Flora and Vegetation Assessment Witchcliffe Ecovillage, Witchcliffe

Prepared December 2015 for Hulme and Perron Developments Pty Ltd

Flora and Vegetation Assessment Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015

This document has been prepared by Litoria Ecoservices for the express use of the client. Litoria Ecoservices accepts no responsibility to any third party who may rely upon this document.

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Version Control

Version Date Version Purpose Author Draft 1 26/10/ 2015 Draft for client review DMcK Final 7/12/2015 Final incl. changes DMcK FINAL 23/12/15 Final incl. changes and figs D McK

Flora and Vegetation Assessment Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 2 1.1 Background ...... 2 1.2 Description of the proposal ...... 2 1.3 Site Description ...... 2 1.4 Assessment Objectives and Scope ...... 3 1.5 Personnel ...... 3 1.6 Landform ...... 3 1.7 Hydrology ...... 3 1.8 Climate ...... 4 1.9 Vegetation ...... 4 2. FLORA AND VEGETATION ...... 5 2.1 Previous work ...... 5 2.2 Background Research ...... 5 2.2.1 Rare and Priority Flora ...... 5 2.2.2 Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities ...... 6 2.2.3 Vegetation Representation ...... 7 2.3 Field Results ...... 7 2.3.1 Surveys ...... 7 2.3.2 Rare and Priority Flora ...... 8 2.3.3 Introduced Flora ...... 8 2.3.4 Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities ...... 8 2.3.5 Vegetation Condition ...... 8 2.3.6 Vegetation Units ...... 9 3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 11 3.1 Conclusions ...... 11 3.2 Recommendations ...... 11 4. REFERENCES ...... 12

APPENDIX 1: FLORA SPECIES RECORDED ON-SITE ...... 13

APPENDIX 2: VEGETATION CONDITION SCALE (ADAPTED FROM KEIGHERY 1994) ...... 16

APPENDIX 3: PHOTOS OF THE VARIOUS VEGETATION MAPPING UNITS IDENTIFIED ON SITE ...... 17

FIGURES ...... 19

FIGURE 1: SITE LOCATION FIGURE 2: VEGETATION COMPLEXES ACROSS THE SITE FIGURE 3: PRIORITY ENVIRONMENTAL WEED MAPPING FIGURE 4: VEGETATION CONDITION FIGURE 5: VEGETATION MAPPING UNITS

Flora and Vegetation Assessment Witchcliffe Ecovillage, December 2015

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Litoria Ecoservices (LE) was commissioned by Perron & Hulme Developments (the proponent) to prepare this report to guide the preparation of the Structure Plan for an eco- village development across Locations 2807 and 2812.

1.2 Description of the proposal

The Witchcliffe Ecovillage is a 300 lot ecovillage planned for development in the town of Witchcliffe. The Witchcliffe Ecovillage vision is to create a model of a highly sustainable, self reliant community in a regional village setting, with the best of 21st century technology that enables the community to produce as much energy as it consumes; be self-sufficient in water; care for the local environment; generate ongoing economic and social opportunities for the area, and be self-sufficient in fresh food produce. A place in which people live, work, socialise and provide for their material needs sustainably, where most of what they consume on a daily basis will be produced within the ecovillage, in harmony with the permaculture principles of “earth care, people care, and fair share. The Witchcliffe Ecovillage is designed with an extensive range of onsite infrastructure and services to create an example of sustainable development that achieves: • 100% net renewable power generation on site. • 100% self -sufficiency in water through onsite rainwater harvesting (rooftops and dams). • Self-sufficiency in seasonal fresh foods with surplus produce sold locally. • A local micro energy grid that utilises smart grid technology. • Class A recycled water. • Highly efficient solar passive homes that all front public open space and/or community gardens. • Employment and education opportunities on site and within the revitalised town centre. • Revegetation and protection of remnant vegetation and creek lines to create wildlife corridors. • Practical measures to encourage and prioritise alternative forms of transport— pedestrians, bikes, electric cars, car pooling and public transport.

1.3 Site Description

The property consists of Locations 2807 and 2812 which are 62 ha and 57ha in area respectively and is bounded by Bussell Highway to the west, Davis Road to the south, Mill Road to the North and numerous private adjoining rural lots to the east. The site location is shown within Figure 1.

