APRIL 2017

UIL ENERGY OCEAN HILL LEASE AREA FLORA, VEGETATION AND FAUNA ASSESSMENT

UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Document status ecologia reference: 1684 Approved for issue Rev Authors Reviewer Name Distributed to Date A Craigie 0 Shaun Grein Shaun Grein Lana Volkova 05/04/2017 A Schmitz 1 A Craigie Shaun Grein Shaun Grein Lana Volkova 12/04/2017

ecologia Environment (2017). Reproduction of this report in whole or in part by electronic, mechanical or chemical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, in any language, is strictly prohibited without the express approval of UIL Energy and ecologia Environment.

Restrictions on Use This report has been prepared specifically for UIL Energy. Neither the report nor its contents may be referred to or quoted in any statement, study, report, application, prospectus, loan, or other agreement document (with the exception of when this document is required to be publicly released as part of a statutory approval process), without the express approval of UIL Energy and ecologia Environment. ecologia Environment 45 Gladstone Street, East Perth WA 6004 Phone: 08 6168 7200 Email: [email protected]

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... III 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ...... 1 1.2 LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK ...... 1 1.3 SURVEY OBJECTIVES ...... 4 1.4 DEFINITIONS ...... 4 1.4.1 Significant Flora ...... 4 1.4.2 Significant Vegetation ...... 5 1.4.3 Significant Fauna ...... 5 1.4.4 Introduced Flora ...... 5 2 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ...... 7 2.1.1 Climate ...... 7 2.1.2 Biogeography ...... 7 2.1.3 Pre-European Vegetation ...... 8 2.1.4 Geology and Soils ...... 8 3 DESKTOP STUDY ...... 11 3.1 LITERATURE REVIEW AND DATABASE SEARCHES ...... 11 3.2 DESKTOP RESULTS ...... 12 3.2.1 Literature Review...... 12 3.2.2 Database Search Results and Likelihood of Occurrence ...... 12 4 FIELD SURVEY METHODOLOGY ...... 22 4.1 FLORA AND VEGETATION ASSESSMENT ...... 22 4.1.1 Survey Techniques and Intensity ...... 22 4.2 LEVEL 1 FAUNA ASSESSMENT ...... 27 4.2.1 Habitat Descriptions and Mapping ...... 27 4.2.2 Fauna Observations ...... 28 4.3 PROJECT TEAM ...... 29 5 RESULTS ...... 30 5.1 FLORA ...... 30 5.1.1 Flora Assemblage ...... 30 5.1.2 Threatened Flora ...... 30 5.1.3 Priority Flora ...... 30 5.1.4 Introduced Species ...... 32 5.2 VEGETATION ...... 39 5.2.1 Vegetation Units ...... 39 5.2.2 Vegetation of Conservation Significance ...... 39 5.3 FAUNA ...... 43 5.3.1 Fauna Habitats ...... 43 5.3.2 Species Recorded ...... 46 5.3.3 Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Habitat Assessment ...... 49 5.3.4 Study Area Potential to Support Conservation Significant Fauna Species ...... 53 6 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION ...... 56

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

6.1 FLORA ...... 56 6.2 VEGETATION ...... 57 6.3 FAUNA ...... 58 7 FLORA AND FAUNA SURVEY LIMITATIONS AND CONSTRAINTS ...... 59 8 REFERENCES ...... 61

TABLES

Table 1.1: Study area components ...... 1 Table 2.1: Shepherd and Beard vegetation at the study area ...... 8 Table 3.1: Databases searched for the literature review ...... 11 Table 3.2: Criteria used to assess the likelihood of occurrence of significant fauna, flora and vegetation ...... 11 Table 3.3: Likelihood of occurrence of Threatened Flora species ...... 14 Table 3.4: Likelihood of occurrence of Priority Flora species ...... 15 Table 3.5: Likelihood of occurrence of conservation significant fauna species ...... 20 Table 4.1: Vegetation condition assessment, South West Botanical Province (EPA and DPaW 2015). 24 Table 4.2: Habitat condition assessment ...... 27 Table 4.3: Project team and licences ...... 29 Table 5.1: Priority Flora taxa and number of recorded within the impact area ...... 31 Table 5.2: Specificity of Priority Flora taxa to the described vegetation units ...... 32 Table 5.3: Summary of vegetation units mapped within the study area ...... 40 Table 5.4: Broad fauna habitat types in the Study Area...... 43 Table 5.5: Fauna species recorded during the survey...... 46 Table 5.6: Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo foraging habitat classification...... 51 Table 5.7: Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo foraging habitat rankings ...... 51 Table 6.1: Number of Priority Flora individuals recorded within the impact area ...... 57 Table 7.1: Summary of flora survey limitations...... 59 Table 7.2: Summary of fauna survey limitations ...... 60

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

FIGURES

Figure 1.1: Regional location of the study area ...... 2 Figure 1.2: The Ocean Hill study area ...... 3 Figure 2.1: Climate data from Eneabba BOM weather station (Station No. 8225) ...... 7 Figure 2.2: Location of the study area within the Bioregion ...... 9 Figure 2.3: Beard vegetation of the study area ...... 10 Figure 3.1: TECs in the vicinity of the study area ...... 13 Figure 3.2: Threatened Flora species records within 10 km of the study area ...... 17 Figure 3.3: Priority Flora species records within 10 km of the study area ...... 18 Figure 3.4: Conservation significant fauna species within 50 km of the study area ...... 21 Figure 4.1: Relevés and foot traverses ...... 25 Figure 4.2: Seismic and Receiver Lines within the study area ...... 26 Figure 5.1 Priority Flora records – Area B ...... 33 Figure 5.2 Priority Flora records – Area E ...... 34 Figure 5.3 Priority Flora records – Area F ...... 35 Figure 5.4 Priority Flora records – Area G ...... 36 Figure 5.5 Priority Flora records – Area H ...... 37 Figure 5.6 Priority Flora records – Area I ...... 38 Figure 5.7: Vegetation units of the study area – Map 1 ...... 41 Figure 5.8: Vegetation units of the study area – Map 2 ...... 42 Figure 5.9: Habitat 01 -Sparse Low Open Woodland ...... 43 Figure 5.10: Habitat 02 - Shrublands and Scrub Heath ...... 44 Figure 5.11: Habitat 03 - Drainage Line ...... 44 Figure 5.12: Broad fauna habitats over the study area ...... 45 Figure 5.13: Conservation significant fauna species recorded during the survey ...... 48 Figure 5.14: Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo foraging habitat mapping ...... 52

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

APPENDICES

Appendix A Definitions ...... 65 Appendix B Vascular flora species recorded within 20 km of the study area ...... 71 Appendix C Terrestrial fauna species recorded within 20 km of the study area ...... 72 Appendix D Terrestrial fauna of conservation significance recorded within the vicinity of the study area ...... 73 Appendix E Vascular flora site data ...... 74 Appendix F Vascular flora Taxa recorded within the study area ...... 75 Appendix G Flora of conservation significance Recorded within the study area ...... 81 Appendix H Fauna habitat assessment results ...... 93 Appendix I Plants known to be used by Black-Cockatoos ...... 94 Appendix J Potential Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo food species recorded from the study area ...... 95

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

ACRONYMS BAM Act Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 BOM Bureau of Meteorology CALM Department of Conservation and Land Management (now DPaW) DAFWA Department of Agriculture and Food DBH Diameter at Breast Height DEC Department of Environment and Conservation (now DPaW) DMP Department of Minerals and Petroleum DoEE Department of Environment and Energy DoW Department of Water DPaW Department of Parks and Wildlife (formerly DEC) DSEWPaC Department of the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities EP Environment Plan EPA Environmental Protection Authority EP Act Environmental Protection Act 1986 EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ESA Environmentally Sensitive Area ESCAVI Executive Steering Committee for Australian Vegetation Information IBRA Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia NVIS National Vegetation Information System PEC Priority Ecological Community TEC Threatened Ecological Community TPFL Threatened and Priority flora Database TPList Threatened and Priority flora List WAHERB Western Australian Herbarium WAOL Western Australian Organism List WONS Weeds of National Significance WC Act Wildlife Conservation Act 1950

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ecologia Environment (ecologia) was commissioned by UIL Energy to undertake a targeted conservation significant flora survey, a flora and vegetation survey and a Level 1 vertebrate fauna assessment of approximately 200km of linear seismic lines to support environmental approvals for proposed 3D seismic surveys within the Ocean Hill Exploration Permit EP495 area, located 250 km north of Perth along the Brand Highway between Eneabba and Hill River in the Midwest region of Western Australia. Within the lease area, six remnants of intact native vegetation totalling approximately 4,980 ha were surveyed. The results of the flora and fauna surveys will be used to inform Department of Mines and petroleum (DM) Environment Plans (EP’s), impacts assessments and other regulatory environmental approvals required for the study area.

Flora and vegetation assessment

A flora and vegetation reconnaissance survey and targeted significant flora survey of the study area, undertaken in conjunction with the Level 1 fauna assessment, was conducted between the 13th to and 21st December 2016. A total of 221 taxa representing 36 families and 76 genera were recorded from the study area. No EPBC Act or WC Act-listed Threatened Flora species were recorded during the survey. Sixteen confirmed Priority listed plant taxa were recorded from proposed seismic lines, including one Priority 1 species ( amplexans subsp. adpressa), two Priority 2 species (Arnocrinum gracillimum and filiformis), eight Priority 3 species (Allocasuarina ramosissima, fraseri var. crebra, Beaufortia bicolor, Hensmania stoniella, Jacksonia anthoclada, Persoonia rudis, Phlebocarya pilosissima subsp. pilosissima, insignis subsp. eomagis, and Verticordia rutilastra), and five Priority 4 species (, Calytrix chrysantha, Calytrix eneabbensis, Desmocladus elongatus, and Verticordia aurea). Eucalyptus macrocarpa subsp. elachantha (P4) was recorded, but not within the impact area. Specimens potentially representing three Priority listed species (Conostephium ?magnum, Stylidium ?hymenocraspedum, ?endothrix) were recorded from within the impact area, but were unable to be identified with certainty due to the absence of flowering or fruiting material. Three potentially conservation significant Hemiandra taxa (Hemiandra aff. sp. Jurien (B.J. Conn & M.E. Tozer BJC 3885), Hemiandra aff. sp. Eneabba (H. Demarz 3687) (P3), and Hemiandra aff. sp. Kalbarri (D. Bellairs 1505)) were recorded within the impact area. Representative specimens of these taxa are somewhat anomalous, and have been submitted to the Western Australian Herbarium for conformation or identification. Twelve vegetation units were described and mapped within the study area. Three broadly defined vegetation units predominate, comprising approximately 94% of the study area. No listed TECs (DPaW 2015a) or listed PECs (DPaW 2015b) were recorded.

Fauna assessment

A single phase Level 1 terrestrial fauna assessment of the study area including a habitat assessment for Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo was undertaken between the 13th and 19th December 2016. The habitat of the study area is typical of the Geraldton Sandplains bioregion, and three broad fauna habitats were identified: sparse low Open Woodland (H01), Shrublands and Scrub Heath (H02), and Drainage Lines (H03). In the landscape context the study area generally occurs as patches of remnant vegetation within a landscape cleared for agriculture. However, Areas G and I are contiguous with extensive native vegetation merging with adjacent crown land including the nearby South Eneabba Nature Reserve.

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

A total of seventy-six vertebrate fauna species, including 12 mammals (eight of which were introduced species), 55 birds and 9 reptiles were identified during the survey from the six study area components or in the immediate vicinity. The migratory Rainbow Bee-eater was recorded, as well as skeletal remains and potential tracks of the Priority 4 Western Brush Wallaby. The Endangered Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo was recorded in the vicinity of the study area. No breeding or night roosting habitat is considered likely to be present within the study area for this species however the species is likely to be a seasonal visitor during the non-breeding autumn-winter period. An assessment of the availability and importance of foraging habitat over the study area was undertaken by analysing fauna habitat, flora and vegetation survey data and correlating this with known food resources for the species. Over 525 ha of good to excellent foraging habitat was mapped over the study area, with 158 ha categorised as poor to non-existent. The remainder was assessed as being of moderate foraging value. The Rainbow Bee‐eater is likely to occur seasonally during the summer months. Friable sandy soils within Habitats 01 and 02 of the study area provide suitable breeding habitat to construct nesting burrows, and the Western Brush Wallaby is also likely to occur within Habitats 01 and 02. Very few regional records of the Malleefowl (Vulnerable), Gilled Slender Blue-tongue (Vulnerable), and Black-striped Snake are present in databases or literature reviews, and due to either a lack of characteristic habitat, or the study area being outside the range of typical distributions, these species are less likely to occur, and have been assessed as having a moderate (2) likelihood of occurrence. No breeding habitat occurs for the Peregrine Falcon (Specially Protected), however, due to its widespread movements, this species may overfly all habitats of the study area intermittently.

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ecologia Environment (ecologia) was commissioned by UIL Energy to conduct a targeted conservation significant flora survey, a flora and vegetation reconnaissance survey and a Level 1 vertebrate fauna assessment of approximately 200 km of linear seismic and receiver lines to support environmental approvals for clearing of proposed 3D seismic surveys within the Ocean Hill Exploration Permit EP495 area (the ‘permit area’). The permit area is 23,534 ha and located approximately 250 km north of Perth, east of the Brand Highway between Eneabba and Hill River in the Midwest region of Western Australia (Figure 1.1). Within the permit area are several patches of remnant intact native vegetation, six of which, totalling approximately 4,827 ha, were the focus of this survey (the ‘study area’) (Table 1.1; Figure 1.2). Targeted surveys for conservation significant flora and fauna were conducted along proposed seismic lines (intersecting Areas B, E, F, G, H, and I). The results of the flora and fauna surveys will be used to inform Environment Plans (EP’s), impacts assessments and regulatory environmental approvals for the for the 3D seismic survey of the study area. Table 1.1: Study area components Survey component Approximate area Area B 668 ha Area E 196 ha Area F 178 ha Area G 1,202 ha Area H 81 ha Area I 2,503 ha Total study area 4,827 ha

1.2 LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK The surveys were designed to comply with guidelines as described in the following documents:

Flora and Vegetation • Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Guidance Statement No. 51: Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia (EPA 2004a); • EPA Position Statement No. 3: Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection (EPA 2002a); • Technical Guide– Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA & DPaW 2015).

