jerusalem National Park - Recreation Zone Plan 2013 identifies a number of infrastructure improvements to camping sites and walking tracks to accommodate growth in visitation to the Walls of Jerusalem NP and an increasing popularity of the Lake Adelaide – Lake Ball - Central Walls circular walk. Proposed works include:  Lake Adelaide - formalised campsite set back from the lake including toilets.  Wild Dog Creek – Additional set of tent platforms.  Dixons Kingdom - formalised campsite to the southwest of the existing cabin with platforms and toilets plus new tracks linking to the Walls of Jerusalem Track and to Dixons Kingdom hut.  Dixons Kingdom to Lake Ball, Jaffa Vale – track realignment and upgrade.

The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service have commissioned North Barker Ecosystem Services (NBES) to undertake the present survey of natural values to inform the Reserve Activity Assessment process for the works. The results will be used to determine potential impacts of the proposed works and any mitigation measures identified will be applied to minimise impacts on conservation significant values.

The project brief lists the following matters to be addressed in the report:

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment 1.2 Study Area and Methods

1.2.1 Study Area

The study area consists of four sections within the Walls of Jerusalem National Park which occupies an area of 51771 ha. Figures 1 and 2. These are located within the Central Highlands Bioregion and under the planning authority of the Meander Valley Council.

Table 1 summarises the physical attributes of each site.

Table 1: Study Area attributes

Site Altitude Geology Situation/ Aspect /slope

300m north of lake, in broad valley Lake Adelaide 1060m Quaternary gravel, shelter between stands of eucalypts clay and sand with views to the south across the lake, gently south facing.

Adjacent to Wild Dog Creek across Wild Dog Creek 1200m Jurassic dolerite main track from other platform sites in and adjacent to small clearing in dense scrub. North west facing.

Open pencil pine woodland at head Dixons Kingdom 1260- 1300m Jurassic dolerite of south west facing valley backed by south facing slopes forming base of The Temple. 300m southwest of Dixons Kingdom hut.

Route follows western slopes of Jaffa Dixons Kingdom to 1150-1260m Quaternary gravel, Vale before descending more steeply Lake Ball Track clay and sand through pencil pine and then skirting western edge of grasslands to the northern shore of Lake Ball.

1.2.2 Geoconservation

The study areas are all within the extensive Central Plateau Terrain, a large scale landform considered to be an “outstanding example of both a continental erosion surface and a passive margin horst block” considered of Global significance1.

The Dixons Kingdom and the Wild Dog Creek sites are also considered to be part of the Walls of Jerusalem Last Glacial Ice Window which is landscape of national significance.

The significant geoconservation sites are robust land scape scale and not impacted by site specific impacts associated with this project. None of the small-scale features that could be sensitive to localised disturbance are identified in the Natural Values Atlas report in vicinity of these sites.

1.2.3 Landscape

Analysis of landscape impacts is a specialist field. Generally exposed tent platform camps are visible from elevated sites. For example, the existing Wild Dog Creek site is visible from King Davids Peak. Additional tent platforms will not significantly affect what is already visible. The Lake Adelaide camp is not visible from any elevated sites and is not likely to be visible from the existing Lake Adelaide track. The site for the camping

1 Natural Value Atlas report 2019

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment infrastructure at Dixons Kingdom is largely obscured by the scattered pencil pine canopy. Infrastructure around the tarn will be visible from Solomons Throne and The Temple.

Figure 1: Location of Study Areas

1.2.4 Water Quality

The Lake Adelaide and Wild Dog Creek are within the upper catchment of the Mersey River and. Dixons Kingdom and Jaffa Vale are part of the Derwent River catchment.

Protected Environmental Values (PEVs) are set out under the State Policy on Water Quality Management 1997. PEVs include five categories of current uses and values including Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems; Recreational Water Quality and Aesthetics; Raw Water for Drinking Water Supply; Agricultural Water Uses; and Industrial Water Supply.

Relevant Protected Environmental Value reports include Mersey River Catchment and Upper Derwent River. These include high level goals for protecting water quality by setting pollutant limits and targets for waste water discharge to ensure Water Quality Objectives are achieved. They also categorise water ways in the catchments which for

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment all these sites are considered ‘pristine or near pristine ecosystems’ being headwaters within a National Park.

The extent of activity being relevant to the water quality is anticipated water gathering and washing of cooking equipment and bushwalkers and their equipment such as clothes and cooking equipment. Toilet facilities are to be provided at all sites which do not discharge into the catchment. Guidelines are provided to campers to avoid use of soaps and detergents.

The level of activities are not expected to impact on Protected Environmental Values (PEVs).

1.2.5 Field survey

Field work was undertaken on foot between the 6th and 8th March 2019. A nominal corridor of 10m was inspected for walking tracks and a broader reconnaissance of the surrounding vegetation was undertaken around the identified camping sites areas to anticipate possible adjustments.

Full natural values assessments were made for each vegetation community encountered involving detailed flora inventory, vegetation community classification and fauna habitat assessment.

The sites were assessed for vegetation community classification, suitability for threatened flora based on habitat and nearby threatened species. Declared and environmental weeds were considered, as was symptomatic evidence of plant disease or other derived dieback. Other notes were taken as appropriate.

Vegetation was mapped in accordance with units defined in TASVEG 3.02. It was noted that significant amendments to the TASVEG 3 mapping has been completed (refer TASVEG live on The List). This mapping layer for the study areas was used as a basis for mapping. Within each study area plant species lists were compiled from representative sections with additional species added as encountered.

For botanical nomenclature the census of Tasmanian plants 2017 was followed3.

Observations of habitat suitability for fauna, as well as direct or indirect indicators of presence (i.e. sightings, scats, tracks, dens, etcetera) were made concurrently. Disproportionate survey effort was applied to areas known to contain threatened values or considered likely to do so. Observations of elements that would later be mapped, including threatened or significant species (Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 [TSPA] and/ or the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 [EPBCA]) and their habitats, as well as particular environmental aspects were recorded with a handheld GPS.

1.2.6 Limitations Due to seasonal variations in detectability and identification, there may be some species present within the study area that have been overlooked. Many herbs and ephemeral species are not evident or are easily overlooked in autumn having completed their flowering period.

2 Kitchener and Harris 2013 3 de Salas and Baker 2017

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment To compensate for these limitations to some degree, data from the present survey are supplemented with data from the Tasmanian Natural Values Atlas4 (NVA). From this source, all threatened species known to occur in the local area are considered in terms of habitat suitability on site.

Figure 2: Location Infrastructure Projects in Walls of Jerusalem National Park

4 nvr_29-August-2017

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment 2. Results – Biological Values

2.1 Vegetation

2.1.1 TASVEG communities

The Natural Values Atlas reports present mapping showing various forest and non-forest highland vegetation communities including extensive occupancy of threatened communities. Applying the amendments brought about by remapping (as presented in Tasveg live) plus additional amendments from this project the full list of vegetation communities within the study areas are included in Table 1. Five of these communities are Threatened Native Vegetation Communities (TNVC) under the Nature Conservation Act 2002:  Highland Poa grassland (GPH)  Highland grassy sedgeland (MGH)  Sphagnum peatland (MSP)  Athrotaxis cupressoides open woodland (RPW)  Athrotaxis cupressoides rainforest (RPP)

Table 1. Vegetation communities recorded in the survey TASVEG communities Present

Eucalyptus coccifera forest and woodland Wild Dog Creek (DCO) Eucalyptus gunnii woodland (DGW) Lake Adelaide

(GPH) Highland Poa grassland Dixons Kingdom Jaffa Vale

(HHE) Eastern alpine heathland Wild Dog Creek Lake Adelaide

(HSE) Eastern alpine sedgeland Dixons Kingdom Lake Adelaide

(HHC) Alpine coniferous heathland Dixons Kingdom

(MGH)Highland grassy sedgeland Dixons Kingdom Lake Adelaide

(MSP) Sphagnum peatland Dixons Kingdom Lake Adelaide

(RPP) Athrotaxis cupressoides rainforest Dixons Kingdom Jaffa Vale

(RPW) Athrotaxis cupressoides open Dixons Kingdom woodland

The EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool lists one threatened ecological community as being known to occur within the study areas, Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens which is classified as endangered.

The vegetation mapping for TASVEG live was generally confirmed with some minor changes in boundaries although there were also some clear errors in forest mapping

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment and differences in interpretation with some non-forest mapping. A limitation with TASVEG is that the sphagnum peatland is treated as a stand-alone mapping unit when sphagnum can occur in association with many distinct TASVEG classifications in poorly drained sites, or high rainfall areas where wildfires have been excluded. Portions of a mapping unit of a TASVEG community where sphagnum exceeds 30% is required by TASVEG rules to be allocated to Sphagnum Peatland (ASP) irrespective of what the other vegetation is unless it is a forest canopy. So, an area of highland grassland GPH for example may appear from aerial photography as one unit. However, parts of this patch may need to be mapped as ASP where the 30% sphagnum threshold is reached. This determination can only be made by on ground inspection of the mapping unit. Then there are areas of pencil pine forest (RPP) where the ground layer is 100% sphagnum. These are not mapped as ASP but retain the RPP tag that doesn’t then distinguish the unit from an adjacent stand of RPP where sphagnum is absent. These inconsistencies suggest there may be may be a need to review the allocation of sphagnum in TASVEG. An alternate approach would be to have sphagnum peatland identified as an ‘underlay’ with a separate label attached to the mapping unit where it forms a significant component.

