• •~~ Australian Government ~r;:~~,.~"'·> Department ofSustsinabllity. F.nvironlM'nl. Water. P()pulation and Communities

Supplementary Form C - • Threatened species & Ecological Communities • Migratory species • Listed marine species (use Form A for Cetaceans)

Use this supplementary form if you are applying for a permit to kill, injure, take, trade, keep or move a listed species or ecological community, a listed migratory species, or a listed marine species in a Commonwealth Area. You wilf 8150 need to complete "The General Permit Application Form".

"you are proposing to take or send specimens out of it is likely that you wi1f also need 8n export permit. Import permits may also be necessary for taking specimens into an overseas country. For more information on imports and exports contact the WildfWe Trade-Assessments Section on 02 6274 2880. Please note that it is a requirement under subsection 200(3) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 that details of this application (which may include the applicant's name) be provided to persons or bodies 'flgistered with the Department of Sustainability, EnVironment, Water, Population and Communities under section 266A of the Act, and to whom notice of applications is to be given, for the purpose of Inviting submissions from those persons or bodies regarding permit applications.

Under which section(s) of the EPBC Act are you applying for this permit?

It will help you complete your application if you know which list in the EPBC Act Ihe affected species/ecological community appears on. Search the lists at: www.environment.gov.aulcgi-bin/sprallpublic/sprat.pl Please note some species appear On more than one list For example the Green Turtle Chelonia mydBs is a listed threatened species, alisled migratory species. and a listed marine species.

· Select a" that apply Section 201 - Listed threatened species and ecological communities [8J Section 216 - Listed migratory species 0 Section 258 - Listed marine species D 2 On the next page list details of species or ecological communities that win be affected by the action. Use the following codes to enter details in columns 3, 4 and 5. Column 3 ConservatIon status of threatened specIes or ecological communities under EPBC Act EW Extinct in the wild EX Extinct CE Critica!lyendangered EN Endangered VU Vulnerable CD Conservation dependent Column 5 Type of effect DE Death IN Injury TR Trading TA Taking KE Keeping MO Moving

Page /o{6 /1 Ocr 21)/' Details 0' species or ecotoqical communities that will be affected by the action.

Common name of listed species/ecological communities, listed Scientific name of species Conservation Estimated number that will be affected, Type of migratory species, or listed marine species. status under For ecological communities, provide effect Common and scientfflC names are available at the Department's website: EPBCAct estimate of the affected area www.environmenl.gov.au!cgj·bin!spratJpubliclsprat.pl Drooping Red Gum, Earp's Gum Eucalyptus parramattensis subsp. decadens Vu 7 trees DE Where the project is of less than 1 km2 in size, provide the location as a single pair of latitude and longitude references, Latitude and longitude references should be used instead of AMG and/or digital coordinates. Locafity: latitude: -32 degrees: 47 minutes: 31.14 seconds:

longitude: 151 degrees: 51 minutes 8.10 seconds:

Where the project area is greater than 1 km2, Of any dimension is greater than r km, provide addition at coordinates to enable accurate identification of the location of the project area.

Attach a map to show the, boundaries of the area in which the action will be conducted.

Refer to the attached figures,

Page _, "/ 7 120('/ c'()11 C relationship of the researchers to the permit applicant, including any funding being provided by the permit Provide an attachmenl describing the action addressing the 3 applicant. following points. A. The obiectives and purposes of Ille action; 7 Win the action involve invasive techniques? B. The equipment and methods used; No (8) Go to next question Yes [) if permit relates to mammals. birds, reptiles or 4 What are tne likely short and long term impacts of the amphibians, attach evidence that the proposed proposed action on the species or Ihe ecological community? methods have been approved by an independent The proposed action is to remove seven (7) Animal Ethics Committee (this may include a State individual Eucalyptus parramattensis subsp. or Territory ethics committee, even if the action is decadens (common names include Drooping Red conducted in a Commonwealth area). Gums and Earp's Gum) from RAAF Base Williamtown located approximately 20 kilometres north of Newcastle in . The A permit can only be issued under one of the following criteria: seven trees are located within proposed the action development footprints and must be removed • will contribute significantly to the conservation of a listed (refer 10 Figures 1 and 2). species/ecological communffy (go to Question 8); or The removal of the seven trees will not result in a significant impact on Drooping Red Gums. An • will be incidental to. and not the purpose of the action (go to assessment of the action against the EPBC Act Question 12); or Signfficant Impact Guideline 1. 1: Matters of • is of particular Significance to indigenous tradition (go to Nationaf Environmental Significance is provided Queslion 15); or at section 14 of this form. • is necessaty to control pathogen(s) (go to Question 18)