The site is located in the western most portion of the Chapman Brook catchment and is dominated by vineyard, ex-vineyard and open pasture areas. A 3 hectare patch of remnant vegetation exists near the middle of the eastern boundary of the block and the site contains five ephemeral, waterways running approximately west to east across the property. There is also approximately 2 ha of dam area in the middle of the property, a number of small artificial soaks or dams, two degraded stands of predominantly Marri (Corymbia calophylla) and an intensively planted area along the western boundary adjoining Shirvington Ave, Witchcliffe. There are a number of isolated or clustered paddock trees.

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The site also includes a number of dwellings, associated gardens and farm sheds and associated infrastructure.

1.4 Assessment Objectives and Scope

The assessment was undertaken throughout August, September, October 2015, with the following objectives: 1. To assess the condition, nature and conservation significance of native vegetation onsite; and 2. To identify management issues and recommendations to protect and enhance the conservation values of the site the development of the structure plan.

This assessment of the site’s flora and vegetation represents a Level 1 Survey as described by the EPA’s Guidance for the Assessment of Environmental Factors, Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia (Guidance Statement 51) (EPA 2004). As such it includes: • background research or ‘desktop study’; and • a reconnaissance survey.

This level of survey is considered appropriate under the requirements of Guidance Statement 51, given the anticipated low impact of the proposal (no remnant vegetation will be removed or cleared and that it is recommended that significant regeneration work be undertaken as a result of the proposal).

flora or fauna survey and as such is limited in scope, detail and seasonality. If a detailed survey was undertaken or the site assessed at different seasons throughout the year, the flora and fauna recorded for the property could be significantly expanded.

1.5 Personnel

The assessment was undertaken by Drew McKenzie BAppSc (Env) Hons. of Litoria Ecoservices, Margaret River.

1.6 Landform

The site is gently undulating mix of generally level uplands between 80 and 90m AHD and five minor tributaries to the Chapman Brook which run approximately from East to West across the site.

The site lies within the Cowaramup and Wilyabrup land systems and is comprised of a variety of soils including the following: • Cowaramup Uplands (COu); • Cowaramup wet flats (Cow); • Cowaramup wet vales (Covw); • Wilyabrup hill slopes (WLh); and • Wilyabrup wet valleys (WLvw).

Soils are a mix of loamy gravels, duplex sandy gravels, semi-wet and wet soils (Department of Agriculture, 2003).

1.7 Hydrology

The five minor tributaries all run approximately west to east across the block. The majority of these waterways originate within the property and are generally first order

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streams. The Northern most tributary is also connected to two minor first order streams from properties north of Mill Rd, as such the downstream portion of this waterway is considered a second order stream.

The site contains 2 small dams and one large dam in the middle of the site.

1.8 Climate

Located in Western Australia’s south-west, the area experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and cool wet winters. Witchcliffe has an average annual rainfall of 1013 mm with 85% of this rain falling between May and October.

1.9 Vegetation

The site vegetation is predominantly cleared and significantly altered towards agricultural production either as grazing land or vineyards. The native vegetation is characterised by: • a distinct 3ha area of remnant vegetation centrally located along the Eastern boundary of the site; • a strong band of remnant native vegetation along the northern tributary; • a band of riparian regrowth along the downstream portion of the southern tributary; • a range of paddock trees predominantly Peppermints (Agonis flexuosa) Marri (Corymbia calophylla) and Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) • a degraded stand of Marri along the eastern boundary just south of the northern tributary and • a mix of riparian species planted as part of the plantation style, predominantly eastern states planting immediately east of the Witchcliffe townsite.

Augusta Margaret River Shire is situated within the South West Botanical Province of WA which is internationally recognised as a biodiversity hotspot. Within this, the site lies in the Boranup System of the Western Botanical subdistrict within the Darling Botanical District. The Western Botanical subdistrict spans from Cape Naturalist to Albany with Witchcliffe falling within the Boranup System. This system is described as Tall Forest of Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) on red earths and Forest of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and Marri (Corymbia calophylla) on the red and yellow podzolic soils. Extensive paperbark (Melaleuca spp.) and sedge swamps occur in the valleys and flood plains. (Beard 1990)

Previous broadscale (1:50,000) vegetation mapping (Mattiske and Havel 1998) has identified the site vegetation as consisting of four vegetation complexes as detailed within Figure 2.

