APPENDIXF - Microsoft...potentially located within the region but consistent with what would be expected in a fire recovery zone in an early to mid successional stage, following the

M E T R O P O L I T A N C O A L P R O J E C T

E N V I R O N M E N T A L A S S E S S M E N T

APPENDIX F

METROPOLITAN COAL PROJECT

TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATE FAUNA SURVEY

PREPARED BY

WESTERN RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND BIOSPHERE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS PTY LTD

Metropolitan Coal Project - Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Survey

Western Research Institute i Biosphere Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd

TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1

1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 SURVEY OBJECTIVES 1 1.2 BIOGEOGRAPHIC AND ZOOGEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL SETTING 4

1.2.1 Sydney Basin Bioregion 4 1.2.2 Zoogeographic Region 4

1.3 PREVIOUS VERTEBRATE FAUNA SURVEYS 4 1.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA 5

1.4.1 General 5 1.4.2 Climate 5 1.4.3 Geology and Soils 5 1.4.4 Fire History 5 1.4.5 Hydrology and Topography 6 1.4.6 Vegetation and Habitat Types 6 1.4.7 Possible Occurrences of Threatened Species 6

2 SURVEY METHODS 8 2.1 SURVEY TIMING AND CONDITIONS 8 2.2 FAUNA SURVEY SITES 10 2.3 FAUNA SURVEY TECHNIQUES 12 2.4 HABITAT ASSESSMENT 16 2.5 RELATIVE ABUNDANCE 16

3 SURVEY RESULTS 16 3.1 MAJOR FAUNA HABITAT TYPES 16

3.1.1 Forest 17 3.1.2 Woodland 18 3.1.3 Heath and Mallee 18 3.1.4 Riparian (and Associated Watercourse) 19 3.1.5 Upland Swamps 19

3.2 FAUNA SPECIES DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE 20 3.2.1 Species Diversity Across Survey Sites 20 3.2.2 Species Composition and Abundance 20 3.2.3 Amphibians 21 3.2.4 Reptiles 21 3.2.5 Birds 21 3.2.6 Mammals 21 3.2.7 Introduced Vertebrate Fauna 22

3.3 THREATENED FAUNA SPECIES 22 3.4 MIGRATORY SPECIES 24 3.5 MARINE PROTECTED SPECIES 24 3.6 SEPP 44 – KOALA HABITAT ASSESSMENT 26

4 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 27

5 REFERENCES 27

6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 30


TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

Western Research Institute ii Biosphere Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Threatened Terrestrial Fauna Species Considered Possible Occurrences Within the Study Area or Immediate Surrounds

Table 2 Temperatures, Total Rainfall and Moon Information for the Survey Period

Table 3 Fauna Survey Sites

Table 4 Distribution of Terrestrial Fauna Species Across Survey Sites 1-20

Table 5 Threatened Fauna Species Located During the Surveys

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Regional Location

Figure 2 Project Layout

Figure 3 Location of Fauna Survey Sites

Figure 4 Threatened Fauna Recorded During the Surveys

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A Threatened Species Database Search Results

Attachment B Survey Effort

Attachment C Vertebrate Fauna Species Recorded During the Surveys

Attachment D Migratory Species Database Search Results

Attachment E Marine Protected Species Database Search Results


Western Research Institute ES-1 Biosphere Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Metropolitan Colliery is an underground coal mining operation located approximately 30 kilometres north of Wollongong in New South Wales. Terrestrial fauna surveys were conducted by Biosphere Environmental Consultants in spring/early summer 2006 and autumn 2007 and by Western Research Institute in autumn 2007. In summary the following conclusions can be made: • Five broad habitat types were identified in the study area, namely Forest, Woodland, Heath and

Mallee, Riparian (and associated watercourse) and Upland Swamps.

• The habitat is variable and is of high quality although the majority of vegetation communities are in early to mid successional stage following the 2001 bushfire.

• The range of ecosystems present demonstrate a high level of functional integrity.

• A total of 145 species were identified in the study area (including 140 native and five introduced species, consisting of 17 amphibian species, 19 reptile species, 77 bird species and 27 native and five introduced mammal species).

• The species diversity recorded was considered to be a subset of the species that could be potentially located within the region but consistent with what would be expected in a fire recovery zone in an early to mid successional stage, following the 2001 bushfire.

• Thirteen threatened species were located during the surveys, namely the Giant Burrowing Frog, Red-crowned Toadlet, Broad-headed Snake, Black-necked Stork, Square-tailed Kite, Grey Falcon, Turquoise Parrot, Eastern Ground Parrot, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Squirrel Glider, Grey-headed Flying Fox, Eastern Bentwing Bat and the Large-footed Myotis. In addition, diggings were recorded during the surveys that could potentially belong to the threatened Southern Brown Bandicoot or Long-nosed Potoroo, or the protected Long-nosed Bandicoot.

• A number of migratory and marine protected species have also been recorded within the study area and/or wider surrounds.

• The study area does not fall within the definition of core Koala habitat under State Environmental Planning Policy 44.


Western Research Institute 1 Biosphere Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd

1 INTRODUCTION Metropolitan Colliery is an underground coal mining operation located approximately 30 kilometres (km) north of Wollongong in New South Wales (NSW) (Figure 1). The Metropolitan Colliery is owned and operated by Helensburgh Coal Pty Ltd (HCPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Peabody Pacific Pty Limited. Terrestrial fauna surveys were conducted by Biosphere Environmental Consultants and Western Research Institute for the Metropolitan Coal Project. The Metropolitan Coal Project would involve the continuation of underground mining operations at the Metropolitan Colliery. Significant components of the Project include: • Continued development of underground mining areas.

• Increased saleable coal production (from 1.5 to 2.8 million tonnes per annum).

• Continued transport of product coal by train to the Port Kembla Coal Terminal and by truck to the Corrimal and Coalcliff Coke Works.

• Upgrade of the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant and associated surface facilities, as necessary.

• An increase in the rate of coal reject production. A combination of coal reject management options are proposed, including on-site and off-site disposal.

• Upgrade and extension of supporting infrastructure systems (e.g. ventilation, water management and underground mining systems), as required.

The main activities associated with the development of the Project are described in detail in Sections 1 and 2 of the Environmental Assessment main report. The Project would extend the underground mining area to the north of the completed and current underground mining areas (Figure 2). The Project would also include ongoing surface exploration activities, an increase in the rate of product coal and coal reject production, upgrade and extension of infrastructure, and environmental monitoring, management, rehabilitation and stream restoration activities.

1.1 SURVEY OBJECTIVES The objectives of the fauna surveys were to: • Conduct terrestrial vertebrate fauna surveys in the study area utilising recognised fauna survey

techniques.

• Assess terrestrial vertebrate fauna species diversity (native and introduced) and their relative abundance.

• Identify and describe the range of habitats utilised by terrestrial vertebrate fauna.

• Conduct targeted surveys for threatened terrestrial vertebrate fauna species considered possible occurrences within the study area or surrounds (including those listed in the Schedules of the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 [TSC Act] and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 [EPBC Act]) and map the location of any threatened species identified.

• Report on the findings of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna surveys.

METROPOLITANSPECIAL AREA

O'HARES CREEKSPECIAL AREA

WORONORASPECIAL

AREA

WORONORASPECIAL

AREA

CCL 703

PACIFIC

HIGHWAY

SOUT

HW

ESTE

RN

HIGH

WAY

SOUTHSOUTH WESTERN MOTORWAY

HUME HIGHWAY

GREAT

WESTERNHIGHWAYHIGHWAY

WESTERN

MOTORWAY

F6

HUME

FREE

WAY

F6

F6

Lawr

ence

APPIN

ROAD

FREE

WAY

FREEWAY

FREEW

AYFR

EEWAY

Hargr

ave

Drive

HIGH

WAY

PRINCES

NARELLANROAD

CAMDENBYPA

SS

LADY

WAKE

DRIV

E

SOUTH

ERN

SOUTH

ERN

SOUTH

ERN

BulliPass

SOUT

HERN

F6

HURST

GEO

RGES

CATAR

ACT

RIVER

CO

RDEA

UX

RIVER

Sout

hC

reek

WO

RO

NO

RA

RIV

ER

Stokes

Creek

Har

ris

Cre

ekW

illia

ms

Cree

k

PARRAMATTARIVER

HAC

KIN

GR

IVER

NEP

EAN

Pun c

hbow

lC

reek

O'H

ares

Creek

East

ern

Cre

ek

ProspectReservoir

CataractReservoir

LakeIllawarra

RIV

ERR

IVER

WO

RON

ORA

RIVER

GEORGES

GEO

RG

ESRIVER

PORT KEMBLA HARBOUR

War

atah

Rivu

let

RIV

ERR

IVER

RIV

ERR

IVER

CordeauxReservoir

AvonReservoir

WoronoraReservoir

MAIN

WESTERN

RAILWAY

MAI

N

SOUTH

ERN

RAILW

AY

RAILW

AY

ILLAW

ARRA

MLA 1

MLA

2

GARAWARRA

STATE

CONSERVATION

AREA

DHARAWAL

NATURE RESERVE

DHARAWAL STATE

CONSERVATION AREA

ILLAWARRA ESCARPMENT

STATE CONSERVATION

AREA

SILVERWATER

NATURE RESERVE SYDNEY

HARBOUR

NATIONAL

PARK

SYDNEY

HARBOUR

NATIONAL

PARK

BOTANY BAY

NATIONAL PARK

TOWRA POINT

NATURE RESERVE

GEORGES

RIVER

NATIONAL

PARK

ILLAWARRA

ESCARPMENT

STATE CONSERVATION

AREA

KEMPS CREEK

NATURE RESERVE

ROYAL

NATIONAL PARKHEATHCOTE

NATIONAL

PARK

ILLAWARRA

ESCARPMENT

STATE CONSERVATION

AREA

ROYAL

NATIONAL

PARK

LIVERPOOL

PARRAMATTA

CAMPBELLTOWN

APPIN

Port Kembla

WOLLONGONG

STANWELL PARK

SUTHERLAND

BOTANY BAY

SYDNEYHARBOUR

PORT HACKING

SYDNEY

S O U T HP A C I F I CO C E A N

Port Kembla Coal Terminal

HELENSBURGH

Corrimal Coke Works

Coalcliff Coke Works

GlenleeWashery

HOLSWORTHY

MILITARYRESERVE

Metropolitan Colliery MajorSurface Facilities Area

Source: Topographic Map Base - (Sydney Special,Wollongong Special) Geoscience Australia 2006,Reserve Boundaries - Department of Lands NSW andSydney Catchment Authority Special Areas -Sydney Catchment Authority 2006

2003

LEGEND

Railway

Coal Lease Boundary

Mining Lease Application Boundary

Sub-lease Portion of CCL 724

Product Coal Road Transport

Special Area

Existing

Existing Coal Reject Road Transport

Sydney Catchment Authority

0 2

Kilometres

10

FIGURE 1

Regional Location

HELENSBURGH COAL PTY LTD

M E T R O P O L I T A N C O A L P R O J E C T

MET-06-02 EA TFauna_001E

Western Research Institute and Biosphere Environmental Consultants



1.2 BIOGEOGRAPHIC AND ZOOGEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL SETTING

1.2.1 Sydney Basin Bioregion Thackway and Cresswell (1995) describe a bioregion as a “complex land area composed of a cluster of interacting ecosystems that are repeated in similar form throughout.” Bioregional descriptions seek to describe the dominant landscape scale attributes of climate, lithology, geology, landform and vegetation. Bioregions provide a way of viewing landscape and biotic patterns in ecological terms, since they represent major structural geologies and climatic differences, particularly where geomorphology is the major driver of soil and vegetation (Morgan, 2001; Smart, 2002). Thackway and Cresswell (1995) argued that bioregions provide a relatively homogenous landscape with their associated biota, as well as linking ecosystems with relatively strong linkages compared with those found between bioregions. As such, the boundaries of bioregions and sub-regions (where rainfall may over-ride geomorphology to some extent) (Smart, 2002):

• Provide a fundamental framework within which finer scale assessments of biodiversity distribution, condition, priorities and monitoring should take place.

• Provide a basis for communicating this information and these finer priorities at a State, national and international level in a standard format.

The study area and surrounds lie wholly within the Sydney Basin Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) bioregion on the NSW central coast.

1.2.2 Zoogeographic Region The study area and surrounds are also located within the Bassian zoogeographic region proposed by Spencer (1896) (and modified by Schodde [1994]) (cited in Date et al. [2000]). The Bassian zoogeographic region (coastal zone) is a coarse but more useful predictor of faunal assemblages than the Sydney Basin IBRA bioregion. While IBRA bioregions have helped to rationalise our understanding of landscape patterns, fauna species tend to respond more to vegetation structure (i.e. grassland, woodland and forest) rather than to particular vegetation communities per se.

1.3 PREVIOUS VERTEBRATE FAUNA SURVEYS A number of vertebrate fauna surveys have been carried out in recent years in the wider region and general locality of the Metropolitan Colliery. Vertebrate fauna studies reviewed as part of this survey and assessment include:

• Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) (2007a) Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna of the Greater Southern Sydney Region: Volume 1 – Background Report; Volume 2 - Fauna of Conservation Concern including Priority Pest Species; Volume 4 – The Fauna of the Metropolitan, O’Hares Creek and Woronora Special Areas – Summary of Findings and Recommendations A joint project between the SCA and the DECC.

• Biosphere Environmental Consultants (2007) Amphibian Survey - Longwalls 14 -17 Metropolitan Colliery. Report prepared for Helensburgh Coal Pty Ltd.

• National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) (2002) Fauna of the Illawarra Escarpment, Coastal Plain and Plateau, Wollongong Local Government Area Bioregional Assessment Part II.



• NPWS (2000) Royal National Park, Heathcote National Park and Garawarra State Recreation Area Plan of Management.

• NPWS (2004) Post-fire Study of the Fauna of the Woronora Plateau.

• NPWS (1998) Post Fire Vertebrate Fauna Survey, Royal and Heathcote National Park and Garawarra State Recreational Area Report.

The results of the Longwalls 18, 19 and 19A baseline terrestrial fauna surveys (Western Research Institute and Biosphere Environmental Consultants, 2007) have been included in this report.