5 Describe the steps that will be taken to minimise impacts on the listed species/ecological community, including contingency 8 Are you applying on the basis that the action will contribute plans in the case of events that may adversely affect members significantly to the conservation of a listed species/ecological of the species/ecological community. community?

Impacts on Drooping Red Gums have been No~Goto 12 minimised as much as practicable through careful attention to site selection, the location Yes [) Go to next question and design of infrastructure, and the management of construction activities. 9 Why do you believe that the action wi!1 contribute Significantly A Construction Environmental Management to the conservation of listed species/ecological communities. Plan (CEMP) will be implemented to minimise listed migratory species or listed marine species? environmental impacts during construction activities. Management controls relating directly to Drooping Red Gums include: - All Drooping Red Gum trees that are to be retained in the vicinity of works wit! be 10 Will the proposed action implement the recommendations of appropriately identified and marked. any recovery plan or wildlife conservation plan in force for the If Drooping Red Gums identified for retention species or ecological community that may be affected by the are at some risk of damage from action? construction activities, then tree guards and exclusionary fencing will be instaBed in Commonwealth recovery plans tflat are in force are available at accordance with AS 4970-2009 Protection of Trees on Development Sites (Standards www.environment.gov.aulbiodiversitylthreatened/recovery-lisl• Australia, 2009). common.hlm' Protocols to prevent introduction or spread of Phytophthora cinnamoni during construction Commonwealth wildlife conservation plans that are in kxce are will be implemented following NSW DECC avaifabfe at guidelines. www.environmenf.gov.8ullJiodiversity/migratorylpublicafionsish orebird-plan.html 6 Attach a description of any research relevant to the affected species or communities that will be carried out in the course of State and territory rocovety plans are available from state and or in conjunction with the proposed action, including: territory environmenlaf agencies. A. a copy of the research proposal; No ~ Go to next question B. the names of the researchers and institutions involved in or Yes [) Describe how this will be implemented. supporting the research; and

Page 3 on f_' Oel211ff important population. The removal of the 7 individual Drooping Red Gum trees will not adversely affect the survival, recovery or conservation status of the species. 11 Will the proposed action respond directly or indirectly to Substantial numbers of Drooping Red Gum occur recommendations of any national or intemational organisation on RAAF Base Williamtown. Oefence has obtained responsible for management of the affected species? EPBC Threatened Species permits to remove Drooping Red Gums on several occasions in the No (8) Go to next question past. Yes '[) Describe how the proposed action will respond. [- ~ EPBe Act s;gnffTcant impact test for a 'vulnerable' species:- Drooping Red Gum

Will the action: Are you applying on the basis thai the impact of the action will 12 1. Lead to a long-term decrease in the size of an be incidental to. and not the aclion? purpose of. the important population of a species No [)Go to 15 No. The affected trees are not part of an im portant population. Yes (8) Go to next question