Fauna • EPA Guidance Statement No. 56: Terrestrial Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia (EPA 2002b); • Technical Guide – Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA and DEC 2010); • Survey Guidelines for Australia’s Threatened Mammals (DSEWPaC 2011b); • Survey Guidelines for Australia’s Threatened Bats (DSEWPaC 2011a); • Survey Guidelines for Australia’s Threatened Birds (DSEWPaC 2010); and • Survey Guidelines for Australia’s Threatened Reptiles (DSEWPaC 2011c).

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6 Proposed seismic survey outline Receiver Line Seismic Line

UIL Ocean Hill Figure: 1-1 Project ID: 1694 Regional Location Date: 05/03/2017 Drawn: AS A4 0 1.5 3 Scale: 1:400,000 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres 340000 350000 6700000

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6690000 H G

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E 6680000

B Study area Proposed seismic survey outline Receiver Line Seismic Line Crown Land Property Owners

UIL Ocean Hill Figure: 1-2 Project ID: 1694 Study Area Date:Browne 05/03/2017 Drawn: AS A4 0 0.5 1

6670000 Scale: 1:125,000 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

1.3 SURVEY OBJECTIVES The Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) objectives with regard to the management of native flora, fauna and vegetation are to: • Avoid adverse impacts on biological diversity comprising the different plants and animals and the ecosystems they form, at the levels of genetic, species and ecosystem diversity; • Maintain the abundance, species diversity, geographic distribution and productivity of vegetation communities; • Protect Threatened Flora and Fauna consistent with the provisions of the WC Act; and • Protect other flora and fauna species of conservation significance.

The primary objective of the flora and fauna assessment was to provide sufficient information to regulators to assess the impact of the proposed development on the flora, vegetation and fauna of the study area by providing: • A review of background information including relevant database searches and a review of previous surveys conducted in the area; • An inventory of vascular flora and vertebrate fauna species observed at the study area; • An inventory and a map of species of conservation significance (including Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WA) and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwth) listed threatened or specially protected fauna, DPaW Priority flora and fauna, and internationally listed fauna) recorded or likely to occur within the study area and surrounds; • Results of a targeted survey for the threatened Carnaby’s Black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) • A map and description of vegetation units occurring in the study area, and an assessment of which vegetation units potentially represent TEC or PECs; • A map and detailed description of fauna habitats at the study area; • A review of significance, including the conservation status, of species recorded at the study area.

1.4 DEFINITIONS

1.4.1 Significant Flora As described in the Technical Guide– Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA & DPaW 2015) and EPA Guidance Statement 51 (EPA 2004a), flora may be considered conservation significant if it is: • Declared Rare (Threatened, EPBC Act and/or WC Act, categories provided in Appendix A); or • Priority flora (categories are provided in Appendix A). Other reasons that flora may be significant include: • Range extensions; • Keystone species; • Relic species; • Potential novel or new species; • Restricted subspecies, varieties or naturally occurring hybrids; and • Local endemism and/or a restricted distribution.

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

1.4.2 Significant Vegetation As described in Technical Guide– Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA & DPaW 2015) and EPA Guidance Statement 51 (EPA 2004a), vegetation may be considered conservation significant if it is: • Listed as a Threatened Ecological Community (TEC, categories provided in Appendix A); or • The known post-European extent is below a threshold level. Other reasons that vegetation may be significant include: • Scarcity (based on likely distribution and landform type); • Unusual species (based on other surveys conducted in the area); • Novel combination of species (based on other surveys conducted in the area); • A role as refuge (based on if the vegetation provides refuge for flora during any stress i.e. drought, fire etc. and can include gorges, phreatophytic species etc.); • A role as a key habitat for threatened species or large populations representing a significant proportion of the local to regional total population of a species; • Being representative of the range of a unit, at the extremes of range, recently discovered range extensions, outliers or isolated outliers of a main range; and • A restricted distribution (based on other surveys conducted in the area). In addition to that listed in Guidance Statement No. 51, vegetation is considered significant if it is: • A state listed TEC or Priority Ecological Communities (PECs, categories provided in Appendix A).

1.4.3 Significant Fauna As described in the Technical Guide – Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA and DEC 2010)and EPA Guidance Statement 56 (EPA 2004c) fauna species may be considered conservation significant if they area: • Protected by international agreement or treaty (i.e. migratory fauna); • Specially protected (Threatened, categories provided in Appendix A); or • Priority Fauna (categories provided in Appendix A). Other reasons that fauna species may be significant include: • Short range endemics; • Species that have declining populations or distributions; • Species at the extremes of their range, or isolated outlying populations; and • Species that are undescribed. After the results of the literature review, database searches and survey results were compiled, terrestrial vertebrate fauna species that are listed under current legislative frameworks were identified. Three conservation lists have been developed at national (EPBC Act) and State (WC Act and DPaW priority list) levels.

1.4.4 Introduced Flora

1.4.4.1 Weeds of National Significance At a national level there are 32 weeds listed as Weeds of National Significance (WONS). The Commonwealth National Weeds Strategy: A Strategic Approach to Weed Problems of National Significance (2012c) describes broad goals and objectives to manage these weeds.

1.4.4.2 Declared Pests (Weeds) The Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act) (Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia; DAFWA 2007) seeks to prevent serious animal and plant pests and diseases

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment from entering the State and becoming established, and to minimise the spread and impact of any that are already present. The BAM Act 2007 categorises Declared Pests in one of three control categories; C1 Exclusion, C2 Eradication and C3 Management. These categories are described in Appendix A. The Western Australian Organism List (WAOL) contains a list of organisms declared under the BAM Act 2007 (DAFWA 2016).

1.4.4.3 Environmental Weeds A second and much more extensive categorisation of weeds has been developed by DPaW in the State Environmental Weed Strategy (Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) 1999). Weeds listed as Environmental Weeds are ranked into four control categories; Low, Mild, Moderate or High. These are described in Appendix A.

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

2 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

2.1.1 Climate Based on data from the nearest BOM weather station at Eneabba (Station No. 8225) approximately 9 km northwest, the study area experiences a dry Mediterranean climate with a hot dry period from December to March and a mild winter from June to August (Figure 2.1). The current survey was conducted between the 13th and 21st of December 2016, following low rainfall in September and October and average rainfall in November (Figure 2.1).

120 40

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) ° C) 60 20

15 Temp ( 40 Rainfall (mm Rainfall 10 20 5

0 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Mean rainfall (mm) Rainfall (mm) (2016) Mean Max Temp (°C) Mean Min Temp (°C)

Figure 2.1: Climate data from Eneabba BOM weather station (Station No. 8225)

2.1.2 Biogeography The Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) (Version 7) classifies the Australian continent into regions (bioregions) of similar geology, landform, vegetation, fauna and climate characteristics, and has currently 89 recognised regions (DSEWPaC 2012b). The study area is located within the Geraldton Sandplains bioregion and the Lesueur Sandplain subregion (GS03) (Figure 2.2). The Leseur Sandplains subregion covers a total area of approximately 1,358,915 ha. The subregion hosts scrub‐heaths that are rich in endemics, with a large number of distinct, species rich and geographically restricted floristic communities. More than 250 species are known to be endemic to the area. The bioregion is composed predominantly of proteaceous scrub-heaths on the sandy earths of an extensive and undulating lateritic sandplain (Desmond and Chant 2003). The Lesueur Sandplain subregion comprises coastal aeolian sands and limestones, siltstones and sandstones, with extensive yellow sandplains in the south and east. Mosaics of lateritic mesas, sandplains, and coastal sands and limestones support shrub-heaths that are rich in endemics, with heath occurring on the lateritised sandplains of the north and east eastern margins (Desmond and Chant 2003). Dominant land uses in this region are dry‐land agriculture, conservation and Crown Reserves.

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

2.1.3 Pre-European Vegetation The vegetation of Western Australia was mapped at the 1:1,000,000 scale by Beard (1976), and was subsequently reinterpreted and updated to reflect the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) standards (Shepherd et al. 2001). Two associations of Beard (1976) occur over the study area: Shrublands; scrub-heath on lateritic sandplain in the central Geraldton Sandplain Region (Association 379), and Shrublands; mixed heath (Association 49) (Figure 2.3). Association 379 occurs predominantly in the southern portion of the study area and consists primarily of a Banksia mixed open woodland or Allocasuarina mixed shrubland over Anigozanthos mixed open forbland. In the northern portions of the study area Association 379 occurs as a mosaic with Association 49 which consists primarily as a heath of , Allocasuarina humilis, and Dryandra fraseri. NVIS VI (sub-association) level descriptions for the two vegetation associations occurring are given in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1: Shepherd and Beard vegetation at the study area Association Vegetation Association (NVIS VI) Code and Description

379: Shrublands: Scrub- U1 , Nuytsia floribunda, , , Eucalyptus heath on lateritic todtiana\tree,mallee\4\i; M1 Allocasuarina campestris, Allocasuarina humilis, chrysantherus, sandplain. Dryandra shuttleworthiana, Eremaea pauciflora \ shrub, Xanthorrhoea, cycad, sedge\3\c;G Anigozanthos humilis, Macropidia fuliginosa, Anigozanthos pulcherrimus 49: Shrublands: Mixed heath. G1+Hakea auriculata, Allocasuarina humilis, Dryandra fraseri, Melaleuca radula, Petrophile sp.\shrub\2\c

2.1.4 Geology and Soils The study area lies within the Greenough soil-landscape province described by Tille (2006) which overlies Cretaceous, Jurassic, Triassic, Permian, Carboniferous and Silurian Period sedimentary rocks of the northern Perth Basin. Extensive laterite formation occurred during the Tertiary Period, and in the Quaternary Period Tamala Limestone developed in aeolian coastal deposits. Primary rock types in the Greenough Province include sandstone, siltstone, shale, claystone and limestone. Most of the province consists of an undulating plateau formed on laterite overlying the Perth Basin sedimentary rocks. Extensive sandplains have developed on these plateaus, with low dunes and relict drainage systems with long gentle slopes and alluvial surfaces. Pale deep sands, gravelly pale deep sands and red deep sands can occur, however, deep yellow sands are the most common soil type and dominate the sandplains (Tille 2006). Deep sandy gravels, duplex sandy gravels and shallow gravels occur on broad crests, and in areas of dissected plateaux shallow gravels occur on the ridges. One soil unit (wd9) has been mapped within the study area utilising the Digital Atlas of Australian Soils (Northcote et al. 1960-1968): • Wd9: Broad valleys and undulating inter-fluvial areas with some discontinuous breakaways and occasional mesas; lateritic materials mantle the area. Chief soils are sandy acidic yellow mottled soils, (Dy5.81) containing much ironstone gravel in the A horizons, and (Dy5.84), both forming a complex pattern with each other and with lateritic sandy gravels (KS-Uc2.12). Associated are leached sands (Uc2.21) underlain by lateritic gravels and mottled clays that occur at a progressively greater depth down slope.

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Study area Subregion Dandaragan Plateau Geraldton Hills

Katanning Dandaragan Plateau Katanning Lesueur Sandplain Merredin Northern Swan Coastal Plain 0 0 0 0 0

6 Figure: 2-2

6 UIL Ocean Hill Project ID: 1694 IBRA v7 Subregions Date: 05/03/2017 Drawn: AS A4 0 3 6 Northern Jarrah Forest Scale: 1:750,000 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres 335000 340000 345000 0 0 0 5 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 5 8 6 6 0 0 0 0 8 6 6

Study area Vegetation Association 49 379 392

UIL Ocean Hill Figure: 2-3 Project ID: 1694 Beard Vegetation Associations Date: 05/03/2017

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0 Scale: 1:80,000 5

7 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres 6 6 UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

3 DESKTOP STUDY The flora and fauna survey methodology adopted for this assessment was consistent with that recommended by EPA (2002b), EPA (2004a), (EPA 2004b) EPA and DEC (2010), DSEWPaC (2011b) and EPA and DPaW (2015) included a desktop study to gather relevant background information on the study area, and field surveys to verify the accuracy of the desktop study, further delineate and characterise assemblages present and enhance the level of knowledge at the locality scale.

3.1 LITERATURE REVIEW AND DATABASE SEARCHES Prior to the field survey a search and review of all relevant reports in the vicinity of the study area was undertaken. Searches of the databases listed in Table 3.1 were also undertaken to determine conservation significant species and communities previously recorded within the study area or vicinity. Table 3.1: Databases searched for the literature review

Database Search Details Records of EPBC Act significant flora and fauna species and weeds EPBC Act Protected Matters Database within 20 km of the study area DPaW Threatened and Priority flora Database Records of significant flora within 10 km of the study area DPaW Threatened and Priority fauna Database Records of significant fauna within 50 km of the study area DPaW Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities Records of TEC/PECs within 20km of the study area Database Records of significant flora by place names within 10 km of the study Threatened and Priority flora List (TPList) area Western Australian Herbarium Specimen Database (WAHERB) Records of significant flora within 10 km of the study area All flora and fauna records within 20 km of the study area DPaW NatureMap All conservation significant taxa within 20 km of the study area Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) All fauna records within 20 km of the study area Birdlife Australia Custom Atlas Records of birds within 20 km of the study area ecologia internal database All flora and fauna records within 20 km of the study area

The database searches and literature review resulted in an inventory of flora, vegetation and vertebrate fauna of conservation significance with at least the potential to occur over the study area. The criteria listed in Table 3.2 were then applied to determine the likelihood of occurrence of significant species and vegetation occurring within the study area. Results of the desktop study and likelihood of occurrence assessment informed the field survey design, including the selection of habitats and sites for survey, and species of conservation significance to target.