1.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA

1.4.1 General The majority of the study area lies within the Woronora Special Area (Figure 2), which is largely undeveloped and covered predominantly by native vegetation. The Woronora Special Area drains to the Woronora Reservoir (Figure 1). The north-eastern portion of the study area and surrounds are situated in the Hacking River catchment.

1.4.2 Climate The area experiences a temperate climate. Based on data from a weather station at Lucas Heights, the mean maximum temperature varies between 15.8oC in July to 26oC in February, the mean minimum temperature varies between 6.6oC (July) and 17.6oC (February) (Bureau of Meteorology, 2008). Based on data from a weather station at Darkes Forest, the mean rainfall per month varies between 76.9 millimetres (mm) (September) to 158.7 mm (February) (Bureau of Meteorology, 2007). The mean annual rainfall is 1,419 mm and is more or less spread evenly throughout the year (Bureau of Meteorology, 2007).

1.4.3 Geology and Soils The dominant lithographic unit in the area is the surface layer of Hawkesbury Sandstone; the imposing sandstone layers are dense and when eroded create steep-walled escarpments and craggy cliff faces. The Hawkesbury Sandstone unit is between 100 and 150 metres (m) thick in this area and is underlain by the Narrabeen Sandstone unit (Branagan and Packham, 2000). Unlike the Hawkesbury Sandstone, the Narrabeen Sandstones are poorly consolidated and interleaved by friable shale lens. Where erosion has reached the underlying Narrabeen Sandstone, sloping, crumbling hill sides are created that often fail to support the cliffs of Hawkesbury Sandstone above. Both of these sandstone units are nutrient-poor and generate sandy, highly porous soils. Because of the relatively high rainfall of the local area and the runoff features of the Hawkesbury sandstone, soils generally do not readily accumulate on the upper ridges or slopes and erosion quickly strips sand and clay particles away leaving bare rock ledges or skeletal soil pockets. In a few places on the plateau soil can accumulate and form upland swamps because of the relatively impervious Hawkesbury Sandstone base beneath.

1.4.4 Fire History Extensive wildfires have occurred over the last 35 years together with targeted fuel reduction burns (NPWS, 1998; Tozer et. al., 2006). However the exact fire history of the study area is not known. The last major wildfire that devastated the study area occurred in December 2001 (NPWS, 2004). Hence much of the vegetation is early successional post-fire vegetation (approximately six years).



1.4.5 Hydrology and Topography As described in Section 1.4.1, the majority of the study area is situated within the Woronora Special Area which comprises a number of streams which drain to the Woronora Reservoir including Waratah Rivulet and Woronora River. The north-eastern portion of the study area is situated in the Hacking River Catchment. Elevation within the study area ranges from approximately 170 to 360 m AHD.

1.4.6 Vegetation and Habitat Types Vegetation communities in the study area and surrounds have been mapped by SCA and NPWS (2003) and Tozer et. al. (2006) and more recently to a greater level of detail as part of the baseline flora survey by Bangalay Botanical Surveys (2008). Vegetation units cannot necessarily be equated with vertebrate fauna habitats since vertebrate species respond primarily to a complex of factors including vegetation structure, vegetation formation and density, aspect, presence of water, flowering timing and frequency, etc. The 2001 bushfire removed the understorey stratum of forest and woodland communities in the area and effectively homogenised forest-woodland habitats by removing one of the differential habitat component of these communities. In terms of habitat, these areas will remain effectively homogenised until the understorey components naturally develop through succession. The vegetation and habitat descriptions for each sample site are described briefly in Section 2.2, and habitat and conservation values are described in Section 3.1.

1.4.7 Possible Occurrences of Threatened Species A number of database sources were reviewed for potentially occurring threatened species, including: • DECC (2007a) Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna of the Greater Sydney Region: The Southern Blue

Mountains to the Sea, Volume 4 – Fauna of the Woronora, O’Hares Creek and Metropolitan Special Areas.

• the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) Atlas of NSW Wildlife for the search area covering the Wollongong and Port Hacking 1:100,000 map sheets (DECC, 2007b);

• DECC’s list of threatened species found within the Sydney Cataract and Illawarra Catchment Management Authority (CMA) subregions (DECC, 2007c; 2007d);

• an EPBC Act Protected Matters Search using a search area of approximately 40 km x 40 km surrounding the study area (Department of Environment and Water Resources [now the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts], 2007);

• Birds Australia (2007) database records using a search area of approximately 40 km x 40 km surrounding the study area;

• Australian Museum (2007) database records using a search area of approximately 40 km x 40 km surrounding the study area; and

• previous fauna surveys as described in Section 1.3.

Attachment A contains the results of the database searches. The list of threatened fauna species in Attachment A was refined to a list of those species considered to possibly occur within the study area (Table 1) considering the known distribution of the species and the potential habitats available within the study area.



Table 1 Threatened Terrestrial Fauna Species Considered Possible Occurrences

Within the Study Area or Immediate Surrounds

Conservation Status Common Name Scientific Name

TSC Act1 EPBC Act2

Amphibians

Giant Burrowing Frog Heleioporus australiacus V V

Stuttering Frog Mixophyes balbus E V

Red-crowned Toadlet Pseudophryne australis V -

Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea E V

Littlejohn’s Tree Frog Litoria littlejohni V V

Reptiles

Rosenberg’s Goanna Varanus rosenbergi V -

Broad-headed Snake Hoplocephalus bungaroides E V

Birds

Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura V -

Bush-stone Curlew Burhinus grallarius E -

Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor E E

Eastern Ground Parrot Pezoporus wallicus wallicus V -

Superb Parrot Polytelis swainsonii V V

Turquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella V -

Gang-gang Cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum V -

Glossy Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami E -

Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa V -

Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae V -

Powerful Owl Ninox strenua V -

Barking Owl Ninox connivens V -

Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies)

Climacteris picumnus victoriae V -

Eastern Bristlebird Dasyorrnis brachypterus E E

Speckled Warbler Pyrrholaemus sagittatus V -

Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern subspecies)

Melithreptus gularis gularis V -

Regent Honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia E E

Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata cucullata V _

Pink Robin Petroica rodinogaster V -

Olive Whistler Pachycephala olivacea V -

Diamond Firetail Stagonpleura guttata V -

Mammals

Spotted-tailed Quoll Dasyurus maculatus V E

Southern Brown Bandicoot Isoodon obselus obselus E E

Koala Phascolarctos cinereus V -

Eastern Pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus V -

Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australis V -

Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis V -

Long-nosed Potoroo Potorous tridactylus V V

Brush-tailed Rock wallaby Petrogale penicillata E V



Table 1 (Continued) Threatened Terrestrial Fauna Species Considered Possible Occurrences

Within the Study Area or Immediate Surrounds

Conservation Status Common Name Scientific Name

TSC Act1 EPBC Act2

Grey-headed Flying Fox Pteropus poliocephalus V V

Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-Bat Saccolaimus flaviventris V -

Eastern Freetail-bat Mormopterus norfolkensis V -

Eastern Bentwing Bat Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis V -

Large-eared Pied Bat Chalinobus dwyeri V V

Eastern False Pipistrelle Falsistrellus tasmaniensis V -

Large-footed Myotis Myotis macropus V -

Greater Broad-nosed Bat Scoteanax rueppellii V - 1 Threatened species status under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 (current as at 11 February 2008). 2 Threatened species status under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 (current as at 11

February 2008).

E - Endangered V – Vulnerable

2 SURVEY METHODS This section describes the methodology used during the terrestrial vertebrate fauna surveys including the survey timing and conditions (Section 2.1), selection of fauna survey sites (Section 2.2), fauna survey techniques (Section 2.3) and habitat assessment methodology (Section 2.4).

2.1 SURVEY TIMING AND CONDITIONS Terrestrial vertebrate fauna surveys were conducted in the study area in November/December 2006 (spring/early summer) and March 2007 (autumn) by Biosphere Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd, and in May 2007 (autumn) by Western Research Institute. During the 2006 surveys, the weather conditions experienced were mainly warm and dry, with clear skies, except for a few overcast and rainy days. In March 2007, the days were generally sunny with air temperatures in the mid to high 20°s; the nights were quite warm and ranged from 14° to 19°C. During the May 2007 survey, the weather conditions were mainly cool to mild, and cloud cover from zero to full. Temperatures and rainfall recorded during the survey period are provided in Table 2. Maximum temperatures ranged from 16oC to 38oC and minimum temperatures from 8oC to 20oC during the 2006 survey period. For the May 2007 survey period maximum temperatures ranged between 19oC to 24oC and minimum temperatures between 1.9oC to 11.7oC. Moon phases are also recorded in Table 2.



Table 2 Temperatures, Total Rainfall and Moon Information for the Survey Period

Temperature (oC)1 Date

Maximum Minimum

Rainfall (mm)2 Moon Phase

8/11/06 22 15 2.8 -

9/11/06 23 14 4.8 -

10/11/06 28 15 - -

11/11/06 32 16 - -

12/11/06 30 16 - -

13/11/06 29 14 - Last Quarter

14/11/06 24 14 2 -

15/11/06 25 14 - -

16/11/06 16 8 - -

17/11/06 20 10 16.8 -

18/11/06 23 13 - -

19/11/06 25 15 - -

20/11/06 30 16 - -

21/11/06 34 15 - New Moon

22/11/06 38 20 - -

23/11/06 24 17 - -

24/11/06 26 19 1.4 -

25/11/06 26 18 - -

26/11/06 27 17 - -

27/11/06 28 18 - -

28/11/06 30 17 - 1st Quarter

29/11/06 25 18 - -

30/11/06 29 16 - -

1/12/06 33 19 - -

2/12/06 26 20 0.4 -

3/12/06 19 15 18 -

4/12/06 22 12 - -

5/12/06 25 15 - Full Moon

6/12/06 26 18 - -

7/12/06 24 17 - -

8/12/06 25 18 - -

9/12/06 27 18 - -

10/12/06 26 19 - -

11/12/06 30 18 - -

12/12/06 18 15 9.2 -

13/12/06 24 17 - Half Moon

14/12/06 30 18 - -

15/12/06 20 18 1.4 -

16/12/06 21 17 9.2 -

17/12/06 31 18 - -

18/12/06 27 18 - -

19/12/06 26 17 - -

20/12/06 30 16 17.4 3rd Quarter

21/12/06 26 17 24.2 -

22/12/06 26 16 - -



Table 2 (Continued) Temperatures, Total Rainfall and Moon Information for the Survey Period

Temperature (oC)1 Date

Maximum Minimum

Rainfall (mm)2 Moon Phase

23/12/06 23 15 - -

24/12/06 20 14 7.6 -

19/3/07 30 18 - New Moon

20/3/07 30 19 3.8 -

21/3/07 25 19 - -

22/3/07 27 19 - -

23/3/07 28 20 - -

23/5/07 19 4 - 1st Quarter

24/05/07 20 4 - -

25/05/07 21 2 - -

26/05/07 20 4 - -

27/05/07 22 3 - -

28/05/07 22 5 - -

29/05/07 24 8 - Nearing full

30/05/07 19 12 2.6 1 day ex full 1 NSW Bureau of Meteorology (2007) Temperature: 1958-2007 Lucas Height (ANSTO) 2 NSW Bureau of Meteorology (2007) Rainfall: Darkes Forest (68024)

2.2 FAUNA SURVEY SITES Twenty sites (i.e. Sites 1 to 20) were selected using a random stratified sampling process covering all major habitat types (Table 3; Figure 3). Detailed surveys were carried out at each of these 20 sites. Opportunistic sightings were also conducted throughout the study area. Sampling sites were approximately 2 hectares (ha) (approximately 200 x 100 m), with variations to suit site specific topography, and marked out with survey tape.

Table 3 Fauna Survey Sites

Site Eastings/Northings Site Location/Comment Habitat Description Survey Timing

1 308590, 6214178 South of Fire Road 9H.

Southern aspect of steep valley, relatively steep slope 15 o.

Woodland: Tall sandstone woodland on elevated plateau to approximately 20 m high with rock platforms and scattered rock, dense understorey evidence of a mid- successional stage following 2001 bushfire.

May 2007

2 307704, 6214490 Ridge top, survey site straddling fire trail, planar.

Woodland: Ridgetop low woodland and heath, to approximately 10 m high, dense understorey evident of a mid-successional stage following 2001 bushfire.

May 2007

3 308418, 6215451 Ridge top straddling fire trail 9E, planar.

Woodland: Ridgetop low woodland and heath/mallee thicket ecotone, to 10m height, dense understorey successional stage following 2001 bushfire.

May 2007



Table 3 (Continued) Fauna Survey Sites


4 310099, 6216415 Immediately north of fire trail 9E, planar.

Upland Swamp: Extensive upland swamp with dense low heath (1-5m) surrounded by fringing Eucalypt Woodland. To 15m.

May 2007

5 308397, 6214302 Immediately north of fire trail 9H with wet gutter along roadside, southerly aspect slope 10 o.

Rock Pavement Heath: Ridgetop low woodland and heath to approximately 10 m height, successional following 2001 bushfire.

May 2007

6 308604, 6214343 Immediately north of fire trail 9H with wet gutter along roadside, southerly aspect slope 10 o.

Rock Plate Heath-Mallee: ridgetop with mallee thickets to approximately 8 m height, successional stage following 2001 bushfire.

May 2007

7 309030, 6214627 Straddling fire trail 9C immediately north of junction with fire trail 9H. Planar.

Woodland: Tall Woodland , mid successional, to 20 m height following 2001 bushfire. High understorey variability.

May 2007

8 308371, 6214120 South of road 9H, southern aspect of steep valley side, slope 15o .

Forest: Gully forest to 20 m height, straddling riparian zone, successional stage following 2001 bushfire.

May 2007

9 307299, 6214196 Junction of Darkes Forest Road and fire trail 9.Southern side of Darkes Forest Rd. Planar.

O’Hares Creek Shale Forest ecological community. Understorey successional following 2001 bushfire.

March 2007

10 308112, 6215588 Western side of fire trail 9, north of junction with 9E. Planar.

Exposed Sandstone Scribbly Gum Woodland on western side of road. Mid successional, to 15 m height following 2001 bushfire. Low understorey variability.

November/December 2006

11 311467, 6213985 On Un-named Tributary upstream of crossing. NE aspects 10°.

