Albion Park Rail bypass - Preliminary document assessment ... · 5726 Final V2.1 69 . 3.1.2...

Biodiversity Assessment Report Albion Park Rail Bypass

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Figure 3-6g


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Figure 3-6h


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Figure 3-6i


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Figure 3-6j


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Figure 3-6k


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Figure 3-6l


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Figure 3-6m


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Figure 3-6n


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Figure 3-6o


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Figure 3-6p


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Figure 3-6q


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Figure 3-6r


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Figure 3-8 Plot and transect locations relative to PCTs and Condition Class


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Figure 3-9 Map of EECs


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3.1.2 Vegetation zones in the BCC

The vegetation zones that would be impacted by the project, as entered into the BCC, their condition

class, number of biometric plots undertaken within them and their current site value score, as

determined by the BCC, are as follows:

Table 3-6 Vegetation zones within the project

Zone

ID

Vegetation zones Condition

class

Area (ha)

within

development

footprint

Number

of plots

required

by BCC

Number

of plots

entered

into by

BCC

Site

score

EEC?

1 PCT #1326

BVT #SR669 Woollybutt – White Stringybark – Forest Red Gum grassy woodland on coastal lowlands, southern Sydney Basin and South East Corner

Moderate to good

7.22 3 7 53.85 Yes – Illawarra

Lowlands Grassy

Woodland

2 PCT #1616

BVT #SR649 Swamp Oak floodplain swamp forest, Sydney Basin Bioregion and South East Corner Bioregion (see notes below)

Moderate to good

0.55 1 3 37.5 Yes – Swamp Oak

Floodplain Forest

3 PCT #781

BVT #SR536 Coastal freshwater lagoons of the Sydney Basin and South East Corner

Moderate to good

7.20 3 4 46.38 Yes – Freshwater

Wetlands on Coastal

Floodplains

4 PCT #1231

BVT #SR648 Swamp Mahogany swamp sclerophyll forest on coastal lowlands of the Sydney Basin and South East Corner

Moderate to good (disturbed)

2.62 2 2 27.78 No

5 PCT #838

BVT #SR545 Derived Forest Red Gum – Thin-leaved Stringybark grassy woodland on coastal

Moderate to good - other

23.12 4 4 41.15 No


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Zone

ID

Vegetation zones Condition

class

Area (ha)

within

development

footprint

Number

of plots

required

by BCC

Number

of plots

entered

into by

BCC

Site

score

EEC?

lowlands, southern Sydney Basin

6 PCT #1105

BVT #SR606 River Oak open forest of major streams, Sydney Basin and South East Corner


0.15 1 1 20.00 No

7 PCT #1616

BVT #SR649 Swamp Oak floodplain swamp forest, Sydney Basin Bioregion and South East Corner Bioregion (see notes below)


0.20 1 2 24.48 No

Notes:

For Zones 2 and 7, PCT #1232, BVT SR649 Swamp Oak - Prickly Tea-tree - Swamp

Paperbark swamp forest on coastal floodplains, Sydney Basin and South East Corner was

not able to be selected in the BCC. PCT #1616 BVT #SR649 Swamp Oak floodplain swamp

forest, Sydney Basin Bioregion and South East Corner Bioregion was selected as the closest

match in the BCC.

A condition class of ‘moderate to good – other’ has been entered for PCTs that are

suspected to have been planted rather than be derived from native vegetation. While still

meeting criteria for moderate to good condition, this vegetation is considered either

disturbed or planted. While they were not able to be easily attributed to a native

vegetation community, they have been assigned to the closest biometric vegetation type

in order to assess if they provide important threatened species habitat and generate

threatened species credits in the BCC calculations.

A condition class of ‘moderate to good (disturbed)’ has been given to the PCTs that are

part of the disturbed riparian communities.

Threatened species subzones / management zones were entered equivalent to the

vegetation zones. No additional polygons were mapped.

No vegetation zones had site value scores of <17.

3.1.3 Site values (plot data entered into BCC)

The following plot data for zones 1-7 were collected in November 2014, October and November 2016,

and January and February 2017. The management scores with development have been entered as zero

for each parameter – that is, total removal of habitat would result from the development.