Figures 3, 4 5 & 6 present the corrected vegetation mapping for each section.

The most marked differences include the following:

 The eucalypt forest north of Lake Adelaide is E. gunnii woodland (DGW) and not E. coccifera forest/woodland (DCO)

 The pencil pine dominated vegetation in the area of the Dixons Kingdom camp is woodland (RPW) and not forest (RPP).

The vegetation at each of the study sites are described in relevant sections and species inventories provided in Appendix A:

2.1.2 RFA priority communities

No RFA priority vegetation communities other than threatened communities, listed above, occur in the study areas.

2.1.3 Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens.

This EPBC listed ecological communities can include areas of classic sphagnum dominated vegetation mapped as ASP but also extends to waterlogged vegetation and mires that may be classified into other TASVEG mapping units including parts of HSE, MGH and RPP. However wherever sphagnum exceeded 30% we have allocated parts of these communities to ASP and so mapping of ASP is a good fit for this community areas of non forest.

Much of the area within and surrounding the small tarn close to the Dixons Kingdom camp could be captured within this community. This includes a complex mosaic of pencil pine, scoparia shrubland, Poa grassland, alpine Blechnum fernland, cushion moorland and sphagnum peatland. Sphagnum is dispersed throughout and often very prominent. Closer to the tarn and are small channels and pools with submerged sedges – these accord to the ‘associated fens’ facies of this community.

There are also extensive areas of this community between the Lake Adelaide camp and Lake Adelaide itself. This community is present at Wild Dog Creek. And in grassland shrubland near Lake Ball.

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment 2.1.4 Lake Adelaide Camp

The site follows predominantly raised ground extending westwards from the walking track for 150m to the edges of cider gum Eucalyptus gunnii woodland EGW. There is a drainage line on the eastern side with the nominated track alignment crossing the narrowest pinch in what is otherwise an open swale of sphagnum peatland ASP grading to sedgeland dominated by austral cordrush Baloskion australe and Gleichenia alpina fernland mapped as eastern alpine sedgeland HSE. The nominated toilet site is tucked in a clearing in the woodland linking through to a drainage line on the west side of the broad valley also dominated by HSE and ASP. Better drained areas are dominated by Orites revoluta over a diverse heathy grassland forming eastern alpine heathland HHE. Much of the ground to the south of the site between the camp and the existing camping areas on the north shore of Lake Adelaide is poorly drained with extensive areas of sphagnum fernland and sphagnum pencil pine forest.

Lake Adelaide Camp (middle distance near DGW) looking from existing Lake Adelaide along identified access route through HSE and HHE with narrow crossing of ASP.

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Figure 3: Lake Adelaide camp

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment 2.1.5 Wild Dog Creek The site includes a clearing in denser heathland that is dominated by slender candleheath Richea acerosa which accords to eastern alpine heathland HHE surrounded by open snow gum E. coccifera woodland DCO. Much of the lower lying areas have a prominent sphagnum component and so are mapped as Sphagnum peatland ASP.

Wild Dog Creek Camp site

ASP Spaganum peatland with scoparia and alpine coral fern Wild Dog Creek

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Figure 4: Wild Dog Camp

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment 2.1.6 Dixons Kingdom The nominated camping area is on raised ground west of Jaffa Vale looking over a small tarn. This is located within pencil pine Athrotaxis cupressoides woodland RPW which links to an extensive area of Athrotaxis cupressoides rainforest RPP to the north that dominates the lower south facing slopes of The Temple. The lower open valleys to the west include fernland, grassland and candleheath Richea spp. dominated shrubland of which a significant component is underlain by sphagnum which defines the TASVEG allocation as being predominantly sphagnum peatland ASP. The two northern access track options pass through the Athrotaxis cupressoides rainforest RPP, the western options skirts the edge of a grassy sedgey clearing mapped as sphagnum peatland ASP. A track linking to Dixons Kingdom hut descends through pencil pine Athrotaxis cupressoides woodland RPW before coming out on the edge of Jaffa Vale where it follows the boundary of sphagnum dominated Athrotaxis cupressoides rainforest RPP and Richea Sphagnum peatland ASP.

Dixons Kingdom camp – Athrotaxis cupressoides woodland (RPW)

Tarn near Dixons Kingdom Camp looking towards King Solomans Throne

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Figure 5: Dixons Kingdom Camp and Access tracks

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment 2.1.7 Lake Ball Track This descends through sedgey grasslands Highland Poa grassland GPH and grassy shrublands Eastern alpine heathland HHE. It then descends the southern end of Jaffa Vale through pencil pine Athrotaxis cupressoides rainforest RPP, then skirting the margins of classic Highland Poa grassland GPH before crossing the edge of a raised Richea Sphagnum peatland ASP.

Alpine coniferous heathland HCH on knoll south of Dixons Kingdom camp is crossed y the nominated Lake Ball track

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Route of Lake Ball track through Athrotaxis cupressoides forest (RPP)

Lake Ball track through Highland Poa grassland (GPH) and Sphagnum Peatland (ASP) beneath scoparia

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Figure 6: Lake Ball Track (North) contiguous with Figure 5

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Figure 7: Lake Ball Track (South)

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment 2.2 Plant Species of Conservation Significance

2.2.1 Previous records from vicinity Records of two threatened flora are listed within 500 metres of the study areas from the Natural Values Atlas search. An additional five species have been recorded within the 5 km. Tow others are listed as being likely to, or may occur, within 1 km from the Protected Matters Search.

Colobanthus curtisiae Curtis' Colobanth (TSPA rare and EPBCA Vulnerable) This species was recorded within the Protected Matters Database as a ‘Species or species habitat likely to occur within area’. It occurs in grassland to grassy woodland and can be found in areas subject to a wide variety of environmental conditions. In northern Tasmania it extends from the Central Plateau to Ben Lomond. Nearest record is 30km to the east close to the shores of Great Lake. Habitat is correct but it occurrence in the study area would constitute a very significant range extension. Potentially overlooked, grassland habitats in the study area are wetter than most of its known sites. Very low likelihood of occurrence. Observations of the closely related Colobanthus apetalus was made at Dixons Kingdom in grassy woodland. Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. divaricata Miena Cider Gum (TSPA Endangered and EPBCA Endangered) This species was recorded within the Protected Matters Database as a ‘Species or species habitat likely to occur within area’. Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. divaricata is endemic to Tasmania occurring on grassy open woodland at the exposed edges of treeless flats or hollows (frost hollows) around the Great Lake region on the Central Plateau5. Sites tend to be poorly drained and prone to frost on Jurassic dolerite. The recorded altitude range is 865–1150 m above sea level.

Although habitat description corresponds to this taxon, only the unlisted Eucalyptus gunnii ssp. gunnii was recorded at Lake Adelaide camp and at Jaffa Vale. The nearest confirmed record for Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. divaricata is 30km away near Liawenee.

Hovea montana Mountain Purplepea (TSPA rare)

This is a distinct shrub that has been recorded on the slope on the north side of Lake Ball and is also prominent on the lower south facing slopes of Great Pine Tier. Typically associated with rocky habitats the most suitable habitat is in the pencil pine forest on the Lake Ball track. This was not observed and unlikely to have been overlooked

Isolepis habra wispy clubsedge (TSPA rare)

A single record from over 50 years ago (1974) from the Walls of Jerusalem National Park. Attention was given o small club sedges in this study but nothing comparable to this species was observed. Little is known of the habitat requirements of this rarely seen species.

Muehlenbeckia axillaris matted lignum (TSPA rare)

This is distinctive, albeit tiny shrub that has been recorded on the Walls of Jerusalem Track and one or two other places in the park. Although likely to be more widespread it was not recorded and little of the study areas offers the typical rocky outcrops in grassland habitat with which the author has observed the species elsewhere.

5 TSS Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. divaricate Listing statement 2010.

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment Ranunculus jugosus twinned buttercup (TSPA rare) A singe record from the Walls of Jerusalem NP from 1983. Several buttercup species were recorded in this study although all flowering had finished. This particular species is somewhat nondescript and quite small. It could easily have bene overlooked.

Rhytidosporum inconspicuum alpine appleberry (TSPA endangered) This is small cryptic species that is usually observed when flowering in early summer. Later in the season the fleshy fruit are a useful character. This has been recorded from numerous locations throughout the Walls of Jerusalem National Park and likely to be even more widespread. It was however not observed in this study but could easily have been overlooked. Two lichens, both listed rare Parmeliopsis ambigua and Parmeliopsis hyperopta are both extremely rare liches the former recorded only once from undershrubs in open pencil pine woodland west of King Davids Peak and the latter on dead pencil pine wood also in the Walls of Jerusalem NP. Lichens were not assessed in this study given the resources required for adequate sampling and the difficulties of achieving positive identification in the field.

2.2.2 Current Survey One hundred and thirty four native plants species were recorded during the field survey (Appendix B) including two of statewide conservation significance. 38 species are endemic to Tasmania. Brachyscome radicata spreading daisy (TSPA rare) This is a particularly interesting find. According to the Notesheet6 there are only four locations from where the species has been confirmed. Two of these are historic (Mt Welling ton 19th century, somewhere between Moina and Cradle Mountain 1949) with collections from two locations in recent times Mount Inglis (1983) and the shores of Lake Ayr (1994 &1998), both in Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park.