Wilyabrup (W1): Tall open forest of Eucalyptus diversicolor-Corymbia calophylla- Allocasuarina decussata-Agonis flexuosa on deeply incised valleys in the hyperhumid zone.

Wilyabrup (Ww1): Tall open forest of Eucalyptus diversicolor (karri) - Agonis flexuosa (WA peppermint) – Callistachys lanceolata (native willow/wonnich) with some Corymbia callophylla (marri) on flats and valleys in the hyperhumid zone.

Cowaramup Uplands (C1): Open to tall forest of Corymbia callophylla (marri) – Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) – Banksia grandis (bull banksia) on lateritic uplands

Cowaramup Valleys (Cw1): Mixture of open forest to woodland of Eucalyptus diversicolor (karri) - Corymbia callophylla (marri) and woodlands of Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) – Corymbia callophylla (marri) on slopes and low woodland of Melaleuca preissiana (moonah – Banksia littoralis (Swamp banksia) on depressions.

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2. FLORA AND VEGETATION

2.1 Previous work

This assessment builds upon the work undertaken by the Cape to Cape Catchments Group for Location 2807 in 2010 entitled Waterway and Vegetation Rehabilitation Plan: Witchcliffe Ecovillage, Bussell Hwy, Witchcliffe which involved a vegetation assessment. It also builds upon a five year history of the site by the author managing rehabilitation and revegetation actions on site.

2.2 Background Research

2.2.1 Rare and Priority Flora

Prior to undertaking the site based work, a search was undertaken of relevant DPAW databases to identify significant plant species known as occurring within the nearby locality. The result of this search is provided below as Table 1.

Table 1: Significant plant species known from surrounding areas Taxon Status Rank EPBC FloweringPeriod Banksia nivea T EN EN Sep-Oct Banksia squarrosa subsp. argillacea T EN VU June to Nov Caladenia excelsa T EN EN Sep-Oct Caladenia lodgeana T CR CR Oct-Nov Drakaea micrantha T EN VU Sep-Oct Reedia spathacea T EN CR Nov to Jan Sphenotoma drummondii T EN EN Sep to Dec Acacia inops 3 Oct-Nov Acacia lateriticola glabrous variant (B.R. Maslin 6765) 3 May to Oct Acacia subracemosa 3 Sep-Nov Acacia tayloriana 4 Dec Adenanthos detmoldii 4 Aug-Nov Andersonia longifolia 2 Aug, Oct Bossiaea disticha 4 Sep-Nov Caladenia ambusta 2 Oct-Nov Carex tereticaulis 3 Nov,Feb Caustis sp. Boyanup (G.S. McCutcheon 1706) 3 - Conospermum paniculatum 3 Jul-Nov Dampiera heteroptera 3 Sep,Oct Eucalyptus calcicola subsp. calcicola 4 May-Jun Gahnia sclerioides 4 - Galium leptogonium 3 Gastrolobium formosum 3 Nov-Jan Grevillea brachystylis subsp. brachystylis 3 Aug-Nov Grevillea bronwenae 3 June-Nov Hybanthus volubilis 2 Oct-Dec Lambertia rariflora subsp. rariflora 4 Jan-Mar Leptinella drummondii 3 Dec Leucopogon incisus 2 Sep-Oct Meeboldina thysanantha 3 -

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Taxon Status Rank EPBC FloweringPeriod Pimelea ciliata subsp. longituba 3 Sep-Nov Pultenaea pinifolia 3 Oct Stylidium lowrieanum 3 Oct to Nov Synaphea sp. Redgate Road (J. Scott 16) 1 Oct-Nov Tetraria sp. Blackwood River (A.R. Annels 3043) 3 - Thomasia triloba 1 Nov,Dec Tripterococcus sp. Brachylobus (A.S. George 14234) 4 Feb Xyris maxima 2 Nov-Jan