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Table 3-7 Plot data

ZONE 1 PCT #1326, BVT #SR669 Woollybutt – White Stringybark – Forest Red Gum grassy woodland on coastal lowlands, southern Sydney Basin Bioregion and South East Corner Bioregion (EEC)

Plot name Native plant species richness

Native over- storey cover

Native mid- storey cover

Native ground cover (grasses)

Native ground cover (shrubs)

Native ground cover (other)

Exotic plant cover

Number of trees with hollows

Overstory regeneration

Total length of fallen logs

Easting Northing Zone

IL Transgrid 1 30 16.5 35 64 4 34 12 0 0.5 35 296646 6176067 56

IL Transgrid 2 20 4.5 36 56 8 30 18 0 0.5 10 296599 6176199 56

IL Road reserve north 7 21.5 16 0 0 10 100 2 0.5 15 296943 6176999 56

IL Croom Reserve 1 23 32 17 78 12 22 2 0 0.5 1 297270 6171592 56

IL Old Golf Course N 17 12.5 3 12 2 20 58 0 0.5 2 296502 6175986 56

IL Old Golf Course S 15 21.5 0 40 0 8 52 0 0.5 10 296541 6175749 56

ILGW1 Borg 16 10.5 0 11 4 16 45 0 0 5 300183 6171910 56

ZONE 2 PCT #1232, BVT SR649 Swamp Oak – Prickly Tea-tree – Swamp Paperbark swamp forest on coastal floodplains, Sydney Basin Bioregion and South East Corner Bioregion 2 (EEC) Plot name Native

plant species richness






Exotic plant cover





SO2 11 18.5 0 8 0 2 46 0 0 0 296579 6174958 56

MR3 5 37 5 6 26 0 74 0 0 0 296795 6175033 56

Croom Regional Sporting Complex 1

22 50.5 9.5 2 8 46 64 0 0 5.5 297098 6171848 56

2 For Zones 2 and 7, PCT #1232, BVT SR649 Swamp Oak - Prickly Tea-tree - Swamp Paperbark swamp forest on coastal floodplains, Sydney Basin and South East Corner was not

able to be selected in the BCC. PCT #1616 BVT #SR649 Swamp Oak floodplain swamp forest, Sydney Basin Bioregion and South East Corner Bioregion was selected as the closest match in the BCC. This plot data is entered against PCT#1616 BVT #SR649.


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ZONE 3 PCT #781, BVT #SR536 Coastal freshwater lagoons of the Sydney Basin Bioregion and South East Corner Bioregion (EEC)

Plot name Native plant species richness






Exotic plant cover





FW1 11 0 0 0 0 82 34 0 0 0 296668 6175187 56

FW2 7 0 0 0 0 62 34 0 0 0 296571 6175238 56

FW3 11 0 0 0 0 72 20 0 0 0 296652 6175081 56

FW6 13 0 0 0 0 100 16 0 0 0 296306 6172745 56

ZONE 4 PCT #1231, BVT #SR648 Swamp Mahogany swamp sclerophyll forest on coastal lowlands of the Sydney Basin Bioregion and South East Corner Bioregion Plot name Native







Exotic plant cover





1 9 0 12.5 0 32 12 100 0 1 6 296945 6171335 56

SM1 2 0 0 0 2 4 1003 0 0 0 296844 6171950 56

ZONE 5 PCT #838, BVT #545 Derived Forest Red Gum – Thin-leaved Stringybark grassy woodland on coastal lowlands, southern Sydney Basin Bioregion – Secondary Plot name Native







Exotic plant cover





3 11 0 0 16 6 12 72 0 1 5 299890 6171939 56

FR1 5 35 0 6 0 0 98 0 0 0 296990 6171738 56

FR2 11 30 16 0 18 0 100 0 0 0 298989 6171735 56

FR3 1 36 29 0 0 0 96 0 0 2 296797 6176033 56

3 It is possible for the ground cover scores to exceed 100% as individuals may occur at varying heights and overlap each other. This can be particularly relevant to exotic plant

cover.