Sandstone Gully Forest fringing riparian strip. Trees to 15 m. Minimal fire damage.


12 310436, 6211972 Near fire trail 9H, before junction with 9G.Planar ridgetop.

Ridgetop mallee thickets with bare sandstone areas, diverse low ground cover plants.


13 309435, 6213808 On Waratah Rivulet, south of fire trail crossing. Broad rock-based creek with flowing water and pools.

Sandstone Gully Forest and riparian edge shrubs and ground cover plants. Aspect N 5°.


14 309587, 6213078 Northern side of fire trail 9H. Ridgetop between Waratah Rivulet and its eastern tributaries. Planar.

Ridgetop low woodland and heath. Dense regrowth area after bushfires of 2001. Trees to 10 m.


15 310177, 6216066 East of fire trail 9E. Broad basin on plateau; planar.

Upland swamp with dense sedges and ground cover plants. Totally regenerated after 2001 bushfires.


16 310364, 6216623 Northern side of Fire trail 9E, north of junction with 9. Ridgetop area between two swamps. Planar.

Scribbly Gum Forest, mid-successional following 2001 bushfires. Trees to 15 m.


17 311510, 6217244 Near end of fire trail 9E. Rocky knoll overlooking Woronora Reservoir. Stepped sandstone ledges. Planar.

Rock plate mallee-heath, plants widely scattered with bare rock areas between. Trees to 5 m.




Table 3 (Continued) Fauna Survey Sites


18 309990, 6217189 Off fire trail 9D, north of junction with 9E. Headwater swamp of creek that runs into Woronora Reservoir. Aspects 3° NE.

Upland swamp with dense sedges and rushes. Recovered from fire damage of 2001. No open water.


19 308834, 6218412 Headwaters of Bee Creek, about 3 km N of junction with 9E. Aspect 2° N.

Upland swamp with dense sedges and rushes. No open water. No sign of fire damage.


20 307987, 6218760 Junction of Woronora River and minor tributary. Deep sandstone valley near river flow gauge.

Sandstone Gully Apple-Peppermint Forest lining valley sides and riparian shrubs along watercourses. Flowing river with rocky bars and sand banks.


2.3 FAUNA SURVEY TECHNIQUES The survey techniques utilised were based on DEC (2004) and Bell and Hoye (2002) and are described below. The survey effort implemented at each survey site is described in Attachment B. Where necessary, species identifications were checked using the following references: Marchant and Higgins (1993); Pizzey and Knight (1999); Churchill (1998); Cogger (2000); Menkhorst and Knight (2001); Barret et al. (2003); Morcombe (2004); Strahan (2000); and Swan et al. (2004). Playback calls were selections from Stewart (1999a; 1999b) and mammalian tracks and traces were identified where possible using Triggs (2004). Anabat Detectors During the surveys, one Anabat detector was set at Sites 1 to 20 for two non-consecutive nights (i.e. two detector nights at each site). The Anabat detectors were left to detect a period from dusk to dawn. Additional Anabat detection was undertaken near the Woronora Reservoir (at the northern end of Fire Road 9G) and at Woronora River (near Fire Road 9F). All recorded calls during both surveys were analysed by Dr Greg Richards (Greg Richards and Associates). Hair Tubes Twenty five ground hair tubes were located around the perimeter of Sites 1 to 8 with an additional 10 hair tubes placed on the trunks (approximately 2-3 m from the ground) of suitable trees with hollows or scratch marks. Ten ground hair tubes were placed at Sites 9 to 20 with hair tubes placed near every third Elliott trap in the line. The hair tubes were designed to contain the bait, be easily smelt but not able to be removed by an investigating animal. At each site (Sites 1 to 20) half of the hair tubes were baited with peanut butter (and oatmeal) and the other half with tinned cat food with fish. Hair tubes were left out for a minimum of four nights resulting in a total of 1,280 ground and 320 tree hair tube nights. All hair sampled during the surveys was analysed by Dr Barbara Triggs.



Spotlighting The primary targets of this activity were arboreal and ground dwelling larger mammals, nocturnal birds, nocturnal amphibians and reptiles. During the surveys, 30 minutes (Sites 9 to 20) to one person hour (Sites 1 to 8) of spotlighting was undertaken, walking at around 1 kilometre per hour (km/hr), on two separate evenings. Where water bodies were present, particular attention was directed to locating amphibians. Amphibians, where present, were identified by call and direct observation. Additional spotlighting was carried out using a vehicle travelling at around 5 km/hr, focusing on habitats along available fire trails.

Herpetological Searches Systematic searches were conducted for reptiles and amphibians at each site (Sites 1 to 20). During the surveys, one person hour of herpetological searches was undertaken at each site on two separate days (i.e. a total of two hours searched per site). Bark was prised from trees, ground litter was raked, logs were turned over and cavities examined, fallen branches were moved, where present rocks were turned and slow walking facilitated the flushing out of any reptiles or amphibians present. Opportunistic reptile and amphibian searches were also carried out in other parts of the study area. Bird Surveys During the surveys, two one-hour area bird surveys were conducted on two separate days at each site. Birds were recognised by sight, calls and flight patterns. Opportunistic bird surveys were also carried out during the day. Call Playback Nocturnal and diurnal call playbacks were conducted proximal to each site. Calls played included the Powerful Owl, Sooty Owl, Barking Owl, Masked Owl, Barn Owl, Southern Boobook Owl, Squirrel Gilder, Koala, Yellow-bellied Glider, Sugar Glider, Giant Burrowing Frog, Red-crowned Toadlet, Stuttering Frog, Green and Golden Bell Frog and Littlejohn’s Tree Frog. Bird and mammal calls were not played in the same session. Each playback session commenced with a short listening period, followed by spotlighting of the surrounding vegetation. Following the completion of calls, a further spotlight scan was made of the surrounding vegetation under nocturnal conditions. Platypus Surveys Twenty hours of observation for the Platypus were conducted in November/December 2006 at potential habitat sites including the Waratah Rivulet, Woronora River and in the headwaters of the Woronora Reservoir. Observations took place at dawn or dusk and the observer was located at a vantage point where the waterbody could be observed using field binoculars. Opportunistic Observations Any sightings of fauna were recorded whilst travelling throughout the study area. To maximise such sightings the routes to various locations were varied as much as possible.



Tracks and Traces Searches for tracks and traces were combined with other activities, particularly herpetological searches. Searches were conducted for hair samples, skulls, animal droppings, diggings and scratch marks, etc. Some areas were particularly suited to identifying animal tracks. Elliott A and B Traps Elliott A traps (8 x 10 x 33 cm) and Elliott B traps (16 x 16 x 46 cm) were baited with a mixture of peanut butter and oatmeal, provided with a handful of nesting material to keep captured animals warm, and partially covered with a plastic bag to keep animals dry. Twenty-five Elliott A traps were placed at approximately 25 m intervals along the boundary of the rectangular sampling plots at Sites 9 to 20 and the locations were marked with flagging tape. Five Elliott B traps were placed in suitable locations at Sites 9 to 20 at approximately 60 m intervals along the boundary of the rectangular sampling plots and the location marked with flagging tape, usually within 5 to 10 m of the type A Elliott traps. Ten Elliott A traps were placed in suitable trees supported by a bracket about 5 m above ground level, at approximately 25 m intervals at Sites 9 to 20 and the location marked with flagging tape. Traps were left out at each location for four consecutive nights (i.e. 100 ground Elliott A trap nights per site, 40 tree Elliott A traps per site and 20 Elliott B trap nights per site). Traps were checked soon after dawn each morning, any captured animal identified, assessed and released, disturbance and false trap closures noted and the traps reset as appropriate. Cage Traps Five wire cage folding traps suitable for larger mammals such as bandicoots, spotted-tailed quolls and possums were placed at about 40 m intervals through the centre of Sites 9 to 20, the location flagged and the trap covered with a large plastic bag to protect captured animals from the weather. Half the traps were baited with oatmeal-peanut butter mix and the other half with canned cat (fish) food. Traps were left out at each location for four nights providing 20 trap nights per site, a total of 240 trap nights. Traps were checked soon after dawn each morning, any captured animal identified, assessed and released, disturbance and false trap closures noted and the traps reset as appropriate. Pitfall Traps No pitfall traps were used as the predominant sandstone geology makes the use of pitfall traps overly time consuming or near impossible. Targeted Surveys for Threatened Fauna Species A list of threatened amphibian, reptile, bird and mammal species listed in the Schedules of the TSC Act and EPBC Act considered possible occurrences within the study area or immediate surrounds is provided in Table 1. The range of techniques utilised in this survey were also appropriate to target the threatened species listed in Table 1.



2.4 HABITAT ASSESSMENT A habitat assessment was conducted at each site based on visual observations. The habitat characteristics and parameters that were assessed included: • aspect/slope;

• habitat layers and heights (eg. litter, logs, grass-herb layer, understoreys, canopy);

• percent cover including vegetation components, bare soil and rock;

• rock formation, tree hollows;

• fire history;

• successional stage;

• tree/shrub density;

• habitat connectivity;

• presence of water;

• habitat condition and trends;

• dominant vegetation species, and

• disturbance characteristics (weed invasion, erosion, loss of functional integrity). This information was recorded in a database and used to categorise and describe the broad fauna habitat types within the study area.

2.5 RELATIVE ABUNDANCE The relative abundance of each species recorded was estimated as follows:

1 One sighting of the species, or at least one trace found.

U Uncommon, 2-5 observations of the species, as well as an assessment of how widespread and persistent the species was.

C Common, 6-30 observations of the species, as well as an assessment of how widespread and persistent the species was.

Hence relative abundance was based on empirical data as well as being a value judgement made by an experienced surveyor.

3 SURVEY RESULTS

3.1 MAJOR FAUNA HABITAT TYPES Five broad habitat types were identified in the study area as follows: 1. Forest;

2. Woodland;

3. Heath and Mallee;

4. Riparian (and associated watercourse); and

5. Upland Swamp.



All broad fauna habitat types in the study area are in early to mid-succession phase following the 2001 bushfires (Section 1.4.4). All survey sites (Section 2.2, Table 3) were assessed as having high internal and external habitat connectivity, variable internal habitat homogeneity, with high quality habitat in regards to the particular phase of post fire succession. The variability in available habitat in the 2007 survey was further enhanced by significant rain events leading up to the survey period creating wet areas, some minor ephemeral flows in fire trail gutters and minor drainage lines, seepage across rock platforms, thereby optimising the likelihood of detecting amphibian species. Habitat values are further enhanced at those sites with variable rock formations including boulders, rock pavements, beehives and breakaway slopes to the adjacent valley floor. High vegetation density and the continuous mid-successional understorey vegetation formations present at some sites either in scattered or continuous formations is likely to be associated with low reptile diversity and density, reptiles being more-or-less confined to more open and/or rock-dominated habitats. The broad fauna habitat types are described below based on the results of the habitat assessment conducted at each survey site. However, a number of survey sites demonstrated ecotonal characteristics and other micro-habitat nuances.

3.1.1 Forest Forest habitat is confined to slopes of gullies and valley floors where soil has accumulated and can support larger trees. The only exception to this is Site 9 (OHares Creek Shale Forest) where tall Angophora trees occur near the plateau top. Forest trees cannot be supported on the bare, heavily eroded sandstone ridges. Forest is widely scattered across the study site because of the extensive series of incised valleys and gullies arising from prolonged weathering and erosion of the sandstone plateau. Site 8, for example, contains typical Sandstone Gully Forest and is located within a south-west facing partly sheltered gully with mesic vegetation and a tall canopy in late succession format, up to 20 m in height. The height of the canopy is attributed to deeper and relatively more fertile soil than is found on ridgetops. The dominant trees are Smooth-barked Apple (Angophora costata) and Sydney Peppermint (E. piperita) with isolated Red Bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera). The dominant tree cover is associated with a diverse non-continuous understorey of small trees, tall shrubs and thick ground cover plants, with stem densities greater than 20,000/ha found in some locations. Grasses and herbs occur sporadically. A moderate amount of scattered fire trash is present. Leaf litter and bare soil patches are randomly distributed. On ground logs are sparse to absent. The forest trees provide a moderate abundance of tree hollows. The site falls away steeply from the adjacent ridge-top (slope 15o) and is associated with rocky platforms, beehive formations, and free standing or groups of smaller rocks and mid–sized to large boulders with infinite numbers of crevices, cracks and hiding places. The site rock cover is about 20%. Many sites offering potential roosting or resting locations for a range of vertebrate species were located during the survey. At Site 8, the forest straddles an ephemeral early order stream-bed that at the time of the 2007 survey was low flowing, providing an important riparian habitat with associated riparian vegetation. Furthermore, seepage across rock platforms under survey conditions was relatively common but ephemeral in nature and dependant on rainfall events.



The condition of this habitat type is variable and predominately high quality consistent with the early to mid succession recovery phase, following the 2001 bushfire that burnt through the study area. Habitat connectivity within this habitat type and between adjacent habitat types is generally high.

3.1.2 Woodland The woodland fauna habitat type is the second most predominant habitat type within the study area, occurring mainly on elevated ridges and exposed parts of the plateau where there has been soil accumulation (usually associated with sandstone exposures or ledges). The woodland fauna habitat type varies from low (approximately 8 m) to tall woodland (approximately 20 m). The fauna habitats that this range of vegetation assemblages encompasses are very variable. The higher parts of the Woronora plateau often have skeletal or shallow soil cover. As a result the trees present are often stunted and well spaced apart. These soils are also very nutrient poor. The dominant tree type is Broad-leaved Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma) in association with Red Bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera), Smooth-barked Apple (Angophora costata) and Silvertop Ash (E. sieberi). The tall shrub, Old Man Banksia (Banksia serrata), also commonly occurs. The woodland trees provide low to moderate abundance of tree hollows, predominantly in the taller woodland. The condition of habitat is variable, but predominately high quality and consistent with early to mid successional stages following the 2001 bushfire which burnt through the study area. Habitat connectivity within this habitat type is generally high. Rock cover is low to medium, with some rocky outcrops occurring. No permanent water was found within this habitat, but run-off was observed at some sites following rain during the survey which enabled ephemeral pools to form in some locations. Site 1, for example, is a tall Angophora-peppermint woodland with a relatively steep southerly aspect, scattered log with a variable understorey and shrub density and moderate numbers of tree hollows. Variable rock cover is around 40% of the site area. Site 2 is an exposed planar ridge-top dominated by a Scribbly Gum Woodland with a variable understorey and shrub density, 10% rock cover and sparse log cover. Site 3 is a woodland-dominated mosaic with heath and mallee formations, absence of logs, and with a variable understorey and shrub density. Site 7 is a mixed woodland community, planar, straddling a fire trail, some log and variable tree hollows, and with variable understorey and shrub density.