Conservation Codes Declared Rare Flora - Extant Taxa Taxa which have been adequately searched for and are deemed to be in the wild either rare, in danger of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection, and have been gazetted as such. X: Declared Rare Flora - Presumed Extinct Taxa Taxa which have not been collected, or otherwise verified, over the past 50 years despite thorough searching, or of which all known wild populations have been destroyed more recently, and have been gazetted as such. Priority One - Poorly known Taxa Taxa which are known from one or a few (generally <5) populations which are under threat, either due to small population size, or being on lands under immediate threat, e.g. road verges, urban areas, farmland, active mineral leases, etc., or the plants are under threat, e.g. from disease, grazing by feral animals, etc. May include taxa with threatened populations on protected lands. Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora', but are in urgent need of further survey. Priority Two - Poorly Known Taxa Taxa which are known from one or a few (generally <5) populations, at least some of which are not believed to be under immediate threat (i.e. not currently endangered). Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora', but are in urgent need of further survey. Priority Three - Poorly Known Taxa Taxa which are known from several populations, and the taxa are not believed to be under immediate threat (i.e. not currently endangered), either due to the number of known populations (generally >5), or known populations being large, and either widespread or protected. Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora' but are in need of further survey. Priority Four - Rare Taxa Taxa which are considered to have been adequately surveyed and which, whilst being rare (in Australia), are not currently threatened by any identifiable factors. These taxa require monitoring every 5-10 years.

2.2.2 Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities

An ‘ecological community’ is a naturally occurring grouping of plants and/or animals that together with their habitat form ecosystems. A threatened ecological community (TEC) is one which is deemed to be subject to processes which threaten to destroy or significantly modify it across much of its range and which are found to fit into one of the following categories: ‘presumed totally destroyed’, ‘critically endangered’, ‘endangered’ or ‘vulnerable’ (DEC, 2007).

Possible TECs which are not yet adequately defined or do not meet the criteria for the above categories are identified under the DEC’s Priority Ecological Community (PEC) List under Priorities 1, 2 and 3 in order of priority for definition, evaluation and survey. Other ecological communities that are rare but adequately known, not threatened, are listed as Priority 4 and require regular monitoring.

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A search of the DPAW Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities Database for known records of TEC and/or PEC within a 15km radius of the site was undertaken and identified the following five communities: • Critically Endangered Threatened Ecological Community (TEC): ‘CAVES LEEUWIN02 – (Aquatic rootmat community Number 2 of the caves of the Leeuwin – Naturalist Ridge.)’

• Critically Endangered Threatened Ecological Community (TEC): ‘CAVES LEEUWIN03 – (Aquatic rootmat community Number 3 of the caves of the Leeuwin – Naturalist Ridge.)’

• Critically Endangered Threatened Ecological Community (TEC): ‘CAVES LEEUWIN04 – (Aquatic rootmat community Number 4 of the caves of the Leeuwin – Naturalist Ridge.)’ • Priority 1 ecological community (PEC) : ‘Reedia swamps – Blackwood Plateau (Reedia spathacea - Empodisma gracillimum - Sporadanthus rivularis dominated floodplains and paluslopes of the Blackwood Plateau.)’ • Priority 2 ecological community (PEC) : ‘Melaleuca lanceolata forests (Melaleuca lanceolata forests, Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge)’

2.2.3 Vegetation Representation

The vegetation complexes present on site as per the mapping of Mattiske and Havel (1998) were compared to the extent remaining using the data available from the Department of Agriculture and Food (2014). This analysis is presented below in Table 2.

Table 2: Percentage of remaining Vegetation Complexes as per Mattiske and Havel (1998) Vegetation Complex Pre European Extent Current Extent Percentage (ha) (ha) Remaining Wilyabrup (W1) 7296 3929 53.8% Wilyabrup (Ww1) 2268 1221 53.8% Cowaramup Uplands 18,982 6552 34.5% (C1) Cowaramup Valleys 6,144 1731 28.2% (Cw1)

The State Government’s commitment to the National Objectives Targets for Biodiversity Conservation includes a target to prevent the clearance of ecological communities with extents below 30% of their pre European coverage or less than 1500ha total extent remaining.