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ZONE 6 PCT #1105, BVT #606 River Oak open forest of major streams, Sydney Basin Bioregion and South East Corner Bioregion Plot name Native







Exotic plant cover





RO1 3 30 0 0 0 0 21 0 0 0 296592 6174903 56

ZONE 7 PCT #1232, BVT SR649 Swamp Oak – Prickly Tea-tree – Swamp Paperbark swamp forest on coastal floodplains, Sydney Basin Bioregion and South East Corner Bioregion 4 Plot name Native







Exotic plant cover





SO1 3 11.5 6.5 0 0 0 100 0 0 0 296592 6174903 56

MR2 7 21 18 0 10 0 100 0 0 0 296792 6174964 56

4 For Zones 2 and 7, PCT #1232, BVT SR649 Swamp Oak - Prickly Tea-tree - Swamp Paperbark swamp forest on coastal floodplains, Sydney Basin and South East Corner was not

able to be selected in the BCC. PCT #1616 BVT #SR649 Swamp Oak floodplain swamp forest, Sydney Basin Bioregion and South East Corner Bioregion was selected as the closest match in the BCC. This plot data is entered against PCT#1616 BVT #SR649.


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4 THREATENED SPECIES

4.1 ECOSYSTEM CREDIT SPECIES

The following habitat features have been entered for the development footprint, in the Geographic /

habitat feature tab of the BCC (Version 4.0).

Table 4-1 Geographic / habitat features (checked features occur for the development footprint).

Impact? Common name Scientific name Feature

No Rosenberg's Goanna Varanus rosenbergi land within 250 m of termite mounds or

rock outcrops

No Giant Burrowing Frog Heleioporus australiacus land within 40 m of heath, woodland or

forest with sandy or friable soils

No Large-eared Pied Bat Chalinolobus dwyeri Land containing escarpments, cliffs, caves,

deep crevices, old mine shafts or tunnels

Yes Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea land within 40 m of permanent wetlands

with a good surface cover of floating

vegetation

Yes Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis land within 40 m of freshwater and

estuarine wetlands, in areas of permanent

water and dense vegetation or emergent

aquatic vegetation

Yes Eastern Osprey Pandion cristatus land within 40 m of fresh/brackish/saline

waters of larger rivers or creeks; estuaries,

coastal lagoons, lakes and/or inshore

marine waters

Yes Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus land within 40 m of freshwater or saline

wetlands (e.g. saltmarsh, mangroves,

mudflats, swamps, billabongs, floodplains,

watercourse pools, wet heathland and/or

farm dams)

Yes Green and Golden Bell

Frog

Litoria aurea land within 100 m of emergent aquatic or

riparian vegetation

Yes Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus land containing brackish or freshwater

wetlands

The following species are all species predicted by the BCC to occur, based on the data entered for the

landscape assessment and the geographic and habitat features in the assessment. These constitute all

species, which, will generate ecosystem credits in the credit calculations.


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Table 4-2 Ecosystem credit species predicted to occur.

Common name Scientific name TS offset multiplier

Australian Painted Snipe Rostratula australis 1.3

Barking Owl Ninox connivens 3.0

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 2.6

Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis 1.3

Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius 2.6

Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata 1.3

Eastern False Pipistrelle Falsistrellus tasmaniensis 2.2

Eastern Freetail-bat Mormopterus norfolkensis 2.2

Flame Robin Petroica phoenicea 1.3

Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa 1.3

Gang-gang Cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum 2.0

Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami 1.8

Greater Broad-nosed Bat Scoteanax rueppellii 2.2

Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides 1.4

Little Lorikeet Glossopsitta pusilla 1.8

Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae 3.0

New Holland Mouse Pseudomys novaehollandiae 2.6

Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster 1.3

Powerful Owl Ninox strenua 3.0

Scarlet Robin Petroica boodang 1.3

Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis 1.4

Spotted-tailed Quoll Dasyurus maculatus 2.6

Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura 1.4

Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor 1.3

Turquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella 1.8

Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera 1.3

White-fronted Chat Epthianura albifrons 0.8

Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australis 2.3

Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat Saccolaimus flaviventris 2.2


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4.2 SPECIES CREDIT SPECIES PRESENT

4.2.1 Candidate species

The following species were returned by the BCC as requiring survey5. The table below states whether

each species was detected during surveys and furthermore, if they are expected to be impacted by the

project and therefore are required to be offset. It is noted that several species were either detected

during surveys or ‘presumed to occur’ at some time. Careful consideration however, considering their

broad range and the habitat values within the development footprint, deemed these species unlikely to

be adversely impacted by the development. This is explained further in Section 4.2.3. Only the Eastern

Flame Pea is considered likely to be adversely impacted by the development. Only affected species

generate species credits.