Rosettes of B. radicata

6 Threatened Species Section (2017)..

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment Although the plants had completed flowering the distinctive rosettes were observed at one location close to the Dixons Kingdom camp in damp Poa /Empodisma / Sphagnum grassland. Fertile material in the form of the characteristic glandular haired achenes (seeds) was present 7. The plants are growing close to the western option for Dixons Kingdom camp access track. Viola cunninghamii alpine violet (TSPA rare) This small roundish leaved herb was collected from two locations along the Dixons Kingdom western track option. Although no flowers were observed which are critical for 100% confirmation of identification, the rhizomatous habit and leaf shape are strong indication of the plant’s identification. 8 There are numerous (although almost all unvouchered) records of Viola cunninghamii from the Central Plateau Conservation Area to the east of this site. There are also confirmed records north of Cradle Mountain.

2.2.3 Significant / Sensitive Species Athrotaxis cupressoides Pencil pine The presence of some of the largest and most significant stands of pencil pine occur at Dixons Kingdom. Their presence is key driver for relocating the camp site away from the current location due to perceived trampling impacts and removal of lower branches. Some individual plants are considered to be up to 2000 years old. There is notable assemblage of over mature senescing trees close to the proposed campsite which could also be vulnerable should camp site be placed overly close.

Senescent pencil pine

7 The collected specimen has been lodged with the Tasmanian Herbarium 8 Material collected from this survey has been lodged with the Tasmanian Herbarium

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment Microcachrys tetragona Creeping pine This occurs sporadically through the pencil pine forest occupying the drier facies. In local patches close to Dixons Kingdom there are areas where the species is very prominent and locally dominates the. Plants are particularly prostrate in this area and at risk to trampling should infrastructure or track be placed in vicinity. Podocarpus lawrencei Montane plum pine This is a third conifer to be found in this area. It is very occasional with plants observed at two locations close to proposed track alignments where they sprawl over boulders. These could be impacted if rocks are moved for use on the track construction. They are also vulnerable to trampling.

2.2.4 WHA flora values A review of the floristic values of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area9 describes the range of ecosystems and the significance of each vegetation type. It also makes reference to the diverse flora and endemicity to the TWHA. In addition to listed threatened flora mention is made of the importance of refugia and primitive flora and species of severely restricted range. Montane rainforests and coniferous heaths are considered of international significance because of their “richness and primitive taxa and affinity to ancient flora of Gondwana.” The A Review of Research and Monitoring priorities 2013-2018 10lists flora which are considered data deficient and in need of further targeted surveys. One of those listed is the unnamed sedge Carex sp. ‘Western Tasmania’ which was recorded in low lying peaty grasslands such as those close to the western Dixons Kingdom access track option. The TWHA is inscribed in the Wold Heritage List under four natural and three cultural criteria of Outstanding Universal Value. Criterion (vii) for Outstanding examples representing the major stages of earths evolutionary history include the presence of endemic conifers including the genus Microcachrys (creeping pine).

2.3 Introduced plants No weeds of significance or priority weeds were recorded from the Natural Values report within 5 km of the study areas. Species recorded as ‘Species or species habitat likely to occur within area’ are Rubus fruticosus aggregate Blackberry, Salix spp. Willows and Ulex europaeus Gorse. All of which are declared under the Weed Management Act 1999 as Weeds of National Significance (WoNS). No non-native species were recorded and none of those listed would be expected to occur in the study area.

2.4 Plant Pathogens No cinnamon root rot fungus, Phytophthora cinnamomi (PC), was recorded in the natural values search and no symptomatic evidence was observed. The study area is outside the altitudinal range for PC. There is evidence of localised die back especially on outcropping rocky sites on the Walls of Jerusalem Track near Solomon’s Jewels. Similar die back was also observed near Mt Moriah. These are likely to be drought induced die back

9 Balmer et al 2004 10 DPIPWE (2013)

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment 2.5 Fauna Species of Conservation Significance Only one threatened fauna species (Eastern quoll Dixons Kingdom) is listed as recorded from the Natural Values Search within 500 metres of any of the study areas. Three species are known to occur within 5 km of the study area, seven have the potential to occur within 500 metres plus two additional species based on habitat mapping11. Consideration is given here only to those that are in the vicinity or to those for which suitable habitat occurs within the footprint of the proposed track reroutes. The EPBC Protected matters search tool lists species in three categories of probability as being ‘known to’, ‘likely’ or ‘may’ occur within the area12.

2.5.1 Threatened Mammals

Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii (TSPA and EPBCA endangered) This species was recorded as ‘species or species habitat likely to occur within area’ under a protected matters search within 1 km. There are two records for the Tasmanian devil within the 5 km natural values search area with the closest record being in the central Walls area. The last record is from 1987. There is every likelihood tasmanian devils access the area as part of their extensive home range. Multiple scats were observed along one of the existing tracks through Jaffa Vale. No obvious denning features were observed in close proximity to the tracks or camp sites, although wombat burrows observed in grassland near Lake Ball may be utilised. A possible den was also recorded in pencil pine forest close to currently used camping areas near Lake Adelaide. The threat to this species is predominantly from the facial tumour disease and the loss of denning habitat. Significant habitat for the Tasmanian devil is a patch of potential denning habitat where there are three or more entrances within 100 m of each other13. The proposed works are not likely to impact on this species in any measurable way.

Active wombat burrow Lake Ball

11 nvr_31-August-2017 12 EPBC Protected Matters Report 29/3/2019 13 Forest Practices Authority and Threatened Species Section, 2017

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Dasyurus maculatus spotted tailed quoll (TSPA rare and EPBCA vulnerable) This species was recorded as ‘species or species habitat known to occur within area’ under a protected matters search within 1 km.

The spotted tailed quoll is known from the area with two records from within 5km of the vicinity, the most recent being from1994. The area is considered to form part of the species core range. No evidence of this species was observed although they are very likely to range in the vicinity and could have dens in the area. However, the proposed works are unlikely to impact on this species to any significant extent; denning habitat was not evident in the immediate area.

Dasyurus viverrinus Eastern quoll (EPBCA Endangered) This species was recorded as ‘species or species habitat known to occur within area’ under a protected matters search within 1 km. There are more than 10 eastern quoll records from within 5 km of the study areas with numerous records from the central Walls area with the nearest from Dixons Kingdom from 1996. No observations or evidence of this species (scats, tracks, dens) were observed during the current survey although they are very likely to be present. The proposed works would not impact on this species in any measurable way.

2.5.2 Threatened Birds

Accipiter novaehollandiae grey goshawk (TSPA Endangered) There are no known nests in the immediate vicinity of the study areas. Based on Range boundaries within 500 metres of the study areas are considered part of this species core range. No observations of this species were recorded during the current survey. Habitat for this species typically includes dense canopy trees, typically blackwood and mature tea tree in gullies and sheltered sites. Suitable nesting habitat is largely absent from the study areas.

Aquila audax wedge-tailed eagle (TSPA Endangered and EPBCA Endangered) This species was recorded as ‘species or species habitat likely to occur within area’ under a protected matters search within 1 km of based on potential range boundaries. Potential habitat for the wedge-tailed eagle comprises nesting and foraging habitat. Potential foraging habitat is a wide variety of forest (including areas subject to native forest silviculture) and non-forest habitats. Potential nesting habitat is tall eucalypt trees in large tracts (usually more than 10 ha) of eucalypt or mixed forest14. The nearest known nest is located approximately 7km to the south east. Most proposed infrastructure is near existing tracks and camps and so brings no novel disturbance. The exception is the new Dixons Kingdom camp where current human activities are very low key. The surrounding pencil pine forest is attributed a low score 0-2 (patchily 3) out of a maximum of 9 for habitat suitability15. Consequently, this area is of very low suitability for nesting, although it is acknowledged that some nests in the Central Plateau occur in areas of low suitability. However, these nests are east of the Walls of Jerusalem where there is a general absence of preferred habitat features such as large trees in sheltered aspects. Within the Walls of Jerusalem NP there is more opportunities for higher quality nesting habitat with the best examples occurring to the west of Lake Adelaide.

14 Forest Practices Authority and Threatened Species Section, 2016 15 Forest Practices Authority, 2013

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment In conclusion, the proposed works presents a low risk of impacting on the breeding success of a wedge-tailed eagle.

Haliaeetus leucogaster white-bellied sea-eagle (TSPA Vulnerable)

There are no confirmed nest records from within 5km of the study area. There are some nest records from the Central Plateau where birds make use of the available fish resource in the form of introduced trout to some of the lakes. It is quite likely that sea eagles would hunt for fish in some of the lakes. Nesting is usually close to the lake shore. The likelihood of the occurrence of nest sites close to Lake Adelaide is moderate although the proposed camp development will reduce the level of human activity at the lakeshore. In conclusion, the proposed works presents a low risk of impacting on the breeding success of a white-bellied sea eagle.

Lathamus discolour Swift parrot (TSPA Endangered and EPBCA Critically Endangered)

This species was recorded as ‘species or species habitat likely to occur within area’ under a protected matters search. This determination is odd. No records for this species, core or potential range were located in the natural values atlas for this species. No observations of this species were recorded during the current survey. This site is well outside the core breeding range with the nearest known nesting occurring on the Gog Range over 40km to the north. None of the preferred foraging trees (E. globulus or E. ovata) are present.

