Esso Pipeline Replacement Project – Longford to Hastings: Flora and fauna survey and impact mitigation Prepared for WorleyParsons 19 February 2014 © Biosis September 2012 – Leading ecology and heritage consultants 1 Document information Biosis offices AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Report to: WorleyParsons Canberra Prepared by: Matthew Dell, Katrina Sofo, Anthony Byrne, Floor 1, Unit 3, 38 Essington Street Ian Smales Mitchell ACT 2911 Biosis project no.: 16955/16956 Phone: (02) 6241 2333 File name: 16955 EAPL pipeline ff final 190214.docx Fax: (03) 9646 9242 Email: [email protected] Citation: Biosis 2013. Esso Pipeline Replacement Project –Longford to Hastings: Flora and fauna survey and impact mitigation. Report to Worley NEW SOUTH WALES Parsons. Authors: Dell, M., Sofo, K., Byrne A. & Smales I. Biosis Pty Ltd, Sydney Melbourne. Project 16955/16956. Unit 14 17-27 Power Avenue Alexandria NSW 2015 Document control Phone: (02) 9690 2777 Fax: (02) 9690 2577 Version Reviewer Date issued Email: [email protected] Draft V1 JY (int.), TJ, MH (ext.) 10/01/14 Wollongong 8 Tate Street Draft V2 MDD (int.), TJ (ext.) 31/01/14 Wollongong NSW 2500 Final version IS (int.) 20/02/14 Phone: (02) 4229 5222 Fax: (02) 4229 5500 Acknowledgements Email: [email protected] Biosis acknowledges the contribution of the following people and organisations in QUEENSLAND undertaking this study: Brisbane Suite 4 First Floor, 72 Wickham Street WorleyParsons: Tony Judd, Michelle Hendricks and Gary Fiddes. Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 CNC Project Management for property access liaison. Phone: (07) 3831 7400 Department of Sustainability & Environment for access to the Victorian Fax: (07) 3831 7411 Biodiversity Atlas. Email: [email protected] The following Biosis staff were involved in this project: VICTORIA Rohan Simkin, Kirsty Kay, Mark Venosta, Daniel Gilmore, Clare McCutcheon, Felicity Ballarat Humann, Shona Arber, Monica Campbell, Kylie Reed, Anthony Steelcable & Rebecca 506 Macarthur Street Steer for assistance with field assessments. Ballarat VIC 3350 James Shepherd and Sally Mitchell for mapping. Phone: (03) 5331 7000 Fax: (03) 5331 7033 Ben Howells for planning assistance. Email: [email protected] Melbourne (Head Office) 38 Bertie Street Port Melbourne VIC 3207 Phone: (03) 9646 9499 © Biosis Pty Ltd Fax: (03) 9646 9242 Email: [email protected] This document is and shall remain the property of Biosis Pty Ltd. The document may only be used for the purposes for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the Terms of the Wangaratta Engagement for the commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is prohibited. 16 Templeton Street Wangaratta VIC 3677 Disclaimer: Phone: (03) 5721 9453 Biosis Pty Ltd has completed this assessment in accordance with the relevant federal, state Fax: (03) 5721 9454 and local legislation and current industry best practice. The company accepts no liability for Email: [email protected] any damages or loss incurred as a result of reliance placed upon the report content or for any purpose other than that for which it was intended. © Biosis 2014 – Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting www.biosis.com.au II Contents Summary ................................................................................................................................................................ VI 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project background ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Scope of assessment ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Location of the study area ............................................................................................................................................. 2 2. Methods ........................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Literature and database review ................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1.1 Definitions of significance ............................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Stratification of survey sites – Preliminary assessment .......................................................................................... 6 2.3 Ecological Vegetation Class mapping .......................................................................................................................... 7 2.4 Field survey ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.4.2 Flora survey ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 2.4.3 Fauna survey ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.4.4 Determination of habitat suitability .......................................................................................................... 10 2.4.5 Likelihood of presence for significant species ........................................................................................ 11 2.5 Mapping units ............................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.5.2 Mapping limitations ...................................................................................................................................... 12 2.6 Survey qualifications .................................................................................................................................................... 13 3. Results ............................................................................................................................................................ 15 3.1 Vegetation ...................................................................................................................................................................... 15 3.2 Scattered trees .............................................................................................................................................................. 19 3.3 Fauna habitat ................................................................................................................................................................ 19 3.4 Significant species and ecological communities ................................................................................................... 19 3.4.1 EPBC Act, FFG Act & DEPI Advisory listed species ................................................................................... 19 3.4.2 Significant ecological communities ............................................................................................................ 27 4. Mitigation options for significant biodiversity matters........................................................................ 29 4.1 General ........................................................................................................................................................................... 29 4.2 Native vegetation and threatened flora .................................................................................................................. 29 4.2.1 Pre-construction design phase ................................................................................................................... 29 4.2.2 Construction phase ....................................................................................................................................... 30 4.3 State and Federally listed threatened fauna .......................................................................................................... 31 4.3.1 Pre-construction design phase ................................................................................................................... 31 4.3.2 Construction ................................................................................................................................................... 31 4.3.3 Post-construction........................................................................................................................................... 32 4.4 General vegetation ....................................................................................................................................................... 32 © Biosis 2013 – Leaders in Ecology and Heritage Consulting III 4.4.1 Pre-construction design phase ................................................................................................................... 32 4.4.2 Construction phase ....................................................................................................................................... 32 4.4.3 Post-construction phase .............................................................................................................................