3.1.3 Heath and Mallee Heath and mallee formations form a mosaic within this broad fauna habitat to a height of approximately 10 m. Heath areas generally form dense continuous canopies of a range of shrub and intermediate height trees. In mallee areas, clumps of Yellow-top Ash (E. luehmanniana) predominate along with less obvious mallees such as Mallee Ash (E. stricta) and Whipstick Mallee Ash (E. multicaulis). The tall shrubs found in mallee areas include the Flaky-barked Tea-tree (Leptospermum trinervium) and Heath-leaved Banksia (B. ericifolia). Grasses and isolated sedges appear as a sparse ground cover. Heath areas are dominated by shrubs such as Heath-leaved Banksia (B. ericifolia), Conesticks (Petrophile pulchella) and various narrow-leaved peas and wattles. The ground cover is often sparse with native grasses and isolated sedges are found in areas not dominated by shrubs. Soils are very shallow or skeletal.



The mallee and heath fauna habitats are characterised by a low abundance of tree hollows and dominant mallee Eucalypt species, in mid successional formations. Bare sandy soils and/or rocky platforms can be located between vegetation units. The condition of the habitat within this habitat type is variable, but predominately high quality consistent with the mid successional stage present following the 2001 bushfire which burnt through the study area. Habitat connectivity within this habitat type is generally high. Site 5, for example, is predominantly a mallee-dominated site with associated patches of heath, interspersed with rock pavement and with some components of ridgetop-low woodland present. Site 6 is planar and straddles a fire trail. Both Sites 5 and 6 are immediately adjacent to a fire trail, with a southerly aspect and significant areas of rock pavement and scattered boulders. No permanent water is located in this broad fauna habitat but under the 2007 survey conditions, there was free water in the road gutter adjacent to sites 5 and 6 with mature tadpoles present.

3.1.4 Riparian (and Associated Watercourse) Riparian habitat occurs along streams which flow to the Woronora Reservoir and some of their tributaries. The Woronora Reservoir also provides habitat resources for terrestrial fauna. In the riparian zone, the immediate tree cover is often continuous and dense canopies formed in the more sheltered areas. The vegetation within riparian fauna habitats forms an open forest structure, which is up to 25 m in height. The canopy vegetation consists of species such as Smooth-barked Apple (Angophora costata) and Sydney Peppermint (Eucalyptus piperita). The condition of this habitat type is variable and predominately high quality consistent with the early to mid succession recovery phase, following the 2001 bushfire that burnt through the study area. Habitat connectivity within this habitat type and between adjacent habitat types is generally high. Riparian habitat occurs as narrow, sinuous zones following the watercourses along the floors of the deeper gullies and valleys. In the upstream areas, the riparian vegetation gives way to swamps or gully forest vegetation.

3.1.5 Upland Swamps Upland swamps occur on ridge-tops where the drainage has been impeded by vegetation and soil moisture levels may be high for long periods. Fauna survey sites 4, 15, 18 and 19 were located within this broad habitat type. Tall sedges and rushes make up the bulk of the vegetation. The swamp area is devoid of tall tree species but thickets of Banksia (Banksia oblongifolia) and Tea Tree (Leptospermum juniperinum) occur together with a variety of shrubs and dry-swamp tolerant plants. Vegetation height varies from 1-5 m and the vegetation is continuously very dense and difficult to walk through. Fringing eucalypt woodland (up to 15 m in height) is also present in some areas of upland swamp. Under the prevailing drought conditions damp areas were present and limited to the central drainage line at this site. Some non-swamp vegetation species (trees an shrubs) are beginning to invade the swamps presumably due to the extended drought conditions. There is a complete absence of hollows, rocky areas and ground log. Large amounts of leaf litter are scattered throughout the sites. Moderate amounts of fire trash are scattered across the landscape. Grass and herb cover is sparse.



The condition of this habitat is high quality and consistent with a post fire mid-successional phase following the 2001 bushfire which burnt through the study area. Internal and external habitat connectivity is high. Open water is rarely present in these swamps but the substrate is boggy and contains high levels of organic matter.

3.2 FAUNA SPECIES DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE

3.2.1 Species Diversity Across Survey Sites Species diversity across survey sites for amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and introduced mammals is illustrated in Table 4. Native species diversity varied between 11 and 36 species per site. Amphibian diversity across sample sites ranged from zero to eight species, reptile diversity ranged from one to seven species, bird diversity ranged from eight to 23 species and mammal diversity from zero to eight species. Native reptiles and birds were located at all survey sites. The species diversity recorded during the surveys is consistent with expected species diversity in a fire recovery mid-successional landscape, where populations are recovering gradually following the 2001 fire.

3.2.2 Species Composition and Abundance During the survey, a total of 145 species were identified in the study area (including 140 native and five introduced species) (Table 4; Attachment C). A total of 17 amphibians, 19 reptile species, 77 bird species and 27 native mammal species were located in the study area. A summary of the species located and their abundance is provided in Attachment C.

Table 4 Distribution of Terrestrial Fauna Species Across Survey Sites 1-20

Number of Species Per Sample Site

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Native Amphibians 1 2 4 3 5 4 4 3 2 0 8 0

Native Reptiles 2 2 3 6 5 5 7 5 4 2 4 1

Native Birds 12 16 13 16 18 13 12 13 23 19 18 8

Native Mammals 2 4 4 4 4 4 5 2 7 4 4 2

Introduced Mammals 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 0 1 0

Total Native Species 17 24 24 29 32 26 28 23 36 25 34 11

Number of Species Per Sample Site

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Total Number of Species Recorded

Native Amphibians 7 0 1 2 0 1 1 3 17

Native Reptiles 3 2 1 2 4 2 1 6 19

Native Birds 15 14 14 9 11 11 12 16 77

Native Mammals 4 0 1 2 1 2 1 8 27

Introduced Mammals 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 5

Total Native Species 29 16 17 15 16 16 15 33 140

Total Species 145



3.2.3 Amphibians Seventeen amphibians were located during the survey (Table 4; Attachment C). The number of species located at sampling Sites 1 to 20 varied between zero and eight species. Seven Myobatrachidae and 10 Hylidae were observed. In addition to the species located at Sites 1 to 20, one additional amphibian species (14 species in total) were located opportunistically. The two frogs most widely distributed across the study area were Crinia signifera and Litoria verreaxii.

3.2.4 Reptiles Nineteen reptile species were located during the survey (Table 4; Attachment C). One Gekkonidae, eight Scincidae, three Agamidae, one Varanidae and six Elapidae were located. In addition to the species located at Sites 1 to 20, two additional reptile species (12 species in total) were located opportunistically. Ctenotus taeniolatus was located at 12 sites, Lampropholis guichenoti was located at ten sites, Lampropholis delicata was located at eight sites, while Oedura lesuerii was located at six sites. These data indicates that there is a relatively impoverished representation of the potential reptilian fauna present in the study area, but nevertheless consistent with species recovery following the 2001 bushfire.

3.2.5 Birds Seventy-seven native birds were identified during the survey (Table 4; Attachment C). The number of species located at all sampling sites varied between eight and 23. In addition to the species located at Sites 1 to 20, an additional eight species (55 species in total) were located opportunistically. Overall, one Ciconiidae, one Aedeidae, three Falconidae, three Accipitridae, one Charadriidae, four Columbidae, eight Psittacidae, three Cuculidae, one Tytonidae, one Strigidae, one Podargidae, one Caprimulgidae, one Aegothelidae, two Alcendinidae, one Menuridae, one Climacteridae, three Maluridae, two Pardalotidae, eight Acanthizidae, one Zosteropidae, twelve Meliphagidae, one Petroicidae, two Eupetidae, three Pachycephalidae, four Dicruridae, one Campephagidae, one Hirundinidae, four Artamidae, one Corvidae and one Sylviidae were observed. Birds most widely distributed across the study area included the Rainbow Lorikeet, White-throated Treecreeper, Brown Thornbill, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, White-eared Honeyeater, Little Wattlebird, Red Wattlebird, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Grey Shrike-thrush, Eastern Yellow Robin and Rufous Whistler. These data indicates that there is a relatively impoverished representation of the potential bird fauna present in the study area, but nevertheless consistent with species recovery following the 2001 bushfire.

3.2.6 Mammals Twenty-seven native mammal species were located during the survey (Table 4; Attachment C). The number of native mammal species located at sampling Sites 1 to 20 varied between zero and eight. In addition to the species located at Sites 1 to 20, an additional five species (16 species in total) were recorded opportunistically in the study area.



These included one Ornithorhynchidae (Platypus), one Tachyglossidae (Short-beaked Echidna), three Dasyuridae (Antechinus spp. and the Common Dunnart), one Vombatidae (Common Wombat), one Burramyidae (Eastern Pygmy-Possum), one Phalangeridae (Common Brushtail Possum), two Petauridae (Sugar Glider and Squirrel Glider), one Pseudocheiridae (Common Ringtail Possum), three Macropodidae (Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Euro and Swamp Wallaby), one Pteropidae (Grey-headed Flying Fox), seven Vespertiliomidae (microchiropteran bats) and four Muridae (Rattus spp. and the Eastern Water Rat). In addition, diggings were recorded during the surveys that could potentially belong to the Peramelidae (Long-nosed Bandicoot or Southern Brown Bandicoot) or Potoroidae (Long-nosed Potoroo) (Attachment C). Five introduced mammals were located (House Mouse, Dog, Red Fox, Rusa Deer and Rabbit). The Squirrel Glider was heard calling at Site 7. The Platypus was recorded at three locations: on the Woronora River near Site 10 (four individuals), on the Waratah Rivulet approximately 1 km north of Flat Rock Crossing (one individual) and on the Waratah Rivulet near the end of Fire Road 9J (one individual). These data indicates that there is a reasonable representation of the potential mammalian fauna present in the study area, consistent with species recovery following the 2001 bushfire and the extant successional stage of the range of habitats.

3.2.7 Introduced Vertebrate Fauna Five introduced mammal species were located during the survey (Table 4; Attachment C). The number of introduced species located at each of the sample sites varied between zero and two species. The species included House Mouse, Red Fox and Rusa Deer, while the Dog and Rabbit were located opportunistically.

3.3 THREATENED FAUNA SPECIES Thirteen threatened species were recorded during the surveys. In addition, diggings were recorded that could potentially belong to the threatened Southern Brown Bandicoot or Long-nosed Potoroo, or alternatively the protected Long-nosed Bandicoot. These species, together with their sampling sites, respective location co-ordinates and numbers of individuals observed, are outlined in Table 5.

Table 5 Threatened Fauna Species Located During the Surveys

Conservation Status Location of Record Common Name Scientific Name

TSC Act1 EPBC Act2

Survey Sites Easting Northing

Number of Individuals

Amphibians

Giant Burrowing Frog

Heleioporus australiacus

V V 3,4,6, Opp. 308401 310051 308581 309035

6215427 6216439 6214359 6214666

8

Red-crowned Toadlet

Pseudophryne australis

V - 2,5,7, Opp. 307695 308444 309131 308009 311645 311735 308578 308546 308772

6214391 6214341 6214633 6214506 6215509 6215757 6214088 6214120 6213358

14



Table 5 (Continued) Threatened Fauna Species Located During the Surveys

Conservation Status Location of Record Common Name Scientific Name

TSC Act1 EPBC Act2

Survey Sites Easting Northing

Number of Individuals

Reptiles

Broad-headed Snake

Hoplocephalus bungaroides

E V 1,2,4, 6/7 308579 307691 310064 308547

6214169 6214378 6216454 6214419

7

Birds

Black-necked Stork

Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus

E - 8 308371 6214120 5 overhead

Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura V - Opp. 310967 6211740 1

Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos V - 2,3 307699 308419

6214490 6215441

3

Turquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella

V - Opp. Opp.

307307 309016

6213745 6217581

5 2

Eastern Ground Parrot

Pezoporus wallicus

V - Opp. 15

309980 310367

6217056 6216059

2 1

Mammals

Eastern Pygmy-possum

Cercartetus nanus V - Opp. 310682 6214665 1

Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis

V - 7 309037 62144699 1 heard calling

Grey-headed Flying Fox

Pteropus poliocephalus

V V 9 Opp. Opp.

307454 307236 308371

6214303 6213487 6214120

>20

Eastern Bentwing Bat

Miniopterus schreibersii

V - 1 2

Opp.

308529 306517 307501

6214158 6214497 6214257

Unknown Anabat

detection

Large-footed Myotis

Myotis macropus V - Opp. 311887 6215855 Unknown Anabat

detection

Potential diggings of the:

3,6 308477 308551

6215477 6214454

3 diggings

Southern Brown Bandicoot;

Isoodon obesulus E E

Long-nosed Bandicoot; or

Perameles nasuta - -

Long-nosed Potoroo

Potorous tridactylus

V V

1 Threatened species status under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 (current as at 11 February 2008). 2 Threatened species status under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999

(current as at 11 February 2008). E Endangered V Vulnerable

All threatened fauna species in Table 5 were sighted or detected (bats), with the exception of the diggings that could potentially belong to the Southern Brown Bandicoot, Long-nosed Bandicoot or Long-nosed Potoroo and the Squirrel Glider, which was identified by call.