Tyto novaehollandiae Masked owl (TSPA Endangered and EPBCA Vulnerable) This species was recorded as ‘species or species habitat may occur within area’ under a protected matters search within 1 km of the study areas. It is included on the NVR as occurring within 500 metres of both based on potential range boundaries. No observations of this species were recorded in the current survey. Significant habitat is defined as forest with large trees (DBH >100cm) in dry forest below 600m. The study area is located at outside the preferred range for nesting so the chance of the short period of construction impacting on the breeding success of the species is extremely remote.

2.5.3 Other threatened or migratory species

Gallinago hardwickii Lathams snipe (EPBCA Migratory wetland).

Individual snipes were flushed on two occasions in the low-lying sphagnum wetlands near Dixons Kingdom camp. Snipe disperse across suitable habitat throughout much of Tasmania and their presence is of low significance. Significant sites are identified as those where more than 12 birds are recorded roosting. There is extensive habitat nearby where birds can utilise that is further away from any disturbing activities.

Additional species with range boundaries within the 5 km natural values search and with habitat or species likely to occur (protected matters search 1 km) include:

 Litoria raniformis green and gold frog (TSPA Vulnerable and EPBCA Vulnerable)

 Pseudemoia pagenstecheri tussock skink (TSPA Vulnerable)

 Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher (EPBCA Migratory Terrestrial)

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment  Prototroctes maraena Australian Grayling (TSPA Vulnerable and EPBC Vulnerable)

 Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern (EPBCA Endangered)

 Ceyx azureus diemenensis Tasmanian Azure Kingfisher (TSPA Endangered and EPBCA Endangered) (section 2 only)

No actual records within 5km exist for these species. Habitat suitability for all species is either poor or non-existent.

Marine species and migratory wetland species which are confined to coastal environments are not included in this report as habitat for these species is not present within the study area.

2.5.4 WHA Fauna Values

Significant fauna values are generally captured within the listings of threatened species at the Sate and Commonwealth level.

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment 3. Summary of Potential Impacts to Natural Values

3.1 Lake Adelaide Camp

The nominated access identified crosses the narrowest pinch of the unnamed drainage line supporting the threatened and sensitive community sphagnum peatland (ASP) thus limiting the extent of impact. There is plenty of well drained open ground suitable for camping mostly in the areas mapped as the non-threatened HHE community where shrubs are sparse but provide shelter and privacy. The slightly less well drained MGH area can be easily avoided. The toilet site is discrete and located in HHE

Lake Adelaide toilet site

Lake Adelaide camp access track – ASP will need to be bridged

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment The access to fresh water is limited. The drainage line to the west is ephemeral and was not flowing at the time of our survey. Water was confined to some small pools that would be difficult to access without trampling large clumps of sphagnum

There is small tarn to the east of the lake Adelaide track that contains fresh water. It is surrounded by sensitive sphagnum and cushion pants and would be at risk to trampling impacts by campers. It is also shared with wildlife which from disturbances around the edge appear to predominantly access the tarn from the east side.

There is a clear pad through the middle of the camp which has formed a well-defined pad through the gap in the Eucalyptus gunnii forest. This appears to be a favoured route for wildlife movement across the valley. The development of a campsite would disrupt this pattern of behaviour.

Animal pad bisecting DGW close Tarn near lake Adelaide Track – potential source of drinking water to toilet site

The establishment of the campsite at this location may result in inadvertent impacts resulting from campers’ desire to short cut to the lakeshore for recreation but also for water gathering should the small tarn prove to be an inadequate water source. This is 300m which is a long way for campers to be expected to walk to access water. They are very likely to choose a direct route which would take them across open ground dominated by sphagnum. This is easily enough to walk across but highly susceptible to trampling impacts.

Some of the issues identified above could be managed with the use of raised platforms and duck boarding although these would need to be extensive.

3.2 Wild Dog Creek camp extension

The access track passes through scrubby shrubland that accords to the non- threatened HHE community. It follows an existing pad limiting the extent of vegetation clearance and so is a good choice.

The area of cleared ground within the nominated camping area is small and almost half of this is poorly drained supporting sphagnum peatland (ASP). There are some small open patches in the HHE to the wests of the nominated site that would be well suited for tent platforms. These are shown in Figure 4.

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Wild Dog Creek Potentially suitable camping areas in open patches amongst alpine shrubland HHE

3.3 Dixons Kingdom

The nominated camping area and toilets are located in pencil pine woodland where the trees are sparsely dispersed over well drained low-lying vegetation. This is firm ground tolerant of moderately high traffic volumes and so well suited for a camping site. There is plenty of space to buffer pencil pines from any infrastructure. The eastern side is dominated by a dense patch of creeping pine which is susceptible to trampling damage. Placement of infrastructure at sufficient distance from these plants would limit the risk of impact.

Water is to be taken from the un named tarn to the west of the camp site. Access to this is through low lying sphagnum vegetation with occasional cushion plants. The emergent marginal aquatic vegetation is in pristine condition and highly sensitive to disturbance. Some impacts are inevitable, but the least overall impacts would be achieved with a constructed platform out to the open water. There is some risk of impacts from informal damage caused by campers bathing which cold affect drinking water quality and sensitive vegetation.

Two access route options have been nominated to link to the existing Mt Jerusalem track. The western option passes close to open grassy sphagnum which is a sensitive community and at that locations supports the threatened spreading daisy (Brachyscome radicata). A second listed herb the alpine violet Viola cunninghamii and localised plants of mountain plum pine Podocarpus lawrencei are also present along the nominated route. All of these could be avoided by micro siting of the track.

The eastern track option alignment crosses very close to some creeping pine which should be buffered to avoid unnecessary impacts. There is also potential for Viola cunninghamii which could be avoided through minor realignments. This option also passes closer to some very large over mature pencil pines.

Closure of the remaining section of track to Dixons Kingdom may be unsuccessful and is not supported. Day walkers targeting Mt Jerusalem and Dixons Hut or the vale leading to Zion Gate will be disinclined to take the longer detour via the new camping area especially as the current route is shown on all current maps. The existing track hardening is very effective although it would need to be improved at the Dixons Hut end.

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Plum pine western track option

Creeping pine along eastern track alignment

Creeping pine adjacent to tent platform site

The route linking the campsite with Dixons Kingdom hut and the Mt Jerusalem track successfully skirts around the patch of creeping pine before descending to the edges of the open plain of Jaffa Vale. From here there is no option to avoid the extensive area of sensitive sphagnum peatland which dominates the Vale and extend well under the adjacent pencil pines. The nominated alignment crosses a very damp drainage swale before skirting the very edge of the pencil pines. Track hardening through here may impact on the root zones could stress the pines, although it is hard to predict the consequences. A preference would be to have a raised boardwalk throughout the sphagnum dominated vegetation.

Scoparia dominated sphagnum peatland southern approaches to Dixons Kingdom hut

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment 3.4 Lake Ball Track

This departs from the Dixons Kingdom camp crossing a narrow damp swale - the chosen alignment avoids the more sensitive sphagnum dominated section closer to the tarn. It then ascends a small knoll to the southeast of the tarn, the shallow soil over exposed bedrock supports a concentration of creeping pine in the only mapped area of Alpine coniferous heath HHC in this study. Track hardening will need to be undertaken with sensitivity to limit impacts but ultimately a directed route will focus walkers and limit inadvertent damage. There is natural desire to walk on this knoll to enjoy the views of the tarn backed framed by Solomons Throne and The Temple so it may be fruitless trying to discourage access here.

The route then descends through shrubby grassland that best accords to GPH - a threatened community. The identified crossing point of the drainage line is at its narrowest point -this will necessitate hardening and bridging to minimise impacts to the GPH community. It then passes through the non threatened HHE community on the edge of Jaffa Vale before entering pencil pine forest RPP where the track descends. This area will require some stone work. Localised plants of mountain plumpine are present along the nominated route which can be avoided by micro siting of the track.

The open grasslands north of Lake Ball are largely skirted around as opposed to the current route which crosses them. There are some active wombat burrows in this area, a taped option for the new alignment passes within 1m of one burrow. Localised deviation joining the existing pad would provide a more generous buffer to the burrow. The alignment shown on the plan appears to do just this and is supported. The nominated route then aligns with the existing footpad which crosses a Richea scoparia – sphagnum raised bog. Existing damage indicates the sensitivity of this vegetation to trampling. Diverting around the base is not recommended as the terrain is uneven with subterranean drainage and highly susceptible to compaction damage. Use of duck boarding can limit the impacts within the existing footpad.

Existing eroding pad through ASP

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment 3.5 Vegetation Loss Quantifying impacts (table 2) requires a number of assumptions. Assuming track widths to be 1.2m we can calculate than are based on distances. This is likely to be an overestimate as much of the chosen alignment is through natural gaps in the vegetation or follows exiting pads. The benefit of track formalisation is also that existing informal tracks will be allowed to regenerate over time as they are used far less in favour of the formal track. Estimates for footprint of camp sites is more difficult but includes ground coverage from platforms, linking tracks and toilets. This has been estimated at 250 sqm per camp based on 80m track (x1.2 = 100 sqm), five platforms at 10sqm and toilet at 50 sqm. Table 2: Potential extent of impact Community Lake Wild Dog Dixons Lake Ball Total Adelaide Kingdom + Track tracks* Sphagnum peatland 50 80 130 ASP Highland Poa grassland 50 300 350 GPH Alpine coniferous 40 40 heathland HCH Eastern alpine 80 80 heathland HSE Eastern alpine 250 250 300 800 heathland HHE Athrotaxis cupressoides 400 800 1200 rainforest RPP Athrotaxis cupressoides 250 250 open woodland RPW 2850 sqm *Includes one northern access track each approx. 250m in length It understood contemporary techniques and materials such as Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) decking allows light penetration sufficient for the native vegetation to regenerate underneath thus reducing the extent of impact significantly There are no infestations of the declared weeds and no occurrences of PC making the risk of spreading weeds or pathogens on site unlikely. Potential quantitative and qualitative impacts to natural values are summarised in Table 3.