RAAF Base Williamtown supports more than 50 13 Why do you believe thai the impact of the action will be hectares of low woodland community where incidental to and not the purpose of the acton? Drooping Red Gums dominate. The population of The purpose of the action is to build infrastructure Drooping Red Gums on the Base comprises a that is needed at RAAF Base Williamtown. mixture of remnant, regrowth and trees planted to Drooping Red Gums occur within the proposed rehabilitate areas that were mined for mineral sands development footprint. The removal of 7 individual prior to acquisition by Defence in the 1980s. Drooping Red Gums is incidental to, and not the The population number of Drooping Red Gums in purpose of the action. the region has been estimated in excess of 15.000 plants and could be as many as 25,000 plants of which between 2,500 - >8,000 plants are estimated to occur within the Tomago sand beds meta• 14 Why do you believe thai the taking of the action will not population (Bell 2006) which includes RAAF Base adversely affect the: Williamtown. Much of the population is contained i. survival or recovery in nature of the species or ecological on land reserved for protection of the Grahamstown community? and the crown water reserve of the Tomago iL conservation status of a listed species or ecological sand beds and falls within the Tilligerry State community? Conservation Area, so it is reasonable to consider the population adequately conserved in the long• The 7 Drooping Red Gum trees that are subject to term future. this permit application are located in an already The removal of 7 individual trees will not to lead to a I developed part of the Base (refer to Figure 2). The long term decrease in Drooping Red Gums. habitat value of the vegetation is described as 'Artificially Landscaped Areas' and 'Maintained Reduce the area of occupancy of an Artificial Grassland' as shown at Figure 1. 2. important population A thorough assessment of 1he action against the No. The affected trees are not part of an important EPBC Act Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1; population. Matters of National Environmental Significance is provided below. A primary consideration under EPBC Guideline 1.1 Drooping Red Gum habitat is formally protected is whether the action will affect an important within the adjacent Tilligerry State Conservation population. An important population is described as Area, jointly managed by the NSW National Parks a population that is necessary for a species' long• and Wildlife Service and . term survival and recovery and may include It is estimated that approximately 275 hectares of populations that are: Drooping Red Gum occurs within a 10 kilometre radius of RAAF Base Williamtown. • key source populations eifher for breeding or dispersal More than 50 hectares of low woodland community dominated by Drooping Red Gum will still be • populations that are necessary for maintaining present in other areas of RAAF Base Williamtown. genetic diversity The removal of 7 individual trees will have negligible • populations that are near the limit of the species impact on the total area occupied by the species. I range The Drooping Red Gum trees that are the subject of this permit application do not ualif as art of an 3. Fragment an existing important population the extent that the species is likely to decline into two or more populations ,No. No. The affected trees are not part of an important population. Approximately 275 hectares of Drooping Red Gum habitat occurs within a 10 kilometre radius of the The 7 Drooping Red Gum trees that are subject to site, much of it occurring within secure conservation this permit application are located in an already areas. More than 50 hectares of known habitat for developed part of the Base (refer to Figure 2). The Drooping Red Gum occurs at RAAF Base habitat value of the vegetation is described as Wi!liamtown. As such, the removal of 7 individual 'Artificially Landscaped Areas' and 'Maintained Drooping Red Gum is not expected to lead to a Artificial Grassland' as shown at Figure 1. The decline for the species. trees proposed for removal are not strongly connected to other areas of habitat due to existing 1. Result in invasive species that are harmfut to Base development, and the highly modified, a vulnerable species becoming established in landscaped nature of the tocatlon. the vulnerable species' habitat No. 4. Adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of a species Following construction of new infrastructure, the No. The 7 Drooping Red Gums proposed to be area will be landscaped and then maintained with removed are not considered critical to the survival of domestic weed control practices. It is unlikely that the species. the proposed action will result in invasive species becoming established that are harmful to Drooping No critical habitat has been declared for this Red Gums retained in the vicinity. species. There is no Commonwealth or State government recovery plan for this species. The 8. Introduce disease that may cause the species NSW Office of Environment and Heritage has to decline allocated the species to its "keep-watch" No. management stream. Species in this management stream require no immediate investment in recovery Infection of native plants by Phytophthora actions because they are either naturally rare, have cinnamoni has been identified as a risk at RAAF few known threats, or are more abundant than Base Williamtown. This water-borne fungus infects previously assumed (source: the roots of plants and has the potential to cause www.environmant.nsw.gov.auf dieback. Machinery associated with vegetation SavingOurSpecies/keepwatch.htm) clearance and subsequent construction for the Information available from the NSW Office of project has the potential to transmit the fungus to Environment and Herilage website states this remaining native vegetation remnants of the species is likely to be secure in NSW for the long species. This is a potential indirect impact to the term without targeted management, assuming species that can be suitably mitigated through the adequate ongoing management of habitat within the development and implementation of suitable control publtc reserve system. The species is considered a measures for vehicle and plant hygiene and is lower priority for investment than other, more unlikely to have a significant impact. threatened species that have urgent management requirements. Any change in the conservation 9. Interfere substantially with the recovery of the status of this species (e.g. decline in abundance or species, emergence of significant threat) will trigger a shift a No. to the Site-managed stream and the development of a conservation project, which will be prornised for implementation (source: To date, no Commonwealth or State government www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ recovery plan has been prepared for this species. savingourspeciesappfproject.aspx?ProfilelD=10305) The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage has allocated the species to its "keep-watch" management stream, Species in this management 5. Disrupt the breeding cycle of an important stream require no immediate investment in recovery population actions because they are either naturally rare, have No. The affected trees are not part of an important few known threats, or are more abundant than population. previously assumed (source: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ SavingOurSpecies/keepwatch .htm) The removal of 7 individual trees is minor and localised and will have negligible effect on the reproductive success of tile species. Information available from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage website states this species is likely to be secure in NSW for the long 6. Modify, destroy, remove or isolate or term without tar eted mana ement, assumin _decrease the_a~ailability or quality of habitat to Page. 12 Oe120! 1 adequate ongoing management of habitat within the public reserve system, The species is considered a lower priority for investment than other, more threatened species that have urgent management requirements. Any change in the conservation 2tI Explain how the action will be conducted in a way to minimise status of this species (e.g, decline in abundance or impacts on the species/communities affected. emergence of a significant threat) will trigger a shift I to the Site-managed stream and the development of If you have answered NO to Questions 8,12, 15 and 18, it is a conservation project, which will be prioritised for unlikely that a permit can be issued under the EPBe Act. implementation (source: 21 Fees www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ savingourspeciesapp/project.aspx?Profilel D= 10305) The following fees apply: - permits relating to listed threatened species or ecological The population of Drooping Red Gum in the region communities - $100 has been estimated in excess of 15,000 plants and - permits relating to listed migratory species- nil could be as many as 25,000 plants of which between 2,500 - >8,000 plants are estimated to - pennits relating to listed marine species - nil OCcur within the Tomago sand beds meta• Pfease note that exemption from fee payment may apply under population (8el1 2006). Considering most of the circumstances as set out in EPBC Regulation 1804. population is contained on land reserved for protection of the Grahamstown Dam and the crown water reserve of the Tornago sand beds and falls 22 Are you paying by credit card? within the Tilligerry State Conservation Area, it is No reasonable to consider the population adequately [)Goto23 conserved in the tono-terrn future. The proposed removal of 7 individual trees is a very Card: small fraction of the total population and will not interfere substantially with the recovery of the s ecies. Card number 15 Are you applying on the basis that the action is of particular ,-- --- significance to indigenous tradition? Expiry date (!"'1='l1thlyear) , No (8) Go to 18 Yes [) Go to neJd question