Table 3.2: Criteria used to assess the likelihood of occurrence of significant fauna, flora and vegetation

Rating Criteria Significant Flora Criteria TEC/PEC The TEC/PEC (not including buffer) has previously been Recorded The taxon has previously been recorded in the study area. recorded in the study area. Due to the proximity of previous records (<5 km) and the Due to the proximity of previous records (<5 km) and the 1 presence of suitable habitat, the taxon possibly occurs presence of suitable habitat/geology, the TEC/PEC is within the study area. possibly within the study area. The habitat specificity of the taxon is broadly defined and The community is broadly defined and could possibly occur habitat could occur at the study area and there are records at the study area and there are records within 20 km of the 2 within 20 km of the study area; or there is insufficient study areas; or there is insufficient information available to information available to exclude the possibility of exclude the possibility of occurrence at the study area. occurrence at the study area. The habitat specificity of the taxon is well defined from The community is well defined and suitable habitat/geology previous records and the habitat is considered unlikely to 3 is considered unlikely to be present within the study area; be present within the study area; or there are no records or there are no records within 20 km of the Study area. within 20 km of the study area.

11

UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

3.2 DESKTOP RESULTS

3.2.1 Literature Review A combined flora and vegetation, vertebrate fauna and short range endemic (SRE), and habitat desktop assessment was previously undertaken over a 27,845 ha lease area that overlapped the current study area by ecologia (2013). The main findings of the desktop assessment were that two TEC buffer zones are located in close proximity. Nine threatened and 42 priority flora taxa have been recorded inside the total lease area with a further nine threatened and 51 priority taxa assessed as highly likely to occur. Two mammals, ten birds and two reptile species of conservation significance were assessed as to have a medium to high likelihood of occurrence in the lease area. Astron (2015) undertook an ecological assessment to the south of the study area within the locality of Badgingarra. The assessment comprised a targeted flora survey and a Level 1 fauna assessment of approximately 63 linear kilometres of seismic lines. No threatened flora species were identified within the survey area, but 15 Priority flora species were recorded. Three conservation significant fauna species were recorded during the survey with another two species assessed as having a moderate likelihood of occurrence. Results of these studies were reviewed on the basis of the likelihood of occurrence of relevant conservation significant species occurring within the study area with consideration given to previous records, habitat requirements, and landform. It should be noted that ecologia (2013) survey covered a significantly larger area (27,845 ha) than the current study area and associated database ‘search areas’ covered a much larger area.

3.2.2 Database Search Results and Likelihood of Occurrence

Vegetation No nationally listed TECs have been previously recorded or are known to occur within the study area. Two state-listed TECs have been recorded within the vicinity of the study area with the associated administrative buffers overlapping a very small portion of Area I (Figure 3.1): • Assemblages of organic mound springs of the Three Springs area; and • Ferricrete floristic community (Rocky Springs type) An additional seven TECs occur within 50 km of the study area (ecologia 2013).

12

328000 336000 344000 0 0 0 6 9 6 6 0 0 0 8 8 6 6 0 0 0 0 8 6 6

Study area Proposed seismic survey outline Threatened Ecological Communities (with buffers) Assemblages of organic mound springs of the Three Springs area Ferricrete floristic community (Rocky Springs type) 0 0 0 2 7 6

6 Figure: 3-1 UIL Ocean Hill Project ID: 1694 TECs and PECs Date: 05/03/2017 Drawn: AS A4 0 0.45 0.9 Scale: 1:120,000 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Flora Over 1,000 flora species have been recorded within 20 kms of the study area (Appendix B). DPaW database searches identified eleven Threatened Flora species occurring within 10 km of the study area (Figure 3.2, Table 3.3). The likelihood of occurrence of these taxa within the study area is shown in Table 3.3 using the criteria listed in Table 3.2. has been previously recorded from the northern section of the study area. All other species were assessed as likelihood rating ‘1’ based on the close proximity of previous records and the likely presence of suitable habitat within the study area. Table 3.3: Likelihood of occurrence of Threatened Flora species

Likelihood of Taxon Habitat Flowering period Nearest records to study area occurrence

Banksia catoglypta Lateritic breakaways. June to July Approx. 6 km south of Area B. 1 White/grey sand with lateritic July to August, Approx. 0.6 km south-east of Eucalyptus johnsoniana gravel. Sandplains, lateritic October to December Area B, and 1 km west of Area 1 breakaways. or January to May E White or grey sand with gravel. Eucalyptus lateritica August to October Approx. 6 km south of Area B 1 Lateritic breakaways & mesas. White or grey sand over Eucalyptus leprophloia August to October Approx. 6 km south of Area B 1 laterite. Valley slopes. Grey sand. Near or on lateritic November to Eucalyptus suberea Approx. 6 km south of Area B 1 breakaways. December or January Sandy, often gravelly soils or Gastrolobium hamulosum August to October Approx. 9 km south of Area B 1 clay. Flats, slopes, ridges. Grey sand, loam. Lateritic hills Recorded from northern Hakea megalosperma May to June Recorded & rocks. section of Area I October to December Paracaleana dixonii Grey sand over granite. Approx. 3.5 km west of Area G 1 or January Dry bare white sand over Petrophile nivea May to July Approx. 6 km south of Area B 1 gravel over laterite. Uplands. White-grey sand, yellow-brown clayey sand, gravel, laterite. Tetratheca nephelioides September Approx. 5.5 km west of Area G 1 Outcrops, undulating hills, ridges. Thelymitra stellata Sand, gravel, lateritic loam. October to November Approx. 6.5 km west of Area F 1

*Habitat information from FloraBase (Western Australian Herbarium 1998-2016)

DPaW database searches identified 70 Priority Flora taxa occurring within 10 km of the study area ( Figure 3.3, Table 3.4). The likelihood of occurrence of these taxa within the study area is shown in Table 3.4 using the criteria listed in Table 3.2. Eleven taxa have been recorded in the study area previously. 56 taxa were assessed as likelihood rating ‘1’ based on the proximity of previous records and the potential presence of suitable habitat within the study area.

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Table 3.4: Likelihood of occurrence of Priority Flora species Likelihood of Taxon Status Habitat Flowering period occurrence Ptilotus falcatus P1 Slopes in low heath on gravelly, grey to light brown sandy loam soils. October to November 1 retrorsa P2 Grey sand & lateritic gravel, sandy loam. August to September 1 Arnocrinum gracillimum P2 White, grey, yellow or lateritic sand. October to November 1 Boronia scabra subsp. condensata P2 Sandy clay or gravel. Upper slopes, edges of lateritic breakaways. August 1 Calectasia browneana P2 White-grey sand, laterite. Adjacent to wet areas of creek line. June to August 1 Catacolea enodis P2 Deep white sand over laterite. Tall heath. No information 1 Desmocladus microcarpus P2 Open sandy dry heath or woodland. September to November 1 Hypocalymma tenuatum P2 Sandy loam over sandstone. Outcrops, ridges. July to August 1 Lepyrodia curvescens P2 Sand, laterite. Seasonally inundated swampland. September to November 3 Loxocarya gigas P2 Sandy gravelly lateritic soils. Low hills & ridges, sandplains. October 1 Persoonia filiformis P2 Yellow or white sand over laterite. November to December 1 Petrophile clavata P2 Grey sand, laterite. Hilltops and rises. September Recorded Ptilotus clivicola P2 Kwongan heath on gently sloping gravelly rises with shallow coarse sand. October to November 1 Synaphea endothrix P2 Gravelly loam, sand. Lateritic rises. August to September 1 Verticordia argentea P2 White, grey or yellow sand. Sand ridges, undulating plains. Nov to Dec or Jan to Apr 1 Acacia cummingiana P3 Grey or yellow sand, lateritic gravel. Sandplains, lateritic breakaways. May to June or August 1 Acacia epacantha P3 Lateritic gravelly loam or clay. July to August Recorded Allocasuarina grevilleoides P3 Sand over laterite, gravel. 1 Allocasuarina ramosissima P3 Lateritic soils, gravel. September Recorded Banksia fraseri var. crebra P3 White sand, lateritic soil. July Recorded Banksia kippistiana var. paenepeccata P3 Lateritic gravelly soils. October to November 1 Banksia nobilis subsp. fragrans P3 Lateritic rises. July to September 1 Banksia splendida subsp. macrocarpa P3 Lateritic gravel. July to August 1 Beaufortia bicolor P3 White sand over laterite. Sandplains. November to December 1 scaposum P3 White-grey sand, sandy clay. Low swampy areas, road verges. January to February 1 Daviesia pteroclada P3 Sandy or clay gravelly soils over laterite. Hills. July to August 1 Drosera marchantii subsp. prophylla P3 Laterite-silica sand soils. Hilltops. June to July Recorded Grevillea florida P3 Sand, sandy clay, gravel, laterite. Sandplain, slopes, road verges. July to September 1 subsp. thyrsoides P3 Sand or sandy lateritic gravel. February or August to September 1 Grevillea uniformis P3 Sand or sandy loam on sandstone, lateritic gravel. Sandstone outcrops, creek lines. July or September to November 1 Hakea longiflora P3 White sand, loam, gravel, laterite. Breakaways. June to September 1 Hemiandra sp. Eneabba (H. Demarz 3687) P3 Sand. Disturbed sites. February Recorded Hensmania stoniella P3 White, grey or lateritic sand, often winter-wet. September to November 1 Hypocalymma gardneri P3 Grey-brown sand, laterite. Sandplains, upper slopes, heathland. August to September 1 Jacksonia anthoclada P3 White or grey sand. Sandplains. April Recorded

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Likelihood of Taxon Status Habitat Flowering period occurrence Lepidobolus quadratus P3 Lateritic gravel, grey/white sand. Dry kwongan. August to September 1 Leucopogon sp. Bifid Eneabba (M. Hislop 1927) P3 White, grey or yellow sand, gravel, laterite. Hills, middle slopes of valleys, disturbed ground. April to May or Oct or Dec 1 Mesomelaena stygia subsp. deflexa P3 White, grey or lateritic sand, clay, gravel. March to October 1 Persoonia rudis P3 White, grey or yellow sand, often over laterite. Sept to Dec or Jan 1 Petrophile biternata P3 Yellow/grey sand & gravel, laterite, quartzite soils. Lateritic ridges, plains. August to October 1 Petrophile septemfida P3 Well drained sand. July to September 1 Phlebocarya pilosissima subsp. pilosissima P3 White or grey sand, lateritic gravel. August to October Recorded Stylidium maritimum P3 Sand over limestone. Dune slopes and flats. Coastal heath and shrubland, open Banksia woodland. September to November 1 Stylidium nonscandens P3 Sand over laterite. Hillslopes and crests. Banksia woodland, heath, mallee shrubland. September to November 1 Synaphea aephynsa P3 Gravelly laterite, sand over laterite. July to October 1 Synaphea endothrix P3 Gravelly loam, sand. Lateritic rises. August to September 1 Verticordia fragrans P3 White, grey or yellow sand, clay loam. Low-lying areas, sandplains. September to November 1 Verticordia insignis subsp. eomagis P3 Sandy soils over laterite. Sandplains, rocky rises. August to November 1 Verticordia rutilastra P3 Sand & lateritic gravel. Hills. September to November Recorded Banksia chamaephyton P4 Grey or white sand over laterite. October to December 1 Banksia sclerophylla P4 White or grey sand over laterite, gravel. September to October 1 Calytrix chrysantha P4 White, grey or yellow/brown sand. Flats. December or January to February Recorded Calytrix eneabbensis P4 White, grey or yellow sand over laterite. Sandplains. July to October Recorded Calytrix superba P4 Sand over laterite. Flats. December or January to February 1 Chordifex chaunocoleus P4 Grey, siliceous or peaty sand, well to poorly drained. Drainage lines, depressions. September 1 Conostephium magnum P4 White-grey sands or laterite gravels. Sand dunes, swampland, drainage channels, open woodland. July to September 1 Desmocladus elongatus P4 White or grey sand. Dry kwongan. August to December 1 Eucalyptus macrocarpa subsp. elachantha P4 White or grey sand over laterite. Hillslopes, ridges, sandplains. Aug to Sept or Nov to Dec 1 Eucalyptus pendens P4 White or grey sand with lateritic gravel. Hillsides, breakaways, sandplains. August to November 1 P4 White or grey sand. Coastal dunes, limestone rocks. June to September 3 P4 White, grey, yellow or red sand, often with gravel & over laterite. Jan, Apr, June to Sept or Nov to Dec 1 P4 Lateritic sandy soils. Hillsides. August 1 Hibbertia propinqua P4 Gravelly loam, lateritic gravel. August to September 1 Hypolaena robusta P4 White sand. Sandplains. September to October 1 Liparophyllum congestiflorum P4 Drainage lines, wet sand. September to October 3 Schoenus griffinianus P4 White sand. September to October 1 Stylidium inversiflorum P4 White or grey sand over laterite. Sandplains, hillslopes and gullies. Heath, open woodland. September to November 1 Thysanotus glaucus P4 White, grey or yellow sand, sandy gravel. Oct to Dec or Jan to March 1 Verticordia aurea P4 Deep sand. Sandplains. September to December 1 Xanthosia tomentosa P4 Lateritic gravelly soils. September to December 1 *Habitat information from FloraBase (Western Australian Herbarium 1998-2016)

April 2017 16

336000 344000 352000

GF 0 0 0 6 9 6 6

(!

GF 0 0 0 8 8 6 6 (! GF GF GFGFGF (!(! GF (! (! (! (! (! (! GF(!(! (!(! (! GF GF (!(! (! (!