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Table 3: Summary of potential impacts to natural values from proposed infrastructure works on the Lake Adelaide Lake Ball circuit.

Conservation significant Potential impacts Context16 value

Threatened Plants

Brachyscome radicata Dixons Kingdom - western track option Confined to edge of peaty grasslands close to Dixons Kingdom. Require microstiing to avoid impacts and extension surveys in vicinity in flowering period (TSPA rare) to provide context.

Viola cunninghamii Dixons Kingdom – north of camp western track option and Require microstiing to avoid impacts and extension surveys in vicinity in possibly eastern option flowering period to provide context. (TSPA rare)

Significant Plants

Mountain plumpine Dixons Kingdom - western track option Localised and avoidable with micrositing Podocarpus lawrencei Lake Ball Track

Creeping pine Dixons Kingdom camp, and eastern track option. Localised plants avoidable with track micrositing. Extensive patches avoidable with minor infrastructure adjustments. Microcachrys tetragona Lake Ball Track - northern end

Threatened Ecological Communities in the Investigation Areas Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Extensive areas in all sites. Not all can be avoided. Alpine sphagnum bogs and associated fens Unmanaged concentration of camping facilities in vicinity risks extensive damage. Track construction techniques can limit impacts through unavoidable sections

Endangered EPBCA Lake Adelaide – track crossing - local – informal access Use of structures near water to separate bushwalkers boots from peat can to lake indirect consequential risk with extensive impacts limit impacts to construction phase. Dixons Kingdom – Access to tarn, track to Dixons Kingdom Hut Lake Ball Track – drainage crossings,

16 Includes statements from Threatened Species Link summaries and note sheets. Vegetation data from TASVEG3.0AreaBYvegcode_June2014 32

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Conservation significant Potential impacts Context16 value

Native Vegetation Communities in the Investigation Areas (Five of these communities are listed as threatened under Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002)

Lake Ball Track localised impacts though result of closure Total extent in: Tasmanian reserve estate: 18,900 Highland Poa grassland and recovery of existing pads greater benefits Tasmania: 26,100 (GPH) Central Highlands reserve estate: 17 500 Central Highlands: 23 100 Threatened NCA Vicinity of Lake Adelaide – minor risk Total extent in Tasmanian reserve estate: 11,100 Highland grassy sedgeland Tasmania: 19, 500 (MGH) Central Highlands reserve estate: 16 000 Central Highlands: 19 700 Threatened NCA Unavoidable Total extent in Tasmanian reserve estate: 3 200 Sphagnum peatland (ASP) Tasmania: 3 500 Lake Adelaide – track crossing - local – informal access to Central Highlands reserve estate: 9 200 Threatened NCA lake indirect consequential risk with extensive impacts Central Highlands: 9 200 Dixons Kingdom – Access to tarn, track to Dixons Kingdom Hut Lake Ball Track – drainage crossings, most southerly section Dixons Kingdom - Campsite Total extent in Tasmanian reserve estate: 9 700 Athrotaxis cupressoides open Tasmania: 9 800 woodland (RPW) Central Highlands reserve estate: 9 200 Central Highlands: 9 200 Threatened NCA Dixons Kingdom – northern access - both options, track to Total extent in Tasmanian reserve estate: 2 500 Athrotaxis cupressoides Dixons Kingdom Hut Tasmania: 2 500 rainforest (RPP) Central Highlands reserve estate: 2 800 Lake Ball track Central Highlands: 3 000 Threatened NCA Close to Lake Adelaide camp - avoidable Total extent in Tasmanian reserve estate: 2 100 Eucalyptus gunnii woodland Tasmania: 2 400 (DGW) Central Highlands reserve estate: 1 900 Central Highlands: 2 100 33

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

Conservation significant Potential impacts Context16 value Close to Wild Dog Creek camp Total extent in Tasmanian reserve estate: 110 900 Eucalyptus coccifera forest Tasmania: 123 900 and woodland (DCO) Central Highlands reserve estate: 86 700 Central Highlands: 98 700 Lake Adelaide camp Total extent in Tasmanian reserve estate: 27 300 Eastern alpine sedgeland Tasmania: 33 700 (HSE) Dixons Kingdom Central Highlands reserve estate: 26 200 Central Highlands: 19 900 Lake Adelaide camp Total extent in Tasmanian reserve estate: 46 600 Eastern alpine heathland Tasmania: 54 100 (HHE) Dixons Kingdom Central Highlands reserve estate: 36 000 Lake Ball track Central Highlands: 43 400

Threatened Fauna

Spotted-tail quoll Minor short term disturbance Due to limited impact area, it is unlikely that any impact will be significant. No Dasyurus maculatus evidence of denning. Rare TSPA, vulnerable EPBCA Tasmania devil Minor short term disturbance Due to limited impact area, it is unlikely that any impact will be significant. No Sarcophilus harrisii evidence of denning in vicinity of sites. Endangered TSPA & EPBCA Eastern quoll Minor short term disturbance Due to limited impact area, it is unlikely that any impact will be significant. No Dasyurus viverrinus evidence of denning in vicinity of sites. Endangered EPBCA wedge-tailed eagle Remote chance of disturbing breeding if nest in vicinity of No known nest in vicinity. Aquila audax fleayi track Endangered TSPA & EPBCA

Area of Potential Impact in Tasmanian Reserve Estate (ha)

Walls of Jerusalem National Within this World Heritage Area there are only minor Impacts to be assessed by PWS through Reserve Activity Statement. Park works planned which would have insignificant impact in the context of area of vegetation.

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

4. Recommendations for Avoidance, Compliance and Mitigation

4.1 General No detail on construction methodology or materials is known. The most significant and sensitive environments are associated with sphagnum peatland which accords to the EPBC listed ecological community alpine sphagnum bogs and associated fens. Any concentration of public use in this vegetation type risk localised damage due to the highly sensitive nature of peatlands to compaction. Infrastructure can cause local and short-term damage during construction but can also separate the heavy boots of bushwalkers from the sensitive vegetation. In this context public can access in close proximity to peatlands and cause no additional impacts.

4.2 Threatened – Significant Vegetation Communities  Lake Adelaide Camp: The establishment of a camp 300m north of the lakeshore separates campers from the most usable and reliable water supply. It risks indirect consequences in the form of informal access to the lake for the camp Lake Adelaide. An alternate location closer to lake Adelaide is one option. If the current location is preferred, then consideration should be given to managing access to the lake to avoid impacts to sphagnum peatland. Damage accessing water sources will also require management.  Wild Dog Creek Camp – Minor adjustment to the placement of tent platforms set back from Wild Dg Creek will avoid sensitive sphagnum peatland.  Dixons Kingdom – Use of raised boardwalk to nearby tarn will protect sphagnum peatlands. Monitoring of facilitated impacts through informal use of the tarn for bathing and washing to determine where an alternate means of sourcing water is needed. One option should access to the tarn need to be closed in busiest summer months would be to utilise solar powered pump to fill storage tanks at the camp. Much of Dixons Kingdom hut track requires boardwalk to limit impact to root zone of pencil pines and sphagnum peatland.  Lake Ball Track – Use of bridges and duck boarding to limit impacts to sphagnum peatland.

4.3Threatened - Significant Flora  Microsting of Dixons Kingdom access tracks to avoid impacts to threatened flora (spreading daisy and alpine violet) and sensitive pines (creeping pine and plumpine).  Micrositing of Lake Ball track to avoid impacts to plumpine.  Any access to small tarn east of lake Adelaide camp requires timber platforms to avoid impacts to sphagnum and cushion plants.

4.4 Threatened Fauna – Significant Fauna  Minor realignment of Lake Ball track to buffer wombat burrows by 20m.

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

4.5 Weeds and Pathogens  Appropriate construction hygiene should be applied to avoid the introduction of weeds. Footwear should be subject to standard hygiene protocols and washdown procedures in accordance with the latest guidelines17.  The containment principles of the Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999 should be met with best practice construction hygiene that prevents the introduction of contaminated material from beyond the study area, such as tool and machinery/equipment wash-down before entry, and sourcing materials, if required, from verified weed and PC free locations.