16 Explain why do you believe that the proposed action will be of Card holder's name as shown on card particular significance to indigenous tradition?

Amount

Cardholder'S signature 17 lMly do you believe that the proposed action wilt not adversely affect the: i. survival or recovery in nature of the listed species or ecological community; or ii. conservation status of the listed species or ecological community. 23 Attachments Indicate belOW which documents are attached. Description of proposed action See question 3 18 Are 'f1)u applying on the basis that Ihe action is necessary to IZJ control a pathogen(s), and is conducted in a way that will, as Description of relevant research far as is practicable, keep 10 a minimum any impact on listed See question 6 0 species/ecological communilies, listed migratory species or Evidence of approval of invasive techniques listed marine species? See question 7 D No (8) Continue to Payment Section Cheque for payment o~ fee Yes G Go to neKf question See question 21 D

19 Why do you believe that the action is necessary for the conlrol of pathogen(s)? Page 6 0(7 I] o« ~UII 24 Declaration I declare that the information contained in this supplementary form is correct to the best of my knowledge. Signature of applicant

EName' -of''' per) son signing Date 115 August 2016

Send this application and fee to: Commonwealth and Territories Seclion Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Australian Government GPO Box 787 CANBERRAACT 2601

Fax: 02 62741789 Email: [email protected]

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