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Study area GF (!(!! Proposed seismic survey outline (! (!GF (!GF(!GF(!GF(!(!(!(! (! Taxon (! (!(! GF (! (! Banksia catoglypta (! (! Eucalyptus johnsoniana (!(! (! (! Eucalyptus lateritica (! (! Eucalyptus leprophloia ! ( (! Eucalyptus suberea (! (! (! (! GF Gastrolobium hamulosum

0 UIL Ocean Hill GF 0 Hakea megalosperma

0 Figure: 3-2 4 6 (! 6 Database Records Project ID: 1694 GF Paracaleana dixonii 6 Date: 13/03/2017 (! (! (! (Flora-Threatened) (! GF Petrophile nivea

Drawn: AS A4 GF Tetratheca nephelioides 0 0.5 1 Scale: 1:130,000 GF Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres Thelymitra stellata 336000 344000 352000 360000

$+ 0 0

0 Study area 6

9 Proposed seismic survey outline 6 6 Taxon !( Acacia cummingiana !( Acacia epacantha !( Acacia retrorsa ") !( Allocasuarina grevilleoides $+GF !( Allocasuarina ramosissima ") !( Arnocrinum gracillimum !(!( !( Banksia chamaephyton !( !(*# $+ XW !( !( Banksia fraseri var. crebra XW ") !( Banksia kippistiana var. paenepeccata !( Banksia nobilis subsp. fragrans XW ") Banksia sclerophylla $+ D ") Banksia splendida subsp. macrocarpa 0 GF 0 ") 0 ") Beaufortia bicolor 8 8

6 XW Boronia scabra subsp. condensata 6 XW ") ")") $+*# GF XWD$+ ") Calectasia browneana XW GF ") GF ") Calytrix chrysantha *# XW XW!( $+ ") Calytrix eneabbensis GF$+ ") GF ") Calytrix superba !( ") Catacolea enodis D XWD$+ ") Chordifex chaunocoleus GF Conospermum scaposum XW XW !( *# ")XW *# D XW$+ *# Conostephium magnum *# XW *# Daviesia pteroclada *# Desmocladus elongatus !( *# Desmocladus microcarpus GF Drosera marchantii subsp. prophylla !(XW$+XWXW")D !( *# XW *# Eucalyptus macrocarpa subsp. elachantha *# Eucalyptus pendens 0

0 *# Grevillea florida 0

0 *#

8 XW*# !( *# Grevillea olivacea 6 6 XW $+ Grevillea rudis $+ $+ Grevillea thyrsoides subsp. thyrsoides $+ Grevillea uniformis XW !(XW ") ")XW !($+ *# D $+ Hakea longiflora $+ Hakea neurophylla $+ Hemiandra sp. Eneabba (H. Demarz 3687) XWGF*# !(*# GFDD $+ Hensmania stoniella $+ Hibbertia propinqua $+ Hypocalymma gardneri XW $+ Hypocalymma tenuatum XW ") ") XW Hypolaena robusta XW Jacksonia anthoclada XW Lepidobolus quadratus ") XW Lepyrodia curvescens 0 0

0 Leucopogon sp. Bifid Eneabba (M. Hislop 1927)

2 XW 7 6 6 *# XW Liparophyllum congestiflorum D XW Loxocarya gigas XW Mesomelaena stygia subsp. deflexa *# XW Persoonia filiformis $+$+XW$+XW XW Persoonia rudis #!( *#$+*#$+XWGF*#DD !(XW$+ * XW")$+$+!(!(")XWXWXWGF GF Petrophile biternata XW$+!($+DGF") !(XW *#!( Petrophile clavata *#!( $+*#D*# *#*#$+$+ GF XW !( ") !( XW Petrophile septemfida !( ")*#*# GF $+ XW *# GF Phlebocarya pilosissima subsp. pilosissima XWD*# XW GF") D GF Ptilotus clivicola *#*# GF Ptilotus falcatus XW*# XW *# GF Schoenus griffinianus *# GF Stylidium inversiflorum

0 *# 0 GF Stylidium maritimum

0 !( 4

6 Stylidium nonscandens 6 !(!(*# GF 6 XW *# !( *# D Synaphea aephynsa D Synaphea endothrix $+*# D Thysanotus glaucus UIL Ocean Hill D Verticordia argentea Figure: 3-3 Database Records Project ID: 1694 D Verticordia aurea D Verticordia fragrans (Flora-Priority) Date: 13/03/2017 D Verticordia insignis subsp. eomagis Drawn: AS A4 D Verticordia rutilastra 0 0.55 1.1 Scale: 1:150,000 D Xanthosia tomentosa Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Vertebrate Fauna A total of 186 fauna species have been recorded from within 20 km of the study area (NatureMap database search; Birds Australia data), including 120 birds, 45 reptiles, 13 mammals (three introduced) and eight amphibians (Appendix C). Forty-three fauna species of conservation significance were returned from the DPaW Threatened and Priority Fauna database search within 50 km of the study area centroid (Appendix D) (Figure 3.4) including three listed threatened mammals, seven threatened birds, three threatened reptiles and 19 migratory birds protected under international agreement. In addition, the EPBC Protected Matters Search tool (DoEE 2017a) identified a further two threatened mammals and one threatened bird which have the potential to occur based on the presence of suitable habitat. An assessment of likelihood of occurrence for relevant conservation significant fauna species recorded during the desktop assessment was conducted. The assessment included species of conservation significant species assessed with a ‘medium’ or ‘high’ likelihood of occurrence by ecologia (2013) and Astron (2015), as well as the results of the database searches. It should be noted that status listings have been updated since ecologia (2013) and Astron (2015) with some species identified from these studies de-listed. Due to the proximity of coastal, estuarine, marine and oceanic habitats, a large number of species identified from the database searches have no relevance to the study area. These species include whales, sea-lions, marine turtles, albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters and terns, and have therefore been omitted from the assessment. Furthermore, numerous wetland and saltmarsh migratory shorebirds from the families Scolopacidae, Charadriidae, and Ardeidae were included that would not occur in the habitats present, as well as invertebrates that are not a component of this assessment. Of the remaining species likelihood of occurrence was determined by examining the following: • Fauna habitats known to exist within the study area and their condition as assessed during the survey; • Distance of previously recorded conservation significant species from the study area; • Frequency of occurrence of conservation significant species records in the region; and • Time passed since conservation significant species were recorded within, or nearby the study area. Each relevant conservation or biologically significant fauna species potentially occurring at the study area was assigned a likelihood of occurrence based on the four categories described in Table 3.2 with results presented in Table 3.5.

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Table 3.5: Likelihood of occurrence of conservation significant fauna species WC EPBC Likelihood of Species Notes Act Act occurrence MAMMALS Chuditch VU VU Outside current distribution. No database records. 3 Dasyurus geoffroii Dibbler EN EN Confined to offshore islands. 3 Parantechinus apicalis Western Brush Wallaby Possible skeletal remains and tracks recorded. Records from P4 1 Macropus irma vicinity as well as Astron (2015). Ghost Bat No breeding or roosting caves present. Possibly overflies the VU VU 3 Macroderma gigas study area only. BIRDS Western Ground Parrot CR CR Historical record. Outside of known south coast distribution. 3 Pezoporus wallicus flaviventris Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo EN EN Numerous records within close vicinity of the study area. 1 Calyptorhynchus latirostris Baudin's Black-Cockatoo Doubtful records (confusion with Carnaby’s) EN VU 3 Calyptorhynchus baudinii Outside of known range Malleefowl Distinctive mounds not recorded, but record from 2012 within VU VU 2 Leipoa ocellata 35km and limited habitat present. Peregrine Falcon OS Records within vicinity. No breeding habitat present. 2 Falco peregrinus Rainbow Bee-Eater IA IA Recorded from study area with numerous records from vicinity. Recorded Merops ornatus

Fork-tailed Swift Aerial species that may overfly the study area only as an IA IA 3 Apus pacificus irregular summer migrant. Glossy Ibis IA IA Very few records from vicinity. Wetland habitat not present. 3 Plegadis falcinellus Great Egret Recorded from Lake Indoon and Lake Logue only. Wetland IA IA 3 Ardea modesta habitat not present. Blue-billed Duck Recorded from Lake Indoon and Lake Logue. Wetland habitat P4 3 Oxyura australis not present. REPTILES Western Spiny-tailed Skink VU EN No granite or rocky habitat is present, nor eucalypt woodlands. 3 Egernia stokesii badia Gilled Slender Blue-tongue Distribution to the north but one record from Lesueur National VU 2 Cyclodomorphus branchialis Park in 1999 and habitat present. Woma (Southwest Sub-pop.) P1 Just one historical record from 1966 in Badgingarra. 3 Aspidites ramsayi Black-striped Snake Nearby record from 2007 and Banksia woodlands and sandy P3 2 Neelaps calonotos substrates are present.

One conservation significant species, the Rainbow Bee-Eater, has been previously recorded from the study area, while Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo and the Western Brush Wallaby were assessed as having a high (1) likelihood of occurring. A further four species were assessed as having a medium (2) likelihood of occurrence; Malleefowl, Peregrine Falcon, Gilled Slender Blue-tongue and Black-striped Snake (Table 3.5). These species are discussed further in Section 6.3.

April 2017 20

320000 360000

Study area (! black-striped snake # greater sand plover, large sand plover " sanderling Proposed seismic survey outline # blue-billed duck " grey plover $+ sharp-tailed sandpiper Database Records (Fauna) # common greenshank, greenshank " hooded plover $+ southern right whale (! Australian sea-lion # common slender blue-tongue " humpback whale $+ wedge-tailed shearwater (! Baudin's cockatoo # curlew sandpiper " leatherback turtle $+ western brush wallaby (! Carnaby's cockatoo # fairy tern " malleefowl $+ western ground parrot (! Caspian tern # fork-tailed swift " peregrine falcon $+ western spiny-tailed skink (! Pacific golden plover # ghost bat " rainbow bee-eater $+ whimbrel (! bar-tailed godwit # glossy ibis " red-necked stint $+ woma (southwest subpop.) (! bar-tailed godwit (northern Siberian) # great egret, white egret " ruddy turnstone $+ wood sandpiper

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UIL Ocean Hill Figure: 3-4 Database Records Project ID: 1694 (Fauna) Date: 13/03/2017

Drawn: AS A4 0 1.5 3 Scale: 1:467,043 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

4 FIELD SURVEY METHODOLOGY

4.1 FLORA AND VEGETATION ASSESSMENT

4.1.1 Survey Techniques and Intensity Survey methodologies were in accordance with the Technical Guide – Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA & DPaW 2015). It should be noted that in late December 2016, subsequent to the completion of the field component of the Ocean Hill flora and vegetation assessment, the 2015 Technical Guide was replaced by Technical Guidance: Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA 2016). For the current survey, the flora and vegetation assessment was undertaken in accordance with the 2015 Technical Guide. A reconnaissance survey was conducted using relevés to delineate and map vegetation units present within the study area, and a targeted flora survey was conducted along seismic lines to determine the abundance of conservation significant flora species within the impact area. The survey was conducted by four experience ecologia botanists between 13 and 21 December 2016.

Relevés

A relevé is an unmarked area within which floristic data is collected. Relevés are a low intensity survey technique for gathering information for reconnaissance surveys. Relevés can be used to collect supplementary data in detailed surveys but should not be considered a primary sampling technique. Thirty-six relevés were surveyed within the study area (Figure 4.1). Reléve site locations were selected using a combination of aerial photography, topographic features, landforms, and field observations to represent the diversity of vegetation and habitats present. The following data were recorded from each relevé: • Site number and location (GPS co-ordinate); • Photograph; • Vegetation structure, including height and cover of dominant species within each of the three traditional strata if present (upper, middle, ground); • Associated common species; • Vegetation condition, and description of disturbance; • Estimated time since fire; • Landform and soil descriptions. Site information is presented in Appendix E.

Targeted Searches

Threatened and Priority Flora species identified from the database searches and desktop reviews were targeted during the field survey. Searches for conservation significant species involved conducting linear traverses (Figure 4.1) along proposed seismic and receiver lines and recording and collecting all conservation significant taxa within 5 m either side of the line (i.e. the impact area). Where small numbers of plants were encountered, individual locations and abundances were recorded. For larger groups of plants that could not be counted reliably, a central waypoint was taken and abundance of plants within the impact area was estimated. Threatened and Priority Flora Report Forms will be submitted to DPaW, along with representative specimens, for any new populations of significant flora species recorded.

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Specimen Identification

At least one specimen of each taxon recorded was collected during the field survey for subsequent identification. Specimen identification was undertaken with reference to current taxonomic literature and Western Australian Herbarium reference specimen collections. Scientific names used in this report follow species concepts currently adopted by the Western Australian Herbarium. Specimens that could not be adequately identified to genus or species level due to the absence of flower or fruiting material required for positive identification were indicated with a question mark, but were not considered to be otherwise anomolous. Anomolous specimens that could not be adequately identified were submitted to the Western Australian Herbarium for identification or confirmation.

April 2017 23

UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Vegetation Condition Assessment

Vegetation condition at relevés was assessed based on criteria listed in Table 4.1 as described by the Technical Guide – Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA and DPaW 2015).

Table 4.1: Vegetation condition assessment, South West Botanical Province (EPA and DPaW 2015). Cond. Criterion Pristine or nearly so, no obvious signs of disturbance or damage caused by human activities since European Pristine settlement. Vegetation structure intact, disturbance affecting individual species and weeds are non-aggressive species. Damage to Excellent trees caused by fire, the presence of non-aggressive weeds and occasional vehicle tracks. Vegetation structure altered, obvious signs of disturbance. Disturbance to vegetation structure caused by repeated Very Good fires, the presence of some more aggressive weeds, dieback, logging and grazing. Vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple disturbances. Retains basic vegetation Good structure or ability to regenerate it. Disturbance to vegetation structure caused by very frequent fires, the presence of very aggressive weeds, partial clearing, dieback and grazing. Poor (Not applicable) Basic vegetation structure severely impacted by disturbance. Scope for regeneration but not to a state approaching Degraded good condition without intensive management. Disturbance to vegetation structure caused by very frequent fires, the presence of very aggressive weeds at high density, partial clearing, dieback and grazing. The structure of the vegetation is no longer intact and the area is completely or almost completely without native Completely species. These areas are often described as 'parkland cleared' with the flora comprising weed or crop species with Degraded isolated native trees and shrubs.

Vegetation Mapping

Vegetation data collected during relevé sampling were used to describe broad vegetation units occurring within the study area. When defining vegetation units, correlated environmental variables such as landform were also considered when relevant. Extrapolative vegetation mapping based on aerial imagery, in addition to ground-truth data provided by relevés and field observations, was used to map the vegetation of the study area.

April 2017 24

335000 340000 345000 350000

28 (! 27 (! 0 0 0 5 9 6 6

3 4 24 (! (! (!23 (! 25 (!