5. Legislative Requirements

5.1 Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 The EPBCA is structured for self-assessment; the proponent must indicate whether or not the project is considered a ‘controlled action’, which, if confirmed, would require approval from the Commonwealth Minister. No threatened flora habitat was identified. Threatened fauna habitat is limited to tasmanian devil, eastern quoll, spotted-tail quoll and wedge-tailed eagle. No direct impacts are anticipated. Any disturbance is likely to be temporary. The threatened ecological community, Alpine Sphagnum bogs and associated fens, is present. The new works will have some local impacts where infrastructure is put in place over this community. Indirect and facilitated impacts are also possible resulting from spatial changes in public use notably at Lake Adelaide and Dixons Kingdom. The scale of indirect damage will be dependent on the extent of protective infrastructure and public use management once sites are in operation. If these remain unchecked, then it is possible that the impacts to this community could be significant. The National Recovery Plan for this community18 makes the following observation when considering the threat posed by “Infrastructure development and recreation”: Tourism, associated infrastructure and other human uses of the area encompass a range of localised threats affecting the Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens ecological community, even within national parks. Recreational demands on alpine and subalpine regions continue to rise as more people visit the area in the summer months, as well as the more traditional winter ski season (McDougall and Walsh, 2007). Trampling of vegetation by walkers not keeping to pathways is a problem (Whinam and Chilcott, 2002). The expansion of trail networks created largely to accommodate the popularity of mountain bikes and horse riding is a potential threat if created near the ecological community. These activities have the potential to impact the ecological community indirectly where damage such as erosion, increased sediments and runoff diversions alter hydrology. The Significant Impact criteria however are unlikely to be triggered by the proposed action as any damage and loss of this community would need to: reduce its extent, fragment it, cause a substantial change in species composition or cause a substantial reduction the quality of integrity of an occurrence. None of these seem likely although larger scale damage resulting from facilitated impacts need to be anticipated and avoided.

17 DPIPWE 2015 18 Department of the Environment (2015) 36

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

In conclusion with appropriate management and mitigation, the proposal is unlikely to cause a meaningful decline to populations of any threatened species listed under the EPBCA and should not breach the significant impact criteria under the EPBCA to any Matters of National Environmental Significance for impacts to Alpine Sphagnum bogs and associated fens. Consequently, referral to the Minister is not necessary for this proposal.

5.2 Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 Any impact on threatened species listed under the TSPA will require a ‘permit to take’ from the Policy and Conservation Assessments Branch (PCAB) at the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Wildlife and the Environment (DPIPWE). Two threatened species could potentially be directly impacted. Micrositing at the time of construction can ensure these are avoided.

5.3 Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999 No declared weeds were encountered and so there are no matters relevant to this legislation.

5.4 Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002 Sphagnum peatland (ASP), Highland grassy sedgeland (MGH), Highland Poa grassland (GPH), Athrotaxis cupressoides rainforest (RPP) and Athrotaxis cupressoides woodland (RPW) are all Threatened Native Vegetation Communities (TNVC) under the Nature Conservation Act 2002. These communities cannot be entirely avoided. ASP is the most sensitive vegetation type being susceptible to trampling which kills the sphagnum exposing peat which erodes under even light traffic. RPP and RPW over well drained ground is very robust and any impacts are very localised. RPP over sphagnum suffers the same damage to trampling as ASP. GPH is generally quite sensitive to trampling and cuts up with moderate traffic exposing deeper soils which are susceptible to erosion. MGH behaves similarly to GPH. Regulation for impacts to threatened vegetation is administered through the local planning schemes under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993.

5.5 Meander Valley Interim Planning Scheme 2013 The proposed infrastructure developments are all within the Environmental Management Zone of the Meander Valley Interim Planning Scheme 2013 and captured within the Priority habitat overlay triggering the Biodiversity Code of the Scheme.

5.5.1 Environmental Management Zone The proposed development complies with the Acceptable Solution (A1b) of the Development Standards of the Environmental Management Zone (29.4) as it is being undertaken under the prescriptions of the Reserve Activity Assessment being prepared by parks 7 Wildlife Service.

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

5.5.2 Biodiversity Code Development standards of the Biodiversity Code (E8.6) include Performance criteria for priority habitat and vegetation management (P1), E8.6.1 habitat and vegetation management P1 Clearance or disturbance of native vegetation within priority habitat may be allowed where a flora and fauna report prepared by a suitably qualified person demonstrates that development does not unduly compromise the representation of species or vegetation communities in the bioregion having regard to the: a) quality and extent of the vegetation or habitat affected by the proposal, including the maintenance of species diversity and its value as a wildlife corridor; and b) means of removal; and c) value of riparian vegetation in protecting habitat values; and d) impacts of siting of development (including effluent disposal) and vegetation clearance or excavations in proximity to habitat or vegetation; and e) need for and adequacy of proposed vegetation or habitat management; and f) conservation outcomes and long-term security of any offset in accordance with the General Offset Principles for the RMPS, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. (a) The extent of clearance of native vegetation is anticipated to be low. The track alignment for the most part selects existing pads and tracks necessitating only some local clearance of shrubs and a narrow corridor (presumed less than 1.2m of disturbance of ground cover species). Table 2 lists estimates of area of disturbance by community. Total extent of impact is less than 0.3 ha of which 0. 2ha is of threatened vegetation communities. Comparing these with the total extent of each in the bioregion (Table 3) the proportion of affected vegetation is small and will not compromise the conservation or representation of these communities in the bioregion. The impacts are dispersed over a large area and so do not compromise species diversity. (b) Vegetation impacts include some minor modifications to above ground vegetation (clearing of branches and shrubs) with ground disturbances associated with trackwork and smothering infrastructure such as boardwalks, camp platforms and toilets. (c) Minimal impacts will occur to riparian vegetation other than at minor drainage line crossings which will require bridging. (d) Micro siting of development infrastructure will ensure avoidance of sensitive and threatened flora. Effluent disposal is managed by closed system toilets with all waste flown out in tanks. (e) The extent of impact will be dependent on sensitive construction and ongoing monitoring of future use to ensure risk of indirect and consequential impacts is avoided. This is typically standard practices in such projects and likely to be addressed in the Reserve Activity Assessment. (f) the extent of impact does not warrant formal offsetting. Much of the impacts mitigate larger informal and un controlled impacts resulting from increased visitor use of the tracks and camping activity in the Walls of Jeruslaem NP. The purpose of this work is to address the intent of the Walls of Jerusalem National Park - Recreation Zone Plan 2013 which is to protect sensitive vegetation.

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6. References Balmer J., Whinam J., Kelman J., Kirkpatrick J.B. & Lazarus E. (2004) A review of the floristic values of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Nature Conservation Report 2004/3. Department of Primary Industries Water and Environment, Tasmania, Australia Commonwealth of Australia (1999). Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. No. 91, 1999. Department of Environment and Energy (2019). EPBC Protected Matters Report 29 March 2019. Curtis, WM 1967, The Student’s Flora of Tasmania, Part 3, Government Printer, Hobart. de Salas, M.F. and Baker, M.L. (2017) A Census of the Vascular Plants of Tasmania, Including Macquarie Island. (Tasmanian Herbarium, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Hobart) no - ISBN 978-1-921599-82-8 (PDF). Department of the Environment (2015) National recovery plan for the Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens ecological community. Department of the Environment, Canberra DPIPWE (2013). Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. TASVEG 3.0, Released November 2013. Tasmanian Vegetation Monitoring and Mapping Program, Resource Management and Conservation Division. DPIPWE (2013) Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Research and Monitoring Priorities 2013-2018. Resource Management and Conservation Division, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment, Hobart DPIPWE (2015). Weed and Disease Planning and Hygiene Guidelines - Preventing the spread of weeds and diseases in Tasmania. (Eds.) Karen Stewart and Michael Askey-Doran. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart, Tasmania. DPIPWE (2015). Guidelines for Natural Values Survey – Terrestrial Development Proposals. Version 1.0. 16th April 2015. Policy and Conservation Advice Branch. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. DPIPWE (2019). Natural Values Report 18 January 2019, DPIPWE, Natural Values Atlas, Threatened Species Section, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart. Forest Practices Authority and Threatened Species Section (2016). Threatened Fauna Advisor. Version 1.20 Apr 2016 Kitchener, A. and Harris, S. (2013). From Forest to Fjaeldmark: Descriptions of Tasmania’s Vegetation. Edition 2. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania. Peters, D. & Thackway, R. (1998). A New Biogeographic Regionalisation for Tasmania. Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, Hobart. Tasmanian State Government (1995). Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. No. 83 of 1995. Government Printer, Hobart, Tasmania Tasmanian State Government (1999). Weed Management Act 1999. No.105 of 1999. Government Printer, Hobart, Tasmania. Tasmanian State Government (2002). Nature Conservation Act 2002. No. 63 of 2002. Government Printer, Hobart, Tasmania. Tasmanian State Government (2006). Nature Conservation Amendment (Threatened Native Vegetation Communities) Act 2006. Government Printer, Hobart, Tasmania. Threatened Species Section (2017). Notesheet for Brachyscome radicata (spreading daisy). Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania.