Table 4-3 Threatened species requiring survey

Common name Scientific name Surveys Present/presumed present Affected by the

proposal

Australasian Bittern Botaurus

poiciloptilus

Not detected. Presumed to occur on occasion.

No important habitat would be

affected.

Unlikely

Black Bittern Ixobrychus

flavicollis



affected.

Unlikely

Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus

asiaticus

Not detected. Presumed to occur on occasion

– rare visitor south of Sydney.


affected.

Unlikely

Eastern Flame Pea Chorizema

parviflorum Benth.

(a shrub)

population,

Wollongong and

Shellharbour local

government areas

Definite number of

individuals impacted.

Occurs in ILGW.

Present. Yes, 115

individuals

Comb-crested

Jacana

Irediparra

gallinacea

Not detected. No. Unlikely

Eastern Osprey Pandion cristatus Not detected. No. Unlikely

Eastern Pygmy

Possum

Cercartetus nanus Not detected. No. Unlikely

Green and Golden Litoria aurea Not detected. Presumed to occur on occasion. Unlikely

5 Grey-headed Flying-fox and Large-eared Pied Bat were added to the BCC in a later step and subsequently

appear on this table. They were detected onsite but were not initially generated by the calculator as either

predicted or requiring survey. This is discussed further below.


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Common name Scientific name Surveys Present/presumed present Affected by the

proposal

Bell Frog Potential habitat would be

impacted.

Illawarra

Greenhood

Pterostylis

gibbosa


Records occur nearby.

Unlikely

Illawarra Zieria Zieria granulata Not detected. No. Unlikely

Koala Phascolarctos

cinereus


Lespedeza juncea

subsp. sericea

population,

Wollongong LGA

Lespedeza juncea

subsp. sericea -

endangered

population


Pimelea curviflora

subsp. curviflora

Pimelea curviflora

subsp. curviflora


Records occur nearby.

Unlikely

Prickly Bush-pea Pultenaea aristata Not detected. No. Unlikely

Regent Honeyeater Anthorchaera

phrygia


Southern Brown

Bandicoot (eastern)

Isoodon obesulus

subsp. obesulus


Square Raspwort Haloragis exalata

subsp. exalata


Spiked Rice-flower Pimelea spicata Not detected. No. Unlikely

Squirrel Glider Petaurus

norfolcensis


White-flowered

Wax Plant

Cynanchum

elegans


White-footed

Dunnart

Sminthopsis

leucopus


Grey headed Flying

Fox

Pteropus

poliocephalus

Detected. Present. Habitat elements that

occur onsite (foraging habitat

only) are common in the local

area.

Unlikely

Large-eared Pied

Bat

Chalinolobus

dwyeri

Possible detection. Present. Habitat elements that

occur onsite are common in the

local area.

Unlikely


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Up to 115 individuals of the Eastern Flame Pea would be removed. This was entered into the BCC. For all

other species, no impact was entered and they do not generate species credits. 6

4.2.2 Targeted surveys

Comprehensive and targeted survey methods and results are included below to justify the assumption

that the Eastern Flame Pea is the only species credit species likely to be affected by the proposal. The

following section sets out the surveys undertaken that underpin knowledge of the development footprint

and study area. This information is used in the BCC assessment and particularly to support the decisions

regarding candidate species that would be affected by the project. Section 4.2.3 also addresses this issue.

Flora and fauna field surveys were undertaken in both 2013 and 2014 to ensure that seasonal species

were surveyed over two seasons and that any threatened species not surveyed for in 2013 were included

in 2014. Additionally, potential offset sites that were similar to those being impacted upon by the project

were identified and surveyed in the local area.

The development footprint design changed a number of times throughout the survey period, generally in

an effort to avoid impacts by narrowing the footprint in sensitive areas. Additional biometric vegetation

plots were conducted in January 2017 to ensure sufficient plot data were obtained to determine an

accurate credit requirement for the areas to be impacted by the final project design.

2013 Flora surveys

AIMS

The aims of the 2013 flora surveys were as follows:

1. Determine vegetation communities present within the study area, their condition and extent.

2. Identify potential EECs within the study area and determine their condition and extent.

3. Identify flora and fauna constraints to inform the development of the concept design so that

impacts could be avoided wherever possible.

RANDOM MEANDERS

Formal random meanders (after Cropper, 1993) were undertaken throughout the study area, recording

floristic, structural and physical data. This method provides a comprehensive approach in terms of

detecting the species and variation within vegetation types, and improves opportunities for detecting

significant or sparsely distributed plant species.