During the surveys, the Giant Burrowing Frog was recorded at four locations, while the Red-crowned Toadlet was recorded at nine locations (Table 5 and Figure 4). The Red-crowned Toadlet has also been recorded in the Longwalls 14 to 17 area by Biosphere Environmental Consultants (2007). Giant Burrowing Frogs were found in areas where weeping joint in the upper sandstone areas had created damp sand banks and shallow ditches; sedges and plants typically associated with wet heath were



prevalent in these sites. The Red-crowned Toadlet was found in eucalypt woodland and heath, typically below sandstone ridges. The Broad-headed Snake was also recorded at several locations during the survey (Figure 4) in sandstone escarpment areas where tall trees were present. The Broad-headed Snake is considered to be a species of high regional priority (DECC, 2007a). The Black-necked Stork and the Grey Falcon located during this survey were recorded flying over-head and are known only as vagrants in the area (DECC, 2007a; Pizzey and Knight, 1999). The Black-necked Stork is considered to be an extremely rare visitor to the area (DECC, 2007a). The Square-tailed Kite was recorded flying over woodland and forest area to the east of the study site while the Turquoise Parrot was observed on the ground in a grassy clearing near tall forest close to Darkes Forest Road and north of Site 19 near Fire Trail 9 (Figure 4). The Eastern Ground Parrot was recorded only in upland swamp habitat and it is recognised that upland swamps are important habitat for this species (DECC, 2007a). The Eastern Ground Parrot is a species that was considered to possibly be locally extinct and is a species of highest conservation priority (DECC, 2007a). During the surveys, diggings that could potentially belong to the threatened Southern Brown Bandicoot or Long-nosed Potoroo or protected Long-nosed Bandicoot were recorded in deep gully sites where there was dense ground cover present (Figure 4). The Southern Brown Bandicoot and Long-nosed Potoroo are species considered to be of highest conservation priority (DECC, 2007a). The Eastern Pygmy-possum was recorded in Banksia-dominated heath and a call of the Squirrel Glider was recorded at one location in woodland (Figure 4). The Grey-headed Flying Fox was recorded at three locations within the study area; in each case the bats were recorded flying over tall forest at the southern edges of the study site (Figure 4). The Eastern Bentwing Bat was recorded over woodland vegetation. The Large-footed Myotis was recorded by Anabat detection flying above water in the eastern arm of the Woronora Reservoir. The Large-footed Myotis is also considered to be a species of high regional priority (DECC, 2007a).

3.4 MIGRATORY SPECIES Attachment D presents the migratory species listed under the EPBC Act that have been recorded in the study area or wider surrounds by the following sources: Atlas of NSW Wildlife (DECC, 2007b), Australian Museum (2007), Birds Australia (2007), fauna recorded in the Woronora Special Area (DECC, 2007a) and Project surveys (this study). Some 63 migratory bird species have been recorded in the wider surrounds (DECC, 2007b, Australian Museum, 2007 and Birds Australia, 2007) (Attachment D). One migratory bird species was recorded in the Woronora Special Area by DECC (2007a) and by the Project surveys (this study), namely, the Rufous Fantail.

3.5 MARINE PROTECTED SPECIES Attachment E presents the marine protected species listed under the EPBC Act that have been recorded in the study area or wider surrounds by the following sources: Atlas of NSW Wildlife (DECC, 2007b), Australian Museum (2007), Birds Australia (2007) ), fauna recorded in the Woronora Special Area (DECC, 2007a) and Project surveys (this study). Some 15 marine protected species have been recorded in the Woronora Special Area (DECC, 2007a) or by the Project surveys (this study), with a larger number recorded in the wider surrounds (DECC, 2007b, Australian Museum, 2007 and Birds Australia, 2007) (Attachment E).



3.6 SEPP 44 – KOALA HABITAT ASSESSMENT In response to a state-wide decline of Koala populations, the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (now Department of Planning) gazetted the State Environmental Planning Policy No. 44 – Koala Habitat Protection (SEPP 44) in January 2005. The policy aims to “encourage the conservation and proper management of areas of natural vegetation that provide habitat for Koalas, to ensure permanent free-living populations over their present range and to reverse the current trend of population decline.” In order to determine whether SEPP 44 applies to the study area, it is necessary to consider the following points: (1) Does the subject land occur in a Local Government Area identified in Schedule 1? The study area and surrounds are located in the Local Government Area of Wollongong, which is listed within Schedule 1 of SEPP 44. (2) Is the landholding to which the DA applies greater than 1 hectare in area? The landholding is greater than 1 hectare in area. (3) Is the land potential Koala habitat? That is, does the site “contain areas of native vegetation where the trees of types listed in Schedule 2 constitute at least 15% of the total number of trees in the upper or lower strata of the tree component?” Potential Koala food trees in accordance with SEPP 44, present within the study area include Broad-leaved Scribbly Gum Eucalyptus haemastoma,. a dominant component of vegetation map units 1a, 1b, 1c and 1r, and an occasional component of vegetation map units 2b, 2c, 3a and 3d (Bangalay Botanical Surveys, 2008). Bangalay Botanical Surveys (2008) note that in the equivalent map unit (29), NPWS (2003) identify the presence of Eucalyptus sclerophylla, E. racemosa and E. haemastoma and hybrids between them, and although the former was not detected during recent flora surveys, it is likely that hybrids between the latter two species are likely to be present. Estimates of Eucalyptus haemastoma are therefore broad, constituting between 30-80% of the canopy composition of the drier ridgetop communities. Based on the above, the study area is considered to represent potential koala habitat (Bangalay Botanical Surveys, 2008). (4) Is there core Koala habitat on the subject land and is there a requirement for the preparation of a Plan of Management for the identified core Koala habitat? SEPP 44 described core Koala habitat as an area of land with a resident population of Koala’s, evidenced by attributes such as breeding females (i.e. females with young) and recent sightings of and historical records of, a population. The study area does not fall within the definition of core Koala habitat. There was no evidence of the presence of Koalas within the study area during the surveys. No characteristic scratches or faecal pellets were observed, despite searching smooth-barked trees and the base of trees at each survey site. Based on the above, it is concluded that the provisions of SEPP 44 do not apply.



4 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION In summary the following conclusions can be made: • Five broad habitat types were identified in the study area, namely Forest, Woodland, Heath and

Mallee, Riparian (and associated watercourse) and Upland Swamp.

• Habitats are variable and of high quality although the majority of vegetation communities are in early to mid successional stage following the 2001 bushfire.

• The extant ecosystems with their component fauna habitats demonstrated a high level of functional integrity.

• A total of 145 species were identified in the study area (including 140 native and five introduced species, consisting of 17 amphibian species, 19 reptile species, 77 bird species and 27 native and five introduced mammal species).

• Species diversity was judged to be a subset of the species that could be potentially located within the region but consistent with what would be expected in a fire recovery zone in a early to mid successional stage, following the 2001 bushfire.

• Thirteen threatened species were located within the study area, namely the Giant Burrowing Frog, Red-crowned Toadlet, Broad-headed Snake, Black-necked Stork, Square-tailed Kite, Grey Falcon, Turquoise Parrot, Eastern Ground Parrot, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Squirrel Glider, Grey-headed Flying Fox, Eastern Bentwing Bat and the Large-footed Myotis. In addition, diggings were recorded during the surveys that could potentially belong to the threatened Southern Brown Bandicoot or Long-nosed Potoroo, or the protected Long-nosed Bandicoot.

• A number of migratory and marine protected species have also been recorded within the study area and/or wider surrounds.

• The study area does not fall within the definition of core Koala habitat under SEPP 44.

5 REFERENCES

Australian Museum (2007) Database records within the following search area -34º 00' 00", -34º 23' 00”, 150º 45', 151º 10'. Data received August 2007.

Bangalay Botanical Surveys (2008) Metropolitan Coal Project Baseline Flora Survey. Report prepared for Helensburgh Coal Pty Ltd.

Barret, G., Silcocks, A., Barry, S., Cunningham, R. and Poulter, R. (2003) The New Atlas of Australian Birds. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, Hawthorn East.

Bell, M. M. and Hoye, S. (2002) Flora and Fauna Survey Guidelines: Lower Hunter Central Coast Region. Volumes 1 and 2. Lower Hunter Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy, Calleghan.

Biosphere Environmental Consultants (2007) Amphibian Survey - Longwalls 14 -17 Metropolitan Colliery. Report prepared for Helensburgh Coal Pty Ltd.

Birds Australia (2007) Database records within the following search area -34º 00' 00", -34º 23' 00”, 150º 45', 151º 10'. Data received August 2007.

Branagan, D.F. and Packham. G.H. (2000). Field Geology of New South Wales. Dept. of Mineral Resources, Sydney.



Bureau of Meteorology (2007 and 2008) Mean temperatures and rainfall: Lucas Heights ANSTO. Internet Site: http://www.bom.gov.au/ Date Accessed : August 2007 and February 2008.

Churchill, S. (1998) Australian Bats. Reed New Holland, Sydney.

Cogger, H.G. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia (Sixth Edition). Reed New Holland, Sydney.

Date, E.M., Goldney, D.C., Bauer, J. and Paull, D. (2000) The distribution and abundance of endangered vertebrate fauna in NSW White Cypress woodlands: implications of state forest management. In Conservation in Production Environments: Managing the Matrix. Taupo, New Zealand, ed by D. Saunders, N. Mitchell and J. Craig. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Norton Chipping.

Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) (2007a) Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna of the Greater Southern Sydney Region: Volume 1 – Background Report; Volume 2 - Fauna of Conservation Concern including Priority Pest Species; Volume 4 – The Fauna of the Metropolitan, O’Hares Creek and Woronora Special Areas – Summary of Findings and Recommendations A joint project between the SCA and the DECC.

Department of Environment and Climate Change (2007b) Atlas of NSW Wildlife Records for the Wollongong and Port Hacking 1:100,000 map sheets. May, 2007.

Department of Environment and Climate Change (2007c) BIONET- User Defined Grid of Lat/Long – 141.57,-33.63, 142.2, -33.12. Internet Site: http://www.bionet.nsw.gov.au Date Accessed: May 2007.

Department of Environment and Climate Change (2007d) Threatened Species Home Page. Internet Site: http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/index.aspx Date Accessed: May 2007.

Department of Environment and Conservation (2004) Threatened Species Survey and Assessment: Guidelines for Developments and Activities. Working Draft.

Department of Environment and Water Resources (2007) EPBC Act Homepage. Internet Site: http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/ Date Accessed: August 2007.

Department of the Environment and Heritage (2006) Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) Version 6.1. Internet Site: http://www.deh.gov.au/ Date Accessed: July 2006.

Marchant, S. and Higgins, J. (1993) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Menkhorst, P. and Knight, F. (2001) A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Morcombe, M. (2004) Field Guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd, Archerfield, QLD.

Morgan, G. (2001) Delineation and description of the Eastern Environmental Subregions (provinces) in New South Wales. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville .



National Parks and Wildlife Service (1998) Post Fire Vertebrate Fauna Survey, Royal and Heathcote National Park and Garawarra State Recreational Area Report.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000) Royal National Park, Heathcote National Park and Garawarra State Recreation Area Plan of Management.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Fauna of the Illawarra Escarpment, Coastal Plain and Plateau, Wollongong Local Government Area Bioregional Assessment Part II.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (2004) Post-fire Study of the Fauna of the Woronora Plateau.

Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. (1999) Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Harper Collins Publishers, Sydney, Australia.

Smart, J.M. (2002) The Bioregions of New South Wales, a practical guide to the assessment of their biodiversity. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville.

Stewart, D.A. (1999a) Bird and Mammal Calls of NE-NSW Western Slopes and Plains. Nature Sound, Mullumbimby.

Stewart, D.A. (1999b) Australian Frog Calls. Subtropical East, Nature Sound, Mullumbimby.

Strahan, R. (ed.) (2000) The Mammals of Australia. Reed New Holland, Sydney.

Swan, G., Shea, G. and Sadlier, R. (2004) A Field Guide to the Reptiles of NSW. Second Edition, Reed New Holland.

Sydney Catchment Authority and National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Native Vegetation of the Woronora, O'Hares and Metropolitan Catchments.

Thackway, R. and Cresswell, I.D. (eds.) (1995) An Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia: a Framework for Establishing the National System of Reserves, Version 4.0. Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.

Tozer, M.G., Turner, K., Simpson, C., Keith, D.A., Beukers, P., MacKenzie, B., Tindall, D. and Pennay, C. (2006) Native vegetation of southeast NSW: a revised classification and map for the coast and eastern tablelands. Version 1.0 NSW Department of Environment and Conservation and NSW Department of Natural Resources, Hurstville.

Triggs, B. (2004) Tracks, Scats and Other Traces. A Field Guide to Australian Mammals. Revised edition, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Western Research Institute and Biosphere Environmental Consultants (2007) Metropolitan Colliery Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Survey and Potential Impact Assessment of Longwalls 18, 19 and 19A. Report prepared for Helensburgh Coal Pty Ltd.



6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1. Field staff were 2006 and March 2007 survey: Dr Arthur White, Robert Wall, George Madani

and David Nelson May 2007 survey: Dr David Goldney, Dr Anne Kerle and Richard Wells.