With these targets in mind, both Ww1 and Cw1 are considered Vulnerable and as such clearing should be avoided.

2.3 Field Results

2.3.1 Surveys

The reconnaissance survey was conducted over three days in August, September and October 2015. This involved walking transects approx 10m apart across the portions of the site containing stands of native vegetation. The aim of this was to in order to generate a preliminary species list for the site and to map vegetation units and vegetation condition

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across these areas and to search for species identified in the database search. The remnant vegetation in the central eastern portion of the property and the vegetated creeklines were the primary focus of this work.

Appendix 1 shows all flora species, native and introduced, that were identified during the course of this preliminary survey.

A total of 110 species were recorded during the reconnaissance survey. Of these, 77 native species from 50 genera were recorded. These species are listed in Appendix 1.

2.3.2 Rare and Priority Flora

No Declared Rare Flora or Priority species were recorded during the course of the survey.

2.3.3 Introduced Flora

A total of 33 introduced species (or 30% of the total flora species recorded) were recorded during the course of the survey. These species are denoted by an asterisk in Appendix 1.

Two species (Arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) and Blackberry (Rubus anglocandicans)) declared under Section 22 of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 were identified on site. Within the Shire of Augusta Margaret River both of these species are categorised as C3 (Management) declared pest.

A number of other environmental weed species considered as high priorities for control were identified and mapped as part of the assessment. these were prioritised either due to the level of invasiveness and impact of the species under local conditions and due to relatively restricted nature of the current infestation. These include: • Tambookie grass (Hyparrhenia hirta) around the southern edge of the Witchcliffe townsite and the southwestern corner of the property; • Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) through the northern waterway; • Batswing Fern (Histiopteris incisa) through the northern waterway; • Dodonea viscosa spreading through the eastern upland remnant; • Wavy Gladioli (Gladiolus undulatus) in the northern waterway; and • Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) on the northern boundary.

The location of priority environmental weeds are identified in Figure 3. Recommended control methods and timelines for these species and other weed control to support revegetation is provided within the ECSZMP.

2.3.4 Threatened and Priority Ecological Communities

None of the PECs or other TEC/PEC identified from the background research (Section 2.2.2) were identified on the site.

2.3.5 Vegetation Condition

The vegetation of the site has been assessed using a condition assessment based on the Vegetation Condition Scale of Keighery (1994), which is attached as Appendix 2.

Based on this system, condition ratings for the remnant and regrowth native vegetation found on site is shown on Figure 4 and described as follows:

• The central eastern remnant was assessed as good to very good condition;

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• The central, southern remnant was assessed to be completely degraded; • The north eastern remnant was assessed as completely degraded; • The northern tributary was assessed as predominantly good or very good condition; and • The vegetated portion of the southern tributary was assessed as Degraded.

The remaining areas of the property were considered to be completely degraded, dominated by non-local landscaping, plantation style buffer plantings, pasture, agricultural or windbreak species with only scattered, isolated local natives.

2.3.6 Vegetation Units

Vegetation units were identified for the portions of the site considered to be dominated by native, naturally occurring vegetation cover. In total, ten units were identified across the site as shown in Figure 5, with photographs provided in Appendix 3.

The ten vegetation units are described as follows:

CcEmVG - Very Good Condition Open Forest of Corymbia calophylla and Eucalyptus marginata over open shrubland of Acacia myrtifolia, Podocarpus drouynianus, Hovea elliptica, Tremandra stelligera, Taxandria parviceps, Hibbertia hypericoides.

CcEmG - Good Condition Open Forest of Corymbia calophylla and Eucalyptus marginata over open shrubland of Acacia myrtifolia, Podocarpus drouynianus, Hovea elliptica and low shrub/ herb layer of Xanthorrea gracillis, Sparaxis bulbifera, Briza maxima, Briza minor.

CcCD- Completely Degraded Open Forest of Corymbia calophylla over Lolium Ea rigidum, Avena fatua, Arctotheca calendula, Cotula turbinata, coEa

CcEmCD- Completely Degraded Open Forest of Corymbia calophylla and Eucalyptus marginata over scattered Eucalyptus utilis over a herb/grass layer of Lolium rigidum, Avena fatua, Arctotheca calendula, Cotula turbinata, Raphanus raphanistrum, Medicago polymorpha and Erodium cicutarium.