The entire length of the project was surveyed by a combination of traversing the area on foot and making

observations from existing road reserves. Approximately 18 hours was spent surveying the study area in

order to produce a species list and assess the condition and extent of vegetation communities present in

the study area. Additional time was also taken to confirm species and community identifications.

6 As no fauna species credit species are relevant to the proposal, no threatened species polygons are required

in the assessment. The BCC uses individuals of flora species impacted, not threatened species polygons, in the

credit calculations.


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FLORA AND VEGETATION CONDITION ASSESSMENT

Condition assessments were applied to all survey points within the study area that may be impacted by

the proposed work options to adequately assess impacts by both vegetation type and condition.

Vegetation surveyed using random meander inspection techniques was rated according to the two point

scale endorsed under the BioBanking Assessment Methodology (DECC, 2008). These are:

Low Native over-storey percentage of foliage cover is less than 25% of the lower value of the over-storey percentage of foliage cover benchmark for that vegetation type, and less than 50% of ground cover vegetation is indigenous.

Moderate to good Any vegetation not in low condition.

These classes have been used in this assessment as they are simple and easily replicated between

observers. Exotic-dominated vegetation under these condition assessments is thus considered ‘low

condition’ vegetation. Where vegetation communities displayed variation in quality between patches,

notes were taken on differences and similarities.

TARGETED SEARCHES FOR THREATENED FLORA SPECIES

Threatened flora species and populations are known to occur in the vicinity of the project, including the

Eastern Flame Pea (Chorizema parviflorum) endangered population in the Wollongong and Shellharbour

LGAs, the Illawarra Greenhood Orchid (Pterostylis gibbosa) and the Curved Rice-flower (Pimelea

curviflora var. curviflora). Another two species, the Illawarra Zieria (Zieria granulata) and the White-

flowered Wax Plant (Cynanchum elegans) are known from the region and may have suitable habitat

present within the development footprint. The Eastern Flame Pea and the Illawarra Greenhood Orchid

have been recorded within the study area historically, and the Curved Rice-flower is known from many

locations in Croom Reserve, including near the creek on the western edge (pers. comm., Kirsten Vine,

August 2014).

The Curved Rice-flower, Illawarra Greenhood Orchid and Eastern Flame Pea can be cryptic and are best

identified during flowering periods, which can vary from year to year. In order to ensure the highest

degree of certainty possible in relation to the location and identification of these threatened flora

species, NGH Environmental engaged local orchid expert Graeme Bradburn to assist with surveys of the

study area. Graeme worked alongside NGH Environmental ecologists to identify suitable habitat for the

plants, confirm species identifications and provide specialist expertise in relation to his local knowledge

of these species.

Targeted searches were carried out for the Illawarra Greenhood Orchid and the Eastern Flame Pea in

areas that were deemed to be suitable habitat, based on habitat evaluations and the specialist advice of

Graeme Bradburn. Croom Reserve was used as a reference site for both the Orchid and the Pea and both

species were recorded flowering there. This confirmed that should the species be present in the

development footprint it would be detectable during surveys. Targeted searches were carried out by two

to three personnel conducting informal transects (random meanders) at distances of 3 - 6 m (depending

on vegetation density), covering as much of the vegetation patch as was accessible. One person carried a

Garmin GPS device with tracks being recorded, and, where a threatened species was found, waypoints

were made at the location with the number of individuals present noted. Qualitative observations were


5726 Final V2.1 80

also made with respect to the habitat features and species associations in areas where threatened

species were found in high densities.

Targeted searches for the Curved Rice-flower, the White-flowered Wax Plant and the Illawarra Zieria

were not undertaken in 2013 as habitat evaluation determined that these species, despite having records

in the surrounding region, were unlikely to be found in the study area at the time due to unsuitable

habitat and/or unsuitable flowering time. Random meander searches are designed to maximise species

discovery, including the more unlikely threatened species such as these. During these random meander

surveys these species were not detected.

Approximately 22 person hours were spent in 2013 carrying out targeted searches for threatened flora

species within the study area (Table 4-4).

Table 4-4 Locations subjected to targeted searches in the 2013 survey period.