2. Staff from HCPL and Resource Strategies for logistical support.

3. DECC and NSW Department of Primary Industries licences needed for survey work and animal ethics clearance.

4. Dr Greg Richards Anabat analysis.

5. Dr Barbara Triggs mammalian hair and scat analysis.


Western Research Institute Biosphere Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd

ATTACHMENT A

THREATENED SPECIES DATABASE SEARCH RESULTS


Western Research Institute A-1 Biosphere Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd

Table A1 Threatened Species Database Search Results

Conservation Status

DECC List Species Records Scientific Name

Common Name

TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

Illawarra sub-region3

Sydney Cataract

sub-region4

EPBC Act

Protected Matters Search5

NPWS Atlas of NSW Wildlife6

DECC (2007) 7 Australian Museum8

Birds Australia (2007) 9

Considered to Potentially Occur in the Study Area

or Immediate Surrounds

Amphibians

Crinia tinnula Wallum Froglet V - - - - • - - -

Heleioporus australiacus Giant Burrowing Frog V V • • • • • - -

Litoria aurea Green and Golden Bell Frog E V • • • • • - -

Litoria littlejohni Littlejohn's Tree Frog V V • • • • • - -

Mixophyes balbus Stuttering Frog E V • • • - • - -

Pseudophryne australis Red-crowned Toadlet V - • • - • • - -

Reptiles

Hoplocephalus bungaroides Broad-headed Snake E V • • • • • - -

Varanus rosenbergi Rosenberg's Goanna V - • • - • • - -

Birds

Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern V - • - - • - - •

Burhinus grallarius Bush Stone-curlew E - • • - • - - -

Cacatua leadbeateri Major Mitchell's Cockatoo V - - - - • - - -

Calamanthus fuliginosus Striated Fieldwren V - - - - • - - -

Calidris alba Sanderling V - • - - • - - •

Calidris tenuirostris Great Knot V - • - - • - - •

Callocephalon fimbriatum Gang-gang Cockatoo V - • • - • • - •

Calyptorhynchus lathami Glossy Black-Cockatoo E - • • - • - - •

Charadrius leschenaultii Greater Sand-plover V - • - - • - - -

Charadrius mongolus Lesser Sand-plover V - • - - • - - -

Climacteris picumnus victoriae Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies)

V - - - - • - - •

Coracina lineata Barred Cuckoo-shrike V - - - - • - - -

Dasyornis brachypterus Eastern Bristlebird E E • • - • - - -




Conservation Status


Common Name

TSC Act1

EPBC Act2


Sydney Cataract

sub-region4

EPBC Act







Birds (Continued)

Diomedea amsterdamensis Amsterdam Albatross - E - - • - - - -

Diomedea antipodensis Antipodean Albatross V V - - • - - - -

Diomedea dabbenena Tristan Albatross - E - - • - - - -

Diomedea exulans Wandering Albatross E V - - • • - - •

Diomedea gibsoni Gibson’s Albatross V V - - • - - - -

Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Black-necked Stork E - • - - • - - - 10

Esacus neglectus Beach Stone-curlew E - • - - • - - -

Fregetta grallaria White-bellied Storm-Petrel V - - - - • - - -

Glossopsitta porphyrocephala Purple-crowned Lorikeet V - - - - • - - -

Gygis alba White Tern V - - - - • - - -

Haematopus fuliginosus Sooty Oystercatcher V - • • - • - - •

Haematopus longirostris Pied Oystercatcher V - • • - • - - •

Irediparra gallinacea Comb-crested Jacana V - • - - - - - -

Ixobrychus flavicollis Black Bittern V - • - - • - - -

Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot E E • • • • - - •

Limicola falcinellus Broad-billed Sandpiper V - • - - • - - -

Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit V - • - - • - - •

Lophoictinia isura Square-tailed Kite V - • • - • - - -

Macronectes giganteus Southern Giant Petrel E E - - • • - - -

Macronectes halli Northern Giant-Petrel V V - - • • - - -

Melanodryas cucullata Hooded Robin - - - - - • - - -

Melithreptus gularis gularis Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern subspecies)

V - - • - • - - -

Neochmia ruficauda Star Finch EXT - - - - • - - -




Conservation Status


Common Name

TSC Act1

EPBC Act2


Sydney Cataract

sub-region4

EPBC Act







Birds (Continued)

Neophema chrysogaster Orange-bellied Parrot E CE • - • - - - -

Neophema pulchella Turquoise Parrot V - • - - • - - -

Ninox connivens Barking Owl V - • - - • - - -

Ninox strenua Powerful Owl V - • • - • • - •

Oxyura australis Blue-billed Duck V - • - - • - - -

Pachycephala olivacea Olive Whistler V - • - - • - - •

Pandion haliaetus Osprey V - • - - • - - •

Petroica rodinogaster Pink Robin V - • - - • - - -

Pezoporus wallicus wallicus Eastern Ground Parrot V - • • - • - - -

Phaethon rubricauda Red-tailed Tropicbird V - - - - • - - -

Phoebetria fusca Sooty Albatross V V - - - • - - -

Polytelis swainsonii Superb Parrot V V - - - • - - -

Procelsterna cerulea Grey Ternlet V - - - - • - - -

Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera Gould's Petrel E E - - • • - - -

Pterodroma neglecta neglecta Kermadec Petrel (west Pacific subspecies)

V V - - • • - - -

Pterodroma nigripennis Black-winged Petrel V - - - - • - - -

Pterodroma solandri Providence Petrel V - - - - • - - -

Ptilinopus magnificus Wompoo Fruit-Dove V - - - - • - - -

Ptilinopus regina Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove V - - - - • - - -

Ptilinopus superbus Superb Fruit-Dove V - • - - • - - -

Puffinus assimilis Little Shearwater V - - • - • - - -

Puffinus carneipes Flesh-footed Shearwater V - - - - • - - -

Pyrrholaemus sagittatus Speckled Warbler V - - - - • - - •




Conservation Status


Common Name

TSC Act1

EPBC Act2


Sydney Cataract

sub-region4

EPBC Act







Birds (Continued)

Rostratula australis/ Rostratula benghalensis australis

Australian Painted Snipe V V - - • - - - -

Stagonopleura guttata Diamond Firetail V - • - - • - - -

Sterna albifrons Little Tern E - • • - • - - •

Sterna fuscata Sooty Tern V - - - - • - - •

Stictonetta naevosa Freckled Duck V - • - - • - - •

Thalassarche bulleri Buller’s Albatross - V - - • - - - -

Thalassarche impavida Campbell Albatross - V - - • - - - -

Thalassarche cauta Shy Albatross V V - - • • - - -

Thalassarche melanophris Black-browed Albatross V V - - • • - - -

Thalassarche salvini Salvin’s Albatross - V - - • - - - -

Thalassarche steadi White-capped Albatross - V - - • - - - -

Thinornis rubricollis Hooded Plover E - • - - • - - -

Tyto novaehollandiae Masked Owl V - • • - • - - -

Tyto tenebricosa Sooty Owl V - • • - • - - •

Xanthomyza phrygia Regent Honeyeater E E • • • • - - -

Xenus cinereus Terek Sandpiper V - • - - • - - •

Mammals

Aepyprymnus rufescens Rufous Bettong V - - - - - - • -

Bettongia penicillata penicillata Brush-tailed Bettong (South-East Mainland)

EXT EXT - - - • - - -

Cercartetus nanus Eastern Pygmy-possum V - • • - • • • -

Chalinolobus dwyeri Large-eared Pied Bat V V • • • • - - -




Conservation Status


Common Name

TSC Act1

EPBC Act2


Sydney Cataract

sub-region4

EPBC Act







Mammals (Continued)

Dasyurus maculatus Spotted-tailed Quoll V E • • - • - • -

Dasyurus viverrinus Eastern Quoll E - - - - • - • -

Falsistrellus tasmaniensis Eastern False Pipistrelle V - • • - • • - -

Isoodon obesulus obesulus Southern Brown Bandicoot E E • - • • - - -

Kerivoula papuensis Golden-tipped Bat V - • - - - - - -

Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis Eastern Bentwing Bat V - • • - • • • -

Mormopterus norfolkensis Eastern Freetail-bat V - • • - • • - -

Myotis adversus Large-footed Myotis V - • • - • • • -

Petaurus australis Yellow-bellied Glider V - • - - • - - -

Petaurus norfolcensis Squirrel Glider V - • • - • - - -

Petrogale penicillata Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby E V • - • • - - -

Phascolarctos cinereus Koala V - • • - • • • -

Potorous tridactylus Long-nosed Potoroo V V • - • - - - -

Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying Fox V V • • • • • - -

Saccolaimus flaviventris Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat V - • • - • - • -

Scoteanax rueppellii Greater Broad-nosed Bat V - • • - • - • -

Sminthopsis leucopus White-footed Dunnart V - • - - - - - - 1 V Vulnerable E Endangered EXT Presumed Extinct 2 V Vulnerable E Endangered EXT Extinct CE Critically Endangered 3 Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) (2007) List of Threatened Species Known or Predicted to Occur in the Illawarra CMA Sub-region. Date Accessed: 17 August 2007. 4 Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) (2007) List of Threatened Species Known or Predicted to Occur in the Sydney Cataract CMA Sub-region. Date Accessed: 17 August 2007. 5 Department of Environment and Water Resources (DEW) (2007) EPBC Act Protected Matters Search. Search for co-ordinates: -34º 00’ 00”, -34º 23’ 00”, 150º 45’, 151º 10’. 6 National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) (2007) Threatened Species – DECC Atlas Database records for the Wollongong and Port Hacking1:100,000 map sheets. Data received August 2007. 7 Threatened fauna species recorded in the Woronora Special Area - as listed in Appendix 1 of Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna of the Greater Sydney Region: The Southern

Blue Mountains to the Sea, Volume 4 – Fauna of the Woronora, O’Hares Creek and Metropolitan Special Areas. 8 Australian Museum (2007) Database records within the following search area -34º 00’ 00”, -34º 23’ 00”, 150º 45’, 151º 10’. Data received August 2007. 9 Birds Australia (2007) Database records within the following search area -34º 00’ 00”, -34º 23’ 00”, 150º 45’, 151º 10'. Data received August 2007. 10 While recorded during the surveys, this species was recorded flying-overhead and is known only as a vagrant in the area (DECC, 2007a; Pizzey and Knight, 1999). Preferred habitat resources for this species does not occur

within the study area.



ATTACHMENT B

SURVEY EFFORT


Western Research Institute B-1 Biosphere Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd

Table B1 Survey Effort

Method Site Effort Total Effort

Anabat detectors 1 Anabat detector for 2 nights at Sites 1 to 20.

40 Anabat detector nights

Hair tubes 25 ground hair tubes at Sites 1 to 8 and 10 ground hair tubes at Sites 9 to 20 for a minimum of four nights.

10 tree hair tubes for 4 nights at Sites 1 to 8.

1280 ground hair tube nights

320 tree hair tube nights

Spotlighting Up to 2 person hours per site and along fire trails

62 hours

Herpetological searches 2 person hours per site. 40 hours

Bird surveys 2 person hours per site 40 hours

Call playback Up to 60 mins at each site. 20 hours

Elliott A traps: ground

: trees

100 Elliott A trap nights at Sites 9 to 20.

40 trap nights/site

1200 trap nights

480 trap nights

Elliott B traps 20 Elliott B trap nights at Sites 9 to 20. 240 trap nights

Standard Cage Traps 5 traps per site for four nights at Sites 9 to 20.

240 trap nights

Platypus observations Observations of sites on Waratah Rivulet, Woronora River and Woronora Reservoir

20 hours

Opportunistic observations Ad lib across the study area. Ad lib

Tracks and traces Ad lib or when engaged in other activities above.

Ad lib



ATTACHMENT C

VERTEBRATE FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE SURVEYS


Western Research Institute C-1 Biosphere Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd

Table C1 Vertebrate Fauna Species Recorded During the Surveys

Conservation Status

Survey Site Scientific Name Common Name

TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Amphibians

Myobatrachidae

Crinia signifera Common Eastern Froglet - - X X X X X X X X

Heleioporus australiacus Giant Burrowing Frog V V X X X

Limnodynastes dumerilii Eastern Banjo Frog - - X X

Limnodynastes peronii Brown-striped Frog - - X

Limnodynastes tamaniensis Spotted Grass Frog - -

Pseudophryne australis Red-crowned Toadlet V - X X X

Uperoleia laevigata Smooth Toadlet - - X

Hylidae

Litoria citropa Blue Mountains Tree Frog - - X

Litoria dentata Bleating Tree Frog - - X X

Litoria fallax Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog - - X

Litoria freycineti Freycinet’s Frog - -

Litoria jervisiensis Jervis Bay Tree Frog - - X X X

Litoria latopalmata Broad-palmed Frog - - X

Litoria lesueuri Lesueur’s Frog - - X X

Litoria nudidigitata Leaf Green River Tree Frog - - X

Litoria peronii Peron’s Tree Frog - - X

Litoria verreauxii Verreaux’s Tree Frog - - X X X X X X

Reptiles

Gekkonidae

Oedura lesueurii Lesueur’s Velvet Gecko - - X X X X X



Table C1 (Continued) Vertebrate Fauna Species Recorded During the Surveys

Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Scinidae

Acritoscincus platynotum Red-throated Skink - -

Cryptoblepharus virgatus Wall Skink - - X X X

Ctenotus taeniolatus Copper-tailed Skink - - X X X X X X X X X

Egernia whitii White’s Skink - - X X X X

Eulamprus quoyii Eastern Water-skink - - X X

Lampropholis delicata Dark-flecked Garden Sunskink

- - X X X X X X

Lampropholis guichenoti Pale-flecked Garden Sunskink

- - X X X

Saproscincus mustelina Weasel Skink - - X

Agamidae

Amphibolurus muricatus Jacky Lizard - -

Physignathus lesueurii Water Dragon - - X X

Rankinia diemensis Mountain Dragon - - X

Varanidae

Varanus varius Lace Monitor - -

Elapidae

Cryptophis nigrescens Eastern Small-eyed Snake - - X

Demansia psammophis Yellow-faced Whip Snake - - X

Hoplocephalus bungaroides Broad-headed Snake E V X X X X X

Pseudechus porphyriacus Red-bellied Black Snake - -

Pseudonaja textilis Eastern Brown Snake - - X

Rhinoplocephalus nigrescens Southern Small-eyed Snake - - X




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Birds

Ciconiidae

Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Black-necked Stork E - X

Ardeidae

Nycticorax caledonicus Nankeen Night Heron - - X

Falconidae

Falco cenchuroides Australian Kestrel - - X

Falco berigora Brown Falcon - - X

Falco hypoleucos Grey Falcon V - X X

Accipitridae

Lophoictinia isura Square-tailed Kite V -

Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk - -

Accipiter cirrhocephalis Collared Sparrowhawk - - X

Charadriidae

Vanellus miles Masked Lapwing X

Columbidae

Streptopelia chinensis Spotted Turtle-dove - - X

Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing Pigeon

- - X

Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon - -

Geopelia humeralis Bar-shouldered Dove - - X

Psittacidae

Calyptorhynchus funereus Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo

- - X X X X

Cacatua galerita Sulphur-crested Cockatoo - - X

Trichoglossus haematodus Rainbow Lorikeet - - X X X X X




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Platycercus elegans Crimson Rosella - - X X X X