6 26 (!5 (! (!

33 0

0 (! 0

0 29 9 34 6 (! 6 (! 30 (! 8 (! 32 (! 31 35 (! (! 7 12 (! (!

10 9 (! (! 0 0 0 5 8 6 6

39 (! 36 (! 38 (! 37 (! 0 0 0 0 8 6 6

Study area (! Releve 1 (! 21 20 Track log (! (! 13 (! Figure: 4-1 14 (! 40 Releves and track log Project ID: 1694 (!412 Date: 28/03/2017 (! 0 (! 22 0 0

5 (! 7 6 6 Drawn: AC A4 0 0.3 0.6 Scale: 1:83,693 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres 335000 340000 345000 350000 0 0 0 5 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 5 8 6 6 0 0 0 0 8 6 6

Study area Receiver Line Seismic Line

Seismic and Receiver Figure: 4-2 Project ID: 1694 0

0 lines within the Date: 28/03/2017 0 5 7

6 study area 6 Drawn: AC A4 0 0.3 0.6 Scale: 1:85,000 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

4.2 LEVEL 1 FAUNA ASSESSMENT The survey methods adopted by ecologia for the survey accorded with the Technical Guide – Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA and DEC 2010) for conducting a Level 1 fauna and fauna habitat assessment. Low-intensity fauna sampling suitable was undertaken to detect vertebrate fauna of conservation significance, both within potential impact areas associated with the study area.

4.2.1 Habitat Descriptions and Mapping A fauna habitat type broadly describes an area of habitat that is distinguishable by its vegetation, soil characteristics and land features from its surroundings, and is likely to host a different fauna assemblage to that found in other fauna habitats. Habitat delineation and mapping was based upon interpretation of aerial photography and landforms, habitat site assessments, soil descriptions, and the complementary detailed vegetation descriptions and mapping undertaken for this report (Section 5.2.1; Table 5.3). Attention was paid to the likelihood that certain species of conservation significance may be present only in particular habitat types. Habitat assessments were conducted at locations considered representative of each habitat patch (Figure 5.12). For each assessment, the following parameters were recorded: • broad habitat type; • digital photographs; • landform type; • soil colour, type and characteristics; • type and extent of non-vegetative surface cover; • type, height and percentage cover of vegetation in lower, middle and upper strata; • observable fire history and evidence of any disturbance; • presence and extent of leaf litter and coarse woody debris; • presence of, or distance to, water sources; • presence of significant microhabitats such as tree hollows and rocky outcrops; and • notes on suitability for hosting conservation significant fauna. A habitat condition rating was assigned to each habitat delineated based upon the criteria in Table 4.2. Table 4.2: Habitat condition assessment

Habitat Condition Criteria

Pristine or nearly so, no obvious sign of damage caused by modern humans or introduced fauna Excellent (cattle, feral cat, dog and rabbit). No signs of recent, extensive fires. Some relatively slight signs of damage caused by the activities of modern humans. eg. damage Very Good to tree trunks by repeated fires, no significant signs of introduced fauna or occasional vehicle tracks. More obvious signs of damage caused by the activities of modern humans, including some obvious impact to vegetation structure such as that caused by low levels of grazing or by Good selective logging. Some tracks or secondary evidence of introduced fauna. Some signs of recent fires. Still retains basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate it after very obvious impacts of Poor modern humans such as partial clearing or very frequent fires. Presence of introduced fauna. Severely impacted by grazing, introduced fauna, fire, clearing or a combination of these Very Poor activities. Scope for some regeneration but not to a state approaching good condition without intensive management. Areas that are completely or almost completely without vegetation communities and are Completely Degraded heavily impacted by extensive fires and/or introduced species e.g. cow paddock

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

4.2.2 Fauna Observations Opportunistic fauna observations were made during the survey to provide additional data to supplement the habitat mapping results. Observations consisted of direct observation of animals, as well as detection of secondary evidence including tracks, scats, remains and other traces. Sampling of the study area was undertaken by hand searching for cryptic species, which comprised searching beneath the bark of dead trees, breaking open old logs, stumps and dead free-standing trees, investigating burrows and over-turning logs and stones. Search sites were selected on the basis of fauna habitat (targeting uncommon or significant fauna habitats) and the possibility of their supporting conservation significant fauna. Prior to the commencement of survey, the preferred habitat of conservation significant species potentially occurring in the study area was determined and used to assess the likelihood of occurrence. The field survey verified these results and, on the basis of the actual habitats present, searches were undertaken to determine the presence of potential conservation significant species occurring. In particular, efforts were made to detect the tracks or conspicuous breeding mounds of the Mallee- fowl, and searches for any rocky habitat suitable for the Western Spiny-tailed Skink. The study area falls within the DoEE’s modelled distribution of Carnaby’s Black-cockatoo (DSEWPaC 2012a). EPBC referral guidelines (DSEWPaC 2012a) recommend ‘habitat assessments’ as the primary methodology to inform decisions on significant impact for black-cockatoos, as short-term surveys for bird presence are unlikely to give a true representation of habitat use. DSEWPaC (2012a) consider Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo habitat in respect to: • Breeding habitat; • Night roosting habitat; and • Foraging habitat.

DSEWPaC (2012a) recommend that black-cockatoo habitat assessments be undertaken in areas within the range of black-cockatoos that support known food species or nesting and roosting sites (that is, potential habitat). Breeding and night roosting trees are generally large with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of at least 500 mm to 600 mm (DPaW 2013). Trees which contain deep, near vertical, hollows with an entrance diameter of more than 100 mm are suitable for use by black- cockatoos (Whitford 2002) (Whitford and Williams 2002). Surveys for foraging habitat should be conducted in any remaining vegetation containing proteaceous heath, eucalypt woodlands or forest. The study area was traversed on foot (Figure 4.1) and the habitat assessment undertaken included: • Breeding and roosting habitat:

o Identifying trees with a DBH greater than 500 mm o Identifying trees in the sub-set of the above, containing an entrance hollow >100 mm • Foraging habitat:

o Identifying food sources known to be utilised by the black-cockatoos of the study area using the species identified by Johnstone et al. (2009) and ranking the areas importance using a standardised foraging habitat classification table. In addition, specific effort was made to document actual presence of black-cockatoos by direct observation, including chew marks around hollows or feeding evidence such as characteristically chewed eucalypt fruit.

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

4.3 PROJECT TEAM The flora and vegetation assessment described in this document was planned, coordinated and executed under the licences and by those summarised in Table 4.3. Table 4.3: Project team and licences Project Staff Name Qualification Role Project role B.Sc, Grad.Dip. Nat. Managing Shaun Grein Project management, reporting, QA Resources, MBA Director/Principal Scientist Flora and Vegetation Dr Andrew Craigie B.Sc. (Hons), PhD Senior Botanist Field survey lead, plant identification, reporting Brian Morgan B.Sc. Biol. (Hons) Consultant Botanist Field Botanist Travis Doehring B.Sc. NRM Botanist Field Botanist Talitha Moyle B.Sc. NRM Senior Ecologist Field Botanist Terrestrial Fauna Andre Schmitz B.Sc. Env. Man. Principal Zoologist Reporting John Scanlon B.Sc. Zool. (Hons) Senior Zoologist Field Zoologist (Lead) Dr Stefania Basile B.Sc. Cons. Biol. Senior Zoologist Field Zoologist Licences The flora and vegetation assessment described in this report was conducted under the authorisation of the following DPaW licences: Name Licence Number Licence Andrew Craigie SL 011 876 Licence to collect flora for scientific purposes Brian Morgan SL 011731 Licence to collect flora for scientific purposes

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

5 RESULTS

5.1 FLORA

5.1.1 Flora Assemblage A total of 221 vascular plant taxa (including species, infraspecific taxa, and phrase name taxa) representing 36 families and 76 genera were recorded from the study area (Appendix F). This species list is not intended to be comprehensive for the study area, and includes only dominant and commonly associated species recorded at relevés, and conservation significant species recorded during the targeted survey. Few annual species were recorded primarily due to the marginally late timing of the survey.

5.1.2 Threatened Flora No EPBC Act or WC Act-listed Threatened Flora species were recorded during the survey. The site of a previous record of Hakea megalosperma was visited during the survey, but this species was not relocated at this site, or during the survey of the proposed linear seismic lines

5.1.3 Priority Flora The locations of all Priority listed plant taxa recorded from the impact area (ie proposed seismic lines) are mapped in Figure 5.1 to Figure 5.6, and listed in Appendix G. The occurrence of each taxon in each of the remnant bushland patches (Areas B, E, F, G, H, I) is shown in Table 5.1, and specificity to each of the described vegetation units (Section 5.2) is shown in Table 5.2. Priority Taxa A total of sixteen Priority listed plant taxa were recorded within the impact area, including one Priority 1 species, two Priority 2 species, eight Priority 3 species, and five Priority 4 species (Table 5.1). Eucalyptus macrocarpa subsp. elachantha (P4) was recorded at Area B, but not within the impact area. Calytrix chrysantha (P4) was the most abundant species observed across the study area (2881 plants recorded), occurring in all remnant patches, followed by Beaufortia bicolor (P3) (762 plants) restricted to Area B, and Allocasuarina ramosissima (P3) (477 plants), occurring in Areas B, G, and I. Potential Priority Taxa Specimens potentially representing three Priority listed species were collected from within the impact area, but were unable to be definitively identified due to the absence of suitable flowering or fruiting material. Conostephium magnum (P4) is similar to the more widespread Conostephium pendulum, and these species cannot be reliably distinguished by vegetative features alone. The study area is at the northern extent of the range of both species, and the presence of C. magnum (P4) cannot be ruled out. Records from this survey have been designated as Conostephium ?magnum (indet.). Stylidium hymenocraspedum (P3) is similar to the more widespread Stylidium maitlandianum, and these species cannot be reliably distinguished in the absence of flowering material. Although the study area lies slightly further north than the known range of S. hymenocraspedum, and is within the range of S. maitlandianum, the presence of S. hymenocraspedum (P4) cannot be ruled out. Records from this survey have been designated as Stylidium ?hymenocraspedum (indet.). Synaphea endothrix (P3) is similar to the subsp. spinulosa, and these species are often sympatric at the known locations of S. endothrix. These species cannot be reliably distinguished in the absence of flowering and/or fruiting material. The study area is at the northern extent of the range of S. endothrix (P3), and the presence of this species cannot be ruled out. Records from this survey have been designated as Synaphea ?endothrix (indet.).

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Anomalous Taxa Three potentially conservation significant Hemiandra taxa (Hemiandra aff. sp. Jurien (B.J. Conn & M.E. Tozer BJC 3885), Hemiandra aff. sp. Eneabba (H. Demarz 3687) (P3), and Hemiandra aff. sp. Kalbarri (D. Bellairs 1505)) were recorded from the impact area (ie proposed seismic lines). Representative specimens of these taxa are somewhat anomalous, and have been submitted to the Western Australian Herbarium for conformation or identification.

Table 5.1: Priority Flora taxa and number of plants recorded within the impact area Conservation Plants Taxon B E F G H I Status recorded Allocasuarina ramosissima P3 477 X X X Arnocrinum gracillimum P2 2 X Banksia chamaephyton P4 116 X Banksia fraseri var. crebra P3 10 X X X X Beaufortia bicolor P3 762 X Calytrix chrysantha P4 2881 X X X X X X Calytrix eneabbensis P4 71 X X Conostephium ?magnum (indet.) P4 10 X Desmocladus elongatus P4 43 X X Eucalyptus macrocarpa subsp. elachantha P4 N/A X Grevillea amplexans subsp. adpressa P1 4 X Hemiandra aff. sp. Jurien (B.J. Conn & M.E. Tozer BJC 3885) Not listed* 3 X X Hemiandra aff. sp. Eneabba (H. Demarz 3687) P3* 9 X X Hemiandra aff. sp. Kalbarri (D. Bellairs 1505) P2* 95 X X Hensmania stoniella P3 1 X Jacksonia anthoclada P3 138 X X X Persoonia filiformis P2 6 X X X Persoonia rudis P3 2 X X

Phlebocarya pilosissima subsp. pilosissima P3 33 X X X X Stylidium ?hymenocraspedum P3 4 X X Synaphea ?endothrix P3 4 X X Verticordia aurea P4 25 X X Verticordia insignis subsp. Eomagis P3 1 X Verticordia rutilastra P3 3 X *Representative specimens submitted to WAHERB for confirmation/identification.

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Table 5.2: Specificity of Priority Flora taxa to the described vegetation units Row Labels BaAh BgBk Ca Cl Er Et Hp JnAs Mr Allocasuarina ramosissima X X X X Arnocrinum gracillimum X Banksia chamaephyton X X X Banksia fraseri var. crebra X Beaufortia bicolor X X Calytrix chrysantha X X X X X X X X X Calytrix eneabbensis X X X X X Conostephium ?magnum (indet.) X Desmocladus elongatus X X X Eucalyptus macrocarpa subsp. elachantha X Grevillea amplexans subsp. adpressa X X Hemiandra aff. sp. Jurien (B.J. Conn & M.E. Tozer BJC 3885) X X Hemiandra aff. Eneabba (H. Demarz 3687) X X Hemiandra aff. sp. Kalbarri (D. Bellairs 1505) X X X X Hensmania stoniella X Jacksonia anthoclada X X Persoonia filiformis X X Persoonia rudis X Phlebocarya pilosissima subsp. pilosissima X X Stylidium ?hymenocraspedum (indet.) X X Synaphea ?endothrix (indet.) X X Verticordia aurea X X Verticordia insignis subsp. eomagis X Verticordia rutilastra X

5.1.4 Introduced Plant Species No WONS or Declared Pests were recorded during the survey. Seven ‘Permitted’ introduced plant species were recorded, primarily from creek lines (Site 2, Area B) and disturbed drainage lines (Site 30, Area H): Cotula coronopifolia (Waterbuttons), Sonchus oleraceus (Common Sowthistle), Ursinia anthemoides (Ursinia), Briza maxima (Blowfly Grass), Ehrharta calycina (Perennial Veldt Grass), Lolium sp. (Ryegrass), and Polypogon monspeliensis (Annual Beard Grass). The presence of annual weed species across the study area could not be adequately assessed due to the marginally late timing of the survey.