Location Species targeted in 2013 Time spent searching

(person-hours)

Croom Reserve Illawarra Greenhood Orchid, Eastern Flame Pea 6

TransGrid property (south-

east corner), Yallah

Eastern Flame Pea, Illawarra Greenhood Orchid, 6

Old Golf Course Eastern Flame Pea, Illawarra Greenhood Orchid, 6

Woodland within the road

reserve

Eastern Flame Pea, Illawarra Greenhood Orchid, 4

2014 Flora surveys

AIMS

The aims of the 2014 flora surveys were to:

1. Consolidate the results of the 2013 surveys, providing certainty regarding extents and

distributions of ecological communities, as well as updating data to include modifications to the

project that took place between the 2013 surveys and the 2014 surveys. Surveys incorporated a

broader area than the 2013 surveys (which were almost wholly located within the development

footprint) and included BioMetric Vegetation Plots7 within homogenous zones of vegetation

types identified in 2013. Three surveys were undertaken in September, October and November

2014, to account for differing flowering periods between species.

2. Address matters raised by the SEARs including consideration of impacts to the Croom Voluntary

Conservation Agreement;

3. Determine the condition and extent of vegetation communities present within the study area.

4. Determine the condition and extent of Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) within the

study area.

5. Identify constraints to further inform the development of the concept design so that impacts

could be avoided wherever possible.

TARGETED SEARCHES FOR THREATENED FLORA SPECIES

7 Standardised plot survey in accordance with the BBAM 2014.


5726 Final V2.1 81

Targeted searches for threatened flora species, including the Eastern Flame Pea, Illawarra Greenhood

Orchid, Curved Rice-flower, White-flowered Wax Plant, and Illawarra Zieria were undertaken in all areas

of suitable habitat, as determined by habitat evaluations and specialist advice. Searches were

undertaken both within the updated development footprint and in particular areas of suitable habitat in

the study area, so as to allow for accurate impacts on local and regional occurrences and populations to

be calculated. Individual observers systematically traversed the survey locations in parallel transects

between five and 10 metres apart, except where meanders were necessary (e.g. where patches of dense

Lantana thickets had to be avoided).

Areas surveyed for threatened species in 2014 are listed in Table 4-5 below.

Table 4-5 Locations subjected to targeted flora searches in the 2014 survey period. Survey dates are listed in Table 4-6

Location Species targeted in 2014 Time spent searching

(person-hours)

Croom Reserve (western edge and along Croome Road), Albion Park

Illawarra Greenhood Orchid, Eastern Flame Pea, Curved Rice-flower, White-flowered Wax Plant, Illawarra Zieria

6

TransGrid property (south-east corner), Yallah

Eastern Flame Pea, Illawarra Greenhood Orchid, Curved Rice-flower, White-flowered Wax Plant

6

TransGrid property (all other patches), Yallah


10

Old Golf Course Eastern Flame Pea, Illawarra Greenhood Orchid, Curved Rice-flower, White-flowered Wax Plant

5

Hargraves Avenue Reserve, Shellharbour

Eastern Flame Pea, Illawarra Greenhood Orchid, Curved Rice-flower, Illawarra Zieria

6

Woodland to southeast of Illawarra Regional Airport (owned by Shellharbour City Council)


10

Frazer’s Creek (south of Tongarra Road)

Curved Rice-flower, White-flowered Wax Plant 2

Woodland on private properties near Calderwood Road.

Eastern Flame Pea, Curved Rice-flower 4

Woodland on private properties north of TransGrid land.


2

Woodland within the road reserve


3

BIOMETRIC VEGETATION PLOTS


5726 Final V2.1 82

BioMetric Vegetation Plots were established in each area/zone of homogenous vegetation type and

condition, as defined by the 2014 OEH BioBanking Assessment Methodology (BBAM, 2014). The plots

were placed using a stratified approach to ensure that all native vegetation types were adequately

surveyed. In total, 51 plots were surveyed within and outside of the development footprint, in patches

within the study area. These vegetation plots were undertaken utilising the methodology presented in

BBAM 2014. Each vegetation plot was assigned to a suitable BioMetric Vegetation Type, as per the OEH

database.

Vegetation plots included:

26 vegetation plots were surveyed in areas of Woollybutt – White Stringybark – Forest Red Gum

Grassy Woodland (PCT 1326)

12 vegetation plots in Coastal Freshwater Lagoons (PCT 781)

1 plot in disturbed riparian vegetation (Swamp Oak Swamp Forest Fringing Estuaries)

4 plots in Derived Forest Red Gum – Thin-leaved Stringybark Grassy Woodland (PCT 838)

Locations of all vegetation plots have been mapped (Figure 3-8).