Platycercus adscitus Eastern Rosella - - X

Neophema pulchella Turquoise Parrot V -

Pezoporus wallicus Eastern Ground Parrot V -

Alisterus scapularis Australian King Parrot - - X

Cuculidae

Cuculus pallidus Pallid Cuckoo - - X X

Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan-tailed Cuckoo - - X X

Scythrops novaehollandiae Channel-billed Cuckoo - - X

Tytonidae

Tyto alba Barn Owl - - X X

Strigidae

Ninox novaeseelandiae boobook

Southern Boobook Owl - - X

Podargidae

Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth - -

Caprimulgidae

Eurostopodus mystacalis White-throated Nightjar - - X X

Aegothelidae

Aegotheles cristanus Australian Owlet-Nightjar - - X X X X

Alcendinidae

Dacelo novaeguinea Laughing Kookaburra - - X X

Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher - -

Menuridae

Menura novaehollandiae Superb Lyrebird - - X X H H X H




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Climacteridae

Cormobates leucophaea White-throated Treecreeper - - X X X X X

Maluridae

Malurus lamberti Variegated Fairy-wren - - X

Malurus cyaneus Superb Fairy-wren - - X

Stipiturus malachurus Southern Emu-wren - -

Pardalotidae

Pardalotus punctatus Spotted Pardalote - - X X

Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote - - X

Acanthizidae

Origma solitaria Rockwarbler - - X

Sericornis frontalis White-browed Scrub wren - - X X X

Calamanthus pyrrhopygia Chestnut-rumped heathwren - - X X

Gerygone mouki Brown Gerygone - - X X X

Acanthiza pusilla Brown Thornbill - - X X X X X X

Acanthiza reguloides Buff-rumped Thornbill - - X

Acanthiza lineata Striated Thornbill - - X X

Aphelocephala leucopis Southern Whiteface - - X

Zosteropidae

Zosterops lateralis Silvereye - -

Meliphagidae

Lichenostomus chrysops Yellow-faced Honeyeater - - X X X X X X X X X

Lichenostomus leucotis White-eared Honeyeater - - X X X X X X

Meliphaga lewinii Lewin’s Honeyeater - - X X X X




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Melithreptus brevirostris Brown-headed Honeyeater - - X

Melithreptus lunatus White-naped Honeyeater - -

Philemon corniculatus Noisy Friarbird - - X X

Anthochaera chrysoptera Little Wattlebird - - X X X X X X

Anthochaera carunculata Red Wattlebird - - X X X X X X X X X

Phylidonyris novaehollandiae New Holland Honeyeater - - X X X X X X X

Phylidonyis niger White-cheeked Honeyeater - - X X X X

Glyciphela malanops Tawny-crowned Honeyeater - - X X X

Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Eastern Spinebill - - X X X X X X X X X

Petroicidae

Eopsaltria australis Eastern Yellow Robin - - X X X X

Eupetidae

Psophodes olivaceus Eastern Whipbird - - X X X

Cinclosoma punctatum Spotted Quail-thrush - - X

Pachycephalidae

Pachycephala pectoralis Golden Whistler - - X

Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler - - X X X

Collurcincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush - - X X X X X X

Dicruridae

Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail - -

Rhipidura albiscapa Grey Fantail - - X X X

Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail - -

Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-lark - - X

Campephagidae

Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike - - X X




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Hirundinidae

Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow - -

Artamidae

Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird - - X X

Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie - - X X

Strepera graculina Pied Currawong - - X X X X

Artamus cyanopterus Dusky Woodswallow - - X

Corvidae

Corvus coronoides Australian Raven - - X

Sylviidae

Cisticola exilis Golden Cisticola - - X

Mammals

Ornithorhynchidae

Ornithorhynchus anatinus Platypus - -

Tachyglossidae

Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna - - T T T

Dasyuridae

Antechinus sp. Unidentified Antechinus - - X

Antechinus stuartii Brown Antechinus - - X X

Sminthopsis murina Common Dunnart - - X

Peramelidae

Isoodon obesulus Southern Brown Bandicoot3 E E T? T?

Perameles nasuta Long-nosed Bandicoot3 - - T? T?

Vombatidae

Vombatus ursinus Common Wombat - - T T T T




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Burramyidae

Cercatetus nanus Eastern Pygmy-Possum V -

Phalangeridae

Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum - -

Petauridae

Petaurus breviceps Sugar Glider - -

Petaurus norfolcensis Squirrel Glider V - H

Pseudocheiridae

Pseudocheirus peregrinus Common Ringtail Possum - - X X

Potoroidae

Potorous tridactylus Long-nosed Potoroo3 V V T? T?

Macropodidae

Macropus giganteus Eastern Grey Kangaroo - - T X X

Macropus robustus Euro - - X

Wallabia bicolor Swamp Wallaby - - X T T T T T T T X

Pteropidae

Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying Fox V V X

Vespertiliomidae

Chalinolobus gouldii Gould’s Wattled Bat - - X X

Chalinolobus morio Chocolate Wattled Bat - - X X

Miniopteris schreibersii Eastern Bentwing Bat V - X X

Vespedelus vulturnis Little Forest Bat - - X X

Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat - -

Nyctophilus sp./spp. Long-eared Bat - - X X




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Myotis macropus Large-footed Myotis V -

Muridae

Rattus fuscipes Bush Rat - - X X

Rattus lutreolus Swamp Rat - - X

Rattus sp. Unidentified - - X

Hydromys chrysogaster Water Rat - -

Introduced Mammal Species

Mus musculus House Mouse* - - X X

Canis lupis familiaris Dog* - -

Vulpes vulpes Red Fox* - - T T T T T T T T X

Cervus timorensis Rusa Deer* - - X X

Oryctolagus cuniculis Rabbit* - -

Nomenclature for Family, Genus and Species and Common Names in accordance with CSIRO (2006). Legend:

* Introduced Species 1 Status of threatened species under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 (current as at 11 February 2008). 2 Status of threatened species under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 (current as at 11 February 2008). 3 Diggings were recorded at sites 3 and 6 that could potentially belong to the Southern Brown Bandicoot, Long-nosed Bandicoot or Long-nosed Potoroo.

E Endangered V Vulnerable

X Visual Id,

H Heard, identified by call;

T Trace, identified by tracks, droppings, diggings etc. 4 Opportunistic Observations




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

O4 Relative Abundance

Amphibians

Myobatrachidae

Crinia signifera Common Eastern Froglet - - X X X X X X X C

Heleioporus australiacus Giant Burrowing Frog V V X U

Limnodynastes dumerilii Eastern Banjo Frog - - X U

Limnodynastes peronii Brown-striped Frog - - X X X U

Limnodynastes tamaniensis Spotted Grass Frog - - X 1

Pseudophryne australis Red-crowned Toadlet V - X U

Uperoleia laevigata Smooth Toadlet - - X U

Hylidae

Litoria citropa Blue Mountains Tree Frog - - X U

Litoria dentata Bleating Tree Frog - - X X X X C

Litoria fallax Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog - - C

Litoria freycineti Freycinet’s Frog - - X X C

Litoria jervisiensis Jervis Bay Tree Frog - - U

Litoria latopalmata Broad-palmed Frog - - X U

Litoria lesueuri Lesueur’s Frog - - X C

Litoria nudidigitata Leaf Green River Tree Frog - - X X C

Litoria peronii Peron’s Tree Frog - - X X C

Litoria verreauxii Verreaux’s Tree Frog - - X C

Reptiles

Gekkonidae

Oedura lesueurii Lesueur’s Velvet Gecko - - X X U




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


Scinidae

Acritoscincus platynotum Red-throated Skink - - X U

Cryptoblepharus virgatus Wall Skink - - X U

Ctenotus taeniolatus Copper-tailed Skink - - X X X X C

Egernia whitii White’s Skink - - X U

Eulamprus quoyii Eastern Water-skink - - X X U

Lampropholis delicata Dark-flecked Garden Sunskink

- - X X X C

Lampropholis guichenoti Pale-flecked Garden Sunskink

- - X X X X X X X X C

Saproscincus mustelina Weasel Skink - - X U

Agamidae

Amphibolurus muricatus Jacky Lizard - - X C

Physignathus lesueurii Water Dragon - - X X X C

Rankinia diemensis Mountain Dragon - - X U

Varanidae

Varanus varius Lace Monitor - - X U

Elapidae

Cryptophis nigrescens Eastern Small-eyed Snake - - X U

Demansia psammophis Yellow-faced Whip Snake - - X 1

Hoplocephalus bungaroides Broad-headed Snake E V U

Pseudechus porphyriacus Red-bellied Black Snake - - X X U

Pseudonaja textilis Eastern Brown Snake - - X 1

Rhinoplocephalus nigrescens Southern Small-eyed Snake - - 1




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


Birds

Ciconiidae

Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Black-necked Stork E - 1 group overhead

Ardeidae

Nycticorax caledonicus Nankeen Night Heron - - X U

Falconidae

Falco cenchuroides Australian Kestrel - - U

Falco berigora Brown Falcon - - 1

Falco hypoleucos Grey Falcon V - U

Accipitridae

Lophoictinia isura Square-tailed Kite V - X 1

Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk - - X U

Accipiter cirrhocephalis Collared Sparrowhawk - - U

Charadriidae

Vanellus miles Masked Lapwing X U

Columbidae

Streptopelia chinensis Spotted Turtle-dove - - X C

Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing Pigeon

- - X X X U

Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon - - X X C

Geopelia humeralis Bar-shouldered Dove - - X X C

Psittacidae

Calyptorhynchus funereus Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo

- - X X X C

Cacatua galerita Sulphur-crested Cockatoo - - X C

Trichoglossus haematodus Rainbow Lorikeet - - X C




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


Platycercus elegans Crimson Rosella - - X U

Platycercus adscitus Eastern Rosella - - X X C

Neophema pulchella Turquoise Parrot V - X U

Pezoporus wallicus Eastern Ground Parrot V - X X U

Alisterus scapularis Australian King Parrot - - 1

Cuculidae

Cuculus pallidus Pallid Cuckoo - - X U

Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan-tailed Cuckoo - - X X X C

Scythrops novaehollandiae Channel-billed Cuckoo - - X X X U

Tytonidae

Tyto alba Barn Owl - - U

Strigidae

Ninox novaeseelandiae boobook

Southern Boobook Owl - - X U

Podargidae

Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth - - X U

Caprimulgidae

Eurostopodus mystacalis White-throated Nightjar - - X X X C

Aegothelidae

Aegotheles cristanus Australian Owlet-Nightjar - - X X X X C

Alcendinidae

Dacelo novaeguinea Laughing Kookaburra - - X X U

Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher - - X U

Menuridae

Menura novaehollandiae Superb Lyrebird - - X C




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


Climacteridae

Cormobates leucophaea White-throated Treecreeper - - X X U

Maluridae

Malurus lamberti Variegated Fairy-wren - - X U

Malurus cyaneus Superb Fairy-wren - - X U

Stipiturus malachurus Southern Emu-wren - - X

Pardalotidae

Pardalotus punctatus Spotted Pardalote - - X X X X C

Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote - - U

Acanthizidae

Origma solitaria Rockwarbler - - X X X C

Sericornis frontalis White-browed Scrub wren - - X X C

Calamanthus pyrrhopygia Chestnut-rumped heathwren - - U

Gerygone mouki Brown Gerygone - - U

Acanthiza pusilla Brown Thornbill - - X X X X X X X X X X C

Acanthiza reguloides Buff-rumped Thornbill - - X

Acanthiza lineata Striated Thornbill - - X U

Aphelocephala leucopis Southern Whiteface - - U

Zosteropidae

Zosterops lateralis Silvereye - - X U

Meliphagidae

Lichenostomus chrysops Yellow-faced Honeyeater - - X X X X X X C

Lichenostomus leucotis White-eared Honeyeater - - X X X X C

Meliphaga lewinii Lewin’s Honeyeater - - X U




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


Melithreptus brevirostris Brown-headed Honeyeater - - X C

Melithreptus lunatus White-naped Honeyeater - - X U

Philemon corniculatus Noisy Friarbird - - X U

Anthochaera chrysoptera Little Wattlebird - - X X X X X X X X X C

Anthochaera carunculata Red Wattlebird - - X X C

Phylidonyris novaehollandiae New Holland Honeyeater - - X X X X X X C

Phylidonyis niger White-cheeked Honeyeater - - X U

Glyciphela malanops Tawny-crowned Honeyeater - - X X U

Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Eastern Spinebill - - X X X X X X X X X X C

Petroicidae

Eopsaltria australis Eastern Yellow Robin - - X X X X X X C

Eupetidae

Psophodes olivaceus Eastern Whipbird - - X U

Cinclosoma punctatum Spotted Quail-thrush - - X X X X X C

Pachycephalidae

Pachycephala pectoralis Golden Whistler - - X U

Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler - - X X X X X X X X X C

Collurcincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush - - X X X X X X X X C

Dicruridae

Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail - - X U

Rhipidura albiscapa Grey Fantail - - X X X C

Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail - - X C

Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-lark - - X X C




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


Campephagidae

Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike - - X X U

Hirundinidae

Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow - - X C

Artamidae

Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird - - X X X C

Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie - - X U

Strepera graculina Pied Currawong - - X X X X X C

Artamus cyanopterus Dusky Woodswallow - - U

Corvidae

Corvus coronoides Australian Raven - - X X U

Sylviidae

Cisticola exilis Golden Cisticola - - U

Mammals

Ornithorhynchidae

Ornithorhynchus anatinus Platypus - - X U

Tachyglossidae

Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna - - X U

Dasyuridae

Antechinus sp. Unidentified Antechinus - - 1

Antechinus stuartii Brown Antechinus - - X X X X C

Sminthopsis murina Common Dunnart - - 1

Peramelidae

Isoodon obesulus Southern Brown Bandicoot3 E E U

Perameles nasuta Long-nosed Bandicoot3 - - U




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


Vombatidae

Vombatus ursinus Common Wombat - - X U

Burramyidae

Cercatetus nanus Eastern Pygmy-Possum V - X U

Phalangeridae

Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum - - X X U

Petauridae

Petaurus breviceps Sugar Glider - - X 1

Petaurus norfolcensis Squirrel Glider V - 1

Pseudocheiridae

Pseudocheirus peregrinus Common Ringtail Possum - - X X U

Potoroidae

Potorous tridactylus Long-nosed Potoroo3 V V U

Macropodidae

Macropus giganteus Eastern Grey Kangaroo - - T U

Macropus robustus Euro - - U

Wallabia bicolor Swamp Wallaby - - X X X C

Pteropidae

Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying Fox V V X U

Vespertiliomidae

Chalinolobus gouldii Gould’s Wattled Bat - - X X X X C

Chalinolobus morio Chocolate Wattled Bat - - X X U

Miniopteris schreibersii Eastern Bentwing Bat V - X U

Vespedelus vulturnis Little Forest Bat - - X X X 1

Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat - - X U




Conservation Status


TSC Act1

EPBC Act2

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20


Nyctophilus sp./spp. Long-eared Bat - - X X U

Myotis macropus Large-footed Myotis V - X U

Muridae

Rattus fuscipes Bush Rat - - X X X X U

Rattus lutreolus Swamp Rat - - U

Rattus sp. Unidentified - - 1

Hydromys chrysogaster Water Rat - - X 1

Introduced Mammal Species

Mus musculus House Mouse* - - X X X X U

Canis lupis familiaris Dog* - - X U

Vulpes vulpes Red Fox* - - T C

Cervus timorensis Rusa Deer* - - U

Oryctolagus cuniculis Rabbit* - - X U

Nomenclature for Family, Genus and Species and Common Names in accordance with CSIRO (2006). Legend:

* Introduced Species 1 Status of threatened species under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 (current as at 11 February 2008). 2 Status of threatened species under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 (current as at 11 February 2008). 3 Diggings were recorded at sites 3 and 6 that could potentially belong to the Southern Brown Bandicoot, Long-nosed Bandicoot or Long-nosed Potoroo.