TlAfD – Degraded Shrubland of Taxandria linearifolia with scattered Agonis flexuosa, Eucalyptus diversicolor and Eucalyptus patens emergents over a grassland of introduced annual grasses and rushes such as Juncus microcephalus and Cenchrus clandestinus.

TlEdG – Good Condition Shrubland of Taxandria linearfolia, Callistachys lanceolata and Astartea laricifolia with scattered Agonis flexuosa, Eucalyptus diversicolor, Eucalyptus patens and Corymbia calophylla emergents over a grassland of introduced annual grasses and rushes such as Juncus microcephalus and Cenchrus clandestinus.

EdVG – Very Good Condition Open Forest of Eucalyptus diversicolor with occasional scattered Eucalytpus patens, Agonis flexuosa, Eucalyptus megacarpa, Callistachys lanceolata over a shrub layer of Taxandria linearifolia, Astartea laricifolia over a sedge/ rush layer of Lepidosperma tetrequetrum and Juncus microcephalus.

TlCD – Completely Degraded Shrubland of Taxandria linearifolia over a rush/grass/herb layer of Juncus microcephalus, Cenchrus clandestinus, Holcus lanatus, Isolepis prolifera and Arcotheca calendula.

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TlD – Degraded Shrubland of Taxandria linearifolia, Acacia myrtifolia, Melaleuca incana with an isolated Corymbia calophylla emergent over a sedge/rush/grass/herb layer of Juncus microcephalus, Cenchrus clandestinus, Juncus pallidus, Juncus pauciflorus, Juncus planifolius, Lepidosperma tetrequetrum, Holcus lanatus, Isolepis prolifera and Arcotheca calendula.

TlG – Good Condition Shrubland of Taxandria linearifolia with scattered Agonis flexuosa, Eucalyptus diversicolor and Eucalyptus patens emergents over a over a sedge/rush/grass/herb layer of Lepidosperma tetrequetrum, Juncus pallidus, Juncus pauciflorus, Juncus microcephalus, Cenchrus clandestinus, Holcus lanatus, and Arcotheca calendula.

The following additional areas of planted vegetation are also present on site:

1.Southern Waterway Revegetation plantings: This area has been actively revegetated over the last four years with active control of priority environmental weeds and planting of over 2000 plants from 28 species. Plants have established well and with limited maintenance effort over the next 3 years are considered likely to dramatically change the structure and floristic diversity of this reach of the tributary. Low priority weeds of disturbed areas still represent a significant portion of the vegetation cover. Key native species of dominance include, Baumea vaginalis, Taxandria linearfolia, Astartea laricifolia, Juncus pallidus and Lepidosperma effusum.

2. Eastern boundary buffer planting: The southern portion of the Eastern boundary has been planted with species appropriate for establishing a spray and amenity buffer to the adjoining agricultural land to the east. This planting is dominated by Acacia saligna, Grevillea oleifolia, Banksia grandis and Allocasuaraina fraseriana.

3. Shervington Avenue Amenity planting: The area immediately east of Shirvington Avenue has been subject to previous amenity planting of predominantly eastern states species by the previous owners of the property. The planting is broken into essentially two different zones. The western portion is dominated by Swamp Mahogeny (Eucalyptus robusta) and Sydney blue gum (Eucalyptus saligna). Both of these species are recognised as potential environmental weeds within the Capes Region. The Eastern portion is dominated by Melaleuca rhaphiophylla, Melaleuca preissiana and Beaufortia sparsa. This planting is estimated at around 10 -12 years of age.

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3. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 Conclusions

The site contains a number of conservation values worthy of enhancement and protection including: • Some remaining areas of good or very good condition remnant vegetation; • Diverse range of vegetation complexes and vegetation mapping units across the site; • Two vulnerable Vegetation Complexes (Ww1 and Cw1) which are a priority for retention. • No Declared Rare Flora or Priority species were recorded on site. • A diverse array of flora species were recorded, with significantly more expected if a more intensive assessment was undertaken across the year; • A high level of existing and potential ecological connectivity and linkage with surrounding tracts of native vegetation both East and West of the site; and • Significant areas of riparian vegetation including areas of A grade condition foreshore.