2016 -2017 Flora surveys

BIOMETRIC VEGETATION PLOTS

An additional seven vegetation plots were surveyed in January 2017. This was to ensure sufficient plots

were obtained in accordance with the FBA BCC for each vegetation zone to be impacted and thereby

allow an accurate credit requirement to be determined. They included:

3 vegetation plots in Derived Forest Red Gum – Thin-leaved Stringybark Grassy Woodland

(PCT 838)

1 plot in Swamp Mahogany Swamp Sclerophyll (PCT 1231)

1 plot in River Oak (PCT 1105)

5 plots in Swamp Paperbark – Swamp Oak (PCT 1232/1616)

1 plot in Woollybutt – White Stringybark – Forest Red Gum Grassy Woodland (PCT 1326)

The locations of all vegetation plots have been mapped (Figure 3-8).

Two plots were also undertaken within the patches of vegetation that potentially met the definition of

the EPBC Act listed CEEC (Illawarra and South Coast Lowland Forest and Woodland (ISCLFW)) to assist in

defining the community, however this information was not entered into the BCC. The condition of the

patches of ISCLFW was determined using the condition thresholds documented in Table 2 of DoE 2016.

Both of the patches of ISCLFW impacted as a result of the project were considered to be of high condition

meaning that:

Eucalyptus tereticornis and E.longiolia were typically present and often dominant in the

mature tree canopy;

They had a ground layer of native grasses, herbs and sedges or a native shrubby layer.

They were at least 2 ha in size and had at least 50% of its total perennial understorey

vegetation cover being comprised of native species with at least 6 native plant species per

0.5 ha in the ground layer.

The patches of ISCLFW within and adjacent to the development footprint (the TransGrid site/Old Golf

Course patch and the Croom Reserve patch) have noxious weeds present of which Lantana (Lantana

camara) is the most common.


5726 Final V2.1 83

2013 Fauna surveys

AIMS

The aims of the 2013 terrestrial fauna surveys were to:

1. Assess the availability and extent of fauna habitat, particularly threatened species habitat, such

as hollow-bearing trees.

2. Conduct targeted searches for threatened fauna species through nocturnal and diurnal surveys.

3. Assess the value of the study area as a wildlife corridor, migratory route or drought

refuge, in relation to other remnant vegetation, riparian and wetland areas or habitat in

the region.

4. Identify fauna constraints to inform the development of the concept design so that impacts

could be avoided wherever possible.

FAUNA HABITAT ASSESSMENT

An assessment of habitat types available and their quality and suitability as threatened species habitat

was conducted across the study area. Factors such as arboreal resources, ground-layer resources,

vegetation structure, connectivity and disturbance were noted.

Incidental sightings of fauna and their traces (e.g. scats, tracks, scratches) made while present on the site

were also recorded.

BIRD SURVEYS

During the September 2013 investigations, diurnal bird surveys (two hectares over 20 minutes each) were

undertaken at seven locations across the development footprint, giving a total survey effort of 2 hours

and 20 minutes. In addition, opportunistic records of bird species observed during fauna assessments,

vegetation surveys and hollow-bearing tree assessments were recorded, and a total species list compiled.

Three surveys were undertaken within woodland habitat, and four surveys in riparian habitat.

SPOTLIGHTING

Spotlighting was undertaken by two individuals on foot using two 50-watt spotlights. Spotlighting

transects focussed on areas in the northern half of the development footprint, where the most suitable

habitat for nocturnal fauna was present. Spotlighting on foot was preceded by a 10-minute listening

period to detect any threatened species that may have been calling. Where dams were present, they

were checked for the presence of frogs, and any present were identified to species. During 2013, two

spotlighting surveys, targeting nocturnal mammals and frogs were conducted in September over two

nights accumulating to a total of 4.67 person hours.

CALL PLAYBACK

Call playback for the Green and Golden Bell Frog (GGBF) was undertaken in September in the most

suitable habitat available at two locations (Figure 4-1), for a total of 40 minutes. Both survey locations

were to the north of the Macquarie Rivulet, and had an abundance of Cumbungi (Typha orientalis); a

preferred habitat component for the Green and Golden Bell Frog.

