Appendix C: Detailed Flora and Vegetation Assessment. METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook line (RPS 2019) MEL-MNO-RPS-EN-REF-0018_B DETAILED FLORA AND VEGETATION ASSESSMENT METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook line EEL17158.005 Detailed flora and vegetation assessment Rev 0 14 June 2019 rpsgroup.com REPORT Document status Version Purpose of document Authored by Reviewed by Approved by Review date Draft A Draft for client review CarGil GilGla NA 30/01/2019 Rev 0 Final for issue CarGil/JulHan GilGla SteRol 14/06/2019 Approval for issue SteRol 14 June 2019 This report was prepared by RPS within the terms of RPS’ engagement with its client and in direct response to a scope of services. This report is supplied for the sole and specific purpose for use by RPS’ client. The report does not account for any changes relating the subject matter of the report, or any legislative or regulatory changes that have occurred since the report was produced and that may affect the report. RPS does not accept any responsibility or liability for loss whatsoever to any third party caused by, related to or arising out of any use or reliance on the report. Prepared by: Prepared for: RPS METRONET Caroline Gill Managing Scientist Level 2, 27-31 Troode Street 140 William Street West Perth WA 6005 PERTH WA 6000 T +61 8 9211 1111 E [email protected] EEL17158.005 | Detailed flora and vegetation assessment | Rev 0 | 14 June 2019 rpsgroup.com Page ii REPORT Contents Summary ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 Survey objectives and scope of works ..................................................................................................... 1 Detailed flora and vegetation survey findings .......................................................................................... 1 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Project background ........................................................................................................................ 4 1.2 Survey objectives ........................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Scope of works ............................................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1 Detailed flora and vegetation survey ................................................................................ 4 1.3.2 Reconnaissance flora and vegetation survey ................................................................... 5 1.3.3 Targeted Threatened and Priority flora surveys ............................................................... 5 1.4 Guiding principles and legislative framework ................................................................................. 5 1.4.1 Conservation significant flora ............................................................................................ 5 1.4.2 Conservation significant vegetation .................................................................................. 6 2 METHODS ................................................................................................................................................ 7 2.1 Desktop assessment ...................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.1 Previous biological surveys .............................................................................................. 7 2.1.2 Regional data .................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.3 State and Commonwealth Government databases .......................................................... 7 2.2 Field surveys .................................................................................................................................. 8 2.2.1 Reconnaissance flora and vegetation survey ................................................................... 8 2.2.2 Detailed flora and vegetation survey ................................................................................ 8 2.2.3 Targeted Threatened and Priority flora surveys .............................................................10 2.3 Data analysis ................................................................................................................................10 2.3.1 Taxonomic determinations ..............................................................................................10 2.3.2 Vegetation mapping ........................................................................................................10 2.3.3 Multivariate analysis of floristic data ...............................................................................11 2.4 Limitations ....................................................................................................................................12 2.4.1 Survey limitations ............................................................................................................12 2.4.2 Floristic analysis limitations ............................................................................................12 3 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................................................14 3.1 Existing and historical land use ....................................................................................................14 3.2 Climate .........................................................................................................................................14 3.3 Interim Biogeographical Regionalisation of Australia...................................................................15 3.4 Geology, landform and soils .........................................................................................................15 3.5 Surface hydrology ........................................................................................................................15 3.6 Groundwater hydrology ................................................................................................................15 3.7 Geomorphic wetlands ..................................................................................................................16 3.8 Bush Forever ................................................................................................................................16 3.9 Perth regional ecological linkages................................................................................................17 3.10 DBCA managed lands and reserves ............................................................................................17 3.11 Regional reserves ........................................................................................................................17 3.12 Environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) ......................................................................................17 3.13 Regional vegetation .....................................................................................................................18 3.13.1 Beard vegetation mapping ..............................................................................................18 3.13.2 Heddle vegetation complexes .........................................................................................19 4 RESULTS ...............................................................................................................................................20 4.1 Desktop assessment ....................................................................................................................20 4.1.1 Database searches .........................................................................................................20 4.2 Field survey ..................................................................................................................................23 EEL17158.005 | Detailed flora and vegetation assessment | Rev 0 | 14 June 2019 rpsgroup.com Page iii REPORT 4.2.1 Flora ................................................................................................................................23 4.2.2 Vegetation .......................................................................................................................32 5 DISCUSSION .........................................................................................................................................46 5.1 Floristic diversity and representation ...........................................................................................46 5.1.1 Rarity ...............................................................................................................................46 5.1.2 Biodiversity ......................................................................................................................46 5.2 Vegetation conservation significance ...........................................................................................46 5.2.1 Bioregional representation ..............................................................................................46 5.2.2 Threatened and Priority ecological communities ............................................................47 5.2.3 Maintenance of ecological processes and natural systems