3.2 Recommendations

Management recommendations to protect and enhance the identified vegetation values of the property include: 1. Ensure the Structure Plan layout avoids any impact or clearing of remnant vegetation throughout the site with particular reference to Cw1 and Ww1 vegetation complexes. 2. Actively promote natural regeneration and undertake a significant revegetation program within the Stream Protection Zones. The ECSZMP provides detail in order to guide this rehabiliation/ revegetation and ensure that it is undertaken in accordance with current best practice. 3. Undertake strategic, effective control of the priority environmental weeds identified within the ECSZMP. 4. Monitor and where necessary control the other environmental weeds recorded onsite. This will be especially necessary following fire and once construction begins and new soil and plant matter is introduced to the site. 5. Conduct additional flora surveys at alternative times of the year and following any fire events in order to continue to develop the species list for the site. 6. Develop controls on Landscaping species to be used through the site in order to minimise and control the introduction of priority environmental weeds. 7. Develop a hygiene management plan to address dieback and Marri Canker evident through much of the remnant vegetation on site.

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4. REFERENCES

Beard, J.S (1990) Plant Life of Western Australia. Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst.

Conservation and Land Management (1999) Environmental Weeds Strategy for Western Australia (ENSWA), Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como.

Department of Agriculture (2003) Land Profiler, Shires of Capel, Busselton and Augusta- Margaret River, Perth, Western Australia.

Department of Conservation and Land Management (2003) Declared Rare and Priority Flora List. Publicly available list prepared by the then Department of Conservation of Land Management, Western Australia.

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) (2007) Definitions, categories and criteria for threatened and priority ecological communities.

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) (2010) List of Threatened Ecological Communities on the TEC Database endorsed by the Minister for the Environment

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) (2010) Priority ecological communities list (May 2010)

Environmental Protection Agency (2004) Guidance for the Assessment of Environmental Factors. Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia Guidance Statement 51, Environmental Protection Authority, Perth, Western Australia.

Florabase (2015) Department of Environment and Conservation, Western Australian Herbarium. Accessed online, September 2015.

Keighery, B.J. (1994) Bushland Plant Survey. A Guide to Plant Community Survey for the Community. Wildflower Society of WA (Inc.), Western Australia.

Mattiske, E. M and Havel J.J. (1998) Vegetation Complexes of the South-West Forest Region of Western Australia. Maps and report prepared as part of the Regional Forest Agreement, Western Australia for the Department of Conservation and Land Management and Environment Australia.

Mattiske Consulting Pty Ltd (2002) Review of Management Options for Poorly Represented Vegetation Complexes, Prepared for Conservation Commission

Molloy, S., O’Connor, T., Wood, J. and Wallrodt, S. (2007), Local Government Biodiversity Planning Guidelines: Addendum to the South West Biodiversity Project Area, Western Australian Local Government Association, West Perth.

Molloy, S., Wood, J., Hall, S., Wallrodt, S and Whisson, G. (2009). South West Regional Ecological Linkages Technical Report. Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) and the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), West Perth.

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APPENDIX 1: FLORA SPECIES RECORDED ON-SITE

Weed Genus Species AfD AfG CcCD CcEmG CcEmCD CcEmVG EdVG TlCD TlD TlG

Acacia browniana X Acacia myrtifolia X X X Acacia pulchella X X X X X X Agonis flexuosa X X X X Alternanthera nodiflora X X * Arctotheca calendula X X X X X X Astartea scoparia Astroloma pallidum X X Astroloma sp. Nannup X X * Avena fatua X X X X Baumea vaginalis X X Billardiera variifolia X Bossiaea linophylla X X Bossiaea ornata X * Briza maxima X X X X * Briza minor X X X X Burchardia umbellata X Caladenia flava X Callistachys lanceolata X X X * Cenchrus clandestinus X X X X X X * Cirsium vulgare X X Centella asiatica X X X X Chamaescilla corymbosa X X Chorizema nanum X Chorizema rhombeum X Clematis pubescens X Conostylis laxiflora X * Conyza sumatrensis X X Corymbia callophylla X X X X X X * Cotula turbinata X X Cyrtostylis huegelii X Dampiera linearis X X Diuris longifolia X * Dodoneae viscosa cv. purpurea X Drosera pallida X X Eucalyptus diversicolor X Eucalyptus marginata X X X Eucalyptus megacarpa X * Eucalyptus utilis X Eucalyptus patens X * Eragrostis curvula X * Erodium cicutarium X * Fumaria capreolata X Gastrolobium lineare X