HARP TRAPPING

One harp trap was placed in a suitable flyway on the Old Golf Course site, across Yallah Road from the

TransGrid land for two nights in September. The trap was checked each morning at dawn.


5726 Final V2.1 84

ANABAT

One Anabat detector was placed at the same location as the harp trap in September, in the Old Golf

Course site adjacent to Yallah Road, across from the TransGrid land. A second Anabat detection night

was carried out in the TransGrid land of the development footprint in September.

OPPORTUNISTIC

An opportunistic record of fauna species observed during the fauna assessments in September 2013 was

also taken.

2014 Fauna surveys

AIMS

The aims of the 2014 terrestrial surveys were to:

1. Consolidate and reaffirm the results of the 2013 surveys, as well as updating data to include

modifications to the project that took place between the 2013 surveys and the 2014 surveys.

Surveys incorporated a broader area than the 2013 surveys (which were almost wholly

located within the development footprint) and included targeted searches.

2. Conduct targeted fauna searches in January and November for particular threatened species

that may occur within the development footprint or otherwise be impacted by the project.

3. Address matters raised by the SEARs, which primarily requested adherence to the following

guidelines: Biodiversity Offsetting for Major Projects and Biodiversity Environmental

Assessment Requirements.

4. Identify the numbers present and distribution of threatened species within the study area.

5. Identify fauna constraints to further inform the development of the concept design so that

impacts could be avoided wherever possible.

GREEN AND GOLDEN BELL FROG

In January 2014, targeted searches for GGBF were undertaken in all areas of suitable habitat, including

dams within the development footprint (10 sites). A reference site at the wetland within Harry Bagot Park

off Parkes Street, Port Kembla was also inspected. The site visit was undertaken to coincide with

appropriate conditions for surveys (e.g. after or during rain events), using call playback, passive listening

and active searches to determine whether GGBFs were utilising the available habitat.

Further targeted searches for GGBFs were undertaken in December 2014, utilising a different reference

site to that used in January. These surveys were conducted in accordance with the Significant Impact

Guidelines for the Green and Golden Bell Frog (DEWHA, 2009). The reference site used in the December

2014 surveys was at the end of Foreshore Road in the Port Kembla Steel Works. This reference site was

known to contain a population of the species at the time of the survey (pers. comm. Chris Wade 2014)

and is known as being part of a Key Population. Each wetland habitat was surveyed for four nights in

warm conditions and after rain. Prior to this, the reference site was checked for calling Green and Golden

Bell Frogs which were stimulated into calling following call playback.

MICROBATS

The November 2014 survey included two nights of Anabat recording (and evening stagwatching) at two

separate locations within Illawarra Lowlands Grassy Woodland vegetation on the TransGrid property and

within the road reserve. Potentially suitable habitat trees were watched by two ecologists over one

evening in each location, to determine whether threatened species such as the Eastern False Pipistrelle


5726 Final V2.1 85

(Falsistrellus tasmaniensis) and the Eastern Freetail-bat (Mormopterus norfolkensis) were likely to be

using impact areas for roosting. Anabats were situated near flyways or foraging spots for microbats, with

call analysis undertaken by fauna specialist Narawan Williams. Stapleton’s Bridge, located on Tongarra

Road where it crosses Frazer’s Creek, was also visually inspected for the presence of any Large-footed

Myotis (Myotis macropus) that may be using it for roosting habitat.

WETLAND BIRDS

During the January 2014 site visit, additional bird surveys were undertaken targeting wetland and

migratory birds, including but not limited to the Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus), Black Bittern

(Ixobrychus flavicollis), Australian Painted Snipe (Rostratula australis), Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago

hardwickii), Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis), Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa), and migratory

wading birds. Two dawn surveys were undertaken each day (one hour each) for these birds at each of

five wetland areas within the development footprint. The Lake Illawarra estuary at Windang was also

checked as a reference site to determine whether wading birds were present in the region.

Targeted surveys for Black Bitterns and Australasian Bitterns were carried out again in November 2014,

due to their potential occurrence at selected wetlands, such as those to the north of the Albion Park

Showground (Figure 4-1) The methodology used for these surveys was a one hour evening listening

period per wetland, followed by an active habitat search to flush individuals from vegetation. This was

repeated for three evenings at each wetland.

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