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343000 344000 345000

Study area E Calytrix eneabbensis Receiver Line E Conostephium ?magnum (indet.) Seismic Line E Hemiandra pungens (awaiting confirmation) Taxon E Hemiandra ?sp. Jurien (! Allocasuarina ramosissima D Phlebocarya pilosissima subsp. pilosissima 0

0 (! 0 Banksia chamaephyton D Stylidium ?hymenocraspedum 8 7

6 ! 6 ( Beaufortia bicolor D Verticordia insignis subsp. eomagis (! Calytrix chrysantha D Verticordia rutilastra

! (! (!(!(! (!(!(!(!D(! ( (! 0 0

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6 ! 6 ( (! (! (! DE (! (! E (! !( (! ( (! !(!(!(!(!(! (!(!!((! (!(!(!(!(!(! (!(! (! (! D (!(!(! (!(!(!(!(!(!(!(! (!( E (! (!

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6 (! (! 0 0 0 4

7 Figure: 5-1 6 6 Priority Flora Records Project ID: 1694 Area B Date: 28/03/2017

Drawn: AC A4 0 0.06 0.12 Scale: 1:17,358 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres 342000 343000

Study area (! Desmocladus ?elongatus Receiver Line (! Desmocladus elongatus Seismic Line E Hemiandra ?sp. Jurien Taxon E Hensmania stoniella (! Arnocrinum gracillimum E Jacksonia anthoclada (! Banksia chamaephyton E Phlebocarya pilosissima subsp. pilosissima (! Calytrix chrysantha

(! 0 0 0 4 8 6 6

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Figure: 5-2 Priority Flora Records Project ID: 1694 Area E Date: 28/03/2017

Drawn: AC A4 0 0.0250.05 Scale: 1:8,000 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres 343000 344000 0 0 0 8 8 6 6

(!

(! 0 0 0 7

8 (! 6 6

(! (!

(! (! (!

(! 0 0 0 6 8 6 6

Study area Receiver Line Seismic Line Taxon (! Priority Flora Records Figure: 5-3 Banksia chamaephyton Project ID: 1694 (! Calytrix chrysantha Area F Date: 28/03/2017 (! Eucalyptus macrocarpa subsp. ?elacantha (! Drawn: AC A4 Grevillea amplexans subsp. adpressa 0 0.035 0.07 Scale: 1:10,000 (! Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres Persoonia filiformis 340000 341000 342000 343000

E E

0 E 0

0 E (! 1 E E 9 6

6 (! E E(! E E (! (! E (! E E (! D E (! E E E 0

0 E 0 E (! 0 E E 9 E 6 E (! 6 D E (! E (! (! (! (! E E

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(! (! (! (! (! ! Study area (! (! 0

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6 Seismic Line 6 Taxon (! Allocasuarina ramosissima (! Banksia chamaephyton (! Calytrix chrysantha (! Desmocladus elongatus E Hemiandra aff. sp. Eneabba E Hemiandra aff. sp. Kalbarri E Jacksonia anthoclada Figure: 5-4 E Persoonia filiformis Priority Flora Records Project ID: 1694 0 D 0 Persoonia rudis

0 Date: 28/03/2017 6 Area G 8

6 D Phlebocarya pilosissima subsp. pilosissima 6

Drawn: AC A4 D Synaphea ?endothrix 0 0.07 0.14 Scale: 1:20,000 D Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres Verticordia aurea 344800 345600 0 0 4 0 9 6 6

(! (! (! (!

(! (!

0 (!

0 (! 6

9 (! 8 ! 6 ( 6 (! (! (! (! (! (! (! 0 0 8 8 8 6 6

Study area Priority Flora Records Figure: 5-5 Receiver Line Project ID: 1694 Seismic Line Area H Date: 28/03/2017 Taxon (! Drawn: AC A4 Calytrix chrysantha 0 0.0250.05 Scale: 1:8,000 (! Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres Synaphea ?endothrix 340500 342000 343500 345000

Study area Receiver Line Seismic Line Taxon (! Allocasuarina ramosissima (!

0 Banksia fraseri var. crebra 0 5

7 (! 9 Calytrix chrysantha 6 6 (! Calytrix eneabbensis E Hemiandra aff. sp. Eneabba E Hemiandra aff. sp. Kalbarri E Jacksonia anthoclada E Persoonia filiformis D Persoonia rudis E D Phlebocarya pilosissima subsp. pilosissima D Stylidium ?hymenocraspedum D Verticordia aurea (! E 0

0 E 0 6 9 6 6 D E E D D D (! (! (! (! E (! (! (! !( (! (! (! 0 (!

0 (! 5 ! (! 4 (! (! 9 (! (! 6 (! (! 6 (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! E (! (! E (! (! ! (! E ( E E(! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! E(! ! (! E (! E (! ! (! (! ( (! !( (! (! (! E E (!

0 (! 0 (! (! E 0 (! E 3 9 E 6 6 D E E (! E E E (! E D E E E E E (! E E E (! E E E E (! E E 0

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Figure: 5-6 Priority Flora Records Project ID: 1694 Area I Date: 28/03/2017

Drawn: AC A4 0 0.1 0.2 Scale: 1:30,000 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

5.2 VEGETATION

5.2.1 Vegetation Units Based on vegetation descriptions from relevés and field observations, twelve broad vegetation units were described and mapped (Table 5.3, Figure 5.7, Figure 5.8). Of these, the three most widespread were Et, BaAh, and BgBk in total constituting 94% of the study area: Et Eucalyptus todtiana open mallee woodland to isolated mallee trees over mixed proteaceous and myrtaceous low shrubland to open shrubland (typically dominated by Allocasuarina humilis, Banksia attenuata, Banksia candolleana, Banksia kippistiana var. kippistiana, Eremaea violacea, Hibbertia hypericoides, multiflora, Beaufortia elegans, Melaleuca leuropoma, Melaleuca trichophylla, and ) over Mesomelaena pseudostygia sparse sedgeland. Patches of Eucalyptus conveniens, E. drummondii, E. gittinsii and E. macrocarpa occur within this unit. It occurs primarily on grey to white sand on plains, low rises and shallow depressions, and makes up 2325 ha (48.1%) of the study area. BaAh Mid to low shrubland to open shrubland typically dominated by Banksia attenuata and/or Allocasuarina humilis with mixed proteaceous and myrtaceous low shrubs (typically Banksia carlinoides, Banksia candolleana, Beaufortia elegans, and Melaleuca leuropoma) over Ecdeiocolea monostachya and/or Mesomelaena pseudostygia sparse sedgeland. It occurs primarily on grey, yellow, or white sand on plains, low rises and shallow depressions, and makes up 1715 ha (35.5%) of the study area. BgBk Banksia glaucifolia and Banksia kippistiana var. kippistiana low shrubland to open shrubland over Mesomelaena spp. sparse sedgeland. Typical associated species include Allocasuarina humilis, Banksia incana, Banksia shuttleworthiana, Calothamnus sanguineus, , and Melaleuca trichophylla. It occurs primarily on low rises with lateritic gravels, and makes up 508 ha (10.5%) of the study area.

5.2.2 Vegetation of Conservation Significance No listed TECs (DPaW 2015a) or listed PECs (DPaW 2015b) were recorded at the study area.

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UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Table 5.3: Summary of vegetation units mapped within the study area Area within Percentage Code Description Habitat Relevé study of study area area

Mid to low shrubland to open shrubland typically dominated by Banksia attenuata and/or Allocasuarina humilis with mixed proteaceous and myrtaceous low shrubs (typically Banksia Grey, yellow or white sand. BaAh 4,9,11,13,24 1715.77 35.54% carlinoides, Banksia candolleana, Beaufortia elegans, and Melaleuca leuropoma) over Gently undulating plains. Ecdeiocolea monostachya and/or Mesomelaena pseudostygia sparse sedgeland.

Banksia glaucifolia and Banksia kippistiana var. kippistiana low shrubland to open shrubland BgBk Low rises with lateritic gravel. 1,7,10,32,33,36,38 508.141 10.53% over Mesomelaena spp. sparse sedgeland. White sand. Gentle slopes and Ca Callitris arenaria woodland. 20 17.7678 0.37% plains. Cl Calothamnus longissimus low shrubland. Low rises with lateritic gravel. 5,25 41.1697 0.85% Ea Eucalyptus accedens woodland. Stony mid slopes. 40 1.23064 0.03% Eucalyptus rudis open woodland over Acacia saligna and Melaleuca rhaphiophylla tall Er Creek lines and drainage lines. 2 66.0203 1.37% shrubland. Eucalyptus todtiana open mallee woodland to isolated mallee trees over mixed proteaceous and myrtaceous low shrubland to open shrubland (typically dominated by Allocasuarina humilis, Banksia attenuata, Banksia candolleana, Banksia kippistiana var. kippistiana, Eremaea 6,8,12,14,21, Grey or white sand. Plains and Et violacea, Hibbertia hypericoides, , Beaufortia elegans, Melaleuca 22,26,28,29,31,34,35, 2325.2 48.17% low rises. leuropoma, Melaleuca trichophylla, and Xylomelum angustifolium) over Mesomelaena 39 pseudostygia sparse sedgeland. Patches of Eucalyptus conveniens, E. drummondii, E. gittinsii and E. macrocarpa occur within this unit. White sandy. Shallow EtGe Eucalyptus todtiana open mallee woodland over tall open shrubland. 37 5.50914 0.11% depression.

Hp and Scholtzia sp. tall open shrubland with isolated Eucalyptus todtiana. White sand. Drainage line. 23 31.0991 0.64%

White sand. Lower slopes JnAs Jacksonia nutans and Acacia sessilis shrubland. 41 20.2889 0.42% adjacent to creek line. White sand/pale grey clay. Creek Melaleuca rhaphiophylla tall shrubland with patches of Acacia blakelyi and Acacia saligna tall Mr line and associated drainage 3, 27 72.6273 1.50% open shrubland. lines. Brown sandy clay-loam. MrMv Melaleuca rhaphiophylla and Melaleuca viminea tall shrubland. 30 5.30326 0.11% Degraded (weedy) creek line.

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340000 342500 345000 Study area (! Releve Vegetation Unit BaAh BgBk Ca 28 Cl (! Ea Er 27 Et (! JnAs BaAh 0 0 0

5 EtGe 9 6 6 Hp Mr MrMv 3 Cleared (! 4 24 (! (!

Mr Hp 23 (! Cl 25 (! 0

0 Cleared 5 2 9 6 6

6 (! 5 26 (! (!

33 (! 0 0 0 0 9 6

6 29 34 (! E(!t

MrMv 30 (!

8 (! BgBk

32 (! 35 31 (! (! 0 0 5 7 8

6 7 12 6 (! (!

10 (! 9 (!

UIL Ocean Hill Figure: 5-7 Vegetation Units Project ID: 1694 Date: 30/03/2017 Map 1

Drawn: AC A4 0 0.1 0.2 Scale: 1:30,000 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres 340000 342500 345000 Study area (! Releve Vegetation Unit 39 BaAh (! BgBk Et Ca 36 (! Cl Ea Er 38 Et (! JnAs E(!tGe 0

0 EtGe 5 2 8 6 6 Hp Mr MrMv Cleared 0 0 0 0 8 6 6 0 0 5 7 7 6 6

1 (! BgBk 21 (! C(!a

13 (! BaAh

14 Er (! JnAs

Ea (! 41 (! 2 (! 22

0 (! 0 0

5 UIL Ocean Hill Figure: 5-8 7 6

6 Project ID: 1694 Vegetation Units Date: 30/03/2017 Map 2 Drawn: AC A4 0 0.095 0.19 Scale: 1:25,000 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

5.3 FAUNA

5.3.1 Fauna Habitats The habitats of the study area are considered typical of the Geraldton Sandplains bioregion, and based on the results of the habitat assessments and vegetation descriptions and mapping (Table 5.3; Figure 5.7), three broad fauna habitats were assessed occurring within the study area (Table 5.4). A small area (17ha) of cleared land has also been included. Habitat assessment sheets are provided in Appendix H, and photographs of the three broad habitats identified presented in Figures 5.5 to 5.7. Habitat descriptions should be interpreted in conjunction with the vegetation and quadrat data recorded for the study area (Section 5.1, Table 5.3), which contains additional information on plant taxa present.

Table 5.4: Broad fauna habitat types in the Study Area.

Reference Habitat type Extent (ha) % study area Condition Habitat 01 Sparse Low Open Woodland 2349.71 48.67% Very Good Habitat 02 Shrublands and Scrub Heath 2285.37 47.34% Very Good Habitat 03 Drainage Lines 175.05 3.63% Very Good Cleared 17.31 0.36% Degraded

All habitats were assessed to be in very good condition. The vast majority of the area represents a plains landform of friable deep sands, and a drainage line dissects study area B supporting a eucalypt Woodland. No large trees or hollows were present, neither were there any caves, rocky outcrops or escarpments. Few weeds occurred and there was no evidence of frequent fire or grazing by stock (Appendix H).

Figure 5.9: Habitat 01 -Sparse Low Open Woodland

April 2017 43 UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Figure 5.10: Habitat 02 - Shrublands and Scrub Heath

Figure 5.11: Habitat 03 - Drainage Line

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Study area Habitat type Drainage Lines Shrublands and Scrub Heath Sparse Low Open Woodland Cleared 0 0 0 5 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 5 8 6 6 0 0 0 0 8 6 6

Figure: 5-13 Fauna habitats Project ID: 1694 Date: 28/03/2017

0 Drawn: AS A4

0 0 0.3 0.6 0 Scale: 1:80,000 5

7 Kilometres

6 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K 6 UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

5.3.2 Species Recorded Twelve mammals (including eight introduced species), 55 birds and 9 reptiles were identified during the survey from the six study area components (ie Areas B, E, F, G, H and I) or in the immediate vicinity (Table 5.5). The Migratory Rainbow Bee-eater was recorded, as well as skeletal remains and potential tracks of the Priority 4 listed Western Brush Wallaby. The Endangered Carnaby's Black- Cockatoo was recorded in the vicinity of, but not within the study area itself. None of the remaining species recorded were of particular ecological significance with respect to the project, with all typical of the area and habitat present.