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Appendix A – Site surveys

Site: 1 Adelaide Campsite Grid Reference: 438750E, 5368530N Accuracy: within 50 metres Recorder: Andrew J. North Date of Survey: 5 Mar 2019 Trees: Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. gunnii Shrubs: Coprosma nitida, Epacris gunnii, Leptecophylla parvifolia, Orites revolutus, Richea acerosa Low Shrubs: Acrothamnus montanus, Leucopogon pilifer, Pentachondra pumila, Pultenaea fasciculata Herbs: Gonocarpus montanus, Rubus gunnianus, Velleia montana Graminoids: Empodisma minus Grasses: Lachnagrostis rudis, Poa gunnii, Rytidosperma nudiflorum Site: 2 Lake Adelaide camp access track Grid Reference: 438880E, 5368800N Accuracy: GPS (within 10 metres) Recorder: Andrew J. North Date of Survey: 6 Mar 2019 Shrubs: Epacris gunnii, Leptecophylla parvifolia, Orites revolutus Low Shrubs: Acrothamnus montanus, Grevillea australis, Hibbertia prostrata, Leucopogon pilifer, Olearia erubescens, Pentachondra pumila, Pultenaea fasciculata, Tetratheca procumbens Herbs: Almaleea subumbellata, Asperula gunnii var. gunnii, Astelia alpina var. alpina, Brachyscome spathulata, Celmisia asteliifolia, Gonocarpus serpyllifolius, Leptorhynchos squamatus, Rubus gunnianus, Velleia montana, Xerochrysum subundulatum Graminoids: Baloskion australe, Carex sp., Empodisma minus, Lepidosperma filiforme Grasses: Deyeuxia sp., Lachnagrostis filiformis, Poa gunnii, Rytidosperma nudiflorum Ferns: Gleichenia alpina, Lycopodium fastigiatum, Ophioglossum lusitanicum subsp. coriaceum

Site: 3 Lake Adelaide tarn and edge Grid Reference: 438910E, 5368500N Accuracy: GPS (within 10 metres) Recorder: Andrew J. North Date of Survey: 6 Mar 2019 Herbs: Abrotanella forsteroides, Acaena montana, Centella cordifolia, Craspedia sp., Diplaspis hydrocotyle, Drosera arcturi, Drosera pygmaea, Euchiton traversii, Geranium sp., Gratiola nana, Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, Hypericum japonicum, Liparophyllum exiguum, Lobelia surrepens, Microseris lanceolata, Myriophyllum pedunculatum, Oreomyrrhis eriopoda, Pappochroma tasmanicum, Plantago gunnii, Plantago paradoxa, Ranunculus decurvus, Ranunculus glabrifolius, Wahlenbergia ceracea Graminoids: Schoenus fluitans Grasses: Lachnagrostis morrisii, Lachnagrostis rudis

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Site: 4 Dixons Camp site Grid Reference: 442330E, 5368830N Accuracy: within 50 metres Recorder: Andrew J. North Date of Survey: 7 Mar 2019 Trees: Athrotaxis cupressoides Shrubs: Leptospermum rupestre, Microcachrys tetragona, Olearia pinifolia, Orites revolutus, Richea acerosa Low Shrubs: Acrothamnus montanus, Montilega dealbata, Pentachondra pumila Herbs: Asperula gunnii, Brachyscome spathulata, Celmisia asteliifolia, Coronidium scorpioides, Cotula australis, Gonocarpus serpyllifolius, Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, Leptorhynchos squamatus, Microseris lanceolata, Oreomyrrhis eriopoda, Pappochroma tasmanicum, Plantago tasmanica, Senecio gunnii, Velleia montana, Xerochrysum subundulatum Graminoids: Carex sp., Empodisma minus, Luzula sp., Oreobolus distichus Grasses: Poa gunnii, Poa sp., Rytidosperma nudiflorum Ferns: Lycopodium fastigiatum, Polystichum proliferum Site: 5 Dixons Track western Option grassy/sphagnum section Grid Reference: 442260E, 5368960N Accuracy: GPS (within 10 metres) Recorder: Andrew J. North Date of Survey: 7 Mar 2019 Trees: Athrotaxis cupressoides Shrubs: Richea acerosa, Richea gunnii, Richea scoparia Low Shrubs: Acrothamnus montanus, Coprosma perpusilla subsp. perpusilla, Pentachondra pumila Herbs: Asperula gunnii, Brachyscome radicata, Brachyscome spathulata, Cotula australis, Diplaspis hydrocotyle, Euchiton japonicus, Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, Lagenophora stipitata, Oreomyrrhis eriopoda, Pappochroma tasmanicum, Plantago paradoxa, Ranunculus decurvus, Ranunculus triplodontus, Senecio pectinatus var. pectinatus, Utricularia monanthos, Wahlenbergia ceracea Graminoids: Carex sp. Western Tasmania, Carpha alpina, Empodisma minus, Isolepis crassiuscula, Luzula modesta, Uncinia compacta, Uncinia tenella Grasses: Lachnagrostis collicola, Poa gunnii, Rytidosperma nudiflorum Ferns: Lycopodiella diffusa Site: 6 Dixons Track western option slope section Grid Reference: 442300E, 5369020N Accuracy: within 50 metres Recorder: Andrew J. North Date of Survey: 7 Mar 2019 Trees: Athrotaxis cupressoides Shrubs: Coprosma nitida, Cyathodes straminea, Epacris serpyllifolia, Leptospermum rupestre, Microcachrys tetragona, Orites revolutus, Podocarpus lawrencei Low Shrubs: Acrothamnus montanus Herbs: Abrotanella forsteroides, Asperula gunnii, Bellendena montana, Chionogentias sp., Craspedia sp., Diplaspis hydrocotyle, Geranium potentilloides var. potentilloides, Gonocarpus serpyllifolius, Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, Kelleria dieffenbachii, Lagenophora stipitata, Microseris lanceolata, Oreomyrrhis eriopoda, Oxalis magellanica, Plantago tasmanica, Rubus gunnianus, Schizacme montana, Senecio pectinatus var. pectinatus, Stylidium graminifolium, Veronica calycina, Viola cunninghamii, Wahlenbergia saxicola Graminoids: Empodisma minus, Luzula sp., Oreobolus distichus, Uncinia tenella Grasses: Agrostis thompsoniae, Hierochloe redolens, Lachnagrostis sp. Ferns: Blechnum penna-marina subsp. alpina, Lycopodium fastigiatum

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Site: 7 Dixons Track Eastern option Grid Reference: 442420E, 5369000N Accuracy: within 50 metres Recorder: Andrew J. North Date of Survey: 7 Mar 2019 Trees: Athrotaxis cupressoides Shrubs: Epacris serpyllifolia, Leptospermum rupestre, Microcachrys tetragona, Orites acicularis, Orites revolutus Low Shrubs: Acrothamnus montanus, Pentachondra pumila Herbs: Colobanthus apetalus var. apetalus, Euphrasia striata, Lagenophora stipitata, Leptorhynchos squamatus, Viola hederacea Graminoids: Carex sp. Western Tasmania, Empodisma minus, Juncus sandwithii, Oreobolus distichus Grasses: Deyeuxia monticola, Poa gunnii, Rytidosperma dimidiatum, Rytidosperma nudiflorum Ferns: Lycopodium fastigiatum, Lycopodium scariosum Site: 8 Lake Ball Track select species Grid Reference: 442300E, 5368650N Accuracy: within 100 metres Recorder: Andrew J. North Date of Survey: 7 Mar 2019 Trees: Athrotaxis cupressoides Shrubs: Baeckea gunniana, Cyathodes straminea, Epacris serpyllifolia, Gaultheria tasmanica, Leptecophylla parvifolia, Leptospermum rupestre, Podocarpus lawrencei, Richea acerosa, Richea scoparia Herbs: Brachyscome spathulata, Epilobium gunnianum, Herpolirion novae-zelandiae, Linum marginale, Plantago paradoxa, Podolepis jaceoides, Velleia montana, Wahlenbergia ceracea Graminoids: Empodisma minus Grasses: Poa gunnii Ferns: Gleichenia alpina Site: 9 Wild Dog Creek Camp Grid Reference: 938770E, 5357800N Accuracy: within 50 metres Recorder: Andrew J. North Date of Survey: 8 Mar 2019 Trees: Eucalyptus coccifera Shrubs: Baeckea gunniana, Epacris gunnii, Leptospermum rupestre, Leucopogon parviflorus, Orites acicularis, Orites revolutus, Richea acerosa, Richea gunnii, Richea scoparia, Richea sprengelioides, Tasmannia lanceolata Low Shrubs: Acrothamnus montanus, Leucopogon pilifer, Pentachondra pumila Herbs: Almaleea subumbellata, Asperula gunnii, Astelia alpina var. alpina, Bellendena montana, Celmisia asteliifolia, Craspedia sp., Euchiton japonicus, Gonocarpus serpyllifolius, Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, Isotoma fluviatilis subsp. australis, Lagenophora stipitata, Leptorhynchos squamatus, Mitrasacme serpyllifolia, Pappochroma tasmanicum, Plantago paradoxa, Ranunculus decurvus, Ranunculus glabrifolius, Ranunculus triplodontus, Rubus gunnianus, Utricularia monanthos, Velleia montana, Viola hederacea, Wahlenbergia ceracea, Wahlenbergia saxicola, Xerochrysum subundulatum Graminoids: Baloskion australe, Carex sp., Carpha alpina, Empodisma minus, Isolepis montivaga, Lepidosperma filiforme, Oreobolus distichus, Uncinia compacta, Uncinia tenella Grasses: Deyeuxia carinata, Hierochloe redolens, Poa gunnii, Poa labillardierei, Poa sp., Rytidosperma nudiflorum Ferns: Gleichenia alpina, Lycopodium fastigiatum

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Appendix B - Vascular Plant Species