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Weed Genus Species AfD AfG CcCD CcEmG CcEmCD CcEmVG EdVG TlCD TlD TlG

Gladiolus undulatus X Hakea amplexicaulis X X Hakea lissocarpha X X Hakea ruscifolia X X Hardenbergia comptoniana X Hibbertia hypericoides X X Hibbertia cunninghamii X X * Histiopteris incisa X X * Holcus lanatus X Hovea chorizemifolia X Hovea elliptica X X * Hyparrhenia hirta X * Hypochaeris radicata X X X X X X X * Isolepis prolifera X Johnsonia lupulina X * Juncus microcephalus X X X X X X Juncus pallidus X X X X X X Juncus pauciflorus X X Juncus planifolius X Lepidosperma effusum X Lepidosperma tetraquetrum X X Lepidosperma squamatum X X Leucopogon sp. X Leucopogon verticillatus X Lobelia alata X X X * Lolium rigidum X Lomandra nigricans X Lomandra pauciflora X Lomandra purpurea X * Lonicera japonica X * Lotus sp. X X X Macrozamia riedlei X X * Malva parviflora X * Medicago polymorpha X X X Melaleuca incana X X * Mentha pulegium X X X Mesomelaena tetragona X X Microlaena stipoides X X Mirbellia alata X X X X X X Opercularia hispidula X X * Oxalis purpurea X Patersonia occidentalis X * Pennisetum clandestinum X X X X X X Pimelea rosea X Pimelea spectabilis X Podocarpus drouynianus X X Prasophyllum brownii X

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Weed Genus Species AfD AfG CcCD CcEmG CcEmCD CcEmVG EdVG TlCD TlD TlG

* Raphanus raphanistrum X * Romulea rosea X X X X X X * Rubus anglocandicans * Rumex crispus X X X X X X Scaevola calliptera X Scaevola microphylla X * Solanum nigrum X * Sparaxis bulbifera X X X Stylidium amoenum X Stylidium calcaratum X Stylidium schoenoides X Taxandria linearifolia X X X X X X Taxandria parviceps X Thelymitra macrophylla X Tremandra stelligera X * Trifolium sp. X X Trymalium floribundum X X Velleia trinervis X Xanthorrhoea gracillis X Xanthorrhoea preissii X * Zantedeschia aethiopica X X X X

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APPENDIX 2: VEGETATION CONDITION SCALE (ADAPTED FROM KEIGHERY 1994)

CONDITION DESCRIPTION Pristine Pristine or nearly so, no obvious signs of disturbance. Excellent Vegetation structure intact, disturbance affecting individual species and weeds are non-aggressive. Very Good Vegetation structure altered, obvious signs of disturbance. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by repeated fires, the presence of some more aggressive weeds, dieback, logging and grazing. Good Vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple disturbance. Retains basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by very frequent fires, the presence of some very aggressive weeds at high density, partial clearing, dieback and grazing. Degraded Basic vegetation structure severely impacted by disturbance. Scope for regeneration but not to a state approaching good condition without intensive management. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by very frequent fires, the presence of very aggressive weeds, partial clearing, dieback and grazing. Completely The structure of the vegetation is no longer intact and the area is Degraded completely or almost completely without native species. These areas are often described as ‘parkland cleared’ with the flora composing weed or crop species with isolated native trees or shrubs.

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APPENDIX 3: PHOTOS OF THE VARIOUS VEGETATION MAPPING UNITS IDENTIFIED ON SITE

EdVG CcEmVG CcEmG

CcEmCD TlAfD TlEdG

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TlD

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FIGURES

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