Table 5.5: Fauna species recorded during the survey. Study Area SPECIES COMMON NAME Vicinity B E F G H I MAMMALS

Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna X

sp. Indet. Dunnart? X

Macropus robustus Euro X X X X X

Macropus fuliginosus Western Grey Kangaroo X X X

Macropus irma Western Brush Wallaby X X

Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat X

Rattus sp. Rat X

Mus musculus Mouse X X

Vulpes vulpes Fox X X X X X X

?Canis familaris/dingo Dog/Dingo X X

Felis catus Cat X X X

Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit X X X X X

Bos taurus Cow X X

Ovis aries Sheep X X

BIRDS

Dromaius novaehollandiae Emu X X X X X

Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Australasian Grebe X

Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing X X

Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon X X X

Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth X

Elanus axillaris Black-shouldered Kite X X

Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk X X

indet. Kite indet. X

Aquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle X X X X

Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel X X X X

Falco berigora Brown Falcon X X

Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon X

Elseyornis melanops Black-fronted Dotterel X

Turnix velox Little Button-Quail X

Coturnix pectoralis Stubble Quail X X Calyptorhynchus latirostris Carnaby's Black Cockatoo X

Eolophus roseicapillus Galah X X X X

Cacatua pastinator/sanguinea Corella X

Barnardius zonarius Australian Ringneck X X X X

Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater X

Malurus leucopterus White-winged Fairy-wren X X X X

Malurus lamberti Variegated Fairy-wren X X X X X

Malurus spledens Splendid Fairy-wren X

Smicrornis brevirostris Weebill X

Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill X X

April 2017 46 UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Study Area SPECIES COMMON NAME Vicinity B E F G H I Calamanthus campestris Rufus Fieldwren X X

Gerygone fusca Western Gerygone X

Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote X X

Pardalotus rubricatus Red-browed Pardalote X X

Lichenostomus virescens Singing Honeyeater X X X

Lichenostomus leucotis White-eared Honeyeater X X

Lichenostomus ornatus Yellow-plumed Honeyeater X

Acanthagenys rufogularis Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater X X

Anthochaera carunculata Red Wattlebird X X

Glyciphila melanops Tawny-crowned Honeyeater X X X

Lichmera indistincta Brown Honeyeater X X X X

Phylidonyris niger White-cheeked Honeyeater X X X X X

Phylidonyris novaehollandiae New Holland Honeyeater X

Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike X X X

Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler X X X X

Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush X X

Artamus cinereus Black-faced Woodswallow X X X

Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird X

Cracticus nigrogularis Pied Butcherbird X

Cracticus tibicen Australian Magpie X

Rhipidura albiscapa Grey Fantail X X

Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail X X X X X

Corvus bennetti Little Crow X X X

Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-lark X X X X X

Eopsaltria georgiana White-breasted Robin X

Zosterops lateralis Silvereye X X X X

Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow X X

Cheramoeca leucosternus White-backed Swallow X

Anthus novaeseelandiae Australasian Pipit X X

Chrysococcyx basalis Horsfield's bronze-cuckoo X

Dicaeum hirundinaceum Mistletoebird X

REPTILES

Ctenophorus maculatus Spotted Military Dragon X X X

Moloch horridus Thorny Devil X X

Pogona minor Western Bearded Dragon X X X

Delma grayii Side-barred Delma X

Ctenotus sp. Indet. Ctenotus skink X X

Tiliqua rugosa Bobtail X X X

indet. small indet. Skink X

Varanus gouldii Sand Goanna X X X X

Varanus tristis Black-headed Monitor

Pseudechis australis Mulga Snake X X

April 2017 47 335000 340000 345000

0 Study area 0 0 0

0 Species Recorded

7 GF 6 GF Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo *# Rainbow Bee-eater !( Western Brush Wallaby Habitat type Drainage Lines Shrublands and Scrub Heath Sparse Low Open Woodland Cleared !( 0 0 0 5 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 5 8 6 6

GF 0 0 0 0 8 6 6

!(

UIL Ocean Hill Figure: 5-13 *#*# Conservation Significant Project ID: 1694 Date: 28/03/2017 0

0 Fauna Recorded 0 5 7 6 6 Drawn: AS A4 0 0.35 0.7 Scale: 1:95,000 Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 K Kilometres UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

5.3.3 Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Habitat Assessment Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo’s breeding range typically occurs in eucalypt woodlands of the Wheatbelt from Kalbarri in the north, Stirling Range to the south, and east to Manmanning (DoEE 2017b) with breeding typically occurring from early July to mid-December. They favour smooth barked eucalypts such as Wandoo and Salmon Gum and will generally forage within a six to 12 km radius of a breeding site (DSEWPaC 2012a) (DoEE 2017b) (DPaW 2013). Following breeding, family groups move west towards the coast and amalgamate into large flocks such as on the northern Swan Coastal Plain. During February to May flocks forage in Banksia or Kwongan heaths and Pine plantations, particularly between Lancelin and Perth usually within six km of a night roost (DSEWPaC 2012a) (DPaW 2013). Night roosts are usually located in the tallest trees of an area and in close proximity to both a food supply and water. Flocks will use different night roosts, often for weeks, or until the local food supply is exhausted. Flocks show some fidelity to night roosts with sites used in most years to access high- quality feeding sites. However, not all night roosts are used in every year (DPaW 2013). Although Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoos undergo a regular, seasonal migration there have been recent changes to their preferred breeding areas and movements (DPaW 2013). According to DSEWPaC (2012a) the study area is within the modelled distribution, and on the western edge of the breeding range, for Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo. However, the Eneabba flock of 300 to 350 Carnaby’s Black- Cockatoo has been studied extensively by Johnstone et al. (2007), Johnstone et al. (2008) and Johnstone et al. (2009) and no evidence of breeding, or any breeding habitat, has been found in the vicinity of Eneabba (Johnstone et al. 2009). Three important night roosts were identified by Johnstone et al. (2009) in the Eneabba region; the main Eneabba town roost site in exotic (ie planted) River Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), another roost in tall exotic River Gums at the Iluka Administration buildings, and a satellite roost on Woodada Road (also in River Gums). The flock that occurs around Eneabba are most likely non-breeding autumn-winter foraging visitors from relatively close breeding sites to the north-east of the study area. Johnstone et al. (2008) revealed that the Eneabba flock remains in the area when all other Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoos from the region vacate. The establishment of a new wintering range may be important considering the rapid loss of foraging habitat in the cockatoo’s traditional wintering range (further south on the Swan Coastal Plain), and has enabled the flock to remain closer to their breeding range (Johnstone et al. 2009). Important foraging sites identified by Johnstone et al. (2009) for the Eneabba flock were predominantly associated with rehabilitated areas within the Iluka mining areas, burnt remnant woodland within the Eneabba township, and Banksia woodland west of Eneabba (Lake Logue and Beekeepers Nature Reserves) and along the Arrowsmith River 20 km to the north. Another important foraging area considered by Johnstone et al. (2009) was farmland, with one of the main foods identified as the seeds of the introduced Pie Melon (Citrullus lanatus), with Carnaby’s Black- Cockatoos observed feeding on the melon on numerous occasions. Importantly, the melon produces fruit in the autumn just at the time when Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoos arrive.

Breeding and roosting habitat The study area is located on the western edge of the species known breeding range Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo’s (DSEWPaC 2012a), however records indicate that it has expanded this range to the west and south into both the Jarrah-Marri forests of the Darling Scarp and the Tuart Forests of the Swan Coastal Plain (Groom 2015) (Lee et al. 2013) (Byrne et al. 2015). Extensive studies undertaken by Johnstone (Johnstone et al. 2007, Johnstone et al. 2008 and Johnstone et al. 2009) found no evidence of breeding, or any breeding habitat in the Eneabba region. Trees of a suitable DBH of over 500 mm are considered large enough to potentially provide both breeding and roosting habitat for Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo (DSEWPaC 2012a). Night roosts are

April 2017 49 UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment usually located in the tallest trees within an area and in close proximity (usually within six km) to both a high-quality food supply and a water supply. Flocks will use different night roosts, often for weeks, or until the local food supply is exhausted. Flocks show fidelity to night roosts to access nearby high-quality feeding sites. However, due to changing patterns of food availability not all night roosts are used every year. Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo roost sites have been documented in the Great Cocky Count (Byrne et al. 2015) and there are no known roost trees within the study area, however, three important roost sites are known from the vicinity of Eneabba (Johnstone et al. 2009). The study area was intensively traversed by foot by two ecologia zoologists. The largest trees present were Eucalyptus rudis and Eucalyptus accedens, however, no trees were recorded with an hollow entrance greater than 100 mm. No evidence of breeding, or any breeding habitat, has been found in the vicinity of Eneabba (Johnstone et al. 2009), and due to the lack of large trees over the study area it is highly unlikely that Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoos would utilise the area as either a breeding site or night roost site.

Foraging habitat Whilst not well defined in the referral guidelines of DSEWPaC (2012a) “quality foraging habitat” implies habitat of a very good to excellent quality in respect to the supply of food resources to individual black-cockatoo species. Foraging habitat for Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo can therefore be defined as the availability of known plant food sources within a defined area (Finn 2012), at a particular time of year. The availability of plant food sources for black-cockatoos can be assessed in terms of abundance and distribution (i.e. availability) , seasonality and diversity (i.e. timing of food resource availability), and nutritional quality (i.e. individual plant species value to individual cockatoo species) (Bamford 2013) (Strategen 2016). DEC (2011) compiled information from a variety of sources to provide advice on over 130 prioritised food species used by Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo; and Valentine and Stock (2008) also provide a list of food plants utilised by the species. Bamford (2013) employed a consolidated species list derived from multiple sources (Appendix I) and an associated foraging habitat classification table (Strategen 2016) (Table 5.6). The most common native plant genera preferred by the species are; Banksia (including Dryandra), Hakea, Grevillea, Allocasuarina and Eucalyptus (including Corymbia). Of particular relevance, Johnstone et al. (2009) recorded the most widely used food species utilised by Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo around the Eneabba area. Major food sources in the Eneabba region include: • (particularly, Banksia attenuata, B. hookeriana, B. leptophylla, B. kippistiana and B. sessilis); • (particularly, Hakea eneabba, H. spathulata, H. smilacifolia, H. polyanthema, H. psilorrhyncha, H. flabellifolia and H. costata); • Lambertia multiflora; and • Pie Melon (Citrullus lanatus). The assessment of the availability and importance of Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo foraging habitat over the study area was conducted by analysing the fauna habitat, flora and vegetation survey data by: • Identifying any known food plants using a consolidated species list derived from multiple sources (Appendix I), as well as those identified by Johnstone et al. (2009). • Assessing the relative abundance of these species within the described and delineated twelve vegetation associations over the study area by comparing cover densities obtained from relevé observations. • Ranking foraging habitat value using the criteria of Table 5.6 for each mapped vegetation association occurring over the study area.

April 2017 50 UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Table 5.6: Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo foraging habitat classification.

Category Description

High density of foraging species (foliage cover >60%), and food sources at several strata (e.g. Excellent canopy, mid-storey and understorey).

High density of foraging species (foliage cover >60%), but food sources at only one or two Good strata (e.g. canopy and mid-storey).

Moderate density of foraging species (foliage cover 20-40%), and food sources only present at Moderate one or two strata (e.g. canopy and mid-storey).

Low density of foraging species (foliage cover 10-20%), and presence of food sources at only Poor one stratum (e.g. canopy).

Very low density of foraging species (foliage cover <10%), and presence of food sources at only Very poor one stratum (e.g. canopy).

Non existent Cleared areas, or no foraging species present.

Eight plant species identified by Johnstone et al. (2009) as especially important food species for Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo in the Eneabba region were recorded over the study area; Banksia attenuata, Banksia glaucifolia, Banksia kippistiana, Banksia leptophylla, Hakea psilorrhyncha, Hakea smilacifolia, Hakea flabellifolia, and Lambertia multiflora. A further 19 plant species recorded as food species for Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo also occur (Appendix J). If a conservative approach is taken, with the inclusion of all species within the genera Banksia, Hakea, and Grevillea, a total of 45 potential plant species occur over the study area (Appendix J). Vegetation Associations BgBK and Ca (Section 5.2.1) recorded the greatest foliage cover densities of known food species for Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo (Appendix E). Foraging value rankings over the study area are presented in Table 5.7 and Figure 5.14. Over 525 ha of good to excellent foraging habitat was mapped over the study area, with 158 ha categorised as poor to non-existent. The remainder (ie 4302ha) was assessed as moderate foraging value.

Table 5.7: Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo foraging habitat rankings

Area % of Foraging (ha) study area

Good-Excellent 508.1 10.53% Good 17.7 0.37% Moderate 4143.6 85.83% Poor 62.6 1.30% Very Poor 77.9 1.61% Non-existent 17.3 0.36%

April 2017 51 335000 340000 345000 350000 6695000 6690000 6685000 6680000

Study area Foraging Habitat Good-Excellent Good Moderate UIL Ocean Hill 4

6675000 Figure: 5-1 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo Project ID: 1694 Poor Foraging Habitat Rankings Date: 30/03/2017 Very Poor Drawn: AS A4 0 0.2 0.4 Scale:1:60,000 Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, K Kilometres Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Cleared Datum: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

5.3.4 Study Area Potential to Support Conservation Significant Fauna Species In the landscape context the study area generally represents areas of remnant vegetation within a landscape cleared for agriculture. However, Areas G and I are contiguous with extensive native vegetation merging with adjacent crown land including the nearby South Eneabba Nature Reserve of approximately 8,500 ha. One conservation significant species has been recorded over the study area (Rainbow Bee-Eater), with Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo and Western Brush Wallaby assessed as a high likelihood of occurring. A further four species were assessed as having a medium likelihood of occurrence; Malleefowl, Peregrine Falcon, Gilled Slender Blue-tongue and Black-striped Snake (Table 3.5). These species are discussed below.