E Endangered V Vulnerable

X Visual Id,

H Heard, identified by call;

T Trace, identified by tracks, droppings, diggings etc. 4 Opportunistic Observations



ATTACHMENT D

MIGRATORY SPECIES DATABASE SEARCH RESULTS



Table D1 Migratory Species Recorded in the Study Area and Wider Surrounds

Scientific Name

Common Name Atlas of NSW

Wildlife1

Australian Museum2

Birds Australia (2007)3

DECC (2007)

4

Project Surveys

(this study)

Reptiles

Cheloniidae

Chelonia mydas Green Turtle

Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill Turtle

Birds

Diomedeidae

Diomedea epomophora Royal Albatross

Diomedea exulans Wandering Albatross

Phoebetria fusca Sooty Albatross

Phoebetria palpebrata Light-mantled Sooty Albatross

Thalassarche chlororhynchos Yellow-nosed Albatross

Thalassarche chrysostoma Grey-headed Albatross

Thalassarche melanophrys Black-browed Albatross

Thalassarche bulleri Buller’s Albatross

Thalassarche cauta Shy Albatross

Procellariidae

Macronectes giganteus Southern Giant Petrel

Macronectes halli Northern Giant Petrel

Pterodroma solandri Providence Petrel

Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera

Gould’s Petrel

Procellaria aequinoctialis White-chinned Petrel

Procellaria parkinsoni5 Black Petrel

Calonectris leucomelas Streaked Shearwater

Puffinus pacificus Wedge-tailed Shearwater

Puffinus griseus Sooty Shearwater

Puffinus tenuirostris Short-tailed Shearwater

Puffinus carneipes Flesh-footed Shearwater

Hydrobatidae

Oceanites oceanicus Wilson’s Storm-Petrel

Ardeidae

Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret

Ardea alba Great Egret

Egretta sacra Eastern Reef Egret

Phaethontidae

Phaethon lepturus White-tailed Tropicbird

Fregatidae

Fregata ariel Lesser Frigatebird

Sulidae

Sula leucogaster Brown Booby

Accipitridae

Pandion haliaetus Osprey

Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle

Recurvirostridae

Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt

Charadriidae

Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover

Pluvialis dominica Lesser Golden Plover



Scientific Name


Wildlife1

Australian Museum2


DECC (2007)

4

Project Surveys

(this study)

Rostratulidae

Rostratula australis Australian Painted Snipe

Scolopacidae

Gallinago hardwickii Latham’s Snipe

Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit

Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper

Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank

Xenus cinereus Terek Sandpiper

Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone

Calidris tenuirostris Great Knot

Calidris canutus Red Knot

Calidris alba Sanderling

Calidris ruficollis Red-necked Stint

Calidris acuminata Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper

Limicola falcinellus Broad-billed Sandpiper

Laridae

Sterna paradisaea Arctic Tern

Sterna albifrons Little Tern

Chlidonias leucopterus White-winged Black Tern

Stercorariidae

Stercorarius maccormicki5 South Polar Skua

Stercorarius pomarinus Pomarine Skua

Stercorarius parasiticus Arctic Skua

Stercorarius longicaudus Long-tailed Skua

Cuculidae

Cuculus saturatus Oriental Cuckoo

Apodidae

Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail

Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift

Meropidae

Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater

Dicruridae

Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail

Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch

Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher

Meliphagidae

Xanthomyza phrygia Regent Honeyeater

Nomenclature for Family, Genus and Species and Common Names in accordance with CSIRO (2006) CSIRO List of Australian Vertebrates.

1 Department of Environment and Climate Change (2007) Atlas of NSW Wildlife. Database records for the Wollongong 100,000 map sheet. Data received August 2007.

2 Australian Museum (2007) Database records within the following search area -34º 00’ 00”, -34º 23’ 00”, 150º 45’, 151º 10’. Data received August 2007.

3 Birds Australia (2007) Database records within the following search area -34º 00’ 00”, -34º 23’ 00”, 150º 45’, 151º 10'. Data received August 2007.

4 Marine protected species recorded in the Woronora Special Area - as listed in Appendix 1 of Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna of the Greater Sydney Region: The Southern Blue Mountains to the Sea, Volume 4 – Fauna of the Woronora, O’Hares Creek and Metropolitan Special Areas.

5 Species listed in CSIRO (2006) CSIRO List of Australian Vertebrates as a vagrant or accidental visitor recorded in Australia, its territories and territorial waters.



ATTACHMENT E

MARINE PROTECTED SPECIES DATABASE SEARCH RESULTS



Table E1 Marine Protected Species Recorded in the Study Area and Wider Surrounds

Scientific Name


Wildlife1

Australian Museum2


DECC (2007)

4

Project Surveys

(this study)

Reptiles

Cheloniidae

Chelonia mydas Green Turtle

Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill Turtle

Elapidae (sea snakes)

Hydrophis elegans Elegant Seasnake

Birds

Phasianidae

Coturnix pectoralis Stubble Quail

Anatidae

Cereopsis novaehollandiae Cape Barren Goose

Biziura lobata Musk Duck

Spheniscidae

Eudyptula minor Little Penguin

Diomedeidae

Diomedea epomophora Royal Albatross

Diomedea exulans Wandering Albatross

Phoebetria fusca Sooty Albatross

Phoebetria palpebrata Light-mantled Sooty Albatross

Thalassarche chlororhynchos Yellow-nosed Albatross

Thalassarche chrysostoma Grey-headed Albatross

Thalassarche melanophrys Black-browed Albatross

Thalassarche bulleri Buller’s Albatross

Thalassarche cauta Shy Albatross

Procellariidae

Macronectes giganteus Southern Giant Petrel

Macronectes halli Northern Giant Petrel

Fulmarus glacialoides Southern Fulmar

Daption capense Cape Petrel

Pachyptila desolata Antarctic Prion

Pachyptila belcheri Slender-billed Prion

Pachyptila turtur Fairy Prion

Pterodroma macroptera Great-winged Petrel

Pterodroma lessonii White-headed Petrel

Pterodroma solandri Providence Petrel

Pterodroma mollis5 Soft-plumaged Petrel

Pterodroma externa5 Juan Fernandez Petrel

Pterodroma neglecta neglecta Kermadec Petrel (west pacific subspecies)

Pterodroma arminjoniana Herald Petrel

Pterodroma inexpectata Mottled Petrel

Pterodroma nigripennis Black-winged Petrel

Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera

Gould’s Petrel



Scientific Name


Wildlife1

Australian Museum2


DECC (2007)

4

Project Surveys

(this study)

Pterodroma cervicalis5 White-necked Petrel

Pterodroma cookii5 Cook’s Petrel

Pseudobulweria rostrata Tahiti Petrel

Procellaria aequinoctialis White-chinned Petrel

Procellaria parkinsoni5 Black Petrel

Calonectris leucomelas Streaked Shearwater

Puffinus pacificus Wedge-tailed Shearwater

Puffinus bulleri Buller’s Shearwater

Puffinus gavia Fluttering Shearwater

Puffinus huttoni Hutton’s Shearwater

Puffinus assimilis Little Shearwater

Puffinus griseus Sooty Shearwater

Puffinus tenuirostris Short-tailed Shearwater

Puffinus carneipes Flesh-footed Shearwater

Puffinus lherminieri5 Audubon’s Shearwater

Puffinus creatopus5 Pink-footed Shearwater

Hydrobatidae

Oceanites oceanicus Wilson’s Storm-Petrel

Garrodia nereis Grey-backed Storm-Petrel

Pelagodroma marina White-faced Storm-Petrel

Fregetta grallaria White-bellied Storm-Petrel

Fregetta tropica Black-bellied Storm-Petrel

Threskiornithidae

Threskiornis molucca Australian White Ibis

Threskiornis spinicollis Straw-necked Ibis

Ardeidae

Nycticorax caledonicus Nankeen Night Heron

Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret

Ardea alba Great Egret

Egretta intermedia Intermediate Egret

Egretta garzetta Little Egret

Egretta sacra Eastern Reef Egret

Phaethontidae

Phaethon rubricauda Red-tailed Tropicbird

Phaethon lepturus White-tailed Tropicbird

Fregatidae

Fregata ariel Lesser Frigatebird

Pelecanidae

Pelecanus conspicillatus Australian Pelican

Sulidae

Morus serrator Australasian Gannet

Sula leucogaster Brown Booby

Falconidae

Falco cenchroides Australian Kestrel

Accipitridae

Pandion haliaetus Osprey



Scientific Name


Wildlife1

Australian Museum2


DECC (2007)

4

Project Surveys

(this study)

Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite

Haliastur indus Brahminy Kite

Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle

Circus approximans Swamp Harrier

Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk

Rallidae

Porzana tabuensis Spotless Crake

Porphyrio porphyrio Purple Swamphen

Burhinidae

Esacus magnirostris Beach-stone Curlew

Recurvirostridae

Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt

Recurvirostra novaehollandiae Red-necked Avocet

Charadriidae

Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover

Charadrius ruficapillus Red-capped Plover

Charadrius bicinctus Double-banded Plover

Pluvialis dominica Lesser Golden Plover

Thinornis rubricollis Hooded Plover

Rostratulidae

Rostratula australis Australian Painted Snipe

Scolopacidae

Gallinago hardwickii Latham’s Snipe

Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit

Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew

Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper

Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank

Xenus cinereus Terek Sandpiper

Heteroscelus brevipes Grey-tailed Tattler

Heteroscelus incanus Wandering Tattler

Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone

Calidris tenuirostris Great Knot

Calidris canutus Red Knot

Calidris alba Sanderling

Calidris ruficollis Red-necked Stint

Calidris acuminata Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper

Limicola falcinellus Broad-billed Sandpiper

Laridae

Larus pacificus Pacific Gull

Larus dominicanus Kelp Gull

Larus novaehollandiae Silver Gull

Sterna nilotica Gull-billed Tern

Sterna caspia Caspian Tern



Scientific Name


Wildlife1

Australian Museum2


DECC (2007)

4

Project Surveys

(this study)

Sterna bergii Crested Tern

Sterna striata White-fronted Tern

Sterna paradisaea Arctic Tern

Sterna albifrons Little Tern

Sterna fuscata Sooty Tern

Chlidonias hybrida Whiskered Tern

Chlidonias leucopterus White-winged Black Tern

Gygis alba White Tern

Stercorariidae

Stercorarius maccormicki5 South Polar Skua

Stercorarius pomarinus Pomarine Skua

Stercorarius parasiticus Arctic Skua

Stercorarius longicaudus Long-tailed Skua

Catharacta skua Great Skua

Procelsterna cerulea Grey Ternlet

Columbidae

Ptilinopus superbus Superb Fruit-Dove

Psittacidae

Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot

Cuculidae

Cuculus saturatus Oriental Cuckoo

Cuculus pallidus Pallid Cuckoo

Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Chalcites basalis Horsefield’s Bronze-Cuckoo

Chalcites lucidus Shining Bronze-Cuckoo

Scythrops novaehollandiae Channel-billed Cuckoo

Strigidae

Ninox boobook Southern Boobook

Caprimulgidae

Eurostopodus mystacalis White-throated Nightjar

Apodidae

Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail

Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift

Coraciidae

Eurystomus orientalis Dollarbird

Alcedinidae

Todiramphus macleayii Forest Kingfisher

Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher

Meropidae

Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater

Petroicidae

Petroica rodinogaster Pink Robin

Petroica phoenicea Flame Robin

Dicruridae

Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail

Dicrurus bracteatus Spangled Drongo



Scientific Name


Wildlife1

Australian Museum2


DECC (2007)

4

Project Surveys

(this study)

Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch

Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher

Campephagidae

Coracina tenuirostris Cicadabird

Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike

Coracina papuensis White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike

Hirundinidae

Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow

Petrochelidon nigricans Tree Martin

Zosteropidae

Zosterops lateralis Silvereye

Nomenclature for Family, Genus and Species and Common Names in accordance with CSIRO (2006) CSIRO List of Australian Vertebrates.

1 Department of Environment and Climate Change (2007) Atlas of NSW Wildlife. Database records for the Wollongong 100,000 map sheet. Data received August 2007.

2 Australian Museum (2007) Database records within the following search area -34º 00’ 00”, -34º 23’ 00”, 150º 45’, 151º 10’. Data received August 2007.

3 Birds Australia (2007) Database records within the following search area -34º 00’ 00”, -34º 23’ 00”, 150º 45’, 151º 10'. Data received August 2007.

4 Marine protected species recorded in the Woronora Special Area - as listed in Appendix 1 of Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna of the Greater Sydney Region: The Southern Blue Mountains to the Sea, Volume 4 – Fauna of the Woronora, O’Hares Creek and Metropolitan Special Areas.

5 Species listed in CSIRO (2006) CSIRO List of Australian Vertebrates as a vagrant or accidental visitor recorded in Australia, its territories and territorial waters.

APPENDIXF - Microsoft...potentially located within the region but consistent with what would be expected in a fire recovery zone in an early to mid successional stage, following the

Documents