Status codes: ORIGIN NATIONAL SCHEDULE STATE SCHEDULE i - introduced EPBC Act 1999 TSP Act 1995 d - declared weed WM Act CR - critically endangered e - endangered en - endemic to Tasmania EN - endangered v - vulnerable t - within Australia, occurs only in Tas. VU - vulnerable r - rare Sites: 1 Adelaide Campsite - E438750, N5368530 5-03-2019 Andrew J. North 2 Lake Adelaide camp access track - E438880, N5368800 6-03-2019 Andrew J. North 3 Lake Adelaide tarn and edge - E438910, N5368500 6-03-2019 Andrew J. North 4 Dixons Camp site - E442330, N5368830 7-03-2019 Andrew J. North 5 Dixons Track western Option grassy/sphagnum section - E442260, 7-03-2019 Andrew J. North N5368960 6 Dixons Track western option slope section - E442300, N5369020 7-03-2019 Andrew J. North 7 Dixons Track Eastern option - E442420, N5369000 7-03-2019 Andrew J. North 8 Lake Ball Track select species - E442300, N5368650 7-03-2019 Andrew J. North 9 Wild Dog Creek Camp - E938770, N5357800 8-03-2019 Andrew J. North

Site Name Common name Status DICOTYLEDONAE APIACEAE 3 Centella cordifolia swampwort 3 5 6 Diplaspis hydrocotyle eastern mountain-pennywort 3 4 5 6 9 Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides shining pennywort 3 4 5 6 Oreomyrrhis eriopoda australian caraway ASTERACEAE 3 6 Abrotanella forsteroides tasmanian cushionplant en 5 Brachyscome radicata spreading daisy t r 2 4 5 8 Brachyscome spathulata spoonleaf daisy 2 4 9 Celmisia asteliifolia silver snowdaisy en 4 Coronidium scorpioides curling everlasting 4 5 Cotula australis southern buttons 3 6 9 Craspedia sp. billy-buttons 5 9 Euchiton japonicus common cottonleaf 3 Euchiton traversii mat cottonleaf 5 6 7 9 Lagenophora stipitata blue bottledaisy 2 4 7 9 Leptorhynchos squamatus scaly buttons 3 4 6 Microseris lanceolata yam daisy 2 Olearia erubescens moth daisybush 4 Olearia pinifolia prickly daisybush en 3 4 5 9 Pappochroma tasmanicum tasmanian mountaindaisy 8 Podolepis jaceoides showy copperwire-daisy 4 Senecio gunnii mountain fireweed 5 6 Senecio pectinatus var. pectinatus yellow alpine groundsel 2 4 9 Xerochrysum subundulatum orange everlasting CAMPANULACEAE 9 Isotoma fluviatilis subsp. australis swamp stars 3 Lobelia surrepens mud lobelia 3 5 8 9 Wahlenbergia ceracea waxy bluebell 6 9 Wahlenbergia saxicola mountain bluebell en CARYOPHYLLACEAE 7 Colobanthus apetalus var. apetalus coast cupflower CLUSIACEAE 3 Hypericum japonicum matted st johns-wort DILLENIACEAE 2 Hibbertia prostrata prostrate guineaflower

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

DROSERACEAE 3 Drosera arcturi alpine sundew 3 Drosera pygmaea dwarf sundew EPACRIDACEAE 1 2 4 5 6 Acrothamnus montanus snow beardheath 7 9 6 8 Cyathodes straminea spreading cheeseberry en 1 2 9 Epacris gunnii coral heath 6 7 8 Epacris serpyllifolia alpine heath en 1 2 8 Leptecophylla parvifolia mountain pinkberry en 9 Leucopogon parviflorus coast beardheath 1 2 9 Leucopogon pilifer trailing beardheath 4 Montilega dealbata carpet cheeseberry en 1 2 4 5 7 Pentachondra pumila carpet frillyheath 9 1 4 5 8 9 Richea acerosa slender candleheath en 5 9 Richea gunnii bog candleheath en 5 8 9 Richea scoparia scoparia en 9 Richea sprengelioides rigid candleheath en ERICACEAE 8 Gaultheria tasmanica tasmanian waxberry en FABACEAE 2 9 Almaleea subumbellata wiry bushpea 1 2 Pultenaea fasciculata alpine bushpea GENTIANACEAE 6 Chionogentias sp. gentian GERANIACEAE 6 Geranium potentilloides var. potentilloides mountain cranesbill 3 Geranium sp. native geranium GOODENIACEAE 1 2 4 8 9 Velleia montana mountain velleia HALORAGACEAE 1 Gonocarpus montanus mountain raspwort 2 4 6 9 Gonocarpus serpyllifolius alpine raspwort 3 Myriophyllum pedunculatum matted water-milfoil LENTIBULARIACEAE 5 9 Utricularia monanthos mountain bladderwort LINACEAE 8 Linum marginale mountain flax en LOGANIACEAE 9 Mitrasacme serpyllifolia thyme mitrewort 6 Schizacme montana mountain mitrewort MENYANTHACEAE 3 Liparophyllum exiguum dwarf marshwort en MYRTACEAE 8 9 Baeckea gunniana alpine heathmyrtle 9 Eucalyptus coccifera snow peppermint en 1 Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. gunnii cider gum en 4 6 7 8 9 Leptospermum rupestre mountain teatree en ONAGRACEAE 8 Epilobium gunnianum bog willowherb

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

OXALIDACEAE 6 Oxalis magellanica snowdrop woodsorrel PLANTAGINACEAE 3 Plantago gunnii bolster plantain en 3 5 8 9 Plantago paradoxa hairtuft plantain en 4 6 Plantago tasmanica tasman plantain en PROTEACEAE 6 9 Bellendena montana mountain rocket en 2 Grevillea australis southern grevillea en 7 9 Orites acicularis yellow orites en 1 2 4 6 7 Orites revolutus revolute orites en 9

RANUNCULACEAE 3 5 9 Ranunculus decurvus nodding buttercup en 3 9 Ranunculus glabrifolius shining buttercup 5 9 Ranunculus triplodontus threetooth buttercup en ROSACEAE 3 Acaena montana mountain buzzy en 1 2 6 9 Rubus gunnianus alpine raspberry en RUBIACEAE 4 5 6 9 Asperula gunnii mountain woodruff 2 Asperula gunnii var. gunnii mountain woodruff 1 6 Coprosma nitida mountain currant 5 Coprosma perpusilla subsp. perpusilla orange matcurrant SCROPHULARIACEAE 7 Euphrasia striata shiny striped eyebright en 3 Gratiola nana matted brooklime 6 Veronica calycina hairy speedwell STYLIDIACEAE 6 Stylidium graminifolium narrowleaf triggerplant THYMELAEACEAE 6 Kelleria dieffenbachii carpet riceflower TREMANDRACEAE 2 Tetratheca procumbens spreading pinkbells en VIOLACEAE 6 Viola cunninghamii alpine violet t r 7 9 Viola hederacea ivyleaf violet WINTERACEAE 9 Tasmannia lanceolata mountain pepper GYMNOSPERMAE CUPRESSACEAE 4 5 6 7 8 Athrotaxis cupressoides pencil pine en PODOCARPACEAE 4 6 7 Microcachrys tetragona creeping pine en 6 8 Podocarpus lawrencei mountain plumpine MONOCOTYLEDONAE CYPERACEAE 2 4 9 Carex sp. sedge 5 7 Carex sp. Western Tasmania halfribbed sedge 5 9 Carpha alpina alpine strawsedge 5 Isolepis crassiuscula alpine clubsedge

North Barker Ecosystem Services PWS013 04/04/2019 Walls of Jerusalem National Park – Recreation Zone Implementation Project Natural Values Assessment

9 Isolepis montivaga mountain clubsedge 2 9 Lepidosperma filiforme common rapiersedge 4 6 7 9 Oreobolus distichus fan cushionsedge 3 Schoenus fluitans floating bogsedge 5 9 Uncinia compacta compact hooksedge 5 6 9 Uncinia tenella delicate hooksedge JUNCACEAE 7 Juncus sandwithii alpine jointleaf rush 5 Luzula modesta bog woodrush 4 6 Luzula sp. luzula LILIACEAE 2 9 Astelia alpina var. alpina pineapple grass en 8 Herpolirion novae-zelandiae sky lily POACEAE 6 Agrostis thompsoniae hair bent 9 Deyeuxia carinata keeled bentgrass 7 Deyeuxia monticola mountain bentgrass 2 Deyeuxia sp. bent grass 6 9 Hierochloe redolens sweet holygrass 5 Lachnagrostis collicola hill blowngrass en 2 Lachnagrostis filiformis common blowngrass 3 Lachnagrostis morrisii morris blowngrass en 1 3 Lachnagrostis rudis meagre blowngrass 6 Lachnagrostis sp. blown grass 1 2 4 5 7 Poa gunnii gunns snowgrass en 8 9 9 Poa labillardierei silver tussockgrass 4 9 Poa sp. poa 7 Rytidosperma dimidiatum variable wallabygrass 1 2 4 5 7 Rytidosperma nudiflorum alpine wallabygrass 9

RESTIONACEAE 2 9 Baloskion australe southern cordrush 1 2 4 5 6 Empodisma minus spreading roperush 7 8 9 PTERIDOPHYTA ASPIDIACEAE 4 Polystichum proliferum mother shieldfern BLECHNACEAE 6 Blechnum penna-marina subsp. alpina alpine waterfern GLEICHENIACEAE 2 8 9 Gleichenia alpina alpine coralfern en LYCOPODIACEAE 5 Lycopodiella diffusa buttongrass clubmoss t 2 4 6 7 9 Lycopodium fastigiatum mountain clubmoss 7 Lycopodium scariosum spreading clubmoss OPHIOGLOSSACEAE 2 Ophioglossum lusitanicum subsp. adders-tongue coriaceum

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