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris). (Endangered under EPBC Act and WC Act) Although no evidence of Carnaby's Black Cockatoo was recorded over the study area it was recorded in the vicinity during the survey (Table 5.5), seventy-seven local records exist within 20 kms (Figure 3.4), and the study area falls within the modelled distribution of the species (DSEWPaC 2012a). EPBC referral guidelines (DSEWPaC 2012a) consider Carnaby's Black Cockatoo habitat in respect to breeding habitat, night roosting habitat and foraging habitat. Breeding and roosting trees are generally large with a DBH greater than 500 mm (DPaW 2013) (DSEWPaC 2012a). No evidence of breeding, or any breeding habitat, has previously been found in the vicinity of Eneabba (Johnstone et al. 2009), no suitable large trees are likely to be present over the study area, and therefore no breeding habitat or night roosting habitat is likely to occur. Carnaby's Black Cockatoo will generally forage within a six km radius of a night roost (DoEE 2017b) (DPaW 2013). Three night roosts are known from the region within six to 20 km of the study area (Johnstone et al. 2009), with the propensity for the Eneabba flock to utilise remnant vegetation of the study area closest to the roost sites. At least eight plant species identified by Johnstone et al. (2009) as especially important food species for Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo in the Eneabba region were recorded over the study area and over 535 ha of good to excellent foraging habitat is likely to occur. It is concluded that no breeding habitat or night roosting habitat is present over the study area. Carnaby's Black Cockatoo is likely to intermittently utilise good-excellent foraging habitat within the study area during the non-breeding season.

Western Brush Wallaby (Macropus irma) (Priority 4 species) The Western Brush Wallaby is restricted to south‐western Australia, from north of Kalbarri through to Cape Arid. Its preferred habitat is open forest or woodland, with low grasses and open shrubby thickets. It is more common within the southern portion of its range but absent from Karri forest where the understorey is considered too thick (Woinarski et al. 2012). The Western Brush Wallaby appears to be able to manage without free water and is more diurnal than other macropods with activity greatest during the early morning and late afternoon. The Western Brush Wallaby was assessed as having a high likelihood of occurrence over the study area. Very few regional records exist, however, habitat is present as Habitat 01 and Habitat 02, possible skeletal remains and tracks were recorded, and (Astron 2015) recorded the species from near Badgingarra to the south of the study area.

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)(Vulnerable under the EPBC Act and WC Act) Malleefowl are large, ground‐dwelling birds, well known for constructing large mounds of soil and vegetation in which they incubate their eggs. Once common and widespread across semi‐arid southern Australia, Malleefowl have declined severely in the last century, with a 50% decrease in area of occupancy (Benshemesh 2007) (Garnett and Crowley 2000). Their current distribution is highly fragmented, increasing the risk of extinction. Malleefowl prefer habitat consisting of thickets

April 2017 53 UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment of mallee, mulga or other dense litter‐forming shrublands as well as dry forest dominated by other eucalypt and acacia species (Benshemesh 2007) and require sandy substrate with leaf litter to build their distinctive nesting mounds and the highest breeding densities appear to occur in vegetation that is at least 40 years post fire (Benshemesh 2007) and rarely breed in vegetation burnt within 15 years (Crowley et al. 1969). The Malleefowl was assessed as having a medium likelihood of occurrence over the study area. Very few recent records of the species exist within the vicinity, however, it has been recorded from within 35 kms of the study area in 2012 (Figure 3.4). No any evidence of the Malleefowl including in the form of active or disused mounds, or tracks, was recorded over the study area and due to fire, fragmentation and floristic structure only limited habitat is present.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (Specially protected under the WC Act) The Peregrine Falcon was not recorded in the study area but is considered very likely to occur based on the results of the desktop survey with the species confirmed in the vicinity (Figure 3.4). Peregrine Falcons feed almost entirely on birds, especially ducks, parrots and pigeons. The species is widespread in Australia, but requires specific nesting sites. It does not build a nest but requires cliffs, rocky outcrops, or large tree hollows (Johnstone and Storr 1998). No suitable breeding habitat occurs over the study area for the Peregrine Falcon, however, due to its widespread movements, the species may overfly all habitats of the study area intermittently.

Rainbow Bee-Eater (Migratory bird protected under international agreements) In Western Australia the Rainbow Bee‐eater can occur as a resident, breeding visitor, post‐ nuptial nomad, passage migrant or winter visitor. The Rainbow Bee-eater migrates between southern Australia and north as far as Japan (Pizzey and Knight 2003). It occupies numerous habitats including open woodlands with sandy loamy soil, sandridges, sandpits, riverbanks, road cuttings, beaches, dunes, cliffs, mangroves and rainforests (Pizzey and Knight 2003). The Rainbow Bee-eater was recorded during the survey and the fact that it is a common migrant. The Rainbow Bee‐eater is likely to be more common during the summer months, as well as migration periods (late spring and early autumn), particularly when water is present within or near the study area. Friable sandy soils within Habitat 01 and Habitat 02 of the study area provide suitable breeding habitat to construct nesting burrows.

Gilled Slender Blue-tongue (Cyclodomorphus branchialis) (Vulnerable under the WC Act) The Gilled Slender Blue‐tongue is a large skink with a colour of different shades of brown with black and pale spots. It is predominantly crepuscular and nocturnal, occurring in shrublands on heavy red soils (Wilson and Swan 2013) and shelters during the day in spinifex, leaf litter and under fallen timber (Cogger 2000). It feeds on a variety of arthropods and occasionally snails and small lizards, and gives birth to two or three live young during spring and early summer. The species is considered vulnerable due to its limited distribution (Wells 2007). The recognised distribution of the Gilled Slender Blue‐tongue is to the north of the study area (Wilson and Swan 2013), however, one record occurs ~15 km to the west (Figure 3.4). The species is at its extreme southern distribution and, due to the paucity of red soils, is assessed as having only a medium likelihood of occurrence over the study area.

April 2017 54 UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Black-striped Snake (Neelaps calonotos) (Priority 4 species) The Black-striped Snake is a burrowing snake that inhabits coastal dunes and sandplains vegetated with heaths and eucalypt and Banksia woodlands. It is a specialist feeder, predating other small burrowing reptiles, and in particular Lerista praepedita (Wilson and Swan 2013). The Black-striped Snake occurs in the sandy coastal strip between Mandurah and Lancelin (Wilson and Swan 2013), and its formerly recognised distribution is therefore to the south and west of the study area. However, Bush et al. (2007) recorded an isolated population near Dongara. Few records of the Black-striped Snake are located within close proximity to the study area, however, a record was made ~10 km west of the study area (Figure 3.4). Considering the records of Bush et al. (2007) and the availability of burrowing habitat within Habitat 01 and Habitat 02 over the study area the species was assessed as having a medium likelihood of occurrence.

April 2017 55 UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

6 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

6.1 FLORA The flora field survey was conducted marginally outside of the optimal season for surveys in the South-West, where spring (September to November) primary surveys are recommended. Consequently, there were few annual species observed, and many species belonging to groups that were targeted for conservation significant species were not commonly in flower or fruit (e.g. Acacia, Banksia, Calectasia, Conostephium, , Grevillea, Hakea, Leucopogon, Petrophile, Stylidium, and Synaphea). Therefore, it is possible that some conservation significant taxa that may be present in the impact area may have been overlooked or undetectable due to poor seasonality and the consequent absence of flowering or fruiting material that would assist in detection and accurate identification. Individuals from some targeted groups, however, were observed to be flowering or fruiting in most cases (e.g. Allocasuarina, Eucalyptus, Calytrix, Hemiandra, Verticordia, Cyperaceae, and Restionaceae). A total of 221 vascular plant taxa (including species, infraspecific taxa, and phrase name taxa) representing 36 families and 76 genera were recorded from the study area. No EPBC Act or WC Act- listed Threatened Flora species were recorded during the survey. Priority Taxa Sixteen Priority listed plant taxa were recorded within the impact area, including one Priority 1 species (Grevillea amplexans subsp. adpressa), two Priority 2 species (Arnocrinum gracillimum and Persoonia filiformis), eight Priority 3 species (Allocasuarina ramosissima, Banksia fraseri var. crebra, Beaufortia bicolor, Hensmania stoniella, Jacksonia anthoclada, Persoonia rudis, Phlebocarya pilosissima subsp. pilosissima, Verticordia insignis subsp. eomagis, and Verticordia rutilastra), and five Priority 4 species (Banksia chamaephyton, Calytrix chrysantha, Calytrix eneabbensis, Desmocladus elongatus, and Verticordia aurea). Eucalyptus macrocarpa subsp. elachantha (P4) was recorded at Area B, but not from the proposed impact area. Calytrix chrysantha (P4) was the most abundant species observed within the impact area (2881 plants recorded), occurring in all remnant patches, followed by Beaufortia bicolor (P3) (762 plants) restricted to Area B, and Allocasuarina ramosissima (P3) (477 plants), occurring in Areas B, G, and I. Potential Priority Taxa Specimens potentially representing three Priority listed species (Conostephium ?magnum, Stylidium ?hymenocraspedum, Synaphea ?endothrix) were recorded from within the impact area, but were unable to be identified with certainty due to the absence of flowering or fruiting material. Anomalous Taxa Three potentially conservation significant Hemiandra taxa (Hemiandra aff. sp. Jurien (B.J. Conn & M.E. Tozer BJC 3885), Hemiandra aff. sp. Eneabba (H. Demarz 3687) (P3), and Hemiandra aff. sp. Kalbarri (D. Bellairs 1505)) were recorded within the impact area. Representative specimens of these taxa are somewhat anomalous, and have been submitted to the Western Australian Herbarium for conformation or identification. The number of individuals of each taxon recorded within the impact area is shown in Table 6.1

April 2017 56 UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

Table 6.1: Number of Priority Flora individuals recorded within the impact area Conservation Plants Taxon Status recorded Allocasuarina ramosissima P3 477 Arnocrinum gracillimum P2 2 Banksia chamaephyton P4 116 Banksia fraseri var. crebra P3 10 Beaufortia bicolor P3 762 Calytrix chrysantha P4 2881 Calytrix eneabbensis P4 71 Conostephium ?magnum (indet.) P4 10 Desmocladus elongatus P4 43 Grevillea amplexans subsp. adpressa P1 4 Hemiandra aff. sp. Jurien (B.J. Conn & M.E. Tozer BJC 3885) ?P 3 Hemiandra aff. sp. Eneabba (H. Demarz 3687) ?P3 9 Hemiandra aff. sp. Kalbarri (D. Bellairs 1505) ?P2 95 Hensmania stoniella P3 1 Jacksonia anthoclada P3 138 Persoonia filiformis P2 6 Persoonia rudis P3 2 Phlebocarya pilosissima subsp. pilosissima P3 33 Stylidium ?hymenocraspedum (indet.) P3 4 Synaphea ?endothrix (indet.) P3 4 Verticordia aurea P4 25 Verticordia insignis subsp. eomagis P3 1 Verticordia rutilastra P3 3

6.2 VEGETATION Twelve broad vegetation units were described and mapped within the study area. No listed TECs (DPaW 2015a) or listed PECs (DPaW 2015b) were recorded. Three broadly defined vegetation units predominate, comprising 94% of the study area: Et Eucalyptus todtiana open mallee woodland to isolated mallee trees over mixed proteaceous and myrtaceous low shrubland to open shrubland over Mesomelaena pseudostygia sparse sedgeland. Patches of Eucalyptus conveniens, E. drummondii, E. gittinsii and E. macrocarpa occur within this unit. It occurs primarily on grey to white sand on plains, low rises and shallow depressions, and makes up 2325 ha (48.1%) of the study area. BaAh Mid to low shrubland to open shrubland typically dominated by Banksia attenuata and/or Allocasuarina humilis with mixed proteaceous and myrtaceous low shrubs over Ecdeiocolea monostachya and/or Mesomelaena pseudostygia sparse sedgeland. It occurs primarily on grey, yellow, or white sand on plains, low rises and shallow depressions, and makes up 1715 ha (35.5%) of the study area. BgBk Banksia glaucifolia and Banksia kippistiana var. kippistiana low shrubland to open shrubland over Mesomelaena spp. sparse sedgeland. It occurs primarily on low rises with lateritic gravels, and makes up 508 ha (10.5%) of the study area.

April 2017 57 UIL Energy Ocean Hill Lease Area Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment

6.3 FAUNA Landforms of the study area are typical of the Geraldton Sandplains bioregion, and three broad fauna habitats were identified: Sparse Low Open Woodland (H01), Shrublands and Scrub Heath (H02), and Drainage Lines (H03). All habitats identified are widespread in the region. In the landscape context the study area occurs as patches of remnant vegetation within a landscape cleared for agriculture. However, Areas G and I are contiguous with extensive native vegetation merging with adjacent crown land including the nearby South Eneabba Nature Reserve. The Rainbow Bee-Eater (migratory) was recorded during the survey, with Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo (Endangered) and Western Brush Wallaby (Priority 4) assessed as having a high (1) likelihood of occurring. A further four species were assessed as having a medium (2) likelihood of occurrence; the Malleefowl (Vulnerable), Peregrine Falcon (Specially Protected), Gilled Slender Blue-tongue (Vulnerable) and Black-striped Snake (Priority 4). The Rainbow Bee‐eater is likely to occur during the summer months. Friable sandy soils within Habitats 01 and 02 of the study area provide suitable breeding habitat to construct nesting burrows. No breeding habitat or night roosting habitat is present over the study area for Carnaby's Black Cockatoo but the species is likely to occur seasonally through the non-breeding autumn-winter period and foraging habitat is present. Probable evidence of the Western Brush Wallaby was recorded during the survey and it was also recorded recently to the south of the study area and it is likely to occur within Habitats 01 and 02. Very few regional records of the Malleefowl, Gilled Slender Blue-tongue, and Black-striped Snake are present in databases or literature reviews, and due to either a lack of characteristic habitat, or the study area being outside the range of typical distributions, these species are less likely to occur. No suitable breeding habitat occurs for the Peregrine Falcon, however, due to its widespread movements, this species may overfly all habitats of the study area intermittently.

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